Went there on July 4th. I was visiting friends that live there and who insisted we go again. Although my first visit was over a year ago, and it was less than good, I thought maybe the second time around might be better, hoping everyone would be cooking out for the holiday. Wrong! The place is always packed and I just don't get it. The parking lot is the biggest mess I've ever seen. They do have a couple of kids trying to direct traffic but they were not that adept at doing so. When asked a question about the place the response was I don't work inside. We sat inside this time and it was so loud and crowded it was impossible to enjoy yourself. One mindless young woman stood behind my chair for at least 15 minutes and kept pushing the backpack she wore against my shoulder and head. When I finally realized she was going be be there forever I asked her if she realized she was bumping me. She seemed insulted that I even had the nerve to say something. She finally left the area. We ordered crab dip with some sort of small bread loaf. The bread looked good, was warm, but no taste. The crab dip just okay. I ordered the rockfish plate. The fish was good. The french fries cold and soggy. The rice was also cold and probably the most tasteless I've ever eaten. The waiter did the best he could and we didn't have to wait long for our food. That was a blessing because that meant we could get out of there sooner, rather than later. The inside atmosphere is nothing to write home about. It just an old tavern with a bunch of tables jammed together with brown paper used to cover the tops. The locals think this is the best place ever. I beg to differ. If I ever have to return it will be way too soon. Btw.......the prices are way out there too. This place is way over hyped. I wouldn't recommend this joint to anyone.
(1)
M D.
3.5 is a perfect rating here. Worth the drive for the experience, especially for someone usually land-locked and unfamiliar with the bay scene. Fantastic setting, especially with the outdoor seating. Fun to see the catch being sorted under the deck and to know your dinner just came in. I think the food was better in town at Dock St, but it was still very good and worth the drive.
(3)
Rosa H.
I agree with the others...this place is all hype and nothing good. I don't understand why anyone would go anymore. Save your money and don't bother...there are plenty of great restaurants with better pricing, better service and better food. We waited 45 minutes with a baby and a stroller only to be told our stroller couldn't enter the restaurant. That wasn't the bad part, the waitress proceeded to chase us around the corner in the restaurant to give us her two cents on why it was an issue. Basically, don't bother coming if you have a wheelchair, walking device, stroller or anything else for that matter. Finally, the food sealed the deal. We paid $200 for some lettuce in a bag that they called salad and some very tiny crabs that they considered medium and large sized. How awful. Will never go back. If you want crabs, go to Mike's, it's on the water and they have better food and service. I drove all the way from Bethesda...what a waste!
(1)
Florence K.
Good ole messy fun. Crabs were good, and everything you'd expect from a crab shack. Sadly, I was more impressed by the mussels. Those had really deep flavors and because it came with bread, it made it even better!!!! Raw oysters on the half shells were fresh and the fried calamari was typical. As hidden as this place was, I think I was expecting more out of the food. Like it may have had some secret sauce or spice blend that really made me want to eat more... but it didn't... The location is nice, right by the water. Nice good for large families/parties.
(3)
Gina L.
Whoo-hoo! 1800, pulled into the parking lot after a quiet pleasant drive among winding neighborhood roads and the golden setting sun. The parking lot was packed, but an employee was nice enough to stand by the entrance to guide us to a primo spot in front. 1805, starving and seated. There's nothing like seeing a giant brown paper sheet placed in front of you as a reminder that yes, it is okay to eat like a three year old sometimes. This place is packed. The noise level high and the sound of crabs breaking under the pressure of hungry stomachs guiding sturdy mallets. 1820: No fine china here, folks! Just paper plates and good ole food. Highly suggest the crab cakes. Not some breaded concoction with slivers of crab. All in all, highly suggested! Great service, casual and noisy happy ambience, along with some good ole get your hands dirty grub. Got the raw oysters, steamed clams, mussles, and shrimp. Add some crab and snow crab legs and we're talkin' a pretty satisfying dinner.
(5)
Nick B.
Cantler's is an Annapolis institution, plain and simple. Every person out of state or even within Maryland that's looking for a great place to enjoy a cold beer and some crabs with friends, this is your place. Yeah sure the environment's a little noisy, but that's to be expected with an establishment of this type. Everyone says all of the locals swear by this place; funny thing is they're right. I'm a local and I love Cantler's.
(5)
Brian M.
It ain't haute cuisine, but for what it is you can't really complain. Procedure: 1) Park. Better arrive by 1PM on a weekend, and the road in barely goes two-wide. 2) Walk in, get seated at a long table with all types of folk. 3) Will you be having crabs? (Yes). Here's what sizes are left, the prices, and by the way you can order in whatever increments you want. We had 5. 4) Order drinks, any accompanying dishes. 5) Lay out that paper and a bucket, dump some crabs down and get to work. Make no mistake, you come here for the blue-claws. Weighting of any reviews or expectations should be judged accordingly meaning oh boo-hoo the romaine on your salad wasn't crisp enough, the ahi tuna wasn't Tsukiji Market quality? You're at the wrong joint, pal. This is sit on a bench in the heat, drink canned beer, sweat, wipe your face with your forearms because your hands are covered in Old Bay/salt/crab juice, cover the table in paper, hose off at the end type place. And by those standards they do a damn nice job.
(4)
Shari A.
Hard to find if you are not a local, but another place totally worth the trip. low key, great crabs, great view. Fun to go to even in the off season. Good service. Great place to bring a group!
(4)
Herschel S.
The bad: We came here on a Saturday afternoon (around 5pm) for an early dinner. We thought we would miss the crowd but who are we kidding!? The place was packed. Actually it stayed packed the entire time we were there. When we got there, we were told that they ran out of crabs. A restaurant known for its crabs actually ran out of it! We also found out that we would need to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. The good: When we found out that they ran out of crabs, we started debating if we still wanted to stay there and eat. We decided that we should probably ask them about the soft shell crabs since we really went there for soft shell crabs and the rockfish and stuffed shrimp. The waitress told us crab cakes and the soft shell crabs are still available and only the steamed crabs are not. So we decided that we can wait 1.5 hours for the food that we came for. The excellent: As soon as we decided we are going to wait 1.5 hours to be seated, our buzzer started buzzing. We were told that we can actually get seated! So we perused the menu and ordered our meal. I really wanted to get the calamari too but my husband reminded me that the meals might be too big and it would be a waste to order too much. So I decided if the meal wasn't enough I'll get the appetizer. Once the soft shell crab and the Rockfish and Stuffed Shrimp came, it was a delight. The crabs were really tasty. My husband especially loved eating the crabs without the need to crack them open and dig around for such little meat. I love the lump crab imperial with the shrimp. I thought the rockfish was just okay. I can do it at home about the same or probably better. I also love the fries that came with the soft shell crabs. The meal turned out to be more than enough! We couldn't order more. What I really like about this place is the atmosphere. It's pretty divey and you can actually go down to their docks and see how they sort the crabs. They also have a few containers with crabs swimming around. Boats come by often too. We talked to one of the people who has a boat and is passing by Cantler's. She mentioned that in this area she only knows of Cantler's selling gas to boaters. So of course we checked out the boat gas machine too. Good food and good experience! FYI, on the weekends they don't take reservations.
(5)
Matt C.
Cantlers is a nice little place with a few little problems. Here we go.... First, Cantlers is like El Dorado in regards to its location. You have to pretty much know where it is, as I think even our GPS conked out as we got deeper and deeper into the woods trying to find it. When we did finally get there, it was PACKED. We wound up waiting about 40 minutes outside for a seat. But, since there was a bar outside, it wasn't that big of a problem, since I figured I'd just get a few drinks while we waited....not so fast. 1, beer is only in cans and even then, the only cans outside were swill like Coors lite and Bud lite. I settled on a can of Corona, but wait, they don't take cards. Only inside. Grrrr. Its a small gripe, but it put us off to a bad start. Once finally inside, in a dimly lit room with a huge row of tables down the middle, we were sat down and went to work perusing the pretty big menu. Normally, I would think that this was a "just me being me" problem, but NO ONE at the table could decide on what to get. I think it was equal parts, "everything sounds good," and "nothing has everything I want!" For example, I was ready to BUST A GRUB, and wanted the sampler, but it didn't come with crab legs, and you couldn't just add them. You had to buy a 1/2 pound meal at an additional like $16. Ok, if I just wanted the crab legs, it was that and that only, with no shrimp, or mussels etc. There was no "everything" platter, that I would've gladly paid a kings ransom for. After being ENTHUSIASTICALLY encouraged by the server to get the rockfish, I got the stuffed rockfish (I know, I know....all that about crab legs, and still didn't get them...but that's kind of my point....). It was a decent fished filet with a tiny little salad thing. Eh....I was expecting more, and was quite underwhelmed by the sight, but since the server damn near got a Rockfish tattoo, I figured it would make up for it in taste. Wrong. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't the culinary enlightenment I was promised. My friend tried it and confirmed that it was also "dry." Ugh. All said and done, it turns out that its a bit pricey for what I got. I wasn't happy with my meal, all things considered, and when I'm back in Annapolis, I will not be begging to go back. I'll leave it to the locals.
(3)
Guy M.
Egh, Cantlers is okay in its own right. For me, it just did not live up to the expectation that had been given. The people were nice, service was good but at the end of the day, the food and experience was average. Nothing remarkable here.
(2)
Reese S.
Came here based on a recommendation from a friend. I'm visiting the area for the first time and wanted to try the blue crabs. The place is secluded and friendly. The food is really good. A well-kept secret with a beautiful view.
(4)
V E.
Solid place and great experience. Food was delicious and server (Jillian) was helpful considering it was my first time busting into crab. Wait was long but it's worth it.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I don't get the hype. As we drove through a small Annapolis neighborhood to get there, a huge line of cars, a 1/4 of a mile long, started forming to just enter the parking lot. The best part of the trip was when the parking attendant told us that, to save time, one of us should get out of the car and walk to the restaurant to put our names in. Being a gentleman, and a sucker for a cold beer, I jumped out and got our name on the list. As I finish my first cold one, my wife had finished parking. This place was packed. Beer is only served from a can and into plastic cups... blech. $4.50 for a can of anything sucks. We waited an hour at the bar before we thought to ask the hostess where we were in line. We had 10 people ahead of us for outdoor seating. At this point we decided to get steamed seafood platter to start. It was a huge disappointment. The mussels were bland and dry and the shrimp were small and overcooked. I couldn't believe how bad it was for a place known for seafood.As we were finishing the lackluster and overpriced appetizer, our buzzer rang. There was a great view overlooking the water. We were seated on picnic tables, which is great if you are eating crabs with a group of friends, but it was not exactly what I had in mind for a date night with the wife. Based on the reviews, I had to try the broiled lump crab cake sandwich. It was very meaty but was kinda bland. The hush puppies were good but were cold by the time I received them. On the other hand, the fried green tomato and chipotle soft shelled crab special that my wife ordered was surprisingly very good (and probably earned a star all by itself on this review) Service: I always felt like an inconvenience to the servers both at the bar and at the table. Granted, they were busy but they always seemed rushed and if I needed anything I felt as if I had to flag them down. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way again to come here.
(3)
Paul D.
I've heard the name Cantler's for decades and never bothered to take the time to find it or actually go and eat there. Even when I spent two years in Annapolis. Mostly because it's way out of the way (somewhat hard to find) and expensive. So I finally made it here and WOW! I'm a dumbass for not making a pilgrimage here, at least once a year, for the last 20 years. I went on an overcast December day for their 1/2 price happy hour Appetizers. Totally worth the drive. $4.50 for a 1/2lb of Snow Crab legs, (I wish I had ordered 2 of these) $5.50 for a smoked Blue Fish, served chilled (most of which I ate the next day). Fried Chesapeake Oysters, $7.50 Crab Dip w/two loaves of bread, etc, etc.. I really need to come here in the summer and pick crabs or just try their crab cakes. Because this place is what Maryland is all about: Sitting by the water, eating fresh seafood, and just soaking up the nostalgia all around you. From the 1980's O's pictures on the wall in the bathroom, the old Washingtonian Magazines framed on the walls, to the dimly lit wooded dinning room, the weather beaten floating dock, to the smell of crab seasoning and drawn butter, this place is a little slice Maryland Americana. It's got History, Character, and some of the best Seafood around. I hope it remains for years to come.
(5)
Stefani R.
Oh my goodness! This place is delicious. Literally everything I've had has been cooked and seasoned perfectly. My friends and I try to go as much as we can. Great outdoor atmosphere!
(5)
S P.
Cantler's was the revival of our faith in seafood in USA!! We did not mind the wait, the noise or the mess! None of it mattered when we took the first bite of the crisp calamari and the jumbo shrimp which were mouthwatering delicious!! The corn was delightful! And the crab was just perfect!! We loved the Old bay seasoning... Wonderful mix of spices, apt for the fabulously fresh crabs! Definitely on our must visit again list!! :-)
(5)
Scott H.
Great Crabs, Crabby Hostess. I've been here a few times. Love the crabs (and the steamers and the clams, etc). But, a little more attention to training the hostesses would be welcome plus. It won't prevent us from coming because the food is so good, but it's kind of a downer.
(4)
Ashley M.
Went on a Friday at 9PM. Sat outside. Had a few great waiters. King crab legs were amazing! Corn was some of the best I've had! Big cups of butter and lemons. Cole slaw is vinegar based (meh). Snow crab legs were also awesome. Right on the water - bring a light jacket for breezy nights.
(5)
Will Y.
This place was recommended from a co-worker. We ordered the seafood sampler and added in the blue crabs. The sampler was ehhh... and that's all I'll say about that. The blue crab was pretty good, but seemed really expensive for a dozen. Although it came out somewhat cheap, I think I would go to a Joe's Crabshack instead. We also came here on a Friday afternoon, can't imagine what it's like to drive in and out of the area on a weekend.
(3)
Linda P.
What a fun night we had at Cantlers. We had planned to go to another crab joint in Annapolis, but were at the bar at Pusser's when a local convinced us otherwise. This place was voted top ten by Maxim for seafood...not just crab - all seafood. Not too shabby. We sat at the bar and had the 'all you can eat' of mediums, which were local crabs. The larges were good looking crabs, but we knew they were brought up from LA, so we decided to stay with the local fare. While my boyfriend loved the whole lot, I was hoping to stay a little off the spice dust, as I found it a bit salty and overpowering, but hey... That's the WAY to eat Maryland Blue Crabs, so.... When in Rome... I stuck mostly to the bodies. So was able to pull off the big shell that had most of the dusted spice on it and pick out the good bits. I found It was harder to avoid the flavoring with the claws. The staff at Cantlers couldn't have been nicer. From parking to seating to bar, we loved it. We even bought a cute tee shirt to remember the night. Definitely a hidden gem - 15 minutes out of town off the beaten path. Thanks to the folks at Pusser's for the tip!
(5)
Kevin S.
Ate here yesterday with our party of 10. We drove all the way from Rockville, MD to eat at this place. I had the crab cake sandwich, regular french fries, sweet potato french fries, and coleslaw. The food was below average. Crab cake was cold and bland. Absolutely bland. The sweet potato fries were not crispy and tasted horrid. I ordered an order of regular french fries to make up for the disappointment again, dry cold and disgusting. The coleslaw was average. No one at the table was impressed what so ever. There were 10 of us, and no one thought anything special about our experience. Only positive note was that the entire staff was very friendly!
(1)
The R.
Found a hair in my food, so it kind of ruined the whole experience for me. It is situated in a very nice area, which also means it is a bit pricey. The hair ruined it all for me. It wasn't an eyelash or little eyebrow hair either. It was a long curly thick blonde hair.....and that was in the salad, so the rest of meal I was just being cautious and skeptical, which sucked. Manager actually came out to apologize but I think after having to pull a thick blonde hair from my mouth I was standoffish to the whole place. Sucks.
(1)
Jesse C.
Good food and great service. They had an outdoor table for us to sit with our sheepdog and view the water while eating. It was a great time. The food is more expensive than most and getting to the restaurant can be kind of difficult if you don't have a gps. The soft shell crab was great but the hush puppies were below par. We'll be back for sure.
(4)
Christina E.
I ordered the all you can eat crab. Not bad for $35 BUT no sides! I had to pay extra for a side and I figured paying that much I at least deserved fries or something.
(4)
Cathy H.
Cantler's Riverside Inn is very popular for a reason. They serve excellent seafood in a very cozy atmosphere. Here, we had the seafood platter with 3 blue crabs, mussels, clams, half a pound of shrimp, and 2 sides. Really fantastic. We also ordered mahi mahi tacos, which were excellent. I am not usually a fan of hush puppies, but they were very good here. The only complaint I had was the mussels were very small. Next time, I will eat less to save stomach room for their popular key lime pie. Service was excellent. We loved our waiter a lot!
(4)
Raming M.
I went to Cantler today. The food and service was very good.the price reasonable. That's great experience!
(5)
jenn w.
The best, juiciest Maryland blue crabs I've ever had! Visited on a Saturday night in November and it was still packed, but we were seated without a problem. Sweet waitress who was patient with us noobs. It's nice that you can order any quantity of crab, so if you want one extra crab for dessert, you can have it! Crab cakes are pretty good too. The location feels a bit in the middle of nowhere, particularly in the dark, so next time I'd like to go for lunch and check out the view everyone's talking about!
(5)
Jen L.
This is my favorite place to bring out of town peeps who have never had Maryland Blue Crab! It is very much out of the way from Downtown Annapolis, but just minutes away from the Maryland WWII Memorial on the other side of the Naval Academy. You can definitely count on Cantler's to have the freshest sea food and the largest Jimmy's in the area. Off all of the places that I have been to for crab, I think Cantler's has the freshest. Almost everything here is good! For a party of 3, a half dozen of extra large crabs and a couple sides will make a decent meal here. Cantler's is the best place to go as a seasoned crab picker or a crab eating newbie. Everyone has their own technique and everyone here will gladly share crab picking war stories over some Natti Bo.
(5)
Teresa L.
We stopped in here over Labor Day weekend while in town for the day. This was the place we were told was just the standard for blue crabs, and they did not disappoint. Our wait was less than we were told initially, so we got drinks and wandered the docks down below while waiting. Hubs said his bloody Mary was overpriced ($8) and not very good but was strong. My cold beers hit the spot. I ordered soft shell crabs, and hubs got a feast so we could try everything. The crab was delicious and sweet, mussells and clams were ok, but we both loved the shrimp. Cantler's is crowded for a reason...because it's the best!
(5)
Alberto L.
Wo seriously?? I just don't get it. All this place has going for it is its location on the water. I think people like it because they have been coming here for years, and there is always a special occasion so they are too over joyed to realize how bad the place is. Read the other reviews. They all talk about going there for a West Point graduation or anniversary. Outrageously Overpriced - You know you can pay Yelp to remove certain things like cost from your businesses' profile. There is a reason why Cantler's doesn't allow you to add your rating of the expensiveness of the restaurant. I couldn't believe the dismal portions. We literally thought that the crab cake sandwich was a hushpuppy sandwich because the crab cakes were that small. It looked like of dollop of fried dough surrounded by a sea of bun. The seafood cocktail appetizer came with 3 average sized shrimp and about 2 ounces of crab meat $16. For real? At least give me a half dozen shrimp. Aren't you on the water? Don't you catch most of the stuff yourself? I see (and smell) the guy out back shucking the crab meat. It's not like you are paying pass through. Dirty and it Smells Awful - I understand seafood restaurants on the water should be allowed certain leeway here. But God, this place is bad. Have some self-respect. It's more than just a "sea smell". Rotting trash all around the building. Grease spills throughout the parking lot that smell horrid and are a huge slipping hazard. Rotting crab throughout the floor and corners of dining room. The Service Subpar - The place is overcrowded and I kept getting pushed aside by hurried wait staff. I don't mind the hustle and bustle, but say excuse me. Also, it would be nice to feel more welcomed. The staff are stuck in their routine of just trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. If Im paying $70 for a dozen crabs, Im gonna sit and eat as long as I please. Next time, I'll get crabs from the market at $25 a pound and take them to a park. Overall Experience - Poor
(1)
Megan R.
Looking to spend a lazy afternoon drinking on an outdoor deck and hitting crabs with mallets....this is your place! We went during the week, so didn't have to endure the craziness of weekend traffic or lines. The service is non-pressure and the waitstaff know what's good (and are honest about what's not). We ordered boiled shrimp, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and soft shell crab. All very good. You might have to wait awhile for your order, because it's fresh and obviously cooked to order, but when you've got a cold beer and a little time that's not a big deal.
(4)
lyle b.
I'd recommend this place. The crabs were top-notch fresh and cooked perfectly, and so were the clams. The spot is quite nice. My only complaint is the price which I think is a bit high. Also wish they had beer on tap. But overall it's worth the trip...
(4)
Courtney D.
husband & i are new to the area and decided to get to know the place one crab shack at a time. we've been to 3 now, Cantler's being the first. the view has been the prettiest, the bill has been the biggest. i believe the quality of food was probably the best here - probably. i can't say 100% for sure, because i felt really, really sick afterwards, but i'm going to give partial blame for that to our server. we told her we had never had Maryland blue crabs before and specifically asked for help in ordering, and i feel she did a pretty huge disservice to us, to Cantler's, and to blue crabs in general. i clearly said we had no idea what we were doing, and i asked for guidance when ordering. we ended up with a half dozen oysters (so wonderful and fresh that i hesitate to blame my sickness on food quality), the rockfish appetizer (totally overpriced, a few slices of fish on a bed of warm cabbage slaw, think well done tuna tataki), and a half dozen large crabs. in retrospect, we really should have ordered fries, corn, something to accompany all that seafood. like, the server you ask for guidance could let you know that no sides come with your choices and suggest you add something. most of all, our server REALLY should have shown us how to pick the crabs. it didn't occur to me until we were pretty much finished that there was a method, until the people next to us told a different server they had never had crabs and she promptly gave them a demonstration. then i realized i had made a terrible mistake, eating a lot of bits & pieces that i shouldn't have. i felt so nauseated the whole ride home back to Arlington, the whole night, into the next morning. it was awful. i spent the rest of Sunday trying to lay really, really still. we were the second car in the parking lot that Sunday morning, the second table our server seated. there is no reason why we couldn't have received better advice in ordering and a little instruction on how to eat the dang things. fortunately for us, our next crab picking experience was with the guidance of seasoned Baltimore natives. i will probably take my family to Cantler's when they visit. though it's the most expensive place we've had crabs, the waterside view is the loveliest view we've found. but shame on the server for ignoring my pleas for crab-picking help. if i were a little less stubborn, you would have ruined me on blue crabs for life.
(3)
Kate G.
There's nothing better than getting crabs (when they stay above the belt! ohhhhhh, see what I did there?) except mallets. Banging (which, I've been told, subsequently leads to crabs! ohhhhh, and again, people!) my food with a mallet moments before eating makes me feel like I'm getting a free full-fledged gym workout. When I visited Cantler's, I realized I enjoy the payoff of purchasing crabs more than I ever have the payoff of a tough workout. "Malarky!" you cry as you read this, and you're right--I NEVER work out. Cantler's is the most unassuming restaurant down the craziest "Hill's Have Eye's" street. Drive past the mansions and continue on past the boarded up trailers and you're well on your way to a gourmet meal on a piece of paper. And it's totally worth the juxtaposed trek. The crabs here are incredible. I mean, according to Wedding Crashers, Maryland does crab cakes and football, so naturally, I knew I'd be delighted by the fare. So, why three stars? Because naturally, I decided to be a glutton--crabs just weren't enough. After exhausting my mallet, I decided that I also needed to order Jimmy's Crab Feast, which included snow crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and hush puppies. The snow crab legs were awesome, and hoarded by my also gluttonous boyfriend. The rest of the plate was mediocre. The mussels and clams were, for lack of better word, dry. I wasn't unhappy with Jimmy's Crab Feast, I just wouldn't recommend that you get anything from Jimmy besides his crabs. Duuuuude.
(3)
Wil S.
The spice for the crabs was delicious and worth buying a bag or more to take home. Crabs seemed precooked since we placed the order and they were served immediately. In addition, two of the dozen crabs were blackened as if they had been sitting in the steamer pot all day. I was a bit disappointed that the largest size crab was not available. Steamers were not purged and several were too filthy to even try to plunge in the clam broth to clean. I would not order again. Oysters lacked flavor. Tasted extremely bland. Meh rating given regardless of the precooked crabs. Most places cook the crabs beforehand to meet the demand and turn over tables. The crabs along with the spice tasted good enough for the ok rating. However two out of twelve crabs were inedible and easily identifiable based on the color. The clams and oysters should be avoided...So stick to the crabs. I would not go out of my way to return to this restaurant.
(2)
Howard G.
I first ate at Cantlers about 30 years ago. It has always been a unique fun place with great super sized crabs and delicious jumbo lump crabcakes. This year everything is better- the food and the service. Ate there twice recenly and had a soft shell crab club each time bit could not have been better. Get there early on nice weekend days or be prepared to wait.
(4)
Rebecca S.
The food was really good but the staff wasn't very professional or attentive and the prices were expensive for the amount of food you get. Parking was good when we went on a Saturday afternoon, very casual atmosphere.
(3)
Sheri L.
Stopped in Cantler's while visiting family in the DC area. They had heard of Cantler's, yet had not been themselves. We allowed GPS to guide us through the narrow roads that go through interesting parts of town (from mansions to trailers as another reviewer said). We pull up around 8pm... looks like we came in at the end of the dinner rush (bonus!) Got seated promptly. We needed to call a server over to help us clean the table though as the bench was full of "debris" and the table was super oily (we figured out why very shortly after this). Our server was awesome, I wish I could remember her name to share. At our table, we got Super Blue Crab, mussels, crab dip, and the chicken chesapeake. All of which was excellent! Probably the freshest mussels I've eaten and rightfully so. Crab dip was amazing and quite filling on its own. Being from the midwest, I've had tons of crab legs and crab cakes... however, I've never shucked a whole crab myself. Quite the experience where they bring the butcher block paper, a mallet, knife and folk... dont forget the bucket for the shells. After a quick 'how to' from my cousin, I got to cracken'. I am officially a blue crab lover... I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy 'regular' crab again, let alone frozen stuff in the midwest. I could be permanently ruined, but in a good way :) Next time we're out east, I'll be sure to stop in here again!
(4)
Carrie O.
Being that today is the start of the "unofficial" last week of summer, I had promised LoML one more round of blue crabs before the season came to an end. We were in Annapolis today, just visiting, and discovered that we were really, really close to Cantler's. Naturally, we had to go over there and experience one more time the bliss that Maryland natives are privileged to have every year. People are not lying when they say you need a GPS or damned good directions to find this place. I've lived here nearly all of my life and I couldn't have told you how to get there without my smartphone, so make sure you use it. (Be warned - phone reception for us actually wasn't good out here. YMMV.) There wasn't much of a line for parking, but were quoted a 90 minute wait for a table. Fine, no problem - we expected that. It was raining on and off, too, so some of the more open tables naturally weren't occupied. We took shelter under the overhang and waited patiently. (I spent my time reading Cantler's reviews to get an idea of what was what.) There were a LOT of very large groups there - 10 people or more in each party -so we were delighted when we got a table in under 30 minutes - not a bad turnaround. (Could've been because it was just the two of us, so again - YMMV.) To our bitter disappointment, they'd run out of AYCE crabs, so we couldn't partake in the weekend special. We were really kind of upset, but understanding since it was after 3pm on Saturday and it was so packed, so we decided on a dozen mediums (40.00/dozen), a shrimp salad sandwich with coleslaw for me, and a chicken bruschetta with fries for him. We figured, well, a dozen is better than nothing. We also got a deal on the Maryland crab soup - if you text the word "crabs" (in lower case) to their number (it's on the website), you get a free cup of the soup. (At least, at this writing, this deal is good. Can't say if it will be later.) The crabs came out, hot and surprisingly heavy. It's amazing - for all of the brouhaha over people saying "order the largest size", LoML and I have had nothing but good luck with the smaller crabs. Some of these mediums were heavier than the so-called jumbos I've had in other places. The crabs themselves were meaty, juicy, well seasoned and probably the sweetest I've had yet this year. They didn't have a lot of mustard in them (for me, that's a plus - I don't like it) and were actually fairly clean on the inside. And unlike AYCE where you have to try and down as many as you can in a 2 hour time limit, we took our sweet time on these mediums, picking them totally clean. And believe me - they were CLEAN as whistles when we were through with them. Another plus to Cantler's is that they have unlimited refills on the drinks (soda, iced tea, etc.). A lot of other crab places won't do that - they want to try to get more money from you by charging for each and every drink. Not Cantler's, thank God. That was very appreciated. (Their iced tea is unsweetened - PERFECTION!) The shrimp salad sandwich was just "okay" - nothing special, unfortunately. I didn't like the coleslaw at all - not enough sweetness and definitely too light on the dressing, so I probably wouldn't choose that again. LoML had to box most of his bruschetta because he filled up on crabmeat, but said that it tasted good, and that the fries were delicious. I did not like the freebie crab soup - way too much of a tomato base. LoML loved it, though, and would order it again. The downside to Cantler's - obviously, the crowded conditions (we sat next to a REALLY annoying group with the most obnoxious girly-girl cackling I've EVER heard - good thing we left when we did or they'd have been swallowing teeth, ugh) don't help much. I read warnings about the bathroom, so I didn't even try to go back there. Service was very good. The server was patient with us while we tried to find alternatives to the AYCE we had originally wanted. The shell bucket was emptied consistently, and they worked with us to time our food order so that it would be ready when we were done with the crabs. Now that's impressive, considering how many people WERE there. The bottom line is this: it's going to be crowded as hell. If you're claustrophobic or don't like people much (I cop a little to the latter), you might find it a little difficult to deal. But the food will be worth putting up with that. They really do have some excellent crabs, and it's obvious that they're caught and prepared very fresh. That makes all the difference. I probably wouldn't bother with anything but the crabs here, though. The other menu items were okay, but not remarkable. We had a good time. We'd most likely return.
(4)
laura m.
Great lunch. We ordered the small dozen for 36$. We have never had crabs cooked here before. They were great, full, fresh. Cream of crab was one of the best. onion rings were big and tasty. Totally recommend.
(4)
Jason M.
The view was nice and the servers were very sweet, but I would think of this as more of a touristy restaurant. We of course had the crabs, which were $75/doz (insane). The other appetizers and sides were ok, but nothing stellar. I think for a lot of people this is a right of passage kind of place when you visit Annapolis.
(3)
Eric T.
Such high expectations, such little results. First, the good: Nice view, right on the water. Service was pretty good. Crab cake was real good. Everything else: This place is way over-hyped. The whole crabs were good, but there were only medium left. They were no that juicy and a bit too salty for my tastes (yes, I know they're served with a ton of seasoning on them). The calamari was not fresh. It was so chewy, it was like eating tiny rubber strips. The blackened mahi mahi left a lot to be desired. Not fresh at all. The veggies were nasty and the potato was not cooked well. Twenty bucks not well spent. The MD crab soup was way too salty. It was good, but just cut the salt in half. This place was packed with people chowing down on the whole crabs. I'm no expert, but I've had better MD crabs before; these crabs were very underwhelming. Overall, this place is way overpriced for what you're actually getting.
(2)
Catherine M.
Great seafood, large bar area, and laid back atmosphere. This is my kinda bar! Extra bonus points for being five minutes from my house. It's kinda hard to find if you've never been before, so you will definitely want to bust out your gps. The bar tenders and servers are a bit on the surly side.
(4)
Angela N.
Friends declared this was the "only" place near Annapolis to go for crabs. So, on Labor Day weekend, we ventured to Cantler's. The wait for a table was an hour and 30 minutes, pretty long, but luckily they have beverages for sale and you can wander the docks until they cal your name. We wanted to sit outside but it was an additional 45 minutes; with growling stomachs, we were seated inside. They really need to do a better job of cleaning up between parties; there were napkins and food scraps all over the floor. The inside also isn't very bright and the tables are crammed together. Not the best dining experience overall. However, the food was good---I had hard crabs for the first time as part of the $25 Cantler's platter, which includes steamed clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and coleslaw. The corn was over cooked and soft, but the staff was amenable to substituting my mussels for more clams or shrimp. The crabs were very good, although since I don't usually eat crabs, I have a hard time comparing Cantler's crabs to others. Definitely an outing and experience! I might try another place in the future though...
(3)
Jenna T.
Yes, there was a 1.5 hr wait, was it worth it? YOU BET If you love seafood and feel like getting dirty , then this is the place for you! Drove from NYC to check this place out and it was the highlight of our trip. The restaurant itself it right by the water and you are welcome to walk around the dock and take a peek at the crabs you are about to eat in the tanks they have set up ADDED BONUS: they sell ice cold beer in the parking lot while you wait for your table. Oh, and the crabs? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! spicy, sweet succulent- ALL OF THE ABOVE. Topped off with a summer shandy- it is truly a revelation! The service was excellent, sure it was a Saturday night, but our waitress was very friendly , knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant as a whole had a great, fisherman-tavern-jaws should have shot here" vibe. Great times, already planning a second trip!
(5)
D S.
Always awesome food. Almost always good service. Crowds every time we go, so waiting a little bit is typical, but it is totally worth the wait.
(4)
Hannah M.
A must go! Kinda pricey, but how often do you get to enjoy a crab feed, while throwing back a few beers, while the spring sun gives you a farmer tan? Enjoyed our dozen large crabs, drunken mussels, rockfish bites, and fries = more than enough to feed 3 people. My belly was very happy and thankful.
(4)
Rebecca K.
4 stars... Pros: -good deal for all-you-can-eat MD crabs and corn on-the-cob for $32.99 -yummy hush puppies -ideal to eat by the water -service was good, server was very friendly and attentive Cons: -long wait (1 hour) even though we arrived around 230 (not peak lunch time) on a Saturday--which was expected based on these other reviews -crowded Notes and Tips: -We didn't get to sit outside and eat by the water because the wait was too long -We waited near the water (down the steps) with our beers (which they sell outside) while we were waiting for our buzzer to go off
(4)
Emily B.
Yesterday was my third visit to Cantler's Riverside Inn, in what has become a delicious annual tradition for my friends and me in DC. It's just outside of Annapolis and nestled right against the river in an inconspicuous residential neighborhood that can be a bit hard to find. But bring the GPS--it's worth the not-too-long hike outside DC! No one should ever come to Cantler's when you're in a rush. If it's a nice day you're almost assured to wait an hour or more to get a table for your party, but this is made infinitely more tolerable by the fact that there is a beer stand in the parking lot. Buy a few cans of beer, then hang out on the docks below the restaurant to check out the fresh crabs in their water bins before they're hauled off and steamed. Once you get a table, the best thing to do is share an order among the group. While the prices per dozen crabs may seem scary (as of yesterday it was $55 per dozen for the large, and $75 per dozen for the extra large) but don't think you'll save money by ordering smaller crabs. The bigger crab you order, the more meat inside, and the easier it is to dismember. Last night we had 9 people in our party, and we ordered 3 dozen extra large crabs, 2 orders of hush puppies, one order of fries, and one order of crab dip. The hush puppies are nothing to write home about, but the fries are delicious. I am not a huge fan of the crab dip (too much filler and not enough crab) but others really liked it. There are also a decent number of options on the menu for people not interested in doing crabs, but anyone I've ever gone with that orders off the menu while the rest of the party is covered head to toe in Old Bay and melted butter seems to not enjoy the experience as much. Finally, please don't go dressed in anything you would want to get messy--crabbing is a down and dirty culinary experience--one that makes your hands stink, your brow sweat, and your shorts to get covered in tiny flecks of crab. It's an annual tradition I wouldn't trade for anything!
(4)
JW B.
Went to Cantler's Memorial Day weekend (Sunday) May 2012. Seems to have been on an off day when the crabs weren't very large, but fresh. Giving 2 stars because the location was great, food was fresh, but I would give it a 1 for it's clear prejudice against certain people vs others when doling out the crab. And the pricing - all of the food is WAY overpriced. Only "All You Can Eat" sizes were available - no jumbo, large, etc. Wish they would have told us that, instead of telling us to 'They're still checking...' which wasted 40 minutes of our time and after 3 appetizers later, we decided to just indulge in the All You Can Eats to finally get some crab. We Ordered: -Crab dip - OK; salty but creamy. Light on the crab meat, but lots of cream. -Filet of Sole platter - OK, tartar sauce is Heinz or the prepackaged little containers you get at Burger King - wasn't exactly thrilled to see that since this is suppose to be a seafood restaurant with a LARGE menu of fried seafood items. -Mussels - OK, wine and tomato sauce. -Jumbo shrimp platter - standard fried shrimp, although they were fresh. -3 adults of All You Can Eat - disappointing because we waited so long to finally place our order, since we were told they were still 'counting' the crab orders, which was not true. There was a clear discrepancy with how they were bringing out the crabs toto certain groups vs. others. It was OBVIOUS and it made me want to get up and not finish the meal, but since were already elbow deep in 5 plates of food and 2 trays of crab, we finished our meal. Pros: -Great location, on the water -Large enough to go with a group of friends/family (I went with a party of 5 including myself) -Freshness of crab, corn -Ample parking if you're the first 15 parties Cons: -Waitstaff are rude, but with a smile and fake sing-songy voice to make up for it. Younger waitstaff aren't as bad, since they just seat and run food, but the older ladies are RUDE. Brace yourselves. -Other items on menu (friend shrimp, fish, mussels) are just OK, sub-par compared to fast food chains like TGIF or Friendly's or wherever. Wouldn't order them again. -Items are overpriced, except the beer. -Selective in which parties get larger "All You Can Eat" crab (maybe they were Regular customers, maybe they were friends, maybe they were...whatever reason). VERY disappointing and makes me wonder, "I thought we got over the race issue in America, no?" Final Thoughts: -Get there early - 15 minutes before opening to get in line and get the table you want -Stick with crab & corn - get the jumbos if possible, if not, stick with All You Can Eat and place order as soon as possible, not wasting time -Wouldn't bother ordering anything else off the menu accept the fried shrimp - it's the safest, except you get prepackaged tartar sauce - yuck. -Expect/condescending rude waitstaff with fake smiles and sing-songy voices, but you only need to deal with that when you order and ask for more crab. Would I go back? Not by choice. Would I recommend it? No, I'd say try the other recommended spots first.
(1)
Keith M.
Terrible service. Endless waiting for a table on a not very busy evening. We have eaten here several times over the past 6 years while visiting Annapolis. We always found it to be a pretty good crab shack. This visit however was total unsatisfactory. There was a moderate size crowd. We were told we to expect a 20 minute wait for an outside table. 1 hour and twenty minutes later we gave up. No table - no explanation - total waste of time. We will not return. Try Mike's instead.
(1)
Kathie P.
Cantler's has been a well known Annapolis establishment for about 40 years and is located right on Mill Creek, so you have a lovely view of the water. Don't dress up as the atmosphere at Cantler's is very casual. Everything served here is wonderful - it is not fancy, but the food is meticulously prepared, and is awesome. I had crab cakes my last visit, and my friends had the soft shell crabs - Everything was awesome. Something important to me, is that Cantler's is one of the few restaurants in Maryland that uses only Maryland crab in their recipes (which makes the crab cakes more awesome!). If nyou have not been to Cantler's you have to give it a try. It's a bit tricky to find, but once you find it, you'll be back over and over again.
(4)
Deborah G.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take a drive to the Annapolis area and Spring for some steamed crabs and other watery delights at Cantler's. I happened to look on their new website and saw that they have a daily special if you are willing to text crabs to a designated phone number. Well we won two cups of free crab soup by each of us texting Crabs. So off we went with our cell phones to Forest Beach Road in Cantlerville. We walked in and were told to take any table we wanted as they were not busy. We asked about the crabs, the sizes and the prices and settled on four of the super sized crabs at $** a dozen. I'm ashamed to say how much they were but we had $10 of free crab soup to make us feel better. Okay, crab soup, the red kind, a shrimp basket of six fried jumbos and a crab cake platter and those four crabs. Here's the whole story of this $85 lunch for two and we had a pitcher of iced tea. The crab soup was not very crabby but it was loaded with Tabasco sauce and very brackish- stay away unless it's free by texting. The crabs were huge, hot, perfectly spiced and filled with white lumps of crab meat - crab heaven for sure. Then we had the shrimp basket, huge, hot, tasty crunchy crustaceans with just the right amount of grease (not too much) and for a chaser a double crab cake platter with no taste. I could barely eat my crab cake and left some on the plate as it had the worst taste or no taste for my buds to enjoy. Gosh what was wrong? The slaw was pale and soft and the oven baked potatoes were a bit greasy and had too much Rosemary sprinkled on them. I told the waitress and she told me what I wished I had known in the beginning - pasteurized crab meat. Oh no, what happened from the shell to the can. Some kind of processing that completely ruined the taste of the meat and gave me a strange aftertaste for three hours . Avoid the crab cakes till the real stuff comes from the Chesapeake Bay. Also choose other sides because the slaw and the oven roastatos were BAAAD! So how do I rate thee a three on the taste-o-meter. The crabs were outstanding and so were the shrimp. The rest of the food was a Big Blah. Therefore I took off two stars and am writing this somewhat unfavorable review. Our waitress was nice and the place was fairly quiet for a crab house that normally sounds like a thousand wooden mallets pounding at one time. It's only March and the place was very clean for a bar-crabhouse environment. The restroom is adequate but very small and narrow. I've always thought that it was a definite afterthought and if not required by State law it would not exist. If you want a lovely restroom, go to Carrol's Creek in Westport and not Cantler's because it's definitely not the most glam restroom in Annapolis.
(3)
Emily P.
If you have young children, be forewarned. Knowing to expect long wait times, my husband and I called ahead on the way to Cantler's to add our name to the list since we have a very busy infant who won't endure a 45 minute wait time on top of an hour or more spent eating at the restaurant. I was informed by the woman who answered the phone, with some significant attitude, that they didn't accept call aheads on weekends and "there's really nothing I can do for you," even though I explained my son couldn't handle the 40 minute wait and assured her we would be there 15 minutes in advance of the table opening up. This is one family who will not be patronizing Cantler's, with or without our kids. I cannot bring myself to spend money in an establishment that refuses to make a simple accommodation for families with young children, especially given the demeaning response I received from the hostess for even asking. We went to Mike's in Riva instead and had a lovely meal on the water.
(1)
Monica H.
No. I do not play this game, Cantler's. I do not show up to a restaurant at 6:00 PM, only to find that I will be forced to wait in a single-file line of cars to get into your parking lot for the next hour. I do not take kindly to your employees wandering aimlessly about with walkie talkies under the guise of wrangling traffic, but actually just frustrating the crowd and doing nothing of value. (How did no one else on Yelp seem to mention the parking situation? It was miserable.) I don't appreciate that once I put my name down for a table, I will have to wait another 2.5 hours to be seated. Or that your hostesses will be incompetent, rude, and nonresponsive. I do not like waiting for 20 minutes at the bar for a mixed drink. And that was just for the drink. It took at least another 10 minutes to get the bartender's attention so I could pay for the damn thing. I don't like that your outdoor seating area is poorly lit. You're not taking into account the fact that you're making some of your patrons wait 3.5 hours to eat their food, and it will be dark by the time they get to eat. I will never, ever, ever be back. Here's the thing: I try not to judge restaurants on things like service or parking. I try to look at the food and the value. But when you end up spending more time at a restaurant than you do anywhere else on one particular day, you start to feel a little jaded. So here's the review I'd write if I didn't take into account the parking and waiting situation: The food was great. The beer selection was disappointing, and they don't sell pitchers (just buckets). The waitress was fine, if a little mediocre. There seemed to be a lot of employees just hanging out and doing nothing, and no one could give us reasonable or accurate estimates of how long it'd take to be seated. The bathrooms were tiny but clean, but the doors open onto the sinks in a way that's just plain dangerous. It was reasonably priced in comparison with other seafood places in Maryland. The inside is dark and depressing, but the outdoor seating is nice. Bottom line: Not worth the drive from Arlington, not worth the drive from Baltimore, just plain not worth it.
(1)
Rafael D.
With family in town and my dad wanting to find a spot where you sit down at a picnic table, newspaper used as table cloth, mallet in hand, and fresh blue crab, my co-workers recommended Cantler's. It didn't disappoint. We arrived around 11:30am before a large group arrived. So, we were just in time to get an outdoor seat overlooking the water. It was a perfect day, sunny with a nice breeze off the water. We ordered a dozen and a half large blue crabs, a couple orders of the soft shell crabs (chipotle style; it was delicious), and the crab bruschetta. All of it was very, very good. It was a little expensive, but the quality of crabs and the atmosphere really made for a great lunch in Annapolis!
(5)
SJ In B.
This is the best seafood place we've been to in a while. The only bad thing is that it's always packed!! But I guess that also speaks for the food/service they're serving! It's a little hard to find and off the beaten path but once you go you'll never forget where it is!! The jumbo shrimps are really good and the crabs are always fresh. They have indoor and outdoor seating right by the water.
(4)
Kiri S.
This is why I love Yelp! There's no chance we would have found Cantler's without it and we had such an enjoyable time there last weekend! We spent an afternoon in Annapolis and were looking for a casual place to pick crabs for dinner. After driving down windy roads in a residential area you'll happen upon Cantler's right on the water. They were unusually busy for a Saturday night in November, the host said there'd been a fishing competition that day that brought them some extra business. We were told it would be about 30-45 minutes and handed a buzzer. By this time we were committed, maybe it they were more centrally located we would have found another option, but I'm glad we didn't. We spent out wait down on the docks by the water, and the buzzer went off pretty quickly and we were seated in the heated "outdoor" section at a long picnic table. We ordered crabs, steamed shrimp, and hush puppies. The hush puppies came with honey butter - which was a nice touch. It was everything we'd hoped for, and the smell of Old Bay on our hands lingered for most of the ride back to Washington, D.C. (they do have an outdoor sink on the side of the building for when you're finished - but I've always found it's near impossible to get rid of the smell entirely.) I can only imagine how crowded they must get on a beautiful warm afternoon.
(4)
Rahul J.
Long waits (1-1.5hrs+) for the outdoor seating but it's worth it. Got the XL crabs, the largest available that day for $75/DZ. TIP: You don;t have to get a dozen..they charge you pro rated basis. We found that 6 was enough for 2 small appetites with a small side of sweet potato fries. The sever gave us a lesson on how to eat the crabs as it was our first time eating steamed crab. That was very helpful. The meat was tender, sweet and tasted like the ocean. We got a decent amount of meat on our crabs but still it's a lot of work for not much meat. You end up ingesting a lot of salt as the crabs come encrusted in seasoning. By the end of it we were more tired of picking apart the crabs than full also overload on salt. Was in some sort of a salt coma the rest of the day. I would definitely recommend that people try the crabs here..I wouldn't go again though. Oh yeah, like most of the others here..I have to echo that the beer selection is out of the 90s TIP: Wait by the dock a few stairs down from the restaurant...plenty of seating there to watch the boats and water.
(4)
Att A.
Servers are friendly, crabs are fresh, view of the river is nice. what more can you ask for. I had 6 local oysters on the half shell, 6 steamed cherrystone clams, 1 steamed crab, 1 corn of the cob and I also order the soft shell crab sandwich. That sandwich was the bomb!
(4)
lil s.
This was one of my fave stops during my recent DC trip. This place opens at 11am so get there early to avoid a wait. The blue crabs were served up deliciously and so fun eating with your hands! Not that impressed with the fried seafood but all the steamed items were yummy. Great service and loved the outdoor seating...overall I was happy to pay market prices for such wonderful meal!
(5)
Nikki M.
If you're coming to Annapolis in search of crabs, look no further. Well you might need to look a little hard because this restaurant is a little hard to find. It's down a narrow road, completely out of the way, with beautiful views of the water. If the drive freaks you out, arrive by boat! Free docking! The food is awesome. If you're coming for crabs, be aware that it's first come, first serve. The biggest will always get picked first. Yeah, the crabs are pricey, but they're Maryland crabs. And they're totally worth it. If you're from out of town and you don't know how to pick a crab properly, ask one of the servers or look around! There will be plenty of people that can help. My all-time favorite thing on the menu is the Crab Dip. I make it a point to order crab dip if it's on the menu wherever I go, and nothing has even come close to the crab dip at Cantler's. They give you two loaves of bread and a huge serving of crab dip. Last summer, my girlfriends and I came down to Cantler's once a week for the Crab Dip alone. So good. Cantler's is also good for pretty much all other seafood. I love the Drunk'n Mussels and the huge shrimp they serve up. You may be thinking, Wow! She just loves Cantler's, why is she giving it four stars? Well, because I'm sure as heck not the only one that loves Cantler's, there's about a million people more and during peak hours (which is pretty much every nice night of the summer) expect that the rest of those million will be trying to get a table here too. The wait can be horrible during peak hours and sometimes not worth it if there is only medium crabs left. Come to Cantler's. Expect a wait time. Eat a ton of crabs.
(4)
stephen s.
Read some reviews thought I would check the place out. Was in the mood for crabs I'm glad I did the service was excellent the food was excellent the crabs were nice size very full very tasteful had crab dip appetizer had oysters Chesapeake appetizer and a couple beers to wash it all down fantastic lunch on a beautiful day
(4)
Pete A.
Awesome. We came in the middle of summer on a Saturday and the place was mobbed. It has gotten a little touristy, but who cares it's still great. We were seated in about 5 minutes (I think they accidentally buzzed our beeper thing because it looked like the wait was at least an hour). We way over ordered, but at least it gave us a chance to sample a lot. The fried clams were delicious, the fried calamari was awesome, the hush puppies were actually crummy but I'll let that go because the crabs....we got a dozen mediums for 3 people and it was soooo much food. The crabs were cooked perfectly and it was so much fun. We'd definitely come back, hopefully on a less busy day.
(5)
Robert Z.
This place was awesome for crab. Super Sweet and plentiful. The Fries at the bar were the best. A must with a beer till you can get a table. It's a little hard to find but worth it when you get there. I give it a Four And a half Star Rating. This place is Zuverman Rated.
(4)
Carly H.
I've lived in Maryland all my life so I've visited my fair share of crab houses, and I have to say Cantler's is the best! We went on a Sunday around 3 and both parking lots were full, so we had to wait about 15 minutes to park, but we expected to wait on a beautiful summer day when everyone and their mother wants to dig in to some crabs! The hostess asks you where you want to sit, inside or outside and if you want to sit under the shade or in the sun. We chose in the sun because we figured it would be quicker than waiting for a shady seat and the indoor seating seemed very cramped. She told us 45 minutes to an hour and we took a pager and went down by the docks where they have live crabs in tanks and we watched boats go by. Very relaxing. After only 20 minutes our buzzer went off and we were seated! Boy was it HOT sitting in the sun, before we got our drinks we were already sweating but hey, hot summer day what are ya gonna do right? When we sat down our server told us they had mediums, extra larges, and supers left and the prices per dozen. We decided on the extra larges and that day they were $85 a dozen which we thought was expensive until we saw how HUGE they were. Seriously these suckers were so big we could only finish half the order and we are crab picking ADDICTS. (We did have an order of crab dip in us however, which I also highly recommend) We picked away for two hours and we each ate 3 crabs there was just SO MUCH meat I was very pleasantly surprised. Hands down the best blue crabs I've had. Our waitress was really sweet and kept bringing us new drinks and more napkins. We took the other 6 crabs home and had them for dinner. I can't wait to come back and eat crabs here again, maybe next time we will hold out for a shady seat though! Definitely worth the hour or so drive and all the waiting.
(5)
Joe A.
I ate at Cantler's tonight after reading multiple good reviews. I had a bucket of steamed piss clams, which were pretty good. It was a nice touch to have clam juice to wash the sand out of the clam, butter, and old bay. The problem arose when I received the ordered lobster roll. When I order a lobster roll, my expectation is for lobster, of which there were three quarter sized pieces. What I do not expect are the added crayfish tails to act as a cheap filler, of which there were over a dozen. I am an aquatic biologist who specializes in amongst other taxon, crayfish. Buyer beware, bait and switch and false seafood.
(1)
Yumi V.
Best crabs in town! Actually slightly out of town, but worth the ride. Be prepared to wait for service as there is always a lot of traffic on nice days, however, this will be one of the more fun and places to go with a large group or to introduce to your friends. Bring your crayons for the brown paper tablecloth!
(4)
Mike L.
Cantler's is so good that I should give it a bad review just so I can keep it all to myself! One word sums up this place -- CRABS! It's the best place to sit down and eat crabs in public ANYWHERE! I give it four $$$$ because you'll want to get the biggest crabs you can get and pair it with a bucket of ice cold beer. You can get a $$ experience, but $$$$ is better!
(5)
Tamara B.
Let me start off by saying I am only giving this place 2 stars because the food wasnt horrible but it wasnt great either. I was expecting a completely different experience than what I received. Went with a group of 9 from work. All of us on a business trip from different states. They would not separate the checks but the waitress said "well i will separate payments foe you if you tell me how much you want to pay"....that means we all basically paid more for our meals because we didnt want to short change anyone and the check came out all garbled together so we really had to spend time to try and figure out who had what at what price. Just ridiculous! The waitress was terrible. Could not even answer simple questions such as what are the sides you are serving with the meals tonight. Had to ask someone else and then that was even wrong. She initially said asparagus and baked potato but what came out from the cook was broccoli and a terrible dry mashed potato. I ordered the broiled seafood platter. $29 +$2 because I didnt want the asparagus and opted for fried green tomatoes (that were not cooked all the way as the batter was still slightly runny on the inside). Anyway this platter came out with 3 shrimp, 4 small scallops, and 1 broken up piece of rockfish. The only thing that was seasoned are the scallops. The seafood tasted fine but this is way expensive for this little bit of food. Especially in a "seafood" area. Now I will give the kudos for the all you can eat crabs at $33 for 2 hours and the cream of crab soup. Some of my coworkers got the crabs and went to town on eating those. The cream of crab was a delight in this otherwise horrible experience. Oh and I forgot to mention...not one time did this horrible waitress even come back to check on us to see if we needed anything. Dont waste your time or money on this place unless you are going for the crabs!!!
(2)
CM P.
I went here with family from out of town who had heard about this place from friends. The staff was very friendly but the food was terrible and not worth the price. Our meal (broiled lump crab cakes) came out lukewarm and the sides of potatoes and asparagus had absolutely no flavor! We also got a couple of the blue crabs but again those were not seasoned and the seasoning that did come with it was not great. Maybe I'm just used to southern style seafood with lots of flavor, but this place was quite disappointing especially for the prices they charge for exceptionally mediocre food. If you like well-seasoned food go elsewhere!
(2)
Na L.
Seriously best crabs in the DC/MD/VA area. Got a dozen of the small crabs with hush puppies, corn, and sweet potato fries. Hands down best place, right by the water, love it.
(5)
Melissa P.
I went by myself, because I was in town alone and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity. Would have been much more fun with friends though, that's for sure. They were selling crabs by the dozen, but the helpful waitress advised me that I could buy them individually. (If I had been with someone else, I probably would have just bought a whole dozen assuming you had to). I got three, and they kept me busy for well over half an hour. She served a side of butter, but I think it was margarine. Luckily, the fresh crab had such great flavor, I didn't even need it.
(4)
Vivian H.
We were craving some fresh air and seafood, so we ventured to the Annapolis area and found Cantler's on Yelp. This place is tucked away in an idylic fishing area.. the waterfront view is great for wishing you owned one of these cute houses and a boat. We ordered half a dozen large crabs, the maryland crab vegetable soup, a soft shell crab sandwich, sweet potato fries, and hush puppies. WAY too much food for 2 people. My friend pushed thru and finished all the crab because she's a beast and I guess the crab was delicious. The waitresses were so sweet and gave us lessons on how to get to the meat. The soup was really really REALLY salty... no bueno. Sandwich and fries were good although I suppose nothing special. Hush puppies were overdone but had good flavor. I probably expected too much. Best part wasn't so much the food as the location, staff, and experience.
(3)
Jennifer B.
This place breathed life back into my group of friends after a few bad Annapolis restaurant experiences. It appears just how you'd want a place famous for crabs and beer to look, and the service is casual, but attentive. We arrived on Saturday, immediately following the Navy homecoming football game, asking them to seat a group of 16. Some places would turn their noses up and be snotty for such a request, but they politely informed us that if we didn't mind waiting a bit, they were happy to have us. We grabbed some seats at the bar and the awesome bartender Kelly took care of us during our close to an hour wait. She was friendly and attentive, and even though we were getting hungry, she kept us content with flowing drinks. We were seated on their covered outdoor deck and ordered more beer to set on our brown paper tablecloth; the exact kind of tablecloth you want at a crab shack. My date and I ordered the raw oysters which were delicious and shucked perfectly - they slid right out of the shells. I had Maryland crab and he had cream of crab soup, both very tasty and served in easy to dispose of paper cups, in keeping with the casual atmosphere. He and I and my father then split a dozen of the extra large Maryland crabs which came out with ample old bay and a bucket to toss our shells. The crabs were cooked perfectly and were truly extra large; all three of us were full after sharing the dozen. Others in our group ordered various dishes from salads to pasta and everyone left satisfied. Our server, Ali was extremely attentive and friendly, and even gave some new crab eaters cracking advice. We also had an accidental overcharge on our bill and she removed it no problem. Thank you Cantler's for ending our Annapolis dining experience on a much higher note than it began! We will definitely be back to say hello on our next trip!
(5)
Bobby I.
The crabs were good, the shrimp I did not care for and I am a shrimp lover. I was disappointed that they didn't have coronas to go with my crabs, and also only have can beers not bottle. But overall I will go there again hopefully I can get table outside to enjoy the weather while eating my crabs while drinking my favorite beer.
Hands down best crab dip I've ever tried. Crab meat is fresh, consistency is very rich, there's a bit of lemon zest in it... delicious. If I could eat that every day I would be a very happy (and plump) lady! The servers are generally very friendly and helpful. It's a no frills kind of place. It's right on the water. As others have mentioned it's a bit of winding and complicated path to get out there, but once you do you will be glad you did! Last time I came here we didn't have the straight up crabs. Looked like a little too much work for us and we were feeling lazy so we opted for crab cakes and jumbo shrimp platter instead. Everything was so good I literally stuffed my face!
(4)
Matthew R.
I arrived at noon on a Saturday in early September with a group of people all looking forward to crabs and seafood. Even a few crabby virgins in the group! I had to explain to two of the crabby virgins they should not base their opinion of blue crab from their experience here. My crabs were definitely overcooked. I'm assuming the insanely large serving of melted butter that came with the "Jimmy's Crab Feast" platter was to cover up the bad preparation of the food. Even the small side of cole slaw was bland and uninteresting. The only thing that saved this place from a one star review was our pleasant and attentive waitress, who we tipped well because she wasn't the chef.
(2)
Vince D.
Arrived at 10:30pm and ate outside. Service by Carlo was fantastic! This was my first time at the restaurant which I heard was terrific. It was. We had 18 large crabs, cherrystone clams, french fries and bucket of beer. Could not ask for a better experience. A terrific play to eat by the water. NOTE: the drive to the restaurant seems like you are on the wrong road. If it wasn't for a friend who has been there before I would have turned around thinking that this can't be the road. Well, it is! And it's worth it!!!
(5)
N C.
I was here 7 years ago and just returned with my husband. I couldn't wait to introduce him to Cantlers. He ordered the soft shell crabs and the fresh clams. The clams came in a bucket and smelled horrible. My husband said they taste as bad as they smelled. He did however love the soft shell crabs. I had the crab cakes which were delicious! The best I have had in a long time. After watching the people around us with their mallets and crabs, we decided to ask for one crab each. I don't get it...why go through all the work for such little meat. Get the crab cakes and enjoy the free time watching everyone else pound away.
(4)
C M.
Love this hideaway spot. Food is always delicious. Crabs are a little high but the crabs are seasoned well. Service is good.
(4)
Mike M.
Best crabs in Annapolis
(4)
Henry Z.
My girlfriend -- a Maryland native -- wouldn't let me come here for the first year we were dating because I had to prove I was crabworthy. Before coming to a place like this you need to learn the difference between weak crabs and crabs that have strength. This place is strictly for people who are crabworthy, and most of the poor reviews come from people who aren't. We came on a hot Saturday, sat in the sun, and went through more than a dozen all-you-can-eats a piece. We did it with an endless pitcher of iced tea, adding old-bay generously, and getting multiple servings of the corn on the cob, as we watched the boats drift by. By the end of the meal we were sweaty, stained in old bay, wreaking of crab, and had no reason to eat dinner that night. The only way to do it.
(5)
john b.
Definitely not 5 stars based on price, taste, ambiance and portion size. For around $25+ you'd expect to get a good amount of food... maybe even left overs. The food itself was ok... just way too pricey. Ambiance-wise, it was very crowded indoors (didn't sit outside so can't comment on that). Since it was so crowded, my expectations were raised but this place is just eh in my book. Even if I had lots of money, I'd still go elsewhere.
(2)
Vicki C.
What else can I add to the already hundreds of reviews. When it comes to crabs and seafood, this place is definitely good. There are plenty of crab shacks along the East Coast, but what makes this place special is the location. It is right on the water, and the view is spectacular. We were there in October when the weather is a bit nippy, so the whole outdoor deck area was covered. It was still breathtaking. Definitely worth a look-see if you are in the Annapolis area.
(3)
Duane S.
I was surprised I didn't like this place better. I had the Maryland crab soup, crab cakes platter, and an order of hush puppies. The soup was way too salty compared to others I have had before. While I was happy to see very little filler in the crab cakes, they needed some Old Bay mixed in. They were very bland. The fries were nasty coated fries that tasted like they had been sitting for a while. The hush puppies were pre-formed very hard brown turds. I am used to odd shaped and fluffy hush puppies. I am not sure if I will come back.
(2)
Rachel S.
A friend suggested Cantler's when she heard we were headed to Annapolis for the wknd. I was so excited because I really just wanted a pile of crabs and cold beer in a locals' joint. Having read the previous reviews I was grateful to get a heads up on their parking sitch and waiting list. Not a bad wait to get into the lot - 10 mins, however it was a 2 hr waiting list for a table. My husband and I lurked over the bar while sipping drinks and waited for seats to open up, which they did in about 15 mins. We ordered a dozen medium crabs @ $38.00, dusted with Old Bay (is there really any other way!) and they appeared shortly after. The bartenders were VERY friendly and efficient and helped make the adventure awesome! We will definitely be back next time we're in town!
(5)
Mike H.
Great seafood place in the middle of nowhere. My wife and I split a dozen extra large crabs and some sides. The crabs were really good. Fresh, perfectly cooked, and begging to get torn apart. It took almost two hours to eat the dozen, and it was glorious. I had to shower when i got back to my hotel in Annapolis because I was covered in old bay and crab juice. Amazing experience. Good service. The waitress was really friendly, attentive, and on the spot with changing the garbage bucket. Pass on the sides if you don't need them, though my wife enjoyed the fresh corn. Oh yeah, the beer is cold! Make an experience of this place. We had a blast.
(5)
Bren P.
This place is great for MD blue crabs! We came here two weekends in a row with different set of friends bc it was THAT good. The place is hidden in at the end of a neighborhood and sits right on the water. I recommend coming here right when it opens.. 11ish to avoid a long wait for parking and a long wait for a table. The first week, we got here late afternoon and waited 20 minutes for a parking spot and then an hour for a table. We got a table inside since the wait seemed longer for a table outside. It was nice that they sold beer outside as you waited for your table. The second week, we got there around 11 and there were plenty of parking and got seated outside right away. Not bad! We ordered, 2 dozen large md blue crabs for 4 ppl (you have to ask what's caught locally, bc they import the larger crabs from somewhere else). the crabs were full and so fresh! the md crab soup was flavorful and hit the spot! the cream of crab soup was too creamy and too thick which wasn't my favorite of the bunch. also ordered a side of onion rings which were huge!! i didn't think those were worth it. sometimes when the rings are too big, it doesn't taste as great. the cole slaw was good, but nothing special. what was special, besides the crabs, was the crab dip! the dip was full of chunks of crab and the bread was soooo fresh and soft! a must get! the corn was just ok..nothing special again.. just another filler. Definitely recommend this place for md blue crabs!
(4)
Jeremy L.
This place was exactly what I was hoping for. The reviews are accurate. What more can I say? Nice waitress, fun atmosphere. I will return with out of staters.
(4)
David P.
Overpriced, placed smelled like a garbage dump inside and out and the seafood so so. I should have left before going in, as a child was puking in the parking lot when I arrived!
(2)
Jenny T.
CRABS!!!!!!!!! ...please dont come here wthout trying the crab dip and soft, warm bread... *drool*
(5)
Joe B.
We tried CANTLER'S this SUNDAY and even though the crab's were what we thought they were going to be just about all else was a very big and expensive disappointment . The soda was OK but the crab cake sandwich was shredded and had no taste , the side's were a real eye opener . Slaw and '' tater'' salad were without taste and just didn't look good. But, the crab cake was listed as lump not ''limp'' and I will never try the uptown recommendation's again. 2 star. Service was very good. Best item we had---WAIT FOR IT -- HUSH PUPPIES!!!!!!
(2)
David A.
Cantler's is located just a few minutes outside downtown Annapolis you have to take a few winding roads that lead you back to this hidden gem of a restaurant that is located right on the water. It's not a big place and it's well known among the locals and typically crowded, so expect to wait for a table. We went for lunch on an early Sunday afternoon and had to wait for about 20 minutes, which I'd assume is fairly common. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas and we were fortunate enough to be able to eat outside. Most of the tables are connected together (a la long picnic tables) and you sit on long benches, which means everyone kind of crowds together and enjoys the entire experience as a collective group. People are pounding away and cracking crabs all around you and the smell of fresh seafood fills the air as you look out over the water. Nothing fancy about it - Cantler's is truly authentic. The menu features a variety of seafood options as well as other things for people who are in the mood for something else. Our group didn't rate high on the variety scale with four of us ordering the lump crab cake sandwich. Branching away from the crab cake party, Nicole ordered the crab legs and my mom ordered the steamed shrimp. We also ordered a basket of steamed shrimp for the table as an appetizer. Everything we ordered was OUTSTANDING! The steamed shrimp were enormous and had great flavor and I don't think I've ever tasted a better crab cake. Not only was it huge, it had awesome flavor with large chunks of fresh crab (delivered straight off the boat to the restaurant's dock) and basically no filler at all. The side of hush puppies that I had with it were very good as well. I'd want to go back and try the all-you-can-eat steamed Blue Crabs, but it'd be tough to pass up another opportunity to get another crab cake sandwich. Honestly, it'd be tough to ever pass up a sandwich that good. My only complaint about Cantler's would be the service. Nearly everyone we encountered that worked there would fall under the category of rude. The parking attendant, hostess, and our waitress all had trouble being friendly or exhibiting any sort of hospitality. We also had a tough time getting our drinks refilled in a timely manner. That being said, we were so happy with the food that it didn't matter too much. Cantler's is exactly the type of restaurant we were hoping to find. A local restaurant with a great atmosphere that reflected the culture of Maryland and the coastal/Eastern Shore area. A meal here helps make spending time in Annapolis truly memorable.
(5)
Joe B.
Great dockside shanty atmosphere. Good crab chowder delicious steamed crabs. Get the extra large crabs. Coming from New England they are not as big as the rock crabs I'm used to. The spice is really nice.
(4)
S C.
Good locaton, great clams and shrimp. Good menu thats not steamed crabs. Crabs are usually pretty good and reasonably priced. Alwasy at least one bad one (THEY WILL replace it, JUST ASK!) , but why? Do they not know they are dead going in, or is it that they are trying to pass something over? But again, staff always pleasant about replacement. No bottled beer, thats what lost them the 5th star. Can beer only (what is this 1970?) And its always amusing to hear at least one table of seniors say "Were from conneticut, How do we do this again?" I cant imagine having to explain this to people over and over again. So kudos to the cantlers ladies!
(4)
Rachel C.
I'm not really familiar with seafood culture, nor with how to "pick" crabs Maryland-style, but it seemed good to me! Yeah, it was pretty crowded with yacht-setting types and tourists (which I guess includes us because we live in DC?), but we got seating for 10 after a 30-minute wait on a Saturday afternoon (even though most of our party was still missing, they were kind enough to give us a table). Not bad! Waitstaff seemed young and a little overwhelmed, but our server was good. She refilled drinks with regularity and checked in on our party several times. It's definitely on the pricey side, but really, I think it's meant for large group or family-style meals. My boyfriend and I split the medium crabs, which were $37/dozen (v. something outrageous for the large size, which were only one inch larger). Along with some appetizers split with others and a couple of beers, my the two of us paid a total of $68, including tax and tip. The food was solid. The crab dip was thick and creamy, the fried clams were just plain tasty, and the crabs were REALLY good. A little too much powdery Old Bay for my taste, but you can easily dust it off. I had only ever had crab legs before, so hacking apart an entire crustacean was a new experience--and it was fun! The meat was buttery, salty, and steamed to perfection. A couple of crabs were missing front claws, but I wasn't bothered. I nabbed a shrimp and a mussel from a friend, and they were quite yummy. Beers (canned only) were decently priced. They had something called a frozen tidal wave for $6 that involved grenadine, coconut rum and ice cream--I wanted to try it, but we were stuffed to the gills (pun intended) and couldn't handle anything else. Very, very casual. Feels like a picnic. Don't wear nice clothes because you will get crab guts and Old Bay all over you. Dishware is styrofoam and plastic--not the most sustainable or classy choice, but with the number of customers they get and with the messiness factor of the food, it makes sense. Not a first date place or a place for a quiet, romantic night on the river...but for a fun afternoon out with friends, this definitely fits the bill!
(3)
Katie R.
There are so many good things to say, from the crabs down to the key lime pie. It's one of those gems you stumble upons. Its completely off the beaten path, which makes it even better. Hands down the best crab joint in Annapolis! There is plenty of parking but you can also drive your boat right up to the dock, which makes it even more fun! There is plenty of outdoor seating, so you can enjoy some beautiful Annapolis weather! They have great lunch special for all you can eats. It varies based on the market price that day but I've eaten for as cheap at $20.95. That includes corn on the cob and french fries :) Yay ;) I no longer live in annapolis but I frequently make the drive out there a) to get drunk downtown or b) to eat at Cantlers. There is nothing better!
(5)
Valarie G.
Pretty good but a 20 minute wait for parking followed by an hour wait for a seat seemed a bit excessive. Also a kid vomiting all over the floor right next to our table and the staff didn't exactly seem to be that quick to take care of it until we said something...cute right? Food is good but all the other issues kind of made the experience lackluster.
(3)
Dawn R.
When my daughter and son in law come to visit from Kansas City, I always have to take them to Cantler's. If you want some fantastic Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs, cold beer, and the best hushpuppies on the planet, this is the place to be. But you're going to need a GPS, or better yet a local person, to help you find the place. It's definitely off the beaten path, but once you get there, you won't be disappointed. In addition to the great food and friendly staff, you have the choice of eating indoors or on the deck overlooking the water. Inside or out, seating consists of long picnic style tables, giving it a real feeling of community. It can get a little noisy, but that's just all part of the atmosphere.
(5)
Jess M.
Imagine this: It's hot as hell outside, but you don't care, cuz you've got... a parking spot iced cold canned beer the BEST damn crabs in town and seasoning all over yourself from cracking away! Cantler's is the local crab shack you day dream about. It's for the seafood seeker who doesn't care about getting their hands dirty, hanging out elbow to elbow with other fellow crab crackers, and laughing off the occasional pastel shirt/boat shoe douche bag that walks by. It gets pretty busy, so expect to wait around impatiently if you want that shaded outdoor spot. But trust me, it's worth the wait and you'll find yourself walking back to your car happy! I didn't give 5 stars because of the bathroom situation- there's two stalls in the ladies room, but I'm pretty sure an Oompa Loompa couldn't even fit in the right hand stall because the door is right up against the toilet.
(4)
Vina Y.
Super friendly staff. We came on Father's Day and must have hit some sweet spot because we found parking right away and there was no wait. Lots of options on the menu but really you should just get the crabs. They were all very delicious though in two our of crabs, the meat was not as sweet and tender. I think they overdo it with the Old Bay on top but it's easy to scrape off. Make sure you take time to visit the docks behind the restaurant when you're done!
(4)
Paul B.
Out of the way but definitely worth it. It's what every Maryland restaurant should be: on the water with great crab. The fact that the beer helps the Chesapeake Bay is a bonus. I would return here again on my next trip and would definitely sit outside again.
(5)
AL K.
super crowded on the weekends. approximate wait is about an hour or so. Crabs are fresh and has a sweet taste. Service is friendly and efficient Outside seating available. Great during the summer months. Would go back again! $65 a dozen for the large sized crabs. Fish and sandwiches also available.
(5)
Lesley G.
This place is certainly an experience, and off the beaten path. Its full of mostly locals binging on crab meat, but not until you wait perhaps an hour and a half. There's even a line to get into the parking lot, so plan to sink your night here. The crabs were cooked well, but they were a lot of work to eat and extremely messy. I loved the mussels the most, with tons of types of butter. Its a great experience for crab and seafood lovers of the world, but it might be exhausting to visit too often.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I LOVE this place! Great seafood, great views and great service. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The biggest drawback is that due to popularity it can sometimes be difficult to get a table at Cantlers - especially in the summer months. I agree with another reviewer that the bathrooms are not ideal - extremely small.
(4)
Ben D.
Stopped here on the way home from Washington, DC. Phenomenal crabs. Dessert was meh, I'd go somewhere else for it. But really, after gorging on spiced crabs, who gets dessert? Just eat more crabs!
(4)
HanaDC T.
Our friends of mine took us this place. This restaurant is located in the corner of housing community. But I guess this place is so famous. It is so crowded all the time. The service was okay. I ordered coleslaw with Crabs but the waitress forgot to bring it. This place was too crowded. I guess that was the reason. We ordered a dozen of larges. The price is market price. This place is not a cheap place. But I enjoyed with eating crabs like that. Do not wear nice clothes. Wear some casual clothes that you can wash. Also this is not a place to bring your first date because you can't talk much while eating crabs and you get too messy by eating crabs. This is a great place to hang out in summer. Love it.
(4)
Catie C.
I always have fun smashing crabs! This was my 3rd. 2nd at Cantler's. I was disappointed, however, as we progressed each tray, the size of the medium crabs got smaller. They should seriously discount anything that 1/2"+ smaller than a medium since they increase the price in such increments. To a small degree, I felt that I got robbed; but I wasn't about to whip out my measuring tape to make sure it was 5 1/2 ". The service was lacking as well. I emptied out the shell bucket twice for the team! Getting refills initially was a challenge as well. That went smoother when they gave us a pitcher to ward off our thirst! I took a quick tour of the tanks after I used up all my arm power on fighting the crabs. I was delightfully surprised to see horseshoe crabs in the tank. The only other time I've seen this is inside an aquarium. It is also comforting to see that they sort out the dead crabs when the shipment comes in. I come here for one reason and one reason only: Smashin' Blue Crabs!
(3)
A M.
Down-home, fun and unpretentious (though not inexpensive) - we loved it! If you want to pick crabs and drink canned beer this is your place. So much fun in the summer but be ready to wait.
(5)
Reena R.
Besides the 45 minute wait since we were a party of 10..... Everything else was AWESOME! Steamed shrimps, obviously lots of crabs, crab cakes, crabmeat cocktail....we tried a variety and everything was deliciously fresh making the wait so worth it! Highly recommended.
(5)
Sheng Z.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Best crabs in the area and the best atmosphere. Outdoor seating is awesome and everything just screams MARYLAND!!
(5)
Dan A.
Cantler's is the place I always recommend to others as a good crabhouse. While it may be a little difficult to find, it certainly is worth it. The crabs are well-seasoned and look healthy. The other dishes and seafood are good as well. However, it can get crowded and there can be a wait. Also, don't expect to dine in a poshy environment--it is a crabhouse after all. Your tables are covered in brown paper and you are given wooden mallets. However, if you sit outside, you have a nice view of the water. It is a bit expensive... although I suppose one should expect that when dining at a crabhouse. If price is a concern, you'd probably want to go to a local seafood market and buy crabs and take them home. But if you have your heart set on dining at an actual crabhouse, you really can't go wrong with Cantler's food and experience.
(4)
Irene F.
Everything about this experience was horrible. The parking was ridiculous. The wait was stupid long. The bathroom was tiny and disgusting. The place was packed- I felt like a sardine. I never got a drink refill. It was expensive as all get out. The crabs were small and light. I'm sticking to my go to in bmore- Costas Inn- where you get hefty crabs, elbow room, no waiting, easy parking, and a good price. Totally not worth the drive-- oh and I had ISSUES after wards...if you know what I mean...
(2)
Jen C.
Popular, crowded seafood establishment with plenty of options, but I think you can find other places for cheaper if you are looking for platters...especially without an hour wait. Everything tasted good, but the only thing that stuck out as a huge disappointment was their shrimp platter with potatoes and onions. They did not scrub the skins of the potatoes so it felt like I was chewing on fur. In the yelp photos, I saw other people's platters and clearly theirs was prepared fine...but I don't know if I just got an anomaly since they were running behind on our order and so busy. It was also not cooked uniformly, as some chunks of vegetables were really hard and untouched by juices. They also missed gutting one of the giant shrimp, which was pretty disgusting to unexpectedly bite into crunchy shrimp guts. Also, they charged us extra for crabcake sliders, but since they were too busy, it just wasn't worth waiting to point out the overcharge and wait for a new check. Will go to other, cheaper crab houses without having to wait so long.
(3)
Christine C.
Roadtriped from DC - Boston to visit one of our college buddies and took a day trip out to Annapolis with the intention of grubbing out on some crabs. Thanks to the power of our iphones, foursquare + yelp, we found this place a bit outside the city and decided to explore this highly reviewed joint off the beaten path. YOU NEED gps to get here if you don't know the area. If you came to Annapolis area to eat some crabs, THIS IS WHERE YOU DO IT. - secluded, waterfront 'local' dive-y atmosphere - indoor and outdoor seating - Order Crabs by the DOZEN - slap around some wooden mallets - tables lined with butcher paper (meaning.. u eat off the table) - make some new friends Despite the long lines and my horrible experience with the staff, I can't deny this place is a gem and the crappy staff and merry crowd is all part of the experience. I was told by a guy traveling from Louisiana that people from all over stop here en route to their vacay destinations, he had been stopping here for years. FYI: When you're done, you will smell like crabs, old bay spices, and beer :) ...they don't do take out :(
(4)
Tim M.
We go for the all you can eat crabs, and boy do we all you can eat the crap out of the crabs. Simple steamed crabs with Old Bay doused all over the place. Raw, animalistic, barbaric, and down right nummy. 4 out of 5 because the service could be better at times, although the last time we went, the service waas great and we didn't have to wait around for a refill on the crabs. 4 out of 5 also because there are a few bad crabs in the bunch, but hey, with all you can eat, you simply discard the crappy ones. 4 out of 5 because the sides aren't anything special, like overly cooked corn on the cob, which I hate to like, but like. The fries are good, the chowder was a bit salty, though. 4 out of 5 also because the Old Bay is rather useless since the crabs aren't steamed or boiled in it, and it just falls off the shell when you start a-cracken on the crabs. Plus, after a while, Old Bay just gets boring. You do get melted butter and vinegar if you want to dip. I choose to simply wipe the Old Bay off, and enjoy the pure sweetness of the crab meat. Can't wait to get back again and get my crab back on. Live in DC area so we call ahead in the AM to ensure they are having all you can eat that day. We also like to bring our dog, so the outdoor pet table works well for us, although at times you do get a waft of garbage since it is in the back. Not the most sightly or appetizing walking past the garbage in order to get to the seats, but the sacrifices we make for our dogs....
(4)
Melissa J.
We were really looking forward to finally eating at Cantler's...we tried to come here last summer and couldn't get anywhere near it because the parking lot was so packed that the wait to park was 30 minutes. So we figured it must be pretty incredible to draw that kind of a crowd. Wrong. The fish was overcooked, bordering on rubbery. I ordered a broiled crabcake but they brought me fried. The fried soft shell was really nicely done, but as the server brought it to our table one of the legs was falling off the plate and she just grabbed it and pushed it back on with her bare hand, which she had just used to do who-knows-what. Delicious. Basically, not worth the wait (we were told it would be 45 minutes but it ended up being an hour and 20).
(2)
Lynn S.
The place is in a weird residential neighborhood. But we found it through GPS easy enough. The steam shrimp really is nothing special. The Cajun grilled cod portion is sooo small for $12 bucks. The crabs, however, are good. Nice and full, fresh and sweet. We had a dozen of extra large for $90. It's tasty, but in my opinion, way too salty. I still think Mike's is better.
(3)
Eileen L.
My family and i went to the naval academy for the weekend and wanted to have seafood in a scenic setting. i followed yelp to Cantler's Riverside Inn. we were sorely disappointed. the waitress who served us seemed very impatient and annoyed at us. the vegetable crab soup was not so spectacular. the dishes we ordered were subpar. the crabs were expensive and small. they were also not steamed as we had wanted. on top of that, the floor and benches we sat on were covered with crab remnants from other parties. we left the restaurant full, but not satisfied.
(2)
Peter K.
Loud, crowded, and the food definitely did hot live up to the hype that has been written about this place. Yes, its a crab-house, yes its not fine dining, but the crabs were watery. We ordered the Jimmy seafood platter as well. Half the mussels and clams on the platter were empty. I would not recommend going out of your way to come here. If you have to wait more than 10 minuets for a table, you should go someplace else. Not worth the wait.
(2)
Liza A.
Well good place for crabs.....but not worth the waiting..come on I came to this place at 2:30 pm was greeted by a guy at the narrow rd that takes to this place and told us that parking was full and that we needed to wait until parking was available..OK....we had probably 18 cars before us.....we got down to put our names on the waiting list...90 MIN...oh man....well no shade so under the sun with kids...hubby cones with car and parks at 3:30 pm we are still waiting for table ;(, well buzzer starts beeping we come to the sssmalllll entrance and the stupid thing is just running out of battery come back out and wait some more, sat and ate until 4:00pm. Food is OK nothing worth that hassle. Waitresses are very nice. But oh man what a nightmare. Thank God its over
(3)
Jessica L.
I will start this off by coming clean: I am not a seafood consumer, but my husband loves seafood. We were going to visit Annapolis for the day and he wanted to go to Cantler's for dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on a Saturday ad they are not kidding about needing GPS...a 2 lane road goes down to a 1 and 1/2 maybe before you get there so be careful driving. We came upon a line of cars waiting and were told by the man with the walkie talkie that this was the line to park since the lot was full. He said the non-driver should go up ahead and put our name down on the list since it was an hour and half wait. My husband was skeptical at first to waiting but I figured it's 5:30pm and I'm not exactly hungry yet. I went and put our name on the list and it took us about 30 minutes to park (might want to drive a small car or the one you don't care gets dinged since they make up parking spaces). Went to the bar for our drinks and had literally just walked out the door to wait outside, when our buzzer went off. A party of 2 has it's advantages sometimes : ) My husband ordered beer and I ordered the Iced Tea. We both got salads, Ceasar and Baby Spinach. Both were excellent and the size of probably a entree salad. Our server Annie was amazing and when either of our drinks were thinking of becoming too low she would bring us re-fills. We then had the Calamari to follow. Also a big hit since it was yummy seafood for my husband and it was fried yumminess with a great dipping sauce for me. We then had our entrees: Stuffed Rockfish and Filet Mignon both with steamed veggies and baked potatoe with the steak. I wasn't going to ask for steak sauce since it was a seafood joint but our server Annie offered me A1 so I was very excited. By the time we were done eating our wonderful entrees we were both so full we didn't even have room for dessert. I will also say the only ding against them is the bathroom with 2 stalls is not exactly great for such a crowded restaurant. I would deffintly go back just for the service which was amazing. The food was also 5 stars and loved that there was a wide range of options for non-seafood lovers. It is worth the wait.
(5)
Chow N.
Generally speaking, I prefer a place across the bridge when I want crabs, but I try to stop by here for some fresh seafood whenever I'm in the area on the western shore. I had an iced tea, which wasn't refilled often enough, freshly fried calamari, and a crabcake sandwich. The calamari was really good, and as I always do, I asked if it was freshly prepared or from a bag. If it's from a bag, I can get that from the grocery store. They said it was freshly prepared, and by gosh, it was good. Only issue was that it was very expensive at $11.99 as an appetizer. It came with a Thai sweet/sour sauce, so I opted to go with the cocktail sauce from the squeeze bottle. For the price, I expect some kind of garlic aioli. I also had the crabcake sandwich, which was broiled. It tasted very fresh and very good, which is what I would expect during crab season. Along with the sandwich came the extra crispy fries, which were probably from a bag. Price was $14.99, and came with a packet of Kraft tartar sauce. The weather was beautiful, nice and cool/breezy while shaded from the sun. The place got packed for lunch. I didn't want to get messy, so I didn't want to deal with pounding on crabs. Super size crabs were $95/dozen.
(4)
debbie a.
I love the amount of Old Bay they put on the crabs you get! It just makes everything so delicious. We ordered the Crab Bruschetta - VERY delicious.. the crab meat was sweet and fresh with the acidity from the tomato.. perfect - only 3 to an order though. Crab soup (okay - a little too oily and salty.. missing that briney flavor) Crab boil... MmMmmmm my ONLY complaint was that they didnt scrub the crab clean before they were cooked.... would have made the crab more appetizing if i didnt see black grit all over the bottom outside of the shell (that i eventually tasted - hard to avoid all that when you are handling them) The fries were DELICIOUS... they have a slight batter to them so they stay crunchy and well spiced. Will definitely go again for outside seating (1) and food (2) if in the area. FYI - service needed some help..
(4)
Sharon T.
We usually go to Harris Crab House when we want to eat crabs out. After reading review after review for Cantler's I convinced my family for us to try something different. We were sadly disappointed. We started with a dozen large crabs, and right off the bat my son's first crab was bad---mushy, ammonia smell, icky. Now being a MD girl I realize that can happen anywhere, but then my husband had a bad one, then my daughter (ironically I never got a bad one, but I did check theirs out). Our waitress did replace them but after ordering another dozen mediums and having a total of 5 out of 24 being bad we had enough. Also at one point a different server brought out a dish to the people sharing our table, and when she asked if anyone needed anything, I asked for a new shell bucket and some more vinegar. My husband told me after I asked she rolled her eyes and walked away. Really? We ordered hushpuppies, french fries, some cherrystones and steamers which were average. I also had a coupon for a free appetizer and we got the crab bruschetta, which was good. I SO wanted to like Canter's, and it is a cute getaway down a quaint river road, but after waiting to get in the parking lot (I knew that could happen) then a wait in the lot itself, it so NOT worth it. We came for CRABS, and they were the worst part of the meal. :( Poor quality control and indifferent service. Oh--also were were lucky to get outside seating. The inside is dark, dark, DARK and dreary. Why anyone would want to sit in a basement (not literally) to eat crabs is beyond me, but hey, if they had been amazing I might have considered it. We'll be going back to Harris' next time for our crabs, AND get a signature Nutty Buddy for dessert. Sorry Cantler's, I tried... :(
(1)
Bob K.
Very disappointed. Food was so so and service was slow, tight space, smelled bad and very dirty. Also, not very scenic. It's off of my bucket list. To top things off, my wife was sick last night with symptoms of food poisoning....
(1)
Angela S.
I have been to Jimmy's many times. The crabs are great especially this time of year. A side of onion rings, and a bloody mary...mmm!!!!
(4)
Ken M.
I was out here with a large group (35 people) that had pre-arranged with the restaurant that we would be there at the appointed time.There was even a pre-arranged menu of three choices. So it shouldn't have been a big deal when we all showed up to be able to serve us. However, it was! Sure. there were a few "walk-ins" for our group but only a few and it shouldn't have thrown everything off. My food - the crab cake meal - took f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the seating was such that we were packed like sardines onto two benches when it would have been way more comfortable to spread out a bit. The result is that members of the group couldn't get up and move around once they were seated. The wait staff was friendly enough but, of course, slow as molasses due, in part, to the slow preparation in the kitchen. The kicker, for me, was when a small-sh family group came in well after us and ordered off the menu and got their meal while I was still guzzling iced tea...and waiting...and waiting. I would have thought that lunch time (12:30 to 2:30) on a Tuesday in an out-of-the-way place like this would mean attentive service and good food. Not so much. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Being on the water (Mill Creek??) was OK if you didn't mind looking at a bunch of boat slips and ramshackle boat houses. My experience is that there are lots better places with better ambiance, better food and a nicer view. Save your time (and money), don't get lost back along the winding roads to find this place. It's not worth it.
(2)
Good E.
i was in annapolis with my mom and after a day of touring around we went to get some dinner here. i love seafood especially crab. we had crabcakes, hushpuppies which were ok. the shrimp was very tasty. the actual crab was meh. ive had better seafood in new england, so i wasnt that impressed with this place the ambience of the place is kind of divey/shack-like so dont come here with the mindset of fine dining
(3)
Laura G.
So if you are ever in Maryland, this place is worth visiting!!!! I have never had better crabs than at Cantler's. The seafood is delicious. The place is super casual. You sit at what looks like a park bench and they put a thick paper down. We usually order the crabs by the dozen. Yummy!!!!
(5)
Daniel N.
They deserve a 5 stars based on my experience there with my family.
(5)
Jason C.
If you're lookin' to eat whole crabs and wash them down with some canned beer, you're in heaven - if not, save yourself the drive. Service was pretty good.
(3)
Ebony H.
The food was pretty good. I was upset that I paid $8 for frozen hush puppies. The crabs are delish...but the next time I pay over $100 for a meal I would like it on real plates and not Styrofoam. Great location!
(3)
Larry C.
I've been going to Cantler's for 10 years or so. Here's what I think... - crabs are usually good, but we have gotten bad ones on occasion - mussels are so-so - oysters are pretty good - key lime pie is good - seating inside is tight, a little on the crusty side, but generally fun - seating outside is cramped, but nice The location is outstanding. My daughter and I love to walk on the pier after dinner.
(3)
Robert S.
Five pointy ones because, when I stop to think about it, I can't think of a better crabhouse in Annapolis! The rating should probably be 4.5 stars because of the high prices but it seems to me that market prices would be fairly uniform in a given geographical area. On to the good stuff: -Maryland crab soup comes in tomato-base and cream-base and they are both the bomb, although I prefer tomato-base. -Steamed soft shell clams are my favorite here. Fresh, freshly steamed, with drawn butter and old bay seasoning. I think they may make their own old bay, can anyone verify this?? -Crab cake sandwich - A very healthy ball of crab on a bun. Tomato and lettuce. You add your toppings (cocktail sauce, horseradish, ketchup, etc). A little bit of a big bun, but still very tasty. -Steamed jumbo shrimp - 1/2 lb or 1 lb=6 or 12 prawns. Good size prawns, I think our waitress told us they were from NC or SC (don't quite remember). Boiled clambake style with lots of old bay, onions and new potatoes. Another winner! -Steamed MD blue crabs- $60/dz this day. Would have ordered them except we went crabbing the day before and caught and tried to eat a bushel of crabs, so I was a little "crabby"! and decided to order other items. I make a pilgrimage to the one and only Cantler's every time I come back to Annapolis. Lots of good memories reinforced by awesome food that has remained remarkably consistent over the time I have been coming here. Service was very good the two times I was there last weekend, with different waitresses each time. One note: make sure you have a GPS or print directions/map before you get here, it is a little tricky because it is tucked way back in a residential neighborhood. There are signs but not till you get pretty far into the 'hood.
(5)
Merrill H.
Ok, so I agree with many yelpers than it can be a confusing drive to Cantler's for the average tourist, but there's no need for a GPS unless you are seriously directionally challenged or completely clueless. Either way, Cantler's is full of crab. Crab crab crab crab crab! Don't come here for a hamburger, folks! Be prepared to shell out (no pun intended) $70 and up for a lunch for 2. My bf and I shared half a dozen large crabs and 2 lump crab cakes. The crab cakes were delicious and my favorite part of the meal, but pricey at $25. The 1/2 dozen crabs came out, buried under copious amounts of Cantler's crab seasoning mix. If you don't like seasoning, be sure to let the waiter/waitress know beforehand! Expect crowds here, no matter what time of day. The bar seemed to attract the yuppie, J Crew type guys. Yuck.
(4)
Tino D.
Sitting on a sunny patio, overlooking the river, I was surrounded by friends with a table full of fresh seafood and beer in front of me. Sufficed to say, I had a great time at Cantlers! The food was very simply prepared; steamed crabs with old bay spice, fresh oysters with horse radish and some sweet potato fries. I guess when food is this fresh, you really want the ingredients to speak for themselves. It was very busy when we were there, but we still received stellar service. Our waiter was very attentive and was knowledgeable about the menu items. This place is a lot of fun, with great food and service. I definitely plan on going again.
(4)
Roll T.
Michele D. was gracious enough to organize an event over at Cantler's before the end of crab season, and we were hungry enough to put down a few dozen of Maryland's famous blue crabs doused in JO. For the uninitiated, the drive to Cantler's takes you through a windy path eventually leading to a shack by the water shore. At this point, you are escorted by the friendly staff to an available table. In our case, we were lucky enough to get a spot right on the water. On this occasion, we ordered a few dozen jumbo sized crabs and some shrimp and hush puppies on the side. I had a rather unremarkable cream of crab soup, but the individuals who ordered the Maryland crab soup sounded like they enjoyed their experience. The shrimp and hush puppies were likewise forgettable. People don't come here for soup, shrimp, or hush puppies. They come here to down nice, succulent, fleshy crab meat in apple vinegar. While I exhibited novice crab picking skills, my companions happily ingested extraordinary amounts of blue crab. While I enjoyed my meal, I simply find Alaskan red king crab to be juicier, more flavorful, and easier to eat than its Maryland counterpart. Indeed, in my opinion, blue crab is probably best suited for crab cakes. The jumbo crab imperial cakes here are amazing; I like them even better than ordering a dozen blue crabs here. Although the price is a bit steep (we ended up at $50/person), Cantler's is still a remarkable place that is worth an occasional drive up to Annapolis. If you are local, I would suggest going on an off-night to avoid the tourist crowd. I'm still a fan of this place, but I think you might be able to find better deals in Baltimore.
(4)
Holly C.
Stopped by this place on the way back home from New Orleans. Had some Chesapeake Bay raw oysters - they were pretty good. For our entree, we ordered the special: 1 1/4 lb lobster & Alaskan King Crab legs. The lobster was okay (a little too cooked/rubbery in my opinion). The crab legs on the other hand were amazing! Tender & flavorful. I got the hush puppies as my side (no extra charge for changing it). They were decent, but it was my first time having them. My friend, who is more familiar with them, said they were "oookay" as well. The home cooked potato chips were pretty good, and the coleslaw was good! (I'm one of those weirdos who love cold slaw) We decided to sit "outside", which was basically picnic table outside. Since it was the winter, it was covered & heated, but I think it would be a nice place to come to during the summer.
(3)
Michele D.
Look at all these great reviews...let that tell the message right there. I have been so busy this summer that I never got the chance to sit outside and enjoy some sweet and succulent crabs. Until last Saturday. I posted a UYE and called all Yelpers to enjoy the awesome spot on the water with some of the best crabs in town. Their crabs may be on the expensive side, but they do -not- disappoint. At. All. They are big, meaty and oh so sweet. We ordered 3 dozen of the jumbos for eight people. Did we get down, or what? We also ordered two pounds of steamed shrimp, which were wonderful but came with potatoes and onions. I wish they would only serve the shrimp because the potatoes and onions went to waste at our table! Please, who's got room for that filler stuff when you need the room for crab meat? The other thing we ordered but I only ate a few of was Hush Puppies. They have the best ones I've had; they are a very nice break from the Old Bay seasoning. Our server, Micky, was a rock star when it came to handling our group. She was spot on with service and took great care of us. Ahhh, until next summer...
(5)
Cheryl B.
Labor Day weekend 2009. Michele D. gathered a few Yelpers together to enjoy an end to summer Crab event in Annapolis. Where else would you go but Cantler's? Answer: NOWHERE! I've been going to Cantler's for years and am never disappointed. The crabs are fresh and hot, the beer is ice cold...and the service is the best around for a family oriented restaurant. It was great to kick off our weekend laughing, meeting new friends and enjoying the fruits of the Chesapeake Bay. We took up a couple tables outside on the back deck and lazily picked large chunks of luscious white meat from our trays of season laiden crabs. Sipping icy cold beer, and iced tea you couldn't help but always turn toward the water to admire yet another beautiful sailboat passing by....not jealous, but a bit envious that we too were not aboard heading out for a day on the water. Stuffed with the selection of crabs, shrimp, fried fish and hush puppies we completed our 2 1/2 hr dining experience and waddled off for our next adventure....Annapolis downtown beware!! Thanks again Michele D.!!
(5)
David T.
We pulled in here to eat dinner during a cruise down the bay headed to Naptown to watch the fireworks. Free mooring for diners. The smell of rotten fish/crabs at the dock on the way up to the restaurant isn't a good thing. The calamari appetizer was horrible. So chewy that it was like chewing on rubber. How can a seafood place not know how to cook calamari? Between the four of us, one halibut and ahi tuna kabob (special), two crab cake sandwiches, and one drunk'n shellfish. While we all thought the food was good, it wasn't what any of us considered excellent or anything close to 5 stars worth. No frills place, like the other reviewers have said. Not very clean and our waiter had somewhat of a "I'm doing you a favor" attitude. I imagine this place is more well known for it's crabs than anything else they serve. Of course I really don't know how you can screw up steaming a crab with Old Bay seasoning. So because of that, wow on the 5 star ratings.
(3)
Marisa F.
Really great seafood place located in Annapolis. It is a pretty drive and the restaurant is located at the end of the drive. They have a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice and you can pull up to it with your boat. Great place to enjoy Maryland crabs and lots of other kinds of seafood.
(4)
Miss E.
If you want to stuff your face with fresh seafood, this is the place! We wound up here for the first time early one Saturday evening. The wait for a table was about 40 minutes, but we were lucky enough to grab a couple seats at the bar. Before our asses hit the barstools, the bartender was taking our drink order and getting us menus. She joked that we'd get way better service at the bar than in the dining room. She wasn't kidding. While everyone else was waiting for food and drinks, we were scarfing down on hot seafood and sipping on cold beer. We only ordered crabs (super fresh) and shrimp (HUGE), so I can't comment on their side dishes. The bartender also served us a couple great margaritas, which was a nice surprise. There are a couple of things you should know before you go: prices are high, they only serve beer in a can, the parking lot is small, and there is virtually no waiting area up front. But if you plan accordingly, you'll hopefully have a great experience like we did.
(4)
Ai-Chen Y.
"A perfect place to enjoy fresh blue crabs!" I am a crab fan and went to the places several times. If you went to the place on the weekend, the place is super crowded. They don't take reservation and normally have to wait approximately 30 minutes... Go to Cantler's on a week day will be better, less crowded and no need to wait. The most famous item here is its blue crab with the old bay seasoning. There are different prices based on the size. Highly recommended "Super"- the biggest one. (If they run out of "super", order "X-Large"($36 for 6 crabs)price may change due to the size). People use the wood hammer to eat the crab, be careful that the old bay seasoning will split every where when u crush the crab shell. Don't wear fancy clothes, or you cannot eat the crab with fun. The thing I love Cantler's most is that their crab is very fresh. You could see the fresh crabs loaded by the ships near the riverside dock. My mom has an serious allergy problem that if she eats the seafood not fresh. However, she does not have any problem with the crabs from Cantler's! The other thing in Cantler's are soso, I will suggest that you just eat some crabs here and go other place to fill your stomach.
(4)
Megan P.
Great crab dip with fresh loaves of bread. They were out of wings when my husband tried to order them, which seemed a little strange. The cream of crab soup was good, but had a little bit too much sherry for my taste. The hardshells were not very good. Their blend of old bay was extremely salty (and I like salt). The rest of the seafood on our platter (king crab legs, oysters, clams, fried shrimp) were okay, but nothing special. The service was a little slow. We had to flag down our waitress a few times to get her to pay attention to us.
(3)
Cee L.
Was excited to try this place out and thought the food would be worth waiting for a parking space. Unfortunately we started off with mushy clams. The crab meat was too clean with a bunch of old bay thrown on the shells making my fingers hurt and making everything I touched too salty. Not worth the long drive or the windy roads to the middle of nowhere.
(2)
Christine E.
Word to the wise...if you plan to come here on a Saturday, I highly recommend you come sometime during the hours between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. After that...expect a wait in line...not just for a table...but to park your car! We arrived at around 3 pm and found a parking spot in the small lot (relative to the number of patrons that come in) right away. Put our names in for a table and waited about 20-30 minutes for a table inside. (There is a nice patio overlooking the water.) Wait wasn't so bad since we got to take the stairs down to the pier and enjoy the scenic water views and really get into the spirit of things as first-time visitors to Annapolis! We ordered the crab dip to start and that was probably my favorite part of the meal. BEST crab dip I think I've ever tasted! For entrees, we ordered the three-crab sampler just to get the full experience of trying Maryland blue crabs. We also ordered the 1/2 order of lobster (which was very delicious) and jumbo shrimps. Each entree was around $20-$25, which isn't cheap but well worth it for the quality seafood and experience. Seating and wait staff were young and friendly. I expect to come back with first-time visitors. Probably best to come when it's still light out since the area is somewhat remote. Get ready to dig in!
(5)
Al G.
I have been here a few times . The food is good but not consistent. The place can be like a zoo at times so many people wanting to come here. I have to say that it is cool to pull up in a bout and go to dinner. The staff is nice.
(3)
RB S.
I was in DC for a family vacation and tried this place on a local friend recommendation. It has mostly outdoor tables either in patio or by the river. There is only one road in and out. Our family tried extra large crabs. and they were too salty. or too much seasoning (probably msg based). No biggie to wash down with beer. But it's not a wholesome dining experience. Service was good.
(2)
D L.
Went for weekend dinner. Six people (three hardcore crab lovers and three on for the ride). Ordered: - Two dozen soft crabs, large size. GET SEASONING ON THE SIDE, otherwise might be to salty. Also, would be even messier trying to throw down with hands soaked in seasoning AND crab juice - Corn: Steamed, with no butter. Very sweet and good. - Onion rings: HUGE! But, all batter and no onion. - French fries: actually tasty, but came out cold - Lump cake crab cakes dish: HUGE crab cakes - Stuffed shrimp dish. Only have can beer. Good ginger ale (I don't know, it was just good). Kind of pricey. Bathroom is tiny and cramped! Why don't they have a huge trough outside for people to wash their hands in?? Service good. Friendly and accommodating. Price, on the medium-high side.
(3)
Laura R.
We came here with a large group for lunch. We were seated around 12:30 and they had run out of Supers. By the time we finished our meal, they only had mediums left, and the mediums were rather small. Most of our party ordered Jimmy's Crab feast, which came with three crabs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and corn. The best thing on the plate was the shrimp. The crabs were so overdone I felt like I was eating cat food. All in all, I was disappointed, but I may be willing to give it another try.
(2)
Lara S.
Me (newish to DC area) to a friend: Hey, I'm taking a random trip to Annapolis. I'm not sure why really, but I thought it would be good to check out other places around DC while I'm here. Friend: Um, yeah. Annapolis is great. Me: So, do you have any suggestions? Friend: Cantler's. You have to go to Cantler's. Me: I read about this place called Mike's. You heard of that? Friend: Yeah, but I think you should go to Cantler's. Other places might be cheaper, but this is the best one. _______________________________________________ Ok, so who can argue about where to go after that kind of recommendation? We drove down the windy road to get to Cantler's. Waited to park our car in the spot designated by the teenagers working outside in the blazing heat. We rushed to put our name on the list, got our buzzer and the approximate 1 hour 15 minute wait time prognosis, and headed back to the car to read and enjoy the AC. Once our time had elapsed, the buzzer buzzed, and we scurried back to the restaurant to claim our table. We ordered some crabs, of course, and also corn and mussels. It was my first time eating crabs, so I asked some fellows dinners for their advice on opening up the shells. The waiter also showed us how to do it, and what parts we should or shouldn't eat. The restaurant overlooks the water, and we were happy with our selection of table section - outside and covered. Overall, a wonderful and worthwhile experience. Just make sure to plan ahead for the long wait. It will be worth it.
(5)
BiG M.
Honestly, i think the pictures say it all: Where else can you buy crabs by the dozen? Where else do you get to park on a bed of clam & oyster shells? Where else can you gorge yourself on the table topped with butcher paper? Where can you wield a small wooden mallet like a drunken dwarf? This place is hidden Hidden HIDDEN away on a big hill...i wouldnt reccomend trying to find it without GPS. Once you find it though your day will get 100 times better. I would reccomend you wear some clothes you dont mind getting crab all over, cause its gonna get all over ur fingers, hands, face & body: this is a good thing!! It was pretty late in the winter & there werent too many places one could still get Maryland bluecrab...but my hosts love me & set this place aside for me ^^ luv!! A chart on the wall tells you how big the crabs are: we ate a dozen Large & another dozen Super. The Old Bay spice on top is very pungent & may take a bit to get used to, but after a while its intoxicating musk & flavor are all over your hands & face & you will want more! More!! You should ask your host how to properly use the knife & mallet if ur into instructions, otherwise just hammer away & stuff your face! We took a handfull of pictures with our waitress after our meal too ^^ they are so sweet here. Before heading back to our cars, we slipped down to the back side of the building via a side door & onto the riverbank. In the darkness of the night sky the houses along the river light up like lifeflies dancing up & down the current. Its quite a pictureque view & ur body will thank you for walking around to ease your comfortable suffering from being too full!!
(5)
Chris C.
Sadly I can't comment on the food here because I never got past the phone call to the place! I am allergic to Maryland seafood and most places in MD get their crabs from other places around the country as well and often they are willing to accommodate my allergy. Upon calling Cantler's and explaining my allergy and asking if they had crabs from anywhere else, the girl said "No, we get them from MD" so I asked to speak to a manager. She got someone who told me to call back around 5 or 6 tonight (it is noon now) because they are too busy right now and THEN I could talk to a manager. That pretty much made up my mind. No need to drive about an hour out to Annapolis for some place that can't even take 2 min. on the phone to help me out. Oh...and this was for my birthday dinner. Screw you Cantler's.
(1)
Jaclyn S.
I have no idea how I failed to review Cantler's before this. I have clearly been remiss. If you know me, you know that I like food (eating it, cooking it, chasing it) and that I am particularly obsessed with seafood and cheese. This is the place that got me to round up my friends for my birthday, two years in a row, and force them to make the 1.5 hour backwoods drive from DC out to Cantler's. It was worth it. Both times. The first time we went there was an hour long wait (Cantler's has a lot of regulars and some people even boat right up to the dock and wait there). The second time, however, we went right after a bad storm and got in right away. Seriously, try to synchronize your trip with crappy weather if you can. Then there's no way the big crabs will sell out before you get there. And yes, speaking of crabs, they are blue, uber fresh, and come in several sizes. Go as big as possible - you'll hate spending the bulk of your meal picking meat out of teeny tiny crabs. Cantler's steams the crabs to perfection and then liberally dumps delicious JO seasoning (Old Bay-esque) over them. They give you a wooden mallet to pound them with (I love this - it's one of the reasons I come here) and delicious melted butter. A couple of my friends who don't like crabs (WHAT!?!?) ordered the fish and said it was delish. Definitely get some sides - they have the classic hush puppies and corn - or a bucket of steamers (clams). It's not just the food that makes this place though. It has good feng shui or positive vibes or they cook with love or something, I swear! Everyone just looks stoked to be there. After your meal take a walk outside and go look at all the bins of live blue and horseshoe crabs looking all funny and poking around. Then walk out along the docks and admire all the boats crowded around against a starry sky. You won't be sorry you came here.
(5)
Scott L.
The crab cakes are lump but very Blane and the rockfish is tasteless and overlooked. I don't think they even have a chef here. The place is also dark on the inside and grimy . Only reason I gave 2 stars is for oysters .
(2)
Ma-e M.
Listen! This will help you. I'm giving it 1 star, but I was with a group of colleagues who are regulars so for them, I add 1 for 2 stars. (Regulars I say because the nearest from work and better restaurant than Chinese for lunch time.) Yap, I was the only one who sees it. Customers commented overprice or pricey; I'm relieved that you see that. So if Cantler's price is too much, do you think you should settle for less or expect the usual? You have spoken. The answer is for majority in this board it's unanimous. But I still have a say, and a very valid one to date! Here's what it should be: I believe that if the price is that much, I do deserve to get a better service and high quality of food. Read on...I did not get that yesterday. I was completely dissatisfied. They don't care! What draws Cantler's crowd? I don't see it and completely surprised by the crowd Friday lunch time. It was packed. Why? Cantler's is an old established restaurant. It's a mystery to get there. By the river, Cantler's location is no where near other shops but it is in a secluded neighborhood area of the other side of Annapolis. To get there, you change mph from 15, 25 to 35. It's a scary drive; the roads are narrow and winding. You don't know if you'll hit a car or a deer, run though a house, or go overboard the water. People just love mysteries. Quite the opposite, I'm not mystefied. I know the mystery. The first thing that got to me was the chair and table; it was bad taste and very uncomfortable for dining. Well, when you are eating and pounding to crack crabs, the least you would pay attention to is what you are seating down because you are more interested in getting those crab meats. It makes sense. It's a burn no one wants to feel. I observed how people were loving the place and the food with my amazement. But I, just see negatives about this place. I'm brutally frank that I was hating every moment I'm sitting there and I was talking about it. I ordered the special which was highly recommended by the lady wait staff. I was so excited that I'm getting the special, thinking that could be like Cosi's Crab Melt Flatbread with 2 cheeses, tomatoes and onions, instead I got a very pathetic looking triangular small 6 pizza slices that was drop on my table. WHAT! at that price!!! Totally unacceptable. I had better pizza in my life somewhere else. It was claimed that it has crab meat in it, but I could not taste it and see it. I'm paying for the crabs but where is the freaking crabs? This was definitely making me crabby. Colleagues have suggested to tell the lady wait staff that I don't like it. The lady wait staff did not even bother to ask me how was it. At that time, I made a decision not to tip her (which I said loudly because I disdain this place) and I will eat the damn pizza with disgusting look, swallow my outspoken demeanour and pride. But I strongly demur every minute at this place; it was not lovely or fun at all. I could not taste the crab and tomatoes and onions were diced and on the side, not even on the pizza. What unimaginative/uncreative and insenstive/careless piece of dish and they call this special??? Once again, I was baffled that people enjoyed this place. I don't get it why people will spend this much, accept it, happy about it, when it is not really worth it to begin with. Look, around, look again, look more and think critically to where are you sitting? It is not McCormick and Schmick's. I rather that I pay this much money that equates quality and care to food and service. I think people here need to go to McCormick and Schmick's for a rude awakening, high price = no crabs, just excellent seafood, wonderful service and classy restaurant. Should I try again? No, not for that price. I don't even consider it. I will not befooled. Sorry, you guys have been pinched by the crabs. It's so clear in the day, that it is a tourist trap. You want crabs? find them somewhere else, better off. Cantler's ratings proof is just like crabs that people go with the flow and some are suckers. Come on, go on, you can change for the better.
(2)
C W.
The food saves this place and pulls the rating from 2 to 3 stars. The staff is hit and miss. The seating outside is nice but inside is very crowded. A lot of hype about a mediocre restaurant.
(3)
Regina S.
Pro's: - One of a handful of places left that actually serve local crabs. On occassion they will supplement their inventory with crustaceans from Louisiana since unfortunately, our local bounty has diminished to record low levels. Many other "crab houses" or "crab shacks" get their hard shells from other states, Central America, and even Asia, so if you really want local this IS the place. -The restaurant is off the beaten path, nestled on a creek off the Bay so you get a waterfront dining experience along with your crab pickin. -You can arrive by boat! Cons: It's out of the way location does not mean it's not a touristy destination. This restaurant has been featured in more publications and foodie TV shows than any other establishment in Annapolis. So if you think you have found a "hidden gem", think again. -Summer waits can be unbelievable, with cars idling for a mile on the windy road waiting for a parking spot. Yeah we've heard they come around with coolers offering libations, but is this really the way you want to spend an hour or so? Go by boat or off peak hours. -Other offerings are just so so. Another restaurant that lives off a reputation and not necessarily the current quality of their food and service.
(3)
Kellie P.
Holy Damn... I am so lucky to be from Maryland. Maryland crabs will school all others. Sorry, it's true. There is almost no satisfaction like that tiny bit of meat you get from picking crabs... I love my life in MD whenever I get to visit. Cantler's really helps with my crab obsession. My darling friend Ballew took me here for the 2nd time on my visit home last week... My love was also in town with me, and we had the pleasure of stopping into the outside patio for dinner. We went nuts. We ordered EVERYTHING WE WANTED. The crabcakes are FAT (Perfection), the blue crabs are great (with about a ton of Old Bay, Yes!), the Rockfish bites are not to be missed, we barely noticed the wings (I think they were ok?), the fries were also good. Yes, I do judge a place by their fries at times. It was my Love's first time picking crabs, he was so pro! And what a great atmosphere to do it in, right down by the river ;) I love the way we're all classy in MD and roll out that giant paper over the tables. Pair it up with a Yuengling for the Win. It won't be my last time here.... Pretty sure I gained 2 lbs at this meal, and I don't regret it for a second. Boo-Yah!
(5)
Chad B.
Good lump crab cakes. Casual atmosphere. Along a creek to the Severn river. For these reasons, I take most house guests here while they are in Annapolis. While I am generally satisfied, I find the portions (except of course the all you can eat crab) to be a bit skimpy and the prices a bit steep. I prefer McCormick and Schmick's for seafood other than crack-your-own crabs.
(4)
Leanne B.
Crab cakes were good, hush puppies were great!! Everyone enjoyed their meals thoroughly!!! Been told to come by my friends who are regulars, when crab season is in full swing coz then you get more for ya money!
(5)
Roger W.
Very good seafood spot. Hard crabs are a treat (get the largest ones they have). Peel and eat shrimp were tasty, crab cakes very good. It's not inexpensive and they have no draft beer, only cans.
(3)
Bif P.
What a great time my family had here !! The crabs were very good size and cooked to perfection. The hush puppies are a must have as well. There are a lot of items on the menu including stuff for someone that doesn't like seafood however I would stick with the crabs. I thought the service was excellent, the food came quickly and always with a smile from the waitress. If you plan on going on a Saturday night around dinner time (7pm) here is what you can expect. They say to car pool if possible and they are correct, one car leaves the lot another one is let in. So there are cars waiting 'in the que' just to get in the lot. There are parking attends that are there and very helpful. My advice is if this happens let someone out of your car and have them walk in and get on the wait list for a table. You can expect anywhere from an hour to 2 hour wait BUT there is stuff to do. There is an outdoor bar in the parking lot where you can get a drink and walk downstairs along the water. The food and atmosphere were great, you just have to expect to wait but it is worth it.
(5)
Alex L.
After a bit of a wait you'll be seated at a long picnic table. The server slaps down a piece of brown paper and brings you silverware, napkins and a mallet. You order crabs by size, however many you want, and in a few minutes they'll appear, steamed on a red tray. Grab your mallet and let the pounding, pulling and cracking begin. If you enjoy this, it doesn't get any better and the crabs don't get any fresher. Personally I go with the lump crab cakes - I'd rather enjoy my meal without breaking a sweat. But that's just me. Both crab soups are fantastic. The corn on the cob is fresh. Hush puppies make for a good side. They have a surprisingly large list of canned beer - beer you didn't even know came in cans - and "bottomless iced tea". If you're really not into crabs, fear not - there are plenty of other things on the menu: appetizers, salads, chicken, beef or other fish. Indoor, outdoor-covered or outdoor-uncovered seating is available. If you've never been there before, you might want to bring your GPS. One more thing - Cantler's can get insanely busy. I've even waited in a line of cars just to get into the parking lot. Remember: this isn't fine dining. This is good old fashioned, crab crackin' fun.
(5)
Carter R.
Been to Cantler's tons of times. My fiance and I both grew up in the Arnold/Annapolis area and whenever we go out for crabs we always come here. I prefer it over Mikes and the other crab houses in the area. You will have to wait for a table on busy summer nights, but you can drink ice cold canned beer while you wait inside or out (big plus). Crabs can pricey but are worth it, and are always consistent.
(4)
Bianca F.
Another great crab house in the Annapolis area. It's not as big as its competitor, Mike's Crab House and doesn't have as big of an outdoor area. It also doesn't have as expansive as a view, although I do like quiet water way that we do see. The fun part for kids (and adults) are found on the below-street level - I don't know how to describe them, but you can see live crab in some basins. The prices are decent and the crabs are good...though they tend to be missing some of the large claws sometimes. The service is OK. The wait here is long but you'll find that problem at any crab house in the area on a summer's night.
(4)
Travis T.
This place has been recommended to me by a couple different people over the years, but finally went to Cantler's on Labor Day with 3 friends. We had a short wait of maybe 30-40 minutes, so we plopped down and had an okay bloody mary. Once seated, our server was incredibly polite and attentive the whole time. We ordered a couple dozen #2s (the only crabs available), fries, corn on the cob and hush puppies. Of course, the beers were coming as we needed them. The crabs were great, but the ones on the bottom of the pile were really soggy and made the meat mushy which wasn't great. Otherwise, the crabs were super sweet and we didn't need any butter, vinegar or any other sauce. The fries were tasty, and the corn was also very good and sweet. But, the hush puppies were incredible, but I'm not a hush puppy connoisseur either. I'd definitely go back!
(3)
Maryam K.
When I think of this place, I start day dreaming of everything it encompasses: fresh seafood, sunny summer days and waterside lounging. My obsession with king crab legs and blue crabs intensifies with every visit. I have to stop writing this, because the smell of Old Bay is taking over and I am not sure I can manage another 5 hours at the office with this nostalgia. Yuuuuuummmmy! p.s. the creamsicle cocktail is a MUST!
(5)
Amy O.
Not so sure about this place. Maybe it is that I am not a huge crab person. If i ewre, maybe this review would be higher. Still, there was a wait, so it must be popular with some. I went with some crab, but opted on pizza to help fill my appetite. The pizza is surprisingly good, but I was dissapointed with the quality of the crabs here.
(2)
Mukur H.
First, let me start by saying I do not eat seafood however 3 others in my party do. The atmosphere is great, The service is for the most part friendly and the food FRESH. We had an order of the Blue Crabs and they went like water. The other dishes (shrimp, scallops and king crabs) all disappeared equally as quickly. I had a burger, and while it was good (nothing out of this world) the fries were so damn good! It can get really busy so arrive a little early especially if you want to eat outside by the water. The bar/indoor area gets extremely packed, I felt like I was at a college party again. Highly recommended.
(5)
Robin S.
I love crab, but I don't really care for the Old Bay Seasonings. I guess I just don't like anything too salty, it's an overkill. However, I bought some fresh chili, fish sauce, fresh garlic and sugar to make my own dipping sauce. Hey, I'm Thai, we love our sauce!! Great and friendly staff. I love the Ambiance and it's right on the lake. They even have a showcase by the dock showing all the things that they netted up. One is a denture!!! Hilarious!!
(4)
L B.
Came on a Sunday night. There wasn't much people, which added to the entire ambience. Beautifully decked out for the holiday. The Christmas decorations and music. The Sunday night football. I loved it all. Service was excellent. The waitresses were all so friendly and attentive, and they answered all my questions. I thought they were great. The crab dip was delicious. It wasn't just the crab dip being extremely tasty, but the two loaves that it came with...I couldn't get over how soft and good they were. Might be the first time I've ever had an opinion on a loaf before. But it was really good! Dozen oysters for $11.99 = love. I'm from NY, so a dollar per oyster is excellent pricing for me. Crab imperial was delicious as well, full of crab meat, but it was $24.99 for a platter that seemed to be a one person portion to me. It can get pricey here, but I thought it was worth it because I had a great experience. Sadly they were out of crabs tonight, which was the main reason I came. But that's okay, I look forward to coming back some day. Oh, they also give out these cute matches at the end of your meal which was a plus!
(4)
Dane K.
Cantler's... oh why oh why aren't there more places like this in MD? In an area known for its crab, it seems there's few places to actually get a crab boil... The thought of coming here got me all excited! I have a feeling this place has "jumped the shark" a little, it's no longer a "secret" to anyone... It's a nice place and all... A lot of excitement was built up for it. We were told it was really hard to find, yada yada yada... We do have a GPS, but it was pretty easy to find, and once you get off the main road, they seem to have added signs pointing you in the directions to Cantler's, so if you miss it you're probably a fool and shouldn't show up anyway. (Not to mention, there are no turns to make so it's pretty difficult to get wrong!) ... We were told of a long and winding one lane dirt road, this was a lot of exxageration really... Once we got there, we waited maybe 30 minutes or so for a table for 4. It was a busy weekend night. The bar was a full bar (another exaggeration made was it was a "beer only" type place), though I was happy this turned out to not be true because I don't drink beer. Between 3 of us, we ordered a dozen large crabs. That was more than enough. They were about $45 MP/dozen if I recall, and they had various other sizes to order too. They were coated with a heavy dose of Old Bay, which was a little much for at least one person at our table (I liked it though!) They have plenty of seating inside, outside, and outside covered... The waterfront seating was nice. It's on a rather quiet part of one of the creeks (which really are larger than even a river in most places). The picnic table seating made it easy to annoy--I mean talk to--the neighbors next to us.... who actually knew what they were doing. Eating a blue crab apparently isn't as straight forward as you might think. You can't eat the lungs, or you'll get sick said the marine biologist sitting next to us who showed us the ways.. Once they were finished, a lobbyist who worked for the paint industry replaced them... The people here were quite interesting indeed, and very friendly all around. Don't wear your best attire, you'll leave a stinky mess probably... I'd go back!
(4)
Thuy L.
Highly, highly recommend going to this place for the sweetest, meatiest crabs in the area. Actually, anywhere! We ordered a dozen extra large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, fries and two corn on the cob. It was a bit much for the two of us. Next time I would just get half a dozen crabs and a basket of hush puppies. On good weather days, be sure to sit outside under the covers. The riverfront view makes it all the more enjoyable.
(5)
Katie R.
The crabs were DELICIOUS!!! Had never experienced eating crab straight from the water. Cracked open, pulled apart, seasoned and ate right there. The experience of it all + the taste can't be compared to anywhere else I've eaten. Group of 6 also ordered Crab dip, blackened rockfish bites, calamari, fries and corn (they ran out of crabs so we ordered quite a few apps to tide us over until the next shipment came in 1 hour later). All of us were completely satisfied. Beer comes in cans, yes, but I think it's more of a safety reason...which is fine by me. If someone were upset, I'd rather not have them use a bottle over someone's head. Only giving 4 stars because of how tiny the bathrooms are. I agree with another reviewer that they should just have a large sink out for men and women to use where you can rinse off after the meal...not have to squeeze around in the bathroom to wash off while others are actually using the bathroom. If you can avoid being around that, much nicer finish to your meal.
(4)
Fat T.
I would venture to say the best crabs in MD. The scenery is perfect, eat inside or outside over looking the water. The crabs are steamed to order. Usually get a dozen or two of their jumbo or xl?...ends up being 70 or so per dozen. It doesn't really matter I'll pay whatever they're asking. The hush puppies are a must.
(5)
Goofy D.
We got the calamari as an appetizer (left in the fryer a little too long). - also wanted to try the steamers. I've never had those so I was interested in trying them. When they came, - and - both said I shouldn't use these to judge steamers in general. Dirty, mushy and they had some thing on them that apparently wasn't supposed to be there. For my dinner, I got the broiled seafood platter. The crab that was on the shrimp was so bad I couldn't eat it. After I said something - is like, "- I didn't want to say anything but mine is funny, too." Yuck. She'd had the stuffed shrimp. - and - got the snowcrab and said that was fine.
(1)
Mike H.
I don't get the hype people. The crabs are good but overpriced, the service is mediocre. The menu outside of the crabs is okay. The location is alright but there are several better locations for crabs, better views, better prices, better service. As a local I noticed most of the reviews for this spot are from outta towners, so I get why they like it but if you are a local and go to Cantlers, I don't know you.
(3)
MaJ C.
Holy Crab! The absolute BEST whole crabs I have had in like 10 years around here! Windy road, with small street signs, absolutely IN the country. Had a parking lot director, which was very helpful. Got there at 1:00, with a 45-60 minute wait. It was a Saturday after all.. Put our names on the list ( they also gave us a buzzer ) Grabbed some bloody mary's from the bar, and hung out in the lot. Bloody's not recommended, as they just pout tomato juice over vodka. Grab a beer. Much better. Sat on the water in the back. Waitress brought out a bucket o ice with new beers. YaaY! Jumbos and large. Perfect seasoning. Had to return and order because they were underdone, though with ease from the waitress, no fuss. a 'Sure thing, Hon' and we had another order in moments. *Tip there is a hand was station outside, just ask where! Left happy, and swooning in childhood memory's of real crabs from the bay. We left at about 4:30, and the Line of cars to get in was about a mile long......
(5)
Anne F.
Do you like to eat crabs the Maryland way? Come to Cantler's. I feel in many ways that writing this kind of review allows outsiders to know about a local secret, but I don't feel like Cantler's is really an insider's place to go anymore. Getting there can be a bit difficult - bring your GPS, map, or just call the place so you don't get lost on a winding back road. Order as many crabs as you think that you can eat along with coleslaw and a cold beer. Now you are in heaven. I took my aunt and uncle here when they came from Illinois. They loved it, even if breaking into the crabs was more than they had bargained for. The staff was friendly and good spirits about them taking pictures of the crabs and eating the crabs.
(5)
Michael T.
A great place for the complete Maryland Crab experience. Ask for the dozen and supersize em. Ask also for the malt vinegar on the side, very good. This place is an out of the way local favorite, you'll need gps to find it, but once u do, u'l be glad you did. The only negative to this place (and what keeps me from giving five stars) was their horrible selection of beer from the 80's, bud, miller, coors, etc.,, yuk, otherwise this is a great spot for all things crabs, u won't b disappointed, enjoy.
(4)
Dian C.
It's crab season!! One of the reasons to live in the Mid-Atlantic. I brought three Cantler's-virgins recently, arriving at around 5:15PM on a Saturday. We were quickly seated on their patio overlooking the water within 15 minutes of arriving. You cannot be the atmosphere of Cantler's! Other places may have good crabs, but what makes Cantler's stand out is the location and atmosphere. Make sure you bring sunscreen if you plan on sitting outside when the weather's nice or you might risk one side of your body being sunburnt! We first ordered a dozen large ($55) for four people, then ordered 8 more when we cleaned up the first 12. We also ordered lump crab cakes and the Jimmy's Sampler (steams shrimps, mussels, and clams, along with cole slaw and fries) The clams were probably the meatiest clams I've ever had and I would highly recommend the sampler to fill your emptying stomach as you pound away at crabs for hours on end. I've heard from a regular that late in the season, Cantler's does an all-you-can-eat-crabs special. I'll be returning then, if not sooner!
(5)
Matt H.
pure definition of a crabhouse in terms of atmosphere and food. TIP: it's a popular spot (plenty of tourists) so while you wait, grab yourself a cold drink and hang out behind the restaurant along the water. your remote buzzer will reach you there.
(4)
Tyson L.
We could have gone anywhere else to get crabs. Theres nothing special in the way that Cantlers cooks or serves theirs. But its total experience of driving out by way of GPS to a remote RIVER SIDE location and enjoying our crabs. Yes, there was a long wait. Heck, even the parking lot was full by the time we got there, we were told to park next door at the marina lot. And yeah, $85 for a dozen "Super" jimmy's seems outlandish. But it was worth it to enjoy. Here's the BIGGEST TIP! Ask your server to bring out HALF of your order first, especially if you are dining outside. The crabs will get cold by the time youre only half way done, even if youre an expert crab disassembley artists like me. Reheating the crabs is no good. But better than cold crabs...
(5)
Steve V.
Great atmosphere for a crab feast. You drive down this ling narrow winding road to a dead end, which is Cantler's. It sits right on the bay. We have sat both indoors and outdoors before. It can get windy outside, but is a good breeze when the weather is hot. The server comes and lays down the butcher paper and you are set. Don't wear your Sunday best here. It gets messy. No crab crackers, you get full on wood mallets to bash your crab to smitherines! Great for groups and quite an experience, oh ya, and the crabs are good too!
(4)
Linda C.
Cantler's is tucked away in a secluded residential area by the water. It felt like we found a secret hide-away. There is plenty of parking and the wait was not more than 15 minutes on a Sunday for lunch. We had crab dip, hush puppies, steamed clams, and crab cake sandwich. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was friendly and quick. A really nice place to visit in Annapolis.
(4)
Wendy M.
Great seafood and crabs. We ordered to appetizers, which were both excellent. Crab cakes were fabulous as well. Service was excellent. Wonderful view of the water.
(5)
Sunny S.
i got the soft shell crab which is a deep fried crab, it came with 3 of these little guys, which were VERY salty and i dont like that it came with hush puppies were kinda bland, and potato salad which was good my dinner partner had a seafood platter, fries good , fried shrimp was excellent, fried clam strips which were excellent, perch fry which was good the ambience is meh, we were served with plastic and cutlery and plates which i dont quite get since the price wasnt exactly dirt cheap i think they were cutting corner but hey i got to say i tried some maryland crab, which is nothing on genuine new england sea food ;)
(3)
blowfly x.
We've been to Cantler's a few times in the past but I think now it's hit the wall. We had the cream of crab soup - it was gluey. I had a special of lobster tail and stuffed softshell crab; the lobster was overcooked and had PEPPER on it. I had to wipe the pepper off, but the lobster remained overcooked and just tasted like nothing. Strangely, no melted butter was included, only regular butter. The softshell crab was soggy, and the stuffing of imperial crab was tasteless. The whole thing just had no flavor. My husband had the crab cakes, which I guess were better since he didn't seem disappointed, but he's usually okay with most food, so I can't trust his judgement. Of course there's always a wait of hours and hours on Saturdays, so we sat at the bar. There was a drunk guy near us who latched onto the family right next to us and talked for 15 minutes non-stop in this incredibly loud, monotonic voice that also managed to be nasal and went into my head like a drill. When he got up to hit the restroom I felt this enormous sense of relief. I knew what people meant when they said they felt they had died and gone to heaven. I don't know how the people he was talking at could stand it. Fortunately when he came back they didn't talk to him anymore and I was able to be massively disappointed in my expensive dinner in peace. Maybe if you pick crabs it's better. Not worth finding out.
(1)
Mark H.
Gawd I love this place - Cantler's specializes in crabs fresh from the Chesapeake. You can sit outside on their deck in the warmer months and munch on a pile of freshly cooked blue crabs while looking at the boats cruise by on a tributary of the Bay. Most people opt for the platters of steamed whole crabs which you take apart. For those not inclined to a biology project on their dinner table, Cantler's offers an excellent lump crabmeat Imperial (delish!) and big-ass crabcakes. The tomato and mozzarella salad with lump crab with balsamic vinegar was a lip-smacker, too. About the only minor gripe I have is with the hush puppies, but that may be a regional thing. This is a must go food destination if you are in the Annapolis area (but bring a map - it can be a bit hard to find). Highly recommended.
(4)
Quentin G.
Wonderfull crabby experience for a French crab virgin like me !
(4)
Samir L.
Soup of the day was butternut squash topped with crabmeat. Amazing. So glad I found this place on Yelp, glad it was actually where it was supposed to be (got a little worried I was leading my friends down a small, narrow road to nowhere.....) Indoor and outdoor seating available.
(4)
Tim S.
I'm sure the other 250+ reviews are full of detail and wit, so I'll just say this. Been going to Cantlers for 30 years now, best outdoor atmosphere around (for seafood) . . . I haven't eaten crabs there for years - mostly due to price gouging, but I make better crabs at home too). Menu just recently improved. I never go on a weekend.
(3)
Mac O.
I will probably get drummed off the mid-Atlantic seaboard for this, but here goes: I am not the hugest blue crab fan. I know, I know: boo, hiss. It's not the crabs themselves -- the flavor is good! I love crab cakes! Lump crab meat! Crab omelets! It's the work. All that work, so little output...I'm one of those girls who always asks the waitperson for a "lesson" in how to crack a crab so that I have at least one perfectly shelled crab and a nice little pile of meat to work on. Otherwise I'm a hot mess. But. As far as blue crabs go, Cantler's is fine. Location is way off-the-beaten-path in residential Annapolis. The views from the outside decks are OK, looking out over the river and the homes on the other bank (no views of the city, tho), but one end of the deck overlooks a tar-papered roof. Not the loveliest scenery for enjoying your crab workout. The ambiance inside is nothing to write home about, just a marine-themed heavy, dimly lit square room. Depressing, as another reviewer noted. I won't even get into the bathrooms, which are miniature and ridiculous. And the place is mobbed any time after 11:30 and waits can be long... The crabs themselves are really hit-or-miss here. Some of the ones that arrive on your plastic tray are large and luscious, bursting with tender, tasty meat. Others, however, are anemic -- if crabs can be anemic...mealy and not so flavorful. Which is a major disappointment when you have to work your ass off to get at that meat in the first place. Not to mention when you're dropping sixty bones for a dozen of these bad boys. At that price, I want all my crabs to rock my world. They don't here. The accompanying sides are meh -- I do so love cole slaw and Cantler's is a bit disappointing; the side salad I ordered this weekend was comprised of way past its prime, slimy mixed greens. I sent it back. All in all, Cantler's is a'ight. But it doesn't change my mind about thinking shucking your own blue crabs isn't all it's cracked up to be. Lame pun intended.
(3)
Paulette A.
I was here earlier this week with a group of 12. We were seated at a great table outside on the porch. This is not a place to go expecting to stay clean. You are guaranteed to be up to your elbows in Old Bay! We had large crabs, the boiled shrimp and snow crab legs, along with onion rings, sweet potato fries, hushpuppies and cole slaw. Everything was fresh and awesome. The only down side of visiting with a group was that they couldn't give us seperate bills.
(5)
Jenn Tang S.
Yummy Yummy Crabs! Smashing Old Bay-seasoned crabs and drinking spicy bloody marys by the water is pretty much the best way to spend your Saturday. The hush-puppies were pretty tasty too, along with the clams that had the full tail still attached. It was my first time eating the clams with the tail still on, so it was a little uncomfortable de-skinning it. Kinda felt like pulling a condom off a tiny tiny... well.. I digress. After you get that gross vision out of your head, let me just say they were very delicious clams when dipped in butter and Old Bay. No seriously, get that gross picture out of your head.
(4)
Tim T.
one of my favorite places to go for fresh seafood. it's right along the river, and can get crowded during weekends. i always try to go during lunchtime on a weekday, and eat on the outside benches. i will often drive the mrs down to annapolis just for this place. well worth it...
(5)
Kristina G.
To show you how much of a nerd I am, I will fully admit that I was excited when Yelp added all that statistic stuff to reviews. Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs! Cantler's is a prime example of how these tools can be useful. If you look at the rating distribution trend of Cantler's, you'll see that it has primarily 5 star reviews. However, if you click the little trend link, you'll also see that these ratings have gone done drastically over the past few months. While one could hypothesize this means an overall drop in quality, I'm guessing that Cantler's is just a seasonal restaurant, best enjoyed during the summer months. My boyfriend came here in February. We should have known better since it wasn't crab season. While my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the chesapeake oysters, everything else was mediocre to average. Lobster was ok but served with a side of snap peas and raw onions (odd?), steak was well overdone, and my ribs were not good. While I might get flak for ordering ribs at a seafood place, 1) I wasn't in a seafood mood that night and ordered what I thought would be the hardest thing for them to screw up, and 2) I come from the school that if you can't do something decently, don't put it on your menu. Finally, the price. I love casual places and environmental concerns aside, I could care less about eating on styrofoam. But if you're going to go casual, your food should either be spectacular or the prices should be lower. Neither was the case. I'm willing to come back in the summer for some fresh crabs and upgrade my rating, but I'll be eating elsewhere during the year.
(2)
Melissa M.
First time there last weekend. Our server was excellent! She not only had a sense of humor, but she was attentive and really had personality. You could tell she really enjoyed working there. The food was delicious! We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer, perfect consistency w/ my favorite Old Bay seasoning, of course! I ordered the seafood pasta. The scallops were plentiful as was the crabmeat, could of used more than 3 shrimp, but the pasta as a whole was amazing and a nice portion. I also tried a relative's mako shark (wasn't on the menu as an entree, but they made it anyway!). This was also delicious, I'd recommend it. Overall, a pleasant experience, nice casual atmosphere by the water, would be great in the summer for all you can eat crabs for sure!
(5)
Jason K.
I have only had one experience at Cantler's. I ventured out to find this out of the way place based on the raving fans telling me I had to try it out. I unfortunately found the experience to be less then satisfying. The lemonade was very weak and almost tasted like water, and the food was expensive and average to poor in taste. I complained about the lemonade and the staff just didn't care! I was told that it was just that way, sorry. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing on the wrong day but we don't plan to return. In every restaurant I always ask the staff what the best known item on the menu is and what they personally think is wonderful. This didn't work here. Food is a 1 maybe 2, overpriced for what you get. Staff is a solid 1, not helpful and seemed only interested in friends at the bar. Atmosphere is a 4 due to the Chesapeake Dock concept
(1)
Nita S.
My friend and I went to Cantler's on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm. This place is at the end of a narrow road which goes through a residential area. There's limited parking, so there was a line just to get into the parking lot, which was directed by Cantler's employees. Only took us about 10 min to get into the lot though. Once we got inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes for two people, however, we were seated in just 15 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is SMALL, but they have quite a bit of seating on the outside deck/patio overlooking the water. Prior to making the hour long trek out to Cantler's we called and asked if they offered an all you can eat crab option and the lady told us yes and it was priced at $35 per person. HOWEVER, when we arrived our server told us that they weren't offering all you can eat, but they do offer it SOMETIMES. I'm not sure why the person answering the phone would not have mentioned that. We ended up ordering a dozen of Supers ($100), Onion Rings, and the Jimmy's Crab Feast which comes with Steamed Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, and a side of Cole Slaw. All of the food was delicious. The supers were nice and heavy and steamed to perfection. We also ordered two frozen margaritas to try beat the heat which were some of the best I've ever had--or maybe it was the humid, 90 degree heat, and blazing sun that made me think that?! All and all, we had a great experience at Cantler's. It's among the best places in the area to get crabs. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Washington DC/Annapolis area.
(4)
C E.
Decided to go to Cantlers for crabs instead of across the bay due to time constraints. Not my first choice but decided to give it another shot. By boat is best way, nice ride and can always find dock spot. Ordered large crabs plus pasta salad, hush puppies, fried clams and fish tacos. The fried clams and beer were good !?!? All else was sub par. When "fresh" steamed crabs come out in less than 5 minutes you know they weren't picked out of the tank and separately steamed. Sure enough they were cool to the touch and barely edible. 30% of them were dried out husks, they had obviously been waiting under a heat source for a long time. The rest were just mushy meat. The pasta salad was tasteless at best and the fish tacos had green stuff on them that I imagine was meant to be guacamole. Once again Cantlers live down to my expectations. Take the time to go across the Bay and avoid this place. This was my last time.
(1)
Lucia C.
Crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Mussels crabs crabs crabs crabs Clams crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Shrimp crabs crabs crabs crabs Rockfish crabs crabs crabs crab crabs Oysters crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Scallops crabs crabs crabs crabs Crabcakes. I like crabs. And Cantler's provides some pretty Maryland blues right from the Bay. This place is perfect (and priced) for tourists, and that's really part of it's appeal. It's not very often you get to wear a bib in public, soil your table and hands with crab juice (ew), and dig into a regional specialty. The Cantler's crab boil is a great deal that will keep you busy with a good sampling of seafood. The rockfish sandwich is tasty too. Go in the spring/summer when the crabs are in season and the weather is lovely. Sit outside and enjoy the view. If you are a crab legs guy and can't get into the bodies, these Blue crabs may not be for you. There are instructions, and it takes finesse, to uncover that perfect lump. If you are as skilled as my guy is at hammering crabs, then have your mallet ready.
(4)
Courtney C.
I'm not sure where these reviews are coming from, but I was less than impressed yesterday to say the least. I had a craving for some steamed blues and after calling around, Cantler's had XL and everyone else only had larges. We headed out and after driving into no where we arrived! Its a nice spot on the water, plenty of parking and had a good crowd at 3:30 on a gorgeous fall Saturday. We wanted to sit outside but the wait was 30 min so, we opted for inside instead. The menu isn't very large but they have the basics and mostly seafood. We waited around for at least 10 min for our waitress to come take our drink order....this should have been the sign that our service was going to be horrible. They have a full bar but no beer on tap. Disappointment, but we knew that before we came. 10 min later we got our drinks and had a few questions about the menu. We wanted a pound of just steamed shrimp to start if possible. She said they could do that. Well, turns out they can't. She put in a $25 dinner order for steamed shrimp with onions, potatoes, etc. as our appetizer. One look at it and we sent it back. Seriously, she should have just said no! They took it off our bill. I went with 12 dozen of the XL with a side salad and hush puppies. My husband ordered the rock fish taco's and substituted the fries and coleslaw for hush puppies and potato salad. My side salad looked amazing at first. Spring mix with lots of veggies. Well, 12 of the spring mix was wilted and slimy. I picked through it, but in hind sight should have sent it back. The hush puppies side was huge and they were descent. Nothing I couldn't buy in the freezer section and make at home though. Oh well. The crabs were cooked well, and reasonable, but nothing amazing. Frank's in Jessup still reigns supreme when it comes to the best quality crabs. They don't use old bay, the crabs weren't really XL, and only one was really heavy and meaty. My husband enjoyed his taco's. They were spicy and the fish looked fresh. Unfortunately, it came out with fries and coleslaw instead of the substitution. We had given up on our waitress by now and just dealt with it. Fries were OK and coleslaw was disgusting. We had to flag her down for refills, ended up asking for a pitcher of water for our table because she was SO SLOW. I was so ready to leave by then. I went to wash my hands in the tiniest bathroom ever and we paid and left. $75 wasn't too bad, we left exactly 15% because I'm not that big of a bitch and drove the 45min home. Sorry Eastern MD folks, this place was not anything to rave about. The atmosphere was nice (even with the cobwebs on the lights), but there are too many places to get crabs for me to put up with service that bad.
(2)
Meg H.
We arrived around 8pm on a Sunday evening and were able to be seated immediately. The order of large blue crabs came out within 5 minutes of ordering and were freshly steamed perfectly and heavy in meat. I am allergic to shellfish and generally am bored with seafood restaurant menus chicken and steak options. I ordered the Chicken bruschetta sandwich and WOW I was impressed! Our waitress was prompt, courteous and very friendly. Thank you to our waiter, Mike, at the Pusser's outside bar for recommending this place!! A little off the beaten path, but WELL WORTH IT!
(4)
Erika J.
Having heard about "Cantler's Riverside Inn" by several locals in the area, we figured it was time to give it a try. We arrived via boat to find that their docking situation was less than ideal. If you drive a LARGE yacht, this is the place for you, however if you're driving a 29 foot boat, the docking area is much larger than needed. It was a Saturday afternoon, during the middle of the summer...which meant we were going to be waiting for a table. We didn't wait too long, and the bar welcomed us for our wait! The food was great. We ordered crab dip and it had several good flavors and plenty of crab. We also ordered a cup of Cream of Crab soup - also fantastic. Followed up our meal with some crab cakes - also very good. They had plenty of meat, little filler, and good flavor. We've returned several times since the first visit, and have continued to be happy with our experience. The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the price is reasonable. The one piece that is holding me from rating it with 5 stars -- is the size. There isn't much room for dining and many of the tables feel like they are on top of one another. You could even be sat at a table with strangers on the other side of the picnic table...not my idea of a 'date night.' Nonetheless, we can get over that! Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
(4)
Christine C.
Location - on the water! Breezy by night Service - So many servers, it was great, always taken care of Dress - Very Casual, in fact follow everyone's advice, wear something you don't mind getting messy Food - great, over sized onion rings, great crab, and other plates around us looked quiet yum as well. Short and sweet, great little hide away with super long hours!
(4)
Chris F.
Cantler's is one my favorite local restaurants and the place in Annapolis I would take out-of-towners to eat Maryland-style seafood. It hasn't changed a bit in two decades (okay, they have Ravens paraphernalia now, but I hardly think that counts). The crabs are excellent, the soup is amazing, everything that comes as a platter is delicious. The restaurant itself is set back in a residential neighborhood along the river and makes you feel like you need to have a secret map to find it. Inside, it's like a museum to Maryland pride, and the bar is totally 1970s-awesomeness. They "proudly only serve beer in cans."
(5)
Eryn P.
Very awesome! We got a little nervous going down the tiny little road and a half that took us there, but the scare and the wait for parking was well worth it. The was wait was very short. Once we were seated we were immediately greeted by an awesome waitress who proceeded to go through the entire menu with us while making suggestions along the way. My father and I ordered a dozen of the large blue crab. They are caught fresh daily and the size depends on what's caught that day. My Mother ordered the grouper with blue cheese over risotto and as an appetizer we ordered the crab dip, which had been recommended to us. Every thing was fantastic. The grouper was moist, but not soggy. The risotto was done to perfection and the crab was out of this world. I even took the time to notice that every single table had a huge tray of these crabs. They were clearly the hot item. We will for sure be coming back and recommending them to all of our friends and to all of the people we have visit who want authentic Chesapeake Bay seafood!
(5)
Rick S.
I've gotta share in recommending Cantler's. I was unsure about going to an out-of-the-way restaurant, but in the end it was well worth it. I've eaten crabs since I was a kid, but these were some of the best I remember having. We got a dozen large steamed blue crabs for $70, and even it took us a half hour to eat each crab (I went digging for each piece of delicious meat). So prepare for a lengthy stay. The sides - corn (fresh, warm, served cooked in the husk), hush puppies (not bad, filling, brought out with honey) and drinks may have lengthened our eating experience. Personally, I preferred the vinegar (over the butter) for dipping crab meat and the seasoning that came with them was a bit too strong/salty for my taste. You'll probably want to ask for extra napkins while there. It can get a bit loud, but everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying the good food. Very scenic view of the river.
(4)
Allyson B.
Quirky little seafood shack on the water. The old fisherman at the bar was downing beer and blue crabs and lamenting the number of sailboats on the bay while right beside him yachting yuppies enjoyed mussels steamed in wine. Perfect. Incredible food, average service, a unique dining experience.
(4)
Eric V.
I came for the crab, only the crab. I was not disappointed. This place is a great classic crab house. It can get crazy busy so just give them a call to see what the crowd scene is like and to see what crabs they have. They have their own live well tanks where they keep their crab catch alive so you can be sure you are getting fresh live crabs. So cool. That's like an oyster bar farming their own oysters or a sushi restaurant keeping their own aquariums for the sushi. :) And the crabs I had tonight were wonderful. Full and tasty. Their "Old Bay Seasoning" is not true Old Bay but it's good enough. It has a lot of added salt. I hear true Old Bay is too expensive to use in most restaurants... I don't agree but ... one star lost for not using true Old Bay yet still calling it Old Bay. No biggie but still... Sat out on an massive deck overlooking their live wells below and the water of the Bay just beyond that. Really great location. You feel like you're on the water and boats can actually pull up to a dock below. Anyway, this place is great for crabs. Paper on the table, mallets (learn to ditch the mallet below), crab knives, cold beer. Go and enjoy the crabs as I did! Watch this video first so you don't complain that they are too hard to eat and so you don't embarrass yourself. :) youtube.com/watch?v=kUW6…
(4)
Brian G.
This was a great choice! I had been living away from the Maryland/Delaware area for three years and returned to visit friends and family... or so I said... my real agenda was FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! First on my list? Fresh seafood! I ordered the Drunken Shellfish --- Muscles, Clams and Shrimp in a white wine/garlic sauce. AMAZING! My tablemates, however, were not as amazed by their Crabcakes because they lacked seasoning. The crab itself was very lush, but it was like the kitchen ran out of Old Bay, and that's why I had to knock one star off of my review. The outdoor seating is beautiful, and unlike others I felt the prices were very fair. I would certainly return.
(4)
Sparky P.
WOW!! First off major shout out to Stephanie F. for being amazing!!! My cup was never empty and she was helpful in helping us decide which of the three types of crab cakes we wanted! The food here is great. If you haven't had steam Blue crabs before, this is the place to go. They bring the crabs in by boat and they are kept a live in "pools" outside. Blue crabs are much smaller and harder to eat than ordinary crabs, but they are much sweeter and well worth all the extra effort. We took the advise of the table next to us and ordered a dozen medium crabs. As promised, they were meaty and I wouldn't have noticed much of a different if I ordered the larger ones. The crabs come liberally sprinkled with the cumin, celery, sea salt and something something rub. You can also have butter, vinegar, or more of the dry rub to dip your crabs into. Crab cakes were ok, I was more enthused about the fresh boiled peas that came with the crab cakes. Unless you really don't have patience to get to the crab meat yourself, I would just stick to the steamed blue crab. Appetizers: Fried Calamari - really good, very well seasoned, and complemented perfectly by the mildly sweet sauce. Clam Chowder- ok. . .the almost $8 bowl was a bascially the size of a cup anywhere else. Unless you need clam chowder (my brother went to the east coast specifically to eat chowdah) I'd pass on it. Bread- not the dip, but just the bread is wonderful heaven. Cruchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, a perfect way to even out all the salt you end up consuming with the crab. Take a trip out! Expect a wait, but expect good fresh food!
(5)
John K.
Cantlers Two Days in a Row? What a difference a night makes. ********************************* College Roomate and darling bride are in town. Where do they want to go? Cantlers of course. This time we had an "A-OK" evening. On a Monday night in early May would you believe a 25-minute wait for an outside table? Yep. By the way, while I have your attention, our server Jennifer was a delight. A Maryland finance grad making some extra bucks in the summer. I tested her sorely. Her reply was convincing when asked where the crabs were from. "The Bay, probably the Virginia part of the Bay," she said with conviction. I sent a crab back for being way light. She was happy to replace it with a fat one. There is a Maryland Crab Caprese Salad that is actually quite good. And of course, everyone loved their Maryland Crab Soup. Cantlers is back in my good graces.
(3)
Vic-Crys W.
Pros (extremely fresh crabs, oysters, seafood. Good onion rings for the price, atmosphere). Cantler's blue crabs have never failed us. Sure you may be able to find seafood as fresh as Cantlers elsewhere, but you won't feel like an old salt pounding on your gigantic blue crab drowning in old bay. The feel that you can get down and dirty with your hands and mallet and have a feast is actually quite wonderful. Cantlers also serve what seems to be the best tasting crab cake we've ever tasted, full of flavor and unfortunately... crab shells as well. Having a group of friends pound away at the crabs with you is an indescribably satisfying feeling. Cons (shells within crab cake, may be daunting for the beginner crab eater, will get messy). If you've never had crab before, Cantler's is not the best place to start. If you prefer your crab to be served on top of white table clothes with forks and knives, Cantlers swaps fine tables with benches and knives with mallets and napkins. Recommendation: get down and dirty and enjoy the crabs. Comparable to: Jerry's Seafood (crab bomb).
(4)
Kenneth K.
Phenomenal experience if you're looking to eat crabs in a unique setting. There's big riverside deck in the back of the place which makes for great scenery. Even more importantly, the crab was excellent. My fiancee and I took a road trip down to Annapolis in search of good crab. This place was highly recommended from a local friend. While they were out of the jumbos, we got a bunch of XLs and tore through them. Good amount of old bay seasoning, crab meat was fresh, sweet, and plentiful (even in the claws which is novelty for me when it comes to blue crab). I didn't realize how much we took the place for granted until we got some mediocre, not so fresh crabs at Lazy Susan's in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I had to knock my rating down from 5 to 4 based on the sides. The hush puppies were quite forgettable. If I could, I'd rate it a 4.5 instead. Regardless, ditch the sides and load on crabs and beer!
(4)
Sudhanshu K.
One day decided to drive down from NYC to MD for crabs. after doing a little research online, we started our 4 hour drive down to MD. Once we arrived, we were seated quickly, luckily beating the rush, there were numerous groups waiting outside when we left. Ordered the Crabs, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Shrimps and Lager. The crabs and shrimp were amazing, luckily some locals helped us out w/ the crabs, showing us the various methods people use to open the crabs up. The crab cakes were ok, nothing spectacular. Definitely worth 8 hr driving round trip for a nice crab lunch. Also, make sure to sit outside.
(4)
Wayne Y.
I took my family to Cantler's on my brother's recommendation and since we were tourists and also perhaps due our lack of experience in ordering crabs at Cantler's we felt we had to intuitively go about our meal. Our server was polite and efficient but perhaps because it was getting busy, she really didn't offer any additional advice on the "hows" to best maximize the crab-fest. She did suggest that our family of 5 order 6 crabs in addition to our entrees and that was about the right amount. But half way through the meal, we asked her if we were doing it properly and she finally showed us. We also saw people dipping the crab into various sauces and that was not offered to us so we ate the crabs as they came out. That was ok because they were seasoned enough but it would have been nice to have been informed. I guess is that since they are so popular, they don't really care about return business. All said, the crab was good, it seemed a bit pricey but I took it on faith that it was the going market price for the area and since we were tourists out for an experience, we accepted it. We had a good time overall and it was fun whacking at the crabs with our mallets. So for I would give 3 and a half stars for the food (crabs) and 2 stars for the service.
(3)
B D.
I love love love Cantler's. I've been several times and have never been disappointed. The crabs are a bit pricey but well worth it. Everything taste so fresh. While the service is meh, the food more than makes up for up!
(5)
Anne D.
Fabulous cream of crab soup was yummy!!! Deck overlooks a creek.
(5)
Tracey C.
I happened to come here on a day that the All-You-Can-Eat- special was in effect. SCORE!!! The trade off for the super cheap price ($20 or so dollars) is that you only get mediums. Most of their mediums are a pretty decent size, so with the crabs, fresh corn on the cob, and a 1.5 lbs of peel and eat shrimp I was in heaven. I haven't read all of the previous reviews but how did I miss that this place is in the cut*? My boyfriend looked a little skeptical as I read him the directions from Google map but after finding it and stuffing his face, he thanked me and all of you Yelp folks for introducing us to this place. * "In the cut" primarily refers to a location that is secluded or hard to find. See Ol' Yella (Brian) if more detailed is needed.
(4)
Guy F.
Crabcake was expensive and tasted like any one else's. Price is absurd for portion size. The calamari came out and we all laughed instantly because of how small the portion was, if only the price matched. There are better crab places out there, I'm not impressed.
(1)
Windi L.
PHEW! So glad YELP didn't mess this one up. We were running late for the Navy Homecoming football game but having been to Annapolis before, knew the food in them there parts was pretty cruddy. Despite the risk of being more delayed, I made a mad dash for the computer and pulled up Yelp in Annapolis, MD. Cantlers was the first to come up so we decided to go there. I tried to tell my boyfriend we should do more research (as yelp has done me wrong before... City Zen comes to mind) but as I mentioned, we had to get to our seats to watch Navy STOMP on Wake Forest. I had no idea what to expect arriving here. This place is in the middle of no where. Even our GPS had a hard time finding it. We eventually arrived to what appears on the outside a really upscale joint. After entering, I realized that assumption was dead wrong. It's kind of hillbilly but with some class. Long tables strung about with paper on top to crack your crabs. Waiters wearing terri cloth booty shorts. I mean, it was great. Who knew red neck could look so appealing? Now to the food: PHENOMENAL!! Best food I've had in Annapolis. We ordered a ton of things from the butternut squash and crab soup to (my fave) the blackened mahi sandwich. Normally most peeps mess up on mahi but not this place. Great food all around. If you're tired of the same tourist traps in down town Annapolis, take a short drive out here. Worth it!! Oh and the BEST margarita I've ever had was here, too!
(5)
Dmytro A.
Best crab experience in Maryland, making it the best crab feast experience in the world. I drag all my out-of-state guests up here, either by car or by boat. While I know that everyone comes for the crab, the sides are not to be dismissed as unworthy distractions. The hush puppies are making my mouth water right now as I right this, and you can butter and salt the corn yourself, if you like. Service is great too. The girls look great in their uniforms, and they're always quick with the fresh cold ones. The only drawback is the wait. But then, you don't go for a crab feast if you're in a rush. Grab some cold ones, and mosey around the dock area with the buzzer they give you in your pocket. For the kids (or the big kids), there's also a "living museum" type area, where you can look at (but don't touch) live crabs and other river creatures in water tanks.
(5)
Christina C.
This is a late review - I came here a few months ago on a sunny Sunday. It was packed.. about an hour wait; but we ended up hangin out at the bar. So finally, we got a dozen crabs topped with Old Bay seasoning. And just dipping that crab meaty goodness in their butter just hits the spot. It's pricey, but it was my first time and I don't mind it at all. Something about delicious crabs, a side of onion rings, fries, all washed down with some yeungling - while overlooking the river.. and just being able to use a wooden mallet to open these babies.. not to mention the layout of your table - one huge brown paper as your table mat. it's an awesome experience.. you can tell I'm a newb with these things. Anyways, now I'm just babblin...lol but hopefully you get the idea.
(4)
Jonathan P.
great atmosphere on the water and solid seafood. go during the week or be prepared to deal with crazy crowds and long waits while you drink beers in the parking lot.
(3)
Tim M.
A great MD crab house. Meets the need in many ways. Always enjoy our meals here
(4)
Varian L.
It's quite the drive to get to Cantler's -- the road to get there is windy and occassionally single-laned path that passes beautiful cozy houses along the lake and woods. The trek was well worth it. Good news: it's by far the best crab I tasted in Maryland. The bad news: I'm an out-of-towner, so it's just about the only crab I tasted. But I was not disappointed. My wife, my brother, and my sister-in-law all had good service and excellent food!
(5)
Johnny A.
Outstanding! Driving there was an experience since it's tucked away in a quiet narrow street residential neighborhood. You wouldn't know it until you get there. Great setting, friendly staff, and crabs like no other! You can taste the freshness (plus you can see the live ones under the deck). Went there mid-week and the place was full, but didn't have to wait to be seated. The large crabs are the best value for the money, start off with some fries and calamari and when the crabs come, just dig in. One thing I will try to do next time is to perhaps get half my order first then the second half later since they got pretty cold half way through despite the hot weather. All in all, highly recommended!
(5)
Josh M.
The only thing more authentic than Cantler's is chicken-necking all morning and then steaming them up yourself. I have learned over time that I am an absolute, over-the-top seafood snob. And Cantler's blows most of your white tablecloth, Michelin star joints out of the water. It is simply the real deal. The only other place I've been that even measures up is in Shinagawa (Tokyo). If you come to Annapolis and miss this place, you've missed everything... unless you eat at my Mom's house in the summer (hi Mom!), then you're still probably good. By the way, if you care (I don't want to confuse you with my 5 stars here), you can only order Maryland crabs when they are in season. That is the only time they are, uh, Maryland crabs. Otherwise they're from somewhere else -- and I take no responsibility. But the rest of it is good all year long.
(5)
Computer S.
Plain broiled and overpriced, overrated by tourist
(1)
Patrick D.
I love crabs and when I get a chance to try a new place for me I take it. After reading reviews I thought this would be great. It wasn't. I ordered extra large. In the dozen crabs there might have been two that I would term Extra Large. Also a lot of them were watery like bottom of the pot. They had no weight to them. They were paper crabs. To be fair they did adjust the price for me and it my have been a off day. But for the prices they are charging they should not compromise their quality at any time. It left a very bad feeling about the place with me and being someone that is in sales recommends a lot of place based on my experience. I can not recomend this place.
(2)
Chandler L.
This place was great. Food was awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. The only reason I can't give it five stars is seating. I hate restaurants where I have to sit next to strangers. I would highly recommend eating here.
(4)
Mr B.
What you'd expect for food but way over priced and hyped for essentially a parking lot on the water with no real draw other than a pull of mass consumption of high carb, fat fried and cholesterol driven seafood! I'm not typically so inclined to say something unless it's positive but in this situation I just couldn't avoid as it's really gotten a strange attraction of guests going for the "dive experience" and I simply cannot understand why.
(3)
Corey W.
Can't say much that hasn't been said. Went for my first time a few weeks ago with just the wife on an anniversary weekend; feel in love all over again (with the wife and with crabs). If you like down-and-dirty eating, cold beer, nice views, and good company - do this place.
(4)
Kate K.
I went there with my mom because Wild Country Seafood was not open that day (They close Monday). We were seated outdoor (nice view). The food quality didn't meet standard. The mussels we got were tiny. They were like 0.5 inch each. The service was not good neither. It was hard finding my wait staff when I wanted to order more food. We probably won't go back.
(2)
Olivia H.
We came to Maryland to attemd the wedding of a dear friend and decided to get some blue crab for lunch before heading back to NY. After a sort search, we found this place and though its off the beaten path, I'm so glad we chose to eat here . We got here at 11:30 am and so glad we did. This place gets super packed. By the time we left at 1:30 there is already a line of cars just waiting to get into this place and I can understand why. It has an extremely casual atmosphere and the staff is super friendly. Our server, Billie, was great. She came by a few times and asked how we were doing without being annoying or intrusive. She had perfect timing unlike some places where they come back too often or don't come back at all. As soon as we were seated (we were given a choice of where we wanted to sit, obviously, we chose to sit outside and we got to choose either shaded or in the sun) Billie came over to take our drinks and order. Within moments our food came out and we sat quietly eating our super sized blue crabs. Man oh man, these suckers were huge and so worth it. We got a half dozen of these bad boys plus one starter and drinks. Cost was $82 including tip. So worth it. Can't wait to come back here. Had such a wonderful experience.
(5)
Max S.
Love Cantler's. Best soft shell crabs on Earth! I have not been back to Cantler's in a few years because it's a few hours from my home, but this time every year I think of their soft shells....they're in season! Cantler's has that fishy ambiance to it...which is what I like in a crab house. Reminds me of my youth going to Atlantic City, before the Casino era. I must plan a road trip!
(5)
Alicia G.
Here's what you need to do: *Round up your friends *I suggest the noobs watch a video or two on youtube for how to eat crabs (I did this) *Carpool and arrive early as parking is somewhat limited and it gets crowded FAST *Sit outside *Order beer | iced tea | sodas *You can order things like hush puppies, corn on the cob, other fried items but as Michele D said - it's just filler. You really need to focus on the steamed crabs. *Order CRABS and prepare for the messiness | awesomeness *Crack, pound, rip apart and bite [the crab/meat] *Enjoy. *Soap up twice at bathroom sink to rid your fingers of the Old Bay *Rinse and repeat as often as necessary
(5)
Marcia S.
Definitely off the beaten path but well worth it. We went with several kids in our party and we all enjoyed our meals. The lobster and the crab is outstanding. I had one of the best Irish coffee drinks anywhere. Very layed back comfortable atmosphere. Should be perfect once the weather breaks and the deck opens up. Would have given 5 stars except I thought the outstanding food quality deserved a more updated restaurant interior. Will definitely be back. Well worth the money.
(4)
Chris T.
Not sure what all the "must do" reviews are for. Crab was good. Basic outdoor waterfront dining (the inside dining is smelly and stuffy). We had a bad waitress, but she seemed the exception, as it seemed other tables were having much better experiences. Sweet potatoes fries were soggy and over-cooked. Overall we wouldn't go back, but I can see why some people would find it unique.
(3)
Tim T.
Just blah. We came here Sunday afternoon after reading all the great reviews about this place. We left disappointed. I should state that we did not get crabs (they were all out due to 4th of July weekend), so our experience may be limited. Lets start with the service. It was okay, nothing spectacular. We had few moments of long wait times.. but it wasn't too terrible. We ordered the Blackened Rockfish Bites, Hush Puppies, Crab Melt Sandwich w/ Sweet Potato Fries, and the Cantler Jumbo Seafood Club with Onion Rings. Blackened rockfish bites was nice... three pieces of fish on a bed of slaw. Hush Puppies were decent. Unfortunately, these were the highlights. Everything else was bland. The crab melt sandwich looked like they took two slices of bread, threw on a slice of tomato, few sprinklings of crabmeat, and a slice of cheddar cheese. It was not good. The sweet potato fries lacked any flavor. Same with the onion rings and seafood club sandwich. The sandwich bread tasted stale, crabcake was dry and bland, onions rings were overcooked and lacked flavor. Oh yea, the tarter sauce they gave me came in a packet (Krafts). I've never been to a seafood place that didn't make their own tarter sauce. Like I said in the beginning, they may very well serve awesome crabs, too bad we couldn't try them. But their sandwiches should be avoided.
(2)
Derryk A.
What can make a place so great that I returned a few days later just to experience it all over? Doing Crabs at Cantler's that's what. First time there was on Sunday the 30th of Aug with nu-wife and that place was PACKED elbow to elbow. But first we had a 20min wait just to park the car, they have these high-school kids working the lot directing parking good idea. Then there was a 45 min to 60 min wait once there at 2:45pm but that's okay we went exploring around Cantler's down the back they have a boat pier and they grow their own crabs there. Blue crabs that are on the grumpy crabby side when you poke at them they will snap at you fingers so keep ahold of the little tykes. Nu-wife and I just watch the boats coming in and going out until we were called to our prized spot at the tables of Cantler's. Our waiter zzzzzzzzzzzzip came in "Hi what would you like?" well I think zzzzzzzzzzzzip huh?!? What happen he's gone. 5mins later zzzzzzzzzzzzzzip "Hi decided yet?" yeah nu-wife she has a question about the xtra lar...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzippp wow he's gone again like lighting man next time he comes around I'm throwing a lasso around him. Out of nowhere zzzzzzzzzzzzippp "Ready?" YES AND DON'T"T YOU GO NOWHERE STAY. I give my order with the fastest talking ever in ordering.... WewandthelargecrabsandapoundofsnowcrabsbringtwocorÂonaswithicetea...zzzzzzzzzzzzzippppppppp he's gone again in 20 secs jeeze record time!!! Moments later the crabs came out ummmmmm and for the next hour nu-wife and I had nothing to say to each other at all. The crabs did all of the talking the seasoning which is JO not Old Bay which some people mistakenly call it, that stuff is like crack cause it is so addictive with spicy, salty, goodness and the way they steam their crabs there is a little different than most places they have a special technique that involves beer and not letting the crabs touch the bottom of the pot while steaming by using a special net in the pot and of course that incredible J.O. seasoning. Out of this world. They have other food from the seas there too but the fries are nothing to write home about so don't waste too much valuable stomach space on them just fill up on the crabs and shrimp and fish. After this experience of crabs on this level we left there forever changed and we would never look at crabs in the same light. Luckily this coincide with the UYE crab out at Cantler's the following Saturday and HELL YES I was there again even after Sunday and having some left over crab during that week. I told you it's like crack didn't I? So that Saturday morning met up with fellow Yelpers this time sitting outside watching the crab elevators crawling up the hill with fresh crabs from the waters of crab lovers bliss with the perfect weather and enjoying the shear delight of Cantlers once again with a nice and calm waitress this time, no disappearing "Attention Deficit Disordered Kid Speed-a-Lot" waiter like last time. Met some new cool Yelpers in person finally but unfortunately that day wasn't perfect cause nu-wife was working that morning. Oh well that gives me the excuse to take her back there real soon.
(5)
Kathy C.
This is a pretty typical crab shack, with the emphasis on 'shack". This is a pretty famous place, with a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews, but I was dissapointed. The 3 stars I have given it are for the stunning waterfront location and the scenic beauty. That is on the outside-the inside has all the charm of a school cafeteria, so eat outside if you can tolerate the wait for a table. We did not have the crabs, which is the specialty here. I had the lump crabcake platter. The crabcakes were okay, but I have had much better elsewhere (try Stoneys on Broomes Island in Calvert County) The mashed potatoes and green beans that were served with it were just barely edible. My husband had the crabcake sliders and had no complaints, but no raving either. The coleslaw and french fries were good, probably the highlights of the meal. The waitress was fairly prompt and friendly. We will not be returning, but if you like crabs and a beautiful waterfront location, you may want to give it a try.
(3)
Phil B.
After a long and winding drive I finally arrived at Cantler's one wintry night. Inside I found a casual atmosphere, beer from the can, and some terrific food. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked very well. Onion rings were intimidatingly large. And hush puppies with honey? Where have you been? They had an outside area that I hadn't the outerwear to try, but when the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I'm sure this will be a great place to get dinner.
(5)
Tim J.
Had a great time, good food and a nice setting on the water. Being a crab virgin, we had a wonderful server (Micky?) that showed us everything we needed to know. Many thanks to her since she took the time out to help us even though she was busy!
(4)
Ethan L.
Simply put, this place is serious. We ordered a dozen of the x-large along with hush puppies, onion rings and several other items that I totally ignored. The meat was as tender and flavorful as I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is the real deal as well. Details aren't needed, just go.
(5)
William S.
Great location and the crabs were perfect. My wife had the ribs and she was a little disappointed but next time she will stick with the filet or burger.
(4)
Gerald F.
Stick to Crabs and fresh oysters. Crabcake was dry. Fried food not great.
(3)
tony z.
Awesome crab experience on the river. very authentic joint where locals come by boat. You sit inside or better outside on looong picnic tables alongside other parties. They put down paper on the table and then bring you trays of steamed and seasoned (some pepper spice powder) that are quite good. The waitress gave us noobs instruction on how to crack open the crabs. Corn on the cob came along and cold Yuengling beer (never heard of it before, but America's first brewery in PA?). The key lime pie for dessert is one of their specialties, and it rates highly.
(4)
alice c.
Fall, so I was told by our gracious waitress, is the season for oysters and rocker fish (and most other seafood). Boy was she right!! This is how I did it: a $25 gift certificate (off a $35 purchase) from restaurant.com , which was good for everything but the crab buckets... I mention this cuz it's a little pricey. But the portions are good and you won't walk away hungry. After mourning a little over not being able to work for my food (my usual crab-eating experience), I decided that given the rest of the menu (oysters, mussels, crab DIP, crab cake, etc.), I could conceivably still leave satisfied. With the help of a GPS, my husband and I found this nondescript location. At 1PM on a chilly fall weekend, the place was not too busy. They sat us in a covered location on the patio, and we ordered: - a rocker fish entree - hush puppies - Maryland crab dip for the appetizer - jumbo shrimp from the steamer - raw oysters (I wanted to try; my husband was grossed out) I really wanted to try raw oysters, cuz I watched Eric Ripert do a show about oyster farms and fresh seafood (and you know, monkey-see, monkey-do). But I didn't want to order a dozen only to find that I didn't like them; after saying so to our waitress, she mentioned that you can get 6 for $5.75. PEOPLE, IF YOU LIKE SASHIMI (and don't have liver problems, etc.) AND HAVE NEVER HAD RAW OYSTERS, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS... FROM THEM, SPECIFICALLY. Their raw oysters were so not what I expected; perfectly fresh, juicy, clean, non-rubbery, delicious delicious delicious... Now I'm scared to try raw oysters anywhere else or during any other season, because the next batch will have a LOT to live up to. After that first taste, I cannot wait to try it again. There was the cocktail sauce, ginger, and lemon to flavor to taste, but they taste really great without any of that, too. Oh, and everything else tasted good, too. The rocker fish was tender and juicy, and the shrimp was shrimp (albeit, definitely a bit spicy). The hush puppies were pleasurable; I can see why kids would love em. The crab dip was nothing to complain about. Man... those oysters.... They're so good, though. Please, please, go try it. Especially on a nice fall day. So good.
(4)
Laura V.
It's a little tricky to get to, but once you are there the on-the-water atmosphere is worth it. This is where we always take visitors to go get a Maryland crab-picking experience. Great restaurant! They even have boats coming up to the dock to bring fresh crabs as you're eating.
(5)
Katie F.
I don't know what I can add that hasn't been said already. This is a great place to go for crabs, that said I think crabs are to much work for my work/enjoyment ratio when it comes to food. However the variety of stuff that came on my fish fry sampler platter was great, tasty, and hot. Def get here early on a nice summer day like we did or you will have a LONG wait--you will even have to wait in your car to park. Be prepared to get dirty if you are eating crabs---like orange fingers for days dirty.
(4)
D C.
Went to Cantler's on July 3rd. This place has the best blue crabs on the planet. Great location. You can be seated at the same table with strangers. Our experience was great. Hope that the folks you are seated with are interesting. You want blue crabs, this is the place.
(4)
Aindrea C.
I'm not sure why people think there is any comparison between Cantler's and Mike's - Cantler's is far and away the best crab house in town. Its a little tricky to get to, but totally worth it. Right on the water: delicious and gorgeous! The last time I went my aunt started off with a cosmo - surprisingly good for a crab house! To start we ordered onion rings and crab dip. The onion rings were fab - perfectly golden brown, crispy and delicious! The crab dip was just ok, but nothing to write home about. The only down side is they didn't bring these out until AFTER our crabs arrived. Our tablemates, however, had ordered fries and were very friendly and shared them with us (in exchange for some onion rings). The fries were phenomenal! Light, crispy and seasoned perfectly - definitely the winner in the "sides" category. The crabs were big, meaty and with not water in sight. Our tablemates also informed us that if we did get a watery crab we could send it back - definitely a good policy for a crab establishment. I heard that Mike's was cheaper than Cantler's, but definitely found that not to be true. Cantler's is about the same price, if not less. The rumors about the parking are, however, true - we had to wait for a parking spot on a Wednesday night - but for any crab lover it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)
Nina U.
The gorgeous drive back here will take you through an established neighborhood with well kept lawns surrounding pretty homes. I wish I lived down this road. Cantlers is at the end. There used to be a crab/seafood tent not far from here that I used to frequent where you could drive your boat up to the dock and eat after a long day on the water. I was so sad to return here 10 years later and find it closed. But then I found Cantler's and my life is fulfilled again. It's like walking into my hometown, except friendlier. There's the bar (canned beers only and they have yingling!). Then there's inside tables (less noisy) and also the enclosed tent where you have a great view of the lightening and thunderstorms next to the dock. (noisy cause everyone likes to sit out here) It's a place where they put paper down on the table and you can order a seafood boil or fresh crabs to throw down on your paper. It's not a fancy place and don't wear your nice clothes because you'll be hammering crab and flinging it across the table. It's fun and so sociable. I even think I got over part of my shellfish allergies cause I had a couple of crab legs! Very good with the old bay and butter. It's always better when someone else does some of the work for you though. This is too exciting. It's not the biggest seating area and I definitely recommend going here on a week day. The guys were always checking up on us and very friendly. So happy to have found this spot.
(5)
David K.
I went to this restaurant with a friend based on the Yelp rating. We both ordered crab and lobster tail. The crab was okay, but the lobster tail was awful, so bad I didn't even want to finish it. It tasted like plastic. Our side dishes were served lukewarm (at best) and the restaurant provided prepackaged butter that looked like what you'd expect in a high school cafeteria. The restaurant's beer selection didn't match the menu and the waitress we had didn't seem to know what the restaurant did or did not carry. I was bitterly disappointed and embarrassed that I suggested trying this restaurant.
(1)
lysa p.
Quite amazing food. Fab space on the water. Great spot for crap and shrimp!
(5)
Nicole L.
It's become a tradition for me to visit Cantler's riverside inn on July 4th. Nothing like enjoying some fresh delicious crabs with good friends and celebrating the country's independence day. We were seated at a great spot under the shade with the beautiful view of the water. Michele D who visited the day before warned us that they were running out of supers and x-larges. We decided to go to Cantlers at 11 AM. To our surprise, there was a line of people waiting at the door. We started off with some hush puppies and Cantler's jumbo shrimps. Then a dozen of larges, which were sweet tasting but were lacking the meaty quality of a great crab. They were sending wrong orders of supers and x-larges our way so we decided to order half a dozen more supers. That made my day, the supers were solidly packed with meat, the best tasting crab meat of all!! It was so good we were enjoying it in silence. Amazing crab feast!
(5)
Joel S.
If you want crabs, go somewhere else. I don't want you in line ahead of me. You are keeping me from the best crabs in the region and my seat with a view on the deck. I drive from DC and I am forced to wait for you... sometimes for up to an hour, I am wait nowhere else but here.
(5)
Charlie H.
I'm a big fan of Maryland crab restaurants and this was one of my favorites. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful in suggesting meals for us and our kids. We started with the blackened rockfish appetizer. The fish was fresh and served on a bed of delicious red cabbage slaw. The dish was big enough for a main course. The broiled crabcakes were full of crab and delicious! I had 3 jumbos, they were perfectly seasoned and full of meat. The kids ordered off the children's menu and had the chicken tenders and pizza. The portions were huge and only $5 each. Great casual restaurant though a little loud. Worth going out of your way to find this gem.
(4)
Sonya S.
I've been wanting to have the authentic Maryland crab house experience for a while now, so after researching the many options, I settled on Cantlers. I live in DC, so it's not close. And at first you think that your navi system is misdirecting you, but after exiting the freeway, you actually do have to drive through a neighborhood and down a long winding road to get to Cantlers. We had to wait to park for about a half hour; didn't bother me because I was expecting it. My friend went to put our names on the list while I sat in the car line to park. After parking we enjoyed Heineken in the can outside (they only have canned beer) while we waited. Another hour or so later we were seated outside at a table beside a friendly young-ish couple who we got to know during the course of dinner. Just a note, this is communal dining, so expect to share your table with others outside of your dining party. We got a dozen large crabs, hush puppies, and crab dip with the bottemless iced tea. Next time around we will probably forego the crab dip and just get the large crabs with hush puppies. Love this place for being liberal with the Old Bay seasoning. And yes, you will smell like crabs when you leave. All in all, exactly what I was looking for in my authentic Maryland blue crab house experience.
(5)
Amanda C.
I'm a city girl. Try as I might to fight the prissiness, it's just a part of me. I remember traveling to the Middle East when I was a little kid and seeing a butcher hacking apart a lamb on the sidewalk... I was horrified. Little Lambert had no fleece, no skin, and no discernible body. Flies swarmed and the butcher gave them an occasional swat with his blood covered cleaver. The bulging, glassy eyes on the animal's severed head looked out onto the street and I realized -for the first time- that THIS was where lamb chops came from. No- I didn't become a vegetarian. I like meat too much. But let's just say, I prefer being introduced to my meal when it's faceless and all inedible portions have been removed. Which is what brings me to crabs. On the West Coast, our crabs are too big to serve "as nature made them." I never knew that, but judging from the filth stored within a tiny Maryland Blue crab- Dungeness, or God forbid, King Crab- must be loaded with nasty bits. Thankfully, I never see them on the West Coast. I don't care if the fluffy lungs can easily be plucked with a fork or if the intestines look like Ramen Noodles (thanks, Jackie), crab picking is just a bit too gross for my taste. I can't believe I'm using my hands to pry the innards out of a crab- only to then use the exact same fingers to shovel food into my mouth. And the yellow goo covering my crab meat is what? Fat? And it's considered a delicacy to some?! To WHO?! I'll admit- Cantler's was good- the onion rings massive, the fries crispy, the rockfish bites well seasoned, and the clam strips fantastic. But, the crab was my least favorite part. Maybe it's my aversion to plucking the heart from my dinner's chest or maybe it's Cantler's crabs... I'm not all that sure. I will say that the seasoning they use is more powdery than I like and the flavor is a bit off. I've actually had Maryland Blue Crabs before and enjoyed them more. I've also heard they're easier to clean and eat when cold, which is how I'd had them in the past (Cantler's are warm). I wouldn't recommend against coming out to Cantler's, but I will say that the appeal is the experience- not just the crab. All die-hards can doubt me or say I'm wrong, but one man's treasure is another man's trash... I'll take my sparkling clean Dungeness Crab over Blue Crab guts any day.
(4)
Adam T.
I hadn't really done a crab shack style restaurant before, but I had fun smashing my crabs and picking through them. The wait staff was helpful in explaining exactly how to do it. I also ordered shrimp, clams and mussels all of which were tasty. It has a good atmosphere and like I said very crab shack like while you share tables with your fellow patrons and everyone is whacking away with their wooden mallets.
(4)
Pete S.
Excellent local crab shack. Love the softshell crabs. Slightly pricey, but you get quality food. I've never been disappointed here, and that's over many years and compared to other similar restaurants in the region. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.
(5)
T Y.
I'm not sure rating Cantler's really means anything. It's a Maryland crab shack. It's crabs (and various fried products) and it just kind of is what it is. Parking is like lining up for the green flag at Talladega....
(3)
Anne W.
What better way to follow a day sailing than with crabs buried in Old Bay? I'm starting to understand the appeal of the "Annapolis/Regatta lifestyle". But since I can't sail to save my life, I'll have to be content as a faker. This place is what I think of for Maryland crabs. The classic brown-paper- lining-little-wooden-mallet-pounding-crab-shell-Âbits-flying-everywhere-good-old-crab-picking. A side note: you don't pick crabs until you're full, you pick crabs until you're bored. Because it's a lot of work for not a lot of meat (even with the large guys). We (4 of us) showed up on a Saturday around 4ish and the place is PACKED. After being outside in 100 degree heat, we opted to wait longer for a table inside and hung out at the bar. Beer is pretty cheap and go well with pitchers of pink lemonade (totally not joking here). But we WERE also dehydrated. It was a full-hour wait, (we were told that from the start) but the bar helps, of course. Despite the fact that Cantler's lists crabs by the dozen, ($60/dozen large crabs) you can buy them individually, as our server informed us. So we opted for 8 crabs (2 each, just for the spirit of things, plus it's fun) and then ordered entrees. I got the imperial crab stuffed shrimp with hush puppies. Shrimp was a little dry but crab stuffing was creamy and good. Hush puppies were okay, but I've had better. The bf ordered some kind of fried platter with fish, crab cake and bay scallops and fries. That was a lot of food and I didn't care much for the bay scallops. But overall it's good Maryland-shore fare, the service is super friendly and the prices are reasonable. For an entree and 2 crabs each, it came out to ~$35/person, which includes tax and tip.
(4)
Mark O.
As soon as you walk into this place you know you're going to eat well. When a restaurant is off the beaten track but teaming with people it's a good sign. I had the lobster and prime rib. Very good indeed. I didn't want to leave. The key lime pie was great. We wanted to eat outside but the wait was too long so we ate inside. The atmosphere was great and service good.
(5)
Remy M.
Great food, great atmosphere. It doesn't get better than this for blue crabs. Cantler's has a great outdoor deck where you can eat right on the water. Really cool. After dining here, I shared my experience with a few friends who have all replied so far with "Cantler's!? I love that place!" I had a half-dozen crabs which was great. My friends got the crab cakes which they really enjoyed as well. Check this place out! And if. while driving there, you think your car's navigation system is sending you to the wrong place, trust me--it's not... :)
(5)
Mike B.
Tiny Crabs with no claws?? Could do better in Fairfax at pells. Rip off! Out of six crabs there were five claws! Thought crabs had two! Wtf. Don't trust the hype.
(2)
Eric B.
There are plenty of places to get some decent crabs around here, but Cantler's has always been one of my favorites. Approaching crab season, I'm expecting my Pops to hit me up to make a run to Cantler's on a sunny Saturday, and while I may be swamped with school work and ponder suggesting Captain Pell's because of they are significantly closer, I will most likely break down and say "what the fuck"! Off to Cantler's we go. They're really tucked away, so well, that many locals surprisingly still don't know about them. Give them a look through Google Maps or something to get an idea of how to get there, don't just rely on the directions, as you may still miss a turn. Once you're close, you will start to see blue signs, guiding you in. It's not uncommon to be stuck behind a line of cars, waiting for a parking spot in the Summer months, so plan ahead, go early, say, 10:30 or so. This way you'll get a good spot in the parking lot as well as on the deck, get a bucket of beer, and apps, and by the time the crabs hit the table, it should be just about lunch time. Crabs ARE becoming increasingly expensive year after year. Someday I may have to go back to setting traps and easing up a chicken neck off the piles for recreation just to get my fix. So why Cantler's? Hey, crabs are crabs, but not every shack has Jumbos. That's why you would wanna go to Cantler's, for their Jumbos. Despite that they're quite pricey, they're huge, heavy, and full, these bad-muvuh-fukuhz is worf it, so go there with a fat wad and Jumbos in mind. If you get an empty crab, or one that's just dwindling between growth stages, don't fret or feel you've been gyped, they will replace it with a new fatty. Another of my favorite menu items is the steamers, I like to call them pisser clams, those introverted little crustations reaching out with their little arms, begging to be eaten. I peel the skin off their arms and swoosh them around in a cup of water to work the excess sand out, dip 'em in butter, maybe some old bay, and down the hatch. They're a great snack option to help you wait for your Jumbos.
(5)
Wilbert O.
Timing is of great signicant here. The time is right in the sense that you don't need to wait, but on the other side, it is not the season for blue crabs. I was quite disappointed to hear that no blue crab was available now, because I had thought it should be a year long thing. But since I was here, I decided to try something else. I ordered Jumbo Crab Cake and pizza. The crab cake was fantastic, very tender and fresh, I would give it a five star. The pizza was fine, but a four star was a overshoot. So I would give a four star overall. I hope to return in season.
(4)
Kelly K.
I had a great "crabby" visit today. I ordered the large local crabs and they were all fresh and tasty. The only thing I am unsatisfied with is the "butter" which is actually melted margarine even though the waitress referred to it as butter. I think dipping shellfish in margarine ruins it! But dipping in vinegar is good and the crab was so good that it really didn't need to be dipped in anything.
(4)
Bernadette N.
After living here for almost a year, I still haven't found a restaurant better than Jimmy Cantler's. I probably went here once a month this winter and sat at the bar. This past weekend we went again...for the first time in a long time we ordered something other than the rockfish bites and a dozen crabs. We started with the seared tuna and seaweed appetizer - better than the rockfish bites maybe? Then my husband had the crabcake sandwich (he loved) and I went on a limb and ordered the half lobster tail topped with a crab cake. DELISH! I mean, perfectly cooked lobster? Nothing better. Sprinkle the veggie sides with a little old bay and perfection. I love that they only serve beers in cans. I just love this place.
(5)
Greenballoon X.
Atmosphere: We sat outside and enjoyed the awesome weather. The inside looks kind of depressing... The outside, however, is set up for some intensely messy eating with plastic picnic benches and hose-it-down tile floors, which were a little slippery with crab debris by the time we sat down in the mid-afternoon. I realize that this set up is largely functional, but be prepared for a little gross-ness. Service: First off, it's worth noting that we had to wait in the parking lot until we could get an outside table. Our server was very nice, but there were some logistical problems. We had ordered several appetizers, since the crab doesn't really fill you up, but the crabs showed up first. So, we're sitting there with crabs all over the place starting to dig in and then all the other orders start coming out and it's kind of chaotic and frustrating. Then we had ordered Corona Lights for our beer bucket, but it came with regular Coronas. Then the soup that two of us ordered never showed up until we reminded our server. Food: The butternut squash crab soup was really good and I don't think they have it on the menu all the time. The crab dip starter was solid. The onion rings were good, too, but I nearly burned myself when some hot oil juiced onto my hand. Rock cod was solid, but steamed shrimp was nothing special. The crabs themselves were pretty small ("medium" was the largest size they had that day) and so the effort you go through to extract any meat kind of negates the benefit. I would say I would skip the crab on my next visit, but the crab is kind of the point for a place like this and it's not like the rest of the menu is so outstanding to warrant the longish wait for a table. Bottom line: Not opposed, but not in a hurry to return. Depending on the season, might take a non-crab strategy.
(3)
joe c.
You know it's good if it's where the locals go. You'd never find this place in a million years without a gps, yet you ask anyone who's been in Annapolis for more than 2 years and they can all tell you how to get to Cantler's. Scratch that. They could get there themselves, but they'd never be able to give u directions from memory. Location Location Location.... unless.... you're a destination spot. Cantler's Riverside is exactly that!
(5)
Jinny Y.
I was dying for some hard shell crabs in Maryland, so some local folks recommended Cantler's. A few friends and I drove an hour over to Annapolis and found Cantler's off a small side road next to the river. The area was super cute! We went in with one mission. Hard shell crabs. We sat down and even before we ordered drinks my bf asks about the crabs. Our waitress told us they were out of crabs temporarily! WHHHATT?!?! Out of crabs?? The menu clearly stated "crabs all year round". At first I was sad, then a wave of rage started to come over me. I thought, "We drove 2 cars for almost an hour for one thing that they advertise to have year round and they're out?!?!? They'll be sorry when they read my yelp review!" I was totally ready to give them 0 stars. We were too hungry to go anywhere else, so we were going to settle with other options on the menu. I made it clear to the waitress that I was unhappy about the crab situation. She came took our order, then 5 minutes later came back to the table and informed us that the crab guy just came in and we would be able to get the crabs. HALLELUJAH! =D we ordered a dozen x-large crabs for $80-$85. It seemed a bit expensive but it stuffed 5 of us =) They were steamed and sprinkled with old bay seasoning. We also ordered the fries and hush puppies which were great. Fresh and crispy. 4.5 stars!
(4)
Caesar R.
Plain and simple, come in clean, leave smelling like steamed crab and seasoning (OLD BAY, BUTTER, etc.). Repeat....as necessary! Soooooo delicious even on the dark and dreary night that it was last night. This was my GFs first experience with Maryland Crabs so I was so delighted that she really enjoyed it. We both got the boil offered on the menu which includes an enromous amount of the following 3 Crabs, Corn, Coleslaw, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams. One would have been enough for the both of us. Ofcourse, the perfect beverage companion, ice cold canned beer. Thank you Cantler's Riverside Inn for bringing sunshine on a miserable rainy day and delicious food. I would say definitely come here on a nice day to enjoy dockside crab feast outdoors.
(5)
Dion B.
I had a friend in from the West Coast and wanted to show him how seafood is done, East Coast style. We chose Cantler's because it had been rated the most (and highest), and so we figured it must be the best. The only way to get there is to take the "scenic" route, be as it may, is not scenic at all. Friday nights in December are not busy, as we didn't have to wait in line as other Yelpers have written. We were not quickly acknowledged or seated, and finally were told by a server to find our own seats (think grade-school cafeteria style seating, it's the best way to describe it). I would have already left and found another restaurant at this point if it weren't for the great ratings this restaurant has received on here. Alas, the food did (not fully) redeem Cantler's Riverside Inn. We started with the Fried Crab Cake Sliders and Butternut Squash Crab Soup, I ordered the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and he ordered the Fried Bay Platter. All was amazing! Do NOT come here for the experience (the tarter sauce was served in packets!). Come for the food ONLY as they know customers will still come in, even if they don't remodel the restaurant or give great customer service. Count me out if a cleaner, more in-touch competitor comes along the way.
(4)
Kerry B.
As a 4th generation Marylander, I'd like to think I know my crabs. And if you're hankering for some REAL Maryland blue crabs - the sting-your-fingers, Old-Bay-in-your-fingernails-for-days crabs - then Cantler's is the place to go. Not only does its location, overlooking Mill Creek, give you that real Eastern Shore flavor - but the food is spot on and uncomplicated. Buttered corn cobs, french fries, and bushels upon bushels of crabs with extra vinegar and Old Bay will overflow your picnic table. I'd recommend giving the steamed shrimp a try too! Be prepared to set aside an afternoon or a few hours (besides, crab eating should be a social thing, not a grab and dash meal!) and do NOT wear clothes you really care about. Unless you wish to wear your stains as bragging rights?
(5)
Michael S.
I don't know if it is better than any of the Crab/Seafood Houses that you can walk to around downtown or just over the bridge in Eastport because I was not able to try them all. But there is something to be said about heading into the country, just a few minutes out of town, and driving down some nice winding streets to a little place an the end of the road on a nice little cove. That has got to count for at least one star. The large cold martinis with a side car also has to count for a lot, maybe another star. After those martinis the food just starts to become absorptive material. We tried lots of dishes, blackened rockfish, local oysters on the half shell, clams on the half shell, wings, two different crab soups, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, extra-large crabs and two pies. Rockfish -OK Clams and oysters - go with the clams Crab Soup - go with the tomato base Crab cakes - the winner, no work all reward Extra large crabs - who are they kidding, go to Florida and get some stone crab so you don't have to expend more energy eating than you are consuming. Pies - Apple. Service - barely.
(4)
Janelle E.
Holy crap - this is some great food with a fun atmosphere! We went on a Wednesday night around 6pm, and the place was packed...a very telling sign on a weeknight, esp considering how far back in the boonies this place is. We waited about 20 mins to sit outside and drank a few beers in the parking lot while waiting. Once we got to the table our server was right over - and wearing a big smile on her face. We got our orders in, enjoyed some more beers while we waiting, and then DUG IN when it came. Mom had fried shrimp, which is some of the best I have had (def a compliment after living in Destin, FL and being spoiled with fresh Gulf shrimp), and everyone else had assorted platters of different mixes. We all shared and devoured it all! Most definitely going to Cantlers again, and taking our out-of-town guests for a taste of Annapolis!
(5)
Allie K.
I cant say enough great things about Cantler's. We eat here everyt ime we are in town. The best service, the best food (try the crab dip, it is to die for!!), the best view... We love it. You have got to try it.
(5)
Mia D.
5 stars for the experience! Now since I am a SF/Bay Area native, I've had my share of crab experience - Dungeness crabs, but I can say I've never had it like this - butcher block paper on top of picnic tables and wooden mallets...super fun! I'm a fan of Old Bay seasoning now too! Okay, so between my husband and I, we ordered 3 extra large crabs and an order of hush puppies (b/c Yelpers told me to!) and a half bucket of steamers. The steamers were good - not as good as I've had them in Boston (wow, did I just say something good about Boston?), but they were fresh! The hush puppies were surprisingly tasty! I loved the honey butter they came with too! The crabs were tasty and super fun to eat! I love diving in and getting all the delicious meat out of there!!!! By the way, we went at about 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon, no line to park, no line for sitting outside. It was a very easy and pleasant experience!!! I will tell all my local friends to give it a try! It was a lot of fun!!!
(4)
Christine C.
We've been going to Cantler's 5 or 6 times a year since we moved to MD, and have not been disappointed. Up until this last visit we had ordered steamed blue crab every time. However, since it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans (our blue crabs come from MD this time of year--it's illegal to crab from Dec-April in MD so they have the crabs shipped in) and many folks are enjoying crabs in Louisiana this weekend, they hadn't received any in their shipment that day. So for the first time ever, we ate a non-crab related meal. My husband and I both had the Hawaiian tuna sandwich, and our other diner had a grilled haddock sandwich. We also enjoyed some raw oysters, and a platter of their boiled shrimp and potatoes. Everything was fantastic. The tuna (which we ordered medium rare and rare) was cooked to perfection. You could tell the haddock and tuna were fresh; nothing beats fresh seafood like this. The shrimp were, as always, HUGE and with just the right amount of seasoning. And the oysters were clean and perfectly briny. Whenever we have guests in town we always take them to Cantler's for crabs, but now we'll be taking ourselves there even more frequently for the best fresh seafood we've had in MD.
(5)
Christopher S.
Cantler's is a local Annapolis crab house restaurant that gets a four for the fun and atmosphere it provides. The food is good, not great. Its a blast eating crabs and drinking beer with a large group. The rock fish is usually very tasty. The restaurant has boat access and a nice outdoor deck. They pack them in during the summer so be prepared to wait. Hard to find location if you are not a local. Really fun east coast cultural experience.
(3)
Carrie L.
This place was so hard to find! but it was very worth it after we actually found the place. It's actually in a residential area so we didn't really know if we were headed the right direction. The must-have is the crab cakes!! ALL CRAB AND NO FILLERS!! It was THE BEST crab cake I've ever had. The fries were also very good. I was disappointed of the scallops. There were only 4 pieces and it had too much seasoning on them. And if you don't mind getting down and dirty, order a nice pile of freshly caught crab (cooked of course!). A nice small wooden hammer is provided to aid in the cracking of the shells.
(4)
Nancy T.
This place was so incredibly fun, fun, fun!!! I injured my thumb on a spiky crab shell, got Old Bay seasoning in my eye (it burns!), was covered in debris and still had a total blast. Our waitress was awesome, too. I'd only picked blue crabs once before and it was many years ago so I was absolutely clueless on how to do it. She demonstrated her technique for me and was really patient and nice while I learned. The first few crabs took a while, but then I got into a rhythm and became rather primitive about the whole process, ripping them apart and smashing and cracking and sucking and picking. I think I got into the "zone." Our waitress was super quick with drink refills, checking on us, asking if we needed anything else and bringing the bill at the end of the meal. The setting outdoors right on the water is really peaceful and the view is beautiful. They have outdoor heaters for when the air gets a little nippy. This is just a really fun place for a traditional Maryland crab feast.
(4)
Kevin L.
Worth almost getting lost to get here. Crab was fresh and plentiful and the view was awesome. This is not the sort of place you go to for a quiet dinner. You go there to get dirty by rolling up your sleeves and tearing into the fresh crab. Delish!
(4)
Christopher M.
If you want good crabs and if you want to eat them overlooking a scenic Chesapeake Bay inlet and have them served by friendly staff - this is the place for you. Great crabs, lots of seats outside (under cover and without) and don't forget to go down near the water to see the tanks (a few turtles, some horseshoe crabs, and a bunch of busters. It's about 10 minutes from the Naval Academy / Downtown Annapolis and first-timers will need a map to get there, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(4)
Jeni Y.
as someone who loves crab and grew up in MD, it's a little embarrassing that I haven't gone to Cantler's until now. On a weekend trip back to MD, I brought a friend to visit Annapolis and decided to finally drop by the "crab house you haaave to go to when you're in Annapolis." The "outdoor seating" area was covered in clear tarp so we can warmly enjoy the deck seating and see the gorgeous Chesapeake waters below. I momentarily wished that we were here on a warm summer evening. The view and outdoor eating area vibe added to the experience, and we both agreed that we landed on a "only in Maryland" kind of spot. Between two people, we shared a medium serving of steamers and 12 'large' crabs. The food was fresh and succulent, and i didn't need any butter or extra sauce to thoroughly enjoy the meat. It took us a good 2 hours to eat and admittedly even with huge appetites we left behind an entire crab and half of the steamers. In hind sight we probably could have done well with half a dozen "x-large" crabs and steamers. This place gets 5 shiny stars because next time I bring friends to get a taste of the "authentic MD crabhouse experience," I will most definitely bring them here again.
(5)
Christie W.
Meh, I really have experienced better. After all the hype surrounding Cantlers I really was dying to try this place out. I was expecting to wait for a while, and knew parking was going to be challenging, something I am always willing to do for some good crabs! So off I went to test out this notorious crab shack. My boyfriend and I got there at around 7 on a Friday night, we waited for about 30 minutes to park. However we were entertained watching the teenage parking attendant's game of catch the rock in your shirt pocket, ehh em annoying! We were hungry and somewhat short on patience. Not that we weren't expecting to wait, but when people are acting obnoxious and not doing their job it is a bit frustrating. Eventually the manager came out and we were able to park shortly after that. We got inside and requested a table for two. We were told the wait for outdoor seating would be about forty five minutes. Not too bad, we were definitely willing to wait. We were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar. The bar only sells cans of beer, no bottles, no drafts, just cans. Ok, ok, I looked past it; it gave the little place character. They do offer wine and spirits, if that is what you fancy. However I am a crabs and beer kind of girl. Two beers and over an hour later, we finally went up to the hostess stand just to check on our names on the list, to find out how much longer the wait would be, we were then immediately sat. We were then taken to a full table with a family of six already sitting there eating away. Awkward!! We were shoved at the very end of the table with a bush smacking me in the head and the stranger's elbows almost knocking over my drink every other minute. It was NOT very much fun. So if you are not with a large group, big enough to fill the entire table prepare yourself to sit with strangers. Meanwhile I kept reminding myself that I was here for one thing and one thing only the notorious crabs, so I let all of this slide. We ordered a dozen large male crabs @ $75 per dozen. As an appetizer we got an order of hush puppies and the crab and lobster quesadilla. I am not a huge fan of hush puppies anyways, but the boyfriend seemed to enjoy them. The crab and lobster quesadilla was served to us cold, and was awful. I didn't even finish one piece. Finally our crabs arrived at the table. First of all they were not what I consider to be large crabs. They looked to me like medium crabs. Maybe 2 out of the dozen were large, but only large by their shells, because once cracked open there was no meat. The crabs were light and about 3 of the dozen were watery, mushy crabs, no good. I did like the seasoning they used and the crabs smelled good, but they definitely didn't meet my standards. Maybe if we had ordered mediums I would have accepted it, bottom line we did not get what we paid for. The service was ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I definitely agree it is a tourist trap, the people we shared a table with were out of towners, and a lot of the people surrounding us were from out of town as well. When they asked how to dissect the crabs, the waitress told them, simply "bang em with the hammer and rip them apart" hmmm. It is overpriced, the wait is not worth it for the food, the crabs are small, mushy, and definitely not what I consider meaty or what I would call large. I really wanted to like no not like LOVE Cantlers. Maybe I will try this place again someday, because everyone can have a bad crab day, but I was really disappointed with my experience at Cantlers. :(
(2)
Mandy J.
I've eaten here on many, many occasions. Each time hoping the other dishes match the superb crabs and I am always disappointed in the rest of the order. This is first and foremost a fisherman and boating hangout. Some townies, some locals, tons of tourists, many VIPS and all basking in the sun. The catch is always fresh, the process educational and the view is unbelievable. It is the one of the best places for crabs, close second of course is Bella's in Cape St. Claire which has superior food and a view of the parking lot as well as The Wild Goose an Arnold carry out -ditto but without the restaurant. If you like crabs - Cantler's is the place and it's a local landmark. Service is not that great, it's always crowded which is good for them but not for the diner, and don't go with infants in a stroller as you cannot, repeat cannot, sit inside. What the handicapped do I have no idea! It is also a bit pricey...considering the lack of good seats, and tasty non-crabby cuisine. On the whole for twenty plus years, outside of the crabs Cantler's never fails to disappoint and I always feel pressured to leave and vacate the table for the next diner. However, once I sit down and gaze at that spectacular view I pledge allegiance to return and do.
(3)
Lizzy Z.
My husband and I decided to go to Annapolis to celebrate our anniversary and wanted to eat at the best crab place around. Cantler's was at the top of every list I found--and now I understand why. We arrived at 1:30 on a gorgeous (and hot) Saturday afternoon. Found the place easily enough, although as other posters said, it's at the back end of a parking lot. We had to wait for a table, but that was to be expected. We were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy our cans of beer while we waited. Soon enough, we got to our table. A colleague of mine had suggested to start with a half-dozen crabs. I didn't see that option anywhere on the menu, so when our waitress came over to take our order, I let her know it was our first time there (and our first time eating crabs in this manner). She explained that the dozen or half-dozen of crabs were listed on the blackboard and assisted us with our order--as we could always order more if we chose to do so. We also ordered the crab dip as the appetizer. The crabs came first and then the crab dip--the runner said it was because when it's so busy, they just get the crabs out as fast as they can. The waitress came over when the crabs arrived and demonstrated how to open and break the crabs and where to find the meat. And my goodness, the meat was like ambrosia. The Old Bay really brought the flavor out, as did the side of melted butter. We cleared the 6 large crabs we ordered and finished the dip (which was quite good, but completely overshadowed by the whole crab-eatin' experience). This was such a fun place and the crabs were wonderful. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Liz A.
Landed in Baltimore at 7 pm and decided to follow fellow yelpers suggestions and check out a local-yocal place for dinner. What a find! I arrived and was seated about 10 mins later, at an outside table. Granted, you are at a picnic table with other fellow dinners, but that definitely added to the experience. Went for the cherry stone clams and 1/2 dozen blue crabs, and that turned out to be WAY too much for 1 person. I would suggest 4 crabs and and maybe a 1/2 dozen of the cherry stones. Either way, they were delicious and had a ton of Old Bay seasoning on them. Definitely not a salt-free meal! Will definitely hit Cantlers again next time I roll through town.
(4)
Sheri Y.
We find our way to Cantlers every time we are near Annapolis. Every time we find ourselves wondering if there really is a restaurant tucked way back there on the other side of a long drive through a residential neighborhood, but it's always there at the other end. The seafood is all fresh, the atmosphere is pleasantly casual. Wonderful place to go on a nice day, to eat on the deck at a picnic table under an umbrella. We love the clam strips and the crab cakes. The ice tea is fresh and tasty. The hush puppies are always popular. It's not fancy but it's friendly and pleasant and we always leave with smiles on our faces. Oh, another point - - we stopped there at 11:30 on a Sunday. We were seated right away out on the deck. But when we left the parking lot was full and there was a long line. Early is definitely a good idea!
(4)
Stacy R.
Ate here with my family last month. It was worth the extra wait to be seated outside. The food was amazing. I loved the crab cakes and hushpuppies. Everyone else ordered snow crab.
(5)
Paul M.
What's going on ? The Terps aren't able to fill their stadium anymore and people are hatin on Cantler's..... Are these Maryland Landmark Institutions linked? Are they going downhill? The Terps surely not and Cantler's definitely not. I took my kids to see Georgia Tech vs Maryland last season at Byrd Stadium, they decided they wanted to support the old home town team rather than the new home town team, and the only yellow shirts I could find were the Cantler's T shirts we got them on their birthday. Picture me and two 10 year olds all dressed in yellow with 60,000 red dressed rabid Terp fans all around us. One Terp told me it was sacrilege to have a yellow Cantler's shirt and to use it to support Tech against Maryland. It probably is. Well, we got out alive, Tech narrowly lost and Chris Turner in, I believe, his first or second start, played an awesome game. Sorry, diversion over. Cantler's - yeah - well what all the good reviewers said, I agree with and then some. Get thee down there , sit on the deck by the waterfront and slug back a few beers with your all-you-can-eat crab. Chat with the people sitting next to you, who probably live 3 blocks from you anyway. Mooch down to the loading dock and check them sizing and sorting the crabs as they come in, look out on the water and think to yourself - "Holy Crap - does Maryland really have 7000 miles of coastline? that's like the distance between DC and Buenos Aires and then go half way back."
(5)
William M.
Love this place. Had a great experience. Staff is very attentive. Yeungling in cans?! I guess I can chalk that up to quirk. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
Glaciala A.
For six people, we had two dozen large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, and an order of potato salad/cole slaw. Next time, I'd skip the potato salad/cole slaw. Crabs were really good and in comparison to Quarterdeck in Arlington, VA a lot less old-bayish which can be good or bad, depending upon your taste buds. River view was nice, but sitting in the sun in really hot weather without shade got a little boiling. Next time, I'd try and sit under the covered patio. Downstairs underneath the restaurant, there are tanks that kids would like, with horseshoue crabs and other water-life creatures. For reservation policies, see their website.
(4)
Sarah S.
Best place to sit down and enjoy crabs in the summer? Certainly, I'd say Cantler's. Their prices are reasonable, and their steamed crab flavoring is exactly what you'd expect in Annapolis. Living in Annapolis, I have tried just about all of the crab houses. Most of which I would classify as hit or miss, Cantler's however has consistently been good. At the worst, I've had maybe a handful of "mushy" ones out of 2 dozen crabs. The beer selection is pretty minimal(and if you ask me highly disappointing). They only serve cans of beer, apparently they had some issues with rowdy clientèle in the past and this was their resolution. Atmosphere: The setup is basically picnic table style tables and wobbly chairs, which to some makes it a lower class venue. True crab lovers, this is exactly how we throw down. My only complaint about their setup is the space issue. If you like to have ANY personal space between yourself and the stranger next to you, then you should probably get your crabs to go. Parking: If you head to Cantler's on a weekend evening during the summer be prepared to wait at least an hour and good luck finding a parking spot.
(4)
bert s.
Great service, fantastic crab. It's a little hard to find, but well worth the adventure. Highly recommend.
(4)
L M.
Every time I come here, I think, "what a pain to drive to," "how will I find my way out of this shantytown," "how long must I wait for a table...a server?" And then my food arrives (usually an hour and a half after I left my house in Crownsville) and it is heavenly....fresh, well cooked, everything eating in Annapolis should be. Last meal was lunch with the chopped salad (wow- so fresh!) and crab cake on the side (best in town).
(4)
Jennifer G.
Don't know what happened but their snow crabs shrunk...we asked the waitress what was up with that but she was clueless...very disappointing dinner...probably won't be heading out here anymore
(2)
Dennis C.
Being an out-of-towner, I don't have a good point of reference since I haven't been to any other Maryland crab houses. That being said, I've been to Cantlers three times over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed it. The sides and other non-crab dishes I've had here have been pretty mediocre. The steamer clams were extra mushy and muddy, much more so than any I've had in NYC. The beer-battered onion rings were good but just not as tasty as they look, and the soups were too salty for my taste. Despite all those complaints, I'm giving Cantlers four stars because the main attraction, hard-shell Maryland blue crabs, are excellent. They're big and buttery and coated in just the right amount of Old Bay, and I could eat them for days.
(4)
KuangYou C.
I am not a fan of crabs or lobster because I don't like to take their armors off. However, my friend recommended this crab restaurant because she said the crab here is so fresh! I believed her because I didn't have rash or stomachache after I ate them. I think the price is not that expensive, but you have to order something else if you want to fill up your stomach.
(4)
Rico I.
Cannot say enough good things about Cantlers. Been going here for years, well worth the trip.
(5)
Heidi C.
I really wanted to love this place. It has so much going for it - riverfront location, fresh steamed crabs, bountiless seafood... However - I found that even on a Tuesday night there were a lot of problems. First and foremost, I know that running a successful seafood restaurant will mean a lot of garbage. But I sat through two hours of dinner with an absolutely TERRIBLE smell wafting from the dumpsters, and every time somebody would haul out another bag of garbage the leakage would seep down towards our table. If you are EVER led to the single table on the far side of the restaurant - DECLINE it!!! It will reek to high heavens all night long. Service was incredibly slow as well, and there didn't seem to be any bug control - pests were everywhere. On the positive side, our crabs were excellent - we ordered the large at $55/dozen. Our server was nice when we could get ahold of her. Hmm...running out of positives and wanting to complain a bit more...one of my companion's crabcakes smelled a bit amonia-y which should never happen to a place with such high rotation of crabs - everything should be fresh fresh fresh! Also - be aware that all beer comes in can form! It was ok but I was still disappointed that they didn't have a single beer on tap. Last thought - the powdery spices they pour over the crab seem to be less apt to stick to the meat and flavor it and more apt to turn to orange paste on your hands. I'd have preferred just a dusting of old bay. I won't return anytime soon because there are crabs to be had at less stinky locations.
(3)
Robin F.
We definitely had a great Maryland Crab experience. Can't fully recall if it was due to Cantler's or due to the great time we had with our friends! But nonetheless we had a ton of good food, some crabs (although fun, too much work for us.) Plan to get there early so you don't have to wait in the line of cars just to park.
(4)
Brandy C.
It's not you, it's me. We did the big group thing, ordered pounds of crab and corn and fries and whatnot. Crab when I have to get it out of that shell is not my thing. When I get mounds of it in my mouth with cheese and egg and all I did was order it (see Chick&Ruth's), well that's more my thing. As far as seasoning goes, again, it's probably me. I live in the south and grew up in Louisiana. I would hardly call what they did seasoning, but I am used to crying while eating crawfish. This tourist was a little out of her element. Also, I didn't know or like the people I was with well enough to be cramped so tightly elbow-to-elbow at a sweaty picnic table outside. Personal space be damned! I'm a party pooper, I get it. But this was not the highlight of my eating through the Northeast tour, sorry. If that is blasphemy to the locals, feel free to come here and smack talk some BBQ or Tex Mex and tell me how you guys do it better. What was a little special was getting to go down to the water and see all the crabs awaiting their fate on a picnic table. You definitely know where your dinner came from.
(3)
Adrie L.
Cantler's is the BEST crab shack! The food is amazing! The crabs are super fresh and delicious. I didn't know what I was doing the first time I went and have always been with first time crabbers. The waitstaff is really friendly and always willing to put on a demo. I also recommend any of the soups and the hush puppies! The location is off the beaten path, so it is secluded, but on the water. I have sat inside and outside... been on a hot summer day and a cool spring day. Even though it's casual & laid back, it's perfect for ANY occasion - I have gone with friends, taken my Dad when he was visiting from Texas, and have been for a birthday....everyone I've gone with has been impressed. Yes, it's usually busy, but if you have to wait, just grab a bucket of beers, walk down to the little pier and hang out... Highly recommended - don't miss Cantler's on your next trip to Annap!
(5)
Brian S.
Went on Tuesday, less crowded. Good shrimp app. Maryland blue crabs were lots of work but tasty. Don't be afraid to ask for instructions on how to eat the crabs. Servers friendly and helpful.
(4)
John G.
Not to be a heretic (I know this place is beloved), but I had dinner at Cantler's recently and I didn't really like it. I get that it's a homey, no-frills crab shack, but I think it's too rustic to be enjoyable. After we got there, my 8-year old nephew returned from a trip to the bathroom and announced how badly it stunk. There was also no soap in the women's room. The crab soup was delicious, but I just couldn't concentrate on enjoying the food after hearing how disgusting the bathrooms were. There are plenty of other crab joints in the Annapolis area (Mike's, for example) and I won't be returning to this one.
(1)
Christine P.
Excellent place for fresh crabs pulled directly from the water. Tried this place on a weekend trip to Annapolis, and wish I could go back more often. If you've never had fresh hard shell crabs it was a bit intimidating, as I didn't know the best way to open up the body. My boyfriend and I had 1 appetizer, 6 XL crabs, 2 ears of corn and a side of fries, which was way too much food!! If you are an average eater, I'd suggest a bit less, you can always order more :) For those of you considering coming here, this is def a very casual places. Think shared picnic tables, brown paper, paper plates and cans of beer. Try this if you are going to be in the area. A true MD experience !!
(4)
Carl G.
Terrific atmosphere for a Maryland crab day. Located on a quaint inlet of the Chesapeake, this crab shack is the perfect place to visit with friends on a sunny summer day for some steamed whole crab carnage. You might make a walking tour of Annapolis part of your excursion. Be sure to walk downstairs by the dock where you can see the live seafood tanks. Don't get your fingers too close to the crabs, though. They can be ornery.
(4)
SHAWN T.
So disappointing. 6/12 crabs were pulpy, mushy throw-aways. And this was after a 1.5 hour wait. Terrible.
(1)
Jessie J.
i am in love with cantler's. it's slowly becoming an institution in our family. tonight we wanted a place to go to celebrate our dear "pop pop", as he passed away last sunday and we already missed him. when we were kids, he ran a veritable "crab factory" in his basement almost every weekend during the summer, and as a kid growing up in maryland you may not have eaten a lot of things, but you always, always ate crabs. we figured cantler's was more than appropriate-no pretensions, butcher paper on the table, beer proudly served in cans, old dudes watching nascar on the bar televisions. off season extra large crabs ran $75.00 a dozen, but they were nice and weighty, and very, very fresh. you will end up filthy, covered in old bay and crab guts. my apologies to the table next to us that ended up getting a crab leg thrown at them AND had to hear my two siblings argue about subprime mortgages and hillary clinton.(see uploaded photos for cantler's, my failed attempt at shaming them into shutting the fuck up) really pop, we had the best of intentions but in the end we still are just a bunch of assholes. this is the ultimate maryland crab house experience. it's in the middle of nowhere, has server's that call you"hon", the seafood is fresh and fantastic, and you can buy one of their signature beer can koozies on your way out. john waters would be proud. NOTE: natasha r. and justin p. my tagline may SAY california, but i'm baltimorian through and through seeing as i was born there and cut my baby teeth on a crab leg. so quit your haterade poo pooing of cantler's, cause you don't wanna go head to head with me when it comes to balmer street cred! WORD.
(5)
Joe R.
I went to Cantler's last night. I bounce between there and Mike's Crabs depending on price and size of crabs. The atmosphere is always great and the steamers and steamed shrimp are AWESOME. Last night my buddy and I shared a dozen large males. They weren't bad. The only reason why I didn't give Cantler's 4 stars was that I have been there before and the "larges" were much bigger. I'll be back tho. Don't you miss it!!!! Casual dining. Be prepared to get dirty if you go! See you there!!
(4)
Dave S.
Not a nice place, despite the raves. It's dirty, very noisy, and crowded. Tables are packed much too close together. The restrooms are early American gas station. The crab cakes are soggy. There is nothing particularly interesting about the steamed crabs. I've been there three times, twice by water and once by land. It seems consistently mediocre and generally unpleasant.
(1)
Alicia C.
I recently made my second trip to Cantler's. It may be a hike to get to, but if you're into crabs, it's definitely worth the trip. The experience could not even be tainted by getting a little lost on the backroads in Maryland (both times... yes I'm a bit directionally challenged) or even the tropical storm that was rolling through my last time up. If you go, plan to get there early as it does tend to get busy (unless that is you time your trip to coincide with a hurricane). But again, the food is definitely worth the wait. Don't forget a basket of hush puppies or some chowder to go along on the side!
(4)
Beth B.
My husband is from Annapolis and grew up only a few blocks away from this crab shack. This is one of my favorite places to go in Annapolis and this place was where I learned how to crack Maryland Blue crabs correctly. (I use to waste so much meat!) It is located down a small neighborhood road and sits on the Severn River. You would think this place would not get crowded because of the location, but after 5pm you will be luckily to get a table without waiting 20-30 minutes. If you want to sit outside on the deck, you definitely need to get here early. Cantler's posts their specials on chalkboards around the restaurant. I recommend cracking crabs here. Spend the money on the Supers if they have them. They are often really good. (However, recently we discovered the crabs were from Louisiana not Maryland due to over crabbing in the Bay). If you happen to get a "bad" crab, they will steam you a new one. If you do not like to work for your food, Cantlers has a menu with everything from crab cakes, shrimp, mussels, and grilled and stuffed rockfish. They have non seafood items too, but I recommend sticking with the local seafood and don't forget a bucket of beer! If you are in Annapolis, it is worth a trip to this inn on the river.
(4)
Stuart B.
Great crabs and seafood, great service, good food options for those land lovers, too. Can be loud at times but its a pretty popular place. THE place to go for crabs in MD.
(5)
Mary L.
Disappointment with a capital D. I had the crab cake. Lackluster, but I did not get sick. My husband had crab cakes--identically lackluster. He also had the sandy steamers..little, tough, and sandy. Guy sitting next to us had crabs--nice guy, got to know him as he was practically sitting on my lap for a good long wait for the food. Anyway, the crabs...medium, not worth the effort. I will never know why the place was packed to the gills both inside and outside--actually the outside seating was more like sardines packed in muck. I will never know because I won't ever go there again.
(1)
Aaron S.
Don't get lost on the winding residential road that takes you to Cantler's; it's a place that is not to be missed! You can get excellent crabs a nice atmosphere and great staff here. We enjoyed everything about it (it was even worth the 40 min wait!)
(5)
brad j.
Take a shirt you don't mind getting messy. Crab shrapnel is in the air, butter and Old Bay drip off of everything. I know the crabs weren't pulled from the Chesapeake yesterday, but they were still darn good. The service was great (pay attention to how the waitress ALWAYS ask, "Did you order ______?"), and if it was warm enough to have the back porch enclosure unenclosed, well, it would have been a little piece of heaven. The atmosphere is what does it for me. It's not about fancy decor; it's not about snooty staff; its not about special sauces -- it's about crabs and steamers and beer. And if you have the cash flow to put in a full day of it, it will be a day you will remember at Cantler's.
(4)
Jason Y.
Cantler's feels like it's tucked away out in Annapolis, but once you've made your way down a twisty single lane road you'll find that it's not that much of a secret. But no matter - grab a table outside, even if it's in the driving sun with no umbrella (wear sunscreen!) and get ready for some good ole crustacean eating. Your table cloth is a sheet of brown packing paper, your tools are a hammer and knife, your clothes will get covered in crab juice and your hands will be bloody and raw from the shells. Get a ton of steamed hard shell crabs, a platter of steamed mussels, clams and shrimp, a bucket of beer (cans only!) and you will be in Crab Shack heaven. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
David D.
Outstanding. Got a dozen crabs and they were perfect. Looking forward to another trip.
(5)
Angela Z.
I've eaten here since I was a kid, had a job here, and now come back for the crabs and atmosphere. Great experience for those who have never had real steamed crabs. the crab dip could be better!!
(4)
Brian M.
Really great crabs. The seasoning they use is their own Old Bay like creation and I love it. Hence forth, Old Bay is a mere disappointment. The MD Crab Soup is also really good. Fun atmosphere and great service!
(5)
David S.
Sometimes I think the locals take pride in picking an out of the way place and touting it as better than the more touristy place (Mike's) even though the food is awful. I just don't get why people love this place.
(2)
Ronnail R.
This is also our Sunday brunch or dinner location during the Spring & Summer months.........well into the Fall. The waiting game is crazy and the staff turnover is unbelievable. We are seafood lovers and the crabs are so big and juicy I'm soooooooo looking forward to the warm weather in '08. I must say don't drink any alcohol if your wait time is a little over a hour, because there isn't much shade and the sun will have you melting by the time your name is called. There's outdoor and indoor seating. On a hot summer day we decided to sit outdoors and the crabs are always served hot. We were busy trying to stay cool from the heat and the steam from the crabs by drinking water. We were too full to enjoy the crabs that we drove 45 mins to get. I was sweating, my husband was sweating and trying to keep me cool (my husband has a bald head, so imagine not having hair on your head and you have more sweat beads rolling down your face than your wife - then you know it's time to roll out.....us ladies can pin our hair up and keep it move'n), that we said forget it and took our crabs to go. Since 1999 we only eat indoors during the summer months. So, if you ever decide to eat outdoors, pray that it's not one of the hottest days you chose to get your crab'n on - ENJOY!!!!!!! During certain times of the months the prices for the crabs do fluctuate - we have been served every size they offer. (XL-S)
(5)
Eric N.
Loved it! We met my aunt and uncle here for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on the deck. Had crabs(very good), fried shrimp(very good), crab cakes(below average), fries(very good), and the seafood steamer with shrimp/mussles/clams in a wine sauce (very good).
(4)
Mya S.
We decided to visit this place based on high internet ratings and what-not. Overall, it was a disappointing experience, and it seems this place is riding on the coat-tails of past glory and good reputation that it no longer deserves. First of all, the entire staff consisted of a bunch of high-school kids (seemingly) with no vested interest in making the business work. While polite, they were incompetent, and not very attentive or professional. Eating here was reminiscent of being in a high-school cafeteria. The waiters were more concerned about "getting their friends in quickly" even if that means paying customers wait longer. At one point we actually had to ask for a manager as a quartet of students who claimed to be from Boston thought they were too important to get in line...and instead of making them wait, they were served ahead of everyone simply because they were being bratty. Really? Additionally, the staff was overly focused on flirting with young people of the opposite sex than really doing their jobs well. Waters were not kept full. Condiments were lacking. They had no knowledge of the menu. And they did not come check on you after serving the food. Instead, they'd sit at nearby tables *together* and chit-chat, laugh, and ignore the customers. Driving all this way...and paying higher than average cost for average food...leaves a bitter taste. Now on to the food. The crab was fresh, and tasted great. But not really superlative to other good crab joints. The seasonings were salty, but good on the side. The rest of the menu was okay...and certainly NOT worth a drive nor deserving of a superior reputation. I think this place is popular because of glory days past, and it's location on the water. Nothing more. I would not make the journey back to this place.
(2)
justin p.
I'm with Natasha. I've never been a fan of Cantler's. I know people rave about it, but when you get right down to it, it isn't very good. And it is chock-full-o-dipwads that don't know nuthin bout real Maryland crabs. Definitely check out Harris' over on the Kent Narrows (also full of tourists, but generally pretty good) or Mike's down on the South River. Or just get some to go from some local joint and take 'em home. But you've been warned - I don't think any self-respecting Baltimoron would be caught dead at Cantler's. BTW, Cantler's is back some roads and all, but who the hell needs GPS to find it? It's not like it's in the middle of the Amazon or the Gobi or something, for Pete's sake. You just drive down the twisty road till you get to the end, and "eureka," there it is. Damn, you'd think from reading some of those other reviews that it is like way the heck out in BFE and that you are going to be hearing the banjos from Deliverance or something. Must be a bunch of Jetta-driving pansies from DC. Okay, I just had to check - all but two of the five star reviews are from out-of-state people (mostly DC and northern virginia - see I was right!) who clearly wouldn't know a real crab shack if it snuck up and bit them on the butt. I'll concede that Cantler's attempts to recreate the crab shack atmosphere, but one must differentiate between faux and real. Damn, those folks probably think that Bubba Gump is fo shizz.
(2)
Es L.
EXCELLENT crabs! perfectly cooked and the meat just melts in your mouth. these are probably the best crabs we've ever had. i've never seen the hubs enjoy his meal as much as he did today. little girl LOVED it too- kept demanding for more (obviously clueless as to how much work it takes to get the meat). we ordered a dozen extra-large crabs which was about $75. it's worth ordering the bigger sized ones since it takes so much work to eat one. the restaurant however is in a pretty remote area in annapolis so a GPS is necessary for those who are from out-of-town. it's crazy how crowded the place got for a monday evening. i'd give 5-stars for the crabs but our friends who ordered other items from the menu weren't as thrilled with their food. we'll be dreaming about these crabs...
(4)
Adam H.
The best place for authentic Maryland Crabs. A little tricky to get to, but totally worth the drive.
(5)
scott b.
Best place for crabs in Maryland
(5)
Kelly P.
We were visiting Annapolis for our anniversary and of course wanted to try some local seafood. After reading reviews we decided to try this restaurant since it seemed to capture the local hole in the wall atmosphere. Our server was nice, but slow. We waited forever for our food and since it was the off season, it wasn't busy at all. I ordered the broiled platter and let me tell you, I could have gotten a better meal at Captain D's, portions were small and everything was bland and overcooked. For $28 I was expecting much more. The side was a plain baked potato served with nothing more than a small pre-packaged pat of butter? My husband ordered the Ahi-sliders and the tuna was way overcooked as well. Canned beer only, worst Bloody Mary I've ever had, yeah, major disappointment. Beware of the hype..
(1)
Jasen F.
Overrated, no matter what review you've read. Mike's in Edgewater has a better view, parking, and atmosphere. Leave Cantler's to the tourists and DC folks up for a romantic weekend on the Bay. I'm just not that into you Cantler's, especially for the price.
(2)
Ricky W.
Great food with an amazing local flair. the bartenders Missy and Kelly are a joy to spend the evening drinking and eating with. A unique eclectic crowd will keep you entertained while you enjoy some of the best crabs, shrimp and oysters around. Great Place!
(5)
Kelly M.
Excellent and fresh seafood. They don't do All-You-Can-Eat blue crabs so you'll have to look elsewhere for that. However, the portions on their platters are quite large, so you won't leave hungry. The place is really busy but we didn't wait long for a table. They seat you family style and you may share a table with another group, so if you're looking for intimate dining this is not the place. They have beers, but no tap, so every thing comes in a can. They also have a full bar but we only ordered beer. Be prepared for a loud, but really fun, and TASTY dining experience.
(4)
Karman L.
HOLY CRAB!!! AWESOME!! THE BEST RESTAURANT!! cantlers.com 1) Bring GPS...this is like impossible to find w/out GPS...it's at the end of a road in a residential neighborhood! 2) Waitress said it's wicked busy here in May and June - up to 2 hours wait, and I don't think they take reservation either. 3) Bring a bib, wear some of your old sweatshirt...you are going to get MESSY if you are planning to eat the crab (They served the whole crab, so you have to really WORK it to BREAK into the meat! 4) Must at least order the following: a) Cream of Crab Soup , and Butternut Squash Soup b) Lump Crab Cakes - very CRABBY =D c) Dozen crabs (come in different size, we got the large size, it's $50 for one dozen) Wish we ordered the steamers too...but it was sold out last nite! Enjoy!!!
(5)
Donna C.
This is a good place to go to if you want some good local crabs. Here's some definite pros to Cantler's: *you definitely get that maryland crab feast experience that you might be craving. The medium and large sized crabs were local but they also had extra large and super sized crabs available. *the large sized crabs we ordered were heavy and seasoned with Old Bay and served with extra seasoning, melted butter and vinegar on the side=YUMMY! *they line the tables with butcher paper so you can really crack away and get as messy as you want. They also give you buckets and extra napkins if you ask *has a nice outside patio area along the river There are a few cons that can hamper your experience: -minimal parking-if you get here at a peak time, they do a one car out one car in deal and you may have to wait -long wait for tables during these peak times -kind of confusing to get to. it's seriously at the end of a neighborhood street. weird. -kind of pricey - the large sized crabs were $50 for a dozen. They were good but there are other places you can get a large dozen for less and/or it's all you can eat. Apparently they do have all you can eat certain nights during the week Overall though, the crabs are worth the visit. We also tried the crab dip and calamari appetizers and the french fry and onion ring side dishes. Two thumbs up on the crab dip, calamari and onion rings. They also offer other gourmet seafood dishes that other crabhouses may not have. We had a great experience other than the parking and waiting and would go back if in the area again. It's a nice little joint.
(4)
Pat S.
DUDE. I'm reading some of the prior reviews on here, and a few people seem to have hated on this place as full of crab n00bs. Well, I was a crab n00b when I first got to town, and this place introduced me to Maryland's finest cuisine. I can't wait to go back this spring. We're moving out of town soon, and this is probably the place I'll miss most in the DC area. It's true that you need to be prepared to get messy. The giant sink helps make quick work of the crab guts when you're done, and it's lucky that you can wash clear up to your forearms in it because they're bound to get gross. It's true that the prices are high, but this isn't the sort of hangout you'd visit every week, so it's OK to splurge. Also, be sure to get a table with an umbrella or under the awning -- the sun will wreck you here if you don't watch out. I'm amped for my next five cold cans of Yuengling and pile of jumbos.
(5)
Sang H.
Being a New Yorker, we don't get much exposure to the wonderful taste of Blue Crab. I take a trip down with friends once every year or two and hit about three or four crab houses. This year we decided one of the locations we would hit would be Cantler's, after reading all the reviews on Yelp, we were planning to have a great experience. Unfortunately, this was not the one of those experiences. We ordered two dozen X-Large crabs, what we ended up with was about 60% X-Large, 20% Large and 20% Mediums. At $72/dz I expect 100% X-Large. Of the two dozen, three of them were bad. So as you can see not a great hit ratio. We also ordered the steamers nothing great here either. Nor was I expecting them to be, as its really not that hard to prepare them. Don't get the hush puppies, unless you like deep friend rock hard dough sticks. Overall the food was underwhelming. The service was okay, nothing special. Waitress was just someone that took the order and brought the food. No personality or friendliness. Don't get the lemonade, it was just water and powder mix that was supposed to mimic the appearance and taste of real lemonade. As much as I would love to complain about the parking, its something that I really can't blame them about. The slew of people that go there need to park somewhere and the small area just doesn't accommodate the large numbers. Be ready to wait 20-30 minutes in your car for a spot. I don't think its worth the wait. When you wait 20-30 minutes for parking and then another 45 minutes for food you expect something special. Nothing special here folks! Its just crabs! and small ones at that! for $72/dz for X-Large! and you don't even get all X-Large! and a few of them are rotten! Well, all I can say is that you don't get what you pay for and there are a ton of other area restaurants that you can go to to get good crab at better prices. You can try it once for the experience, but I would say most will not come back due to the wait, crab sizes and prices.
(1)
Melissa G.
If you aren't a local, and don't have a local escort you probably will never find this place. This is a REAL Maryland crab joint. I'm talkin' paper on the tables, Old Bay galore, picnic tables, etc. If you want a good 'ol crab feast this is the place.... corn on the cob, crabs, old bay, mmmm mmmm delicious. Come by car, come by boat... just make sure you come and are cool with a wait.
(5)
Dan B.
I love this place. First time I ever went here was 2 years ago when I was in Annapolis for work. It was summer and I ate right on the water. Food was amazing, staff was friendly and location is beautful. Recently was in Annapolis for Valentines day coincidently. I went to Cantlers with a friend and ate the Alaskan King Crab. Everyone was amazing again and food was fantastic. Anyone I know traveling to MD has to try this place. You wont regret it.
(4)
PY K.
What a crabfest it was...we visited family in VA last month and drove out to Annapolis for the day, our first stop was Cantler's. Being from LA, I rather enjoyed the drive into the woods to the inn (even though we took a few wrong turns). Anyway, I've never seen a larger mountain of crabs served on a tray...they are known for their crab, so that's just what our table (of six adults) ordered...three dozen large crabs (at the time it was $55 per dozen). Another option for us was to order 'all you can eat medium sized crabs for 2 hours for something like $27...but we figured the quantity would work out to be the same and we might as well get the larger crabs. 'The rest of our party sat at another table, and ordered a variety of items including the crab from the menu, i.e. the steamers, hushpuppies, etc....and seemed to enjoy everything that they ordered. A little pricey, but we were treated by our very generous hosts/sis-bro in laws. At first, I was a little put off by the seasoned salt that was doused all over, but surprisingly the salt enhanced the flavor of the crab just right. Dip it in your quarter cup of butter, and mmmm....mmmm.....mmmmm..... You are equipped with a small hammer (no claws), and everytime I took a crack at it, I think I may have squirted crab juice to my neighbor (or worse, sent fragments of crab shell ricocheting out yonder). Eating here was a rather difficult experience when the Husband and I were each manning a small child....but they have plenty of high chairs that they can place at the end of each bench seat. If you are afraid to get your hands dirty, don't come here....you'll end up smelling of crab by the end of the meal. Sit outdoors if you can, and enjoy the boats going down the river....the inside just looked too dark and dingy. We got there at noon, and the place was very empty, but by the time of the end of our meal, there must have been a score of people waiting for tables. But this was definitely worth the experience....four stars b/c it just took way too much time/work to get that meat out of that crab and the large crabs weren't all that large. Walk off all that butter consumption in the quaint maritime town of Annapolis. Sidenote: I know we have the RB pier which serves fresh crab/seafood, but the atmosphere is ten times better at Cantler's alongside a lazy river...cleaner too (tables are topped with rolls of kraft paper instead of dirty newspapers), since they have nice servers who do a good job of cleaning off the tables, benches and floor after a party is done.
(4)
Marc K.
We traveled here from DC, which was definitely worth the drive. We had fried crab cakes, lump crab cakes, and a dozen large crabs. The lump crab cakes were the best that I've ever had. The rest of the food was amazing, and the service was great. Having a GPS to guide your path in the twisty roads at night is definitely a plus. About the only thing that I can add to the prior reviews is that all of the beer comes in cans (including Heineken, Yuengling, and other domestics).
(5)
Mike Air C.
Being a native of the DC area, I was raised feasting on crabs in the summer. I never ventured out to one of the Crab houses in Maryland so this was my first and I must say, extraordinary experience in crab dining. The ambiance is perfect for eating crabs and the service attentive and responsive. The extra large Jimmys ELJs (expensive but well worth it) were perfectly cooked and the seasonings/butter excellent. We had (18) ELJs but staggered our order as recommended by previous reviewers of Cantler's which yielded perfectly hot and savory crabs. These were some of the best crabs I have ever experienced. The service (thanks Emily!) was superb and the Yuengling beer perfect. We sat outside on a Monday night - full but not crowed and not waiting for a cool spot outside. Overall - The Perfect setting for enjoying absolulely perfect crabs!!!
(5)
Mike W.
Great place to eat crabs by the water.
(5)
Jen H.
Oh Cantlers. How I will miss you so dearly when crab season rolls around once again. Crabs for somone who really wants the down-and-dirty crab experience without crossing the bridge. Butcher-papered tables, beer in plastic cups, the sound of wooden mallets smacking away and flecks of crab shell flying in your face. Mmmm... Added bonus is that it's right on the water and even has it's own pier you can dock at. Make sure to take the kiddos to see the holding tanks down near the pier, all sorts of neat things swimming around in there. Expect a wait during the summer and as mentioned, a liiiittle hard to find and navigate to but well worth the effort. I always took our out-of-town guests here to snap them out of their "King Crab legs are the best" mindset. Can't wait to come back for a visit.
(5)
Molly G.
Okay, so I'm not a Maryland local and maybe I just don't "get" the whole appeal of a crab boil - but I wasn't all that impressed with Cantler's. If you want to spend hours with a tiny wooden mallet hacking at a piece of boiled shellfish with the ultimate goal of extracting a small portion of meat that tastes exactly like the old bay seasoning that cakes the carcasses of these unfortunate crustaceans, then Cantler's is for you. For my money, I'll take a nice crab cake at a restaurant where my derrier doesn't go numb from sitting on a picnic bench for hours. And if I want to work for my food, then I find both lobster and other types of crab to be much tastier. With that said, it is a very authentic Maryland experience, and as long as you're not going with the idea of coming away full, it can be a super fun place to go with friends. I even pretend to like it so that I come across as a more authentic Annapolitan. Maybe someday I'll actually order something else off the menu...and revise this review. But maybe not. Oh, and the bar at the indoor dining room is super creepo!!. It's like a transplanted VFW branch - complete with that one petrified guy with the permanent "come sit on grandpa's lap" smirk.
(3)
Lark L.
I was expecting this place to be crowded on a Sat evening but this was beyond insane. Traffic was backed up to get into the parking lot--in fact I think they have a staff of 10 just overseeing the freaking parking situation! Then the wait is est at 2hours! Of course that is usually because the idiots on the deck think they are entitled to holding up the table for hours. I think Cantler;s should enforce a table time limit--IMO. With that said--we only waited 15 minutes because we wedged into the corner of the bar. Bar staff was amazing---so friendly even when dealing with obnoxious people. Food is alright-- you go for the hype and experience but if you don't go you won't be missing much. View was not that great--
(2)
stephanie t.
I'm happy to see so many five star reviews for Cantler's. It deserves them. Cantler's is the quintessential crab eating experience. Kind of dingy, right on the water, messy, slightly seedy, indoor and outdoor seating, unpretentious. The one drawback is that it has gotten so crowded that you shouldn't really bother trying to go on a weekend during the summer/early fall, but aside from this, it's pretty much perfect, which is why my family has been going for over 30 years. Crabs are expensive no matter where you get them, so don't think that casual = low bill, but the food is great (seems like a shame to get anything but crabs and maybe some steamers, but actually the rest of the food on the menu, particularly the soft shells and crab cakes, is pretty good if you're not in the mood to pick). For kids it's fun to go down by the water and look at the tanks where they have molting soft shells.
(5)
Carl L.
Always love Cantler's. Been going there for over 20 years, and it's my favorite place to get those Maryland Crabs we all crave
(5)
ted c.
On your next trip to Annapolis, Maryland you definitely need to checkout Cantler's. This is a classic Maryland bayside restaurant that is serving up the Maryland crab feast experience! Difficult to find, because it is a bit remote, and I was greatly rewarded for my journey! A killer view, even at night. And they have a nice outside patio for patrons, which is right above their soft-shell crab farm. This a great place for fresh Maryland crabs (in the summer... they serve gulf crab too). Blue crabs are pricey at all Maryland restaurants, and I think they charge a little more and/or serve a little less compared to other restaurants. But when it guaranteed fresh, it is worth it. I was very very fortunate to have arrived on a Monday night, in October it is all-you-can-eat steamed hard crab night for $18.95! 6 med size blue crabs will usually go for about $20, on that evening I had 18 crabs!! (FYI, Old bay or J.O. was OK... if you like the salt.) I returned the following night and had the soft shell crabs. I returned the following week twice for the Blackened Rockfish and Crab Cakes. Two thumbs up for the slaw and fresh Maryland corn cob. Hush puppies was too pellet like, fries were coated thus I love the extra crispiness. Overall though, the All-You-Can-Eat crabs are worth the visit! You might want to consider going to other more convenient to find places for the soft-shell, rockfish and crab cakes.
(4)
Jill H.
Don't bother going to any other crab shack in Annapolis. The outdoor sitting is the best; I've never sat inside. The hush puppies & crabs are A....mazingg...
(5)
Kate R.
well i'm veggie so i can't speak for the crabs. this is my second time here. we called ahead to book (weeks ago, and then prior to coming) big work party needed a few veggie options (which was told when booking.) veggie options finally came a good 20 minutes into the meal (they should have just let us order of the menu) which ended up being some pasta with red sauce worse than any middle school lunch you've ever had. no thanks. we were a big party (40) the staff just seemed to roam over everyone that was outside instead of having a few folks assigned to our tables. if they had they'd probably have noticed we were out of beers, like immediately and we had to ask to get more. they'd come out and place one for every bucket. come on son! you haven't given me the veggie option. at least give me the beer! it is a fun experience, everyone was in a great mood when we got there and in a great mood when we left and the crab eaters def seemed to enjoy themselves.
(3)
Jennifer S.
The nationally acclaimed Cantler's Riverside Inn has a puzzling name. Nothing here has anything to do with an Inn, unless of course they are referring to the crabs you won't be able to stop putting Inn your mouth (couldn't help myself)! Now there are tons of touristy crab shacks to choose from in downtown Annapolis, this place (open for 30 years now) is actually right outside of it in Mill Creek (semantics, right?). Wherever you want to say it is, just go there! I don't care how hot it is outside, don't eat inside. The best experience is had outside on the water's edge sitting amongst other crab-feasters at paper-covered picnic tables watching the boaters dock to join you. I cannot personally speak for anything other than the crabs and the onion rings and as far as I'm concerned this is the single-most best place to get them.
(5)
Jamie H.
2nd best place for blue crabs, amazingly fresh but very expensive.
(4)
Maria K.
I went here on a recommendation of a friend, she said it was a pretty famous place, but *shrugs* I guess I didn't know. Anyway, the huge disappointing factor was that they ran out of crabs right when we got there -- this was on Memorial day, early in the afternoon. That was the reason why we went, so it was disappointing. However, we still decided to stick around for a little bit to eat since we were starving, and then find crabs later (which we didn't b/c we're both small and fill up quickly). Anyway, we got the hush puppies and a bucket of steamers (which are these really plump clams). I wasn't a fan of the hush puppies, but the steamers were really good. I had never had steamers and had to have one of the workers show me how it's done. They were very meaty and tender... but a half bucket/person is more than enough I think.
(3)
J J.
So, we went to this Annapolis Institution, and we have mixed feelings. The crabs were very good (although there is some controversy as to whether they or local crabs, this time of year, or not) One waitress said that the crabs were from Louisiana while another waitress said that the crabs were local (huh?). I understand that the noise and chaos are part of the "charm" of this place, but indoor seating is a real challenge in terms of the noise (and claustrophobia). If you can stand to wait, I would recommend trying to get covered seating, outside. The crabs were yummy. Our waiter was somewhat inept, watched us knock over a glass of water and offered nothing in the way of napkins or help. We had to ask another waitress. He also disappeared after serving our food, and we had to look for him for 10 minutes to secure our check. I think Cantler's may be better than Mike's in terms of price, and one is spared the talentless trio who make "music" at Mike's. Bon appetit! P.S. Oh, yes, the bathroom situation is fairly appalling--dirty and unample. They are serving a vast crowd--spring for a second bathroom and clean it, from time to time.
(3)
Laurie B.
Here is the deal. The mixed drinks are served in the smallest glasses i have ever encountered in a restaurant. The steamed clams were cooked so long they were like little gobs of hard glue. To add insult to injury they served them with fake butter...the kind they put on your popcorn in cheap movie theaters. when I asked for real butter..they said ok and cheerfully got some from the kitchen. The fried clam strips were ok if you like chewing through breaded leather strips. I bought a single crab which was yummy. Bottom line....when they serve fake popcorn topping oil instead of butter...the owner is assuming he can rip off his stupid customer who does not know any better. I hate that.
(1)
Jenna P.
Huge disappointment! I originally spent time at Cantlers as a kid about 30 years ago and had many great times cracking crabs while enjoying the easygoing atmosphere. Last night it was just awful. Everything from the rock hard hush puppies to the obscenely priced blue crabs ($75/dozen for jumbos). The corn on the cob was wormed out and the "butter" you are supposed to dip your $75/ dozen crabs in was margarine. Fried Mussels could not be identified....could have been anything in there. The only thing that we really enjoyed was a portabello/ crab appetizer that was fairly priced which arrived with a full lump crab cake on top. Outdoor seating smells like garbage. Bathrooms are disgusting. So sad that I don't think we will revisit. If you do choose to stomach Cantlers arrive at 5:30 or earlier else you are waiting a long time for a table.
(1)
Ami C.
What else can you say but..."MORE PLEASE!" Cantler's is THE place to go for crabs in Annapolis. Not just crabs - but their Lump Crab Cake might just be the best Crab Cake on the planet! The lumps of crab are big enough to choke on. They have delightful cream of crab soup too and something magical in their house dressing. It is a little challenging to get to...all the better to keep the mobs away during high tourist weeks.weekends in Annapolis. Let them eat Buddy's! The ladies room always gets a thumbs up for cleanliness as well. Growing up in Annapolis has ruined the crab experience in most other places - a trip home is never complete with a quick trip to Cantler's.
(5)
Caryl M.
I remember coming to Cantler's on dates when I was 17. Casual, out of the way hideout that only locals knew about. Back then you would be sitting next to a wealthy Annapolitan just off their yacht and on the other side of you a local waterman. It seemed like everyone just meshed well and conversed over good food. The wait staff was always down to earth and friendly. I've been many times over the past 18 years and that wonderful quaint charm has slowly faded. We came in on a boat 2 weekends ago and were told there would be a 20 minute wait... An hour and 10 minutes later we were seated. We were seated at a dirty table that still had crab gut remnants on it..gross!!To make matters worse, the server was annoyed that I asked if it could be cleaned. While waiting for our meal, a sudden downpour hit us. We started to put down the plastic awnings so we wouldn't get soaked and we were yelled at..yes yelled at to leave it. The manager did come over to put the awnings down but only after he put down the ones closer to him...we got wet..no big deal..but the rudeness was unnecessary. I love the location still and the food was good but the service not worth it. And for any tourists coming here, leave your heals and your bedazzled clothes at home...it's an old crab shack for gosh sakes.
(2)
Ashley A.
This was my first time eating crabs like this, and it was great. The crabs were yummy along with some of the appetizers. Definitely try to sit outside if the weather is nice and get there early! We got there around 12:30 and it was a 30 minute wait; when we left a few hours later the line of cars to get into the parking lot had to be 20 deep.
(4)
Curt H.
Anything from the bay is wonderfully prepared at this "standard" Annapolis waterfront joint. Always crowded, but food worth the hassle. Don't miss it.
(4)
Gary R.
Took my family for crabs and was not at all impresses as so many reviews state. We bought a dozen and half. At least 6 were overcooked.the waitress took care of but for a restaurant that focuses on crabs they are challenged to deliver properly cooked crabs to a table.
(1)
Joe L.
This crab house is in a hidden place. You will find it in a nice quiet neighborhood. After I found the place, I finally relief from getting the wrong address. After 20 minutes waiting, we got a nice big table for two people. The food serving is fast but the food is not really tasty. The clam chowder soup is way too salty. I don't believe the soup is right. We also order calamari, jimmy steamer, and a dozen extra large crab. The calamari and jimmy steamer is okay size and okay cook. Nothing special about the dish. Let's talk about the main meal "crab" which I think extra large should mean the biggest crab in the restaurant. But what we get was bunch missing crab claws and kind of small size crab. If you see my other review, I have mentioned about Bethesda crab house is bigger than here and they all have crab claw on them even they are kind of dirty. There are no taste on meat of these crab. I don't think this is the place to enjoy the crab.
(2)
Michael B.
Come here for the crabs..Period. I have been here several times and have always been served great crabs. I had a light crab once and they had no problem taking it back. They are not inexpensive though. Expect to pay between 65-75 for x-large crabs. However, you get what you pay for. Heavy, tasty, and well seasoned crabs. The fries a also perfect accompaniment. Salads are large and well done. I honestly have never had any of the entries. As others have said the view is great. No reservations so it you go on a fri or sat plan to wait and don't even try on commissioning weekend. Service has been good. Not many beers on tap. Also be prepared to sit on a picnic bench next to other patrons. I wasn't too concerned but it can throw some people off. All in all one of the best crab houses around and definitely the best in Annapolis.
(4)
J L.
PRO: Good, no-nonsense crabhouse. Good, thick cut onion rings. Super sweet corn. Friendly wait staff. CON: We had to wait for about 1/2 hour before our crabs came out that night, but our waitress was friendly and very apologetic about it. Crab seasoning was also a bit too heavy on the salt.
(4)
despina s.
Best place for a relaxed seafood meal...the freshest crabs i have ever had....had a blast just being messy using the mallets to crack the crabs and enjoy the sweet meat...waitstaff was not very attentive or special and i was disappointed they would not honor coupons from their site because it was one per table...meanwhile they forgot to bring our crab appetizer....overall still a great experience. Wait was not long. Tough to find but so worth thhe trip!
(4)
Jessica E.
This out-of-the way place has great tasting Maryland crab and other local seafood. However, it's overpriced, and everything else on the menu is just kind of meh. Don't order anything other than local seafood if you want your food to taste good, and skip the overpriced, not so good desserts. Advice for first-time visitors: they have off-the-menu offerings, including the famous steamed Maryland crab - you just have to know they have it, the waiter may not remember to tell you (ask the waiter for prices). It's definitely worth a visit if you want to eat seafood the "real" Maryland way.
(3)
Kristine M.
YES! We "jetta-driving pansies from DC" do love Cantler's! I don't care about the tourists, I don't care that people go there to order a chicken ceasar salad, i don't care that there's no parking after 1pm. I just love their crabs, their view, their desserts, and their staff.
(5)
John S.
Go to Mike's instead. This was by far the worst service I've ever received. We sat down for 20 minutes in clear view and no one came to our table. Once the waitress came, we asked to order our food but she refused to take anything but our drink order. She came back 10 minutes later after we asked for service and finally told us in the rudest tone "we're out of crabs." At that point we left and went to Mike's. We were so happy with our decision to leave. Please refuse to be treated this poorly. It was terrible!
(1)
D W.
This is a crab house - if you don't like crabs....stay away! Picnic Tables with views of the docks and sailboats, paper towels on the tables, buckets of beer/large sodas, and heaps of crabs. Wait for a nice evening and head here for a fun time and good meal. It does get crowded and can be a challenge to find (ask for directions). Great crab shack - sit outside and make sure to check out the crab tanks around the back. Bibs provided.
(4)
Bruce P.
Cantlers is good, and better is the fact that they do better local buying of crabs than other places. Unfortunately, I don't know any place that still cooks crabs to order, so you can still get a dozen crabs for $40 bucks that have been sitting under a heat lamp for the past half hour. Call ahead if it's on the weekend --- wait can be over an hour.
(4)
Charlie L.
We had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. While waiting I observed the crabs being moved into the kitchen. None of them show any sign of life. I should have left the place there and then, because things just got worst as we were seated. The place was too small for the number of people they tried to cramp in there. The waiting staff consists of bunch of teenage girls and one of them looks no older than twelve. The hostess even took a bribe from a group of customers for a shorter wait. They weren't too friendly neither. We ordered dozen extra large crabs, but when it came out they were no bigger than the medium crabs on display. We were given exactly a dozen even though most crab places we've been to tend to give you one or two extra to replace any non-fresh ones that slip into the batch. Speaking of freshness, out of the four I had, three were dead before they were cooked as evident by the rotting stink as soon as I break open the shell. The couple that sat next to us actually left right after their order came out, either because the crabs were too small or they weren't fresh. The popularity of this place boggles me. It's certainly not cheap and its location isn't convenient. neither. Why anyone would drive half a hour, a hour to eat overpriced half rotting crabs is beyond me. Other than the fact they sell beer outside while you wait for your table, there's absolutely nothing redeemable about Cantler and you should avoid it despite what it claims about the restaurant being a Maryland "icon" on their website.
(1)
Veronica L.
I went here with two of my girlfriends on a gorgeous Sunday in the middle of October. They had seating indoors but we decided to wait to get outside seating. While waiting, we had a drink at the bar. They have a cocktail menu, which I always like, and the price range was about $7 a drink. The bartender was quick with service. We were only sitting around 5 minutes when they were ready to seat us. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the crab dip to split. On the menu, it says it comes with two loaves of bread, so we thought the dip would be a big portion but it was on the smaller side. Delicious though. I ordered the rockfish tacos. I thought the fish was a little skimpy and actually took out the avocado that it came with because those were huge pieces and I was afraid I'd lose the rockfish taste but despite the fish size, they were really good. We had a good time and I'd have to say that my biggest complaint was that we sat next to all these plotted flowers and there were a lot of bees flying around and trying to land in our food and drinks.
(4)
PC W.
I can't stop raving about this place!!! I've been twice and both times were awesome - once for a late lunch and once for an early dinner. We got seated relatively quickly both times. Crab is so good and atmosphere is very casual - worth the hour drive from DC. It gets messy but it's so worth it.
(5)
Pam S.
there are better crab houses in the Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay area. It's always packed, you sit in a parking lot with views of cars. Try other options such Mike's Crab House on South River or over on the Eastern Shore.
(2)
Daisy R.
On a visit to Annapolis we decided to try Cantler's because we wanted to experience that famous "Maryland crab" and the hotel staff highly recommended it. The atmosphere is nice enough if you sit outside, but if you're in the tented area or the inside there's really nothing special about it. There's a seafood place like this in many shore towns I've been to. The food was good but we certainly weren't bowled over. I had the Lump Crab cakes ($25), and they were mediocre. Crab was dry and just not that tasty. My husband had the all-you-can-eat crab special ($25) and he felt the same about his meal. My son had a crab leg and shrimp dish ($12) and his shrimp were inedible as they were simply covered with Old Bay seasoning. All in all it was kind of disappointing and we wouldn't return. I'm still looking for that Maryland crab cake experience.
(2)
Todd Y.
It's the experience that you're paying for: crabs on the waterfront. Somewhat expensive. The calamari was good. If you're a party of 2, 6 large crabs, an appetizer, and one entree is plenty. Next time will probably get 6 extra large crabs and 2 appetizers (for two). Hopefully, though I can find a better less expensive place before then.
(4)
dave d.
If you know the Vienna Inn, I would equate Cantlers to the Vienna Inn in Annapolis. Cantlers is OLD place that hasn't changed since it first opened. If you are going there expecting table cloth dining experieince then don't go. You can't miss for picking crabs, drinking beer and hanging out. Definitely low key, very casual and out of the way to get to.
(3)
Jeffrey V.
I love how this place hides itself from the bustling crowds, secluded in a quiet neighborhood right on the water! The one dish that I still remember is the crab dip appetizer. It was served hot with steaming, fresh, sliced baguettes! Every bite was full of crabmeat and vegetables. I also ordered the crab soup - a hearty dish filled with, you guessed it, crabmeat, chunky vegetables, and a spicy-tomato based stock. The clamstrips and fries were pretty basic. The Seafood Slider Trio was interesting, mini sandwiches with different flavors.... (I couldn't stop thinking about the crab dip!) When we got the hard shell crabs, the first twenty bites were great. Afterwards, the Old Bay kicked in and started to make the meal REALLY salty. Shake it off before eating! Thank goodness for the bottomless iced tea and water! I'll go back just for the crab dip .... it's THAT GOOD!
(4)
Jeff B.
This is one of my favorite places in the DC area. Whenever a friend or family member (including myself) has a birthday or occasion for celebration in the DC area, Cantler's is usually the venue of choice for dinner. I have been here both by boat and by car. If you come by boat, there is usually someone around to help you tie up. If you come by car and it's your first time, bring your GPS or some good directions since Cantler's is hidden away back in a neighborhood. All of the menu items here are absolutely wonderful. The steamed crabs, crabcakes, seafood platters, appetizers, etc, etc, etc, are all excellent. You can either sit outside or dine inside. Sitting outside on the water on a nice day here offers the perfect setting for a great meal. The staff have always been wonderful here. The owners have been in the area forever and do everything just the way it should be done in a true Maryland crab house. Just being in the place or sitting at the bar, you can just feel the decades of Chesapeake tradition around you. I would HIGHLY recommend giving Cantler's a try.
(5)
Steve J.
Fabulous. This is no tourist trap. It is the real thing. While the whole crabs are quite good, my favorite is still the Oysters Chesapeake.
(5)
Tim M.
If you're going to review something like MD crab cakes please make sure you've tried them at at least 20-30 different places around the state before proclaming 'the best I've ever had'. 99% of the time they are the worst you'll ever have as very few places in MD actually get it right. An authentic top notch cake in this state is EXPENSIVE, broiled, 100% massive jumbo lump crab and nothing else but a little Old Bay and mayo to hold it together. They should be about the size of a half softball. Cantler's is really known for crabs and atmosphere (crab house atmosphere). You can count on them year round to have some of the biggest crabs in the area (also the most expensive - up to 75 a dozen for jumbos if you're lucky enough to get them). The crabs may or may not be from MD either - those days are over - you can ask however - I can't honestly tell the difference between the blue crab of Louisiana and that of MD. Everything else on their menu is no different than at least a dozen other places in the area. The best crab cakes in the area and possibly the entire state are at the Edgewater Restaurant (and not because I happen to live there - I used to travel here from Springfield VA to get these crab cakes). Service at Cantler's is almost always very good and very friendly - the seating is family style - plan to meet new neighbors. For a real treat you can take a sail from City Dock downtown through the back creek to Cantlers - it's a package deal that includes dinner and a return trip - actually might be easier than finding it by car!!! It's known as the best place to get lost trying to find (Zagats rated no less for that!). This is one of the best places to get crabs in the area (sit down that is). Harris' out on Kent Island is also very good and a long time tradition. Mikes Crabhouse in Riva is also quite good although the service is totally unpredictable there. For to-go crabs the best by far nearby are at Chesapeake Seafood in Mayo MD. Places to avoid like the plague are Phillips, Buddy's, and Annapolis Seafood. If your crabs arrive faster than 20 minutes after ordering they were probably re-steamed (not good) - crabs take 20 minutes to steam to perfection - remember that ;)
(4)
Lindsey W.
Anyone visiting Annapolis, go here for crabs! They are pricey and out of the way but worth it. It's filled with picnic tables covered in newspaper where you tear open yummy crabs and drink beer for hours. Everyone should take part in this experience!
(5)
Allan H.
If you want a real Maryland Crab Shack (I'm not talking about the cheesy tourist traps on the Annapolis waterfront), there is no other place to go but here. To get to this place, you need to drive through about 10 miles of backwoods roads, driving through small neighborhoods, and one lane roads, but don't fret, the payoff at the end of the line is worth it. You sit down and there are no plates, the napkins are those brown paper towels, and there's a hammer as one of your utencils. There's no menu, except for a chalkboard with the daily catch on the back wall. I think there are other kinds of seafood, but if you get anything other than the crab, go somewhere else. You order by the dozen and the waitress will come out and just dump the crabs on the table and you go to town. Don't wear any clothes that are too nice, because it's a pretty casual place, and they'll probably end up smelling like crab for the next year. Get there around 5:00 on weekends to avoid the wait.
(5)
Christy W.
I love the location, sitting outside near the river. I also love their crabs. I think the median size crab is actually big. Scallop and bacon is fine. But the maryland crab soup (not sure about the name) is no good. My friend feels that it's the kind of soup that you buy from supermarket. The Rum Punch cocktail is fine, but I'm so surprised that it is served in a low-quality plastic cup.
(3)
Julia B.
Needing a day away from the city, my girlfriends and I went to get crabby in Maryland. Cantler's has a great reputation for excellent crabs and our friend had been there before so we decided this was the place to go. Cantler's is situated by the riverside, in a residential neighborhood. With a bar area, indoor, covered and uncovered outdoor seating, this place was busy. I had read there was often a a long wait but we were lucky and there was none. The restaurant is bi-level, with one floor being the restaurant and down below, by the dock, you can check out their crabs. Fresh crabs FTW! The menu is extensive and while the focus is seafood, they do offer non-seafood meals, such as chicken wings and filet mignon. I hope whoever orders chicken wings at this place gets punched in the neck because what's the point of coming here, if not for the seafood? I wanted to try a little bit of everything so I went with the Jimmy's Feast - 3 crabs, mussels, 1/2 pound shrimp and 2 sides. I also helped out my two girlfriends with their dozen crabs, though, because I'm a pig like that. The crabs are separated by size and prices are by the dozen (but you can request for half a dozen). Service was fast and friendly. If you don't know how to open crabs (which we all did but our neighbors didn't), they'll happily show you how it's done. I would happily make the trek back here from NYC!
(4)
Steve P.
Drove from Reston to Cantler's because they said they had extra-large blue crab for $96 a dozen. Unfortunately, the extra-large crabs were no more than mediums. I questioned the waitress and she insisted that they were extra-large. I visited other tables and everyone felt they had been ripped off on the size! I don't know how they kept a straight face insisting they were extra large. Last time they will see any of my money!
(1)
Natasha R.
Are you people on drugs?! How in the world did you rate this tourist trap so high??? Just because it is super hard to find and not in downtown Annapolis, it is a great place? We went there after I heard do much about it and that it is a locals place and that JImmy Buffet has been ther, yada...yada...yada....... I would not even be disappointed after the hour wait if it was worth it. While waiting at the bar for our table, our bartender belittled this very sad looking woman who was there with her son, because when she ordered her Coors, she did not specify that she wanted Coor "Original" and this lovely bartender gave her a Coors light. I should have known to run then. But noooooo, I wanted to give this place a shot after hearing so much about their crabs. Well, when we actually got seated, it was at a table with a million tourists. Not a single person there was from MD. To make it all worse, they were all pounding the hell out of their crabs without even taking the shell off. You would think that the waitstaff would show them how to pick a crab. I asked the waitress if it was always like this and she basically said that it was a tourist trap and she would never eat there. She indicated that it actually got much worse since they aired it on Food Network. Then the crabs came. $75.00 a dozen. They were obviously steamed by a tourist as well. They had seasoning sprfinkled on top (not while they were steamed), so when we picked a crab up, all of the seasoning fell off. Plus the crabs were mediums at best, NOT extra larges, like advertised. Then the corn on the cob was enedible. Oh well, I tried it. I should have known better. I am too much of an optimist.
(1)
Maureen B.
We arrived around 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. we were greeted by the host. seated promptly ,. Food was Okay, I'm not sure if it was worth the hour drive.
(3)
Brad B.
First time eating "Baltimore" crabs (from Louisiana where crabs are of course a commodity). Very good! You will of course be paying a premium for restuarant seafood ($50/per dozen large)... which is normal but do yourself a favor and get the crab dip ... unreal. Take a trip to downtown Annapolis while you are there - great for a Saturday visit.
(4)
Vegetarian Diner A.
The first star is for the setting- the waterfront is always a nice place to eat. And, tucked away from the mainstream, you get a real neighborhood feel- that's the second star. Food-wise, I feel they are too limited for vegetarians. Granted, Cantler's does not present themselves as a vegetarian friendly place, but they could be more accommodating. The pizza is the best bet, but will not be memorable. The desserts look better than they taste. There are better options.
(2)
Becca Clara L.
I've never encountered such stupid hostesses in my life. We waited for two hours for a table while the imbecile high schoolers kept messing up the table list. Not worth the food to be treated like that.
(1)
Jenny C.
Best hardshell crabs in the region. Other steamed seafood items are also good. Crab soup is good. I don't like any of the specials, anything that sounds fancy isn't good. Great location. Lots of fun. Loud and messy - it is a crab house afterall.... Great service!
(5)
J B.
One of the best crab houses around. The only crabs I like better are my Dad's. Cantler's crabs are spiced well and steamed to order. That is really all you have to do for great MD crabs. A shame that so many places can't seem to do it. Don't tell the tourist, let them eat at Buddy's (-;
(5)
Felipe M.
We were on a day trip to the Naval Academy, and I knew I had to find a place for crab. Again with help from fellow YELPers, I found Cantler's. What a great setting! Inside and outside seating along the river. We went early because I had heard that this place gets crowded. On a weekday we got there just as they opened, and before 12:30 when we left the place was packed. We love crab but have never had Maryland crab, so of course we had to go where the YELPers would take us. On the back patio, you sit down on those old school picnic benches, and when they figure out you are having crab, they cover the table in thick butcher paper. They also bring out a bucket for all the crab parts, some mallets, and a ton of napkins. For appetizers we ordered shrimp which were fantastic. For the main course we had a tray of crabs brought out to us. There was definitely a ton of Old Bay on the crab, but of course you don't eat the shell, so after you got to the meat and with the drawn butter, our meal was FANTASTIC! Some YELPers call this a tourist place, but hey we were, and it was great. It is on a back road, so in the dark, or after a few too many adult beverages it may be difficult to navigate to or from, but for us tourists, it is definitely worth the drive.
(5)
Rachel P.
we went here for an anniversary, and yummmmmm, this was some delicious seafood! this is exactly what i want in a seafood place. no frills, bibs, paper tablecloths and tasty tasty fresh food. we ordered the portobella with crabcake appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious. seasoned perfectly, great compliments of tomatoes, diced red pepper and sauteed spinach...so so so good. then we split a pound of snow crab legs and half a pound of the jumbo shrimp. everything again, was steamed perfectly and seasoned perfectly. i didn't even need any old bay (which they give a great amount if you need it) and hardly even dipped the crab or shrimp in the lemon butter sauce. it was just succulent the way it was. we will definitely return and spread the word. (oh, we also went on a sunday for lunch, got there just about 11:15-11:30 which was perfect timing b/c it got PACKED soon after we got there. the wait, we heard, had turned into at least a half hour by the time we left.)
(5)
Tim B.
Classic quintessential Maryland. Everything is great, especially the not so great parts because they are exactly as they should be. Circa 1965ish decor right on the water where you can explore the tanks that keep the food fresh. Timeless mer-land style crabs, delectable hush puppies. I need to go back for those rock fish bites that I have heard so much about. I love how you can show up 10 minutes before closing AND have the staff warmkly encourage that you sit down and still order food.
(4)
Rongze L.
Worst host service I have ever seen!!!! Terrible! Rude!!! Revengerful!!! I wish I could give 0 star!!! There are at least 4 tables available for 4 people's party, because I complained to the hostess that the seating is slow and there are plenty of tables Vacant and they don't seat people waiting. We were first for 4 party in the list, and then the hostess lead us to the table under the sun, no shade in the degree of 90! It was burning!!! I pointed out there are other tables under shades, the hostess just ignored me! Truly terrible!
(1)
Jacky M.
I was a little skeptical at first, but I heard from numerous people this was the place to go for crabs, and while I love Mike Crabs House, Cantlers destroys it. I first went here on August 30th, which was a Sunday and my skepticism began it appeared I was going down a completely wrong road! BOY am I glad that my husband kept driving! It took us quite a while to be sat but around 9 pm our party of 13 was finally sat! Our Server Scott was extremely friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We enjoy-ed our experience so much that we returned on September 2nd, a Wednesday, where our server Alice was also very friendly and knew the menu! She helped explain all the specials to us and made our dining experience very great! And as U Can Tell We are addicted! We visited this Sunday (the 6th) and were very happy with our server Grace! I cannot put into perspective how good all of our servers were and how much we have enjoyed our experience here. A few tips for people who come here - If you come on the weekend, come early! Saturday and Sunday you can expect to wait for a table, sometimes as long as two hours. I definitely recommend week days if it all possible, the amount of people there was so drastically different between Sunday and Wednesday. my only real gripe with this place is parking! The parking lot is absolutely horrid and we had to wait 30 minutes just to park our car. I would also like to point out that the "Black RockFish Bites" are absolutely delicious! However I would like to point out they really aren't "bites" they are more so just a good portion of black rockfish on top of a cole slaw sauce, which is outstanding, but they may want to consider changing the name of that while very tasty, also misleading title dish.. EveryThings Considered, Food is Great, Staff is GREAT, atmosphere is GREAT. I would highly recommend for seafood eaters!
(5)
Kenneth C.
This place sucks stay away!! Buddy's is better. Ok in all seriousness I only post that so tourists stay away from our little gem on the water. In all honesty I love Cantler's my family and I have been coming here for at least 20+ years the wait is long and worth it, but the bar is full and the bartending staff is quick to get you a beer. The rest of the staff is equally as friendly and jsut as attentive. Cantler's is exactly what you think of when you think crab house: on the water, cramped seating, brown paper on the tables, cheap vinyl chairs, plastic cups, silverware, no real plates and delicious and hot seafood. In otherwords the perfect crab house, if you go to a crab house expecting differnt, well you are wrong and clearly don't belong here.... BE GONE WITH YOU!
(5)
Geneva H.
Yes! amazing! Certainly the full Maryland crab shack experience. Came here on a friend's recommendation and glad we did. Be prepared, the wait can be crazy and parking lot can be too. But come prepared to wait and hungry (not starving). We got there about 3pm on Sunday and the wait for inside was 30 minutes, 60 for outside. Opted to sit outside. We actually had to switch tables at one point to accommodate a large group and the restaurant bought us a round of drinks. Awesome! Suggestion of what to order for two people: 6 large crabs, tots with crab dip, Apple cheesecake (all to share), lots of beers, Bloody Marys are a nice choice. Long story short, eat here. It's good and affordable plus a unique experience. Yum!
(5)
Alice W.
After a fun afternoon in Annapolis, my boyfriend and I drove over to Cantler's around 4pm to catch an early dinner. It is true, you need to come a little earlier in order to secure a parking spot and have a wait time of less than 2 hours. Luckily, the restaurant is located right on the water so you have a nice view of sweet million dollar homes, boats, jet skis, and the like. We were quoted an hour to an hour and half wait, so we opted to head downstairs to the dock and wait on a surprisingly empty bench. Not even 30 minutes later, our pager was buzzing. We ordered a dozen medium Maryland blue crabs for $55 and a pound of stone crab legs. The crabs are heavily seasoned with Old Bay. For medium crabs, they all had a surprisingly large amount of meat. We grabbed our mallets, forks, knives, and claw crackers, and slowly ate our way through our dozen crabs. Fresh crabs, lots of meat, tons of Old Bay - the classic Annapolis/Maryland experience. Service was prompt and polite. The atmosphere is really casual and low-key. Great place to drop by, especially in the summer.
(3)
Christian G.
Arrived by boat, helpful staff helped tie up. As we walk in through the back wait staff was throwing crab remnants into the water close to shore, came up through the back stairs and the place was busy. There was a wait to sit outside, so we were seated inside party of 7. About 12 minutes went by before anyone came to greet us, the cycle of service seemed non-existent. Hey we just came to take her order we had ordered several appetizers rockfish bites crab dip and steamed shrimp. All of it was pretty good I do have a complaint about the dishware and place settings my fork was mangled up like someone stepped on it and we were sitting at a sticky table with paper plates. I had ordered the crab cake platter it was ok, hailing from Maryland myself I have had better. I had also ordered a soft drink which had a fly in it. You be the judge but I'm never coming here again.
(1)
Amber G.
Cantler's is an Annapolis seafood mainstay -- it's been around for decades and is just across the bridge from downtown Annapolis. It's got a very casual, dive-bar feel to it, with benches for communal seating. There is a great deck with outdoor seating by the water, but expect a long wait to be seated out there during a sunny weekend day or evening! The seafood here is always tasty and the service is usually very fast. For those who don't want the quintessential Maryland seafood meal of blue crabs, there are other options (As a Californian, I never learned to eat blue crabs properly as a kid and therefore now refuse to bother with all the work that is required to crack them!). I got a 1/2 lb of snow crab legs w/two sides ($12.50), which was good but it only came with a single cluster of crab legs - I guess i was hoping for a little more. Jimmy's Steamed Feast ($26) was a good, large platter including mussels, clams, shrimp, and snow crab legs -- great option for anyone wanting to try a bit of everything! Although I wasn't interested in the blue crabs, I did notice some of the prices on the chalkboard that day and was struck by the high price for the "supers" (the extra large blue crabs) that day -- I believe it was around $130/dozen. Steeeep! Great place to try -- be prepared to wait though.
(4)
Gary R.
In Annapolis for 4 days on a mini vacation with the primary purpose to eat as much crab meat as we could, we headed right to the Mecca of steamed spiced crabs -Cantlers. Yeah, it's a bit off the beaten path and the narrow residential street on the way in can be a problem, but let me tell you it's worth it. The quintessential crab feast experience with the picnic table covered in a paper table cloth followed by a bucket of spiced, tasty blue crabs dumped in front of you - well, if your mouth doesn't start watering right there then there's no hope for you. We got there relatively early (4:30?) on a Monday and had no problem parking or getting seated outside on the patio overlooking the river. They had an all you can eat steamed spiced crab option on the chalkboard menu for $35 per person. Bam! Sign me up! (Large were featured at $75 a dozen that night). The first round of crabs was probably approaching 2 dozen and had a couple ears of corn on the cob with it. But I was focused on the delicious crabs. And my oh my, they were delicious. Before we were half way through our server asked if we were ready for more. Duh!! Bring em on! Within minutes another huge pile materialized just like magic. And that led to another one and.. Well, I think you get the picture. They were amazing. And the service was superb! The only caveat is there's a two hour limit on the all you can eat. They do need to turn the tables over for sure but I can attest that in two hours you can leave some serious crab carnage. And we did. If I have a complaint it's that they have only cans of beer and not a very good selection. But that's nitpicking. I can get beer anytime and anywhere. What I can't get are those spectacular blue crabs.
(4)
Laura F.
We went on a Saturday and arrived at 11:30, 30 minutes after opening. There was already a 30 minute wait for the outdoor area, but we decided to wait. An hour and fifteen minutes later, we were seated. The food was good, but I can't stand when I'm given a false waiting time. It would be better to say it was a 2 hour wait then be pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.
(3)
Lady B.
My very first YELP! Fail!!! I really just wanted to scream YELLLLPPPPPP!! $32 cakes FULLLLL of shells-- no draft beers, only canned beers! Was told "Happy hour" was over (it was 5:48) Service was lack luster. We arrived just before a big rush and took twenty minutes just for the waitress to introduce herself? Nice water view but would not come during any hot months-- rancid smell in the air. Very disappointed. $96 later -- crab cake, four beers, shrimp platter, hush puppies (cold/dry), coleslaw(bland) And community seating. We would not have minded normally. But got many stares ... They scooched over and looked Kind of uncomfortable Side note : We are brown.
(2)
Rusty S.
There's a wait to get INTO the parking lot, a wait to park, a wait to get into the place, a wait to order. Then you wait for the crabs, then you overpay, then you're disappointed with your experience. Then you remember that nobody was actually friendly with you except the homeowner a couple of houses away from the place that offered to let you park in his driveway for $20. Want to duplicate the Cantler's experience? Drive to Red Lobster, get lost, buy some food, give them a 200% tip, then go look at a picture of a river on your phone. You'll still be disappointed and out of money but wouldn't have spent all day WAITING!!!
(1)
Noel H.
Steamed crabs were excellent. Price was high but they are everywhere. Service very good and view / atmosphere awesome. Dine outside if you can and sun is not too high!
(4)
Barbara G.
This was my first time here, but it won't be my last! I enjoyed every bite: from my Oyster Riverside appetizer (minus the bacon), to the steamed soft shell clams (another first for me - delicious, but freaky looking with that tadpole tail!), to the fresh super crabs with Old Bay and drawn butter, to the sweet corn on the cob and piping hot hushpuppies, and the obligatory beer on a hot summery day. The service was quick and friendly, even in a packed restaurant. We went midday and our party of four got seated outside in a flash! (It does get crowded, but no one seemed to mind waiting for a table. Beer and wine were available so most just walked around waiting for their buzzer to signal a table was ready.) The place is very causal (think, jeans and tshirt) since it can get messy wading through a pile of crabs. Enjoy it and request plenty of napkins!
(5)
Kenya F.
My company has been going to Cantler's for our outing for the last 5-6 years and this year our outing was on August 31, 2015. The service was superb and the food was delicious and readily available. We had a pretty large group and even still, they didn't miss a beat! Thanks again guys, we'll see you next year. Also, $35 for unlimited crabs ain't half bad either :)
(5)
Jennifer K.
Got XL crabs for $85/dozen .... more like mediums. It's not worth the 1 hr drive, then the 40 min parking lot wait, then the 45 min table wait. A few crabs had mushy meat, you know like how if the crab is dead when cooked it's meat becomes powder? The rock fish bites were not what I expected, but ok. They were grilled (I think) and came on a bed of cabbage doubling as ehhhh slaw. Still don't know how I feel about it. I like healthy food but I didn't come here to eat hippie food. Stay away from the chocolate cake (the key lime was ok)!! Taste like Food Lion bought, nasty frosting. My search for good blue crabs continues.
(2)
Maya V.
A friend and I were visiting from DC and looking for some fresh crab. Both of us are from out of state (not DC or Maryland), but appreciate some good seafood. Cantler's was great! The food was delicious. We ordered half a dozen crabs, the drunk'n mussels, crab caprese salad, and a crab cake sandwich. YUM. Lots of food, but it was a fun Sunday adventure and decided to ball out. I'd order everything again, very fresh and delicious. Reasonable price for how much food we ordered and we definitely left overstuffed. Our waiter was great, assisting us with how many crabs to order, and then upon receiving the crabs showing us how to break em open (did I mention were aren't Marylanders?). Give this place a try!!
(5)
Jamie W.
I Can see this place crazy busy on a nice summer day!!! Right on the water and a nice porch right next to the water to sit in. That gets a 5 star vote. I can see the food being a 50/50 on taste. I highly recommend the rockfish bites. Totally tasty. Also had the sashimi special with tuna and that was ok so good gets the 3.5 star vote. I would totally come back to try other things just think some items will be better than others instead of the whole menu being equally good.
(4)
Nancy C.
Good food, crabs, view, service, what a good experience! It was the best quality crabs I have had in Maryland aside from when they were caught and cooked within an hour. So see freshest crabs ever here! It was a Saturday night and they said the wait would be about 1.5 hours but we were pleasantly surprised when we were seated outside on the patio overlooking the river about twenty minutes later. Our server Maggie was the absolute best. She wa very attentive and friendly while taking care of the very crowded dining area. Among the crabs our table ordered some perfectly cooked spiced shrimp, a bucket of clams, cream of crab soup and basket of sweet potato fries, all were top notch fantastic. I can't wait until our next visit there, just going to get there earlier as it does get very busy in there.
(5)
Richard S.
Been coming here for years! Great place to sit outside and eat crabs and drink beer! Very down to earth with no airs, but they always have the best crabs. Last night the Supers were $120 a dozen so we took a pass. understandable on the pricing because it's too early in the season. Girlfriend had Jimmy's Feast (shrimp, mussels, king crab, clams) which was indeed a feast, and I had oysters on the half shell and fried oysters (yum). Our server was awesome as always the case. this is a MUST for what it is although not fine dining by any means but they don't try to present themselves that way as the plastic plates and silverware would suggest!.
(4)
Danette W.
I have to say I loved eating here. We sat on the patio and had the best view while enjoying extra large crabs. They were steamed and seasoned to perfection. The customer service was amazing. They also raise their own soft shell crabs. Stop by and check it out. It's very interesting.
(5)
Chris J.
Bad experience! Not worth the wait or the money. After waiting an hour, the hostess finally took us to our table. We couldn't however sit down because the table hadn't been busted- which was understandable considering that the previous guests were still eating their meal. The hostess took us to another empty table but by the time we got there it had already been given away. We returned to our original table which had also been given away. We finally made our way back inside to a clean, empty table. Please keep in mind the restaurant is totally packed with people and very claustrophobic (many of the tables are shared with other guests). Our server was the definition of "nice nasty." She asked what we wanted 3 times within a 6 minute period- she couldn't turn the table over fast enough. The food was poor. I ordered the lump crab cake sandwich. It was a pile of mush. I could've made a better crab cake from a can of Phillips. The she crab soup and the hush puppies were the only redeeming part of the meal. My wife and daughter's food was no better. Perhaps the crab by the dozen is what draws the crowd. Horrible service, long wait, overcrowded, mediocre food- won't be back.
(2)
Benjamin O.
Probably the best seafood house in the area. The crab dip and calamari was so good! Even though it's kind of pricey I suggest getting the super crabs! In all I would recommend anyone in this area to try this place out.
(5)
Allison Z.
We wanted to find an authentic place for seafood that would be kid-friendly as well. This place couldn't have been better. We sat on their spacious outdoor covered/screened-in deck at picnic tables covered with butcher paper. There were tons of local IPAs and brews on tap, the staff was knowledgable, friendly, and fast (which is also important with kids). For starters we had the crab dip which came with 2 mini French bread loaves and was plenty to share amongst our party of 5 adults, 2 kids. I was very impressed with the amount of crab dip they gave us, some places are chintsy with their dip but we had to order extra bread to even finish the dip! I had the lump crab cake sandwich with the upgraded sweet potato fries and it was the best crab cake have ever had. Other orders in our party were the shrimp salad, the fried fish sandwich, and the crab chowder. Everyone was very pleased with their orders. While we waited for our food I took my boys down the steps to the dock to watch the boats. The drive there will have you wondering if you took a wrong turn because you go through very residential areas but it all the more proves this place is a hidden diamond in the rough!
(5)
Lauren W.
Visited this past Sunday and really wanted crabs- $90 a dozen. We skipped the crabs. Ordered shrimp as an appetizer and they were disgusting and I found out why. I told the server that they were over cooked and could we have another order. She proceeds to tell me they are steamed in the morning then placed in a bag and re-heated to serve. I was in shock that a "seafood" restaurant wastes shrimp like that. HORRIBLE. We choose the Rockfish bites instead and those were decent. Crab cake sandwich and rockfish sandwich were both good. My sweet potato fries were soggy. The place is really run down and if you sit outside you will sit with other people. The view really wasn't worth sitting outside. I was really disappointed and don't see myself returning.
(2)
Katie K.
Crabs have been consistently good and fresh every time I've been here. They are definitely over seasoned with old bay. On some of the crabs it's all you can taste. Blue crab meat is sweet and tender...why cover up that awesome flavor? The service here leaves MUCH to be desired. The parking guys always look like the rolled in the dirt, the hostess stand is full of confused and stressed out staff, the servers have this attitude that everything you ask for is a bother and have forgotten to bring drinks, side salads, and condiments every time we've gone. The setting is really worth what you spend on the crabs. It's beautiful and relaxing to sit on the docks while you wait for your table. It's fun to watch the crabs on the lower deck. I could not imagine sitting inside even on the hottest day. The indoor dining area is dark, dank, looks and feels dirty. The ladies bathroom is pretty cramped and always so wet, wash your hands quickly or risk being hit by the door! :) Overall, I can see the why this place is always so busy. Fresh crabs, water view, unique location, family owned.. I get it. But it's a bit of a shame that the staff makes no effort to make you feel like they appreciate your business.
(3)
Jenny P.
No line for lunch on Thursdays! Among the three of us, we shared a dozen large crabs, side of hush puppies, and fried green tomatoes. I do not recommend the hush puppies as they were very dense and two seconds away from being hard to chew. I had no prior experience with fried green tomatoes, and could not tell you whether they were good or bad. But they tasted like tomatoes... that were fried. For some reason, my girlfriends and I thought that it would be a great idea to show up to Cantler's dolled up and in sundresses. One crab in, however, we were already dusted with Old Bay and flying flecks of crab shell. Not to mention that it was a warm, muggy day out. (I would recommend sitting inside actually since even under the patio umbrellas, you will feel very hot.) Basically, you will be a hot mess and getting through 4 crabs will take at least an hour. But the effort is so worth it as you will leave stuffed with tasty, juicy crab meat!
(4)
Cibby G.
Took my sister here for lunch and it was worth the trip from Baltimore and Woodbridge....Food is amazing!!! Waitress was so helpful and so nice! Even the people eating there were so nice! In short an amazing meal 360. Try the soft shell crabs it was very tasty with a squeeze of lemon juice. MAKE SURE you get there early. We were in line waiting to go in 10 minutes to opening. It's THAT GOOD!
(5)
Mim L.
Hands down the best steamed Maryland Blue Crabs and clams I've ever had. Not over or under cooked at all. They were perfect! The hush puppies weren't bad either. We sat outside on the patio. Great place to come with family, friends, on a date - whenever. It was our first time there on a Wednesday afternoon, we got seated right away on the patio but I'm sure the place is packed on the weekends. The staff was friendly. Loved everything about this place. Definitely worth the 45 min drive from DC. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Karen L.
Seriously they have the best crab cake ever! No fillers, no nonsense. Just straight up crab. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. I also ordered a dozen blue crabs. Came here on a Sunday about 11:30am, right before the rush. I'd suggest to come early and get parking. The wait is long. Only complain is their tiny bathroom. After all that feasting, you have to cram in there to wash your hands. The door opens right at the sinks, so watch out!
(4)
Ben S.
This place is just fine. First, the positives: Our big group (9 people) was seated without issue as soon as we arrived, and the crabs and calamari were quite good. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday night and our food came out fairly promptly, especially the crabs. They had non-fish options for an allergic friend, though his chicken salad came out somewhat slowly. Now for the less good stuff: The hush puppies were a bit bland, the fries were a little too greasy, and the portions weren't exactly huge. The one thing that was annoying was our server. He kept pushing rounds of Patron shots on us. I get that we're a big group and that we look like we're looking to have a good time, but maybe after the second time suggesting a round of Patron shots and being rebuffed, it's time to let that one fantasy go. Five times is too many times to ask.
(3)
Jb R.
Great time. In Annapolis to visit a relative at the Naval Academy. This place was recommended to us - food & service great! Fun time. Long wait was the only issue.
(4)
Randy S.
Tired of the hustle and bustle, and parking difficulties, of dining in Downtown Annapolis? Then take the 15 minute drive to Cantler's. The riverside restaurant has an atmosphere that is positively rustic and salty. The biggest dilemma of dining at Cantler's is that there are too many fresh seafood options, so plan on coming back.
(4)
Charry L.
Great seafood restaurant with a great ambiance. Our family went on a sunny summer afternoon Down the stairs, it's fun for the kids to see their staff sorting the crabs by the size, take pictures by the pier, and wait for the buzzer to buzz. Since the crabs were not in season, they only had the small and medium sizes available. The last time we were here, the crabs were in season and they were much larger - As for the price, they range more on the expensive side. Four of us went and the check came up to $170. Snow crab legs are better than the blue crabs (in my opinion) - Half lbs of snow crab legs are half the crab. Shrimps were lump and delicious too. We also had the crab cakes ($32) - the best option. There arent' that much fillers in the crab cakes - all lumpcious meat! Would definitely return for their crab cakes.
(5)
Fred K.
By far my favorite crab house in the DMV! It is worth the drive from the DC burbs. I come here on my way back from the beach or a Saturday day trip to Annapolis. My older brother who lives in NY always wants to eat here in the summertime. I concur! There are other crab houses on Kent Island (Harris, Kentmorr), which are closer from the beach and went to Harris, as were so hungry, but they ran out of crabs! We left and went to Harris and boy we were so happy. We got xlarge crabs and was beyond stuffed after 3 crabs (2 crabs is more than enough). It's well worth the price, compare to medium and large size. They also have a crab feast, which I got the previous time, and is great with large groups. It's rather dark inside and always request outdoor or the back, where it is bright and nice water views. There is a dock where you can walk after your meal, which is nice.
(5)
Baird S.
I've been coming to Cantler's on and off over the past 5 years. It has the feel of a genuine crab shack, it's usually packed, and the other clients at the paper draped picnic tables are likely to be friendly folks who'll start up a conversation. But besides crabs, the meals I've had have been forgettable and overpriced, especially since most of them came served on styrofoam plates. I'll be going to other places like Deep Creek instead,where the food is better.
(2)
Katie L.
Cantler's is the quintessential Annapolis experience. Come for all-you-can-eat blue crabs, snow or king crab legs sold by the half pound, and fried seafood restaurant treats like hushpuppies and crabcake sliders. It's a crab lovers' paradise. On weekends, come early to avoid crowds and long lines. For lunch, get in before noon if you can. The outdoor views are worth the wait. Almost everyone orders the Maryland blue crabs, but if you want the views and crack your way to a great meal experience, I recommend going for the king crab legs. Your efforts are rewarded in huge, not that hard to work for quantities. I enjoyed our half hour wait at the bar. Beers are only available by the can. Magnificent ambiance and great food and wonderful service. Will return, repeatedly.
(5)
BossLady L.
This is the best Crab Cakes I've ever had!!! And I must've had about 20 crabs! This is by far the best crab place I've been to anywhere! The customer service is great too! When in Annapolis this is a must!
(5)
Kevin F.
Funky, dive-y, fun...can't wait to hit this place during crab season on Moto...parking slim and narrow road....not sure what the alternative is, but this place is worth the hassle
(4)
Tom E.
Parking sucks, Long wait, very expensive, the bar smelled like vomit and my wife and I were seated ridiculously close to the only door to the outside seating. Most of the food was under seasoned, if seasoned at all. The crab cake was, however very good (mostly lump, minimal breading). The filet had maybe 2 grains of salt on it.
(2)
Daniel A.
Yum yum yum!!!!! I know. I am giving them the big five stars. But here is my reasoning: Service: outstanding. Orders taken promptly and correctly. When "I" made a mistake an ordered another beer, not remembering that I had already asked for one. The server brought another bowl full of ice to keep my beer cold till I was ready for it. Also, drinks were always filled up for you and at a crab shack, this is IMPORTANT!!! Those that know what I'm talking about know. As for others, your hands are full of crab. You don't want to be slowed down because you need to fill up your drink cup from the pitcher!! Food: Amazing!!!! Cooked perfectly and all served to your table with very little wait!!! All was HOT, and the crabs sweet and delicious!!! Steamers melted in your mouth!!! Atmosphere: Open, friendly and fun. What more do you need!!!
(5)
Hyunjoo K.
Overall pretty good. I ordered medium sized steam crabs and some of my other friends ordered extra large size. I'd say go with the medium size! It was just tad bit smaller than the extra large and medium sized crabs had packed meat! But I guess it all depends on season and when the crabs were caught. Other side dishes like tater tots, hush puppies, fried shrimp, peel off shrimps, they were all good! I really like the secluded riverside location of the restaurant too! But be sure to wait in line to park the car at least 30 minutes!!
(4)
Amanda S.
If you want Maryland crabs and an authentic Annapolis experience you definitely need to go here! Picnic tables and a casual setting on the water with a friendly staff. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu- it is all fantastic!
(5)
Sal D.
I've been going here for 10 years and it's always been a great time. The crabs always taste great and come out fresh. However, this past Sunday I took my girlfriend here for the first time. The crabs took a bit longer than I'm use to but no big deal. Towards the end of our meal right before we left, my girlfriend got real sick (food poison) and could not figured out what happened since we ate the same meal. It was probably the crabs because that's all we ordered. Not sure what has changed but I cannot risk another experience like this. Maybe the crabs are cooked differently but I will be going to another crab restaurant.
(3)
Fletch P.
One of our favorites when in town. Good services, great crabs, makes everyone feel like a local... A little off the beaten path, but sometimes that is a good thing! Take some key lime to go, a tradition in our family and nice treat when you get home.
(4)
Lily H.
This place has the best crabs, oysters, and sweet potato fries. You have to try all three with pink lemonade. My advice to you is to arrive early. It's gets busy fast and before you know it, the crabs will be sold out.
(5)
Ann B.
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I was so excited to come here after hearing such great things about the crabs. We are from New York/Boston and spending the summer in Virginia. We drove over an hour just to share this experience with our children. My god what a bad idea and a restaurant with such terrible hospitality. My husband and I came her with our two kids for lunch... Arrived at 2:30. Asked for the wait time. 30 min for indoors, 1 hr for outside. We told the blonde Sunday day "head host" that we had two very hungry kids and whichever was available first. After 30 minutes of waiting, she told us the table was available, inside.. We decided it would be better for everyone if we were seated outside because of our kids. She then told me "well you will be put back to the bottom of the list". We should've been put to the next outdoor table since we said "next available" and the next "next available" person should go to the indoor table. Anyway, at this point I told her "fine. We will wait because as you already know, my two kids are hungry". We waited for an additional hour and when I went to check on our status, the host didn't know where my name was and lost it on the list. It was now 4:15 and I was told for the second time in 1 hour that I was "next on the list". If you're looking to be just a number, this is the place for you. I don't care how good your food is, or how good your prices are, if you treat me and my family with such carelessness, then I want everyone to be warned.
(1)
Heather M.
Went for the steamed crabs! They were delish as well as the fries and onion rings. Our server was great and even though we took our time eating the crabs she would come check on us every while and again. Expect to go through some residential areas to find this gem.
(5)
Tammie R.
**Getting there** It feels like your going to someone's house b/c your going down a narrow road in a neighborhood but you will get there eventually. We waited about 30 minutes to park and then a little over 1.5 hours till we got s table. But it was Memorial weekend, and summer time around 6pm so duh, there will be a wait. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait. **Food** What we liked- crabs (pricey though at 96 a dozen), fried crab cakes (yummy), jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, mussels, half calm chowder /half maryland soup (the BOMB) What we didn't like- Piña Coladas (yuck), crab dip (it was good but I won't order again), **Enviroment** Enviroment is fun, noisy, crowded (but you have your space). There is always a line to the restroom. Place smells like seafood and you eat on long tables which you may be sharing. **Leaving** We received our check all together even though we asked them to Seperate but they said they can't split tickets but they did take two credit cards to pay. So recommend taking a couple hundred in cash if going in large groups. Overall, we all truly enjoyed our time there even the kiddos and I felt it was worth the wait. Maybe not every weekend but once in a while.
(4)
Kristen P.
Go to Cantler's for the EXPERIENCE. Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's extremely messy. Yes, there will be an hour wait for a table. However, it is definitely something to save up for whenever I know I'll be visiting the area! As soon as we were within half a mile from the restaurant, the traffic was at a standstill as people were directed into the parking lot. We had a party of 4, so the ladies got out of the car and walked right into the restaurant to put our name down. We were told it would be 45 minutes to an hour wait, so we spotted an empty high top by the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. The place was very crowded, but it was a Saturday night. The atmosphere was very straight forward -- we were in a loud, crowded crab shack on the river. Nothing more, nothing less. The guys got there within 10 minutes after parking the car. They ordered some beers and we ended up getting a bucket of steamers for $20 (soft shell clams) and an order of hush puppies. The food came out right away. As a fan of steamers, they were great. The hush puppies were also delish, but a little heavy for my taste. After an hour on the dot, we were seated outside at a picnic table right on the water. We ended up ordering a dozen large crabs to start, and that's when the fun began. This is a downright sloppy experience. Do not take someone here on your 1st-3rd date. It will not end well! Our server was very attentive, positive and helpful. At one point during the evening it started to rain and he did his best to cover our area with surrounding umbrellas just so we could stay outside and continue our evening. We left covered in Old Bay, feeling full and accomplished. I swear, food tastes better when you have to work for it! I highly recommend Cantler's as a "treat" meal with friends and family. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun and the crabs are fresh and delicious!
(4)
Ty C.
This was our Saturday QT first stop of the day. This was our first time patronizing this establishment. The wait for outdoor seating was about 5min. We had the dz of jumbo crabs with the drunken mussels. The crabs were cooked perfectly and very meaty and though the mussels were good we expected a little more when ordering the bucket. We like how they have a wash station outdoors which is very convenient and feel that though it didn't stop the show the benches could be a little higher. Lastly our waitress (her name escapes me) was very attentive. We will visit again... Happy and Full...
(4)
Caesar G.
Cantlers is regularly ranked one of the best crab houses in Maryland, perhaps the entire Delmarva. Believe the hype. Great crabs and great location on the waterfront. Besides the crabs, we loved the crab cakes, big lump crab with little filler and perfectly broiled. Only complaint is the service is a bit slow.
(5)
art f.
Last night was my annual crab feast at Cantler's. Have a problem with their grading system. Medium, Large, XLarge and Jumbo Crabs. In truth the large should be classified medium. Other than size and weight of crabs, still our favorite. Will return every year for our crab fix. May return for a second round tonight.
(4)
Kendra G.
Happy hour followed by a great dinner. I had the blackened shrimp tacos and loved every bite. Exceeded my expectations. Great views and fun watching the boats come and go.
Amazing! I know this sounds weird for a seafood place, but their mozzarella sticks and pizza are awesome. Don't miss the cream of crab soup and ask for a small loaf of their french bread to dip in.
(5)
Myra C.
oh my! what a gem to find... it's just good , really good fresh seafood like crab and shrimp. the crab cakes have real lumps of very fresh crab meat. the clam chowder is the best on earth, so creamy and rich, with big clumps of clam and potatoes! Yum!!!get the sides like taters with crab dip. I had a lb. of shrimp with onions and potatoes, it was super tasty! dipping sides included a nice old bay seasoning blend with richly melted butter. sooooo good! I'll be back for the chowder, blue crabs and lobster. I wish they had fried oysters but that's ok! excellent views, casual, comfy tasty eat on the patio and kick back. such a great atmosphere and excellent service!
(5)
thomas l.
Half the crabs were dead, it was like eating mush. Tried large and extra large. Waited an hour and half for seating.. Only thing that was good were the hush puppy.
(1)
Lynie H.
Located in an neighborhood area...it might seem like ur lost but ur not..u'll get there. Wait might be long..crabs were good..get large :-) their other sides were good too
(4)
Heather J.
This place is an institution. The crabs are a bit on the pricey side, but it's not often that you get to experience something like this and it's worth it. While we waited for our table, we shared a dozen raw oysters, which were super fresh and tasty. Once seated, we got a dozen medium crabs and some hush puppies and that was enough for 3 of us. The crabs were excellent, of course, but the hush puppies were kind of boring. I wish they had come with honey butter or something. The covered outdoor deck provides a lovely seating area in which to enjoy your crab feast and the scenery at once. If you're visiting Maryland, this is a great place to try our famous blue crabs.
(4)
Vanessa A.
I went Friday and had the ultimate the waiter Jordan was friendly, Alex was extremely helpful our food was delicious, bring your seafood appetite!
(5)
Erin R.
My friends and I were amped to try this place as part of our Annapolis day. we arrived before opening to guarantee quick seating and while we were sat quickly enough, that's where the speed ended. My crab soup and sandwich took at least 30 minutes to come out. Soup should never take that long. We also had to consistently get up from our table to locate our waitress. The cream of crab soup was good, creamy and nicely seasoned especially with my sprinkle of old bay in it. My lump crab sandwich had lots of crab but was flavorless. The fries were excellent and crispy and of course covered in old bay by me. My table got a dozen large crabs for 80 and were similarly underwhelmed. The key lime pie we got for desert was a nice surprise and didn't appear to come from the freezer. All in all for the price, mediocre food and horrible service, I can't recommend Cantlers. Pro tip though if you do decide to go, you can bring your own wine for a $10 corking fee.
(2)
Curt N.
Save your money and go to long John silvers. Over priced and crappy service. Also they may not have what u want due to running out. Poor planning on their part.
(1)
Samantha G.
This was an interesting experience. There was a line of cars and a wait to even get into the parking area. Then there was over a 2 hour wait to get a table. And the whole places was completely packed with people standing around - and it was super boiling hot. The hostess stand folks were underage kids and weren't exactly friendly or pleasant - and they definitely appeared to be confused and overwhelmed. The bar area was packed. There was one decent bartender and one completely rude bartender. She was rude to the point where she actually made me cry. Literally. That is absolutely something that has never happened to me before. Horrible treatment of customers. Once we finally were seated, though, our server was very pleasant and nice. So it was a total mixed bag on service. The food was a mixed bag too. The crab cake sandwiches were practically inedible. But the platter of seafood we had was fresh and good. There's really not much to it. It's just a bunch of seafood in shells. And you break it all apart and dip it in butter, seasoning, and/or cocktail sauce. It was a fun experience, but not exactly great, fabulous, delicious seafood. Overall, if you go when it's not crowded and you're really hankering for crabs, this place will work for ya. But otherwise, in all other circumstances, I really wouldn't bother. I'll certainly not be back again.
(2)
Mike S.
Definitely not worth the wait! The "extra large" crabs were actually lighter than the mediums we ordered despite the huge price difference. Plus they were missing nearly about all of their claws, thereby decreasing the total amount of meat by at least 25%. Unless there was a huge crab rumble in the steamer, someone was stealing claws maybe to put in other food. Skip this line and go elsewhere if you can.
(2)
Michael R.
Enjoying the lunch special of soft shell crab and fried green tomatoes! First but not last visit here!!! Get there before 11:30 if you want lunch!
(4)
Nancy D.
We had the crab cakes and rockfish; both entrees were good. The hush puppies were excellent, slightly sweet and oh so tasty. It was hard not to fill up on them even though the crab cakes were still unfinished on my plate. The broccoli was decent. All in all a good place, but IMHO, the prices were a tad high for such a casual atmosphere.
(3)
Susan F.
Okay so let me pre-face that this review is coming from a non-seafood eater. This was my second visit here...the first time was eight years ago! The scenery of this place was decent especially if you get to sit closer to the water. There are seats that are directly in the sunlight which I would prefer not to sit in as I would burn and look the color of lobster by the time I make it home. Not sure why anyone would want to sit inside, but there is inside seats available. Okay this place is super busy but the ladies restroom which has two stalls is the size of my powder room at my house. There is no room to stand in it, and expect to get hit by the door while you are standing and washing your hands. This place is SO busy! They really should renovate and make some bigger restrooms. Get there early and expect a wait time! The car line to get into the parking lot had at least 20 cars waiting to get into the parking lot by the time we left! There is a great little dock you can walk down on while you wait for your table and you can check out some of the crabs in tanks while you wait. So the crab eaters seemed to really enjoy! I had a burger and it was okay. Fries are crisp and a little crunchy, but good. My daughter tried the kids crab cake which was about the size of a golf ball. She of course wanted crab like most of the others were eating at the table. My 7 year old son devoured the crabs thanks to daddy helping him crack them. He just ate 2 but easily could have kept going. He is already planning that he wants to come back for his birthday! Soda cups are on. The small side which was a little annoying...since it was hot out. Overall, a little on the pricey side...but it is a very popular place so it must be good.
(4)
Richard W.
I've heard such good things about this restaurant though never attended until this past weekend. Reading these 4-5 star reviews what strikes me as having an "experience" - and frequently it is about steamed crabs not really otherwise great food as was reflected in out visit here. Seriously not impressed from staff who clear dirty dishes, wash down a table and then prepare food - like dessert - touching the food, picking up that cherry for your dessert with their bacteria contaminated fingers. Food is high end costs - though served on styrofoam plates and drinks in plastic cups. Low overhead, more profit - if you like fried, heavily breaded foods whether what we found a rather bland crab cake or nice rock fish & chips that batter overpower losing the taste of the fish - this is your place. No drafts - all can beers - noisy bar crowd. Local establishment - with local temperament - ++ For a 5 star "experience" buy a bushel of crabs (about the price of a dozen prepared here), buy beer, a big pot, old bay seasoning, boil - invite good friends and have a great time and Save $$$$ . Better - try someplace like Mike's in Riva at least drafts, real plates, and seems better quality food - and if you want the crabs on brown paper and a hammer - they have that too. But many local places seem to be better than this. To quote the old commercial - "where's the beef?" With this place!
(2)
Tasheena S.
The drive from New York was totally worth it!!! The services was great. Environment was comfortable and inviting.
(5)
Courtney C.
I'm giving this place 2 stars for quick seating and customer service. My bestfriend wanted to come here for her birthday as she heard so many great things about it. We went and initially were told our wait would be 45mins but were seated within 30. After seeing the price for the crabs there was absolutely no way I was paying for it 105 for x large crabs. 85 for large 75 for medium. Just for a dozen crabs? Why!! I ended up with the crab soup and an order of hush puppies. My bestfriend ordered the crab cake sandwich. Her crab cake sandwich was extremely bland and underwhelming she enjoyed her fries and the tarter sauce. My food - hush puppies were VERY good and so was the soup. Until I pulled my spoon out of the bowl and found a hair in it!! This place is extremely overhyped and we will not be back.
(2)
Ryan Z.
Cantler's is terrific, and Yelp makes that pretty clear, so here are my overall tips for making your visit the best ever: 1) If the weather is nice, or on a spring/summer weekend, be prepared to wait a long time. The wait begins with 30-45 minutes just to get a parking spot (do your fellow diners a favor and please carpool). Savvy folks with send somebody from their party to the front desk while their car is in the parking queue to put their name in, since you should expect to wait 60-120 minutes for a table during the weekend. 2) I recommend checking-in occasionally with the hostess while you are waiting for your table. One time, the pager they gave me died, so even though our table was ready, they gave it away because it didn't buzz. I usually check-in after an hour just to be sure there's no issue. 3) If you give up waiting, you can always sit at the bar. They seem to be fine with kids sitting at the bar, though if you ask me, a bar is no place for crying kids. Use your judgment. 4) Cantler's is part of the "True Blue" program which means they are certified by the state as serving (almost) only Chesapeake blue crab meat. This is a HUGE deal because local crabs can be hard-to-come-by and are more expensive. Many restaurants have resorted to flying-in crabs from the Gulf of Mexico, or using flavorless Asian or Caribbean crab meat in their crab cakes, but not Cantler's. When you eat here, you know you're getting real Maryland blues. 5) The only reasons I am knocking off a star: I am not a huge fan of their fried crab cake (needs more seasoning; stick with the broiled cake which apparently uses a different recipe), and, like so many Maryland crab houses, it drives me crazy that they use styrofoam plates, plastic cups, etc. Very wasteful and bad for the environment, not to mention it's much nicer to eat on a real plate at a restaurant.
(4)
Jenny C.
If you want the Annapolis seafood/crab dining experience, I recommend going to Cantlers on a clear day and sit outside. I don't think the crabs at Cantlers is a any better than the other crab houses in town but it was the overall experience that I enjoyed. Recommend: - Crab cakes and hush puppies were great. No filler in the crab cake at all - BBQ bacon wrapped scallops were flavorful and juicy Do not get the rockfish appetizer. Not a big fan of rockfish - it was thin and tasted too fishy Tip: Get there early on a weekend evening if you want a short wait. Also, it allows you to clear out before it gets dark. We were eaten alive by bugs sitting outside after dark.
(4)
Christine L.
My friend and I went here and we were ready to eat. First things you should know is that once you get within 1 mile, you should except to wait about 45-1 hr before you eat. You have to wait in the parking line and then in the actually restaurant line. We got 6 extra large crabs for 2 of us, plus corn on the cob, hush puppies and the crab cake. the whole thing cost us about $75. We were both full from this amount of food. The crab is served with old bay seasoning, butter and vinegar. The waitress was amazing and showed us how to open the crab and eat it like a pro. Corn on the Cob, you can't really go wrong here...especially since i brought back some elote style from the west coast and did butter and old bay seasoning. The hush puppies are essentially fried batter. It was okay. I wouldn't get them again, but if you like fried batter...you might like them. I especially LOVED the crab cake. It was about $7 each crab cake and the cole slaw was a great addition to it. You could taste the freshness of the cake and they just flavored it well. I would definitely come back anytime and would love to bring friends here. I wouldn't wear a white shirt as if you are pounding on the crab (which since i am a pro now and don't need to) it get everywhere and white stains...
(4)
Jordan P.
Let me start out by saying this was pretty magical. The setting the food the views from the terrace onto the water. Perfect for a warm First the bloodly Mary's. Amazing spicy, thick, salty and rimmed with old bay. One of the best. And enough vodka that you could feel it without being overwhelmed. It also ever felt overly diluted (maybe because we drank them fast enough before the ice melted). The crab cakes--we had the broiled ones. Wonderful mounds of golden brown crab. Not overly battered. You got both crab flavor and texture. The accompanying tartar sauce was mayonnaise with a piquant pickle relish. It might have been a little more appropriate with the fried version of the crabcakes, but very tasty. The hush puppies were perhaps a little over cooked but the held together and the texture was nice. These really tasted of corn which was a nice surprise against the dense fried texture of the cigar-shaped puppies. The crabs themselves were the biggest disappointment. The flavor of the seafood was fine and the old bay always delicious. I am not sure if it was a crab issue or whether it was a overcooking but the texture was mushy. Of the seven crabs we shared only one had the expected texture This is a typical crab shack--people seated at shared table, hot crabs are turned out onto the paper covered table tops. It's loud and the sound of mallets on crab shells overwhelms. It isn't fancy, it is messy, it is delicious.
(4)
Yimei W.
Went there about 2 weeks ago and the menu looks hipper. My friend loves that place because she feels the crabs are THE BEST. I also like it because they serve alaskan snow crab and seared scallops in addition to just Maryland crabs. The crabs come quickly. You can sit inside or slightly outside (in a canopy adjoined to the restaurant), and there's a sink nearby for you to rinse your hands. They gave a complimentary apple pie cheesecake or key lime pie for our friend's birthday dinner which was really nice. You can go out on a nice day to the back and hang out on the "pier" which makes for a unique experience. Highly recommended if you are able to trek up to Annapolis! P.S. Huge onion rings...their fries are so good too, coming from a person who doesn't like fries!
(5)
Mark W.
Well, there's the view at least. Came here around 5pm on a Sunday, as I was told this was the place to be for all things crab in Annapolis. We were seated at a communal table outside, and everything was going smoothly. As we weren't very hungry, we decided to split a crab cake dinner. And then the one star review appeared. The crab cake just wasn't good. As a place that should be good at making crab cakes, it just didn't live up to the billing. The veggies were only half cooked, and had no taste. The fries were not very good either. And at $30, those two crab cakes were awfully small. Coming from DC, I'm used to these kind of prices, but usually the food makes up for the size. It seems like this place relies on it's name and location, which is okay, but not what I'm looking for in a restaurant. Luckily there are plenty of food options in Annapolis, and I will never have to come here again.
(1)
Julia M.
I love this place! I've been there twice and will definitely go back. First tip- go there as early as you can, especially weekends. They opens at 11, both times we arrived at about 11.15, and most of the space outside was filled in. By the time we are put, entire restaurant inside and out are completely full, and there long wait line. Another tip - you have to try their crab soup and crab dip. Its the most delicious seafood soup and dip i ever had. About the crabs.. Hmm.. Last time I've been there they only had medium and large size crabs. We decided to start with medium, and than ordered large. Honestly, i don't see such a big difference. The price difference pretty substantial, so next time we'll go there we will just get a medium crabs. The location is amazing! Waterfront and amazing food. What else you can ask for?
(5)
Emmanuel W.
Pretty good food, drinks were average in strength but overall my visit was pleasant. The waitress was nice and patient, I had my grandparents with me so you know old folks can't make up their mind quickly lol. I think it was slightly overpriced for a dozen large blue crabs for 90 bucks but it is what it is, if you can't afford to eat out holla at McDonalds or stock up on Ramen noodles.
(4)
Annie S.
Absolutely love this place! My family and I have been coming for 20years and this is the place for jumbo Maryland blue crabs. They don't take reservations and they are definitely busy so don't expect the get there not wait at all- totally worth the wait! The service could definitely be better but the food is good. I usually order either large or extra large jumbo crabs and the soft shell clams, which are awesome. I love the soft shell clams but be careful if you've never had them before. They come out steaming hot and you have the take the clam shell off, peel the skin of the tail off, rinse the entire clam and then dip in butter and old bay- it's awesome. The clams have the tails attached which are deliciously chewy to me but I've seen some people hate it! But you should always try everything once! :) Crab soup, soft shell crab sandwich, everything else is pretty good too. The crabs are tender and sweet- gotta' love those md blue crabs!
(4)
Mari S.
I have been to Cantler's twice and on each occassion I ordered the largest crabs they had and they brought me the crabs that were one size smaller. On the first occasion, the waitress said that she forgot to mention that they had ran out of the size we ordered. On the second occassion, the waitress said she did not hear us clearly...yeah right
(1)
Billy Z.
It's Sunday 11:30am. Got here just in time. Two parking spaces left. Get here early or you'll wait in a 1/4 mile long line just to park. Then a standing only line outside for a table. It was a hot day and we opted to sit outside to crack some crabs and have cool beverages. The table had umbrellas but only provided shade for a portion of the table. My wife and 2 girls got the shade. I sat in the sun and have never ate while sweating so much. 2 hours in the heat eating and drinking. It never bothered me. The food was great and the service kept the beverages cool and fresh. We had 2 dozen xlg crabs, bucket of steamers, bucket drunken mussles, hush puppies, rockfish bites and finished with key lime pie. This is a crab house. It rivals any. There is one crab house in St. Michaels that has a better view but it's another hour over the bridge. Some reviewers didn't like the crab cakes. We didn't order them. The waitress did tell us that they had a new chef so if you read an earlier review from someone who says they were awful you may want go and give them a try. I'd suggest sitting outside regardless of the temperature. I never grew up eating crabs inside - just feels weird.
(4)
Larry H.
You'll almost certainly assume your GPS is taking you to the wrong address when you navigate your way to Cantler's, which is located in the back of a residential neighborhood. But once you arrive and you see all the picnic tables inside and out on the open air deck, covered with brown craft paper, cold beer, and piled high with steamed crabs, you'll know you're at the right place. Cantler's has been perched on it's hillside above Mill Creek just outside of Annapolis and serving hot steamed crabs to happy customers since 1974. They also arguably serve one of the best crab cakes in Maryland, jumbo lump with just enough egg and breadcrumbs to keep them from falling apart. I'd venture you say you might find a few crab cakes in the state of Maryland that compare to Cantler's but you won't find one that's better. Although they have other offerings on their menu, the reason to come to Cantler's is for the social event of picking "Steamed Crabs" over cold beer and good conversation with friends. The crabs here are always good and you can see how fresh they are by simply walking down the long set of stairs to the creek side where Cantler's live tanks are usually bustling with activity from the live crabs that are freshly delivered here by local watermen. You can arrive by car or by water since Cantlers offers free slips for diners that want to come by boat. But if you want the quintessential Annapolis Maryland crab picking experience, Cantlers needs to be on the top of your list. Local's swear by it, and vistors to Annapolis swear they'll keep coming back. Sit outside, enjoy the water view from high atop their deck that's perched over the waterway while you're picking your crabs and you'll become a believer too.
(4)
Richard D.
If you want a pile of local crabs, this is one of the few places you can get it. For anything else, you might as well go to Red Lobster. Our group of 6 had several different things, each of which was distinctly mediocre, yet cost $30 each without any drinks.
(1)
Sue J.
My family and I (7 in total) went for lunch. When we arrived they only had All u can eat crabs for $36, and Mediums for $45/doz. My 2 brothers ordered platters that they enjoyed. We were told the all u can eat were small and mediums, mostly mediums, so, while disappointed, that's what 5 of us ordered. They brought out one tray; the crabs were ok. Many were mushy and thrown away. When we ordered another tray, the waiter brings out 6 more crabs. So we immediately ordered another tray. We finally just left. I set up the lunch, telling my family how great this place was. Before we left my sister, said "let's just take this place off our list of places to go". I couldn't agree more.
(2)
Lendsey C.
After visiting the MD Ren Faire my friend said she had a place that I would like. We put it in the GPS and away we all went...deep into the back roads of Catonsville. If you get the feeling you're in a horror movie while driving these narrow roads, don't worry, it's all worth it. The restaurant itself is located in a very odd place, almost at the end of what appears to be a neighborhood. It's right on the water though, so if you want the view of the Bay (I'm assuming that's what that body of water was), then you'll enjoy it. The place isn't fancy but goodness does it get the job done. Long benches, newspaper down ready for crab picking and shell shucking. The waitstaff is pretty good with crowds and kept up with our party of 7 easily. The sides were nothing impressive but the seafood....mmmm. I got the two dozen special and I'd give it a 8/10. They were steamed well, the spices were right, the only reason they don't get higher is because out of 24 crabs 2 were empty in the middle. Overall I'd like to make this place my go-to spot for crabs, I'm just scared I'll never be able to get there again haha.
(4)
Susan C.
Had the crabcake sandwich. I was really disappointed. I can understand using crabmeat from elsewhere, but this was served on a sesame seed bun. I imagine they used this to cover up for the lack of taste in the crabcake. Although no filler, there weren't any other spices either. Definitely not a Maryland crabcake. If you like just plain broiled crabmeat then this is for you
(2)
Kesha S.
Service was great and the food was even better. Just went last week and I am going back again this week before I head back to SC. Crabs and crab cakes are phenomenal!
(5)
Christopher P.
I get hungry just thinking about it. Do not come here if your thinking about salad or something light. This is a place where you will eat lots of food. They bring buckets to fill shells and food waste. We tried a bit of everything and have no complaints. The wings where much better then expected at a sea food place. The hush puppies where plentiful and sweet. The shrimp and muscles fresh and tasty. The view is also pretty great. I know it gets super packed in the summer and can see why. It is right on the water, you can sail in, tie your boat up and feast! It's a little tricky getting there by car though, really I blame that on MD, for having horrible roads, not Cantlers fault though.
(4)
Henry B.
Quintessential Chesapeake Bay crab shack - maybe a little upscale since they use butcher paper instead of newspaper to cover the picnic tables!
(4)
Rick G.
We went here on Saturday at 1. Place was packed and we were directed to the overflow parking lot. We checked in and were told an hour wait. We found a spot at the bar. The wait was only 30 minutes. We ordered extra-large crabs and onion rings. Food was fantastic and so was our server, Kristen! We highly recommend this place!
(5)
Timothy H.
HYPE!!! Some reviews will have you believing that this place will take your tastebuds up beyond the stratosphere and fill your grandkid's days with tales of indulging in succulent crab delights beside the river. REALITY!!! Crabs taste good. - If you get crabs at Cantler's they will taste good. Fried food tastes good - If you get hush puppies and sweet potato fries, they too will taste good. UNFORTUNATE REALITY!!! Soft shelled crabs, which are fried, taste like any other breaded/fried dish. Mostly, you just taste "fried." So, rather than the greatest place to get Maryland crabs, Cantler's is just another overhyped place serving a fundamentally tasty item. I'd give them 3.5 stars, but their parking is atrocious. Cars back way up the road, taxis come down the wrong side, we had to back into some dude's driveway to get out of the way. All bad...
(3)
Elizabeth M.
For all those who love yellow emulsified liver all over your fingers as you hammer and pry out your sustenance, this is your place. The location is great, off the beaten path but the outdoor patio has dirty plastic coverings when cold which obstructs quite the beautiful view. The hush puppies were standard and service usual. Overpriced for sure but a fun experience. Bring bandaids for the blood drawn on the shells and a large credit card line for the Benjamin's dropped.
(3)
Neena R.
We went on a Thursday evening and while they were busy, there was no line and they weren't packed! Market price on crabs - large (75/dozen), extra large (95), and $32 for all you can eat. Debated between a half dozen large and AYCE, and went with the latter. Ended up eating a tray of small/mediums and doing more work for the same amount of crab and paid the same. But, part of crab picking is the experience, right? Crabs were delicious, service was great. Always a good time at Cantler's!
(4)
Eric J.
A must try spot for seafood in Annapolis!
(3)
Toan D.
Atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. Diners share long tables. When we first walked in the hostess was super friendly and helpful even though it was a busy Saturday night. We waited about 15 minutes. While waiting I got a couple of beers from the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient. After getting seated, there was some mix up and the waiter didn't arrive at our table for 10 minutes. After arriving he apologized for the mix up and the service was excellent from then on. The food overall was a bit of a disappointment. The steamed oysters were the size of my fingernails and super cold. The clams strip were also cold, chewy and flavorless. The stuffed Rockfish was average at best. The fish lacked seasoning and had a medicinal taste. The blue crabs were a big hit. Sweet and meaty. The soft shell clams were also a big hit. I would come back on a less busy night and eat crabs and soft shell clams.
(3)
Hope C.
I love Cantler's. I dream about it. Sure you can get cheaper crabs just across the Bay Bridge, but honestly, for convenience's sake, this place is worth it. As everyone has mentioned, the restaurant is located on the water in a residential inlet of the Chesapeake Bay and has an outdoor deck overlooking the water, as well as a large indoor dining area with a decent-sized bar. You can watch them pulling the crabs right out of the traps - it's all freshly caught. There is never a shortage of employees here. Always well-staffed and full of efficient servers, the management here has the ship going at full speed. I've only ordered steamed blue crabs here. There's really nothing else you need to know. Go with the large ones if you can - they're so much better and worth the extra $15. This is what Maryland's all about - beers in a can, brown paper on the table, the smell of Old Bay in the air and the clinkclinkclink of the mallets hammering away at the crab claws. Blue crabmeat is so sweet and tender and tastes perfect without dipping it in butter and Old Bay -- but those two condiments make it that much better! A word to the wise: if you've never picked blue crabs before, this place will require some work. It's a mess, it takes awhile, you may burn your fingers and it takes a little bit of experience to work out all the meat from the body. Make sure you go with someone who can teach you, and stay open-minded and patient. Once you've got it down, you'll never go back...and you'll be dreaming about those little gems from the bay just like I do!
(5)
Seth G.
I go here since it my 90+ year old Grandmothers favorite place to eat. She has been coming here since she was a young lass. It is off the beaten path, but it worth going down that path. It on Mill Creek and when the weather is on your side, it is nice sit on their deck and have your meal. When deciding what you are going to eat, you can not go wrong with the seafood. The service has always been great. But what is most import is that my Grandmother has always enjoyed herself. If you are wondering, I too have enjoyed every meal I have had here. The most recent time I had the rockfish sandwich (broiled) with hush puppies.
(3)
Lizhe Y.
I saw someone posted really good review on Facebook and that's why I took my family here. We drove all the way from New York (yes I am such a crazy foodie lol) on July 3rd (a bad time to go to a popular restaurant). We waited 30 minutes for parking and another hour to get seated. The restaurant was insanely busy. We had a really nice sever but the food was hmmmm okay. We ordered a dozen of medium size steamed crabs. Maybe the season is not right?! Our crabs were pretty "lean" lol. The spice was too overpowering. And a dozen "just okay" crabs for $55?? That's a bit pricey! We also had mussels and clams. Mussels were just average, the clams were horrible. All I tasted was sand, sand, sand. Even after I tried to wash them in the water that was provided with the claims, I still couldn't get rid of the sand. The best thing we had there was the fried sweet potato fries..... So not worth it to drive from NY to here for this....
(1)
Joodie T.
It's everything everyone says it is. We were lucky to even find this joint as it mostly hosts docked boats coming in from a day out on the water. Apparently, only the locals are able to find this place by car...but! now yelpers who are in need of good seafood are able to drop in for a much needed Maryland crab fix. Look around, if you're not ordering anything with crab in it or if there's not a mallet in your hand, you're doing it wrong. Cool deals like 38 bucks for a beer and unlimited crabs for 2 hours or if you have time, sit down to a dozen or half dozen crabs and enjoy the view. Don't be in the hurry to go anywhere, it'll mess up the experience.
(5)
Brad H.
Probably the best local crab house Ive ever been to - this place is a bit small but there is outdoor and indoor seating to accommodate the best they can They do take reservations but you need to have 10 people or more so keep that in mind Location is in a cool out of the way place - or at least I thought but leaving there at night after drinking your fill of beers or mixed drinks could get a bit rough on the tighter roads that lead you in and out of there so be mindful of that Im from California and we dont have crab houses like this so I really enjoyed it Bar tender was friendly really liked her quick service especially on a busy night when the Ravens were playing. I definitely got a more "locals" vibe as the location seems to really only serve the surrounding community so a bit of a plus if you can find this hidden gem Located right on the water so the right night would make for a great atmosphere for a group or couple Ok onto the food - crab house - go there for crabs not for a burger (even though someone in my group had the burger and said it was good)_ I was there for the crabs and the seafood. went through 4 dozen medium sized blues which were great - pricing seemed to be there with market pricing maybe a bit higher so be prepared for that - also had the crab soup - great flavor which I could have handled more of it but got too full I would return on my next trip to Maryland
(5)
Greg B.
This place is highly overrated. If you are a hard shell crab fan then this is ok, But everything else was sub-par. Not worth waiting in line. The servers are good.
(2)
Stella Z.
You can get a dozen of blue crabs for $70~90 here, but we were so glad that we did not get it. Crab was meh, service was terrible. We waited a little bit at the door and from when we sat down to the food on the table takes about an hour. It is not just our waitress but the old couple next to us also waited a Long Time. Their waitress just disappeared for a long time. Food is not worth it. Don't know why there are so many reviews.
(3)
Dana F.
Great tasting good. A little pricey but that's seafood for you. Would go again! Great place on the water.
(4)
Ted P.
Yelp you have fail me again....I don't know why this place is popular? Maybe because I'm so used to great seafood while I was in Florida but this place was huge dissapointment. Overpriced foods with long john silver quality at best...The day I went, they were charging $110 for dozen x-large blue crabs but in reality size was between medium and large. Definitely not worth the money or the effort.
(1)
Ryan S.
This is the best New England Clam Chowder I've ever had! The crabs are also amazing. Our sever, Devera, was very nice and accommodating. She even spent the time to teach me how to properly crack a crab! Very fun experience with a great view right on the water. Will Definitely be back when we're in Annapolis area again.
Was excited to go there because of all the reviews. Honestly I thought it was horrible. Sides were good but I didn't even eat my shrimp salad sandwich. Beers are only in a car. Thought it was over priced for being served with plastic cups and the quality of food...
(2)
Dee B.
Disappointing! Waitress forgot to mention the specials to us, and because they were listed on the side of the napkin holder - the side that was facing away from our end of the table, we only found out about them when another server walked up to us with a delectable looking and sounding crab-stuffed portabello mushroom. The three of us each had a different sandwich, and they were all small. Sides were nothing to write home about, either. I'll definitely go to other seafood/crab places before I return here!
(2)
Janet L.
The scenery is beautiful. The service was good. But the crabs were expensive and lousy. Very overcooked. So disappointing.
(1)
Stacy M.
We had relatives in from out of town for a funeral, and needed someplace nice to eat. Reading the reviews, this looked like a good pick. VERY disappointed. We had crab cakes, crab cake sandwiches, and crab soup, both Maryland and cream of crab. The soup was delicious. That was about the only good thing. The crab cakes were absolutely the WORST we have ever had!! The menu said lump crab meat. The crab meat was not lump at all. It was shredded, dry, and had NO flavor whatsoever. Very, very bland. Tartar sauce and worcestshire sauce didn't even help. They were terrible. A waste of money, the crab cake platter was $32. Ugh. Will never go back.
(1)
Pete S.
I almost want to fake give this place a one star rating, only so more people won't go to it. This is the best crab place in Annapolis and is a true hidden treasure. They actually do a great job of hiding it because it's at the end of a road in a neighborhood. If you want to go on a weekend, do yourself a favor and show up early, because it gets very crowded and the wait can spike quickly. But, if you've got to wait, drink a couple of beers, go down to the sorting dock and enjoy the serene waterfront location.
(5)
Simply D.
It's hype. Ordered Seafood Broiler dish. It was disappointingly bland for my taste. I was expecting more for a $29 dish. There were four of us and none of us though this place was any special. It might just be good for its ambiance being close to the water. Food wise, NOT recommended.
(2)
Monique P.
We went early for the all-you-can-eat crabs and it was yummy. Our server was very attentive and kept asking if we wanted more crabs as our stash was diminishing. The crabs were medium sized, which expected for that particular deal but you could order any size up to extra large outside of the deal by the dozen. Oh and the deal came with fresh corn on the cob, which also yummy. I will def. be revisiting this place.
(4)
Ethan L.
This is without question the best dock side seafood restaurant that I've ever been to in the state of Maryland. The inside is a cozy bar and dimly lit area filled with relics of the past, and patrons portraits that have come and gone. Outside is where the action is where you can sit in a covered tent area or in benches out in the open. The Seafood here is plentiful and top notch quality. The soups, sandwiches are all first rate and while not always fancy, are packed with choice tasty seafood meat and goodness. The lump crab cake sandwich is plentiful, the cream of crab soup hearty, and the butternut squash crab soup is a perfect sweetness that hits with the crab nicely. Steamers are bountiful, you get alot if you order them. The creek waters nearby are also a nice touch, and you can even see them processing the crab right outside on the dock. But the best part is that to date this is the best place I've had steamed crabs anywhere. They come in fresh, luckily in good size, and you can order a bunch, and the best part is you can even order just one! I loved the fact you can order just one and then give myself room to have other items on the menu. Plus more importantly they spice them AFTER they have been cooked instead of throwing the spice on them first. Decent beer selection of craft and macro to go with your order and what more could you ask for, and the drive to the restaurant is always a great trip as well. Visited probably outside of a peak tourist time, which was still busy but easily manageable, but without question this is a place I will be returning to as much as I can.
(5)
Jessica E.
Came here after a wedding with a large group (19) with high hopes. The restaurant service was terrible, they didn't seem too busy, there were tables open and plenty of servers. Our meals came out at different times, they forgot the only two appetizers we ordered, they forgot a lobster dinner and it arrived by mean manger after we had all completed eating and the seared tune came out well done when asked for raw, and the salad came out with croutons wen we notified the server that the person was gluten free, they then returned the salad with the croutons picked off and our friend got sick. The most important review is the crabs- 2 dozen $80 and about what seemed like 2 cups of crab meat that we were actually able to eat. The worst was the yellow bile was liquid and covering everything. From what I know that means the crabs were not prepared properly. My Delaware crab experience was much better. I would avoid the crabs here all together.
(1)
Brendan B.
Our family loves eating here before Navy football games. My favorite is the Maryland Crab soup that is spiced to perfection. We keep coming back.
(5)
Alanjaboo S.
Excellent food. we got a dozen large crabs, shrimp platter and oysters. The waitress didn't tell us there was even an option for 1/2 dozen crabs so we paid $70 for a dozen for just 2 of us. That would have been my only complaint. The shrimp were large and delicious and came with extra seasoning and butter to add once you peeled them which was nice. We got there at 11am and got right in with a seat outside on the deck. 10 minutes later the place was PACKED!!! Get there early if you dont want a 2+ hour wait!!
(4)
Tu-van L.
Tip: to ensure that you get a table promptly, plan to arrive there at least 15 minutes before the open. There were only a handful of people there at that time, but by the time doors open the line is few dozen deep. Another tip: use your GPS to find this place. This crab shack is so deep in residential area you wouldn't know this is there unless you're looking for it. Yet another tip: brush up on your crab shucking skills before coming. Found out that I'm not big into (shucking) Maryland blue crabs. Which makes it hard for me to decide if I don't care for the place because of that to the quality of food and services offered. Crabs were good and perfectly seasoned with Old Bay. They were on the expensive side, so you may need to order other unremarkable sides to supplement your meal. A dozen larges with fried clams, fries and hush puppies were enough to satisfy 3 people. If the weather is nice enough, I highly recommend sitting outside. Nice view of the docks. And I recommend ordering everything in the beginning while the wait staff is attentive. I remember being thirsty by the end of my lunch with an empty water cup on hand (Old Bay does that to me). All in all I thought Canntlers is a great local-feeling place for a crab eating experience. I can see why locals like to come here. I'm just not sure it's something I'll go out of my way for anytime soon. I'll just stick with Maryland crab cakes. :)
(3)
Zoe G.
Had a great time.... The food was good, it tasted fresh. The atmosphere was great, right by the water, everyone enjoying themselves. The soft shell crab was great, same with the rock fish. I really enjoyed the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. The crab cake and the scallops were good. Glad we got there early, traffic and parking were a mess by the time we were leaving.
(4)
Rosemary C.
This place is AMAZING. Great super fresh food. Awesome servers fast service. I'll 1000%be back.
(5)
Soie J.
1 word = DREAM! More words... For a New Yorker like myself (but grew up in Seattle, home of Dungeness Crabs), this place is heavenly! Amazing food in a super casual atmosphere. We (2) ordered 8 Maryland blue crabs, large bucket of steamers, fried clam strips and some drinks. Everything was fresh and delicious with great service! And the total came out to $120 w/o tip. Every dollar was worth it! I can't wait to return in August!! Small warning to NYers: lots of Ravens fans here! ;-)
(5)
Tatum L.
Some of the best crab! Pure 100% MD crabs. Had a great crab cake, too. Worth the price & wait.
(5)
Ace A.
Craps cake was amazing , Services also very good ,i like craps cake & craps trays . Hope to find more experience next time
(4)
Albert L.
So this was my second visit to Cantler's, and let's just say it was better than I had remembered. The approach to the Riverside Inn is misleading to the uninitiated - you're going through a neighborhood on a narrow backroad, so you may feel lost. Never fear, a clearing will appear. Parking is a bit chaotic with limited space, but there are attendants that will guide you towards the next available open spots. With a larger group, be prepared to wait at any time of day. They are just that popular. Our party of 8 ended up waiting a reasonable 1 hour-ish on a Sunday mid-afternoon. Guests are welcome to walk down around the pier to look at the crab pools and to relax along the river. There's usually even a small stand selling (adult) beverages up top at reasonable prices, so that's another way to enjoy the experience. All in all, it's very scenic and is great to just get that whole bay vibe. If you can (and weather permitting), definitely opt for an outdoor table. The view of boats passing by on the river while you breathe in that salty Old Bay breeze coming from your freshly steamed crabs is quintessentially Mid-Atlantic. Depending on supply, you'll have options of medium, large, and extra large crabs for order. These babies are FRESH. You WILL be spoiled by Cantler's if you've never had the bay crab experience before. For a group of 8, two dozen was a decent portion, though the experts could probably go for even more. Also of note - the menu here is huge. They've got mussels, clams, hush puppies, fries, crab bruschetta, corn on the cob, fish frys, etc ... It's a smorgasbord. But really, you're here for the fresh crab. As appetizers, we did order the hush puppies, fries, and crab bruschetta, which were all very good. Some also got the fresh corn, and that went well with the old bay seasoning and butter on top. The crabs were immaculate, with an odd one being a bit mushier than the others. All in all, Cantler's is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon with good company, so don't miss out. Make the trip out and visit what may be one of the best crab houses in Annapolis.
(5)
Dwight S.
Yes, the crabs are a little pricey. But hey, this is the real deal. If you want to have the experience of laying out a bunch of crabs on brown paper and making a big mess digging little bits of crab meat out of the poor fellow (who gave so much of himself so that you may eat) than this is the place. If you don't like the high prices of crabs, get the seafood sampler which is quite reasonable and gives you a few crabs and shrimp and a bunch of other stuff for about $28.
(5)
Gary D. S.
Was staying at the Gaylord @ National Habor ( Alexandria VA.). Drove to Cantlers for a Crab Fix. 45 min. drive was well worth it. My fav place for a crab feast is St. Michaels. But this will do just fine. We were there on Academy grad week end and thought we'd have to wait to get a seat. Drove up and walked right in to crab heaven. Wife have crab the imperial plate. And I loaded up on 9 X-Lrgs. I love this place...the food...the staff...the locals...the cadets. Everybody in the place was rockin and having a great time. Stand up and salutes to Cantlers, and the USN. God Bless America!! From a Good Old Boy from West Texas I don't think I've never had a better meal and been taken care of buy anybody or any place ever.
(5)
Melanie R.
I trek out to Cantlers about three times a year. Let's be honest...they do have the best crab cake in area. I have searched and yet to find better. The crab cake has been priced around $16 for a few years now..and is filled with crab, lightly seasoned and has no filler. Now the size is much smaller than G&M, but hello....water view!! This place is a must to do with your out-of-town guest. My family from NC thinks its awesome! The bad: it does require a few twist and turns to get there..and the neighborhood is a bit weird. You will see mobile homes and million dollar homes. ?? It will be slammed on a weekend..and you will wait for a table! So just deal with it..and know you will be eating good crabs, an awesome crabcake, and watching the sun go down over the bay!
(4)
Cynthia X.
Visited with a large group after a full day of sailing. For visitors, the place seems a bit hidden - we drove through a woody area before reaching the restaurant. Only when we saw the parking lot filled with cars were we comforted. (For sailors, apparently, you can sail here as well). The place is roomy and casual, a no frills seafood place! While they accommodate large groups, they do not split checks. For the food - get the crab buckets. So fresh and such a good deal! A dozen large sized crabs run for $50. They also sell by the half dozen, which I shared with a friend. I was plenty full after working through 3 crabs. Beware: the dry rub on the crab is super salty, so I would try to take as much of it off the shell before you get crackin. The whole crab eating experience straight from the table and with a hammer to crack the shell is also a lot of fun! I also ordered a cup of crab soup. There are two on the menu - Maryland crab soup (tomato based, $5) and creamy crab soup ($6). They let you order a mix of the two, which is what I got (they'll charge you the $6 though). TOO SALTY. I think it was the Maryland crab soup that was over seasoned, so I would suggest ordering the creamy crab soup alone. I ate way too many crackers to balance the salt of the soup. Crab + sodium overload, but otherwise, a very happy customer.
(4)
Jenny L.
The crab shack is a bit more expensive but well worth the price. The service is good while not all our crab is fresh/live, our waitress was very willing to exchange for us with no questions asked.
(4)
Kimberly R.
This is a great, relaxed place for crab picking, provided you have the time to relax and wait. Lovely servers, service can be slow, but they're often slammed. Bring your patience and enjoy a delicious meal!
(4)
Christine S.
Fantastic seafood!!! The hubs and I loved to come here and enjoy a big crab feast. The only thing I don't like is the squishy seating and long waits. But long waits do mean amazing food and service which this place is known for:)
(4)
Amanda L.
Giving a four-star rating is purely because of the location and restaurant settings, their food truly deserves a five star in terms of freshness and originality. Some Thailand friends introduced us this place and I have no idea how did they found it, as it was a few miles away from downtown Annapolis, really inside the neighborhood, however, the place was always packed! First time Saturday afternoon, we waited for 2 hours; then second time Thursday night around 10 pm ( they close at 11pm usually) no need to wait; then Sunday noon no need to wait, this time Saturday around 7 pm is 1.5 hours wait. The place is spacious and next to the river where they raise the crabs. The parking lot is not small but cannot take too many customers. You basically start lining in the car and one person from your party goes to put your name down on the waiting list. Sometimes, even the buzzer runs out and you have to be proactively asking them for the buzzers all the time. It is a family restaurant and sometimes the receptionists are their kids (not sure) and might allocate the buzzer in a different way. Another thing is the ladies' restroom, only two stalls inside and always has a line. Some people actually just wanted to wash their hands and their is another sink outside near the deck. As Thai friends grow up with eating seafood, they showed me the correct way of eating a crab: taking 8 legs off, open the stomach and separate the crab into two parts, eat the yellow part, don't eat the white tissue, then cut the body into two parts from the middle and there are tons of meat in each part. They recommend to order Large size crabs as this size makes sure the good taste remains while you have enough to eat. I usually eat two to three crabs and one corn with butter, for guys, maybe five to six depends on your appetite. The price is calculated by dozen or half dozen, averagely every large crab is about $6. You have vinegar and butter dip sauce for crab meat. I remember the crab cakes and seafood platter are pretty good as well. I always go to Annapolis Ice Cream Company after eating lots of food for mint chocolate ice cream, then walking near the harbor and main street for some time with either friends or family was just relaxing.
(4)
Ana B.
Hush puppies and calamari were NOT good. Will not order those again. We enjoyed the Large crabs. My daughter enjoyed the shrimp salad sandwich and cream of crab soup. Service was great - Emily was good! We came at 12 noon on a Wednesday. No lines. Not crowded.
(3)
Joann B.
**3.5 stars** I wish this place was closer! I thought the prices were a bit high, but the seafood was pretty fresh. My friends are bay crab fans and happily chowed down. Their hush puppies and cole slaw are ok, nothing outstanding. The crab dip was creamy and had an ok amount of actual crab in there. It's good the dip didn't come in a bigger size because we needed to save room for the crab. We had some corn on the cob, but it didn't have much taste and it was kind of chewy, so those were not eaten. The best combo for us would be the crabs, fries and a bucket(s) of beer. We also had dessert and the key lime beat out the yellow cake. For a busy Sunday afternoon, the service was good and we only had to wait about 20 mins for a table for 6 in the covered section outside. It was nice to have a parking 'attendant' let us know where the available parking is located. For females, sometimes there's a long wait for the bathroom. It's really small and only has two stalls - just an FYI. It is helpful that there's a sink next to the outside seating to go and wash your hands. That way, you can avoid long lines to the bathroom.
(3)
Kevin M.
You'll need a GPS or a map or to have been there before or to be friends with a person who lives next door in order to find it. Once you do I highly suggest that you ask the host for a seat because they bring food to the place where people sit and that food is good tasting (I've heard this a thing at most "restaurants"). Then when the food comes, tell your kids to stop whining because this is the first time you and mommy have been able to get out of the house for a good meal in god knows how long and will you just let us enjoy this one sliver of a moment of happiness please! Yes son those are crabs. Yes sweetie, they're dead. They're delicious, be quiet and eat your hot dog. Oh you don't like hot dogs now? Next you're going to say you don't like cheese.
(4)
Hana P.
I came here one Sunday afternoon and it was so packed that there was even a line of cars waiting to get into The place is pretty small, yet popular, so I'm sure there's always a wait for a seat. When we got there, the hostess told us our wait was about 20 minutes, when it was actually nearly an hour! Thankfully, we were able to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks while we waited. We ordered extra large crabs and it wasn't until they came out that we realized the large and extra large were pretty much the same size. Meh, we were jipped. Our server was extremely nice though! The crabs were also just okay. I've had better crabs in Baltimore and over the Bay Bridge. But at this point I was dying to eat some crabs so I devoured them.
(3)
Chris P.
So I had heard of this place and understood it to have a decent reputation. I kind of expected a quieter atmosphere, but I should have remembered that they are mainly known for crabs. The atmosphere was still nice outside with a great view and beautiful weather. The server was excellent and attentive. The food was good. I got snow crab legs and my girl got clam chowder. I got the fisherman's fry without the crab cake and sub scallops (because I don't mess around with friend backfin crabcakes) and she got the stuffed rockfish. All of the food was great at normal prices for such fare. Okay the only real problem I had and I can't believe no one has noticed this yet in the reviews, is the SPIDERS. Around sunset, shortly before it was getting dark, spiders started getting feisty. You think I'm joking? I'm not. They ranged from large to small and were constructing their webs around the edges and ceiling of the outside dining room. Look, I hate spiders, especially when they get feisty and active. They brought all of their friends. I thought my date was going to die (because she was sitting closer to the edge). So stressful! So look, I'm not really mad about it, but, seriously, Cantler's, get rid of the spiders...their place is in nature, not your dining establishment. Oh and by the way, our server was great, but the server next to us was terrible. She interrupted an introduction to inform the server that that table was actually hers. Are you kidding? No one trained you on common sense and decency? And then when asked a question about the menu, she responded, "well, that's what it says in the system." LOL. Please either fire or train her. Just because they are young and pretty, like myself, is no excuse for sheer ignorance, ditz, and lack of points of service. But yeah, go here, just be wary of the spiders and remember, its a loud crab house.
(3)
Pat D.
2+ hour wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Both parking lots were full and the frustrated staff was no help.
(1)
David J.
The crab and other seafood here is excellent and so is the atmosphere. The staff we encountered were all extremely nice and helpful. The restaurant itself is on the water and has a great patio area that is covered in winter so it's available year-round. They've also got a dock, so you can arrive by boat if you'd prefer. As far as the food goes, I really liked my crab chowder. It was extremely creamy and well-seasoned, and I didn't detect any shell in it. The fried oysters were also great. Of course, the crabs were the highlight of the meal. They come out in buckets and you have to peel them yourself. It's messy and fun, and they provide you with excellent seasoning as well as butter and vinegar if you want it. There's not much more to it than that. It's all about the seafood, and Cantler's has the best.
(5)
Amber G.
Cantler's is an Annapolis seafood mainstay -- it's been around for decades and is just across the bridge from downtown Annapolis. It's got a very casual, dive-bar feel to it, with benches for communal seating. There is a great deck with outdoor seating by the water, but expect a long wait to be seated out there during a sunny weekend day or evening! The seafood here is always tasty and the service is usually very fast. For those who don't want the quintessential Maryland seafood meal of blue crabs, there are other options (As a Californian, I never learned to eat blue crabs properly as a kid and therefore now refuse to bother with all the work that is required to crack them!). I got a 1/2 lb of snow crab legs w/two sides ($12.50), which was good but it only came with a single cluster of crab legs - I guess i was hoping for a little more. Jimmy's Steamed Feast ($26) was a good, large platter including mussels, clams, shrimp, and snow crab legs -- great option for anyone wanting to try a bit of everything! Although I wasn't interested in the blue crabs, I did notice some of the prices on the chalkboard that day and was struck by the high price for the "supers" (the extra large blue crabs) that day -- I believe it was around $130/dozen. Steeeep! Great place to try -- be prepared to wait though.
(4)
Gary R.
In Annapolis for 4 days on a mini vacation with the primary purpose to eat as much crab meat as we could, we headed right to the Mecca of steamed spiced crabs -Cantlers. Yeah, it's a bit off the beaten path and the narrow residential street on the way in can be a problem, but let me tell you it's worth it. The quintessential crab feast experience with the picnic table covered in a paper table cloth followed by a bucket of spiced, tasty blue crabs dumped in front of you - well, if your mouth doesn't start watering right there then there's no hope for you. We got there relatively early (4:30?) on a Monday and had no problem parking or getting seated outside on the patio overlooking the river. They had an all you can eat steamed spiced crab option on the chalkboard menu for $35 per person. Bam! Sign me up! (Large were featured at $75 a dozen that night). The first round of crabs was probably approaching 2 dozen and had a couple ears of corn on the cob with it. But I was focused on the delicious crabs. And my oh my, they were delicious. Before we were half way through our server asked if we were ready for more. Duh!! Bring em on! Within minutes another huge pile materialized just like magic. And that led to another one and.. Well, I think you get the picture. They were amazing. And the service was superb! The only caveat is there's a two hour limit on the all you can eat. They do need to turn the tables over for sure but I can attest that in two hours you can leave some serious crab carnage. And we did. If I have a complaint it's that they have only cans of beer and not a very good selection. But that's nitpicking. I can get beer anytime and anywhere. What I can't get are those spectacular blue crabs.
(4)
Laura F.
We went on a Saturday and arrived at 11:30, 30 minutes after opening. There was already a 30 minute wait for the outdoor area, but we decided to wait. An hour and fifteen minutes later, we were seated. The food was good, but I can't stand when I'm given a false waiting time. It would be better to say it was a 2 hour wait then be pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.
(3)
Barbara G.
This was my first time here, but it won't be my last! I enjoyed every bite: from my Oyster Riverside appetizer (minus the bacon), to the steamed soft shell clams (another first for me - delicious, but freaky looking with that tadpole tail!), to the fresh super crabs with Old Bay and drawn butter, to the sweet corn on the cob and piping hot hushpuppies, and the obligatory beer on a hot summery day. The service was quick and friendly, even in a packed restaurant. We went midday and our party of four got seated outside in a flash! (It does get crowded, but no one seemed to mind waiting for a table. Beer and wine were available so most just walked around waiting for their buzzer to signal a table was ready.) The place is very causal (think, jeans and tshirt) since it can get messy wading through a pile of crabs. Enjoy it and request plenty of napkins!
(5)
Kenya F.
My company has been going to Cantler's for our outing for the last 5-6 years and this year our outing was on August 31, 2015. The service was superb and the food was delicious and readily available. We had a pretty large group and even still, they didn't miss a beat! Thanks again guys, we'll see you next year. Also, $35 for unlimited crabs ain't half bad either :)
(5)
Jennifer K.
Got XL crabs for $85/dozen .... more like mediums. It's not worth the 1 hr drive, then the 40 min parking lot wait, then the 45 min table wait. A few crabs had mushy meat, you know like how if the crab is dead when cooked it's meat becomes powder? The rock fish bites were not what I expected, but ok. They were grilled (I think) and came on a bed of cabbage doubling as ehhhh slaw. Still don't know how I feel about it. I like healthy food but I didn't come here to eat hippie food. Stay away from the chocolate cake (the key lime was ok)!! Taste like Food Lion bought, nasty frosting. My search for good blue crabs continues.
(2)
Maya V.
A friend and I were visiting from DC and looking for some fresh crab. Both of us are from out of state (not DC or Maryland), but appreciate some good seafood. Cantler's was great! The food was delicious. We ordered half a dozen crabs, the drunk'n mussels, crab caprese salad, and a crab cake sandwich. YUM. Lots of food, but it was a fun Sunday adventure and decided to ball out. I'd order everything again, very fresh and delicious. Reasonable price for how much food we ordered and we definitely left overstuffed. Our waiter was great, assisting us with how many crabs to order, and then upon receiving the crabs showing us how to break em open (did I mention were aren't Marylanders?). Give this place a try!!
(5)
Jamie W.
I Can see this place crazy busy on a nice summer day!!! Right on the water and a nice porch right next to the water to sit in. That gets a 5 star vote. I can see the food being a 50/50 on taste. I highly recommend the rockfish bites. Totally tasty. Also had the sashimi special with tuna and that was ok so good gets the 3.5 star vote. I would totally come back to try other things just think some items will be better than others instead of the whole menu being equally good.
(4)
Nancy C.
Good food, crabs, view, service, what a good experience! It was the best quality crabs I have had in Maryland aside from when they were caught and cooked within an hour. So see freshest crabs ever here! It was a Saturday night and they said the wait would be about 1.5 hours but we were pleasantly surprised when we were seated outside on the patio overlooking the river about twenty minutes later. Our server Maggie was the absolute best. She wa very attentive and friendly while taking care of the very crowded dining area. Among the crabs our table ordered some perfectly cooked spiced shrimp, a bucket of clams, cream of crab soup and basket of sweet potato fries, all were top notch fantastic. I can't wait until our next visit there, just going to get there earlier as it does get very busy in there.
(5)
Richard S.
Been coming here for years! Great place to sit outside and eat crabs and drink beer! Very down to earth with no airs, but they always have the best crabs. Last night the Supers were $120 a dozen so we took a pass. understandable on the pricing because it's too early in the season. Girlfriend had Jimmy's Feast (shrimp, mussels, king crab, clams) which was indeed a feast, and I had oysters on the half shell and fried oysters (yum). Our server was awesome as always the case. this is a MUST for what it is although not fine dining by any means but they don't try to present themselves that way as the plastic plates and silverware would suggest!.
(4)
Danette W.
I have to say I loved eating here. We sat on the patio and had the best view while enjoying extra large crabs. They were steamed and seasoned to perfection. The customer service was amazing. They also raise their own soft shell crabs. Stop by and check it out. It's very interesting.
(5)
Chris J.
Bad experience! Not worth the wait or the money. After waiting an hour, the hostess finally took us to our table. We couldn't however sit down because the table hadn't been busted- which was understandable considering that the previous guests were still eating their meal. The hostess took us to another empty table but by the time we got there it had already been given away. We returned to our original table which had also been given away. We finally made our way back inside to a clean, empty table. Please keep in mind the restaurant is totally packed with people and very claustrophobic (many of the tables are shared with other guests). Our server was the definition of "nice nasty." She asked what we wanted 3 times within a 6 minute period- she couldn't turn the table over fast enough. The food was poor. I ordered the lump crab cake sandwich. It was a pile of mush. I could've made a better crab cake from a can of Phillips. The she crab soup and the hush puppies were the only redeeming part of the meal. My wife and daughter's food was no better. Perhaps the crab by the dozen is what draws the crowd. Horrible service, long wait, overcrowded, mediocre food- won't be back.
(2)
Benjamin O.
Probably the best seafood house in the area. The crab dip and calamari was so good! Even though it's kind of pricey I suggest getting the super crabs! In all I would recommend anyone in this area to try this place out.
(5)
Allison Z.
We wanted to find an authentic place for seafood that would be kid-friendly as well. This place couldn't have been better. We sat on their spacious outdoor covered/screened-in deck at picnic tables covered with butcher paper. There were tons of local IPAs and brews on tap, the staff was knowledgable, friendly, and fast (which is also important with kids). For starters we had the crab dip which came with 2 mini French bread loaves and was plenty to share amongst our party of 5 adults, 2 kids. I was very impressed with the amount of crab dip they gave us, some places are chintsy with their dip but we had to order extra bread to even finish the dip! I had the lump crab cake sandwich with the upgraded sweet potato fries and it was the best crab cake have ever had. Other orders in our party were the shrimp salad, the fried fish sandwich, and the crab chowder. Everyone was very pleased with their orders. While we waited for our food I took my boys down the steps to the dock to watch the boats. The drive there will have you wondering if you took a wrong turn because you go through very residential areas but it all the more proves this place is a hidden diamond in the rough!
(5)
Lauren W.
Visited this past Sunday and really wanted crabs- $90 a dozen. We skipped the crabs. Ordered shrimp as an appetizer and they were disgusting and I found out why. I told the server that they were over cooked and could we have another order. She proceeds to tell me they are steamed in the morning then placed in a bag and re-heated to serve. I was in shock that a "seafood" restaurant wastes shrimp like that. HORRIBLE. We choose the Rockfish bites instead and those were decent. Crab cake sandwich and rockfish sandwich were both good. My sweet potato fries were soggy. The place is really run down and if you sit outside you will sit with other people. The view really wasn't worth sitting outside. I was really disappointed and don't see myself returning.
(2)
Katie K.
Crabs have been consistently good and fresh every time I've been here. They are definitely over seasoned with old bay. On some of the crabs it's all you can taste. Blue crab meat is sweet and tender...why cover up that awesome flavor? The service here leaves MUCH to be desired. The parking guys always look like the rolled in the dirt, the hostess stand is full of confused and stressed out staff, the servers have this attitude that everything you ask for is a bother and have forgotten to bring drinks, side salads, and condiments every time we've gone. The setting is really worth what you spend on the crabs. It's beautiful and relaxing to sit on the docks while you wait for your table. It's fun to watch the crabs on the lower deck. I could not imagine sitting inside even on the hottest day. The indoor dining area is dark, dank, looks and feels dirty. The ladies bathroom is pretty cramped and always so wet, wash your hands quickly or risk being hit by the door! :) Overall, I can see the why this place is always so busy. Fresh crabs, water view, unique location, family owned.. I get it. But it's a bit of a shame that the staff makes no effort to make you feel like they appreciate your business.
(3)
Jenny P.
No line for lunch on Thursdays! Among the three of us, we shared a dozen large crabs, side of hush puppies, and fried green tomatoes. I do not recommend the hush puppies as they were very dense and two seconds away from being hard to chew. I had no prior experience with fried green tomatoes, and could not tell you whether they were good or bad. But they tasted like tomatoes... that were fried. For some reason, my girlfriends and I thought that it would be a great idea to show up to Cantler's dolled up and in sundresses. One crab in, however, we were already dusted with Old Bay and flying flecks of crab shell. Not to mention that it was a warm, muggy day out. (I would recommend sitting inside actually since even under the patio umbrellas, you will feel very hot.) Basically, you will be a hot mess and getting through 4 crabs will take at least an hour. But the effort is so worth it as you will leave stuffed with tasty, juicy crab meat!
(4)
Cibby G.
Took my sister here for lunch and it was worth the trip from Baltimore and Woodbridge....Food is amazing!!! Waitress was so helpful and so nice! Even the people eating there were so nice! In short an amazing meal 360. Try the soft shell crabs it was very tasty with a squeeze of lemon juice. MAKE SURE you get there early. We were in line waiting to go in 10 minutes to opening. It's THAT GOOD!
(5)
Mim L.
Hands down the best steamed Maryland Blue Crabs and clams I've ever had. Not over or under cooked at all. They were perfect! The hush puppies weren't bad either. We sat outside on the patio. Great place to come with family, friends, on a date - whenever. It was our first time there on a Wednesday afternoon, we got seated right away on the patio but I'm sure the place is packed on the weekends. The staff was friendly. Loved everything about this place. Definitely worth the 45 min drive from DC. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
Karen L.
Seriously they have the best crab cake ever! No fillers, no nonsense. Just straight up crab. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. I also ordered a dozen blue crabs. Came here on a Sunday about 11:30am, right before the rush. I'd suggest to come early and get parking. The wait is long. Only complain is their tiny bathroom. After all that feasting, you have to cram in there to wash your hands. The door opens right at the sinks, so watch out!
(4)
Ben S.
This place is just fine. First, the positives: Our big group (9 people) was seated without issue as soon as we arrived, and the crabs and calamari were quite good. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday night and our food came out fairly promptly, especially the crabs. They had non-fish options for an allergic friend, though his chicken salad came out somewhat slowly. Now for the less good stuff: The hush puppies were a bit bland, the fries were a little too greasy, and the portions weren't exactly huge. The one thing that was annoying was our server. He kept pushing rounds of Patron shots on us. I get that we're a big group and that we look like we're looking to have a good time, but maybe after the second time suggesting a round of Patron shots and being rebuffed, it's time to let that one fantasy go. Five times is too many times to ask.
(3)
Charry L.
Great seafood restaurant with a great ambiance. Our family went on a sunny summer afternoon Down the stairs, it's fun for the kids to see their staff sorting the crabs by the size, take pictures by the pier, and wait for the buzzer to buzz. Since the crabs were not in season, they only had the small and medium sizes available. The last time we were here, the crabs were in season and they were much larger - As for the price, they range more on the expensive side. Four of us went and the check came up to $170. Snow crab legs are better than the blue crabs (in my opinion) - Half lbs of snow crab legs are half the crab. Shrimps were lump and delicious too. We also had the crab cakes ($32) - the best option. There arent' that much fillers in the crab cakes - all lumpcious meat! Would definitely return for their crab cakes.
(5)
Fred K.
By far my favorite crab house in the DMV! It is worth the drive from the DC burbs. I come here on my way back from the beach or a Saturday day trip to Annapolis. My older brother who lives in NY always wants to eat here in the summertime. I concur! There are other crab houses on Kent Island (Harris, Kentmorr), which are closer from the beach and went to Harris, as were so hungry, but they ran out of crabs! We left and went to Harris and boy we were so happy. We got xlarge crabs and was beyond stuffed after 3 crabs (2 crabs is more than enough). It's well worth the price, compare to medium and large size. They also have a crab feast, which I got the previous time, and is great with large groups. It's rather dark inside and always request outdoor or the back, where it is bright and nice water views. There is a dock where you can walk after your meal, which is nice.
(5)
Baird S.
I've been coming to Cantler's on and off over the past 5 years. It has the feel of a genuine crab shack, it's usually packed, and the other clients at the paper draped picnic tables are likely to be friendly folks who'll start up a conversation. But besides crabs, the meals I've had have been forgettable and overpriced, especially since most of them came served on styrofoam plates. I'll be going to other places like Deep Creek instead,where the food is better.
(2)
Katie L.
Cantler's is the quintessential Annapolis experience. Come for all-you-can-eat blue crabs, snow or king crab legs sold by the half pound, and fried seafood restaurant treats like hushpuppies and crabcake sliders. It's a crab lovers' paradise. On weekends, come early to avoid crowds and long lines. For lunch, get in before noon if you can. The outdoor views are worth the wait. Almost everyone orders the Maryland blue crabs, but if you want the views and crack your way to a great meal experience, I recommend going for the king crab legs. Your efforts are rewarded in huge, not that hard to work for quantities. I enjoyed our half hour wait at the bar. Beers are only available by the can. Magnificent ambiance and great food and wonderful service. Will return, repeatedly.
(5)
BossLady L.
This is the best Crab Cakes I've ever had!!! And I must've had about 20 crabs! This is by far the best crab place I've been to anywhere! The customer service is great too! When in Annapolis this is a must!
(5)
Daniel A.
Yum yum yum!!!!! I know. I am giving them the big five stars. But here is my reasoning: Service: outstanding. Orders taken promptly and correctly. When "I" made a mistake an ordered another beer, not remembering that I had already asked for one. The server brought another bowl full of ice to keep my beer cold till I was ready for it. Also, drinks were always filled up for you and at a crab shack, this is IMPORTANT!!! Those that know what I'm talking about know. As for others, your hands are full of crab. You don't want to be slowed down because you need to fill up your drink cup from the pitcher!! Food: Amazing!!!! Cooked perfectly and all served to your table with very little wait!!! All was HOT, and the crabs sweet and delicious!!! Steamers melted in your mouth!!! Atmosphere: Open, friendly and fun. What more do you need!!!
(5)
Hyunjoo K.
Overall pretty good. I ordered medium sized steam crabs and some of my other friends ordered extra large size. I'd say go with the medium size! It was just tad bit smaller than the extra large and medium sized crabs had packed meat! But I guess it all depends on season and when the crabs were caught. Other side dishes like tater tots, hush puppies, fried shrimp, peel off shrimps, they were all good! I really like the secluded riverside location of the restaurant too! But be sure to wait in line to park the car at least 30 minutes!!
(4)
Amanda S.
If you want Maryland crabs and an authentic Annapolis experience you definitely need to go here! Picnic tables and a casual setting on the water with a friendly staff. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu- it is all fantastic!
(5)
Sal D.
I've been going here for 10 years and it's always been a great time. The crabs always taste great and come out fresh. However, this past Sunday I took my girlfriend here for the first time. The crabs took a bit longer than I'm use to but no big deal. Towards the end of our meal right before we left, my girlfriend got real sick (food poison) and could not figured out what happened since we ate the same meal. It was probably the crabs because that's all we ordered. Not sure what has changed but I cannot risk another experience like this. Maybe the crabs are cooked differently but I will be going to another crab restaurant.
Amazing! I know this sounds weird for a seafood place, but their mozzarella sticks and pizza are awesome. Don't miss the cream of crab soup and ask for a small loaf of their french bread to dip in.
(5)
Ann B.
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I was so excited to come here after hearing such great things about the crabs. We are from New York/Boston and spending the summer in Virginia. We drove over an hour just to share this experience with our children. My god what a bad idea and a restaurant with such terrible hospitality. My husband and I came her with our two kids for lunch... Arrived at 2:30. Asked for the wait time. 30 min for indoors, 1 hr for outside. We told the blonde Sunday day "head host" that we had two very hungry kids and whichever was available first. After 30 minutes of waiting, she told us the table was available, inside.. We decided it would be better for everyone if we were seated outside because of our kids. She then told me "well you will be put back to the bottom of the list". We should've been put to the next outdoor table since we said "next available" and the next "next available" person should go to the indoor table. Anyway, at this point I told her "fine. We will wait because as you already know, my two kids are hungry". We waited for an additional hour and when I went to check on our status, the host didn't know where my name was and lost it on the list. It was now 4:15 and I was told for the second time in 1 hour that I was "next on the list". If you're looking to be just a number, this is the place for you. I don't care how good your food is, or how good your prices are, if you treat me and my family with such carelessness, then I want everyone to be warned.
(1)
Heather M.
Went for the steamed crabs! They were delish as well as the fries and onion rings. Our server was great and even though we took our time eating the crabs she would come check on us every while and again. Expect to go through some residential areas to find this gem.
(5)
Tammie R.
**Getting there** It feels like your going to someone's house b/c your going down a narrow road in a neighborhood but you will get there eventually. We waited about 30 minutes to park and then a little over 1.5 hours till we got s table. But it was Memorial weekend, and summer time around 6pm so duh, there will be a wait. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait. **Food** What we liked- crabs (pricey though at 96 a dozen), fried crab cakes (yummy), jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, mussels, half calm chowder /half maryland soup (the BOMB) What we didn't like- Piña Coladas (yuck), crab dip (it was good but I won't order again), **Enviroment** Enviroment is fun, noisy, crowded (but you have your space). There is always a line to the restroom. Place smells like seafood and you eat on long tables which you may be sharing. **Leaving** We received our check all together even though we asked them to Seperate but they said they can't split tickets but they did take two credit cards to pay. So recommend taking a couple hundred in cash if going in large groups. Overall, we all truly enjoyed our time there even the kiddos and I felt it was worth the wait. Maybe not every weekend but once in a while.
(4)
Tim B.
Classic quintessential Maryland. Everything is great, especially the not so great parts because they are exactly as they should be. Circa 1965ish decor right on the water where you can explore the tanks that keep the food fresh. Timeless mer-land style crabs, delectable hush puppies. I need to go back for those rock fish bites that I have heard so much about. I love how you can show up 10 minutes before closing AND have the staff warmkly encourage that you sit down and still order food.
(4)
Lady B.
My very first YELP! Fail!!! I really just wanted to scream YELLLLPPPPPP!! $32 cakes FULLLLL of shells-- no draft beers, only canned beers! Was told "Happy hour" was over (it was 5:48) Service was lack luster. We arrived just before a big rush and took twenty minutes just for the waitress to introduce herself? Nice water view but would not come during any hot months-- rancid smell in the air. Very disappointed. $96 later -- crab cake, four beers, shrimp platter, hush puppies (cold/dry), coleslaw(bland) And community seating. We would not have minded normally. But got many stares ... They scooched over and looked Kind of uncomfortable Side note : We are brown.
(2)
Noel H.
Steamed crabs were excellent. Price was high but they are everywhere. Service very good and view / atmosphere awesome. Dine outside if you can and sun is not too high!
(4)
Kevin F.
Funky, dive-y, fun...can't wait to hit this place during crab season on Moto...parking slim and narrow road....not sure what the alternative is, but this place is worth the hassle
(4)
Tom E.
Parking sucks, Long wait, very expensive, the bar smelled like vomit and my wife and I were seated ridiculously close to the only door to the outside seating. Most of the food was under seasoned, if seasoned at all. The crab cake was, however very good (mostly lump, minimal breading). The filet had maybe 2 grains of salt on it.
(2)
thomas l.
Half the crabs were dead, it was like eating mush. Tried large and extra large. Waited an hour and half for seating.. Only thing that was good were the hush puppy.
(1)
Lynie H.
Located in an neighborhood area...it might seem like ur lost but ur not..u'll get there. Wait might be long..crabs were good..get large :-) their other sides were good too
(4)
Nancy D.
We had the crab cakes and rockfish; both entrees were good. The hush puppies were excellent, slightly sweet and oh so tasty. It was hard not to fill up on them even though the crab cakes were still unfinished on my plate. The broccoli was decent. All in all a good place, but IMHO, the prices were a tad high for such a casual atmosphere.
(3)
Rick G.
We went here on Saturday at 1. Place was packed and we were directed to the overflow parking lot. We checked in and were told an hour wait. We found a spot at the bar. The wait was only 30 minutes. We ordered extra-large crabs and onion rings. Food was fantastic and so was our server, Kristen! We highly recommend this place!
(5)
Timothy H.
HYPE!!! Some reviews will have you believing that this place will take your tastebuds up beyond the stratosphere and fill your grandkid's days with tales of indulging in succulent crab delights beside the river. REALITY!!! Crabs taste good. - If you get crabs at Cantler's they will taste good. Fried food tastes good - If you get hush puppies and sweet potato fries, they too will taste good. UNFORTUNATE REALITY!!! Soft shelled crabs, which are fried, taste like any other breaded/fried dish. Mostly, you just taste "fried." So, rather than the greatest place to get Maryland crabs, Cantler's is just another overhyped place serving a fundamentally tasty item. I'd give them 3.5 stars, but their parking is atrocious. Cars back way up the road, taxis come down the wrong side, we had to back into some dude's driveway to get out of the way. All bad...
(3)
Ryan S.
This is the best New England Clam Chowder I've ever had! The crabs are also amazing. Our sever, Devera, was very nice and accommodating. She even spent the time to teach me how to properly crack a crab! Very fun experience with a great view right on the water. Will Definitely be back when we're in Annapolis area again.
(5)
Jacky M.
I was a little skeptical at first, but I heard from numerous people this was the place to go for crabs, and while I love Mike Crabs House, Cantlers destroys it. I first went here on August 30th, which was a Sunday and my skepticism began it appeared I was going down a completely wrong road! BOY am I glad that my husband kept driving! It took us quite a while to be sat but around 9 pm our party of 13 was finally sat! Our Server Scott was extremely friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We enjoy-ed our experience so much that we returned on September 2nd, a Wednesday, where our server Alice was also very friendly and knew the menu! She helped explain all the specials to us and made our dining experience very great! And as U Can Tell We are addicted! We visited this Sunday (the 6th) and were very happy with our server Grace! I cannot put into perspective how good all of our servers were and how much we have enjoyed our experience here. A few tips for people who come here - If you come on the weekend, come early! Saturday and Sunday you can expect to wait for a table, sometimes as long as two hours. I definitely recommend week days if it all possible, the amount of people there was so drastically different between Sunday and Wednesday. my only real gripe with this place is parking! The parking lot is absolutely horrid and we had to wait 30 minutes just to park our car. I would also like to point out that the "Black RockFish Bites" are absolutely delicious! However I would like to point out they really aren't "bites" they are more so just a good portion of black rockfish on top of a cole slaw sauce, which is outstanding, but they may want to consider changing the name of that while very tasty, also misleading title dish.. EveryThings Considered, Food is Great, Staff is GREAT, atmosphere is GREAT. I would highly recommend for seafood eaters!
(5)
Pete S.
I almost want to fake give this place a one star rating, only so more people won't go to it. This is the best crab place in Annapolis and is a true hidden treasure. They actually do a great job of hiding it because it's at the end of a road in a neighborhood. If you want to go on a weekend, do yourself a favor and show up early, because it gets very crowded and the wait can spike quickly. But, if you've got to wait, drink a couple of beers, go down to the sorting dock and enjoy the serene waterfront location.
(5)
Simply D.
It's hype. Ordered Seafood Broiler dish. It was disappointingly bland for my taste. I was expecting more for a $29 dish. There were four of us and none of us though this place was any special. It might just be good for its ambiance being close to the water. Food wise, NOT recommended.
(2)
Stella Z.
You can get a dozen of blue crabs for $70~90 here, but we were so glad that we did not get it. Crab was meh, service was terrible. We waited a little bit at the door and from when we sat down to the food on the table takes about an hour. It is not just our waitress but the old couple next to us also waited a Long Time. Their waitress just disappeared for a long time. Food is not worth it. Don't know why there are so many reviews.
(3)
Dana F.
Great tasting good. A little pricey but that's seafood for you. Would go again! Great place on the water.
(4)
Ted P.
Yelp you have fail me again....I don't know why this place is popular? Maybe because I'm so used to great seafood while I was in Florida but this place was huge dissapointment. Overpriced foods with long john silver quality at best...The day I went, they were charging $110 for dozen x-large blue crabs but in reality size was between medium and large. Definitely not worth the money or the effort.
(1)
S P.
Cantler's was the revival of our faith in seafood in USA!! We did not mind the wait, the noise or the mess! None of it mattered when we took the first bite of the crisp calamari and the jumbo shrimp which were mouthwatering delicious!! The corn was delightful! And the crab was just perfect!! We loved the Old bay seasoning... Wonderful mix of spices, apt for the fabulously fresh crabs! Definitely on our must visit again list!! :-)
(5)
Scott H.
Great Crabs, Crabby Hostess. I've been here a few times. Love the crabs (and the steamers and the clams, etc). But, a little more attention to training the hostesses would be welcome plus. It won't prevent us from coming because the food is so good, but it's kind of a downer.
(4)
Monique P.
We went early for the all-you-can-eat crabs and it was yummy. Our server was very attentive and kept asking if we wanted more crabs as our stash was diminishing. The crabs were medium sized, which expected for that particular deal but you could order any size up to extra large outside of the deal by the dozen. Oh and the deal came with fresh corn on the cob, which also yummy. I will def. be revisiting this place.
(4)
Kenneth C.
This place sucks stay away!! Buddy's is better. Ok in all seriousness I only post that so tourists stay away from our little gem on the water. In all honesty I love Cantler's my family and I have been coming here for at least 20+ years the wait is long and worth it, but the bar is full and the bartending staff is quick to get you a beer. The rest of the staff is equally as friendly and jsut as attentive. Cantler's is exactly what you think of when you think crab house: on the water, cramped seating, brown paper on the tables, cheap vinyl chairs, plastic cups, silverware, no real plates and delicious and hot seafood. In otherwords the perfect crab house, if you go to a crab house expecting differnt, well you are wrong and clearly don't belong here.... BE GONE WITH YOU!
(5)
Geneva H.
Yes! amazing! Certainly the full Maryland crab shack experience. Came here on a friend's recommendation and glad we did. Be prepared, the wait can be crazy and parking lot can be too. But come prepared to wait and hungry (not starving). We got there about 3pm on Sunday and the wait for inside was 30 minutes, 60 for outside. Opted to sit outside. We actually had to switch tables at one point to accommodate a large group and the restaurant bought us a round of drinks. Awesome! Suggestion of what to order for two people: 6 large crabs, tots with crab dip, Apple cheesecake (all to share), lots of beers, Bloody Marys are a nice choice. Long story short, eat here. It's good and affordable plus a unique experience. Yum!
(5)
Rongze L.
Worst host service I have ever seen!!!! Terrible! Rude!!! Revengerful!!! I wish I could give 0 star!!! There are at least 4 tables available for 4 people's party, because I complained to the hostess that the seating is slow and there are plenty of tables Vacant and they don't seat people waiting. We were first for 4 party in the list, and then the hostess lead us to the table under the sun, no shade in the degree of 90! It was burning!!! I pointed out there are other tables under shades, the hostess just ignored me! Truly terrible!
(1)
Ashley M.
Went on a Friday at 9PM. Sat outside. Had a few great waiters. King crab legs were amazing! Corn was some of the best I've had! Big cups of butter and lemons. Cole slaw is vinegar based (meh). Snow crab legs were also awesome. Right on the water - bring a light jacket for breezy nights.
(5)
Mike S.
Definitely not worth the wait! The "extra large" crabs were actually lighter than the mediums we ordered despite the huge price difference. Plus they were missing nearly about all of their claws, thereby decreasing the total amount of meat by at least 25%. Unless there was a huge crab rumble in the steamer, someone was stealing claws maybe to put in other food. Skip this line and go elsewhere if you can.
(2)
Michael R.
Enjoying the lunch special of soft shell crab and fried green tomatoes! First but not last visit here!!! Get there before 11:30 if you want lunch!
(4)
Myra C.
oh my! what a gem to find... it's just good , really good fresh seafood like crab and shrimp. the crab cakes have real lumps of very fresh crab meat. the clam chowder is the best on earth, so creamy and rich, with big clumps of clam and potatoes! Yum!!!get the sides like taters with crab dip. I had a lb. of shrimp with onions and potatoes, it was super tasty! dipping sides included a nice old bay seasoning blend with richly melted butter. sooooo good! I'll be back for the chowder, blue crabs and lobster. I wish they had fried oysters but that's ok! excellent views, casual, comfy tasty eat on the patio and kick back. such a great atmosphere and excellent service!
(5)
Kristen P.
Go to Cantler's for the EXPERIENCE. Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's extremely messy. Yes, there will be an hour wait for a table. However, it is definitely something to save up for whenever I know I'll be visiting the area! As soon as we were within half a mile from the restaurant, the traffic was at a standstill as people were directed into the parking lot. We had a party of 4, so the ladies got out of the car and walked right into the restaurant to put our name down. We were told it would be 45 minutes to an hour wait, so we spotted an empty high top by the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. The place was very crowded, but it was a Saturday night. The atmosphere was very straight forward -- we were in a loud, crowded crab shack on the river. Nothing more, nothing less. The guys got there within 10 minutes after parking the car. They ordered some beers and we ended up getting a bucket of steamers for $20 (soft shell clams) and an order of hush puppies. The food came out right away. As a fan of steamers, they were great. The hush puppies were also delish, but a little heavy for my taste. After an hour on the dot, we were seated outside at a picnic table right on the water. We ended up ordering a dozen large crabs to start, and that's when the fun began. This is a downright sloppy experience. Do not take someone here on your 1st-3rd date. It will not end well! Our server was very attentive, positive and helpful. At one point during the evening it started to rain and he did his best to cover our area with surrounding umbrellas just so we could stay outside and continue our evening. We left covered in Old Bay, feeling full and accomplished. I swear, food tastes better when you have to work for it! I highly recommend Cantler's as a "treat" meal with friends and family. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun and the crabs are fresh and delicious!
(4)
Ty C.
This was our Saturday QT first stop of the day. This was our first time patronizing this establishment. The wait for outdoor seating was about 5min. We had the dz of jumbo crabs with the drunken mussels. The crabs were cooked perfectly and very meaty and though the mussels were good we expected a little more when ordering the bucket. We like how they have a wash station outdoors which is very convenient and feel that though it didn't stop the show the benches could be a little higher. Lastly our waitress (her name escapes me) was very attentive. We will visit again... Happy and Full...
(4)
Caesar G.
Cantlers is regularly ranked one of the best crab houses in Maryland, perhaps the entire Delmarva. Believe the hype. Great crabs and great location on the waterfront. Besides the crabs, we loved the crab cakes, big lump crab with little filler and perfectly broiled. Only complaint is the service is a bit slow.
(5)
art f.
Last night was my annual crab feast at Cantler's. Have a problem with their grading system. Medium, Large, XLarge and Jumbo Crabs. In truth the large should be classified medium. Other than size and weight of crabs, still our favorite. Will return every year for our crab fix. May return for a second round tonight.
(4)
Kendra G.
Happy hour followed by a great dinner. I had the blackened shrimp tacos and loved every bite. Exceeded my expectations. Great views and fun watching the boats come and go.
(4)
Heather J.
This place is an institution. The crabs are a bit on the pricey side, but it's not often that you get to experience something like this and it's worth it. While we waited for our table, we shared a dozen raw oysters, which were super fresh and tasty. Once seated, we got a dozen medium crabs and some hush puppies and that was enough for 3 of us. The crabs were excellent, of course, but the hush puppies were kind of boring. I wish they had come with honey butter or something. The covered outdoor deck provides a lovely seating area in which to enjoy your crab feast and the scenery at once. If you're visiting Maryland, this is a great place to try our famous blue crabs.
(4)
Vanessa A.
I went Friday and had the ultimate the waiter Jordan was friendly, Alex was extremely helpful our food was delicious, bring your seafood appetite!
(5)
Erin R.
My friends and I were amped to try this place as part of our Annapolis day. we arrived before opening to guarantee quick seating and while we were sat quickly enough, that's where the speed ended. My crab soup and sandwich took at least 30 minutes to come out. Soup should never take that long. We also had to consistently get up from our table to locate our waitress. The cream of crab soup was good, creamy and nicely seasoned especially with my sprinkle of old bay in it. My lump crab sandwich had lots of crab but was flavorless. The fries were excellent and crispy and of course covered in old bay by me. My table got a dozen large crabs for 80 and were similarly underwhelmed. The key lime pie we got for desert was a nice surprise and didn't appear to come from the freezer. All in all for the price, mediocre food and horrible service, I can't recommend Cantlers. Pro tip though if you do decide to go, you can bring your own wine for a $10 corking fee.
(2)
Curt N.
Save your money and go to long John silvers. Over priced and crappy service. Also they may not have what u want due to running out. Poor planning on their part.
(1)
Samantha G.
This was an interesting experience. There was a line of cars and a wait to even get into the parking area. Then there was over a 2 hour wait to get a table. And the whole places was completely packed with people standing around - and it was super boiling hot. The hostess stand folks were underage kids and weren't exactly friendly or pleasant - and they definitely appeared to be confused and overwhelmed. The bar area was packed. There was one decent bartender and one completely rude bartender. She was rude to the point where she actually made me cry. Literally. That is absolutely something that has never happened to me before. Horrible treatment of customers. Once we finally were seated, though, our server was very pleasant and nice. So it was a total mixed bag on service. The food was a mixed bag too. The crab cake sandwiches were practically inedible. But the platter of seafood we had was fresh and good. There's really not much to it. It's just a bunch of seafood in shells. And you break it all apart and dip it in butter, seasoning, and/or cocktail sauce. It was a fun experience, but not exactly great, fabulous, delicious seafood. Overall, if you go when it's not crowded and you're really hankering for crabs, this place will work for ya. But otherwise, in all other circumstances, I really wouldn't bother. I'll certainly not be back again.
(2)
Susan F.
Okay so let me pre-face that this review is coming from a non-seafood eater. This was my second visit here...the first time was eight years ago! The scenery of this place was decent especially if you get to sit closer to the water. There are seats that are directly in the sunlight which I would prefer not to sit in as I would burn and look the color of lobster by the time I make it home. Not sure why anyone would want to sit inside, but there is inside seats available. Okay this place is super busy but the ladies restroom which has two stalls is the size of my powder room at my house. There is no room to stand in it, and expect to get hit by the door while you are standing and washing your hands. This place is SO busy! They really should renovate and make some bigger restrooms. Get there early and expect a wait time! The car line to get into the parking lot had at least 20 cars waiting to get into the parking lot by the time we left! There is a great little dock you can walk down on while you wait for your table and you can check out some of the crabs in tanks while you wait. So the crab eaters seemed to really enjoy! I had a burger and it was okay. Fries are crisp and a little crunchy, but good. My daughter tried the kids crab cake which was about the size of a golf ball. She of course wanted crab like most of the others were eating at the table. My 7 year old son devoured the crabs thanks to daddy helping him crack them. He just ate 2 but easily could have kept going. He is already planning that he wants to come back for his birthday! Soda cups are on. The small side which was a little annoying...since it was hot out. Overall, a little on the pricey side...but it is a very popular place so it must be good.
(4)
Richard W.
I've heard such good things about this restaurant though never attended until this past weekend. Reading these 4-5 star reviews what strikes me as having an "experience" - and frequently it is about steamed crabs not really otherwise great food as was reflected in out visit here. Seriously not impressed from staff who clear dirty dishes, wash down a table and then prepare food - like dessert - touching the food, picking up that cherry for your dessert with their bacteria contaminated fingers. Food is high end costs - though served on styrofoam plates and drinks in plastic cups. Low overhead, more profit - if you like fried, heavily breaded foods whether what we found a rather bland crab cake or nice rock fish & chips that batter overpower losing the taste of the fish - this is your place. No drafts - all can beers - noisy bar crowd. Local establishment - with local temperament - ++ For a 5 star "experience" buy a bushel of crabs (about the price of a dozen prepared here), buy beer, a big pot, old bay seasoning, boil - invite good friends and have a great time and Save $$$$ . Better - try someplace like Mike's in Riva at least drafts, real plates, and seems better quality food - and if you want the crabs on brown paper and a hammer - they have that too. But many local places seem to be better than this. To quote the old commercial - "where's the beef?" With this place!
(2)
Tasheena S.
The drive from New York was totally worth it!!! The services was great. Environment was comfortable and inviting.
(5)
Courtney C.
I'm giving this place 2 stars for quick seating and customer service. My bestfriend wanted to come here for her birthday as she heard so many great things about it. We went and initially were told our wait would be 45mins but were seated within 30. After seeing the price for the crabs there was absolutely no way I was paying for it 105 for x large crabs. 85 for large 75 for medium. Just for a dozen crabs? Why!! I ended up with the crab soup and an order of hush puppies. My bestfriend ordered the crab cake sandwich. Her crab cake sandwich was extremely bland and underwhelming she enjoyed her fries and the tarter sauce. My food - hush puppies were VERY good and so was the soup. Until I pulled my spoon out of the bowl and found a hair in it!! This place is extremely overhyped and we will not be back.
(2)
Ryan Z.
Cantler's is terrific, and Yelp makes that pretty clear, so here are my overall tips for making your visit the best ever: 1) If the weather is nice, or on a spring/summer weekend, be prepared to wait a long time. The wait begins with 30-45 minutes just to get a parking spot (do your fellow diners a favor and please carpool). Savvy folks with send somebody from their party to the front desk while their car is in the parking queue to put their name in, since you should expect to wait 60-120 minutes for a table during the weekend. 2) I recommend checking-in occasionally with the hostess while you are waiting for your table. One time, the pager they gave me died, so even though our table was ready, they gave it away because it didn't buzz. I usually check-in after an hour just to be sure there's no issue. 3) If you give up waiting, you can always sit at the bar. They seem to be fine with kids sitting at the bar, though if you ask me, a bar is no place for crying kids. Use your judgment. 4) Cantler's is part of the "True Blue" program which means they are certified by the state as serving (almost) only Chesapeake blue crab meat. This is a HUGE deal because local crabs can be hard-to-come-by and are more expensive. Many restaurants have resorted to flying-in crabs from the Gulf of Mexico, or using flavorless Asian or Caribbean crab meat in their crab cakes, but not Cantler's. When you eat here, you know you're getting real Maryland blues. 5) The only reasons I am knocking off a star: I am not a huge fan of their fried crab cake (needs more seasoning; stick with the broiled cake which apparently uses a different recipe), and, like so many Maryland crab houses, it drives me crazy that they use styrofoam plates, plastic cups, etc. Very wasteful and bad for the environment, not to mention it's much nicer to eat on a real plate at a restaurant.
(4)
Jenny C.
If you want the Annapolis seafood/crab dining experience, I recommend going to Cantlers on a clear day and sit outside. I don't think the crabs at Cantlers is a any better than the other crab houses in town but it was the overall experience that I enjoyed. Recommend: - Crab cakes and hush puppies were great. No filler in the crab cake at all - BBQ bacon wrapped scallops were flavorful and juicy Do not get the rockfish appetizer. Not a big fan of rockfish - it was thin and tasted too fishy Tip: Get there early on a weekend evening if you want a short wait. Also, it allows you to clear out before it gets dark. We were eaten alive by bugs sitting outside after dark.
(4)
Mari S.
I have been to Cantler's twice and on each occassion I ordered the largest crabs they had and they brought me the crabs that were one size smaller. On the first occasion, the waitress said that she forgot to mention that they had ran out of the size we ordered. On the second occassion, the waitress said she did not hear us clearly...yeah right
(1)
Elizabeth M.
For all those who love yellow emulsified liver all over your fingers as you hammer and pry out your sustenance, this is your place. The location is great, off the beaten path but the outdoor patio has dirty plastic coverings when cold which obstructs quite the beautiful view. The hush puppies were standard and service usual. Overpriced for sure but a fun experience. Bring bandaids for the blood drawn on the shells and a large credit card line for the Benjamin's dropped.
(3)
Neena R.
We went on a Thursday evening and while they were busy, there was no line and they weren't packed! Market price on crabs - large (75/dozen), extra large (95), and $32 for all you can eat. Debated between a half dozen large and AYCE, and went with the latter. Ended up eating a tray of small/mediums and doing more work for the same amount of crab and paid the same. But, part of crab picking is the experience, right? Crabs were delicious, service was great. Always a good time at Cantler's!
(4)
Eric J.
A must try spot for seafood in Annapolis!
(3)
Christine L.
My friend and I went here and we were ready to eat. First things you should know is that once you get within 1 mile, you should except to wait about 45-1 hr before you eat. You have to wait in the parking line and then in the actually restaurant line. We got 6 extra large crabs for 2 of us, plus corn on the cob, hush puppies and the crab cake. the whole thing cost us about $75. We were both full from this amount of food. The crab is served with old bay seasoning, butter and vinegar. The waitress was amazing and showed us how to open the crab and eat it like a pro. Corn on the Cob, you can't really go wrong here...especially since i brought back some elote style from the west coast and did butter and old bay seasoning. The hush puppies are essentially fried batter. It was okay. I wouldn't get them again, but if you like fried batter...you might like them. I especially LOVED the crab cake. It was about $7 each crab cake and the cole slaw was a great addition to it. You could taste the freshness of the cake and they just flavored it well. I would definitely come back anytime and would love to bring friends here. I wouldn't wear a white shirt as if you are pounding on the crab (which since i am a pro now and don't need to) it get everywhere and white stains...
(4)
Jordan P.
Let me start out by saying this was pretty magical. The setting the food the views from the terrace onto the water. Perfect for a warm First the bloodly Mary's. Amazing spicy, thick, salty and rimmed with old bay. One of the best. And enough vodka that you could feel it without being overwhelmed. It also ever felt overly diluted (maybe because we drank them fast enough before the ice melted). The crab cakes--we had the broiled ones. Wonderful mounds of golden brown crab. Not overly battered. You got both crab flavor and texture. The accompanying tartar sauce was mayonnaise with a piquant pickle relish. It might have been a little more appropriate with the fried version of the crabcakes, but very tasty. The hush puppies were perhaps a little over cooked but the held together and the texture was nice. These really tasted of corn which was a nice surprise against the dense fried texture of the cigar-shaped puppies. The crabs themselves were the biggest disappointment. The flavor of the seafood was fine and the old bay always delicious. I am not sure if it was a crab issue or whether it was a overcooking but the texture was mushy. Of the seven crabs we shared only one had the expected texture This is a typical crab shack--people seated at shared table, hot crabs are turned out onto the paper covered table tops. It's loud and the sound of mallets on crab shells overwhelms. It isn't fancy, it is messy, it is delicious.
(4)
Yimei W.
Went there about 2 weeks ago and the menu looks hipper. My friend loves that place because she feels the crabs are THE BEST. I also like it because they serve alaskan snow crab and seared scallops in addition to just Maryland crabs. The crabs come quickly. You can sit inside or slightly outside (in a canopy adjoined to the restaurant), and there's a sink nearby for you to rinse your hands. They gave a complimentary apple pie cheesecake or key lime pie for our friend's birthday dinner which was really nice. You can go out on a nice day to the back and hang out on the "pier" which makes for a unique experience. Highly recommended if you are able to trek up to Annapolis! P.S. Huge onion rings...their fries are so good too, coming from a person who doesn't like fries!
(5)
Mark W.
Well, there's the view at least. Came here around 5pm on a Sunday, as I was told this was the place to be for all things crab in Annapolis. We were seated at a communal table outside, and everything was going smoothly. As we weren't very hungry, we decided to split a crab cake dinner. And then the one star review appeared. The crab cake just wasn't good. As a place that should be good at making crab cakes, it just didn't live up to the billing. The veggies were only half cooked, and had no taste. The fries were not very good either. And at $30, those two crab cakes were awfully small. Coming from DC, I'm used to these kind of prices, but usually the food makes up for the size. It seems like this place relies on it's name and location, which is okay, but not what I'm looking for in a restaurant. Luckily there are plenty of food options in Annapolis, and I will never have to come here again.
(1)
Julia M.
I love this place! I've been there twice and will definitely go back. First tip- go there as early as you can, especially weekends. They opens at 11, both times we arrived at about 11.15, and most of the space outside was filled in. By the time we are put, entire restaurant inside and out are completely full, and there long wait line. Another tip - you have to try their crab soup and crab dip. Its the most delicious seafood soup and dip i ever had. About the crabs.. Hmm.. Last time I've been there they only had medium and large size crabs. We decided to start with medium, and than ordered large. Honestly, i don't see such a big difference. The price difference pretty substantial, so next time we'll go there we will just get a medium crabs. The location is amazing! Waterfront and amazing food. What else you can ask for?
(5)
Emmanuel W.
Pretty good food, drinks were average in strength but overall my visit was pleasant. The waitress was nice and patient, I had my grandparents with me so you know old folks can't make up their mind quickly lol. I think it was slightly overpriced for a dozen large blue crabs for 90 bucks but it is what it is, if you can't afford to eat out holla at McDonalds or stock up on Ramen noodles.
(4)
Annie S.
Absolutely love this place! My family and I have been coming for 20years and this is the place for jumbo Maryland blue crabs. They don't take reservations and they are definitely busy so don't expect the get there not wait at all- totally worth the wait! The service could definitely be better but the food is good. I usually order either large or extra large jumbo crabs and the soft shell clams, which are awesome. I love the soft shell clams but be careful if you've never had them before. They come out steaming hot and you have the take the clam shell off, peel the skin of the tail off, rinse the entire clam and then dip in butter and old bay- it's awesome. The clams have the tails attached which are deliciously chewy to me but I've seen some people hate it! But you should always try everything once! :) Crab soup, soft shell crab sandwich, everything else is pretty good too. The crabs are tender and sweet- gotta' love those md blue crabs!
(4)
Billy Z.
It's Sunday 11:30am. Got here just in time. Two parking spaces left. Get here early or you'll wait in a 1/4 mile long line just to park. Then a standing only line outside for a table. It was a hot day and we opted to sit outside to crack some crabs and have cool beverages. The table had umbrellas but only provided shade for a portion of the table. My wife and 2 girls got the shade. I sat in the sun and have never ate while sweating so much. 2 hours in the heat eating and drinking. It never bothered me. The food was great and the service kept the beverages cool and fresh. We had 2 dozen xlg crabs, bucket of steamers, bucket drunken mussles, hush puppies, rockfish bites and finished with key lime pie. This is a crab house. It rivals any. There is one crab house in St. Michaels that has a better view but it's another hour over the bridge. Some reviewers didn't like the crab cakes. We didn't order them. The waitress did tell us that they had a new chef so if you read an earlier review from someone who says they were awful you may want go and give them a try. I'd suggest sitting outside regardless of the temperature. I never grew up eating crabs inside - just feels weird.
(4)
Larry H.
You'll almost certainly assume your GPS is taking you to the wrong address when you navigate your way to Cantler's, which is located in the back of a residential neighborhood. But once you arrive and you see all the picnic tables inside and out on the open air deck, covered with brown craft paper, cold beer, and piled high with steamed crabs, you'll know you're at the right place. Cantler's has been perched on it's hillside above Mill Creek just outside of Annapolis and serving hot steamed crabs to happy customers since 1974. They also arguably serve one of the best crab cakes in Maryland, jumbo lump with just enough egg and breadcrumbs to keep them from falling apart. I'd venture you say you might find a few crab cakes in the state of Maryland that compare to Cantler's but you won't find one that's better. Although they have other offerings on their menu, the reason to come to Cantler's is for the social event of picking "Steamed Crabs" over cold beer and good conversation with friends. The crabs here are always good and you can see how fresh they are by simply walking down the long set of stairs to the creek side where Cantler's live tanks are usually bustling with activity from the live crabs that are freshly delivered here by local watermen. You can arrive by car or by water since Cantlers offers free slips for diners that want to come by boat. But if you want the quintessential Annapolis Maryland crab picking experience, Cantlers needs to be on the top of your list. Local's swear by it, and vistors to Annapolis swear they'll keep coming back. Sit outside, enjoy the water view from high atop their deck that's perched over the waterway while you're picking your crabs and you'll become a believer too.
(4)
Richard D.
If you want a pile of local crabs, this is one of the few places you can get it. For anything else, you might as well go to Red Lobster. Our group of 6 had several different things, each of which was distinctly mediocre, yet cost $30 each without any drinks.
(1)
Sue J.
My family and I (7 in total) went for lunch. When we arrived they only had All u can eat crabs for $36, and Mediums for $45/doz. My 2 brothers ordered platters that they enjoyed. We were told the all u can eat were small and mediums, mostly mediums, so, while disappointed, that's what 5 of us ordered. They brought out one tray; the crabs were ok. Many were mushy and thrown away. When we ordered another tray, the waiter brings out 6 more crabs. So we immediately ordered another tray. We finally just left. I set up the lunch, telling my family how great this place was. Before we left my sister, said "let's just take this place off our list of places to go". I couldn't agree more.
(2)
Lendsey C.
After visiting the MD Ren Faire my friend said she had a place that I would like. We put it in the GPS and away we all went...deep into the back roads of Catonsville. If you get the feeling you're in a horror movie while driving these narrow roads, don't worry, it's all worth it. The restaurant itself is located in a very odd place, almost at the end of what appears to be a neighborhood. It's right on the water though, so if you want the view of the Bay (I'm assuming that's what that body of water was), then you'll enjoy it. The place isn't fancy but goodness does it get the job done. Long benches, newspaper down ready for crab picking and shell shucking. The waitstaff is pretty good with crowds and kept up with our party of 7 easily. The sides were nothing impressive but the seafood....mmmm. I got the two dozen special and I'd give it a 8/10. They were steamed well, the spices were right, the only reason they don't get higher is because out of 24 crabs 2 were empty in the middle. Overall I'd like to make this place my go-to spot for crabs, I'm just scared I'll never be able to get there again haha.
(4)
Susan C.
Had the crabcake sandwich. I was really disappointed. I can understand using crabmeat from elsewhere, but this was served on a sesame seed bun. I imagine they used this to cover up for the lack of taste in the crabcake. Although no filler, there weren't any other spices either. Definitely not a Maryland crabcake. If you like just plain broiled crabmeat then this is for you
(2)
Kesha S.
Service was great and the food was even better. Just went last week and I am going back again this week before I head back to SC. Crabs and crab cakes are phenomenal!
(5)
Christopher P.
I get hungry just thinking about it. Do not come here if your thinking about salad or something light. This is a place where you will eat lots of food. They bring buckets to fill shells and food waste. We tried a bit of everything and have no complaints. The wings where much better then expected at a sea food place. The hush puppies where plentiful and sweet. The shrimp and muscles fresh and tasty. The view is also pretty great. I know it gets super packed in the summer and can see why. It is right on the water, you can sail in, tie your boat up and feast! It's a little tricky getting there by car though, really I blame that on MD, for having horrible roads, not Cantlers fault though.
(4)
Henry B.
Quintessential Chesapeake Bay crab shack - maybe a little upscale since they use butcher paper instead of newspaper to cover the picnic tables!
(4)
Toan D.
Atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. Diners share long tables. When we first walked in the hostess was super friendly and helpful even though it was a busy Saturday night. We waited about 15 minutes. While waiting I got a couple of beers from the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient. After getting seated, there was some mix up and the waiter didn't arrive at our table for 10 minutes. After arriving he apologized for the mix up and the service was excellent from then on. The food overall was a bit of a disappointment. The steamed oysters were the size of my fingernails and super cold. The clams strip were also cold, chewy and flavorless. The stuffed Rockfish was average at best. The fish lacked seasoning and had a medicinal taste. The blue crabs were a big hit. Sweet and meaty. The soft shell clams were also a big hit. I would come back on a less busy night and eat crabs and soft shell clams.
(3)
Hope C.
I love Cantler's. I dream about it. Sure you can get cheaper crabs just across the Bay Bridge, but honestly, for convenience's sake, this place is worth it. As everyone has mentioned, the restaurant is located on the water in a residential inlet of the Chesapeake Bay and has an outdoor deck overlooking the water, as well as a large indoor dining area with a decent-sized bar. You can watch them pulling the crabs right out of the traps - it's all freshly caught. There is never a shortage of employees here. Always well-staffed and full of efficient servers, the management here has the ship going at full speed. I've only ordered steamed blue crabs here. There's really nothing else you need to know. Go with the large ones if you can - they're so much better and worth the extra $15. This is what Maryland's all about - beers in a can, brown paper on the table, the smell of Old Bay in the air and the clinkclinkclink of the mallets hammering away at the crab claws. Blue crabmeat is so sweet and tender and tastes perfect without dipping it in butter and Old Bay -- but those two condiments make it that much better! A word to the wise: if you've never picked blue crabs before, this place will require some work. It's a mess, it takes awhile, you may burn your fingers and it takes a little bit of experience to work out all the meat from the body. Make sure you go with someone who can teach you, and stay open-minded and patient. Once you've got it down, you'll never go back...and you'll be dreaming about those little gems from the bay just like I do!
(5)
Seth G.
I go here since it my 90+ year old Grandmothers favorite place to eat. She has been coming here since she was a young lass. It is off the beaten path, but it worth going down that path. It on Mill Creek and when the weather is on your side, it is nice sit on their deck and have your meal. When deciding what you are going to eat, you can not go wrong with the seafood. The service has always been great. But what is most import is that my Grandmother has always enjoyed herself. If you are wondering, I too have enjoyed every meal I have had here. The most recent time I had the rockfish sandwich (broiled) with hush puppies.
(3)
Lizhe Y.
I saw someone posted really good review on Facebook and that's why I took my family here. We drove all the way from New York (yes I am such a crazy foodie lol) on July 3rd (a bad time to go to a popular restaurant). We waited 30 minutes for parking and another hour to get seated. The restaurant was insanely busy. We had a really nice sever but the food was hmmmm okay. We ordered a dozen of medium size steamed crabs. Maybe the season is not right?! Our crabs were pretty "lean" lol. The spice was too overpowering. And a dozen "just okay" crabs for $55?? That's a bit pricey! We also had mussels and clams. Mussels were just average, the clams were horrible. All I tasted was sand, sand, sand. Even after I tried to wash them in the water that was provided with the claims, I still couldn't get rid of the sand. The best thing we had there was the fried sweet potato fries..... So not worth it to drive from NY to here for this....
(1)
Joodie T.
It's everything everyone says it is. We were lucky to even find this joint as it mostly hosts docked boats coming in from a day out on the water. Apparently, only the locals are able to find this place by car...but! now yelpers who are in need of good seafood are able to drop in for a much needed Maryland crab fix. Look around, if you're not ordering anything with crab in it or if there's not a mallet in your hand, you're doing it wrong. Cool deals like 38 bucks for a beer and unlimited crabs for 2 hours or if you have time, sit down to a dozen or half dozen crabs and enjoy the view. Don't be in the hurry to go anywhere, it'll mess up the experience.
(5)
Brad H.
Probably the best local crab house Ive ever been to - this place is a bit small but there is outdoor and indoor seating to accommodate the best they can They do take reservations but you need to have 10 people or more so keep that in mind Location is in a cool out of the way place - or at least I thought but leaving there at night after drinking your fill of beers or mixed drinks could get a bit rough on the tighter roads that lead you in and out of there so be mindful of that Im from California and we dont have crab houses like this so I really enjoyed it Bar tender was friendly really liked her quick service especially on a busy night when the Ravens were playing. I definitely got a more "locals" vibe as the location seems to really only serve the surrounding community so a bit of a plus if you can find this hidden gem Located right on the water so the right night would make for a great atmosphere for a group or couple Ok onto the food - crab house - go there for crabs not for a burger (even though someone in my group had the burger and said it was good)_ I was there for the crabs and the seafood. went through 4 dozen medium sized blues which were great - pricing seemed to be there with market pricing maybe a bit higher so be prepared for that - also had the crab soup - great flavor which I could have handled more of it but got too full I would return on my next trip to Maryland
(5)
Greg B.
This place is highly overrated. If you are a hard shell crab fan then this is ok, But everything else was sub-par. Not worth waiting in line. The servers are good.
Was excited to go there because of all the reviews. Honestly I thought it was horrible. Sides were good but I didn't even eat my shrimp salad sandwich. Beers are only in a car. Thought it was over priced for being served with plastic cups and the quality of food...
(2)
Dee B.
Disappointing! Waitress forgot to mention the specials to us, and because they were listed on the side of the napkin holder - the side that was facing away from our end of the table, we only found out about them when another server walked up to us with a delectable looking and sounding crab-stuffed portabello mushroom. The three of us each had a different sandwich, and they were all small. Sides were nothing to write home about, either. I'll definitely go to other seafood/crab places before I return here!
(2)
Janet L.
The scenery is beautiful. The service was good. But the crabs were expensive and lousy. Very overcooked. So disappointing.
(1)
Stacy M.
We had relatives in from out of town for a funeral, and needed someplace nice to eat. Reading the reviews, this looked like a good pick. VERY disappointed. We had crab cakes, crab cake sandwiches, and crab soup, both Maryland and cream of crab. The soup was delicious. That was about the only good thing. The crab cakes were absolutely the WORST we have ever had!! The menu said lump crab meat. The crab meat was not lump at all. It was shredded, dry, and had NO flavor whatsoever. Very, very bland. Tartar sauce and worcestshire sauce didn't even help. They were terrible. A waste of money, the crab cake platter was $32. Ugh. Will never go back.
(1)
Ethan L.
This is without question the best dock side seafood restaurant that I've ever been to in the state of Maryland. The inside is a cozy bar and dimly lit area filled with relics of the past, and patrons portraits that have come and gone. Outside is where the action is where you can sit in a covered tent area or in benches out in the open. The Seafood here is plentiful and top notch quality. The soups, sandwiches are all first rate and while not always fancy, are packed with choice tasty seafood meat and goodness. The lump crab cake sandwich is plentiful, the cream of crab soup hearty, and the butternut squash crab soup is a perfect sweetness that hits with the crab nicely. Steamers are bountiful, you get alot if you order them. The creek waters nearby are also a nice touch, and you can even see them processing the crab right outside on the dock. But the best part is that to date this is the best place I've had steamed crabs anywhere. They come in fresh, luckily in good size, and you can order a bunch, and the best part is you can even order just one! I loved the fact you can order just one and then give myself room to have other items on the menu. Plus more importantly they spice them AFTER they have been cooked instead of throwing the spice on them first. Decent beer selection of craft and macro to go with your order and what more could you ask for, and the drive to the restaurant is always a great trip as well. Visited probably outside of a peak tourist time, which was still busy but easily manageable, but without question this is a place I will be returning to as much as I can.
(5)
Jessica E.
Came here after a wedding with a large group (19) with high hopes. The restaurant service was terrible, they didn't seem too busy, there were tables open and plenty of servers. Our meals came out at different times, they forgot the only two appetizers we ordered, they forgot a lobster dinner and it arrived by mean manger after we had all completed eating and the seared tune came out well done when asked for raw, and the salad came out with croutons wen we notified the server that the person was gluten free, they then returned the salad with the croutons picked off and our friend got sick. The most important review is the crabs- 2 dozen $80 and about what seemed like 2 cups of crab meat that we were actually able to eat. The worst was the yellow bile was liquid and covering everything. From what I know that means the crabs were not prepared properly. My Delaware crab experience was much better. I would avoid the crabs here all together.
(1)
Brendan B.
Our family loves eating here before Navy football games. My favorite is the Maryland Crab soup that is spiced to perfection. We keep coming back.
(5)
Alanjaboo S.
Excellent food. we got a dozen large crabs, shrimp platter and oysters. The waitress didn't tell us there was even an option for 1/2 dozen crabs so we paid $70 for a dozen for just 2 of us. That would have been my only complaint. The shrimp were large and delicious and came with extra seasoning and butter to add once you peeled them which was nice. We got there at 11am and got right in with a seat outside on the deck. 10 minutes later the place was PACKED!!! Get there early if you dont want a 2+ hour wait!!
(4)
Tu-van L.
Tip: to ensure that you get a table promptly, plan to arrive there at least 15 minutes before the open. There were only a handful of people there at that time, but by the time doors open the line is few dozen deep. Another tip: use your GPS to find this place. This crab shack is so deep in residential area you wouldn't know this is there unless you're looking for it. Yet another tip: brush up on your crab shucking skills before coming. Found out that I'm not big into (shucking) Maryland blue crabs. Which makes it hard for me to decide if I don't care for the place because of that to the quality of food and services offered. Crabs were good and perfectly seasoned with Old Bay. They were on the expensive side, so you may need to order other unremarkable sides to supplement your meal. A dozen larges with fried clams, fries and hush puppies were enough to satisfy 3 people. If the weather is nice enough, I highly recommend sitting outside. Nice view of the docks. And I recommend ordering everything in the beginning while the wait staff is attentive. I remember being thirsty by the end of my lunch with an empty water cup on hand (Old Bay does that to me). All in all I thought Canntlers is a great local-feeling place for a crab eating experience. I can see why locals like to come here. I'm just not sure it's something I'll go out of my way for anytime soon. I'll just stick with Maryland crab cakes. :)
(3)
Zoe G.
Had a great time.... The food was good, it tasted fresh. The atmosphere was great, right by the water, everyone enjoying themselves. The soft shell crab was great, same with the rock fish. I really enjoyed the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. The crab cake and the scallops were good. Glad we got there early, traffic and parking were a mess by the time we were leaving.
(4)
Rosemary C.
This place is AMAZING. Great super fresh food. Awesome servers fast service. I'll 1000%be back.
(5)
Soie J.
1 word = DREAM! More words... For a New Yorker like myself (but grew up in Seattle, home of Dungeness Crabs), this place is heavenly! Amazing food in a super casual atmosphere. We (2) ordered 8 Maryland blue crabs, large bucket of steamers, fried clam strips and some drinks. Everything was fresh and delicious with great service! And the total came out to $120 w/o tip. Every dollar was worth it! I can't wait to return in August!! Small warning to NYers: lots of Ravens fans here! ;-)
(5)
Tatum L.
Some of the best crab! Pure 100% MD crabs. Had a great crab cake, too. Worth the price & wait.
(5)
Ace A.
Craps cake was amazing , Services also very good ,i like craps cake & craps trays . Hope to find more experience next time
(4)
Albert L.
So this was my second visit to Cantler's, and let's just say it was better than I had remembered. The approach to the Riverside Inn is misleading to the uninitiated - you're going through a neighborhood on a narrow backroad, so you may feel lost. Never fear, a clearing will appear. Parking is a bit chaotic with limited space, but there are attendants that will guide you towards the next available open spots. With a larger group, be prepared to wait at any time of day. They are just that popular. Our party of 8 ended up waiting a reasonable 1 hour-ish on a Sunday mid-afternoon. Guests are welcome to walk down around the pier to look at the crab pools and to relax along the river. There's usually even a small stand selling (adult) beverages up top at reasonable prices, so that's another way to enjoy the experience. All in all, it's very scenic and is great to just get that whole bay vibe. If you can (and weather permitting), definitely opt for an outdoor table. The view of boats passing by on the river while you breathe in that salty Old Bay breeze coming from your freshly steamed crabs is quintessentially Mid-Atlantic. Depending on supply, you'll have options of medium, large, and extra large crabs for order. These babies are FRESH. You WILL be spoiled by Cantler's if you've never had the bay crab experience before. For a group of 8, two dozen was a decent portion, though the experts could probably go for even more. Also of note - the menu here is huge. They've got mussels, clams, hush puppies, fries, crab bruschetta, corn on the cob, fish frys, etc ... It's a smorgasbord. But really, you're here for the fresh crab. As appetizers, we did order the hush puppies, fries, and crab bruschetta, which were all very good. Some also got the fresh corn, and that went well with the old bay seasoning and butter on top. The crabs were immaculate, with an odd one being a bit mushier than the others. All in all, Cantler's is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon with good company, so don't miss out. Make the trip out and visit what may be one of the best crab houses in Annapolis.
(5)
Dwight S.
Yes, the crabs are a little pricey. But hey, this is the real deal. If you want to have the experience of laying out a bunch of crabs on brown paper and making a big mess digging little bits of crab meat out of the poor fellow (who gave so much of himself so that you may eat) than this is the place. If you don't like the high prices of crabs, get the seafood sampler which is quite reasonable and gives you a few crabs and shrimp and a bunch of other stuff for about $28.
(5)
Gary D. S.
Was staying at the Gaylord @ National Habor ( Alexandria VA.). Drove to Cantlers for a Crab Fix. 45 min. drive was well worth it. My fav place for a crab feast is St. Michaels. But this will do just fine. We were there on Academy grad week end and thought we'd have to wait to get a seat. Drove up and walked right in to crab heaven. Wife have crab the imperial plate. And I loaded up on 9 X-Lrgs. I love this place...the food...the staff...the locals...the cadets. Everybody in the place was rockin and having a great time. Stand up and salutes to Cantlers, and the USN. God Bless America!! From a Good Old Boy from West Texas I don't think I've never had a better meal and been taken care of buy anybody or any place ever.
(5)
Melanie R.
I trek out to Cantlers about three times a year. Let's be honest...they do have the best crab cake in area. I have searched and yet to find better. The crab cake has been priced around $16 for a few years now..and is filled with crab, lightly seasoned and has no filler. Now the size is much smaller than G&M, but hello....water view!! This place is a must to do with your out-of-town guest. My family from NC thinks its awesome! The bad: it does require a few twist and turns to get there..and the neighborhood is a bit weird. You will see mobile homes and million dollar homes. ?? It will be slammed on a weekend..and you will wait for a table! So just deal with it..and know you will be eating good crabs, an awesome crabcake, and watching the sun go down over the bay!
(4)
Cynthia X.
Visited with a large group after a full day of sailing. For visitors, the place seems a bit hidden - we drove through a woody area before reaching the restaurant. Only when we saw the parking lot filled with cars were we comforted. (For sailors, apparently, you can sail here as well). The place is roomy and casual, a no frills seafood place! While they accommodate large groups, they do not split checks. For the food - get the crab buckets. So fresh and such a good deal! A dozen large sized crabs run for $50. They also sell by the half dozen, which I shared with a friend. I was plenty full after working through 3 crabs. Beware: the dry rub on the crab is super salty, so I would try to take as much of it off the shell before you get crackin. The whole crab eating experience straight from the table and with a hammer to crack the shell is also a lot of fun! I also ordered a cup of crab soup. There are two on the menu - Maryland crab soup (tomato based, $5) and creamy crab soup ($6). They let you order a mix of the two, which is what I got (they'll charge you the $6 though). TOO SALTY. I think it was the Maryland crab soup that was over seasoned, so I would suggest ordering the creamy crab soup alone. I ate way too many crackers to balance the salt of the soup. Crab + sodium overload, but otherwise, a very happy customer.
(4)
Jenny L.
The crab shack is a bit more expensive but well worth the price. The service is good while not all our crab is fresh/live, our waitress was very willing to exchange for us with no questions asked.
(4)
Kimberly R.
This is a great, relaxed place for crab picking, provided you have the time to relax and wait. Lovely servers, service can be slow, but they're often slammed. Bring your patience and enjoy a delicious meal!
(4)
Christine S.
Fantastic seafood!!! The hubs and I loved to come here and enjoy a big crab feast. The only thing I don't like is the squishy seating and long waits. But long waits do mean amazing food and service which this place is known for:)
(4)
Amanda L.
Giving a four-star rating is purely because of the location and restaurant settings, their food truly deserves a five star in terms of freshness and originality. Some Thailand friends introduced us this place and I have no idea how did they found it, as it was a few miles away from downtown Annapolis, really inside the neighborhood, however, the place was always packed! First time Saturday afternoon, we waited for 2 hours; then second time Thursday night around 10 pm ( they close at 11pm usually) no need to wait; then Sunday noon no need to wait, this time Saturday around 7 pm is 1.5 hours wait. The place is spacious and next to the river where they raise the crabs. The parking lot is not small but cannot take too many customers. You basically start lining in the car and one person from your party goes to put your name down on the waiting list. Sometimes, even the buzzer runs out and you have to be proactively asking them for the buzzers all the time. It is a family restaurant and sometimes the receptionists are their kids (not sure) and might allocate the buzzer in a different way. Another thing is the ladies' restroom, only two stalls inside and always has a line. Some people actually just wanted to wash their hands and their is another sink outside near the deck. As Thai friends grow up with eating seafood, they showed me the correct way of eating a crab: taking 8 legs off, open the stomach and separate the crab into two parts, eat the yellow part, don't eat the white tissue, then cut the body into two parts from the middle and there are tons of meat in each part. They recommend to order Large size crabs as this size makes sure the good taste remains while you have enough to eat. I usually eat two to three crabs and one corn with butter, for guys, maybe five to six depends on your appetite. The price is calculated by dozen or half dozen, averagely every large crab is about $6. You have vinegar and butter dip sauce for crab meat. I remember the crab cakes and seafood platter are pretty good as well. I always go to Annapolis Ice Cream Company after eating lots of food for mint chocolate ice cream, then walking near the harbor and main street for some time with either friends or family was just relaxing.
(4)
Ana B.
Hush puppies and calamari were NOT good. Will not order those again. We enjoyed the Large crabs. My daughter enjoyed the shrimp salad sandwich and cream of crab soup. Service was great - Emily was good! We came at 12 noon on a Wednesday. No lines. Not crowded.
(3)
Joann B.
**3.5 stars** I wish this place was closer! I thought the prices were a bit high, but the seafood was pretty fresh. My friends are bay crab fans and happily chowed down. Their hush puppies and cole slaw are ok, nothing outstanding. The crab dip was creamy and had an ok amount of actual crab in there. It's good the dip didn't come in a bigger size because we needed to save room for the crab. We had some corn on the cob, but it didn't have much taste and it was kind of chewy, so those were not eaten. The best combo for us would be the crabs, fries and a bucket(s) of beer. We also had dessert and the key lime beat out the yellow cake. For a busy Sunday afternoon, the service was good and we only had to wait about 20 mins for a table for 6 in the covered section outside. It was nice to have a parking 'attendant' let us know where the available parking is located. For females, sometimes there's a long wait for the bathroom. It's really small and only has two stalls - just an FYI. It is helpful that there's a sink next to the outside seating to go and wash your hands. That way, you can avoid long lines to the bathroom.
(3)
Kevin M.
You'll need a GPS or a map or to have been there before or to be friends with a person who lives next door in order to find it. Once you do I highly suggest that you ask the host for a seat because they bring food to the place where people sit and that food is good tasting (I've heard this a thing at most "restaurants"). Then when the food comes, tell your kids to stop whining because this is the first time you and mommy have been able to get out of the house for a good meal in god knows how long and will you just let us enjoy this one sliver of a moment of happiness please! Yes son those are crabs. Yes sweetie, they're dead. They're delicious, be quiet and eat your hot dog. Oh you don't like hot dogs now? Next you're going to say you don't like cheese.
(4)
Hana P.
I came here one Sunday afternoon and it was so packed that there was even a line of cars waiting to get into The place is pretty small, yet popular, so I'm sure there's always a wait for a seat. When we got there, the hostess told us our wait was about 20 minutes, when it was actually nearly an hour! Thankfully, we were able to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks while we waited. We ordered extra large crabs and it wasn't until they came out that we realized the large and extra large were pretty much the same size. Meh, we were jipped. Our server was extremely nice though! The crabs were also just okay. I've had better crabs in Baltimore and over the Bay Bridge. But at this point I was dying to eat some crabs so I devoured them.
(3)
Chris P.
So I had heard of this place and understood it to have a decent reputation. I kind of expected a quieter atmosphere, but I should have remembered that they are mainly known for crabs. The atmosphere was still nice outside with a great view and beautiful weather. The server was excellent and attentive. The food was good. I got snow crab legs and my girl got clam chowder. I got the fisherman's fry without the crab cake and sub scallops (because I don't mess around with friend backfin crabcakes) and she got the stuffed rockfish. All of the food was great at normal prices for such fare. Okay the only real problem I had and I can't believe no one has noticed this yet in the reviews, is the SPIDERS. Around sunset, shortly before it was getting dark, spiders started getting feisty. You think I'm joking? I'm not. They ranged from large to small and were constructing their webs around the edges and ceiling of the outside dining room. Look, I hate spiders, especially when they get feisty and active. They brought all of their friends. I thought my date was going to die (because she was sitting closer to the edge). So stressful! So look, I'm not really mad about it, but, seriously, Cantler's, get rid of the spiders...their place is in nature, not your dining establishment. Oh and by the way, our server was great, but the server next to us was terrible. She interrupted an introduction to inform the server that that table was actually hers. Are you kidding? No one trained you on common sense and decency? And then when asked a question about the menu, she responded, "well, that's what it says in the system." LOL. Please either fire or train her. Just because they are young and pretty, like myself, is no excuse for sheer ignorance, ditz, and lack of points of service. But yeah, go here, just be wary of the spiders and remember, its a loud crab house.
(3)
Pat D.
2+ hour wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Both parking lots were full and the frustrated staff was no help.
(1)
David J.
The crab and other seafood here is excellent and so is the atmosphere. The staff we encountered were all extremely nice and helpful. The restaurant itself is on the water and has a great patio area that is covered in winter so it's available year-round. They've also got a dock, so you can arrive by boat if you'd prefer. As far as the food goes, I really liked my crab chowder. It was extremely creamy and well-seasoned, and I didn't detect any shell in it. The fried oysters were also great. Of course, the crabs were the highlight of the meal. They come out in buckets and you have to peel them yourself. It's messy and fun, and they provide you with excellent seasoning as well as butter and vinegar if you want it. There's not much more to it than that. It's all about the seafood, and Cantler's has the best.
(5)
Bill J.
Went there on July 4th. I was visiting friends that live there and who insisted we go again. Although my first visit was over a year ago, and it was less than good, I thought maybe the second time around might be better, hoping everyone would be cooking out for the holiday. Wrong! The place is always packed and I just don't get it. The parking lot is the biggest mess I've ever seen. They do have a couple of kids trying to direct traffic but they were not that adept at doing so. When asked a question about the place the response was I don't work inside. We sat inside this time and it was so loud and crowded it was impossible to enjoy yourself. One mindless young woman stood behind my chair for at least 15 minutes and kept pushing the backpack she wore against my shoulder and head. When I finally realized she was going be be there forever I asked her if she realized she was bumping me. She seemed insulted that I even had the nerve to say something. She finally left the area. We ordered crab dip with some sort of small bread loaf. The bread looked good, was warm, but no taste. The crab dip just okay. I ordered the rockfish plate. The fish was good. The french fries cold and soggy. The rice was also cold and probably the most tasteless I've ever eaten. The waiter did the best he could and we didn't have to wait long for our food. That was a blessing because that meant we could get out of there sooner, rather than later. The inside atmosphere is nothing to write home about. It just an old tavern with a bunch of tables jammed together with brown paper used to cover the tops. The locals think this is the best place ever. I beg to differ. If I ever have to return it will be way too soon. Btw.......the prices are way out there too. This place is way over hyped. I wouldn't recommend this joint to anyone.
(1)
M D.
3.5 is a perfect rating here. Worth the drive for the experience, especially for someone usually land-locked and unfamiliar with the bay scene. Fantastic setting, especially with the outdoor seating. Fun to see the catch being sorted under the deck and to know your dinner just came in. I think the food was better in town at Dock St, but it was still very good and worth the drive.
(3)
Rosa H.
I agree with the others...this place is all hype and nothing good. I don't understand why anyone would go anymore. Save your money and don't bother...there are plenty of great restaurants with better pricing, better service and better food. We waited 45 minutes with a baby and a stroller only to be told our stroller couldn't enter the restaurant. That wasn't the bad part, the waitress proceeded to chase us around the corner in the restaurant to give us her two cents on why it was an issue. Basically, don't bother coming if you have a wheelchair, walking device, stroller or anything else for that matter. Finally, the food sealed the deal. We paid $200 for some lettuce in a bag that they called salad and some very tiny crabs that they considered medium and large sized. How awful. Will never go back. If you want crabs, go to Mike's, it's on the water and they have better food and service. I drove all the way from Bethesda...what a waste!
(1)
Florence K.
Good ole messy fun. Crabs were good, and everything you'd expect from a crab shack. Sadly, I was more impressed by the mussels. Those had really deep flavors and because it came with bread, it made it even better!!!! Raw oysters on the half shells were fresh and the fried calamari was typical. As hidden as this place was, I think I was expecting more out of the food. Like it may have had some secret sauce or spice blend that really made me want to eat more... but it didn't... The location is nice, right by the water. Nice good for large families/parties.
(3)
Gina L.
Whoo-hoo! 1800, pulled into the parking lot after a quiet pleasant drive among winding neighborhood roads and the golden setting sun. The parking lot was packed, but an employee was nice enough to stand by the entrance to guide us to a primo spot in front. 1805, starving and seated. There's nothing like seeing a giant brown paper sheet placed in front of you as a reminder that yes, it is okay to eat like a three year old sometimes. This place is packed. The noise level high and the sound of crabs breaking under the pressure of hungry stomachs guiding sturdy mallets. 1820: No fine china here, folks! Just paper plates and good ole food. Highly suggest the crab cakes. Not some breaded concoction with slivers of crab. All in all, highly suggested! Great service, casual and noisy happy ambience, along with some good ole get your hands dirty grub. Got the raw oysters, steamed clams, mussles, and shrimp. Add some crab and snow crab legs and we're talkin' a pretty satisfying dinner.
(5)
Nick B.
Cantler's is an Annapolis institution, plain and simple. Every person out of state or even within Maryland that's looking for a great place to enjoy a cold beer and some crabs with friends, this is your place. Yeah sure the environment's a little noisy, but that's to be expected with an establishment of this type. Everyone says all of the locals swear by this place; funny thing is they're right. I'm a local and I love Cantler's.
(5)
Brian M.
It ain't haute cuisine, but for what it is you can't really complain. Procedure: 1) Park. Better arrive by 1PM on a weekend, and the road in barely goes two-wide. 2) Walk in, get seated at a long table with all types of folk. 3) Will you be having crabs? (Yes). Here's what sizes are left, the prices, and by the way you can order in whatever increments you want. We had 5. 4) Order drinks, any accompanying dishes. 5) Lay out that paper and a bucket, dump some crabs down and get to work. Make no mistake, you come here for the blue-claws. Weighting of any reviews or expectations should be judged accordingly meaning oh boo-hoo the romaine on your salad wasn't crisp enough, the ahi tuna wasn't Tsukiji Market quality? You're at the wrong joint, pal. This is sit on a bench in the heat, drink canned beer, sweat, wipe your face with your forearms because your hands are covered in Old Bay/salt/crab juice, cover the table in paper, hose off at the end type place. And by those standards they do a damn nice job.
(4)
Shari A.
Hard to find if you are not a local, but another place totally worth the trip. low key, great crabs, great view. Fun to go to even in the off season. Good service. Great place to bring a group!
(4)
Herschel S.
The bad: We came here on a Saturday afternoon (around 5pm) for an early dinner. We thought we would miss the crowd but who are we kidding!? The place was packed. Actually it stayed packed the entire time we were there. When we got there, we were told that they ran out of crabs. A restaurant known for its crabs actually ran out of it! We also found out that we would need to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. The good: When we found out that they ran out of crabs, we started debating if we still wanted to stay there and eat. We decided that we should probably ask them about the soft shell crabs since we really went there for soft shell crabs and the rockfish and stuffed shrimp. The waitress told us crab cakes and the soft shell crabs are still available and only the steamed crabs are not. So we decided that we can wait 1.5 hours for the food that we came for. The excellent: As soon as we decided we are going to wait 1.5 hours to be seated, our buzzer started buzzing. We were told that we can actually get seated! So we perused the menu and ordered our meal. I really wanted to get the calamari too but my husband reminded me that the meals might be too big and it would be a waste to order too much. So I decided if the meal wasn't enough I'll get the appetizer. Once the soft shell crab and the Rockfish and Stuffed Shrimp came, it was a delight. The crabs were really tasty. My husband especially loved eating the crabs without the need to crack them open and dig around for such little meat. I love the lump crab imperial with the shrimp. I thought the rockfish was just okay. I can do it at home about the same or probably better. I also love the fries that came with the soft shell crabs. The meal turned out to be more than enough! We couldn't order more. What I really like about this place is the atmosphere. It's pretty divey and you can actually go down to their docks and see how they sort the crabs. They also have a few containers with crabs swimming around. Boats come by often too. We talked to one of the people who has a boat and is passing by Cantler's. She mentioned that in this area she only knows of Cantler's selling gas to boaters. So of course we checked out the boat gas machine too. Good food and good experience! FYI, on the weekends they don't take reservations.
(5)
Matt C.
Cantlers is a nice little place with a few little problems. Here we go.... First, Cantlers is like El Dorado in regards to its location. You have to pretty much know where it is, as I think even our GPS conked out as we got deeper and deeper into the woods trying to find it. When we did finally get there, it was PACKED. We wound up waiting about 40 minutes outside for a seat. But, since there was a bar outside, it wasn't that big of a problem, since I figured I'd just get a few drinks while we waited....not so fast. 1, beer is only in cans and even then, the only cans outside were swill like Coors lite and Bud lite. I settled on a can of Corona, but wait, they don't take cards. Only inside. Grrrr. Its a small gripe, but it put us off to a bad start. Once finally inside, in a dimly lit room with a huge row of tables down the middle, we were sat down and went to work perusing the pretty big menu. Normally, I would think that this was a "just me being me" problem, but NO ONE at the table could decide on what to get. I think it was equal parts, "everything sounds good," and "nothing has everything I want!" For example, I was ready to BUST A GRUB, and wanted the sampler, but it didn't come with crab legs, and you couldn't just add them. You had to buy a 1/2 pound meal at an additional like $16. Ok, if I just wanted the crab legs, it was that and that only, with no shrimp, or mussels etc. There was no "everything" platter, that I would've gladly paid a kings ransom for. After being ENTHUSIASTICALLY encouraged by the server to get the rockfish, I got the stuffed rockfish (I know, I know....all that about crab legs, and still didn't get them...but that's kind of my point....). It was a decent fished filet with a tiny little salad thing. Eh....I was expecting more, and was quite underwhelmed by the sight, but since the server damn near got a Rockfish tattoo, I figured it would make up for it in taste. Wrong. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't the culinary enlightenment I was promised. My friend tried it and confirmed that it was also "dry." Ugh. All said and done, it turns out that its a bit pricey for what I got. I wasn't happy with my meal, all things considered, and when I'm back in Annapolis, I will not be begging to go back. I'll leave it to the locals.
(3)
Guy M.
Egh, Cantlers is okay in its own right. For me, it just did not live up to the expectation that had been given. The people were nice, service was good but at the end of the day, the food and experience was average. Nothing remarkable here.
(2)
Reese S.
Came here based on a recommendation from a friend. I'm visiting the area for the first time and wanted to try the blue crabs. The place is secluded and friendly. The food is really good. A well-kept secret with a beautiful view.
(4)
V E.
Solid place and great experience. Food was delicious and server (Jillian) was helpful considering it was my first time busting into crab. Wait was long but it's worth it.
(4)
Stephanie M.
I don't get the hype. As we drove through a small Annapolis neighborhood to get there, a huge line of cars, a 1/4 of a mile long, started forming to just enter the parking lot. The best part of the trip was when the parking attendant told us that, to save time, one of us should get out of the car and walk to the restaurant to put our names in. Being a gentleman, and a sucker for a cold beer, I jumped out and got our name on the list. As I finish my first cold one, my wife had finished parking. This place was packed. Beer is only served from a can and into plastic cups... blech. $4.50 for a can of anything sucks. We waited an hour at the bar before we thought to ask the hostess where we were in line. We had 10 people ahead of us for outdoor seating. At this point we decided to get steamed seafood platter to start. It was a huge disappointment. The mussels were bland and dry and the shrimp were small and overcooked. I couldn't believe how bad it was for a place known for seafood.As we were finishing the lackluster and overpriced appetizer, our buzzer rang. There was a great view overlooking the water. We were seated on picnic tables, which is great if you are eating crabs with a group of friends, but it was not exactly what I had in mind for a date night with the wife. Based on the reviews, I had to try the broiled lump crab cake sandwich. It was very meaty but was kinda bland. The hush puppies were good but were cold by the time I received them. On the other hand, the fried green tomato and chipotle soft shelled crab special that my wife ordered was surprisingly very good (and probably earned a star all by itself on this review) Service: I always felt like an inconvenience to the servers both at the bar and at the table. Granted, they were busy but they always seemed rushed and if I needed anything I felt as if I had to flag them down. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way again to come here.
(3)
Paul D.
I've heard the name Cantler's for decades and never bothered to take the time to find it or actually go and eat there. Even when I spent two years in Annapolis. Mostly because it's way out of the way (somewhat hard to find) and expensive. So I finally made it here and WOW! I'm a dumbass for not making a pilgrimage here, at least once a year, for the last 20 years. I went on an overcast December day for their 1/2 price happy hour Appetizers. Totally worth the drive. $4.50 for a 1/2lb of Snow Crab legs, (I wish I had ordered 2 of these) $5.50 for a smoked Blue Fish, served chilled (most of which I ate the next day). Fried Chesapeake Oysters, $7.50 Crab Dip w/two loaves of bread, etc, etc.. I really need to come here in the summer and pick crabs or just try their crab cakes. Because this place is what Maryland is all about: Sitting by the water, eating fresh seafood, and just soaking up the nostalgia all around you. From the 1980's O's pictures on the wall in the bathroom, the old Washingtonian Magazines framed on the walls, to the dimly lit wooded dinning room, the weather beaten floating dock, to the smell of crab seasoning and drawn butter, this place is a little slice Maryland Americana. It's got History, Character, and some of the best Seafood around. I hope it remains for years to come.
(5)
Stefani R.
Oh my goodness! This place is delicious. Literally everything I've had has been cooked and seasoned perfectly. My friends and I try to go as much as we can. Great outdoor atmosphere!
(5)
Linda P.
What a fun night we had at Cantlers. We had planned to go to another crab joint in Annapolis, but were at the bar at Pusser's when a local convinced us otherwise. This place was voted top ten by Maxim for seafood...not just crab - all seafood. Not too shabby. We sat at the bar and had the 'all you can eat' of mediums, which were local crabs. The larges were good looking crabs, but we knew they were brought up from LA, so we decided to stay with the local fare. While my boyfriend loved the whole lot, I was hoping to stay a little off the spice dust, as I found it a bit salty and overpowering, but hey... That's the WAY to eat Maryland Blue Crabs, so.... When in Rome... I stuck mostly to the bodies. So was able to pull off the big shell that had most of the dusted spice on it and pick out the good bits. I found It was harder to avoid the flavoring with the claws. The staff at Cantlers couldn't have been nicer. From parking to seating to bar, we loved it. We even bought a cute tee shirt to remember the night. Definitely a hidden gem - 15 minutes out of town off the beaten path. Thanks to the folks at Pusser's for the tip!
(5)
Kevin S.
Ate here yesterday with our party of 10. We drove all the way from Rockville, MD to eat at this place. I had the crab cake sandwich, regular french fries, sweet potato french fries, and coleslaw. The food was below average. Crab cake was cold and bland. Absolutely bland. The sweet potato fries were not crispy and tasted horrid. I ordered an order of regular french fries to make up for the disappointment again, dry cold and disgusting. The coleslaw was average. No one at the table was impressed what so ever. There were 10 of us, and no one thought anything special about our experience. Only positive note was that the entire staff was very friendly!
(1)
The R.
Found a hair in my food, so it kind of ruined the whole experience for me. It is situated in a very nice area, which also means it is a bit pricey. The hair ruined it all for me. It wasn't an eyelash or little eyebrow hair either. It was a long curly thick blonde hair.....and that was in the salad, so the rest of meal I was just being cautious and skeptical, which sucked. Manager actually came out to apologize but I think after having to pull a thick blonde hair from my mouth I was standoffish to the whole place. Sucks.
(1)
Jesse C.
Good food and great service. They had an outdoor table for us to sit with our sheepdog and view the water while eating. It was a great time. The food is more expensive than most and getting to the restaurant can be kind of difficult if you don't have a gps. The soft shell crab was great but the hush puppies were below par. We'll be back for sure.
(4)
Christina E.
I ordered the all you can eat crab. Not bad for $35 BUT no sides! I had to pay extra for a side and I figured paying that much I at least deserved fries or something.
(4)
Alberto L.
Wo seriously?? I just don't get it. All this place has going for it is its location on the water. I think people like it because they have been coming here for years, and there is always a special occasion so they are too over joyed to realize how bad the place is. Read the other reviews. They all talk about going there for a West Point graduation or anniversary. Outrageously Overpriced - You know you can pay Yelp to remove certain things like cost from your businesses' profile. There is a reason why Cantler's doesn't allow you to add your rating of the expensiveness of the restaurant. I couldn't believe the dismal portions. We literally thought that the crab cake sandwich was a hushpuppy sandwich because the crab cakes were that small. It looked like of dollop of fried dough surrounded by a sea of bun. The seafood cocktail appetizer came with 3 average sized shrimp and about 2 ounces of crab meat $16. For real? At least give me a half dozen shrimp. Aren't you on the water? Don't you catch most of the stuff yourself? I see (and smell) the guy out back shucking the crab meat. It's not like you are paying pass through. Dirty and it Smells Awful - I understand seafood restaurants on the water should be allowed certain leeway here. But God, this place is bad. Have some self-respect. It's more than just a "sea smell". Rotting trash all around the building. Grease spills throughout the parking lot that smell horrid and are a huge slipping hazard. Rotting crab throughout the floor and corners of dining room. The Service Subpar - The place is overcrowded and I kept getting pushed aside by hurried wait staff. I don't mind the hustle and bustle, but say excuse me. Also, it would be nice to feel more welcomed. The staff are stuck in their routine of just trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. If Im paying $70 for a dozen crabs, Im gonna sit and eat as long as I please. Next time, I'll get crabs from the market at $25 a pound and take them to a park. Overall Experience - Poor
(1)
Megan R.
Looking to spend a lazy afternoon drinking on an outdoor deck and hitting crabs with mallets....this is your place! We went during the week, so didn't have to endure the craziness of weekend traffic or lines. The service is non-pressure and the waitstaff know what's good (and are honest about what's not). We ordered boiled shrimp, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and soft shell crab. All very good. You might have to wait awhile for your order, because it's fresh and obviously cooked to order, but when you've got a cold beer and a little time that's not a big deal.
(4)
lyle b.
I'd recommend this place. The crabs were top-notch fresh and cooked perfectly, and so were the clams. The spot is quite nice. My only complaint is the price which I think is a bit high. Also wish they had beer on tap. But overall it's worth the trip...
(4)
Courtney D.
husband & i are new to the area and decided to get to know the place one crab shack at a time. we've been to 3 now, Cantler's being the first. the view has been the prettiest, the bill has been the biggest. i believe the quality of food was probably the best here - probably. i can't say 100% for sure, because i felt really, really sick afterwards, but i'm going to give partial blame for that to our server. we told her we had never had Maryland blue crabs before and specifically asked for help in ordering, and i feel she did a pretty huge disservice to us, to Cantler's, and to blue crabs in general. i clearly said we had no idea what we were doing, and i asked for guidance when ordering. we ended up with a half dozen oysters (so wonderful and fresh that i hesitate to blame my sickness on food quality), the rockfish appetizer (totally overpriced, a few slices of fish on a bed of warm cabbage slaw, think well done tuna tataki), and a half dozen large crabs. in retrospect, we really should have ordered fries, corn, something to accompany all that seafood. like, the server you ask for guidance could let you know that no sides come with your choices and suggest you add something. most of all, our server REALLY should have shown us how to pick the crabs. it didn't occur to me until we were pretty much finished that there was a method, until the people next to us told a different server they had never had crabs and she promptly gave them a demonstration. then i realized i had made a terrible mistake, eating a lot of bits & pieces that i shouldn't have. i felt so nauseated the whole ride home back to Arlington, the whole night, into the next morning. it was awful. i spent the rest of Sunday trying to lay really, really still. we were the second car in the parking lot that Sunday morning, the second table our server seated. there is no reason why we couldn't have received better advice in ordering and a little instruction on how to eat the dang things. fortunately for us, our next crab picking experience was with the guidance of seasoned Baltimore natives. i will probably take my family to Cantler's when they visit. though it's the most expensive place we've had crabs, the waterside view is the loveliest view we've found. but shame on the server for ignoring my pleas for crab-picking help. if i were a little less stubborn, you would have ruined me on blue crabs for life.
(3)
Rebecca S.
The food was really good but the staff wasn't very professional or attentive and the prices were expensive for the amount of food you get. Parking was good when we went on a Saturday afternoon, very casual atmosphere.
(3)
SJ In B.
This is the best seafood place we've been to in a while. The only bad thing is that it's always packed!! But I guess that also speaks for the food/service they're serving! It's a little hard to find and off the beaten path but once you go you'll never forget where it is!! The jumbo shrimps are really good and the crabs are always fresh. They have indoor and outdoor seating right by the water.
(4)
Max S.
Love Cantler's. Best soft shell crabs on Earth! I have not been back to Cantler's in a few years because it's a few hours from my home, but this time every year I think of their soft shells....they're in season! Cantler's has that fishy ambiance to it...which is what I like in a crab house. Reminds me of my youth going to Atlantic City, before the Casino era. I must plan a road trip!
(5)
Kate G.
There's nothing better than getting crabs (when they stay above the belt! ohhhhhh, see what I did there?) except mallets. Banging (which, I've been told, subsequently leads to crabs! ohhhhh, and again, people!) my food with a mallet moments before eating makes me feel like I'm getting a free full-fledged gym workout. When I visited Cantler's, I realized I enjoy the payoff of purchasing crabs more than I ever have the payoff of a tough workout. "Malarky!" you cry as you read this, and you're right--I NEVER work out. Cantler's is the most unassuming restaurant down the craziest "Hill's Have Eye's" street. Drive past the mansions and continue on past the boarded up trailers and you're well on your way to a gourmet meal on a piece of paper. And it's totally worth the juxtaposed trek. The crabs here are incredible. I mean, according to Wedding Crashers, Maryland does crab cakes and football, so naturally, I knew I'd be delighted by the fare. So, why three stars? Because naturally, I decided to be a glutton--crabs just weren't enough. After exhausting my mallet, I decided that I also needed to order Jimmy's Crab Feast, which included snow crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and hush puppies. The snow crab legs were awesome, and hoarded by my also gluttonous boyfriend. The rest of the plate was mediocre. The mussels and clams were, for lack of better word, dry. I wasn't unhappy with Jimmy's Crab Feast, I just wouldn't recommend that you get anything from Jimmy besides his crabs. Duuuuude.
(3)
Wil S.
The spice for the crabs was delicious and worth buying a bag or more to take home. Crabs seemed precooked since we placed the order and they were served immediately. In addition, two of the dozen crabs were blackened as if they had been sitting in the steamer pot all day. I was a bit disappointed that the largest size crab was not available. Steamers were not purged and several were too filthy to even try to plunge in the clam broth to clean. I would not order again. Oysters lacked flavor. Tasted extremely bland. Meh rating given regardless of the precooked crabs. Most places cook the crabs beforehand to meet the demand and turn over tables. The crabs along with the spice tasted good enough for the ok rating. However two out of twelve crabs were inedible and easily identifiable based on the color. The clams and oysters should be avoided...So stick to the crabs. I would not go out of my way to return to this restaurant.
(2)
lil s.
This was one of my fave stops during my recent DC trip. This place opens at 11am so get there early to avoid a wait. The blue crabs were served up deliciously and so fun eating with your hands! Not that impressed with the fried seafood but all the steamed items were yummy. Great service and loved the outdoor seating...overall I was happy to pay market prices for such wonderful meal!
(5)
Howard G.
I first ate at Cantlers about 30 years ago. It has always been a unique fun place with great super sized crabs and delicious jumbo lump crabcakes. This year everything is better- the food and the service. Ate there twice recenly and had a soft shell crab club each time bit could not have been better. Get there early on nice weekend days or be prepared to wait.
(4)
Sheri L.
Stopped in Cantler's while visiting family in the DC area. They had heard of Cantler's, yet had not been themselves. We allowed GPS to guide us through the narrow roads that go through interesting parts of town (from mansions to trailers as another reviewer said). We pull up around 8pm... looks like we came in at the end of the dinner rush (bonus!) Got seated promptly. We needed to call a server over to help us clean the table though as the bench was full of "debris" and the table was super oily (we figured out why very shortly after this). Our server was awesome, I wish I could remember her name to share. At our table, we got Super Blue Crab, mussels, crab dip, and the chicken chesapeake. All of which was excellent! Probably the freshest mussels I've eaten and rightfully so. Crab dip was amazing and quite filling on its own. Being from the midwest, I've had tons of crab legs and crab cakes... however, I've never shucked a whole crab myself. Quite the experience where they bring the butcher block paper, a mallet, knife and folk... dont forget the bucket for the shells. After a quick 'how to' from my cousin, I got to cracken'. I am officially a blue crab lover... I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy 'regular' crab again, let alone frozen stuff in the midwest. I could be permanently ruined, but in a good way :) Next time we're out east, I'll be sure to stop in here again!
(4)
Carrie O.
Being that today is the start of the "unofficial" last week of summer, I had promised LoML one more round of blue crabs before the season came to an end. We were in Annapolis today, just visiting, and discovered that we were really, really close to Cantler's. Naturally, we had to go over there and experience one more time the bliss that Maryland natives are privileged to have every year. People are not lying when they say you need a GPS or damned good directions to find this place. I've lived here nearly all of my life and I couldn't have told you how to get there without my smartphone, so make sure you use it. (Be warned - phone reception for us actually wasn't good out here. YMMV.) There wasn't much of a line for parking, but were quoted a 90 minute wait for a table. Fine, no problem - we expected that. It was raining on and off, too, so some of the more open tables naturally weren't occupied. We took shelter under the overhang and waited patiently. (I spent my time reading Cantler's reviews to get an idea of what was what.) There were a LOT of very large groups there - 10 people or more in each party -so we were delighted when we got a table in under 30 minutes - not a bad turnaround. (Could've been because it was just the two of us, so again - YMMV.) To our bitter disappointment, they'd run out of AYCE crabs, so we couldn't partake in the weekend special. We were really kind of upset, but understanding since it was after 3pm on Saturday and it was so packed, so we decided on a dozen mediums (40.00/dozen), a shrimp salad sandwich with coleslaw for me, and a chicken bruschetta with fries for him. We figured, well, a dozen is better than nothing. We also got a deal on the Maryland crab soup - if you text the word "crabs" (in lower case) to their number (it's on the website), you get a free cup of the soup. (At least, at this writing, this deal is good. Can't say if it will be later.) The crabs came out, hot and surprisingly heavy. It's amazing - for all of the brouhaha over people saying "order the largest size", LoML and I have had nothing but good luck with the smaller crabs. Some of these mediums were heavier than the so-called jumbos I've had in other places. The crabs themselves were meaty, juicy, well seasoned and probably the sweetest I've had yet this year. They didn't have a lot of mustard in them (for me, that's a plus - I don't like it) and were actually fairly clean on the inside. And unlike AYCE where you have to try and down as many as you can in a 2 hour time limit, we took our sweet time on these mediums, picking them totally clean. And believe me - they were CLEAN as whistles when we were through with them. Another plus to Cantler's is that they have unlimited refills on the drinks (soda, iced tea, etc.). A lot of other crab places won't do that - they want to try to get more money from you by charging for each and every drink. Not Cantler's, thank God. That was very appreciated. (Their iced tea is unsweetened - PERFECTION!) The shrimp salad sandwich was just "okay" - nothing special, unfortunately. I didn't like the coleslaw at all - not enough sweetness and definitely too light on the dressing, so I probably wouldn't choose that again. LoML had to box most of his bruschetta because he filled up on crabmeat, but said that it tasted good, and that the fries were delicious. I did not like the freebie crab soup - way too much of a tomato base. LoML loved it, though, and would order it again. The downside to Cantler's - obviously, the crowded conditions (we sat next to a REALLY annoying group with the most obnoxious girly-girl cackling I've EVER heard - good thing we left when we did or they'd have been swallowing teeth, ugh) don't help much. I read warnings about the bathroom, so I didn't even try to go back there. Service was very good. The server was patient with us while we tried to find alternatives to the AYCE we had originally wanted. The shell bucket was emptied consistently, and they worked with us to time our food order so that it would be ready when we were done with the crabs. Now that's impressive, considering how many people WERE there. The bottom line is this: it's going to be crowded as hell. If you're claustrophobic or don't like people much (I cop a little to the latter), you might find it a little difficult to deal. But the food will be worth putting up with that. They really do have some excellent crabs, and it's obvious that they're caught and prepared very fresh. That makes all the difference. I probably wouldn't bother with anything but the crabs here, though. The other menu items were okay, but not remarkable. We had a good time. We'd most likely return.
(4)
laura m.
Great lunch. We ordered the small dozen for 36$. We have never had crabs cooked here before. They were great, full, fresh. Cream of crab was one of the best. onion rings were big and tasty. Totally recommend.
(4)
Jason M.
The view was nice and the servers were very sweet, but I would think of this as more of a touristy restaurant. We of course had the crabs, which were $75/doz (insane). The other appetizers and sides were ok, but nothing stellar. I think for a lot of people this is a right of passage kind of place when you visit Annapolis.
(3)
Eric T.
Such high expectations, such little results. First, the good: Nice view, right on the water. Service was pretty good. Crab cake was real good. Everything else: This place is way over-hyped. The whole crabs were good, but there were only medium left. They were no that juicy and a bit too salty for my tastes (yes, I know they're served with a ton of seasoning on them). The calamari was not fresh. It was so chewy, it was like eating tiny rubber strips. The blackened mahi mahi left a lot to be desired. Not fresh at all. The veggies were nasty and the potato was not cooked well. Twenty bucks not well spent. The MD crab soup was way too salty. It was good, but just cut the salt in half. This place was packed with people chowing down on the whole crabs. I'm no expert, but I've had better MD crabs before; these crabs were very underwhelming. Overall, this place is way overpriced for what you're actually getting.
(2)
Catherine M.
Great seafood, large bar area, and laid back atmosphere. This is my kinda bar! Extra bonus points for being five minutes from my house. It's kinda hard to find if you've never been before, so you will definitely want to bust out your gps. The bar tenders and servers are a bit on the surly side.
(4)
Monica H.
No. I do not play this game, Cantler's. I do not show up to a restaurant at 6:00 PM, only to find that I will be forced to wait in a single-file line of cars to get into your parking lot for the next hour. I do not take kindly to your employees wandering aimlessly about with walkie talkies under the guise of wrangling traffic, but actually just frustrating the crowd and doing nothing of value. (How did no one else on Yelp seem to mention the parking situation? It was miserable.) I don't appreciate that once I put my name down for a table, I will have to wait another 2.5 hours to be seated. Or that your hostesses will be incompetent, rude, and nonresponsive. I do not like waiting for 20 minutes at the bar for a mixed drink. And that was just for the drink. It took at least another 10 minutes to get the bartender's attention so I could pay for the damn thing. I don't like that your outdoor seating area is poorly lit. You're not taking into account the fact that you're making some of your patrons wait 3.5 hours to eat their food, and it will be dark by the time they get to eat. I will never, ever, ever be back. Here's the thing: I try not to judge restaurants on things like service or parking. I try to look at the food and the value. But when you end up spending more time at a restaurant than you do anywhere else on one particular day, you start to feel a little jaded. So here's the review I'd write if I didn't take into account the parking and waiting situation: The food was great. The beer selection was disappointing, and they don't sell pitchers (just buckets). The waitress was fine, if a little mediocre. There seemed to be a lot of employees just hanging out and doing nothing, and no one could give us reasonable or accurate estimates of how long it'd take to be seated. The bathrooms were tiny but clean, but the doors open onto the sinks in a way that's just plain dangerous. It was reasonably priced in comparison with other seafood places in Maryland. The inside is dark and depressing, but the outdoor seating is nice. Bottom line: Not worth the drive from Arlington, not worth the drive from Baltimore, just plain not worth it.
(1)
Rafael D.
With family in town and my dad wanting to find a spot where you sit down at a picnic table, newspaper used as table cloth, mallet in hand, and fresh blue crab, my co-workers recommended Cantler's. It didn't disappoint. We arrived around 11:30am before a large group arrived. So, we were just in time to get an outdoor seat overlooking the water. It was a perfect day, sunny with a nice breeze off the water. We ordered a dozen and a half large blue crabs, a couple orders of the soft shell crabs (chipotle style; it was delicious), and the crab bruschetta. All of it was very, very good. It was a little expensive, but the quality of crabs and the atmosphere really made for a great lunch in Annapolis!
(5)
Marcia S.
Definitely off the beaten path but well worth it. We went with several kids in our party and we all enjoyed our meals. The lobster and the crab is outstanding. I had one of the best Irish coffee drinks anywhere. Very layed back comfortable atmosphere. Should be perfect once the weather breaks and the deck opens up. Would have given 5 stars except I thought the outstanding food quality deserved a more updated restaurant interior. Will definitely be back. Well worth the money.
(4)
Kiri S.
This is why I love Yelp! There's no chance we would have found Cantler's without it and we had such an enjoyable time there last weekend! We spent an afternoon in Annapolis and were looking for a casual place to pick crabs for dinner. After driving down windy roads in a residential area you'll happen upon Cantler's right on the water. They were unusually busy for a Saturday night in November, the host said there'd been a fishing competition that day that brought them some extra business. We were told it would be about 30-45 minutes and handed a buzzer. By this time we were committed, maybe it they were more centrally located we would have found another option, but I'm glad we didn't. We spent out wait down on the docks by the water, and the buzzer went off pretty quickly and we were seated in the heated "outdoor" section at a long picnic table. We ordered crabs, steamed shrimp, and hush puppies. The hush puppies came with honey butter - which was a nice touch. It was everything we'd hoped for, and the smell of Old Bay on our hands lingered for most of the ride back to Washington, D.C. (they do have an outdoor sink on the side of the building for when you're finished - but I've always found it's near impossible to get rid of the smell entirely.) I can only imagine how crowded they must get on a beautiful warm afternoon.
(4)
Rahul J.
Long waits (1-1.5hrs+) for the outdoor seating but it's worth it. Got the XL crabs, the largest available that day for $75/DZ. TIP: You don;t have to get a dozen..they charge you pro rated basis. We found that 6 was enough for 2 small appetites with a small side of sweet potato fries. The sever gave us a lesson on how to eat the crabs as it was our first time eating steamed crab. That was very helpful. The meat was tender, sweet and tasted like the ocean. We got a decent amount of meat on our crabs but still it's a lot of work for not much meat. You end up ingesting a lot of salt as the crabs come encrusted in seasoning. By the end of it we were more tired of picking apart the crabs than full also overload on salt. Was in some sort of a salt coma the rest of the day. I would definitely recommend that people try the crabs here..I wouldn't go again though. Oh yeah, like most of the others here..I have to echo that the beer selection is out of the 90s TIP: Wait by the dock a few stairs down from the restaurant...plenty of seating there to watch the boats and water.
(4)
Att A.
Servers are friendly, crabs are fresh, view of the river is nice. what more can you ask for. I had 6 local oysters on the half shell, 6 steamed cherrystone clams, 1 steamed crab, 1 corn of the cob and I also order the soft shell crab sandwich. That sandwich was the bomb!
(4)
Alicia G.
Here's what you need to do: *Round up your friends *I suggest the noobs watch a video or two on youtube for how to eat crabs (I did this) *Carpool and arrive early as parking is somewhat limited and it gets crowded FAST *Sit outside *Order beer | iced tea | sodas *You can order things like hush puppies, corn on the cob, other fried items but as Michele D said - it's just filler. You really need to focus on the steamed crabs. *Order CRABS and prepare for the messiness | awesomeness *Crack, pound, rip apart and bite [the crab/meat] *Enjoy. *Soap up twice at bathroom sink to rid your fingers of the Old Bay *Rinse and repeat as often as necessary
(5)
Nikki M.
If you're coming to Annapolis in search of crabs, look no further. Well you might need to look a little hard because this restaurant is a little hard to find. It's down a narrow road, completely out of the way, with beautiful views of the water. If the drive freaks you out, arrive by boat! Free docking! The food is awesome. If you're coming for crabs, be aware that it's first come, first serve. The biggest will always get picked first. Yeah, the crabs are pricey, but they're Maryland crabs. And they're totally worth it. If you're from out of town and you don't know how to pick a crab properly, ask one of the servers or look around! There will be plenty of people that can help. My all-time favorite thing on the menu is the Crab Dip. I make it a point to order crab dip if it's on the menu wherever I go, and nothing has even come close to the crab dip at Cantler's. They give you two loaves of bread and a huge serving of crab dip. Last summer, my girlfriends and I came down to Cantler's once a week for the Crab Dip alone. So good. Cantler's is also good for pretty much all other seafood. I love the Drunk'n Mussels and the huge shrimp they serve up. You may be thinking, Wow! She just loves Cantler's, why is she giving it four stars? Well, because I'm sure as heck not the only one that loves Cantler's, there's about a million people more and during peak hours (which is pretty much every nice night of the summer) expect that the rest of those million will be trying to get a table here too. The wait can be horrible during peak hours and sometimes not worth it if there is only medium crabs left. Come to Cantler's. Expect a wait time. Eat a ton of crabs.
(4)
stephen s.
Read some reviews thought I would check the place out. Was in the mood for crabs I'm glad I did the service was excellent the food was excellent the crabs were nice size very full very tasteful had crab dip appetizer had oysters Chesapeake appetizer and a couple beers to wash it all down fantastic lunch on a beautiful day
(4)
Pete A.
Awesome. We came in the middle of summer on a Saturday and the place was mobbed. It has gotten a little touristy, but who cares it's still great. We were seated in about 5 minutes (I think they accidentally buzzed our beeper thing because it looked like the wait was at least an hour). We way over ordered, but at least it gave us a chance to sample a lot. The fried clams were delicious, the fried calamari was awesome, the hush puppies were actually crummy but I'll let that go because the crabs....we got a dozen mediums for 3 people and it was soooo much food. The crabs were cooked perfectly and it was so much fun. We'd definitely come back, hopefully on a less busy day.
(5)
Robert Z.
This place was awesome for crab. Super Sweet and plentiful. The Fries at the bar were the best. A must with a beer till you can get a table. It's a little hard to find but worth it when you get there. I give it a Four And a half Star Rating. This place is Zuverman Rated.
(4)
Carly H.
I've lived in Maryland all my life so I've visited my fair share of crab houses, and I have to say Cantler's is the best! We went on a Sunday around 3 and both parking lots were full, so we had to wait about 15 minutes to park, but we expected to wait on a beautiful summer day when everyone and their mother wants to dig in to some crabs! The hostess asks you where you want to sit, inside or outside and if you want to sit under the shade or in the sun. We chose in the sun because we figured it would be quicker than waiting for a shady seat and the indoor seating seemed very cramped. She told us 45 minutes to an hour and we took a pager and went down by the docks where they have live crabs in tanks and we watched boats go by. Very relaxing. After only 20 minutes our buzzer went off and we were seated! Boy was it HOT sitting in the sun, before we got our drinks we were already sweating but hey, hot summer day what are ya gonna do right? When we sat down our server told us they had mediums, extra larges, and supers left and the prices per dozen. We decided on the extra larges and that day they were $85 a dozen which we thought was expensive until we saw how HUGE they were. Seriously these suckers were so big we could only finish half the order and we are crab picking ADDICTS. (We did have an order of crab dip in us however, which I also highly recommend) We picked away for two hours and we each ate 3 crabs there was just SO MUCH meat I was very pleasantly surprised. Hands down the best blue crabs I've had. Our waitress was really sweet and kept bringing us new drinks and more napkins. We took the other 6 crabs home and had them for dinner. I can't wait to come back and eat crabs here again, maybe next time we will hold out for a shady seat though! Definitely worth the hour or so drive and all the waiting.
(5)
Joe A.
I ate at Cantler's tonight after reading multiple good reviews. I had a bucket of steamed piss clams, which were pretty good. It was a nice touch to have clam juice to wash the sand out of the clam, butter, and old bay. The problem arose when I received the ordered lobster roll. When I order a lobster roll, my expectation is for lobster, of which there were three quarter sized pieces. What I do not expect are the added crayfish tails to act as a cheap filler, of which there were over a dozen. I am an aquatic biologist who specializes in amongst other taxon, crayfish. Buyer beware, bait and switch and false seafood.
(1)
Yumi V.
Best crabs in town! Actually slightly out of town, but worth the ride. Be prepared to wait for service as there is always a lot of traffic on nice days, however, this will be one of the more fun and places to go with a large group or to introduce to your friends. Bring your crayons for the brown paper tablecloth!
(4)
Mike L.
Cantler's is so good that I should give it a bad review just so I can keep it all to myself! One word sums up this place -- CRABS! It's the best place to sit down and eat crabs in public ANYWHERE! I give it four $$$$ because you'll want to get the biggest crabs you can get and pair it with a bucket of ice cold beer. You can get a $$ experience, but $$$$ is better!
(5)
Tamara B.
Let me start off by saying I am only giving this place 2 stars because the food wasnt horrible but it wasnt great either. I was expecting a completely different experience than what I received. Went with a group of 9 from work. All of us on a business trip from different states. They would not separate the checks but the waitress said "well i will separate payments foe you if you tell me how much you want to pay"....that means we all basically paid more for our meals because we didnt want to short change anyone and the check came out all garbled together so we really had to spend time to try and figure out who had what at what price. Just ridiculous! The waitress was terrible. Could not even answer simple questions such as what are the sides you are serving with the meals tonight. Had to ask someone else and then that was even wrong. She initially said asparagus and baked potato but what came out from the cook was broccoli and a terrible dry mashed potato. I ordered the broiled seafood platter. $29 +$2 because I didnt want the asparagus and opted for fried green tomatoes (that were not cooked all the way as the batter was still slightly runny on the inside). Anyway this platter came out with 3 shrimp, 4 small scallops, and 1 broken up piece of rockfish. The only thing that was seasoned are the scallops. The seafood tasted fine but this is way expensive for this little bit of food. Especially in a "seafood" area. Now I will give the kudos for the all you can eat crabs at $33 for 2 hours and the cream of crab soup. Some of my coworkers got the crabs and went to town on eating those. The cream of crab was a delight in this otherwise horrible experience. Oh and I forgot to mention...not one time did this horrible waitress even come back to check on us to see if we needed anything. Dont waste your time or money on this place unless you are going for the crabs!!!
(2)
CM P.
I went here with family from out of town who had heard about this place from friends. The staff was very friendly but the food was terrible and not worth the price. Our meal (broiled lump crab cakes) came out lukewarm and the sides of potatoes and asparagus had absolutely no flavor! We also got a couple of the blue crabs but again those were not seasoned and the seasoning that did come with it was not great. Maybe I'm just used to southern style seafood with lots of flavor, but this place was quite disappointing especially for the prices they charge for exceptionally mediocre food. If you like well-seasoned food go elsewhere!
(2)
Na L.
Seriously best crabs in the DC/MD/VA area. Got a dozen of the small crabs with hush puppies, corn, and sweet potato fries. Hands down best place, right by the water, love it.
(5)
Melissa P.
I went by myself, because I was in town alone and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity. Would have been much more fun with friends though, that's for sure. They were selling crabs by the dozen, but the helpful waitress advised me that I could buy them individually. (If I had been with someone else, I probably would have just bought a whole dozen assuming you had to). I got three, and they kept me busy for well over half an hour. She served a side of butter, but I think it was margarine. Luckily, the fresh crab had such great flavor, I didn't even need it.
(4)
Vivian H.
We were craving some fresh air and seafood, so we ventured to the Annapolis area and found Cantler's on Yelp. This place is tucked away in an idylic fishing area.. the waterfront view is great for wishing you owned one of these cute houses and a boat. We ordered half a dozen large crabs, the maryland crab vegetable soup, a soft shell crab sandwich, sweet potato fries, and hush puppies. WAY too much food for 2 people. My friend pushed thru and finished all the crab because she's a beast and I guess the crab was delicious. The waitresses were so sweet and gave us lessons on how to get to the meat. The soup was really really REALLY salty... no bueno. Sandwich and fries were good although I suppose nothing special. Hush puppies were overdone but had good flavor. I probably expected too much. Best part wasn't so much the food as the location, staff, and experience.
(3)
Jennifer B.
This place breathed life back into my group of friends after a few bad Annapolis restaurant experiences. It appears just how you'd want a place famous for crabs and beer to look, and the service is casual, but attentive. We arrived on Saturday, immediately following the Navy homecoming football game, asking them to seat a group of 16. Some places would turn their noses up and be snotty for such a request, but they politely informed us that if we didn't mind waiting a bit, they were happy to have us. We grabbed some seats at the bar and the awesome bartender Kelly took care of us during our close to an hour wait. She was friendly and attentive, and even though we were getting hungry, she kept us content with flowing drinks. We were seated on their covered outdoor deck and ordered more beer to set on our brown paper tablecloth; the exact kind of tablecloth you want at a crab shack. My date and I ordered the raw oysters which were delicious and shucked perfectly - they slid right out of the shells. I had Maryland crab and he had cream of crab soup, both very tasty and served in easy to dispose of paper cups, in keeping with the casual atmosphere. He and I and my father then split a dozen of the extra large Maryland crabs which came out with ample old bay and a bucket to toss our shells. The crabs were cooked perfectly and were truly extra large; all three of us were full after sharing the dozen. Others in our group ordered various dishes from salads to pasta and everyone left satisfied. Our server, Ali was extremely attentive and friendly, and even gave some new crab eaters cracking advice. We also had an accidental overcharge on our bill and she removed it no problem. Thank you Cantler's for ending our Annapolis dining experience on a much higher note than it began! We will definitely be back to say hello on our next trip!
(5)
Bobby I.
The crabs were good, the shrimp I did not care for and I am a shrimp lover. I was disappointed that they didn't have coronas to go with my crabs, and also only have can beers not bottle. But overall I will go there again hopefully I can get table outside to enjoy the weather while eating my crabs while drinking my favorite beer.
(3)
Patrick D.
I love crabs and when I get a chance to try a new place for me I take it. After reading reviews I thought this would be great. It wasn't. I ordered extra large. In the dozen crabs there might have been two that I would term Extra Large. Also a lot of them were watery like bottom of the pot. They had no weight to them. They were paper crabs. To be fair they did adjust the price for me and it my have been a off day. But for the prices they are charging they should not compromise their quality at any time. It left a very bad feeling about the place with me and being someone that is in sales recommends a lot of place based on my experience. I can not recomend this place.
(2)
Chandler L.
This place was great. Food was awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. The only reason I can't give it five stars is seating. I hate restaurants where I have to sit next to strangers. I would highly recommend eating here.
(4)
Mr B.
What you'd expect for food but way over priced and hyped for essentially a parking lot on the water with no real draw other than a pull of mass consumption of high carb, fat fried and cholesterol driven seafood! I'm not typically so inclined to say something unless it's positive but in this situation I just couldn't avoid as it's really gotten a strange attraction of guests going for the "dive experience" and I simply cannot understand why.
(3)
Corey W.
Can't say much that hasn't been said. Went for my first time a few weeks ago with just the wife on an anniversary weekend; feel in love all over again (with the wife and with crabs). If you like down-and-dirty eating, cold beer, nice views, and good company - do this place.
(4)
Kate K.
I went there with my mom because Wild Country Seafood was not open that day (They close Monday). We were seated outdoor (nice view). The food quality didn't meet standard. The mussels we got were tiny. They were like 0.5 inch each. The service was not good neither. It was hard finding my wait staff when I wanted to order more food. We probably won't go back.
(2)
Chris C.
Sadly I can't comment on the food here because I never got past the phone call to the place! I am allergic to Maryland seafood and most places in MD get their crabs from other places around the country as well and often they are willing to accommodate my allergy. Upon calling Cantler's and explaining my allergy and asking if they had crabs from anywhere else, the girl said "No, we get them from MD" so I asked to speak to a manager. She got someone who told me to call back around 5 or 6 tonight (it is noon now) because they are too busy right now and THEN I could talk to a manager. That pretty much made up my mind. No need to drive about an hour out to Annapolis for some place that can't even take 2 min. on the phone to help me out. Oh...and this was for my birthday dinner. Screw you Cantler's.
(1)
Jaclyn S.
I have no idea how I failed to review Cantler's before this. I have clearly been remiss. If you know me, you know that I like food (eating it, cooking it, chasing it) and that I am particularly obsessed with seafood and cheese. This is the place that got me to round up my friends for my birthday, two years in a row, and force them to make the 1.5 hour backwoods drive from DC out to Cantler's. It was worth it. Both times. The first time we went there was an hour long wait (Cantler's has a lot of regulars and some people even boat right up to the dock and wait there). The second time, however, we went right after a bad storm and got in right away. Seriously, try to synchronize your trip with crappy weather if you can. Then there's no way the big crabs will sell out before you get there. And yes, speaking of crabs, they are blue, uber fresh, and come in several sizes. Go as big as possible - you'll hate spending the bulk of your meal picking meat out of teeny tiny crabs. Cantler's steams the crabs to perfection and then liberally dumps delicious JO seasoning (Old Bay-esque) over them. They give you a wooden mallet to pound them with (I love this - it's one of the reasons I come here) and delicious melted butter. A couple of my friends who don't like crabs (WHAT!?!?) ordered the fish and said it was delish. Definitely get some sides - they have the classic hush puppies and corn - or a bucket of steamers (clams). It's not just the food that makes this place though. It has good feng shui or positive vibes or they cook with love or something, I swear! Everyone just looks stoked to be there. After your meal take a walk outside and go look at all the bins of live blue and horseshoe crabs looking all funny and poking around. Then walk out along the docks and admire all the boats crowded around against a starry sky. You won't be sorry you came here.
(5)
Scott L.
The crab cakes are lump but very Blane and the rockfish is tasteless and overlooked. I don't think they even have a chef here. The place is also dark on the inside and grimy . Only reason I gave 2 stars is for oysters .
(2)
Ma-e M.
Listen! This will help you. I'm giving it 1 star, but I was with a group of colleagues who are regulars so for them, I add 1 for 2 stars. (Regulars I say because the nearest from work and better restaurant than Chinese for lunch time.) Yap, I was the only one who sees it. Customers commented overprice or pricey; I'm relieved that you see that. So if Cantler's price is too much, do you think you should settle for less or expect the usual? You have spoken. The answer is for majority in this board it's unanimous. But I still have a say, and a very valid one to date! Here's what it should be: I believe that if the price is that much, I do deserve to get a better service and high quality of food. Read on...I did not get that yesterday. I was completely dissatisfied. They don't care! What draws Cantler's crowd? I don't see it and completely surprised by the crowd Friday lunch time. It was packed. Why? Cantler's is an old established restaurant. It's a mystery to get there. By the river, Cantler's location is no where near other shops but it is in a secluded neighborhood area of the other side of Annapolis. To get there, you change mph from 15, 25 to 35. It's a scary drive; the roads are narrow and winding. You don't know if you'll hit a car or a deer, run though a house, or go overboard the water. People just love mysteries. Quite the opposite, I'm not mystefied. I know the mystery. The first thing that got to me was the chair and table; it was bad taste and very uncomfortable for dining. Well, when you are eating and pounding to crack crabs, the least you would pay attention to is what you are seating down because you are more interested in getting those crab meats. It makes sense. It's a burn no one wants to feel. I observed how people were loving the place and the food with my amazement. But I, just see negatives about this place. I'm brutally frank that I was hating every moment I'm sitting there and I was talking about it. I ordered the special which was highly recommended by the lady wait staff. I was so excited that I'm getting the special, thinking that could be like Cosi's Crab Melt Flatbread with 2 cheeses, tomatoes and onions, instead I got a very pathetic looking triangular small 6 pizza slices that was drop on my table. WHAT! at that price!!! Totally unacceptable. I had better pizza in my life somewhere else. It was claimed that it has crab meat in it, but I could not taste it and see it. I'm paying for the crabs but where is the freaking crabs? This was definitely making me crabby. Colleagues have suggested to tell the lady wait staff that I don't like it. The lady wait staff did not even bother to ask me how was it. At that time, I made a decision not to tip her (which I said loudly because I disdain this place) and I will eat the damn pizza with disgusting look, swallow my outspoken demeanour and pride. But I strongly demur every minute at this place; it was not lovely or fun at all. I could not taste the crab and tomatoes and onions were diced and on the side, not even on the pizza. What unimaginative/uncreative and insenstive/careless piece of dish and they call this special??? Once again, I was baffled that people enjoyed this place. I don't get it why people will spend this much, accept it, happy about it, when it is not really worth it to begin with. Look, around, look again, look more and think critically to where are you sitting? It is not McCormick and Schmick's. I rather that I pay this much money that equates quality and care to food and service. I think people here need to go to McCormick and Schmick's for a rude awakening, high price = no crabs, just excellent seafood, wonderful service and classy restaurant. Should I try again? No, not for that price. I don't even consider it. I will not befooled. Sorry, you guys have been pinched by the crabs. It's so clear in the day, that it is a tourist trap. You want crabs? find them somewhere else, better off. Cantler's ratings proof is just like crabs that people go with the flow and some are suckers. Come on, go on, you can change for the better.
(2)
C W.
The food saves this place and pulls the rating from 2 to 3 stars. The staff is hit and miss. The seating outside is nice but inside is very crowded. A lot of hype about a mediocre restaurant.
(3)
Ebony H.
The food was pretty good. I was upset that I paid $8 for frozen hush puppies. The crabs are delish...but the next time I pay over $100 for a meal I would like it on real plates and not Styrofoam. Great location!
(3)
Larry C.
I've been going to Cantler's for 10 years or so. Here's what I think... - crabs are usually good, but we have gotten bad ones on occasion - mussels are so-so - oysters are pretty good - key lime pie is good - seating inside is tight, a little on the crusty side, but generally fun - seating outside is cramped, but nice The location is outstanding. My daughter and I love to walk on the pier after dinner.
(3)
Regina S.
Pro's: - One of a handful of places left that actually serve local crabs. On occassion they will supplement their inventory with crustaceans from Louisiana since unfortunately, our local bounty has diminished to record low levels. Many other "crab houses" or "crab shacks" get their hard shells from other states, Central America, and even Asia, so if you really want local this IS the place. -The restaurant is off the beaten path, nestled on a creek off the Bay so you get a waterfront dining experience along with your crab pickin. -You can arrive by boat! Cons: It's out of the way location does not mean it's not a touristy destination. This restaurant has been featured in more publications and foodie TV shows than any other establishment in Annapolis. So if you think you have found a "hidden gem", think again. -Summer waits can be unbelievable, with cars idling for a mile on the windy road waiting for a parking spot. Yeah we've heard they come around with coolers offering libations, but is this really the way you want to spend an hour or so? Go by boat or off peak hours. -Other offerings are just so so. Another restaurant that lives off a reputation and not necessarily the current quality of their food and service.
(3)
Kellie P.
Holy Damn... I am so lucky to be from Maryland. Maryland crabs will school all others. Sorry, it's true. There is almost no satisfaction like that tiny bit of meat you get from picking crabs... I love my life in MD whenever I get to visit. Cantler's really helps with my crab obsession. My darling friend Ballew took me here for the 2nd time on my visit home last week... My love was also in town with me, and we had the pleasure of stopping into the outside patio for dinner. We went nuts. We ordered EVERYTHING WE WANTED. The crabcakes are FAT (Perfection), the blue crabs are great (with about a ton of Old Bay, Yes!), the Rockfish bites are not to be missed, we barely noticed the wings (I think they were ok?), the fries were also good. Yes, I do judge a place by their fries at times. It was my Love's first time picking crabs, he was so pro! And what a great atmosphere to do it in, right down by the river ;) I love the way we're all classy in MD and roll out that giant paper over the tables. Pair it up with a Yuengling for the Win. It won't be my last time here.... Pretty sure I gained 2 lbs at this meal, and I don't regret it for a second. Boo-Yah!
(5)
Chad B.
Good lump crab cakes. Casual atmosphere. Along a creek to the Severn river. For these reasons, I take most house guests here while they are in Annapolis. While I am generally satisfied, I find the portions (except of course the all you can eat crab) to be a bit skimpy and the prices a bit steep. I prefer McCormick and Schmick's for seafood other than crack-your-own crabs.
(4)
Leanne B.
Crab cakes were good, hush puppies were great!! Everyone enjoyed their meals thoroughly!!! Been told to come by my friends who are regulars, when crab season is in full swing coz then you get more for ya money!
(5)
Roger W.
Very good seafood spot. Hard crabs are a treat (get the largest ones they have). Peel and eat shrimp were tasty, crab cakes very good. It's not inexpensive and they have no draft beer, only cans.
(3)
Bif P.
What a great time my family had here !! The crabs were very good size and cooked to perfection. The hush puppies are a must have as well. There are a lot of items on the menu including stuff for someone that doesn't like seafood however I would stick with the crabs. I thought the service was excellent, the food came quickly and always with a smile from the waitress. If you plan on going on a Saturday night around dinner time (7pm) here is what you can expect. They say to car pool if possible and they are correct, one car leaves the lot another one is let in. So there are cars waiting 'in the que' just to get in the lot. There are parking attends that are there and very helpful. My advice is if this happens let someone out of your car and have them walk in and get on the wait list for a table. You can expect anywhere from an hour to 2 hour wait BUT there is stuff to do. There is an outdoor bar in the parking lot where you can get a drink and walk downstairs along the water. The food and atmosphere were great, you just have to expect to wait but it is worth it.
(5)
Alex L.
After a bit of a wait you'll be seated at a long picnic table. The server slaps down a piece of brown paper and brings you silverware, napkins and a mallet. You order crabs by size, however many you want, and in a few minutes they'll appear, steamed on a red tray. Grab your mallet and let the pounding, pulling and cracking begin. If you enjoy this, it doesn't get any better and the crabs don't get any fresher. Personally I go with the lump crab cakes - I'd rather enjoy my meal without breaking a sweat. But that's just me. Both crab soups are fantastic. The corn on the cob is fresh. Hush puppies make for a good side. They have a surprisingly large list of canned beer - beer you didn't even know came in cans - and "bottomless iced tea". If you're really not into crabs, fear not - there are plenty of other things on the menu: appetizers, salads, chicken, beef or other fish. Indoor, outdoor-covered or outdoor-uncovered seating is available. If you've never been there before, you might want to bring your GPS. One more thing - Cantler's can get insanely busy. I've even waited in a line of cars just to get into the parking lot. Remember: this isn't fine dining. This is good old fashioned, crab crackin' fun.
(5)
Carter R.
Been to Cantler's tons of times. My fiance and I both grew up in the Arnold/Annapolis area and whenever we go out for crabs we always come here. I prefer it over Mikes and the other crab houses in the area. You will have to wait for a table on busy summer nights, but you can drink ice cold canned beer while you wait inside or out (big plus). Crabs can pricey but are worth it, and are always consistent.
(4)
Travis T.
This place has been recommended to me by a couple different people over the years, but finally went to Cantler's on Labor Day with 3 friends. We had a short wait of maybe 30-40 minutes, so we plopped down and had an okay bloody mary. Once seated, our server was incredibly polite and attentive the whole time. We ordered a couple dozen #2s (the only crabs available), fries, corn on the cob and hush puppies. Of course, the beers were coming as we needed them. The crabs were great, but the ones on the bottom of the pile were really soggy and made the meat mushy which wasn't great. Otherwise, the crabs were super sweet and we didn't need any butter, vinegar or any other sauce. The fries were tasty, and the corn was also very good and sweet. But, the hush puppies were incredible, but I'm not a hush puppy connoisseur either. I'd definitely go back!
(3)
Maryam K.
When I think of this place, I start day dreaming of everything it encompasses: fresh seafood, sunny summer days and waterside lounging. My obsession with king crab legs and blue crabs intensifies with every visit. I have to stop writing this, because the smell of Old Bay is taking over and I am not sure I can manage another 5 hours at the office with this nostalgia. Yuuuuuummmmy! p.s. the creamsicle cocktail is a MUST!
(5)
Amy O.
Not so sure about this place. Maybe it is that I am not a huge crab person. If i ewre, maybe this review would be higher. Still, there was a wait, so it must be popular with some. I went with some crab, but opted on pizza to help fill my appetite. The pizza is surprisingly good, but I was dissapointed with the quality of the crabs here.
(2)
Mukur H.
First, let me start by saying I do not eat seafood however 3 others in my party do. The atmosphere is great, The service is for the most part friendly and the food FRESH. We had an order of the Blue Crabs and they went like water. The other dishes (shrimp, scallops and king crabs) all disappeared equally as quickly. I had a burger, and while it was good (nothing out of this world) the fries were so damn good! It can get really busy so arrive a little early especially if you want to eat outside by the water. The bar/indoor area gets extremely packed, I felt like I was at a college party again. Highly recommended.
(5)
Robin S.
I love crab, but I don't really care for the Old Bay Seasonings. I guess I just don't like anything too salty, it's an overkill. However, I bought some fresh chili, fish sauce, fresh garlic and sugar to make my own dipping sauce. Hey, I'm Thai, we love our sauce!! Great and friendly staff. I love the Ambiance and it's right on the lake. They even have a showcase by the dock showing all the things that they netted up. One is a denture!!! Hilarious!!
(4)
L B.
Came on a Sunday night. There wasn't much people, which added to the entire ambience. Beautifully decked out for the holiday. The Christmas decorations and music. The Sunday night football. I loved it all. Service was excellent. The waitresses were all so friendly and attentive, and they answered all my questions. I thought they were great. The crab dip was delicious. It wasn't just the crab dip being extremely tasty, but the two loaves that it came with...I couldn't get over how soft and good they were. Might be the first time I've ever had an opinion on a loaf before. But it was really good! Dozen oysters for $11.99 = love. I'm from NY, so a dollar per oyster is excellent pricing for me. Crab imperial was delicious as well, full of crab meat, but it was $24.99 for a platter that seemed to be a one person portion to me. It can get pricey here, but I thought it was worth it because I had a great experience. Sadly they were out of crabs tonight, which was the main reason I came. But that's okay, I look forward to coming back some day. Oh, they also give out these cute matches at the end of your meal which was a plus!
(4)
Dane K.
Cantler's... oh why oh why aren't there more places like this in MD? In an area known for its crab, it seems there's few places to actually get a crab boil... The thought of coming here got me all excited! I have a feeling this place has "jumped the shark" a little, it's no longer a "secret" to anyone... It's a nice place and all... A lot of excitement was built up for it. We were told it was really hard to find, yada yada yada... We do have a GPS, but it was pretty easy to find, and once you get off the main road, they seem to have added signs pointing you in the directions to Cantler's, so if you miss it you're probably a fool and shouldn't show up anyway. (Not to mention, there are no turns to make so it's pretty difficult to get wrong!) ... We were told of a long and winding one lane dirt road, this was a lot of exxageration really... Once we got there, we waited maybe 30 minutes or so for a table for 4. It was a busy weekend night. The bar was a full bar (another exaggeration made was it was a "beer only" type place), though I was happy this turned out to not be true because I don't drink beer. Between 3 of us, we ordered a dozen large crabs. That was more than enough. They were about $45 MP/dozen if I recall, and they had various other sizes to order too. They were coated with a heavy dose of Old Bay, which was a little much for at least one person at our table (I liked it though!) They have plenty of seating inside, outside, and outside covered... The waterfront seating was nice. It's on a rather quiet part of one of the creeks (which really are larger than even a river in most places). The picnic table seating made it easy to annoy--I mean talk to--the neighbors next to us.... who actually knew what they were doing. Eating a blue crab apparently isn't as straight forward as you might think. You can't eat the lungs, or you'll get sick said the marine biologist sitting next to us who showed us the ways.. Once they were finished, a lobbyist who worked for the paint industry replaced them... The people here were quite interesting indeed, and very friendly all around. Don't wear your best attire, you'll leave a stinky mess probably... I'd go back!
(4)
Bianca F.
Another great crab house in the Annapolis area. It's not as big as its competitor, Mike's Crab House and doesn't have as big of an outdoor area. It also doesn't have as expansive as a view, although I do like quiet water way that we do see. The fun part for kids (and adults) are found on the below-street level - I don't know how to describe them, but you can see live crab in some basins. The prices are decent and the crabs are good...though they tend to be missing some of the large claws sometimes. The service is OK. The wait here is long but you'll find that problem at any crab house in the area on a summer's night.
(4)
Peter K.
Loud, crowded, and the food definitely did hot live up to the hype that has been written about this place. Yes, its a crab-house, yes its not fine dining, but the crabs were watery. We ordered the Jimmy seafood platter as well. Half the mussels and clams on the platter were empty. I would not recommend going out of your way to come here. If you have to wait more than 10 minuets for a table, you should go someplace else. Not worth the wait.
(2)
Liza A.
Well good place for crabs.....but not worth the waiting..come on I came to this place at 2:30 pm was greeted by a guy at the narrow rd that takes to this place and told us that parking was full and that we needed to wait until parking was available..OK....we had probably 18 cars before us.....we got down to put our names on the waiting list...90 MIN...oh man....well no shade so under the sun with kids...hubby cones with car and parks at 3:30 pm we are still waiting for table ;(, well buzzer starts beeping we come to the sssmalllll entrance and the stupid thing is just running out of battery come back out and wait some more, sat and ate until 4:00pm. Food is OK nothing worth that hassle. Waitresses are very nice. But oh man what a nightmare. Thank God its over
(3)
Thuy L.
Highly, highly recommend going to this place for the sweetest, meatiest crabs in the area. Actually, anywhere! We ordered a dozen extra large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, fries and two corn on the cob. It was a bit much for the two of us. Next time I would just get half a dozen crabs and a basket of hush puppies. On good weather days, be sure to sit outside under the covers. The riverfront view makes it all the more enjoyable.
(5)
Katie R.
The crabs were DELICIOUS!!! Had never experienced eating crab straight from the water. Cracked open, pulled apart, seasoned and ate right there. The experience of it all + the taste can't be compared to anywhere else I've eaten. Group of 6 also ordered Crab dip, blackened rockfish bites, calamari, fries and corn (they ran out of crabs so we ordered quite a few apps to tide us over until the next shipment came in 1 hour later). All of us were completely satisfied. Beer comes in cans, yes, but I think it's more of a safety reason...which is fine by me. If someone were upset, I'd rather not have them use a bottle over someone's head. Only giving 4 stars because of how tiny the bathrooms are. I agree with another reviewer that they should just have a large sink out for men and women to use where you can rinse off after the meal...not have to squeeze around in the bathroom to wash off while others are actually using the bathroom. If you can avoid being around that, much nicer finish to your meal.
(4)
Fat T.
I would venture to say the best crabs in MD. The scenery is perfect, eat inside or outside over looking the water. The crabs are steamed to order. Usually get a dozen or two of their jumbo or xl?...ends up being 70 or so per dozen. It doesn't really matter I'll pay whatever they're asking. The hush puppies are a must.
(5)
Goofy D.
We got the calamari as an appetizer (left in the fryer a little too long). - also wanted to try the steamers. I've never had those so I was interested in trying them. When they came, - and - both said I shouldn't use these to judge steamers in general. Dirty, mushy and they had some thing on them that apparently wasn't supposed to be there. For my dinner, I got the broiled seafood platter. The crab that was on the shrimp was so bad I couldn't eat it. After I said something - is like, "- I didn't want to say anything but mine is funny, too." Yuck. She'd had the stuffed shrimp. - and - got the snowcrab and said that was fine.
(1)
Mike H.
I don't get the hype people. The crabs are good but overpriced, the service is mediocre. The menu outside of the crabs is okay. The location is alright but there are several better locations for crabs, better views, better prices, better service. As a local I noticed most of the reviews for this spot are from outta towners, so I get why they like it but if you are a local and go to Cantlers, I don't know you.
(3)
MaJ C.
Holy Crab! The absolute BEST whole crabs I have had in like 10 years around here! Windy road, with small street signs, absolutely IN the country. Had a parking lot director, which was very helpful. Got there at 1:00, with a 45-60 minute wait. It was a Saturday after all.. Put our names on the list ( they also gave us a buzzer ) Grabbed some bloody mary's from the bar, and hung out in the lot. Bloody's not recommended, as they just pout tomato juice over vodka. Grab a beer. Much better. Sat on the water in the back. Waitress brought out a bucket o ice with new beers. YaaY! Jumbos and large. Perfect seasoning. Had to return and order because they were underdone, though with ease from the waitress, no fuss. a 'Sure thing, Hon' and we had another order in moments. *Tip there is a hand was station outside, just ask where! Left happy, and swooning in childhood memory's of real crabs from the bay. We left at about 4:30, and the Line of cars to get in was about a mile long......
(5)
Anne F.
Do you like to eat crabs the Maryland way? Come to Cantler's. I feel in many ways that writing this kind of review allows outsiders to know about a local secret, but I don't feel like Cantler's is really an insider's place to go anymore. Getting there can be a bit difficult - bring your GPS, map, or just call the place so you don't get lost on a winding back road. Order as many crabs as you think that you can eat along with coleslaw and a cold beer. Now you are in heaven. I took my aunt and uncle here when they came from Illinois. They loved it, even if breaking into the crabs was more than they had bargained for. The staff was friendly and good spirits about them taking pictures of the crabs and eating the crabs.
(5)
Michael T.
A great place for the complete Maryland Crab experience. Ask for the dozen and supersize em. Ask also for the malt vinegar on the side, very good. This place is an out of the way local favorite, you'll need gps to find it, but once u do, u'l be glad you did. The only negative to this place (and what keeps me from giving five stars) was their horrible selection of beer from the 80's, bud, miller, coors, etc.,, yuk, otherwise this is a great spot for all things crabs, u won't b disappointed, enjoy.
(4)
Dian C.
It's crab season!! One of the reasons to live in the Mid-Atlantic. I brought three Cantler's-virgins recently, arriving at around 5:15PM on a Saturday. We were quickly seated on their patio overlooking the water within 15 minutes of arriving. You cannot be the atmosphere of Cantler's! Other places may have good crabs, but what makes Cantler's stand out is the location and atmosphere. Make sure you bring sunscreen if you plan on sitting outside when the weather's nice or you might risk one side of your body being sunburnt! We first ordered a dozen large ($55) for four people, then ordered 8 more when we cleaned up the first 12. We also ordered lump crab cakes and the Jimmy's Sampler (steams shrimps, mussels, and clams, along with cole slaw and fries) The clams were probably the meatiest clams I've ever had and I would highly recommend the sampler to fill your emptying stomach as you pound away at crabs for hours on end. I've heard from a regular that late in the season, Cantler's does an all-you-can-eat-crabs special. I'll be returning then, if not sooner!
(5)
Matt H.
pure definition of a crabhouse in terms of atmosphere and food. TIP: it's a popular spot (plenty of tourists) so while you wait, grab yourself a cold drink and hang out behind the restaurant along the water. your remote buzzer will reach you there.
(4)
Tyson L.
We could have gone anywhere else to get crabs. Theres nothing special in the way that Cantlers cooks or serves theirs. But its total experience of driving out by way of GPS to a remote RIVER SIDE location and enjoying our crabs. Yes, there was a long wait. Heck, even the parking lot was full by the time we got there, we were told to park next door at the marina lot. And yeah, $85 for a dozen "Super" jimmy's seems outlandish. But it was worth it to enjoy. Here's the BIGGEST TIP! Ask your server to bring out HALF of your order first, especially if you are dining outside. The crabs will get cold by the time youre only half way done, even if youre an expert crab disassembley artists like me. Reheating the crabs is no good. But better than cold crabs...
(5)
Steve V.
Great atmosphere for a crab feast. You drive down this ling narrow winding road to a dead end, which is Cantler's. It sits right on the bay. We have sat both indoors and outdoors before. It can get windy outside, but is a good breeze when the weather is hot. The server comes and lays down the butcher paper and you are set. Don't wear your Sunday best here. It gets messy. No crab crackers, you get full on wood mallets to bash your crab to smitherines! Great for groups and quite an experience, oh ya, and the crabs are good too!
(4)
Linda C.
Cantler's is tucked away in a secluded residential area by the water. It felt like we found a secret hide-away. There is plenty of parking and the wait was not more than 15 minutes on a Sunday for lunch. We had crab dip, hush puppies, steamed clams, and crab cake sandwich. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was friendly and quick. A really nice place to visit in Annapolis.
(4)
Wendy M.
Great seafood and crabs. We ordered to appetizers, which were both excellent. Crab cakes were fabulous as well. Service was excellent. Wonderful view of the water.
(5)
blowfly x.
We've been to Cantler's a few times in the past but I think now it's hit the wall. We had the cream of crab soup - it was gluey. I had a special of lobster tail and stuffed softshell crab; the lobster was overcooked and had PEPPER on it. I had to wipe the pepper off, but the lobster remained overcooked and just tasted like nothing. Strangely, no melted butter was included, only regular butter. The softshell crab was soggy, and the stuffing of imperial crab was tasteless. The whole thing just had no flavor. My husband had the crab cakes, which I guess were better since he didn't seem disappointed, but he's usually okay with most food, so I can't trust his judgement. Of course there's always a wait of hours and hours on Saturdays, so we sat at the bar. There was a drunk guy near us who latched onto the family right next to us and talked for 15 minutes non-stop in this incredibly loud, monotonic voice that also managed to be nasal and went into my head like a drill. When he got up to hit the restroom I felt this enormous sense of relief. I knew what people meant when they said they felt they had died and gone to heaven. I don't know how the people he was talking at could stand it. Fortunately when he came back they didn't talk to him anymore and I was able to be massively disappointed in my expensive dinner in peace. Maybe if you pick crabs it's better. Not worth finding out.
(1)
Mark H.
Gawd I love this place - Cantler's specializes in crabs fresh from the Chesapeake. You can sit outside on their deck in the warmer months and munch on a pile of freshly cooked blue crabs while looking at the boats cruise by on a tributary of the Bay. Most people opt for the platters of steamed whole crabs which you take apart. For those not inclined to a biology project on their dinner table, Cantler's offers an excellent lump crabmeat Imperial (delish!) and big-ass crabcakes. The tomato and mozzarella salad with lump crab with balsamic vinegar was a lip-smacker, too. About the only minor gripe I have is with the hush puppies, but that may be a regional thing. This is a must go food destination if you are in the Annapolis area (but bring a map - it can be a bit hard to find). Highly recommended.
(4)
Mac O.
I will probably get drummed off the mid-Atlantic seaboard for this, but here goes: I am not the hugest blue crab fan. I know, I know: boo, hiss. It's not the crabs themselves -- the flavor is good! I love crab cakes! Lump crab meat! Crab omelets! It's the work. All that work, so little output...I'm one of those girls who always asks the waitperson for a "lesson" in how to crack a crab so that I have at least one perfectly shelled crab and a nice little pile of meat to work on. Otherwise I'm a hot mess. But. As far as blue crabs go, Cantler's is fine. Location is way off-the-beaten-path in residential Annapolis. The views from the outside decks are OK, looking out over the river and the homes on the other bank (no views of the city, tho), but one end of the deck overlooks a tar-papered roof. Not the loveliest scenery for enjoying your crab workout. The ambiance inside is nothing to write home about, just a marine-themed heavy, dimly lit square room. Depressing, as another reviewer noted. I won't even get into the bathrooms, which are miniature and ridiculous. And the place is mobbed any time after 11:30 and waits can be long... The crabs themselves are really hit-or-miss here. Some of the ones that arrive on your plastic tray are large and luscious, bursting with tender, tasty meat. Others, however, are anemic -- if crabs can be anemic...mealy and not so flavorful. Which is a major disappointment when you have to work your ass off to get at that meat in the first place. Not to mention when you're dropping sixty bones for a dozen of these bad boys. At that price, I want all my crabs to rock my world. They don't here. The accompanying sides are meh -- I do so love cole slaw and Cantler's is a bit disappointing; the side salad I ordered this weekend was comprised of way past its prime, slimy mixed greens. I sent it back. All in all, Cantler's is a'ight. But it doesn't change my mind about thinking shucking your own blue crabs isn't all it's cracked up to be. Lame pun intended.
(3)
Paulette A.
I was here earlier this week with a group of 12. We were seated at a great table outside on the porch. This is not a place to go expecting to stay clean. You are guaranteed to be up to your elbows in Old Bay! We had large crabs, the boiled shrimp and snow crab legs, along with onion rings, sweet potato fries, hushpuppies and cole slaw. Everything was fresh and awesome. The only down side of visiting with a group was that they couldn't give us seperate bills.
(5)
Quentin G.
Wonderfull crabby experience for a French crab virgin like me !
(4)
Samir L.
Soup of the day was butternut squash topped with crabmeat. Amazing. So glad I found this place on Yelp, glad it was actually where it was supposed to be (got a little worried I was leading my friends down a small, narrow road to nowhere.....) Indoor and outdoor seating available.
(4)
Kristina G.
To show you how much of a nerd I am, I will fully admit that I was excited when Yelp added all that statistic stuff to reviews. Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs! Cantler's is a prime example of how these tools can be useful. If you look at the rating distribution trend of Cantler's, you'll see that it has primarily 5 star reviews. However, if you click the little trend link, you'll also see that these ratings have gone done drastically over the past few months. While one could hypothesize this means an overall drop in quality, I'm guessing that Cantler's is just a seasonal restaurant, best enjoyed during the summer months. My boyfriend came here in February. We should have known better since it wasn't crab season. While my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the chesapeake oysters, everything else was mediocre to average. Lobster was ok but served with a side of snap peas and raw onions (odd?), steak was well overdone, and my ribs were not good. While I might get flak for ordering ribs at a seafood place, 1) I wasn't in a seafood mood that night and ordered what I thought would be the hardest thing for them to screw up, and 2) I come from the school that if you can't do something decently, don't put it on your menu. Finally, the price. I love casual places and environmental concerns aside, I could care less about eating on styrofoam. But if you're going to go casual, your food should either be spectacular or the prices should be lower. Neither was the case. I'm willing to come back in the summer for some fresh crabs and upgrade my rating, but I'll be eating elsewhere during the year.
(2)
Melissa M.
First time there last weekend. Our server was excellent! She not only had a sense of humor, but she was attentive and really had personality. You could tell she really enjoyed working there. The food was delicious! We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer, perfect consistency w/ my favorite Old Bay seasoning, of course! I ordered the seafood pasta. The scallops were plentiful as was the crabmeat, could of used more than 3 shrimp, but the pasta as a whole was amazing and a nice portion. I also tried a relative's mako shark (wasn't on the menu as an entree, but they made it anyway!). This was also delicious, I'd recommend it. Overall, a pleasant experience, nice casual atmosphere by the water, would be great in the summer for all you can eat crabs for sure!
(5)
Jason K.
I have only had one experience at Cantler's. I ventured out to find this out of the way place based on the raving fans telling me I had to try it out. I unfortunately found the experience to be less then satisfying. The lemonade was very weak and almost tasted like water, and the food was expensive and average to poor in taste. I complained about the lemonade and the staff just didn't care! I was told that it was just that way, sorry. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing on the wrong day but we don't plan to return. In every restaurant I always ask the staff what the best known item on the menu is and what they personally think is wonderful. This didn't work here. Food is a 1 maybe 2, overpriced for what you get. Staff is a solid 1, not helpful and seemed only interested in friends at the bar. Atmosphere is a 4 due to the Chesapeake Dock concept
(1)
Nita S.
My friend and I went to Cantler's on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm. This place is at the end of a narrow road which goes through a residential area. There's limited parking, so there was a line just to get into the parking lot, which was directed by Cantler's employees. Only took us about 10 min to get into the lot though. Once we got inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes for two people, however, we were seated in just 15 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is SMALL, but they have quite a bit of seating on the outside deck/patio overlooking the water. Prior to making the hour long trek out to Cantler's we called and asked if they offered an all you can eat crab option and the lady told us yes and it was priced at $35 per person. HOWEVER, when we arrived our server told us that they weren't offering all you can eat, but they do offer it SOMETIMES. I'm not sure why the person answering the phone would not have mentioned that. We ended up ordering a dozen of Supers ($100), Onion Rings, and the Jimmy's Crab Feast which comes with Steamed Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, and a side of Cole Slaw. All of the food was delicious. The supers were nice and heavy and steamed to perfection. We also ordered two frozen margaritas to try beat the heat which were some of the best I've ever had--or maybe it was the humid, 90 degree heat, and blazing sun that made me think that?! All and all, we had a great experience at Cantler's. It's among the best places in the area to get crabs. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Washington DC/Annapolis area.
(4)
C E.
Decided to go to Cantlers for crabs instead of across the bay due to time constraints. Not my first choice but decided to give it another shot. By boat is best way, nice ride and can always find dock spot. Ordered large crabs plus pasta salad, hush puppies, fried clams and fish tacos. The fried clams and beer were good !?!? All else was sub par. When "fresh" steamed crabs come out in less than 5 minutes you know they weren't picked out of the tank and separately steamed. Sure enough they were cool to the touch and barely edible. 30% of them were dried out husks, they had obviously been waiting under a heat source for a long time. The rest were just mushy meat. The pasta salad was tasteless at best and the fish tacos had green stuff on them that I imagine was meant to be guacamole. Once again Cantlers live down to my expectations. Take the time to go across the Bay and avoid this place. This was my last time.
(1)
Lucia C.
Crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Mussels crabs crabs crabs crabs Clams crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Shrimp crabs crabs crabs crabs Rockfish crabs crabs crabs crab crabs Oysters crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Scallops crabs crabs crabs crabs Crabcakes. I like crabs. And Cantler's provides some pretty Maryland blues right from the Bay. This place is perfect (and priced) for tourists, and that's really part of it's appeal. It's not very often you get to wear a bib in public, soil your table and hands with crab juice (ew), and dig into a regional specialty. The Cantler's crab boil is a great deal that will keep you busy with a good sampling of seafood. The rockfish sandwich is tasty too. Go in the spring/summer when the crabs are in season and the weather is lovely. Sit outside and enjoy the view. If you are a crab legs guy and can't get into the bodies, these Blue crabs may not be for you. There are instructions, and it takes finesse, to uncover that perfect lump. If you are as skilled as my guy is at hammering crabs, then have your mallet ready.
(4)
Courtney C.
I'm not sure where these reviews are coming from, but I was less than impressed yesterday to say the least. I had a craving for some steamed blues and after calling around, Cantler's had XL and everyone else only had larges. We headed out and after driving into no where we arrived! Its a nice spot on the water, plenty of parking and had a good crowd at 3:30 on a gorgeous fall Saturday. We wanted to sit outside but the wait was 30 min so, we opted for inside instead. The menu isn't very large but they have the basics and mostly seafood. We waited around for at least 10 min for our waitress to come take our drink order....this should have been the sign that our service was going to be horrible. They have a full bar but no beer on tap. Disappointment, but we knew that before we came. 10 min later we got our drinks and had a few questions about the menu. We wanted a pound of just steamed shrimp to start if possible. She said they could do that. Well, turns out they can't. She put in a $25 dinner order for steamed shrimp with onions, potatoes, etc. as our appetizer. One look at it and we sent it back. Seriously, she should have just said no! They took it off our bill. I went with 12 dozen of the XL with a side salad and hush puppies. My husband ordered the rock fish taco's and substituted the fries and coleslaw for hush puppies and potato salad. My side salad looked amazing at first. Spring mix with lots of veggies. Well, 12 of the spring mix was wilted and slimy. I picked through it, but in hind sight should have sent it back. The hush puppies side was huge and they were descent. Nothing I couldn't buy in the freezer section and make at home though. Oh well. The crabs were cooked well, and reasonable, but nothing amazing. Frank's in Jessup still reigns supreme when it comes to the best quality crabs. They don't use old bay, the crabs weren't really XL, and only one was really heavy and meaty. My husband enjoyed his taco's. They were spicy and the fish looked fresh. Unfortunately, it came out with fries and coleslaw instead of the substitution. We had given up on our waitress by now and just dealt with it. Fries were OK and coleslaw was disgusting. We had to flag her down for refills, ended up asking for a pitcher of water for our table because she was SO SLOW. I was so ready to leave by then. I went to wash my hands in the tiniest bathroom ever and we paid and left. $75 wasn't too bad, we left exactly 15% because I'm not that big of a bitch and drove the 45min home. Sorry Eastern MD folks, this place was not anything to rave about. The atmosphere was nice (even with the cobwebs on the lights), but there are too many places to get crabs for me to put up with service that bad.
(2)
Meg H.
We arrived around 8pm on a Sunday evening and were able to be seated immediately. The order of large blue crabs came out within 5 minutes of ordering and were freshly steamed perfectly and heavy in meat. I am allergic to shellfish and generally am bored with seafood restaurant menus chicken and steak options. I ordered the Chicken bruschetta sandwich and WOW I was impressed! Our waitress was prompt, courteous and very friendly. Thank you to our waiter, Mike, at the Pusser's outside bar for recommending this place!! A little off the beaten path, but WELL WORTH IT!
(4)
Erika J.
Having heard about "Cantler's Riverside Inn" by several locals in the area, we figured it was time to give it a try. We arrived via boat to find that their docking situation was less than ideal. If you drive a LARGE yacht, this is the place for you, however if you're driving a 29 foot boat, the docking area is much larger than needed. It was a Saturday afternoon, during the middle of the summer...which meant we were going to be waiting for a table. We didn't wait too long, and the bar welcomed us for our wait! The food was great. We ordered crab dip and it had several good flavors and plenty of crab. We also ordered a cup of Cream of Crab soup - also fantastic. Followed up our meal with some crab cakes - also very good. They had plenty of meat, little filler, and good flavor. We've returned several times since the first visit, and have continued to be happy with our experience. The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the price is reasonable. The one piece that is holding me from rating it with 5 stars -- is the size. There isn't much room for dining and many of the tables feel like they are on top of one another. You could even be sat at a table with strangers on the other side of the picnic table...not my idea of a 'date night.' Nonetheless, we can get over that! Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
(4)
Christine C.
Location - on the water! Breezy by night Service - So many servers, it was great, always taken care of Dress - Very Casual, in fact follow everyone's advice, wear something you don't mind getting messy Food - great, over sized onion rings, great crab, and other plates around us looked quiet yum as well. Short and sweet, great little hide away with super long hours!
(4)
Chris F.
Cantler's is one my favorite local restaurants and the place in Annapolis I would take out-of-towners to eat Maryland-style seafood. It hasn't changed a bit in two decades (okay, they have Ravens paraphernalia now, but I hardly think that counts). The crabs are excellent, the soup is amazing, everything that comes as a platter is delicious. The restaurant itself is set back in a residential neighborhood along the river and makes you feel like you need to have a secret map to find it. Inside, it's like a museum to Maryland pride, and the bar is totally 1970s-awesomeness. They "proudly only serve beer in cans."
(5)
Eryn P.
Very awesome! We got a little nervous going down the tiny little road and a half that took us there, but the scare and the wait for parking was well worth it. The was wait was very short. Once we were seated we were immediately greeted by an awesome waitress who proceeded to go through the entire menu with us while making suggestions along the way. My father and I ordered a dozen of the large blue crab. They are caught fresh daily and the size depends on what's caught that day. My Mother ordered the grouper with blue cheese over risotto and as an appetizer we ordered the crab dip, which had been recommended to us. Every thing was fantastic. The grouper was moist, but not soggy. The risotto was done to perfection and the crab was out of this world. I even took the time to notice that every single table had a huge tray of these crabs. They were clearly the hot item. We will for sure be coming back and recommending them to all of our friends and to all of the people we have visit who want authentic Chesapeake Bay seafood!
(5)
Rick S.
I've gotta share in recommending Cantler's. I was unsure about going to an out-of-the-way restaurant, but in the end it was well worth it. I've eaten crabs since I was a kid, but these were some of the best I remember having. We got a dozen large steamed blue crabs for $70, and even it took us a half hour to eat each crab (I went digging for each piece of delicious meat). So prepare for a lengthy stay. The sides - corn (fresh, warm, served cooked in the husk), hush puppies (not bad, filling, brought out with honey) and drinks may have lengthened our eating experience. Personally, I preferred the vinegar (over the butter) for dipping crab meat and the seasoning that came with them was a bit too strong/salty for my taste. You'll probably want to ask for extra napkins while there. It can get a bit loud, but everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying the good food. Very scenic view of the river.
(4)
Allyson B.
Quirky little seafood shack on the water. The old fisherman at the bar was downing beer and blue crabs and lamenting the number of sailboats on the bay while right beside him yachting yuppies enjoyed mussels steamed in wine. Perfect. Incredible food, average service, a unique dining experience.
(4)
Eric V.
I came for the crab, only the crab. I was not disappointed. This place is a great classic crab house. It can get crazy busy so just give them a call to see what the crowd scene is like and to see what crabs they have. They have their own live well tanks where they keep their crab catch alive so you can be sure you are getting fresh live crabs. So cool. That's like an oyster bar farming their own oysters or a sushi restaurant keeping their own aquariums for the sushi. :) And the crabs I had tonight were wonderful. Full and tasty. Their "Old Bay Seasoning" is not true Old Bay but it's good enough. It has a lot of added salt. I hear true Old Bay is too expensive to use in most restaurants... I don't agree but ... one star lost for not using true Old Bay yet still calling it Old Bay. No biggie but still... Sat out on an massive deck overlooking their live wells below and the water of the Bay just beyond that. Really great location. You feel like you're on the water and boats can actually pull up to a dock below. Anyway, this place is great for crabs. Paper on the table, mallets (learn to ditch the mallet below), crab knives, cold beer. Go and enjoy the crabs as I did! Watch this video first so you don't complain that they are too hard to eat and so you don't embarrass yourself. :) youtube.com/watch?v=kUW6…
(4)
Tim S.
I'm sure the other 250+ reviews are full of detail and wit, so I'll just say this. Been going to Cantlers for 30 years now, best outdoor atmosphere around (for seafood) . . . I haven't eaten crabs there for years - mostly due to price gouging, but I make better crabs at home too). Menu just recently improved. I never go on a weekend.
(3)
Sparky P.
WOW!! First off major shout out to Stephanie F. for being amazing!!! My cup was never empty and she was helpful in helping us decide which of the three types of crab cakes we wanted! The food here is great. If you haven't had steam Blue crabs before, this is the place to go. They bring the crabs in by boat and they are kept a live in "pools" outside. Blue crabs are much smaller and harder to eat than ordinary crabs, but they are much sweeter and well worth all the extra effort. We took the advise of the table next to us and ordered a dozen medium crabs. As promised, they were meaty and I wouldn't have noticed much of a different if I ordered the larger ones. The crabs come liberally sprinkled with the cumin, celery, sea salt and something something rub. You can also have butter, vinegar, or more of the dry rub to dip your crabs into. Crab cakes were ok, I was more enthused about the fresh boiled peas that came with the crab cakes. Unless you really don't have patience to get to the crab meat yourself, I would just stick to the steamed blue crab. Appetizers: Fried Calamari - really good, very well seasoned, and complemented perfectly by the mildly sweet sauce. Clam Chowder- ok. . .the almost $8 bowl was a bascially the size of a cup anywhere else. Unless you need clam chowder (my brother went to the east coast specifically to eat chowdah) I'd pass on it. Bread- not the dip, but just the bread is wonderful heaven. Cruchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, a perfect way to even out all the salt you end up consuming with the crab. Take a trip out! Expect a wait, but expect good fresh food!
(5)
John K.
Cantlers Two Days in a Row? What a difference a night makes. ********************************* College Roomate and darling bride are in town. Where do they want to go? Cantlers of course. This time we had an "A-OK" evening. On a Monday night in early May would you believe a 25-minute wait for an outside table? Yep. By the way, while I have your attention, our server Jennifer was a delight. A Maryland finance grad making some extra bucks in the summer. I tested her sorely. Her reply was convincing when asked where the crabs were from. "The Bay, probably the Virginia part of the Bay," she said with conviction. I sent a crab back for being way light. She was happy to replace it with a fat one. There is a Maryland Crab Caprese Salad that is actually quite good. And of course, everyone loved their Maryland Crab Soup. Cantlers is back in my good graces.
(3)
Vic-Crys W.
Pros (extremely fresh crabs, oysters, seafood. Good onion rings for the price, atmosphere). Cantler's blue crabs have never failed us. Sure you may be able to find seafood as fresh as Cantlers elsewhere, but you won't feel like an old salt pounding on your gigantic blue crab drowning in old bay. The feel that you can get down and dirty with your hands and mallet and have a feast is actually quite wonderful. Cantlers also serve what seems to be the best tasting crab cake we've ever tasted, full of flavor and unfortunately... crab shells as well. Having a group of friends pound away at the crabs with you is an indescribably satisfying feeling. Cons (shells within crab cake, may be daunting for the beginner crab eater, will get messy). If you've never had crab before, Cantler's is not the best place to start. If you prefer your crab to be served on top of white table clothes with forks and knives, Cantlers swaps fine tables with benches and knives with mallets and napkins. Recommendation: get down and dirty and enjoy the crabs. Comparable to: Jerry's Seafood (crab bomb).
(4)
Kenneth K.
Phenomenal experience if you're looking to eat crabs in a unique setting. There's big riverside deck in the back of the place which makes for great scenery. Even more importantly, the crab was excellent. My fiancee and I took a road trip down to Annapolis in search of good crab. This place was highly recommended from a local friend. While they were out of the jumbos, we got a bunch of XLs and tore through them. Good amount of old bay seasoning, crab meat was fresh, sweet, and plentiful (even in the claws which is novelty for me when it comes to blue crab). I didn't realize how much we took the place for granted until we got some mediocre, not so fresh crabs at Lazy Susan's in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I had to knock my rating down from 5 to 4 based on the sides. The hush puppies were quite forgettable. If I could, I'd rate it a 4.5 instead. Regardless, ditch the sides and load on crabs and beer!
(4)
Sudhanshu K.
One day decided to drive down from NYC to MD for crabs. after doing a little research online, we started our 4 hour drive down to MD. Once we arrived, we were seated quickly, luckily beating the rush, there were numerous groups waiting outside when we left. Ordered the Crabs, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Shrimps and Lager. The crabs and shrimp were amazing, luckily some locals helped us out w/ the crabs, showing us the various methods people use to open the crabs up. The crab cakes were ok, nothing spectacular. Definitely worth 8 hr driving round trip for a nice crab lunch. Also, make sure to sit outside.
(4)
Wayne Y.
I took my family to Cantler's on my brother's recommendation and since we were tourists and also perhaps due our lack of experience in ordering crabs at Cantler's we felt we had to intuitively go about our meal. Our server was polite and efficient but perhaps because it was getting busy, she really didn't offer any additional advice on the "hows" to best maximize the crab-fest. She did suggest that our family of 5 order 6 crabs in addition to our entrees and that was about the right amount. But half way through the meal, we asked her if we were doing it properly and she finally showed us. We also saw people dipping the crab into various sauces and that was not offered to us so we ate the crabs as they came out. That was ok because they were seasoned enough but it would have been nice to have been informed. I guess is that since they are so popular, they don't really care about return business. All said, the crab was good, it seemed a bit pricey but I took it on faith that it was the going market price for the area and since we were tourists out for an experience, we accepted it. We had a good time overall and it was fun whacking at the crabs with our mallets. So for I would give 3 and a half stars for the food (crabs) and 2 stars for the service.
(3)
B D.
I love love love Cantler's. I've been several times and have never been disappointed. The crabs are a bit pricey but well worth it. Everything taste so fresh. While the service is meh, the food more than makes up for up!
(5)
Anne D.
Fabulous cream of crab soup was yummy!!! Deck overlooks a creek.
(5)
Jenn Tang S.
Yummy Yummy Crabs! Smashing Old Bay-seasoned crabs and drinking spicy bloody marys by the water is pretty much the best way to spend your Saturday. The hush-puppies were pretty tasty too, along with the clams that had the full tail still attached. It was my first time eating the clams with the tail still on, so it was a little uncomfortable de-skinning it. Kinda felt like pulling a condom off a tiny tiny... well.. I digress. After you get that gross vision out of your head, let me just say they were very delicious clams when dipped in butter and Old Bay. No seriously, get that gross picture out of your head.
(4)
Tim T.
one of my favorite places to go for fresh seafood. it's right along the river, and can get crowded during weekends. i always try to go during lunchtime on a weekday, and eat on the outside benches. i will often drive the mrs down to annapolis just for this place. well worth it...
(5)
Tracey C.
I happened to come here on a day that the All-You-Can-Eat- special was in effect. SCORE!!! The trade off for the super cheap price ($20 or so dollars) is that you only get mediums. Most of their mediums are a pretty decent size, so with the crabs, fresh corn on the cob, and a 1.5 lbs of peel and eat shrimp I was in heaven. I haven't read all of the previous reviews but how did I miss that this place is in the cut*? My boyfriend looked a little skeptical as I read him the directions from Google map but after finding it and stuffing his face, he thanked me and all of you Yelp folks for introducing us to this place. * "In the cut" primarily refers to a location that is secluded or hard to find. See Ol' Yella (Brian) if more detailed is needed.
(4)
Guy F.
Crabcake was expensive and tasted like any one else's. Price is absurd for portion size. The calamari came out and we all laughed instantly because of how small the portion was, if only the price matched. There are better crab places out there, I'm not impressed.
(1)
Windi L.
PHEW! So glad YELP didn't mess this one up. We were running late for the Navy Homecoming football game but having been to Annapolis before, knew the food in them there parts was pretty cruddy. Despite the risk of being more delayed, I made a mad dash for the computer and pulled up Yelp in Annapolis, MD. Cantlers was the first to come up so we decided to go there. I tried to tell my boyfriend we should do more research (as yelp has done me wrong before... City Zen comes to mind) but as I mentioned, we had to get to our seats to watch Navy STOMP on Wake Forest. I had no idea what to expect arriving here. This place is in the middle of no where. Even our GPS had a hard time finding it. We eventually arrived to what appears on the outside a really upscale joint. After entering, I realized that assumption was dead wrong. It's kind of hillbilly but with some class. Long tables strung about with paper on top to crack your crabs. Waiters wearing terri cloth booty shorts. I mean, it was great. Who knew red neck could look so appealing? Now to the food: PHENOMENAL!! Best food I've had in Annapolis. We ordered a ton of things from the butternut squash and crab soup to (my fave) the blackened mahi sandwich. Normally most peeps mess up on mahi but not this place. Great food all around. If you're tired of the same tourist traps in down town Annapolis, take a short drive out here. Worth it!! Oh and the BEST margarita I've ever had was here, too!
(5)
Dmytro A.
Best crab experience in Maryland, making it the best crab feast experience in the world. I drag all my out-of-state guests up here, either by car or by boat. While I know that everyone comes for the crab, the sides are not to be dismissed as unworthy distractions. The hush puppies are making my mouth water right now as I right this, and you can butter and salt the corn yourself, if you like. Service is great too. The girls look great in their uniforms, and they're always quick with the fresh cold ones. The only drawback is the wait. But then, you don't go for a crab feast if you're in a rush. Grab some cold ones, and mosey around the dock area with the buzzer they give you in your pocket. For the kids (or the big kids), there's also a "living museum" type area, where you can look at (but don't touch) live crabs and other river creatures in water tanks.
(5)
Christina C.
This is a late review - I came here a few months ago on a sunny Sunday. It was packed.. about an hour wait; but we ended up hangin out at the bar. So finally, we got a dozen crabs topped with Old Bay seasoning. And just dipping that crab meaty goodness in their butter just hits the spot. It's pricey, but it was my first time and I don't mind it at all. Something about delicious crabs, a side of onion rings, fries, all washed down with some yeungling - while overlooking the river.. and just being able to use a wooden mallet to open these babies.. not to mention the layout of your table - one huge brown paper as your table mat. it's an awesome experience.. you can tell I'm a newb with these things. Anyways, now I'm just babblin...lol but hopefully you get the idea.
(4)
Jonathan P.
great atmosphere on the water and solid seafood. go during the week or be prepared to deal with crazy crowds and long waits while you drink beers in the parking lot.
(3)
Tim M.
A great MD crab house. Meets the need in many ways. Always enjoy our meals here
(4)
Varian L.
It's quite the drive to get to Cantler's -- the road to get there is windy and occassionally single-laned path that passes beautiful cozy houses along the lake and woods. The trek was well worth it. Good news: it's by far the best crab I tasted in Maryland. The bad news: I'm an out-of-towner, so it's just about the only crab I tasted. But I was not disappointed. My wife, my brother, and my sister-in-law all had good service and excellent food!
(5)
Tim J.
Had a great time, good food and a nice setting on the water. Being a crab virgin, we had a wonderful server (Micky?) that showed us everything we needed to know. Many thanks to her since she took the time out to help us even though she was busy!
(4)
Ethan L.
Simply put, this place is serious. We ordered a dozen of the x-large along with hush puppies, onion rings and several other items that I totally ignored. The meat was as tender and flavorful as I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is the real deal as well. Details aren't needed, just go.
(5)
Derryk A.
What can make a place so great that I returned a few days later just to experience it all over? Doing Crabs at Cantler's that's what. First time there was on Sunday the 30th of Aug with nu-wife and that place was PACKED elbow to elbow. But first we had a 20min wait just to park the car, they have these high-school kids working the lot directing parking good idea. Then there was a 45 min to 60 min wait once there at 2:45pm but that's okay we went exploring around Cantler's down the back they have a boat pier and they grow their own crabs there. Blue crabs that are on the grumpy crabby side when you poke at them they will snap at you fingers so keep ahold of the little tykes. Nu-wife and I just watch the boats coming in and going out until we were called to our prized spot at the tables of Cantler's. Our waiter zzzzzzzzzzzzip came in "Hi what would you like?" well I think zzzzzzzzzzzzip huh?!? What happen he's gone. 5mins later zzzzzzzzzzzzzzip "Hi decided yet?" yeah nu-wife she has a question about the xtra lar...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzippp wow he's gone again like lighting man next time he comes around I'm throwing a lasso around him. Out of nowhere zzzzzzzzzzzzippp "Ready?" YES AND DON'T"T YOU GO NOWHERE STAY. I give my order with the fastest talking ever in ordering.... WewandthelargecrabsandapoundofsnowcrabsbringtwocorÂonaswithicetea...zzzzzzzzzzzzzippppppppp he's gone again in 20 secs jeeze record time!!! Moments later the crabs came out ummmmmm and for the next hour nu-wife and I had nothing to say to each other at all. The crabs did all of the talking the seasoning which is JO not Old Bay which some people mistakenly call it, that stuff is like crack cause it is so addictive with spicy, salty, goodness and the way they steam their crabs there is a little different than most places they have a special technique that involves beer and not letting the crabs touch the bottom of the pot while steaming by using a special net in the pot and of course that incredible J.O. seasoning. Out of this world. They have other food from the seas there too but the fries are nothing to write home about so don't waste too much valuable stomach space on them just fill up on the crabs and shrimp and fish. After this experience of crabs on this level we left there forever changed and we would never look at crabs in the same light. Luckily this coincide with the UYE crab out at Cantler's the following Saturday and HELL YES I was there again even after Sunday and having some left over crab during that week. I told you it's like crack didn't I? So that Saturday morning met up with fellow Yelpers this time sitting outside watching the crab elevators crawling up the hill with fresh crabs from the waters of crab lovers bliss with the perfect weather and enjoying the shear delight of Cantlers once again with a nice and calm waitress this time, no disappearing "Attention Deficit Disordered Kid Speed-a-Lot" waiter like last time. Met some new cool Yelpers in person finally but unfortunately that day wasn't perfect cause nu-wife was working that morning. Oh well that gives me the excuse to take her back there real soon.
(5)
Johnny A.
Outstanding! Driving there was an experience since it's tucked away in a quiet narrow street residential neighborhood. You wouldn't know it until you get there. Great setting, friendly staff, and crabs like no other! You can taste the freshness (plus you can see the live ones under the deck). Went there mid-week and the place was full, but didn't have to wait to be seated. The large crabs are the best value for the money, start off with some fries and calamari and when the crabs come, just dig in. One thing I will try to do next time is to perhaps get half my order first then the second half later since they got pretty cold half way through despite the hot weather. All in all, highly recommended!
(5)
Josh M.
The only thing more authentic than Cantler's is chicken-necking all morning and then steaming them up yourself. I have learned over time that I am an absolute, over-the-top seafood snob. And Cantler's blows most of your white tablecloth, Michelin star joints out of the water. It is simply the real deal. The only other place I've been that even measures up is in Shinagawa (Tokyo). If you come to Annapolis and miss this place, you've missed everything... unless you eat at my Mom's house in the summer (hi Mom!), then you're still probably good. By the way, if you care (I don't want to confuse you with my 5 stars here), you can only order Maryland crabs when they are in season. That is the only time they are, uh, Maryland crabs. Otherwise they're from somewhere else -- and I take no responsibility. But the rest of it is good all year long.
(5)
Sunny S.
i got the soft shell crab which is a deep fried crab, it came with 3 of these little guys, which were VERY salty and i dont like that it came with hush puppies were kinda bland, and potato salad which was good my dinner partner had a seafood platter, fries good , fried shrimp was excellent, fried clam strips which were excellent, perch fry which was good the ambience is meh, we were served with plastic and cutlery and plates which i dont quite get since the price wasnt exactly dirt cheap i think they were cutting corner but hey i got to say i tried some maryland crab, which is nothing on genuine new england sea food ;)
(3)
Brian G.
This was a great choice! I had been living away from the Maryland/Delaware area for three years and returned to visit friends and family... or so I said... my real agenda was FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! First on my list? Fresh seafood! I ordered the Drunken Shellfish --- Muscles, Clams and Shrimp in a white wine/garlic sauce. AMAZING! My tablemates, however, were not as amazed by their Crabcakes because they lacked seasoning. The crab itself was very lush, but it was like the kitchen ran out of Old Bay, and that's why I had to knock one star off of my review. The outdoor seating is beautiful, and unlike others I felt the prices were very fair. I would certainly return.
(4)
Kathy C.
This is a pretty typical crab shack, with the emphasis on 'shack". This is a pretty famous place, with a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews, but I was dissapointed. The 3 stars I have given it are for the stunning waterfront location and the scenic beauty. That is on the outside-the inside has all the charm of a school cafeteria, so eat outside if you can tolerate the wait for a table. We did not have the crabs, which is the specialty here. I had the lump crabcake platter. The crabcakes were okay, but I have had much better elsewhere (try Stoneys on Broomes Island in Calvert County) The mashed potatoes and green beans that were served with it were just barely edible. My husband had the crabcake sliders and had no complaints, but no raving either. The coleslaw and french fries were good, probably the highlights of the meal. The waitress was fairly prompt and friendly. We will not be returning, but if you like crabs and a beautiful waterfront location, you may want to give it a try.
(3)
Phil B.
After a long and winding drive I finally arrived at Cantler's one wintry night. Inside I found a casual atmosphere, beer from the can, and some terrific food. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked very well. Onion rings were intimidatingly large. And hush puppies with honey? Where have you been? They had an outside area that I hadn't the outerwear to try, but when the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I'm sure this will be a great place to get dinner.
(5)
William S.
Great location and the crabs were perfect. My wife had the ribs and she was a little disappointed but next time she will stick with the filet or burger.
(4)
Gerald F.
Stick to Crabs and fresh oysters. Crabcake was dry. Fried food not great.
(3)
Aindrea C.
I'm not sure why people think there is any comparison between Cantler's and Mike's - Cantler's is far and away the best crab house in town. Its a little tricky to get to, but totally worth it. Right on the water: delicious and gorgeous! The last time I went my aunt started off with a cosmo - surprisingly good for a crab house! To start we ordered onion rings and crab dip. The onion rings were fab - perfectly golden brown, crispy and delicious! The crab dip was just ok, but nothing to write home about. The only down side is they didn't bring these out until AFTER our crabs arrived. Our tablemates, however, had ordered fries and were very friendly and shared them with us (in exchange for some onion rings). The fries were phenomenal! Light, crispy and seasoned perfectly - definitely the winner in the "sides" category. The crabs were big, meaty and with not water in sight. Our tablemates also informed us that if we did get a watery crab we could send it back - definitely a good policy for a crab establishment. I heard that Mike's was cheaper than Cantler's, but definitely found that not to be true. Cantler's is about the same price, if not less. The rumors about the parking are, however, true - we had to wait for a parking spot on a Wednesday night - but for any crab lover it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)
alice c.
Fall, so I was told by our gracious waitress, is the season for oysters and rocker fish (and most other seafood). Boy was she right!! This is how I did it: a $25 gift certificate (off a $35 purchase) from restaurant.com , which was good for everything but the crab buckets... I mention this cuz it's a little pricey. But the portions are good and you won't walk away hungry. After mourning a little over not being able to work for my food (my usual crab-eating experience), I decided that given the rest of the menu (oysters, mussels, crab DIP, crab cake, etc.), I could conceivably still leave satisfied. With the help of a GPS, my husband and I found this nondescript location. At 1PM on a chilly fall weekend, the place was not too busy. They sat us in a covered location on the patio, and we ordered: - a rocker fish entree - hush puppies - Maryland crab dip for the appetizer - jumbo shrimp from the steamer - raw oysters (I wanted to try; my husband was grossed out) I really wanted to try raw oysters, cuz I watched Eric Ripert do a show about oyster farms and fresh seafood (and you know, monkey-see, monkey-do). But I didn't want to order a dozen only to find that I didn't like them; after saying so to our waitress, she mentioned that you can get 6 for $5.75. PEOPLE, IF YOU LIKE SASHIMI (and don't have liver problems, etc.) AND HAVE NEVER HAD RAW OYSTERS, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS... FROM THEM, SPECIFICALLY. Their raw oysters were so not what I expected; perfectly fresh, juicy, clean, non-rubbery, delicious delicious delicious... Now I'm scared to try raw oysters anywhere else or during any other season, because the next batch will have a LOT to live up to. After that first taste, I cannot wait to try it again. There was the cocktail sauce, ginger, and lemon to flavor to taste, but they taste really great without any of that, too. Oh, and everything else tasted good, too. The rocker fish was tender and juicy, and the shrimp was shrimp (albeit, definitely a bit spicy). The hush puppies were pleasurable; I can see why kids would love em. The crab dip was nothing to complain about. Man... those oysters.... They're so good, though. Please, please, go try it. Especially on a nice fall day. So good.
(4)
Laura V.
It's a little tricky to get to, but once you are there the on-the-water atmosphere is worth it. This is where we always take visitors to go get a Maryland crab-picking experience. Great restaurant! They even have boats coming up to the dock to bring fresh crabs as you're eating.
(5)
Katie F.
I don't know what I can add that hasn't been said already. This is a great place to go for crabs, that said I think crabs are to much work for my work/enjoyment ratio when it comes to food. However the variety of stuff that came on my fish fry sampler platter was great, tasty, and hot. Def get here early on a nice summer day like we did or you will have a LONG wait--you will even have to wait in your car to park. Be prepared to get dirty if you are eating crabs---like orange fingers for days dirty.
(4)
D C.
Went to Cantler's on July 3rd. This place has the best blue crabs on the planet. Great location. You can be seated at the same table with strangers. Our experience was great. Hope that the folks you are seated with are interesting. You want blue crabs, this is the place.
(4)
Nina U.
The gorgeous drive back here will take you through an established neighborhood with well kept lawns surrounding pretty homes. I wish I lived down this road. Cantlers is at the end. There used to be a crab/seafood tent not far from here that I used to frequent where you could drive your boat up to the dock and eat after a long day on the water. I was so sad to return here 10 years later and find it closed. But then I found Cantler's and my life is fulfilled again. It's like walking into my hometown, except friendlier. There's the bar (canned beers only and they have yingling!). Then there's inside tables (less noisy) and also the enclosed tent where you have a great view of the lightening and thunderstorms next to the dock. (noisy cause everyone likes to sit out here) It's a place where they put paper down on the table and you can order a seafood boil or fresh crabs to throw down on your paper. It's not a fancy place and don't wear your nice clothes because you'll be hammering crab and flinging it across the table. It's fun and so sociable. I even think I got over part of my shellfish allergies cause I had a couple of crab legs! Very good with the old bay and butter. It's always better when someone else does some of the work for you though. This is too exciting. It's not the biggest seating area and I definitely recommend going here on a week day. The guys were always checking up on us and very friendly. So happy to have found this spot.
(5)
David K.
I went to this restaurant with a friend based on the Yelp rating. We both ordered crab and lobster tail. The crab was okay, but the lobster tail was awful, so bad I didn't even want to finish it. It tasted like plastic. Our side dishes were served lukewarm (at best) and the restaurant provided prepackaged butter that looked like what you'd expect in a high school cafeteria. The restaurant's beer selection didn't match the menu and the waitress we had didn't seem to know what the restaurant did or did not carry. I was bitterly disappointed and embarrassed that I suggested trying this restaurant.
(1)
lysa p.
Quite amazing food. Fab space on the water. Great spot for crap and shrimp!
(5)
tony z.
Awesome crab experience on the river. very authentic joint where locals come by boat. You sit inside or better outside on looong picnic tables alongside other parties. They put down paper on the table and then bring you trays of steamed and seasoned (some pepper spice powder) that are quite good. The waitress gave us noobs instruction on how to crack open the crabs. Corn on the cob came along and cold Yuengling beer (never heard of it before, but America's first brewery in PA?). The key lime pie for dessert is one of their specialties, and it rates highly.
(4)
Liz A.
Landed in Baltimore at 7 pm and decided to follow fellow yelpers suggestions and check out a local-yocal place for dinner. What a find! I arrived and was seated about 10 mins later, at an outside table. Granted, you are at a picnic table with other fellow dinners, but that definitely added to the experience. Went for the cherry stone clams and 1/2 dozen blue crabs, and that turned out to be WAY too much for 1 person. I would suggest 4 crabs and and maybe a 1/2 dozen of the cherry stones. Either way, they were delicious and had a ton of Old Bay seasoning on them. Definitely not a salt-free meal! Will definitely hit Cantlers again next time I roll through town.
(4)
Rusty S.
There's a wait to get INTO the parking lot, a wait to park, a wait to get into the place, a wait to order. Then you wait for the crabs, then you overpay, then you're disappointed with your experience. Then you remember that nobody was actually friendly with you except the homeowner a couple of houses away from the place that offered to let you park in his driveway for $20. Want to duplicate the Cantler's experience? Drive to Red Lobster, get lost, buy some food, give them a 200% tip, then go look at a picture of a river on your phone. You'll still be disappointed and out of money but wouldn't have spent all day WAITING!!!
(1)
Will Y.
This place was recommended from a co-worker. We ordered the seafood sampler and added in the blue crabs. The sampler was ehhh... and that's all I'll say about that. The blue crab was pretty good, but seemed really expensive for a dozen. Although it came out somewhat cheap, I think I would go to a Joe's Crabshack instead. We also came here on a Friday afternoon, can't imagine what it's like to drive in and out of the area on a weekend.
(3)
Cathy H.
Cantler's Riverside Inn is very popular for a reason. They serve excellent seafood in a very cozy atmosphere. Here, we had the seafood platter with 3 blue crabs, mussels, clams, half a pound of shrimp, and 2 sides. Really fantastic. We also ordered mahi mahi tacos, which were excellent. I am not usually a fan of hush puppies, but they were very good here. The only complaint I had was the mussels were very small. Next time, I will eat less to save stomach room for their popular key lime pie. Service was excellent. We loved our waiter a lot!
(4)
Raming M.
I went to Cantler today. The food and service was very good.the price reasonable. That's great experience!
(5)
Alice W.
After a fun afternoon in Annapolis, my boyfriend and I drove over to Cantler's around 4pm to catch an early dinner. It is true, you need to come a little earlier in order to secure a parking spot and have a wait time of less than 2 hours. Luckily, the restaurant is located right on the water so you have a nice view of sweet million dollar homes, boats, jet skis, and the like. We were quoted an hour to an hour and half wait, so we opted to head downstairs to the dock and wait on a surprisingly empty bench. Not even 30 minutes later, our pager was buzzing. We ordered a dozen medium Maryland blue crabs for $55 and a pound of stone crab legs. The crabs are heavily seasoned with Old Bay. For medium crabs, they all had a surprisingly large amount of meat. We grabbed our mallets, forks, knives, and claw crackers, and slowly ate our way through our dozen crabs. Fresh crabs, lots of meat, tons of Old Bay - the classic Annapolis/Maryland experience. Service was prompt and polite. The atmosphere is really casual and low-key. Great place to drop by, especially in the summer.
(3)
Christian G.
Arrived by boat, helpful staff helped tie up. As we walk in through the back wait staff was throwing crab remnants into the water close to shore, came up through the back stairs and the place was busy. There was a wait to sit outside, so we were seated inside party of 7. About 12 minutes went by before anyone came to greet us, the cycle of service seemed non-existent. Hey we just came to take her order we had ordered several appetizers rockfish bites crab dip and steamed shrimp. All of it was pretty good I do have a complaint about the dishware and place settings my fork was mangled up like someone stepped on it and we were sitting at a sticky table with paper plates. I had ordered the crab cake platter it was ok, hailing from Maryland myself I have had better. I had also ordered a soft drink which had a fly in it. You be the judge but I'm never coming here again.
(1)
Jb R.
Great time. In Annapolis to visit a relative at the Naval Academy. This place was recommended to us - food & service great! Fun time. Long wait was the only issue.
(4)
Randy S.
Tired of the hustle and bustle, and parking difficulties, of dining in Downtown Annapolis? Then take the 15 minute drive to Cantler's. The riverside restaurant has an atmosphere that is positively rustic and salty. The biggest dilemma of dining at Cantler's is that there are too many fresh seafood options, so plan on coming back.
(4)
jenn w.
The best, juiciest Maryland blue crabs I've ever had! Visited on a Saturday night in November and it was still packed, but we were seated without a problem. Sweet waitress who was patient with us noobs. It's nice that you can order any quantity of crab, so if you want one extra crab for dessert, you can have it! Crab cakes are pretty good too. The location feels a bit in the middle of nowhere, particularly in the dark, so next time I'd like to go for lunch and check out the view everyone's talking about!
(5)
Jen L.
This is my favorite place to bring out of town peeps who have never had Maryland Blue Crab! It is very much out of the way from Downtown Annapolis, but just minutes away from the Maryland WWII Memorial on the other side of the Naval Academy. You can definitely count on Cantler's to have the freshest sea food and the largest Jimmy's in the area. Off all of the places that I have been to for crab, I think Cantler's has the freshest. Almost everything here is good! For a party of 3, a half dozen of extra large crabs and a couple sides will make a decent meal here. Cantler's is the best place to go as a seasoned crab picker or a crab eating newbie. Everyone has their own technique and everyone here will gladly share crab picking war stories over some Natti Bo.
(5)
Nicole L.
It's become a tradition for me to visit Cantler's riverside inn on July 4th. Nothing like enjoying some fresh delicious crabs with good friends and celebrating the country's independence day. We were seated at a great spot under the shade with the beautiful view of the water. Michele D who visited the day before warned us that they were running out of supers and x-larges. We decided to go to Cantlers at 11 AM. To our surprise, there was a line of people waiting at the door. We started off with some hush puppies and Cantler's jumbo shrimps. Then a dozen of larges, which were sweet tasting but were lacking the meaty quality of a great crab. They were sending wrong orders of supers and x-larges our way so we decided to order half a dozen more supers. That made my day, the supers were solidly packed with meat, the best tasting crab meat of all!! It was so good we were enjoying it in silence. Amazing crab feast!
(5)
Joel S.
If you want crabs, go somewhere else. I don't want you in line ahead of me. You are keeping me from the best crabs in the region and my seat with a view on the deck. I drive from DC and I am forced to wait for you... sometimes for up to an hour, I am wait nowhere else but here.
(5)
Charlie H.
I'm a big fan of Maryland crab restaurants and this was one of my favorites. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful in suggesting meals for us and our kids. We started with the blackened rockfish appetizer. The fish was fresh and served on a bed of delicious red cabbage slaw. The dish was big enough for a main course. The broiled crabcakes were full of crab and delicious! I had 3 jumbos, they were perfectly seasoned and full of meat. The kids ordered off the children's menu and had the chicken tenders and pizza. The portions were huge and only $5 each. Great casual restaurant though a little loud. Worth going out of your way to find this gem.
(4)
Sonya S.
I've been wanting to have the authentic Maryland crab house experience for a while now, so after researching the many options, I settled on Cantlers. I live in DC, so it's not close. And at first you think that your navi system is misdirecting you, but after exiting the freeway, you actually do have to drive through a neighborhood and down a long winding road to get to Cantlers. We had to wait to park for about a half hour; didn't bother me because I was expecting it. My friend went to put our names on the list while I sat in the car line to park. After parking we enjoyed Heineken in the can outside (they only have canned beer) while we waited. Another hour or so later we were seated outside at a table beside a friendly young-ish couple who we got to know during the course of dinner. Just a note, this is communal dining, so expect to share your table with others outside of your dining party. We got a dozen large crabs, hush puppies, and crab dip with the bottemless iced tea. Next time around we will probably forego the crab dip and just get the large crabs with hush puppies. Love this place for being liberal with the Old Bay seasoning. And yes, you will smell like crabs when you leave. All in all, exactly what I was looking for in my authentic Maryland blue crab house experience.
(5)
Amanda C.
I'm a city girl. Try as I might to fight the prissiness, it's just a part of me. I remember traveling to the Middle East when I was a little kid and seeing a butcher hacking apart a lamb on the sidewalk... I was horrified. Little Lambert had no fleece, no skin, and no discernible body. Flies swarmed and the butcher gave them an occasional swat with his blood covered cleaver. The bulging, glassy eyes on the animal's severed head looked out onto the street and I realized -for the first time- that THIS was where lamb chops came from. No- I didn't become a vegetarian. I like meat too much. But let's just say, I prefer being introduced to my meal when it's faceless and all inedible portions have been removed. Which is what brings me to crabs. On the West Coast, our crabs are too big to serve "as nature made them." I never knew that, but judging from the filth stored within a tiny Maryland Blue crab- Dungeness, or God forbid, King Crab- must be loaded with nasty bits. Thankfully, I never see them on the West Coast. I don't care if the fluffy lungs can easily be plucked with a fork or if the intestines look like Ramen Noodles (thanks, Jackie), crab picking is just a bit too gross for my taste. I can't believe I'm using my hands to pry the innards out of a crab- only to then use the exact same fingers to shovel food into my mouth. And the yellow goo covering my crab meat is what? Fat? And it's considered a delicacy to some?! To WHO?! I'll admit- Cantler's was good- the onion rings massive, the fries crispy, the rockfish bites well seasoned, and the clam strips fantastic. But, the crab was my least favorite part. Maybe it's my aversion to plucking the heart from my dinner's chest or maybe it's Cantler's crabs... I'm not all that sure. I will say that the seasoning they use is more powdery than I like and the flavor is a bit off. I've actually had Maryland Blue Crabs before and enjoyed them more. I've also heard they're easier to clean and eat when cold, which is how I'd had them in the past (Cantler's are warm). I wouldn't recommend against coming out to Cantler's, but I will say that the appeal is the experience- not just the crab. All die-hards can doubt me or say I'm wrong, but one man's treasure is another man's trash... I'll take my sparkling clean Dungeness Crab over Blue Crab guts any day.
(4)
Carrie L.
This place was so hard to find! but it was very worth it after we actually found the place. It's actually in a residential area so we didn't really know if we were headed the right direction. The must-have is the crab cakes!! ALL CRAB AND NO FILLERS!! It was THE BEST crab cake I've ever had. The fries were also very good. I was disappointed of the scallops. There were only 4 pieces and it had too much seasoning on them. And if you don't mind getting down and dirty, order a nice pile of freshly caught crab (cooked of course!). A nice small wooden hammer is provided to aid in the cracking of the shells.
(4)
Mike B.
Tiny Crabs with no claws?? Could do better in Fairfax at pells. Rip off! Out of six crabs there were five claws! Thought crabs had two! Wtf. Don't trust the hype.
(2)
Anne W.
What better way to follow a day sailing than with crabs buried in Old Bay? I'm starting to understand the appeal of the "Annapolis/Regatta lifestyle". But since I can't sail to save my life, I'll have to be content as a faker. This place is what I think of for Maryland crabs. The classic brown-paper- lining-little-wooden-mallet-pounding-crab-shell-Âbits-flying-everywhere-good-old-crab-picking. A side note: you don't pick crabs until you're full, you pick crabs until you're bored. Because it's a lot of work for not a lot of meat (even with the large guys). We (4 of us) showed up on a Saturday around 4ish and the place is PACKED. After being outside in 100 degree heat, we opted to wait longer for a table inside and hung out at the bar. Beer is pretty cheap and go well with pitchers of pink lemonade (totally not joking here). But we WERE also dehydrated. It was a full-hour wait, (we were told that from the start) but the bar helps, of course. Despite the fact that Cantler's lists crabs by the dozen, ($60/dozen large crabs) you can buy them individually, as our server informed us. So we opted for 8 crabs (2 each, just for the spirit of things, plus it's fun) and then ordered entrees. I got the imperial crab stuffed shrimp with hush puppies. Shrimp was a little dry but crab stuffing was creamy and good. Hush puppies were okay, but I've had better. The bf ordered some kind of fried platter with fish, crab cake and bay scallops and fries. That was a lot of food and I didn't care much for the bay scallops. But overall it's good Maryland-shore fare, the service is super friendly and the prices are reasonable. For an entree and 2 crabs each, it came out to ~$35/person, which includes tax and tip.
(4)
Mark O.
As soon as you walk into this place you know you're going to eat well. When a restaurant is off the beaten track but teaming with people it's a good sign. I had the lobster and prime rib. Very good indeed. I didn't want to leave. The key lime pie was great. We wanted to eat outside but the wait was too long so we ate inside. The atmosphere was great and service good.
(5)
Remy M.
Great food, great atmosphere. It doesn't get better than this for blue crabs. Cantler's has a great outdoor deck where you can eat right on the water. Really cool. After dining here, I shared my experience with a few friends who have all replied so far with "Cantler's!? I love that place!" I had a half-dozen crabs which was great. My friends got the crab cakes which they really enjoyed as well. Check this place out! And if. while driving there, you think your car's navigation system is sending you to the wrong place, trust me--it's not... :)
(5)
T Y.
I'm not sure rating Cantler's really means anything. It's a Maryland crab shack. It's crabs (and various fried products) and it just kind of is what it is. Parking is like lining up for the green flag at Talladega....
(3)
Eric B.
There are plenty of places to get some decent crabs around here, but Cantler's has always been one of my favorites. Approaching crab season, I'm expecting my Pops to hit me up to make a run to Cantler's on a sunny Saturday, and while I may be swamped with school work and ponder suggesting Captain Pell's because of they are significantly closer, I will most likely break down and say "what the fuck"! Off to Cantler's we go. They're really tucked away, so well, that many locals surprisingly still don't know about them. Give them a look through Google Maps or something to get an idea of how to get there, don't just rely on the directions, as you may still miss a turn. Once you're close, you will start to see blue signs, guiding you in. It's not uncommon to be stuck behind a line of cars, waiting for a parking spot in the Summer months, so plan ahead, go early, say, 10:30 or so. This way you'll get a good spot in the parking lot as well as on the deck, get a bucket of beer, and apps, and by the time the crabs hit the table, it should be just about lunch time. Crabs ARE becoming increasingly expensive year after year. Someday I may have to go back to setting traps and easing up a chicken neck off the piles for recreation just to get my fix. So why Cantler's? Hey, crabs are crabs, but not every shack has Jumbos. That's why you would wanna go to Cantler's, for their Jumbos. Despite that they're quite pricey, they're huge, heavy, and full, these bad-muvuh-fukuhz is worf it, so go there with a fat wad and Jumbos in mind. If you get an empty crab, or one that's just dwindling between growth stages, don't fret or feel you've been gyped, they will replace it with a new fatty. Another of my favorite menu items is the steamers, I like to call them pisser clams, those introverted little crustations reaching out with their little arms, begging to be eaten. I peel the skin off their arms and swoosh them around in a cup of water to work the excess sand out, dip 'em in butter, maybe some old bay, and down the hatch. They're a great snack option to help you wait for your Jumbos.
(5)
Wilbert O.
Timing is of great signicant here. The time is right in the sense that you don't need to wait, but on the other side, it is not the season for blue crabs. I was quite disappointed to hear that no blue crab was available now, because I had thought it should be a year long thing. But since I was here, I decided to try something else. I ordered Jumbo Crab Cake and pizza. The crab cake was fantastic, very tender and fresh, I would give it a five star. The pizza was fine, but a four star was a overshoot. So I would give a four star overall. I hope to return in season.
(4)
Kelly K.
I had a great "crabby" visit today. I ordered the large local crabs and they were all fresh and tasty. The only thing I am unsatisfied with is the "butter" which is actually melted margarine even though the waitress referred to it as butter. I think dipping shellfish in margarine ruins it! But dipping in vinegar is good and the crab was so good that it really didn't need to be dipped in anything.
(4)
Bernadette N.
After living here for almost a year, I still haven't found a restaurant better than Jimmy Cantler's. I probably went here once a month this winter and sat at the bar. This past weekend we went again...for the first time in a long time we ordered something other than the rockfish bites and a dozen crabs. We started with the seared tuna and seaweed appetizer - better than the rockfish bites maybe? Then my husband had the crabcake sandwich (he loved) and I went on a limb and ordered the half lobster tail topped with a crab cake. DELISH! I mean, perfectly cooked lobster? Nothing better. Sprinkle the veggie sides with a little old bay and perfection. I love that they only serve beers in cans. I just love this place.
(5)
Greenballoon X.
Atmosphere: We sat outside and enjoyed the awesome weather. The inside looks kind of depressing... The outside, however, is set up for some intensely messy eating with plastic picnic benches and hose-it-down tile floors, which were a little slippery with crab debris by the time we sat down in the mid-afternoon. I realize that this set up is largely functional, but be prepared for a little gross-ness. Service: First off, it's worth noting that we had to wait in the parking lot until we could get an outside table. Our server was very nice, but there were some logistical problems. We had ordered several appetizers, since the crab doesn't really fill you up, but the crabs showed up first. So, we're sitting there with crabs all over the place starting to dig in and then all the other orders start coming out and it's kind of chaotic and frustrating. Then we had ordered Corona Lights for our beer bucket, but it came with regular Coronas. Then the soup that two of us ordered never showed up until we reminded our server. Food: The butternut squash crab soup was really good and I don't think they have it on the menu all the time. The crab dip starter was solid. The onion rings were good, too, but I nearly burned myself when some hot oil juiced onto my hand. Rock cod was solid, but steamed shrimp was nothing special. The crabs themselves were pretty small ("medium" was the largest size they had that day) and so the effort you go through to extract any meat kind of negates the benefit. I would say I would skip the crab on my next visit, but the crab is kind of the point for a place like this and it's not like the rest of the menu is so outstanding to warrant the longish wait for a table. Bottom line: Not opposed, but not in a hurry to return. Depending on the season, might take a non-crab strategy.
(3)
joe c.
You know it's good if it's where the locals go. You'd never find this place in a million years without a gps, yet you ask anyone who's been in Annapolis for more than 2 years and they can all tell you how to get to Cantler's. Scratch that. They could get there themselves, but they'd never be able to give u directions from memory. Location Location Location.... unless.... you're a destination spot. Cantler's Riverside is exactly that!
(5)
Jinny Y.
I was dying for some hard shell crabs in Maryland, so some local folks recommended Cantler's. A few friends and I drove an hour over to Annapolis and found Cantler's off a small side road next to the river. The area was super cute! We went in with one mission. Hard shell crabs. We sat down and even before we ordered drinks my bf asks about the crabs. Our waitress told us they were out of crabs temporarily! WHHHATT?!?! Out of crabs?? The menu clearly stated "crabs all year round". At first I was sad, then a wave of rage started to come over me. I thought, "We drove 2 cars for almost an hour for one thing that they advertise to have year round and they're out?!?!? They'll be sorry when they read my yelp review!" I was totally ready to give them 0 stars. We were too hungry to go anywhere else, so we were going to settle with other options on the menu. I made it clear to the waitress that I was unhappy about the crab situation. She came took our order, then 5 minutes later came back to the table and informed us that the crab guy just came in and we would be able to get the crabs. HALLELUJAH! =D we ordered a dozen x-large crabs for $80-$85. It seemed a bit expensive but it stuffed 5 of us =) They were steamed and sprinkled with old bay seasoning. We also ordered the fries and hush puppies which were great. Fresh and crispy. 4.5 stars!
(4)
Caesar R.
Plain and simple, come in clean, leave smelling like steamed crab and seasoning (OLD BAY, BUTTER, etc.). Repeat....as necessary! Soooooo delicious even on the dark and dreary night that it was last night. This was my GFs first experience with Maryland Crabs so I was so delighted that she really enjoyed it. We both got the boil offered on the menu which includes an enromous amount of the following 3 Crabs, Corn, Coleslaw, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams. One would have been enough for the both of us. Ofcourse, the perfect beverage companion, ice cold canned beer. Thank you Cantler's Riverside Inn for bringing sunshine on a miserable rainy day and delicious food. I would say definitely come here on a nice day to enjoy dockside crab feast outdoors.
(5)
Dion B.
I had a friend in from the West Coast and wanted to show him how seafood is done, East Coast style. We chose Cantler's because it had been rated the most (and highest), and so we figured it must be the best. The only way to get there is to take the "scenic" route, be as it may, is not scenic at all. Friday nights in December are not busy, as we didn't have to wait in line as other Yelpers have written. We were not quickly acknowledged or seated, and finally were told by a server to find our own seats (think grade-school cafeteria style seating, it's the best way to describe it). I would have already left and found another restaurant at this point if it weren't for the great ratings this restaurant has received on here. Alas, the food did (not fully) redeem Cantler's Riverside Inn. We started with the Fried Crab Cake Sliders and Butternut Squash Crab Soup, I ordered the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and he ordered the Fried Bay Platter. All was amazing! Do NOT come here for the experience (the tarter sauce was served in packets!). Come for the food ONLY as they know customers will still come in, even if they don't remodel the restaurant or give great customer service. Count me out if a cleaner, more in-touch competitor comes along the way.
(4)
Kerry B.
As a 4th generation Marylander, I'd like to think I know my crabs. And if you're hankering for some REAL Maryland blue crabs - the sting-your-fingers, Old-Bay-in-your-fingernails-for-days crabs - then Cantler's is the place to go. Not only does its location, overlooking Mill Creek, give you that real Eastern Shore flavor - but the food is spot on and uncomplicated. Buttered corn cobs, french fries, and bushels upon bushels of crabs with extra vinegar and Old Bay will overflow your picnic table. I'd recommend giving the steamed shrimp a try too! Be prepared to set aside an afternoon or a few hours (besides, crab eating should be a social thing, not a grab and dash meal!) and do NOT wear clothes you really care about. Unless you wish to wear your stains as bragging rights?
(5)
Michael S.
I don't know if it is better than any of the Crab/Seafood Houses that you can walk to around downtown or just over the bridge in Eastport because I was not able to try them all. But there is something to be said about heading into the country, just a few minutes out of town, and driving down some nice winding streets to a little place an the end of the road on a nice little cove. That has got to count for at least one star. The large cold martinis with a side car also has to count for a lot, maybe another star. After those martinis the food just starts to become absorptive material. We tried lots of dishes, blackened rockfish, local oysters on the half shell, clams on the half shell, wings, two different crab soups, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, extra-large crabs and two pies. Rockfish -OK Clams and oysters - go with the clams Crab Soup - go with the tomato base Crab cakes - the winner, no work all reward Extra large crabs - who are they kidding, go to Florida and get some stone crab so you don't have to expend more energy eating than you are consuming. Pies - Apple. Service - barely.
(4)
Janelle E.
Holy crap - this is some great food with a fun atmosphere! We went on a Wednesday night around 6pm, and the place was packed...a very telling sign on a weeknight, esp considering how far back in the boonies this place is. We waited about 20 mins to sit outside and drank a few beers in the parking lot while waiting. Once we got to the table our server was right over - and wearing a big smile on her face. We got our orders in, enjoyed some more beers while we waiting, and then DUG IN when it came. Mom had fried shrimp, which is some of the best I have had (def a compliment after living in Destin, FL and being spoiled with fresh Gulf shrimp), and everyone else had assorted platters of different mixes. We all shared and devoured it all! Most definitely going to Cantlers again, and taking our out-of-town guests for a taste of Annapolis!
(5)
Allie K.
I cant say enough great things about Cantler's. We eat here everyt ime we are in town. The best service, the best food (try the crab dip, it is to die for!!), the best view... We love it. You have got to try it.
(5)
Mia D.
5 stars for the experience! Now since I am a SF/Bay Area native, I've had my share of crab experience - Dungeness crabs, but I can say I've never had it like this - butcher block paper on top of picnic tables and wooden mallets...super fun! I'm a fan of Old Bay seasoning now too! Okay, so between my husband and I, we ordered 3 extra large crabs and an order of hush puppies (b/c Yelpers told me to!) and a half bucket of steamers. The steamers were good - not as good as I've had them in Boston (wow, did I just say something good about Boston?), but they were fresh! The hush puppies were surprisingly tasty! I loved the honey butter they came with too! The crabs were tasty and super fun to eat! I love diving in and getting all the delicious meat out of there!!!! By the way, we went at about 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon, no line to park, no line for sitting outside. It was a very easy and pleasant experience!!! I will tell all my local friends to give it a try! It was a lot of fun!!!
(4)
Christine C.
We've been going to Cantler's 5 or 6 times a year since we moved to MD, and have not been disappointed. Up until this last visit we had ordered steamed blue crab every time. However, since it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans (our blue crabs come from MD this time of year--it's illegal to crab from Dec-April in MD so they have the crabs shipped in) and many folks are enjoying crabs in Louisiana this weekend, they hadn't received any in their shipment that day. So for the first time ever, we ate a non-crab related meal. My husband and I both had the Hawaiian tuna sandwich, and our other diner had a grilled haddock sandwich. We also enjoyed some raw oysters, and a platter of their boiled shrimp and potatoes. Everything was fantastic. The tuna (which we ordered medium rare and rare) was cooked to perfection. You could tell the haddock and tuna were fresh; nothing beats fresh seafood like this. The shrimp were, as always, HUGE and with just the right amount of seasoning. And the oysters were clean and perfectly briny. Whenever we have guests in town we always take them to Cantler's for crabs, but now we'll be taking ourselves there even more frequently for the best fresh seafood we've had in MD.
(5)
Christopher S.
Cantler's is a local Annapolis crab house restaurant that gets a four for the fun and atmosphere it provides. The food is good, not great. Its a blast eating crabs and drinking beer with a large group. The rock fish is usually very tasty. The restaurant has boat access and a nice outdoor deck. They pack them in during the summer so be prepared to wait. Hard to find location if you are not a local. Really fun east coast cultural experience.
(3)
Adam T.
I hadn't really done a crab shack style restaurant before, but I had fun smashing my crabs and picking through them. The wait staff was helpful in explaining exactly how to do it. I also ordered shrimp, clams and mussels all of which were tasty. It has a good atmosphere and like I said very crab shack like while you share tables with your fellow patrons and everyone is whacking away with their wooden mallets.
(4)
Pete S.
Excellent local crab shack. Love the softshell crabs. Slightly pricey, but you get quality food. I've never been disappointed here, and that's over many years and compared to other similar restaurants in the region. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.
(5)
Nancy T.
This place was so incredibly fun, fun, fun!!! I injured my thumb on a spiky crab shell, got Old Bay seasoning in my eye (it burns!), was covered in debris and still had a total blast. Our waitress was awesome, too. I'd only picked blue crabs once before and it was many years ago so I was absolutely clueless on how to do it. She demonstrated her technique for me and was really patient and nice while I learned. The first few crabs took a while, but then I got into a rhythm and became rather primitive about the whole process, ripping them apart and smashing and cracking and sucking and picking. I think I got into the "zone." Our waitress was super quick with drink refills, checking on us, asking if we needed anything else and bringing the bill at the end of the meal. The setting outdoors right on the water is really peaceful and the view is beautiful. They have outdoor heaters for when the air gets a little nippy. This is just a really fun place for a traditional Maryland crab feast.
(4)
Kevin L.
Worth almost getting lost to get here. Crab was fresh and plentiful and the view was awesome. This is not the sort of place you go to for a quiet dinner. You go there to get dirty by rolling up your sleeves and tearing into the fresh crab. Delish!
(4)
Christopher M.
If you want good crabs and if you want to eat them overlooking a scenic Chesapeake Bay inlet and have them served by friendly staff - this is the place for you. Great crabs, lots of seats outside (under cover and without) and don't forget to go down near the water to see the tanks (a few turtles, some horseshoe crabs, and a bunch of busters. It's about 10 minutes from the Naval Academy / Downtown Annapolis and first-timers will need a map to get there, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(4)
Jeni Y.
as someone who loves crab and grew up in MD, it's a little embarrassing that I haven't gone to Cantler's until now. On a weekend trip back to MD, I brought a friend to visit Annapolis and decided to finally drop by the "crab house you haaave to go to when you're in Annapolis." The "outdoor seating" area was covered in clear tarp so we can warmly enjoy the deck seating and see the gorgeous Chesapeake waters below. I momentarily wished that we were here on a warm summer evening. The view and outdoor eating area vibe added to the experience, and we both agreed that we landed on a "only in Maryland" kind of spot. Between two people, we shared a medium serving of steamers and 12 'large' crabs. The food was fresh and succulent, and i didn't need any butter or extra sauce to thoroughly enjoy the meat. It took us a good 2 hours to eat and admittedly even with huge appetites we left behind an entire crab and half of the steamers. In hind sight we probably could have done well with half a dozen "x-large" crabs and steamers. This place gets 5 shiny stars because next time I bring friends to get a taste of the "authentic MD crabhouse experience," I will most definitely bring them here again.
(5)
Christie W.
Meh, I really have experienced better. After all the hype surrounding Cantlers I really was dying to try this place out. I was expecting to wait for a while, and knew parking was going to be challenging, something I am always willing to do for some good crabs! So off I went to test out this notorious crab shack. My boyfriend and I got there at around 7 on a Friday night, we waited for about 30 minutes to park. However we were entertained watching the teenage parking attendant's game of catch the rock in your shirt pocket, ehh em annoying! We were hungry and somewhat short on patience. Not that we weren't expecting to wait, but when people are acting obnoxious and not doing their job it is a bit frustrating. Eventually the manager came out and we were able to park shortly after that. We got inside and requested a table for two. We were told the wait for outdoor seating would be about forty five minutes. Not too bad, we were definitely willing to wait. We were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar. The bar only sells cans of beer, no bottles, no drafts, just cans. Ok, ok, I looked past it; it gave the little place character. They do offer wine and spirits, if that is what you fancy. However I am a crabs and beer kind of girl. Two beers and over an hour later, we finally went up to the hostess stand just to check on our names on the list, to find out how much longer the wait would be, we were then immediately sat. We were then taken to a full table with a family of six already sitting there eating away. Awkward!! We were shoved at the very end of the table with a bush smacking me in the head and the stranger's elbows almost knocking over my drink every other minute. It was NOT very much fun. So if you are not with a large group, big enough to fill the entire table prepare yourself to sit with strangers. Meanwhile I kept reminding myself that I was here for one thing and one thing only the notorious crabs, so I let all of this slide. We ordered a dozen large male crabs @ $75 per dozen. As an appetizer we got an order of hush puppies and the crab and lobster quesadilla. I am not a huge fan of hush puppies anyways, but the boyfriend seemed to enjoy them. The crab and lobster quesadilla was served to us cold, and was awful. I didn't even finish one piece. Finally our crabs arrived at the table. First of all they were not what I consider to be large crabs. They looked to me like medium crabs. Maybe 2 out of the dozen were large, but only large by their shells, because once cracked open there was no meat. The crabs were light and about 3 of the dozen were watery, mushy crabs, no good. I did like the seasoning they used and the crabs smelled good, but they definitely didn't meet my standards. Maybe if we had ordered mediums I would have accepted it, bottom line we did not get what we paid for. The service was ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I definitely agree it is a tourist trap, the people we shared a table with were out of towners, and a lot of the people surrounding us were from out of town as well. When they asked how to dissect the crabs, the waitress told them, simply "bang em with the hammer and rip them apart" hmmm. It is overpriced, the wait is not worth it for the food, the crabs are small, mushy, and definitely not what I consider meaty or what I would call large. I really wanted to like no not like LOVE Cantlers. Maybe I will try this place again someday, because everyone can have a bad crab day, but I was really disappointed with my experience at Cantlers. :(
(2)
Mandy J.
I've eaten here on many, many occasions. Each time hoping the other dishes match the superb crabs and I am always disappointed in the rest of the order. This is first and foremost a fisherman and boating hangout. Some townies, some locals, tons of tourists, many VIPS and all basking in the sun. The catch is always fresh, the process educational and the view is unbelievable. It is the one of the best places for crabs, close second of course is Bella's in Cape St. Claire which has superior food and a view of the parking lot as well as The Wild Goose an Arnold carry out -ditto but without the restaurant. If you like crabs - Cantler's is the place and it's a local landmark. Service is not that great, it's always crowded which is good for them but not for the diner, and don't go with infants in a stroller as you cannot, repeat cannot, sit inside. What the handicapped do I have no idea! It is also a bit pricey...considering the lack of good seats, and tasty non-crabby cuisine. On the whole for twenty plus years, outside of the crabs Cantler's never fails to disappoint and I always feel pressured to leave and vacate the table for the next diner. However, once I sit down and gaze at that spectacular view I pledge allegiance to return and do.
(3)
Lizzy Z.
My husband and I decided to go to Annapolis to celebrate our anniversary and wanted to eat at the best crab place around. Cantler's was at the top of every list I found--and now I understand why. We arrived at 1:30 on a gorgeous (and hot) Saturday afternoon. Found the place easily enough, although as other posters said, it's at the back end of a parking lot. We had to wait for a table, but that was to be expected. We were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy our cans of beer while we waited. Soon enough, we got to our table. A colleague of mine had suggested to start with a half-dozen crabs. I didn't see that option anywhere on the menu, so when our waitress came over to take our order, I let her know it was our first time there (and our first time eating crabs in this manner). She explained that the dozen or half-dozen of crabs were listed on the blackboard and assisted us with our order--as we could always order more if we chose to do so. We also ordered the crab dip as the appetizer. The crabs came first and then the crab dip--the runner said it was because when it's so busy, they just get the crabs out as fast as they can. The waitress came over when the crabs arrived and demonstrated how to open and break the crabs and where to find the meat. And my goodness, the meat was like ambrosia. The Old Bay really brought the flavor out, as did the side of melted butter. We cleared the 6 large crabs we ordered and finished the dip (which was quite good, but completely overshadowed by the whole crab-eatin' experience). This was such a fun place and the crabs were wonderful. I'll definitely return.
(4)
Glaciala A.
For six people, we had two dozen large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, and an order of potato salad/cole slaw. Next time, I'd skip the potato salad/cole slaw. Crabs were really good and in comparison to Quarterdeck in Arlington, VA a lot less old-bayish which can be good or bad, depending upon your taste buds. River view was nice, but sitting in the sun in really hot weather without shade got a little boiling. Next time, I'd try and sit under the covered patio. Downstairs underneath the restaurant, there are tanks that kids would like, with horseshoue crabs and other water-life creatures. For reservation policies, see their website.
(4)
Sheri Y.
We find our way to Cantlers every time we are near Annapolis. Every time we find ourselves wondering if there really is a restaurant tucked way back there on the other side of a long drive through a residential neighborhood, but it's always there at the other end. The seafood is all fresh, the atmosphere is pleasantly casual. Wonderful place to go on a nice day, to eat on the deck at a picnic table under an umbrella. We love the clam strips and the crab cakes. The ice tea is fresh and tasty. The hush puppies are always popular. It's not fancy but it's friendly and pleasant and we always leave with smiles on our faces. Oh, another point - - we stopped there at 11:30 on a Sunday. We were seated right away out on the deck. But when we left the parking lot was full and there was a long line. Early is definitely a good idea!
(4)
Stacy R.
Ate here with my family last month. It was worth the extra wait to be seated outside. The food was amazing. I loved the crab cakes and hushpuppies. Everyone else ordered snow crab.
(5)
Paul M.
What's going on ? The Terps aren't able to fill their stadium anymore and people are hatin on Cantler's..... Are these Maryland Landmark Institutions linked? Are they going downhill? The Terps surely not and Cantler's definitely not. I took my kids to see Georgia Tech vs Maryland last season at Byrd Stadium, they decided they wanted to support the old home town team rather than the new home town team, and the only yellow shirts I could find were the Cantler's T shirts we got them on their birthday. Picture me and two 10 year olds all dressed in yellow with 60,000 red dressed rabid Terp fans all around us. One Terp told me it was sacrilege to have a yellow Cantler's shirt and to use it to support Tech against Maryland. It probably is. Well, we got out alive, Tech narrowly lost and Chris Turner in, I believe, his first or second start, played an awesome game. Sorry, diversion over. Cantler's - yeah - well what all the good reviewers said, I agree with and then some. Get thee down there , sit on the deck by the waterfront and slug back a few beers with your all-you-can-eat crab. Chat with the people sitting next to you, who probably live 3 blocks from you anyway. Mooch down to the loading dock and check them sizing and sorting the crabs as they come in, look out on the water and think to yourself - "Holy Crap - does Maryland really have 7000 miles of coastline? that's like the distance between DC and Buenos Aires and then go half way back."
(5)
D W.
This is a crab house - if you don't like crabs....stay away! Picnic Tables with views of the docks and sailboats, paper towels on the tables, buckets of beer/large sodas, and heaps of crabs. Wait for a nice evening and head here for a fun time and good meal. It does get crowded and can be a challenge to find (ask for directions). Great crab shack - sit outside and make sure to check out the crab tanks around the back. Bibs provided.
(4)
Bruce P.
Cantlers is good, and better is the fact that they do better local buying of crabs than other places. Unfortunately, I don't know any place that still cooks crabs to order, so you can still get a dozen crabs for $40 bucks that have been sitting under a heat lamp for the past half hour. Call ahead if it's on the weekend --- wait can be over an hour.
(4)
Sarah S.
Best place to sit down and enjoy crabs in the summer? Certainly, I'd say Cantler's. Their prices are reasonable, and their steamed crab flavoring is exactly what you'd expect in Annapolis. Living in Annapolis, I have tried just about all of the crab houses. Most of which I would classify as hit or miss, Cantler's however has consistently been good. At the worst, I've had maybe a handful of "mushy" ones out of 2 dozen crabs. The beer selection is pretty minimal(and if you ask me highly disappointing). They only serve cans of beer, apparently they had some issues with rowdy clientèle in the past and this was their resolution. Atmosphere: The setup is basically picnic table style tables and wobbly chairs, which to some makes it a lower class venue. True crab lovers, this is exactly how we throw down. My only complaint about their setup is the space issue. If you like to have ANY personal space between yourself and the stranger next to you, then you should probably get your crabs to go. Parking: If you head to Cantler's on a weekend evening during the summer be prepared to wait at least an hour and good luck finding a parking spot.
(4)
bert s.
Great service, fantastic crab. It's a little hard to find, but well worth the adventure. Highly recommend.
(4)
L M.
Every time I come here, I think, "what a pain to drive to," "how will I find my way out of this shantytown," "how long must I wait for a table...a server?" And then my food arrives (usually an hour and a half after I left my house in Crownsville) and it is heavenly....fresh, well cooked, everything eating in Annapolis should be. Last meal was lunch with the chopped salad (wow- so fresh!) and crab cake on the side (best in town).
(4)
Jennifer G.
Don't know what happened but their snow crabs shrunk...we asked the waitress what was up with that but she was clueless...very disappointing dinner...probably won't be heading out here anymore
(2)
Dennis C.
Being an out-of-towner, I don't have a good point of reference since I haven't been to any other Maryland crab houses. That being said, I've been to Cantlers three times over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed it. The sides and other non-crab dishes I've had here have been pretty mediocre. The steamer clams were extra mushy and muddy, much more so than any I've had in NYC. The beer-battered onion rings were good but just not as tasty as they look, and the soups were too salty for my taste. Despite all those complaints, I'm giving Cantlers four stars because the main attraction, hard-shell Maryland blue crabs, are excellent. They're big and buttery and coated in just the right amount of Old Bay, and I could eat them for days.
(4)
KuangYou C.
I am not a fan of crabs or lobster because I don't like to take their armors off. However, my friend recommended this crab restaurant because she said the crab here is so fresh! I believed her because I didn't have rash or stomachache after I ate them. I think the price is not that expensive, but you have to order something else if you want to fill up your stomach.
(4)
Rico I.
Cannot say enough good things about Cantlers. Been going here for years, well worth the trip.
(5)
Heidi C.
I really wanted to love this place. It has so much going for it - riverfront location, fresh steamed crabs, bountiless seafood... However - I found that even on a Tuesday night there were a lot of problems. First and foremost, I know that running a successful seafood restaurant will mean a lot of garbage. But I sat through two hours of dinner with an absolutely TERRIBLE smell wafting from the dumpsters, and every time somebody would haul out another bag of garbage the leakage would seep down towards our table. If you are EVER led to the single table on the far side of the restaurant - DECLINE it!!! It will reek to high heavens all night long. Service was incredibly slow as well, and there didn't seem to be any bug control - pests were everywhere. On the positive side, our crabs were excellent - we ordered the large at $55/dozen. Our server was nice when we could get ahold of her. Hmm...running out of positives and wanting to complain a bit more...one of my companion's crabcakes smelled a bit amonia-y which should never happen to a place with such high rotation of crabs - everything should be fresh fresh fresh! Also - be aware that all beer comes in can form! It was ok but I was still disappointed that they didn't have a single beer on tap. Last thought - the powdery spices they pour over the crab seem to be less apt to stick to the meat and flavor it and more apt to turn to orange paste on your hands. I'd have preferred just a dusting of old bay. I won't return anytime soon because there are crabs to be had at less stinky locations.
(3)
Robin F.
We definitely had a great Maryland Crab experience. Can't fully recall if it was due to Cantler's or due to the great time we had with our friends! But nonetheless we had a ton of good food, some crabs (although fun, too much work for us.) Plan to get there early so you don't have to wait in the line of cars just to park.
(4)
Brandy C.
It's not you, it's me. We did the big group thing, ordered pounds of crab and corn and fries and whatnot. Crab when I have to get it out of that shell is not my thing. When I get mounds of it in my mouth with cheese and egg and all I did was order it (see Chick&Ruth's), well that's more my thing. As far as seasoning goes, again, it's probably me. I live in the south and grew up in Louisiana. I would hardly call what they did seasoning, but I am used to crying while eating crawfish. This tourist was a little out of her element. Also, I didn't know or like the people I was with well enough to be cramped so tightly elbow-to-elbow at a sweaty picnic table outside. Personal space be damned! I'm a party pooper, I get it. But this was not the highlight of my eating through the Northeast tour, sorry. If that is blasphemy to the locals, feel free to come here and smack talk some BBQ or Tex Mex and tell me how you guys do it better. What was a little special was getting to go down to the water and see all the crabs awaiting their fate on a picnic table. You definitely know where your dinner came from.
(3)
Adrie L.
Cantler's is the BEST crab shack! The food is amazing! The crabs are super fresh and delicious. I didn't know what I was doing the first time I went and have always been with first time crabbers. The waitstaff is really friendly and always willing to put on a demo. I also recommend any of the soups and the hush puppies! The location is off the beaten path, so it is secluded, but on the water. I have sat inside and outside... been on a hot summer day and a cool spring day. Even though it's casual & laid back, it's perfect for ANY occasion - I have gone with friends, taken my Dad when he was visiting from Texas, and have been for a birthday....everyone I've gone with has been impressed. Yes, it's usually busy, but if you have to wait, just grab a bucket of beers, walk down to the little pier and hang out... Highly recommended - don't miss Cantler's on your next trip to Annap!
(5)
Brian S.
Went on Tuesday, less crowded. Good shrimp app. Maryland blue crabs were lots of work but tasty. Don't be afraid to ask for instructions on how to eat the crabs. Servers friendly and helpful.
(4)
John G.
Not to be a heretic (I know this place is beloved), but I had dinner at Cantler's recently and I didn't really like it. I get that it's a homey, no-frills crab shack, but I think it's too rustic to be enjoyable. After we got there, my 8-year old nephew returned from a trip to the bathroom and announced how badly it stunk. There was also no soap in the women's room. The crab soup was delicious, but I just couldn't concentrate on enjoying the food after hearing how disgusting the bathrooms were. There are plenty of other crab joints in the Annapolis area (Mike's, for example) and I won't be returning to this one.
(1)
Christine P.
Excellent place for fresh crabs pulled directly from the water. Tried this place on a weekend trip to Annapolis, and wish I could go back more often. If you've never had fresh hard shell crabs it was a bit intimidating, as I didn't know the best way to open up the body. My boyfriend and I had 1 appetizer, 6 XL crabs, 2 ears of corn and a side of fries, which was way too much food!! If you are an average eater, I'd suggest a bit less, you can always order more :) For those of you considering coming here, this is def a very casual places. Think shared picnic tables, brown paper, paper plates and cans of beer. Try this if you are going to be in the area. A true MD experience !!
(4)
Carl G.
Terrific atmosphere for a Maryland crab day. Located on a quaint inlet of the Chesapeake, this crab shack is the perfect place to visit with friends on a sunny summer day for some steamed whole crab carnage. You might make a walking tour of Annapolis part of your excursion. Be sure to walk downstairs by the dock where you can see the live seafood tanks. Don't get your fingers too close to the crabs, though. They can be ornery.
(4)
SHAWN T.
So disappointing. 6/12 crabs were pulpy, mushy throw-aways. And this was after a 1.5 hour wait. Terrible.
(1)
Jessie J.
i am in love with cantler's. it's slowly becoming an institution in our family. tonight we wanted a place to go to celebrate our dear "pop pop", as he passed away last sunday and we already missed him. when we were kids, he ran a veritable "crab factory" in his basement almost every weekend during the summer, and as a kid growing up in maryland you may not have eaten a lot of things, but you always, always ate crabs. we figured cantler's was more than appropriate-no pretensions, butcher paper on the table, beer proudly served in cans, old dudes watching nascar on the bar televisions. off season extra large crabs ran $75.00 a dozen, but they were nice and weighty, and very, very fresh. you will end up filthy, covered in old bay and crab guts. my apologies to the table next to us that ended up getting a crab leg thrown at them AND had to hear my two siblings argue about subprime mortgages and hillary clinton.(see uploaded photos for cantler's, my failed attempt at shaming them into shutting the fuck up) really pop, we had the best of intentions but in the end we still are just a bunch of assholes. this is the ultimate maryland crab house experience. it's in the middle of nowhere, has server's that call you"hon", the seafood is fresh and fantastic, and you can buy one of their signature beer can koozies on your way out. john waters would be proud. NOTE: natasha r. and justin p. my tagline may SAY california, but i'm baltimorian through and through seeing as i was born there and cut my baby teeth on a crab leg. so quit your haterade poo pooing of cantler's, cause you don't wanna go head to head with me when it comes to balmer street cred! WORD.
(5)
Joe R.
I went to Cantler's last night. I bounce between there and Mike's Crabs depending on price and size of crabs. The atmosphere is always great and the steamers and steamed shrimp are AWESOME. Last night my buddy and I shared a dozen large males. They weren't bad. The only reason why I didn't give Cantler's 4 stars was that I have been there before and the "larges" were much bigger. I'll be back tho. Don't you miss it!!!! Casual dining. Be prepared to get dirty if you go! See you there!!
(4)
Dave S.
Not a nice place, despite the raves. It's dirty, very noisy, and crowded. Tables are packed much too close together. The restrooms are early American gas station. The crab cakes are soggy. There is nothing particularly interesting about the steamed crabs. I've been there three times, twice by water and once by land. It seems consistently mediocre and generally unpleasant.
(1)
Alicia C.
I recently made my second trip to Cantler's. It may be a hike to get to, but if you're into crabs, it's definitely worth the trip. The experience could not even be tainted by getting a little lost on the backroads in Maryland (both times... yes I'm a bit directionally challenged) or even the tropical storm that was rolling through my last time up. If you go, plan to get there early as it does tend to get busy (unless that is you time your trip to coincide with a hurricane). But again, the food is definitely worth the wait. Don't forget a basket of hush puppies or some chowder to go along on the side!
(4)
Beth B.
My husband is from Annapolis and grew up only a few blocks away from this crab shack. This is one of my favorite places to go in Annapolis and this place was where I learned how to crack Maryland Blue crabs correctly. (I use to waste so much meat!) It is located down a small neighborhood road and sits on the Severn River. You would think this place would not get crowded because of the location, but after 5pm you will be luckily to get a table without waiting 20-30 minutes. If you want to sit outside on the deck, you definitely need to get here early. Cantler's posts their specials on chalkboards around the restaurant. I recommend cracking crabs here. Spend the money on the Supers if they have them. They are often really good. (However, recently we discovered the crabs were from Louisiana not Maryland due to over crabbing in the Bay). If you happen to get a "bad" crab, they will steam you a new one. If you do not like to work for your food, Cantlers has a menu with everything from crab cakes, shrimp, mussels, and grilled and stuffed rockfish. They have non seafood items too, but I recommend sticking with the local seafood and don't forget a bucket of beer! If you are in Annapolis, it is worth a trip to this inn on the river.
(4)
Stuart B.
Great crabs and seafood, great service, good food options for those land lovers, too. Can be loud at times but its a pretty popular place. THE place to go for crabs in MD.
(5)
Mary L.
Disappointment with a capital D. I had the crab cake. Lackluster, but I did not get sick. My husband had crab cakes--identically lackluster. He also had the sandy steamers..little, tough, and sandy. Guy sitting next to us had crabs--nice guy, got to know him as he was practically sitting on my lap for a good long wait for the food. Anyway, the crabs...medium, not worth the effort. I will never know why the place was packed to the gills both inside and outside--actually the outside seating was more like sardines packed in muck. I will never know because I won't ever go there again.
(1)
Aaron S.
Don't get lost on the winding residential road that takes you to Cantler's; it's a place that is not to be missed! You can get excellent crabs a nice atmosphere and great staff here. We enjoyed everything about it (it was even worth the 40 min wait!)
(5)
brad j.
Take a shirt you don't mind getting messy. Crab shrapnel is in the air, butter and Old Bay drip off of everything. I know the crabs weren't pulled from the Chesapeake yesterday, but they were still darn good. The service was great (pay attention to how the waitress ALWAYS ask, "Did you order ______?"), and if it was warm enough to have the back porch enclosure unenclosed, well, it would have been a little piece of heaven. The atmosphere is what does it for me. It's not about fancy decor; it's not about snooty staff; its not about special sauces -- it's about crabs and steamers and beer. And if you have the cash flow to put in a full day of it, it will be a day you will remember at Cantler's.
(4)
Jason Y.
Cantler's feels like it's tucked away out in Annapolis, but once you've made your way down a twisty single lane road you'll find that it's not that much of a secret. But no matter - grab a table outside, even if it's in the driving sun with no umbrella (wear sunscreen!) and get ready for some good ole crustacean eating. Your table cloth is a sheet of brown packing paper, your tools are a hammer and knife, your clothes will get covered in crab juice and your hands will be bloody and raw from the shells. Get a ton of steamed hard shell crabs, a platter of steamed mussels, clams and shrimp, a bucket of beer (cans only!) and you will be in Crab Shack heaven. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
David D.
Outstanding. Got a dozen crabs and they were perfect. Looking forward to another trip.
(5)
Angela Z.
I've eaten here since I was a kid, had a job here, and now come back for the crabs and atmosphere. Great experience for those who have never had real steamed crabs. the crab dip could be better!!
(4)
Brian M.
Really great crabs. The seasoning they use is their own Old Bay like creation and I love it. Hence forth, Old Bay is a mere disappointment. The MD Crab Soup is also really good. Fun atmosphere and great service!
(5)
David S.
Sometimes I think the locals take pride in picking an out of the way place and touting it as better than the more touristy place (Mike's) even though the food is awful. I just don't get why people love this place.
(2)
Ronnail R.
This is also our Sunday brunch or dinner location during the Spring & Summer months.........well into the Fall. The waiting game is crazy and the staff turnover is unbelievable. We are seafood lovers and the crabs are so big and juicy I'm soooooooo looking forward to the warm weather in '08. I must say don't drink any alcohol if your wait time is a little over a hour, because there isn't much shade and the sun will have you melting by the time your name is called. There's outdoor and indoor seating. On a hot summer day we decided to sit outdoors and the crabs are always served hot. We were busy trying to stay cool from the heat and the steam from the crabs by drinking water. We were too full to enjoy the crabs that we drove 45 mins to get. I was sweating, my husband was sweating and trying to keep me cool (my husband has a bald head, so imagine not having hair on your head and you have more sweat beads rolling down your face than your wife - then you know it's time to roll out.....us ladies can pin our hair up and keep it move'n), that we said forget it and took our crabs to go. Since 1999 we only eat indoors during the summer months. So, if you ever decide to eat outdoors, pray that it's not one of the hottest days you chose to get your crab'n on - ENJOY!!!!!!! During certain times of the months the prices for the crabs do fluctuate - we have been served every size they offer. (XL-S)
(5)
Eric N.
Loved it! We met my aunt and uncle here for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on the deck. Had crabs(very good), fried shrimp(very good), crab cakes(below average), fries(very good), and the seafood steamer with shrimp/mussles/clams in a wine sauce (very good).
(4)
Mya S.
We decided to visit this place based on high internet ratings and what-not. Overall, it was a disappointing experience, and it seems this place is riding on the coat-tails of past glory and good reputation that it no longer deserves. First of all, the entire staff consisted of a bunch of high-school kids (seemingly) with no vested interest in making the business work. While polite, they were incompetent, and not very attentive or professional. Eating here was reminiscent of being in a high-school cafeteria. The waiters were more concerned about "getting their friends in quickly" even if that means paying customers wait longer. At one point we actually had to ask for a manager as a quartet of students who claimed to be from Boston thought they were too important to get in line...and instead of making them wait, they were served ahead of everyone simply because they were being bratty. Really? Additionally, the staff was overly focused on flirting with young people of the opposite sex than really doing their jobs well. Waters were not kept full. Condiments were lacking. They had no knowledge of the menu. And they did not come check on you after serving the food. Instead, they'd sit at nearby tables *together* and chit-chat, laugh, and ignore the customers. Driving all this way...and paying higher than average cost for average food...leaves a bitter taste. Now on to the food. The crab was fresh, and tasted great. But not really superlative to other good crab joints. The seasonings were salty, but good on the side. The rest of the menu was okay...and certainly NOT worth a drive nor deserving of a superior reputation. I think this place is popular because of glory days past, and it's location on the water. Nothing more. I would not make the journey back to this place.
(2)
justin p.
I'm with Natasha. I've never been a fan of Cantler's. I know people rave about it, but when you get right down to it, it isn't very good. And it is chock-full-o-dipwads that don't know nuthin bout real Maryland crabs. Definitely check out Harris' over on the Kent Narrows (also full of tourists, but generally pretty good) or Mike's down on the South River. Or just get some to go from some local joint and take 'em home. But you've been warned - I don't think any self-respecting Baltimoron would be caught dead at Cantler's. BTW, Cantler's is back some roads and all, but who the hell needs GPS to find it? It's not like it's in the middle of the Amazon or the Gobi or something, for Pete's sake. You just drive down the twisty road till you get to the end, and "eureka," there it is. Damn, you'd think from reading some of those other reviews that it is like way the heck out in BFE and that you are going to be hearing the banjos from Deliverance or something. Must be a bunch of Jetta-driving pansies from DC. Okay, I just had to check - all but two of the five star reviews are from out-of-state people (mostly DC and northern virginia - see I was right!) who clearly wouldn't know a real crab shack if it snuck up and bit them on the butt. I'll concede that Cantler's attempts to recreate the crab shack atmosphere, but one must differentiate between faux and real. Damn, those folks probably think that Bubba Gump is fo shizz.
(2)
Es L.
EXCELLENT crabs! perfectly cooked and the meat just melts in your mouth. these are probably the best crabs we've ever had. i've never seen the hubs enjoy his meal as much as he did today. little girl LOVED it too- kept demanding for more (obviously clueless as to how much work it takes to get the meat). we ordered a dozen extra-large crabs which was about $75. it's worth ordering the bigger sized ones since it takes so much work to eat one. the restaurant however is in a pretty remote area in annapolis so a GPS is necessary for those who are from out-of-town. it's crazy how crowded the place got for a monday evening. i'd give 5-stars for the crabs but our friends who ordered other items from the menu weren't as thrilled with their food. we'll be dreaming about these crabs...
(4)
Adam H.
The best place for authentic Maryland Crabs. A little tricky to get to, but totally worth the drive.
(5)
scott b.
Best place for crabs in Maryland
(5)
Kelly P.
We were visiting Annapolis for our anniversary and of course wanted to try some local seafood. After reading reviews we decided to try this restaurant since it seemed to capture the local hole in the wall atmosphere. Our server was nice, but slow. We waited forever for our food and since it was the off season, it wasn't busy at all. I ordered the broiled platter and let me tell you, I could have gotten a better meal at Captain D's, portions were small and everything was bland and overcooked. For $28 I was expecting much more. The side was a plain baked potato served with nothing more than a small pre-packaged pat of butter? My husband ordered the Ahi-sliders and the tuna was way overcooked as well. Canned beer only, worst Bloody Mary I've ever had, yeah, major disappointment. Beware of the hype..
(1)
Jasen F.
Overrated, no matter what review you've read. Mike's in Edgewater has a better view, parking, and atmosphere. Leave Cantler's to the tourists and DC folks up for a romantic weekend on the Bay. I'm just not that into you Cantler's, especially for the price.
(2)
Ricky W.
Great food with an amazing local flair. the bartenders Missy and Kelly are a joy to spend the evening drinking and eating with. A unique eclectic crowd will keep you entertained while you enjoy some of the best crabs, shrimp and oysters around. Great Place!
(5)
Kelly M.
Excellent and fresh seafood. They don't do All-You-Can-Eat blue crabs so you'll have to look elsewhere for that. However, the portions on their platters are quite large, so you won't leave hungry. The place is really busy but we didn't wait long for a table. They seat you family style and you may share a table with another group, so if you're looking for intimate dining this is not the place. They have beers, but no tap, so every thing comes in a can. They also have a full bar but we only ordered beer. Be prepared for a loud, but really fun, and TASTY dining experience.
(4)
Karman L.
HOLY CRAB!!! AWESOME!! THE BEST RESTAURANT!! cantlers.com 1) Bring GPS...this is like impossible to find w/out GPS...it's at the end of a road in a residential neighborhood! 2) Waitress said it's wicked busy here in May and June - up to 2 hours wait, and I don't think they take reservation either. 3) Bring a bib, wear some of your old sweatshirt...you are going to get MESSY if you are planning to eat the crab (They served the whole crab, so you have to really WORK it to BREAK into the meat! 4) Must at least order the following: a) Cream of Crab Soup , and Butternut Squash Soup b) Lump Crab Cakes - very CRABBY =D c) Dozen crabs (come in different size, we got the large size, it's $50 for one dozen) Wish we ordered the steamers too...but it was sold out last nite! Enjoy!!!
(5)
Donna C.
This is a good place to go to if you want some good local crabs. Here's some definite pros to Cantler's: *you definitely get that maryland crab feast experience that you might be craving. The medium and large sized crabs were local but they also had extra large and super sized crabs available. *the large sized crabs we ordered were heavy and seasoned with Old Bay and served with extra seasoning, melted butter and vinegar on the side=YUMMY! *they line the tables with butcher paper so you can really crack away and get as messy as you want. They also give you buckets and extra napkins if you ask *has a nice outside patio area along the river There are a few cons that can hamper your experience: -minimal parking-if you get here at a peak time, they do a one car out one car in deal and you may have to wait -long wait for tables during these peak times -kind of confusing to get to. it's seriously at the end of a neighborhood street. weird. -kind of pricey - the large sized crabs were $50 for a dozen. They were good but there are other places you can get a large dozen for less and/or it's all you can eat. Apparently they do have all you can eat certain nights during the week Overall though, the crabs are worth the visit. We also tried the crab dip and calamari appetizers and the french fry and onion ring side dishes. Two thumbs up on the crab dip, calamari and onion rings. They also offer other gourmet seafood dishes that other crabhouses may not have. We had a great experience other than the parking and waiting and would go back if in the area again. It's a nice little joint.
(4)
Pat S.
DUDE. I'm reading some of the prior reviews on here, and a few people seem to have hated on this place as full of crab n00bs. Well, I was a crab n00b when I first got to town, and this place introduced me to Maryland's finest cuisine. I can't wait to go back this spring. We're moving out of town soon, and this is probably the place I'll miss most in the DC area. It's true that you need to be prepared to get messy. The giant sink helps make quick work of the crab guts when you're done, and it's lucky that you can wash clear up to your forearms in it because they're bound to get gross. It's true that the prices are high, but this isn't the sort of hangout you'd visit every week, so it's OK to splurge. Also, be sure to get a table with an umbrella or under the awning -- the sun will wreck you here if you don't watch out. I'm amped for my next five cold cans of Yuengling and pile of jumbos.
(5)
Sang H.
Being a New Yorker, we don't get much exposure to the wonderful taste of Blue Crab. I take a trip down with friends once every year or two and hit about three or four crab houses. This year we decided one of the locations we would hit would be Cantler's, after reading all the reviews on Yelp, we were planning to have a great experience. Unfortunately, this was not the one of those experiences. We ordered two dozen X-Large crabs, what we ended up with was about 60% X-Large, 20% Large and 20% Mediums. At $72/dz I expect 100% X-Large. Of the two dozen, three of them were bad. So as you can see not a great hit ratio. We also ordered the steamers nothing great here either. Nor was I expecting them to be, as its really not that hard to prepare them. Don't get the hush puppies, unless you like deep friend rock hard dough sticks. Overall the food was underwhelming. The service was okay, nothing special. Waitress was just someone that took the order and brought the food. No personality or friendliness. Don't get the lemonade, it was just water and powder mix that was supposed to mimic the appearance and taste of real lemonade. As much as I would love to complain about the parking, its something that I really can't blame them about. The slew of people that go there need to park somewhere and the small area just doesn't accommodate the large numbers. Be ready to wait 20-30 minutes in your car for a spot. I don't think its worth the wait. When you wait 20-30 minutes for parking and then another 45 minutes for food you expect something special. Nothing special here folks! Its just crabs! and small ones at that! for $72/dz for X-Large! and you don't even get all X-Large! and a few of them are rotten! Well, all I can say is that you don't get what you pay for and there are a ton of other area restaurants that you can go to to get good crab at better prices. You can try it once for the experience, but I would say most will not come back due to the wait, crab sizes and prices.
(1)
Melissa G.
If you aren't a local, and don't have a local escort you probably will never find this place. This is a REAL Maryland crab joint. I'm talkin' paper on the tables, Old Bay galore, picnic tables, etc. If you want a good 'ol crab feast this is the place.... corn on the cob, crabs, old bay, mmmm mmmm delicious. Come by car, come by boat... just make sure you come and are cool with a wait.
(5)
Dan B.
I love this place. First time I ever went here was 2 years ago when I was in Annapolis for work. It was summer and I ate right on the water. Food was amazing, staff was friendly and location is beautful. Recently was in Annapolis for Valentines day coincidently. I went to Cantlers with a friend and ate the Alaskan King Crab. Everyone was amazing again and food was fantastic. Anyone I know traveling to MD has to try this place. You wont regret it.
(4)
PY K.
What a crabfest it was...we visited family in VA last month and drove out to Annapolis for the day, our first stop was Cantler's. Being from LA, I rather enjoyed the drive into the woods to the inn (even though we took a few wrong turns). Anyway, I've never seen a larger mountain of crabs served on a tray...they are known for their crab, so that's just what our table (of six adults) ordered...three dozen large crabs (at the time it was $55 per dozen). Another option for us was to order 'all you can eat medium sized crabs for 2 hours for something like $27...but we figured the quantity would work out to be the same and we might as well get the larger crabs. 'The rest of our party sat at another table, and ordered a variety of items including the crab from the menu, i.e. the steamers, hushpuppies, etc....and seemed to enjoy everything that they ordered. A little pricey, but we were treated by our very generous hosts/sis-bro in laws. At first, I was a little put off by the seasoned salt that was doused all over, but surprisingly the salt enhanced the flavor of the crab just right. Dip it in your quarter cup of butter, and mmmm....mmmm.....mmmmm..... You are equipped with a small hammer (no claws), and everytime I took a crack at it, I think I may have squirted crab juice to my neighbor (or worse, sent fragments of crab shell ricocheting out yonder). Eating here was a rather difficult experience when the Husband and I were each manning a small child....but they have plenty of high chairs that they can place at the end of each bench seat. If you are afraid to get your hands dirty, don't come here....you'll end up smelling of crab by the end of the meal. Sit outdoors if you can, and enjoy the boats going down the river....the inside just looked too dark and dingy. We got there at noon, and the place was very empty, but by the time of the end of our meal, there must have been a score of people waiting for tables. But this was definitely worth the experience....four stars b/c it just took way too much time/work to get that meat out of that crab and the large crabs weren't all that large. Walk off all that butter consumption in the quaint maritime town of Annapolis. Sidenote: I know we have the RB pier which serves fresh crab/seafood, but the atmosphere is ten times better at Cantler's alongside a lazy river...cleaner too (tables are topped with rolls of kraft paper instead of dirty newspapers), since they have nice servers who do a good job of cleaning off the tables, benches and floor after a party is done.
(4)
Marc K.
We traveled here from DC, which was definitely worth the drive. We had fried crab cakes, lump crab cakes, and a dozen large crabs. The lump crab cakes were the best that I've ever had. The rest of the food was amazing, and the service was great. Having a GPS to guide your path in the twisty roads at night is definitely a plus. About the only thing that I can add to the prior reviews is that all of the beer comes in cans (including Heineken, Yuengling, and other domestics).
(5)
Mike Air C.
Being a native of the DC area, I was raised feasting on crabs in the summer. I never ventured out to one of the Crab houses in Maryland so this was my first and I must say, extraordinary experience in crab dining. The ambiance is perfect for eating crabs and the service attentive and responsive. The extra large Jimmys ELJs (expensive but well worth it) were perfectly cooked and the seasonings/butter excellent. We had (18) ELJs but staggered our order as recommended by previous reviewers of Cantler's which yielded perfectly hot and savory crabs. These were some of the best crabs I have ever experienced. The service (thanks Emily!) was superb and the Yuengling beer perfect. We sat outside on a Monday night - full but not crowed and not waiting for a cool spot outside. Overall - The Perfect setting for enjoying absolulely perfect crabs!!!
(5)
Mike W.
Great place to eat crabs by the water.
(5)
Jen H.
Oh Cantlers. How I will miss you so dearly when crab season rolls around once again. Crabs for somone who really wants the down-and-dirty crab experience without crossing the bridge. Butcher-papered tables, beer in plastic cups, the sound of wooden mallets smacking away and flecks of crab shell flying in your face. Mmmm... Added bonus is that it's right on the water and even has it's own pier you can dock at. Make sure to take the kiddos to see the holding tanks down near the pier, all sorts of neat things swimming around in there. Expect a wait during the summer and as mentioned, a liiiittle hard to find and navigate to but well worth the effort. I always took our out-of-town guests here to snap them out of their "King Crab legs are the best" mindset. Can't wait to come back for a visit.
(5)
Molly G.
Okay, so I'm not a Maryland local and maybe I just don't "get" the whole appeal of a crab boil - but I wasn't all that impressed with Cantler's. If you want to spend hours with a tiny wooden mallet hacking at a piece of boiled shellfish with the ultimate goal of extracting a small portion of meat that tastes exactly like the old bay seasoning that cakes the carcasses of these unfortunate crustaceans, then Cantler's is for you. For my money, I'll take a nice crab cake at a restaurant where my derrier doesn't go numb from sitting on a picnic bench for hours. And if I want to work for my food, then I find both lobster and other types of crab to be much tastier. With that said, it is a very authentic Maryland experience, and as long as you're not going with the idea of coming away full, it can be a super fun place to go with friends. I even pretend to like it so that I come across as a more authentic Annapolitan. Maybe someday I'll actually order something else off the menu...and revise this review. But maybe not. Oh, and the bar at the indoor dining room is super creepo!!. It's like a transplanted VFW branch - complete with that one petrified guy with the permanent "come sit on grandpa's lap" smirk.
(3)
Lark L.
I was expecting this place to be crowded on a Sat evening but this was beyond insane. Traffic was backed up to get into the parking lot--in fact I think they have a staff of 10 just overseeing the freaking parking situation! Then the wait is est at 2hours! Of course that is usually because the idiots on the deck think they are entitled to holding up the table for hours. I think Cantler;s should enforce a table time limit--IMO. With that said--we only waited 15 minutes because we wedged into the corner of the bar. Bar staff was amazing---so friendly even when dealing with obnoxious people. Food is alright-- you go for the hype and experience but if you don't go you won't be missing much. View was not that great--
(2)
stephanie t.
I'm happy to see so many five star reviews for Cantler's. It deserves them. Cantler's is the quintessential crab eating experience. Kind of dingy, right on the water, messy, slightly seedy, indoor and outdoor seating, unpretentious. The one drawback is that it has gotten so crowded that you shouldn't really bother trying to go on a weekend during the summer/early fall, but aside from this, it's pretty much perfect, which is why my family has been going for over 30 years. Crabs are expensive no matter where you get them, so don't think that casual = low bill, but the food is great (seems like a shame to get anything but crabs and maybe some steamers, but actually the rest of the food on the menu, particularly the soft shells and crab cakes, is pretty good if you're not in the mood to pick). For kids it's fun to go down by the water and look at the tanks where they have molting soft shells.
(5)
Carl L.
Always love Cantler's. Been going there for over 20 years, and it's my favorite place to get those Maryland Crabs we all crave
(5)
ted c.
On your next trip to Annapolis, Maryland you definitely need to checkout Cantler's. This is a classic Maryland bayside restaurant that is serving up the Maryland crab feast experience! Difficult to find, because it is a bit remote, and I was greatly rewarded for my journey! A killer view, even at night. And they have a nice outside patio for patrons, which is right above their soft-shell crab farm. This a great place for fresh Maryland crabs (in the summer... they serve gulf crab too). Blue crabs are pricey at all Maryland restaurants, and I think they charge a little more and/or serve a little less compared to other restaurants. But when it guaranteed fresh, it is worth it. I was very very fortunate to have arrived on a Monday night, in October it is all-you-can-eat steamed hard crab night for $18.95! 6 med size blue crabs will usually go for about $20, on that evening I had 18 crabs!! (FYI, Old bay or J.O. was OK... if you like the salt.) I returned the following night and had the soft shell crabs. I returned the following week twice for the Blackened Rockfish and Crab Cakes. Two thumbs up for the slaw and fresh Maryland corn cob. Hush puppies was too pellet like, fries were coated thus I love the extra crispiness. Overall though, the All-You-Can-Eat crabs are worth the visit! You might want to consider going to other more convenient to find places for the soft-shell, rockfish and crab cakes.
(4)
Jill H.
Don't bother going to any other crab shack in Annapolis. The outdoor sitting is the best; I've never sat inside. The hush puppies & crabs are A....mazingg...
(5)
Kate R.
well i'm veggie so i can't speak for the crabs. this is my second time here. we called ahead to book (weeks ago, and then prior to coming) big work party needed a few veggie options (which was told when booking.) veggie options finally came a good 20 minutes into the meal (they should have just let us order of the menu) which ended up being some pasta with red sauce worse than any middle school lunch you've ever had. no thanks. we were a big party (40) the staff just seemed to roam over everyone that was outside instead of having a few folks assigned to our tables. if they had they'd probably have noticed we were out of beers, like immediately and we had to ask to get more. they'd come out and place one for every bucket. come on son! you haven't given me the veggie option. at least give me the beer! it is a fun experience, everyone was in a great mood when we got there and in a great mood when we left and the crab eaters def seemed to enjoy themselves.
(3)
Jennifer S.
The nationally acclaimed Cantler's Riverside Inn has a puzzling name. Nothing here has anything to do with an Inn, unless of course they are referring to the crabs you won't be able to stop putting Inn your mouth (couldn't help myself)! Now there are tons of touristy crab shacks to choose from in downtown Annapolis, this place (open for 30 years now) is actually right outside of it in Mill Creek (semantics, right?). Wherever you want to say it is, just go there! I don't care how hot it is outside, don't eat inside. The best experience is had outside on the water's edge sitting amongst other crab-feasters at paper-covered picnic tables watching the boaters dock to join you. I cannot personally speak for anything other than the crabs and the onion rings and as far as I'm concerned this is the single-most best place to get them.
(5)
Jamie H.
2nd best place for blue crabs, amazingly fresh but very expensive.
(4)
Maria K.
I went here on a recommendation of a friend, she said it was a pretty famous place, but *shrugs* I guess I didn't know. Anyway, the huge disappointing factor was that they ran out of crabs right when we got there -- this was on Memorial day, early in the afternoon. That was the reason why we went, so it was disappointing. However, we still decided to stick around for a little bit to eat since we were starving, and then find crabs later (which we didn't b/c we're both small and fill up quickly). Anyway, we got the hush puppies and a bucket of steamers (which are these really plump clams). I wasn't a fan of the hush puppies, but the steamers were really good. I had never had steamers and had to have one of the workers show me how it's done. They were very meaty and tender... but a half bucket/person is more than enough I think.
(3)
Computer S.
Plain broiled and overpriced, overrated by tourist
(1)
William M.
Love this place. Had a great experience. Staff is very attentive. Yeungling in cans?! I guess I can chalk that up to quirk. Can't wait to come back.
(4)
J J.
So, we went to this Annapolis Institution, and we have mixed feelings. The crabs were very good (although there is some controversy as to whether they or local crabs, this time of year, or not) One waitress said that the crabs were from Louisiana while another waitress said that the crabs were local (huh?). I understand that the noise and chaos are part of the "charm" of this place, but indoor seating is a real challenge in terms of the noise (and claustrophobia). If you can stand to wait, I would recommend trying to get covered seating, outside. The crabs were yummy. Our waiter was somewhat inept, watched us knock over a glass of water and offered nothing in the way of napkins or help. We had to ask another waitress. He also disappeared after serving our food, and we had to look for him for 10 minutes to secure our check. I think Cantler's may be better than Mike's in terms of price, and one is spared the talentless trio who make "music" at Mike's. Bon appetit! P.S. Oh, yes, the bathroom situation is fairly appalling--dirty and unample. They are serving a vast crowd--spring for a second bathroom and clean it, from time to time.
(3)
Laurie B.
Here is the deal. The mixed drinks are served in the smallest glasses i have ever encountered in a restaurant. The steamed clams were cooked so long they were like little gobs of hard glue. To add insult to injury they served them with fake butter...the kind they put on your popcorn in cheap movie theaters. when I asked for real butter..they said ok and cheerfully got some from the kitchen. The fried clam strips were ok if you like chewing through breaded leather strips. I bought a single crab which was yummy. Bottom line....when they serve fake popcorn topping oil instead of butter...the owner is assuming he can rip off his stupid customer who does not know any better. I hate that.
(1)
Jenna P.
Huge disappointment! I originally spent time at Cantlers as a kid about 30 years ago and had many great times cracking crabs while enjoying the easygoing atmosphere. Last night it was just awful. Everything from the rock hard hush puppies to the obscenely priced blue crabs ($75/dozen for jumbos). The corn on the cob was wormed out and the "butter" you are supposed to dip your $75/ dozen crabs in was margarine. Fried Mussels could not be identified....could have been anything in there. The only thing that we really enjoyed was a portabello/ crab appetizer that was fairly priced which arrived with a full lump crab cake on top. Outdoor seating smells like garbage. Bathrooms are disgusting. So sad that I don't think we will revisit. If you do choose to stomach Cantlers arrive at 5:30 or earlier else you are waiting a long time for a table.
(1)
Ami C.
What else can you say but..."MORE PLEASE!" Cantler's is THE place to go for crabs in Annapolis. Not just crabs - but their Lump Crab Cake might just be the best Crab Cake on the planet! The lumps of crab are big enough to choke on. They have delightful cream of crab soup too and something magical in their house dressing. It is a little challenging to get to...all the better to keep the mobs away during high tourist weeks.weekends in Annapolis. Let them eat Buddy's! The ladies room always gets a thumbs up for cleanliness as well. Growing up in Annapolis has ruined the crab experience in most other places - a trip home is never complete with a quick trip to Cantler's.
(5)
Caryl M.
I remember coming to Cantler's on dates when I was 17. Casual, out of the way hideout that only locals knew about. Back then you would be sitting next to a wealthy Annapolitan just off their yacht and on the other side of you a local waterman. It seemed like everyone just meshed well and conversed over good food. The wait staff was always down to earth and friendly. I've been many times over the past 18 years and that wonderful quaint charm has slowly faded. We came in on a boat 2 weekends ago and were told there would be a 20 minute wait... An hour and 10 minutes later we were seated. We were seated at a dirty table that still had crab gut remnants on it..gross!!To make matters worse, the server was annoyed that I asked if it could be cleaned. While waiting for our meal, a sudden downpour hit us. We started to put down the plastic awnings so we wouldn't get soaked and we were yelled at..yes yelled at to leave it. The manager did come over to put the awnings down but only after he put down the ones closer to him...we got wet..no big deal..but the rudeness was unnecessary. I love the location still and the food was good but the service not worth it. And for any tourists coming here, leave your heals and your bedazzled clothes at home...it's an old crab shack for gosh sakes.
(2)
Ashley A.
This was my first time eating crabs like this, and it was great. The crabs were yummy along with some of the appetizers. Definitely try to sit outside if the weather is nice and get there early! We got there around 12:30 and it was a 30 minute wait; when we left a few hours later the line of cars to get into the parking lot had to be 20 deep.
(4)
Curt H.
Anything from the bay is wonderfully prepared at this "standard" Annapolis waterfront joint. Always crowded, but food worth the hassle. Don't miss it.
(4)
Gary R.
Took my family for crabs and was not at all impresses as so many reviews state. We bought a dozen and half. At least 6 were overcooked.the waitress took care of but for a restaurant that focuses on crabs they are challenged to deliver properly cooked crabs to a table.
(1)
Joe L.
This crab house is in a hidden place. You will find it in a nice quiet neighborhood. After I found the place, I finally relief from getting the wrong address. After 20 minutes waiting, we got a nice big table for two people. The food serving is fast but the food is not really tasty. The clam chowder soup is way too salty. I don't believe the soup is right. We also order calamari, jimmy steamer, and a dozen extra large crab. The calamari and jimmy steamer is okay size and okay cook. Nothing special about the dish. Let's talk about the main meal "crab" which I think extra large should mean the biggest crab in the restaurant. But what we get was bunch missing crab claws and kind of small size crab. If you see my other review, I have mentioned about Bethesda crab house is bigger than here and they all have crab claw on them even they are kind of dirty. There are no taste on meat of these crab. I don't think this is the place to enjoy the crab.
(2)
Michael B.
Come here for the crabs..Period. I have been here several times and have always been served great crabs. I had a light crab once and they had no problem taking it back. They are not inexpensive though. Expect to pay between 65-75 for x-large crabs. However, you get what you pay for. Heavy, tasty, and well seasoned crabs. The fries a also perfect accompaniment. Salads are large and well done. I honestly have never had any of the entries. As others have said the view is great. No reservations so it you go on a fri or sat plan to wait and don't even try on commissioning weekend. Service has been good. Not many beers on tap. Also be prepared to sit on a picnic bench next to other patrons. I wasn't too concerned but it can throw some people off. All in all one of the best crab houses around and definitely the best in Annapolis.
(4)
J L.
PRO: Good, no-nonsense crabhouse. Good, thick cut onion rings. Super sweet corn. Friendly wait staff. CON: We had to wait for about 1/2 hour before our crabs came out that night, but our waitress was friendly and very apologetic about it. Crab seasoning was also a bit too heavy on the salt.
(4)
despina s.
Best place for a relaxed seafood meal...the freshest crabs i have ever had....had a blast just being messy using the mallets to crack the crabs and enjoy the sweet meat...waitstaff was not very attentive or special and i was disappointed they would not honor coupons from their site because it was one per table...meanwhile they forgot to bring our crab appetizer....overall still a great experience. Wait was not long. Tough to find but so worth thhe trip!
(4)
Jessica E.
This out-of-the way place has great tasting Maryland crab and other local seafood. However, it's overpriced, and everything else on the menu is just kind of meh. Don't order anything other than local seafood if you want your food to taste good, and skip the overpriced, not so good desserts. Advice for first-time visitors: they have off-the-menu offerings, including the famous steamed Maryland crab - you just have to know they have it, the waiter may not remember to tell you (ask the waiter for prices). It's definitely worth a visit if you want to eat seafood the "real" Maryland way.
(3)
Kristine M.
YES! We "jetta-driving pansies from DC" do love Cantler's! I don't care about the tourists, I don't care that people go there to order a chicken ceasar salad, i don't care that there's no parking after 1pm. I just love their crabs, their view, their desserts, and their staff.
(5)
John S.
Go to Mike's instead. This was by far the worst service I've ever received. We sat down for 20 minutes in clear view and no one came to our table. Once the waitress came, we asked to order our food but she refused to take anything but our drink order. She came back 10 minutes later after we asked for service and finally told us in the rudest tone "we're out of crabs." At that point we left and went to Mike's. We were so happy with our decision to leave. Please refuse to be treated this poorly. It was terrible!
(1)
Charlie L.
We had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. While waiting I observed the crabs being moved into the kitchen. None of them show any sign of life. I should have left the place there and then, because things just got worst as we were seated. The place was too small for the number of people they tried to cramp in there. The waiting staff consists of bunch of teenage girls and one of them looks no older than twelve. The hostess even took a bribe from a group of customers for a shorter wait. They weren't too friendly neither. We ordered dozen extra large crabs, but when it came out they were no bigger than the medium crabs on display. We were given exactly a dozen even though most crab places we've been to tend to give you one or two extra to replace any non-fresh ones that slip into the batch. Speaking of freshness, out of the four I had, three were dead before they were cooked as evident by the rotting stink as soon as I break open the shell. The couple that sat next to us actually left right after their order came out, either because the crabs were too small or they weren't fresh. The popularity of this place boggles me. It's certainly not cheap and its location isn't convenient. neither. Why anyone would drive half a hour, a hour to eat overpriced half rotting crabs is beyond me. Other than the fact they sell beer outside while you wait for your table, there's absolutely nothing redeemable about Cantler and you should avoid it despite what it claims about the restaurant being a Maryland "icon" on their website.
(1)
Veronica L.
I went here with two of my girlfriends on a gorgeous Sunday in the middle of October. They had seating indoors but we decided to wait to get outside seating. While waiting, we had a drink at the bar. They have a cocktail menu, which I always like, and the price range was about $7 a drink. The bartender was quick with service. We were only sitting around 5 minutes when they were ready to seat us. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the crab dip to split. On the menu, it says it comes with two loaves of bread, so we thought the dip would be a big portion but it was on the smaller side. Delicious though. I ordered the rockfish tacos. I thought the fish was a little skimpy and actually took out the avocado that it came with because those were huge pieces and I was afraid I'd lose the rockfish taste but despite the fish size, they were really good. We had a good time and I'd have to say that my biggest complaint was that we sat next to all these plotted flowers and there were a lot of bees flying around and trying to land in our food and drinks.
(4)
PC W.
I can't stop raving about this place!!! I've been twice and both times were awesome - once for a late lunch and once for an early dinner. We got seated relatively quickly both times. Crab is so good and atmosphere is very casual - worth the hour drive from DC. It gets messy but it's so worth it.
(5)
Pam S.
there are better crab houses in the Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay area. It's always packed, you sit in a parking lot with views of cars. Try other options such Mike's Crab House on South River or over on the Eastern Shore.
(2)
Daisy R.
On a visit to Annapolis we decided to try Cantler's because we wanted to experience that famous "Maryland crab" and the hotel staff highly recommended it. The atmosphere is nice enough if you sit outside, but if you're in the tented area or the inside there's really nothing special about it. There's a seafood place like this in many shore towns I've been to. The food was good but we certainly weren't bowled over. I had the Lump Crab cakes ($25), and they were mediocre. Crab was dry and just not that tasty. My husband had the all-you-can-eat crab special ($25) and he felt the same about his meal. My son had a crab leg and shrimp dish ($12) and his shrimp were inedible as they were simply covered with Old Bay seasoning. All in all it was kind of disappointing and we wouldn't return. I'm still looking for that Maryland crab cake experience.
(2)
Todd Y.
It's the experience that you're paying for: crabs on the waterfront. Somewhat expensive. The calamari was good. If you're a party of 2, 6 large crabs, an appetizer, and one entree is plenty. Next time will probably get 6 extra large crabs and 2 appetizers (for two). Hopefully, though I can find a better less expensive place before then.
(4)
dave d.
If you know the Vienna Inn, I would equate Cantlers to the Vienna Inn in Annapolis. Cantlers is OLD place that hasn't changed since it first opened. If you are going there expecting table cloth dining experieince then don't go. You can't miss for picking crabs, drinking beer and hanging out. Definitely low key, very casual and out of the way to get to.
(3)
Jeffrey V.
I love how this place hides itself from the bustling crowds, secluded in a quiet neighborhood right on the water! The one dish that I still remember is the crab dip appetizer. It was served hot with steaming, fresh, sliced baguettes! Every bite was full of crabmeat and vegetables. I also ordered the crab soup - a hearty dish filled with, you guessed it, crabmeat, chunky vegetables, and a spicy-tomato based stock. The clamstrips and fries were pretty basic. The Seafood Slider Trio was interesting, mini sandwiches with different flavors.... (I couldn't stop thinking about the crab dip!) When we got the hard shell crabs, the first twenty bites were great. Afterwards, the Old Bay kicked in and started to make the meal REALLY salty. Shake it off before eating! Thank goodness for the bottomless iced tea and water! I'll go back just for the crab dip .... it's THAT GOOD!
(4)
Lindsey W.
Anyone visiting Annapolis, go here for crabs! They are pricey and out of the way but worth it. It's filled with picnic tables covered in newspaper where you tear open yummy crabs and drink beer for hours. Everyone should take part in this experience!
(5)
Jeff B.
This is one of my favorite places in the DC area. Whenever a friend or family member (including myself) has a birthday or occasion for celebration in the DC area, Cantler's is usually the venue of choice for dinner. I have been here both by boat and by car. If you come by boat, there is usually someone around to help you tie up. If you come by car and it's your first time, bring your GPS or some good directions since Cantler's is hidden away back in a neighborhood. All of the menu items here are absolutely wonderful. The steamed crabs, crabcakes, seafood platters, appetizers, etc, etc, etc, are all excellent. You can either sit outside or dine inside. Sitting outside on the water on a nice day here offers the perfect setting for a great meal. The staff have always been wonderful here. The owners have been in the area forever and do everything just the way it should be done in a true Maryland crab house. Just being in the place or sitting at the bar, you can just feel the decades of Chesapeake tradition around you. I would HIGHLY recommend giving Cantler's a try.
(5)
Steve J.
Fabulous. This is no tourist trap. It is the real thing. While the whole crabs are quite good, my favorite is still the Oysters Chesapeake.
(5)
Tim M.
If you're going to review something like MD crab cakes please make sure you've tried them at at least 20-30 different places around the state before proclaming 'the best I've ever had'. 99% of the time they are the worst you'll ever have as very few places in MD actually get it right. An authentic top notch cake in this state is EXPENSIVE, broiled, 100% massive jumbo lump crab and nothing else but a little Old Bay and mayo to hold it together. They should be about the size of a half softball. Cantler's is really known for crabs and atmosphere (crab house atmosphere). You can count on them year round to have some of the biggest crabs in the area (also the most expensive - up to 75 a dozen for jumbos if you're lucky enough to get them). The crabs may or may not be from MD either - those days are over - you can ask however - I can't honestly tell the difference between the blue crab of Louisiana and that of MD. Everything else on their menu is no different than at least a dozen other places in the area. The best crab cakes in the area and possibly the entire state are at the Edgewater Restaurant (and not because I happen to live there - I used to travel here from Springfield VA to get these crab cakes). Service at Cantler's is almost always very good and very friendly - the seating is family style - plan to meet new neighbors. For a real treat you can take a sail from City Dock downtown through the back creek to Cantlers - it's a package deal that includes dinner and a return trip - actually might be easier than finding it by car!!! It's known as the best place to get lost trying to find (Zagats rated no less for that!). This is one of the best places to get crabs in the area (sit down that is). Harris' out on Kent Island is also very good and a long time tradition. Mikes Crabhouse in Riva is also quite good although the service is totally unpredictable there. For to-go crabs the best by far nearby are at Chesapeake Seafood in Mayo MD. Places to avoid like the plague are Phillips, Buddy's, and Annapolis Seafood. If your crabs arrive faster than 20 minutes after ordering they were probably re-steamed (not good) - crabs take 20 minutes to steam to perfection - remember that ;)
(4)
Allan H.
If you want a real Maryland Crab Shack (I'm not talking about the cheesy tourist traps on the Annapolis waterfront), there is no other place to go but here. To get to this place, you need to drive through about 10 miles of backwoods roads, driving through small neighborhoods, and one lane roads, but don't fret, the payoff at the end of the line is worth it. You sit down and there are no plates, the napkins are those brown paper towels, and there's a hammer as one of your utencils. There's no menu, except for a chalkboard with the daily catch on the back wall. I think there are other kinds of seafood, but if you get anything other than the crab, go somewhere else. You order by the dozen and the waitress will come out and just dump the crabs on the table and you go to town. Don't wear any clothes that are too nice, because it's a pretty casual place, and they'll probably end up smelling like crab for the next year. Get there around 5:00 on weekends to avoid the wait.
(5)
Christy W.
I love the location, sitting outside near the river. I also love their crabs. I think the median size crab is actually big. Scallop and bacon is fine. But the maryland crab soup (not sure about the name) is no good. My friend feels that it's the kind of soup that you buy from supermarket. The Rum Punch cocktail is fine, but I'm so surprised that it is served in a low-quality plastic cup.
(3)
Julia B.
Needing a day away from the city, my girlfriends and I went to get crabby in Maryland. Cantler's has a great reputation for excellent crabs and our friend had been there before so we decided this was the place to go. Cantler's is situated by the riverside, in a residential neighborhood. With a bar area, indoor, covered and uncovered outdoor seating, this place was busy. I had read there was often a a long wait but we were lucky and there was none. The restaurant is bi-level, with one floor being the restaurant and down below, by the dock, you can check out their crabs. Fresh crabs FTW! The menu is extensive and while the focus is seafood, they do offer non-seafood meals, such as chicken wings and filet mignon. I hope whoever orders chicken wings at this place gets punched in the neck because what's the point of coming here, if not for the seafood? I wanted to try a little bit of everything so I went with the Jimmy's Feast - 3 crabs, mussels, 1/2 pound shrimp and 2 sides. I also helped out my two girlfriends with their dozen crabs, though, because I'm a pig like that. The crabs are separated by size and prices are by the dozen (but you can request for half a dozen). Service was fast and friendly. If you don't know how to open crabs (which we all did but our neighbors didn't), they'll happily show you how it's done. I would happily make the trek back here from NYC!
(4)
Steve P.
Drove from Reston to Cantler's because they said they had extra-large blue crab for $96 a dozen. Unfortunately, the extra-large crabs were no more than mediums. I questioned the waitress and she insisted that they were extra-large. I visited other tables and everyone felt they had been ripped off on the size! I don't know how they kept a straight face insisting they were extra large. Last time they will see any of my money!
(1)
Natasha R.
Are you people on drugs?! How in the world did you rate this tourist trap so high??? Just because it is super hard to find and not in downtown Annapolis, it is a great place? We went there after I heard do much about it and that it is a locals place and that JImmy Buffet has been ther, yada...yada...yada....... I would not even be disappointed after the hour wait if it was worth it. While waiting at the bar for our table, our bartender belittled this very sad looking woman who was there with her son, because when she ordered her Coors, she did not specify that she wanted Coor "Original" and this lovely bartender gave her a Coors light. I should have known to run then. But noooooo, I wanted to give this place a shot after hearing so much about their crabs. Well, when we actually got seated, it was at a table with a million tourists. Not a single person there was from MD. To make it all worse, they were all pounding the hell out of their crabs without even taking the shell off. You would think that the waitstaff would show them how to pick a crab. I asked the waitress if it was always like this and she basically said that it was a tourist trap and she would never eat there. She indicated that it actually got much worse since they aired it on Food Network. Then the crabs came. $75.00 a dozen. They were obviously steamed by a tourist as well. They had seasoning sprfinkled on top (not while they were steamed), so when we picked a crab up, all of the seasoning fell off. Plus the crabs were mediums at best, NOT extra larges, like advertised. Then the corn on the cob was enedible. Oh well, I tried it. I should have known better. I am too much of an optimist.
(1)
Maureen B.
We arrived around 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. we were greeted by the host. seated promptly ,. Food was Okay, I'm not sure if it was worth the hour drive.
(3)
Brad B.
First time eating "Baltimore" crabs (from Louisiana where crabs are of course a commodity). Very good! You will of course be paying a premium for restuarant seafood ($50/per dozen large)... which is normal but do yourself a favor and get the crab dip ... unreal. Take a trip to downtown Annapolis while you are there - great for a Saturday visit.
(4)
Vegetarian Diner A.
The first star is for the setting- the waterfront is always a nice place to eat. And, tucked away from the mainstream, you get a real neighborhood feel- that's the second star. Food-wise, I feel they are too limited for vegetarians. Granted, Cantler's does not present themselves as a vegetarian friendly place, but they could be more accommodating. The pizza is the best bet, but will not be memorable. The desserts look better than they taste. There are better options.
(2)
Becca Clara L.
I've never encountered such stupid hostesses in my life. We waited for two hours for a table while the imbecile high schoolers kept messing up the table list. Not worth the food to be treated like that.
(1)
Jenny C.
Best hardshell crabs in the region. Other steamed seafood items are also good. Crab soup is good. I don't like any of the specials, anything that sounds fancy isn't good. Great location. Lots of fun. Loud and messy - it is a crab house afterall.... Great service!
(5)
J B.
One of the best crab houses around. The only crabs I like better are my Dad's. Cantler's crabs are spiced well and steamed to order. That is really all you have to do for great MD crabs. A shame that so many places can't seem to do it. Don't tell the tourist, let them eat at Buddy's (-;
(5)
Felipe M.
We were on a day trip to the Naval Academy, and I knew I had to find a place for crab. Again with help from fellow YELPers, I found Cantler's. What a great setting! Inside and outside seating along the river. We went early because I had heard that this place gets crowded. On a weekday we got there just as they opened, and before 12:30 when we left the place was packed. We love crab but have never had Maryland crab, so of course we had to go where the YELPers would take us. On the back patio, you sit down on those old school picnic benches, and when they figure out you are having crab, they cover the table in thick butcher paper. They also bring out a bucket for all the crab parts, some mallets, and a ton of napkins. For appetizers we ordered shrimp which were fantastic. For the main course we had a tray of crabs brought out to us. There was definitely a ton of Old Bay on the crab, but of course you don't eat the shell, so after you got to the meat and with the drawn butter, our meal was FANTASTIC! Some YELPers call this a tourist place, but hey we were, and it was great. It is on a back road, so in the dark, or after a few too many adult beverages it may be difficult to navigate to or from, but for us tourists, it is definitely worth the drive.
(5)
Rachel P.
we went here for an anniversary, and yummmmmm, this was some delicious seafood! this is exactly what i want in a seafood place. no frills, bibs, paper tablecloths and tasty tasty fresh food. we ordered the portobella with crabcake appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious. seasoned perfectly, great compliments of tomatoes, diced red pepper and sauteed spinach...so so so good. then we split a pound of snow crab legs and half a pound of the jumbo shrimp. everything again, was steamed perfectly and seasoned perfectly. i didn't even need any old bay (which they give a great amount if you need it) and hardly even dipped the crab or shrimp in the lemon butter sauce. it was just succulent the way it was. we will definitely return and spread the word. (oh, we also went on a sunday for lunch, got there just about 11:15-11:30 which was perfect timing b/c it got PACKED soon after we got there. the wait, we heard, had turned into at least a half hour by the time we left.)
(5)
Fletch P.
One of our favorites when in town. Good services, great crabs, makes everyone feel like a local... A little off the beaten path, but sometimes that is a good thing! Take some key lime to go, a tradition in our family and nice treat when you get home.
(4)
Lily H.
This place has the best crabs, oysters, and sweet potato fries. You have to try all three with pink lemonade. My advice to you is to arrive early. It's gets busy fast and before you know it, the crabs will be sold out.
(5)
Teresa L.
We stopped in here over Labor Day weekend while in town for the day. This was the place we were told was just the standard for blue crabs, and they did not disappoint. Our wait was less than we were told initially, so we got drinks and wandered the docks down below while waiting. Hubs said his bloody Mary was overpriced ($8) and not very good but was strong. My cold beers hit the spot. I ordered soft shell crabs, and hubs got a feast so we could try everything. The crab was delicious and sweet, mussells and clams were ok, but we both loved the shrimp. Cantler's is crowded for a reason...because it's the best!
(5)
Jason C.
If you're lookin' to eat whole crabs and wash them down with some canned beer, you're in heaven - if not, save yourself the drive. Service was pretty good.
(3)
Robert S.
Five pointy ones because, when I stop to think about it, I can't think of a better crabhouse in Annapolis! The rating should probably be 4.5 stars because of the high prices but it seems to me that market prices would be fairly uniform in a given geographical area. On to the good stuff: -Maryland crab soup comes in tomato-base and cream-base and they are both the bomb, although I prefer tomato-base. -Steamed soft shell clams are my favorite here. Fresh, freshly steamed, with drawn butter and old bay seasoning. I think they may make their own old bay, can anyone verify this?? -Crab cake sandwich - A very healthy ball of crab on a bun. Tomato and lettuce. You add your toppings (cocktail sauce, horseradish, ketchup, etc). A little bit of a big bun, but still very tasty. -Steamed jumbo shrimp - 1/2 lb or 1 lb=6 or 12 prawns. Good size prawns, I think our waitress told us they were from NC or SC (don't quite remember). Boiled clambake style with lots of old bay, onions and new potatoes. Another winner! -Steamed MD blue crabs- $60/dz this day. Would have ordered them except we went crabbing the day before and caught and tried to eat a bushel of crabs, so I was a little "crabby"! and decided to order other items. I make a pilgrimage to the one and only Cantler's every time I come back to Annapolis. Lots of good memories reinforced by awesome food that has remained remarkably consistent over the time I have been coming here. Service was very good the two times I was there last weekend, with different waitresses each time. One note: make sure you have a GPS or print directions/map before you get here, it is a little tricky because it is tucked way back in a residential neighborhood. There are signs but not till you get pretty far into the 'hood.
(5)
Merrill H.
Ok, so I agree with many yelpers than it can be a confusing drive to Cantler's for the average tourist, but there's no need for a GPS unless you are seriously directionally challenged or completely clueless. Either way, Cantler's is full of crab. Crab crab crab crab crab! Don't come here for a hamburger, folks! Be prepared to shell out (no pun intended) $70 and up for a lunch for 2. My bf and I shared half a dozen large crabs and 2 lump crab cakes. The crab cakes were delicious and my favorite part of the meal, but pricey at $25. The 1/2 dozen crabs came out, buried under copious amounts of Cantler's crab seasoning mix. If you don't like seasoning, be sure to let the waiter/waitress know beforehand! Expect crowds here, no matter what time of day. The bar seemed to attract the yuppie, J Crew type guys. Yuck.
(4)
Tino D.
Sitting on a sunny patio, overlooking the river, I was surrounded by friends with a table full of fresh seafood and beer in front of me. Sufficed to say, I had a great time at Cantlers! The food was very simply prepared; steamed crabs with old bay spice, fresh oysters with horse radish and some sweet potato fries. I guess when food is this fresh, you really want the ingredients to speak for themselves. It was very busy when we were there, but we still received stellar service. Our waiter was very attentive and was knowledgeable about the menu items. This place is a lot of fun, with great food and service. I definitely plan on going again.
(4)
JW B.
Went to Cantler's Memorial Day weekend (Sunday) May 2012. Seems to have been on an off day when the crabs weren't very large, but fresh. Giving 2 stars because the location was great, food was fresh, but I would give it a 1 for it's clear prejudice against certain people vs others when doling out the crab. And the pricing - all of the food is WAY overpriced. Only "All You Can Eat" sizes were available - no jumbo, large, etc. Wish they would have told us that, instead of telling us to 'They're still checking...' which wasted 40 minutes of our time and after 3 appetizers later, we decided to just indulge in the All You Can Eats to finally get some crab. We Ordered: -Crab dip - OK; salty but creamy. Light on the crab meat, but lots of cream. -Filet of Sole platter - OK, tartar sauce is Heinz or the prepackaged little containers you get at Burger King - wasn't exactly thrilled to see that since this is suppose to be a seafood restaurant with a LARGE menu of fried seafood items. -Mussels - OK, wine and tomato sauce. -Jumbo shrimp platter - standard fried shrimp, although they were fresh. -3 adults of All You Can Eat - disappointing because we waited so long to finally place our order, since we were told they were still 'counting' the crab orders, which was not true. There was a clear discrepancy with how they were bringing out the crabs toto certain groups vs. others. It was OBVIOUS and it made me want to get up and not finish the meal, but since were already elbow deep in 5 plates of food and 2 trays of crab, we finished our meal. Pros: -Great location, on the water -Large enough to go with a group of friends/family (I went with a party of 5 including myself) -Freshness of crab, corn -Ample parking if you're the first 15 parties Cons: -Waitstaff are rude, but with a smile and fake sing-songy voice to make up for it. Younger waitstaff aren't as bad, since they just seat and run food, but the older ladies are RUDE. Brace yourselves. -Other items on menu (friend shrimp, fish, mussels) are just OK, sub-par compared to fast food chains like TGIF or Friendly's or wherever. Wouldn't order them again. -Items are overpriced, except the beer. -Selective in which parties get larger "All You Can Eat" crab (maybe they were Regular customers, maybe they were friends, maybe they were...whatever reason). VERY disappointing and makes me wonder, "I thought we got over the race issue in America, no?" Final Thoughts: -Get there early - 15 minutes before opening to get in line and get the table you want -Stick with crab & corn - get the jumbos if possible, if not, stick with All You Can Eat and place order as soon as possible, not wasting time -Wouldn't bother ordering anything else off the menu accept the fried shrimp - it's the safest, except you get prepackaged tartar sauce - yuck. -Expect/condescending rude waitstaff with fake smiles and sing-songy voices, but you only need to deal with that when you order and ask for more crab. Would I go back? Not by choice. Would I recommend it? No, I'd say try the other recommended spots first.
(1)
Keith M.
Terrible service. Endless waiting for a table on a not very busy evening. We have eaten here several times over the past 6 years while visiting Annapolis. We always found it to be a pretty good crab shack. This visit however was total unsatisfactory. There was a moderate size crowd. We were told we to expect a 20 minute wait for an outside table. 1 hour and twenty minutes later we gave up. No table - no explanation - total waste of time. We will not return. Try Mike's instead.
(1)
Kathie P.
Cantler's has been a well known Annapolis establishment for about 40 years and is located right on Mill Creek, so you have a lovely view of the water. Don't dress up as the atmosphere at Cantler's is very casual. Everything served here is wonderful - it is not fancy, but the food is meticulously prepared, and is awesome. I had crab cakes my last visit, and my friends had the soft shell crabs - Everything was awesome. Something important to me, is that Cantler's is one of the few restaurants in Maryland that uses only Maryland crab in their recipes (which makes the crab cakes more awesome!). If nyou have not been to Cantler's you have to give it a try. It's a bit tricky to find, but once you find it, you'll be back over and over again.
(4)
Deborah G.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take a drive to the Annapolis area and Spring for some steamed crabs and other watery delights at Cantler's. I happened to look on their new website and saw that they have a daily special if you are willing to text crabs to a designated phone number. Well we won two cups of free crab soup by each of us texting Crabs. So off we went with our cell phones to Forest Beach Road in Cantlerville. We walked in and were told to take any table we wanted as they were not busy. We asked about the crabs, the sizes and the prices and settled on four of the super sized crabs at $** a dozen. I'm ashamed to say how much they were but we had $10 of free crab soup to make us feel better. Okay, crab soup, the red kind, a shrimp basket of six fried jumbos and a crab cake platter and those four crabs. Here's the whole story of this $85 lunch for two and we had a pitcher of iced tea. The crab soup was not very crabby but it was loaded with Tabasco sauce and very brackish- stay away unless it's free by texting. The crabs were huge, hot, perfectly spiced and filled with white lumps of crab meat - crab heaven for sure. Then we had the shrimp basket, huge, hot, tasty crunchy crustaceans with just the right amount of grease (not too much) and for a chaser a double crab cake platter with no taste. I could barely eat my crab cake and left some on the plate as it had the worst taste or no taste for my buds to enjoy. Gosh what was wrong? The slaw was pale and soft and the oven baked potatoes were a bit greasy and had too much Rosemary sprinkled on them. I told the waitress and she told me what I wished I had known in the beginning - pasteurized crab meat. Oh no, what happened from the shell to the can. Some kind of processing that completely ruined the taste of the meat and gave me a strange aftertaste for three hours . Avoid the crab cakes till the real stuff comes from the Chesapeake Bay. Also choose other sides because the slaw and the oven roastatos were BAAAD! So how do I rate thee a three on the taste-o-meter. The crabs were outstanding and so were the shrimp. The rest of the food was a Big Blah. Therefore I took off two stars and am writing this somewhat unfavorable review. Our waitress was nice and the place was fairly quiet for a crab house that normally sounds like a thousand wooden mallets pounding at one time. It's only March and the place was very clean for a bar-crabhouse environment. The restroom is adequate but very small and narrow. I've always thought that it was a definite afterthought and if not required by State law it would not exist. If you want a lovely restroom, go to Carrol's Creek in Westport and not Cantler's because it's definitely not the most glam restroom in Annapolis.
(3)
Emily P.
If you have young children, be forewarned. Knowing to expect long wait times, my husband and I called ahead on the way to Cantler's to add our name to the list since we have a very busy infant who won't endure a 45 minute wait time on top of an hour or more spent eating at the restaurant. I was informed by the woman who answered the phone, with some significant attitude, that they didn't accept call aheads on weekends and "there's really nothing I can do for you," even though I explained my son couldn't handle the 40 minute wait and assured her we would be there 15 minutes in advance of the table opening up. This is one family who will not be patronizing Cantler's, with or without our kids. I cannot bring myself to spend money in an establishment that refuses to make a simple accommodation for families with young children, especially given the demeaning response I received from the hostess for even asking. We went to Mike's in Riva instead and had a lovely meal on the water.
(1)
Roll T.
Michele D. was gracious enough to organize an event over at Cantler's before the end of crab season, and we were hungry enough to put down a few dozen of Maryland's famous blue crabs doused in JO. For the uninitiated, the drive to Cantler's takes you through a windy path eventually leading to a shack by the water shore. At this point, you are escorted by the friendly staff to an available table. In our case, we were lucky enough to get a spot right on the water. On this occasion, we ordered a few dozen jumbo sized crabs and some shrimp and hush puppies on the side. I had a rather unremarkable cream of crab soup, but the individuals who ordered the Maryland crab soup sounded like they enjoyed their experience. The shrimp and hush puppies were likewise forgettable. People don't come here for soup, shrimp, or hush puppies. They come here to down nice, succulent, fleshy crab meat in apple vinegar. While I exhibited novice crab picking skills, my companions happily ingested extraordinary amounts of blue crab. While I enjoyed my meal, I simply find Alaskan red king crab to be juicier, more flavorful, and easier to eat than its Maryland counterpart. Indeed, in my opinion, blue crab is probably best suited for crab cakes. The jumbo crab imperial cakes here are amazing; I like them even better than ordering a dozen blue crabs here. Although the price is a bit steep (we ended up at $50/person), Cantler's is still a remarkable place that is worth an occasional drive up to Annapolis. If you are local, I would suggest going on an off-night to avoid the tourist crowd. I'm still a fan of this place, but I think you might be able to find better deals in Baltimore.
(4)
Holly C.
Stopped by this place on the way back home from New Orleans. Had some Chesapeake Bay raw oysters - they were pretty good. For our entree, we ordered the special: 1 1/4 lb lobster & Alaskan King Crab legs. The lobster was okay (a little too cooked/rubbery in my opinion). The crab legs on the other hand were amazing! Tender & flavorful. I got the hush puppies as my side (no extra charge for changing it). They were decent, but it was my first time having them. My friend, who is more familiar with them, said they were "oookay" as well. The home cooked potato chips were pretty good, and the coleslaw was good! (I'm one of those weirdos who love cold slaw) We decided to sit "outside", which was basically picnic table outside. Since it was the winter, it was covered & heated, but I think it would be a nice place to come to during the summer.
(3)
Michele D.
Look at all these great reviews...let that tell the message right there. I have been so busy this summer that I never got the chance to sit outside and enjoy some sweet and succulent crabs. Until last Saturday. I posted a UYE and called all Yelpers to enjoy the awesome spot on the water with some of the best crabs in town. Their crabs may be on the expensive side, but they do -not- disappoint. At. All. They are big, meaty and oh so sweet. We ordered 3 dozen of the jumbos for eight people. Did we get down, or what? We also ordered two pounds of steamed shrimp, which were wonderful but came with potatoes and onions. I wish they would only serve the shrimp because the potatoes and onions went to waste at our table! Please, who's got room for that filler stuff when you need the room for crab meat? The other thing we ordered but I only ate a few of was Hush Puppies. They have the best ones I've had; they are a very nice break from the Old Bay seasoning. Our server, Micky, was a rock star when it came to handling our group. She was spot on with service and took great care of us. Ahhh, until next summer...
(5)
Cheryl B.
Labor Day weekend 2009. Michele D. gathered a few Yelpers together to enjoy an end to summer Crab event in Annapolis. Where else would you go but Cantler's? Answer: NOWHERE! I've been going to Cantler's for years and am never disappointed. The crabs are fresh and hot, the beer is ice cold...and the service is the best around for a family oriented restaurant. It was great to kick off our weekend laughing, meeting new friends and enjoying the fruits of the Chesapeake Bay. We took up a couple tables outside on the back deck and lazily picked large chunks of luscious white meat from our trays of season laiden crabs. Sipping icy cold beer, and iced tea you couldn't help but always turn toward the water to admire yet another beautiful sailboat passing by....not jealous, but a bit envious that we too were not aboard heading out for a day on the water. Stuffed with the selection of crabs, shrimp, fried fish and hush puppies we completed our 2 1/2 hr dining experience and waddled off for our next adventure....Annapolis downtown beware!! Thanks again Michele D.!!
(5)
David T.
We pulled in here to eat dinner during a cruise down the bay headed to Naptown to watch the fireworks. Free mooring for diners. The smell of rotten fish/crabs at the dock on the way up to the restaurant isn't a good thing. The calamari appetizer was horrible. So chewy that it was like chewing on rubber. How can a seafood place not know how to cook calamari? Between the four of us, one halibut and ahi tuna kabob (special), two crab cake sandwiches, and one drunk'n shellfish. While we all thought the food was good, it wasn't what any of us considered excellent or anything close to 5 stars worth. No frills place, like the other reviewers have said. Not very clean and our waiter had somewhat of a "I'm doing you a favor" attitude. I imagine this place is more well known for it's crabs than anything else they serve. Of course I really don't know how you can screw up steaming a crab with Old Bay seasoning. So because of that, wow on the 5 star ratings.
(3)
Marisa F.
Really great seafood place located in Annapolis. It is a pretty drive and the restaurant is located at the end of the drive. They have a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice and you can pull up to it with your boat. Great place to enjoy Maryland crabs and lots of other kinds of seafood.
(4)
Miss E.
If you want to stuff your face with fresh seafood, this is the place! We wound up here for the first time early one Saturday evening. The wait for a table was about 40 minutes, but we were lucky enough to grab a couple seats at the bar. Before our asses hit the barstools, the bartender was taking our drink order and getting us menus. She joked that we'd get way better service at the bar than in the dining room. She wasn't kidding. While everyone else was waiting for food and drinks, we were scarfing down on hot seafood and sipping on cold beer. We only ordered crabs (super fresh) and shrimp (HUGE), so I can't comment on their side dishes. The bartender also served us a couple great margaritas, which was a nice surprise. There are a couple of things you should know before you go: prices are high, they only serve beer in a can, the parking lot is small, and there is virtually no waiting area up front. But if you plan accordingly, you'll hopefully have a great experience like we did.
(4)
Ai-Chen Y.
"A perfect place to enjoy fresh blue crabs!" I am a crab fan and went to the places several times. If you went to the place on the weekend, the place is super crowded. They don't take reservation and normally have to wait approximately 30 minutes... Go to Cantler's on a week day will be better, less crowded and no need to wait. The most famous item here is its blue crab with the old bay seasoning. There are different prices based on the size. Highly recommended "Super"- the biggest one. (If they run out of "super", order "X-Large"($36 for 6 crabs)price may change due to the size). People use the wood hammer to eat the crab, be careful that the old bay seasoning will split every where when u crush the crab shell. Don't wear fancy clothes, or you cannot eat the crab with fun. The thing I love Cantler's most is that their crab is very fresh. You could see the fresh crabs loaded by the ships near the riverside dock. My mom has an serious allergy problem that if she eats the seafood not fresh. However, she does not have any problem with the crabs from Cantler's! The other thing in Cantler's are soso, I will suggest that you just eat some crabs here and go other place to fill your stomach.
(4)
Megan P.
Great crab dip with fresh loaves of bread. They were out of wings when my husband tried to order them, which seemed a little strange. The cream of crab soup was good, but had a little bit too much sherry for my taste. The hardshells were not very good. Their blend of old bay was extremely salty (and I like salt). The rest of the seafood on our platter (king crab legs, oysters, clams, fried shrimp) were okay, but nothing special. The service was a little slow. We had to flag down our waitress a few times to get her to pay attention to us.
(3)
Cee L.
Was excited to try this place out and thought the food would be worth waiting for a parking space. Unfortunately we started off with mushy clams. The crab meat was too clean with a bunch of old bay thrown on the shells making my fingers hurt and making everything I touched too salty. Not worth the long drive or the windy roads to the middle of nowhere.
(2)
Christine E.
Word to the wise...if you plan to come here on a Saturday, I highly recommend you come sometime during the hours between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. After that...expect a wait in line...not just for a table...but to park your car! We arrived at around 3 pm and found a parking spot in the small lot (relative to the number of patrons that come in) right away. Put our names in for a table and waited about 20-30 minutes for a table inside. (There is a nice patio overlooking the water.) Wait wasn't so bad since we got to take the stairs down to the pier and enjoy the scenic water views and really get into the spirit of things as first-time visitors to Annapolis! We ordered the crab dip to start and that was probably my favorite part of the meal. BEST crab dip I think I've ever tasted! For entrees, we ordered the three-crab sampler just to get the full experience of trying Maryland blue crabs. We also ordered the 1/2 order of lobster (which was very delicious) and jumbo shrimps. Each entree was around $20-$25, which isn't cheap but well worth it for the quality seafood and experience. Seating and wait staff were young and friendly. I expect to come back with first-time visitors. Probably best to come when it's still light out since the area is somewhat remote. Get ready to dig in!
(5)
Al G.
I have been here a few times . The food is good but not consistent. The place can be like a zoo at times so many people wanting to come here. I have to say that it is cool to pull up in a bout and go to dinner. The staff is nice.
(3)
RB S.
I was in DC for a family vacation and tried this place on a local friend recommendation. It has mostly outdoor tables either in patio or by the river. There is only one road in and out. Our family tried extra large crabs. and they were too salty. or too much seasoning (probably msg based). No biggie to wash down with beer. But it's not a wholesome dining experience. Service was good.
(2)
D L.
Went for weekend dinner. Six people (three hardcore crab lovers and three on for the ride). Ordered: - Two dozen soft crabs, large size. GET SEASONING ON THE SIDE, otherwise might be to salty. Also, would be even messier trying to throw down with hands soaked in seasoning AND crab juice - Corn: Steamed, with no butter. Very sweet and good. - Onion rings: HUGE! But, all batter and no onion. - French fries: actually tasty, but came out cold - Lump cake crab cakes dish: HUGE crab cakes - Stuffed shrimp dish. Only have can beer. Good ginger ale (I don't know, it was just good). Kind of pricey. Bathroom is tiny and cramped! Why don't they have a huge trough outside for people to wash their hands in?? Service good. Friendly and accommodating. Price, on the medium-high side.
(3)
Laura R.
We came here with a large group for lunch. We were seated around 12:30 and they had run out of Supers. By the time we finished our meal, they only had mediums left, and the mediums were rather small. Most of our party ordered Jimmy's Crab feast, which came with three crabs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and corn. The best thing on the plate was the shrimp. The crabs were so overdone I felt like I was eating cat food. All in all, I was disappointed, but I may be willing to give it another try.
(2)
Lara S.
Me (newish to DC area) to a friend: Hey, I'm taking a random trip to Annapolis. I'm not sure why really, but I thought it would be good to check out other places around DC while I'm here. Friend: Um, yeah. Annapolis is great. Me: So, do you have any suggestions? Friend: Cantler's. You have to go to Cantler's. Me: I read about this place called Mike's. You heard of that? Friend: Yeah, but I think you should go to Cantler's. Other places might be cheaper, but this is the best one. _______________________________________________ Ok, so who can argue about where to go after that kind of recommendation? We drove down the windy road to get to Cantler's. Waited to park our car in the spot designated by the teenagers working outside in the blazing heat. We rushed to put our name on the list, got our buzzer and the approximate 1 hour 15 minute wait time prognosis, and headed back to the car to read and enjoy the AC. Once our time had elapsed, the buzzer buzzed, and we scurried back to the restaurant to claim our table. We ordered some crabs, of course, and also corn and mussels. It was my first time eating crabs, so I asked some fellows dinners for their advice on opening up the shells. The waiter also showed us how to do it, and what parts we should or shouldn't eat. The restaurant overlooks the water, and we were happy with our selection of table section - outside and covered. Overall, a wonderful and worthwhile experience. Just make sure to plan ahead for the long wait. It will be worth it.
(5)
BiG M.
Honestly, i think the pictures say it all: Where else can you buy crabs by the dozen? Where else do you get to park on a bed of clam & oyster shells? Where else can you gorge yourself on the table topped with butcher paper? Where can you wield a small wooden mallet like a drunken dwarf? This place is hidden Hidden HIDDEN away on a big hill...i wouldnt reccomend trying to find it without GPS. Once you find it though your day will get 100 times better. I would reccomend you wear some clothes you dont mind getting crab all over, cause its gonna get all over ur fingers, hands, face & body: this is a good thing!! It was pretty late in the winter & there werent too many places one could still get Maryland bluecrab...but my hosts love me & set this place aside for me ^^ luv!! A chart on the wall tells you how big the crabs are: we ate a dozen Large & another dozen Super. The Old Bay spice on top is very pungent & may take a bit to get used to, but after a while its intoxicating musk & flavor are all over your hands & face & you will want more! More!! You should ask your host how to properly use the knife & mallet if ur into instructions, otherwise just hammer away & stuff your face! We took a handfull of pictures with our waitress after our meal too ^^ they are so sweet here. Before heading back to our cars, we slipped down to the back side of the building via a side door & onto the riverbank. In the darkness of the night sky the houses along the river light up like lifeflies dancing up & down the current. Its quite a pictureque view & ur body will thank you for walking around to ease your comfortable suffering from being too full!!
(5)
Olivia H.
We came to Maryland to attemd the wedding of a dear friend and decided to get some blue crab for lunch before heading back to NY. After a sort search, we found this place and though its off the beaten path, I'm so glad we chose to eat here . We got here at 11:30 am and so glad we did. This place gets super packed. By the time we left at 1:30 there is already a line of cars just waiting to get into this place and I can understand why. It has an extremely casual atmosphere and the staff is super friendly. Our server, Billie, was great. She came by a few times and asked how we were doing without being annoying or intrusive. She had perfect timing unlike some places where they come back too often or don't come back at all. As soon as we were seated (we were given a choice of where we wanted to sit, obviously, we chose to sit outside and we got to choose either shaded or in the sun) Billie came over to take our drinks and order. Within moments our food came out and we sat quietly eating our super sized blue crabs. Man oh man, these suckers were huge and so worth it. We got a half dozen of these bad boys plus one starter and drinks. Cost was $82 including tip. So worth it. Can't wait to come back here. Had such a wonderful experience.
Not sure what all the "must do" reviews are for. Crab was good. Basic outdoor waterfront dining (the inside dining is smelly and stuffy). We had a bad waitress, but she seemed the exception, as it seemed other tables were having much better experiences. Sweet potatoes fries were soggy and over-cooked. Overall we wouldn't go back, but I can see why some people would find it unique.
(3)
Tim T.
Just blah. We came here Sunday afternoon after reading all the great reviews about this place. We left disappointed. I should state that we did not get crabs (they were all out due to 4th of July weekend), so our experience may be limited. Lets start with the service. It was okay, nothing spectacular. We had few moments of long wait times.. but it wasn't too terrible. We ordered the Blackened Rockfish Bites, Hush Puppies, Crab Melt Sandwich w/ Sweet Potato Fries, and the Cantler Jumbo Seafood Club with Onion Rings. Blackened rockfish bites was nice... three pieces of fish on a bed of slaw. Hush Puppies were decent. Unfortunately, these were the highlights. Everything else was bland. The crab melt sandwich looked like they took two slices of bread, threw on a slice of tomato, few sprinklings of crabmeat, and a slice of cheddar cheese. It was not good. The sweet potato fries lacked any flavor. Same with the onion rings and seafood club sandwich. The sandwich bread tasted stale, crabcake was dry and bland, onions rings were overcooked and lacked flavor. Oh yea, the tarter sauce they gave me came in a packet (Krafts). I've never been to a seafood place that didn't make their own tarter sauce. Like I said in the beginning, they may very well serve awesome crabs, too bad we couldn't try them. But their sandwiches should be avoided.
(2)
Irm M.
Hands down best crab dip I've ever tried. Crab meat is fresh, consistency is very rich, there's a bit of lemon zest in it... delicious. If I could eat that every day I would be a very happy (and plump) lady! The servers are generally very friendly and helpful. It's a no frills kind of place. It's right on the water. As others have mentioned it's a bit of winding and complicated path to get out there, but once you do you will be glad you did! Last time I came here we didn't have the straight up crabs. Looked like a little too much work for us and we were feeling lazy so we opted for crab cakes and jumbo shrimp platter instead. Everything was so good I literally stuffed my face!
(4)
Matthew R.
I arrived at noon on a Saturday in early September with a group of people all looking forward to crabs and seafood. Even a few crabby virgins in the group! I had to explain to two of the crabby virgins they should not base their opinion of blue crab from their experience here. My crabs were definitely overcooked. I'm assuming the insanely large serving of melted butter that came with the "Jimmy's Crab Feast" platter was to cover up the bad preparation of the food. Even the small side of cole slaw was bland and uninteresting. The only thing that saved this place from a one star review was our pleasant and attentive waitress, who we tipped well because she wasn't the chef.
(2)
Vince D.
Arrived at 10:30pm and ate outside. Service by Carlo was fantastic! This was my first time at the restaurant which I heard was terrific. It was. We had 18 large crabs, cherrystone clams, french fries and bucket of beer. Could not ask for a better experience. A terrific play to eat by the water. NOTE: the drive to the restaurant seems like you are on the wrong road. If it wasn't for a friend who has been there before I would have turned around thinking that this can't be the road. Well, it is! And it's worth it!!!
(5)
N C.
I was here 7 years ago and just returned with my husband. I couldn't wait to introduce him to Cantlers. He ordered the soft shell crabs and the fresh clams. The clams came in a bucket and smelled horrible. My husband said they taste as bad as they smelled. He did however love the soft shell crabs. I had the crab cakes which were delicious! The best I have had in a long time. After watching the people around us with their mallets and crabs, we decided to ask for one crab each. I don't get it...why go through all the work for such little meat. Get the crab cakes and enjoy the free time watching everyone else pound away.
(4)
C M.
Love this hideaway spot. Food is always delicious. Crabs are a little high but the crabs are seasoned well. Service is good.
(4)
Mike M.
Best crabs in Annapolis
(4)
Henry Z.
My girlfriend -- a Maryland native -- wouldn't let me come here for the first year we were dating because I had to prove I was crabworthy. Before coming to a place like this you need to learn the difference between weak crabs and crabs that have strength. This place is strictly for people who are crabworthy, and most of the poor reviews come from people who aren't. We came on a hot Saturday, sat in the sun, and went through more than a dozen all-you-can-eats a piece. We did it with an endless pitcher of iced tea, adding old-bay generously, and getting multiple servings of the corn on the cob, as we watched the boats drift by. By the end of the meal we were sweaty, stained in old bay, wreaking of crab, and had no reason to eat dinner that night. The only way to do it.
(5)
john b.
Definitely not 5 stars based on price, taste, ambiance and portion size. For around $25+ you'd expect to get a good amount of food... maybe even left overs. The food itself was ok... just way too pricey. Ambiance-wise, it was very crowded indoors (didn't sit outside so can't comment on that). Since it was so crowded, my expectations were raised but this place is just eh in my book. Even if I had lots of money, I'd still go elsewhere.
(2)
Vicki C.
What else can I add to the already hundreds of reviews. When it comes to crabs and seafood, this place is definitely good. There are plenty of crab shacks along the East Coast, but what makes this place special is the location. It is right on the water, and the view is spectacular. We were there in October when the weather is a bit nippy, so the whole outdoor deck area was covered. It was still breathtaking. Definitely worth a look-see if you are in the Annapolis area.
(3)
Duane S.
I was surprised I didn't like this place better. I had the Maryland crab soup, crab cakes platter, and an order of hush puppies. The soup was way too salty compared to others I have had before. While I was happy to see very little filler in the crab cakes, they needed some Old Bay mixed in. They were very bland. The fries were nasty coated fries that tasted like they had been sitting for a while. The hush puppies were pre-formed very hard brown turds. I am used to odd shaped and fluffy hush puppies. I am not sure if I will come back.
(2)
Rachel S.
A friend suggested Cantler's when she heard we were headed to Annapolis for the wknd. I was so excited because I really just wanted a pile of crabs and cold beer in a locals' joint. Having read the previous reviews I was grateful to get a heads up on their parking sitch and waiting list. Not a bad wait to get into the lot - 10 mins, however it was a 2 hr waiting list for a table. My husband and I lurked over the bar while sipping drinks and waited for seats to open up, which they did in about 15 mins. We ordered a dozen medium crabs @ $38.00, dusted with Old Bay (is there really any other way!) and they appeared shortly after. The bartenders were VERY friendly and efficient and helped make the adventure awesome! We will definitely be back next time we're in town!
(5)
Mike H.
Great seafood place in the middle of nowhere. My wife and I split a dozen extra large crabs and some sides. The crabs were really good. Fresh, perfectly cooked, and begging to get torn apart. It took almost two hours to eat the dozen, and it was glorious. I had to shower when i got back to my hotel in Annapolis because I was covered in old bay and crab juice. Amazing experience. Good service. The waitress was really friendly, attentive, and on the spot with changing the garbage bucket. Pass on the sides if you don't need them, though my wife enjoyed the fresh corn. Oh yeah, the beer is cold! Make an experience of this place. We had a blast.
(5)
Bren P.
This place is great for MD blue crabs! We came here two weekends in a row with different set of friends bc it was THAT good. The place is hidden in at the end of a neighborhood and sits right on the water. I recommend coming here right when it opens.. 11ish to avoid a long wait for parking and a long wait for a table. The first week, we got here late afternoon and waited 20 minutes for a parking spot and then an hour for a table. We got a table inside since the wait seemed longer for a table outside. It was nice that they sold beer outside as you waited for your table. The second week, we got there around 11 and there were plenty of parking and got seated outside right away. Not bad! We ordered, 2 dozen large md blue crabs for 4 ppl (you have to ask what's caught locally, bc they import the larger crabs from somewhere else). the crabs were full and so fresh! the md crab soup was flavorful and hit the spot! the cream of crab soup was too creamy and too thick which wasn't my favorite of the bunch. also ordered a side of onion rings which were huge!! i didn't think those were worth it. sometimes when the rings are too big, it doesn't taste as great. the cole slaw was good, but nothing special. what was special, besides the crabs, was the crab dip! the dip was full of chunks of crab and the bread was soooo fresh and soft! a must get! the corn was just ok..nothing special again.. just another filler. Definitely recommend this place for md blue crabs!
(4)
David A.
Cantler's is located just a few minutes outside downtown Annapolis you have to take a few winding roads that lead you back to this hidden gem of a restaurant that is located right on the water. It's not a big place and it's well known among the locals and typically crowded, so expect to wait for a table. We went for lunch on an early Sunday afternoon and had to wait for about 20 minutes, which I'd assume is fairly common. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas and we were fortunate enough to be able to eat outside. Most of the tables are connected together (a la long picnic tables) and you sit on long benches, which means everyone kind of crowds together and enjoys the entire experience as a collective group. People are pounding away and cracking crabs all around you and the smell of fresh seafood fills the air as you look out over the water. Nothing fancy about it - Cantler's is truly authentic. The menu features a variety of seafood options as well as other things for people who are in the mood for something else. Our group didn't rate high on the variety scale with four of us ordering the lump crab cake sandwich. Branching away from the crab cake party, Nicole ordered the crab legs and my mom ordered the steamed shrimp. We also ordered a basket of steamed shrimp for the table as an appetizer. Everything we ordered was OUTSTANDING! The steamed shrimp were enormous and had great flavor and I don't think I've ever tasted a better crab cake. Not only was it huge, it had awesome flavor with large chunks of fresh crab (delivered straight off the boat to the restaurant's dock) and basically no filler at all. The side of hush puppies that I had with it were very good as well. I'd want to go back and try the all-you-can-eat steamed Blue Crabs, but it'd be tough to pass up another opportunity to get another crab cake sandwich. Honestly, it'd be tough to ever pass up a sandwich that good. My only complaint about Cantler's would be the service. Nearly everyone we encountered that worked there would fall under the category of rude. The parking attendant, hostess, and our waitress all had trouble being friendly or exhibiting any sort of hospitality. We also had a tough time getting our drinks refilled in a timely manner. That being said, we were so happy with the food that it didn't matter too much. Cantler's is exactly the type of restaurant we were hoping to find. A local restaurant with a great atmosphere that reflected the culture of Maryland and the coastal/Eastern Shore area. A meal here helps make spending time in Annapolis truly memorable.
(5)
Joe B.
Great dockside shanty atmosphere. Good crab chowder delicious steamed crabs. Get the extra large crabs. Coming from New England they are not as big as the rock crabs I'm used to. The spice is really nice.
(4)
S C.
Good locaton, great clams and shrimp. Good menu thats not steamed crabs. Crabs are usually pretty good and reasonably priced. Alwasy at least one bad one (THEY WILL replace it, JUST ASK!) , but why? Do they not know they are dead going in, or is it that they are trying to pass something over? But again, staff always pleasant about replacement. No bottled beer, thats what lost them the 5th star. Can beer only (what is this 1970?) And its always amusing to hear at least one table of seniors say "Were from conneticut, How do we do this again?" I cant imagine having to explain this to people over and over again. So kudos to the cantlers ladies!
(4)
Rachel C.
I'm not really familiar with seafood culture, nor with how to "pick" crabs Maryland-style, but it seemed good to me! Yeah, it was pretty crowded with yacht-setting types and tourists (which I guess includes us because we live in DC?), but we got seating for 10 after a 30-minute wait on a Saturday afternoon (even though most of our party was still missing, they were kind enough to give us a table). Not bad! Waitstaff seemed young and a little overwhelmed, but our server was good. She refilled drinks with regularity and checked in on our party several times. It's definitely on the pricey side, but really, I think it's meant for large group or family-style meals. My boyfriend and I split the medium crabs, which were $37/dozen (v. something outrageous for the large size, which were only one inch larger). Along with some appetizers split with others and a couple of beers, my the two of us paid a total of $68, including tax and tip. The food was solid. The crab dip was thick and creamy, the fried clams were just plain tasty, and the crabs were REALLY good. A little too much powdery Old Bay for my taste, but you can easily dust it off. I had only ever had crab legs before, so hacking apart an entire crustacean was a new experience--and it was fun! The meat was buttery, salty, and steamed to perfection. A couple of crabs were missing front claws, but I wasn't bothered. I nabbed a shrimp and a mussel from a friend, and they were quite yummy. Beers (canned only) were decently priced. They had something called a frozen tidal wave for $6 that involved grenadine, coconut rum and ice cream--I wanted to try it, but we were stuffed to the gills (pun intended) and couldn't handle anything else. Very, very casual. Feels like a picnic. Don't wear nice clothes because you will get crab guts and Old Bay all over you. Dishware is styrofoam and plastic--not the most sustainable or classy choice, but with the number of customers they get and with the messiness factor of the food, it makes sense. Not a first date place or a place for a quiet, romantic night on the river...but for a fun afternoon out with friends, this definitely fits the bill!
(3)
Katie R.
There are so many good things to say, from the crabs down to the key lime pie. It's one of those gems you stumble upons. Its completely off the beaten path, which makes it even better. Hands down the best crab joint in Annapolis! There is plenty of parking but you can also drive your boat right up to the dock, which makes it even more fun! There is plenty of outdoor seating, so you can enjoy some beautiful Annapolis weather! They have great lunch special for all you can eats. It varies based on the market price that day but I've eaten for as cheap at $20.95. That includes corn on the cob and french fries :) Yay ;) I no longer live in annapolis but I frequently make the drive out there a) to get drunk downtown or b) to eat at Cantlers. There is nothing better!
(5)
Valarie G.
Pretty good but a 20 minute wait for parking followed by an hour wait for a seat seemed a bit excessive. Also a kid vomiting all over the floor right next to our table and the staff didn't exactly seem to be that quick to take care of it until we said something...cute right? Food is good but all the other issues kind of made the experience lackluster.
(3)
Jeremy L.
This place was exactly what I was hoping for. The reviews are accurate. What more can I say? Nice waitress, fun atmosphere. I will return with out of staters.
(4)
David P.
Overpriced, placed smelled like a garbage dump inside and out and the seafood so so. I should have left before going in, as a child was puking in the parking lot when I arrived!
(2)
Jenny T.
CRABS!!!!!!!!! ...please dont come here wthout trying the crab dip and soft, warm bread... *drool*
(5)
Dawn R.
When my daughter and son in law come to visit from Kansas City, I always have to take them to Cantler's. If you want some fantastic Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs, cold beer, and the best hushpuppies on the planet, this is the place to be. But you're going to need a GPS, or better yet a local person, to help you find the place. It's definitely off the beaten path, but once you get there, you won't be disappointed. In addition to the great food and friendly staff, you have the choice of eating indoors or on the deck overlooking the water. Inside or out, seating consists of long picnic style tables, giving it a real feeling of community. It can get a little noisy, but that's just all part of the atmosphere.
(5)
Jess M.
Imagine this: It's hot as hell outside, but you don't care, cuz you've got... a parking spot iced cold canned beer the BEST damn crabs in town and seasoning all over yourself from cracking away! Cantler's is the local crab shack you day dream about. It's for the seafood seeker who doesn't care about getting their hands dirty, hanging out elbow to elbow with other fellow crab crackers, and laughing off the occasional pastel shirt/boat shoe douche bag that walks by. It gets pretty busy, so expect to wait around impatiently if you want that shaded outdoor spot. But trust me, it's worth the wait and you'll find yourself walking back to your car happy! I didn't give 5 stars because of the bathroom situation- there's two stalls in the ladies room, but I'm pretty sure an Oompa Loompa couldn't even fit in the right hand stall because the door is right up against the toilet.
(4)
Vina Y.
Super friendly staff. We came on Father's Day and must have hit some sweet spot because we found parking right away and there was no wait. Lots of options on the menu but really you should just get the crabs. They were all very delicious though in two our of crabs, the meat was not as sweet and tender. I think they overdo it with the Old Bay on top but it's easy to scrape off. Make sure you take time to visit the docks behind the restaurant when you're done!
(4)
Paul B.
Out of the way but definitely worth it. It's what every Maryland restaurant should be: on the water with great crab. The fact that the beer helps the Chesapeake Bay is a bonus. I would return here again on my next trip and would definitely sit outside again.
(5)
AL K.
super crowded on the weekends. approximate wait is about an hour or so. Crabs are fresh and has a sweet taste. Service is friendly and efficient Outside seating available. Great during the summer months. Would go back again! $65 a dozen for the large sized crabs. Fish and sandwiches also available.
(5)
Lesley G.
This place is certainly an experience, and off the beaten path. Its full of mostly locals binging on crab meat, but not until you wait perhaps an hour and a half. There's even a line to get into the parking lot, so plan to sink your night here. The crabs were cooked well, but they were a lot of work to eat and extremely messy. I loved the mussels the most, with tons of types of butter. Its a great experience for crab and seafood lovers of the world, but it might be exhausting to visit too often.
(4)
Joe B.
We tried CANTLER'S this SUNDAY and even though the crab's were what we thought they were going to be just about all else was a very big and expensive disappointment . The soda was OK but the crab cake sandwich was shredded and had no taste , the side's were a real eye opener . Slaw and '' tater'' salad were without taste and just didn't look good. But, the crab cake was listed as lump not ''limp'' and I will never try the uptown recommendation's again. 2 star. Service was very good. Best item we had---WAIT FOR IT -- HUSH PUPPIES!!!!!!
(2)
Stephanie M.
I LOVE this place! Great seafood, great views and great service. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The biggest drawback is that due to popularity it can sometimes be difficult to get a table at Cantlers - especially in the summer months. I agree with another reviewer that the bathrooms are not ideal - extremely small.
(4)
Ben D.
Stopped here on the way home from Washington, DC. Phenomenal crabs. Dessert was meh, I'd go somewhere else for it. But really, after gorging on spiced crabs, who gets dessert? Just eat more crabs!
(4)
HanaDC T.
Our friends of mine took us this place. This restaurant is located in the corner of housing community. But I guess this place is so famous. It is so crowded all the time. The service was okay. I ordered coleslaw with Crabs but the waitress forgot to bring it. This place was too crowded. I guess that was the reason. We ordered a dozen of larges. The price is market price. This place is not a cheap place. But I enjoyed with eating crabs like that. Do not wear nice clothes. Wear some casual clothes that you can wash. Also this is not a place to bring your first date because you can't talk much while eating crabs and you get too messy by eating crabs. This is a great place to hang out in summer. Love it.
(4)
Catie C.
I always have fun smashing crabs! This was my 3rd. 2nd at Cantler's. I was disappointed, however, as we progressed each tray, the size of the medium crabs got smaller. They should seriously discount anything that 1/2"+ smaller than a medium since they increase the price in such increments. To a small degree, I felt that I got robbed; but I wasn't about to whip out my measuring tape to make sure it was 5 1/2 ". The service was lacking as well. I emptied out the shell bucket twice for the team! Getting refills initially was a challenge as well. That went smoother when they gave us a pitcher to ward off our thirst! I took a quick tour of the tanks after I used up all my arm power on fighting the crabs. I was delightfully surprised to see horseshoe crabs in the tank. The only other time I've seen this is inside an aquarium. It is also comforting to see that they sort out the dead crabs when the shipment comes in. I come here for one reason and one reason only: Smashin' Blue Crabs!
(3)
Angela N.
Friends declared this was the "only" place near Annapolis to go for crabs. So, on Labor Day weekend, we ventured to Cantler's. The wait for a table was an hour and 30 minutes, pretty long, but luckily they have beverages for sale and you can wander the docks until they cal your name. We wanted to sit outside but it was an additional 45 minutes; with growling stomachs, we were seated inside. They really need to do a better job of cleaning up between parties; there were napkins and food scraps all over the floor. The inside also isn't very bright and the tables are crammed together. Not the best dining experience overall. However, the food was good---I had hard crabs for the first time as part of the $25 Cantler's platter, which includes steamed clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and coleslaw. The corn was over cooked and soft, but the staff was amenable to substituting my mussels for more clams or shrimp. The crabs were very good, although since I don't usually eat crabs, I have a hard time comparing Cantler's crabs to others. Definitely an outing and experience! I might try another place in the future though...
(3)
Jenna T.
Yes, there was a 1.5 hr wait, was it worth it? YOU BET If you love seafood and feel like getting dirty , then this is the place for you! Drove from NYC to check this place out and it was the highlight of our trip. The restaurant itself it right by the water and you are welcome to walk around the dock and take a peek at the crabs you are about to eat in the tanks they have set up ADDED BONUS: they sell ice cold beer in the parking lot while you wait for your table. Oh, and the crabs? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! spicy, sweet succulent- ALL OF THE ABOVE. Topped off with a summer shandy- it is truly a revelation! The service was excellent, sure it was a Saturday night, but our waitress was very friendly , knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant as a whole had a great, fisherman-tavern-jaws should have shot here" vibe. Great times, already planning a second trip!
(5)
D S.
Always awesome food. Almost always good service. Crowds every time we go, so waiting a little bit is typical, but it is totally worth the wait.
(4)
Hannah M.
A must go! Kinda pricey, but how often do you get to enjoy a crab feed, while throwing back a few beers, while the spring sun gives you a farmer tan? Enjoyed our dozen large crabs, drunken mussels, rockfish bites, and fries = more than enough to feed 3 people. My belly was very happy and thankful.
(4)
Emily B.
Yesterday was my third visit to Cantler's Riverside Inn, in what has become a delicious annual tradition for my friends and me in DC. It's just outside of Annapolis and nestled right against the river in an inconspicuous residential neighborhood that can be a bit hard to find. But bring the GPS--it's worth the not-too-long hike outside DC! No one should ever come to Cantler's when you're in a rush. If it's a nice day you're almost assured to wait an hour or more to get a table for your party, but this is made infinitely more tolerable by the fact that there is a beer stand in the parking lot. Buy a few cans of beer, then hang out on the docks below the restaurant to check out the fresh crabs in their water bins before they're hauled off and steamed. Once you get a table, the best thing to do is share an order among the group. While the prices per dozen crabs may seem scary (as of yesterday it was $55 per dozen for the large, and $75 per dozen for the extra large) but don't think you'll save money by ordering smaller crabs. The bigger crab you order, the more meat inside, and the easier it is to dismember. Last night we had 9 people in our party, and we ordered 3 dozen extra large crabs, 2 orders of hush puppies, one order of fries, and one order of crab dip. The hush puppies are nothing to write home about, but the fries are delicious. I am not a huge fan of the crab dip (too much filler and not enough crab) but others really liked it. There are also a decent number of options on the menu for people not interested in doing crabs, but anyone I've ever gone with that orders off the menu while the rest of the party is covered head to toe in Old Bay and melted butter seems to not enjoy the experience as much. Finally, please don't go dressed in anything you would want to get messy--crabbing is a down and dirty culinary experience--one that makes your hands stink, your brow sweat, and your shorts to get covered in tiny flecks of crab. It's an annual tradition I wouldn't trade for anything!
(4)
Sheng Z.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Best crabs in the area and the best atmosphere. Outdoor seating is awesome and everything just screams MARYLAND!!
(5)
Dan A.
Cantler's is the place I always recommend to others as a good crabhouse. While it may be a little difficult to find, it certainly is worth it. The crabs are well-seasoned and look healthy. The other dishes and seafood are good as well. However, it can get crowded and there can be a wait. Also, don't expect to dine in a poshy environment--it is a crabhouse after all. Your tables are covered in brown paper and you are given wooden mallets. However, if you sit outside, you have a nice view of the water. It is a bit expensive... although I suppose one should expect that when dining at a crabhouse. If price is a concern, you'd probably want to go to a local seafood market and buy crabs and take them home. But if you have your heart set on dining at an actual crabhouse, you really can't go wrong with Cantler's food and experience.
(4)
Irene F.
Everything about this experience was horrible. The parking was ridiculous. The wait was stupid long. The bathroom was tiny and disgusting. The place was packed- I felt like a sardine. I never got a drink refill. It was expensive as all get out. The crabs were small and light. I'm sticking to my go to in bmore- Costas Inn- where you get hefty crabs, elbow room, no waiting, easy parking, and a good price. Totally not worth the drive-- oh and I had ISSUES after wards...if you know what I mean...
(2)
A M.
Down-home, fun and unpretentious (though not inexpensive) - we loved it! If you want to pick crabs and drink canned beer this is your place. So much fun in the summer but be ready to wait.
(5)
Reena R.
Besides the 45 minute wait since we were a party of 10..... Everything else was AWESOME! Steamed shrimps, obviously lots of crabs, crab cakes, crabmeat cocktail....we tried a variety and everything was deliciously fresh making the wait so worth it! Highly recommended.
(5)
Jen C.
Popular, crowded seafood establishment with plenty of options, but I think you can find other places for cheaper if you are looking for platters...especially without an hour wait. Everything tasted good, but the only thing that stuck out as a huge disappointment was their shrimp platter with potatoes and onions. They did not scrub the skins of the potatoes so it felt like I was chewing on fur. In the yelp photos, I saw other people's platters and clearly theirs was prepared fine...but I don't know if I just got an anomaly since they were running behind on our order and so busy. It was also not cooked uniformly, as some chunks of vegetables were really hard and untouched by juices. They also missed gutting one of the giant shrimp, which was pretty disgusting to unexpectedly bite into crunchy shrimp guts. Also, they charged us extra for crabcake sliders, but since they were too busy, it just wasn't worth waiting to point out the overcharge and wait for a new check. Will go to other, cheaper crab houses without having to wait so long.
(3)
Christine C.
Roadtriped from DC - Boston to visit one of our college buddies and took a day trip out to Annapolis with the intention of grubbing out on some crabs. Thanks to the power of our iphones, foursquare + yelp, we found this place a bit outside the city and decided to explore this highly reviewed joint off the beaten path. YOU NEED gps to get here if you don't know the area. If you came to Annapolis area to eat some crabs, THIS IS WHERE YOU DO IT. - secluded, waterfront 'local' dive-y atmosphere - indoor and outdoor seating - Order Crabs by the DOZEN - slap around some wooden mallets - tables lined with butcher paper (meaning.. u eat off the table) - make some new friends Despite the long lines and my horrible experience with the staff, I can't deny this place is a gem and the crappy staff and merry crowd is all part of the experience. I was told by a guy traveling from Louisiana that people from all over stop here en route to their vacay destinations, he had been stopping here for years. FYI: When you're done, you will smell like crabs, old bay spices, and beer :) ...they don't do take out :(
(4)
Tim M.
We go for the all you can eat crabs, and boy do we all you can eat the crap out of the crabs. Simple steamed crabs with Old Bay doused all over the place. Raw, animalistic, barbaric, and down right nummy. 4 out of 5 because the service could be better at times, although the last time we went, the service waas great and we didn't have to wait around for a refill on the crabs. 4 out of 5 also because there are a few bad crabs in the bunch, but hey, with all you can eat, you simply discard the crappy ones. 4 out of 5 because the sides aren't anything special, like overly cooked corn on the cob, which I hate to like, but like. The fries are good, the chowder was a bit salty, though. 4 out of 5 also because the Old Bay is rather useless since the crabs aren't steamed or boiled in it, and it just falls off the shell when you start a-cracken on the crabs. Plus, after a while, Old Bay just gets boring. You do get melted butter and vinegar if you want to dip. I choose to simply wipe the Old Bay off, and enjoy the pure sweetness of the crab meat. Can't wait to get back again and get my crab back on. Live in DC area so we call ahead in the AM to ensure they are having all you can eat that day. We also like to bring our dog, so the outdoor pet table works well for us, although at times you do get a waft of garbage since it is in the back. Not the most sightly or appetizing walking past the garbage in order to get to the seats, but the sacrifices we make for our dogs....
(4)
Melissa J.
We were really looking forward to finally eating at Cantler's...we tried to come here last summer and couldn't get anywhere near it because the parking lot was so packed that the wait to park was 30 minutes. So we figured it must be pretty incredible to draw that kind of a crowd. Wrong. The fish was overcooked, bordering on rubbery. I ordered a broiled crabcake but they brought me fried. The fried soft shell was really nicely done, but as the server brought it to our table one of the legs was falling off the plate and she just grabbed it and pushed it back on with her bare hand, which she had just used to do who-knows-what. Delicious. Basically, not worth the wait (we were told it would be 45 minutes but it ended up being an hour and 20).
(2)
Lynn S.
The place is in a weird residential neighborhood. But we found it through GPS easy enough. The steam shrimp really is nothing special. The Cajun grilled cod portion is sooo small for $12 bucks. The crabs, however, are good. Nice and full, fresh and sweet. We had a dozen of extra large for $90. It's tasty, but in my opinion, way too salty. I still think Mike's is better.
(3)
Eileen L.
My family and i went to the naval academy for the weekend and wanted to have seafood in a scenic setting. i followed yelp to Cantler's Riverside Inn. we were sorely disappointed. the waitress who served us seemed very impatient and annoyed at us. the vegetable crab soup was not so spectacular. the dishes we ordered were subpar. the crabs were expensive and small. they were also not steamed as we had wanted. on top of that, the floor and benches we sat on were covered with crab remnants from other parties. we left the restaurant full, but not satisfied.
(2)
Jessica L.
I will start this off by coming clean: I am not a seafood consumer, but my husband loves seafood. We were going to visit Annapolis for the day and he wanted to go to Cantler's for dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on a Saturday ad they are not kidding about needing GPS...a 2 lane road goes down to a 1 and 1/2 maybe before you get there so be careful driving. We came upon a line of cars waiting and were told by the man with the walkie talkie that this was the line to park since the lot was full. He said the non-driver should go up ahead and put our name down on the list since it was an hour and half wait. My husband was skeptical at first to waiting but I figured it's 5:30pm and I'm not exactly hungry yet. I went and put our name on the list and it took us about 30 minutes to park (might want to drive a small car or the one you don't care gets dinged since they make up parking spaces). Went to the bar for our drinks and had literally just walked out the door to wait outside, when our buzzer went off. A party of 2 has it's advantages sometimes : ) My husband ordered beer and I ordered the Iced Tea. We both got salads, Ceasar and Baby Spinach. Both were excellent and the size of probably a entree salad. Our server Annie was amazing and when either of our drinks were thinking of becoming too low she would bring us re-fills. We then had the Calamari to follow. Also a big hit since it was yummy seafood for my husband and it was fried yumminess with a great dipping sauce for me. We then had our entrees: Stuffed Rockfish and Filet Mignon both with steamed veggies and baked potatoe with the steak. I wasn't going to ask for steak sauce since it was a seafood joint but our server Annie offered me A1 so I was very excited. By the time we were done eating our wonderful entrees we were both so full we didn't even have room for dessert. I will also say the only ding against them is the bathroom with 2 stalls is not exactly great for such a crowded restaurant. I would deffintly go back just for the service which was amazing. The food was also 5 stars and loved that there was a wide range of options for non-seafood lovers. It is worth the wait.
(5)
Chow N.
Generally speaking, I prefer a place across the bridge when I want crabs, but I try to stop by here for some fresh seafood whenever I'm in the area on the western shore. I had an iced tea, which wasn't refilled often enough, freshly fried calamari, and a crabcake sandwich. The calamari was really good, and as I always do, I asked if it was freshly prepared or from a bag. If it's from a bag, I can get that from the grocery store. They said it was freshly prepared, and by gosh, it was good. Only issue was that it was very expensive at $11.99 as an appetizer. It came with a Thai sweet/sour sauce, so I opted to go with the cocktail sauce from the squeeze bottle. For the price, I expect some kind of garlic aioli. I also had the crabcake sandwich, which was broiled. It tasted very fresh and very good, which is what I would expect during crab season. Along with the sandwich came the extra crispy fries, which were probably from a bag. Price was $14.99, and came with a packet of Kraft tartar sauce. The weather was beautiful, nice and cool/breezy while shaded from the sun. The place got packed for lunch. I didn't want to get messy, so I didn't want to deal with pounding on crabs. Super size crabs were $95/dozen.
(4)
Rebecca K.
4 stars... Pros: -good deal for all-you-can-eat MD crabs and corn on-the-cob for $32.99 -yummy hush puppies -ideal to eat by the water -service was good, server was very friendly and attentive Cons: -long wait (1 hour) even though we arrived around 230 (not peak lunch time) on a Saturday--which was expected based on these other reviews -crowded Notes and Tips: -We didn't get to sit outside and eat by the water because the wait was too long -We waited near the water (down the steps) with our beers (which they sell outside) while we were waiting for our buzzer to go off
(4)
debbie a.
I love the amount of Old Bay they put on the crabs you get! It just makes everything so delicious. We ordered the Crab Bruschetta - VERY delicious.. the crab meat was sweet and fresh with the acidity from the tomato.. perfect - only 3 to an order though. Crab soup (okay - a little too oily and salty.. missing that briney flavor) Crab boil... MmMmmmm my ONLY complaint was that they didnt scrub the crab clean before they were cooked.... would have made the crab more appetizing if i didnt see black grit all over the bottom outside of the shell (that i eventually tasted - hard to avoid all that when you are handling them) The fries were DELICIOUS... they have a slight batter to them so they stay crunchy and well spiced. Will definitely go again for outside seating (1) and food (2) if in the area. FYI - service needed some help..
(4)
Sharon T.
We usually go to Harris Crab House when we want to eat crabs out. After reading review after review for Cantler's I convinced my family for us to try something different. We were sadly disappointed. We started with a dozen large crabs, and right off the bat my son's first crab was bad---mushy, ammonia smell, icky. Now being a MD girl I realize that can happen anywhere, but then my husband had a bad one, then my daughter (ironically I never got a bad one, but I did check theirs out). Our waitress did replace them but after ordering another dozen mediums and having a total of 5 out of 24 being bad we had enough. Also at one point a different server brought out a dish to the people sharing our table, and when she asked if anyone needed anything, I asked for a new shell bucket and some more vinegar. My husband told me after I asked she rolled her eyes and walked away. Really? We ordered hushpuppies, french fries, some cherrystones and steamers which were average. I also had a coupon for a free appetizer and we got the crab bruschetta, which was good. I SO wanted to like Canter's, and it is a cute getaway down a quaint river road, but after waiting to get in the parking lot (I knew that could happen) then a wait in the lot itself, it so NOT worth it. We came for CRABS, and they were the worst part of the meal. :( Poor quality control and indifferent service. Oh--also were were lucky to get outside seating. The inside is dark, dark, DARK and dreary. Why anyone would want to sit in a basement (not literally) to eat crabs is beyond me, but hey, if they had been amazing I might have considered it. We'll be going back to Harris' next time for our crabs, AND get a signature Nutty Buddy for dessert. Sorry Cantler's, I tried... :(
(1)
Bob K.
Very disappointed. Food was so so and service was slow, tight space, smelled bad and very dirty. Also, not very scenic. It's off of my bucket list. To top things off, my wife was sick last night with symptoms of food poisoning....
(1)
Angela S.
I have been to Jimmy's many times. The crabs are great especially this time of year. A side of onion rings, and a bloody mary...mmm!!!!
(4)
Ken M.
I was out here with a large group (35 people) that had pre-arranged with the restaurant that we would be there at the appointed time.There was even a pre-arranged menu of three choices. So it shouldn't have been a big deal when we all showed up to be able to serve us. However, it was! Sure. there were a few "walk-ins" for our group but only a few and it shouldn't have thrown everything off. My food - the crab cake meal - took f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the seating was such that we were packed like sardines onto two benches when it would have been way more comfortable to spread out a bit. The result is that members of the group couldn't get up and move around once they were seated. The wait staff was friendly enough but, of course, slow as molasses due, in part, to the slow preparation in the kitchen. The kicker, for me, was when a small-sh family group came in well after us and ordered off the menu and got their meal while I was still guzzling iced tea...and waiting...and waiting. I would have thought that lunch time (12:30 to 2:30) on a Tuesday in an out-of-the-way place like this would mean attentive service and good food. Not so much. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Being on the water (Mill Creek??) was OK if you didn't mind looking at a bunch of boat slips and ramshackle boat houses. My experience is that there are lots better places with better ambiance, better food and a nicer view. Save your time (and money), don't get lost back along the winding roads to find this place. It's not worth it.
(2)
Good E.
i was in annapolis with my mom and after a day of touring around we went to get some dinner here. i love seafood especially crab. we had crabcakes, hushpuppies which were ok. the shrimp was very tasty. the actual crab was meh. ive had better seafood in new england, so i wasnt that impressed with this place the ambience of the place is kind of divey/shack-like so dont come here with the mindset of fine dining
(3)
Laura G.
So if you are ever in Maryland, this place is worth visiting!!!! I have never had better crabs than at Cantler's. The seafood is delicious. The place is super casual. You sit at what looks like a park bench and they put a thick paper down. We usually order the crabs by the dozen. Yummy!!!!
(5)
Daniel N.
They deserve a 5 stars based on my experience there with my family.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Bill J.
Went there on July 4th. I was visiting friends that live there and who insisted we go again. Although my first visit was over a year ago, and it was less than good, I thought maybe the second time around might be better, hoping everyone would be cooking out for the holiday. Wrong! The place is always packed and I just don't get it. The parking lot is the biggest mess I've ever seen. They do have a couple of kids trying to direct traffic but they were not that adept at doing so. When asked a question about the place the response was I don't work inside. We sat inside this time and it was so loud and crowded it was impossible to enjoy yourself. One mindless young woman stood behind my chair for at least 15 minutes and kept pushing the backpack she wore against my shoulder and head. When I finally realized she was going be be there forever I asked her if she realized she was bumping me. She seemed insulted that I even had the nerve to say something. She finally left the area. We ordered crab dip with some sort of small bread loaf. The bread looked good, was warm, but no taste. The crab dip just okay. I ordered the rockfish plate. The fish was good. The french fries cold and soggy. The rice was also cold and probably the most tasteless I've ever eaten. The waiter did the best he could and we didn't have to wait long for our food. That was a blessing because that meant we could get out of there sooner, rather than later. The inside atmosphere is nothing to write home about. It just an old tavern with a bunch of tables jammed together with brown paper used to cover the tops. The locals think this is the best place ever. I beg to differ. If I ever have to return it will be way too soon. Btw.......the prices are way out there too. This place is way over hyped. I wouldn't recommend this joint to anyone.
(1)M D.
3.5 is a perfect rating here. Worth the drive for the experience, especially for someone usually land-locked and unfamiliar with the bay scene. Fantastic setting, especially with the outdoor seating. Fun to see the catch being sorted under the deck and to know your dinner just came in. I think the food was better in town at Dock St, but it was still very good and worth the drive.
(3)Rosa H.
I agree with the others...this place is all hype and nothing good. I don't understand why anyone would go anymore. Save your money and don't bother...there are plenty of great restaurants with better pricing, better service and better food. We waited 45 minutes with a baby and a stroller only to be told our stroller couldn't enter the restaurant. That wasn't the bad part, the waitress proceeded to chase us around the corner in the restaurant to give us her two cents on why it was an issue. Basically, don't bother coming if you have a wheelchair, walking device, stroller or anything else for that matter. Finally, the food sealed the deal. We paid $200 for some lettuce in a bag that they called salad and some very tiny crabs that they considered medium and large sized. How awful. Will never go back. If you want crabs, go to Mike's, it's on the water and they have better food and service. I drove all the way from Bethesda...what a waste!
(1)Florence K.
Good ole messy fun. Crabs were good, and everything you'd expect from a crab shack. Sadly, I was more impressed by the mussels. Those had really deep flavors and because it came with bread, it made it even better!!!! Raw oysters on the half shells were fresh and the fried calamari was typical. As hidden as this place was, I think I was expecting more out of the food. Like it may have had some secret sauce or spice blend that really made me want to eat more... but it didn't... The location is nice, right by the water. Nice good for large families/parties.
(3)Gina L.
Whoo-hoo! 1800, pulled into the parking lot after a quiet pleasant drive among winding neighborhood roads and the golden setting sun. The parking lot was packed, but an employee was nice enough to stand by the entrance to guide us to a primo spot in front. 1805, starving and seated. There's nothing like seeing a giant brown paper sheet placed in front of you as a reminder that yes, it is okay to eat like a three year old sometimes. This place is packed. The noise level high and the sound of crabs breaking under the pressure of hungry stomachs guiding sturdy mallets. 1820: No fine china here, folks! Just paper plates and good ole food. Highly suggest the crab cakes. Not some breaded concoction with slivers of crab. All in all, highly suggested! Great service, casual and noisy happy ambience, along with some good ole get your hands dirty grub. Got the raw oysters, steamed clams, mussles, and shrimp. Add some crab and snow crab legs and we're talkin' a pretty satisfying dinner.
(5)Nick B.
Cantler's is an Annapolis institution, plain and simple. Every person out of state or even within Maryland that's looking for a great place to enjoy a cold beer and some crabs with friends, this is your place. Yeah sure the environment's a little noisy, but that's to be expected with an establishment of this type. Everyone says all of the locals swear by this place; funny thing is they're right. I'm a local and I love Cantler's.
(5)Brian M.
It ain't haute cuisine, but for what it is you can't really complain. Procedure: 1) Park. Better arrive by 1PM on a weekend, and the road in barely goes two-wide. 2) Walk in, get seated at a long table with all types of folk. 3) Will you be having crabs? (Yes). Here's what sizes are left, the prices, and by the way you can order in whatever increments you want. We had 5. 4) Order drinks, any accompanying dishes. 5) Lay out that paper and a bucket, dump some crabs down and get to work. Make no mistake, you come here for the blue-claws. Weighting of any reviews or expectations should be judged accordingly meaning oh boo-hoo the romaine on your salad wasn't crisp enough, the ahi tuna wasn't Tsukiji Market quality? You're at the wrong joint, pal. This is sit on a bench in the heat, drink canned beer, sweat, wipe your face with your forearms because your hands are covered in Old Bay/salt/crab juice, cover the table in paper, hose off at the end type place. And by those standards they do a damn nice job.
(4)Shari A.
Hard to find if you are not a local, but another place totally worth the trip. low key, great crabs, great view. Fun to go to even in the off season. Good service. Great place to bring a group!
(4)Herschel S.
The bad: We came here on a Saturday afternoon (around 5pm) for an early dinner. We thought we would miss the crowd but who are we kidding!? The place was packed. Actually it stayed packed the entire time we were there. When we got there, we were told that they ran out of crabs. A restaurant known for its crabs actually ran out of it! We also found out that we would need to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. The good: When we found out that they ran out of crabs, we started debating if we still wanted to stay there and eat. We decided that we should probably ask them about the soft shell crabs since we really went there for soft shell crabs and the rockfish and stuffed shrimp. The waitress told us crab cakes and the soft shell crabs are still available and only the steamed crabs are not. So we decided that we can wait 1.5 hours for the food that we came for. The excellent: As soon as we decided we are going to wait 1.5 hours to be seated, our buzzer started buzzing. We were told that we can actually get seated! So we perused the menu and ordered our meal. I really wanted to get the calamari too but my husband reminded me that the meals might be too big and it would be a waste to order too much. So I decided if the meal wasn't enough I'll get the appetizer. Once the soft shell crab and the Rockfish and Stuffed Shrimp came, it was a delight. The crabs were really tasty. My husband especially loved eating the crabs without the need to crack them open and dig around for such little meat. I love the lump crab imperial with the shrimp. I thought the rockfish was just okay. I can do it at home about the same or probably better. I also love the fries that came with the soft shell crabs. The meal turned out to be more than enough! We couldn't order more. What I really like about this place is the atmosphere. It's pretty divey and you can actually go down to their docks and see how they sort the crabs. They also have a few containers with crabs swimming around. Boats come by often too. We talked to one of the people who has a boat and is passing by Cantler's. She mentioned that in this area she only knows of Cantler's selling gas to boaters. So of course we checked out the boat gas machine too. Good food and good experience! FYI, on the weekends they don't take reservations.
(5)Matt C.
Cantlers is a nice little place with a few little problems. Here we go.... First, Cantlers is like El Dorado in regards to its location. You have to pretty much know where it is, as I think even our GPS conked out as we got deeper and deeper into the woods trying to find it. When we did finally get there, it was PACKED. We wound up waiting about 40 minutes outside for a seat. But, since there was a bar outside, it wasn't that big of a problem, since I figured I'd just get a few drinks while we waited....not so fast. 1, beer is only in cans and even then, the only cans outside were swill like Coors lite and Bud lite. I settled on a can of Corona, but wait, they don't take cards. Only inside. Grrrr. Its a small gripe, but it put us off to a bad start. Once finally inside, in a dimly lit room with a huge row of tables down the middle, we were sat down and went to work perusing the pretty big menu. Normally, I would think that this was a "just me being me" problem, but NO ONE at the table could decide on what to get. I think it was equal parts, "everything sounds good," and "nothing has everything I want!" For example, I was ready to BUST A GRUB, and wanted the sampler, but it didn't come with crab legs, and you couldn't just add them. You had to buy a 1/2 pound meal at an additional like $16. Ok, if I just wanted the crab legs, it was that and that only, with no shrimp, or mussels etc. There was no "everything" platter, that I would've gladly paid a kings ransom for. After being ENTHUSIASTICALLY encouraged by the server to get the rockfish, I got the stuffed rockfish (I know, I know....all that about crab legs, and still didn't get them...but that's kind of my point....). It was a decent fished filet with a tiny little salad thing. Eh....I was expecting more, and was quite underwhelmed by the sight, but since the server damn near got a Rockfish tattoo, I figured it would make up for it in taste. Wrong. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't the culinary enlightenment I was promised. My friend tried it and confirmed that it was also "dry." Ugh. All said and done, it turns out that its a bit pricey for what I got. I wasn't happy with my meal, all things considered, and when I'm back in Annapolis, I will not be begging to go back. I'll leave it to the locals.
(3)Guy M.
Egh, Cantlers is okay in its own right. For me, it just did not live up to the expectation that had been given. The people were nice, service was good but at the end of the day, the food and experience was average. Nothing remarkable here.
(2)Reese S.
Came here based on a recommendation from a friend. I'm visiting the area for the first time and wanted to try the blue crabs. The place is secluded and friendly. The food is really good. A well-kept secret with a beautiful view.
(4)V E.
Solid place and great experience. Food was delicious and server (Jillian) was helpful considering it was my first time busting into crab. Wait was long but it's worth it.
(4)Stephanie M.
I don't get the hype. As we drove through a small Annapolis neighborhood to get there, a huge line of cars, a 1/4 of a mile long, started forming to just enter the parking lot. The best part of the trip was when the parking attendant told us that, to save time, one of us should get out of the car and walk to the restaurant to put our names in. Being a gentleman, and a sucker for a cold beer, I jumped out and got our name on the list. As I finish my first cold one, my wife had finished parking. This place was packed. Beer is only served from a can and into plastic cups... blech. $4.50 for a can of anything sucks. We waited an hour at the bar before we thought to ask the hostess where we were in line. We had 10 people ahead of us for outdoor seating. At this point we decided to get steamed seafood platter to start. It was a huge disappointment. The mussels were bland and dry and the shrimp were small and overcooked. I couldn't believe how bad it was for a place known for seafood.As we were finishing the lackluster and overpriced appetizer, our buzzer rang. There was a great view overlooking the water. We were seated on picnic tables, which is great if you are eating crabs with a group of friends, but it was not exactly what I had in mind for a date night with the wife. Based on the reviews, I had to try the broiled lump crab cake sandwich. It was very meaty but was kinda bland. The hush puppies were good but were cold by the time I received them. On the other hand, the fried green tomato and chipotle soft shelled crab special that my wife ordered was surprisingly very good (and probably earned a star all by itself on this review) Service: I always felt like an inconvenience to the servers both at the bar and at the table. Granted, they were busy but they always seemed rushed and if I needed anything I felt as if I had to flag them down. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way again to come here.
(3)Paul D.
I've heard the name Cantler's for decades and never bothered to take the time to find it or actually go and eat there. Even when I spent two years in Annapolis. Mostly because it's way out of the way (somewhat hard to find) and expensive. So I finally made it here and WOW! I'm a dumbass for not making a pilgrimage here, at least once a year, for the last 20 years. I went on an overcast December day for their 1/2 price happy hour Appetizers. Totally worth the drive. $4.50 for a 1/2lb of Snow Crab legs, (I wish I had ordered 2 of these) $5.50 for a smoked Blue Fish, served chilled (most of which I ate the next day). Fried Chesapeake Oysters, $7.50 Crab Dip w/two loaves of bread, etc, etc.. I really need to come here in the summer and pick crabs or just try their crab cakes. Because this place is what Maryland is all about: Sitting by the water, eating fresh seafood, and just soaking up the nostalgia all around you. From the 1980's O's pictures on the wall in the bathroom, the old Washingtonian Magazines framed on the walls, to the dimly lit wooded dinning room, the weather beaten floating dock, to the smell of crab seasoning and drawn butter, this place is a little slice Maryland Americana. It's got History, Character, and some of the best Seafood around. I hope it remains for years to come.
(5)Stefani R.
Oh my goodness! This place is delicious. Literally everything I've had has been cooked and seasoned perfectly. My friends and I try to go as much as we can. Great outdoor atmosphere!
(5)S P.
Cantler's was the revival of our faith in seafood in USA!! We did not mind the wait, the noise or the mess! None of it mattered when we took the first bite of the crisp calamari and the jumbo shrimp which were mouthwatering delicious!! The corn was delightful! And the crab was just perfect!! We loved the Old bay seasoning... Wonderful mix of spices, apt for the fabulously fresh crabs! Definitely on our must visit again list!! :-)
(5)Scott H.
Great Crabs, Crabby Hostess. I've been here a few times. Love the crabs (and the steamers and the clams, etc). But, a little more attention to training the hostesses would be welcome plus. It won't prevent us from coming because the food is so good, but it's kind of a downer.
(4)Ashley M.
Went on a Friday at 9PM. Sat outside. Had a few great waiters. King crab legs were amazing! Corn was some of the best I've had! Big cups of butter and lemons. Cole slaw is vinegar based (meh). Snow crab legs were also awesome. Right on the water - bring a light jacket for breezy nights.
(5)Will Y.
This place was recommended from a co-worker. We ordered the seafood sampler and added in the blue crabs. The sampler was ehhh... and that's all I'll say about that. The blue crab was pretty good, but seemed really expensive for a dozen. Although it came out somewhat cheap, I think I would go to a Joe's Crabshack instead. We also came here on a Friday afternoon, can't imagine what it's like to drive in and out of the area on a weekend.
(3)Linda P.
What a fun night we had at Cantlers. We had planned to go to another crab joint in Annapolis, but were at the bar at Pusser's when a local convinced us otherwise. This place was voted top ten by Maxim for seafood...not just crab - all seafood. Not too shabby. We sat at the bar and had the 'all you can eat' of mediums, which were local crabs. The larges were good looking crabs, but we knew they were brought up from LA, so we decided to stay with the local fare. While my boyfriend loved the whole lot, I was hoping to stay a little off the spice dust, as I found it a bit salty and overpowering, but hey... That's the WAY to eat Maryland Blue Crabs, so.... When in Rome... I stuck mostly to the bodies. So was able to pull off the big shell that had most of the dusted spice on it and pick out the good bits. I found It was harder to avoid the flavoring with the claws. The staff at Cantlers couldn't have been nicer. From parking to seating to bar, we loved it. We even bought a cute tee shirt to remember the night. Definitely a hidden gem - 15 minutes out of town off the beaten path. Thanks to the folks at Pusser's for the tip!
(5)Kevin S.
Ate here yesterday with our party of 10. We drove all the way from Rockville, MD to eat at this place. I had the crab cake sandwich, regular french fries, sweet potato french fries, and coleslaw. The food was below average. Crab cake was cold and bland. Absolutely bland. The sweet potato fries were not crispy and tasted horrid. I ordered an order of regular french fries to make up for the disappointment again, dry cold and disgusting. The coleslaw was average. No one at the table was impressed what so ever. There were 10 of us, and no one thought anything special about our experience. Only positive note was that the entire staff was very friendly!
(1)The R.
Found a hair in my food, so it kind of ruined the whole experience for me. It is situated in a very nice area, which also means it is a bit pricey. The hair ruined it all for me. It wasn't an eyelash or little eyebrow hair either. It was a long curly thick blonde hair.....and that was in the salad, so the rest of meal I was just being cautious and skeptical, which sucked. Manager actually came out to apologize but I think after having to pull a thick blonde hair from my mouth I was standoffish to the whole place. Sucks.
(1)Jesse C.
Good food and great service. They had an outdoor table for us to sit with our sheepdog and view the water while eating. It was a great time. The food is more expensive than most and getting to the restaurant can be kind of difficult if you don't have a gps. The soft shell crab was great but the hush puppies were below par. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Christina E.
I ordered the all you can eat crab. Not bad for $35 BUT no sides! I had to pay extra for a side and I figured paying that much I at least deserved fries or something.
(4)Cathy H.
Cantler's Riverside Inn is very popular for a reason. They serve excellent seafood in a very cozy atmosphere. Here, we had the seafood platter with 3 blue crabs, mussels, clams, half a pound of shrimp, and 2 sides. Really fantastic. We also ordered mahi mahi tacos, which were excellent. I am not usually a fan of hush puppies, but they were very good here. The only complaint I had was the mussels were very small. Next time, I will eat less to save stomach room for their popular key lime pie. Service was excellent. We loved our waiter a lot!
(4)Raming M.
I went to Cantler today. The food and service was very good.the price reasonable. That's great experience!
(5)jenn w.
The best, juiciest Maryland blue crabs I've ever had! Visited on a Saturday night in November and it was still packed, but we were seated without a problem. Sweet waitress who was patient with us noobs. It's nice that you can order any quantity of crab, so if you want one extra crab for dessert, you can have it! Crab cakes are pretty good too. The location feels a bit in the middle of nowhere, particularly in the dark, so next time I'd like to go for lunch and check out the view everyone's talking about!
(5)Jen L.
This is my favorite place to bring out of town peeps who have never had Maryland Blue Crab! It is very much out of the way from Downtown Annapolis, but just minutes away from the Maryland WWII Memorial on the other side of the Naval Academy. You can definitely count on Cantler's to have the freshest sea food and the largest Jimmy's in the area. Off all of the places that I have been to for crab, I think Cantler's has the freshest. Almost everything here is good! For a party of 3, a half dozen of extra large crabs and a couple sides will make a decent meal here. Cantler's is the best place to go as a seasoned crab picker or a crab eating newbie. Everyone has their own technique and everyone here will gladly share crab picking war stories over some Natti Bo.
(5)Teresa L.
We stopped in here over Labor Day weekend while in town for the day. This was the place we were told was just the standard for blue crabs, and they did not disappoint. Our wait was less than we were told initially, so we got drinks and wandered the docks down below while waiting. Hubs said his bloody Mary was overpriced ($8) and not very good but was strong. My cold beers hit the spot. I ordered soft shell crabs, and hubs got a feast so we could try everything. The crab was delicious and sweet, mussells and clams were ok, but we both loved the shrimp. Cantler's is crowded for a reason...because it's the best!
(5)Alberto L.
Wo seriously?? I just don't get it. All this place has going for it is its location on the water. I think people like it because they have been coming here for years, and there is always a special occasion so they are too over joyed to realize how bad the place is. Read the other reviews. They all talk about going there for a West Point graduation or anniversary. Outrageously Overpriced - You know you can pay Yelp to remove certain things like cost from your businesses' profile. There is a reason why Cantler's doesn't allow you to add your rating of the expensiveness of the restaurant. I couldn't believe the dismal portions. We literally thought that the crab cake sandwich was a hushpuppy sandwich because the crab cakes were that small. It looked like of dollop of fried dough surrounded by a sea of bun. The seafood cocktail appetizer came with 3 average sized shrimp and about 2 ounces of crab meat $16. For real? At least give me a half dozen shrimp. Aren't you on the water? Don't you catch most of the stuff yourself? I see (and smell) the guy out back shucking the crab meat. It's not like you are paying pass through. Dirty and it Smells Awful - I understand seafood restaurants on the water should be allowed certain leeway here. But God, this place is bad. Have some self-respect. It's more than just a "sea smell". Rotting trash all around the building. Grease spills throughout the parking lot that smell horrid and are a huge slipping hazard. Rotting crab throughout the floor and corners of dining room. The Service Subpar - The place is overcrowded and I kept getting pushed aside by hurried wait staff. I don't mind the hustle and bustle, but say excuse me. Also, it would be nice to feel more welcomed. The staff are stuck in their routine of just trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. If Im paying $70 for a dozen crabs, Im gonna sit and eat as long as I please. Next time, I'll get crabs from the market at $25 a pound and take them to a park. Overall Experience - Poor
(1)Megan R.
Looking to spend a lazy afternoon drinking on an outdoor deck and hitting crabs with mallets....this is your place! We went during the week, so didn't have to endure the craziness of weekend traffic or lines. The service is non-pressure and the waitstaff know what's good (and are honest about what's not). We ordered boiled shrimp, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and soft shell crab. All very good. You might have to wait awhile for your order, because it's fresh and obviously cooked to order, but when you've got a cold beer and a little time that's not a big deal.
(4)lyle b.
I'd recommend this place. The crabs were top-notch fresh and cooked perfectly, and so were the clams. The spot is quite nice. My only complaint is the price which I think is a bit high. Also wish they had beer on tap. But overall it's worth the trip...
(4)Courtney D.
husband & i are new to the area and decided to get to know the place one crab shack at a time. we've been to 3 now, Cantler's being the first. the view has been the prettiest, the bill has been the biggest. i believe the quality of food was probably the best here - probably. i can't say 100% for sure, because i felt really, really sick afterwards, but i'm going to give partial blame for that to our server. we told her we had never had Maryland blue crabs before and specifically asked for help in ordering, and i feel she did a pretty huge disservice to us, to Cantler's, and to blue crabs in general. i clearly said we had no idea what we were doing, and i asked for guidance when ordering. we ended up with a half dozen oysters (so wonderful and fresh that i hesitate to blame my sickness on food quality), the rockfish appetizer (totally overpriced, a few slices of fish on a bed of warm cabbage slaw, think well done tuna tataki), and a half dozen large crabs. in retrospect, we really should have ordered fries, corn, something to accompany all that seafood. like, the server you ask for guidance could let you know that no sides come with your choices and suggest you add something. most of all, our server REALLY should have shown us how to pick the crabs. it didn't occur to me until we were pretty much finished that there was a method, until the people next to us told a different server they had never had crabs and she promptly gave them a demonstration. then i realized i had made a terrible mistake, eating a lot of bits & pieces that i shouldn't have. i felt so nauseated the whole ride home back to Arlington, the whole night, into the next morning. it was awful. i spent the rest of Sunday trying to lay really, really still. we were the second car in the parking lot that Sunday morning, the second table our server seated. there is no reason why we couldn't have received better advice in ordering and a little instruction on how to eat the dang things. fortunately for us, our next crab picking experience was with the guidance of seasoned Baltimore natives. i will probably take my family to Cantler's when they visit. though it's the most expensive place we've had crabs, the waterside view is the loveliest view we've found. but shame on the server for ignoring my pleas for crab-picking help. if i were a little less stubborn, you would have ruined me on blue crabs for life.
(3)Kate G.
There's nothing better than getting crabs (when they stay above the belt! ohhhhhh, see what I did there?) except mallets. Banging (which, I've been told, subsequently leads to crabs! ohhhhh, and again, people!) my food with a mallet moments before eating makes me feel like I'm getting a free full-fledged gym workout. When I visited Cantler's, I realized I enjoy the payoff of purchasing crabs more than I ever have the payoff of a tough workout. "Malarky!" you cry as you read this, and you're right--I NEVER work out. Cantler's is the most unassuming restaurant down the craziest "Hill's Have Eye's" street. Drive past the mansions and continue on past the boarded up trailers and you're well on your way to a gourmet meal on a piece of paper. And it's totally worth the juxtaposed trek. The crabs here are incredible. I mean, according to Wedding Crashers, Maryland does crab cakes and football, so naturally, I knew I'd be delighted by the fare. So, why three stars? Because naturally, I decided to be a glutton--crabs just weren't enough. After exhausting my mallet, I decided that I also needed to order Jimmy's Crab Feast, which included snow crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and hush puppies. The snow crab legs were awesome, and hoarded by my also gluttonous boyfriend. The rest of the plate was mediocre. The mussels and clams were, for lack of better word, dry. I wasn't unhappy with Jimmy's Crab Feast, I just wouldn't recommend that you get anything from Jimmy besides his crabs. Duuuuude.
(3)Wil S.
The spice for the crabs was delicious and worth buying a bag or more to take home. Crabs seemed precooked since we placed the order and they were served immediately. In addition, two of the dozen crabs were blackened as if they had been sitting in the steamer pot all day. I was a bit disappointed that the largest size crab was not available. Steamers were not purged and several were too filthy to even try to plunge in the clam broth to clean. I would not order again. Oysters lacked flavor. Tasted extremely bland. Meh rating given regardless of the precooked crabs. Most places cook the crabs beforehand to meet the demand and turn over tables. The crabs along with the spice tasted good enough for the ok rating. However two out of twelve crabs were inedible and easily identifiable based on the color. The clams and oysters should be avoided...So stick to the crabs. I would not go out of my way to return to this restaurant.
(2)Howard G.
I first ate at Cantlers about 30 years ago. It has always been a unique fun place with great super sized crabs and delicious jumbo lump crabcakes. This year everything is better- the food and the service. Ate there twice recenly and had a soft shell crab club each time bit could not have been better. Get there early on nice weekend days or be prepared to wait.
(4)Rebecca S.
The food was really good but the staff wasn't very professional or attentive and the prices were expensive for the amount of food you get. Parking was good when we went on a Saturday afternoon, very casual atmosphere.
(3)Sheri L.
Stopped in Cantler's while visiting family in the DC area. They had heard of Cantler's, yet had not been themselves. We allowed GPS to guide us through the narrow roads that go through interesting parts of town (from mansions to trailers as another reviewer said). We pull up around 8pm... looks like we came in at the end of the dinner rush (bonus!) Got seated promptly. We needed to call a server over to help us clean the table though as the bench was full of "debris" and the table was super oily (we figured out why very shortly after this). Our server was awesome, I wish I could remember her name to share. At our table, we got Super Blue Crab, mussels, crab dip, and the chicken chesapeake. All of which was excellent! Probably the freshest mussels I've eaten and rightfully so. Crab dip was amazing and quite filling on its own. Being from the midwest, I've had tons of crab legs and crab cakes... however, I've never shucked a whole crab myself. Quite the experience where they bring the butcher block paper, a mallet, knife and folk... dont forget the bucket for the shells. After a quick 'how to' from my cousin, I got to cracken'. I am officially a blue crab lover... I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy 'regular' crab again, let alone frozen stuff in the midwest. I could be permanently ruined, but in a good way :) Next time we're out east, I'll be sure to stop in here again!
(4)Carrie O.
Being that today is the start of the "unofficial" last week of summer, I had promised LoML one more round of blue crabs before the season came to an end. We were in Annapolis today, just visiting, and discovered that we were really, really close to Cantler's. Naturally, we had to go over there and experience one more time the bliss that Maryland natives are privileged to have every year. People are not lying when they say you need a GPS or damned good directions to find this place. I've lived here nearly all of my life and I couldn't have told you how to get there without my smartphone, so make sure you use it. (Be warned - phone reception for us actually wasn't good out here. YMMV.) There wasn't much of a line for parking, but were quoted a 90 minute wait for a table. Fine, no problem - we expected that. It was raining on and off, too, so some of the more open tables naturally weren't occupied. We took shelter under the overhang and waited patiently. (I spent my time reading Cantler's reviews to get an idea of what was what.) There were a LOT of very large groups there - 10 people or more in each party -so we were delighted when we got a table in under 30 minutes - not a bad turnaround. (Could've been because it was just the two of us, so again - YMMV.) To our bitter disappointment, they'd run out of AYCE crabs, so we couldn't partake in the weekend special. We were really kind of upset, but understanding since it was after 3pm on Saturday and it was so packed, so we decided on a dozen mediums (40.00/dozen), a shrimp salad sandwich with coleslaw for me, and a chicken bruschetta with fries for him. We figured, well, a dozen is better than nothing. We also got a deal on the Maryland crab soup - if you text the word "crabs" (in lower case) to their number (it's on the website), you get a free cup of the soup. (At least, at this writing, this deal is good. Can't say if it will be later.) The crabs came out, hot and surprisingly heavy. It's amazing - for all of the brouhaha over people saying "order the largest size", LoML and I have had nothing but good luck with the smaller crabs. Some of these mediums were heavier than the so-called jumbos I've had in other places. The crabs themselves were meaty, juicy, well seasoned and probably the sweetest I've had yet this year. They didn't have a lot of mustard in them (for me, that's a plus - I don't like it) and were actually fairly clean on the inside. And unlike AYCE where you have to try and down as many as you can in a 2 hour time limit, we took our sweet time on these mediums, picking them totally clean. And believe me - they were CLEAN as whistles when we were through with them. Another plus to Cantler's is that they have unlimited refills on the drinks (soda, iced tea, etc.). A lot of other crab places won't do that - they want to try to get more money from you by charging for each and every drink. Not Cantler's, thank God. That was very appreciated. (Their iced tea is unsweetened - PERFECTION!) The shrimp salad sandwich was just "okay" - nothing special, unfortunately. I didn't like the coleslaw at all - not enough sweetness and definitely too light on the dressing, so I probably wouldn't choose that again. LoML had to box most of his bruschetta because he filled up on crabmeat, but said that it tasted good, and that the fries were delicious. I did not like the freebie crab soup - way too much of a tomato base. LoML loved it, though, and would order it again. The downside to Cantler's - obviously, the crowded conditions (we sat next to a REALLY annoying group with the most obnoxious girly-girl cackling I've EVER heard - good thing we left when we did or they'd have been swallowing teeth, ugh) don't help much. I read warnings about the bathroom, so I didn't even try to go back there. Service was very good. The server was patient with us while we tried to find alternatives to the AYCE we had originally wanted. The shell bucket was emptied consistently, and they worked with us to time our food order so that it would be ready when we were done with the crabs. Now that's impressive, considering how many people WERE there. The bottom line is this: it's going to be crowded as hell. If you're claustrophobic or don't like people much (I cop a little to the latter), you might find it a little difficult to deal. But the food will be worth putting up with that. They really do have some excellent crabs, and it's obvious that they're caught and prepared very fresh. That makes all the difference. I probably wouldn't bother with anything but the crabs here, though. The other menu items were okay, but not remarkable. We had a good time. We'd most likely return.
(4)laura m.
Great lunch. We ordered the small dozen for 36$. We have never had crabs cooked here before. They were great, full, fresh. Cream of crab was one of the best. onion rings were big and tasty. Totally recommend.
(4)Jason M.
The view was nice and the servers were very sweet, but I would think of this as more of a touristy restaurant. We of course had the crabs, which were $75/doz (insane). The other appetizers and sides were ok, but nothing stellar. I think for a lot of people this is a right of passage kind of place when you visit Annapolis.
(3)Eric T.
Such high expectations, such little results. First, the good: Nice view, right on the water. Service was pretty good. Crab cake was real good. Everything else: This place is way over-hyped. The whole crabs were good, but there were only medium left. They were no that juicy and a bit too salty for my tastes (yes, I know they're served with a ton of seasoning on them). The calamari was not fresh. It was so chewy, it was like eating tiny rubber strips. The blackened mahi mahi left a lot to be desired. Not fresh at all. The veggies were nasty and the potato was not cooked well. Twenty bucks not well spent. The MD crab soup was way too salty. It was good, but just cut the salt in half. This place was packed with people chowing down on the whole crabs. I'm no expert, but I've had better MD crabs before; these crabs were very underwhelming. Overall, this place is way overpriced for what you're actually getting.
(2)Catherine M.
Great seafood, large bar area, and laid back atmosphere. This is my kinda bar! Extra bonus points for being five minutes from my house. It's kinda hard to find if you've never been before, so you will definitely want to bust out your gps. The bar tenders and servers are a bit on the surly side.
(4)Angela N.
Friends declared this was the "only" place near Annapolis to go for crabs. So, on Labor Day weekend, we ventured to Cantler's. The wait for a table was an hour and 30 minutes, pretty long, but luckily they have beverages for sale and you can wander the docks until they cal your name. We wanted to sit outside but it was an additional 45 minutes; with growling stomachs, we were seated inside. They really need to do a better job of cleaning up between parties; there were napkins and food scraps all over the floor. The inside also isn't very bright and the tables are crammed together. Not the best dining experience overall. However, the food was good---I had hard crabs for the first time as part of the $25 Cantler's platter, which includes steamed clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and coleslaw. The corn was over cooked and soft, but the staff was amenable to substituting my mussels for more clams or shrimp. The crabs were very good, although since I don't usually eat crabs, I have a hard time comparing Cantler's crabs to others. Definitely an outing and experience! I might try another place in the future though...
(3)Jenna T.
Yes, there was a 1.5 hr wait, was it worth it? YOU BET If you love seafood and feel like getting dirty , then this is the place for you! Drove from NYC to check this place out and it was the highlight of our trip. The restaurant itself it right by the water and you are welcome to walk around the dock and take a peek at the crabs you are about to eat in the tanks they have set up ADDED BONUS: they sell ice cold beer in the parking lot while you wait for your table. Oh, and the crabs? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! spicy, sweet succulent- ALL OF THE ABOVE. Topped off with a summer shandy- it is truly a revelation! The service was excellent, sure it was a Saturday night, but our waitress was very friendly , knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant as a whole had a great, fisherman-tavern-jaws should have shot here" vibe. Great times, already planning a second trip!
(5)D S.
Always awesome food. Almost always good service. Crowds every time we go, so waiting a little bit is typical, but it is totally worth the wait.
(4)Hannah M.
A must go! Kinda pricey, but how often do you get to enjoy a crab feed, while throwing back a few beers, while the spring sun gives you a farmer tan? Enjoyed our dozen large crabs, drunken mussels, rockfish bites, and fries = more than enough to feed 3 people. My belly was very happy and thankful.
(4)Rebecca K.
4 stars... Pros: -good deal for all-you-can-eat MD crabs and corn on-the-cob for $32.99 -yummy hush puppies -ideal to eat by the water -service was good, server was very friendly and attentive Cons: -long wait (1 hour) even though we arrived around 230 (not peak lunch time) on a Saturday--which was expected based on these other reviews -crowded Notes and Tips: -We didn't get to sit outside and eat by the water because the wait was too long -We waited near the water (down the steps) with our beers (which they sell outside) while we were waiting for our buzzer to go off
(4)Emily B.
Yesterday was my third visit to Cantler's Riverside Inn, in what has become a delicious annual tradition for my friends and me in DC. It's just outside of Annapolis and nestled right against the river in an inconspicuous residential neighborhood that can be a bit hard to find. But bring the GPS--it's worth the not-too-long hike outside DC! No one should ever come to Cantler's when you're in a rush. If it's a nice day you're almost assured to wait an hour or more to get a table for your party, but this is made infinitely more tolerable by the fact that there is a beer stand in the parking lot. Buy a few cans of beer, then hang out on the docks below the restaurant to check out the fresh crabs in their water bins before they're hauled off and steamed. Once you get a table, the best thing to do is share an order among the group. While the prices per dozen crabs may seem scary (as of yesterday it was $55 per dozen for the large, and $75 per dozen for the extra large) but don't think you'll save money by ordering smaller crabs. The bigger crab you order, the more meat inside, and the easier it is to dismember. Last night we had 9 people in our party, and we ordered 3 dozen extra large crabs, 2 orders of hush puppies, one order of fries, and one order of crab dip. The hush puppies are nothing to write home about, but the fries are delicious. I am not a huge fan of the crab dip (too much filler and not enough crab) but others really liked it. There are also a decent number of options on the menu for people not interested in doing crabs, but anyone I've ever gone with that orders off the menu while the rest of the party is covered head to toe in Old Bay and melted butter seems to not enjoy the experience as much. Finally, please don't go dressed in anything you would want to get messy--crabbing is a down and dirty culinary experience--one that makes your hands stink, your brow sweat, and your shorts to get covered in tiny flecks of crab. It's an annual tradition I wouldn't trade for anything!
(4)JW B.
Went to Cantler's Memorial Day weekend (Sunday) May 2012. Seems to have been on an off day when the crabs weren't very large, but fresh. Giving 2 stars because the location was great, food was fresh, but I would give it a 1 for it's clear prejudice against certain people vs others when doling out the crab. And the pricing - all of the food is WAY overpriced. Only "All You Can Eat" sizes were available - no jumbo, large, etc. Wish they would have told us that, instead of telling us to 'They're still checking...' which wasted 40 minutes of our time and after 3 appetizers later, we decided to just indulge in the All You Can Eats to finally get some crab. We Ordered: -Crab dip - OK; salty but creamy. Light on the crab meat, but lots of cream. -Filet of Sole platter - OK, tartar sauce is Heinz or the prepackaged little containers you get at Burger King - wasn't exactly thrilled to see that since this is suppose to be a seafood restaurant with a LARGE menu of fried seafood items. -Mussels - OK, wine and tomato sauce. -Jumbo shrimp platter - standard fried shrimp, although they were fresh. -3 adults of All You Can Eat - disappointing because we waited so long to finally place our order, since we were told they were still 'counting' the crab orders, which was not true. There was a clear discrepancy with how they were bringing out the crabs toto certain groups vs. others. It was OBVIOUS and it made me want to get up and not finish the meal, but since were already elbow deep in 5 plates of food and 2 trays of crab, we finished our meal. Pros: -Great location, on the water -Large enough to go with a group of friends/family (I went with a party of 5 including myself) -Freshness of crab, corn -Ample parking if you're the first 15 parties Cons: -Waitstaff are rude, but with a smile and fake sing-songy voice to make up for it. Younger waitstaff aren't as bad, since they just seat and run food, but the older ladies are RUDE. Brace yourselves. -Other items on menu (friend shrimp, fish, mussels) are just OK, sub-par compared to fast food chains like TGIF or Friendly's or wherever. Wouldn't order them again. -Items are overpriced, except the beer. -Selective in which parties get larger "All You Can Eat" crab (maybe they were Regular customers, maybe they were friends, maybe they were...whatever reason). VERY disappointing and makes me wonder, "I thought we got over the race issue in America, no?" Final Thoughts: -Get there early - 15 minutes before opening to get in line and get the table you want -Stick with crab & corn - get the jumbos if possible, if not, stick with All You Can Eat and place order as soon as possible, not wasting time -Wouldn't bother ordering anything else off the menu accept the fried shrimp - it's the safest, except you get prepackaged tartar sauce - yuck. -Expect/condescending rude waitstaff with fake smiles and sing-songy voices, but you only need to deal with that when you order and ask for more crab. Would I go back? Not by choice. Would I recommend it? No, I'd say try the other recommended spots first.
(1)Keith M.
Terrible service. Endless waiting for a table on a not very busy evening. We have eaten here several times over the past 6 years while visiting Annapolis. We always found it to be a pretty good crab shack. This visit however was total unsatisfactory. There was a moderate size crowd. We were told we to expect a 20 minute wait for an outside table. 1 hour and twenty minutes later we gave up. No table - no explanation - total waste of time. We will not return. Try Mike's instead.
(1)Kathie P.
Cantler's has been a well known Annapolis establishment for about 40 years and is located right on Mill Creek, so you have a lovely view of the water. Don't dress up as the atmosphere at Cantler's is very casual. Everything served here is wonderful - it is not fancy, but the food is meticulously prepared, and is awesome. I had crab cakes my last visit, and my friends had the soft shell crabs - Everything was awesome. Something important to me, is that Cantler's is one of the few restaurants in Maryland that uses only Maryland crab in their recipes (which makes the crab cakes more awesome!). If nyou have not been to Cantler's you have to give it a try. It's a bit tricky to find, but once you find it, you'll be back over and over again.
(4)Deborah G.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take a drive to the Annapolis area and Spring for some steamed crabs and other watery delights at Cantler's. I happened to look on their new website and saw that they have a daily special if you are willing to text crabs to a designated phone number. Well we won two cups of free crab soup by each of us texting Crabs. So off we went with our cell phones to Forest Beach Road in Cantlerville. We walked in and were told to take any table we wanted as they were not busy. We asked about the crabs, the sizes and the prices and settled on four of the super sized crabs at $** a dozen. I'm ashamed to say how much they were but we had $10 of free crab soup to make us feel better. Okay, crab soup, the red kind, a shrimp basket of six fried jumbos and a crab cake platter and those four crabs. Here's the whole story of this $85 lunch for two and we had a pitcher of iced tea. The crab soup was not very crabby but it was loaded with Tabasco sauce and very brackish- stay away unless it's free by texting. The crabs were huge, hot, perfectly spiced and filled with white lumps of crab meat - crab heaven for sure. Then we had the shrimp basket, huge, hot, tasty crunchy crustaceans with just the right amount of grease (not too much) and for a chaser a double crab cake platter with no taste. I could barely eat my crab cake and left some on the plate as it had the worst taste or no taste for my buds to enjoy. Gosh what was wrong? The slaw was pale and soft and the oven baked potatoes were a bit greasy and had too much Rosemary sprinkled on them. I told the waitress and she told me what I wished I had known in the beginning - pasteurized crab meat. Oh no, what happened from the shell to the can. Some kind of processing that completely ruined the taste of the meat and gave me a strange aftertaste for three hours . Avoid the crab cakes till the real stuff comes from the Chesapeake Bay. Also choose other sides because the slaw and the oven roastatos were BAAAD! So how do I rate thee a three on the taste-o-meter. The crabs were outstanding and so were the shrimp. The rest of the food was a Big Blah. Therefore I took off two stars and am writing this somewhat unfavorable review. Our waitress was nice and the place was fairly quiet for a crab house that normally sounds like a thousand wooden mallets pounding at one time. It's only March and the place was very clean for a bar-crabhouse environment. The restroom is adequate but very small and narrow. I've always thought that it was a definite afterthought and if not required by State law it would not exist. If you want a lovely restroom, go to Carrol's Creek in Westport and not Cantler's because it's definitely not the most glam restroom in Annapolis.
(3)Emily P.
If you have young children, be forewarned. Knowing to expect long wait times, my husband and I called ahead on the way to Cantler's to add our name to the list since we have a very busy infant who won't endure a 45 minute wait time on top of an hour or more spent eating at the restaurant. I was informed by the woman who answered the phone, with some significant attitude, that they didn't accept call aheads on weekends and "there's really nothing I can do for you," even though I explained my son couldn't handle the 40 minute wait and assured her we would be there 15 minutes in advance of the table opening up. This is one family who will not be patronizing Cantler's, with or without our kids. I cannot bring myself to spend money in an establishment that refuses to make a simple accommodation for families with young children, especially given the demeaning response I received from the hostess for even asking. We went to Mike's in Riva instead and had a lovely meal on the water.
(1)Monica H.
No. I do not play this game, Cantler's. I do not show up to a restaurant at 6:00 PM, only to find that I will be forced to wait in a single-file line of cars to get into your parking lot for the next hour. I do not take kindly to your employees wandering aimlessly about with walkie talkies under the guise of wrangling traffic, but actually just frustrating the crowd and doing nothing of value. (How did no one else on Yelp seem to mention the parking situation? It was miserable.) I don't appreciate that once I put my name down for a table, I will have to wait another 2.5 hours to be seated. Or that your hostesses will be incompetent, rude, and nonresponsive. I do not like waiting for 20 minutes at the bar for a mixed drink. And that was just for the drink. It took at least another 10 minutes to get the bartender's attention so I could pay for the damn thing. I don't like that your outdoor seating area is poorly lit. You're not taking into account the fact that you're making some of your patrons wait 3.5 hours to eat their food, and it will be dark by the time they get to eat. I will never, ever, ever be back. Here's the thing: I try not to judge restaurants on things like service or parking. I try to look at the food and the value. But when you end up spending more time at a restaurant than you do anywhere else on one particular day, you start to feel a little jaded. So here's the review I'd write if I didn't take into account the parking and waiting situation: The food was great. The beer selection was disappointing, and they don't sell pitchers (just buckets). The waitress was fine, if a little mediocre. There seemed to be a lot of employees just hanging out and doing nothing, and no one could give us reasonable or accurate estimates of how long it'd take to be seated. The bathrooms were tiny but clean, but the doors open onto the sinks in a way that's just plain dangerous. It was reasonably priced in comparison with other seafood places in Maryland. The inside is dark and depressing, but the outdoor seating is nice. Bottom line: Not worth the drive from Arlington, not worth the drive from Baltimore, just plain not worth it.
(1)Rafael D.
With family in town and my dad wanting to find a spot where you sit down at a picnic table, newspaper used as table cloth, mallet in hand, and fresh blue crab, my co-workers recommended Cantler's. It didn't disappoint. We arrived around 11:30am before a large group arrived. So, we were just in time to get an outdoor seat overlooking the water. It was a perfect day, sunny with a nice breeze off the water. We ordered a dozen and a half large blue crabs, a couple orders of the soft shell crabs (chipotle style; it was delicious), and the crab bruschetta. All of it was very, very good. It was a little expensive, but the quality of crabs and the atmosphere really made for a great lunch in Annapolis!
(5)SJ In B.
This is the best seafood place we've been to in a while. The only bad thing is that it's always packed!! But I guess that also speaks for the food/service they're serving! It's a little hard to find and off the beaten path but once you go you'll never forget where it is!! The jumbo shrimps are really good and the crabs are always fresh. They have indoor and outdoor seating right by the water.
(4)Kiri S.
This is why I love Yelp! There's no chance we would have found Cantler's without it and we had such an enjoyable time there last weekend! We spent an afternoon in Annapolis and were looking for a casual place to pick crabs for dinner. After driving down windy roads in a residential area you'll happen upon Cantler's right on the water. They were unusually busy for a Saturday night in November, the host said there'd been a fishing competition that day that brought them some extra business. We were told it would be about 30-45 minutes and handed a buzzer. By this time we were committed, maybe it they were more centrally located we would have found another option, but I'm glad we didn't. We spent out wait down on the docks by the water, and the buzzer went off pretty quickly and we were seated in the heated "outdoor" section at a long picnic table. We ordered crabs, steamed shrimp, and hush puppies. The hush puppies came with honey butter - which was a nice touch. It was everything we'd hoped for, and the smell of Old Bay on our hands lingered for most of the ride back to Washington, D.C. (they do have an outdoor sink on the side of the building for when you're finished - but I've always found it's near impossible to get rid of the smell entirely.) I can only imagine how crowded they must get on a beautiful warm afternoon.
(4)Rahul J.
Long waits (1-1.5hrs+) for the outdoor seating but it's worth it. Got the XL crabs, the largest available that day for $75/DZ. TIP: You don;t have to get a dozen..they charge you pro rated basis. We found that 6 was enough for 2 small appetites with a small side of sweet potato fries. The sever gave us a lesson on how to eat the crabs as it was our first time eating steamed crab. That was very helpful. The meat was tender, sweet and tasted like the ocean. We got a decent amount of meat on our crabs but still it's a lot of work for not much meat. You end up ingesting a lot of salt as the crabs come encrusted in seasoning. By the end of it we were more tired of picking apart the crabs than full also overload on salt. Was in some sort of a salt coma the rest of the day. I would definitely recommend that people try the crabs here..I wouldn't go again though. Oh yeah, like most of the others here..I have to echo that the beer selection is out of the 90s TIP: Wait by the dock a few stairs down from the restaurant...plenty of seating there to watch the boats and water.
(4)Att A.
Servers are friendly, crabs are fresh, view of the river is nice. what more can you ask for. I had 6 local oysters on the half shell, 6 steamed cherrystone clams, 1 steamed crab, 1 corn of the cob and I also order the soft shell crab sandwich. That sandwich was the bomb!
(4)lil s.
This was one of my fave stops during my recent DC trip. This place opens at 11am so get there early to avoid a wait. The blue crabs were served up deliciously and so fun eating with your hands! Not that impressed with the fried seafood but all the steamed items were yummy. Great service and loved the outdoor seating...overall I was happy to pay market prices for such wonderful meal!
(5)Nikki M.
If you're coming to Annapolis in search of crabs, look no further. Well you might need to look a little hard because this restaurant is a little hard to find. It's down a narrow road, completely out of the way, with beautiful views of the water. If the drive freaks you out, arrive by boat! Free docking! The food is awesome. If you're coming for crabs, be aware that it's first come, first serve. The biggest will always get picked first. Yeah, the crabs are pricey, but they're Maryland crabs. And they're totally worth it. If you're from out of town and you don't know how to pick a crab properly, ask one of the servers or look around! There will be plenty of people that can help. My all-time favorite thing on the menu is the Crab Dip. I make it a point to order crab dip if it's on the menu wherever I go, and nothing has even come close to the crab dip at Cantler's. They give you two loaves of bread and a huge serving of crab dip. Last summer, my girlfriends and I came down to Cantler's once a week for the Crab Dip alone. So good. Cantler's is also good for pretty much all other seafood. I love the Drunk'n Mussels and the huge shrimp they serve up. You may be thinking, Wow! She just loves Cantler's, why is she giving it four stars? Well, because I'm sure as heck not the only one that loves Cantler's, there's about a million people more and during peak hours (which is pretty much every nice night of the summer) expect that the rest of those million will be trying to get a table here too. The wait can be horrible during peak hours and sometimes not worth it if there is only medium crabs left. Come to Cantler's. Expect a wait time. Eat a ton of crabs.
(4)stephen s.
Read some reviews thought I would check the place out. Was in the mood for crabs I'm glad I did the service was excellent the food was excellent the crabs were nice size very full very tasteful had crab dip appetizer had oysters Chesapeake appetizer and a couple beers to wash it all down fantastic lunch on a beautiful day
(4)Pete A.
Awesome. We came in the middle of summer on a Saturday and the place was mobbed. It has gotten a little touristy, but who cares it's still great. We were seated in about 5 minutes (I think they accidentally buzzed our beeper thing because it looked like the wait was at least an hour). We way over ordered, but at least it gave us a chance to sample a lot. The fried clams were delicious, the fried calamari was awesome, the hush puppies were actually crummy but I'll let that go because the crabs....we got a dozen mediums for 3 people and it was soooo much food. The crabs were cooked perfectly and it was so much fun. We'd definitely come back, hopefully on a less busy day.
(5)Robert Z.
This place was awesome for crab. Super Sweet and plentiful. The Fries at the bar were the best. A must with a beer till you can get a table. It's a little hard to find but worth it when you get there. I give it a Four And a half Star Rating. This place is Zuverman Rated.
(4)Carly H.
I've lived in Maryland all my life so I've visited my fair share of crab houses, and I have to say Cantler's is the best! We went on a Sunday around 3 and both parking lots were full, so we had to wait about 15 minutes to park, but we expected to wait on a beautiful summer day when everyone and their mother wants to dig in to some crabs! The hostess asks you where you want to sit, inside or outside and if you want to sit under the shade or in the sun. We chose in the sun because we figured it would be quicker than waiting for a shady seat and the indoor seating seemed very cramped. She told us 45 minutes to an hour and we took a pager and went down by the docks where they have live crabs in tanks and we watched boats go by. Very relaxing. After only 20 minutes our buzzer went off and we were seated! Boy was it HOT sitting in the sun, before we got our drinks we were already sweating but hey, hot summer day what are ya gonna do right? When we sat down our server told us they had mediums, extra larges, and supers left and the prices per dozen. We decided on the extra larges and that day they were $85 a dozen which we thought was expensive until we saw how HUGE they were. Seriously these suckers were so big we could only finish half the order and we are crab picking ADDICTS. (We did have an order of crab dip in us however, which I also highly recommend) We picked away for two hours and we each ate 3 crabs there was just SO MUCH meat I was very pleasantly surprised. Hands down the best blue crabs I've had. Our waitress was really sweet and kept bringing us new drinks and more napkins. We took the other 6 crabs home and had them for dinner. I can't wait to come back and eat crabs here again, maybe next time we will hold out for a shady seat though! Definitely worth the hour or so drive and all the waiting.
(5)Joe A.
I ate at Cantler's tonight after reading multiple good reviews. I had a bucket of steamed piss clams, which were pretty good. It was a nice touch to have clam juice to wash the sand out of the clam, butter, and old bay. The problem arose when I received the ordered lobster roll. When I order a lobster roll, my expectation is for lobster, of which there were three quarter sized pieces. What I do not expect are the added crayfish tails to act as a cheap filler, of which there were over a dozen. I am an aquatic biologist who specializes in amongst other taxon, crayfish. Buyer beware, bait and switch and false seafood.
(1)Yumi V.
Best crabs in town! Actually slightly out of town, but worth the ride. Be prepared to wait for service as there is always a lot of traffic on nice days, however, this will be one of the more fun and places to go with a large group or to introduce to your friends. Bring your crayons for the brown paper tablecloth!
(4)Mike L.
Cantler's is so good that I should give it a bad review just so I can keep it all to myself! One word sums up this place -- CRABS! It's the best place to sit down and eat crabs in public ANYWHERE! I give it four $$$$ because you'll want to get the biggest crabs you can get and pair it with a bucket of ice cold beer. You can get a $$ experience, but $$$$ is better!
(5)Tamara B.
Let me start off by saying I am only giving this place 2 stars because the food wasnt horrible but it wasnt great either. I was expecting a completely different experience than what I received. Went with a group of 9 from work. All of us on a business trip from different states. They would not separate the checks but the waitress said "well i will separate payments foe you if you tell me how much you want to pay"....that means we all basically paid more for our meals because we didnt want to short change anyone and the check came out all garbled together so we really had to spend time to try and figure out who had what at what price. Just ridiculous! The waitress was terrible. Could not even answer simple questions such as what are the sides you are serving with the meals tonight. Had to ask someone else and then that was even wrong. She initially said asparagus and baked potato but what came out from the cook was broccoli and a terrible dry mashed potato. I ordered the broiled seafood platter. $29 +$2 because I didnt want the asparagus and opted for fried green tomatoes (that were not cooked all the way as the batter was still slightly runny on the inside). Anyway this platter came out with 3 shrimp, 4 small scallops, and 1 broken up piece of rockfish. The only thing that was seasoned are the scallops. The seafood tasted fine but this is way expensive for this little bit of food. Especially in a "seafood" area. Now I will give the kudos for the all you can eat crabs at $33 for 2 hours and the cream of crab soup. Some of my coworkers got the crabs and went to town on eating those. The cream of crab was a delight in this otherwise horrible experience. Oh and I forgot to mention...not one time did this horrible waitress even come back to check on us to see if we needed anything. Dont waste your time or money on this place unless you are going for the crabs!!!
(2)CM P.
I went here with family from out of town who had heard about this place from friends. The staff was very friendly but the food was terrible and not worth the price. Our meal (broiled lump crab cakes) came out lukewarm and the sides of potatoes and asparagus had absolutely no flavor! We also got a couple of the blue crabs but again those were not seasoned and the seasoning that did come with it was not great. Maybe I'm just used to southern style seafood with lots of flavor, but this place was quite disappointing especially for the prices they charge for exceptionally mediocre food. If you like well-seasoned food go elsewhere!
(2)Na L.
Seriously best crabs in the DC/MD/VA area. Got a dozen of the small crabs with hush puppies, corn, and sweet potato fries. Hands down best place, right by the water, love it.
(5)Melissa P.
I went by myself, because I was in town alone and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity. Would have been much more fun with friends though, that's for sure. They were selling crabs by the dozen, but the helpful waitress advised me that I could buy them individually. (If I had been with someone else, I probably would have just bought a whole dozen assuming you had to). I got three, and they kept me busy for well over half an hour. She served a side of butter, but I think it was margarine. Luckily, the fresh crab had such great flavor, I didn't even need it.
(4)Vivian H.
We were craving some fresh air and seafood, so we ventured to the Annapolis area and found Cantler's on Yelp. This place is tucked away in an idylic fishing area.. the waterfront view is great for wishing you owned one of these cute houses and a boat. We ordered half a dozen large crabs, the maryland crab vegetable soup, a soft shell crab sandwich, sweet potato fries, and hush puppies. WAY too much food for 2 people. My friend pushed thru and finished all the crab because she's a beast and I guess the crab was delicious. The waitresses were so sweet and gave us lessons on how to get to the meat. The soup was really really REALLY salty... no bueno. Sandwich and fries were good although I suppose nothing special. Hush puppies were overdone but had good flavor. I probably expected too much. Best part wasn't so much the food as the location, staff, and experience.
(3)Jennifer B.
This place breathed life back into my group of friends after a few bad Annapolis restaurant experiences. It appears just how you'd want a place famous for crabs and beer to look, and the service is casual, but attentive. We arrived on Saturday, immediately following the Navy homecoming football game, asking them to seat a group of 16. Some places would turn their noses up and be snotty for such a request, but they politely informed us that if we didn't mind waiting a bit, they were happy to have us. We grabbed some seats at the bar and the awesome bartender Kelly took care of us during our close to an hour wait. She was friendly and attentive, and even though we were getting hungry, she kept us content with flowing drinks. We were seated on their covered outdoor deck and ordered more beer to set on our brown paper tablecloth; the exact kind of tablecloth you want at a crab shack. My date and I ordered the raw oysters which were delicious and shucked perfectly - they slid right out of the shells. I had Maryland crab and he had cream of crab soup, both very tasty and served in easy to dispose of paper cups, in keeping with the casual atmosphere. He and I and my father then split a dozen of the extra large Maryland crabs which came out with ample old bay and a bucket to toss our shells. The crabs were cooked perfectly and were truly extra large; all three of us were full after sharing the dozen. Others in our group ordered various dishes from salads to pasta and everyone left satisfied. Our server, Ali was extremely attentive and friendly, and even gave some new crab eaters cracking advice. We also had an accidental overcharge on our bill and she removed it no problem. Thank you Cantler's for ending our Annapolis dining experience on a much higher note than it began! We will definitely be back to say hello on our next trip!
(5)Bobby I.
The crabs were good, the shrimp I did not care for and I am a shrimp lover. I was disappointed that they didn't have coronas to go with my crabs, and also only have can beers not bottle. But overall I will go there again hopefully I can get table outside to enjoy the weather while eating my crabs while drinking my favorite beer.
(3)Fenny L.
My BFF is a Baltimore native that had to relocate to the fabulous city of NY for work. While NYC offers a plethora more dining options and fantastic cuisines and cultures over the DMV, there is one thing that we have that they don't have...all you can eat crab feasts! So, when my BFF came down to do Baltimore Comic Con, we quickly made plans to gorge on some yummy crustaceans after the show. My husband called around and quickly found out that only Cantler's offered AYCE feasts on the weekends. As I hadn't been there before, and knew that this meant another Yelp review in the works, I quickly agreed. Although it was a busy Sunday at 7pm, they were still able to seat us quickly. Unfortunately, this was the last thing that happened "quickly" all night. My husband and I both ordered the Jimmy's Feast or something - it a platter of mussels, clams, shrimp and 3 crabs and sides. The two other friends that also came along, ordered sandwiches and a Maryland Crab Soup, my BFF's fiancée ordered the crab cake platter, and my BFF ordered the all you can eat crab feast. Now, looking at this list, what would you suppose would be the first food to come out? If you said my BFF's crabs (because you know they have several big vats in the back just cooking these babies up), you would be wrong. Instead - ALL of our food - minus the soup and the crab feast came out after about 30 minutes. We dug into our food, expecting my BFF's crabs to come out shortly...only to see trays of crabs going to all the other tables except for ours. We tried to flag down one of the half a dozen wait staff that was milling around (we were seated outdoors, right next to the soda/utensils station so we were less than 2 feet away from them), and they *VERY* studiously, avoided making eye contact. We ended up getting up to 1) GET OUR OWN UTENSILS (we weren't handed forks, knives, or even mallets when we were seated, nor when our food arrived), 2) GET REFILLS OF OUR DRINKS (yes, we got up, went to the station, walked PAST at least 3 servers to pour our own drinks - and they STILL ignored us), and 3) basically body-checking a server to point out that my BFF still hadn't gotten her food. When they did finally bring her out her crabs...they did so with a mumbled half-hearted apology. As for the soup? After asking no less than 3 times, we finally got it...as we got our check. Our poor friends were from NJ and were about to drive back - so they had to put the soup in a to go container and had to hope that it wouldn't spoil by the time they got home and could put it in the fridge. Normally, I would rate this place as a lowly 1 star for this experience, but 2 factors bumped it up to a 2 star rating - the first is that the outdoor seating on the water was magnificent. The view was great, there were no bugs, and I loved that they had an outdoor sink (with soap!) for us to wash off after digging into our food. The second was that despite the awful awful awful service...the crabs were MAGNIFICENT. Although small (as all you can eat crabs are wont to be), they were exceptionally heavy and fat and meaty. Clearly, this will not be my first crabby place of choice. Not even my second or third. I would much rather pay for crabs by the dozen and get pleasant attentive service, then pay $27 for all you can eat crabs...and not get any crabs until you raise a fuss and cause a scene.
(2)Irm M.
Hands down best crab dip I've ever tried. Crab meat is fresh, consistency is very rich, there's a bit of lemon zest in it... delicious. If I could eat that every day I would be a very happy (and plump) lady! The servers are generally very friendly and helpful. It's a no frills kind of place. It's right on the water. As others have mentioned it's a bit of winding and complicated path to get out there, but once you do you will be glad you did! Last time I came here we didn't have the straight up crabs. Looked like a little too much work for us and we were feeling lazy so we opted for crab cakes and jumbo shrimp platter instead. Everything was so good I literally stuffed my face!
(4)Matthew R.
I arrived at noon on a Saturday in early September with a group of people all looking forward to crabs and seafood. Even a few crabby virgins in the group! I had to explain to two of the crabby virgins they should not base their opinion of blue crab from their experience here. My crabs were definitely overcooked. I'm assuming the insanely large serving of melted butter that came with the "Jimmy's Crab Feast" platter was to cover up the bad preparation of the food. Even the small side of cole slaw was bland and uninteresting. The only thing that saved this place from a one star review was our pleasant and attentive waitress, who we tipped well because she wasn't the chef.
(2)Vince D.
Arrived at 10:30pm and ate outside. Service by Carlo was fantastic! This was my first time at the restaurant which I heard was terrific. It was. We had 18 large crabs, cherrystone clams, french fries and bucket of beer. Could not ask for a better experience. A terrific play to eat by the water. NOTE: the drive to the restaurant seems like you are on the wrong road. If it wasn't for a friend who has been there before I would have turned around thinking that this can't be the road. Well, it is! And it's worth it!!!
(5)N C.
I was here 7 years ago and just returned with my husband. I couldn't wait to introduce him to Cantlers. He ordered the soft shell crabs and the fresh clams. The clams came in a bucket and smelled horrible. My husband said they taste as bad as they smelled. He did however love the soft shell crabs. I had the crab cakes which were delicious! The best I have had in a long time. After watching the people around us with their mallets and crabs, we decided to ask for one crab each. I don't get it...why go through all the work for such little meat. Get the crab cakes and enjoy the free time watching everyone else pound away.
(4)C M.
Love this hideaway spot. Food is always delicious. Crabs are a little high but the crabs are seasoned well. Service is good.
(4)Mike M.
Best crabs in Annapolis
(4)Henry Z.
My girlfriend -- a Maryland native -- wouldn't let me come here for the first year we were dating because I had to prove I was crabworthy. Before coming to a place like this you need to learn the difference between weak crabs and crabs that have strength. This place is strictly for people who are crabworthy, and most of the poor reviews come from people who aren't. We came on a hot Saturday, sat in the sun, and went through more than a dozen all-you-can-eats a piece. We did it with an endless pitcher of iced tea, adding old-bay generously, and getting multiple servings of the corn on the cob, as we watched the boats drift by. By the end of the meal we were sweaty, stained in old bay, wreaking of crab, and had no reason to eat dinner that night. The only way to do it.
(5)john b.
Definitely not 5 stars based on price, taste, ambiance and portion size. For around $25+ you'd expect to get a good amount of food... maybe even left overs. The food itself was ok... just way too pricey. Ambiance-wise, it was very crowded indoors (didn't sit outside so can't comment on that). Since it was so crowded, my expectations were raised but this place is just eh in my book. Even if I had lots of money, I'd still go elsewhere.
(2)Vicki C.
What else can I add to the already hundreds of reviews. When it comes to crabs and seafood, this place is definitely good. There are plenty of crab shacks along the East Coast, but what makes this place special is the location. It is right on the water, and the view is spectacular. We were there in October when the weather is a bit nippy, so the whole outdoor deck area was covered. It was still breathtaking. Definitely worth a look-see if you are in the Annapolis area.
(3)Duane S.
I was surprised I didn't like this place better. I had the Maryland crab soup, crab cakes platter, and an order of hush puppies. The soup was way too salty compared to others I have had before. While I was happy to see very little filler in the crab cakes, they needed some Old Bay mixed in. They were very bland. The fries were nasty coated fries that tasted like they had been sitting for a while. The hush puppies were pre-formed very hard brown turds. I am used to odd shaped and fluffy hush puppies. I am not sure if I will come back.
(2)Rachel S.
A friend suggested Cantler's when she heard we were headed to Annapolis for the wknd. I was so excited because I really just wanted a pile of crabs and cold beer in a locals' joint. Having read the previous reviews I was grateful to get a heads up on their parking sitch and waiting list. Not a bad wait to get into the lot - 10 mins, however it was a 2 hr waiting list for a table. My husband and I lurked over the bar while sipping drinks and waited for seats to open up, which they did in about 15 mins. We ordered a dozen medium crabs @ $38.00, dusted with Old Bay (is there really any other way!) and they appeared shortly after. The bartenders were VERY friendly and efficient and helped make the adventure awesome! We will definitely be back next time we're in town!
(5)Mike H.
Great seafood place in the middle of nowhere. My wife and I split a dozen extra large crabs and some sides. The crabs were really good. Fresh, perfectly cooked, and begging to get torn apart. It took almost two hours to eat the dozen, and it was glorious. I had to shower when i got back to my hotel in Annapolis because I was covered in old bay and crab juice. Amazing experience. Good service. The waitress was really friendly, attentive, and on the spot with changing the garbage bucket. Pass on the sides if you don't need them, though my wife enjoyed the fresh corn. Oh yeah, the beer is cold! Make an experience of this place. We had a blast.
(5)Bren P.
This place is great for MD blue crabs! We came here two weekends in a row with different set of friends bc it was THAT good. The place is hidden in at the end of a neighborhood and sits right on the water. I recommend coming here right when it opens.. 11ish to avoid a long wait for parking and a long wait for a table. The first week, we got here late afternoon and waited 20 minutes for a parking spot and then an hour for a table. We got a table inside since the wait seemed longer for a table outside. It was nice that they sold beer outside as you waited for your table. The second week, we got there around 11 and there were plenty of parking and got seated outside right away. Not bad! We ordered, 2 dozen large md blue crabs for 4 ppl (you have to ask what's caught locally, bc they import the larger crabs from somewhere else). the crabs were full and so fresh! the md crab soup was flavorful and hit the spot! the cream of crab soup was too creamy and too thick which wasn't my favorite of the bunch. also ordered a side of onion rings which were huge!! i didn't think those were worth it. sometimes when the rings are too big, it doesn't taste as great. the cole slaw was good, but nothing special. what was special, besides the crabs, was the crab dip! the dip was full of chunks of crab and the bread was soooo fresh and soft! a must get! the corn was just ok..nothing special again.. just another filler. Definitely recommend this place for md blue crabs!
(4)Jeremy L.
This place was exactly what I was hoping for. The reviews are accurate. What more can I say? Nice waitress, fun atmosphere. I will return with out of staters.
(4)David P.
Overpriced, placed smelled like a garbage dump inside and out and the seafood so so. I should have left before going in, as a child was puking in the parking lot when I arrived!
(2)Jenny T.
CRABS!!!!!!!!! ...please dont come here wthout trying the crab dip and soft, warm bread... *drool*
(5)Joe B.
We tried CANTLER'S this SUNDAY and even though the crab's were what we thought they were going to be just about all else was a very big and expensive disappointment . The soda was OK but the crab cake sandwich was shredded and had no taste , the side's were a real eye opener . Slaw and '' tater'' salad were without taste and just didn't look good. But, the crab cake was listed as lump not ''limp'' and I will never try the uptown recommendation's again. 2 star. Service was very good. Best item we had---WAIT FOR IT -- HUSH PUPPIES!!!!!!
(2)David A.
Cantler's is located just a few minutes outside downtown Annapolis you have to take a few winding roads that lead you back to this hidden gem of a restaurant that is located right on the water. It's not a big place and it's well known among the locals and typically crowded, so expect to wait for a table. We went for lunch on an early Sunday afternoon and had to wait for about 20 minutes, which I'd assume is fairly common. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas and we were fortunate enough to be able to eat outside. Most of the tables are connected together (a la long picnic tables) and you sit on long benches, which means everyone kind of crowds together and enjoys the entire experience as a collective group. People are pounding away and cracking crabs all around you and the smell of fresh seafood fills the air as you look out over the water. Nothing fancy about it - Cantler's is truly authentic. The menu features a variety of seafood options as well as other things for people who are in the mood for something else. Our group didn't rate high on the variety scale with four of us ordering the lump crab cake sandwich. Branching away from the crab cake party, Nicole ordered the crab legs and my mom ordered the steamed shrimp. We also ordered a basket of steamed shrimp for the table as an appetizer. Everything we ordered was OUTSTANDING! The steamed shrimp were enormous and had great flavor and I don't think I've ever tasted a better crab cake. Not only was it huge, it had awesome flavor with large chunks of fresh crab (delivered straight off the boat to the restaurant's dock) and basically no filler at all. The side of hush puppies that I had with it were very good as well. I'd want to go back and try the all-you-can-eat steamed Blue Crabs, but it'd be tough to pass up another opportunity to get another crab cake sandwich. Honestly, it'd be tough to ever pass up a sandwich that good. My only complaint about Cantler's would be the service. Nearly everyone we encountered that worked there would fall under the category of rude. The parking attendant, hostess, and our waitress all had trouble being friendly or exhibiting any sort of hospitality. We also had a tough time getting our drinks refilled in a timely manner. That being said, we were so happy with the food that it didn't matter too much. Cantler's is exactly the type of restaurant we were hoping to find. A local restaurant with a great atmosphere that reflected the culture of Maryland and the coastal/Eastern Shore area. A meal here helps make spending time in Annapolis truly memorable.
(5)Joe B.
Great dockside shanty atmosphere. Good crab chowder delicious steamed crabs. Get the extra large crabs. Coming from New England they are not as big as the rock crabs I'm used to. The spice is really nice.
(4)S C.
Good locaton, great clams and shrimp. Good menu thats not steamed crabs. Crabs are usually pretty good and reasonably priced. Alwasy at least one bad one (THEY WILL replace it, JUST ASK!) , but why? Do they not know they are dead going in, or is it that they are trying to pass something over? But again, staff always pleasant about replacement. No bottled beer, thats what lost them the 5th star. Can beer only (what is this 1970?) And its always amusing to hear at least one table of seniors say "Were from conneticut, How do we do this again?" I cant imagine having to explain this to people over and over again. So kudos to the cantlers ladies!
(4)Rachel C.
I'm not really familiar with seafood culture, nor with how to "pick" crabs Maryland-style, but it seemed good to me! Yeah, it was pretty crowded with yacht-setting types and tourists (which I guess includes us because we live in DC?), but we got seating for 10 after a 30-minute wait on a Saturday afternoon (even though most of our party was still missing, they were kind enough to give us a table). Not bad! Waitstaff seemed young and a little overwhelmed, but our server was good. She refilled drinks with regularity and checked in on our party several times. It's definitely on the pricey side, but really, I think it's meant for large group or family-style meals. My boyfriend and I split the medium crabs, which were $37/dozen (v. something outrageous for the large size, which were only one inch larger). Along with some appetizers split with others and a couple of beers, my the two of us paid a total of $68, including tax and tip. The food was solid. The crab dip was thick and creamy, the fried clams were just plain tasty, and the crabs were REALLY good. A little too much powdery Old Bay for my taste, but you can easily dust it off. I had only ever had crab legs before, so hacking apart an entire crustacean was a new experience--and it was fun! The meat was buttery, salty, and steamed to perfection. A couple of crabs were missing front claws, but I wasn't bothered. I nabbed a shrimp and a mussel from a friend, and they were quite yummy. Beers (canned only) were decently priced. They had something called a frozen tidal wave for $6 that involved grenadine, coconut rum and ice cream--I wanted to try it, but we were stuffed to the gills (pun intended) and couldn't handle anything else. Very, very casual. Feels like a picnic. Don't wear nice clothes because you will get crab guts and Old Bay all over you. Dishware is styrofoam and plastic--not the most sustainable or classy choice, but with the number of customers they get and with the messiness factor of the food, it makes sense. Not a first date place or a place for a quiet, romantic night on the river...but for a fun afternoon out with friends, this definitely fits the bill!
(3)Katie R.
There are so many good things to say, from the crabs down to the key lime pie. It's one of those gems you stumble upons. Its completely off the beaten path, which makes it even better. Hands down the best crab joint in Annapolis! There is plenty of parking but you can also drive your boat right up to the dock, which makes it even more fun! There is plenty of outdoor seating, so you can enjoy some beautiful Annapolis weather! They have great lunch special for all you can eats. It varies based on the market price that day but I've eaten for as cheap at $20.95. That includes corn on the cob and french fries :) Yay ;) I no longer live in annapolis but I frequently make the drive out there a) to get drunk downtown or b) to eat at Cantlers. There is nothing better!
(5)Valarie G.
Pretty good but a 20 minute wait for parking followed by an hour wait for a seat seemed a bit excessive. Also a kid vomiting all over the floor right next to our table and the staff didn't exactly seem to be that quick to take care of it until we said something...cute right? Food is good but all the other issues kind of made the experience lackluster.
(3)Dawn R.
When my daughter and son in law come to visit from Kansas City, I always have to take them to Cantler's. If you want some fantastic Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs, cold beer, and the best hushpuppies on the planet, this is the place to be. But you're going to need a GPS, or better yet a local person, to help you find the place. It's definitely off the beaten path, but once you get there, you won't be disappointed. In addition to the great food and friendly staff, you have the choice of eating indoors or on the deck overlooking the water. Inside or out, seating consists of long picnic style tables, giving it a real feeling of community. It can get a little noisy, but that's just all part of the atmosphere.
(5)Jess M.
Imagine this: It's hot as hell outside, but you don't care, cuz you've got... a parking spot iced cold canned beer the BEST damn crabs in town and seasoning all over yourself from cracking away! Cantler's is the local crab shack you day dream about. It's for the seafood seeker who doesn't care about getting their hands dirty, hanging out elbow to elbow with other fellow crab crackers, and laughing off the occasional pastel shirt/boat shoe douche bag that walks by. It gets pretty busy, so expect to wait around impatiently if you want that shaded outdoor spot. But trust me, it's worth the wait and you'll find yourself walking back to your car happy! I didn't give 5 stars because of the bathroom situation- there's two stalls in the ladies room, but I'm pretty sure an Oompa Loompa couldn't even fit in the right hand stall because the door is right up against the toilet.
(4)Vina Y.
Super friendly staff. We came on Father's Day and must have hit some sweet spot because we found parking right away and there was no wait. Lots of options on the menu but really you should just get the crabs. They were all very delicious though in two our of crabs, the meat was not as sweet and tender. I think they overdo it with the Old Bay on top but it's easy to scrape off. Make sure you take time to visit the docks behind the restaurant when you're done!
(4)Paul B.
Out of the way but definitely worth it. It's what every Maryland restaurant should be: on the water with great crab. The fact that the beer helps the Chesapeake Bay is a bonus. I would return here again on my next trip and would definitely sit outside again.
(5)AL K.
super crowded on the weekends. approximate wait is about an hour or so. Crabs are fresh and has a sweet taste. Service is friendly and efficient Outside seating available. Great during the summer months. Would go back again! $65 a dozen for the large sized crabs. Fish and sandwiches also available.
(5)Lesley G.
This place is certainly an experience, and off the beaten path. Its full of mostly locals binging on crab meat, but not until you wait perhaps an hour and a half. There's even a line to get into the parking lot, so plan to sink your night here. The crabs were cooked well, but they were a lot of work to eat and extremely messy. I loved the mussels the most, with tons of types of butter. Its a great experience for crab and seafood lovers of the world, but it might be exhausting to visit too often.
(4)Stephanie M.
I LOVE this place! Great seafood, great views and great service. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The biggest drawback is that due to popularity it can sometimes be difficult to get a table at Cantlers - especially in the summer months. I agree with another reviewer that the bathrooms are not ideal - extremely small.
(4)Ben D.
Stopped here on the way home from Washington, DC. Phenomenal crabs. Dessert was meh, I'd go somewhere else for it. But really, after gorging on spiced crabs, who gets dessert? Just eat more crabs!
(4)HanaDC T.
Our friends of mine took us this place. This restaurant is located in the corner of housing community. But I guess this place is so famous. It is so crowded all the time. The service was okay. I ordered coleslaw with Crabs but the waitress forgot to bring it. This place was too crowded. I guess that was the reason. We ordered a dozen of larges. The price is market price. This place is not a cheap place. But I enjoyed with eating crabs like that. Do not wear nice clothes. Wear some casual clothes that you can wash. Also this is not a place to bring your first date because you can't talk much while eating crabs and you get too messy by eating crabs. This is a great place to hang out in summer. Love it.
(4)Catie C.
I always have fun smashing crabs! This was my 3rd. 2nd at Cantler's. I was disappointed, however, as we progressed each tray, the size of the medium crabs got smaller. They should seriously discount anything that 1/2"+ smaller than a medium since they increase the price in such increments. To a small degree, I felt that I got robbed; but I wasn't about to whip out my measuring tape to make sure it was 5 1/2 ". The service was lacking as well. I emptied out the shell bucket twice for the team! Getting refills initially was a challenge as well. That went smoother when they gave us a pitcher to ward off our thirst! I took a quick tour of the tanks after I used up all my arm power on fighting the crabs. I was delightfully surprised to see horseshoe crabs in the tank. The only other time I've seen this is inside an aquarium. It is also comforting to see that they sort out the dead crabs when the shipment comes in. I come here for one reason and one reason only: Smashin' Blue Crabs!
(3)A M.
Down-home, fun and unpretentious (though not inexpensive) - we loved it! If you want to pick crabs and drink canned beer this is your place. So much fun in the summer but be ready to wait.
(5)Reena R.
Besides the 45 minute wait since we were a party of 10..... Everything else was AWESOME! Steamed shrimps, obviously lots of crabs, crab cakes, crabmeat cocktail....we tried a variety and everything was deliciously fresh making the wait so worth it! Highly recommended.
(5)Sheng Z.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Best crabs in the area and the best atmosphere. Outdoor seating is awesome and everything just screams MARYLAND!!
(5)Dan A.
Cantler's is the place I always recommend to others as a good crabhouse. While it may be a little difficult to find, it certainly is worth it. The crabs are well-seasoned and look healthy. The other dishes and seafood are good as well. However, it can get crowded and there can be a wait. Also, don't expect to dine in a poshy environment--it is a crabhouse after all. Your tables are covered in brown paper and you are given wooden mallets. However, if you sit outside, you have a nice view of the water. It is a bit expensive... although I suppose one should expect that when dining at a crabhouse. If price is a concern, you'd probably want to go to a local seafood market and buy crabs and take them home. But if you have your heart set on dining at an actual crabhouse, you really can't go wrong with Cantler's food and experience.
(4)Irene F.
Everything about this experience was horrible. The parking was ridiculous. The wait was stupid long. The bathroom was tiny and disgusting. The place was packed- I felt like a sardine. I never got a drink refill. It was expensive as all get out. The crabs were small and light. I'm sticking to my go to in bmore- Costas Inn- where you get hefty crabs, elbow room, no waiting, easy parking, and a good price. Totally not worth the drive-- oh and I had ISSUES after wards...if you know what I mean...
(2)Jen C.
Popular, crowded seafood establishment with plenty of options, but I think you can find other places for cheaper if you are looking for platters...especially without an hour wait. Everything tasted good, but the only thing that stuck out as a huge disappointment was their shrimp platter with potatoes and onions. They did not scrub the skins of the potatoes so it felt like I was chewing on fur. In the yelp photos, I saw other people's platters and clearly theirs was prepared fine...but I don't know if I just got an anomaly since they were running behind on our order and so busy. It was also not cooked uniformly, as some chunks of vegetables were really hard and untouched by juices. They also missed gutting one of the giant shrimp, which was pretty disgusting to unexpectedly bite into crunchy shrimp guts. Also, they charged us extra for crabcake sliders, but since they were too busy, it just wasn't worth waiting to point out the overcharge and wait for a new check. Will go to other, cheaper crab houses without having to wait so long.
(3)Christine C.
Roadtriped from DC - Boston to visit one of our college buddies and took a day trip out to Annapolis with the intention of grubbing out on some crabs. Thanks to the power of our iphones, foursquare + yelp, we found this place a bit outside the city and decided to explore this highly reviewed joint off the beaten path. YOU NEED gps to get here if you don't know the area. If you came to Annapolis area to eat some crabs, THIS IS WHERE YOU DO IT. - secluded, waterfront 'local' dive-y atmosphere - indoor and outdoor seating - Order Crabs by the DOZEN - slap around some wooden mallets - tables lined with butcher paper (meaning.. u eat off the table) - make some new friends Despite the long lines and my horrible experience with the staff, I can't deny this place is a gem and the crappy staff and merry crowd is all part of the experience. I was told by a guy traveling from Louisiana that people from all over stop here en route to their vacay destinations, he had been stopping here for years. FYI: When you're done, you will smell like crabs, old bay spices, and beer :) ...they don't do take out :(
(4)Tim M.
We go for the all you can eat crabs, and boy do we all you can eat the crap out of the crabs. Simple steamed crabs with Old Bay doused all over the place. Raw, animalistic, barbaric, and down right nummy. 4 out of 5 because the service could be better at times, although the last time we went, the service waas great and we didn't have to wait around for a refill on the crabs. 4 out of 5 also because there are a few bad crabs in the bunch, but hey, with all you can eat, you simply discard the crappy ones. 4 out of 5 because the sides aren't anything special, like overly cooked corn on the cob, which I hate to like, but like. The fries are good, the chowder was a bit salty, though. 4 out of 5 also because the Old Bay is rather useless since the crabs aren't steamed or boiled in it, and it just falls off the shell when you start a-cracken on the crabs. Plus, after a while, Old Bay just gets boring. You do get melted butter and vinegar if you want to dip. I choose to simply wipe the Old Bay off, and enjoy the pure sweetness of the crab meat. Can't wait to get back again and get my crab back on. Live in DC area so we call ahead in the AM to ensure they are having all you can eat that day. We also like to bring our dog, so the outdoor pet table works well for us, although at times you do get a waft of garbage since it is in the back. Not the most sightly or appetizing walking past the garbage in order to get to the seats, but the sacrifices we make for our dogs....
(4)Melissa J.
We were really looking forward to finally eating at Cantler's...we tried to come here last summer and couldn't get anywhere near it because the parking lot was so packed that the wait to park was 30 minutes. So we figured it must be pretty incredible to draw that kind of a crowd. Wrong. The fish was overcooked, bordering on rubbery. I ordered a broiled crabcake but they brought me fried. The fried soft shell was really nicely done, but as the server brought it to our table one of the legs was falling off the plate and she just grabbed it and pushed it back on with her bare hand, which she had just used to do who-knows-what. Delicious. Basically, not worth the wait (we were told it would be 45 minutes but it ended up being an hour and 20).
(2)Lynn S.
The place is in a weird residential neighborhood. But we found it through GPS easy enough. The steam shrimp really is nothing special. The Cajun grilled cod portion is sooo small for $12 bucks. The crabs, however, are good. Nice and full, fresh and sweet. We had a dozen of extra large for $90. It's tasty, but in my opinion, way too salty. I still think Mike's is better.
(3)Eileen L.
My family and i went to the naval academy for the weekend and wanted to have seafood in a scenic setting. i followed yelp to Cantler's Riverside Inn. we were sorely disappointed. the waitress who served us seemed very impatient and annoyed at us. the vegetable crab soup was not so spectacular. the dishes we ordered were subpar. the crabs were expensive and small. they were also not steamed as we had wanted. on top of that, the floor and benches we sat on were covered with crab remnants from other parties. we left the restaurant full, but not satisfied.
(2)Peter K.
Loud, crowded, and the food definitely did hot live up to the hype that has been written about this place. Yes, its a crab-house, yes its not fine dining, but the crabs were watery. We ordered the Jimmy seafood platter as well. Half the mussels and clams on the platter were empty. I would not recommend going out of your way to come here. If you have to wait more than 10 minuets for a table, you should go someplace else. Not worth the wait.
(2)Liza A.
Well good place for crabs.....but not worth the waiting..come on I came to this place at 2:30 pm was greeted by a guy at the narrow rd that takes to this place and told us that parking was full and that we needed to wait until parking was available..OK....we had probably 18 cars before us.....we got down to put our names on the waiting list...90 MIN...oh man....well no shade so under the sun with kids...hubby cones with car and parks at 3:30 pm we are still waiting for table ;(, well buzzer starts beeping we come to the sssmalllll entrance and the stupid thing is just running out of battery come back out and wait some more, sat and ate until 4:00pm. Food is OK nothing worth that hassle. Waitresses are very nice. But oh man what a nightmare. Thank God its over
(3)Jessica L.
I will start this off by coming clean: I am not a seafood consumer, but my husband loves seafood. We were going to visit Annapolis for the day and he wanted to go to Cantler's for dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on a Saturday ad they are not kidding about needing GPS...a 2 lane road goes down to a 1 and 1/2 maybe before you get there so be careful driving. We came upon a line of cars waiting and were told by the man with the walkie talkie that this was the line to park since the lot was full. He said the non-driver should go up ahead and put our name down on the list since it was an hour and half wait. My husband was skeptical at first to waiting but I figured it's 5:30pm and I'm not exactly hungry yet. I went and put our name on the list and it took us about 30 minutes to park (might want to drive a small car or the one you don't care gets dinged since they make up parking spaces). Went to the bar for our drinks and had literally just walked out the door to wait outside, when our buzzer went off. A party of 2 has it's advantages sometimes : ) My husband ordered beer and I ordered the Iced Tea. We both got salads, Ceasar and Baby Spinach. Both were excellent and the size of probably a entree salad. Our server Annie was amazing and when either of our drinks were thinking of becoming too low she would bring us re-fills. We then had the Calamari to follow. Also a big hit since it was yummy seafood for my husband and it was fried yumminess with a great dipping sauce for me. We then had our entrees: Stuffed Rockfish and Filet Mignon both with steamed veggies and baked potatoe with the steak. I wasn't going to ask for steak sauce since it was a seafood joint but our server Annie offered me A1 so I was very excited. By the time we were done eating our wonderful entrees we were both so full we didn't even have room for dessert. I will also say the only ding against them is the bathroom with 2 stalls is not exactly great for such a crowded restaurant. I would deffintly go back just for the service which was amazing. The food was also 5 stars and loved that there was a wide range of options for non-seafood lovers. It is worth the wait.
(5)Chow N.
Generally speaking, I prefer a place across the bridge when I want crabs, but I try to stop by here for some fresh seafood whenever I'm in the area on the western shore. I had an iced tea, which wasn't refilled often enough, freshly fried calamari, and a crabcake sandwich. The calamari was really good, and as I always do, I asked if it was freshly prepared or from a bag. If it's from a bag, I can get that from the grocery store. They said it was freshly prepared, and by gosh, it was good. Only issue was that it was very expensive at $11.99 as an appetizer. It came with a Thai sweet/sour sauce, so I opted to go with the cocktail sauce from the squeeze bottle. For the price, I expect some kind of garlic aioli. I also had the crabcake sandwich, which was broiled. It tasted very fresh and very good, which is what I would expect during crab season. Along with the sandwich came the extra crispy fries, which were probably from a bag. Price was $14.99, and came with a packet of Kraft tartar sauce. The weather was beautiful, nice and cool/breezy while shaded from the sun. The place got packed for lunch. I didn't want to get messy, so I didn't want to deal with pounding on crabs. Super size crabs were $95/dozen.
(4)debbie a.
I love the amount of Old Bay they put on the crabs you get! It just makes everything so delicious. We ordered the Crab Bruschetta - VERY delicious.. the crab meat was sweet and fresh with the acidity from the tomato.. perfect - only 3 to an order though. Crab soup (okay - a little too oily and salty.. missing that briney flavor) Crab boil... MmMmmmm my ONLY complaint was that they didnt scrub the crab clean before they were cooked.... would have made the crab more appetizing if i didnt see black grit all over the bottom outside of the shell (that i eventually tasted - hard to avoid all that when you are handling them) The fries were DELICIOUS... they have a slight batter to them so they stay crunchy and well spiced. Will definitely go again for outside seating (1) and food (2) if in the area. FYI - service needed some help..
(4)Sharon T.
We usually go to Harris Crab House when we want to eat crabs out. After reading review after review for Cantler's I convinced my family for us to try something different. We were sadly disappointed. We started with a dozen large crabs, and right off the bat my son's first crab was bad---mushy, ammonia smell, icky. Now being a MD girl I realize that can happen anywhere, but then my husband had a bad one, then my daughter (ironically I never got a bad one, but I did check theirs out). Our waitress did replace them but after ordering another dozen mediums and having a total of 5 out of 24 being bad we had enough. Also at one point a different server brought out a dish to the people sharing our table, and when she asked if anyone needed anything, I asked for a new shell bucket and some more vinegar. My husband told me after I asked she rolled her eyes and walked away. Really? We ordered hushpuppies, french fries, some cherrystones and steamers which were average. I also had a coupon for a free appetizer and we got the crab bruschetta, which was good. I SO wanted to like Canter's, and it is a cute getaway down a quaint river road, but after waiting to get in the parking lot (I knew that could happen) then a wait in the lot itself, it so NOT worth it. We came for CRABS, and they were the worst part of the meal. :( Poor quality control and indifferent service. Oh--also were were lucky to get outside seating. The inside is dark, dark, DARK and dreary. Why anyone would want to sit in a basement (not literally) to eat crabs is beyond me, but hey, if they had been amazing I might have considered it. We'll be going back to Harris' next time for our crabs, AND get a signature Nutty Buddy for dessert. Sorry Cantler's, I tried... :(
(1)Bob K.
Very disappointed. Food was so so and service was slow, tight space, smelled bad and very dirty. Also, not very scenic. It's off of my bucket list. To top things off, my wife was sick last night with symptoms of food poisoning....
(1)Angela S.
I have been to Jimmy's many times. The crabs are great especially this time of year. A side of onion rings, and a bloody mary...mmm!!!!
(4)Ken M.
I was out here with a large group (35 people) that had pre-arranged with the restaurant that we would be there at the appointed time.There was even a pre-arranged menu of three choices. So it shouldn't have been a big deal when we all showed up to be able to serve us. However, it was! Sure. there were a few "walk-ins" for our group but only a few and it shouldn't have thrown everything off. My food - the crab cake meal - took f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the seating was such that we were packed like sardines onto two benches when it would have been way more comfortable to spread out a bit. The result is that members of the group couldn't get up and move around once they were seated. The wait staff was friendly enough but, of course, slow as molasses due, in part, to the slow preparation in the kitchen. The kicker, for me, was when a small-sh family group came in well after us and ordered off the menu and got their meal while I was still guzzling iced tea...and waiting...and waiting. I would have thought that lunch time (12:30 to 2:30) on a Tuesday in an out-of-the-way place like this would mean attentive service and good food. Not so much. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Being on the water (Mill Creek??) was OK if you didn't mind looking at a bunch of boat slips and ramshackle boat houses. My experience is that there are lots better places with better ambiance, better food and a nicer view. Save your time (and money), don't get lost back along the winding roads to find this place. It's not worth it.
(2)Good E.
i was in annapolis with my mom and after a day of touring around we went to get some dinner here. i love seafood especially crab. we had crabcakes, hushpuppies which were ok. the shrimp was very tasty. the actual crab was meh. ive had better seafood in new england, so i wasnt that impressed with this place the ambience of the place is kind of divey/shack-like so dont come here with the mindset of fine dining
(3)Laura G.
So if you are ever in Maryland, this place is worth visiting!!!! I have never had better crabs than at Cantler's. The seafood is delicious. The place is super casual. You sit at what looks like a park bench and they put a thick paper down. We usually order the crabs by the dozen. Yummy!!!!
(5)Daniel N.
They deserve a 5 stars based on my experience there with my family.
(5)Jason C.
If you're lookin' to eat whole crabs and wash them down with some canned beer, you're in heaven - if not, save yourself the drive. Service was pretty good.
(3)Ebony H.
The food was pretty good. I was upset that I paid $8 for frozen hush puppies. The crabs are delish...but the next time I pay over $100 for a meal I would like it on real plates and not Styrofoam. Great location!
(3)Larry C.
I've been going to Cantler's for 10 years or so. Here's what I think... - crabs are usually good, but we have gotten bad ones on occasion - mussels are so-so - oysters are pretty good - key lime pie is good - seating inside is tight, a little on the crusty side, but generally fun - seating outside is cramped, but nice The location is outstanding. My daughter and I love to walk on the pier after dinner.
(3)Robert S.
Five pointy ones because, when I stop to think about it, I can't think of a better crabhouse in Annapolis! The rating should probably be 4.5 stars because of the high prices but it seems to me that market prices would be fairly uniform in a given geographical area. On to the good stuff: -Maryland crab soup comes in tomato-base and cream-base and they are both the bomb, although I prefer tomato-base. -Steamed soft shell clams are my favorite here. Fresh, freshly steamed, with drawn butter and old bay seasoning. I think they may make their own old bay, can anyone verify this?? -Crab cake sandwich - A very healthy ball of crab on a bun. Tomato and lettuce. You add your toppings (cocktail sauce, horseradish, ketchup, etc). A little bit of a big bun, but still very tasty. -Steamed jumbo shrimp - 1/2 lb or 1 lb=6 or 12 prawns. Good size prawns, I think our waitress told us they were from NC or SC (don't quite remember). Boiled clambake style with lots of old bay, onions and new potatoes. Another winner! -Steamed MD blue crabs- $60/dz this day. Would have ordered them except we went crabbing the day before and caught and tried to eat a bushel of crabs, so I was a little "crabby"! and decided to order other items. I make a pilgrimage to the one and only Cantler's every time I come back to Annapolis. Lots of good memories reinforced by awesome food that has remained remarkably consistent over the time I have been coming here. Service was very good the two times I was there last weekend, with different waitresses each time. One note: make sure you have a GPS or print directions/map before you get here, it is a little tricky because it is tucked way back in a residential neighborhood. There are signs but not till you get pretty far into the 'hood.
(5)Merrill H.
Ok, so I agree with many yelpers than it can be a confusing drive to Cantler's for the average tourist, but there's no need for a GPS unless you are seriously directionally challenged or completely clueless. Either way, Cantler's is full of crab. Crab crab crab crab crab! Don't come here for a hamburger, folks! Be prepared to shell out (no pun intended) $70 and up for a lunch for 2. My bf and I shared half a dozen large crabs and 2 lump crab cakes. The crab cakes were delicious and my favorite part of the meal, but pricey at $25. The 1/2 dozen crabs came out, buried under copious amounts of Cantler's crab seasoning mix. If you don't like seasoning, be sure to let the waiter/waitress know beforehand! Expect crowds here, no matter what time of day. The bar seemed to attract the yuppie, J Crew type guys. Yuck.
(4)Tino D.
Sitting on a sunny patio, overlooking the river, I was surrounded by friends with a table full of fresh seafood and beer in front of me. Sufficed to say, I had a great time at Cantlers! The food was very simply prepared; steamed crabs with old bay spice, fresh oysters with horse radish and some sweet potato fries. I guess when food is this fresh, you really want the ingredients to speak for themselves. It was very busy when we were there, but we still received stellar service. Our waiter was very attentive and was knowledgeable about the menu items. This place is a lot of fun, with great food and service. I definitely plan on going again.
(4)Roll T.
Michele D. was gracious enough to organize an event over at Cantler's before the end of crab season, and we were hungry enough to put down a few dozen of Maryland's famous blue crabs doused in JO. For the uninitiated, the drive to Cantler's takes you through a windy path eventually leading to a shack by the water shore. At this point, you are escorted by the friendly staff to an available table. In our case, we were lucky enough to get a spot right on the water. On this occasion, we ordered a few dozen jumbo sized crabs and some shrimp and hush puppies on the side. I had a rather unremarkable cream of crab soup, but the individuals who ordered the Maryland crab soup sounded like they enjoyed their experience. The shrimp and hush puppies were likewise forgettable. People don't come here for soup, shrimp, or hush puppies. They come here to down nice, succulent, fleshy crab meat in apple vinegar. While I exhibited novice crab picking skills, my companions happily ingested extraordinary amounts of blue crab. While I enjoyed my meal, I simply find Alaskan red king crab to be juicier, more flavorful, and easier to eat than its Maryland counterpart. Indeed, in my opinion, blue crab is probably best suited for crab cakes. The jumbo crab imperial cakes here are amazing; I like them even better than ordering a dozen blue crabs here. Although the price is a bit steep (we ended up at $50/person), Cantler's is still a remarkable place that is worth an occasional drive up to Annapolis. If you are local, I would suggest going on an off-night to avoid the tourist crowd. I'm still a fan of this place, but I think you might be able to find better deals in Baltimore.
(4)Holly C.
Stopped by this place on the way back home from New Orleans. Had some Chesapeake Bay raw oysters - they were pretty good. For our entree, we ordered the special: 1 1/4 lb lobster & Alaskan King Crab legs. The lobster was okay (a little too cooked/rubbery in my opinion). The crab legs on the other hand were amazing! Tender & flavorful. I got the hush puppies as my side (no extra charge for changing it). They were decent, but it was my first time having them. My friend, who is more familiar with them, said they were "oookay" as well. The home cooked potato chips were pretty good, and the coleslaw was good! (I'm one of those weirdos who love cold slaw) We decided to sit "outside", which was basically picnic table outside. Since it was the winter, it was covered & heated, but I think it would be a nice place to come to during the summer.
(3)Michele D.
Look at all these great reviews...let that tell the message right there. I have been so busy this summer that I never got the chance to sit outside and enjoy some sweet and succulent crabs. Until last Saturday. I posted a UYE and called all Yelpers to enjoy the awesome spot on the water with some of the best crabs in town. Their crabs may be on the expensive side, but they do -not- disappoint. At. All. They are big, meaty and oh so sweet. We ordered 3 dozen of the jumbos for eight people. Did we get down, or what? We also ordered two pounds of steamed shrimp, which were wonderful but came with potatoes and onions. I wish they would only serve the shrimp because the potatoes and onions went to waste at our table! Please, who's got room for that filler stuff when you need the room for crab meat? The other thing we ordered but I only ate a few of was Hush Puppies. They have the best ones I've had; they are a very nice break from the Old Bay seasoning. Our server, Micky, was a rock star when it came to handling our group. She was spot on with service and took great care of us. Ahhh, until next summer...
(5)Cheryl B.
Labor Day weekend 2009. Michele D. gathered a few Yelpers together to enjoy an end to summer Crab event in Annapolis. Where else would you go but Cantler's? Answer: NOWHERE! I've been going to Cantler's for years and am never disappointed. The crabs are fresh and hot, the beer is ice cold...and the service is the best around for a family oriented restaurant. It was great to kick off our weekend laughing, meeting new friends and enjoying the fruits of the Chesapeake Bay. We took up a couple tables outside on the back deck and lazily picked large chunks of luscious white meat from our trays of season laiden crabs. Sipping icy cold beer, and iced tea you couldn't help but always turn toward the water to admire yet another beautiful sailboat passing by....not jealous, but a bit envious that we too were not aboard heading out for a day on the water. Stuffed with the selection of crabs, shrimp, fried fish and hush puppies we completed our 2 1/2 hr dining experience and waddled off for our next adventure....Annapolis downtown beware!! Thanks again Michele D.!!
(5)David T.
We pulled in here to eat dinner during a cruise down the bay headed to Naptown to watch the fireworks. Free mooring for diners. The smell of rotten fish/crabs at the dock on the way up to the restaurant isn't a good thing. The calamari appetizer was horrible. So chewy that it was like chewing on rubber. How can a seafood place not know how to cook calamari? Between the four of us, one halibut and ahi tuna kabob (special), two crab cake sandwiches, and one drunk'n shellfish. While we all thought the food was good, it wasn't what any of us considered excellent or anything close to 5 stars worth. No frills place, like the other reviewers have said. Not very clean and our waiter had somewhat of a "I'm doing you a favor" attitude. I imagine this place is more well known for it's crabs than anything else they serve. Of course I really don't know how you can screw up steaming a crab with Old Bay seasoning. So because of that, wow on the 5 star ratings.
(3)Marisa F.
Really great seafood place located in Annapolis. It is a pretty drive and the restaurant is located at the end of the drive. They have a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice and you can pull up to it with your boat. Great place to enjoy Maryland crabs and lots of other kinds of seafood.
(4)Miss E.
If you want to stuff your face with fresh seafood, this is the place! We wound up here for the first time early one Saturday evening. The wait for a table was about 40 minutes, but we were lucky enough to grab a couple seats at the bar. Before our asses hit the barstools, the bartender was taking our drink order and getting us menus. She joked that we'd get way better service at the bar than in the dining room. She wasn't kidding. While everyone else was waiting for food and drinks, we were scarfing down on hot seafood and sipping on cold beer. We only ordered crabs (super fresh) and shrimp (HUGE), so I can't comment on their side dishes. The bartender also served us a couple great margaritas, which was a nice surprise. There are a couple of things you should know before you go: prices are high, they only serve beer in a can, the parking lot is small, and there is virtually no waiting area up front. But if you plan accordingly, you'll hopefully have a great experience like we did.
(4)Ai-Chen Y.
"A perfect place to enjoy fresh blue crabs!" I am a crab fan and went to the places several times. If you went to the place on the weekend, the place is super crowded. They don't take reservation and normally have to wait approximately 30 minutes... Go to Cantler's on a week day will be better, less crowded and no need to wait. The most famous item here is its blue crab with the old bay seasoning. There are different prices based on the size. Highly recommended "Super"- the biggest one. (If they run out of "super", order "X-Large"($36 for 6 crabs)price may change due to the size). People use the wood hammer to eat the crab, be careful that the old bay seasoning will split every where when u crush the crab shell. Don't wear fancy clothes, or you cannot eat the crab with fun. The thing I love Cantler's most is that their crab is very fresh. You could see the fresh crabs loaded by the ships near the riverside dock. My mom has an serious allergy problem that if she eats the seafood not fresh. However, she does not have any problem with the crabs from Cantler's! The other thing in Cantler's are soso, I will suggest that you just eat some crabs here and go other place to fill your stomach.
(4)Megan P.
Great crab dip with fresh loaves of bread. They were out of wings when my husband tried to order them, which seemed a little strange. The cream of crab soup was good, but had a little bit too much sherry for my taste. The hardshells were not very good. Their blend of old bay was extremely salty (and I like salt). The rest of the seafood on our platter (king crab legs, oysters, clams, fried shrimp) were okay, but nothing special. The service was a little slow. We had to flag down our waitress a few times to get her to pay attention to us.
(3)Cee L.
Was excited to try this place out and thought the food would be worth waiting for a parking space. Unfortunately we started off with mushy clams. The crab meat was too clean with a bunch of old bay thrown on the shells making my fingers hurt and making everything I touched too salty. Not worth the long drive or the windy roads to the middle of nowhere.
(2)Christine E.
Word to the wise...if you plan to come here on a Saturday, I highly recommend you come sometime during the hours between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. After that...expect a wait in line...not just for a table...but to park your car! We arrived at around 3 pm and found a parking spot in the small lot (relative to the number of patrons that come in) right away. Put our names in for a table and waited about 20-30 minutes for a table inside. (There is a nice patio overlooking the water.) Wait wasn't so bad since we got to take the stairs down to the pier and enjoy the scenic water views and really get into the spirit of things as first-time visitors to Annapolis! We ordered the crab dip to start and that was probably my favorite part of the meal. BEST crab dip I think I've ever tasted! For entrees, we ordered the three-crab sampler just to get the full experience of trying Maryland blue crabs. We also ordered the 1/2 order of lobster (which was very delicious) and jumbo shrimps. Each entree was around $20-$25, which isn't cheap but well worth it for the quality seafood and experience. Seating and wait staff were young and friendly. I expect to come back with first-time visitors. Probably best to come when it's still light out since the area is somewhat remote. Get ready to dig in!
(5)Al G.
I have been here a few times . The food is good but not consistent. The place can be like a zoo at times so many people wanting to come here. I have to say that it is cool to pull up in a bout and go to dinner. The staff is nice.
(3)RB S.
I was in DC for a family vacation and tried this place on a local friend recommendation. It has mostly outdoor tables either in patio or by the river. There is only one road in and out. Our family tried extra large crabs. and they were too salty. or too much seasoning (probably msg based). No biggie to wash down with beer. But it's not a wholesome dining experience. Service was good.
(2)D L.
Went for weekend dinner. Six people (three hardcore crab lovers and three on for the ride). Ordered: - Two dozen soft crabs, large size. GET SEASONING ON THE SIDE, otherwise might be to salty. Also, would be even messier trying to throw down with hands soaked in seasoning AND crab juice - Corn: Steamed, with no butter. Very sweet and good. - Onion rings: HUGE! But, all batter and no onion. - French fries: actually tasty, but came out cold - Lump cake crab cakes dish: HUGE crab cakes - Stuffed shrimp dish. Only have can beer. Good ginger ale (I don't know, it was just good). Kind of pricey. Bathroom is tiny and cramped! Why don't they have a huge trough outside for people to wash their hands in?? Service good. Friendly and accommodating. Price, on the medium-high side.
(3)Laura R.
We came here with a large group for lunch. We were seated around 12:30 and they had run out of Supers. By the time we finished our meal, they only had mediums left, and the mediums were rather small. Most of our party ordered Jimmy's Crab feast, which came with three crabs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and corn. The best thing on the plate was the shrimp. The crabs were so overdone I felt like I was eating cat food. All in all, I was disappointed, but I may be willing to give it another try.
(2)Lara S.
Me (newish to DC area) to a friend: Hey, I'm taking a random trip to Annapolis. I'm not sure why really, but I thought it would be good to check out other places around DC while I'm here. Friend: Um, yeah. Annapolis is great. Me: So, do you have any suggestions? Friend: Cantler's. You have to go to Cantler's. Me: I read about this place called Mike's. You heard of that? Friend: Yeah, but I think you should go to Cantler's. Other places might be cheaper, but this is the best one. _______________________________________________ Ok, so who can argue about where to go after that kind of recommendation? We drove down the windy road to get to Cantler's. Waited to park our car in the spot designated by the teenagers working outside in the blazing heat. We rushed to put our name on the list, got our buzzer and the approximate 1 hour 15 minute wait time prognosis, and headed back to the car to read and enjoy the AC. Once our time had elapsed, the buzzer buzzed, and we scurried back to the restaurant to claim our table. We ordered some crabs, of course, and also corn and mussels. It was my first time eating crabs, so I asked some fellows dinners for their advice on opening up the shells. The waiter also showed us how to do it, and what parts we should or shouldn't eat. The restaurant overlooks the water, and we were happy with our selection of table section - outside and covered. Overall, a wonderful and worthwhile experience. Just make sure to plan ahead for the long wait. It will be worth it.
(5)BiG M.
Honestly, i think the pictures say it all: Where else can you buy crabs by the dozen? Where else do you get to park on a bed of clam & oyster shells? Where else can you gorge yourself on the table topped with butcher paper? Where can you wield a small wooden mallet like a drunken dwarf? This place is hidden Hidden HIDDEN away on a big hill...i wouldnt reccomend trying to find it without GPS. Once you find it though your day will get 100 times better. I would reccomend you wear some clothes you dont mind getting crab all over, cause its gonna get all over ur fingers, hands, face & body: this is a good thing!! It was pretty late in the winter & there werent too many places one could still get Maryland bluecrab...but my hosts love me & set this place aside for me ^^ luv!! A chart on the wall tells you how big the crabs are: we ate a dozen Large & another dozen Super. The Old Bay spice on top is very pungent & may take a bit to get used to, but after a while its intoxicating musk & flavor are all over your hands & face & you will want more! More!! You should ask your host how to properly use the knife & mallet if ur into instructions, otherwise just hammer away & stuff your face! We took a handfull of pictures with our waitress after our meal too ^^ they are so sweet here. Before heading back to our cars, we slipped down to the back side of the building via a side door & onto the riverbank. In the darkness of the night sky the houses along the river light up like lifeflies dancing up & down the current. Its quite a pictureque view & ur body will thank you for walking around to ease your comfortable suffering from being too full!!
(5)Chris C.
Sadly I can't comment on the food here because I never got past the phone call to the place! I am allergic to Maryland seafood and most places in MD get their crabs from other places around the country as well and often they are willing to accommodate my allergy. Upon calling Cantler's and explaining my allergy and asking if they had crabs from anywhere else, the girl said "No, we get them from MD" so I asked to speak to a manager. She got someone who told me to call back around 5 or 6 tonight (it is noon now) because they are too busy right now and THEN I could talk to a manager. That pretty much made up my mind. No need to drive about an hour out to Annapolis for some place that can't even take 2 min. on the phone to help me out. Oh...and this was for my birthday dinner. Screw you Cantler's.
(1)Jaclyn S.
I have no idea how I failed to review Cantler's before this. I have clearly been remiss. If you know me, you know that I like food (eating it, cooking it, chasing it) and that I am particularly obsessed with seafood and cheese. This is the place that got me to round up my friends for my birthday, two years in a row, and force them to make the 1.5 hour backwoods drive from DC out to Cantler's. It was worth it. Both times. The first time we went there was an hour long wait (Cantler's has a lot of regulars and some people even boat right up to the dock and wait there). The second time, however, we went right after a bad storm and got in right away. Seriously, try to synchronize your trip with crappy weather if you can. Then there's no way the big crabs will sell out before you get there. And yes, speaking of crabs, they are blue, uber fresh, and come in several sizes. Go as big as possible - you'll hate spending the bulk of your meal picking meat out of teeny tiny crabs. Cantler's steams the crabs to perfection and then liberally dumps delicious JO seasoning (Old Bay-esque) over them. They give you a wooden mallet to pound them with (I love this - it's one of the reasons I come here) and delicious melted butter. A couple of my friends who don't like crabs (WHAT!?!?) ordered the fish and said it was delish. Definitely get some sides - they have the classic hush puppies and corn - or a bucket of steamers (clams). It's not just the food that makes this place though. It has good feng shui or positive vibes or they cook with love or something, I swear! Everyone just looks stoked to be there. After your meal take a walk outside and go look at all the bins of live blue and horseshoe crabs looking all funny and poking around. Then walk out along the docks and admire all the boats crowded around against a starry sky. You won't be sorry you came here.
(5)Scott L.
The crab cakes are lump but very Blane and the rockfish is tasteless and overlooked. I don't think they even have a chef here. The place is also dark on the inside and grimy . Only reason I gave 2 stars is for oysters .
(2)Ma-e M.
Listen! This will help you. I'm giving it 1 star, but I was with a group of colleagues who are regulars so for them, I add 1 for 2 stars. (Regulars I say because the nearest from work and better restaurant than Chinese for lunch time.) Yap, I was the only one who sees it. Customers commented overprice or pricey; I'm relieved that you see that. So if Cantler's price is too much, do you think you should settle for less or expect the usual? You have spoken. The answer is for majority in this board it's unanimous. But I still have a say, and a very valid one to date! Here's what it should be: I believe that if the price is that much, I do deserve to get a better service and high quality of food. Read on...I did not get that yesterday. I was completely dissatisfied. They don't care! What draws Cantler's crowd? I don't see it and completely surprised by the crowd Friday lunch time. It was packed. Why? Cantler's is an old established restaurant. It's a mystery to get there. By the river, Cantler's location is no where near other shops but it is in a secluded neighborhood area of the other side of Annapolis. To get there, you change mph from 15, 25 to 35. It's a scary drive; the roads are narrow and winding. You don't know if you'll hit a car or a deer, run though a house, or go overboard the water. People just love mysteries. Quite the opposite, I'm not mystefied. I know the mystery. The first thing that got to me was the chair and table; it was bad taste and very uncomfortable for dining. Well, when you are eating and pounding to crack crabs, the least you would pay attention to is what you are seating down because you are more interested in getting those crab meats. It makes sense. It's a burn no one wants to feel. I observed how people were loving the place and the food with my amazement. But I, just see negatives about this place. I'm brutally frank that I was hating every moment I'm sitting there and I was talking about it. I ordered the special which was highly recommended by the lady wait staff. I was so excited that I'm getting the special, thinking that could be like Cosi's Crab Melt Flatbread with 2 cheeses, tomatoes and onions, instead I got a very pathetic looking triangular small 6 pizza slices that was drop on my table. WHAT! at that price!!! Totally unacceptable. I had better pizza in my life somewhere else. It was claimed that it has crab meat in it, but I could not taste it and see it. I'm paying for the crabs but where is the freaking crabs? This was definitely making me crabby. Colleagues have suggested to tell the lady wait staff that I don't like it. The lady wait staff did not even bother to ask me how was it. At that time, I made a decision not to tip her (which I said loudly because I disdain this place) and I will eat the damn pizza with disgusting look, swallow my outspoken demeanour and pride. But I strongly demur every minute at this place; it was not lovely or fun at all. I could not taste the crab and tomatoes and onions were diced and on the side, not even on the pizza. What unimaginative/uncreative and insenstive/careless piece of dish and they call this special??? Once again, I was baffled that people enjoyed this place. I don't get it why people will spend this much, accept it, happy about it, when it is not really worth it to begin with. Look, around, look again, look more and think critically to where are you sitting? It is not McCormick and Schmick's. I rather that I pay this much money that equates quality and care to food and service. I think people here need to go to McCormick and Schmick's for a rude awakening, high price = no crabs, just excellent seafood, wonderful service and classy restaurant. Should I try again? No, not for that price. I don't even consider it. I will not befooled. Sorry, you guys have been pinched by the crabs. It's so clear in the day, that it is a tourist trap. You want crabs? find them somewhere else, better off. Cantler's ratings proof is just like crabs that people go with the flow and some are suckers. Come on, go on, you can change for the better.
(2)C W.
The food saves this place and pulls the rating from 2 to 3 stars. The staff is hit and miss. The seating outside is nice but inside is very crowded. A lot of hype about a mediocre restaurant.
(3)Regina S.
Pro's: - One of a handful of places left that actually serve local crabs. On occassion they will supplement their inventory with crustaceans from Louisiana since unfortunately, our local bounty has diminished to record low levels. Many other "crab houses" or "crab shacks" get their hard shells from other states, Central America, and even Asia, so if you really want local this IS the place. -The restaurant is off the beaten path, nestled on a creek off the Bay so you get a waterfront dining experience along with your crab pickin. -You can arrive by boat! Cons: It's out of the way location does not mean it's not a touristy destination. This restaurant has been featured in more publications and foodie TV shows than any other establishment in Annapolis. So if you think you have found a "hidden gem", think again. -Summer waits can be unbelievable, with cars idling for a mile on the windy road waiting for a parking spot. Yeah we've heard they come around with coolers offering libations, but is this really the way you want to spend an hour or so? Go by boat or off peak hours. -Other offerings are just so so. Another restaurant that lives off a reputation and not necessarily the current quality of their food and service.
(3)Kellie P.
Holy Damn... I am so lucky to be from Maryland. Maryland crabs will school all others. Sorry, it's true. There is almost no satisfaction like that tiny bit of meat you get from picking crabs... I love my life in MD whenever I get to visit. Cantler's really helps with my crab obsession. My darling friend Ballew took me here for the 2nd time on my visit home last week... My love was also in town with me, and we had the pleasure of stopping into the outside patio for dinner. We went nuts. We ordered EVERYTHING WE WANTED. The crabcakes are FAT (Perfection), the blue crabs are great (with about a ton of Old Bay, Yes!), the Rockfish bites are not to be missed, we barely noticed the wings (I think they were ok?), the fries were also good. Yes, I do judge a place by their fries at times. It was my Love's first time picking crabs, he was so pro! And what a great atmosphere to do it in, right down by the river ;) I love the way we're all classy in MD and roll out that giant paper over the tables. Pair it up with a Yuengling for the Win. It won't be my last time here.... Pretty sure I gained 2 lbs at this meal, and I don't regret it for a second. Boo-Yah!
(5)Chad B.
Good lump crab cakes. Casual atmosphere. Along a creek to the Severn river. For these reasons, I take most house guests here while they are in Annapolis. While I am generally satisfied, I find the portions (except of course the all you can eat crab) to be a bit skimpy and the prices a bit steep. I prefer McCormick and Schmick's for seafood other than crack-your-own crabs.
(4)Leanne B.
Crab cakes were good, hush puppies were great!! Everyone enjoyed their meals thoroughly!!! Been told to come by my friends who are regulars, when crab season is in full swing coz then you get more for ya money!
(5)Roger W.
Very good seafood spot. Hard crabs are a treat (get the largest ones they have). Peel and eat shrimp were tasty, crab cakes very good. It's not inexpensive and they have no draft beer, only cans.
(3)Bif P.
What a great time my family had here !! The crabs were very good size and cooked to perfection. The hush puppies are a must have as well. There are a lot of items on the menu including stuff for someone that doesn't like seafood however I would stick with the crabs. I thought the service was excellent, the food came quickly and always with a smile from the waitress. If you plan on going on a Saturday night around dinner time (7pm) here is what you can expect. They say to car pool if possible and they are correct, one car leaves the lot another one is let in. So there are cars waiting 'in the que' just to get in the lot. There are parking attends that are there and very helpful. My advice is if this happens let someone out of your car and have them walk in and get on the wait list for a table. You can expect anywhere from an hour to 2 hour wait BUT there is stuff to do. There is an outdoor bar in the parking lot where you can get a drink and walk downstairs along the water. The food and atmosphere were great, you just have to expect to wait but it is worth it.
(5)Alex L.
After a bit of a wait you'll be seated at a long picnic table. The server slaps down a piece of brown paper and brings you silverware, napkins and a mallet. You order crabs by size, however many you want, and in a few minutes they'll appear, steamed on a red tray. Grab your mallet and let the pounding, pulling and cracking begin. If you enjoy this, it doesn't get any better and the crabs don't get any fresher. Personally I go with the lump crab cakes - I'd rather enjoy my meal without breaking a sweat. But that's just me. Both crab soups are fantastic. The corn on the cob is fresh. Hush puppies make for a good side. They have a surprisingly large list of canned beer - beer you didn't even know came in cans - and "bottomless iced tea". If you're really not into crabs, fear not - there are plenty of other things on the menu: appetizers, salads, chicken, beef or other fish. Indoor, outdoor-covered or outdoor-uncovered seating is available. If you've never been there before, you might want to bring your GPS. One more thing - Cantler's can get insanely busy. I've even waited in a line of cars just to get into the parking lot. Remember: this isn't fine dining. This is good old fashioned, crab crackin' fun.
(5)Carter R.
Been to Cantler's tons of times. My fiance and I both grew up in the Arnold/Annapolis area and whenever we go out for crabs we always come here. I prefer it over Mikes and the other crab houses in the area. You will have to wait for a table on busy summer nights, but you can drink ice cold canned beer while you wait inside or out (big plus). Crabs can pricey but are worth it, and are always consistent.
(4)Bianca F.
Another great crab house in the Annapolis area. It's not as big as its competitor, Mike's Crab House and doesn't have as big of an outdoor area. It also doesn't have as expansive as a view, although I do like quiet water way that we do see. The fun part for kids (and adults) are found on the below-street level - I don't know how to describe them, but you can see live crab in some basins. The prices are decent and the crabs are good...though they tend to be missing some of the large claws sometimes. The service is OK. The wait here is long but you'll find that problem at any crab house in the area on a summer's night.
(4)Travis T.
This place has been recommended to me by a couple different people over the years, but finally went to Cantler's on Labor Day with 3 friends. We had a short wait of maybe 30-40 minutes, so we plopped down and had an okay bloody mary. Once seated, our server was incredibly polite and attentive the whole time. We ordered a couple dozen #2s (the only crabs available), fries, corn on the cob and hush puppies. Of course, the beers were coming as we needed them. The crabs were great, but the ones on the bottom of the pile were really soggy and made the meat mushy which wasn't great. Otherwise, the crabs were super sweet and we didn't need any butter, vinegar or any other sauce. The fries were tasty, and the corn was also very good and sweet. But, the hush puppies were incredible, but I'm not a hush puppy connoisseur either. I'd definitely go back!
(3)Maryam K.
When I think of this place, I start day dreaming of everything it encompasses: fresh seafood, sunny summer days and waterside lounging. My obsession with king crab legs and blue crabs intensifies with every visit. I have to stop writing this, because the smell of Old Bay is taking over and I am not sure I can manage another 5 hours at the office with this nostalgia. Yuuuuuummmmy! p.s. the creamsicle cocktail is a MUST!
(5)Amy O.
Not so sure about this place. Maybe it is that I am not a huge crab person. If i ewre, maybe this review would be higher. Still, there was a wait, so it must be popular with some. I went with some crab, but opted on pizza to help fill my appetite. The pizza is surprisingly good, but I was dissapointed with the quality of the crabs here.
(2)Mukur H.
First, let me start by saying I do not eat seafood however 3 others in my party do. The atmosphere is great, The service is for the most part friendly and the food FRESH. We had an order of the Blue Crabs and they went like water. The other dishes (shrimp, scallops and king crabs) all disappeared equally as quickly. I had a burger, and while it was good (nothing out of this world) the fries were so damn good! It can get really busy so arrive a little early especially if you want to eat outside by the water. The bar/indoor area gets extremely packed, I felt like I was at a college party again. Highly recommended.
(5)Robin S.
I love crab, but I don't really care for the Old Bay Seasonings. I guess I just don't like anything too salty, it's an overkill. However, I bought some fresh chili, fish sauce, fresh garlic and sugar to make my own dipping sauce. Hey, I'm Thai, we love our sauce!! Great and friendly staff. I love the Ambiance and it's right on the lake. They even have a showcase by the dock showing all the things that they netted up. One is a denture!!! Hilarious!!
(4)L B.
Came on a Sunday night. There wasn't much people, which added to the entire ambience. Beautifully decked out for the holiday. The Christmas decorations and music. The Sunday night football. I loved it all. Service was excellent. The waitresses were all so friendly and attentive, and they answered all my questions. I thought they were great. The crab dip was delicious. It wasn't just the crab dip being extremely tasty, but the two loaves that it came with...I couldn't get over how soft and good they were. Might be the first time I've ever had an opinion on a loaf before. But it was really good! Dozen oysters for $11.99 = love. I'm from NY, so a dollar per oyster is excellent pricing for me. Crab imperial was delicious as well, full of crab meat, but it was $24.99 for a platter that seemed to be a one person portion to me. It can get pricey here, but I thought it was worth it because I had a great experience. Sadly they were out of crabs tonight, which was the main reason I came. But that's okay, I look forward to coming back some day. Oh, they also give out these cute matches at the end of your meal which was a plus!
(4)Dane K.
Cantler's... oh why oh why aren't there more places like this in MD? In an area known for its crab, it seems there's few places to actually get a crab boil... The thought of coming here got me all excited! I have a feeling this place has "jumped the shark" a little, it's no longer a "secret" to anyone... It's a nice place and all... A lot of excitement was built up for it. We were told it was really hard to find, yada yada yada... We do have a GPS, but it was pretty easy to find, and once you get off the main road, they seem to have added signs pointing you in the directions to Cantler's, so if you miss it you're probably a fool and shouldn't show up anyway. (Not to mention, there are no turns to make so it's pretty difficult to get wrong!) ... We were told of a long and winding one lane dirt road, this was a lot of exxageration really... Once we got there, we waited maybe 30 minutes or so for a table for 4. It was a busy weekend night. The bar was a full bar (another exaggeration made was it was a "beer only" type place), though I was happy this turned out to not be true because I don't drink beer. Between 3 of us, we ordered a dozen large crabs. That was more than enough. They were about $45 MP/dozen if I recall, and they had various other sizes to order too. They were coated with a heavy dose of Old Bay, which was a little much for at least one person at our table (I liked it though!) They have plenty of seating inside, outside, and outside covered... The waterfront seating was nice. It's on a rather quiet part of one of the creeks (which really are larger than even a river in most places). The picnic table seating made it easy to annoy--I mean talk to--the neighbors next to us.... who actually knew what they were doing. Eating a blue crab apparently isn't as straight forward as you might think. You can't eat the lungs, or you'll get sick said the marine biologist sitting next to us who showed us the ways.. Once they were finished, a lobbyist who worked for the paint industry replaced them... The people here were quite interesting indeed, and very friendly all around. Don't wear your best attire, you'll leave a stinky mess probably... I'd go back!
(4)Thuy L.
Highly, highly recommend going to this place for the sweetest, meatiest crabs in the area. Actually, anywhere! We ordered a dozen extra large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, fries and two corn on the cob. It was a bit much for the two of us. Next time I would just get half a dozen crabs and a basket of hush puppies. On good weather days, be sure to sit outside under the covers. The riverfront view makes it all the more enjoyable.
(5)Katie R.
The crabs were DELICIOUS!!! Had never experienced eating crab straight from the water. Cracked open, pulled apart, seasoned and ate right there. The experience of it all + the taste can't be compared to anywhere else I've eaten. Group of 6 also ordered Crab dip, blackened rockfish bites, calamari, fries and corn (they ran out of crabs so we ordered quite a few apps to tide us over until the next shipment came in 1 hour later). All of us were completely satisfied. Beer comes in cans, yes, but I think it's more of a safety reason...which is fine by me. If someone were upset, I'd rather not have them use a bottle over someone's head. Only giving 4 stars because of how tiny the bathrooms are. I agree with another reviewer that they should just have a large sink out for men and women to use where you can rinse off after the meal...not have to squeeze around in the bathroom to wash off while others are actually using the bathroom. If you can avoid being around that, much nicer finish to your meal.
(4)Fat T.
I would venture to say the best crabs in MD. The scenery is perfect, eat inside or outside over looking the water. The crabs are steamed to order. Usually get a dozen or two of their jumbo or xl?...ends up being 70 or so per dozen. It doesn't really matter I'll pay whatever they're asking. The hush puppies are a must.
(5)Goofy D.
We got the calamari as an appetizer (left in the fryer a little too long). - also wanted to try the steamers. I've never had those so I was interested in trying them. When they came, - and - both said I shouldn't use these to judge steamers in general. Dirty, mushy and they had some thing on them that apparently wasn't supposed to be there. For my dinner, I got the broiled seafood platter. The crab that was on the shrimp was so bad I couldn't eat it. After I said something - is like, "- I didn't want to say anything but mine is funny, too." Yuck. She'd had the stuffed shrimp. - and - got the snowcrab and said that was fine.
(1)Mike H.
I don't get the hype people. The crabs are good but overpriced, the service is mediocre. The menu outside of the crabs is okay. The location is alright but there are several better locations for crabs, better views, better prices, better service. As a local I noticed most of the reviews for this spot are from outta towners, so I get why they like it but if you are a local and go to Cantlers, I don't know you.
(3)MaJ C.
Holy Crab! The absolute BEST whole crabs I have had in like 10 years around here! Windy road, with small street signs, absolutely IN the country. Had a parking lot director, which was very helpful. Got there at 1:00, with a 45-60 minute wait. It was a Saturday after all.. Put our names on the list ( they also gave us a buzzer ) Grabbed some bloody mary's from the bar, and hung out in the lot. Bloody's not recommended, as they just pout tomato juice over vodka. Grab a beer. Much better. Sat on the water in the back. Waitress brought out a bucket o ice with new beers. YaaY! Jumbos and large. Perfect seasoning. Had to return and order because they were underdone, though with ease from the waitress, no fuss. a 'Sure thing, Hon' and we had another order in moments. *Tip there is a hand was station outside, just ask where! Left happy, and swooning in childhood memory's of real crabs from the bay. We left at about 4:30, and the Line of cars to get in was about a mile long......
(5)Anne F.
Do you like to eat crabs the Maryland way? Come to Cantler's. I feel in many ways that writing this kind of review allows outsiders to know about a local secret, but I don't feel like Cantler's is really an insider's place to go anymore. Getting there can be a bit difficult - bring your GPS, map, or just call the place so you don't get lost on a winding back road. Order as many crabs as you think that you can eat along with coleslaw and a cold beer. Now you are in heaven. I took my aunt and uncle here when they came from Illinois. They loved it, even if breaking into the crabs was more than they had bargained for. The staff was friendly and good spirits about them taking pictures of the crabs and eating the crabs.
(5)Michael T.
A great place for the complete Maryland Crab experience. Ask for the dozen and supersize em. Ask also for the malt vinegar on the side, very good. This place is an out of the way local favorite, you'll need gps to find it, but once u do, u'l be glad you did. The only negative to this place (and what keeps me from giving five stars) was their horrible selection of beer from the 80's, bud, miller, coors, etc.,, yuk, otherwise this is a great spot for all things crabs, u won't b disappointed, enjoy.
(4)Dian C.
It's crab season!! One of the reasons to live in the Mid-Atlantic. I brought three Cantler's-virgins recently, arriving at around 5:15PM on a Saturday. We were quickly seated on their patio overlooking the water within 15 minutes of arriving. You cannot be the atmosphere of Cantler's! Other places may have good crabs, but what makes Cantler's stand out is the location and atmosphere. Make sure you bring sunscreen if you plan on sitting outside when the weather's nice or you might risk one side of your body being sunburnt! We first ordered a dozen large ($55) for four people, then ordered 8 more when we cleaned up the first 12. We also ordered lump crab cakes and the Jimmy's Sampler (steams shrimps, mussels, and clams, along with cole slaw and fries) The clams were probably the meatiest clams I've ever had and I would highly recommend the sampler to fill your emptying stomach as you pound away at crabs for hours on end. I've heard from a regular that late in the season, Cantler's does an all-you-can-eat-crabs special. I'll be returning then, if not sooner!
(5)Matt H.
pure definition of a crabhouse in terms of atmosphere and food. TIP: it's a popular spot (plenty of tourists) so while you wait, grab yourself a cold drink and hang out behind the restaurant along the water. your remote buzzer will reach you there.
(4)Tyson L.
We could have gone anywhere else to get crabs. Theres nothing special in the way that Cantlers cooks or serves theirs. But its total experience of driving out by way of GPS to a remote RIVER SIDE location and enjoying our crabs. Yes, there was a long wait. Heck, even the parking lot was full by the time we got there, we were told to park next door at the marina lot. And yeah, $85 for a dozen "Super" jimmy's seems outlandish. But it was worth it to enjoy. Here's the BIGGEST TIP! Ask your server to bring out HALF of your order first, especially if you are dining outside. The crabs will get cold by the time youre only half way done, even if youre an expert crab disassembley artists like me. Reheating the crabs is no good. But better than cold crabs...
(5)Steve V.
Great atmosphere for a crab feast. You drive down this ling narrow winding road to a dead end, which is Cantler's. It sits right on the bay. We have sat both indoors and outdoors before. It can get windy outside, but is a good breeze when the weather is hot. The server comes and lays down the butcher paper and you are set. Don't wear your Sunday best here. It gets messy. No crab crackers, you get full on wood mallets to bash your crab to smitherines! Great for groups and quite an experience, oh ya, and the crabs are good too!
(4)Linda C.
Cantler's is tucked away in a secluded residential area by the water. It felt like we found a secret hide-away. There is plenty of parking and the wait was not more than 15 minutes on a Sunday for lunch. We had crab dip, hush puppies, steamed clams, and crab cake sandwich. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was friendly and quick. A really nice place to visit in Annapolis.
(4)Wendy M.
Great seafood and crabs. We ordered to appetizers, which were both excellent. Crab cakes were fabulous as well. Service was excellent. Wonderful view of the water.
(5)Sunny S.
i got the soft shell crab which is a deep fried crab, it came with 3 of these little guys, which were VERY salty and i dont like that it came with hush puppies were kinda bland, and potato salad which was good my dinner partner had a seafood platter, fries good , fried shrimp was excellent, fried clam strips which were excellent, perch fry which was good the ambience is meh, we were served with plastic and cutlery and plates which i dont quite get since the price wasnt exactly dirt cheap i think they were cutting corner but hey i got to say i tried some maryland crab, which is nothing on genuine new england sea food ;)
(3)blowfly x.
We've been to Cantler's a few times in the past but I think now it's hit the wall. We had the cream of crab soup - it was gluey. I had a special of lobster tail and stuffed softshell crab; the lobster was overcooked and had PEPPER on it. I had to wipe the pepper off, but the lobster remained overcooked and just tasted like nothing. Strangely, no melted butter was included, only regular butter. The softshell crab was soggy, and the stuffing of imperial crab was tasteless. The whole thing just had no flavor. My husband had the crab cakes, which I guess were better since he didn't seem disappointed, but he's usually okay with most food, so I can't trust his judgement. Of course there's always a wait of hours and hours on Saturdays, so we sat at the bar. There was a drunk guy near us who latched onto the family right next to us and talked for 15 minutes non-stop in this incredibly loud, monotonic voice that also managed to be nasal and went into my head like a drill. When he got up to hit the restroom I felt this enormous sense of relief. I knew what people meant when they said they felt they had died and gone to heaven. I don't know how the people he was talking at could stand it. Fortunately when he came back they didn't talk to him anymore and I was able to be massively disappointed in my expensive dinner in peace. Maybe if you pick crabs it's better. Not worth finding out.
(1)Mark H.
Gawd I love this place - Cantler's specializes in crabs fresh from the Chesapeake. You can sit outside on their deck in the warmer months and munch on a pile of freshly cooked blue crabs while looking at the boats cruise by on a tributary of the Bay. Most people opt for the platters of steamed whole crabs which you take apart. For those not inclined to a biology project on their dinner table, Cantler's offers an excellent lump crabmeat Imperial (delish!) and big-ass crabcakes. The tomato and mozzarella salad with lump crab with balsamic vinegar was a lip-smacker, too. About the only minor gripe I have is with the hush puppies, but that may be a regional thing. This is a must go food destination if you are in the Annapolis area (but bring a map - it can be a bit hard to find). Highly recommended.
(4)Quentin G.
Wonderfull crabby experience for a French crab virgin like me !
(4)Samir L.
Soup of the day was butternut squash topped with crabmeat. Amazing. So glad I found this place on Yelp, glad it was actually where it was supposed to be (got a little worried I was leading my friends down a small, narrow road to nowhere.....) Indoor and outdoor seating available.
(4)Tim S.
I'm sure the other 250+ reviews are full of detail and wit, so I'll just say this. Been going to Cantlers for 30 years now, best outdoor atmosphere around (for seafood) . . . I haven't eaten crabs there for years - mostly due to price gouging, but I make better crabs at home too). Menu just recently improved. I never go on a weekend.
(3)Mac O.
I will probably get drummed off the mid-Atlantic seaboard for this, but here goes: I am not the hugest blue crab fan. I know, I know: boo, hiss. It's not the crabs themselves -- the flavor is good! I love crab cakes! Lump crab meat! Crab omelets! It's the work. All that work, so little output...I'm one of those girls who always asks the waitperson for a "lesson" in how to crack a crab so that I have at least one perfectly shelled crab and a nice little pile of meat to work on. Otherwise I'm a hot mess. But. As far as blue crabs go, Cantler's is fine. Location is way off-the-beaten-path in residential Annapolis. The views from the outside decks are OK, looking out over the river and the homes on the other bank (no views of the city, tho), but one end of the deck overlooks a tar-papered roof. Not the loveliest scenery for enjoying your crab workout. The ambiance inside is nothing to write home about, just a marine-themed heavy, dimly lit square room. Depressing, as another reviewer noted. I won't even get into the bathrooms, which are miniature and ridiculous. And the place is mobbed any time after 11:30 and waits can be long... The crabs themselves are really hit-or-miss here. Some of the ones that arrive on your plastic tray are large and luscious, bursting with tender, tasty meat. Others, however, are anemic -- if crabs can be anemic...mealy and not so flavorful. Which is a major disappointment when you have to work your ass off to get at that meat in the first place. Not to mention when you're dropping sixty bones for a dozen of these bad boys. At that price, I want all my crabs to rock my world. They don't here. The accompanying sides are meh -- I do so love cole slaw and Cantler's is a bit disappointing; the side salad I ordered this weekend was comprised of way past its prime, slimy mixed greens. I sent it back. All in all, Cantler's is a'ight. But it doesn't change my mind about thinking shucking your own blue crabs isn't all it's cracked up to be. Lame pun intended.
(3)Paulette A.
I was here earlier this week with a group of 12. We were seated at a great table outside on the porch. This is not a place to go expecting to stay clean. You are guaranteed to be up to your elbows in Old Bay! We had large crabs, the boiled shrimp and snow crab legs, along with onion rings, sweet potato fries, hushpuppies and cole slaw. Everything was fresh and awesome. The only down side of visiting with a group was that they couldn't give us seperate bills.
(5)Jenn Tang S.
Yummy Yummy Crabs! Smashing Old Bay-seasoned crabs and drinking spicy bloody marys by the water is pretty much the best way to spend your Saturday. The hush-puppies were pretty tasty too, along with the clams that had the full tail still attached. It was my first time eating the clams with the tail still on, so it was a little uncomfortable de-skinning it. Kinda felt like pulling a condom off a tiny tiny... well.. I digress. After you get that gross vision out of your head, let me just say they were very delicious clams when dipped in butter and Old Bay. No seriously, get that gross picture out of your head.
(4)Tim T.
one of my favorite places to go for fresh seafood. it's right along the river, and can get crowded during weekends. i always try to go during lunchtime on a weekday, and eat on the outside benches. i will often drive the mrs down to annapolis just for this place. well worth it...
(5)Kristina G.
To show you how much of a nerd I am, I will fully admit that I was excited when Yelp added all that statistic stuff to reviews. Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs! Cantler's is a prime example of how these tools can be useful. If you look at the rating distribution trend of Cantler's, you'll see that it has primarily 5 star reviews. However, if you click the little trend link, you'll also see that these ratings have gone done drastically over the past few months. While one could hypothesize this means an overall drop in quality, I'm guessing that Cantler's is just a seasonal restaurant, best enjoyed during the summer months. My boyfriend came here in February. We should have known better since it wasn't crab season. While my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the chesapeake oysters, everything else was mediocre to average. Lobster was ok but served with a side of snap peas and raw onions (odd?), steak was well overdone, and my ribs were not good. While I might get flak for ordering ribs at a seafood place, 1) I wasn't in a seafood mood that night and ordered what I thought would be the hardest thing for them to screw up, and 2) I come from the school that if you can't do something decently, don't put it on your menu. Finally, the price. I love casual places and environmental concerns aside, I could care less about eating on styrofoam. But if you're going to go casual, your food should either be spectacular or the prices should be lower. Neither was the case. I'm willing to come back in the summer for some fresh crabs and upgrade my rating, but I'll be eating elsewhere during the year.
(2)Melissa M.
First time there last weekend. Our server was excellent! She not only had a sense of humor, but she was attentive and really had personality. You could tell she really enjoyed working there. The food was delicious! We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer, perfect consistency w/ my favorite Old Bay seasoning, of course! I ordered the seafood pasta. The scallops were plentiful as was the crabmeat, could of used more than 3 shrimp, but the pasta as a whole was amazing and a nice portion. I also tried a relative's mako shark (wasn't on the menu as an entree, but they made it anyway!). This was also delicious, I'd recommend it. Overall, a pleasant experience, nice casual atmosphere by the water, would be great in the summer for all you can eat crabs for sure!
(5)Jason K.
I have only had one experience at Cantler's. I ventured out to find this out of the way place based on the raving fans telling me I had to try it out. I unfortunately found the experience to be less then satisfying. The lemonade was very weak and almost tasted like water, and the food was expensive and average to poor in taste. I complained about the lemonade and the staff just didn't care! I was told that it was just that way, sorry. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing on the wrong day but we don't plan to return. In every restaurant I always ask the staff what the best known item on the menu is and what they personally think is wonderful. This didn't work here. Food is a 1 maybe 2, overpriced for what you get. Staff is a solid 1, not helpful and seemed only interested in friends at the bar. Atmosphere is a 4 due to the Chesapeake Dock concept
(1)Nita S.
My friend and I went to Cantler's on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm. This place is at the end of a narrow road which goes through a residential area. There's limited parking, so there was a line just to get into the parking lot, which was directed by Cantler's employees. Only took us about 10 min to get into the lot though. Once we got inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes for two people, however, we were seated in just 15 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is SMALL, but they have quite a bit of seating on the outside deck/patio overlooking the water. Prior to making the hour long trek out to Cantler's we called and asked if they offered an all you can eat crab option and the lady told us yes and it was priced at $35 per person. HOWEVER, when we arrived our server told us that they weren't offering all you can eat, but they do offer it SOMETIMES. I'm not sure why the person answering the phone would not have mentioned that. We ended up ordering a dozen of Supers ($100), Onion Rings, and the Jimmy's Crab Feast which comes with Steamed Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, and a side of Cole Slaw. All of the food was delicious. The supers were nice and heavy and steamed to perfection. We also ordered two frozen margaritas to try beat the heat which were some of the best I've ever had--or maybe it was the humid, 90 degree heat, and blazing sun that made me think that?! All and all, we had a great experience at Cantler's. It's among the best places in the area to get crabs. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Washington DC/Annapolis area.
(4)C E.
Decided to go to Cantlers for crabs instead of across the bay due to time constraints. Not my first choice but decided to give it another shot. By boat is best way, nice ride and can always find dock spot. Ordered large crabs plus pasta salad, hush puppies, fried clams and fish tacos. The fried clams and beer were good !?!? All else was sub par. When "fresh" steamed crabs come out in less than 5 minutes you know they weren't picked out of the tank and separately steamed. Sure enough they were cool to the touch and barely edible. 30% of them were dried out husks, they had obviously been waiting under a heat source for a long time. The rest were just mushy meat. The pasta salad was tasteless at best and the fish tacos had green stuff on them that I imagine was meant to be guacamole. Once again Cantlers live down to my expectations. Take the time to go across the Bay and avoid this place. This was my last time.
(1)Lucia C.
Crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Mussels crabs crabs crabs crabs Clams crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Shrimp crabs crabs crabs crabs Rockfish crabs crabs crabs crab crabs Oysters crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Scallops crabs crabs crabs crabs Crabcakes. I like crabs. And Cantler's provides some pretty Maryland blues right from the Bay. This place is perfect (and priced) for tourists, and that's really part of it's appeal. It's not very often you get to wear a bib in public, soil your table and hands with crab juice (ew), and dig into a regional specialty. The Cantler's crab boil is a great deal that will keep you busy with a good sampling of seafood. The rockfish sandwich is tasty too. Go in the spring/summer when the crabs are in season and the weather is lovely. Sit outside and enjoy the view. If you are a crab legs guy and can't get into the bodies, these Blue crabs may not be for you. There are instructions, and it takes finesse, to uncover that perfect lump. If you are as skilled as my guy is at hammering crabs, then have your mallet ready.
(4)Courtney C.
I'm not sure where these reviews are coming from, but I was less than impressed yesterday to say the least. I had a craving for some steamed blues and after calling around, Cantler's had XL and everyone else only had larges. We headed out and after driving into no where we arrived! Its a nice spot on the water, plenty of parking and had a good crowd at 3:30 on a gorgeous fall Saturday. We wanted to sit outside but the wait was 30 min so, we opted for inside instead. The menu isn't very large but they have the basics and mostly seafood. We waited around for at least 10 min for our waitress to come take our drink order....this should have been the sign that our service was going to be horrible. They have a full bar but no beer on tap. Disappointment, but we knew that before we came. 10 min later we got our drinks and had a few questions about the menu. We wanted a pound of just steamed shrimp to start if possible. She said they could do that. Well, turns out they can't. She put in a $25 dinner order for steamed shrimp with onions, potatoes, etc. as our appetizer. One look at it and we sent it back. Seriously, she should have just said no! They took it off our bill. I went with 12 dozen of the XL with a side salad and hush puppies. My husband ordered the rock fish taco's and substituted the fries and coleslaw for hush puppies and potato salad. My side salad looked amazing at first. Spring mix with lots of veggies. Well, 12 of the spring mix was wilted and slimy. I picked through it, but in hind sight should have sent it back. The hush puppies side was huge and they were descent. Nothing I couldn't buy in the freezer section and make at home though. Oh well. The crabs were cooked well, and reasonable, but nothing amazing. Frank's in Jessup still reigns supreme when it comes to the best quality crabs. They don't use old bay, the crabs weren't really XL, and only one was really heavy and meaty. My husband enjoyed his taco's. They were spicy and the fish looked fresh. Unfortunately, it came out with fries and coleslaw instead of the substitution. We had given up on our waitress by now and just dealt with it. Fries were OK and coleslaw was disgusting. We had to flag her down for refills, ended up asking for a pitcher of water for our table because she was SO SLOW. I was so ready to leave by then. I went to wash my hands in the tiniest bathroom ever and we paid and left. $75 wasn't too bad, we left exactly 15% because I'm not that big of a bitch and drove the 45min home. Sorry Eastern MD folks, this place was not anything to rave about. The atmosphere was nice (even with the cobwebs on the lights), but there are too many places to get crabs for me to put up with service that bad.
(2)Meg H.
We arrived around 8pm on a Sunday evening and were able to be seated immediately. The order of large blue crabs came out within 5 minutes of ordering and were freshly steamed perfectly and heavy in meat. I am allergic to shellfish and generally am bored with seafood restaurant menus chicken and steak options. I ordered the Chicken bruschetta sandwich and WOW I was impressed! Our waitress was prompt, courteous and very friendly. Thank you to our waiter, Mike, at the Pusser's outside bar for recommending this place!! A little off the beaten path, but WELL WORTH IT!
(4)Erika J.
Having heard about "Cantler's Riverside Inn" by several locals in the area, we figured it was time to give it a try. We arrived via boat to find that their docking situation was less than ideal. If you drive a LARGE yacht, this is the place for you, however if you're driving a 29 foot boat, the docking area is much larger than needed. It was a Saturday afternoon, during the middle of the summer...which meant we were going to be waiting for a table. We didn't wait too long, and the bar welcomed us for our wait! The food was great. We ordered crab dip and it had several good flavors and plenty of crab. We also ordered a cup of Cream of Crab soup - also fantastic. Followed up our meal with some crab cakes - also very good. They had plenty of meat, little filler, and good flavor. We've returned several times since the first visit, and have continued to be happy with our experience. The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the price is reasonable. The one piece that is holding me from rating it with 5 stars -- is the size. There isn't much room for dining and many of the tables feel like they are on top of one another. You could even be sat at a table with strangers on the other side of the picnic table...not my idea of a 'date night.' Nonetheless, we can get over that! Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
(4)Christine C.
Location - on the water! Breezy by night Service - So many servers, it was great, always taken care of Dress - Very Casual, in fact follow everyone's advice, wear something you don't mind getting messy Food - great, over sized onion rings, great crab, and other plates around us looked quiet yum as well. Short and sweet, great little hide away with super long hours!
(4)Chris F.
Cantler's is one my favorite local restaurants and the place in Annapolis I would take out-of-towners to eat Maryland-style seafood. It hasn't changed a bit in two decades (okay, they have Ravens paraphernalia now, but I hardly think that counts). The crabs are excellent, the soup is amazing, everything that comes as a platter is delicious. The restaurant itself is set back in a residential neighborhood along the river and makes you feel like you need to have a secret map to find it. Inside, it's like a museum to Maryland pride, and the bar is totally 1970s-awesomeness. They "proudly only serve beer in cans."
(5)Eryn P.
Very awesome! We got a little nervous going down the tiny little road and a half that took us there, but the scare and the wait for parking was well worth it. The was wait was very short. Once we were seated we were immediately greeted by an awesome waitress who proceeded to go through the entire menu with us while making suggestions along the way. My father and I ordered a dozen of the large blue crab. They are caught fresh daily and the size depends on what's caught that day. My Mother ordered the grouper with blue cheese over risotto and as an appetizer we ordered the crab dip, which had been recommended to us. Every thing was fantastic. The grouper was moist, but not soggy. The risotto was done to perfection and the crab was out of this world. I even took the time to notice that every single table had a huge tray of these crabs. They were clearly the hot item. We will for sure be coming back and recommending them to all of our friends and to all of the people we have visit who want authentic Chesapeake Bay seafood!
(5)Rick S.
I've gotta share in recommending Cantler's. I was unsure about going to an out-of-the-way restaurant, but in the end it was well worth it. I've eaten crabs since I was a kid, but these were some of the best I remember having. We got a dozen large steamed blue crabs for $70, and even it took us a half hour to eat each crab (I went digging for each piece of delicious meat). So prepare for a lengthy stay. The sides - corn (fresh, warm, served cooked in the husk), hush puppies (not bad, filling, brought out with honey) and drinks may have lengthened our eating experience. Personally, I preferred the vinegar (over the butter) for dipping crab meat and the seasoning that came with them was a bit too strong/salty for my taste. You'll probably want to ask for extra napkins while there. It can get a bit loud, but everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying the good food. Very scenic view of the river.
(4)Allyson B.
Quirky little seafood shack on the water. The old fisherman at the bar was downing beer and blue crabs and lamenting the number of sailboats on the bay while right beside him yachting yuppies enjoyed mussels steamed in wine. Perfect. Incredible food, average service, a unique dining experience.
(4)Eric V.
I came for the crab, only the crab. I was not disappointed. This place is a great classic crab house. It can get crazy busy so just give them a call to see what the crowd scene is like and to see what crabs they have. They have their own live well tanks where they keep their crab catch alive so you can be sure you are getting fresh live crabs. So cool. That's like an oyster bar farming their own oysters or a sushi restaurant keeping their own aquariums for the sushi. :) And the crabs I had tonight were wonderful. Full and tasty. Their "Old Bay Seasoning" is not true Old Bay but it's good enough. It has a lot of added salt. I hear true Old Bay is too expensive to use in most restaurants... I don't agree but ... one star lost for not using true Old Bay yet still calling it Old Bay. No biggie but still... Sat out on an massive deck overlooking their live wells below and the water of the Bay just beyond that. Really great location. You feel like you're on the water and boats can actually pull up to a dock below. Anyway, this place is great for crabs. Paper on the table, mallets (learn to ditch the mallet below), crab knives, cold beer. Go and enjoy the crabs as I did! Watch this video first so you don't complain that they are too hard to eat and so you don't embarrass yourself. :) youtube.com/watch?v=kUW6…
(4)Brian G.
This was a great choice! I had been living away from the Maryland/Delaware area for three years and returned to visit friends and family... or so I said... my real agenda was FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! First on my list? Fresh seafood! I ordered the Drunken Shellfish --- Muscles, Clams and Shrimp in a white wine/garlic sauce. AMAZING! My tablemates, however, were not as amazed by their Crabcakes because they lacked seasoning. The crab itself was very lush, but it was like the kitchen ran out of Old Bay, and that's why I had to knock one star off of my review. The outdoor seating is beautiful, and unlike others I felt the prices were very fair. I would certainly return.
(4)Sparky P.
WOW!! First off major shout out to Stephanie F. for being amazing!!! My cup was never empty and she was helpful in helping us decide which of the three types of crab cakes we wanted! The food here is great. If you haven't had steam Blue crabs before, this is the place to go. They bring the crabs in by boat and they are kept a live in "pools" outside. Blue crabs are much smaller and harder to eat than ordinary crabs, but they are much sweeter and well worth all the extra effort. We took the advise of the table next to us and ordered a dozen medium crabs. As promised, they were meaty and I wouldn't have noticed much of a different if I ordered the larger ones. The crabs come liberally sprinkled with the cumin, celery, sea salt and something something rub. You can also have butter, vinegar, or more of the dry rub to dip your crabs into. Crab cakes were ok, I was more enthused about the fresh boiled peas that came with the crab cakes. Unless you really don't have patience to get to the crab meat yourself, I would just stick to the steamed blue crab. Appetizers: Fried Calamari - really good, very well seasoned, and complemented perfectly by the mildly sweet sauce. Clam Chowder- ok. . .the almost $8 bowl was a bascially the size of a cup anywhere else. Unless you need clam chowder (my brother went to the east coast specifically to eat chowdah) I'd pass on it. Bread- not the dip, but just the bread is wonderful heaven. Cruchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, a perfect way to even out all the salt you end up consuming with the crab. Take a trip out! Expect a wait, but expect good fresh food!
(5)John K.
Cantlers Two Days in a Row? What a difference a night makes. ********************************* College Roomate and darling bride are in town. Where do they want to go? Cantlers of course. This time we had an "A-OK" evening. On a Monday night in early May would you believe a 25-minute wait for an outside table? Yep. By the way, while I have your attention, our server Jennifer was a delight. A Maryland finance grad making some extra bucks in the summer. I tested her sorely. Her reply was convincing when asked where the crabs were from. "The Bay, probably the Virginia part of the Bay," she said with conviction. I sent a crab back for being way light. She was happy to replace it with a fat one. There is a Maryland Crab Caprese Salad that is actually quite good. And of course, everyone loved their Maryland Crab Soup. Cantlers is back in my good graces.
(3)Vic-Crys W.
Pros (extremely fresh crabs, oysters, seafood. Good onion rings for the price, atmosphere). Cantler's blue crabs have never failed us. Sure you may be able to find seafood as fresh as Cantlers elsewhere, but you won't feel like an old salt pounding on your gigantic blue crab drowning in old bay. The feel that you can get down and dirty with your hands and mallet and have a feast is actually quite wonderful. Cantlers also serve what seems to be the best tasting crab cake we've ever tasted, full of flavor and unfortunately... crab shells as well. Having a group of friends pound away at the crabs with you is an indescribably satisfying feeling. Cons (shells within crab cake, may be daunting for the beginner crab eater, will get messy). If you've never had crab before, Cantler's is not the best place to start. If you prefer your crab to be served on top of white table clothes with forks and knives, Cantlers swaps fine tables with benches and knives with mallets and napkins. Recommendation: get down and dirty and enjoy the crabs. Comparable to: Jerry's Seafood (crab bomb).
(4)Kenneth K.
Phenomenal experience if you're looking to eat crabs in a unique setting. There's big riverside deck in the back of the place which makes for great scenery. Even more importantly, the crab was excellent. My fiancee and I took a road trip down to Annapolis in search of good crab. This place was highly recommended from a local friend. While they were out of the jumbos, we got a bunch of XLs and tore through them. Good amount of old bay seasoning, crab meat was fresh, sweet, and plentiful (even in the claws which is novelty for me when it comes to blue crab). I didn't realize how much we took the place for granted until we got some mediocre, not so fresh crabs at Lazy Susan's in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I had to knock my rating down from 5 to 4 based on the sides. The hush puppies were quite forgettable. If I could, I'd rate it a 4.5 instead. Regardless, ditch the sides and load on crabs and beer!
(4)Sudhanshu K.
One day decided to drive down from NYC to MD for crabs. after doing a little research online, we started our 4 hour drive down to MD. Once we arrived, we were seated quickly, luckily beating the rush, there were numerous groups waiting outside when we left. Ordered the Crabs, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Shrimps and Lager. The crabs and shrimp were amazing, luckily some locals helped us out w/ the crabs, showing us the various methods people use to open the crabs up. The crab cakes were ok, nothing spectacular. Definitely worth 8 hr driving round trip for a nice crab lunch. Also, make sure to sit outside.
(4)Wayne Y.
I took my family to Cantler's on my brother's recommendation and since we were tourists and also perhaps due our lack of experience in ordering crabs at Cantler's we felt we had to intuitively go about our meal. Our server was polite and efficient but perhaps because it was getting busy, she really didn't offer any additional advice on the "hows" to best maximize the crab-fest. She did suggest that our family of 5 order 6 crabs in addition to our entrees and that was about the right amount. But half way through the meal, we asked her if we were doing it properly and she finally showed us. We also saw people dipping the crab into various sauces and that was not offered to us so we ate the crabs as they came out. That was ok because they were seasoned enough but it would have been nice to have been informed. I guess is that since they are so popular, they don't really care about return business. All said, the crab was good, it seemed a bit pricey but I took it on faith that it was the going market price for the area and since we were tourists out for an experience, we accepted it. We had a good time overall and it was fun whacking at the crabs with our mallets. So for I would give 3 and a half stars for the food (crabs) and 2 stars for the service.
(3)B D.
I love love love Cantler's. I've been several times and have never been disappointed. The crabs are a bit pricey but well worth it. Everything taste so fresh. While the service is meh, the food more than makes up for up!
(5)Anne D.
Fabulous cream of crab soup was yummy!!! Deck overlooks a creek.
(5)Tracey C.
I happened to come here on a day that the All-You-Can-Eat- special was in effect. SCORE!!! The trade off for the super cheap price ($20 or so dollars) is that you only get mediums. Most of their mediums are a pretty decent size, so with the crabs, fresh corn on the cob, and a 1.5 lbs of peel and eat shrimp I was in heaven. I haven't read all of the previous reviews but how did I miss that this place is in the cut*? My boyfriend looked a little skeptical as I read him the directions from Google map but after finding it and stuffing his face, he thanked me and all of you Yelp folks for introducing us to this place. * "In the cut" primarily refers to a location that is secluded or hard to find. See Ol' Yella (Brian) if more detailed is needed.
(4)Guy F.
Crabcake was expensive and tasted like any one else's. Price is absurd for portion size. The calamari came out and we all laughed instantly because of how small the portion was, if only the price matched. There are better crab places out there, I'm not impressed.
(1)Windi L.
PHEW! So glad YELP didn't mess this one up. We were running late for the Navy Homecoming football game but having been to Annapolis before, knew the food in them there parts was pretty cruddy. Despite the risk of being more delayed, I made a mad dash for the computer and pulled up Yelp in Annapolis, MD. Cantlers was the first to come up so we decided to go there. I tried to tell my boyfriend we should do more research (as yelp has done me wrong before... City Zen comes to mind) but as I mentioned, we had to get to our seats to watch Navy STOMP on Wake Forest. I had no idea what to expect arriving here. This place is in the middle of no where. Even our GPS had a hard time finding it. We eventually arrived to what appears on the outside a really upscale joint. After entering, I realized that assumption was dead wrong. It's kind of hillbilly but with some class. Long tables strung about with paper on top to crack your crabs. Waiters wearing terri cloth booty shorts. I mean, it was great. Who knew red neck could look so appealing? Now to the food: PHENOMENAL!! Best food I've had in Annapolis. We ordered a ton of things from the butternut squash and crab soup to (my fave) the blackened mahi sandwich. Normally most peeps mess up on mahi but not this place. Great food all around. If you're tired of the same tourist traps in down town Annapolis, take a short drive out here. Worth it!! Oh and the BEST margarita I've ever had was here, too!
(5)Dmytro A.
Best crab experience in Maryland, making it the best crab feast experience in the world. I drag all my out-of-state guests up here, either by car or by boat. While I know that everyone comes for the crab, the sides are not to be dismissed as unworthy distractions. The hush puppies are making my mouth water right now as I right this, and you can butter and salt the corn yourself, if you like. Service is great too. The girls look great in their uniforms, and they're always quick with the fresh cold ones. The only drawback is the wait. But then, you don't go for a crab feast if you're in a rush. Grab some cold ones, and mosey around the dock area with the buzzer they give you in your pocket. For the kids (or the big kids), there's also a "living museum" type area, where you can look at (but don't touch) live crabs and other river creatures in water tanks.
(5)Christina C.
This is a late review - I came here a few months ago on a sunny Sunday. It was packed.. about an hour wait; but we ended up hangin out at the bar. So finally, we got a dozen crabs topped with Old Bay seasoning. And just dipping that crab meaty goodness in their butter just hits the spot. It's pricey, but it was my first time and I don't mind it at all. Something about delicious crabs, a side of onion rings, fries, all washed down with some yeungling - while overlooking the river.. and just being able to use a wooden mallet to open these babies.. not to mention the layout of your table - one huge brown paper as your table mat. it's an awesome experience.. you can tell I'm a newb with these things. Anyways, now I'm just babblin...lol but hopefully you get the idea.
(4)Jonathan P.
great atmosphere on the water and solid seafood. go during the week or be prepared to deal with crazy crowds and long waits while you drink beers in the parking lot.
(3)Tim M.
A great MD crab house. Meets the need in many ways. Always enjoy our meals here
(4)Varian L.
It's quite the drive to get to Cantler's -- the road to get there is windy and occassionally single-laned path that passes beautiful cozy houses along the lake and woods. The trek was well worth it. Good news: it's by far the best crab I tasted in Maryland. The bad news: I'm an out-of-towner, so it's just about the only crab I tasted. But I was not disappointed. My wife, my brother, and my sister-in-law all had good service and excellent food!
(5)Johnny A.
Outstanding! Driving there was an experience since it's tucked away in a quiet narrow street residential neighborhood. You wouldn't know it until you get there. Great setting, friendly staff, and crabs like no other! You can taste the freshness (plus you can see the live ones under the deck). Went there mid-week and the place was full, but didn't have to wait to be seated. The large crabs are the best value for the money, start off with some fries and calamari and when the crabs come, just dig in. One thing I will try to do next time is to perhaps get half my order first then the second half later since they got pretty cold half way through despite the hot weather. All in all, highly recommended!
(5)Josh M.
The only thing more authentic than Cantler's is chicken-necking all morning and then steaming them up yourself. I have learned over time that I am an absolute, over-the-top seafood snob. And Cantler's blows most of your white tablecloth, Michelin star joints out of the water. It is simply the real deal. The only other place I've been that even measures up is in Shinagawa (Tokyo). If you come to Annapolis and miss this place, you've missed everything... unless you eat at my Mom's house in the summer (hi Mom!), then you're still probably good. By the way, if you care (I don't want to confuse you with my 5 stars here), you can only order Maryland crabs when they are in season. That is the only time they are, uh, Maryland crabs. Otherwise they're from somewhere else -- and I take no responsibility. But the rest of it is good all year long.
(5)Computer S.
Plain broiled and overpriced, overrated by tourist
(1)Patrick D.
I love crabs and when I get a chance to try a new place for me I take it. After reading reviews I thought this would be great. It wasn't. I ordered extra large. In the dozen crabs there might have been two that I would term Extra Large. Also a lot of them were watery like bottom of the pot. They had no weight to them. They were paper crabs. To be fair they did adjust the price for me and it my have been a off day. But for the prices they are charging they should not compromise their quality at any time. It left a very bad feeling about the place with me and being someone that is in sales recommends a lot of place based on my experience. I can not recomend this place.
(2)Chandler L.
This place was great. Food was awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. The only reason I can't give it five stars is seating. I hate restaurants where I have to sit next to strangers. I would highly recommend eating here.
(4)Mr B.
What you'd expect for food but way over priced and hyped for essentially a parking lot on the water with no real draw other than a pull of mass consumption of high carb, fat fried and cholesterol driven seafood! I'm not typically so inclined to say something unless it's positive but in this situation I just couldn't avoid as it's really gotten a strange attraction of guests going for the "dive experience" and I simply cannot understand why.
(3)Corey W.
Can't say much that hasn't been said. Went for my first time a few weeks ago with just the wife on an anniversary weekend; feel in love all over again (with the wife and with crabs). If you like down-and-dirty eating, cold beer, nice views, and good company - do this place.
(4)Kate K.
I went there with my mom because Wild Country Seafood was not open that day (They close Monday). We were seated outdoor (nice view). The food quality didn't meet standard. The mussels we got were tiny. They were like 0.5 inch each. The service was not good neither. It was hard finding my wait staff when I wanted to order more food. We probably won't go back.
(2)Olivia H.
We came to Maryland to attemd the wedding of a dear friend and decided to get some blue crab for lunch before heading back to NY. After a sort search, we found this place and though its off the beaten path, I'm so glad we chose to eat here . We got here at 11:30 am and so glad we did. This place gets super packed. By the time we left at 1:30 there is already a line of cars just waiting to get into this place and I can understand why. It has an extremely casual atmosphere and the staff is super friendly. Our server, Billie, was great. She came by a few times and asked how we were doing without being annoying or intrusive. She had perfect timing unlike some places where they come back too often or don't come back at all. As soon as we were seated (we were given a choice of where we wanted to sit, obviously, we chose to sit outside and we got to choose either shaded or in the sun) Billie came over to take our drinks and order. Within moments our food came out and we sat quietly eating our super sized blue crabs. Man oh man, these suckers were huge and so worth it. We got a half dozen of these bad boys plus one starter and drinks. Cost was $82 including tip. So worth it. Can't wait to come back here. Had such a wonderful experience.
(5)Max S.
Love Cantler's. Best soft shell crabs on Earth! I have not been back to Cantler's in a few years because it's a few hours from my home, but this time every year I think of their soft shells....they're in season! Cantler's has that fishy ambiance to it...which is what I like in a crab house. Reminds me of my youth going to Atlantic City, before the Casino era. I must plan a road trip!
(5)Alicia G.
Here's what you need to do: *Round up your friends *I suggest the noobs watch a video or two on youtube for how to eat crabs (I did this) *Carpool and arrive early as parking is somewhat limited and it gets crowded FAST *Sit outside *Order beer | iced tea | sodas *You can order things like hush puppies, corn on the cob, other fried items but as Michele D said - it's just filler. You really need to focus on the steamed crabs. *Order CRABS and prepare for the messiness | awesomeness *Crack, pound, rip apart and bite [the crab/meat] *Enjoy. *Soap up twice at bathroom sink to rid your fingers of the Old Bay *Rinse and repeat as often as necessary
(5)Marcia S.
Definitely off the beaten path but well worth it. We went with several kids in our party and we all enjoyed our meals. The lobster and the crab is outstanding. I had one of the best Irish coffee drinks anywhere. Very layed back comfortable atmosphere. Should be perfect once the weather breaks and the deck opens up. Would have given 5 stars except I thought the outstanding food quality deserved a more updated restaurant interior. Will definitely be back. Well worth the money.
(4)Chris T.
Not sure what all the "must do" reviews are for. Crab was good. Basic outdoor waterfront dining (the inside dining is smelly and stuffy). We had a bad waitress, but she seemed the exception, as it seemed other tables were having much better experiences. Sweet potatoes fries were soggy and over-cooked. Overall we wouldn't go back, but I can see why some people would find it unique.
(3)Tim T.
Just blah. We came here Sunday afternoon after reading all the great reviews about this place. We left disappointed. I should state that we did not get crabs (they were all out due to 4th of July weekend), so our experience may be limited. Lets start with the service. It was okay, nothing spectacular. We had few moments of long wait times.. but it wasn't too terrible. We ordered the Blackened Rockfish Bites, Hush Puppies, Crab Melt Sandwich w/ Sweet Potato Fries, and the Cantler Jumbo Seafood Club with Onion Rings. Blackened rockfish bites was nice... three pieces of fish on a bed of slaw. Hush Puppies were decent. Unfortunately, these were the highlights. Everything else was bland. The crab melt sandwich looked like they took two slices of bread, threw on a slice of tomato, few sprinklings of crabmeat, and a slice of cheddar cheese. It was not good. The sweet potato fries lacked any flavor. Same with the onion rings and seafood club sandwich. The sandwich bread tasted stale, crabcake was dry and bland, onions rings were overcooked and lacked flavor. Oh yea, the tarter sauce they gave me came in a packet (Krafts). I've never been to a seafood place that didn't make their own tarter sauce. Like I said in the beginning, they may very well serve awesome crabs, too bad we couldn't try them. But their sandwiches should be avoided.
(2)Derryk A.
What can make a place so great that I returned a few days later just to experience it all over? Doing Crabs at Cantler's that's what. First time there was on Sunday the 30th of Aug with nu-wife and that place was PACKED elbow to elbow. But first we had a 20min wait just to park the car, they have these high-school kids working the lot directing parking good idea. Then there was a 45 min to 60 min wait once there at 2:45pm but that's okay we went exploring around Cantler's down the back they have a boat pier and they grow their own crabs there. Blue crabs that are on the grumpy crabby side when you poke at them they will snap at you fingers so keep ahold of the little tykes. Nu-wife and I just watch the boats coming in and going out until we were called to our prized spot at the tables of Cantler's. Our waiter zzzzzzzzzzzzip came in "Hi what would you like?" well I think zzzzzzzzzzzzip huh?!? What happen he's gone. 5mins later zzzzzzzzzzzzzzip "Hi decided yet?" yeah nu-wife she has a question about the xtra lar...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzippp wow he's gone again like lighting man next time he comes around I'm throwing a lasso around him. Out of nowhere zzzzzzzzzzzzippp "Ready?" YES AND DON'T"T YOU GO NOWHERE STAY. I give my order with the fastest talking ever in ordering.... WewandthelargecrabsandapoundofsnowcrabsbringtwocorÂonaswithicetea...zzzzzzzzzzzzzippppppppp he's gone again in 20 secs jeeze record time!!! Moments later the crabs came out ummmmmm and for the next hour nu-wife and I had nothing to say to each other at all. The crabs did all of the talking the seasoning which is JO not Old Bay which some people mistakenly call it, that stuff is like crack cause it is so addictive with spicy, salty, goodness and the way they steam their crabs there is a little different than most places they have a special technique that involves beer and not letting the crabs touch the bottom of the pot while steaming by using a special net in the pot and of course that incredible J.O. seasoning. Out of this world. They have other food from the seas there too but the fries are nothing to write home about so don't waste too much valuable stomach space on them just fill up on the crabs and shrimp and fish. After this experience of crabs on this level we left there forever changed and we would never look at crabs in the same light. Luckily this coincide with the UYE crab out at Cantler's the following Saturday and HELL YES I was there again even after Sunday and having some left over crab during that week. I told you it's like crack didn't I? So that Saturday morning met up with fellow Yelpers this time sitting outside watching the crab elevators crawling up the hill with fresh crabs from the waters of crab lovers bliss with the perfect weather and enjoying the shear delight of Cantlers once again with a nice and calm waitress this time, no disappearing "Attention Deficit Disordered Kid Speed-a-Lot" waiter like last time. Met some new cool Yelpers in person finally but unfortunately that day wasn't perfect cause nu-wife was working that morning. Oh well that gives me the excuse to take her back there real soon.
(5)Kathy C.
This is a pretty typical crab shack, with the emphasis on 'shack". This is a pretty famous place, with a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews, but I was dissapointed. The 3 stars I have given it are for the stunning waterfront location and the scenic beauty. That is on the outside-the inside has all the charm of a school cafeteria, so eat outside if you can tolerate the wait for a table. We did not have the crabs, which is the specialty here. I had the lump crabcake platter. The crabcakes were okay, but I have had much better elsewhere (try Stoneys on Broomes Island in Calvert County) The mashed potatoes and green beans that were served with it were just barely edible. My husband had the crabcake sliders and had no complaints, but no raving either. The coleslaw and french fries were good, probably the highlights of the meal. The waitress was fairly prompt and friendly. We will not be returning, but if you like crabs and a beautiful waterfront location, you may want to give it a try.
(3)Phil B.
After a long and winding drive I finally arrived at Cantler's one wintry night. Inside I found a casual atmosphere, beer from the can, and some terrific food. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked very well. Onion rings were intimidatingly large. And hush puppies with honey? Where have you been? They had an outside area that I hadn't the outerwear to try, but when the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I'm sure this will be a great place to get dinner.
(5)Tim J.
Had a great time, good food and a nice setting on the water. Being a crab virgin, we had a wonderful server (Micky?) that showed us everything we needed to know. Many thanks to her since she took the time out to help us even though she was busy!
(4)Ethan L.
Simply put, this place is serious. We ordered a dozen of the x-large along with hush puppies, onion rings and several other items that I totally ignored. The meat was as tender and flavorful as I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is the real deal as well. Details aren't needed, just go.
(5)William S.
Great location and the crabs were perfect. My wife had the ribs and she was a little disappointed but next time she will stick with the filet or burger.
(4)Gerald F.
Stick to Crabs and fresh oysters. Crabcake was dry. Fried food not great.
(3)tony z.
Awesome crab experience on the river. very authentic joint where locals come by boat. You sit inside or better outside on looong picnic tables alongside other parties. They put down paper on the table and then bring you trays of steamed and seasoned (some pepper spice powder) that are quite good. The waitress gave us noobs instruction on how to crack open the crabs. Corn on the cob came along and cold Yuengling beer (never heard of it before, but America's first brewery in PA?). The key lime pie for dessert is one of their specialties, and it rates highly.
(4)alice c.
Fall, so I was told by our gracious waitress, is the season for oysters and rocker fish (and most other seafood). Boy was she right!! This is how I did it: a $25 gift certificate (off a $35 purchase) from restaurant.com , which was good for everything but the crab buckets... I mention this cuz it's a little pricey. But the portions are good and you won't walk away hungry. After mourning a little over not being able to work for my food (my usual crab-eating experience), I decided that given the rest of the menu (oysters, mussels, crab DIP, crab cake, etc.), I could conceivably still leave satisfied. With the help of a GPS, my husband and I found this nondescript location. At 1PM on a chilly fall weekend, the place was not too busy. They sat us in a covered location on the patio, and we ordered: - a rocker fish entree - hush puppies - Maryland crab dip for the appetizer - jumbo shrimp from the steamer - raw oysters (I wanted to try; my husband was grossed out) I really wanted to try raw oysters, cuz I watched Eric Ripert do a show about oyster farms and fresh seafood (and you know, monkey-see, monkey-do). But I didn't want to order a dozen only to find that I didn't like them; after saying so to our waitress, she mentioned that you can get 6 for $5.75. PEOPLE, IF YOU LIKE SASHIMI (and don't have liver problems, etc.) AND HAVE NEVER HAD RAW OYSTERS, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS... FROM THEM, SPECIFICALLY. Their raw oysters were so not what I expected; perfectly fresh, juicy, clean, non-rubbery, delicious delicious delicious... Now I'm scared to try raw oysters anywhere else or during any other season, because the next batch will have a LOT to live up to. After that first taste, I cannot wait to try it again. There was the cocktail sauce, ginger, and lemon to flavor to taste, but they taste really great without any of that, too. Oh, and everything else tasted good, too. The rocker fish was tender and juicy, and the shrimp was shrimp (albeit, definitely a bit spicy). The hush puppies were pleasurable; I can see why kids would love em. The crab dip was nothing to complain about. Man... those oysters.... They're so good, though. Please, please, go try it. Especially on a nice fall day. So good.
(4)Laura V.
It's a little tricky to get to, but once you are there the on-the-water atmosphere is worth it. This is where we always take visitors to go get a Maryland crab-picking experience. Great restaurant! They even have boats coming up to the dock to bring fresh crabs as you're eating.
(5)Katie F.
I don't know what I can add that hasn't been said already. This is a great place to go for crabs, that said I think crabs are to much work for my work/enjoyment ratio when it comes to food. However the variety of stuff that came on my fish fry sampler platter was great, tasty, and hot. Def get here early on a nice summer day like we did or you will have a LONG wait--you will even have to wait in your car to park. Be prepared to get dirty if you are eating crabs---like orange fingers for days dirty.
(4)D C.
Went to Cantler's on July 3rd. This place has the best blue crabs on the planet. Great location. You can be seated at the same table with strangers. Our experience was great. Hope that the folks you are seated with are interesting. You want blue crabs, this is the place.
(4)Aindrea C.
I'm not sure why people think there is any comparison between Cantler's and Mike's - Cantler's is far and away the best crab house in town. Its a little tricky to get to, but totally worth it. Right on the water: delicious and gorgeous! The last time I went my aunt started off with a cosmo - surprisingly good for a crab house! To start we ordered onion rings and crab dip. The onion rings were fab - perfectly golden brown, crispy and delicious! The crab dip was just ok, but nothing to write home about. The only down side is they didn't bring these out until AFTER our crabs arrived. Our tablemates, however, had ordered fries and were very friendly and shared them with us (in exchange for some onion rings). The fries were phenomenal! Light, crispy and seasoned perfectly - definitely the winner in the "sides" category. The crabs were big, meaty and with not water in sight. Our tablemates also informed us that if we did get a watery crab we could send it back - definitely a good policy for a crab establishment. I heard that Mike's was cheaper than Cantler's, but definitely found that not to be true. Cantler's is about the same price, if not less. The rumors about the parking are, however, true - we had to wait for a parking spot on a Wednesday night - but for any crab lover it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)Nina U.
The gorgeous drive back here will take you through an established neighborhood with well kept lawns surrounding pretty homes. I wish I lived down this road. Cantlers is at the end. There used to be a crab/seafood tent not far from here that I used to frequent where you could drive your boat up to the dock and eat after a long day on the water. I was so sad to return here 10 years later and find it closed. But then I found Cantler's and my life is fulfilled again. It's like walking into my hometown, except friendlier. There's the bar (canned beers only and they have yingling!). Then there's inside tables (less noisy) and also the enclosed tent where you have a great view of the lightening and thunderstorms next to the dock. (noisy cause everyone likes to sit out here) It's a place where they put paper down on the table and you can order a seafood boil or fresh crabs to throw down on your paper. It's not a fancy place and don't wear your nice clothes because you'll be hammering crab and flinging it across the table. It's fun and so sociable. I even think I got over part of my shellfish allergies cause I had a couple of crab legs! Very good with the old bay and butter. It's always better when someone else does some of the work for you though. This is too exciting. It's not the biggest seating area and I definitely recommend going here on a week day. The guys were always checking up on us and very friendly. So happy to have found this spot.
(5)David K.
I went to this restaurant with a friend based on the Yelp rating. We both ordered crab and lobster tail. The crab was okay, but the lobster tail was awful, so bad I didn't even want to finish it. It tasted like plastic. Our side dishes were served lukewarm (at best) and the restaurant provided prepackaged butter that looked like what you'd expect in a high school cafeteria. The restaurant's beer selection didn't match the menu and the waitress we had didn't seem to know what the restaurant did or did not carry. I was bitterly disappointed and embarrassed that I suggested trying this restaurant.
(1)lysa p.
Quite amazing food. Fab space on the water. Great spot for crap and shrimp!
(5)Nicole L.
It's become a tradition for me to visit Cantler's riverside inn on July 4th. Nothing like enjoying some fresh delicious crabs with good friends and celebrating the country's independence day. We were seated at a great spot under the shade with the beautiful view of the water. Michele D who visited the day before warned us that they were running out of supers and x-larges. We decided to go to Cantlers at 11 AM. To our surprise, there was a line of people waiting at the door. We started off with some hush puppies and Cantler's jumbo shrimps. Then a dozen of larges, which were sweet tasting but were lacking the meaty quality of a great crab. They were sending wrong orders of supers and x-larges our way so we decided to order half a dozen more supers. That made my day, the supers were solidly packed with meat, the best tasting crab meat of all!! It was so good we were enjoying it in silence. Amazing crab feast!
(5)Joel S.
If you want crabs, go somewhere else. I don't want you in line ahead of me. You are keeping me from the best crabs in the region and my seat with a view on the deck. I drive from DC and I am forced to wait for you... sometimes for up to an hour, I am wait nowhere else but here.
(5)Charlie H.
I'm a big fan of Maryland crab restaurants and this was one of my favorites. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful in suggesting meals for us and our kids. We started with the blackened rockfish appetizer. The fish was fresh and served on a bed of delicious red cabbage slaw. The dish was big enough for a main course. The broiled crabcakes were full of crab and delicious! I had 3 jumbos, they were perfectly seasoned and full of meat. The kids ordered off the children's menu and had the chicken tenders and pizza. The portions were huge and only $5 each. Great casual restaurant though a little loud. Worth going out of your way to find this gem.
(4)Sonya S.
I've been wanting to have the authentic Maryland crab house experience for a while now, so after researching the many options, I settled on Cantlers. I live in DC, so it's not close. And at first you think that your navi system is misdirecting you, but after exiting the freeway, you actually do have to drive through a neighborhood and down a long winding road to get to Cantlers. We had to wait to park for about a half hour; didn't bother me because I was expecting it. My friend went to put our names on the list while I sat in the car line to park. After parking we enjoyed Heineken in the can outside (they only have canned beer) while we waited. Another hour or so later we were seated outside at a table beside a friendly young-ish couple who we got to know during the course of dinner. Just a note, this is communal dining, so expect to share your table with others outside of your dining party. We got a dozen large crabs, hush puppies, and crab dip with the bottemless iced tea. Next time around we will probably forego the crab dip and just get the large crabs with hush puppies. Love this place for being liberal with the Old Bay seasoning. And yes, you will smell like crabs when you leave. All in all, exactly what I was looking for in my authentic Maryland blue crab house experience.
(5)Amanda C.
I'm a city girl. Try as I might to fight the prissiness, it's just a part of me. I remember traveling to the Middle East when I was a little kid and seeing a butcher hacking apart a lamb on the sidewalk... I was horrified. Little Lambert had no fleece, no skin, and no discernible body. Flies swarmed and the butcher gave them an occasional swat with his blood covered cleaver. The bulging, glassy eyes on the animal's severed head looked out onto the street and I realized -for the first time- that THIS was where lamb chops came from. No- I didn't become a vegetarian. I like meat too much. But let's just say, I prefer being introduced to my meal when it's faceless and all inedible portions have been removed. Which is what brings me to crabs. On the West Coast, our crabs are too big to serve "as nature made them." I never knew that, but judging from the filth stored within a tiny Maryland Blue crab- Dungeness, or God forbid, King Crab- must be loaded with nasty bits. Thankfully, I never see them on the West Coast. I don't care if the fluffy lungs can easily be plucked with a fork or if the intestines look like Ramen Noodles (thanks, Jackie), crab picking is just a bit too gross for my taste. I can't believe I'm using my hands to pry the innards out of a crab- only to then use the exact same fingers to shovel food into my mouth. And the yellow goo covering my crab meat is what? Fat? And it's considered a delicacy to some?! To WHO?! I'll admit- Cantler's was good- the onion rings massive, the fries crispy, the rockfish bites well seasoned, and the clam strips fantastic. But, the crab was my least favorite part. Maybe it's my aversion to plucking the heart from my dinner's chest or maybe it's Cantler's crabs... I'm not all that sure. I will say that the seasoning they use is more powdery than I like and the flavor is a bit off. I've actually had Maryland Blue Crabs before and enjoyed them more. I've also heard they're easier to clean and eat when cold, which is how I'd had them in the past (Cantler's are warm). I wouldn't recommend against coming out to Cantler's, but I will say that the appeal is the experience- not just the crab. All die-hards can doubt me or say I'm wrong, but one man's treasure is another man's trash... I'll take my sparkling clean Dungeness Crab over Blue Crab guts any day.
(4)Adam T.
I hadn't really done a crab shack style restaurant before, but I had fun smashing my crabs and picking through them. The wait staff was helpful in explaining exactly how to do it. I also ordered shrimp, clams and mussels all of which were tasty. It has a good atmosphere and like I said very crab shack like while you share tables with your fellow patrons and everyone is whacking away with their wooden mallets.
(4)Pete S.
Excellent local crab shack. Love the softshell crabs. Slightly pricey, but you get quality food. I've never been disappointed here, and that's over many years and compared to other similar restaurants in the region. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.
(5)T Y.
I'm not sure rating Cantler's really means anything. It's a Maryland crab shack. It's crabs (and various fried products) and it just kind of is what it is. Parking is like lining up for the green flag at Talladega....
(3)Anne W.
What better way to follow a day sailing than with crabs buried in Old Bay? I'm starting to understand the appeal of the "Annapolis/Regatta lifestyle". But since I can't sail to save my life, I'll have to be content as a faker. This place is what I think of for Maryland crabs. The classic brown-paper- lining-little-wooden-mallet-pounding-crab-shell-Âbits-flying-everywhere-good-old-crab-picking. A side note: you don't pick crabs until you're full, you pick crabs until you're bored. Because it's a lot of work for not a lot of meat (even with the large guys). We (4 of us) showed up on a Saturday around 4ish and the place is PACKED. After being outside in 100 degree heat, we opted to wait longer for a table inside and hung out at the bar. Beer is pretty cheap and go well with pitchers of pink lemonade (totally not joking here). But we WERE also dehydrated. It was a full-hour wait, (we were told that from the start) but the bar helps, of course. Despite the fact that Cantler's lists crabs by the dozen, ($60/dozen large crabs) you can buy them individually, as our server informed us. So we opted for 8 crabs (2 each, just for the spirit of things, plus it's fun) and then ordered entrees. I got the imperial crab stuffed shrimp with hush puppies. Shrimp was a little dry but crab stuffing was creamy and good. Hush puppies were okay, but I've had better. The bf ordered some kind of fried platter with fish, crab cake and bay scallops and fries. That was a lot of food and I didn't care much for the bay scallops. But overall it's good Maryland-shore fare, the service is super friendly and the prices are reasonable. For an entree and 2 crabs each, it came out to ~$35/person, which includes tax and tip.
(4)Mark O.
As soon as you walk into this place you know you're going to eat well. When a restaurant is off the beaten track but teaming with people it's a good sign. I had the lobster and prime rib. Very good indeed. I didn't want to leave. The key lime pie was great. We wanted to eat outside but the wait was too long so we ate inside. The atmosphere was great and service good.
(5)Remy M.
Great food, great atmosphere. It doesn't get better than this for blue crabs. Cantler's has a great outdoor deck where you can eat right on the water. Really cool. After dining here, I shared my experience with a few friends who have all replied so far with "Cantler's!? I love that place!" I had a half-dozen crabs which was great. My friends got the crab cakes which they really enjoyed as well. Check this place out! And if. while driving there, you think your car's navigation system is sending you to the wrong place, trust me--it's not... :)
(5)Mike B.
Tiny Crabs with no claws?? Could do better in Fairfax at pells. Rip off! Out of six crabs there were five claws! Thought crabs had two! Wtf. Don't trust the hype.
(2)Eric B.
There are plenty of places to get some decent crabs around here, but Cantler's has always been one of my favorites. Approaching crab season, I'm expecting my Pops to hit me up to make a run to Cantler's on a sunny Saturday, and while I may be swamped with school work and ponder suggesting Captain Pell's because of they are significantly closer, I will most likely break down and say "what the fuck"! Off to Cantler's we go. They're really tucked away, so well, that many locals surprisingly still don't know about them. Give them a look through Google Maps or something to get an idea of how to get there, don't just rely on the directions, as you may still miss a turn. Once you're close, you will start to see blue signs, guiding you in. It's not uncommon to be stuck behind a line of cars, waiting for a parking spot in the Summer months, so plan ahead, go early, say, 10:30 or so. This way you'll get a good spot in the parking lot as well as on the deck, get a bucket of beer, and apps, and by the time the crabs hit the table, it should be just about lunch time. Crabs ARE becoming increasingly expensive year after year. Someday I may have to go back to setting traps and easing up a chicken neck off the piles for recreation just to get my fix. So why Cantler's? Hey, crabs are crabs, but not every shack has Jumbos. That's why you would wanna go to Cantler's, for their Jumbos. Despite that they're quite pricey, they're huge, heavy, and full, these bad-muvuh-fukuhz is worf it, so go there with a fat wad and Jumbos in mind. If you get an empty crab, or one that's just dwindling between growth stages, don't fret or feel you've been gyped, they will replace it with a new fatty. Another of my favorite menu items is the steamers, I like to call them pisser clams, those introverted little crustations reaching out with their little arms, begging to be eaten. I peel the skin off their arms and swoosh them around in a cup of water to work the excess sand out, dip 'em in butter, maybe some old bay, and down the hatch. They're a great snack option to help you wait for your Jumbos.
(5)Wilbert O.
Timing is of great signicant here. The time is right in the sense that you don't need to wait, but on the other side, it is not the season for blue crabs. I was quite disappointed to hear that no blue crab was available now, because I had thought it should be a year long thing. But since I was here, I decided to try something else. I ordered Jumbo Crab Cake and pizza. The crab cake was fantastic, very tender and fresh, I would give it a five star. The pizza was fine, but a four star was a overshoot. So I would give a four star overall. I hope to return in season.
(4)Kelly K.
I had a great "crabby" visit today. I ordered the large local crabs and they were all fresh and tasty. The only thing I am unsatisfied with is the "butter" which is actually melted margarine even though the waitress referred to it as butter. I think dipping shellfish in margarine ruins it! But dipping in vinegar is good and the crab was so good that it really didn't need to be dipped in anything.
(4)Bernadette N.
After living here for almost a year, I still haven't found a restaurant better than Jimmy Cantler's. I probably went here once a month this winter and sat at the bar. This past weekend we went again...for the first time in a long time we ordered something other than the rockfish bites and a dozen crabs. We started with the seared tuna and seaweed appetizer - better than the rockfish bites maybe? Then my husband had the crabcake sandwich (he loved) and I went on a limb and ordered the half lobster tail topped with a crab cake. DELISH! I mean, perfectly cooked lobster? Nothing better. Sprinkle the veggie sides with a little old bay and perfection. I love that they only serve beers in cans. I just love this place.
(5)Greenballoon X.
Atmosphere: We sat outside and enjoyed the awesome weather. The inside looks kind of depressing... The outside, however, is set up for some intensely messy eating with plastic picnic benches and hose-it-down tile floors, which were a little slippery with crab debris by the time we sat down in the mid-afternoon. I realize that this set up is largely functional, but be prepared for a little gross-ness. Service: First off, it's worth noting that we had to wait in the parking lot until we could get an outside table. Our server was very nice, but there were some logistical problems. We had ordered several appetizers, since the crab doesn't really fill you up, but the crabs showed up first. So, we're sitting there with crabs all over the place starting to dig in and then all the other orders start coming out and it's kind of chaotic and frustrating. Then we had ordered Corona Lights for our beer bucket, but it came with regular Coronas. Then the soup that two of us ordered never showed up until we reminded our server. Food: The butternut squash crab soup was really good and I don't think they have it on the menu all the time. The crab dip starter was solid. The onion rings were good, too, but I nearly burned myself when some hot oil juiced onto my hand. Rock cod was solid, but steamed shrimp was nothing special. The crabs themselves were pretty small ("medium" was the largest size they had that day) and so the effort you go through to extract any meat kind of negates the benefit. I would say I would skip the crab on my next visit, but the crab is kind of the point for a place like this and it's not like the rest of the menu is so outstanding to warrant the longish wait for a table. Bottom line: Not opposed, but not in a hurry to return. Depending on the season, might take a non-crab strategy.
(3)joe c.
You know it's good if it's where the locals go. You'd never find this place in a million years without a gps, yet you ask anyone who's been in Annapolis for more than 2 years and they can all tell you how to get to Cantler's. Scratch that. They could get there themselves, but they'd never be able to give u directions from memory. Location Location Location.... unless.... you're a destination spot. Cantler's Riverside is exactly that!
(5)Jinny Y.
I was dying for some hard shell crabs in Maryland, so some local folks recommended Cantler's. A few friends and I drove an hour over to Annapolis and found Cantler's off a small side road next to the river. The area was super cute! We went in with one mission. Hard shell crabs. We sat down and even before we ordered drinks my bf asks about the crabs. Our waitress told us they were out of crabs temporarily! WHHHATT?!?! Out of crabs?? The menu clearly stated "crabs all year round". At first I was sad, then a wave of rage started to come over me. I thought, "We drove 2 cars for almost an hour for one thing that they advertise to have year round and they're out?!?!? They'll be sorry when they read my yelp review!" I was totally ready to give them 0 stars. We were too hungry to go anywhere else, so we were going to settle with other options on the menu. I made it clear to the waitress that I was unhappy about the crab situation. She came took our order, then 5 minutes later came back to the table and informed us that the crab guy just came in and we would be able to get the crabs. HALLELUJAH! =D we ordered a dozen x-large crabs for $80-$85. It seemed a bit expensive but it stuffed 5 of us =) They were steamed and sprinkled with old bay seasoning. We also ordered the fries and hush puppies which were great. Fresh and crispy. 4.5 stars!
(4)Caesar R.
Plain and simple, come in clean, leave smelling like steamed crab and seasoning (OLD BAY, BUTTER, etc.). Repeat....as necessary! Soooooo delicious even on the dark and dreary night that it was last night. This was my GFs first experience with Maryland Crabs so I was so delighted that she really enjoyed it. We both got the boil offered on the menu which includes an enromous amount of the following 3 Crabs, Corn, Coleslaw, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams. One would have been enough for the both of us. Ofcourse, the perfect beverage companion, ice cold canned beer. Thank you Cantler's Riverside Inn for bringing sunshine on a miserable rainy day and delicious food. I would say definitely come here on a nice day to enjoy dockside crab feast outdoors.
(5)Dion B.
I had a friend in from the West Coast and wanted to show him how seafood is done, East Coast style. We chose Cantler's because it had been rated the most (and highest), and so we figured it must be the best. The only way to get there is to take the "scenic" route, be as it may, is not scenic at all. Friday nights in December are not busy, as we didn't have to wait in line as other Yelpers have written. We were not quickly acknowledged or seated, and finally were told by a server to find our own seats (think grade-school cafeteria style seating, it's the best way to describe it). I would have already left and found another restaurant at this point if it weren't for the great ratings this restaurant has received on here. Alas, the food did (not fully) redeem Cantler's Riverside Inn. We started with the Fried Crab Cake Sliders and Butternut Squash Crab Soup, I ordered the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and he ordered the Fried Bay Platter. All was amazing! Do NOT come here for the experience (the tarter sauce was served in packets!). Come for the food ONLY as they know customers will still come in, even if they don't remodel the restaurant or give great customer service. Count me out if a cleaner, more in-touch competitor comes along the way.
(4)Kerry B.
As a 4th generation Marylander, I'd like to think I know my crabs. And if you're hankering for some REAL Maryland blue crabs - the sting-your-fingers, Old-Bay-in-your-fingernails-for-days crabs - then Cantler's is the place to go. Not only does its location, overlooking Mill Creek, give you that real Eastern Shore flavor - but the food is spot on and uncomplicated. Buttered corn cobs, french fries, and bushels upon bushels of crabs with extra vinegar and Old Bay will overflow your picnic table. I'd recommend giving the steamed shrimp a try too! Be prepared to set aside an afternoon or a few hours (besides, crab eating should be a social thing, not a grab and dash meal!) and do NOT wear clothes you really care about. Unless you wish to wear your stains as bragging rights?
(5)Michael S.
I don't know if it is better than any of the Crab/Seafood Houses that you can walk to around downtown or just over the bridge in Eastport because I was not able to try them all. But there is something to be said about heading into the country, just a few minutes out of town, and driving down some nice winding streets to a little place an the end of the road on a nice little cove. That has got to count for at least one star. The large cold martinis with a side car also has to count for a lot, maybe another star. After those martinis the food just starts to become absorptive material. We tried lots of dishes, blackened rockfish, local oysters on the half shell, clams on the half shell, wings, two different crab soups, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, extra-large crabs and two pies. Rockfish -OK Clams and oysters - go with the clams Crab Soup - go with the tomato base Crab cakes - the winner, no work all reward Extra large crabs - who are they kidding, go to Florida and get some stone crab so you don't have to expend more energy eating than you are consuming. Pies - Apple. Service - barely.
(4)Janelle E.
Holy crap - this is some great food with a fun atmosphere! We went on a Wednesday night around 6pm, and the place was packed...a very telling sign on a weeknight, esp considering how far back in the boonies this place is. We waited about 20 mins to sit outside and drank a few beers in the parking lot while waiting. Once we got to the table our server was right over - and wearing a big smile on her face. We got our orders in, enjoyed some more beers while we waiting, and then DUG IN when it came. Mom had fried shrimp, which is some of the best I have had (def a compliment after living in Destin, FL and being spoiled with fresh Gulf shrimp), and everyone else had assorted platters of different mixes. We all shared and devoured it all! Most definitely going to Cantlers again, and taking our out-of-town guests for a taste of Annapolis!
(5)Allie K.
I cant say enough great things about Cantler's. We eat here everyt ime we are in town. The best service, the best food (try the crab dip, it is to die for!!), the best view... We love it. You have got to try it.
(5)Mia D.
5 stars for the experience! Now since I am a SF/Bay Area native, I've had my share of crab experience - Dungeness crabs, but I can say I've never had it like this - butcher block paper on top of picnic tables and wooden mallets...super fun! I'm a fan of Old Bay seasoning now too! Okay, so between my husband and I, we ordered 3 extra large crabs and an order of hush puppies (b/c Yelpers told me to!) and a half bucket of steamers. The steamers were good - not as good as I've had them in Boston (wow, did I just say something good about Boston?), but they were fresh! The hush puppies were surprisingly tasty! I loved the honey butter they came with too! The crabs were tasty and super fun to eat! I love diving in and getting all the delicious meat out of there!!!! By the way, we went at about 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon, no line to park, no line for sitting outside. It was a very easy and pleasant experience!!! I will tell all my local friends to give it a try! It was a lot of fun!!!
(4)Christine C.
We've been going to Cantler's 5 or 6 times a year since we moved to MD, and have not been disappointed. Up until this last visit we had ordered steamed blue crab every time. However, since it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans (our blue crabs come from MD this time of year--it's illegal to crab from Dec-April in MD so they have the crabs shipped in) and many folks are enjoying crabs in Louisiana this weekend, they hadn't received any in their shipment that day. So for the first time ever, we ate a non-crab related meal. My husband and I both had the Hawaiian tuna sandwich, and our other diner had a grilled haddock sandwich. We also enjoyed some raw oysters, and a platter of their boiled shrimp and potatoes. Everything was fantastic. The tuna (which we ordered medium rare and rare) was cooked to perfection. You could tell the haddock and tuna were fresh; nothing beats fresh seafood like this. The shrimp were, as always, HUGE and with just the right amount of seasoning. And the oysters were clean and perfectly briny. Whenever we have guests in town we always take them to Cantler's for crabs, but now we'll be taking ourselves there even more frequently for the best fresh seafood we've had in MD.
(5)Christopher S.
Cantler's is a local Annapolis crab house restaurant that gets a four for the fun and atmosphere it provides. The food is good, not great. Its a blast eating crabs and drinking beer with a large group. The rock fish is usually very tasty. The restaurant has boat access and a nice outdoor deck. They pack them in during the summer so be prepared to wait. Hard to find location if you are not a local. Really fun east coast cultural experience.
(3)Carrie L.
This place was so hard to find! but it was very worth it after we actually found the place. It's actually in a residential area so we didn't really know if we were headed the right direction. The must-have is the crab cakes!! ALL CRAB AND NO FILLERS!! It was THE BEST crab cake I've ever had. The fries were also very good. I was disappointed of the scallops. There were only 4 pieces and it had too much seasoning on them. And if you don't mind getting down and dirty, order a nice pile of freshly caught crab (cooked of course!). A nice small wooden hammer is provided to aid in the cracking of the shells.
(4)Nancy T.
This place was so incredibly fun, fun, fun!!! I injured my thumb on a spiky crab shell, got Old Bay seasoning in my eye (it burns!), was covered in debris and still had a total blast. Our waitress was awesome, too. I'd only picked blue crabs once before and it was many years ago so I was absolutely clueless on how to do it. She demonstrated her technique for me and was really patient and nice while I learned. The first few crabs took a while, but then I got into a rhythm and became rather primitive about the whole process, ripping them apart and smashing and cracking and sucking and picking. I think I got into the "zone." Our waitress was super quick with drink refills, checking on us, asking if we needed anything else and bringing the bill at the end of the meal. The setting outdoors right on the water is really peaceful and the view is beautiful. They have outdoor heaters for when the air gets a little nippy. This is just a really fun place for a traditional Maryland crab feast.
(4)Kevin L.
Worth almost getting lost to get here. Crab was fresh and plentiful and the view was awesome. This is not the sort of place you go to for a quiet dinner. You go there to get dirty by rolling up your sleeves and tearing into the fresh crab. Delish!
(4)Christopher M.
If you want good crabs and if you want to eat them overlooking a scenic Chesapeake Bay inlet and have them served by friendly staff - this is the place for you. Great crabs, lots of seats outside (under cover and without) and don't forget to go down near the water to see the tanks (a few turtles, some horseshoe crabs, and a bunch of busters. It's about 10 minutes from the Naval Academy / Downtown Annapolis and first-timers will need a map to get there, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(4)Jeni Y.
as someone who loves crab and grew up in MD, it's a little embarrassing that I haven't gone to Cantler's until now. On a weekend trip back to MD, I brought a friend to visit Annapolis and decided to finally drop by the "crab house you haaave to go to when you're in Annapolis." The "outdoor seating" area was covered in clear tarp so we can warmly enjoy the deck seating and see the gorgeous Chesapeake waters below. I momentarily wished that we were here on a warm summer evening. The view and outdoor eating area vibe added to the experience, and we both agreed that we landed on a "only in Maryland" kind of spot. Between two people, we shared a medium serving of steamers and 12 'large' crabs. The food was fresh and succulent, and i didn't need any butter or extra sauce to thoroughly enjoy the meat. It took us a good 2 hours to eat and admittedly even with huge appetites we left behind an entire crab and half of the steamers. In hind sight we probably could have done well with half a dozen "x-large" crabs and steamers. This place gets 5 shiny stars because next time I bring friends to get a taste of the "authentic MD crabhouse experience," I will most definitely bring them here again.
(5)Christie W.
Meh, I really have experienced better. After all the hype surrounding Cantlers I really was dying to try this place out. I was expecting to wait for a while, and knew parking was going to be challenging, something I am always willing to do for some good crabs! So off I went to test out this notorious crab shack. My boyfriend and I got there at around 7 on a Friday night, we waited for about 30 minutes to park. However we were entertained watching the teenage parking attendant's game of catch the rock in your shirt pocket, ehh em annoying! We were hungry and somewhat short on patience. Not that we weren't expecting to wait, but when people are acting obnoxious and not doing their job it is a bit frustrating. Eventually the manager came out and we were able to park shortly after that. We got inside and requested a table for two. We were told the wait for outdoor seating would be about forty five minutes. Not too bad, we were definitely willing to wait. We were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar. The bar only sells cans of beer, no bottles, no drafts, just cans. Ok, ok, I looked past it; it gave the little place character. They do offer wine and spirits, if that is what you fancy. However I am a crabs and beer kind of girl. Two beers and over an hour later, we finally went up to the hostess stand just to check on our names on the list, to find out how much longer the wait would be, we were then immediately sat. We were then taken to a full table with a family of six already sitting there eating away. Awkward!! We were shoved at the very end of the table with a bush smacking me in the head and the stranger's elbows almost knocking over my drink every other minute. It was NOT very much fun. So if you are not with a large group, big enough to fill the entire table prepare yourself to sit with strangers. Meanwhile I kept reminding myself that I was here for one thing and one thing only the notorious crabs, so I let all of this slide. We ordered a dozen large male crabs @ $75 per dozen. As an appetizer we got an order of hush puppies and the crab and lobster quesadilla. I am not a huge fan of hush puppies anyways, but the boyfriend seemed to enjoy them. The crab and lobster quesadilla was served to us cold, and was awful. I didn't even finish one piece. Finally our crabs arrived at the table. First of all they were not what I consider to be large crabs. They looked to me like medium crabs. Maybe 2 out of the dozen were large, but only large by their shells, because once cracked open there was no meat. The crabs were light and about 3 of the dozen were watery, mushy crabs, no good. I did like the seasoning they used and the crabs smelled good, but they definitely didn't meet my standards. Maybe if we had ordered mediums I would have accepted it, bottom line we did not get what we paid for. The service was ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I definitely agree it is a tourist trap, the people we shared a table with were out of towners, and a lot of the people surrounding us were from out of town as well. When they asked how to dissect the crabs, the waitress told them, simply "bang em with the hammer and rip them apart" hmmm. It is overpriced, the wait is not worth it for the food, the crabs are small, mushy, and definitely not what I consider meaty or what I would call large. I really wanted to like no not like LOVE Cantlers. Maybe I will try this place again someday, because everyone can have a bad crab day, but I was really disappointed with my experience at Cantlers. :(
(2)Mandy J.
I've eaten here on many, many occasions. Each time hoping the other dishes match the superb crabs and I am always disappointed in the rest of the order. This is first and foremost a fisherman and boating hangout. Some townies, some locals, tons of tourists, many VIPS and all basking in the sun. The catch is always fresh, the process educational and the view is unbelievable. It is the one of the best places for crabs, close second of course is Bella's in Cape St. Claire which has superior food and a view of the parking lot as well as The Wild Goose an Arnold carry out -ditto but without the restaurant. If you like crabs - Cantler's is the place and it's a local landmark. Service is not that great, it's always crowded which is good for them but not for the diner, and don't go with infants in a stroller as you cannot, repeat cannot, sit inside. What the handicapped do I have no idea! It is also a bit pricey...considering the lack of good seats, and tasty non-crabby cuisine. On the whole for twenty plus years, outside of the crabs Cantler's never fails to disappoint and I always feel pressured to leave and vacate the table for the next diner. However, once I sit down and gaze at that spectacular view I pledge allegiance to return and do.
(3)Lizzy Z.
My husband and I decided to go to Annapolis to celebrate our anniversary and wanted to eat at the best crab place around. Cantler's was at the top of every list I found--and now I understand why. We arrived at 1:30 on a gorgeous (and hot) Saturday afternoon. Found the place easily enough, although as other posters said, it's at the back end of a parking lot. We had to wait for a table, but that was to be expected. We were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy our cans of beer while we waited. Soon enough, we got to our table. A colleague of mine had suggested to start with a half-dozen crabs. I didn't see that option anywhere on the menu, so when our waitress came over to take our order, I let her know it was our first time there (and our first time eating crabs in this manner). She explained that the dozen or half-dozen of crabs were listed on the blackboard and assisted us with our order--as we could always order more if we chose to do so. We also ordered the crab dip as the appetizer. The crabs came first and then the crab dip--the runner said it was because when it's so busy, they just get the crabs out as fast as they can. The waitress came over when the crabs arrived and demonstrated how to open and break the crabs and where to find the meat. And my goodness, the meat was like ambrosia. The Old Bay really brought the flavor out, as did the side of melted butter. We cleared the 6 large crabs we ordered and finished the dip (which was quite good, but completely overshadowed by the whole crab-eatin' experience). This was such a fun place and the crabs were wonderful. I'll definitely return.
(4)Liz A.
Landed in Baltimore at 7 pm and decided to follow fellow yelpers suggestions and check out a local-yocal place for dinner. What a find! I arrived and was seated about 10 mins later, at an outside table. Granted, you are at a picnic table with other fellow dinners, but that definitely added to the experience. Went for the cherry stone clams and 1/2 dozen blue crabs, and that turned out to be WAY too much for 1 person. I would suggest 4 crabs and and maybe a 1/2 dozen of the cherry stones. Either way, they were delicious and had a ton of Old Bay seasoning on them. Definitely not a salt-free meal! Will definitely hit Cantlers again next time I roll through town.
(4)Sheri Y.
We find our way to Cantlers every time we are near Annapolis. Every time we find ourselves wondering if there really is a restaurant tucked way back there on the other side of a long drive through a residential neighborhood, but it's always there at the other end. The seafood is all fresh, the atmosphere is pleasantly casual. Wonderful place to go on a nice day, to eat on the deck at a picnic table under an umbrella. We love the clam strips and the crab cakes. The ice tea is fresh and tasty. The hush puppies are always popular. It's not fancy but it's friendly and pleasant and we always leave with smiles on our faces. Oh, another point - - we stopped there at 11:30 on a Sunday. We were seated right away out on the deck. But when we left the parking lot was full and there was a long line. Early is definitely a good idea!
(4)Stacy R.
Ate here with my family last month. It was worth the extra wait to be seated outside. The food was amazing. I loved the crab cakes and hushpuppies. Everyone else ordered snow crab.
(5)Paul M.
What's going on ? The Terps aren't able to fill their stadium anymore and people are hatin on Cantler's..... Are these Maryland Landmark Institutions linked? Are they going downhill? The Terps surely not and Cantler's definitely not. I took my kids to see Georgia Tech vs Maryland last season at Byrd Stadium, they decided they wanted to support the old home town team rather than the new home town team, and the only yellow shirts I could find were the Cantler's T shirts we got them on their birthday. Picture me and two 10 year olds all dressed in yellow with 60,000 red dressed rabid Terp fans all around us. One Terp told me it was sacrilege to have a yellow Cantler's shirt and to use it to support Tech against Maryland. It probably is. Well, we got out alive, Tech narrowly lost and Chris Turner in, I believe, his first or second start, played an awesome game. Sorry, diversion over. Cantler's - yeah - well what all the good reviewers said, I agree with and then some. Get thee down there , sit on the deck by the waterfront and slug back a few beers with your all-you-can-eat crab. Chat with the people sitting next to you, who probably live 3 blocks from you anyway. Mooch down to the loading dock and check them sizing and sorting the crabs as they come in, look out on the water and think to yourself - "Holy Crap - does Maryland really have 7000 miles of coastline? that's like the distance between DC and Buenos Aires and then go half way back."
(5)William M.
Love this place. Had a great experience. Staff is very attentive. Yeungling in cans?! I guess I can chalk that up to quirk. Can't wait to come back.
(4)Glaciala A.
For six people, we had two dozen large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, and an order of potato salad/cole slaw. Next time, I'd skip the potato salad/cole slaw. Crabs were really good and in comparison to Quarterdeck in Arlington, VA a lot less old-bayish which can be good or bad, depending upon your taste buds. River view was nice, but sitting in the sun in really hot weather without shade got a little boiling. Next time, I'd try and sit under the covered patio. Downstairs underneath the restaurant, there are tanks that kids would like, with horseshoue crabs and other water-life creatures. For reservation policies, see their website.
(4)Sarah S.
Best place to sit down and enjoy crabs in the summer? Certainly, I'd say Cantler's. Their prices are reasonable, and their steamed crab flavoring is exactly what you'd expect in Annapolis. Living in Annapolis, I have tried just about all of the crab houses. Most of which I would classify as hit or miss, Cantler's however has consistently been good. At the worst, I've had maybe a handful of "mushy" ones out of 2 dozen crabs. The beer selection is pretty minimal(and if you ask me highly disappointing). They only serve cans of beer, apparently they had some issues with rowdy clientèle in the past and this was their resolution. Atmosphere: The setup is basically picnic table style tables and wobbly chairs, which to some makes it a lower class venue. True crab lovers, this is exactly how we throw down. My only complaint about their setup is the space issue. If you like to have ANY personal space between yourself and the stranger next to you, then you should probably get your crabs to go. Parking: If you head to Cantler's on a weekend evening during the summer be prepared to wait at least an hour and good luck finding a parking spot.
(4)bert s.
Great service, fantastic crab. It's a little hard to find, but well worth the adventure. Highly recommend.
(4)L M.
Every time I come here, I think, "what a pain to drive to," "how will I find my way out of this shantytown," "how long must I wait for a table...a server?" And then my food arrives (usually an hour and a half after I left my house in Crownsville) and it is heavenly....fresh, well cooked, everything eating in Annapolis should be. Last meal was lunch with the chopped salad (wow- so fresh!) and crab cake on the side (best in town).
(4)Jennifer G.
Don't know what happened but their snow crabs shrunk...we asked the waitress what was up with that but she was clueless...very disappointing dinner...probably won't be heading out here anymore
(2)Dennis C.
Being an out-of-towner, I don't have a good point of reference since I haven't been to any other Maryland crab houses. That being said, I've been to Cantlers three times over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed it. The sides and other non-crab dishes I've had here have been pretty mediocre. The steamer clams were extra mushy and muddy, much more so than any I've had in NYC. The beer-battered onion rings were good but just not as tasty as they look, and the soups were too salty for my taste. Despite all those complaints, I'm giving Cantlers four stars because the main attraction, hard-shell Maryland blue crabs, are excellent. They're big and buttery and coated in just the right amount of Old Bay, and I could eat them for days.
(4)KuangYou C.
I am not a fan of crabs or lobster because I don't like to take their armors off. However, my friend recommended this crab restaurant because she said the crab here is so fresh! I believed her because I didn't have rash or stomachache after I ate them. I think the price is not that expensive, but you have to order something else if you want to fill up your stomach.
(4)Rico I.
Cannot say enough good things about Cantlers. Been going here for years, well worth the trip.
(5)Heidi C.
I really wanted to love this place. It has so much going for it - riverfront location, fresh steamed crabs, bountiless seafood... However - I found that even on a Tuesday night there were a lot of problems. First and foremost, I know that running a successful seafood restaurant will mean a lot of garbage. But I sat through two hours of dinner with an absolutely TERRIBLE smell wafting from the dumpsters, and every time somebody would haul out another bag of garbage the leakage would seep down towards our table. If you are EVER led to the single table on the far side of the restaurant - DECLINE it!!! It will reek to high heavens all night long. Service was incredibly slow as well, and there didn't seem to be any bug control - pests were everywhere. On the positive side, our crabs were excellent - we ordered the large at $55/dozen. Our server was nice when we could get ahold of her. Hmm...running out of positives and wanting to complain a bit more...one of my companion's crabcakes smelled a bit amonia-y which should never happen to a place with such high rotation of crabs - everything should be fresh fresh fresh! Also - be aware that all beer comes in can form! It was ok but I was still disappointed that they didn't have a single beer on tap. Last thought - the powdery spices they pour over the crab seem to be less apt to stick to the meat and flavor it and more apt to turn to orange paste on your hands. I'd have preferred just a dusting of old bay. I won't return anytime soon because there are crabs to be had at less stinky locations.
(3)Robin F.
We definitely had a great Maryland Crab experience. Can't fully recall if it was due to Cantler's or due to the great time we had with our friends! But nonetheless we had a ton of good food, some crabs (although fun, too much work for us.) Plan to get there early so you don't have to wait in the line of cars just to park.
(4)Brandy C.
It's not you, it's me. We did the big group thing, ordered pounds of crab and corn and fries and whatnot. Crab when I have to get it out of that shell is not my thing. When I get mounds of it in my mouth with cheese and egg and all I did was order it (see Chick&Ruth's), well that's more my thing. As far as seasoning goes, again, it's probably me. I live in the south and grew up in Louisiana. I would hardly call what they did seasoning, but I am used to crying while eating crawfish. This tourist was a little out of her element. Also, I didn't know or like the people I was with well enough to be cramped so tightly elbow-to-elbow at a sweaty picnic table outside. Personal space be damned! I'm a party pooper, I get it. But this was not the highlight of my eating through the Northeast tour, sorry. If that is blasphemy to the locals, feel free to come here and smack talk some BBQ or Tex Mex and tell me how you guys do it better. What was a little special was getting to go down to the water and see all the crabs awaiting their fate on a picnic table. You definitely know where your dinner came from.
(3)Adrie L.
Cantler's is the BEST crab shack! The food is amazing! The crabs are super fresh and delicious. I didn't know what I was doing the first time I went and have always been with first time crabbers. The waitstaff is really friendly and always willing to put on a demo. I also recommend any of the soups and the hush puppies! The location is off the beaten path, so it is secluded, but on the water. I have sat inside and outside... been on a hot summer day and a cool spring day. Even though it's casual & laid back, it's perfect for ANY occasion - I have gone with friends, taken my Dad when he was visiting from Texas, and have been for a birthday....everyone I've gone with has been impressed. Yes, it's usually busy, but if you have to wait, just grab a bucket of beers, walk down to the little pier and hang out... Highly recommended - don't miss Cantler's on your next trip to Annap!
(5)Brian S.
Went on Tuesday, less crowded. Good shrimp app. Maryland blue crabs were lots of work but tasty. Don't be afraid to ask for instructions on how to eat the crabs. Servers friendly and helpful.
(4)John G.
Not to be a heretic (I know this place is beloved), but I had dinner at Cantler's recently and I didn't really like it. I get that it's a homey, no-frills crab shack, but I think it's too rustic to be enjoyable. After we got there, my 8-year old nephew returned from a trip to the bathroom and announced how badly it stunk. There was also no soap in the women's room. The crab soup was delicious, but I just couldn't concentrate on enjoying the food after hearing how disgusting the bathrooms were. There are plenty of other crab joints in the Annapolis area (Mike's, for example) and I won't be returning to this one.
(1)Christine P.
Excellent place for fresh crabs pulled directly from the water. Tried this place on a weekend trip to Annapolis, and wish I could go back more often. If you've never had fresh hard shell crabs it was a bit intimidating, as I didn't know the best way to open up the body. My boyfriend and I had 1 appetizer, 6 XL crabs, 2 ears of corn and a side of fries, which was way too much food!! If you are an average eater, I'd suggest a bit less, you can always order more :) For those of you considering coming here, this is def a very casual places. Think shared picnic tables, brown paper, paper plates and cans of beer. Try this if you are going to be in the area. A true MD experience !!
(4)Carl G.
Terrific atmosphere for a Maryland crab day. Located on a quaint inlet of the Chesapeake, this crab shack is the perfect place to visit with friends on a sunny summer day for some steamed whole crab carnage. You might make a walking tour of Annapolis part of your excursion. Be sure to walk downstairs by the dock where you can see the live seafood tanks. Don't get your fingers too close to the crabs, though. They can be ornery.
(4)SHAWN T.
So disappointing. 6/12 crabs were pulpy, mushy throw-aways. And this was after a 1.5 hour wait. Terrible.
(1)Jessie J.
i am in love with cantler's. it's slowly becoming an institution in our family. tonight we wanted a place to go to celebrate our dear "pop pop", as he passed away last sunday and we already missed him. when we were kids, he ran a veritable "crab factory" in his basement almost every weekend during the summer, and as a kid growing up in maryland you may not have eaten a lot of things, but you always, always ate crabs. we figured cantler's was more than appropriate-no pretensions, butcher paper on the table, beer proudly served in cans, old dudes watching nascar on the bar televisions. off season extra large crabs ran $75.00 a dozen, but they were nice and weighty, and very, very fresh. you will end up filthy, covered in old bay and crab guts. my apologies to the table next to us that ended up getting a crab leg thrown at them AND had to hear my two siblings argue about subprime mortgages and hillary clinton.(see uploaded photos for cantler's, my failed attempt at shaming them into shutting the fuck up) really pop, we had the best of intentions but in the end we still are just a bunch of assholes. this is the ultimate maryland crab house experience. it's in the middle of nowhere, has server's that call you"hon", the seafood is fresh and fantastic, and you can buy one of their signature beer can koozies on your way out. john waters would be proud. NOTE: natasha r. and justin p. my tagline may SAY california, but i'm baltimorian through and through seeing as i was born there and cut my baby teeth on a crab leg. so quit your haterade poo pooing of cantler's, cause you don't wanna go head to head with me when it comes to balmer street cred! WORD.
(5)Joe R.
I went to Cantler's last night. I bounce between there and Mike's Crabs depending on price and size of crabs. The atmosphere is always great and the steamers and steamed shrimp are AWESOME. Last night my buddy and I shared a dozen large males. They weren't bad. The only reason why I didn't give Cantler's 4 stars was that I have been there before and the "larges" were much bigger. I'll be back tho. Don't you miss it!!!! Casual dining. Be prepared to get dirty if you go! See you there!!
(4)Dave S.
Not a nice place, despite the raves. It's dirty, very noisy, and crowded. Tables are packed much too close together. The restrooms are early American gas station. The crab cakes are soggy. There is nothing particularly interesting about the steamed crabs. I've been there three times, twice by water and once by land. It seems consistently mediocre and generally unpleasant.
(1)Alicia C.
I recently made my second trip to Cantler's. It may be a hike to get to, but if you're into crabs, it's definitely worth the trip. The experience could not even be tainted by getting a little lost on the backroads in Maryland (both times... yes I'm a bit directionally challenged) or even the tropical storm that was rolling through my last time up. If you go, plan to get there early as it does tend to get busy (unless that is you time your trip to coincide with a hurricane). But again, the food is definitely worth the wait. Don't forget a basket of hush puppies or some chowder to go along on the side!
(4)Beth B.
My husband is from Annapolis and grew up only a few blocks away from this crab shack. This is one of my favorite places to go in Annapolis and this place was where I learned how to crack Maryland Blue crabs correctly. (I use to waste so much meat!) It is located down a small neighborhood road and sits on the Severn River. You would think this place would not get crowded because of the location, but after 5pm you will be luckily to get a table without waiting 20-30 minutes. If you want to sit outside on the deck, you definitely need to get here early. Cantler's posts their specials on chalkboards around the restaurant. I recommend cracking crabs here. Spend the money on the Supers if they have them. They are often really good. (However, recently we discovered the crabs were from Louisiana not Maryland due to over crabbing in the Bay). If you happen to get a "bad" crab, they will steam you a new one. If you do not like to work for your food, Cantlers has a menu with everything from crab cakes, shrimp, mussels, and grilled and stuffed rockfish. They have non seafood items too, but I recommend sticking with the local seafood and don't forget a bucket of beer! If you are in Annapolis, it is worth a trip to this inn on the river.
(4)Stuart B.
Great crabs and seafood, great service, good food options for those land lovers, too. Can be loud at times but its a pretty popular place. THE place to go for crabs in MD.
(5)Mary L.
Disappointment with a capital D. I had the crab cake. Lackluster, but I did not get sick. My husband had crab cakes--identically lackluster. He also had the sandy steamers..little, tough, and sandy. Guy sitting next to us had crabs--nice guy, got to know him as he was practically sitting on my lap for a good long wait for the food. Anyway, the crabs...medium, not worth the effort. I will never know why the place was packed to the gills both inside and outside--actually the outside seating was more like sardines packed in muck. I will never know because I won't ever go there again.
(1)Aaron S.
Don't get lost on the winding residential road that takes you to Cantler's; it's a place that is not to be missed! You can get excellent crabs a nice atmosphere and great staff here. We enjoyed everything about it (it was even worth the 40 min wait!)
(5)brad j.
Take a shirt you don't mind getting messy. Crab shrapnel is in the air, butter and Old Bay drip off of everything. I know the crabs weren't pulled from the Chesapeake yesterday, but they were still darn good. The service was great (pay attention to how the waitress ALWAYS ask, "Did you order ______?"), and if it was warm enough to have the back porch enclosure unenclosed, well, it would have been a little piece of heaven. The atmosphere is what does it for me. It's not about fancy decor; it's not about snooty staff; its not about special sauces -- it's about crabs and steamers and beer. And if you have the cash flow to put in a full day of it, it will be a day you will remember at Cantler's.
(4)Jason Y.
Cantler's feels like it's tucked away out in Annapolis, but once you've made your way down a twisty single lane road you'll find that it's not that much of a secret. But no matter - grab a table outside, even if it's in the driving sun with no umbrella (wear sunscreen!) and get ready for some good ole crustacean eating. Your table cloth is a sheet of brown packing paper, your tools are a hammer and knife, your clothes will get covered in crab juice and your hands will be bloody and raw from the shells. Get a ton of steamed hard shell crabs, a platter of steamed mussels, clams and shrimp, a bucket of beer (cans only!) and you will be in Crab Shack heaven. Can't wait to go back.
(5)David D.
Outstanding. Got a dozen crabs and they were perfect. Looking forward to another trip.
(5)Angela Z.
I've eaten here since I was a kid, had a job here, and now come back for the crabs and atmosphere. Great experience for those who have never had real steamed crabs. the crab dip could be better!!
(4)Brian M.
Really great crabs. The seasoning they use is their own Old Bay like creation and I love it. Hence forth, Old Bay is a mere disappointment. The MD Crab Soup is also really good. Fun atmosphere and great service!
(5)David S.
Sometimes I think the locals take pride in picking an out of the way place and touting it as better than the more touristy place (Mike's) even though the food is awful. I just don't get why people love this place.
(2)Ronnail R.
This is also our Sunday brunch or dinner location during the Spring & Summer months.........well into the Fall. The waiting game is crazy and the staff turnover is unbelievable. We are seafood lovers and the crabs are so big and juicy I'm soooooooo looking forward to the warm weather in '08. I must say don't drink any alcohol if your wait time is a little over a hour, because there isn't much shade and the sun will have you melting by the time your name is called. There's outdoor and indoor seating. On a hot summer day we decided to sit outdoors and the crabs are always served hot. We were busy trying to stay cool from the heat and the steam from the crabs by drinking water. We were too full to enjoy the crabs that we drove 45 mins to get. I was sweating, my husband was sweating and trying to keep me cool (my husband has a bald head, so imagine not having hair on your head and you have more sweat beads rolling down your face than your wife - then you know it's time to roll out.....us ladies can pin our hair up and keep it move'n), that we said forget it and took our crabs to go. Since 1999 we only eat indoors during the summer months. So, if you ever decide to eat outdoors, pray that it's not one of the hottest days you chose to get your crab'n on - ENJOY!!!!!!! During certain times of the months the prices for the crabs do fluctuate - we have been served every size they offer. (XL-S)
(5)Eric N.
Loved it! We met my aunt and uncle here for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on the deck. Had crabs(very good), fried shrimp(very good), crab cakes(below average), fries(very good), and the seafood steamer with shrimp/mussles/clams in a wine sauce (very good).
(4)Mya S.
We decided to visit this place based on high internet ratings and what-not. Overall, it was a disappointing experience, and it seems this place is riding on the coat-tails of past glory and good reputation that it no longer deserves. First of all, the entire staff consisted of a bunch of high-school kids (seemingly) with no vested interest in making the business work. While polite, they were incompetent, and not very attentive or professional. Eating here was reminiscent of being in a high-school cafeteria. The waiters were more concerned about "getting their friends in quickly" even if that means paying customers wait longer. At one point we actually had to ask for a manager as a quartet of students who claimed to be from Boston thought they were too important to get in line...and instead of making them wait, they were served ahead of everyone simply because they were being bratty. Really? Additionally, the staff was overly focused on flirting with young people of the opposite sex than really doing their jobs well. Waters were not kept full. Condiments were lacking. They had no knowledge of the menu. And they did not come check on you after serving the food. Instead, they'd sit at nearby tables *together* and chit-chat, laugh, and ignore the customers. Driving all this way...and paying higher than average cost for average food...leaves a bitter taste. Now on to the food. The crab was fresh, and tasted great. But not really superlative to other good crab joints. The seasonings were salty, but good on the side. The rest of the menu was okay...and certainly NOT worth a drive nor deserving of a superior reputation. I think this place is popular because of glory days past, and it's location on the water. Nothing more. I would not make the journey back to this place.
(2)justin p.
I'm with Natasha. I've never been a fan of Cantler's. I know people rave about it, but when you get right down to it, it isn't very good. And it is chock-full-o-dipwads that don't know nuthin bout real Maryland crabs. Definitely check out Harris' over on the Kent Narrows (also full of tourists, but generally pretty good) or Mike's down on the South River. Or just get some to go from some local joint and take 'em home. But you've been warned - I don't think any self-respecting Baltimoron would be caught dead at Cantler's. BTW, Cantler's is back some roads and all, but who the hell needs GPS to find it? It's not like it's in the middle of the Amazon or the Gobi or something, for Pete's sake. You just drive down the twisty road till you get to the end, and "eureka," there it is. Damn, you'd think from reading some of those other reviews that it is like way the heck out in BFE and that you are going to be hearing the banjos from Deliverance or something. Must be a bunch of Jetta-driving pansies from DC. Okay, I just had to check - all but two of the five star reviews are from out-of-state people (mostly DC and northern virginia - see I was right!) who clearly wouldn't know a real crab shack if it snuck up and bit them on the butt. I'll concede that Cantler's attempts to recreate the crab shack atmosphere, but one must differentiate between faux and real. Damn, those folks probably think that Bubba Gump is fo shizz.
(2)Es L.
EXCELLENT crabs! perfectly cooked and the meat just melts in your mouth. these are probably the best crabs we've ever had. i've never seen the hubs enjoy his meal as much as he did today. little girl LOVED it too- kept demanding for more (obviously clueless as to how much work it takes to get the meat). we ordered a dozen extra-large crabs which was about $75. it's worth ordering the bigger sized ones since it takes so much work to eat one. the restaurant however is in a pretty remote area in annapolis so a GPS is necessary for those who are from out-of-town. it's crazy how crowded the place got for a monday evening. i'd give 5-stars for the crabs but our friends who ordered other items from the menu weren't as thrilled with their food. we'll be dreaming about these crabs...
(4)Adam H.
The best place for authentic Maryland Crabs. A little tricky to get to, but totally worth the drive.
(5)scott b.
Best place for crabs in Maryland
(5)Kelly P.
We were visiting Annapolis for our anniversary and of course wanted to try some local seafood. After reading reviews we decided to try this restaurant since it seemed to capture the local hole in the wall atmosphere. Our server was nice, but slow. We waited forever for our food and since it was the off season, it wasn't busy at all. I ordered the broiled platter and let me tell you, I could have gotten a better meal at Captain D's, portions were small and everything was bland and overcooked. For $28 I was expecting much more. The side was a plain baked potato served with nothing more than a small pre-packaged pat of butter? My husband ordered the Ahi-sliders and the tuna was way overcooked as well. Canned beer only, worst Bloody Mary I've ever had, yeah, major disappointment. Beware of the hype..
(1)Jasen F.
Overrated, no matter what review you've read. Mike's in Edgewater has a better view, parking, and atmosphere. Leave Cantler's to the tourists and DC folks up for a romantic weekend on the Bay. I'm just not that into you Cantler's, especially for the price.
(2)Ricky W.
Great food with an amazing local flair. the bartenders Missy and Kelly are a joy to spend the evening drinking and eating with. A unique eclectic crowd will keep you entertained while you enjoy some of the best crabs, shrimp and oysters around. Great Place!
(5)Kelly M.
Excellent and fresh seafood. They don't do All-You-Can-Eat blue crabs so you'll have to look elsewhere for that. However, the portions on their platters are quite large, so you won't leave hungry. The place is really busy but we didn't wait long for a table. They seat you family style and you may share a table with another group, so if you're looking for intimate dining this is not the place. They have beers, but no tap, so every thing comes in a can. They also have a full bar but we only ordered beer. Be prepared for a loud, but really fun, and TASTY dining experience.
(4)Karman L.
HOLY CRAB!!! AWESOME!! THE BEST RESTAURANT!! cantlers.com 1) Bring GPS...this is like impossible to find w/out GPS...it's at the end of a road in a residential neighborhood! 2) Waitress said it's wicked busy here in May and June - up to 2 hours wait, and I don't think they take reservation either. 3) Bring a bib, wear some of your old sweatshirt...you are going to get MESSY if you are planning to eat the crab (They served the whole crab, so you have to really WORK it to BREAK into the meat! 4) Must at least order the following: a) Cream of Crab Soup , and Butternut Squash Soup b) Lump Crab Cakes - very CRABBY =D c) Dozen crabs (come in different size, we got the large size, it's $50 for one dozen) Wish we ordered the steamers too...but it was sold out last nite! Enjoy!!!
(5)Donna C.
This is a good place to go to if you want some good local crabs. Here's some definite pros to Cantler's: *you definitely get that maryland crab feast experience that you might be craving. The medium and large sized crabs were local but they also had extra large and super sized crabs available. *the large sized crabs we ordered were heavy and seasoned with Old Bay and served with extra seasoning, melted butter and vinegar on the side=YUMMY! *they line the tables with butcher paper so you can really crack away and get as messy as you want. They also give you buckets and extra napkins if you ask *has a nice outside patio area along the river There are a few cons that can hamper your experience: -minimal parking-if you get here at a peak time, they do a one car out one car in deal and you may have to wait -long wait for tables during these peak times -kind of confusing to get to. it's seriously at the end of a neighborhood street. weird. -kind of pricey - the large sized crabs were $50 for a dozen. They were good but there are other places you can get a large dozen for less and/or it's all you can eat. Apparently they do have all you can eat certain nights during the week Overall though, the crabs are worth the visit. We also tried the crab dip and calamari appetizers and the french fry and onion ring side dishes. Two thumbs up on the crab dip, calamari and onion rings. They also offer other gourmet seafood dishes that other crabhouses may not have. We had a great experience other than the parking and waiting and would go back if in the area again. It's a nice little joint.
(4)Pat S.
DUDE. I'm reading some of the prior reviews on here, and a few people seem to have hated on this place as full of crab n00bs. Well, I was a crab n00b when I first got to town, and this place introduced me to Maryland's finest cuisine. I can't wait to go back this spring. We're moving out of town soon, and this is probably the place I'll miss most in the DC area. It's true that you need to be prepared to get messy. The giant sink helps make quick work of the crab guts when you're done, and it's lucky that you can wash clear up to your forearms in it because they're bound to get gross. It's true that the prices are high, but this isn't the sort of hangout you'd visit every week, so it's OK to splurge. Also, be sure to get a table with an umbrella or under the awning -- the sun will wreck you here if you don't watch out. I'm amped for my next five cold cans of Yuengling and pile of jumbos.
(5)Sang H.
Being a New Yorker, we don't get much exposure to the wonderful taste of Blue Crab. I take a trip down with friends once every year or two and hit about three or four crab houses. This year we decided one of the locations we would hit would be Cantler's, after reading all the reviews on Yelp, we were planning to have a great experience. Unfortunately, this was not the one of those experiences. We ordered two dozen X-Large crabs, what we ended up with was about 60% X-Large, 20% Large and 20% Mediums. At $72/dz I expect 100% X-Large. Of the two dozen, three of them were bad. So as you can see not a great hit ratio. We also ordered the steamers nothing great here either. Nor was I expecting them to be, as its really not that hard to prepare them. Don't get the hush puppies, unless you like deep friend rock hard dough sticks. Overall the food was underwhelming. The service was okay, nothing special. Waitress was just someone that took the order and brought the food. No personality or friendliness. Don't get the lemonade, it was just water and powder mix that was supposed to mimic the appearance and taste of real lemonade. As much as I would love to complain about the parking, its something that I really can't blame them about. The slew of people that go there need to park somewhere and the small area just doesn't accommodate the large numbers. Be ready to wait 20-30 minutes in your car for a spot. I don't think its worth the wait. When you wait 20-30 minutes for parking and then another 45 minutes for food you expect something special. Nothing special here folks! Its just crabs! and small ones at that! for $72/dz for X-Large! and you don't even get all X-Large! and a few of them are rotten! Well, all I can say is that you don't get what you pay for and there are a ton of other area restaurants that you can go to to get good crab at better prices. You can try it once for the experience, but I would say most will not come back due to the wait, crab sizes and prices.
(1)Melissa G.
If you aren't a local, and don't have a local escort you probably will never find this place. This is a REAL Maryland crab joint. I'm talkin' paper on the tables, Old Bay galore, picnic tables, etc. If you want a good 'ol crab feast this is the place.... corn on the cob, crabs, old bay, mmmm mmmm delicious. Come by car, come by boat... just make sure you come and are cool with a wait.
(5)Dan B.
I love this place. First time I ever went here was 2 years ago when I was in Annapolis for work. It was summer and I ate right on the water. Food was amazing, staff was friendly and location is beautful. Recently was in Annapolis for Valentines day coincidently. I went to Cantlers with a friend and ate the Alaskan King Crab. Everyone was amazing again and food was fantastic. Anyone I know traveling to MD has to try this place. You wont regret it.
(4)PY K.
What a crabfest it was...we visited family in VA last month and drove out to Annapolis for the day, our first stop was Cantler's. Being from LA, I rather enjoyed the drive into the woods to the inn (even though we took a few wrong turns). Anyway, I've never seen a larger mountain of crabs served on a tray...they are known for their crab, so that's just what our table (of six adults) ordered...three dozen large crabs (at the time it was $55 per dozen). Another option for us was to order 'all you can eat medium sized crabs for 2 hours for something like $27...but we figured the quantity would work out to be the same and we might as well get the larger crabs. 'The rest of our party sat at another table, and ordered a variety of items including the crab from the menu, i.e. the steamers, hushpuppies, etc....and seemed to enjoy everything that they ordered. A little pricey, but we were treated by our very generous hosts/sis-bro in laws. At first, I was a little put off by the seasoned salt that was doused all over, but surprisingly the salt enhanced the flavor of the crab just right. Dip it in your quarter cup of butter, and mmmm....mmmm.....mmmmm..... You are equipped with a small hammer (no claws), and everytime I took a crack at it, I think I may have squirted crab juice to my neighbor (or worse, sent fragments of crab shell ricocheting out yonder). Eating here was a rather difficult experience when the Husband and I were each manning a small child....but they have plenty of high chairs that they can place at the end of each bench seat. If you are afraid to get your hands dirty, don't come here....you'll end up smelling of crab by the end of the meal. Sit outdoors if you can, and enjoy the boats going down the river....the inside just looked too dark and dingy. We got there at noon, and the place was very empty, but by the time of the end of our meal, there must have been a score of people waiting for tables. But this was definitely worth the experience....four stars b/c it just took way too much time/work to get that meat out of that crab and the large crabs weren't all that large. Walk off all that butter consumption in the quaint maritime town of Annapolis. Sidenote: I know we have the RB pier which serves fresh crab/seafood, but the atmosphere is ten times better at Cantler's alongside a lazy river...cleaner too (tables are topped with rolls of kraft paper instead of dirty newspapers), since they have nice servers who do a good job of cleaning off the tables, benches and floor after a party is done.
(4)Marc K.
We traveled here from DC, which was definitely worth the drive. We had fried crab cakes, lump crab cakes, and a dozen large crabs. The lump crab cakes were the best that I've ever had. The rest of the food was amazing, and the service was great. Having a GPS to guide your path in the twisty roads at night is definitely a plus. About the only thing that I can add to the prior reviews is that all of the beer comes in cans (including Heineken, Yuengling, and other domestics).
(5)Mike Air C.
Being a native of the DC area, I was raised feasting on crabs in the summer. I never ventured out to one of the Crab houses in Maryland so this was my first and I must say, extraordinary experience in crab dining. The ambiance is perfect for eating crabs and the service attentive and responsive. The extra large Jimmys ELJs (expensive but well worth it) were perfectly cooked and the seasonings/butter excellent. We had (18) ELJs but staggered our order as recommended by previous reviewers of Cantler's which yielded perfectly hot and savory crabs. These were some of the best crabs I have ever experienced. The service (thanks Emily!) was superb and the Yuengling beer perfect. We sat outside on a Monday night - full but not crowed and not waiting for a cool spot outside. Overall - The Perfect setting for enjoying absolulely perfect crabs!!!
(5)Mike W.
Great place to eat crabs by the water.
(5)Jen H.
Oh Cantlers. How I will miss you so dearly when crab season rolls around once again. Crabs for somone who really wants the down-and-dirty crab experience without crossing the bridge. Butcher-papered tables, beer in plastic cups, the sound of wooden mallets smacking away and flecks of crab shell flying in your face. Mmmm... Added bonus is that it's right on the water and even has it's own pier you can dock at. Make sure to take the kiddos to see the holding tanks down near the pier, all sorts of neat things swimming around in there. Expect a wait during the summer and as mentioned, a liiiittle hard to find and navigate to but well worth the effort. I always took our out-of-town guests here to snap them out of their "King Crab legs are the best" mindset. Can't wait to come back for a visit.
(5)Molly G.
Okay, so I'm not a Maryland local and maybe I just don't "get" the whole appeal of a crab boil - but I wasn't all that impressed with Cantler's. If you want to spend hours with a tiny wooden mallet hacking at a piece of boiled shellfish with the ultimate goal of extracting a small portion of meat that tastes exactly like the old bay seasoning that cakes the carcasses of these unfortunate crustaceans, then Cantler's is for you. For my money, I'll take a nice crab cake at a restaurant where my derrier doesn't go numb from sitting on a picnic bench for hours. And if I want to work for my food, then I find both lobster and other types of crab to be much tastier. With that said, it is a very authentic Maryland experience, and as long as you're not going with the idea of coming away full, it can be a super fun place to go with friends. I even pretend to like it so that I come across as a more authentic Annapolitan. Maybe someday I'll actually order something else off the menu...and revise this review. But maybe not. Oh, and the bar at the indoor dining room is super creepo!!. It's like a transplanted VFW branch - complete with that one petrified guy with the permanent "come sit on grandpa's lap" smirk.
(3)Lark L.
I was expecting this place to be crowded on a Sat evening but this was beyond insane. Traffic was backed up to get into the parking lot--in fact I think they have a staff of 10 just overseeing the freaking parking situation! Then the wait is est at 2hours! Of course that is usually because the idiots on the deck think they are entitled to holding up the table for hours. I think Cantler;s should enforce a table time limit--IMO. With that said--we only waited 15 minutes because we wedged into the corner of the bar. Bar staff was amazing---so friendly even when dealing with obnoxious people. Food is alright-- you go for the hype and experience but if you don't go you won't be missing much. View was not that great--
(2)stephanie t.
I'm happy to see so many five star reviews for Cantler's. It deserves them. Cantler's is the quintessential crab eating experience. Kind of dingy, right on the water, messy, slightly seedy, indoor and outdoor seating, unpretentious. The one drawback is that it has gotten so crowded that you shouldn't really bother trying to go on a weekend during the summer/early fall, but aside from this, it's pretty much perfect, which is why my family has been going for over 30 years. Crabs are expensive no matter where you get them, so don't think that casual = low bill, but the food is great (seems like a shame to get anything but crabs and maybe some steamers, but actually the rest of the food on the menu, particularly the soft shells and crab cakes, is pretty good if you're not in the mood to pick). For kids it's fun to go down by the water and look at the tanks where they have molting soft shells.
(5)Carl L.
Always love Cantler's. Been going there for over 20 years, and it's my favorite place to get those Maryland Crabs we all crave
(5)ted c.
On your next trip to Annapolis, Maryland you definitely need to checkout Cantler's. This is a classic Maryland bayside restaurant that is serving up the Maryland crab feast experience! Difficult to find, because it is a bit remote, and I was greatly rewarded for my journey! A killer view, even at night. And they have a nice outside patio for patrons, which is right above their soft-shell crab farm. This a great place for fresh Maryland crabs (in the summer... they serve gulf crab too). Blue crabs are pricey at all Maryland restaurants, and I think they charge a little more and/or serve a little less compared to other restaurants. But when it guaranteed fresh, it is worth it. I was very very fortunate to have arrived on a Monday night, in October it is all-you-can-eat steamed hard crab night for $18.95! 6 med size blue crabs will usually go for about $20, on that evening I had 18 crabs!! (FYI, Old bay or J.O. was OK... if you like the salt.) I returned the following night and had the soft shell crabs. I returned the following week twice for the Blackened Rockfish and Crab Cakes. Two thumbs up for the slaw and fresh Maryland corn cob. Hush puppies was too pellet like, fries were coated thus I love the extra crispiness. Overall though, the All-You-Can-Eat crabs are worth the visit! You might want to consider going to other more convenient to find places for the soft-shell, rockfish and crab cakes.
(4)Jill H.
Don't bother going to any other crab shack in Annapolis. The outdoor sitting is the best; I've never sat inside. The hush puppies & crabs are A....mazingg...
(5)Kate R.
well i'm veggie so i can't speak for the crabs. this is my second time here. we called ahead to book (weeks ago, and then prior to coming) big work party needed a few veggie options (which was told when booking.) veggie options finally came a good 20 minutes into the meal (they should have just let us order of the menu) which ended up being some pasta with red sauce worse than any middle school lunch you've ever had. no thanks. we were a big party (40) the staff just seemed to roam over everyone that was outside instead of having a few folks assigned to our tables. if they had they'd probably have noticed we were out of beers, like immediately and we had to ask to get more. they'd come out and place one for every bucket. come on son! you haven't given me the veggie option. at least give me the beer! it is a fun experience, everyone was in a great mood when we got there and in a great mood when we left and the crab eaters def seemed to enjoy themselves.
(3)Jennifer S.
The nationally acclaimed Cantler's Riverside Inn has a puzzling name. Nothing here has anything to do with an Inn, unless of course they are referring to the crabs you won't be able to stop putting Inn your mouth (couldn't help myself)! Now there are tons of touristy crab shacks to choose from in downtown Annapolis, this place (open for 30 years now) is actually right outside of it in Mill Creek (semantics, right?). Wherever you want to say it is, just go there! I don't care how hot it is outside, don't eat inside. The best experience is had outside on the water's edge sitting amongst other crab-feasters at paper-covered picnic tables watching the boaters dock to join you. I cannot personally speak for anything other than the crabs and the onion rings and as far as I'm concerned this is the single-most best place to get them.
(5)Jamie H.
2nd best place for blue crabs, amazingly fresh but very expensive.
(4)Maria K.
I went here on a recommendation of a friend, she said it was a pretty famous place, but *shrugs* I guess I didn't know. Anyway, the huge disappointing factor was that they ran out of crabs right when we got there -- this was on Memorial day, early in the afternoon. That was the reason why we went, so it was disappointing. However, we still decided to stick around for a little bit to eat since we were starving, and then find crabs later (which we didn't b/c we're both small and fill up quickly). Anyway, we got the hush puppies and a bucket of steamers (which are these really plump clams). I wasn't a fan of the hush puppies, but the steamers were really good. I had never had steamers and had to have one of the workers show me how it's done. They were very meaty and tender... but a half bucket/person is more than enough I think.
(3)J J.
So, we went to this Annapolis Institution, and we have mixed feelings. The crabs were very good (although there is some controversy as to whether they or local crabs, this time of year, or not) One waitress said that the crabs were from Louisiana while another waitress said that the crabs were local (huh?). I understand that the noise and chaos are part of the "charm" of this place, but indoor seating is a real challenge in terms of the noise (and claustrophobia). If you can stand to wait, I would recommend trying to get covered seating, outside. The crabs were yummy. Our waiter was somewhat inept, watched us knock over a glass of water and offered nothing in the way of napkins or help. We had to ask another waitress. He also disappeared after serving our food, and we had to look for him for 10 minutes to secure our check. I think Cantler's may be better than Mike's in terms of price, and one is spared the talentless trio who make "music" at Mike's. Bon appetit! P.S. Oh, yes, the bathroom situation is fairly appalling--dirty and unample. They are serving a vast crowd--spring for a second bathroom and clean it, from time to time.
(3)Laurie B.
Here is the deal. The mixed drinks are served in the smallest glasses i have ever encountered in a restaurant. The steamed clams were cooked so long they were like little gobs of hard glue. To add insult to injury they served them with fake butter...the kind they put on your popcorn in cheap movie theaters. when I asked for real butter..they said ok and cheerfully got some from the kitchen. The fried clam strips were ok if you like chewing through breaded leather strips. I bought a single crab which was yummy. Bottom line....when they serve fake popcorn topping oil instead of butter...the owner is assuming he can rip off his stupid customer who does not know any better. I hate that.
(1)Jenna P.
Huge disappointment! I originally spent time at Cantlers as a kid about 30 years ago and had many great times cracking crabs while enjoying the easygoing atmosphere. Last night it was just awful. Everything from the rock hard hush puppies to the obscenely priced blue crabs ($75/dozen for jumbos). The corn on the cob was wormed out and the "butter" you are supposed to dip your $75/ dozen crabs in was margarine. Fried Mussels could not be identified....could have been anything in there. The only thing that we really enjoyed was a portabello/ crab appetizer that was fairly priced which arrived with a full lump crab cake on top. Outdoor seating smells like garbage. Bathrooms are disgusting. So sad that I don't think we will revisit. If you do choose to stomach Cantlers arrive at 5:30 or earlier else you are waiting a long time for a table.
(1)Ami C.
What else can you say but..."MORE PLEASE!" Cantler's is THE place to go for crabs in Annapolis. Not just crabs - but their Lump Crab Cake might just be the best Crab Cake on the planet! The lumps of crab are big enough to choke on. They have delightful cream of crab soup too and something magical in their house dressing. It is a little challenging to get to...all the better to keep the mobs away during high tourist weeks.weekends in Annapolis. Let them eat Buddy's! The ladies room always gets a thumbs up for cleanliness as well. Growing up in Annapolis has ruined the crab experience in most other places - a trip home is never complete with a quick trip to Cantler's.
(5)Caryl M.
I remember coming to Cantler's on dates when I was 17. Casual, out of the way hideout that only locals knew about. Back then you would be sitting next to a wealthy Annapolitan just off their yacht and on the other side of you a local waterman. It seemed like everyone just meshed well and conversed over good food. The wait staff was always down to earth and friendly. I've been many times over the past 18 years and that wonderful quaint charm has slowly faded. We came in on a boat 2 weekends ago and were told there would be a 20 minute wait... An hour and 10 minutes later we were seated. We were seated at a dirty table that still had crab gut remnants on it..gross!!To make matters worse, the server was annoyed that I asked if it could be cleaned. While waiting for our meal, a sudden downpour hit us. We started to put down the plastic awnings so we wouldn't get soaked and we were yelled at..yes yelled at to leave it. The manager did come over to put the awnings down but only after he put down the ones closer to him...we got wet..no big deal..but the rudeness was unnecessary. I love the location still and the food was good but the service not worth it. And for any tourists coming here, leave your heals and your bedazzled clothes at home...it's an old crab shack for gosh sakes.
(2)Ashley A.
This was my first time eating crabs like this, and it was great. The crabs were yummy along with some of the appetizers. Definitely try to sit outside if the weather is nice and get there early! We got there around 12:30 and it was a 30 minute wait; when we left a few hours later the line of cars to get into the parking lot had to be 20 deep.
(4)Curt H.
Anything from the bay is wonderfully prepared at this "standard" Annapolis waterfront joint. Always crowded, but food worth the hassle. Don't miss it.
(4)Gary R.
Took my family for crabs and was not at all impresses as so many reviews state. We bought a dozen and half. At least 6 were overcooked.the waitress took care of but for a restaurant that focuses on crabs they are challenged to deliver properly cooked crabs to a table.
(1)Joe L.
This crab house is in a hidden place. You will find it in a nice quiet neighborhood. After I found the place, I finally relief from getting the wrong address. After 20 minutes waiting, we got a nice big table for two people. The food serving is fast but the food is not really tasty. The clam chowder soup is way too salty. I don't believe the soup is right. We also order calamari, jimmy steamer, and a dozen extra large crab. The calamari and jimmy steamer is okay size and okay cook. Nothing special about the dish. Let's talk about the main meal "crab" which I think extra large should mean the biggest crab in the restaurant. But what we get was bunch missing crab claws and kind of small size crab. If you see my other review, I have mentioned about Bethesda crab house is bigger than here and they all have crab claw on them even they are kind of dirty. There are no taste on meat of these crab. I don't think this is the place to enjoy the crab.
(2)Michael B.
Come here for the crabs..Period. I have been here several times and have always been served great crabs. I had a light crab once and they had no problem taking it back. They are not inexpensive though. Expect to pay between 65-75 for x-large crabs. However, you get what you pay for. Heavy, tasty, and well seasoned crabs. The fries a also perfect accompaniment. Salads are large and well done. I honestly have never had any of the entries. As others have said the view is great. No reservations so it you go on a fri or sat plan to wait and don't even try on commissioning weekend. Service has been good. Not many beers on tap. Also be prepared to sit on a picnic bench next to other patrons. I wasn't too concerned but it can throw some people off. All in all one of the best crab houses around and definitely the best in Annapolis.
(4)J L.
PRO: Good, no-nonsense crabhouse. Good, thick cut onion rings. Super sweet corn. Friendly wait staff. CON: We had to wait for about 1/2 hour before our crabs came out that night, but our waitress was friendly and very apologetic about it. Crab seasoning was also a bit too heavy on the salt.
(4)despina s.
Best place for a relaxed seafood meal...the freshest crabs i have ever had....had a blast just being messy using the mallets to crack the crabs and enjoy the sweet meat...waitstaff was not very attentive or special and i was disappointed they would not honor coupons from their site because it was one per table...meanwhile they forgot to bring our crab appetizer....overall still a great experience. Wait was not long. Tough to find but so worth thhe trip!
(4)Jessica E.
This out-of-the way place has great tasting Maryland crab and other local seafood. However, it's overpriced, and everything else on the menu is just kind of meh. Don't order anything other than local seafood if you want your food to taste good, and skip the overpriced, not so good desserts. Advice for first-time visitors: they have off-the-menu offerings, including the famous steamed Maryland crab - you just have to know they have it, the waiter may not remember to tell you (ask the waiter for prices). It's definitely worth a visit if you want to eat seafood the "real" Maryland way.
(3)Kristine M.
YES! We "jetta-driving pansies from DC" do love Cantler's! I don't care about the tourists, I don't care that people go there to order a chicken ceasar salad, i don't care that there's no parking after 1pm. I just love their crabs, their view, their desserts, and their staff.
(5)John S.
Go to Mike's instead. This was by far the worst service I've ever received. We sat down for 20 minutes in clear view and no one came to our table. Once the waitress came, we asked to order our food but she refused to take anything but our drink order. She came back 10 minutes later after we asked for service and finally told us in the rudest tone "we're out of crabs." At that point we left and went to Mike's. We were so happy with our decision to leave. Please refuse to be treated this poorly. It was terrible!
(1)D W.
This is a crab house - if you don't like crabs....stay away! Picnic Tables with views of the docks and sailboats, paper towels on the tables, buckets of beer/large sodas, and heaps of crabs. Wait for a nice evening and head here for a fun time and good meal. It does get crowded and can be a challenge to find (ask for directions). Great crab shack - sit outside and make sure to check out the crab tanks around the back. Bibs provided.
(4)Bruce P.
Cantlers is good, and better is the fact that they do better local buying of crabs than other places. Unfortunately, I don't know any place that still cooks crabs to order, so you can still get a dozen crabs for $40 bucks that have been sitting under a heat lamp for the past half hour. Call ahead if it's on the weekend --- wait can be over an hour.
(4)Charlie L.
We had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. While waiting I observed the crabs being moved into the kitchen. None of them show any sign of life. I should have left the place there and then, because things just got worst as we were seated. The place was too small for the number of people they tried to cramp in there. The waiting staff consists of bunch of teenage girls and one of them looks no older than twelve. The hostess even took a bribe from a group of customers for a shorter wait. They weren't too friendly neither. We ordered dozen extra large crabs, but when it came out they were no bigger than the medium crabs on display. We were given exactly a dozen even though most crab places we've been to tend to give you one or two extra to replace any non-fresh ones that slip into the batch. Speaking of freshness, out of the four I had, three were dead before they were cooked as evident by the rotting stink as soon as I break open the shell. The couple that sat next to us actually left right after their order came out, either because the crabs were too small or they weren't fresh. The popularity of this place boggles me. It's certainly not cheap and its location isn't convenient. neither. Why anyone would drive half a hour, a hour to eat overpriced half rotting crabs is beyond me. Other than the fact they sell beer outside while you wait for your table, there's absolutely nothing redeemable about Cantler and you should avoid it despite what it claims about the restaurant being a Maryland "icon" on their website.
(1)Veronica L.
I went here with two of my girlfriends on a gorgeous Sunday in the middle of October. They had seating indoors but we decided to wait to get outside seating. While waiting, we had a drink at the bar. They have a cocktail menu, which I always like, and the price range was about $7 a drink. The bartender was quick with service. We were only sitting around 5 minutes when they were ready to seat us. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the crab dip to split. On the menu, it says it comes with two loaves of bread, so we thought the dip would be a big portion but it was on the smaller side. Delicious though. I ordered the rockfish tacos. I thought the fish was a little skimpy and actually took out the avocado that it came with because those were huge pieces and I was afraid I'd lose the rockfish taste but despite the fish size, they were really good. We had a good time and I'd have to say that my biggest complaint was that we sat next to all these plotted flowers and there were a lot of bees flying around and trying to land in our food and drinks.
(4)PC W.
I can't stop raving about this place!!! I've been twice and both times were awesome - once for a late lunch and once for an early dinner. We got seated relatively quickly both times. Crab is so good and atmosphere is very casual - worth the hour drive from DC. It gets messy but it's so worth it.
(5)Pam S.
there are better crab houses in the Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay area. It's always packed, you sit in a parking lot with views of cars. Try other options such Mike's Crab House on South River or over on the Eastern Shore.
(2)Daisy R.
On a visit to Annapolis we decided to try Cantler's because we wanted to experience that famous "Maryland crab" and the hotel staff highly recommended it. The atmosphere is nice enough if you sit outside, but if you're in the tented area or the inside there's really nothing special about it. There's a seafood place like this in many shore towns I've been to. The food was good but we certainly weren't bowled over. I had the Lump Crab cakes ($25), and they were mediocre. Crab was dry and just not that tasty. My husband had the all-you-can-eat crab special ($25) and he felt the same about his meal. My son had a crab leg and shrimp dish ($12) and his shrimp were inedible as they were simply covered with Old Bay seasoning. All in all it was kind of disappointing and we wouldn't return. I'm still looking for that Maryland crab cake experience.
(2)Todd Y.
It's the experience that you're paying for: crabs on the waterfront. Somewhat expensive. The calamari was good. If you're a party of 2, 6 large crabs, an appetizer, and one entree is plenty. Next time will probably get 6 extra large crabs and 2 appetizers (for two). Hopefully, though I can find a better less expensive place before then.
(4)dave d.
If you know the Vienna Inn, I would equate Cantlers to the Vienna Inn in Annapolis. Cantlers is OLD place that hasn't changed since it first opened. If you are going there expecting table cloth dining experieince then don't go. You can't miss for picking crabs, drinking beer and hanging out. Definitely low key, very casual and out of the way to get to.
(3)Jeffrey V.
I love how this place hides itself from the bustling crowds, secluded in a quiet neighborhood right on the water! The one dish that I still remember is the crab dip appetizer. It was served hot with steaming, fresh, sliced baguettes! Every bite was full of crabmeat and vegetables. I also ordered the crab soup - a hearty dish filled with, you guessed it, crabmeat, chunky vegetables, and a spicy-tomato based stock. The clamstrips and fries were pretty basic. The Seafood Slider Trio was interesting, mini sandwiches with different flavors.... (I couldn't stop thinking about the crab dip!) When we got the hard shell crabs, the first twenty bites were great. Afterwards, the Old Bay kicked in and started to make the meal REALLY salty. Shake it off before eating! Thank goodness for the bottomless iced tea and water! I'll go back just for the crab dip .... it's THAT GOOD!
(4)Jeff B.
This is one of my favorite places in the DC area. Whenever a friend or family member (including myself) has a birthday or occasion for celebration in the DC area, Cantler's is usually the venue of choice for dinner. I have been here both by boat and by car. If you come by boat, there is usually someone around to help you tie up. If you come by car and it's your first time, bring your GPS or some good directions since Cantler's is hidden away back in a neighborhood. All of the menu items here are absolutely wonderful. The steamed crabs, crabcakes, seafood platters, appetizers, etc, etc, etc, are all excellent. You can either sit outside or dine inside. Sitting outside on the water on a nice day here offers the perfect setting for a great meal. The staff have always been wonderful here. The owners have been in the area forever and do everything just the way it should be done in a true Maryland crab house. Just being in the place or sitting at the bar, you can just feel the decades of Chesapeake tradition around you. I would HIGHLY recommend giving Cantler's a try.
(5)Steve J.
Fabulous. This is no tourist trap. It is the real thing. While the whole crabs are quite good, my favorite is still the Oysters Chesapeake.
(5)Tim M.
If you're going to review something like MD crab cakes please make sure you've tried them at at least 20-30 different places around the state before proclaming 'the best I've ever had'. 99% of the time they are the worst you'll ever have as very few places in MD actually get it right. An authentic top notch cake in this state is EXPENSIVE, broiled, 100% massive jumbo lump crab and nothing else but a little Old Bay and mayo to hold it together. They should be about the size of a half softball. Cantler's is really known for crabs and atmosphere (crab house atmosphere). You can count on them year round to have some of the biggest crabs in the area (also the most expensive - up to 75 a dozen for jumbos if you're lucky enough to get them). The crabs may or may not be from MD either - those days are over - you can ask however - I can't honestly tell the difference between the blue crab of Louisiana and that of MD. Everything else on their menu is no different than at least a dozen other places in the area. The best crab cakes in the area and possibly the entire state are at the Edgewater Restaurant (and not because I happen to live there - I used to travel here from Springfield VA to get these crab cakes). Service at Cantler's is almost always very good and very friendly - the seating is family style - plan to meet new neighbors. For a real treat you can take a sail from City Dock downtown through the back creek to Cantlers - it's a package deal that includes dinner and a return trip - actually might be easier than finding it by car!!! It's known as the best place to get lost trying to find (Zagats rated no less for that!). This is one of the best places to get crabs in the area (sit down that is). Harris' out on Kent Island is also very good and a long time tradition. Mikes Crabhouse in Riva is also quite good although the service is totally unpredictable there. For to-go crabs the best by far nearby are at Chesapeake Seafood in Mayo MD. Places to avoid like the plague are Phillips, Buddy's, and Annapolis Seafood. If your crabs arrive faster than 20 minutes after ordering they were probably re-steamed (not good) - crabs take 20 minutes to steam to perfection - remember that ;)
(4)Lindsey W.
Anyone visiting Annapolis, go here for crabs! They are pricey and out of the way but worth it. It's filled with picnic tables covered in newspaper where you tear open yummy crabs and drink beer for hours. Everyone should take part in this experience!
(5)Allan H.
If you want a real Maryland Crab Shack (I'm not talking about the cheesy tourist traps on the Annapolis waterfront), there is no other place to go but here. To get to this place, you need to drive through about 10 miles of backwoods roads, driving through small neighborhoods, and one lane roads, but don't fret, the payoff at the end of the line is worth it. You sit down and there are no plates, the napkins are those brown paper towels, and there's a hammer as one of your utencils. There's no menu, except for a chalkboard with the daily catch on the back wall. I think there are other kinds of seafood, but if you get anything other than the crab, go somewhere else. You order by the dozen and the waitress will come out and just dump the crabs on the table and you go to town. Don't wear any clothes that are too nice, because it's a pretty casual place, and they'll probably end up smelling like crab for the next year. Get there around 5:00 on weekends to avoid the wait.
(5)Christy W.
I love the location, sitting outside near the river. I also love their crabs. I think the median size crab is actually big. Scallop and bacon is fine. But the maryland crab soup (not sure about the name) is no good. My friend feels that it's the kind of soup that you buy from supermarket. The Rum Punch cocktail is fine, but I'm so surprised that it is served in a low-quality plastic cup.
(3)Julia B.
Needing a day away from the city, my girlfriends and I went to get crabby in Maryland. Cantler's has a great reputation for excellent crabs and our friend had been there before so we decided this was the place to go. Cantler's is situated by the riverside, in a residential neighborhood. With a bar area, indoor, covered and uncovered outdoor seating, this place was busy. I had read there was often a a long wait but we were lucky and there was none. The restaurant is bi-level, with one floor being the restaurant and down below, by the dock, you can check out their crabs. Fresh crabs FTW! The menu is extensive and while the focus is seafood, they do offer non-seafood meals, such as chicken wings and filet mignon. I hope whoever orders chicken wings at this place gets punched in the neck because what's the point of coming here, if not for the seafood? I wanted to try a little bit of everything so I went with the Jimmy's Feast - 3 crabs, mussels, 1/2 pound shrimp and 2 sides. I also helped out my two girlfriends with their dozen crabs, though, because I'm a pig like that. The crabs are separated by size and prices are by the dozen (but you can request for half a dozen). Service was fast and friendly. If you don't know how to open crabs (which we all did but our neighbors didn't), they'll happily show you how it's done. I would happily make the trek back here from NYC!
(4)Steve P.
Drove from Reston to Cantler's because they said they had extra-large blue crab for $96 a dozen. Unfortunately, the extra-large crabs were no more than mediums. I questioned the waitress and she insisted that they were extra-large. I visited other tables and everyone felt they had been ripped off on the size! I don't know how they kept a straight face insisting they were extra large. Last time they will see any of my money!
(1)Natasha R.
Are you people on drugs?! How in the world did you rate this tourist trap so high??? Just because it is super hard to find and not in downtown Annapolis, it is a great place? We went there after I heard do much about it and that it is a locals place and that JImmy Buffet has been ther, yada...yada...yada....... I would not even be disappointed after the hour wait if it was worth it. While waiting at the bar for our table, our bartender belittled this very sad looking woman who was there with her son, because when she ordered her Coors, she did not specify that she wanted Coor "Original" and this lovely bartender gave her a Coors light. I should have known to run then. But noooooo, I wanted to give this place a shot after hearing so much about their crabs. Well, when we actually got seated, it was at a table with a million tourists. Not a single person there was from MD. To make it all worse, they were all pounding the hell out of their crabs without even taking the shell off. You would think that the waitstaff would show them how to pick a crab. I asked the waitress if it was always like this and she basically said that it was a tourist trap and she would never eat there. She indicated that it actually got much worse since they aired it on Food Network. Then the crabs came. $75.00 a dozen. They were obviously steamed by a tourist as well. They had seasoning sprfinkled on top (not while they were steamed), so when we picked a crab up, all of the seasoning fell off. Plus the crabs were mediums at best, NOT extra larges, like advertised. Then the corn on the cob was enedible. Oh well, I tried it. I should have known better. I am too much of an optimist.
(1)Maureen B.
We arrived around 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. we were greeted by the host. seated promptly ,. Food was Okay, I'm not sure if it was worth the hour drive.
(3)Brad B.
First time eating "Baltimore" crabs (from Louisiana where crabs are of course a commodity). Very good! You will of course be paying a premium for restuarant seafood ($50/per dozen large)... which is normal but do yourself a favor and get the crab dip ... unreal. Take a trip to downtown Annapolis while you are there - great for a Saturday visit.
(4)Vegetarian Diner A.
The first star is for the setting- the waterfront is always a nice place to eat. And, tucked away from the mainstream, you get a real neighborhood feel- that's the second star. Food-wise, I feel they are too limited for vegetarians. Granted, Cantler's does not present themselves as a vegetarian friendly place, but they could be more accommodating. The pizza is the best bet, but will not be memorable. The desserts look better than they taste. There are better options.
(2)Becca Clara L.
I've never encountered such stupid hostesses in my life. We waited for two hours for a table while the imbecile high schoolers kept messing up the table list. Not worth the food to be treated like that.
(1)Jenny C.
Best hardshell crabs in the region. Other steamed seafood items are also good. Crab soup is good. I don't like any of the specials, anything that sounds fancy isn't good. Great location. Lots of fun. Loud and messy - it is a crab house afterall.... Great service!
(5)J B.
One of the best crab houses around. The only crabs I like better are my Dad's. Cantler's crabs are spiced well and steamed to order. That is really all you have to do for great MD crabs. A shame that so many places can't seem to do it. Don't tell the tourist, let them eat at Buddy's (-;
(5)Felipe M.
We were on a day trip to the Naval Academy, and I knew I had to find a place for crab. Again with help from fellow YELPers, I found Cantler's. What a great setting! Inside and outside seating along the river. We went early because I had heard that this place gets crowded. On a weekday we got there just as they opened, and before 12:30 when we left the place was packed. We love crab but have never had Maryland crab, so of course we had to go where the YELPers would take us. On the back patio, you sit down on those old school picnic benches, and when they figure out you are having crab, they cover the table in thick butcher paper. They also bring out a bucket for all the crab parts, some mallets, and a ton of napkins. For appetizers we ordered shrimp which were fantastic. For the main course we had a tray of crabs brought out to us. There was definitely a ton of Old Bay on the crab, but of course you don't eat the shell, so after you got to the meat and with the drawn butter, our meal was FANTASTIC! Some YELPers call this a tourist place, but hey we were, and it was great. It is on a back road, so in the dark, or after a few too many adult beverages it may be difficult to navigate to or from, but for us tourists, it is definitely worth the drive.
(5)Rachel P.
we went here for an anniversary, and yummmmmm, this was some delicious seafood! this is exactly what i want in a seafood place. no frills, bibs, paper tablecloths and tasty tasty fresh food. we ordered the portobella with crabcake appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious. seasoned perfectly, great compliments of tomatoes, diced red pepper and sauteed spinach...so so so good. then we split a pound of snow crab legs and half a pound of the jumbo shrimp. everything again, was steamed perfectly and seasoned perfectly. i didn't even need any old bay (which they give a great amount if you need it) and hardly even dipped the crab or shrimp in the lemon butter sauce. it was just succulent the way it was. we will definitely return and spread the word. (oh, we also went on a sunday for lunch, got there just about 11:15-11:30 which was perfect timing b/c it got PACKED soon after we got there. the wait, we heard, had turned into at least a half hour by the time we left.)
(5)Tim B.
Classic quintessential Maryland. Everything is great, especially the not so great parts because they are exactly as they should be. Circa 1965ish decor right on the water where you can explore the tanks that keep the food fresh. Timeless mer-land style crabs, delectable hush puppies. I need to go back for those rock fish bites that I have heard so much about. I love how you can show up 10 minutes before closing AND have the staff warmkly encourage that you sit down and still order food.
(4)Rongze L.
Worst host service I have ever seen!!!! Terrible! Rude!!! Revengerful!!! I wish I could give 0 star!!! There are at least 4 tables available for 4 people's party, because I complained to the hostess that the seating is slow and there are plenty of tables Vacant and they don't seat people waiting. We were first for 4 party in the list, and then the hostess lead us to the table under the sun, no shade in the degree of 90! It was burning!!! I pointed out there are other tables under shades, the hostess just ignored me! Truly terrible!
(1)Jacky M.
I was a little skeptical at first, but I heard from numerous people this was the place to go for crabs, and while I love Mike Crabs House, Cantlers destroys it. I first went here on August 30th, which was a Sunday and my skepticism began it appeared I was going down a completely wrong road! BOY am I glad that my husband kept driving! It took us quite a while to be sat but around 9 pm our party of 13 was finally sat! Our Server Scott was extremely friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We enjoy-ed our experience so much that we returned on September 2nd, a Wednesday, where our server Alice was also very friendly and knew the menu! She helped explain all the specials to us and made our dining experience very great! And as U Can Tell We are addicted! We visited this Sunday (the 6th) and were very happy with our server Grace! I cannot put into perspective how good all of our servers were and how much we have enjoyed our experience here. A few tips for people who come here - If you come on the weekend, come early! Saturday and Sunday you can expect to wait for a table, sometimes as long as two hours. I definitely recommend week days if it all possible, the amount of people there was so drastically different between Sunday and Wednesday. my only real gripe with this place is parking! The parking lot is absolutely horrid and we had to wait 30 minutes just to park our car. I would also like to point out that the "Black RockFish Bites" are absolutely delicious! However I would like to point out they really aren't "bites" they are more so just a good portion of black rockfish on top of a cole slaw sauce, which is outstanding, but they may want to consider changing the name of that while very tasty, also misleading title dish.. EveryThings Considered, Food is Great, Staff is GREAT, atmosphere is GREAT. I would highly recommend for seafood eaters!
(5)Kenneth C.
This place sucks stay away!! Buddy's is better. Ok in all seriousness I only post that so tourists stay away from our little gem on the water. In all honesty I love Cantler's my family and I have been coming here for at least 20+ years the wait is long and worth it, but the bar is full and the bartending staff is quick to get you a beer. The rest of the staff is equally as friendly and jsut as attentive. Cantler's is exactly what you think of when you think crab house: on the water, cramped seating, brown paper on the tables, cheap vinyl chairs, plastic cups, silverware, no real plates and delicious and hot seafood. In otherwords the perfect crab house, if you go to a crab house expecting differnt, well you are wrong and clearly don't belong here.... BE GONE WITH YOU!
(5)Geneva H.
Yes! amazing! Certainly the full Maryland crab shack experience. Came here on a friend's recommendation and glad we did. Be prepared, the wait can be crazy and parking lot can be too. But come prepared to wait and hungry (not starving). We got there about 3pm on Sunday and the wait for inside was 30 minutes, 60 for outside. Opted to sit outside. We actually had to switch tables at one point to accommodate a large group and the restaurant bought us a round of drinks. Awesome! Suggestion of what to order for two people: 6 large crabs, tots with crab dip, Apple cheesecake (all to share), lots of beers, Bloody Marys are a nice choice. Long story short, eat here. It's good and affordable plus a unique experience. Yum!
(5)Alice W.
After a fun afternoon in Annapolis, my boyfriend and I drove over to Cantler's around 4pm to catch an early dinner. It is true, you need to come a little earlier in order to secure a parking spot and have a wait time of less than 2 hours. Luckily, the restaurant is located right on the water so you have a nice view of sweet million dollar homes, boats, jet skis, and the like. We were quoted an hour to an hour and half wait, so we opted to head downstairs to the dock and wait on a surprisingly empty bench. Not even 30 minutes later, our pager was buzzing. We ordered a dozen medium Maryland blue crabs for $55 and a pound of stone crab legs. The crabs are heavily seasoned with Old Bay. For medium crabs, they all had a surprisingly large amount of meat. We grabbed our mallets, forks, knives, and claw crackers, and slowly ate our way through our dozen crabs. Fresh crabs, lots of meat, tons of Old Bay - the classic Annapolis/Maryland experience. Service was prompt and polite. The atmosphere is really casual and low-key. Great place to drop by, especially in the summer.
(3)Christian G.
Arrived by boat, helpful staff helped tie up. As we walk in through the back wait staff was throwing crab remnants into the water close to shore, came up through the back stairs and the place was busy. There was a wait to sit outside, so we were seated inside party of 7. About 12 minutes went by before anyone came to greet us, the cycle of service seemed non-existent. Hey we just came to take her order we had ordered several appetizers rockfish bites crab dip and steamed shrimp. All of it was pretty good I do have a complaint about the dishware and place settings my fork was mangled up like someone stepped on it and we were sitting at a sticky table with paper plates. I had ordered the crab cake platter it was ok, hailing from Maryland myself I have had better. I had also ordered a soft drink which had a fly in it. You be the judge but I'm never coming here again.
(1)Amber G.
Cantler's is an Annapolis seafood mainstay -- it's been around for decades and is just across the bridge from downtown Annapolis. It's got a very casual, dive-bar feel to it, with benches for communal seating. There is a great deck with outdoor seating by the water, but expect a long wait to be seated out there during a sunny weekend day or evening! The seafood here is always tasty and the service is usually very fast. For those who don't want the quintessential Maryland seafood meal of blue crabs, there are other options (As a Californian, I never learned to eat blue crabs properly as a kid and therefore now refuse to bother with all the work that is required to crack them!). I got a 1/2 lb of snow crab legs w/two sides ($12.50), which was good but it only came with a single cluster of crab legs - I guess i was hoping for a little more. Jimmy's Steamed Feast ($26) was a good, large platter including mussels, clams, shrimp, and snow crab legs -- great option for anyone wanting to try a bit of everything! Although I wasn't interested in the blue crabs, I did notice some of the prices on the chalkboard that day and was struck by the high price for the "supers" (the extra large blue crabs) that day -- I believe it was around $130/dozen. Steeeep! Great place to try -- be prepared to wait though.
(4)Gary R.
In Annapolis for 4 days on a mini vacation with the primary purpose to eat as much crab meat as we could, we headed right to the Mecca of steamed spiced crabs -Cantlers. Yeah, it's a bit off the beaten path and the narrow residential street on the way in can be a problem, but let me tell you it's worth it. The quintessential crab feast experience with the picnic table covered in a paper table cloth followed by a bucket of spiced, tasty blue crabs dumped in front of you - well, if your mouth doesn't start watering right there then there's no hope for you. We got there relatively early (4:30?) on a Monday and had no problem parking or getting seated outside on the patio overlooking the river. They had an all you can eat steamed spiced crab option on the chalkboard menu for $35 per person. Bam! Sign me up! (Large were featured at $75 a dozen that night). The first round of crabs was probably approaching 2 dozen and had a couple ears of corn on the cob with it. But I was focused on the delicious crabs. And my oh my, they were delicious. Before we were half way through our server asked if we were ready for more. Duh!! Bring em on! Within minutes another huge pile materialized just like magic. And that led to another one and.. Well, I think you get the picture. They were amazing. And the service was superb! The only caveat is there's a two hour limit on the all you can eat. They do need to turn the tables over for sure but I can attest that in two hours you can leave some serious crab carnage. And we did. If I have a complaint it's that they have only cans of beer and not a very good selection. But that's nitpicking. I can get beer anytime and anywhere. What I can't get are those spectacular blue crabs.
(4)Laura F.
We went on a Saturday and arrived at 11:30, 30 minutes after opening. There was already a 30 minute wait for the outdoor area, but we decided to wait. An hour and fifteen minutes later, we were seated. The food was good, but I can't stand when I'm given a false waiting time. It would be better to say it was a 2 hour wait then be pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.
(3)Lady B.
My very first YELP! Fail!!! I really just wanted to scream YELLLLPPPPPP!! $32 cakes FULLLLL of shells-- no draft beers, only canned beers! Was told "Happy hour" was over (it was 5:48) Service was lack luster. We arrived just before a big rush and took twenty minutes just for the waitress to introduce herself? Nice water view but would not come during any hot months-- rancid smell in the air. Very disappointed. $96 later -- crab cake, four beers, shrimp platter, hush puppies (cold/dry), coleslaw(bland) And community seating. We would not have minded normally. But got many stares ... They scooched over and looked Kind of uncomfortable Side note : We are brown.
(2)Rusty S.
There's a wait to get INTO the parking lot, a wait to park, a wait to get into the place, a wait to order. Then you wait for the crabs, then you overpay, then you're disappointed with your experience. Then you remember that nobody was actually friendly with you except the homeowner a couple of houses away from the place that offered to let you park in his driveway for $20. Want to duplicate the Cantler's experience? Drive to Red Lobster, get lost, buy some food, give them a 200% tip, then go look at a picture of a river on your phone. You'll still be disappointed and out of money but wouldn't have spent all day WAITING!!!
(1)Noel H.
Steamed crabs were excellent. Price was high but they are everywhere. Service very good and view / atmosphere awesome. Dine outside if you can and sun is not too high!
(4)Barbara G.
This was my first time here, but it won't be my last! I enjoyed every bite: from my Oyster Riverside appetizer (minus the bacon), to the steamed soft shell clams (another first for me - delicious, but freaky looking with that tadpole tail!), to the fresh super crabs with Old Bay and drawn butter, to the sweet corn on the cob and piping hot hushpuppies, and the obligatory beer on a hot summery day. The service was quick and friendly, even in a packed restaurant. We went midday and our party of four got seated outside in a flash! (It does get crowded, but no one seemed to mind waiting for a table. Beer and wine were available so most just walked around waiting for their buzzer to signal a table was ready.) The place is very causal (think, jeans and tshirt) since it can get messy wading through a pile of crabs. Enjoy it and request plenty of napkins!
(5)Kenya F.
My company has been going to Cantler's for our outing for the last 5-6 years and this year our outing was on August 31, 2015. The service was superb and the food was delicious and readily available. We had a pretty large group and even still, they didn't miss a beat! Thanks again guys, we'll see you next year. Also, $35 for unlimited crabs ain't half bad either :)
(5)Jennifer K.
Got XL crabs for $85/dozen .... more like mediums. It's not worth the 1 hr drive, then the 40 min parking lot wait, then the 45 min table wait. A few crabs had mushy meat, you know like how if the crab is dead when cooked it's meat becomes powder? The rock fish bites were not what I expected, but ok. They were grilled (I think) and came on a bed of cabbage doubling as ehhhh slaw. Still don't know how I feel about it. I like healthy food but I didn't come here to eat hippie food. Stay away from the chocolate cake (the key lime was ok)!! Taste like Food Lion bought, nasty frosting. My search for good blue crabs continues.
(2)Maya V.
A friend and I were visiting from DC and looking for some fresh crab. Both of us are from out of state (not DC or Maryland), but appreciate some good seafood. Cantler's was great! The food was delicious. We ordered half a dozen crabs, the drunk'n mussels, crab caprese salad, and a crab cake sandwich. YUM. Lots of food, but it was a fun Sunday adventure and decided to ball out. I'd order everything again, very fresh and delicious. Reasonable price for how much food we ordered and we definitely left overstuffed. Our waiter was great, assisting us with how many crabs to order, and then upon receiving the crabs showing us how to break em open (did I mention were aren't Marylanders?). Give this place a try!!
(5)Jamie W.
I Can see this place crazy busy on a nice summer day!!! Right on the water and a nice porch right next to the water to sit in. That gets a 5 star vote. I can see the food being a 50/50 on taste. I highly recommend the rockfish bites. Totally tasty. Also had the sashimi special with tuna and that was ok so good gets the 3.5 star vote. I would totally come back to try other things just think some items will be better than others instead of the whole menu being equally good.
(4)Nancy C.
Good food, crabs, view, service, what a good experience! It was the best quality crabs I have had in Maryland aside from when they were caught and cooked within an hour. So see freshest crabs ever here! It was a Saturday night and they said the wait would be about 1.5 hours but we were pleasantly surprised when we were seated outside on the patio overlooking the river about twenty minutes later. Our server Maggie was the absolute best. She wa very attentive and friendly while taking care of the very crowded dining area. Among the crabs our table ordered some perfectly cooked spiced shrimp, a bucket of clams, cream of crab soup and basket of sweet potato fries, all were top notch fantastic. I can't wait until our next visit there, just going to get there earlier as it does get very busy in there.
(5)Richard S.
Been coming here for years! Great place to sit outside and eat crabs and drink beer! Very down to earth with no airs, but they always have the best crabs. Last night the Supers were $120 a dozen so we took a pass. understandable on the pricing because it's too early in the season. Girlfriend had Jimmy's Feast (shrimp, mussels, king crab, clams) which was indeed a feast, and I had oysters on the half shell and fried oysters (yum). Our server was awesome as always the case. this is a MUST for what it is although not fine dining by any means but they don't try to present themselves that way as the plastic plates and silverware would suggest!.
(4)Danette W.
I have to say I loved eating here. We sat on the patio and had the best view while enjoying extra large crabs. They were steamed and seasoned to perfection. The customer service was amazing. They also raise their own soft shell crabs. Stop by and check it out. It's very interesting.
(5)Chris J.
Bad experience! Not worth the wait or the money. After waiting an hour, the hostess finally took us to our table. We couldn't however sit down because the table hadn't been busted- which was understandable considering that the previous guests were still eating their meal. The hostess took us to another empty table but by the time we got there it had already been given away. We returned to our original table which had also been given away. We finally made our way back inside to a clean, empty table. Please keep in mind the restaurant is totally packed with people and very claustrophobic (many of the tables are shared with other guests). Our server was the definition of "nice nasty." She asked what we wanted 3 times within a 6 minute period- she couldn't turn the table over fast enough. The food was poor. I ordered the lump crab cake sandwich. It was a pile of mush. I could've made a better crab cake from a can of Phillips. The she crab soup and the hush puppies were the only redeeming part of the meal. My wife and daughter's food was no better. Perhaps the crab by the dozen is what draws the crowd. Horrible service, long wait, overcrowded, mediocre food- won't be back.
(2)Benjamin O.
Probably the best seafood house in the area. The crab dip and calamari was so good! Even though it's kind of pricey I suggest getting the super crabs! In all I would recommend anyone in this area to try this place out.
(5)Allison Z.
We wanted to find an authentic place for seafood that would be kid-friendly as well. This place couldn't have been better. We sat on their spacious outdoor covered/screened-in deck at picnic tables covered with butcher paper. There were tons of local IPAs and brews on tap, the staff was knowledgable, friendly, and fast (which is also important with kids). For starters we had the crab dip which came with 2 mini French bread loaves and was plenty to share amongst our party of 5 adults, 2 kids. I was very impressed with the amount of crab dip they gave us, some places are chintsy with their dip but we had to order extra bread to even finish the dip! I had the lump crab cake sandwich with the upgraded sweet potato fries and it was the best crab cake have ever had. Other orders in our party were the shrimp salad, the fried fish sandwich, and the crab chowder. Everyone was very pleased with their orders. While we waited for our food I took my boys down the steps to the dock to watch the boats. The drive there will have you wondering if you took a wrong turn because you go through very residential areas but it all the more proves this place is a hidden diamond in the rough!
(5)Lauren W.
Visited this past Sunday and really wanted crabs- $90 a dozen. We skipped the crabs. Ordered shrimp as an appetizer and they were disgusting and I found out why. I told the server that they were over cooked and could we have another order. She proceeds to tell me they are steamed in the morning then placed in a bag and re-heated to serve. I was in shock that a "seafood" restaurant wastes shrimp like that. HORRIBLE. We choose the Rockfish bites instead and those were decent. Crab cake sandwich and rockfish sandwich were both good. My sweet potato fries were soggy. The place is really run down and if you sit outside you will sit with other people. The view really wasn't worth sitting outside. I was really disappointed and don't see myself returning.
(2)Katie K.
Crabs have been consistently good and fresh every time I've been here. They are definitely over seasoned with old bay. On some of the crabs it's all you can taste. Blue crab meat is sweet and tender...why cover up that awesome flavor? The service here leaves MUCH to be desired. The parking guys always look like the rolled in the dirt, the hostess stand is full of confused and stressed out staff, the servers have this attitude that everything you ask for is a bother and have forgotten to bring drinks, side salads, and condiments every time we've gone. The setting is really worth what you spend on the crabs. It's beautiful and relaxing to sit on the docks while you wait for your table. It's fun to watch the crabs on the lower deck. I could not imagine sitting inside even on the hottest day. The indoor dining area is dark, dank, looks and feels dirty. The ladies bathroom is pretty cramped and always so wet, wash your hands quickly or risk being hit by the door! :) Overall, I can see the why this place is always so busy. Fresh crabs, water view, unique location, family owned.. I get it. But it's a bit of a shame that the staff makes no effort to make you feel like they appreciate your business.
(3)Jenny P.
No line for lunch on Thursdays! Among the three of us, we shared a dozen large crabs, side of hush puppies, and fried green tomatoes. I do not recommend the hush puppies as they were very dense and two seconds away from being hard to chew. I had no prior experience with fried green tomatoes, and could not tell you whether they were good or bad. But they tasted like tomatoes... that were fried. For some reason, my girlfriends and I thought that it would be a great idea to show up to Cantler's dolled up and in sundresses. One crab in, however, we were already dusted with Old Bay and flying flecks of crab shell. Not to mention that it was a warm, muggy day out. (I would recommend sitting inside actually since even under the patio umbrellas, you will feel very hot.) Basically, you will be a hot mess and getting through 4 crabs will take at least an hour. But the effort is so worth it as you will leave stuffed with tasty, juicy crab meat!
(4)Cibby G.
Took my sister here for lunch and it was worth the trip from Baltimore and Woodbridge....Food is amazing!!! Waitress was so helpful and so nice! Even the people eating there were so nice! In short an amazing meal 360. Try the soft shell crabs it was very tasty with a squeeze of lemon juice. MAKE SURE you get there early. We were in line waiting to go in 10 minutes to opening. It's THAT GOOD!
(5)Mim L.
Hands down the best steamed Maryland Blue Crabs and clams I've ever had. Not over or under cooked at all. They were perfect! The hush puppies weren't bad either. We sat outside on the patio. Great place to come with family, friends, on a date - whenever. It was our first time there on a Wednesday afternoon, we got seated right away on the patio but I'm sure the place is packed on the weekends. The staff was friendly. Loved everything about this place. Definitely worth the 45 min drive from DC. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Karen L.
Seriously they have the best crab cake ever! No fillers, no nonsense. Just straight up crab. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. I also ordered a dozen blue crabs. Came here on a Sunday about 11:30am, right before the rush. I'd suggest to come early and get parking. The wait is long. Only complain is their tiny bathroom. After all that feasting, you have to cram in there to wash your hands. The door opens right at the sinks, so watch out!
(4)Ben S.
This place is just fine. First, the positives: Our big group (9 people) was seated without issue as soon as we arrived, and the crabs and calamari were quite good. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday night and our food came out fairly promptly, especially the crabs. They had non-fish options for an allergic friend, though his chicken salad came out somewhat slowly. Now for the less good stuff: The hush puppies were a bit bland, the fries were a little too greasy, and the portions weren't exactly huge. The one thing that was annoying was our server. He kept pushing rounds of Patron shots on us. I get that we're a big group and that we look like we're looking to have a good time, but maybe after the second time suggesting a round of Patron shots and being rebuffed, it's time to let that one fantasy go. Five times is too many times to ask.
(3)Jb R.
Great time. In Annapolis to visit a relative at the Naval Academy. This place was recommended to us - food & service great! Fun time. Long wait was the only issue.
(4)Randy S.
Tired of the hustle and bustle, and parking difficulties, of dining in Downtown Annapolis? Then take the 15 minute drive to Cantler's. The riverside restaurant has an atmosphere that is positively rustic and salty. The biggest dilemma of dining at Cantler's is that there are too many fresh seafood options, so plan on coming back.
(4)Charry L.
Great seafood restaurant with a great ambiance. Our family went on a sunny summer afternoon Down the stairs, it's fun for the kids to see their staff sorting the crabs by the size, take pictures by the pier, and wait for the buzzer to buzz. Since the crabs were not in season, they only had the small and medium sizes available. The last time we were here, the crabs were in season and they were much larger - As for the price, they range more on the expensive side. Four of us went and the check came up to $170. Snow crab legs are better than the blue crabs (in my opinion) - Half lbs of snow crab legs are half the crab. Shrimps were lump and delicious too. We also had the crab cakes ($32) - the best option. There arent' that much fillers in the crab cakes - all lumpcious meat! Would definitely return for their crab cakes.
(5)Fred K.
By far my favorite crab house in the DMV! It is worth the drive from the DC burbs. I come here on my way back from the beach or a Saturday day trip to Annapolis. My older brother who lives in NY always wants to eat here in the summertime. I concur! There are other crab houses on Kent Island (Harris, Kentmorr), which are closer from the beach and went to Harris, as were so hungry, but they ran out of crabs! We left and went to Harris and boy we were so happy. We got xlarge crabs and was beyond stuffed after 3 crabs (2 crabs is more than enough). It's well worth the price, compare to medium and large size. They also have a crab feast, which I got the previous time, and is great with large groups. It's rather dark inside and always request outdoor or the back, where it is bright and nice water views. There is a dock where you can walk after your meal, which is nice.
(5)Baird S.
I've been coming to Cantler's on and off over the past 5 years. It has the feel of a genuine crab shack, it's usually packed, and the other clients at the paper draped picnic tables are likely to be friendly folks who'll start up a conversation. But besides crabs, the meals I've had have been forgettable and overpriced, especially since most of them came served on styrofoam plates. I'll be going to other places like Deep Creek instead,where the food is better.
(2)Katie L.
Cantler's is the quintessential Annapolis experience. Come for all-you-can-eat blue crabs, snow or king crab legs sold by the half pound, and fried seafood restaurant treats like hushpuppies and crabcake sliders. It's a crab lovers' paradise. On weekends, come early to avoid crowds and long lines. For lunch, get in before noon if you can. The outdoor views are worth the wait. Almost everyone orders the Maryland blue crabs, but if you want the views and crack your way to a great meal experience, I recommend going for the king crab legs. Your efforts are rewarded in huge, not that hard to work for quantities. I enjoyed our half hour wait at the bar. Beers are only available by the can. Magnificent ambiance and great food and wonderful service. Will return, repeatedly.
(5)BossLady L.
This is the best Crab Cakes I've ever had!!! And I must've had about 20 crabs! This is by far the best crab place I've been to anywhere! The customer service is great too! When in Annapolis this is a must!
(5)Kevin F.
Funky, dive-y, fun...can't wait to hit this place during crab season on Moto...parking slim and narrow road....not sure what the alternative is, but this place is worth the hassle
(4)Tom E.
Parking sucks, Long wait, very expensive, the bar smelled like vomit and my wife and I were seated ridiculously close to the only door to the outside seating. Most of the food was under seasoned, if seasoned at all. The crab cake was, however very good (mostly lump, minimal breading). The filet had maybe 2 grains of salt on it.
(2)Daniel A.
Yum yum yum!!!!! I know. I am giving them the big five stars. But here is my reasoning: Service: outstanding. Orders taken promptly and correctly. When "I" made a mistake an ordered another beer, not remembering that I had already asked for one. The server brought another bowl full of ice to keep my beer cold till I was ready for it. Also, drinks were always filled up for you and at a crab shack, this is IMPORTANT!!! Those that know what I'm talking about know. As for others, your hands are full of crab. You don't want to be slowed down because you need to fill up your drink cup from the pitcher!! Food: Amazing!!!! Cooked perfectly and all served to your table with very little wait!!! All was HOT, and the crabs sweet and delicious!!! Steamers melted in your mouth!!! Atmosphere: Open, friendly and fun. What more do you need!!!
(5)Hyunjoo K.
Overall pretty good. I ordered medium sized steam crabs and some of my other friends ordered extra large size. I'd say go with the medium size! It was just tad bit smaller than the extra large and medium sized crabs had packed meat! But I guess it all depends on season and when the crabs were caught. Other side dishes like tater tots, hush puppies, fried shrimp, peel off shrimps, they were all good! I really like the secluded riverside location of the restaurant too! But be sure to wait in line to park the car at least 30 minutes!!
(4)Amanda S.
If you want Maryland crabs and an authentic Annapolis experience you definitely need to go here! Picnic tables and a casual setting on the water with a friendly staff. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu- it is all fantastic!
(5)Sal D.
I've been going here for 10 years and it's always been a great time. The crabs always taste great and come out fresh. However, this past Sunday I took my girlfriend here for the first time. The crabs took a bit longer than I'm use to but no big deal. Towards the end of our meal right before we left, my girlfriend got real sick (food poison) and could not figured out what happened since we ate the same meal. It was probably the crabs because that's all we ordered. Not sure what has changed but I cannot risk another experience like this. Maybe the crabs are cooked differently but I will be going to another crab restaurant.
(3)Fletch P.
One of our favorites when in town. Good services, great crabs, makes everyone feel like a local... A little off the beaten path, but sometimes that is a good thing! Take some key lime to go, a tradition in our family and nice treat when you get home.
(4)Lily H.
This place has the best crabs, oysters, and sweet potato fries. You have to try all three with pink lemonade. My advice to you is to arrive early. It's gets busy fast and before you know it, the crabs will be sold out.
(5)Ann B.
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I was so excited to come here after hearing such great things about the crabs. We are from New York/Boston and spending the summer in Virginia. We drove over an hour just to share this experience with our children. My god what a bad idea and a restaurant with such terrible hospitality. My husband and I came her with our two kids for lunch... Arrived at 2:30. Asked for the wait time. 30 min for indoors, 1 hr for outside. We told the blonde Sunday day "head host" that we had two very hungry kids and whichever was available first. After 30 minutes of waiting, she told us the table was available, inside.. We decided it would be better for everyone if we were seated outside because of our kids. She then told me "well you will be put back to the bottom of the list". We should've been put to the next outdoor table since we said "next available" and the next "next available" person should go to the indoor table. Anyway, at this point I told her "fine. We will wait because as you already know, my two kids are hungry". We waited for an additional hour and when I went to check on our status, the host didn't know where my name was and lost it on the list. It was now 4:15 and I was told for the second time in 1 hour that I was "next on the list". If you're looking to be just a number, this is the place for you. I don't care how good your food is, or how good your prices are, if you treat me and my family with such carelessness, then I want everyone to be warned.
(1)Heather M.
Went for the steamed crabs! They were delish as well as the fries and onion rings. Our server was great and even though we took our time eating the crabs she would come check on us every while and again. Expect to go through some residential areas to find this gem.
(5)Tammie R.
**Getting there** It feels like your going to someone's house b/c your going down a narrow road in a neighborhood but you will get there eventually. We waited about 30 minutes to park and then a little over 1.5 hours till we got s table. But it was Memorial weekend, and summer time around 6pm so duh, there will be a wait. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait. **Food** What we liked- crabs (pricey though at 96 a dozen), fried crab cakes (yummy), jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, mussels, half calm chowder /half maryland soup (the BOMB) What we didn't like- Piña Coladas (yuck), crab dip (it was good but I won't order again), **Enviroment** Enviroment is fun, noisy, crowded (but you have your space). There is always a line to the restroom. Place smells like seafood and you eat on long tables which you may be sharing. **Leaving** We received our check all together even though we asked them to Seperate but they said they can't split tickets but they did take two credit cards to pay. So recommend taking a couple hundred in cash if going in large groups. Overall, we all truly enjoyed our time there even the kiddos and I felt it was worth the wait. Maybe not every weekend but once in a while.
(4)Kristen P.
Go to Cantler's for the EXPERIENCE. Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's extremely messy. Yes, there will be an hour wait for a table. However, it is definitely something to save up for whenever I know I'll be visiting the area! As soon as we were within half a mile from the restaurant, the traffic was at a standstill as people were directed into the parking lot. We had a party of 4, so the ladies got out of the car and walked right into the restaurant to put our name down. We were told it would be 45 minutes to an hour wait, so we spotted an empty high top by the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. The place was very crowded, but it was a Saturday night. The atmosphere was very straight forward -- we were in a loud, crowded crab shack on the river. Nothing more, nothing less. The guys got there within 10 minutes after parking the car. They ordered some beers and we ended up getting a bucket of steamers for $20 (soft shell clams) and an order of hush puppies. The food came out right away. As a fan of steamers, they were great. The hush puppies were also delish, but a little heavy for my taste. After an hour on the dot, we were seated outside at a picnic table right on the water. We ended up ordering a dozen large crabs to start, and that's when the fun began. This is a downright sloppy experience. Do not take someone here on your 1st-3rd date. It will not end well! Our server was very attentive, positive and helpful. At one point during the evening it started to rain and he did his best to cover our area with surrounding umbrellas just so we could stay outside and continue our evening. We left covered in Old Bay, feeling full and accomplished. I swear, food tastes better when you have to work for it! I highly recommend Cantler's as a "treat" meal with friends and family. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun and the crabs are fresh and delicious!
(4)Ty C.
This was our Saturday QT first stop of the day. This was our first time patronizing this establishment. The wait for outdoor seating was about 5min. We had the dz of jumbo crabs with the drunken mussels. The crabs were cooked perfectly and very meaty and though the mussels were good we expected a little more when ordering the bucket. We like how they have a wash station outdoors which is very convenient and feel that though it didn't stop the show the benches could be a little higher. Lastly our waitress (her name escapes me) was very attentive. We will visit again... Happy and Full...
(4)Caesar G.
Cantlers is regularly ranked one of the best crab houses in Maryland, perhaps the entire Delmarva. Believe the hype. Great crabs and great location on the waterfront. Besides the crabs, we loved the crab cakes, big lump crab with little filler and perfectly broiled. Only complaint is the service is a bit slow.
(5)art f.
Last night was my annual crab feast at Cantler's. Have a problem with their grading system. Medium, Large, XLarge and Jumbo Crabs. In truth the large should be classified medium. Other than size and weight of crabs, still our favorite. Will return every year for our crab fix. May return for a second round tonight.
(4)Kendra G.
Happy hour followed by a great dinner. I had the blackened shrimp tacos and loved every bite. Exceeded my expectations. Great views and fun watching the boats come and go.
(4)Tricia S.
The wait for parking was extremely long, the wait for a table was even longer. We ordered the extra large crabs but the only thing large was the price! They were smaller then the party next to us that had large crabs....definitely not worth it. To make matters worst my fiancé and I got VERY sick as soon as we left the place. Obviously the crabs were not fresh. Thanks Cantlers for the food poisoning. This was our first and last time at this restaurant. Don't believe the hype!
(1)Poppy H.
Amazing! I know this sounds weird for a seafood place, but their mozzarella sticks and pizza are awesome. Don't miss the cream of crab soup and ask for a small loaf of their french bread to dip in.
(5)Myra C.
oh my! what a gem to find... it's just good , really good fresh seafood like crab and shrimp. the crab cakes have real lumps of very fresh crab meat. the clam chowder is the best on earth, so creamy and rich, with big clumps of clam and potatoes! Yum!!!get the sides like taters with crab dip. I had a lb. of shrimp with onions and potatoes, it was super tasty! dipping sides included a nice old bay seasoning blend with richly melted butter. sooooo good! I'll be back for the chowder, blue crabs and lobster. I wish they had fried oysters but that's ok! excellent views, casual, comfy tasty eat on the patio and kick back. such a great atmosphere and excellent service!
(5)thomas l.
Half the crabs were dead, it was like eating mush. Tried large and extra large. Waited an hour and half for seating.. Only thing that was good were the hush puppy.
(1)Lynie H.
Located in an neighborhood area...it might seem like ur lost but ur not..u'll get there. Wait might be long..crabs were good..get large :-) their other sides were good too
(4)Heather J.
This place is an institution. The crabs are a bit on the pricey side, but it's not often that you get to experience something like this and it's worth it. While we waited for our table, we shared a dozen raw oysters, which were super fresh and tasty. Once seated, we got a dozen medium crabs and some hush puppies and that was enough for 3 of us. The crabs were excellent, of course, but the hush puppies were kind of boring. I wish they had come with honey butter or something. The covered outdoor deck provides a lovely seating area in which to enjoy your crab feast and the scenery at once. If you're visiting Maryland, this is a great place to try our famous blue crabs.
(4)Vanessa A.
I went Friday and had the ultimate the waiter Jordan was friendly, Alex was extremely helpful our food was delicious, bring your seafood appetite!
(5)Erin R.
My friends and I were amped to try this place as part of our Annapolis day. we arrived before opening to guarantee quick seating and while we were sat quickly enough, that's where the speed ended. My crab soup and sandwich took at least 30 minutes to come out. Soup should never take that long. We also had to consistently get up from our table to locate our waitress. The cream of crab soup was good, creamy and nicely seasoned especially with my sprinkle of old bay in it. My lump crab sandwich had lots of crab but was flavorless. The fries were excellent and crispy and of course covered in old bay by me. My table got a dozen large crabs for 80 and were similarly underwhelmed. The key lime pie we got for desert was a nice surprise and didn't appear to come from the freezer. All in all for the price, mediocre food and horrible service, I can't recommend Cantlers. Pro tip though if you do decide to go, you can bring your own wine for a $10 corking fee.
(2)Curt N.
Save your money and go to long John silvers. Over priced and crappy service. Also they may not have what u want due to running out. Poor planning on their part.
(1)Samantha G.
This was an interesting experience. There was a line of cars and a wait to even get into the parking area. Then there was over a 2 hour wait to get a table. And the whole places was completely packed with people standing around - and it was super boiling hot. The hostess stand folks were underage kids and weren't exactly friendly or pleasant - and they definitely appeared to be confused and overwhelmed. The bar area was packed. There was one decent bartender and one completely rude bartender. She was rude to the point where she actually made me cry. Literally. That is absolutely something that has never happened to me before. Horrible treatment of customers. Once we finally were seated, though, our server was very pleasant and nice. So it was a total mixed bag on service. The food was a mixed bag too. The crab cake sandwiches were practically inedible. But the platter of seafood we had was fresh and good. There's really not much to it. It's just a bunch of seafood in shells. And you break it all apart and dip it in butter, seasoning, and/or cocktail sauce. It was a fun experience, but not exactly great, fabulous, delicious seafood. Overall, if you go when it's not crowded and you're really hankering for crabs, this place will work for ya. But otherwise, in all other circumstances, I really wouldn't bother. I'll certainly not be back again.
(2)Mike S.
Definitely not worth the wait! The "extra large" crabs were actually lighter than the mediums we ordered despite the huge price difference. Plus they were missing nearly about all of their claws, thereby decreasing the total amount of meat by at least 25%. Unless there was a huge crab rumble in the steamer, someone was stealing claws maybe to put in other food. Skip this line and go elsewhere if you can.
(2)Michael R.
Enjoying the lunch special of soft shell crab and fried green tomatoes! First but not last visit here!!! Get there before 11:30 if you want lunch!
(4)Nancy D.
We had the crab cakes and rockfish; both entrees were good. The hush puppies were excellent, slightly sweet and oh so tasty. It was hard not to fill up on them even though the crab cakes were still unfinished on my plate. The broccoli was decent. All in all a good place, but IMHO, the prices were a tad high for such a casual atmosphere.
(3)Susan F.
Okay so let me pre-face that this review is coming from a non-seafood eater. This was my second visit here...the first time was eight years ago! The scenery of this place was decent especially if you get to sit closer to the water. There are seats that are directly in the sunlight which I would prefer not to sit in as I would burn and look the color of lobster by the time I make it home. Not sure why anyone would want to sit inside, but there is inside seats available. Okay this place is super busy but the ladies restroom which has two stalls is the size of my powder room at my house. There is no room to stand in it, and expect to get hit by the door while you are standing and washing your hands. This place is SO busy! They really should renovate and make some bigger restrooms. Get there early and expect a wait time! The car line to get into the parking lot had at least 20 cars waiting to get into the parking lot by the time we left! There is a great little dock you can walk down on while you wait for your table and you can check out some of the crabs in tanks while you wait. So the crab eaters seemed to really enjoy! I had a burger and it was okay. Fries are crisp and a little crunchy, but good. My daughter tried the kids crab cake which was about the size of a golf ball. She of course wanted crab like most of the others were eating at the table. My 7 year old son devoured the crabs thanks to daddy helping him crack them. He just ate 2 but easily could have kept going. He is already planning that he wants to come back for his birthday! Soda cups are on. The small side which was a little annoying...since it was hot out. Overall, a little on the pricey side...but it is a very popular place so it must be good.
(4)Richard W.
I've heard such good things about this restaurant though never attended until this past weekend. Reading these 4-5 star reviews what strikes me as having an "experience" - and frequently it is about steamed crabs not really otherwise great food as was reflected in out visit here. Seriously not impressed from staff who clear dirty dishes, wash down a table and then prepare food - like dessert - touching the food, picking up that cherry for your dessert with their bacteria contaminated fingers. Food is high end costs - though served on styrofoam plates and drinks in plastic cups. Low overhead, more profit - if you like fried, heavily breaded foods whether what we found a rather bland crab cake or nice rock fish & chips that batter overpower losing the taste of the fish - this is your place. No drafts - all can beers - noisy bar crowd. Local establishment - with local temperament - ++ For a 5 star "experience" buy a bushel of crabs (about the price of a dozen prepared here), buy beer, a big pot, old bay seasoning, boil - invite good friends and have a great time and Save $$$$ . Better - try someplace like Mike's in Riva at least drafts, real plates, and seems better quality food - and if you want the crabs on brown paper and a hammer - they have that too. But many local places seem to be better than this. To quote the old commercial - "where's the beef?" With this place!
(2)Tasheena S.
The drive from New York was totally worth it!!! The services was great. Environment was comfortable and inviting.
(5)Courtney C.
I'm giving this place 2 stars for quick seating and customer service. My bestfriend wanted to come here for her birthday as she heard so many great things about it. We went and initially were told our wait would be 45mins but were seated within 30. After seeing the price for the crabs there was absolutely no way I was paying for it 105 for x large crabs. 85 for large 75 for medium. Just for a dozen crabs? Why!! I ended up with the crab soup and an order of hush puppies. My bestfriend ordered the crab cake sandwich. Her crab cake sandwich was extremely bland and underwhelming she enjoyed her fries and the tarter sauce. My food - hush puppies were VERY good and so was the soup. Until I pulled my spoon out of the bowl and found a hair in it!! This place is extremely overhyped and we will not be back.
(2)Ryan Z.
Cantler's is terrific, and Yelp makes that pretty clear, so here are my overall tips for making your visit the best ever: 1) If the weather is nice, or on a spring/summer weekend, be prepared to wait a long time. The wait begins with 30-45 minutes just to get a parking spot (do your fellow diners a favor and please carpool). Savvy folks with send somebody from their party to the front desk while their car is in the parking queue to put their name in, since you should expect to wait 60-120 minutes for a table during the weekend. 2) I recommend checking-in occasionally with the hostess while you are waiting for your table. One time, the pager they gave me died, so even though our table was ready, they gave it away because it didn't buzz. I usually check-in after an hour just to be sure there's no issue. 3) If you give up waiting, you can always sit at the bar. They seem to be fine with kids sitting at the bar, though if you ask me, a bar is no place for crying kids. Use your judgment. 4) Cantler's is part of the "True Blue" program which means they are certified by the state as serving (almost) only Chesapeake blue crab meat. This is a HUGE deal because local crabs can be hard-to-come-by and are more expensive. Many restaurants have resorted to flying-in crabs from the Gulf of Mexico, or using flavorless Asian or Caribbean crab meat in their crab cakes, but not Cantler's. When you eat here, you know you're getting real Maryland blues. 5) The only reasons I am knocking off a star: I am not a huge fan of their fried crab cake (needs more seasoning; stick with the broiled cake which apparently uses a different recipe), and, like so many Maryland crab houses, it drives me crazy that they use styrofoam plates, plastic cups, etc. Very wasteful and bad for the environment, not to mention it's much nicer to eat on a real plate at a restaurant.
(4)Jenny C.
If you want the Annapolis seafood/crab dining experience, I recommend going to Cantlers on a clear day and sit outside. I don't think the crabs at Cantlers is a any better than the other crab houses in town but it was the overall experience that I enjoyed. Recommend: - Crab cakes and hush puppies were great. No filler in the crab cake at all - BBQ bacon wrapped scallops were flavorful and juicy Do not get the rockfish appetizer. Not a big fan of rockfish - it was thin and tasted too fishy Tip: Get there early on a weekend evening if you want a short wait. Also, it allows you to clear out before it gets dark. We were eaten alive by bugs sitting outside after dark.
(4)Christine L.
My friend and I went here and we were ready to eat. First things you should know is that once you get within 1 mile, you should except to wait about 45-1 hr before you eat. You have to wait in the parking line and then in the actually restaurant line. We got 6 extra large crabs for 2 of us, plus corn on the cob, hush puppies and the crab cake. the whole thing cost us about $75. We were both full from this amount of food. The crab is served with old bay seasoning, butter and vinegar. The waitress was amazing and showed us how to open the crab and eat it like a pro. Corn on the Cob, you can't really go wrong here...especially since i brought back some elote style from the west coast and did butter and old bay seasoning. The hush puppies are essentially fried batter. It was okay. I wouldn't get them again, but if you like fried batter...you might like them. I especially LOVED the crab cake. It was about $7 each crab cake and the cole slaw was a great addition to it. You could taste the freshness of the cake and they just flavored it well. I would definitely come back anytime and would love to bring friends here. I wouldn't wear a white shirt as if you are pounding on the crab (which since i am a pro now and don't need to) it get everywhere and white stains...
(4)Jordan P.
Let me start out by saying this was pretty magical. The setting the food the views from the terrace onto the water. Perfect for a warm First the bloodly Mary's. Amazing spicy, thick, salty and rimmed with old bay. One of the best. And enough vodka that you could feel it without being overwhelmed. It also ever felt overly diluted (maybe because we drank them fast enough before the ice melted). The crab cakes--we had the broiled ones. Wonderful mounds of golden brown crab. Not overly battered. You got both crab flavor and texture. The accompanying tartar sauce was mayonnaise with a piquant pickle relish. It might have been a little more appropriate with the fried version of the crabcakes, but very tasty. The hush puppies were perhaps a little over cooked but the held together and the texture was nice. These really tasted of corn which was a nice surprise against the dense fried texture of the cigar-shaped puppies. The crabs themselves were the biggest disappointment. The flavor of the seafood was fine and the old bay always delicious. I am not sure if it was a crab issue or whether it was a overcooking but the texture was mushy. Of the seven crabs we shared only one had the expected texture This is a typical crab shack--people seated at shared table, hot crabs are turned out onto the paper covered table tops. It's loud and the sound of mallets on crab shells overwhelms. It isn't fancy, it is messy, it is delicious.
(4)Yimei W.
Went there about 2 weeks ago and the menu looks hipper. My friend loves that place because she feels the crabs are THE BEST. I also like it because they serve alaskan snow crab and seared scallops in addition to just Maryland crabs. The crabs come quickly. You can sit inside or slightly outside (in a canopy adjoined to the restaurant), and there's a sink nearby for you to rinse your hands. They gave a complimentary apple pie cheesecake or key lime pie for our friend's birthday dinner which was really nice. You can go out on a nice day to the back and hang out on the "pier" which makes for a unique experience. Highly recommended if you are able to trek up to Annapolis! P.S. Huge onion rings...their fries are so good too, coming from a person who doesn't like fries!
(5)Mark W.
Well, there's the view at least. Came here around 5pm on a Sunday, as I was told this was the place to be for all things crab in Annapolis. We were seated at a communal table outside, and everything was going smoothly. As we weren't very hungry, we decided to split a crab cake dinner. And then the one star review appeared. The crab cake just wasn't good. As a place that should be good at making crab cakes, it just didn't live up to the billing. The veggies were only half cooked, and had no taste. The fries were not very good either. And at $30, those two crab cakes were awfully small. Coming from DC, I'm used to these kind of prices, but usually the food makes up for the size. It seems like this place relies on it's name and location, which is okay, but not what I'm looking for in a restaurant. Luckily there are plenty of food options in Annapolis, and I will never have to come here again.
(1)Julia M.
I love this place! I've been there twice and will definitely go back. First tip- go there as early as you can, especially weekends. They opens at 11, both times we arrived at about 11.15, and most of the space outside was filled in. By the time we are put, entire restaurant inside and out are completely full, and there long wait line. Another tip - you have to try their crab soup and crab dip. Its the most delicious seafood soup and dip i ever had. About the crabs.. Hmm.. Last time I've been there they only had medium and large size crabs. We decided to start with medium, and than ordered large. Honestly, i don't see such a big difference. The price difference pretty substantial, so next time we'll go there we will just get a medium crabs. The location is amazing! Waterfront and amazing food. What else you can ask for?
(5)Emmanuel W.
Pretty good food, drinks were average in strength but overall my visit was pleasant. The waitress was nice and patient, I had my grandparents with me so you know old folks can't make up their mind quickly lol. I think it was slightly overpriced for a dozen large blue crabs for 90 bucks but it is what it is, if you can't afford to eat out holla at McDonalds or stock up on Ramen noodles.
(4)Annie S.
Absolutely love this place! My family and I have been coming for 20years and this is the place for jumbo Maryland blue crabs. They don't take reservations and they are definitely busy so don't expect the get there not wait at all- totally worth the wait! The service could definitely be better but the food is good. I usually order either large or extra large jumbo crabs and the soft shell clams, which are awesome. I love the soft shell clams but be careful if you've never had them before. They come out steaming hot and you have the take the clam shell off, peel the skin of the tail off, rinse the entire clam and then dip in butter and old bay- it's awesome. The clams have the tails attached which are deliciously chewy to me but I've seen some people hate it! But you should always try everything once! :) Crab soup, soft shell crab sandwich, everything else is pretty good too. The crabs are tender and sweet- gotta' love those md blue crabs!
(4)Mari S.
I have been to Cantler's twice and on each occassion I ordered the largest crabs they had and they brought me the crabs that were one size smaller. On the first occasion, the waitress said that she forgot to mention that they had ran out of the size we ordered. On the second occassion, the waitress said she did not hear us clearly...yeah right
(1)Billy Z.
It's Sunday 11:30am. Got here just in time. Two parking spaces left. Get here early or you'll wait in a 1/4 mile long line just to park. Then a standing only line outside for a table. It was a hot day and we opted to sit outside to crack some crabs and have cool beverages. The table had umbrellas but only provided shade for a portion of the table. My wife and 2 girls got the shade. I sat in the sun and have never ate while sweating so much. 2 hours in the heat eating and drinking. It never bothered me. The food was great and the service kept the beverages cool and fresh. We had 2 dozen xlg crabs, bucket of steamers, bucket drunken mussles, hush puppies, rockfish bites and finished with key lime pie. This is a crab house. It rivals any. There is one crab house in St. Michaels that has a better view but it's another hour over the bridge. Some reviewers didn't like the crab cakes. We didn't order them. The waitress did tell us that they had a new chef so if you read an earlier review from someone who says they were awful you may want go and give them a try. I'd suggest sitting outside regardless of the temperature. I never grew up eating crabs inside - just feels weird.
(4)Larry H.
You'll almost certainly assume your GPS is taking you to the wrong address when you navigate your way to Cantler's, which is located in the back of a residential neighborhood. But once you arrive and you see all the picnic tables inside and out on the open air deck, covered with brown craft paper, cold beer, and piled high with steamed crabs, you'll know you're at the right place. Cantler's has been perched on it's hillside above Mill Creek just outside of Annapolis and serving hot steamed crabs to happy customers since 1974. They also arguably serve one of the best crab cakes in Maryland, jumbo lump with just enough egg and breadcrumbs to keep them from falling apart. I'd venture you say you might find a few crab cakes in the state of Maryland that compare to Cantler's but you won't find one that's better. Although they have other offerings on their menu, the reason to come to Cantler's is for the social event of picking "Steamed Crabs" over cold beer and good conversation with friends. The crabs here are always good and you can see how fresh they are by simply walking down the long set of stairs to the creek side where Cantler's live tanks are usually bustling with activity from the live crabs that are freshly delivered here by local watermen. You can arrive by car or by water since Cantlers offers free slips for diners that want to come by boat. But if you want the quintessential Annapolis Maryland crab picking experience, Cantlers needs to be on the top of your list. Local's swear by it, and vistors to Annapolis swear they'll keep coming back. Sit outside, enjoy the water view from high atop their deck that's perched over the waterway while you're picking your crabs and you'll become a believer too.
(4)Richard D.
If you want a pile of local crabs, this is one of the few places you can get it. For anything else, you might as well go to Red Lobster. Our group of 6 had several different things, each of which was distinctly mediocre, yet cost $30 each without any drinks.
(1)Sue J.
My family and I (7 in total) went for lunch. When we arrived they only had All u can eat crabs for $36, and Mediums for $45/doz. My 2 brothers ordered platters that they enjoyed. We were told the all u can eat were small and mediums, mostly mediums, so, while disappointed, that's what 5 of us ordered. They brought out one tray; the crabs were ok. Many were mushy and thrown away. When we ordered another tray, the waiter brings out 6 more crabs. So we immediately ordered another tray. We finally just left. I set up the lunch, telling my family how great this place was. Before we left my sister, said "let's just take this place off our list of places to go". I couldn't agree more.
(2)Lendsey C.
After visiting the MD Ren Faire my friend said she had a place that I would like. We put it in the GPS and away we all went...deep into the back roads of Catonsville. If you get the feeling you're in a horror movie while driving these narrow roads, don't worry, it's all worth it. The restaurant itself is located in a very odd place, almost at the end of what appears to be a neighborhood. It's right on the water though, so if you want the view of the Bay (I'm assuming that's what that body of water was), then you'll enjoy it. The place isn't fancy but goodness does it get the job done. Long benches, newspaper down ready for crab picking and shell shucking. The waitstaff is pretty good with crowds and kept up with our party of 7 easily. The sides were nothing impressive but the seafood....mmmm. I got the two dozen special and I'd give it a 8/10. They were steamed well, the spices were right, the only reason they don't get higher is because out of 24 crabs 2 were empty in the middle. Overall I'd like to make this place my go-to spot for crabs, I'm just scared I'll never be able to get there again haha.
(4)Susan C.
Had the crabcake sandwich. I was really disappointed. I can understand using crabmeat from elsewhere, but this was served on a sesame seed bun. I imagine they used this to cover up for the lack of taste in the crabcake. Although no filler, there weren't any other spices either. Definitely not a Maryland crabcake. If you like just plain broiled crabmeat then this is for you
(2)Kesha S.
Service was great and the food was even better. Just went last week and I am going back again this week before I head back to SC. Crabs and crab cakes are phenomenal!
(5)Christopher P.
I get hungry just thinking about it. Do not come here if your thinking about salad or something light. This is a place where you will eat lots of food. They bring buckets to fill shells and food waste. We tried a bit of everything and have no complaints. The wings where much better then expected at a sea food place. The hush puppies where plentiful and sweet. The shrimp and muscles fresh and tasty. The view is also pretty great. I know it gets super packed in the summer and can see why. It is right on the water, you can sail in, tie your boat up and feast! It's a little tricky getting there by car though, really I blame that on MD, for having horrible roads, not Cantlers fault though.
(4)Henry B.
Quintessential Chesapeake Bay crab shack - maybe a little upscale since they use butcher paper instead of newspaper to cover the picnic tables!
(4)Rick G.
We went here on Saturday at 1. Place was packed and we were directed to the overflow parking lot. We checked in and were told an hour wait. We found a spot at the bar. The wait was only 30 minutes. We ordered extra-large crabs and onion rings. Food was fantastic and so was our server, Kristen! We highly recommend this place!
(5)Timothy H.
HYPE!!! Some reviews will have you believing that this place will take your tastebuds up beyond the stratosphere and fill your grandkid's days with tales of indulging in succulent crab delights beside the river. REALITY!!! Crabs taste good. - If you get crabs at Cantler's they will taste good. Fried food tastes good - If you get hush puppies and sweet potato fries, they too will taste good. UNFORTUNATE REALITY!!! Soft shelled crabs, which are fried, taste like any other breaded/fried dish. Mostly, you just taste "fried." So, rather than the greatest place to get Maryland crabs, Cantler's is just another overhyped place serving a fundamentally tasty item. I'd give them 3.5 stars, but their parking is atrocious. Cars back way up the road, taxis come down the wrong side, we had to back into some dude's driveway to get out of the way. All bad...
(3)Elizabeth M.
For all those who love yellow emulsified liver all over your fingers as you hammer and pry out your sustenance, this is your place. The location is great, off the beaten path but the outdoor patio has dirty plastic coverings when cold which obstructs quite the beautiful view. The hush puppies were standard and service usual. Overpriced for sure but a fun experience. Bring bandaids for the blood drawn on the shells and a large credit card line for the Benjamin's dropped.
(3)Neena R.
We went on a Thursday evening and while they were busy, there was no line and they weren't packed! Market price on crabs - large (75/dozen), extra large (95), and $32 for all you can eat. Debated between a half dozen large and AYCE, and went with the latter. Ended up eating a tray of small/mediums and doing more work for the same amount of crab and paid the same. But, part of crab picking is the experience, right? Crabs were delicious, service was great. Always a good time at Cantler's!
(4)Eric J.
A must try spot for seafood in Annapolis!
(3)Toan D.
Atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. Diners share long tables. When we first walked in the hostess was super friendly and helpful even though it was a busy Saturday night. We waited about 15 minutes. While waiting I got a couple of beers from the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient. After getting seated, there was some mix up and the waiter didn't arrive at our table for 10 minutes. After arriving he apologized for the mix up and the service was excellent from then on. The food overall was a bit of a disappointment. The steamed oysters were the size of my fingernails and super cold. The clams strip were also cold, chewy and flavorless. The stuffed Rockfish was average at best. The fish lacked seasoning and had a medicinal taste. The blue crabs were a big hit. Sweet and meaty. The soft shell clams were also a big hit. I would come back on a less busy night and eat crabs and soft shell clams.
(3)Hope C.
I love Cantler's. I dream about it. Sure you can get cheaper crabs just across the Bay Bridge, but honestly, for convenience's sake, this place is worth it. As everyone has mentioned, the restaurant is located on the water in a residential inlet of the Chesapeake Bay and has an outdoor deck overlooking the water, as well as a large indoor dining area with a decent-sized bar. You can watch them pulling the crabs right out of the traps - it's all freshly caught. There is never a shortage of employees here. Always well-staffed and full of efficient servers, the management here has the ship going at full speed. I've only ordered steamed blue crabs here. There's really nothing else you need to know. Go with the large ones if you can - they're so much better and worth the extra $15. This is what Maryland's all about - beers in a can, brown paper on the table, the smell of Old Bay in the air and the clinkclinkclink of the mallets hammering away at the crab claws. Blue crabmeat is so sweet and tender and tastes perfect without dipping it in butter and Old Bay -- but those two condiments make it that much better! A word to the wise: if you've never picked blue crabs before, this place will require some work. It's a mess, it takes awhile, you may burn your fingers and it takes a little bit of experience to work out all the meat from the body. Make sure you go with someone who can teach you, and stay open-minded and patient. Once you've got it down, you'll never go back...and you'll be dreaming about those little gems from the bay just like I do!
(5)Seth G.
I go here since it my 90+ year old Grandmothers favorite place to eat. She has been coming here since she was a young lass. It is off the beaten path, but it worth going down that path. It on Mill Creek and when the weather is on your side, it is nice sit on their deck and have your meal. When deciding what you are going to eat, you can not go wrong with the seafood. The service has always been great. But what is most import is that my Grandmother has always enjoyed herself. If you are wondering, I too have enjoyed every meal I have had here. The most recent time I had the rockfish sandwich (broiled) with hush puppies.
(3)Lizhe Y.
I saw someone posted really good review on Facebook and that's why I took my family here. We drove all the way from New York (yes I am such a crazy foodie lol) on July 3rd (a bad time to go to a popular restaurant). We waited 30 minutes for parking and another hour to get seated. The restaurant was insanely busy. We had a really nice sever but the food was hmmmm okay. We ordered a dozen of medium size steamed crabs. Maybe the season is not right?! Our crabs were pretty "lean" lol. The spice was too overpowering. And a dozen "just okay" crabs for $55?? That's a bit pricey! We also had mussels and clams. Mussels were just average, the clams were horrible. All I tasted was sand, sand, sand. Even after I tried to wash them in the water that was provided with the claims, I still couldn't get rid of the sand. The best thing we had there was the fried sweet potato fries..... So not worth it to drive from NY to here for this....
(1)Joodie T.
It's everything everyone says it is. We were lucky to even find this joint as it mostly hosts docked boats coming in from a day out on the water. Apparently, only the locals are able to find this place by car...but! now yelpers who are in need of good seafood are able to drop in for a much needed Maryland crab fix. Look around, if you're not ordering anything with crab in it or if there's not a mallet in your hand, you're doing it wrong. Cool deals like 38 bucks for a beer and unlimited crabs for 2 hours or if you have time, sit down to a dozen or half dozen crabs and enjoy the view. Don't be in the hurry to go anywhere, it'll mess up the experience.
(5)Brad H.
Probably the best local crab house Ive ever been to - this place is a bit small but there is outdoor and indoor seating to accommodate the best they can They do take reservations but you need to have 10 people or more so keep that in mind Location is in a cool out of the way place - or at least I thought but leaving there at night after drinking your fill of beers or mixed drinks could get a bit rough on the tighter roads that lead you in and out of there so be mindful of that Im from California and we dont have crab houses like this so I really enjoyed it Bar tender was friendly really liked her quick service especially on a busy night when the Ravens were playing. I definitely got a more "locals" vibe as the location seems to really only serve the surrounding community so a bit of a plus if you can find this hidden gem Located right on the water so the right night would make for a great atmosphere for a group or couple Ok onto the food - crab house - go there for crabs not for a burger (even though someone in my group had the burger and said it was good)_ I was there for the crabs and the seafood. went through 4 dozen medium sized blues which were great - pricing seemed to be there with market pricing maybe a bit higher so be prepared for that - also had the crab soup - great flavor which I could have handled more of it but got too full I would return on my next trip to Maryland
(5)Greg B.
This place is highly overrated. If you are a hard shell crab fan then this is ok, But everything else was sub-par. Not worth waiting in line. The servers are good.
(2)Stella Z.
You can get a dozen of blue crabs for $70~90 here, but we were so glad that we did not get it. Crab was meh, service was terrible. We waited a little bit at the door and from when we sat down to the food on the table takes about an hour. It is not just our waitress but the old couple next to us also waited a Long Time. Their waitress just disappeared for a long time. Food is not worth it. Don't know why there are so many reviews.
(3)Dana F.
Great tasting good. A little pricey but that's seafood for you. Would go again! Great place on the water.
(4)Ted P.
Yelp you have fail me again....I don't know why this place is popular? Maybe because I'm so used to great seafood while I was in Florida but this place was huge dissapointment. Overpriced foods with long john silver quality at best...The day I went, they were charging $110 for dozen x-large blue crabs but in reality size was between medium and large. Definitely not worth the money or the effort.
(1)Ryan S.
This is the best New England Clam Chowder I've ever had! The crabs are also amazing. Our sever, Devera, was very nice and accommodating. She even spent the time to teach me how to properly crack a crab! Very fun experience with a great view right on the water. Will Definitely be back when we're in Annapolis area again.
(5)A.R. P.
Even a symphony, resplendent with horns and strings, needs some percussion. Here, the sound of wooden mallets, striking crab claws, punctuates the dull hum of conversations and distinguishes the sound that's locked inside the restaurant. Nearly, everyone is eating crabs. And, glancing around, one may see diners, stuffing yet another luscious piece of meat into their mouths, or, with their arms half-cocked, ready to strike another note. "Pow!" "Crack!" The sounds are beautiful. Once steamed and doused with Old Bay seasoning, the sweet essence of crab is made just salty and spicy enough. It's a glorious flavor profile, really--and, worth all of the labor that goes into extracting it. Frankly, most diners won't be back here for a while. The experience here is seasonal. Coming here is an excursion. They'll tolerate a little work. Besides, the rest of the offerings, which are far easier and less messy to eat, would likely be the discordant notes that get tidied up at the next rehearsal--you know, like the trombonist or violinist who gets pulled aside and is encouraged to take up pottery or stamp collecting instead. Yes, the lackluster crab cakes and other entrées will have you thinking that.
(3)Amanda C.
Was excited to go there because of all the reviews. Honestly I thought it was horrible. Sides were good but I didn't even eat my shrimp salad sandwich. Beers are only in a car. Thought it was over priced for being served with plastic cups and the quality of food...
(2)Dee B.
Disappointing! Waitress forgot to mention the specials to us, and because they were listed on the side of the napkin holder - the side that was facing away from our end of the table, we only found out about them when another server walked up to us with a delectable looking and sounding crab-stuffed portabello mushroom. The three of us each had a different sandwich, and they were all small. Sides were nothing to write home about, either. I'll definitely go to other seafood/crab places before I return here!
(2)Janet L.
The scenery is beautiful. The service was good. But the crabs were expensive and lousy. Very overcooked. So disappointing.
(1)Stacy M.
We had relatives in from out of town for a funeral, and needed someplace nice to eat. Reading the reviews, this looked like a good pick. VERY disappointed. We had crab cakes, crab cake sandwiches, and crab soup, both Maryland and cream of crab. The soup was delicious. That was about the only good thing. The crab cakes were absolutely the WORST we have ever had!! The menu said lump crab meat. The crab meat was not lump at all. It was shredded, dry, and had NO flavor whatsoever. Very, very bland. Tartar sauce and worcestshire sauce didn't even help. They were terrible. A waste of money, the crab cake platter was $32. Ugh. Will never go back.
(1)Pete S.
I almost want to fake give this place a one star rating, only so more people won't go to it. This is the best crab place in Annapolis and is a true hidden treasure. They actually do a great job of hiding it because it's at the end of a road in a neighborhood. If you want to go on a weekend, do yourself a favor and show up early, because it gets very crowded and the wait can spike quickly. But, if you've got to wait, drink a couple of beers, go down to the sorting dock and enjoy the serene waterfront location.
(5)Simply D.
It's hype. Ordered Seafood Broiler dish. It was disappointingly bland for my taste. I was expecting more for a $29 dish. There were four of us and none of us though this place was any special. It might just be good for its ambiance being close to the water. Food wise, NOT recommended.
(2)Monique P.
We went early for the all-you-can-eat crabs and it was yummy. Our server was very attentive and kept asking if we wanted more crabs as our stash was diminishing. The crabs were medium sized, which expected for that particular deal but you could order any size up to extra large outside of the deal by the dozen. Oh and the deal came with fresh corn on the cob, which also yummy. I will def. be revisiting this place.
(4)Ethan L.
This is without question the best dock side seafood restaurant that I've ever been to in the state of Maryland. The inside is a cozy bar and dimly lit area filled with relics of the past, and patrons portraits that have come and gone. Outside is where the action is where you can sit in a covered tent area or in benches out in the open. The Seafood here is plentiful and top notch quality. The soups, sandwiches are all first rate and while not always fancy, are packed with choice tasty seafood meat and goodness. The lump crab cake sandwich is plentiful, the cream of crab soup hearty, and the butternut squash crab soup is a perfect sweetness that hits with the crab nicely. Steamers are bountiful, you get alot if you order them. The creek waters nearby are also a nice touch, and you can even see them processing the crab right outside on the dock. But the best part is that to date this is the best place I've had steamed crabs anywhere. They come in fresh, luckily in good size, and you can order a bunch, and the best part is you can even order just one! I loved the fact you can order just one and then give myself room to have other items on the menu. Plus more importantly they spice them AFTER they have been cooked instead of throwing the spice on them first. Decent beer selection of craft and macro to go with your order and what more could you ask for, and the drive to the restaurant is always a great trip as well. Visited probably outside of a peak tourist time, which was still busy but easily manageable, but without question this is a place I will be returning to as much as I can.
(5)Jessica E.
Came here after a wedding with a large group (19) with high hopes. The restaurant service was terrible, they didn't seem too busy, there were tables open and plenty of servers. Our meals came out at different times, they forgot the only two appetizers we ordered, they forgot a lobster dinner and it arrived by mean manger after we had all completed eating and the seared tune came out well done when asked for raw, and the salad came out with croutons wen we notified the server that the person was gluten free, they then returned the salad with the croutons picked off and our friend got sick. The most important review is the crabs- 2 dozen $80 and about what seemed like 2 cups of crab meat that we were actually able to eat. The worst was the yellow bile was liquid and covering everything. From what I know that means the crabs were not prepared properly. My Delaware crab experience was much better. I would avoid the crabs here all together.
(1)Brendan B.
Our family loves eating here before Navy football games. My favorite is the Maryland Crab soup that is spiced to perfection. We keep coming back.
(5)Alanjaboo S.
Excellent food. we got a dozen large crabs, shrimp platter and oysters. The waitress didn't tell us there was even an option for 1/2 dozen crabs so we paid $70 for a dozen for just 2 of us. That would have been my only complaint. The shrimp were large and delicious and came with extra seasoning and butter to add once you peeled them which was nice. We got there at 11am and got right in with a seat outside on the deck. 10 minutes later the place was PACKED!!! Get there early if you dont want a 2+ hour wait!!
(4)Tu-van L.
Tip: to ensure that you get a table promptly, plan to arrive there at least 15 minutes before the open. There were only a handful of people there at that time, but by the time doors open the line is few dozen deep. Another tip: use your GPS to find this place. This crab shack is so deep in residential area you wouldn't know this is there unless you're looking for it. Yet another tip: brush up on your crab shucking skills before coming. Found out that I'm not big into (shucking) Maryland blue crabs. Which makes it hard for me to decide if I don't care for the place because of that to the quality of food and services offered. Crabs were good and perfectly seasoned with Old Bay. They were on the expensive side, so you may need to order other unremarkable sides to supplement your meal. A dozen larges with fried clams, fries and hush puppies were enough to satisfy 3 people. If the weather is nice enough, I highly recommend sitting outside. Nice view of the docks. And I recommend ordering everything in the beginning while the wait staff is attentive. I remember being thirsty by the end of my lunch with an empty water cup on hand (Old Bay does that to me). All in all I thought Canntlers is a great local-feeling place for a crab eating experience. I can see why locals like to come here. I'm just not sure it's something I'll go out of my way for anytime soon. I'll just stick with Maryland crab cakes. :)
(3)Zoe G.
Had a great time.... The food was good, it tasted fresh. The atmosphere was great, right by the water, everyone enjoying themselves. The soft shell crab was great, same with the rock fish. I really enjoyed the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. The crab cake and the scallops were good. Glad we got there early, traffic and parking were a mess by the time we were leaving.
(4)Rosemary C.
This place is AMAZING. Great super fresh food. Awesome servers fast service. I'll 1000%be back.
(5)Soie J.
1 word = DREAM! More words... For a New Yorker like myself (but grew up in Seattle, home of Dungeness Crabs), this place is heavenly! Amazing food in a super casual atmosphere. We (2) ordered 8 Maryland blue crabs, large bucket of steamers, fried clam strips and some drinks. Everything was fresh and delicious with great service! And the total came out to $120 w/o tip. Every dollar was worth it! I can't wait to return in August!! Small warning to NYers: lots of Ravens fans here! ;-)
(5)Tatum L.
Some of the best crab! Pure 100% MD crabs. Had a great crab cake, too. Worth the price & wait.
(5)Ace A.
Craps cake was amazing , Services also very good ,i like craps cake & craps trays . Hope to find more experience next time
(4)Albert L.
So this was my second visit to Cantler's, and let's just say it was better than I had remembered. The approach to the Riverside Inn is misleading to the uninitiated - you're going through a neighborhood on a narrow backroad, so you may feel lost. Never fear, a clearing will appear. Parking is a bit chaotic with limited space, but there are attendants that will guide you towards the next available open spots. With a larger group, be prepared to wait at any time of day. They are just that popular. Our party of 8 ended up waiting a reasonable 1 hour-ish on a Sunday mid-afternoon. Guests are welcome to walk down around the pier to look at the crab pools and to relax along the river. There's usually even a small stand selling (adult) beverages up top at reasonable prices, so that's another way to enjoy the experience. All in all, it's very scenic and is great to just get that whole bay vibe. If you can (and weather permitting), definitely opt for an outdoor table. The view of boats passing by on the river while you breathe in that salty Old Bay breeze coming from your freshly steamed crabs is quintessentially Mid-Atlantic. Depending on supply, you'll have options of medium, large, and extra large crabs for order. These babies are FRESH. You WILL be spoiled by Cantler's if you've never had the bay crab experience before. For a group of 8, two dozen was a decent portion, though the experts could probably go for even more. Also of note - the menu here is huge. They've got mussels, clams, hush puppies, fries, crab bruschetta, corn on the cob, fish frys, etc ... It's a smorgasbord. But really, you're here for the fresh crab. As appetizers, we did order the hush puppies, fries, and crab bruschetta, which were all very good. Some also got the fresh corn, and that went well with the old bay seasoning and butter on top. The crabs were immaculate, with an odd one being a bit mushier than the others. All in all, Cantler's is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon with good company, so don't miss out. Make the trip out and visit what may be one of the best crab houses in Annapolis.
(5)Dwight S.
Yes, the crabs are a little pricey. But hey, this is the real deal. If you want to have the experience of laying out a bunch of crabs on brown paper and making a big mess digging little bits of crab meat out of the poor fellow (who gave so much of himself so that you may eat) than this is the place. If you don't like the high prices of crabs, get the seafood sampler which is quite reasonable and gives you a few crabs and shrimp and a bunch of other stuff for about $28.
(5)Gary D. S.
Was staying at the Gaylord @ National Habor ( Alexandria VA.). Drove to Cantlers for a Crab Fix. 45 min. drive was well worth it. My fav place for a crab feast is St. Michaels. But this will do just fine. We were there on Academy grad week end and thought we'd have to wait to get a seat. Drove up and walked right in to crab heaven. Wife have crab the imperial plate. And I loaded up on 9 X-Lrgs. I love this place...the food...the staff...the locals...the cadets. Everybody in the place was rockin and having a great time. Stand up and salutes to Cantlers, and the USN. God Bless America!! From a Good Old Boy from West Texas I don't think I've never had a better meal and been taken care of buy anybody or any place ever.
(5)Melanie R.
I trek out to Cantlers about three times a year. Let's be honest...they do have the best crab cake in area. I have searched and yet to find better. The crab cake has been priced around $16 for a few years now..and is filled with crab, lightly seasoned and has no filler. Now the size is much smaller than G&M, but hello....water view!! This place is a must to do with your out-of-town guest. My family from NC thinks its awesome! The bad: it does require a few twist and turns to get there..and the neighborhood is a bit weird. You will see mobile homes and million dollar homes. ?? It will be slammed on a weekend..and you will wait for a table! So just deal with it..and know you will be eating good crabs, an awesome crabcake, and watching the sun go down over the bay!
(4)Cynthia X.
Visited with a large group after a full day of sailing. For visitors, the place seems a bit hidden - we drove through a woody area before reaching the restaurant. Only when we saw the parking lot filled with cars were we comforted. (For sailors, apparently, you can sail here as well). The place is roomy and casual, a no frills seafood place! While they accommodate large groups, they do not split checks. For the food - get the crab buckets. So fresh and such a good deal! A dozen large sized crabs run for $50. They also sell by the half dozen, which I shared with a friend. I was plenty full after working through 3 crabs. Beware: the dry rub on the crab is super salty, so I would try to take as much of it off the shell before you get crackin. The whole crab eating experience straight from the table and with a hammer to crack the shell is also a lot of fun! I also ordered a cup of crab soup. There are two on the menu - Maryland crab soup (tomato based, $5) and creamy crab soup ($6). They let you order a mix of the two, which is what I got (they'll charge you the $6 though). TOO SALTY. I think it was the Maryland crab soup that was over seasoned, so I would suggest ordering the creamy crab soup alone. I ate way too many crackers to balance the salt of the soup. Crab + sodium overload, but otherwise, a very happy customer.
(4)Jenny L.
The crab shack is a bit more expensive but well worth the price. The service is good while not all our crab is fresh/live, our waitress was very willing to exchange for us with no questions asked.
(4)Kimberly R.
This is a great, relaxed place for crab picking, provided you have the time to relax and wait. Lovely servers, service can be slow, but they're often slammed. Bring your patience and enjoy a delicious meal!
(4)Christine S.
Fantastic seafood!!! The hubs and I loved to come here and enjoy a big crab feast. The only thing I don't like is the squishy seating and long waits. But long waits do mean amazing food and service which this place is known for:)
(4)Amanda L.
Giving a four-star rating is purely because of the location and restaurant settings, their food truly deserves a five star in terms of freshness and originality. Some Thailand friends introduced us this place and I have no idea how did they found it, as it was a few miles away from downtown Annapolis, really inside the neighborhood, however, the place was always packed! First time Saturday afternoon, we waited for 2 hours; then second time Thursday night around 10 pm ( they close at 11pm usually) no need to wait; then Sunday noon no need to wait, this time Saturday around 7 pm is 1.5 hours wait. The place is spacious and next to the river where they raise the crabs. The parking lot is not small but cannot take too many customers. You basically start lining in the car and one person from your party goes to put your name down on the waiting list. Sometimes, even the buzzer runs out and you have to be proactively asking them for the buzzers all the time. It is a family restaurant and sometimes the receptionists are their kids (not sure) and might allocate the buzzer in a different way. Another thing is the ladies' restroom, only two stalls inside and always has a line. Some people actually just wanted to wash their hands and their is another sink outside near the deck. As Thai friends grow up with eating seafood, they showed me the correct way of eating a crab: taking 8 legs off, open the stomach and separate the crab into two parts, eat the yellow part, don't eat the white tissue, then cut the body into two parts from the middle and there are tons of meat in each part. They recommend to order Large size crabs as this size makes sure the good taste remains while you have enough to eat. I usually eat two to three crabs and one corn with butter, for guys, maybe five to six depends on your appetite. The price is calculated by dozen or half dozen, averagely every large crab is about $6. You have vinegar and butter dip sauce for crab meat. I remember the crab cakes and seafood platter are pretty good as well. I always go to Annapolis Ice Cream Company after eating lots of food for mint chocolate ice cream, then walking near the harbor and main street for some time with either friends or family was just relaxing.
(4)Ana B.
Hush puppies and calamari were NOT good. Will not order those again. We enjoyed the Large crabs. My daughter enjoyed the shrimp salad sandwich and cream of crab soup. Service was great - Emily was good! We came at 12 noon on a Wednesday. No lines. Not crowded.
(3)Joann B.
**3.5 stars** I wish this place was closer! I thought the prices were a bit high, but the seafood was pretty fresh. My friends are bay crab fans and happily chowed down. Their hush puppies and cole slaw are ok, nothing outstanding. The crab dip was creamy and had an ok amount of actual crab in there. It's good the dip didn't come in a bigger size because we needed to save room for the crab. We had some corn on the cob, but it didn't have much taste and it was kind of chewy, so those were not eaten. The best combo for us would be the crabs, fries and a bucket(s) of beer. We also had dessert and the key lime beat out the yellow cake. For a busy Sunday afternoon, the service was good and we only had to wait about 20 mins for a table for 6 in the covered section outside. It was nice to have a parking 'attendant' let us know where the available parking is located. For females, sometimes there's a long wait for the bathroom. It's really small and only has two stalls - just an FYI. It is helpful that there's a sink next to the outside seating to go and wash your hands. That way, you can avoid long lines to the bathroom.
(3)Kevin M.
You'll need a GPS or a map or to have been there before or to be friends with a person who lives next door in order to find it. Once you do I highly suggest that you ask the host for a seat because they bring food to the place where people sit and that food is good tasting (I've heard this a thing at most "restaurants"). Then when the food comes, tell your kids to stop whining because this is the first time you and mommy have been able to get out of the house for a good meal in god knows how long and will you just let us enjoy this one sliver of a moment of happiness please! Yes son those are crabs. Yes sweetie, they're dead. They're delicious, be quiet and eat your hot dog. Oh you don't like hot dogs now? Next you're going to say you don't like cheese.
(4)Hana P.
I came here one Sunday afternoon and it was so packed that there was even a line of cars waiting to get into The place is pretty small, yet popular, so I'm sure there's always a wait for a seat. When we got there, the hostess told us our wait was about 20 minutes, when it was actually nearly an hour! Thankfully, we were able to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks while we waited. We ordered extra large crabs and it wasn't until they came out that we realized the large and extra large were pretty much the same size. Meh, we were jipped. Our server was extremely nice though! The crabs were also just okay. I've had better crabs in Baltimore and over the Bay Bridge. But at this point I was dying to eat some crabs so I devoured them.
(3)Chris P.
So I had heard of this place and understood it to have a decent reputation. I kind of expected a quieter atmosphere, but I should have remembered that they are mainly known for crabs. The atmosphere was still nice outside with a great view and beautiful weather. The server was excellent and attentive. The food was good. I got snow crab legs and my girl got clam chowder. I got the fisherman's fry without the crab cake and sub scallops (because I don't mess around with friend backfin crabcakes) and she got the stuffed rockfish. All of the food was great at normal prices for such fare. Okay the only real problem I had and I can't believe no one has noticed this yet in the reviews, is the SPIDERS. Around sunset, shortly before it was getting dark, spiders started getting feisty. You think I'm joking? I'm not. They ranged from large to small and were constructing their webs around the edges and ceiling of the outside dining room. Look, I hate spiders, especially when they get feisty and active. They brought all of their friends. I thought my date was going to die (because she was sitting closer to the edge). So stressful! So look, I'm not really mad about it, but, seriously, Cantler's, get rid of the spiders...their place is in nature, not your dining establishment. Oh and by the way, our server was great, but the server next to us was terrible. She interrupted an introduction to inform the server that that table was actually hers. Are you kidding? No one trained you on common sense and decency? And then when asked a question about the menu, she responded, "well, that's what it says in the system." LOL. Please either fire or train her. Just because they are young and pretty, like myself, is no excuse for sheer ignorance, ditz, and lack of points of service. But yeah, go here, just be wary of the spiders and remember, its a loud crab house.
(3)Pat D.
2+ hour wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Both parking lots were full and the frustrated staff was no help.
(1)David J.
The crab and other seafood here is excellent and so is the atmosphere. The staff we encountered were all extremely nice and helpful. The restaurant itself is on the water and has a great patio area that is covered in winter so it's available year-round. They've also got a dock, so you can arrive by boat if you'd prefer. As far as the food goes, I really liked my crab chowder. It was extremely creamy and well-seasoned, and I didn't detect any shell in it. The fried oysters were also great. Of course, the crabs were the highlight of the meal. They come out in buckets and you have to peel them yourself. It's messy and fun, and they provide you with excellent seasoning as well as butter and vinegar if you want it. There's not much more to it than that. It's all about the seafood, and Cantler's has the best.
(5)Amber G.
Cantler's is an Annapolis seafood mainstay -- it's been around for decades and is just across the bridge from downtown Annapolis. It's got a very casual, dive-bar feel to it, with benches for communal seating. There is a great deck with outdoor seating by the water, but expect a long wait to be seated out there during a sunny weekend day or evening! The seafood here is always tasty and the service is usually very fast. For those who don't want the quintessential Maryland seafood meal of blue crabs, there are other options (As a Californian, I never learned to eat blue crabs properly as a kid and therefore now refuse to bother with all the work that is required to crack them!). I got a 1/2 lb of snow crab legs w/two sides ($12.50), which was good but it only came with a single cluster of crab legs - I guess i was hoping for a little more. Jimmy's Steamed Feast ($26) was a good, large platter including mussels, clams, shrimp, and snow crab legs -- great option for anyone wanting to try a bit of everything! Although I wasn't interested in the blue crabs, I did notice some of the prices on the chalkboard that day and was struck by the high price for the "supers" (the extra large blue crabs) that day -- I believe it was around $130/dozen. Steeeep! Great place to try -- be prepared to wait though.
(4)Gary R.
In Annapolis for 4 days on a mini vacation with the primary purpose to eat as much crab meat as we could, we headed right to the Mecca of steamed spiced crabs -Cantlers. Yeah, it's a bit off the beaten path and the narrow residential street on the way in can be a problem, but let me tell you it's worth it. The quintessential crab feast experience with the picnic table covered in a paper table cloth followed by a bucket of spiced, tasty blue crabs dumped in front of you - well, if your mouth doesn't start watering right there then there's no hope for you. We got there relatively early (4:30?) on a Monday and had no problem parking or getting seated outside on the patio overlooking the river. They had an all you can eat steamed spiced crab option on the chalkboard menu for $35 per person. Bam! Sign me up! (Large were featured at $75 a dozen that night). The first round of crabs was probably approaching 2 dozen and had a couple ears of corn on the cob with it. But I was focused on the delicious crabs. And my oh my, they were delicious. Before we were half way through our server asked if we were ready for more. Duh!! Bring em on! Within minutes another huge pile materialized just like magic. And that led to another one and.. Well, I think you get the picture. They were amazing. And the service was superb! The only caveat is there's a two hour limit on the all you can eat. They do need to turn the tables over for sure but I can attest that in two hours you can leave some serious crab carnage. And we did. If I have a complaint it's that they have only cans of beer and not a very good selection. But that's nitpicking. I can get beer anytime and anywhere. What I can't get are those spectacular blue crabs.
(4)Laura F.
We went on a Saturday and arrived at 11:30, 30 minutes after opening. There was already a 30 minute wait for the outdoor area, but we decided to wait. An hour and fifteen minutes later, we were seated. The food was good, but I can't stand when I'm given a false waiting time. It would be better to say it was a 2 hour wait then be pleasantly surprised when it wasn't.
(3)Barbara G.
This was my first time here, but it won't be my last! I enjoyed every bite: from my Oyster Riverside appetizer (minus the bacon), to the steamed soft shell clams (another first for me - delicious, but freaky looking with that tadpole tail!), to the fresh super crabs with Old Bay and drawn butter, to the sweet corn on the cob and piping hot hushpuppies, and the obligatory beer on a hot summery day. The service was quick and friendly, even in a packed restaurant. We went midday and our party of four got seated outside in a flash! (It does get crowded, but no one seemed to mind waiting for a table. Beer and wine were available so most just walked around waiting for their buzzer to signal a table was ready.) The place is very causal (think, jeans and tshirt) since it can get messy wading through a pile of crabs. Enjoy it and request plenty of napkins!
(5)Kenya F.
My company has been going to Cantler's for our outing for the last 5-6 years and this year our outing was on August 31, 2015. The service was superb and the food was delicious and readily available. We had a pretty large group and even still, they didn't miss a beat! Thanks again guys, we'll see you next year. Also, $35 for unlimited crabs ain't half bad either :)
(5)Jennifer K.
Got XL crabs for $85/dozen .... more like mediums. It's not worth the 1 hr drive, then the 40 min parking lot wait, then the 45 min table wait. A few crabs had mushy meat, you know like how if the crab is dead when cooked it's meat becomes powder? The rock fish bites were not what I expected, but ok. They were grilled (I think) and came on a bed of cabbage doubling as ehhhh slaw. Still don't know how I feel about it. I like healthy food but I didn't come here to eat hippie food. Stay away from the chocolate cake (the key lime was ok)!! Taste like Food Lion bought, nasty frosting. My search for good blue crabs continues.
(2)Maya V.
A friend and I were visiting from DC and looking for some fresh crab. Both of us are from out of state (not DC or Maryland), but appreciate some good seafood. Cantler's was great! The food was delicious. We ordered half a dozen crabs, the drunk'n mussels, crab caprese salad, and a crab cake sandwich. YUM. Lots of food, but it was a fun Sunday adventure and decided to ball out. I'd order everything again, very fresh and delicious. Reasonable price for how much food we ordered and we definitely left overstuffed. Our waiter was great, assisting us with how many crabs to order, and then upon receiving the crabs showing us how to break em open (did I mention were aren't Marylanders?). Give this place a try!!
(5)Jamie W.
I Can see this place crazy busy on a nice summer day!!! Right on the water and a nice porch right next to the water to sit in. That gets a 5 star vote. I can see the food being a 50/50 on taste. I highly recommend the rockfish bites. Totally tasty. Also had the sashimi special with tuna and that was ok so good gets the 3.5 star vote. I would totally come back to try other things just think some items will be better than others instead of the whole menu being equally good.
(4)Nancy C.
Good food, crabs, view, service, what a good experience! It was the best quality crabs I have had in Maryland aside from when they were caught and cooked within an hour. So see freshest crabs ever here! It was a Saturday night and they said the wait would be about 1.5 hours but we were pleasantly surprised when we were seated outside on the patio overlooking the river about twenty minutes later. Our server Maggie was the absolute best. She wa very attentive and friendly while taking care of the very crowded dining area. Among the crabs our table ordered some perfectly cooked spiced shrimp, a bucket of clams, cream of crab soup and basket of sweet potato fries, all were top notch fantastic. I can't wait until our next visit there, just going to get there earlier as it does get very busy in there.
(5)Richard S.
Been coming here for years! Great place to sit outside and eat crabs and drink beer! Very down to earth with no airs, but they always have the best crabs. Last night the Supers were $120 a dozen so we took a pass. understandable on the pricing because it's too early in the season. Girlfriend had Jimmy's Feast (shrimp, mussels, king crab, clams) which was indeed a feast, and I had oysters on the half shell and fried oysters (yum). Our server was awesome as always the case. this is a MUST for what it is although not fine dining by any means but they don't try to present themselves that way as the plastic plates and silverware would suggest!.
(4)Danette W.
I have to say I loved eating here. We sat on the patio and had the best view while enjoying extra large crabs. They were steamed and seasoned to perfection. The customer service was amazing. They also raise their own soft shell crabs. Stop by and check it out. It's very interesting.
(5)Chris J.
Bad experience! Not worth the wait or the money. After waiting an hour, the hostess finally took us to our table. We couldn't however sit down because the table hadn't been busted- which was understandable considering that the previous guests were still eating their meal. The hostess took us to another empty table but by the time we got there it had already been given away. We returned to our original table which had also been given away. We finally made our way back inside to a clean, empty table. Please keep in mind the restaurant is totally packed with people and very claustrophobic (many of the tables are shared with other guests). Our server was the definition of "nice nasty." She asked what we wanted 3 times within a 6 minute period- she couldn't turn the table over fast enough. The food was poor. I ordered the lump crab cake sandwich. It was a pile of mush. I could've made a better crab cake from a can of Phillips. The she crab soup and the hush puppies were the only redeeming part of the meal. My wife and daughter's food was no better. Perhaps the crab by the dozen is what draws the crowd. Horrible service, long wait, overcrowded, mediocre food- won't be back.
(2)Benjamin O.
Probably the best seafood house in the area. The crab dip and calamari was so good! Even though it's kind of pricey I suggest getting the super crabs! In all I would recommend anyone in this area to try this place out.
(5)Allison Z.
We wanted to find an authentic place for seafood that would be kid-friendly as well. This place couldn't have been better. We sat on their spacious outdoor covered/screened-in deck at picnic tables covered with butcher paper. There were tons of local IPAs and brews on tap, the staff was knowledgable, friendly, and fast (which is also important with kids). For starters we had the crab dip which came with 2 mini French bread loaves and was plenty to share amongst our party of 5 adults, 2 kids. I was very impressed with the amount of crab dip they gave us, some places are chintsy with their dip but we had to order extra bread to even finish the dip! I had the lump crab cake sandwich with the upgraded sweet potato fries and it was the best crab cake have ever had. Other orders in our party were the shrimp salad, the fried fish sandwich, and the crab chowder. Everyone was very pleased with their orders. While we waited for our food I took my boys down the steps to the dock to watch the boats. The drive there will have you wondering if you took a wrong turn because you go through very residential areas but it all the more proves this place is a hidden diamond in the rough!
(5)Lauren W.
Visited this past Sunday and really wanted crabs- $90 a dozen. We skipped the crabs. Ordered shrimp as an appetizer and they were disgusting and I found out why. I told the server that they were over cooked and could we have another order. She proceeds to tell me they are steamed in the morning then placed in a bag and re-heated to serve. I was in shock that a "seafood" restaurant wastes shrimp like that. HORRIBLE. We choose the Rockfish bites instead and those were decent. Crab cake sandwich and rockfish sandwich were both good. My sweet potato fries were soggy. The place is really run down and if you sit outside you will sit with other people. The view really wasn't worth sitting outside. I was really disappointed and don't see myself returning.
(2)Katie K.
Crabs have been consistently good and fresh every time I've been here. They are definitely over seasoned with old bay. On some of the crabs it's all you can taste. Blue crab meat is sweet and tender...why cover up that awesome flavor? The service here leaves MUCH to be desired. The parking guys always look like the rolled in the dirt, the hostess stand is full of confused and stressed out staff, the servers have this attitude that everything you ask for is a bother and have forgotten to bring drinks, side salads, and condiments every time we've gone. The setting is really worth what you spend on the crabs. It's beautiful and relaxing to sit on the docks while you wait for your table. It's fun to watch the crabs on the lower deck. I could not imagine sitting inside even on the hottest day. The indoor dining area is dark, dank, looks and feels dirty. The ladies bathroom is pretty cramped and always so wet, wash your hands quickly or risk being hit by the door! :) Overall, I can see the why this place is always so busy. Fresh crabs, water view, unique location, family owned.. I get it. But it's a bit of a shame that the staff makes no effort to make you feel like they appreciate your business.
(3)Jenny P.
No line for lunch on Thursdays! Among the three of us, we shared a dozen large crabs, side of hush puppies, and fried green tomatoes. I do not recommend the hush puppies as they were very dense and two seconds away from being hard to chew. I had no prior experience with fried green tomatoes, and could not tell you whether they were good or bad. But they tasted like tomatoes... that were fried. For some reason, my girlfriends and I thought that it would be a great idea to show up to Cantler's dolled up and in sundresses. One crab in, however, we were already dusted with Old Bay and flying flecks of crab shell. Not to mention that it was a warm, muggy day out. (I would recommend sitting inside actually since even under the patio umbrellas, you will feel very hot.) Basically, you will be a hot mess and getting through 4 crabs will take at least an hour. But the effort is so worth it as you will leave stuffed with tasty, juicy crab meat!
(4)Cibby G.
Took my sister here for lunch and it was worth the trip from Baltimore and Woodbridge....Food is amazing!!! Waitress was so helpful and so nice! Even the people eating there were so nice! In short an amazing meal 360. Try the soft shell crabs it was very tasty with a squeeze of lemon juice. MAKE SURE you get there early. We were in line waiting to go in 10 minutes to opening. It's THAT GOOD!
(5)Mim L.
Hands down the best steamed Maryland Blue Crabs and clams I've ever had. Not over or under cooked at all. They were perfect! The hush puppies weren't bad either. We sat outside on the patio. Great place to come with family, friends, on a date - whenever. It was our first time there on a Wednesday afternoon, we got seated right away on the patio but I'm sure the place is packed on the weekends. The staff was friendly. Loved everything about this place. Definitely worth the 45 min drive from DC. Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)Karen L.
Seriously they have the best crab cake ever! No fillers, no nonsense. Just straight up crab. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for. I also ordered a dozen blue crabs. Came here on a Sunday about 11:30am, right before the rush. I'd suggest to come early and get parking. The wait is long. Only complain is their tiny bathroom. After all that feasting, you have to cram in there to wash your hands. The door opens right at the sinks, so watch out!
(4)Ben S.
This place is just fine. First, the positives: Our big group (9 people) was seated without issue as soon as we arrived, and the crabs and calamari were quite good. It wasn't too crowded on a Tuesday night and our food came out fairly promptly, especially the crabs. They had non-fish options for an allergic friend, though his chicken salad came out somewhat slowly. Now for the less good stuff: The hush puppies were a bit bland, the fries were a little too greasy, and the portions weren't exactly huge. The one thing that was annoying was our server. He kept pushing rounds of Patron shots on us. I get that we're a big group and that we look like we're looking to have a good time, but maybe after the second time suggesting a round of Patron shots and being rebuffed, it's time to let that one fantasy go. Five times is too many times to ask.
(3)Charry L.
Great seafood restaurant with a great ambiance. Our family went on a sunny summer afternoon Down the stairs, it's fun for the kids to see their staff sorting the crabs by the size, take pictures by the pier, and wait for the buzzer to buzz. Since the crabs were not in season, they only had the small and medium sizes available. The last time we were here, the crabs were in season and they were much larger - As for the price, they range more on the expensive side. Four of us went and the check came up to $170. Snow crab legs are better than the blue crabs (in my opinion) - Half lbs of snow crab legs are half the crab. Shrimps were lump and delicious too. We also had the crab cakes ($32) - the best option. There arent' that much fillers in the crab cakes - all lumpcious meat! Would definitely return for their crab cakes.
(5)Fred K.
By far my favorite crab house in the DMV! It is worth the drive from the DC burbs. I come here on my way back from the beach or a Saturday day trip to Annapolis. My older brother who lives in NY always wants to eat here in the summertime. I concur! There are other crab houses on Kent Island (Harris, Kentmorr), which are closer from the beach and went to Harris, as were so hungry, but they ran out of crabs! We left and went to Harris and boy we were so happy. We got xlarge crabs and was beyond stuffed after 3 crabs (2 crabs is more than enough). It's well worth the price, compare to medium and large size. They also have a crab feast, which I got the previous time, and is great with large groups. It's rather dark inside and always request outdoor or the back, where it is bright and nice water views. There is a dock where you can walk after your meal, which is nice.
(5)Baird S.
I've been coming to Cantler's on and off over the past 5 years. It has the feel of a genuine crab shack, it's usually packed, and the other clients at the paper draped picnic tables are likely to be friendly folks who'll start up a conversation. But besides crabs, the meals I've had have been forgettable and overpriced, especially since most of them came served on styrofoam plates. I'll be going to other places like Deep Creek instead,where the food is better.
(2)Katie L.
Cantler's is the quintessential Annapolis experience. Come for all-you-can-eat blue crabs, snow or king crab legs sold by the half pound, and fried seafood restaurant treats like hushpuppies and crabcake sliders. It's a crab lovers' paradise. On weekends, come early to avoid crowds and long lines. For lunch, get in before noon if you can. The outdoor views are worth the wait. Almost everyone orders the Maryland blue crabs, but if you want the views and crack your way to a great meal experience, I recommend going for the king crab legs. Your efforts are rewarded in huge, not that hard to work for quantities. I enjoyed our half hour wait at the bar. Beers are only available by the can. Magnificent ambiance and great food and wonderful service. Will return, repeatedly.
(5)BossLady L.
This is the best Crab Cakes I've ever had!!! And I must've had about 20 crabs! This is by far the best crab place I've been to anywhere! The customer service is great too! When in Annapolis this is a must!
(5)Daniel A.
Yum yum yum!!!!! I know. I am giving them the big five stars. But here is my reasoning: Service: outstanding. Orders taken promptly and correctly. When "I" made a mistake an ordered another beer, not remembering that I had already asked for one. The server brought another bowl full of ice to keep my beer cold till I was ready for it. Also, drinks were always filled up for you and at a crab shack, this is IMPORTANT!!! Those that know what I'm talking about know. As for others, your hands are full of crab. You don't want to be slowed down because you need to fill up your drink cup from the pitcher!! Food: Amazing!!!! Cooked perfectly and all served to your table with very little wait!!! All was HOT, and the crabs sweet and delicious!!! Steamers melted in your mouth!!! Atmosphere: Open, friendly and fun. What more do you need!!!
(5)Hyunjoo K.
Overall pretty good. I ordered medium sized steam crabs and some of my other friends ordered extra large size. I'd say go with the medium size! It was just tad bit smaller than the extra large and medium sized crabs had packed meat! But I guess it all depends on season and when the crabs were caught. Other side dishes like tater tots, hush puppies, fried shrimp, peel off shrimps, they were all good! I really like the secluded riverside location of the restaurant too! But be sure to wait in line to park the car at least 30 minutes!!
(4)Amanda S.
If you want Maryland crabs and an authentic Annapolis experience you definitely need to go here! Picnic tables and a casual setting on the water with a friendly staff. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu- it is all fantastic!
(5)Sal D.
I've been going here for 10 years and it's always been a great time. The crabs always taste great and come out fresh. However, this past Sunday I took my girlfriend here for the first time. The crabs took a bit longer than I'm use to but no big deal. Towards the end of our meal right before we left, my girlfriend got real sick (food poison) and could not figured out what happened since we ate the same meal. It was probably the crabs because that's all we ordered. Not sure what has changed but I cannot risk another experience like this. Maybe the crabs are cooked differently but I will be going to another crab restaurant.
(3)Tricia S.
The wait for parking was extremely long, the wait for a table was even longer. We ordered the extra large crabs but the only thing large was the price! They were smaller then the party next to us that had large crabs....definitely not worth it. To make matters worst my fiancé and I got VERY sick as soon as we left the place. Obviously the crabs were not fresh. Thanks Cantlers for the food poisoning. This was our first and last time at this restaurant. Don't believe the hype!
(1)Poppy H.
Amazing! I know this sounds weird for a seafood place, but their mozzarella sticks and pizza are awesome. Don't miss the cream of crab soup and ask for a small loaf of their french bread to dip in.
(5)Ann B.
If I could give this place zero stars, I would. I was so excited to come here after hearing such great things about the crabs. We are from New York/Boston and spending the summer in Virginia. We drove over an hour just to share this experience with our children. My god what a bad idea and a restaurant with such terrible hospitality. My husband and I came her with our two kids for lunch... Arrived at 2:30. Asked for the wait time. 30 min for indoors, 1 hr for outside. We told the blonde Sunday day "head host" that we had two very hungry kids and whichever was available first. After 30 minutes of waiting, she told us the table was available, inside.. We decided it would be better for everyone if we were seated outside because of our kids. She then told me "well you will be put back to the bottom of the list". We should've been put to the next outdoor table since we said "next available" and the next "next available" person should go to the indoor table. Anyway, at this point I told her "fine. We will wait because as you already know, my two kids are hungry". We waited for an additional hour and when I went to check on our status, the host didn't know where my name was and lost it on the list. It was now 4:15 and I was told for the second time in 1 hour that I was "next on the list". If you're looking to be just a number, this is the place for you. I don't care how good your food is, or how good your prices are, if you treat me and my family with such carelessness, then I want everyone to be warned.
(1)Heather M.
Went for the steamed crabs! They were delish as well as the fries and onion rings. Our server was great and even though we took our time eating the crabs she would come check on us every while and again. Expect to go through some residential areas to find this gem.
(5)Tammie R.
**Getting there** It feels like your going to someone's house b/c your going down a narrow road in a neighborhood but you will get there eventually. We waited about 30 minutes to park and then a little over 1.5 hours till we got s table. But it was Memorial weekend, and summer time around 6pm so duh, there will be a wait. Let me tell you, it was worth the wait. **Food** What we liked- crabs (pricey though at 96 a dozen), fried crab cakes (yummy), jumbo lump crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, hush puppies, mussels, half calm chowder /half maryland soup (the BOMB) What we didn't like- Piña Coladas (yuck), crab dip (it was good but I won't order again), **Enviroment** Enviroment is fun, noisy, crowded (but you have your space). There is always a line to the restroom. Place smells like seafood and you eat on long tables which you may be sharing. **Leaving** We received our check all together even though we asked them to Seperate but they said they can't split tickets but they did take two credit cards to pay. So recommend taking a couple hundred in cash if going in large groups. Overall, we all truly enjoyed our time there even the kiddos and I felt it was worth the wait. Maybe not every weekend but once in a while.
(4)Tim B.
Classic quintessential Maryland. Everything is great, especially the not so great parts because they are exactly as they should be. Circa 1965ish decor right on the water where you can explore the tanks that keep the food fresh. Timeless mer-land style crabs, delectable hush puppies. I need to go back for those rock fish bites that I have heard so much about. I love how you can show up 10 minutes before closing AND have the staff warmkly encourage that you sit down and still order food.
(4)Lady B.
My very first YELP! Fail!!! I really just wanted to scream YELLLLPPPPPP!! $32 cakes FULLLLL of shells-- no draft beers, only canned beers! Was told "Happy hour" was over (it was 5:48) Service was lack luster. We arrived just before a big rush and took twenty minutes just for the waitress to introduce herself? Nice water view but would not come during any hot months-- rancid smell in the air. Very disappointed. $96 later -- crab cake, four beers, shrimp platter, hush puppies (cold/dry), coleslaw(bland) And community seating. We would not have minded normally. But got many stares ... They scooched over and looked Kind of uncomfortable Side note : We are brown.
(2)Noel H.
Steamed crabs were excellent. Price was high but they are everywhere. Service very good and view / atmosphere awesome. Dine outside if you can and sun is not too high!
(4)Kevin F.
Funky, dive-y, fun...can't wait to hit this place during crab season on Moto...parking slim and narrow road....not sure what the alternative is, but this place is worth the hassle
(4)Tom E.
Parking sucks, Long wait, very expensive, the bar smelled like vomit and my wife and I were seated ridiculously close to the only door to the outside seating. Most of the food was under seasoned, if seasoned at all. The crab cake was, however very good (mostly lump, minimal breading). The filet had maybe 2 grains of salt on it.
(2)thomas l.
Half the crabs were dead, it was like eating mush. Tried large and extra large. Waited an hour and half for seating.. Only thing that was good were the hush puppy.
(1)Lynie H.
Located in an neighborhood area...it might seem like ur lost but ur not..u'll get there. Wait might be long..crabs were good..get large :-) their other sides were good too
(4)Nancy D.
We had the crab cakes and rockfish; both entrees were good. The hush puppies were excellent, slightly sweet and oh so tasty. It was hard not to fill up on them even though the crab cakes were still unfinished on my plate. The broccoli was decent. All in all a good place, but IMHO, the prices were a tad high for such a casual atmosphere.
(3)Rick G.
We went here on Saturday at 1. Place was packed and we were directed to the overflow parking lot. We checked in and were told an hour wait. We found a spot at the bar. The wait was only 30 minutes. We ordered extra-large crabs and onion rings. Food was fantastic and so was our server, Kristen! We highly recommend this place!
(5)Timothy H.
HYPE!!! Some reviews will have you believing that this place will take your tastebuds up beyond the stratosphere and fill your grandkid's days with tales of indulging in succulent crab delights beside the river. REALITY!!! Crabs taste good. - If you get crabs at Cantler's they will taste good. Fried food tastes good - If you get hush puppies and sweet potato fries, they too will taste good. UNFORTUNATE REALITY!!! Soft shelled crabs, which are fried, taste like any other breaded/fried dish. Mostly, you just taste "fried." So, rather than the greatest place to get Maryland crabs, Cantler's is just another overhyped place serving a fundamentally tasty item. I'd give them 3.5 stars, but their parking is atrocious. Cars back way up the road, taxis come down the wrong side, we had to back into some dude's driveway to get out of the way. All bad...
(3)Ryan S.
This is the best New England Clam Chowder I've ever had! The crabs are also amazing. Our sever, Devera, was very nice and accommodating. She even spent the time to teach me how to properly crack a crab! Very fun experience with a great view right on the water. Will Definitely be back when we're in Annapolis area again.
(5)Jacky M.
I was a little skeptical at first, but I heard from numerous people this was the place to go for crabs, and while I love Mike Crabs House, Cantlers destroys it. I first went here on August 30th, which was a Sunday and my skepticism began it appeared I was going down a completely wrong road! BOY am I glad that my husband kept driving! It took us quite a while to be sat but around 9 pm our party of 13 was finally sat! Our Server Scott was extremely friendly and knowledgable of the menu. We enjoy-ed our experience so much that we returned on September 2nd, a Wednesday, where our server Alice was also very friendly and knew the menu! She helped explain all the specials to us and made our dining experience very great! And as U Can Tell We are addicted! We visited this Sunday (the 6th) and were very happy with our server Grace! I cannot put into perspective how good all of our servers were and how much we have enjoyed our experience here. A few tips for people who come here - If you come on the weekend, come early! Saturday and Sunday you can expect to wait for a table, sometimes as long as two hours. I definitely recommend week days if it all possible, the amount of people there was so drastically different between Sunday and Wednesday. my only real gripe with this place is parking! The parking lot is absolutely horrid and we had to wait 30 minutes just to park our car. I would also like to point out that the "Black RockFish Bites" are absolutely delicious! However I would like to point out they really aren't "bites" they are more so just a good portion of black rockfish on top of a cole slaw sauce, which is outstanding, but they may want to consider changing the name of that while very tasty, also misleading title dish.. EveryThings Considered, Food is Great, Staff is GREAT, atmosphere is GREAT. I would highly recommend for seafood eaters!
(5)Pete S.
I almost want to fake give this place a one star rating, only so more people won't go to it. This is the best crab place in Annapolis and is a true hidden treasure. They actually do a great job of hiding it because it's at the end of a road in a neighborhood. If you want to go on a weekend, do yourself a favor and show up early, because it gets very crowded and the wait can spike quickly. But, if you've got to wait, drink a couple of beers, go down to the sorting dock and enjoy the serene waterfront location.
(5)Simply D.
It's hype. Ordered Seafood Broiler dish. It was disappointingly bland for my taste. I was expecting more for a $29 dish. There were four of us and none of us though this place was any special. It might just be good for its ambiance being close to the water. Food wise, NOT recommended.
(2)Stella Z.
You can get a dozen of blue crabs for $70~90 here, but we were so glad that we did not get it. Crab was meh, service was terrible. We waited a little bit at the door and from when we sat down to the food on the table takes about an hour. It is not just our waitress but the old couple next to us also waited a Long Time. Their waitress just disappeared for a long time. Food is not worth it. Don't know why there are so many reviews.
(3)Dana F.
Great tasting good. A little pricey but that's seafood for you. Would go again! Great place on the water.
(4)Ted P.
Yelp you have fail me again....I don't know why this place is popular? Maybe because I'm so used to great seafood while I was in Florida but this place was huge dissapointment. Overpriced foods with long john silver quality at best...The day I went, they were charging $110 for dozen x-large blue crabs but in reality size was between medium and large. Definitely not worth the money or the effort.
(1)S P.
Cantler's was the revival of our faith in seafood in USA!! We did not mind the wait, the noise or the mess! None of it mattered when we took the first bite of the crisp calamari and the jumbo shrimp which were mouthwatering delicious!! The corn was delightful! And the crab was just perfect!! We loved the Old bay seasoning... Wonderful mix of spices, apt for the fabulously fresh crabs! Definitely on our must visit again list!! :-)
(5)Scott H.
Great Crabs, Crabby Hostess. I've been here a few times. Love the crabs (and the steamers and the clams, etc). But, a little more attention to training the hostesses would be welcome plus. It won't prevent us from coming because the food is so good, but it's kind of a downer.
(4)Monique P.
We went early for the all-you-can-eat crabs and it was yummy. Our server was very attentive and kept asking if we wanted more crabs as our stash was diminishing. The crabs were medium sized, which expected for that particular deal but you could order any size up to extra large outside of the deal by the dozen. Oh and the deal came with fresh corn on the cob, which also yummy. I will def. be revisiting this place.
(4)Kenneth C.
This place sucks stay away!! Buddy's is better. Ok in all seriousness I only post that so tourists stay away from our little gem on the water. In all honesty I love Cantler's my family and I have been coming here for at least 20+ years the wait is long and worth it, but the bar is full and the bartending staff is quick to get you a beer. The rest of the staff is equally as friendly and jsut as attentive. Cantler's is exactly what you think of when you think crab house: on the water, cramped seating, brown paper on the tables, cheap vinyl chairs, plastic cups, silverware, no real plates and delicious and hot seafood. In otherwords the perfect crab house, if you go to a crab house expecting differnt, well you are wrong and clearly don't belong here.... BE GONE WITH YOU!
(5)Geneva H.
Yes! amazing! Certainly the full Maryland crab shack experience. Came here on a friend's recommendation and glad we did. Be prepared, the wait can be crazy and parking lot can be too. But come prepared to wait and hungry (not starving). We got there about 3pm on Sunday and the wait for inside was 30 minutes, 60 for outside. Opted to sit outside. We actually had to switch tables at one point to accommodate a large group and the restaurant bought us a round of drinks. Awesome! Suggestion of what to order for two people: 6 large crabs, tots with crab dip, Apple cheesecake (all to share), lots of beers, Bloody Marys are a nice choice. Long story short, eat here. It's good and affordable plus a unique experience. Yum!
(5)Rongze L.
Worst host service I have ever seen!!!! Terrible! Rude!!! Revengerful!!! I wish I could give 0 star!!! There are at least 4 tables available for 4 people's party, because I complained to the hostess that the seating is slow and there are plenty of tables Vacant and they don't seat people waiting. We were first for 4 party in the list, and then the hostess lead us to the table under the sun, no shade in the degree of 90! It was burning!!! I pointed out there are other tables under shades, the hostess just ignored me! Truly terrible!
(1)Ashley M.
Went on a Friday at 9PM. Sat outside. Had a few great waiters. King crab legs were amazing! Corn was some of the best I've had! Big cups of butter and lemons. Cole slaw is vinegar based (meh). Snow crab legs were also awesome. Right on the water - bring a light jacket for breezy nights.
(5)Mike S.
Definitely not worth the wait! The "extra large" crabs were actually lighter than the mediums we ordered despite the huge price difference. Plus they were missing nearly about all of their claws, thereby decreasing the total amount of meat by at least 25%. Unless there was a huge crab rumble in the steamer, someone was stealing claws maybe to put in other food. Skip this line and go elsewhere if you can.
(2)Michael R.
Enjoying the lunch special of soft shell crab and fried green tomatoes! First but not last visit here!!! Get there before 11:30 if you want lunch!
(4)Myra C.
oh my! what a gem to find... it's just good , really good fresh seafood like crab and shrimp. the crab cakes have real lumps of very fresh crab meat. the clam chowder is the best on earth, so creamy and rich, with big clumps of clam and potatoes! Yum!!!get the sides like taters with crab dip. I had a lb. of shrimp with onions and potatoes, it was super tasty! dipping sides included a nice old bay seasoning blend with richly melted butter. sooooo good! I'll be back for the chowder, blue crabs and lobster. I wish they had fried oysters but that's ok! excellent views, casual, comfy tasty eat on the patio and kick back. such a great atmosphere and excellent service!
(5)Kristen P.
Go to Cantler's for the EXPERIENCE. Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's extremely messy. Yes, there will be an hour wait for a table. However, it is definitely something to save up for whenever I know I'll be visiting the area! As soon as we were within half a mile from the restaurant, the traffic was at a standstill as people were directed into the parking lot. We had a party of 4, so the ladies got out of the car and walked right into the restaurant to put our name down. We were told it would be 45 minutes to an hour wait, so we spotted an empty high top by the bar and ordered a bottle of wine. The place was very crowded, but it was a Saturday night. The atmosphere was very straight forward -- we were in a loud, crowded crab shack on the river. Nothing more, nothing less. The guys got there within 10 minutes after parking the car. They ordered some beers and we ended up getting a bucket of steamers for $20 (soft shell clams) and an order of hush puppies. The food came out right away. As a fan of steamers, they were great. The hush puppies were also delish, but a little heavy for my taste. After an hour on the dot, we were seated outside at a picnic table right on the water. We ended up ordering a dozen large crabs to start, and that's when the fun began. This is a downright sloppy experience. Do not take someone here on your 1st-3rd date. It will not end well! Our server was very attentive, positive and helpful. At one point during the evening it started to rain and he did his best to cover our area with surrounding umbrellas just so we could stay outside and continue our evening. We left covered in Old Bay, feeling full and accomplished. I swear, food tastes better when you have to work for it! I highly recommend Cantler's as a "treat" meal with friends and family. The service is great, the atmosphere is fun and the crabs are fresh and delicious!
(4)Ty C.
This was our Saturday QT first stop of the day. This was our first time patronizing this establishment. The wait for outdoor seating was about 5min. We had the dz of jumbo crabs with the drunken mussels. The crabs were cooked perfectly and very meaty and though the mussels were good we expected a little more when ordering the bucket. We like how they have a wash station outdoors which is very convenient and feel that though it didn't stop the show the benches could be a little higher. Lastly our waitress (her name escapes me) was very attentive. We will visit again... Happy and Full...
(4)Caesar G.
Cantlers is regularly ranked one of the best crab houses in Maryland, perhaps the entire Delmarva. Believe the hype. Great crabs and great location on the waterfront. Besides the crabs, we loved the crab cakes, big lump crab with little filler and perfectly broiled. Only complaint is the service is a bit slow.
(5)art f.
Last night was my annual crab feast at Cantler's. Have a problem with their grading system. Medium, Large, XLarge and Jumbo Crabs. In truth the large should be classified medium. Other than size and weight of crabs, still our favorite. Will return every year for our crab fix. May return for a second round tonight.
(4)Kendra G.
Happy hour followed by a great dinner. I had the blackened shrimp tacos and loved every bite. Exceeded my expectations. Great views and fun watching the boats come and go.
(4)Heather J.
This place is an institution. The crabs are a bit on the pricey side, but it's not often that you get to experience something like this and it's worth it. While we waited for our table, we shared a dozen raw oysters, which were super fresh and tasty. Once seated, we got a dozen medium crabs and some hush puppies and that was enough for 3 of us. The crabs were excellent, of course, but the hush puppies were kind of boring. I wish they had come with honey butter or something. The covered outdoor deck provides a lovely seating area in which to enjoy your crab feast and the scenery at once. If you're visiting Maryland, this is a great place to try our famous blue crabs.
(4)Vanessa A.
I went Friday and had the ultimate the waiter Jordan was friendly, Alex was extremely helpful our food was delicious, bring your seafood appetite!
(5)Erin R.
My friends and I were amped to try this place as part of our Annapolis day. we arrived before opening to guarantee quick seating and while we were sat quickly enough, that's where the speed ended. My crab soup and sandwich took at least 30 minutes to come out. Soup should never take that long. We also had to consistently get up from our table to locate our waitress. The cream of crab soup was good, creamy and nicely seasoned especially with my sprinkle of old bay in it. My lump crab sandwich had lots of crab but was flavorless. The fries were excellent and crispy and of course covered in old bay by me. My table got a dozen large crabs for 80 and were similarly underwhelmed. The key lime pie we got for desert was a nice surprise and didn't appear to come from the freezer. All in all for the price, mediocre food and horrible service, I can't recommend Cantlers. Pro tip though if you do decide to go, you can bring your own wine for a $10 corking fee.
(2)Curt N.
Save your money and go to long John silvers. Over priced and crappy service. Also they may not have what u want due to running out. Poor planning on their part.
(1)Samantha G.
This was an interesting experience. There was a line of cars and a wait to even get into the parking area. Then there was over a 2 hour wait to get a table. And the whole places was completely packed with people standing around - and it was super boiling hot. The hostess stand folks were underage kids and weren't exactly friendly or pleasant - and they definitely appeared to be confused and overwhelmed. The bar area was packed. There was one decent bartender and one completely rude bartender. She was rude to the point where she actually made me cry. Literally. That is absolutely something that has never happened to me before. Horrible treatment of customers. Once we finally were seated, though, our server was very pleasant and nice. So it was a total mixed bag on service. The food was a mixed bag too. The crab cake sandwiches were practically inedible. But the platter of seafood we had was fresh and good. There's really not much to it. It's just a bunch of seafood in shells. And you break it all apart and dip it in butter, seasoning, and/or cocktail sauce. It was a fun experience, but not exactly great, fabulous, delicious seafood. Overall, if you go when it's not crowded and you're really hankering for crabs, this place will work for ya. But otherwise, in all other circumstances, I really wouldn't bother. I'll certainly not be back again.
(2)Susan F.
Okay so let me pre-face that this review is coming from a non-seafood eater. This was my second visit here...the first time was eight years ago! The scenery of this place was decent especially if you get to sit closer to the water. There are seats that are directly in the sunlight which I would prefer not to sit in as I would burn and look the color of lobster by the time I make it home. Not sure why anyone would want to sit inside, but there is inside seats available. Okay this place is super busy but the ladies restroom which has two stalls is the size of my powder room at my house. There is no room to stand in it, and expect to get hit by the door while you are standing and washing your hands. This place is SO busy! They really should renovate and make some bigger restrooms. Get there early and expect a wait time! The car line to get into the parking lot had at least 20 cars waiting to get into the parking lot by the time we left! There is a great little dock you can walk down on while you wait for your table and you can check out some of the crabs in tanks while you wait. So the crab eaters seemed to really enjoy! I had a burger and it was okay. Fries are crisp and a little crunchy, but good. My daughter tried the kids crab cake which was about the size of a golf ball. She of course wanted crab like most of the others were eating at the table. My 7 year old son devoured the crabs thanks to daddy helping him crack them. He just ate 2 but easily could have kept going. He is already planning that he wants to come back for his birthday! Soda cups are on. The small side which was a little annoying...since it was hot out. Overall, a little on the pricey side...but it is a very popular place so it must be good.
(4)Richard W.
I've heard such good things about this restaurant though never attended until this past weekend. Reading these 4-5 star reviews what strikes me as having an "experience" - and frequently it is about steamed crabs not really otherwise great food as was reflected in out visit here. Seriously not impressed from staff who clear dirty dishes, wash down a table and then prepare food - like dessert - touching the food, picking up that cherry for your dessert with their bacteria contaminated fingers. Food is high end costs - though served on styrofoam plates and drinks in plastic cups. Low overhead, more profit - if you like fried, heavily breaded foods whether what we found a rather bland crab cake or nice rock fish & chips that batter overpower losing the taste of the fish - this is your place. No drafts - all can beers - noisy bar crowd. Local establishment - with local temperament - ++ For a 5 star "experience" buy a bushel of crabs (about the price of a dozen prepared here), buy beer, a big pot, old bay seasoning, boil - invite good friends and have a great time and Save $$$$ . Better - try someplace like Mike's in Riva at least drafts, real plates, and seems better quality food - and if you want the crabs on brown paper and a hammer - they have that too. But many local places seem to be better than this. To quote the old commercial - "where's the beef?" With this place!
(2)Tasheena S.
The drive from New York was totally worth it!!! The services was great. Environment was comfortable and inviting.
(5)Courtney C.
I'm giving this place 2 stars for quick seating and customer service. My bestfriend wanted to come here for her birthday as she heard so many great things about it. We went and initially were told our wait would be 45mins but were seated within 30. After seeing the price for the crabs there was absolutely no way I was paying for it 105 for x large crabs. 85 for large 75 for medium. Just for a dozen crabs? Why!! I ended up with the crab soup and an order of hush puppies. My bestfriend ordered the crab cake sandwich. Her crab cake sandwich was extremely bland and underwhelming she enjoyed her fries and the tarter sauce. My food - hush puppies were VERY good and so was the soup. Until I pulled my spoon out of the bowl and found a hair in it!! This place is extremely overhyped and we will not be back.
(2)Ryan Z.
Cantler's is terrific, and Yelp makes that pretty clear, so here are my overall tips for making your visit the best ever: 1) If the weather is nice, or on a spring/summer weekend, be prepared to wait a long time. The wait begins with 30-45 minutes just to get a parking spot (do your fellow diners a favor and please carpool). Savvy folks with send somebody from their party to the front desk while their car is in the parking queue to put their name in, since you should expect to wait 60-120 minutes for a table during the weekend. 2) I recommend checking-in occasionally with the hostess while you are waiting for your table. One time, the pager they gave me died, so even though our table was ready, they gave it away because it didn't buzz. I usually check-in after an hour just to be sure there's no issue. 3) If you give up waiting, you can always sit at the bar. They seem to be fine with kids sitting at the bar, though if you ask me, a bar is no place for crying kids. Use your judgment. 4) Cantler's is part of the "True Blue" program which means they are certified by the state as serving (almost) only Chesapeake blue crab meat. This is a HUGE deal because local crabs can be hard-to-come-by and are more expensive. Many restaurants have resorted to flying-in crabs from the Gulf of Mexico, or using flavorless Asian or Caribbean crab meat in their crab cakes, but not Cantler's. When you eat here, you know you're getting real Maryland blues. 5) The only reasons I am knocking off a star: I am not a huge fan of their fried crab cake (needs more seasoning; stick with the broiled cake which apparently uses a different recipe), and, like so many Maryland crab houses, it drives me crazy that they use styrofoam plates, plastic cups, etc. Very wasteful and bad for the environment, not to mention it's much nicer to eat on a real plate at a restaurant.
(4)Jenny C.
If you want the Annapolis seafood/crab dining experience, I recommend going to Cantlers on a clear day and sit outside. I don't think the crabs at Cantlers is a any better than the other crab houses in town but it was the overall experience that I enjoyed. Recommend: - Crab cakes and hush puppies were great. No filler in the crab cake at all - BBQ bacon wrapped scallops were flavorful and juicy Do not get the rockfish appetizer. Not a big fan of rockfish - it was thin and tasted too fishy Tip: Get there early on a weekend evening if you want a short wait. Also, it allows you to clear out before it gets dark. We were eaten alive by bugs sitting outside after dark.
(4)Mari S.
I have been to Cantler's twice and on each occassion I ordered the largest crabs they had and they brought me the crabs that were one size smaller. On the first occasion, the waitress said that she forgot to mention that they had ran out of the size we ordered. On the second occassion, the waitress said she did not hear us clearly...yeah right
(1)Elizabeth M.
For all those who love yellow emulsified liver all over your fingers as you hammer and pry out your sustenance, this is your place. The location is great, off the beaten path but the outdoor patio has dirty plastic coverings when cold which obstructs quite the beautiful view. The hush puppies were standard and service usual. Overpriced for sure but a fun experience. Bring bandaids for the blood drawn on the shells and a large credit card line for the Benjamin's dropped.
(3)Neena R.
We went on a Thursday evening and while they were busy, there was no line and they weren't packed! Market price on crabs - large (75/dozen), extra large (95), and $32 for all you can eat. Debated between a half dozen large and AYCE, and went with the latter. Ended up eating a tray of small/mediums and doing more work for the same amount of crab and paid the same. But, part of crab picking is the experience, right? Crabs were delicious, service was great. Always a good time at Cantler's!
(4)Eric J.
A must try spot for seafood in Annapolis!
(3)Christine L.
My friend and I went here and we were ready to eat. First things you should know is that once you get within 1 mile, you should except to wait about 45-1 hr before you eat. You have to wait in the parking line and then in the actually restaurant line. We got 6 extra large crabs for 2 of us, plus corn on the cob, hush puppies and the crab cake. the whole thing cost us about $75. We were both full from this amount of food. The crab is served with old bay seasoning, butter and vinegar. The waitress was amazing and showed us how to open the crab and eat it like a pro. Corn on the Cob, you can't really go wrong here...especially since i brought back some elote style from the west coast and did butter and old bay seasoning. The hush puppies are essentially fried batter. It was okay. I wouldn't get them again, but if you like fried batter...you might like them. I especially LOVED the crab cake. It was about $7 each crab cake and the cole slaw was a great addition to it. You could taste the freshness of the cake and they just flavored it well. I would definitely come back anytime and would love to bring friends here. I wouldn't wear a white shirt as if you are pounding on the crab (which since i am a pro now and don't need to) it get everywhere and white stains...
(4)Jordan P.
Let me start out by saying this was pretty magical. The setting the food the views from the terrace onto the water. Perfect for a warm First the bloodly Mary's. Amazing spicy, thick, salty and rimmed with old bay. One of the best. And enough vodka that you could feel it without being overwhelmed. It also ever felt overly diluted (maybe because we drank them fast enough before the ice melted). The crab cakes--we had the broiled ones. Wonderful mounds of golden brown crab. Not overly battered. You got both crab flavor and texture. The accompanying tartar sauce was mayonnaise with a piquant pickle relish. It might have been a little more appropriate with the fried version of the crabcakes, but very tasty. The hush puppies were perhaps a little over cooked but the held together and the texture was nice. These really tasted of corn which was a nice surprise against the dense fried texture of the cigar-shaped puppies. The crabs themselves were the biggest disappointment. The flavor of the seafood was fine and the old bay always delicious. I am not sure if it was a crab issue or whether it was a overcooking but the texture was mushy. Of the seven crabs we shared only one had the expected texture This is a typical crab shack--people seated at shared table, hot crabs are turned out onto the paper covered table tops. It's loud and the sound of mallets on crab shells overwhelms. It isn't fancy, it is messy, it is delicious.
(4)Yimei W.
Went there about 2 weeks ago and the menu looks hipper. My friend loves that place because she feels the crabs are THE BEST. I also like it because they serve alaskan snow crab and seared scallops in addition to just Maryland crabs. The crabs come quickly. You can sit inside or slightly outside (in a canopy adjoined to the restaurant), and there's a sink nearby for you to rinse your hands. They gave a complimentary apple pie cheesecake or key lime pie for our friend's birthday dinner which was really nice. You can go out on a nice day to the back and hang out on the "pier" which makes for a unique experience. Highly recommended if you are able to trek up to Annapolis! P.S. Huge onion rings...their fries are so good too, coming from a person who doesn't like fries!
(5)Mark W.
Well, there's the view at least. Came here around 5pm on a Sunday, as I was told this was the place to be for all things crab in Annapolis. We were seated at a communal table outside, and everything was going smoothly. As we weren't very hungry, we decided to split a crab cake dinner. And then the one star review appeared. The crab cake just wasn't good. As a place that should be good at making crab cakes, it just didn't live up to the billing. The veggies were only half cooked, and had no taste. The fries were not very good either. And at $30, those two crab cakes were awfully small. Coming from DC, I'm used to these kind of prices, but usually the food makes up for the size. It seems like this place relies on it's name and location, which is okay, but not what I'm looking for in a restaurant. Luckily there are plenty of food options in Annapolis, and I will never have to come here again.
(1)Julia M.
I love this place! I've been there twice and will definitely go back. First tip- go there as early as you can, especially weekends. They opens at 11, both times we arrived at about 11.15, and most of the space outside was filled in. By the time we are put, entire restaurant inside and out are completely full, and there long wait line. Another tip - you have to try their crab soup and crab dip. Its the most delicious seafood soup and dip i ever had. About the crabs.. Hmm.. Last time I've been there they only had medium and large size crabs. We decided to start with medium, and than ordered large. Honestly, i don't see such a big difference. The price difference pretty substantial, so next time we'll go there we will just get a medium crabs. The location is amazing! Waterfront and amazing food. What else you can ask for?
(5)Emmanuel W.
Pretty good food, drinks were average in strength but overall my visit was pleasant. The waitress was nice and patient, I had my grandparents with me so you know old folks can't make up their mind quickly lol. I think it was slightly overpriced for a dozen large blue crabs for 90 bucks but it is what it is, if you can't afford to eat out holla at McDonalds or stock up on Ramen noodles.
(4)Annie S.
Absolutely love this place! My family and I have been coming for 20years and this is the place for jumbo Maryland blue crabs. They don't take reservations and they are definitely busy so don't expect the get there not wait at all- totally worth the wait! The service could definitely be better but the food is good. I usually order either large or extra large jumbo crabs and the soft shell clams, which are awesome. I love the soft shell clams but be careful if you've never had them before. They come out steaming hot and you have the take the clam shell off, peel the skin of the tail off, rinse the entire clam and then dip in butter and old bay- it's awesome. The clams have the tails attached which are deliciously chewy to me but I've seen some people hate it! But you should always try everything once! :) Crab soup, soft shell crab sandwich, everything else is pretty good too. The crabs are tender and sweet- gotta' love those md blue crabs!
(4)Billy Z.
It's Sunday 11:30am. Got here just in time. Two parking spaces left. Get here early or you'll wait in a 1/4 mile long line just to park. Then a standing only line outside for a table. It was a hot day and we opted to sit outside to crack some crabs and have cool beverages. The table had umbrellas but only provided shade for a portion of the table. My wife and 2 girls got the shade. I sat in the sun and have never ate while sweating so much. 2 hours in the heat eating and drinking. It never bothered me. The food was great and the service kept the beverages cool and fresh. We had 2 dozen xlg crabs, bucket of steamers, bucket drunken mussles, hush puppies, rockfish bites and finished with key lime pie. This is a crab house. It rivals any. There is one crab house in St. Michaels that has a better view but it's another hour over the bridge. Some reviewers didn't like the crab cakes. We didn't order them. The waitress did tell us that they had a new chef so if you read an earlier review from someone who says they were awful you may want go and give them a try. I'd suggest sitting outside regardless of the temperature. I never grew up eating crabs inside - just feels weird.
(4)Larry H.
You'll almost certainly assume your GPS is taking you to the wrong address when you navigate your way to Cantler's, which is located in the back of a residential neighborhood. But once you arrive and you see all the picnic tables inside and out on the open air deck, covered with brown craft paper, cold beer, and piled high with steamed crabs, you'll know you're at the right place. Cantler's has been perched on it's hillside above Mill Creek just outside of Annapolis and serving hot steamed crabs to happy customers since 1974. They also arguably serve one of the best crab cakes in Maryland, jumbo lump with just enough egg and breadcrumbs to keep them from falling apart. I'd venture you say you might find a few crab cakes in the state of Maryland that compare to Cantler's but you won't find one that's better. Although they have other offerings on their menu, the reason to come to Cantler's is for the social event of picking "Steamed Crabs" over cold beer and good conversation with friends. The crabs here are always good and you can see how fresh they are by simply walking down the long set of stairs to the creek side where Cantler's live tanks are usually bustling with activity from the live crabs that are freshly delivered here by local watermen. You can arrive by car or by water since Cantlers offers free slips for diners that want to come by boat. But if you want the quintessential Annapolis Maryland crab picking experience, Cantlers needs to be on the top of your list. Local's swear by it, and vistors to Annapolis swear they'll keep coming back. Sit outside, enjoy the water view from high atop their deck that's perched over the waterway while you're picking your crabs and you'll become a believer too.
(4)Richard D.
If you want a pile of local crabs, this is one of the few places you can get it. For anything else, you might as well go to Red Lobster. Our group of 6 had several different things, each of which was distinctly mediocre, yet cost $30 each without any drinks.
(1)Sue J.
My family and I (7 in total) went for lunch. When we arrived they only had All u can eat crabs for $36, and Mediums for $45/doz. My 2 brothers ordered platters that they enjoyed. We were told the all u can eat were small and mediums, mostly mediums, so, while disappointed, that's what 5 of us ordered. They brought out one tray; the crabs were ok. Many were mushy and thrown away. When we ordered another tray, the waiter brings out 6 more crabs. So we immediately ordered another tray. We finally just left. I set up the lunch, telling my family how great this place was. Before we left my sister, said "let's just take this place off our list of places to go". I couldn't agree more.
(2)Lendsey C.
After visiting the MD Ren Faire my friend said she had a place that I would like. We put it in the GPS and away we all went...deep into the back roads of Catonsville. If you get the feeling you're in a horror movie while driving these narrow roads, don't worry, it's all worth it. The restaurant itself is located in a very odd place, almost at the end of what appears to be a neighborhood. It's right on the water though, so if you want the view of the Bay (I'm assuming that's what that body of water was), then you'll enjoy it. The place isn't fancy but goodness does it get the job done. Long benches, newspaper down ready for crab picking and shell shucking. The waitstaff is pretty good with crowds and kept up with our party of 7 easily. The sides were nothing impressive but the seafood....mmmm. I got the two dozen special and I'd give it a 8/10. They were steamed well, the spices were right, the only reason they don't get higher is because out of 24 crabs 2 were empty in the middle. Overall I'd like to make this place my go-to spot for crabs, I'm just scared I'll never be able to get there again haha.
(4)Susan C.
Had the crabcake sandwich. I was really disappointed. I can understand using crabmeat from elsewhere, but this was served on a sesame seed bun. I imagine they used this to cover up for the lack of taste in the crabcake. Although no filler, there weren't any other spices either. Definitely not a Maryland crabcake. If you like just plain broiled crabmeat then this is for you
(2)Kesha S.
Service was great and the food was even better. Just went last week and I am going back again this week before I head back to SC. Crabs and crab cakes are phenomenal!
(5)Christopher P.
I get hungry just thinking about it. Do not come here if your thinking about salad or something light. This is a place where you will eat lots of food. They bring buckets to fill shells and food waste. We tried a bit of everything and have no complaints. The wings where much better then expected at a sea food place. The hush puppies where plentiful and sweet. The shrimp and muscles fresh and tasty. The view is also pretty great. I know it gets super packed in the summer and can see why. It is right on the water, you can sail in, tie your boat up and feast! It's a little tricky getting there by car though, really I blame that on MD, for having horrible roads, not Cantlers fault though.
(4)Henry B.
Quintessential Chesapeake Bay crab shack - maybe a little upscale since they use butcher paper instead of newspaper to cover the picnic tables!
(4)Toan D.
Atmosphere is lively and unpretentious. Diners share long tables. When we first walked in the hostess was super friendly and helpful even though it was a busy Saturday night. We waited about 15 minutes. While waiting I got a couple of beers from the bar. The bartender was friendly and efficient. After getting seated, there was some mix up and the waiter didn't arrive at our table for 10 minutes. After arriving he apologized for the mix up and the service was excellent from then on. The food overall was a bit of a disappointment. The steamed oysters were the size of my fingernails and super cold. The clams strip were also cold, chewy and flavorless. The stuffed Rockfish was average at best. The fish lacked seasoning and had a medicinal taste. The blue crabs were a big hit. Sweet and meaty. The soft shell clams were also a big hit. I would come back on a less busy night and eat crabs and soft shell clams.
(3)Hope C.
I love Cantler's. I dream about it. Sure you can get cheaper crabs just across the Bay Bridge, but honestly, for convenience's sake, this place is worth it. As everyone has mentioned, the restaurant is located on the water in a residential inlet of the Chesapeake Bay and has an outdoor deck overlooking the water, as well as a large indoor dining area with a decent-sized bar. You can watch them pulling the crabs right out of the traps - it's all freshly caught. There is never a shortage of employees here. Always well-staffed and full of efficient servers, the management here has the ship going at full speed. I've only ordered steamed blue crabs here. There's really nothing else you need to know. Go with the large ones if you can - they're so much better and worth the extra $15. This is what Maryland's all about - beers in a can, brown paper on the table, the smell of Old Bay in the air and the clinkclinkclink of the mallets hammering away at the crab claws. Blue crabmeat is so sweet and tender and tastes perfect without dipping it in butter and Old Bay -- but those two condiments make it that much better! A word to the wise: if you've never picked blue crabs before, this place will require some work. It's a mess, it takes awhile, you may burn your fingers and it takes a little bit of experience to work out all the meat from the body. Make sure you go with someone who can teach you, and stay open-minded and patient. Once you've got it down, you'll never go back...and you'll be dreaming about those little gems from the bay just like I do!
(5)Seth G.
I go here since it my 90+ year old Grandmothers favorite place to eat. She has been coming here since she was a young lass. It is off the beaten path, but it worth going down that path. It on Mill Creek and when the weather is on your side, it is nice sit on their deck and have your meal. When deciding what you are going to eat, you can not go wrong with the seafood. The service has always been great. But what is most import is that my Grandmother has always enjoyed herself. If you are wondering, I too have enjoyed every meal I have had here. The most recent time I had the rockfish sandwich (broiled) with hush puppies.
(3)Lizhe Y.
I saw someone posted really good review on Facebook and that's why I took my family here. We drove all the way from New York (yes I am such a crazy foodie lol) on July 3rd (a bad time to go to a popular restaurant). We waited 30 minutes for parking and another hour to get seated. The restaurant was insanely busy. We had a really nice sever but the food was hmmmm okay. We ordered a dozen of medium size steamed crabs. Maybe the season is not right?! Our crabs were pretty "lean" lol. The spice was too overpowering. And a dozen "just okay" crabs for $55?? That's a bit pricey! We also had mussels and clams. Mussels were just average, the clams were horrible. All I tasted was sand, sand, sand. Even after I tried to wash them in the water that was provided with the claims, I still couldn't get rid of the sand. The best thing we had there was the fried sweet potato fries..... So not worth it to drive from NY to here for this....
(1)Joodie T.
It's everything everyone says it is. We were lucky to even find this joint as it mostly hosts docked boats coming in from a day out on the water. Apparently, only the locals are able to find this place by car...but! now yelpers who are in need of good seafood are able to drop in for a much needed Maryland crab fix. Look around, if you're not ordering anything with crab in it or if there's not a mallet in your hand, you're doing it wrong. Cool deals like 38 bucks for a beer and unlimited crabs for 2 hours or if you have time, sit down to a dozen or half dozen crabs and enjoy the view. Don't be in the hurry to go anywhere, it'll mess up the experience.
(5)Brad H.
Probably the best local crab house Ive ever been to - this place is a bit small but there is outdoor and indoor seating to accommodate the best they can They do take reservations but you need to have 10 people or more so keep that in mind Location is in a cool out of the way place - or at least I thought but leaving there at night after drinking your fill of beers or mixed drinks could get a bit rough on the tighter roads that lead you in and out of there so be mindful of that Im from California and we dont have crab houses like this so I really enjoyed it Bar tender was friendly really liked her quick service especially on a busy night when the Ravens were playing. I definitely got a more "locals" vibe as the location seems to really only serve the surrounding community so a bit of a plus if you can find this hidden gem Located right on the water so the right night would make for a great atmosphere for a group or couple Ok onto the food - crab house - go there for crabs not for a burger (even though someone in my group had the burger and said it was good)_ I was there for the crabs and the seafood. went through 4 dozen medium sized blues which were great - pricing seemed to be there with market pricing maybe a bit higher so be prepared for that - also had the crab soup - great flavor which I could have handled more of it but got too full I would return on my next trip to Maryland
(5)Greg B.
This place is highly overrated. If you are a hard shell crab fan then this is ok, But everything else was sub-par. Not worth waiting in line. The servers are good.
(2)A.R. P.
Even a symphony, resplendent with horns and strings, needs some percussion. Here, the sound of wooden mallets, striking crab claws, punctuates the dull hum of conversations and distinguishes the sound that's locked inside the restaurant. Nearly, everyone is eating crabs. And, glancing around, one may see diners, stuffing yet another luscious piece of meat into their mouths, or, with their arms half-cocked, ready to strike another note. "Pow!" "Crack!" The sounds are beautiful. Once steamed and doused with Old Bay seasoning, the sweet essence of crab is made just salty and spicy enough. It's a glorious flavor profile, really--and, worth all of the labor that goes into extracting it. Frankly, most diners won't be back here for a while. The experience here is seasonal. Coming here is an excursion. They'll tolerate a little work. Besides, the rest of the offerings, which are far easier and less messy to eat, would likely be the discordant notes that get tidied up at the next rehearsal--you know, like the trombonist or violinist who gets pulled aside and is encouraged to take up pottery or stamp collecting instead. Yes, the lackluster crab cakes and other entrées will have you thinking that.
(3)Amanda C.
Was excited to go there because of all the reviews. Honestly I thought it was horrible. Sides were good but I didn't even eat my shrimp salad sandwich. Beers are only in a car. Thought it was over priced for being served with plastic cups and the quality of food...
(2)Dee B.
Disappointing! Waitress forgot to mention the specials to us, and because they were listed on the side of the napkin holder - the side that was facing away from our end of the table, we only found out about them when another server walked up to us with a delectable looking and sounding crab-stuffed portabello mushroom. The three of us each had a different sandwich, and they were all small. Sides were nothing to write home about, either. I'll definitely go to other seafood/crab places before I return here!
(2)Janet L.
The scenery is beautiful. The service was good. But the crabs were expensive and lousy. Very overcooked. So disappointing.
(1)Stacy M.
We had relatives in from out of town for a funeral, and needed someplace nice to eat. Reading the reviews, this looked like a good pick. VERY disappointed. We had crab cakes, crab cake sandwiches, and crab soup, both Maryland and cream of crab. The soup was delicious. That was about the only good thing. The crab cakes were absolutely the WORST we have ever had!! The menu said lump crab meat. The crab meat was not lump at all. It was shredded, dry, and had NO flavor whatsoever. Very, very bland. Tartar sauce and worcestshire sauce didn't even help. They were terrible. A waste of money, the crab cake platter was $32. Ugh. Will never go back.
(1)Ethan L.
This is without question the best dock side seafood restaurant that I've ever been to in the state of Maryland. The inside is a cozy bar and dimly lit area filled with relics of the past, and patrons portraits that have come and gone. Outside is where the action is where you can sit in a covered tent area or in benches out in the open. The Seafood here is plentiful and top notch quality. The soups, sandwiches are all first rate and while not always fancy, are packed with choice tasty seafood meat and goodness. The lump crab cake sandwich is plentiful, the cream of crab soup hearty, and the butternut squash crab soup is a perfect sweetness that hits with the crab nicely. Steamers are bountiful, you get alot if you order them. The creek waters nearby are also a nice touch, and you can even see them processing the crab right outside on the dock. But the best part is that to date this is the best place I've had steamed crabs anywhere. They come in fresh, luckily in good size, and you can order a bunch, and the best part is you can even order just one! I loved the fact you can order just one and then give myself room to have other items on the menu. Plus more importantly they spice them AFTER they have been cooked instead of throwing the spice on them first. Decent beer selection of craft and macro to go with your order and what more could you ask for, and the drive to the restaurant is always a great trip as well. Visited probably outside of a peak tourist time, which was still busy but easily manageable, but without question this is a place I will be returning to as much as I can.
(5)Jessica E.
Came here after a wedding with a large group (19) with high hopes. The restaurant service was terrible, they didn't seem too busy, there were tables open and plenty of servers. Our meals came out at different times, they forgot the only two appetizers we ordered, they forgot a lobster dinner and it arrived by mean manger after we had all completed eating and the seared tune came out well done when asked for raw, and the salad came out with croutons wen we notified the server that the person was gluten free, they then returned the salad with the croutons picked off and our friend got sick. The most important review is the crabs- 2 dozen $80 and about what seemed like 2 cups of crab meat that we were actually able to eat. The worst was the yellow bile was liquid and covering everything. From what I know that means the crabs were not prepared properly. My Delaware crab experience was much better. I would avoid the crabs here all together.
(1)Brendan B.
Our family loves eating here before Navy football games. My favorite is the Maryland Crab soup that is spiced to perfection. We keep coming back.
(5)Alanjaboo S.
Excellent food. we got a dozen large crabs, shrimp platter and oysters. The waitress didn't tell us there was even an option for 1/2 dozen crabs so we paid $70 for a dozen for just 2 of us. That would have been my only complaint. The shrimp were large and delicious and came with extra seasoning and butter to add once you peeled them which was nice. We got there at 11am and got right in with a seat outside on the deck. 10 minutes later the place was PACKED!!! Get there early if you dont want a 2+ hour wait!!
(4)Tu-van L.
Tip: to ensure that you get a table promptly, plan to arrive there at least 15 minutes before the open. There were only a handful of people there at that time, but by the time doors open the line is few dozen deep. Another tip: use your GPS to find this place. This crab shack is so deep in residential area you wouldn't know this is there unless you're looking for it. Yet another tip: brush up on your crab shucking skills before coming. Found out that I'm not big into (shucking) Maryland blue crabs. Which makes it hard for me to decide if I don't care for the place because of that to the quality of food and services offered. Crabs were good and perfectly seasoned with Old Bay. They were on the expensive side, so you may need to order other unremarkable sides to supplement your meal. A dozen larges with fried clams, fries and hush puppies were enough to satisfy 3 people. If the weather is nice enough, I highly recommend sitting outside. Nice view of the docks. And I recommend ordering everything in the beginning while the wait staff is attentive. I remember being thirsty by the end of my lunch with an empty water cup on hand (Old Bay does that to me). All in all I thought Canntlers is a great local-feeling place for a crab eating experience. I can see why locals like to come here. I'm just not sure it's something I'll go out of my way for anytime soon. I'll just stick with Maryland crab cakes. :)
(3)Zoe G.
Had a great time.... The food was good, it tasted fresh. The atmosphere was great, right by the water, everyone enjoying themselves. The soft shell crab was great, same with the rock fish. I really enjoyed the hush puppies and fried green tomatoes. The crab cake and the scallops were good. Glad we got there early, traffic and parking were a mess by the time we were leaving.
(4)Rosemary C.
This place is AMAZING. Great super fresh food. Awesome servers fast service. I'll 1000%be back.
(5)Soie J.
1 word = DREAM! More words... For a New Yorker like myself (but grew up in Seattle, home of Dungeness Crabs), this place is heavenly! Amazing food in a super casual atmosphere. We (2) ordered 8 Maryland blue crabs, large bucket of steamers, fried clam strips and some drinks. Everything was fresh and delicious with great service! And the total came out to $120 w/o tip. Every dollar was worth it! I can't wait to return in August!! Small warning to NYers: lots of Ravens fans here! ;-)
(5)Tatum L.
Some of the best crab! Pure 100% MD crabs. Had a great crab cake, too. Worth the price & wait.
(5)Ace A.
Craps cake was amazing , Services also very good ,i like craps cake & craps trays . Hope to find more experience next time
(4)Albert L.
So this was my second visit to Cantler's, and let's just say it was better than I had remembered. The approach to the Riverside Inn is misleading to the uninitiated - you're going through a neighborhood on a narrow backroad, so you may feel lost. Never fear, a clearing will appear. Parking is a bit chaotic with limited space, but there are attendants that will guide you towards the next available open spots. With a larger group, be prepared to wait at any time of day. They are just that popular. Our party of 8 ended up waiting a reasonable 1 hour-ish on a Sunday mid-afternoon. Guests are welcome to walk down around the pier to look at the crab pools and to relax along the river. There's usually even a small stand selling (adult) beverages up top at reasonable prices, so that's another way to enjoy the experience. All in all, it's very scenic and is great to just get that whole bay vibe. If you can (and weather permitting), definitely opt for an outdoor table. The view of boats passing by on the river while you breathe in that salty Old Bay breeze coming from your freshly steamed crabs is quintessentially Mid-Atlantic. Depending on supply, you'll have options of medium, large, and extra large crabs for order. These babies are FRESH. You WILL be spoiled by Cantler's if you've never had the bay crab experience before. For a group of 8, two dozen was a decent portion, though the experts could probably go for even more. Also of note - the menu here is huge. They've got mussels, clams, hush puppies, fries, crab bruschetta, corn on the cob, fish frys, etc ... It's a smorgasbord. But really, you're here for the fresh crab. As appetizers, we did order the hush puppies, fries, and crab bruschetta, which were all very good. Some also got the fresh corn, and that went well with the old bay seasoning and butter on top. The crabs were immaculate, with an odd one being a bit mushier than the others. All in all, Cantler's is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon with good company, so don't miss out. Make the trip out and visit what may be one of the best crab houses in Annapolis.
(5)Dwight S.
Yes, the crabs are a little pricey. But hey, this is the real deal. If you want to have the experience of laying out a bunch of crabs on brown paper and making a big mess digging little bits of crab meat out of the poor fellow (who gave so much of himself so that you may eat) than this is the place. If you don't like the high prices of crabs, get the seafood sampler which is quite reasonable and gives you a few crabs and shrimp and a bunch of other stuff for about $28.
(5)Gary D. S.
Was staying at the Gaylord @ National Habor ( Alexandria VA.). Drove to Cantlers for a Crab Fix. 45 min. drive was well worth it. My fav place for a crab feast is St. Michaels. But this will do just fine. We were there on Academy grad week end and thought we'd have to wait to get a seat. Drove up and walked right in to crab heaven. Wife have crab the imperial plate. And I loaded up on 9 X-Lrgs. I love this place...the food...the staff...the locals...the cadets. Everybody in the place was rockin and having a great time. Stand up and salutes to Cantlers, and the USN. God Bless America!! From a Good Old Boy from West Texas I don't think I've never had a better meal and been taken care of buy anybody or any place ever.
(5)Melanie R.
I trek out to Cantlers about three times a year. Let's be honest...they do have the best crab cake in area. I have searched and yet to find better. The crab cake has been priced around $16 for a few years now..and is filled with crab, lightly seasoned and has no filler. Now the size is much smaller than G&M, but hello....water view!! This place is a must to do with your out-of-town guest. My family from NC thinks its awesome! The bad: it does require a few twist and turns to get there..and the neighborhood is a bit weird. You will see mobile homes and million dollar homes. ?? It will be slammed on a weekend..and you will wait for a table! So just deal with it..and know you will be eating good crabs, an awesome crabcake, and watching the sun go down over the bay!
(4)Cynthia X.
Visited with a large group after a full day of sailing. For visitors, the place seems a bit hidden - we drove through a woody area before reaching the restaurant. Only when we saw the parking lot filled with cars were we comforted. (For sailors, apparently, you can sail here as well). The place is roomy and casual, a no frills seafood place! While they accommodate large groups, they do not split checks. For the food - get the crab buckets. So fresh and such a good deal! A dozen large sized crabs run for $50. They also sell by the half dozen, which I shared with a friend. I was plenty full after working through 3 crabs. Beware: the dry rub on the crab is super salty, so I would try to take as much of it off the shell before you get crackin. The whole crab eating experience straight from the table and with a hammer to crack the shell is also a lot of fun! I also ordered a cup of crab soup. There are two on the menu - Maryland crab soup (tomato based, $5) and creamy crab soup ($6). They let you order a mix of the two, which is what I got (they'll charge you the $6 though). TOO SALTY. I think it was the Maryland crab soup that was over seasoned, so I would suggest ordering the creamy crab soup alone. I ate way too many crackers to balance the salt of the soup. Crab + sodium overload, but otherwise, a very happy customer.
(4)Jenny L.
The crab shack is a bit more expensive but well worth the price. The service is good while not all our crab is fresh/live, our waitress was very willing to exchange for us with no questions asked.
(4)Kimberly R.
This is a great, relaxed place for crab picking, provided you have the time to relax and wait. Lovely servers, service can be slow, but they're often slammed. Bring your patience and enjoy a delicious meal!
(4)Christine S.
Fantastic seafood!!! The hubs and I loved to come here and enjoy a big crab feast. The only thing I don't like is the squishy seating and long waits. But long waits do mean amazing food and service which this place is known for:)
(4)Amanda L.
Giving a four-star rating is purely because of the location and restaurant settings, their food truly deserves a five star in terms of freshness and originality. Some Thailand friends introduced us this place and I have no idea how did they found it, as it was a few miles away from downtown Annapolis, really inside the neighborhood, however, the place was always packed! First time Saturday afternoon, we waited for 2 hours; then second time Thursday night around 10 pm ( they close at 11pm usually) no need to wait; then Sunday noon no need to wait, this time Saturday around 7 pm is 1.5 hours wait. The place is spacious and next to the river where they raise the crabs. The parking lot is not small but cannot take too many customers. You basically start lining in the car and one person from your party goes to put your name down on the waiting list. Sometimes, even the buzzer runs out and you have to be proactively asking them for the buzzers all the time. It is a family restaurant and sometimes the receptionists are their kids (not sure) and might allocate the buzzer in a different way. Another thing is the ladies' restroom, only two stalls inside and always has a line. Some people actually just wanted to wash their hands and their is another sink outside near the deck. As Thai friends grow up with eating seafood, they showed me the correct way of eating a crab: taking 8 legs off, open the stomach and separate the crab into two parts, eat the yellow part, don't eat the white tissue, then cut the body into two parts from the middle and there are tons of meat in each part. They recommend to order Large size crabs as this size makes sure the good taste remains while you have enough to eat. I usually eat two to three crabs and one corn with butter, for guys, maybe five to six depends on your appetite. The price is calculated by dozen or half dozen, averagely every large crab is about $6. You have vinegar and butter dip sauce for crab meat. I remember the crab cakes and seafood platter are pretty good as well. I always go to Annapolis Ice Cream Company after eating lots of food for mint chocolate ice cream, then walking near the harbor and main street for some time with either friends or family was just relaxing.
(4)Ana B.
Hush puppies and calamari were NOT good. Will not order those again. We enjoyed the Large crabs. My daughter enjoyed the shrimp salad sandwich and cream of crab soup. Service was great - Emily was good! We came at 12 noon on a Wednesday. No lines. Not crowded.
(3)Joann B.
**3.5 stars** I wish this place was closer! I thought the prices were a bit high, but the seafood was pretty fresh. My friends are bay crab fans and happily chowed down. Their hush puppies and cole slaw are ok, nothing outstanding. The crab dip was creamy and had an ok amount of actual crab in there. It's good the dip didn't come in a bigger size because we needed to save room for the crab. We had some corn on the cob, but it didn't have much taste and it was kind of chewy, so those were not eaten. The best combo for us would be the crabs, fries and a bucket(s) of beer. We also had dessert and the key lime beat out the yellow cake. For a busy Sunday afternoon, the service was good and we only had to wait about 20 mins for a table for 6 in the covered section outside. It was nice to have a parking 'attendant' let us know where the available parking is located. For females, sometimes there's a long wait for the bathroom. It's really small and only has two stalls - just an FYI. It is helpful that there's a sink next to the outside seating to go and wash your hands. That way, you can avoid long lines to the bathroom.
(3)Kevin M.
You'll need a GPS or a map or to have been there before or to be friends with a person who lives next door in order to find it. Once you do I highly suggest that you ask the host for a seat because they bring food to the place where people sit and that food is good tasting (I've heard this a thing at most "restaurants"). Then when the food comes, tell your kids to stop whining because this is the first time you and mommy have been able to get out of the house for a good meal in god knows how long and will you just let us enjoy this one sliver of a moment of happiness please! Yes son those are crabs. Yes sweetie, they're dead. They're delicious, be quiet and eat your hot dog. Oh you don't like hot dogs now? Next you're going to say you don't like cheese.
(4)Hana P.
I came here one Sunday afternoon and it was so packed that there was even a line of cars waiting to get into The place is pretty small, yet popular, so I'm sure there's always a wait for a seat. When we got there, the hostess told us our wait was about 20 minutes, when it was actually nearly an hour! Thankfully, we were able to sit at the bar and have a couple drinks while we waited. We ordered extra large crabs and it wasn't until they came out that we realized the large and extra large were pretty much the same size. Meh, we were jipped. Our server was extremely nice though! The crabs were also just okay. I've had better crabs in Baltimore and over the Bay Bridge. But at this point I was dying to eat some crabs so I devoured them.
(3)Chris P.
So I had heard of this place and understood it to have a decent reputation. I kind of expected a quieter atmosphere, but I should have remembered that they are mainly known for crabs. The atmosphere was still nice outside with a great view and beautiful weather. The server was excellent and attentive. The food was good. I got snow crab legs and my girl got clam chowder. I got the fisherman's fry without the crab cake and sub scallops (because I don't mess around with friend backfin crabcakes) and she got the stuffed rockfish. All of the food was great at normal prices for such fare. Okay the only real problem I had and I can't believe no one has noticed this yet in the reviews, is the SPIDERS. Around sunset, shortly before it was getting dark, spiders started getting feisty. You think I'm joking? I'm not. They ranged from large to small and were constructing their webs around the edges and ceiling of the outside dining room. Look, I hate spiders, especially when they get feisty and active. They brought all of their friends. I thought my date was going to die (because she was sitting closer to the edge). So stressful! So look, I'm not really mad about it, but, seriously, Cantler's, get rid of the spiders...their place is in nature, not your dining establishment. Oh and by the way, our server was great, but the server next to us was terrible. She interrupted an introduction to inform the server that that table was actually hers. Are you kidding? No one trained you on common sense and decency? And then when asked a question about the menu, she responded, "well, that's what it says in the system." LOL. Please either fire or train her. Just because they are young and pretty, like myself, is no excuse for sheer ignorance, ditz, and lack of points of service. But yeah, go here, just be wary of the spiders and remember, its a loud crab house.
(3)Pat D.
2+ hour wait at 6pm on a Saturday night. Both parking lots were full and the frustrated staff was no help.
(1)David J.
The crab and other seafood here is excellent and so is the atmosphere. The staff we encountered were all extremely nice and helpful. The restaurant itself is on the water and has a great patio area that is covered in winter so it's available year-round. They've also got a dock, so you can arrive by boat if you'd prefer. As far as the food goes, I really liked my crab chowder. It was extremely creamy and well-seasoned, and I didn't detect any shell in it. The fried oysters were also great. Of course, the crabs were the highlight of the meal. They come out in buckets and you have to peel them yourself. It's messy and fun, and they provide you with excellent seasoning as well as butter and vinegar if you want it. There's not much more to it than that. It's all about the seafood, and Cantler's has the best.
(5)Bill J.
Went there on July 4th. I was visiting friends that live there and who insisted we go again. Although my first visit was over a year ago, and it was less than good, I thought maybe the second time around might be better, hoping everyone would be cooking out for the holiday. Wrong! The place is always packed and I just don't get it. The parking lot is the biggest mess I've ever seen. They do have a couple of kids trying to direct traffic but they were not that adept at doing so. When asked a question about the place the response was I don't work inside. We sat inside this time and it was so loud and crowded it was impossible to enjoy yourself. One mindless young woman stood behind my chair for at least 15 minutes and kept pushing the backpack she wore against my shoulder and head. When I finally realized she was going be be there forever I asked her if she realized she was bumping me. She seemed insulted that I even had the nerve to say something. She finally left the area. We ordered crab dip with some sort of small bread loaf. The bread looked good, was warm, but no taste. The crab dip just okay. I ordered the rockfish plate. The fish was good. The french fries cold and soggy. The rice was also cold and probably the most tasteless I've ever eaten. The waiter did the best he could and we didn't have to wait long for our food. That was a blessing because that meant we could get out of there sooner, rather than later. The inside atmosphere is nothing to write home about. It just an old tavern with a bunch of tables jammed together with brown paper used to cover the tops. The locals think this is the best place ever. I beg to differ. If I ever have to return it will be way too soon. Btw.......the prices are way out there too. This place is way over hyped. I wouldn't recommend this joint to anyone.
(1)M D.
3.5 is a perfect rating here. Worth the drive for the experience, especially for someone usually land-locked and unfamiliar with the bay scene. Fantastic setting, especially with the outdoor seating. Fun to see the catch being sorted under the deck and to know your dinner just came in. I think the food was better in town at Dock St, but it was still very good and worth the drive.
(3)Rosa H.
I agree with the others...this place is all hype and nothing good. I don't understand why anyone would go anymore. Save your money and don't bother...there are plenty of great restaurants with better pricing, better service and better food. We waited 45 minutes with a baby and a stroller only to be told our stroller couldn't enter the restaurant. That wasn't the bad part, the waitress proceeded to chase us around the corner in the restaurant to give us her two cents on why it was an issue. Basically, don't bother coming if you have a wheelchair, walking device, stroller or anything else for that matter. Finally, the food sealed the deal. We paid $200 for some lettuce in a bag that they called salad and some very tiny crabs that they considered medium and large sized. How awful. Will never go back. If you want crabs, go to Mike's, it's on the water and they have better food and service. I drove all the way from Bethesda...what a waste!
(1)Florence K.
Good ole messy fun. Crabs were good, and everything you'd expect from a crab shack. Sadly, I was more impressed by the mussels. Those had really deep flavors and because it came with bread, it made it even better!!!! Raw oysters on the half shells were fresh and the fried calamari was typical. As hidden as this place was, I think I was expecting more out of the food. Like it may have had some secret sauce or spice blend that really made me want to eat more... but it didn't... The location is nice, right by the water. Nice good for large families/parties.
(3)Gina L.
Whoo-hoo! 1800, pulled into the parking lot after a quiet pleasant drive among winding neighborhood roads and the golden setting sun. The parking lot was packed, but an employee was nice enough to stand by the entrance to guide us to a primo spot in front. 1805, starving and seated. There's nothing like seeing a giant brown paper sheet placed in front of you as a reminder that yes, it is okay to eat like a three year old sometimes. This place is packed. The noise level high and the sound of crabs breaking under the pressure of hungry stomachs guiding sturdy mallets. 1820: No fine china here, folks! Just paper plates and good ole food. Highly suggest the crab cakes. Not some breaded concoction with slivers of crab. All in all, highly suggested! Great service, casual and noisy happy ambience, along with some good ole get your hands dirty grub. Got the raw oysters, steamed clams, mussles, and shrimp. Add some crab and snow crab legs and we're talkin' a pretty satisfying dinner.
(5)Nick B.
Cantler's is an Annapolis institution, plain and simple. Every person out of state or even within Maryland that's looking for a great place to enjoy a cold beer and some crabs with friends, this is your place. Yeah sure the environment's a little noisy, but that's to be expected with an establishment of this type. Everyone says all of the locals swear by this place; funny thing is they're right. I'm a local and I love Cantler's.
(5)Brian M.
It ain't haute cuisine, but for what it is you can't really complain. Procedure: 1) Park. Better arrive by 1PM on a weekend, and the road in barely goes two-wide. 2) Walk in, get seated at a long table with all types of folk. 3) Will you be having crabs? (Yes). Here's what sizes are left, the prices, and by the way you can order in whatever increments you want. We had 5. 4) Order drinks, any accompanying dishes. 5) Lay out that paper and a bucket, dump some crabs down and get to work. Make no mistake, you come here for the blue-claws. Weighting of any reviews or expectations should be judged accordingly meaning oh boo-hoo the romaine on your salad wasn't crisp enough, the ahi tuna wasn't Tsukiji Market quality? You're at the wrong joint, pal. This is sit on a bench in the heat, drink canned beer, sweat, wipe your face with your forearms because your hands are covered in Old Bay/salt/crab juice, cover the table in paper, hose off at the end type place. And by those standards they do a damn nice job.
(4)Shari A.
Hard to find if you are not a local, but another place totally worth the trip. low key, great crabs, great view. Fun to go to even in the off season. Good service. Great place to bring a group!
(4)Herschel S.
The bad: We came here on a Saturday afternoon (around 5pm) for an early dinner. We thought we would miss the crowd but who are we kidding!? The place was packed. Actually it stayed packed the entire time we were there. When we got there, we were told that they ran out of crabs. A restaurant known for its crabs actually ran out of it! We also found out that we would need to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. The good: When we found out that they ran out of crabs, we started debating if we still wanted to stay there and eat. We decided that we should probably ask them about the soft shell crabs since we really went there for soft shell crabs and the rockfish and stuffed shrimp. The waitress told us crab cakes and the soft shell crabs are still available and only the steamed crabs are not. So we decided that we can wait 1.5 hours for the food that we came for. The excellent: As soon as we decided we are going to wait 1.5 hours to be seated, our buzzer started buzzing. We were told that we can actually get seated! So we perused the menu and ordered our meal. I really wanted to get the calamari too but my husband reminded me that the meals might be too big and it would be a waste to order too much. So I decided if the meal wasn't enough I'll get the appetizer. Once the soft shell crab and the Rockfish and Stuffed Shrimp came, it was a delight. The crabs were really tasty. My husband especially loved eating the crabs without the need to crack them open and dig around for such little meat. I love the lump crab imperial with the shrimp. I thought the rockfish was just okay. I can do it at home about the same or probably better. I also love the fries that came with the soft shell crabs. The meal turned out to be more than enough! We couldn't order more. What I really like about this place is the atmosphere. It's pretty divey and you can actually go down to their docks and see how they sort the crabs. They also have a few containers with crabs swimming around. Boats come by often too. We talked to one of the people who has a boat and is passing by Cantler's. She mentioned that in this area she only knows of Cantler's selling gas to boaters. So of course we checked out the boat gas machine too. Good food and good experience! FYI, on the weekends they don't take reservations.
(5)Matt C.
Cantlers is a nice little place with a few little problems. Here we go.... First, Cantlers is like El Dorado in regards to its location. You have to pretty much know where it is, as I think even our GPS conked out as we got deeper and deeper into the woods trying to find it. When we did finally get there, it was PACKED. We wound up waiting about 40 minutes outside for a seat. But, since there was a bar outside, it wasn't that big of a problem, since I figured I'd just get a few drinks while we waited....not so fast. 1, beer is only in cans and even then, the only cans outside were swill like Coors lite and Bud lite. I settled on a can of Corona, but wait, they don't take cards. Only inside. Grrrr. Its a small gripe, but it put us off to a bad start. Once finally inside, in a dimly lit room with a huge row of tables down the middle, we were sat down and went to work perusing the pretty big menu. Normally, I would think that this was a "just me being me" problem, but NO ONE at the table could decide on what to get. I think it was equal parts, "everything sounds good," and "nothing has everything I want!" For example, I was ready to BUST A GRUB, and wanted the sampler, but it didn't come with crab legs, and you couldn't just add them. You had to buy a 1/2 pound meal at an additional like $16. Ok, if I just wanted the crab legs, it was that and that only, with no shrimp, or mussels etc. There was no "everything" platter, that I would've gladly paid a kings ransom for. After being ENTHUSIASTICALLY encouraged by the server to get the rockfish, I got the stuffed rockfish (I know, I know....all that about crab legs, and still didn't get them...but that's kind of my point....). It was a decent fished filet with a tiny little salad thing. Eh....I was expecting more, and was quite underwhelmed by the sight, but since the server damn near got a Rockfish tattoo, I figured it would make up for it in taste. Wrong. It wasn't BAD, but it wasn't the culinary enlightenment I was promised. My friend tried it and confirmed that it was also "dry." Ugh. All said and done, it turns out that its a bit pricey for what I got. I wasn't happy with my meal, all things considered, and when I'm back in Annapolis, I will not be begging to go back. I'll leave it to the locals.
(3)Guy M.
Egh, Cantlers is okay in its own right. For me, it just did not live up to the expectation that had been given. The people were nice, service was good but at the end of the day, the food and experience was average. Nothing remarkable here.
(2)Reese S.
Came here based on a recommendation from a friend. I'm visiting the area for the first time and wanted to try the blue crabs. The place is secluded and friendly. The food is really good. A well-kept secret with a beautiful view.
(4)V E.
Solid place and great experience. Food was delicious and server (Jillian) was helpful considering it was my first time busting into crab. Wait was long but it's worth it.
(4)Stephanie M.
I don't get the hype. As we drove through a small Annapolis neighborhood to get there, a huge line of cars, a 1/4 of a mile long, started forming to just enter the parking lot. The best part of the trip was when the parking attendant told us that, to save time, one of us should get out of the car and walk to the restaurant to put our names in. Being a gentleman, and a sucker for a cold beer, I jumped out and got our name on the list. As I finish my first cold one, my wife had finished parking. This place was packed. Beer is only served from a can and into plastic cups... blech. $4.50 for a can of anything sucks. We waited an hour at the bar before we thought to ask the hostess where we were in line. We had 10 people ahead of us for outdoor seating. At this point we decided to get steamed seafood platter to start. It was a huge disappointment. The mussels were bland and dry and the shrimp were small and overcooked. I couldn't believe how bad it was for a place known for seafood.As we were finishing the lackluster and overpriced appetizer, our buzzer rang. There was a great view overlooking the water. We were seated on picnic tables, which is great if you are eating crabs with a group of friends, but it was not exactly what I had in mind for a date night with the wife. Based on the reviews, I had to try the broiled lump crab cake sandwich. It was very meaty but was kinda bland. The hush puppies were good but were cold by the time I received them. On the other hand, the fried green tomato and chipotle soft shelled crab special that my wife ordered was surprisingly very good (and probably earned a star all by itself on this review) Service: I always felt like an inconvenience to the servers both at the bar and at the table. Granted, they were busy but they always seemed rushed and if I needed anything I felt as if I had to flag them down. I certainly wouldn't go out of my way again to come here.
(3)Paul D.
I've heard the name Cantler's for decades and never bothered to take the time to find it or actually go and eat there. Even when I spent two years in Annapolis. Mostly because it's way out of the way (somewhat hard to find) and expensive. So I finally made it here and WOW! I'm a dumbass for not making a pilgrimage here, at least once a year, for the last 20 years. I went on an overcast December day for their 1/2 price happy hour Appetizers. Totally worth the drive. $4.50 for a 1/2lb of Snow Crab legs, (I wish I had ordered 2 of these) $5.50 for a smoked Blue Fish, served chilled (most of which I ate the next day). Fried Chesapeake Oysters, $7.50 Crab Dip w/two loaves of bread, etc, etc.. I really need to come here in the summer and pick crabs or just try their crab cakes. Because this place is what Maryland is all about: Sitting by the water, eating fresh seafood, and just soaking up the nostalgia all around you. From the 1980's O's pictures on the wall in the bathroom, the old Washingtonian Magazines framed on the walls, to the dimly lit wooded dinning room, the weather beaten floating dock, to the smell of crab seasoning and drawn butter, this place is a little slice Maryland Americana. It's got History, Character, and some of the best Seafood around. I hope it remains for years to come.
(5)Stefani R.
Oh my goodness! This place is delicious. Literally everything I've had has been cooked and seasoned perfectly. My friends and I try to go as much as we can. Great outdoor atmosphere!
(5)Linda P.
What a fun night we had at Cantlers. We had planned to go to another crab joint in Annapolis, but were at the bar at Pusser's when a local convinced us otherwise. This place was voted top ten by Maxim for seafood...not just crab - all seafood. Not too shabby. We sat at the bar and had the 'all you can eat' of mediums, which were local crabs. The larges were good looking crabs, but we knew they were brought up from LA, so we decided to stay with the local fare. While my boyfriend loved the whole lot, I was hoping to stay a little off the spice dust, as I found it a bit salty and overpowering, but hey... That's the WAY to eat Maryland Blue Crabs, so.... When in Rome... I stuck mostly to the bodies. So was able to pull off the big shell that had most of the dusted spice on it and pick out the good bits. I found It was harder to avoid the flavoring with the claws. The staff at Cantlers couldn't have been nicer. From parking to seating to bar, we loved it. We even bought a cute tee shirt to remember the night. Definitely a hidden gem - 15 minutes out of town off the beaten path. Thanks to the folks at Pusser's for the tip!
(5)Kevin S.
Ate here yesterday with our party of 10. We drove all the way from Rockville, MD to eat at this place. I had the crab cake sandwich, regular french fries, sweet potato french fries, and coleslaw. The food was below average. Crab cake was cold and bland. Absolutely bland. The sweet potato fries were not crispy and tasted horrid. I ordered an order of regular french fries to make up for the disappointment again, dry cold and disgusting. The coleslaw was average. No one at the table was impressed what so ever. There were 10 of us, and no one thought anything special about our experience. Only positive note was that the entire staff was very friendly!
(1)The R.
Found a hair in my food, so it kind of ruined the whole experience for me. It is situated in a very nice area, which also means it is a bit pricey. The hair ruined it all for me. It wasn't an eyelash or little eyebrow hair either. It was a long curly thick blonde hair.....and that was in the salad, so the rest of meal I was just being cautious and skeptical, which sucked. Manager actually came out to apologize but I think after having to pull a thick blonde hair from my mouth I was standoffish to the whole place. Sucks.
(1)Jesse C.
Good food and great service. They had an outdoor table for us to sit with our sheepdog and view the water while eating. It was a great time. The food is more expensive than most and getting to the restaurant can be kind of difficult if you don't have a gps. The soft shell crab was great but the hush puppies were below par. We'll be back for sure.
(4)Christina E.
I ordered the all you can eat crab. Not bad for $35 BUT no sides! I had to pay extra for a side and I figured paying that much I at least deserved fries or something.
(4)Alberto L.
Wo seriously?? I just don't get it. All this place has going for it is its location on the water. I think people like it because they have been coming here for years, and there is always a special occasion so they are too over joyed to realize how bad the place is. Read the other reviews. They all talk about going there for a West Point graduation or anniversary. Outrageously Overpriced - You know you can pay Yelp to remove certain things like cost from your businesses' profile. There is a reason why Cantler's doesn't allow you to add your rating of the expensiveness of the restaurant. I couldn't believe the dismal portions. We literally thought that the crab cake sandwich was a hushpuppy sandwich because the crab cakes were that small. It looked like of dollop of fried dough surrounded by a sea of bun. The seafood cocktail appetizer came with 3 average sized shrimp and about 2 ounces of crab meat $16. For real? At least give me a half dozen shrimp. Aren't you on the water? Don't you catch most of the stuff yourself? I see (and smell) the guy out back shucking the crab meat. It's not like you are paying pass through. Dirty and it Smells Awful - I understand seafood restaurants on the water should be allowed certain leeway here. But God, this place is bad. Have some self-respect. It's more than just a "sea smell". Rotting trash all around the building. Grease spills throughout the parking lot that smell horrid and are a huge slipping hazard. Rotting crab throughout the floor and corners of dining room. The Service Subpar - The place is overcrowded and I kept getting pushed aside by hurried wait staff. I don't mind the hustle and bustle, but say excuse me. Also, it would be nice to feel more welcomed. The staff are stuck in their routine of just trying to get you in and out as fast as possible. If Im paying $70 for a dozen crabs, Im gonna sit and eat as long as I please. Next time, I'll get crabs from the market at $25 a pound and take them to a park. Overall Experience - Poor
(1)Megan R.
Looking to spend a lazy afternoon drinking on an outdoor deck and hitting crabs with mallets....this is your place! We went during the week, so didn't have to endure the craziness of weekend traffic or lines. The service is non-pressure and the waitstaff know what's good (and are honest about what's not). We ordered boiled shrimp, crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, and soft shell crab. All very good. You might have to wait awhile for your order, because it's fresh and obviously cooked to order, but when you've got a cold beer and a little time that's not a big deal.
(4)lyle b.
I'd recommend this place. The crabs were top-notch fresh and cooked perfectly, and so were the clams. The spot is quite nice. My only complaint is the price which I think is a bit high. Also wish they had beer on tap. But overall it's worth the trip...
(4)Courtney D.
husband & i are new to the area and decided to get to know the place one crab shack at a time. we've been to 3 now, Cantler's being the first. the view has been the prettiest, the bill has been the biggest. i believe the quality of food was probably the best here - probably. i can't say 100% for sure, because i felt really, really sick afterwards, but i'm going to give partial blame for that to our server. we told her we had never had Maryland blue crabs before and specifically asked for help in ordering, and i feel she did a pretty huge disservice to us, to Cantler's, and to blue crabs in general. i clearly said we had no idea what we were doing, and i asked for guidance when ordering. we ended up with a half dozen oysters (so wonderful and fresh that i hesitate to blame my sickness on food quality), the rockfish appetizer (totally overpriced, a few slices of fish on a bed of warm cabbage slaw, think well done tuna tataki), and a half dozen large crabs. in retrospect, we really should have ordered fries, corn, something to accompany all that seafood. like, the server you ask for guidance could let you know that no sides come with your choices and suggest you add something. most of all, our server REALLY should have shown us how to pick the crabs. it didn't occur to me until we were pretty much finished that there was a method, until the people next to us told a different server they had never had crabs and she promptly gave them a demonstration. then i realized i had made a terrible mistake, eating a lot of bits & pieces that i shouldn't have. i felt so nauseated the whole ride home back to Arlington, the whole night, into the next morning. it was awful. i spent the rest of Sunday trying to lay really, really still. we were the second car in the parking lot that Sunday morning, the second table our server seated. there is no reason why we couldn't have received better advice in ordering and a little instruction on how to eat the dang things. fortunately for us, our next crab picking experience was with the guidance of seasoned Baltimore natives. i will probably take my family to Cantler's when they visit. though it's the most expensive place we've had crabs, the waterside view is the loveliest view we've found. but shame on the server for ignoring my pleas for crab-picking help. if i were a little less stubborn, you would have ruined me on blue crabs for life.
(3)Rebecca S.
The food was really good but the staff wasn't very professional or attentive and the prices were expensive for the amount of food you get. Parking was good when we went on a Saturday afternoon, very casual atmosphere.
(3)SJ In B.
This is the best seafood place we've been to in a while. The only bad thing is that it's always packed!! But I guess that also speaks for the food/service they're serving! It's a little hard to find and off the beaten path but once you go you'll never forget where it is!! The jumbo shrimps are really good and the crabs are always fresh. They have indoor and outdoor seating right by the water.
(4)Max S.
Love Cantler's. Best soft shell crabs on Earth! I have not been back to Cantler's in a few years because it's a few hours from my home, but this time every year I think of their soft shells....they're in season! Cantler's has that fishy ambiance to it...which is what I like in a crab house. Reminds me of my youth going to Atlantic City, before the Casino era. I must plan a road trip!
(5)Kate G.
There's nothing better than getting crabs (when they stay above the belt! ohhhhhh, see what I did there?) except mallets. Banging (which, I've been told, subsequently leads to crabs! ohhhhh, and again, people!) my food with a mallet moments before eating makes me feel like I'm getting a free full-fledged gym workout. When I visited Cantler's, I realized I enjoy the payoff of purchasing crabs more than I ever have the payoff of a tough workout. "Malarky!" you cry as you read this, and you're right--I NEVER work out. Cantler's is the most unassuming restaurant down the craziest "Hill's Have Eye's" street. Drive past the mansions and continue on past the boarded up trailers and you're well on your way to a gourmet meal on a piece of paper. And it's totally worth the juxtaposed trek. The crabs here are incredible. I mean, according to Wedding Crashers, Maryland does crab cakes and football, so naturally, I knew I'd be delighted by the fare. So, why three stars? Because naturally, I decided to be a glutton--crabs just weren't enough. After exhausting my mallet, I decided that I also needed to order Jimmy's Crab Feast, which included snow crab legs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and hush puppies. The snow crab legs were awesome, and hoarded by my also gluttonous boyfriend. The rest of the plate was mediocre. The mussels and clams were, for lack of better word, dry. I wasn't unhappy with Jimmy's Crab Feast, I just wouldn't recommend that you get anything from Jimmy besides his crabs. Duuuuude.
(3)Wil S.
The spice for the crabs was delicious and worth buying a bag or more to take home. Crabs seemed precooked since we placed the order and they were served immediately. In addition, two of the dozen crabs were blackened as if they had been sitting in the steamer pot all day. I was a bit disappointed that the largest size crab was not available. Steamers were not purged and several were too filthy to even try to plunge in the clam broth to clean. I would not order again. Oysters lacked flavor. Tasted extremely bland. Meh rating given regardless of the precooked crabs. Most places cook the crabs beforehand to meet the demand and turn over tables. The crabs along with the spice tasted good enough for the ok rating. However two out of twelve crabs were inedible and easily identifiable based on the color. The clams and oysters should be avoided...So stick to the crabs. I would not go out of my way to return to this restaurant.
(2)lil s.
This was one of my fave stops during my recent DC trip. This place opens at 11am so get there early to avoid a wait. The blue crabs were served up deliciously and so fun eating with your hands! Not that impressed with the fried seafood but all the steamed items were yummy. Great service and loved the outdoor seating...overall I was happy to pay market prices for such wonderful meal!
(5)Howard G.
I first ate at Cantlers about 30 years ago. It has always been a unique fun place with great super sized crabs and delicious jumbo lump crabcakes. This year everything is better- the food and the service. Ate there twice recenly and had a soft shell crab club each time bit could not have been better. Get there early on nice weekend days or be prepared to wait.
(4)Sheri L.
Stopped in Cantler's while visiting family in the DC area. They had heard of Cantler's, yet had not been themselves. We allowed GPS to guide us through the narrow roads that go through interesting parts of town (from mansions to trailers as another reviewer said). We pull up around 8pm... looks like we came in at the end of the dinner rush (bonus!) Got seated promptly. We needed to call a server over to help us clean the table though as the bench was full of "debris" and the table was super oily (we figured out why very shortly after this). Our server was awesome, I wish I could remember her name to share. At our table, we got Super Blue Crab, mussels, crab dip, and the chicken chesapeake. All of which was excellent! Probably the freshest mussels I've eaten and rightfully so. Crab dip was amazing and quite filling on its own. Being from the midwest, I've had tons of crab legs and crab cakes... however, I've never shucked a whole crab myself. Quite the experience where they bring the butcher block paper, a mallet, knife and folk... dont forget the bucket for the shells. After a quick 'how to' from my cousin, I got to cracken'. I am officially a blue crab lover... I'm not sure if I'll be able to enjoy 'regular' crab again, let alone frozen stuff in the midwest. I could be permanently ruined, but in a good way :) Next time we're out east, I'll be sure to stop in here again!
(4)Carrie O.
Being that today is the start of the "unofficial" last week of summer, I had promised LoML one more round of blue crabs before the season came to an end. We were in Annapolis today, just visiting, and discovered that we were really, really close to Cantler's. Naturally, we had to go over there and experience one more time the bliss that Maryland natives are privileged to have every year. People are not lying when they say you need a GPS or damned good directions to find this place. I've lived here nearly all of my life and I couldn't have told you how to get there without my smartphone, so make sure you use it. (Be warned - phone reception for us actually wasn't good out here. YMMV.) There wasn't much of a line for parking, but were quoted a 90 minute wait for a table. Fine, no problem - we expected that. It was raining on and off, too, so some of the more open tables naturally weren't occupied. We took shelter under the overhang and waited patiently. (I spent my time reading Cantler's reviews to get an idea of what was what.) There were a LOT of very large groups there - 10 people or more in each party -so we were delighted when we got a table in under 30 minutes - not a bad turnaround. (Could've been because it was just the two of us, so again - YMMV.) To our bitter disappointment, they'd run out of AYCE crabs, so we couldn't partake in the weekend special. We were really kind of upset, but understanding since it was after 3pm on Saturday and it was so packed, so we decided on a dozen mediums (40.00/dozen), a shrimp salad sandwich with coleslaw for me, and a chicken bruschetta with fries for him. We figured, well, a dozen is better than nothing. We also got a deal on the Maryland crab soup - if you text the word "crabs" (in lower case) to their number (it's on the website), you get a free cup of the soup. (At least, at this writing, this deal is good. Can't say if it will be later.) The crabs came out, hot and surprisingly heavy. It's amazing - for all of the brouhaha over people saying "order the largest size", LoML and I have had nothing but good luck with the smaller crabs. Some of these mediums were heavier than the so-called jumbos I've had in other places. The crabs themselves were meaty, juicy, well seasoned and probably the sweetest I've had yet this year. They didn't have a lot of mustard in them (for me, that's a plus - I don't like it) and were actually fairly clean on the inside. And unlike AYCE where you have to try and down as many as you can in a 2 hour time limit, we took our sweet time on these mediums, picking them totally clean. And believe me - they were CLEAN as whistles when we were through with them. Another plus to Cantler's is that they have unlimited refills on the drinks (soda, iced tea, etc.). A lot of other crab places won't do that - they want to try to get more money from you by charging for each and every drink. Not Cantler's, thank God. That was very appreciated. (Their iced tea is unsweetened - PERFECTION!) The shrimp salad sandwich was just "okay" - nothing special, unfortunately. I didn't like the coleslaw at all - not enough sweetness and definitely too light on the dressing, so I probably wouldn't choose that again. LoML had to box most of his bruschetta because he filled up on crabmeat, but said that it tasted good, and that the fries were delicious. I did not like the freebie crab soup - way too much of a tomato base. LoML loved it, though, and would order it again. The downside to Cantler's - obviously, the crowded conditions (we sat next to a REALLY annoying group with the most obnoxious girly-girl cackling I've EVER heard - good thing we left when we did or they'd have been swallowing teeth, ugh) don't help much. I read warnings about the bathroom, so I didn't even try to go back there. Service was very good. The server was patient with us while we tried to find alternatives to the AYCE we had originally wanted. The shell bucket was emptied consistently, and they worked with us to time our food order so that it would be ready when we were done with the crabs. Now that's impressive, considering how many people WERE there. The bottom line is this: it's going to be crowded as hell. If you're claustrophobic or don't like people much (I cop a little to the latter), you might find it a little difficult to deal. But the food will be worth putting up with that. They really do have some excellent crabs, and it's obvious that they're caught and prepared very fresh. That makes all the difference. I probably wouldn't bother with anything but the crabs here, though. The other menu items were okay, but not remarkable. We had a good time. We'd most likely return.
(4)laura m.
Great lunch. We ordered the small dozen for 36$. We have never had crabs cooked here before. They were great, full, fresh. Cream of crab was one of the best. onion rings were big and tasty. Totally recommend.
(4)Jason M.
The view was nice and the servers were very sweet, but I would think of this as more of a touristy restaurant. We of course had the crabs, which were $75/doz (insane). The other appetizers and sides were ok, but nothing stellar. I think for a lot of people this is a right of passage kind of place when you visit Annapolis.
(3)Eric T.
Such high expectations, such little results. First, the good: Nice view, right on the water. Service was pretty good. Crab cake was real good. Everything else: This place is way over-hyped. The whole crabs were good, but there were only medium left. They were no that juicy and a bit too salty for my tastes (yes, I know they're served with a ton of seasoning on them). The calamari was not fresh. It was so chewy, it was like eating tiny rubber strips. The blackened mahi mahi left a lot to be desired. Not fresh at all. The veggies were nasty and the potato was not cooked well. Twenty bucks not well spent. The MD crab soup was way too salty. It was good, but just cut the salt in half. This place was packed with people chowing down on the whole crabs. I'm no expert, but I've had better MD crabs before; these crabs were very underwhelming. Overall, this place is way overpriced for what you're actually getting.
(2)Catherine M.
Great seafood, large bar area, and laid back atmosphere. This is my kinda bar! Extra bonus points for being five minutes from my house. It's kinda hard to find if you've never been before, so you will definitely want to bust out your gps. The bar tenders and servers are a bit on the surly side.
(4)Monica H.
No. I do not play this game, Cantler's. I do not show up to a restaurant at 6:00 PM, only to find that I will be forced to wait in a single-file line of cars to get into your parking lot for the next hour. I do not take kindly to your employees wandering aimlessly about with walkie talkies under the guise of wrangling traffic, but actually just frustrating the crowd and doing nothing of value. (How did no one else on Yelp seem to mention the parking situation? It was miserable.) I don't appreciate that once I put my name down for a table, I will have to wait another 2.5 hours to be seated. Or that your hostesses will be incompetent, rude, and nonresponsive. I do not like waiting for 20 minutes at the bar for a mixed drink. And that was just for the drink. It took at least another 10 minutes to get the bartender's attention so I could pay for the damn thing. I don't like that your outdoor seating area is poorly lit. You're not taking into account the fact that you're making some of your patrons wait 3.5 hours to eat their food, and it will be dark by the time they get to eat. I will never, ever, ever be back. Here's the thing: I try not to judge restaurants on things like service or parking. I try to look at the food and the value. But when you end up spending more time at a restaurant than you do anywhere else on one particular day, you start to feel a little jaded. So here's the review I'd write if I didn't take into account the parking and waiting situation: The food was great. The beer selection was disappointing, and they don't sell pitchers (just buckets). The waitress was fine, if a little mediocre. There seemed to be a lot of employees just hanging out and doing nothing, and no one could give us reasonable or accurate estimates of how long it'd take to be seated. The bathrooms were tiny but clean, but the doors open onto the sinks in a way that's just plain dangerous. It was reasonably priced in comparison with other seafood places in Maryland. The inside is dark and depressing, but the outdoor seating is nice. Bottom line: Not worth the drive from Arlington, not worth the drive from Baltimore, just plain not worth it.
(1)Rafael D.
With family in town and my dad wanting to find a spot where you sit down at a picnic table, newspaper used as table cloth, mallet in hand, and fresh blue crab, my co-workers recommended Cantler's. It didn't disappoint. We arrived around 11:30am before a large group arrived. So, we were just in time to get an outdoor seat overlooking the water. It was a perfect day, sunny with a nice breeze off the water. We ordered a dozen and a half large blue crabs, a couple orders of the soft shell crabs (chipotle style; it was delicious), and the crab bruschetta. All of it was very, very good. It was a little expensive, but the quality of crabs and the atmosphere really made for a great lunch in Annapolis!
(5)Marcia S.
Definitely off the beaten path but well worth it. We went with several kids in our party and we all enjoyed our meals. The lobster and the crab is outstanding. I had one of the best Irish coffee drinks anywhere. Very layed back comfortable atmosphere. Should be perfect once the weather breaks and the deck opens up. Would have given 5 stars except I thought the outstanding food quality deserved a more updated restaurant interior. Will definitely be back. Well worth the money.
(4)Kiri S.
This is why I love Yelp! There's no chance we would have found Cantler's without it and we had such an enjoyable time there last weekend! We spent an afternoon in Annapolis and were looking for a casual place to pick crabs for dinner. After driving down windy roads in a residential area you'll happen upon Cantler's right on the water. They were unusually busy for a Saturday night in November, the host said there'd been a fishing competition that day that brought them some extra business. We were told it would be about 30-45 minutes and handed a buzzer. By this time we were committed, maybe it they were more centrally located we would have found another option, but I'm glad we didn't. We spent out wait down on the docks by the water, and the buzzer went off pretty quickly and we were seated in the heated "outdoor" section at a long picnic table. We ordered crabs, steamed shrimp, and hush puppies. The hush puppies came with honey butter - which was a nice touch. It was everything we'd hoped for, and the smell of Old Bay on our hands lingered for most of the ride back to Washington, D.C. (they do have an outdoor sink on the side of the building for when you're finished - but I've always found it's near impossible to get rid of the smell entirely.) I can only imagine how crowded they must get on a beautiful warm afternoon.
(4)Rahul J.
Long waits (1-1.5hrs+) for the outdoor seating but it's worth it. Got the XL crabs, the largest available that day for $75/DZ. TIP: You don;t have to get a dozen..they charge you pro rated basis. We found that 6 was enough for 2 small appetites with a small side of sweet potato fries. The sever gave us a lesson on how to eat the crabs as it was our first time eating steamed crab. That was very helpful. The meat was tender, sweet and tasted like the ocean. We got a decent amount of meat on our crabs but still it's a lot of work for not much meat. You end up ingesting a lot of salt as the crabs come encrusted in seasoning. By the end of it we were more tired of picking apart the crabs than full also overload on salt. Was in some sort of a salt coma the rest of the day. I would definitely recommend that people try the crabs here..I wouldn't go again though. Oh yeah, like most of the others here..I have to echo that the beer selection is out of the 90s TIP: Wait by the dock a few stairs down from the restaurant...plenty of seating there to watch the boats and water.
(4)Att A.
Servers are friendly, crabs are fresh, view of the river is nice. what more can you ask for. I had 6 local oysters on the half shell, 6 steamed cherrystone clams, 1 steamed crab, 1 corn of the cob and I also order the soft shell crab sandwich. That sandwich was the bomb!
(4)Alicia G.
Here's what you need to do: *Round up your friends *I suggest the noobs watch a video or two on youtube for how to eat crabs (I did this) *Carpool and arrive early as parking is somewhat limited and it gets crowded FAST *Sit outside *Order beer | iced tea | sodas *You can order things like hush puppies, corn on the cob, other fried items but as Michele D said - it's just filler. You really need to focus on the steamed crabs. *Order CRABS and prepare for the messiness | awesomeness *Crack, pound, rip apart and bite [the crab/meat] *Enjoy. *Soap up twice at bathroom sink to rid your fingers of the Old Bay *Rinse and repeat as often as necessary
(5)Nikki M.
If you're coming to Annapolis in search of crabs, look no further. Well you might need to look a little hard because this restaurant is a little hard to find. It's down a narrow road, completely out of the way, with beautiful views of the water. If the drive freaks you out, arrive by boat! Free docking! The food is awesome. If you're coming for crabs, be aware that it's first come, first serve. The biggest will always get picked first. Yeah, the crabs are pricey, but they're Maryland crabs. And they're totally worth it. If you're from out of town and you don't know how to pick a crab properly, ask one of the servers or look around! There will be plenty of people that can help. My all-time favorite thing on the menu is the Crab Dip. I make it a point to order crab dip if it's on the menu wherever I go, and nothing has even come close to the crab dip at Cantler's. They give you two loaves of bread and a huge serving of crab dip. Last summer, my girlfriends and I came down to Cantler's once a week for the Crab Dip alone. So good. Cantler's is also good for pretty much all other seafood. I love the Drunk'n Mussels and the huge shrimp they serve up. You may be thinking, Wow! She just loves Cantler's, why is she giving it four stars? Well, because I'm sure as heck not the only one that loves Cantler's, there's about a million people more and during peak hours (which is pretty much every nice night of the summer) expect that the rest of those million will be trying to get a table here too. The wait can be horrible during peak hours and sometimes not worth it if there is only medium crabs left. Come to Cantler's. Expect a wait time. Eat a ton of crabs.
(4)stephen s.
Read some reviews thought I would check the place out. Was in the mood for crabs I'm glad I did the service was excellent the food was excellent the crabs were nice size very full very tasteful had crab dip appetizer had oysters Chesapeake appetizer and a couple beers to wash it all down fantastic lunch on a beautiful day
(4)Pete A.
Awesome. We came in the middle of summer on a Saturday and the place was mobbed. It has gotten a little touristy, but who cares it's still great. We were seated in about 5 minutes (I think they accidentally buzzed our beeper thing because it looked like the wait was at least an hour). We way over ordered, but at least it gave us a chance to sample a lot. The fried clams were delicious, the fried calamari was awesome, the hush puppies were actually crummy but I'll let that go because the crabs....we got a dozen mediums for 3 people and it was soooo much food. The crabs were cooked perfectly and it was so much fun. We'd definitely come back, hopefully on a less busy day.
(5)Robert Z.
This place was awesome for crab. Super Sweet and plentiful. The Fries at the bar were the best. A must with a beer till you can get a table. It's a little hard to find but worth it when you get there. I give it a Four And a half Star Rating. This place is Zuverman Rated.
(4)Carly H.
I've lived in Maryland all my life so I've visited my fair share of crab houses, and I have to say Cantler's is the best! We went on a Sunday around 3 and both parking lots were full, so we had to wait about 15 minutes to park, but we expected to wait on a beautiful summer day when everyone and their mother wants to dig in to some crabs! The hostess asks you where you want to sit, inside or outside and if you want to sit under the shade or in the sun. We chose in the sun because we figured it would be quicker than waiting for a shady seat and the indoor seating seemed very cramped. She told us 45 minutes to an hour and we took a pager and went down by the docks where they have live crabs in tanks and we watched boats go by. Very relaxing. After only 20 minutes our buzzer went off and we were seated! Boy was it HOT sitting in the sun, before we got our drinks we were already sweating but hey, hot summer day what are ya gonna do right? When we sat down our server told us they had mediums, extra larges, and supers left and the prices per dozen. We decided on the extra larges and that day they were $85 a dozen which we thought was expensive until we saw how HUGE they were. Seriously these suckers were so big we could only finish half the order and we are crab picking ADDICTS. (We did have an order of crab dip in us however, which I also highly recommend) We picked away for two hours and we each ate 3 crabs there was just SO MUCH meat I was very pleasantly surprised. Hands down the best blue crabs I've had. Our waitress was really sweet and kept bringing us new drinks and more napkins. We took the other 6 crabs home and had them for dinner. I can't wait to come back and eat crabs here again, maybe next time we will hold out for a shady seat though! Definitely worth the hour or so drive and all the waiting.
(5)Joe A.
I ate at Cantler's tonight after reading multiple good reviews. I had a bucket of steamed piss clams, which were pretty good. It was a nice touch to have clam juice to wash the sand out of the clam, butter, and old bay. The problem arose when I received the ordered lobster roll. When I order a lobster roll, my expectation is for lobster, of which there were three quarter sized pieces. What I do not expect are the added crayfish tails to act as a cheap filler, of which there were over a dozen. I am an aquatic biologist who specializes in amongst other taxon, crayfish. Buyer beware, bait and switch and false seafood.
(1)Yumi V.
Best crabs in town! Actually slightly out of town, but worth the ride. Be prepared to wait for service as there is always a lot of traffic on nice days, however, this will be one of the more fun and places to go with a large group or to introduce to your friends. Bring your crayons for the brown paper tablecloth!
(4)Mike L.
Cantler's is so good that I should give it a bad review just so I can keep it all to myself! One word sums up this place -- CRABS! It's the best place to sit down and eat crabs in public ANYWHERE! I give it four $$$$ because you'll want to get the biggest crabs you can get and pair it with a bucket of ice cold beer. You can get a $$ experience, but $$$$ is better!
(5)Tamara B.
Let me start off by saying I am only giving this place 2 stars because the food wasnt horrible but it wasnt great either. I was expecting a completely different experience than what I received. Went with a group of 9 from work. All of us on a business trip from different states. They would not separate the checks but the waitress said "well i will separate payments foe you if you tell me how much you want to pay"....that means we all basically paid more for our meals because we didnt want to short change anyone and the check came out all garbled together so we really had to spend time to try and figure out who had what at what price. Just ridiculous! The waitress was terrible. Could not even answer simple questions such as what are the sides you are serving with the meals tonight. Had to ask someone else and then that was even wrong. She initially said asparagus and baked potato but what came out from the cook was broccoli and a terrible dry mashed potato. I ordered the broiled seafood platter. $29 +$2 because I didnt want the asparagus and opted for fried green tomatoes (that were not cooked all the way as the batter was still slightly runny on the inside). Anyway this platter came out with 3 shrimp, 4 small scallops, and 1 broken up piece of rockfish. The only thing that was seasoned are the scallops. The seafood tasted fine but this is way expensive for this little bit of food. Especially in a "seafood" area. Now I will give the kudos for the all you can eat crabs at $33 for 2 hours and the cream of crab soup. Some of my coworkers got the crabs and went to town on eating those. The cream of crab was a delight in this otherwise horrible experience. Oh and I forgot to mention...not one time did this horrible waitress even come back to check on us to see if we needed anything. Dont waste your time or money on this place unless you are going for the crabs!!!
(2)CM P.
I went here with family from out of town who had heard about this place from friends. The staff was very friendly but the food was terrible and not worth the price. Our meal (broiled lump crab cakes) came out lukewarm and the sides of potatoes and asparagus had absolutely no flavor! We also got a couple of the blue crabs but again those were not seasoned and the seasoning that did come with it was not great. Maybe I'm just used to southern style seafood with lots of flavor, but this place was quite disappointing especially for the prices they charge for exceptionally mediocre food. If you like well-seasoned food go elsewhere!
(2)Na L.
Seriously best crabs in the DC/MD/VA area. Got a dozen of the small crabs with hush puppies, corn, and sweet potato fries. Hands down best place, right by the water, love it.
(5)Melissa P.
I went by myself, because I was in town alone and didn't want to miss out on the opportunity. Would have been much more fun with friends though, that's for sure. They were selling crabs by the dozen, but the helpful waitress advised me that I could buy them individually. (If I had been with someone else, I probably would have just bought a whole dozen assuming you had to). I got three, and they kept me busy for well over half an hour. She served a side of butter, but I think it was margarine. Luckily, the fresh crab had such great flavor, I didn't even need it.
(4)Vivian H.
We were craving some fresh air and seafood, so we ventured to the Annapolis area and found Cantler's on Yelp. This place is tucked away in an idylic fishing area.. the waterfront view is great for wishing you owned one of these cute houses and a boat. We ordered half a dozen large crabs, the maryland crab vegetable soup, a soft shell crab sandwich, sweet potato fries, and hush puppies. WAY too much food for 2 people. My friend pushed thru and finished all the crab because she's a beast and I guess the crab was delicious. The waitresses were so sweet and gave us lessons on how to get to the meat. The soup was really really REALLY salty... no bueno. Sandwich and fries were good although I suppose nothing special. Hush puppies were overdone but had good flavor. I probably expected too much. Best part wasn't so much the food as the location, staff, and experience.
(3)Jennifer B.
This place breathed life back into my group of friends after a few bad Annapolis restaurant experiences. It appears just how you'd want a place famous for crabs and beer to look, and the service is casual, but attentive. We arrived on Saturday, immediately following the Navy homecoming football game, asking them to seat a group of 16. Some places would turn their noses up and be snotty for such a request, but they politely informed us that if we didn't mind waiting a bit, they were happy to have us. We grabbed some seats at the bar and the awesome bartender Kelly took care of us during our close to an hour wait. She was friendly and attentive, and even though we were getting hungry, she kept us content with flowing drinks. We were seated on their covered outdoor deck and ordered more beer to set on our brown paper tablecloth; the exact kind of tablecloth you want at a crab shack. My date and I ordered the raw oysters which were delicious and shucked perfectly - they slid right out of the shells. I had Maryland crab and he had cream of crab soup, both very tasty and served in easy to dispose of paper cups, in keeping with the casual atmosphere. He and I and my father then split a dozen of the extra large Maryland crabs which came out with ample old bay and a bucket to toss our shells. The crabs were cooked perfectly and were truly extra large; all three of us were full after sharing the dozen. Others in our group ordered various dishes from salads to pasta and everyone left satisfied. Our server, Ali was extremely attentive and friendly, and even gave some new crab eaters cracking advice. We also had an accidental overcharge on our bill and she removed it no problem. Thank you Cantler's for ending our Annapolis dining experience on a much higher note than it began! We will definitely be back to say hello on our next trip!
(5)Bobby I.
The crabs were good, the shrimp I did not care for and I am a shrimp lover. I was disappointed that they didn't have coronas to go with my crabs, and also only have can beers not bottle. But overall I will go there again hopefully I can get table outside to enjoy the weather while eating my crabs while drinking my favorite beer.
(3)Patrick D.
I love crabs and when I get a chance to try a new place for me I take it. After reading reviews I thought this would be great. It wasn't. I ordered extra large. In the dozen crabs there might have been two that I would term Extra Large. Also a lot of them were watery like bottom of the pot. They had no weight to them. They were paper crabs. To be fair they did adjust the price for me and it my have been a off day. But for the prices they are charging they should not compromise their quality at any time. It left a very bad feeling about the place with me and being someone that is in sales recommends a lot of place based on my experience. I can not recomend this place.
(2)Chandler L.
This place was great. Food was awesome. The atmosphere is awesome. The only reason I can't give it five stars is seating. I hate restaurants where I have to sit next to strangers. I would highly recommend eating here.
(4)Mr B.
What you'd expect for food but way over priced and hyped for essentially a parking lot on the water with no real draw other than a pull of mass consumption of high carb, fat fried and cholesterol driven seafood! I'm not typically so inclined to say something unless it's positive but in this situation I just couldn't avoid as it's really gotten a strange attraction of guests going for the "dive experience" and I simply cannot understand why.
(3)Corey W.
Can't say much that hasn't been said. Went for my first time a few weeks ago with just the wife on an anniversary weekend; feel in love all over again (with the wife and with crabs). If you like down-and-dirty eating, cold beer, nice views, and good company - do this place.
(4)Kate K.
I went there with my mom because Wild Country Seafood was not open that day (They close Monday). We were seated outdoor (nice view). The food quality didn't meet standard. The mussels we got were tiny. They were like 0.5 inch each. The service was not good neither. It was hard finding my wait staff when I wanted to order more food. We probably won't go back.
(2)Chris C.
Sadly I can't comment on the food here because I never got past the phone call to the place! I am allergic to Maryland seafood and most places in MD get their crabs from other places around the country as well and often they are willing to accommodate my allergy. Upon calling Cantler's and explaining my allergy and asking if they had crabs from anywhere else, the girl said "No, we get them from MD" so I asked to speak to a manager. She got someone who told me to call back around 5 or 6 tonight (it is noon now) because they are too busy right now and THEN I could talk to a manager. That pretty much made up my mind. No need to drive about an hour out to Annapolis for some place that can't even take 2 min. on the phone to help me out. Oh...and this was for my birthday dinner. Screw you Cantler's.
(1)Jaclyn S.
I have no idea how I failed to review Cantler's before this. I have clearly been remiss. If you know me, you know that I like food (eating it, cooking it, chasing it) and that I am particularly obsessed with seafood and cheese. This is the place that got me to round up my friends for my birthday, two years in a row, and force them to make the 1.5 hour backwoods drive from DC out to Cantler's. It was worth it. Both times. The first time we went there was an hour long wait (Cantler's has a lot of regulars and some people even boat right up to the dock and wait there). The second time, however, we went right after a bad storm and got in right away. Seriously, try to synchronize your trip with crappy weather if you can. Then there's no way the big crabs will sell out before you get there. And yes, speaking of crabs, they are blue, uber fresh, and come in several sizes. Go as big as possible - you'll hate spending the bulk of your meal picking meat out of teeny tiny crabs. Cantler's steams the crabs to perfection and then liberally dumps delicious JO seasoning (Old Bay-esque) over them. They give you a wooden mallet to pound them with (I love this - it's one of the reasons I come here) and delicious melted butter. A couple of my friends who don't like crabs (WHAT!?!?) ordered the fish and said it was delish. Definitely get some sides - they have the classic hush puppies and corn - or a bucket of steamers (clams). It's not just the food that makes this place though. It has good feng shui or positive vibes or they cook with love or something, I swear! Everyone just looks stoked to be there. After your meal take a walk outside and go look at all the bins of live blue and horseshoe crabs looking all funny and poking around. Then walk out along the docks and admire all the boats crowded around against a starry sky. You won't be sorry you came here.
(5)Scott L.
The crab cakes are lump but very Blane and the rockfish is tasteless and overlooked. I don't think they even have a chef here. The place is also dark on the inside and grimy . Only reason I gave 2 stars is for oysters .
(2)Ma-e M.
Listen! This will help you. I'm giving it 1 star, but I was with a group of colleagues who are regulars so for them, I add 1 for 2 stars. (Regulars I say because the nearest from work and better restaurant than Chinese for lunch time.) Yap, I was the only one who sees it. Customers commented overprice or pricey; I'm relieved that you see that. So if Cantler's price is too much, do you think you should settle for less or expect the usual? You have spoken. The answer is for majority in this board it's unanimous. But I still have a say, and a very valid one to date! Here's what it should be: I believe that if the price is that much, I do deserve to get a better service and high quality of food. Read on...I did not get that yesterday. I was completely dissatisfied. They don't care! What draws Cantler's crowd? I don't see it and completely surprised by the crowd Friday lunch time. It was packed. Why? Cantler's is an old established restaurant. It's a mystery to get there. By the river, Cantler's location is no where near other shops but it is in a secluded neighborhood area of the other side of Annapolis. To get there, you change mph from 15, 25 to 35. It's a scary drive; the roads are narrow and winding. You don't know if you'll hit a car or a deer, run though a house, or go overboard the water. People just love mysteries. Quite the opposite, I'm not mystefied. I know the mystery. The first thing that got to me was the chair and table; it was bad taste and very uncomfortable for dining. Well, when you are eating and pounding to crack crabs, the least you would pay attention to is what you are seating down because you are more interested in getting those crab meats. It makes sense. It's a burn no one wants to feel. I observed how people were loving the place and the food with my amazement. But I, just see negatives about this place. I'm brutally frank that I was hating every moment I'm sitting there and I was talking about it. I ordered the special which was highly recommended by the lady wait staff. I was so excited that I'm getting the special, thinking that could be like Cosi's Crab Melt Flatbread with 2 cheeses, tomatoes and onions, instead I got a very pathetic looking triangular small 6 pizza slices that was drop on my table. WHAT! at that price!!! Totally unacceptable. I had better pizza in my life somewhere else. It was claimed that it has crab meat in it, but I could not taste it and see it. I'm paying for the crabs but where is the freaking crabs? This was definitely making me crabby. Colleagues have suggested to tell the lady wait staff that I don't like it. The lady wait staff did not even bother to ask me how was it. At that time, I made a decision not to tip her (which I said loudly because I disdain this place) and I will eat the damn pizza with disgusting look, swallow my outspoken demeanour and pride. But I strongly demur every minute at this place; it was not lovely or fun at all. I could not taste the crab and tomatoes and onions were diced and on the side, not even on the pizza. What unimaginative/uncreative and insenstive/careless piece of dish and they call this special??? Once again, I was baffled that people enjoyed this place. I don't get it why people will spend this much, accept it, happy about it, when it is not really worth it to begin with. Look, around, look again, look more and think critically to where are you sitting? It is not McCormick and Schmick's. I rather that I pay this much money that equates quality and care to food and service. I think people here need to go to McCormick and Schmick's for a rude awakening, high price = no crabs, just excellent seafood, wonderful service and classy restaurant. Should I try again? No, not for that price. I don't even consider it. I will not befooled. Sorry, you guys have been pinched by the crabs. It's so clear in the day, that it is a tourist trap. You want crabs? find them somewhere else, better off. Cantler's ratings proof is just like crabs that people go with the flow and some are suckers. Come on, go on, you can change for the better.
(2)C W.
The food saves this place and pulls the rating from 2 to 3 stars. The staff is hit and miss. The seating outside is nice but inside is very crowded. A lot of hype about a mediocre restaurant.
(3)Ebony H.
The food was pretty good. I was upset that I paid $8 for frozen hush puppies. The crabs are delish...but the next time I pay over $100 for a meal I would like it on real plates and not Styrofoam. Great location!
(3)Larry C.
I've been going to Cantler's for 10 years or so. Here's what I think... - crabs are usually good, but we have gotten bad ones on occasion - mussels are so-so - oysters are pretty good - key lime pie is good - seating inside is tight, a little on the crusty side, but generally fun - seating outside is cramped, but nice The location is outstanding. My daughter and I love to walk on the pier after dinner.
(3)Regina S.
Pro's: - One of a handful of places left that actually serve local crabs. On occassion they will supplement their inventory with crustaceans from Louisiana since unfortunately, our local bounty has diminished to record low levels. Many other "crab houses" or "crab shacks" get their hard shells from other states, Central America, and even Asia, so if you really want local this IS the place. -The restaurant is off the beaten path, nestled on a creek off the Bay so you get a waterfront dining experience along with your crab pickin. -You can arrive by boat! Cons: It's out of the way location does not mean it's not a touristy destination. This restaurant has been featured in more publications and foodie TV shows than any other establishment in Annapolis. So if you think you have found a "hidden gem", think again. -Summer waits can be unbelievable, with cars idling for a mile on the windy road waiting for a parking spot. Yeah we've heard they come around with coolers offering libations, but is this really the way you want to spend an hour or so? Go by boat or off peak hours. -Other offerings are just so so. Another restaurant that lives off a reputation and not necessarily the current quality of their food and service.
(3)Kellie P.
Holy Damn... I am so lucky to be from Maryland. Maryland crabs will school all others. Sorry, it's true. There is almost no satisfaction like that tiny bit of meat you get from picking crabs... I love my life in MD whenever I get to visit. Cantler's really helps with my crab obsession. My darling friend Ballew took me here for the 2nd time on my visit home last week... My love was also in town with me, and we had the pleasure of stopping into the outside patio for dinner. We went nuts. We ordered EVERYTHING WE WANTED. The crabcakes are FAT (Perfection), the blue crabs are great (with about a ton of Old Bay, Yes!), the Rockfish bites are not to be missed, we barely noticed the wings (I think they were ok?), the fries were also good. Yes, I do judge a place by their fries at times. It was my Love's first time picking crabs, he was so pro! And what a great atmosphere to do it in, right down by the river ;) I love the way we're all classy in MD and roll out that giant paper over the tables. Pair it up with a Yuengling for the Win. It won't be my last time here.... Pretty sure I gained 2 lbs at this meal, and I don't regret it for a second. Boo-Yah!
(5)Chad B.
Good lump crab cakes. Casual atmosphere. Along a creek to the Severn river. For these reasons, I take most house guests here while they are in Annapolis. While I am generally satisfied, I find the portions (except of course the all you can eat crab) to be a bit skimpy and the prices a bit steep. I prefer McCormick and Schmick's for seafood other than crack-your-own crabs.
(4)Leanne B.
Crab cakes were good, hush puppies were great!! Everyone enjoyed their meals thoroughly!!! Been told to come by my friends who are regulars, when crab season is in full swing coz then you get more for ya money!
(5)Roger W.
Very good seafood spot. Hard crabs are a treat (get the largest ones they have). Peel and eat shrimp were tasty, crab cakes very good. It's not inexpensive and they have no draft beer, only cans.
(3)Bif P.
What a great time my family had here !! The crabs were very good size and cooked to perfection. The hush puppies are a must have as well. There are a lot of items on the menu including stuff for someone that doesn't like seafood however I would stick with the crabs. I thought the service was excellent, the food came quickly and always with a smile from the waitress. If you plan on going on a Saturday night around dinner time (7pm) here is what you can expect. They say to car pool if possible and they are correct, one car leaves the lot another one is let in. So there are cars waiting 'in the que' just to get in the lot. There are parking attends that are there and very helpful. My advice is if this happens let someone out of your car and have them walk in and get on the wait list for a table. You can expect anywhere from an hour to 2 hour wait BUT there is stuff to do. There is an outdoor bar in the parking lot where you can get a drink and walk downstairs along the water. The food and atmosphere were great, you just have to expect to wait but it is worth it.
(5)Alex L.
After a bit of a wait you'll be seated at a long picnic table. The server slaps down a piece of brown paper and brings you silverware, napkins and a mallet. You order crabs by size, however many you want, and in a few minutes they'll appear, steamed on a red tray. Grab your mallet and let the pounding, pulling and cracking begin. If you enjoy this, it doesn't get any better and the crabs don't get any fresher. Personally I go with the lump crab cakes - I'd rather enjoy my meal without breaking a sweat. But that's just me. Both crab soups are fantastic. The corn on the cob is fresh. Hush puppies make for a good side. They have a surprisingly large list of canned beer - beer you didn't even know came in cans - and "bottomless iced tea". If you're really not into crabs, fear not - there are plenty of other things on the menu: appetizers, salads, chicken, beef or other fish. Indoor, outdoor-covered or outdoor-uncovered seating is available. If you've never been there before, you might want to bring your GPS. One more thing - Cantler's can get insanely busy. I've even waited in a line of cars just to get into the parking lot. Remember: this isn't fine dining. This is good old fashioned, crab crackin' fun.
(5)Carter R.
Been to Cantler's tons of times. My fiance and I both grew up in the Arnold/Annapolis area and whenever we go out for crabs we always come here. I prefer it over Mikes and the other crab houses in the area. You will have to wait for a table on busy summer nights, but you can drink ice cold canned beer while you wait inside or out (big plus). Crabs can pricey but are worth it, and are always consistent.
(4)Travis T.
This place has been recommended to me by a couple different people over the years, but finally went to Cantler's on Labor Day with 3 friends. We had a short wait of maybe 30-40 minutes, so we plopped down and had an okay bloody mary. Once seated, our server was incredibly polite and attentive the whole time. We ordered a couple dozen #2s (the only crabs available), fries, corn on the cob and hush puppies. Of course, the beers were coming as we needed them. The crabs were great, but the ones on the bottom of the pile were really soggy and made the meat mushy which wasn't great. Otherwise, the crabs were super sweet and we didn't need any butter, vinegar or any other sauce. The fries were tasty, and the corn was also very good and sweet. But, the hush puppies were incredible, but I'm not a hush puppy connoisseur either. I'd definitely go back!
(3)Maryam K.
When I think of this place, I start day dreaming of everything it encompasses: fresh seafood, sunny summer days and waterside lounging. My obsession with king crab legs and blue crabs intensifies with every visit. I have to stop writing this, because the smell of Old Bay is taking over and I am not sure I can manage another 5 hours at the office with this nostalgia. Yuuuuuummmmy! p.s. the creamsicle cocktail is a MUST!
(5)Amy O.
Not so sure about this place. Maybe it is that I am not a huge crab person. If i ewre, maybe this review would be higher. Still, there was a wait, so it must be popular with some. I went with some crab, but opted on pizza to help fill my appetite. The pizza is surprisingly good, but I was dissapointed with the quality of the crabs here.
(2)Mukur H.
First, let me start by saying I do not eat seafood however 3 others in my party do. The atmosphere is great, The service is for the most part friendly and the food FRESH. We had an order of the Blue Crabs and they went like water. The other dishes (shrimp, scallops and king crabs) all disappeared equally as quickly. I had a burger, and while it was good (nothing out of this world) the fries were so damn good! It can get really busy so arrive a little early especially if you want to eat outside by the water. The bar/indoor area gets extremely packed, I felt like I was at a college party again. Highly recommended.
(5)Robin S.
I love crab, but I don't really care for the Old Bay Seasonings. I guess I just don't like anything too salty, it's an overkill. However, I bought some fresh chili, fish sauce, fresh garlic and sugar to make my own dipping sauce. Hey, I'm Thai, we love our sauce!! Great and friendly staff. I love the Ambiance and it's right on the lake. They even have a showcase by the dock showing all the things that they netted up. One is a denture!!! Hilarious!!
(4)L B.
Came on a Sunday night. There wasn't much people, which added to the entire ambience. Beautifully decked out for the holiday. The Christmas decorations and music. The Sunday night football. I loved it all. Service was excellent. The waitresses were all so friendly and attentive, and they answered all my questions. I thought they were great. The crab dip was delicious. It wasn't just the crab dip being extremely tasty, but the two loaves that it came with...I couldn't get over how soft and good they were. Might be the first time I've ever had an opinion on a loaf before. But it was really good! Dozen oysters for $11.99 = love. I'm from NY, so a dollar per oyster is excellent pricing for me. Crab imperial was delicious as well, full of crab meat, but it was $24.99 for a platter that seemed to be a one person portion to me. It can get pricey here, but I thought it was worth it because I had a great experience. Sadly they were out of crabs tonight, which was the main reason I came. But that's okay, I look forward to coming back some day. Oh, they also give out these cute matches at the end of your meal which was a plus!
(4)Dane K.
Cantler's... oh why oh why aren't there more places like this in MD? In an area known for its crab, it seems there's few places to actually get a crab boil... The thought of coming here got me all excited! I have a feeling this place has "jumped the shark" a little, it's no longer a "secret" to anyone... It's a nice place and all... A lot of excitement was built up for it. We were told it was really hard to find, yada yada yada... We do have a GPS, but it was pretty easy to find, and once you get off the main road, they seem to have added signs pointing you in the directions to Cantler's, so if you miss it you're probably a fool and shouldn't show up anyway. (Not to mention, there are no turns to make so it's pretty difficult to get wrong!) ... We were told of a long and winding one lane dirt road, this was a lot of exxageration really... Once we got there, we waited maybe 30 minutes or so for a table for 4. It was a busy weekend night. The bar was a full bar (another exaggeration made was it was a "beer only" type place), though I was happy this turned out to not be true because I don't drink beer. Between 3 of us, we ordered a dozen large crabs. That was more than enough. They were about $45 MP/dozen if I recall, and they had various other sizes to order too. They were coated with a heavy dose of Old Bay, which was a little much for at least one person at our table (I liked it though!) They have plenty of seating inside, outside, and outside covered... The waterfront seating was nice. It's on a rather quiet part of one of the creeks (which really are larger than even a river in most places). The picnic table seating made it easy to annoy--I mean talk to--the neighbors next to us.... who actually knew what they were doing. Eating a blue crab apparently isn't as straight forward as you might think. You can't eat the lungs, or you'll get sick said the marine biologist sitting next to us who showed us the ways.. Once they were finished, a lobbyist who worked for the paint industry replaced them... The people here were quite interesting indeed, and very friendly all around. Don't wear your best attire, you'll leave a stinky mess probably... I'd go back!
(4)Bianca F.
Another great crab house in the Annapolis area. It's not as big as its competitor, Mike's Crab House and doesn't have as big of an outdoor area. It also doesn't have as expansive as a view, although I do like quiet water way that we do see. The fun part for kids (and adults) are found on the below-street level - I don't know how to describe them, but you can see live crab in some basins. The prices are decent and the crabs are good...though they tend to be missing some of the large claws sometimes. The service is OK. The wait here is long but you'll find that problem at any crab house in the area on a summer's night.
(4)Peter K.
Loud, crowded, and the food definitely did hot live up to the hype that has been written about this place. Yes, its a crab-house, yes its not fine dining, but the crabs were watery. We ordered the Jimmy seafood platter as well. Half the mussels and clams on the platter were empty. I would not recommend going out of your way to come here. If you have to wait more than 10 minuets for a table, you should go someplace else. Not worth the wait.
(2)Liza A.
Well good place for crabs.....but not worth the waiting..come on I came to this place at 2:30 pm was greeted by a guy at the narrow rd that takes to this place and told us that parking was full and that we needed to wait until parking was available..OK....we had probably 18 cars before us.....we got down to put our names on the waiting list...90 MIN...oh man....well no shade so under the sun with kids...hubby cones with car and parks at 3:30 pm we are still waiting for table ;(, well buzzer starts beeping we come to the sssmalllll entrance and the stupid thing is just running out of battery come back out and wait some more, sat and ate until 4:00pm. Food is OK nothing worth that hassle. Waitresses are very nice. But oh man what a nightmare. Thank God its over
(3)Thuy L.
Highly, highly recommend going to this place for the sweetest, meatiest crabs in the area. Actually, anywhere! We ordered a dozen extra large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, fries and two corn on the cob. It was a bit much for the two of us. Next time I would just get half a dozen crabs and a basket of hush puppies. On good weather days, be sure to sit outside under the covers. The riverfront view makes it all the more enjoyable.
(5)Katie R.
The crabs were DELICIOUS!!! Had never experienced eating crab straight from the water. Cracked open, pulled apart, seasoned and ate right there. The experience of it all + the taste can't be compared to anywhere else I've eaten. Group of 6 also ordered Crab dip, blackened rockfish bites, calamari, fries and corn (they ran out of crabs so we ordered quite a few apps to tide us over until the next shipment came in 1 hour later). All of us were completely satisfied. Beer comes in cans, yes, but I think it's more of a safety reason...which is fine by me. If someone were upset, I'd rather not have them use a bottle over someone's head. Only giving 4 stars because of how tiny the bathrooms are. I agree with another reviewer that they should just have a large sink out for men and women to use where you can rinse off after the meal...not have to squeeze around in the bathroom to wash off while others are actually using the bathroom. If you can avoid being around that, much nicer finish to your meal.
(4)Fat T.
I would venture to say the best crabs in MD. The scenery is perfect, eat inside or outside over looking the water. The crabs are steamed to order. Usually get a dozen or two of their jumbo or xl?...ends up being 70 or so per dozen. It doesn't really matter I'll pay whatever they're asking. The hush puppies are a must.
(5)Goofy D.
We got the calamari as an appetizer (left in the fryer a little too long). - also wanted to try the steamers. I've never had those so I was interested in trying them. When they came, - and - both said I shouldn't use these to judge steamers in general. Dirty, mushy and they had some thing on them that apparently wasn't supposed to be there. For my dinner, I got the broiled seafood platter. The crab that was on the shrimp was so bad I couldn't eat it. After I said something - is like, "- I didn't want to say anything but mine is funny, too." Yuck. She'd had the stuffed shrimp. - and - got the snowcrab and said that was fine.
(1)Mike H.
I don't get the hype people. The crabs are good but overpriced, the service is mediocre. The menu outside of the crabs is okay. The location is alright but there are several better locations for crabs, better views, better prices, better service. As a local I noticed most of the reviews for this spot are from outta towners, so I get why they like it but if you are a local and go to Cantlers, I don't know you.
(3)MaJ C.
Holy Crab! The absolute BEST whole crabs I have had in like 10 years around here! Windy road, with small street signs, absolutely IN the country. Had a parking lot director, which was very helpful. Got there at 1:00, with a 45-60 minute wait. It was a Saturday after all.. Put our names on the list ( they also gave us a buzzer ) Grabbed some bloody mary's from the bar, and hung out in the lot. Bloody's not recommended, as they just pout tomato juice over vodka. Grab a beer. Much better. Sat on the water in the back. Waitress brought out a bucket o ice with new beers. YaaY! Jumbos and large. Perfect seasoning. Had to return and order because they were underdone, though with ease from the waitress, no fuss. a 'Sure thing, Hon' and we had another order in moments. *Tip there is a hand was station outside, just ask where! Left happy, and swooning in childhood memory's of real crabs from the bay. We left at about 4:30, and the Line of cars to get in was about a mile long......
(5)Anne F.
Do you like to eat crabs the Maryland way? Come to Cantler's. I feel in many ways that writing this kind of review allows outsiders to know about a local secret, but I don't feel like Cantler's is really an insider's place to go anymore. Getting there can be a bit difficult - bring your GPS, map, or just call the place so you don't get lost on a winding back road. Order as many crabs as you think that you can eat along with coleslaw and a cold beer. Now you are in heaven. I took my aunt and uncle here when they came from Illinois. They loved it, even if breaking into the crabs was more than they had bargained for. The staff was friendly and good spirits about them taking pictures of the crabs and eating the crabs.
(5)Michael T.
A great place for the complete Maryland Crab experience. Ask for the dozen and supersize em. Ask also for the malt vinegar on the side, very good. This place is an out of the way local favorite, you'll need gps to find it, but once u do, u'l be glad you did. The only negative to this place (and what keeps me from giving five stars) was their horrible selection of beer from the 80's, bud, miller, coors, etc.,, yuk, otherwise this is a great spot for all things crabs, u won't b disappointed, enjoy.
(4)Dian C.
It's crab season!! One of the reasons to live in the Mid-Atlantic. I brought three Cantler's-virgins recently, arriving at around 5:15PM on a Saturday. We were quickly seated on their patio overlooking the water within 15 minutes of arriving. You cannot be the atmosphere of Cantler's! Other places may have good crabs, but what makes Cantler's stand out is the location and atmosphere. Make sure you bring sunscreen if you plan on sitting outside when the weather's nice or you might risk one side of your body being sunburnt! We first ordered a dozen large ($55) for four people, then ordered 8 more when we cleaned up the first 12. We also ordered lump crab cakes and the Jimmy's Sampler (steams shrimps, mussels, and clams, along with cole slaw and fries) The clams were probably the meatiest clams I've ever had and I would highly recommend the sampler to fill your emptying stomach as you pound away at crabs for hours on end. I've heard from a regular that late in the season, Cantler's does an all-you-can-eat-crabs special. I'll be returning then, if not sooner!
(5)Matt H.
pure definition of a crabhouse in terms of atmosphere and food. TIP: it's a popular spot (plenty of tourists) so while you wait, grab yourself a cold drink and hang out behind the restaurant along the water. your remote buzzer will reach you there.
(4)Tyson L.
We could have gone anywhere else to get crabs. Theres nothing special in the way that Cantlers cooks or serves theirs. But its total experience of driving out by way of GPS to a remote RIVER SIDE location and enjoying our crabs. Yes, there was a long wait. Heck, even the parking lot was full by the time we got there, we were told to park next door at the marina lot. And yeah, $85 for a dozen "Super" jimmy's seems outlandish. But it was worth it to enjoy. Here's the BIGGEST TIP! Ask your server to bring out HALF of your order first, especially if you are dining outside. The crabs will get cold by the time youre only half way done, even if youre an expert crab disassembley artists like me. Reheating the crabs is no good. But better than cold crabs...
(5)Steve V.
Great atmosphere for a crab feast. You drive down this ling narrow winding road to a dead end, which is Cantler's. It sits right on the bay. We have sat both indoors and outdoors before. It can get windy outside, but is a good breeze when the weather is hot. The server comes and lays down the butcher paper and you are set. Don't wear your Sunday best here. It gets messy. No crab crackers, you get full on wood mallets to bash your crab to smitherines! Great for groups and quite an experience, oh ya, and the crabs are good too!
(4)Linda C.
Cantler's is tucked away in a secluded residential area by the water. It felt like we found a secret hide-away. There is plenty of parking and the wait was not more than 15 minutes on a Sunday for lunch. We had crab dip, hush puppies, steamed clams, and crab cake sandwich. Everything was fresh and delicious. The service was friendly and quick. A really nice place to visit in Annapolis.
(4)Wendy M.
Great seafood and crabs. We ordered to appetizers, which were both excellent. Crab cakes were fabulous as well. Service was excellent. Wonderful view of the water.
(5)blowfly x.
We've been to Cantler's a few times in the past but I think now it's hit the wall. We had the cream of crab soup - it was gluey. I had a special of lobster tail and stuffed softshell crab; the lobster was overcooked and had PEPPER on it. I had to wipe the pepper off, but the lobster remained overcooked and just tasted like nothing. Strangely, no melted butter was included, only regular butter. The softshell crab was soggy, and the stuffing of imperial crab was tasteless. The whole thing just had no flavor. My husband had the crab cakes, which I guess were better since he didn't seem disappointed, but he's usually okay with most food, so I can't trust his judgement. Of course there's always a wait of hours and hours on Saturdays, so we sat at the bar. There was a drunk guy near us who latched onto the family right next to us and talked for 15 minutes non-stop in this incredibly loud, monotonic voice that also managed to be nasal and went into my head like a drill. When he got up to hit the restroom I felt this enormous sense of relief. I knew what people meant when they said they felt they had died and gone to heaven. I don't know how the people he was talking at could stand it. Fortunately when he came back they didn't talk to him anymore and I was able to be massively disappointed in my expensive dinner in peace. Maybe if you pick crabs it's better. Not worth finding out.
(1)Mark H.
Gawd I love this place - Cantler's specializes in crabs fresh from the Chesapeake. You can sit outside on their deck in the warmer months and munch on a pile of freshly cooked blue crabs while looking at the boats cruise by on a tributary of the Bay. Most people opt for the platters of steamed whole crabs which you take apart. For those not inclined to a biology project on their dinner table, Cantler's offers an excellent lump crabmeat Imperial (delish!) and big-ass crabcakes. The tomato and mozzarella salad with lump crab with balsamic vinegar was a lip-smacker, too. About the only minor gripe I have is with the hush puppies, but that may be a regional thing. This is a must go food destination if you are in the Annapolis area (but bring a map - it can be a bit hard to find). Highly recommended.
(4)Mac O.
I will probably get drummed off the mid-Atlantic seaboard for this, but here goes: I am not the hugest blue crab fan. I know, I know: boo, hiss. It's not the crabs themselves -- the flavor is good! I love crab cakes! Lump crab meat! Crab omelets! It's the work. All that work, so little output...I'm one of those girls who always asks the waitperson for a "lesson" in how to crack a crab so that I have at least one perfectly shelled crab and a nice little pile of meat to work on. Otherwise I'm a hot mess. But. As far as blue crabs go, Cantler's is fine. Location is way off-the-beaten-path in residential Annapolis. The views from the outside decks are OK, looking out over the river and the homes on the other bank (no views of the city, tho), but one end of the deck overlooks a tar-papered roof. Not the loveliest scenery for enjoying your crab workout. The ambiance inside is nothing to write home about, just a marine-themed heavy, dimly lit square room. Depressing, as another reviewer noted. I won't even get into the bathrooms, which are miniature and ridiculous. And the place is mobbed any time after 11:30 and waits can be long... The crabs themselves are really hit-or-miss here. Some of the ones that arrive on your plastic tray are large and luscious, bursting with tender, tasty meat. Others, however, are anemic -- if crabs can be anemic...mealy and not so flavorful. Which is a major disappointment when you have to work your ass off to get at that meat in the first place. Not to mention when you're dropping sixty bones for a dozen of these bad boys. At that price, I want all my crabs to rock my world. They don't here. The accompanying sides are meh -- I do so love cole slaw and Cantler's is a bit disappointing; the side salad I ordered this weekend was comprised of way past its prime, slimy mixed greens. I sent it back. All in all, Cantler's is a'ight. But it doesn't change my mind about thinking shucking your own blue crabs isn't all it's cracked up to be. Lame pun intended.
(3)Paulette A.
I was here earlier this week with a group of 12. We were seated at a great table outside on the porch. This is not a place to go expecting to stay clean. You are guaranteed to be up to your elbows in Old Bay! We had large crabs, the boiled shrimp and snow crab legs, along with onion rings, sweet potato fries, hushpuppies and cole slaw. Everything was fresh and awesome. The only down side of visiting with a group was that they couldn't give us seperate bills.
(5)Quentin G.
Wonderfull crabby experience for a French crab virgin like me !
(4)Samir L.
Soup of the day was butternut squash topped with crabmeat. Amazing. So glad I found this place on Yelp, glad it was actually where it was supposed to be (got a little worried I was leading my friends down a small, narrow road to nowhere.....) Indoor and outdoor seating available.
(4)Kristina G.
To show you how much of a nerd I am, I will fully admit that I was excited when Yelp added all that statistic stuff to reviews. Bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs! Cantler's is a prime example of how these tools can be useful. If you look at the rating distribution trend of Cantler's, you'll see that it has primarily 5 star reviews. However, if you click the little trend link, you'll also see that these ratings have gone done drastically over the past few months. While one could hypothesize this means an overall drop in quality, I'm guessing that Cantler's is just a seasonal restaurant, best enjoyed during the summer months. My boyfriend came here in February. We should have known better since it wasn't crab season. While my boyfriend thoroughly enjoyed the chesapeake oysters, everything else was mediocre to average. Lobster was ok but served with a side of snap peas and raw onions (odd?), steak was well overdone, and my ribs were not good. While I might get flak for ordering ribs at a seafood place, 1) I wasn't in a seafood mood that night and ordered what I thought would be the hardest thing for them to screw up, and 2) I come from the school that if you can't do something decently, don't put it on your menu. Finally, the price. I love casual places and environmental concerns aside, I could care less about eating on styrofoam. But if you're going to go casual, your food should either be spectacular or the prices should be lower. Neither was the case. I'm willing to come back in the summer for some fresh crabs and upgrade my rating, but I'll be eating elsewhere during the year.
(2)Melissa M.
First time there last weekend. Our server was excellent! She not only had a sense of humor, but she was attentive and really had personality. You could tell she really enjoyed working there. The food was delicious! We ordered the crab dip for an appetizer, perfect consistency w/ my favorite Old Bay seasoning, of course! I ordered the seafood pasta. The scallops were plentiful as was the crabmeat, could of used more than 3 shrimp, but the pasta as a whole was amazing and a nice portion. I also tried a relative's mako shark (wasn't on the menu as an entree, but they made it anyway!). This was also delicious, I'd recommend it. Overall, a pleasant experience, nice casual atmosphere by the water, would be great in the summer for all you can eat crabs for sure!
(5)Jason K.
I have only had one experience at Cantler's. I ventured out to find this out of the way place based on the raving fans telling me I had to try it out. I unfortunately found the experience to be less then satisfying. The lemonade was very weak and almost tasted like water, and the food was expensive and average to poor in taste. I complained about the lemonade and the staff just didn't care! I was told that it was just that way, sorry. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing on the wrong day but we don't plan to return. In every restaurant I always ask the staff what the best known item on the menu is and what they personally think is wonderful. This didn't work here. Food is a 1 maybe 2, overpriced for what you get. Staff is a solid 1, not helpful and seemed only interested in friends at the bar. Atmosphere is a 4 due to the Chesapeake Dock concept
(1)Nita S.
My friend and I went to Cantler's on Sunday afternoon around 2:30pm. This place is at the end of a narrow road which goes through a residential area. There's limited parking, so there was a line just to get into the parking lot, which was directed by Cantler's employees. Only took us about 10 min to get into the lot though. Once we got inside, we were told the wait was 45 minutes for two people, however, we were seated in just 15 minutes. The inside of the restaurant is SMALL, but they have quite a bit of seating on the outside deck/patio overlooking the water. Prior to making the hour long trek out to Cantler's we called and asked if they offered an all you can eat crab option and the lady told us yes and it was priced at $35 per person. HOWEVER, when we arrived our server told us that they weren't offering all you can eat, but they do offer it SOMETIMES. I'm not sure why the person answering the phone would not have mentioned that. We ended up ordering a dozen of Supers ($100), Onion Rings, and the Jimmy's Crab Feast which comes with Steamed Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Snow Crab Legs, and a side of Cole Slaw. All of the food was delicious. The supers were nice and heavy and steamed to perfection. We also ordered two frozen margaritas to try beat the heat which were some of the best I've ever had--or maybe it was the humid, 90 degree heat, and blazing sun that made me think that?! All and all, we had a great experience at Cantler's. It's among the best places in the area to get crabs. Definitely recommend checking them out if you're in the Washington DC/Annapolis area.
(4)C E.
Decided to go to Cantlers for crabs instead of across the bay due to time constraints. Not my first choice but decided to give it another shot. By boat is best way, nice ride and can always find dock spot. Ordered large crabs plus pasta salad, hush puppies, fried clams and fish tacos. The fried clams and beer were good !?!? All else was sub par. When "fresh" steamed crabs come out in less than 5 minutes you know they weren't picked out of the tank and separately steamed. Sure enough they were cool to the touch and barely edible. 30% of them were dried out husks, they had obviously been waiting under a heat source for a long time. The rest were just mushy meat. The pasta salad was tasteless at best and the fish tacos had green stuff on them that I imagine was meant to be guacamole. Once again Cantlers live down to my expectations. Take the time to go across the Bay and avoid this place. This was my last time.
(1)Lucia C.
Crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Mussels crabs crabs crabs crabs Clams crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Shrimp crabs crabs crabs crabs Rockfish crabs crabs crabs crab crabs Oysters crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs crabs Scallops crabs crabs crabs crabs Crabcakes. I like crabs. And Cantler's provides some pretty Maryland blues right from the Bay. This place is perfect (and priced) for tourists, and that's really part of it's appeal. It's not very often you get to wear a bib in public, soil your table and hands with crab juice (ew), and dig into a regional specialty. The Cantler's crab boil is a great deal that will keep you busy with a good sampling of seafood. The rockfish sandwich is tasty too. Go in the spring/summer when the crabs are in season and the weather is lovely. Sit outside and enjoy the view. If you are a crab legs guy and can't get into the bodies, these Blue crabs may not be for you. There are instructions, and it takes finesse, to uncover that perfect lump. If you are as skilled as my guy is at hammering crabs, then have your mallet ready.
(4)Courtney C.
I'm not sure where these reviews are coming from, but I was less than impressed yesterday to say the least. I had a craving for some steamed blues and after calling around, Cantler's had XL and everyone else only had larges. We headed out and after driving into no where we arrived! Its a nice spot on the water, plenty of parking and had a good crowd at 3:30 on a gorgeous fall Saturday. We wanted to sit outside but the wait was 30 min so, we opted for inside instead. The menu isn't very large but they have the basics and mostly seafood. We waited around for at least 10 min for our waitress to come take our drink order....this should have been the sign that our service was going to be horrible. They have a full bar but no beer on tap. Disappointment, but we knew that before we came. 10 min later we got our drinks and had a few questions about the menu. We wanted a pound of just steamed shrimp to start if possible. She said they could do that. Well, turns out they can't. She put in a $25 dinner order for steamed shrimp with onions, potatoes, etc. as our appetizer. One look at it and we sent it back. Seriously, she should have just said no! They took it off our bill. I went with 12 dozen of the XL with a side salad and hush puppies. My husband ordered the rock fish taco's and substituted the fries and coleslaw for hush puppies and potato salad. My side salad looked amazing at first. Spring mix with lots of veggies. Well, 12 of the spring mix was wilted and slimy. I picked through it, but in hind sight should have sent it back. The hush puppies side was huge and they were descent. Nothing I couldn't buy in the freezer section and make at home though. Oh well. The crabs were cooked well, and reasonable, but nothing amazing. Frank's in Jessup still reigns supreme when it comes to the best quality crabs. They don't use old bay, the crabs weren't really XL, and only one was really heavy and meaty. My husband enjoyed his taco's. They were spicy and the fish looked fresh. Unfortunately, it came out with fries and coleslaw instead of the substitution. We had given up on our waitress by now and just dealt with it. Fries were OK and coleslaw was disgusting. We had to flag her down for refills, ended up asking for a pitcher of water for our table because she was SO SLOW. I was so ready to leave by then. I went to wash my hands in the tiniest bathroom ever and we paid and left. $75 wasn't too bad, we left exactly 15% because I'm not that big of a bitch and drove the 45min home. Sorry Eastern MD folks, this place was not anything to rave about. The atmosphere was nice (even with the cobwebs on the lights), but there are too many places to get crabs for me to put up with service that bad.
(2)Meg H.
We arrived around 8pm on a Sunday evening and were able to be seated immediately. The order of large blue crabs came out within 5 minutes of ordering and were freshly steamed perfectly and heavy in meat. I am allergic to shellfish and generally am bored with seafood restaurant menus chicken and steak options. I ordered the Chicken bruschetta sandwich and WOW I was impressed! Our waitress was prompt, courteous and very friendly. Thank you to our waiter, Mike, at the Pusser's outside bar for recommending this place!! A little off the beaten path, but WELL WORTH IT!
(4)Erika J.
Having heard about "Cantler's Riverside Inn" by several locals in the area, we figured it was time to give it a try. We arrived via boat to find that their docking situation was less than ideal. If you drive a LARGE yacht, this is the place for you, however if you're driving a 29 foot boat, the docking area is much larger than needed. It was a Saturday afternoon, during the middle of the summer...which meant we were going to be waiting for a table. We didn't wait too long, and the bar welcomed us for our wait! The food was great. We ordered crab dip and it had several good flavors and plenty of crab. We also ordered a cup of Cream of Crab soup - also fantastic. Followed up our meal with some crab cakes - also very good. They had plenty of meat, little filler, and good flavor. We've returned several times since the first visit, and have continued to be happy with our experience. The staff is friendly, the food is good, and the price is reasonable. The one piece that is holding me from rating it with 5 stars -- is the size. There isn't much room for dining and many of the tables feel like they are on top of one another. You could even be sat at a table with strangers on the other side of the picnic table...not my idea of a 'date night.' Nonetheless, we can get over that! Definitely recommend if you're in the area.
(4)Christine C.
Location - on the water! Breezy by night Service - So many servers, it was great, always taken care of Dress - Very Casual, in fact follow everyone's advice, wear something you don't mind getting messy Food - great, over sized onion rings, great crab, and other plates around us looked quiet yum as well. Short and sweet, great little hide away with super long hours!
(4)Chris F.
Cantler's is one my favorite local restaurants and the place in Annapolis I would take out-of-towners to eat Maryland-style seafood. It hasn't changed a bit in two decades (okay, they have Ravens paraphernalia now, but I hardly think that counts). The crabs are excellent, the soup is amazing, everything that comes as a platter is delicious. The restaurant itself is set back in a residential neighborhood along the river and makes you feel like you need to have a secret map to find it. Inside, it's like a museum to Maryland pride, and the bar is totally 1970s-awesomeness. They "proudly only serve beer in cans."
(5)Eryn P.
Very awesome! We got a little nervous going down the tiny little road and a half that took us there, but the scare and the wait for parking was well worth it. The was wait was very short. Once we were seated we were immediately greeted by an awesome waitress who proceeded to go through the entire menu with us while making suggestions along the way. My father and I ordered a dozen of the large blue crab. They are caught fresh daily and the size depends on what's caught that day. My Mother ordered the grouper with blue cheese over risotto and as an appetizer we ordered the crab dip, which had been recommended to us. Every thing was fantastic. The grouper was moist, but not soggy. The risotto was done to perfection and the crab was out of this world. I even took the time to notice that every single table had a huge tray of these crabs. They were clearly the hot item. We will for sure be coming back and recommending them to all of our friends and to all of the people we have visit who want authentic Chesapeake Bay seafood!
(5)Rick S.
I've gotta share in recommending Cantler's. I was unsure about going to an out-of-the-way restaurant, but in the end it was well worth it. I've eaten crabs since I was a kid, but these were some of the best I remember having. We got a dozen large steamed blue crabs for $70, and even it took us a half hour to eat each crab (I went digging for each piece of delicious meat). So prepare for a lengthy stay. The sides - corn (fresh, warm, served cooked in the husk), hush puppies (not bad, filling, brought out with honey) and drinks may have lengthened our eating experience. Personally, I preferred the vinegar (over the butter) for dipping crab meat and the seasoning that came with them was a bit too strong/salty for my taste. You'll probably want to ask for extra napkins while there. It can get a bit loud, but everyone seems to be having a good time and enjoying the good food. Very scenic view of the river.
(4)Allyson B.
Quirky little seafood shack on the water. The old fisherman at the bar was downing beer and blue crabs and lamenting the number of sailboats on the bay while right beside him yachting yuppies enjoyed mussels steamed in wine. Perfect. Incredible food, average service, a unique dining experience.
(4)Eric V.
I came for the crab, only the crab. I was not disappointed. This place is a great classic crab house. It can get crazy busy so just give them a call to see what the crowd scene is like and to see what crabs they have. They have their own live well tanks where they keep their crab catch alive so you can be sure you are getting fresh live crabs. So cool. That's like an oyster bar farming their own oysters or a sushi restaurant keeping their own aquariums for the sushi. :) And the crabs I had tonight were wonderful. Full and tasty. Their "Old Bay Seasoning" is not true Old Bay but it's good enough. It has a lot of added salt. I hear true Old Bay is too expensive to use in most restaurants... I don't agree but ... one star lost for not using true Old Bay yet still calling it Old Bay. No biggie but still... Sat out on an massive deck overlooking their live wells below and the water of the Bay just beyond that. Really great location. You feel like you're on the water and boats can actually pull up to a dock below. Anyway, this place is great for crabs. Paper on the table, mallets (learn to ditch the mallet below), crab knives, cold beer. Go and enjoy the crabs as I did! Watch this video first so you don't complain that they are too hard to eat and so you don't embarrass yourself. :) youtube.com/watch?v=kUW6…
(4)Tim S.
I'm sure the other 250+ reviews are full of detail and wit, so I'll just say this. Been going to Cantlers for 30 years now, best outdoor atmosphere around (for seafood) . . . I haven't eaten crabs there for years - mostly due to price gouging, but I make better crabs at home too). Menu just recently improved. I never go on a weekend.
(3)Sparky P.
WOW!! First off major shout out to Stephanie F. for being amazing!!! My cup was never empty and she was helpful in helping us decide which of the three types of crab cakes we wanted! The food here is great. If you haven't had steam Blue crabs before, this is the place to go. They bring the crabs in by boat and they are kept a live in "pools" outside. Blue crabs are much smaller and harder to eat than ordinary crabs, but they are much sweeter and well worth all the extra effort. We took the advise of the table next to us and ordered a dozen medium crabs. As promised, they were meaty and I wouldn't have noticed much of a different if I ordered the larger ones. The crabs come liberally sprinkled with the cumin, celery, sea salt and something something rub. You can also have butter, vinegar, or more of the dry rub to dip your crabs into. Crab cakes were ok, I was more enthused about the fresh boiled peas that came with the crab cakes. Unless you really don't have patience to get to the crab meat yourself, I would just stick to the steamed blue crab. Appetizers: Fried Calamari - really good, very well seasoned, and complemented perfectly by the mildly sweet sauce. Clam Chowder- ok. . .the almost $8 bowl was a bascially the size of a cup anywhere else. Unless you need clam chowder (my brother went to the east coast specifically to eat chowdah) I'd pass on it. Bread- not the dip, but just the bread is wonderful heaven. Cruchy on the outside, warm and soft on the inside, a perfect way to even out all the salt you end up consuming with the crab. Take a trip out! Expect a wait, but expect good fresh food!
(5)John K.
Cantlers Two Days in a Row? What a difference a night makes. ********************************* College Roomate and darling bride are in town. Where do they want to go? Cantlers of course. This time we had an "A-OK" evening. On a Monday night in early May would you believe a 25-minute wait for an outside table? Yep. By the way, while I have your attention, our server Jennifer was a delight. A Maryland finance grad making some extra bucks in the summer. I tested her sorely. Her reply was convincing when asked where the crabs were from. "The Bay, probably the Virginia part of the Bay," she said with conviction. I sent a crab back for being way light. She was happy to replace it with a fat one. There is a Maryland Crab Caprese Salad that is actually quite good. And of course, everyone loved their Maryland Crab Soup. Cantlers is back in my good graces.
(3)Vic-Crys W.
Pros (extremely fresh crabs, oysters, seafood. Good onion rings for the price, atmosphere). Cantler's blue crabs have never failed us. Sure you may be able to find seafood as fresh as Cantlers elsewhere, but you won't feel like an old salt pounding on your gigantic blue crab drowning in old bay. The feel that you can get down and dirty with your hands and mallet and have a feast is actually quite wonderful. Cantlers also serve what seems to be the best tasting crab cake we've ever tasted, full of flavor and unfortunately... crab shells as well. Having a group of friends pound away at the crabs with you is an indescribably satisfying feeling. Cons (shells within crab cake, may be daunting for the beginner crab eater, will get messy). If you've never had crab before, Cantler's is not the best place to start. If you prefer your crab to be served on top of white table clothes with forks and knives, Cantlers swaps fine tables with benches and knives with mallets and napkins. Recommendation: get down and dirty and enjoy the crabs. Comparable to: Jerry's Seafood (crab bomb).
(4)Kenneth K.
Phenomenal experience if you're looking to eat crabs in a unique setting. There's big riverside deck in the back of the place which makes for great scenery. Even more importantly, the crab was excellent. My fiancee and I took a road trip down to Annapolis in search of good crab. This place was highly recommended from a local friend. While they were out of the jumbos, we got a bunch of XLs and tore through them. Good amount of old bay seasoning, crab meat was fresh, sweet, and plentiful (even in the claws which is novelty for me when it comes to blue crab). I didn't realize how much we took the place for granted until we got some mediocre, not so fresh crabs at Lazy Susan's in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I had to knock my rating down from 5 to 4 based on the sides. The hush puppies were quite forgettable. If I could, I'd rate it a 4.5 instead. Regardless, ditch the sides and load on crabs and beer!
(4)Sudhanshu K.
One day decided to drive down from NYC to MD for crabs. after doing a little research online, we started our 4 hour drive down to MD. Once we arrived, we were seated quickly, luckily beating the rush, there were numerous groups waiting outside when we left. Ordered the Crabs, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Shrimps and Lager. The crabs and shrimp were amazing, luckily some locals helped us out w/ the crabs, showing us the various methods people use to open the crabs up. The crab cakes were ok, nothing spectacular. Definitely worth 8 hr driving round trip for a nice crab lunch. Also, make sure to sit outside.
(4)Wayne Y.
I took my family to Cantler's on my brother's recommendation and since we were tourists and also perhaps due our lack of experience in ordering crabs at Cantler's we felt we had to intuitively go about our meal. Our server was polite and efficient but perhaps because it was getting busy, she really didn't offer any additional advice on the "hows" to best maximize the crab-fest. She did suggest that our family of 5 order 6 crabs in addition to our entrees and that was about the right amount. But half way through the meal, we asked her if we were doing it properly and she finally showed us. We also saw people dipping the crab into various sauces and that was not offered to us so we ate the crabs as they came out. That was ok because they were seasoned enough but it would have been nice to have been informed. I guess is that since they are so popular, they don't really care about return business. All said, the crab was good, it seemed a bit pricey but I took it on faith that it was the going market price for the area and since we were tourists out for an experience, we accepted it. We had a good time overall and it was fun whacking at the crabs with our mallets. So for I would give 3 and a half stars for the food (crabs) and 2 stars for the service.
(3)B D.
I love love love Cantler's. I've been several times and have never been disappointed. The crabs are a bit pricey but well worth it. Everything taste so fresh. While the service is meh, the food more than makes up for up!
(5)Anne D.
Fabulous cream of crab soup was yummy!!! Deck overlooks a creek.
(5)Jenn Tang S.
Yummy Yummy Crabs! Smashing Old Bay-seasoned crabs and drinking spicy bloody marys by the water is pretty much the best way to spend your Saturday. The hush-puppies were pretty tasty too, along with the clams that had the full tail still attached. It was my first time eating the clams with the tail still on, so it was a little uncomfortable de-skinning it. Kinda felt like pulling a condom off a tiny tiny... well.. I digress. After you get that gross vision out of your head, let me just say they were very delicious clams when dipped in butter and Old Bay. No seriously, get that gross picture out of your head.
(4)Tim T.
one of my favorite places to go for fresh seafood. it's right along the river, and can get crowded during weekends. i always try to go during lunchtime on a weekday, and eat on the outside benches. i will often drive the mrs down to annapolis just for this place. well worth it...
(5)Tracey C.
I happened to come here on a day that the All-You-Can-Eat- special was in effect. SCORE!!! The trade off for the super cheap price ($20 or so dollars) is that you only get mediums. Most of their mediums are a pretty decent size, so with the crabs, fresh corn on the cob, and a 1.5 lbs of peel and eat shrimp I was in heaven. I haven't read all of the previous reviews but how did I miss that this place is in the cut*? My boyfriend looked a little skeptical as I read him the directions from Google map but after finding it and stuffing his face, he thanked me and all of you Yelp folks for introducing us to this place. * "In the cut" primarily refers to a location that is secluded or hard to find. See Ol' Yella (Brian) if more detailed is needed.
(4)Guy F.
Crabcake was expensive and tasted like any one else's. Price is absurd for portion size. The calamari came out and we all laughed instantly because of how small the portion was, if only the price matched. There are better crab places out there, I'm not impressed.
(1)Windi L.
PHEW! So glad YELP didn't mess this one up. We were running late for the Navy Homecoming football game but having been to Annapolis before, knew the food in them there parts was pretty cruddy. Despite the risk of being more delayed, I made a mad dash for the computer and pulled up Yelp in Annapolis, MD. Cantlers was the first to come up so we decided to go there. I tried to tell my boyfriend we should do more research (as yelp has done me wrong before... City Zen comes to mind) but as I mentioned, we had to get to our seats to watch Navy STOMP on Wake Forest. I had no idea what to expect arriving here. This place is in the middle of no where. Even our GPS had a hard time finding it. We eventually arrived to what appears on the outside a really upscale joint. After entering, I realized that assumption was dead wrong. It's kind of hillbilly but with some class. Long tables strung about with paper on top to crack your crabs. Waiters wearing terri cloth booty shorts. I mean, it was great. Who knew red neck could look so appealing? Now to the food: PHENOMENAL!! Best food I've had in Annapolis. We ordered a ton of things from the butternut squash and crab soup to (my fave) the blackened mahi sandwich. Normally most peeps mess up on mahi but not this place. Great food all around. If you're tired of the same tourist traps in down town Annapolis, take a short drive out here. Worth it!! Oh and the BEST margarita I've ever had was here, too!
(5)Dmytro A.
Best crab experience in Maryland, making it the best crab feast experience in the world. I drag all my out-of-state guests up here, either by car or by boat. While I know that everyone comes for the crab, the sides are not to be dismissed as unworthy distractions. The hush puppies are making my mouth water right now as I right this, and you can butter and salt the corn yourself, if you like. Service is great too. The girls look great in their uniforms, and they're always quick with the fresh cold ones. The only drawback is the wait. But then, you don't go for a crab feast if you're in a rush. Grab some cold ones, and mosey around the dock area with the buzzer they give you in your pocket. For the kids (or the big kids), there's also a "living museum" type area, where you can look at (but don't touch) live crabs and other river creatures in water tanks.
(5)Christina C.
This is a late review - I came here a few months ago on a sunny Sunday. It was packed.. about an hour wait; but we ended up hangin out at the bar. So finally, we got a dozen crabs topped with Old Bay seasoning. And just dipping that crab meaty goodness in their butter just hits the spot. It's pricey, but it was my first time and I don't mind it at all. Something about delicious crabs, a side of onion rings, fries, all washed down with some yeungling - while overlooking the river.. and just being able to use a wooden mallet to open these babies.. not to mention the layout of your table - one huge brown paper as your table mat. it's an awesome experience.. you can tell I'm a newb with these things. Anyways, now I'm just babblin...lol but hopefully you get the idea.
(4)Jonathan P.
great atmosphere on the water and solid seafood. go during the week or be prepared to deal with crazy crowds and long waits while you drink beers in the parking lot.
(3)Tim M.
A great MD crab house. Meets the need in many ways. Always enjoy our meals here
(4)Varian L.
It's quite the drive to get to Cantler's -- the road to get there is windy and occassionally single-laned path that passes beautiful cozy houses along the lake and woods. The trek was well worth it. Good news: it's by far the best crab I tasted in Maryland. The bad news: I'm an out-of-towner, so it's just about the only crab I tasted. But I was not disappointed. My wife, my brother, and my sister-in-law all had good service and excellent food!
(5)Tim J.
Had a great time, good food and a nice setting on the water. Being a crab virgin, we had a wonderful server (Micky?) that showed us everything we needed to know. Many thanks to her since she took the time out to help us even though she was busy!
(4)Ethan L.
Simply put, this place is serious. We ordered a dozen of the x-large along with hush puppies, onion rings and several other items that I totally ignored. The meat was as tender and flavorful as I've ever tasted. The atmosphere is the real deal as well. Details aren't needed, just go.
(5)Derryk A.
What can make a place so great that I returned a few days later just to experience it all over? Doing Crabs at Cantler's that's what. First time there was on Sunday the 30th of Aug with nu-wife and that place was PACKED elbow to elbow. But first we had a 20min wait just to park the car, they have these high-school kids working the lot directing parking good idea. Then there was a 45 min to 60 min wait once there at 2:45pm but that's okay we went exploring around Cantler's down the back they have a boat pier and they grow their own crabs there. Blue crabs that are on the grumpy crabby side when you poke at them they will snap at you fingers so keep ahold of the little tykes. Nu-wife and I just watch the boats coming in and going out until we were called to our prized spot at the tables of Cantler's. Our waiter zzzzzzzzzzzzip came in "Hi what would you like?" well I think zzzzzzzzzzzzip huh?!? What happen he's gone. 5mins later zzzzzzzzzzzzzzip "Hi decided yet?" yeah nu-wife she has a question about the xtra lar...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzippp wow he's gone again like lighting man next time he comes around I'm throwing a lasso around him. Out of nowhere zzzzzzzzzzzzippp "Ready?" YES AND DON'T"T YOU GO NOWHERE STAY. I give my order with the fastest talking ever in ordering.... WewandthelargecrabsandapoundofsnowcrabsbringtwocorÂonaswithicetea...zzzzzzzzzzzzzippppppppp he's gone again in 20 secs jeeze record time!!! Moments later the crabs came out ummmmmm and for the next hour nu-wife and I had nothing to say to each other at all. The crabs did all of the talking the seasoning which is JO not Old Bay which some people mistakenly call it, that stuff is like crack cause it is so addictive with spicy, salty, goodness and the way they steam their crabs there is a little different than most places they have a special technique that involves beer and not letting the crabs touch the bottom of the pot while steaming by using a special net in the pot and of course that incredible J.O. seasoning. Out of this world. They have other food from the seas there too but the fries are nothing to write home about so don't waste too much valuable stomach space on them just fill up on the crabs and shrimp and fish. After this experience of crabs on this level we left there forever changed and we would never look at crabs in the same light. Luckily this coincide with the UYE crab out at Cantler's the following Saturday and HELL YES I was there again even after Sunday and having some left over crab during that week. I told you it's like crack didn't I? So that Saturday morning met up with fellow Yelpers this time sitting outside watching the crab elevators crawling up the hill with fresh crabs from the waters of crab lovers bliss with the perfect weather and enjoying the shear delight of Cantlers once again with a nice and calm waitress this time, no disappearing "Attention Deficit Disordered Kid Speed-a-Lot" waiter like last time. Met some new cool Yelpers in person finally but unfortunately that day wasn't perfect cause nu-wife was working that morning. Oh well that gives me the excuse to take her back there real soon.
(5)Johnny A.
Outstanding! Driving there was an experience since it's tucked away in a quiet narrow street residential neighborhood. You wouldn't know it until you get there. Great setting, friendly staff, and crabs like no other! You can taste the freshness (plus you can see the live ones under the deck). Went there mid-week and the place was full, but didn't have to wait to be seated. The large crabs are the best value for the money, start off with some fries and calamari and when the crabs come, just dig in. One thing I will try to do next time is to perhaps get half my order first then the second half later since they got pretty cold half way through despite the hot weather. All in all, highly recommended!
(5)Josh M.
The only thing more authentic than Cantler's is chicken-necking all morning and then steaming them up yourself. I have learned over time that I am an absolute, over-the-top seafood snob. And Cantler's blows most of your white tablecloth, Michelin star joints out of the water. It is simply the real deal. The only other place I've been that even measures up is in Shinagawa (Tokyo). If you come to Annapolis and miss this place, you've missed everything... unless you eat at my Mom's house in the summer (hi Mom!), then you're still probably good. By the way, if you care (I don't want to confuse you with my 5 stars here), you can only order Maryland crabs when they are in season. That is the only time they are, uh, Maryland crabs. Otherwise they're from somewhere else -- and I take no responsibility. But the rest of it is good all year long.
(5)Sunny S.
i got the soft shell crab which is a deep fried crab, it came with 3 of these little guys, which were VERY salty and i dont like that it came with hush puppies were kinda bland, and potato salad which was good my dinner partner had a seafood platter, fries good , fried shrimp was excellent, fried clam strips which were excellent, perch fry which was good the ambience is meh, we were served with plastic and cutlery and plates which i dont quite get since the price wasnt exactly dirt cheap i think they were cutting corner but hey i got to say i tried some maryland crab, which is nothing on genuine new england sea food ;)
(3)Brian G.
This was a great choice! I had been living away from the Maryland/Delaware area for three years and returned to visit friends and family... or so I said... my real agenda was FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! First on my list? Fresh seafood! I ordered the Drunken Shellfish --- Muscles, Clams and Shrimp in a white wine/garlic sauce. AMAZING! My tablemates, however, were not as amazed by their Crabcakes because they lacked seasoning. The crab itself was very lush, but it was like the kitchen ran out of Old Bay, and that's why I had to knock one star off of my review. The outdoor seating is beautiful, and unlike others I felt the prices were very fair. I would certainly return.
(4)Kathy C.
This is a pretty typical crab shack, with the emphasis on 'shack". This is a pretty famous place, with a lot of 4 and 5 star reviews, but I was dissapointed. The 3 stars I have given it are for the stunning waterfront location and the scenic beauty. That is on the outside-the inside has all the charm of a school cafeteria, so eat outside if you can tolerate the wait for a table. We did not have the crabs, which is the specialty here. I had the lump crabcake platter. The crabcakes were okay, but I have had much better elsewhere (try Stoneys on Broomes Island in Calvert County) The mashed potatoes and green beans that were served with it were just barely edible. My husband had the crabcake sliders and had no complaints, but no raving either. The coleslaw and french fries were good, probably the highlights of the meal. The waitress was fairly prompt and friendly. We will not be returning, but if you like crabs and a beautiful waterfront location, you may want to give it a try.
(3)Phil B.
After a long and winding drive I finally arrived at Cantler's one wintry night. Inside I found a casual atmosphere, beer from the can, and some terrific food. The seafood was incredibly fresh and cooked very well. Onion rings were intimidatingly large. And hush puppies with honey? Where have you been? They had an outside area that I hadn't the outerwear to try, but when the weather gets warmer and the days longer, I'm sure this will be a great place to get dinner.
(5)William S.
Great location and the crabs were perfect. My wife had the ribs and she was a little disappointed but next time she will stick with the filet or burger.
(4)Gerald F.
Stick to Crabs and fresh oysters. Crabcake was dry. Fried food not great.
(3)Aindrea C.
I'm not sure why people think there is any comparison between Cantler's and Mike's - Cantler's is far and away the best crab house in town. Its a little tricky to get to, but totally worth it. Right on the water: delicious and gorgeous! The last time I went my aunt started off with a cosmo - surprisingly good for a crab house! To start we ordered onion rings and crab dip. The onion rings were fab - perfectly golden brown, crispy and delicious! The crab dip was just ok, but nothing to write home about. The only down side is they didn't bring these out until AFTER our crabs arrived. Our tablemates, however, had ordered fries and were very friendly and shared them with us (in exchange for some onion rings). The fries were phenomenal! Light, crispy and seasoned perfectly - definitely the winner in the "sides" category. The crabs were big, meaty and with not water in sight. Our tablemates also informed us that if we did get a watery crab we could send it back - definitely a good policy for a crab establishment. I heard that Mike's was cheaper than Cantler's, but definitely found that not to be true. Cantler's is about the same price, if not less. The rumors about the parking are, however, true - we had to wait for a parking spot on a Wednesday night - but for any crab lover it is definitely worth the wait!
(5)alice c.
Fall, so I was told by our gracious waitress, is the season for oysters and rocker fish (and most other seafood). Boy was she right!! This is how I did it: a $25 gift certificate (off a $35 purchase) from restaurant.com , which was good for everything but the crab buckets... I mention this cuz it's a little pricey. But the portions are good and you won't walk away hungry. After mourning a little over not being able to work for my food (my usual crab-eating experience), I decided that given the rest of the menu (oysters, mussels, crab DIP, crab cake, etc.), I could conceivably still leave satisfied. With the help of a GPS, my husband and I found this nondescript location. At 1PM on a chilly fall weekend, the place was not too busy. They sat us in a covered location on the patio, and we ordered: - a rocker fish entree - hush puppies - Maryland crab dip for the appetizer - jumbo shrimp from the steamer - raw oysters (I wanted to try; my husband was grossed out) I really wanted to try raw oysters, cuz I watched Eric Ripert do a show about oyster farms and fresh seafood (and you know, monkey-see, monkey-do). But I didn't want to order a dozen only to find that I didn't like them; after saying so to our waitress, she mentioned that you can get 6 for $5.75. PEOPLE, IF YOU LIKE SASHIMI (and don't have liver problems, etc.) AND HAVE NEVER HAD RAW OYSTERS, YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS... FROM THEM, SPECIFICALLY. Their raw oysters were so not what I expected; perfectly fresh, juicy, clean, non-rubbery, delicious delicious delicious... Now I'm scared to try raw oysters anywhere else or during any other season, because the next batch will have a LOT to live up to. After that first taste, I cannot wait to try it again. There was the cocktail sauce, ginger, and lemon to flavor to taste, but they taste really great without any of that, too. Oh, and everything else tasted good, too. The rocker fish was tender and juicy, and the shrimp was shrimp (albeit, definitely a bit spicy). The hush puppies were pleasurable; I can see why kids would love em. The crab dip was nothing to complain about. Man... those oysters.... They're so good, though. Please, please, go try it. Especially on a nice fall day. So good.
(4)Laura V.
It's a little tricky to get to, but once you are there the on-the-water atmosphere is worth it. This is where we always take visitors to go get a Maryland crab-picking experience. Great restaurant! They even have boats coming up to the dock to bring fresh crabs as you're eating.
(5)Katie F.
I don't know what I can add that hasn't been said already. This is a great place to go for crabs, that said I think crabs are to much work for my work/enjoyment ratio when it comes to food. However the variety of stuff that came on my fish fry sampler platter was great, tasty, and hot. Def get here early on a nice summer day like we did or you will have a LONG wait--you will even have to wait in your car to park. Be prepared to get dirty if you are eating crabs---like orange fingers for days dirty.
(4)D C.
Went to Cantler's on July 3rd. This place has the best blue crabs on the planet. Great location. You can be seated at the same table with strangers. Our experience was great. Hope that the folks you are seated with are interesting. You want blue crabs, this is the place.
(4)Nina U.
The gorgeous drive back here will take you through an established neighborhood with well kept lawns surrounding pretty homes. I wish I lived down this road. Cantlers is at the end. There used to be a crab/seafood tent not far from here that I used to frequent where you could drive your boat up to the dock and eat after a long day on the water. I was so sad to return here 10 years later and find it closed. But then I found Cantler's and my life is fulfilled again. It's like walking into my hometown, except friendlier. There's the bar (canned beers only and they have yingling!). Then there's inside tables (less noisy) and also the enclosed tent where you have a great view of the lightening and thunderstorms next to the dock. (noisy cause everyone likes to sit out here) It's a place where they put paper down on the table and you can order a seafood boil or fresh crabs to throw down on your paper. It's not a fancy place and don't wear your nice clothes because you'll be hammering crab and flinging it across the table. It's fun and so sociable. I even think I got over part of my shellfish allergies cause I had a couple of crab legs! Very good with the old bay and butter. It's always better when someone else does some of the work for you though. This is too exciting. It's not the biggest seating area and I definitely recommend going here on a week day. The guys were always checking up on us and very friendly. So happy to have found this spot.
(5)David K.
I went to this restaurant with a friend based on the Yelp rating. We both ordered crab and lobster tail. The crab was okay, but the lobster tail was awful, so bad I didn't even want to finish it. It tasted like plastic. Our side dishes were served lukewarm (at best) and the restaurant provided prepackaged butter that looked like what you'd expect in a high school cafeteria. The restaurant's beer selection didn't match the menu and the waitress we had didn't seem to know what the restaurant did or did not carry. I was bitterly disappointed and embarrassed that I suggested trying this restaurant.
(1)lysa p.
Quite amazing food. Fab space on the water. Great spot for crap and shrimp!
(5)tony z.
Awesome crab experience on the river. very authentic joint where locals come by boat. You sit inside or better outside on looong picnic tables alongside other parties. They put down paper on the table and then bring you trays of steamed and seasoned (some pepper spice powder) that are quite good. The waitress gave us noobs instruction on how to crack open the crabs. Corn on the cob came along and cold Yuengling beer (never heard of it before, but America's first brewery in PA?). The key lime pie for dessert is one of their specialties, and it rates highly.
(4)Liz A.
Landed in Baltimore at 7 pm and decided to follow fellow yelpers suggestions and check out a local-yocal place for dinner. What a find! I arrived and was seated about 10 mins later, at an outside table. Granted, you are at a picnic table with other fellow dinners, but that definitely added to the experience. Went for the cherry stone clams and 1/2 dozen blue crabs, and that turned out to be WAY too much for 1 person. I would suggest 4 crabs and and maybe a 1/2 dozen of the cherry stones. Either way, they were delicious and had a ton of Old Bay seasoning on them. Definitely not a salt-free meal! Will definitely hit Cantlers again next time I roll through town.
(4)Rusty S.
There's a wait to get INTO the parking lot, a wait to park, a wait to get into the place, a wait to order. Then you wait for the crabs, then you overpay, then you're disappointed with your experience. Then you remember that nobody was actually friendly with you except the homeowner a couple of houses away from the place that offered to let you park in his driveway for $20. Want to duplicate the Cantler's experience? Drive to Red Lobster, get lost, buy some food, give them a 200% tip, then go look at a picture of a river on your phone. You'll still be disappointed and out of money but wouldn't have spent all day WAITING!!!
(1)Will Y.
This place was recommended from a co-worker. We ordered the seafood sampler and added in the blue crabs. The sampler was ehhh... and that's all I'll say about that. The blue crab was pretty good, but seemed really expensive for a dozen. Although it came out somewhat cheap, I think I would go to a Joe's Crabshack instead. We also came here on a Friday afternoon, can't imagine what it's like to drive in and out of the area on a weekend.
(3)Cathy H.
Cantler's Riverside Inn is very popular for a reason. They serve excellent seafood in a very cozy atmosphere. Here, we had the seafood platter with 3 blue crabs, mussels, clams, half a pound of shrimp, and 2 sides. Really fantastic. We also ordered mahi mahi tacos, which were excellent. I am not usually a fan of hush puppies, but they were very good here. The only complaint I had was the mussels were very small. Next time, I will eat less to save stomach room for their popular key lime pie. Service was excellent. We loved our waiter a lot!
(4)Raming M.
I went to Cantler today. The food and service was very good.the price reasonable. That's great experience!
(5)Alice W.
After a fun afternoon in Annapolis, my boyfriend and I drove over to Cantler's around 4pm to catch an early dinner. It is true, you need to come a little earlier in order to secure a parking spot and have a wait time of less than 2 hours. Luckily, the restaurant is located right on the water so you have a nice view of sweet million dollar homes, boats, jet skis, and the like. We were quoted an hour to an hour and half wait, so we opted to head downstairs to the dock and wait on a surprisingly empty bench. Not even 30 minutes later, our pager was buzzing. We ordered a dozen medium Maryland blue crabs for $55 and a pound of stone crab legs. The crabs are heavily seasoned with Old Bay. For medium crabs, they all had a surprisingly large amount of meat. We grabbed our mallets, forks, knives, and claw crackers, and slowly ate our way through our dozen crabs. Fresh crabs, lots of meat, tons of Old Bay - the classic Annapolis/Maryland experience. Service was prompt and polite. The atmosphere is really casual and low-key. Great place to drop by, especially in the summer.
(3)Christian G.
Arrived by boat, helpful staff helped tie up. As we walk in through the back wait staff was throwing crab remnants into the water close to shore, came up through the back stairs and the place was busy. There was a wait to sit outside, so we were seated inside party of 7. About 12 minutes went by before anyone came to greet us, the cycle of service seemed non-existent. Hey we just came to take her order we had ordered several appetizers rockfish bites crab dip and steamed shrimp. All of it was pretty good I do have a complaint about the dishware and place settings my fork was mangled up like someone stepped on it and we were sitting at a sticky table with paper plates. I had ordered the crab cake platter it was ok, hailing from Maryland myself I have had better. I had also ordered a soft drink which had a fly in it. You be the judge but I'm never coming here again.
(1)Jb R.
Great time. In Annapolis to visit a relative at the Naval Academy. This place was recommended to us - food & service great! Fun time. Long wait was the only issue.
(4)Randy S.
Tired of the hustle and bustle, and parking difficulties, of dining in Downtown Annapolis? Then take the 15 minute drive to Cantler's. The riverside restaurant has an atmosphere that is positively rustic and salty. The biggest dilemma of dining at Cantler's is that there are too many fresh seafood options, so plan on coming back.
(4)jenn w.
The best, juiciest Maryland blue crabs I've ever had! Visited on a Saturday night in November and it was still packed, but we were seated without a problem. Sweet waitress who was patient with us noobs. It's nice that you can order any quantity of crab, so if you want one extra crab for dessert, you can have it! Crab cakes are pretty good too. The location feels a bit in the middle of nowhere, particularly in the dark, so next time I'd like to go for lunch and check out the view everyone's talking about!
(5)Jen L.
This is my favorite place to bring out of town peeps who have never had Maryland Blue Crab! It is very much out of the way from Downtown Annapolis, but just minutes away from the Maryland WWII Memorial on the other side of the Naval Academy. You can definitely count on Cantler's to have the freshest sea food and the largest Jimmy's in the area. Off all of the places that I have been to for crab, I think Cantler's has the freshest. Almost everything here is good! For a party of 3, a half dozen of extra large crabs and a couple sides will make a decent meal here. Cantler's is the best place to go as a seasoned crab picker or a crab eating newbie. Everyone has their own technique and everyone here will gladly share crab picking war stories over some Natti Bo.
(5)Nicole L.
It's become a tradition for me to visit Cantler's riverside inn on July 4th. Nothing like enjoying some fresh delicious crabs with good friends and celebrating the country's independence day. We were seated at a great spot under the shade with the beautiful view of the water. Michele D who visited the day before warned us that they were running out of supers and x-larges. We decided to go to Cantlers at 11 AM. To our surprise, there was a line of people waiting at the door. We started off with some hush puppies and Cantler's jumbo shrimps. Then a dozen of larges, which were sweet tasting but were lacking the meaty quality of a great crab. They were sending wrong orders of supers and x-larges our way so we decided to order half a dozen more supers. That made my day, the supers were solidly packed with meat, the best tasting crab meat of all!! It was so good we were enjoying it in silence. Amazing crab feast!
(5)Joel S.
If you want crabs, go somewhere else. I don't want you in line ahead of me. You are keeping me from the best crabs in the region and my seat with a view on the deck. I drive from DC and I am forced to wait for you... sometimes for up to an hour, I am wait nowhere else but here.
(5)Charlie H.
I'm a big fan of Maryland crab restaurants and this was one of my favorites. The waitress was extremely friendly and helpful in suggesting meals for us and our kids. We started with the blackened rockfish appetizer. The fish was fresh and served on a bed of delicious red cabbage slaw. The dish was big enough for a main course. The broiled crabcakes were full of crab and delicious! I had 3 jumbos, they were perfectly seasoned and full of meat. The kids ordered off the children's menu and had the chicken tenders and pizza. The portions were huge and only $5 each. Great casual restaurant though a little loud. Worth going out of your way to find this gem.
(4)Sonya S.
I've been wanting to have the authentic Maryland crab house experience for a while now, so after researching the many options, I settled on Cantlers. I live in DC, so it's not close. And at first you think that your navi system is misdirecting you, but after exiting the freeway, you actually do have to drive through a neighborhood and down a long winding road to get to Cantlers. We had to wait to park for about a half hour; didn't bother me because I was expecting it. My friend went to put our names on the list while I sat in the car line to park. After parking we enjoyed Heineken in the can outside (they only have canned beer) while we waited. Another hour or so later we were seated outside at a table beside a friendly young-ish couple who we got to know during the course of dinner. Just a note, this is communal dining, so expect to share your table with others outside of your dining party. We got a dozen large crabs, hush puppies, and crab dip with the bottemless iced tea. Next time around we will probably forego the crab dip and just get the large crabs with hush puppies. Love this place for being liberal with the Old Bay seasoning. And yes, you will smell like crabs when you leave. All in all, exactly what I was looking for in my authentic Maryland blue crab house experience.
(5)Amanda C.
I'm a city girl. Try as I might to fight the prissiness, it's just a part of me. I remember traveling to the Middle East when I was a little kid and seeing a butcher hacking apart a lamb on the sidewalk... I was horrified. Little Lambert had no fleece, no skin, and no discernible body. Flies swarmed and the butcher gave them an occasional swat with his blood covered cleaver. The bulging, glassy eyes on the animal's severed head looked out onto the street and I realized -for the first time- that THIS was where lamb chops came from. No- I didn't become a vegetarian. I like meat too much. But let's just say, I prefer being introduced to my meal when it's faceless and all inedible portions have been removed. Which is what brings me to crabs. On the West Coast, our crabs are too big to serve "as nature made them." I never knew that, but judging from the filth stored within a tiny Maryland Blue crab- Dungeness, or God forbid, King Crab- must be loaded with nasty bits. Thankfully, I never see them on the West Coast. I don't care if the fluffy lungs can easily be plucked with a fork or if the intestines look like Ramen Noodles (thanks, Jackie), crab picking is just a bit too gross for my taste. I can't believe I'm using my hands to pry the innards out of a crab- only to then use the exact same fingers to shovel food into my mouth. And the yellow goo covering my crab meat is what? Fat? And it's considered a delicacy to some?! To WHO?! I'll admit- Cantler's was good- the onion rings massive, the fries crispy, the rockfish bites well seasoned, and the clam strips fantastic. But, the crab was my least favorite part. Maybe it's my aversion to plucking the heart from my dinner's chest or maybe it's Cantler's crabs... I'm not all that sure. I will say that the seasoning they use is more powdery than I like and the flavor is a bit off. I've actually had Maryland Blue Crabs before and enjoyed them more. I've also heard they're easier to clean and eat when cold, which is how I'd had them in the past (Cantler's are warm). I wouldn't recommend against coming out to Cantler's, but I will say that the appeal is the experience- not just the crab. All die-hards can doubt me or say I'm wrong, but one man's treasure is another man's trash... I'll take my sparkling clean Dungeness Crab over Blue Crab guts any day.
(4)Carrie L.
This place was so hard to find! but it was very worth it after we actually found the place. It's actually in a residential area so we didn't really know if we were headed the right direction. The must-have is the crab cakes!! ALL CRAB AND NO FILLERS!! It was THE BEST crab cake I've ever had. The fries were also very good. I was disappointed of the scallops. There were only 4 pieces and it had too much seasoning on them. And if you don't mind getting down and dirty, order a nice pile of freshly caught crab (cooked of course!). A nice small wooden hammer is provided to aid in the cracking of the shells.
(4)Mike B.
Tiny Crabs with no claws?? Could do better in Fairfax at pells. Rip off! Out of six crabs there were five claws! Thought crabs had two! Wtf. Don't trust the hype.
(2)Anne W.
What better way to follow a day sailing than with crabs buried in Old Bay? I'm starting to understand the appeal of the "Annapolis/Regatta lifestyle". But since I can't sail to save my life, I'll have to be content as a faker. This place is what I think of for Maryland crabs. The classic brown-paper- lining-little-wooden-mallet-pounding-crab-shell-Âbits-flying-everywhere-good-old-crab-picking. A side note: you don't pick crabs until you're full, you pick crabs until you're bored. Because it's a lot of work for not a lot of meat (even with the large guys). We (4 of us) showed up on a Saturday around 4ish and the place is PACKED. After being outside in 100 degree heat, we opted to wait longer for a table inside and hung out at the bar. Beer is pretty cheap and go well with pitchers of pink lemonade (totally not joking here). But we WERE also dehydrated. It was a full-hour wait, (we were told that from the start) but the bar helps, of course. Despite the fact that Cantler's lists crabs by the dozen, ($60/dozen large crabs) you can buy them individually, as our server informed us. So we opted for 8 crabs (2 each, just for the spirit of things, plus it's fun) and then ordered entrees. I got the imperial crab stuffed shrimp with hush puppies. Shrimp was a little dry but crab stuffing was creamy and good. Hush puppies were okay, but I've had better. The bf ordered some kind of fried platter with fish, crab cake and bay scallops and fries. That was a lot of food and I didn't care much for the bay scallops. But overall it's good Maryland-shore fare, the service is super friendly and the prices are reasonable. For an entree and 2 crabs each, it came out to ~$35/person, which includes tax and tip.
(4)Mark O.
As soon as you walk into this place you know you're going to eat well. When a restaurant is off the beaten track but teaming with people it's a good sign. I had the lobster and prime rib. Very good indeed. I didn't want to leave. The key lime pie was great. We wanted to eat outside but the wait was too long so we ate inside. The atmosphere was great and service good.
(5)Remy M.
Great food, great atmosphere. It doesn't get better than this for blue crabs. Cantler's has a great outdoor deck where you can eat right on the water. Really cool. After dining here, I shared my experience with a few friends who have all replied so far with "Cantler's!? I love that place!" I had a half-dozen crabs which was great. My friends got the crab cakes which they really enjoyed as well. Check this place out! And if. while driving there, you think your car's navigation system is sending you to the wrong place, trust me--it's not... :)
(5)T Y.
I'm not sure rating Cantler's really means anything. It's a Maryland crab shack. It's crabs (and various fried products) and it just kind of is what it is. Parking is like lining up for the green flag at Talladega....
(3)Eric B.
There are plenty of places to get some decent crabs around here, but Cantler's has always been one of my favorites. Approaching crab season, I'm expecting my Pops to hit me up to make a run to Cantler's on a sunny Saturday, and while I may be swamped with school work and ponder suggesting Captain Pell's because of they are significantly closer, I will most likely break down and say "what the fuck"! Off to Cantler's we go. They're really tucked away, so well, that many locals surprisingly still don't know about them. Give them a look through Google Maps or something to get an idea of how to get there, don't just rely on the directions, as you may still miss a turn. Once you're close, you will start to see blue signs, guiding you in. It's not uncommon to be stuck behind a line of cars, waiting for a parking spot in the Summer months, so plan ahead, go early, say, 10:30 or so. This way you'll get a good spot in the parking lot as well as on the deck, get a bucket of beer, and apps, and by the time the crabs hit the table, it should be just about lunch time. Crabs ARE becoming increasingly expensive year after year. Someday I may have to go back to setting traps and easing up a chicken neck off the piles for recreation just to get my fix. So why Cantler's? Hey, crabs are crabs, but not every shack has Jumbos. That's why you would wanna go to Cantler's, for their Jumbos. Despite that they're quite pricey, they're huge, heavy, and full, these bad-muvuh-fukuhz is worf it, so go there with a fat wad and Jumbos in mind. If you get an empty crab, or one that's just dwindling between growth stages, don't fret or feel you've been gyped, they will replace it with a new fatty. Another of my favorite menu items is the steamers, I like to call them pisser clams, those introverted little crustations reaching out with their little arms, begging to be eaten. I peel the skin off their arms and swoosh them around in a cup of water to work the excess sand out, dip 'em in butter, maybe some old bay, and down the hatch. They're a great snack option to help you wait for your Jumbos.
(5)Wilbert O.
Timing is of great signicant here. The time is right in the sense that you don't need to wait, but on the other side, it is not the season for blue crabs. I was quite disappointed to hear that no blue crab was available now, because I had thought it should be a year long thing. But since I was here, I decided to try something else. I ordered Jumbo Crab Cake and pizza. The crab cake was fantastic, very tender and fresh, I would give it a five star. The pizza was fine, but a four star was a overshoot. So I would give a four star overall. I hope to return in season.
(4)Kelly K.
I had a great "crabby" visit today. I ordered the large local crabs and they were all fresh and tasty. The only thing I am unsatisfied with is the "butter" which is actually melted margarine even though the waitress referred to it as butter. I think dipping shellfish in margarine ruins it! But dipping in vinegar is good and the crab was so good that it really didn't need to be dipped in anything.
(4)Bernadette N.
After living here for almost a year, I still haven't found a restaurant better than Jimmy Cantler's. I probably went here once a month this winter and sat at the bar. This past weekend we went again...for the first time in a long time we ordered something other than the rockfish bites and a dozen crabs. We started with the seared tuna and seaweed appetizer - better than the rockfish bites maybe? Then my husband had the crabcake sandwich (he loved) and I went on a limb and ordered the half lobster tail topped with a crab cake. DELISH! I mean, perfectly cooked lobster? Nothing better. Sprinkle the veggie sides with a little old bay and perfection. I love that they only serve beers in cans. I just love this place.
(5)Greenballoon X.
Atmosphere: We sat outside and enjoyed the awesome weather. The inside looks kind of depressing... The outside, however, is set up for some intensely messy eating with plastic picnic benches and hose-it-down tile floors, which were a little slippery with crab debris by the time we sat down in the mid-afternoon. I realize that this set up is largely functional, but be prepared for a little gross-ness. Service: First off, it's worth noting that we had to wait in the parking lot until we could get an outside table. Our server was very nice, but there were some logistical problems. We had ordered several appetizers, since the crab doesn't really fill you up, but the crabs showed up first. So, we're sitting there with crabs all over the place starting to dig in and then all the other orders start coming out and it's kind of chaotic and frustrating. Then we had ordered Corona Lights for our beer bucket, but it came with regular Coronas. Then the soup that two of us ordered never showed up until we reminded our server. Food: The butternut squash crab soup was really good and I don't think they have it on the menu all the time. The crab dip starter was solid. The onion rings were good, too, but I nearly burned myself when some hot oil juiced onto my hand. Rock cod was solid, but steamed shrimp was nothing special. The crabs themselves were pretty small ("medium" was the largest size they had that day) and so the effort you go through to extract any meat kind of negates the benefit. I would say I would skip the crab on my next visit, but the crab is kind of the point for a place like this and it's not like the rest of the menu is so outstanding to warrant the longish wait for a table. Bottom line: Not opposed, but not in a hurry to return. Depending on the season, might take a non-crab strategy.
(3)joe c.
You know it's good if it's where the locals go. You'd never find this place in a million years without a gps, yet you ask anyone who's been in Annapolis for more than 2 years and they can all tell you how to get to Cantler's. Scratch that. They could get there themselves, but they'd never be able to give u directions from memory. Location Location Location.... unless.... you're a destination spot. Cantler's Riverside is exactly that!
(5)Jinny Y.
I was dying for some hard shell crabs in Maryland, so some local folks recommended Cantler's. A few friends and I drove an hour over to Annapolis and found Cantler's off a small side road next to the river. The area was super cute! We went in with one mission. Hard shell crabs. We sat down and even before we ordered drinks my bf asks about the crabs. Our waitress told us they were out of crabs temporarily! WHHHATT?!?! Out of crabs?? The menu clearly stated "crabs all year round". At first I was sad, then a wave of rage started to come over me. I thought, "We drove 2 cars for almost an hour for one thing that they advertise to have year round and they're out?!?!? They'll be sorry when they read my yelp review!" I was totally ready to give them 0 stars. We were too hungry to go anywhere else, so we were going to settle with other options on the menu. I made it clear to the waitress that I was unhappy about the crab situation. She came took our order, then 5 minutes later came back to the table and informed us that the crab guy just came in and we would be able to get the crabs. HALLELUJAH! =D we ordered a dozen x-large crabs for $80-$85. It seemed a bit expensive but it stuffed 5 of us =) They were steamed and sprinkled with old bay seasoning. We also ordered the fries and hush puppies which were great. Fresh and crispy. 4.5 stars!
(4)Caesar R.
Plain and simple, come in clean, leave smelling like steamed crab and seasoning (OLD BAY, BUTTER, etc.). Repeat....as necessary! Soooooo delicious even on the dark and dreary night that it was last night. This was my GFs first experience with Maryland Crabs so I was so delighted that she really enjoyed it. We both got the boil offered on the menu which includes an enromous amount of the following 3 Crabs, Corn, Coleslaw, Shrimp, Mussels and Clams. One would have been enough for the both of us. Ofcourse, the perfect beverage companion, ice cold canned beer. Thank you Cantler's Riverside Inn for bringing sunshine on a miserable rainy day and delicious food. I would say definitely come here on a nice day to enjoy dockside crab feast outdoors.
(5)Dion B.
I had a friend in from the West Coast and wanted to show him how seafood is done, East Coast style. We chose Cantler's because it had been rated the most (and highest), and so we figured it must be the best. The only way to get there is to take the "scenic" route, be as it may, is not scenic at all. Friday nights in December are not busy, as we didn't have to wait in line as other Yelpers have written. We were not quickly acknowledged or seated, and finally were told by a server to find our own seats (think grade-school cafeteria style seating, it's the best way to describe it). I would have already left and found another restaurant at this point if it weren't for the great ratings this restaurant has received on here. Alas, the food did (not fully) redeem Cantler's Riverside Inn. We started with the Fried Crab Cake Sliders and Butternut Squash Crab Soup, I ordered the Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and he ordered the Fried Bay Platter. All was amazing! Do NOT come here for the experience (the tarter sauce was served in packets!). Come for the food ONLY as they know customers will still come in, even if they don't remodel the restaurant or give great customer service. Count me out if a cleaner, more in-touch competitor comes along the way.
(4)Kerry B.
As a 4th generation Marylander, I'd like to think I know my crabs. And if you're hankering for some REAL Maryland blue crabs - the sting-your-fingers, Old-Bay-in-your-fingernails-for-days crabs - then Cantler's is the place to go. Not only does its location, overlooking Mill Creek, give you that real Eastern Shore flavor - but the food is spot on and uncomplicated. Buttered corn cobs, french fries, and bushels upon bushels of crabs with extra vinegar and Old Bay will overflow your picnic table. I'd recommend giving the steamed shrimp a try too! Be prepared to set aside an afternoon or a few hours (besides, crab eating should be a social thing, not a grab and dash meal!) and do NOT wear clothes you really care about. Unless you wish to wear your stains as bragging rights?
(5)Michael S.
I don't know if it is better than any of the Crab/Seafood Houses that you can walk to around downtown or just over the bridge in Eastport because I was not able to try them all. But there is something to be said about heading into the country, just a few minutes out of town, and driving down some nice winding streets to a little place an the end of the road on a nice little cove. That has got to count for at least one star. The large cold martinis with a side car also has to count for a lot, maybe another star. After those martinis the food just starts to become absorptive material. We tried lots of dishes, blackened rockfish, local oysters on the half shell, clams on the half shell, wings, two different crab soups, boiled shrimp, crab cakes, extra-large crabs and two pies. Rockfish -OK Clams and oysters - go with the clams Crab Soup - go with the tomato base Crab cakes - the winner, no work all reward Extra large crabs - who are they kidding, go to Florida and get some stone crab so you don't have to expend more energy eating than you are consuming. Pies - Apple. Service - barely.
(4)Janelle E.
Holy crap - this is some great food with a fun atmosphere! We went on a Wednesday night around 6pm, and the place was packed...a very telling sign on a weeknight, esp considering how far back in the boonies this place is. We waited about 20 mins to sit outside and drank a few beers in the parking lot while waiting. Once we got to the table our server was right over - and wearing a big smile on her face. We got our orders in, enjoyed some more beers while we waiting, and then DUG IN when it came. Mom had fried shrimp, which is some of the best I have had (def a compliment after living in Destin, FL and being spoiled with fresh Gulf shrimp), and everyone else had assorted platters of different mixes. We all shared and devoured it all! Most definitely going to Cantlers again, and taking our out-of-town guests for a taste of Annapolis!
(5)Allie K.
I cant say enough great things about Cantler's. We eat here everyt ime we are in town. The best service, the best food (try the crab dip, it is to die for!!), the best view... We love it. You have got to try it.
(5)Mia D.
5 stars for the experience! Now since I am a SF/Bay Area native, I've had my share of crab experience - Dungeness crabs, but I can say I've never had it like this - butcher block paper on top of picnic tables and wooden mallets...super fun! I'm a fan of Old Bay seasoning now too! Okay, so between my husband and I, we ordered 3 extra large crabs and an order of hush puppies (b/c Yelpers told me to!) and a half bucket of steamers. The steamers were good - not as good as I've had them in Boston (wow, did I just say something good about Boston?), but they were fresh! The hush puppies were surprisingly tasty! I loved the honey butter they came with too! The crabs were tasty and super fun to eat! I love diving in and getting all the delicious meat out of there!!!! By the way, we went at about 1:30pm on a Wednesday afternoon, no line to park, no line for sitting outside. It was a very easy and pleasant experience!!! I will tell all my local friends to give it a try! It was a lot of fun!!!
(4)Christine C.
We've been going to Cantler's 5 or 6 times a year since we moved to MD, and have not been disappointed. Up until this last visit we had ordered steamed blue crab every time. However, since it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans (our blue crabs come from MD this time of year--it's illegal to crab from Dec-April in MD so they have the crabs shipped in) and many folks are enjoying crabs in Louisiana this weekend, they hadn't received any in their shipment that day. So for the first time ever, we ate a non-crab related meal. My husband and I both had the Hawaiian tuna sandwich, and our other diner had a grilled haddock sandwich. We also enjoyed some raw oysters, and a platter of their boiled shrimp and potatoes. Everything was fantastic. The tuna (which we ordered medium rare and rare) was cooked to perfection. You could tell the haddock and tuna were fresh; nothing beats fresh seafood like this. The shrimp were, as always, HUGE and with just the right amount of seasoning. And the oysters were clean and perfectly briny. Whenever we have guests in town we always take them to Cantler's for crabs, but now we'll be taking ourselves there even more frequently for the best fresh seafood we've had in MD.
(5)Christopher S.
Cantler's is a local Annapolis crab house restaurant that gets a four for the fun and atmosphere it provides. The food is good, not great. Its a blast eating crabs and drinking beer with a large group. The rock fish is usually very tasty. The restaurant has boat access and a nice outdoor deck. They pack them in during the summer so be prepared to wait. Hard to find location if you are not a local. Really fun east coast cultural experience.
(3)Adam T.
I hadn't really done a crab shack style restaurant before, but I had fun smashing my crabs and picking through them. The wait staff was helpful in explaining exactly how to do it. I also ordered shrimp, clams and mussels all of which were tasty. It has a good atmosphere and like I said very crab shack like while you share tables with your fellow patrons and everyone is whacking away with their wooden mallets.
(4)Pete S.
Excellent local crab shack. Love the softshell crabs. Slightly pricey, but you get quality food. I've never been disappointed here, and that's over many years and compared to other similar restaurants in the region. You may have to wait for a table, but it's worth it.
(5)Nancy T.
This place was so incredibly fun, fun, fun!!! I injured my thumb on a spiky crab shell, got Old Bay seasoning in my eye (it burns!), was covered in debris and still had a total blast. Our waitress was awesome, too. I'd only picked blue crabs once before and it was many years ago so I was absolutely clueless on how to do it. She demonstrated her technique for me and was really patient and nice while I learned. The first few crabs took a while, but then I got into a rhythm and became rather primitive about the whole process, ripping them apart and smashing and cracking and sucking and picking. I think I got into the "zone." Our waitress was super quick with drink refills, checking on us, asking if we needed anything else and bringing the bill at the end of the meal. The setting outdoors right on the water is really peaceful and the view is beautiful. They have outdoor heaters for when the air gets a little nippy. This is just a really fun place for a traditional Maryland crab feast.
(4)Kevin L.
Worth almost getting lost to get here. Crab was fresh and plentiful and the view was awesome. This is not the sort of place you go to for a quiet dinner. You go there to get dirty by rolling up your sleeves and tearing into the fresh crab. Delish!
(4)Christopher M.
If you want good crabs and if you want to eat them overlooking a scenic Chesapeake Bay inlet and have them served by friendly staff - this is the place for you. Great crabs, lots of seats outside (under cover and without) and don't forget to go down near the water to see the tanks (a few turtles, some horseshoe crabs, and a bunch of busters. It's about 10 minutes from the Naval Academy / Downtown Annapolis and first-timers will need a map to get there, but it's definitely worth the trip.
(4)Jeni Y.
as someone who loves crab and grew up in MD, it's a little embarrassing that I haven't gone to Cantler's until now. On a weekend trip back to MD, I brought a friend to visit Annapolis and decided to finally drop by the "crab house you haaave to go to when you're in Annapolis." The "outdoor seating" area was covered in clear tarp so we can warmly enjoy the deck seating and see the gorgeous Chesapeake waters below. I momentarily wished that we were here on a warm summer evening. The view and outdoor eating area vibe added to the experience, and we both agreed that we landed on a "only in Maryland" kind of spot. Between two people, we shared a medium serving of steamers and 12 'large' crabs. The food was fresh and succulent, and i didn't need any butter or extra sauce to thoroughly enjoy the meat. It took us a good 2 hours to eat and admittedly even with huge appetites we left behind an entire crab and half of the steamers. In hind sight we probably could have done well with half a dozen "x-large" crabs and steamers. This place gets 5 shiny stars because next time I bring friends to get a taste of the "authentic MD crabhouse experience," I will most definitely bring them here again.
(5)Christie W.
Meh, I really have experienced better. After all the hype surrounding Cantlers I really was dying to try this place out. I was expecting to wait for a while, and knew parking was going to be challenging, something I am always willing to do for some good crabs! So off I went to test out this notorious crab shack. My boyfriend and I got there at around 7 on a Friday night, we waited for about 30 minutes to park. However we were entertained watching the teenage parking attendant's game of catch the rock in your shirt pocket, ehh em annoying! We were hungry and somewhat short on patience. Not that we weren't expecting to wait, but when people are acting obnoxious and not doing their job it is a bit frustrating. Eventually the manager came out and we were able to park shortly after that. We got inside and requested a table for two. We were told the wait for outdoor seating would be about forty five minutes. Not too bad, we were definitely willing to wait. We were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar. The bar only sells cans of beer, no bottles, no drafts, just cans. Ok, ok, I looked past it; it gave the little place character. They do offer wine and spirits, if that is what you fancy. However I am a crabs and beer kind of girl. Two beers and over an hour later, we finally went up to the hostess stand just to check on our names on the list, to find out how much longer the wait would be, we were then immediately sat. We were then taken to a full table with a family of six already sitting there eating away. Awkward!! We were shoved at the very end of the table with a bush smacking me in the head and the stranger's elbows almost knocking over my drink every other minute. It was NOT very much fun. So if you are not with a large group, big enough to fill the entire table prepare yourself to sit with strangers. Meanwhile I kept reminding myself that I was here for one thing and one thing only the notorious crabs, so I let all of this slide. We ordered a dozen large male crabs @ $75 per dozen. As an appetizer we got an order of hush puppies and the crab and lobster quesadilla. I am not a huge fan of hush puppies anyways, but the boyfriend seemed to enjoy them. The crab and lobster quesadilla was served to us cold, and was awful. I didn't even finish one piece. Finally our crabs arrived at the table. First of all they were not what I consider to be large crabs. They looked to me like medium crabs. Maybe 2 out of the dozen were large, but only large by their shells, because once cracked open there was no meat. The crabs were light and about 3 of the dozen were watery, mushy crabs, no good. I did like the seasoning they used and the crabs smelled good, but they definitely didn't meet my standards. Maybe if we had ordered mediums I would have accepted it, bottom line we did not get what we paid for. The service was ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't good. I definitely agree it is a tourist trap, the people we shared a table with were out of towners, and a lot of the people surrounding us were from out of town as well. When they asked how to dissect the crabs, the waitress told them, simply "bang em with the hammer and rip them apart" hmmm. It is overpriced, the wait is not worth it for the food, the crabs are small, mushy, and definitely not what I consider meaty or what I would call large. I really wanted to like no not like LOVE Cantlers. Maybe I will try this place again someday, because everyone can have a bad crab day, but I was really disappointed with my experience at Cantlers. :(
(2)Mandy J.
I've eaten here on many, many occasions. Each time hoping the other dishes match the superb crabs and I am always disappointed in the rest of the order. This is first and foremost a fisherman and boating hangout. Some townies, some locals, tons of tourists, many VIPS and all basking in the sun. The catch is always fresh, the process educational and the view is unbelievable. It is the one of the best places for crabs, close second of course is Bella's in Cape St. Claire which has superior food and a view of the parking lot as well as The Wild Goose an Arnold carry out -ditto but without the restaurant. If you like crabs - Cantler's is the place and it's a local landmark. Service is not that great, it's always crowded which is good for them but not for the diner, and don't go with infants in a stroller as you cannot, repeat cannot, sit inside. What the handicapped do I have no idea! It is also a bit pricey...considering the lack of good seats, and tasty non-crabby cuisine. On the whole for twenty plus years, outside of the crabs Cantler's never fails to disappoint and I always feel pressured to leave and vacate the table for the next diner. However, once I sit down and gaze at that spectacular view I pledge allegiance to return and do.
(3)Lizzy Z.
My husband and I decided to go to Annapolis to celebrate our anniversary and wanted to eat at the best crab place around. Cantler's was at the top of every list I found--and now I understand why. We arrived at 1:30 on a gorgeous (and hot) Saturday afternoon. Found the place easily enough, although as other posters said, it's at the back end of a parking lot. We had to wait for a table, but that was to be expected. We were able to get seats at the bar to enjoy our cans of beer while we waited. Soon enough, we got to our table. A colleague of mine had suggested to start with a half-dozen crabs. I didn't see that option anywhere on the menu, so when our waitress came over to take our order, I let her know it was our first time there (and our first time eating crabs in this manner). She explained that the dozen or half-dozen of crabs were listed on the blackboard and assisted us with our order--as we could always order more if we chose to do so. We also ordered the crab dip as the appetizer. The crabs came first and then the crab dip--the runner said it was because when it's so busy, they just get the crabs out as fast as they can. The waitress came over when the crabs arrived and demonstrated how to open and break the crabs and where to find the meat. And my goodness, the meat was like ambrosia. The Old Bay really brought the flavor out, as did the side of melted butter. We cleared the 6 large crabs we ordered and finished the dip (which was quite good, but completely overshadowed by the whole crab-eatin' experience). This was such a fun place and the crabs were wonderful. I'll definitely return.
(4)Glaciala A.
For six people, we had two dozen large crabs, a basket of hush puppies, and an order of potato salad/cole slaw. Next time, I'd skip the potato salad/cole slaw. Crabs were really good and in comparison to Quarterdeck in Arlington, VA a lot less old-bayish which can be good or bad, depending upon your taste buds. River view was nice, but sitting in the sun in really hot weather without shade got a little boiling. Next time, I'd try and sit under the covered patio. Downstairs underneath the restaurant, there are tanks that kids would like, with horseshoue crabs and other water-life creatures. For reservation policies, see their website.
(4)Sheri Y.
We find our way to Cantlers every time we are near Annapolis. Every time we find ourselves wondering if there really is a restaurant tucked way back there on the other side of a long drive through a residential neighborhood, but it's always there at the other end. The seafood is all fresh, the atmosphere is pleasantly casual. Wonderful place to go on a nice day, to eat on the deck at a picnic table under an umbrella. We love the clam strips and the crab cakes. The ice tea is fresh and tasty. The hush puppies are always popular. It's not fancy but it's friendly and pleasant and we always leave with smiles on our faces. Oh, another point - - we stopped there at 11:30 on a Sunday. We were seated right away out on the deck. But when we left the parking lot was full and there was a long line. Early is definitely a good idea!
(4)Stacy R.
Ate here with my family last month. It was worth the extra wait to be seated outside. The food was amazing. I loved the crab cakes and hushpuppies. Everyone else ordered snow crab.
(5)Paul M.
What's going on ? The Terps aren't able to fill their stadium anymore and people are hatin on Cantler's..... Are these Maryland Landmark Institutions linked? Are they going downhill? The Terps surely not and Cantler's definitely not. I took my kids to see Georgia Tech vs Maryland last season at Byrd Stadium, they decided they wanted to support the old home town team rather than the new home town team, and the only yellow shirts I could find were the Cantler's T shirts we got them on their birthday. Picture me and two 10 year olds all dressed in yellow with 60,000 red dressed rabid Terp fans all around us. One Terp told me it was sacrilege to have a yellow Cantler's shirt and to use it to support Tech against Maryland. It probably is. Well, we got out alive, Tech narrowly lost and Chris Turner in, I believe, his first or second start, played an awesome game. Sorry, diversion over. Cantler's - yeah - well what all the good reviewers said, I agree with and then some. Get thee down there , sit on the deck by the waterfront and slug back a few beers with your all-you-can-eat crab. Chat with the people sitting next to you, who probably live 3 blocks from you anyway. Mooch down to the loading dock and check them sizing and sorting the crabs as they come in, look out on the water and think to yourself - "Holy Crap - does Maryland really have 7000 miles of coastline? that's like the distance between DC and Buenos Aires and then go half way back."
(5)D W.
This is a crab house - if you don't like crabs....stay away! Picnic Tables with views of the docks and sailboats, paper towels on the tables, buckets of beer/large sodas, and heaps of crabs. Wait for a nice evening and head here for a fun time and good meal. It does get crowded and can be a challenge to find (ask for directions). Great crab shack - sit outside and make sure to check out the crab tanks around the back. Bibs provided.
(4)Bruce P.
Cantlers is good, and better is the fact that they do better local buying of crabs than other places. Unfortunately, I don't know any place that still cooks crabs to order, so you can still get a dozen crabs for $40 bucks that have been sitting under a heat lamp for the past half hour. Call ahead if it's on the weekend --- wait can be over an hour.
(4)Sarah S.
Best place to sit down and enjoy crabs in the summer? Certainly, I'd say Cantler's. Their prices are reasonable, and their steamed crab flavoring is exactly what you'd expect in Annapolis. Living in Annapolis, I have tried just about all of the crab houses. Most of which I would classify as hit or miss, Cantler's however has consistently been good. At the worst, I've had maybe a handful of "mushy" ones out of 2 dozen crabs. The beer selection is pretty minimal(and if you ask me highly disappointing). They only serve cans of beer, apparently they had some issues with rowdy clientèle in the past and this was their resolution. Atmosphere: The setup is basically picnic table style tables and wobbly chairs, which to some makes it a lower class venue. True crab lovers, this is exactly how we throw down. My only complaint about their setup is the space issue. If you like to have ANY personal space between yourself and the stranger next to you, then you should probably get your crabs to go. Parking: If you head to Cantler's on a weekend evening during the summer be prepared to wait at least an hour and good luck finding a parking spot.
(4)bert s.
Great service, fantastic crab. It's a little hard to find, but well worth the adventure. Highly recommend.
(4)L M.
Every time I come here, I think, "what a pain to drive to," "how will I find my way out of this shantytown," "how long must I wait for a table...a server?" And then my food arrives (usually an hour and a half after I left my house in Crownsville) and it is heavenly....fresh, well cooked, everything eating in Annapolis should be. Last meal was lunch with the chopped salad (wow- so fresh!) and crab cake on the side (best in town).
(4)Jennifer G.
Don't know what happened but their snow crabs shrunk...we asked the waitress what was up with that but she was clueless...very disappointing dinner...probably won't be heading out here anymore
(2)Dennis C.
Being an out-of-towner, I don't have a good point of reference since I haven't been to any other Maryland crab houses. That being said, I've been to Cantlers three times over the years and have always thoroughly enjoyed it. The sides and other non-crab dishes I've had here have been pretty mediocre. The steamer clams were extra mushy and muddy, much more so than any I've had in NYC. The beer-battered onion rings were good but just not as tasty as they look, and the soups were too salty for my taste. Despite all those complaints, I'm giving Cantlers four stars because the main attraction, hard-shell Maryland blue crabs, are excellent. They're big and buttery and coated in just the right amount of Old Bay, and I could eat them for days.
(4)KuangYou C.
I am not a fan of crabs or lobster because I don't like to take their armors off. However, my friend recommended this crab restaurant because she said the crab here is so fresh! I believed her because I didn't have rash or stomachache after I ate them. I think the price is not that expensive, but you have to order something else if you want to fill up your stomach.
(4)Rico I.
Cannot say enough good things about Cantlers. Been going here for years, well worth the trip.
(5)Heidi C.
I really wanted to love this place. It has so much going for it - riverfront location, fresh steamed crabs, bountiless seafood... However - I found that even on a Tuesday night there were a lot of problems. First and foremost, I know that running a successful seafood restaurant will mean a lot of garbage. But I sat through two hours of dinner with an absolutely TERRIBLE smell wafting from the dumpsters, and every time somebody would haul out another bag of garbage the leakage would seep down towards our table. If you are EVER led to the single table on the far side of the restaurant - DECLINE it!!! It will reek to high heavens all night long. Service was incredibly slow as well, and there didn't seem to be any bug control - pests were everywhere. On the positive side, our crabs were excellent - we ordered the large at $55/dozen. Our server was nice when we could get ahold of her. Hmm...running out of positives and wanting to complain a bit more...one of my companion's crabcakes smelled a bit amonia-y which should never happen to a place with such high rotation of crabs - everything should be fresh fresh fresh! Also - be aware that all beer comes in can form! It was ok but I was still disappointed that they didn't have a single beer on tap. Last thought - the powdery spices they pour over the crab seem to be less apt to stick to the meat and flavor it and more apt to turn to orange paste on your hands. I'd have preferred just a dusting of old bay. I won't return anytime soon because there are crabs to be had at less stinky locations.
(3)Robin F.
We definitely had a great Maryland Crab experience. Can't fully recall if it was due to Cantler's or due to the great time we had with our friends! But nonetheless we had a ton of good food, some crabs (although fun, too much work for us.) Plan to get there early so you don't have to wait in the line of cars just to park.
(4)Brandy C.
It's not you, it's me. We did the big group thing, ordered pounds of crab and corn and fries and whatnot. Crab when I have to get it out of that shell is not my thing. When I get mounds of it in my mouth with cheese and egg and all I did was order it (see Chick&Ruth's), well that's more my thing. As far as seasoning goes, again, it's probably me. I live in the south and grew up in Louisiana. I would hardly call what they did seasoning, but I am used to crying while eating crawfish. This tourist was a little out of her element. Also, I didn't know or like the people I was with well enough to be cramped so tightly elbow-to-elbow at a sweaty picnic table outside. Personal space be damned! I'm a party pooper, I get it. But this was not the highlight of my eating through the Northeast tour, sorry. If that is blasphemy to the locals, feel free to come here and smack talk some BBQ or Tex Mex and tell me how you guys do it better. What was a little special was getting to go down to the water and see all the crabs awaiting their fate on a picnic table. You definitely know where your dinner came from.
(3)Adrie L.
Cantler's is the BEST crab shack! The food is amazing! The crabs are super fresh and delicious. I didn't know what I was doing the first time I went and have always been with first time crabbers. The waitstaff is really friendly and always willing to put on a demo. I also recommend any of the soups and the hush puppies! The location is off the beaten path, so it is secluded, but on the water. I have sat inside and outside... been on a hot summer day and a cool spring day. Even though it's casual & laid back, it's perfect for ANY occasion - I have gone with friends, taken my Dad when he was visiting from Texas, and have been for a birthday....everyone I've gone with has been impressed. Yes, it's usually busy, but if you have to wait, just grab a bucket of beers, walk down to the little pier and hang out... Highly recommended - don't miss Cantler's on your next trip to Annap!
(5)Brian S.
Went on Tuesday, less crowded. Good shrimp app. Maryland blue crabs were lots of work but tasty. Don't be afraid to ask for instructions on how to eat the crabs. Servers friendly and helpful.
(4)John G.
Not to be a heretic (I know this place is beloved), but I had dinner at Cantler's recently and I didn't really like it. I get that it's a homey, no-frills crab shack, but I think it's too rustic to be enjoyable. After we got there, my 8-year old nephew returned from a trip to the bathroom and announced how badly it stunk. There was also no soap in the women's room. The crab soup was delicious, but I just couldn't concentrate on enjoying the food after hearing how disgusting the bathrooms were. There are plenty of other crab joints in the Annapolis area (Mike's, for example) and I won't be returning to this one.
(1)Christine P.
Excellent place for fresh crabs pulled directly from the water. Tried this place on a weekend trip to Annapolis, and wish I could go back more often. If you've never had fresh hard shell crabs it was a bit intimidating, as I didn't know the best way to open up the body. My boyfriend and I had 1 appetizer, 6 XL crabs, 2 ears of corn and a side of fries, which was way too much food!! If you are an average eater, I'd suggest a bit less, you can always order more :) For those of you considering coming here, this is def a very casual places. Think shared picnic tables, brown paper, paper plates and cans of beer. Try this if you are going to be in the area. A true MD experience !!
(4)Carl G.
Terrific atmosphere for a Maryland crab day. Located on a quaint inlet of the Chesapeake, this crab shack is the perfect place to visit with friends on a sunny summer day for some steamed whole crab carnage. You might make a walking tour of Annapolis part of your excursion. Be sure to walk downstairs by the dock where you can see the live seafood tanks. Don't get your fingers too close to the crabs, though. They can be ornery.
(4)SHAWN T.
So disappointing. 6/12 crabs were pulpy, mushy throw-aways. And this was after a 1.5 hour wait. Terrible.
(1)Jessie J.
i am in love with cantler's. it's slowly becoming an institution in our family. tonight we wanted a place to go to celebrate our dear "pop pop", as he passed away last sunday and we already missed him. when we were kids, he ran a veritable "crab factory" in his basement almost every weekend during the summer, and as a kid growing up in maryland you may not have eaten a lot of things, but you always, always ate crabs. we figured cantler's was more than appropriate-no pretensions, butcher paper on the table, beer proudly served in cans, old dudes watching nascar on the bar televisions. off season extra large crabs ran $75.00 a dozen, but they were nice and weighty, and very, very fresh. you will end up filthy, covered in old bay and crab guts. my apologies to the table next to us that ended up getting a crab leg thrown at them AND had to hear my two siblings argue about subprime mortgages and hillary clinton.(see uploaded photos for cantler's, my failed attempt at shaming them into shutting the fuck up) really pop, we had the best of intentions but in the end we still are just a bunch of assholes. this is the ultimate maryland crab house experience. it's in the middle of nowhere, has server's that call you"hon", the seafood is fresh and fantastic, and you can buy one of their signature beer can koozies on your way out. john waters would be proud. NOTE: natasha r. and justin p. my tagline may SAY california, but i'm baltimorian through and through seeing as i was born there and cut my baby teeth on a crab leg. so quit your haterade poo pooing of cantler's, cause you don't wanna go head to head with me when it comes to balmer street cred! WORD.
(5)Joe R.
I went to Cantler's last night. I bounce between there and Mike's Crabs depending on price and size of crabs. The atmosphere is always great and the steamers and steamed shrimp are AWESOME. Last night my buddy and I shared a dozen large males. They weren't bad. The only reason why I didn't give Cantler's 4 stars was that I have been there before and the "larges" were much bigger. I'll be back tho. Don't you miss it!!!! Casual dining. Be prepared to get dirty if you go! See you there!!
(4)Dave S.
Not a nice place, despite the raves. It's dirty, very noisy, and crowded. Tables are packed much too close together. The restrooms are early American gas station. The crab cakes are soggy. There is nothing particularly interesting about the steamed crabs. I've been there three times, twice by water and once by land. It seems consistently mediocre and generally unpleasant.
(1)Alicia C.
I recently made my second trip to Cantler's. It may be a hike to get to, but if you're into crabs, it's definitely worth the trip. The experience could not even be tainted by getting a little lost on the backroads in Maryland (both times... yes I'm a bit directionally challenged) or even the tropical storm that was rolling through my last time up. If you go, plan to get there early as it does tend to get busy (unless that is you time your trip to coincide with a hurricane). But again, the food is definitely worth the wait. Don't forget a basket of hush puppies or some chowder to go along on the side!
(4)Beth B.
My husband is from Annapolis and grew up only a few blocks away from this crab shack. This is one of my favorite places to go in Annapolis and this place was where I learned how to crack Maryland Blue crabs correctly. (I use to waste so much meat!) It is located down a small neighborhood road and sits on the Severn River. You would think this place would not get crowded because of the location, but after 5pm you will be luckily to get a table without waiting 20-30 minutes. If you want to sit outside on the deck, you definitely need to get here early. Cantler's posts their specials on chalkboards around the restaurant. I recommend cracking crabs here. Spend the money on the Supers if they have them. They are often really good. (However, recently we discovered the crabs were from Louisiana not Maryland due to over crabbing in the Bay). If you happen to get a "bad" crab, they will steam you a new one. If you do not like to work for your food, Cantlers has a menu with everything from crab cakes, shrimp, mussels, and grilled and stuffed rockfish. They have non seafood items too, but I recommend sticking with the local seafood and don't forget a bucket of beer! If you are in Annapolis, it is worth a trip to this inn on the river.
(4)Stuart B.
Great crabs and seafood, great service, good food options for those land lovers, too. Can be loud at times but its a pretty popular place. THE place to go for crabs in MD.
(5)Mary L.
Disappointment with a capital D. I had the crab cake. Lackluster, but I did not get sick. My husband had crab cakes--identically lackluster. He also had the sandy steamers..little, tough, and sandy. Guy sitting next to us had crabs--nice guy, got to know him as he was practically sitting on my lap for a good long wait for the food. Anyway, the crabs...medium, not worth the effort. I will never know why the place was packed to the gills both inside and outside--actually the outside seating was more like sardines packed in muck. I will never know because I won't ever go there again.
(1)Aaron S.
Don't get lost on the winding residential road that takes you to Cantler's; it's a place that is not to be missed! You can get excellent crabs a nice atmosphere and great staff here. We enjoyed everything about it (it was even worth the 40 min wait!)
(5)brad j.
Take a shirt you don't mind getting messy. Crab shrapnel is in the air, butter and Old Bay drip off of everything. I know the crabs weren't pulled from the Chesapeake yesterday, but they were still darn good. The service was great (pay attention to how the waitress ALWAYS ask, "Did you order ______?"), and if it was warm enough to have the back porch enclosure unenclosed, well, it would have been a little piece of heaven. The atmosphere is what does it for me. It's not about fancy decor; it's not about snooty staff; its not about special sauces -- it's about crabs and steamers and beer. And if you have the cash flow to put in a full day of it, it will be a day you will remember at Cantler's.
(4)Jason Y.
Cantler's feels like it's tucked away out in Annapolis, but once you've made your way down a twisty single lane road you'll find that it's not that much of a secret. But no matter - grab a table outside, even if it's in the driving sun with no umbrella (wear sunscreen!) and get ready for some good ole crustacean eating. Your table cloth is a sheet of brown packing paper, your tools are a hammer and knife, your clothes will get covered in crab juice and your hands will be bloody and raw from the shells. Get a ton of steamed hard shell crabs, a platter of steamed mussels, clams and shrimp, a bucket of beer (cans only!) and you will be in Crab Shack heaven. Can't wait to go back.
(5)David D.
Outstanding. Got a dozen crabs and they were perfect. Looking forward to another trip.
(5)Angela Z.
I've eaten here since I was a kid, had a job here, and now come back for the crabs and atmosphere. Great experience for those who have never had real steamed crabs. the crab dip could be better!!
(4)Brian M.
Really great crabs. The seasoning they use is their own Old Bay like creation and I love it. Hence forth, Old Bay is a mere disappointment. The MD Crab Soup is also really good. Fun atmosphere and great service!
(5)David S.
Sometimes I think the locals take pride in picking an out of the way place and touting it as better than the more touristy place (Mike's) even though the food is awful. I just don't get why people love this place.
(2)Ronnail R.
This is also our Sunday brunch or dinner location during the Spring & Summer months.........well into the Fall. The waiting game is crazy and the staff turnover is unbelievable. We are seafood lovers and the crabs are so big and juicy I'm soooooooo looking forward to the warm weather in '08. I must say don't drink any alcohol if your wait time is a little over a hour, because there isn't much shade and the sun will have you melting by the time your name is called. There's outdoor and indoor seating. On a hot summer day we decided to sit outdoors and the crabs are always served hot. We were busy trying to stay cool from the heat and the steam from the crabs by drinking water. We were too full to enjoy the crabs that we drove 45 mins to get. I was sweating, my husband was sweating and trying to keep me cool (my husband has a bald head, so imagine not having hair on your head and you have more sweat beads rolling down your face than your wife - then you know it's time to roll out.....us ladies can pin our hair up and keep it move'n), that we said forget it and took our crabs to go. Since 1999 we only eat indoors during the summer months. So, if you ever decide to eat outdoors, pray that it's not one of the hottest days you chose to get your crab'n on - ENJOY!!!!!!! During certain times of the months the prices for the crabs do fluctuate - we have been served every size they offer. (XL-S)
(5)Eric N.
Loved it! We met my aunt and uncle here for lunch. It was a beautiful day, and we ate outside on the deck. Had crabs(very good), fried shrimp(very good), crab cakes(below average), fries(very good), and the seafood steamer with shrimp/mussles/clams in a wine sauce (very good).
(4)Mya S.
We decided to visit this place based on high internet ratings and what-not. Overall, it was a disappointing experience, and it seems this place is riding on the coat-tails of past glory and good reputation that it no longer deserves. First of all, the entire staff consisted of a bunch of high-school kids (seemingly) with no vested interest in making the business work. While polite, they were incompetent, and not very attentive or professional. Eating here was reminiscent of being in a high-school cafeteria. The waiters were more concerned about "getting their friends in quickly" even if that means paying customers wait longer. At one point we actually had to ask for a manager as a quartet of students who claimed to be from Boston thought they were too important to get in line...and instead of making them wait, they were served ahead of everyone simply because they were being bratty. Really? Additionally, the staff was overly focused on flirting with young people of the opposite sex than really doing their jobs well. Waters were not kept full. Condiments were lacking. They had no knowledge of the menu. And they did not come check on you after serving the food. Instead, they'd sit at nearby tables *together* and chit-chat, laugh, and ignore the customers. Driving all this way...and paying higher than average cost for average food...leaves a bitter taste. Now on to the food. The crab was fresh, and tasted great. But not really superlative to other good crab joints. The seasonings were salty, but good on the side. The rest of the menu was okay...and certainly NOT worth a drive nor deserving of a superior reputation. I think this place is popular because of glory days past, and it's location on the water. Nothing more. I would not make the journey back to this place.
(2)justin p.
I'm with Natasha. I've never been a fan of Cantler's. I know people rave about it, but when you get right down to it, it isn't very good. And it is chock-full-o-dipwads that don't know nuthin bout real Maryland crabs. Definitely check out Harris' over on the Kent Narrows (also full of tourists, but generally pretty good) or Mike's down on the South River. Or just get some to go from some local joint and take 'em home. But you've been warned - I don't think any self-respecting Baltimoron would be caught dead at Cantler's. BTW, Cantler's is back some roads and all, but who the hell needs GPS to find it? It's not like it's in the middle of the Amazon or the Gobi or something, for Pete's sake. You just drive down the twisty road till you get to the end, and "eureka," there it is. Damn, you'd think from reading some of those other reviews that it is like way the heck out in BFE and that you are going to be hearing the banjos from Deliverance or something. Must be a bunch of Jetta-driving pansies from DC. Okay, I just had to check - all but two of the five star reviews are from out-of-state people (mostly DC and northern virginia - see I was right!) who clearly wouldn't know a real crab shack if it snuck up and bit them on the butt. I'll concede that Cantler's attempts to recreate the crab shack atmosphere, but one must differentiate between faux and real. Damn, those folks probably think that Bubba Gump is fo shizz.
(2)Es L.
EXCELLENT crabs! perfectly cooked and the meat just melts in your mouth. these are probably the best crabs we've ever had. i've never seen the hubs enjoy his meal as much as he did today. little girl LOVED it too- kept demanding for more (obviously clueless as to how much work it takes to get the meat). we ordered a dozen extra-large crabs which was about $75. it's worth ordering the bigger sized ones since it takes so much work to eat one. the restaurant however is in a pretty remote area in annapolis so a GPS is necessary for those who are from out-of-town. it's crazy how crowded the place got for a monday evening. i'd give 5-stars for the crabs but our friends who ordered other items from the menu weren't as thrilled with their food. we'll be dreaming about these crabs...
(4)Adam H.
The best place for authentic Maryland Crabs. A little tricky to get to, but totally worth the drive.
(5)scott b.
Best place for crabs in Maryland
(5)Kelly P.
We were visiting Annapolis for our anniversary and of course wanted to try some local seafood. After reading reviews we decided to try this restaurant since it seemed to capture the local hole in the wall atmosphere. Our server was nice, but slow. We waited forever for our food and since it was the off season, it wasn't busy at all. I ordered the broiled platter and let me tell you, I could have gotten a better meal at Captain D's, portions were small and everything was bland and overcooked. For $28 I was expecting much more. The side was a plain baked potato served with nothing more than a small pre-packaged pat of butter? My husband ordered the Ahi-sliders and the tuna was way overcooked as well. Canned beer only, worst Bloody Mary I've ever had, yeah, major disappointment. Beware of the hype..
(1)Jasen F.
Overrated, no matter what review you've read. Mike's in Edgewater has a better view, parking, and atmosphere. Leave Cantler's to the tourists and DC folks up for a romantic weekend on the Bay. I'm just not that into you Cantler's, especially for the price.
(2)Ricky W.
Great food with an amazing local flair. the bartenders Missy and Kelly are a joy to spend the evening drinking and eating with. A unique eclectic crowd will keep you entertained while you enjoy some of the best crabs, shrimp and oysters around. Great Place!
(5)Kelly M.
Excellent and fresh seafood. They don't do All-You-Can-Eat blue crabs so you'll have to look elsewhere for that. However, the portions on their platters are quite large, so you won't leave hungry. The place is really busy but we didn't wait long for a table. They seat you family style and you may share a table with another group, so if you're looking for intimate dining this is not the place. They have beers, but no tap, so every thing comes in a can. They also have a full bar but we only ordered beer. Be prepared for a loud, but really fun, and TASTY dining experience.
(4)Karman L.
HOLY CRAB!!! AWESOME!! THE BEST RESTAURANT!! cantlers.com 1) Bring GPS...this is like impossible to find w/out GPS...it's at the end of a road in a residential neighborhood! 2) Waitress said it's wicked busy here in May and June - up to 2 hours wait, and I don't think they take reservation either. 3) Bring a bib, wear some of your old sweatshirt...you are going to get MESSY if you are planning to eat the crab (They served the whole crab, so you have to really WORK it to BREAK into the meat! 4) Must at least order the following: a) Cream of Crab Soup , and Butternut Squash Soup b) Lump Crab Cakes - very CRABBY =D c) Dozen crabs (come in different size, we got the large size, it's $50 for one dozen) Wish we ordered the steamers too...but it was sold out last nite! Enjoy!!!
(5)Donna C.
This is a good place to go to if you want some good local crabs. Here's some definite pros to Cantler's: *you definitely get that maryland crab feast experience that you might be craving. The medium and large sized crabs were local but they also had extra large and super sized crabs available. *the large sized crabs we ordered were heavy and seasoned with Old Bay and served with extra seasoning, melted butter and vinegar on the side=YUMMY! *they line the tables with butcher paper so you can really crack away and get as messy as you want. They also give you buckets and extra napkins if you ask *has a nice outside patio area along the river There are a few cons that can hamper your experience: -minimal parking-if you get here at a peak time, they do a one car out one car in deal and you may have to wait -long wait for tables during these peak times -kind of confusing to get to. it's seriously at the end of a neighborhood street. weird. -kind of pricey - the large sized crabs were $50 for a dozen. They were good but there are other places you can get a large dozen for less and/or it's all you can eat. Apparently they do have all you can eat certain nights during the week Overall though, the crabs are worth the visit. We also tried the crab dip and calamari appetizers and the french fry and onion ring side dishes. Two thumbs up on the crab dip, calamari and onion rings. They also offer other gourmet seafood dishes that other crabhouses may not have. We had a great experience other than the parking and waiting and would go back if in the area again. It's a nice little joint.
(4)Pat S.
DUDE. I'm reading some of the prior reviews on here, and a few people seem to have hated on this place as full of crab n00bs. Well, I was a crab n00b when I first got to town, and this place introduced me to Maryland's finest cuisine. I can't wait to go back this spring. We're moving out of town soon, and this is probably the place I'll miss most in the DC area. It's true that you need to be prepared to get messy. The giant sink helps make quick work of the crab guts when you're done, and it's lucky that you can wash clear up to your forearms in it because they're bound to get gross. It's true that the prices are high, but this isn't the sort of hangout you'd visit every week, so it's OK to splurge. Also, be sure to get a table with an umbrella or under the awning -- the sun will wreck you here if you don't watch out. I'm amped for my next five cold cans of Yuengling and pile of jumbos.
(5)Sang H.
Being a New Yorker, we don't get much exposure to the wonderful taste of Blue Crab. I take a trip down with friends once every year or two and hit about three or four crab houses. This year we decided one of the locations we would hit would be Cantler's, after reading all the reviews on Yelp, we were planning to have a great experience. Unfortunately, this was not the one of those experiences. We ordered two dozen X-Large crabs, what we ended up with was about 60% X-Large, 20% Large and 20% Mediums. At $72/dz I expect 100% X-Large. Of the two dozen, three of them were bad. So as you can see not a great hit ratio. We also ordered the steamers nothing great here either. Nor was I expecting them to be, as its really not that hard to prepare them. Don't get the hush puppies, unless you like deep friend rock hard dough sticks. Overall the food was underwhelming. The service was okay, nothing special. Waitress was just someone that took the order and brought the food. No personality or friendliness. Don't get the lemonade, it was just water and powder mix that was supposed to mimic the appearance and taste of real lemonade. As much as I would love to complain about the parking, its something that I really can't blame them about. The slew of people that go there need to park somewhere and the small area just doesn't accommodate the large numbers. Be ready to wait 20-30 minutes in your car for a spot. I don't think its worth the wait. When you wait 20-30 minutes for parking and then another 45 minutes for food you expect something special. Nothing special here folks! Its just crabs! and small ones at that! for $72/dz for X-Large! and you don't even get all X-Large! and a few of them are rotten! Well, all I can say is that you don't get what you pay for and there are a ton of other area restaurants that you can go to to get good crab at better prices. You can try it once for the experience, but I would say most will not come back due to the wait, crab sizes and prices.
(1)Melissa G.
If you aren't a local, and don't have a local escort you probably will never find this place. This is a REAL Maryland crab joint. I'm talkin' paper on the tables, Old Bay galore, picnic tables, etc. If you want a good 'ol crab feast this is the place.... corn on the cob, crabs, old bay, mmmm mmmm delicious. Come by car, come by boat... just make sure you come and are cool with a wait.
(5)Dan B.
I love this place. First time I ever went here was 2 years ago when I was in Annapolis for work. It was summer and I ate right on the water. Food was amazing, staff was friendly and location is beautful. Recently was in Annapolis for Valentines day coincidently. I went to Cantlers with a friend and ate the Alaskan King Crab. Everyone was amazing again and food was fantastic. Anyone I know traveling to MD has to try this place. You wont regret it.
(4)PY K.
What a crabfest it was...we visited family in VA last month and drove out to Annapolis for the day, our first stop was Cantler's. Being from LA, I rather enjoyed the drive into the woods to the inn (even though we took a few wrong turns). Anyway, I've never seen a larger mountain of crabs served on a tray...they are known for their crab, so that's just what our table (of six adults) ordered...three dozen large crabs (at the time it was $55 per dozen). Another option for us was to order 'all you can eat medium sized crabs for 2 hours for something like $27...but we figured the quantity would work out to be the same and we might as well get the larger crabs. 'The rest of our party sat at another table, and ordered a variety of items including the crab from the menu, i.e. the steamers, hushpuppies, etc....and seemed to enjoy everything that they ordered. A little pricey, but we were treated by our very generous hosts/sis-bro in laws. At first, I was a little put off by the seasoned salt that was doused all over, but surprisingly the salt enhanced the flavor of the crab just right. Dip it in your quarter cup of butter, and mmmm....mmmm.....mmmmm..... You are equipped with a small hammer (no claws), and everytime I took a crack at it, I think I may have squirted crab juice to my neighbor (or worse, sent fragments of crab shell ricocheting out yonder). Eating here was a rather difficult experience when the Husband and I were each manning a small child....but they have plenty of high chairs that they can place at the end of each bench seat. If you are afraid to get your hands dirty, don't come here....you'll end up smelling of crab by the end of the meal. Sit outdoors if you can, and enjoy the boats going down the river....the inside just looked too dark and dingy. We got there at noon, and the place was very empty, but by the time of the end of our meal, there must have been a score of people waiting for tables. But this was definitely worth the experience....four stars b/c it just took way too much time/work to get that meat out of that crab and the large crabs weren't all that large. Walk off all that butter consumption in the quaint maritime town of Annapolis. Sidenote: I know we have the RB pier which serves fresh crab/seafood, but the atmosphere is ten times better at Cantler's alongside a lazy river...cleaner too (tables are topped with rolls of kraft paper instead of dirty newspapers), since they have nice servers who do a good job of cleaning off the tables, benches and floor after a party is done.
(4)Marc K.
We traveled here from DC, which was definitely worth the drive. We had fried crab cakes, lump crab cakes, and a dozen large crabs. The lump crab cakes were the best that I've ever had. The rest of the food was amazing, and the service was great. Having a GPS to guide your path in the twisty roads at night is definitely a plus. About the only thing that I can add to the prior reviews is that all of the beer comes in cans (including Heineken, Yuengling, and other domestics).
(5)Mike Air C.
Being a native of the DC area, I was raised feasting on crabs in the summer. I never ventured out to one of the Crab houses in Maryland so this was my first and I must say, extraordinary experience in crab dining. The ambiance is perfect for eating crabs and the service attentive and responsive. The extra large Jimmys ELJs (expensive but well worth it) were perfectly cooked and the seasonings/butter excellent. We had (18) ELJs but staggered our order as recommended by previous reviewers of Cantler's which yielded perfectly hot and savory crabs. These were some of the best crabs I have ever experienced. The service (thanks Emily!) was superb and the Yuengling beer perfect. We sat outside on a Monday night - full but not crowed and not waiting for a cool spot outside. Overall - The Perfect setting for enjoying absolulely perfect crabs!!!
(5)Mike W.
Great place to eat crabs by the water.
(5)Jen H.
Oh Cantlers. How I will miss you so dearly when crab season rolls around once again. Crabs for somone who really wants the down-and-dirty crab experience without crossing the bridge. Butcher-papered tables, beer in plastic cups, the sound of wooden mallets smacking away and flecks of crab shell flying in your face. Mmmm... Added bonus is that it's right on the water and even has it's own pier you can dock at. Make sure to take the kiddos to see the holding tanks down near the pier, all sorts of neat things swimming around in there. Expect a wait during the summer and as mentioned, a liiiittle hard to find and navigate to but well worth the effort. I always took our out-of-town guests here to snap them out of their "King Crab legs are the best" mindset. Can't wait to come back for a visit.
(5)Molly G.
Okay, so I'm not a Maryland local and maybe I just don't "get" the whole appeal of a crab boil - but I wasn't all that impressed with Cantler's. If you want to spend hours with a tiny wooden mallet hacking at a piece of boiled shellfish with the ultimate goal of extracting a small portion of meat that tastes exactly like the old bay seasoning that cakes the carcasses of these unfortunate crustaceans, then Cantler's is for you. For my money, I'll take a nice crab cake at a restaurant where my derrier doesn't go numb from sitting on a picnic bench for hours. And if I want to work for my food, then I find both lobster and other types of crab to be much tastier. With that said, it is a very authentic Maryland experience, and as long as you're not going with the idea of coming away full, it can be a super fun place to go with friends. I even pretend to like it so that I come across as a more authentic Annapolitan. Maybe someday I'll actually order something else off the menu...and revise this review. But maybe not. Oh, and the bar at the indoor dining room is super creepo!!. It's like a transplanted VFW branch - complete with that one petrified guy with the permanent "come sit on grandpa's lap" smirk.
(3)Lark L.
I was expecting this place to be crowded on a Sat evening but this was beyond insane. Traffic was backed up to get into the parking lot--in fact I think they have a staff of 10 just overseeing the freaking parking situation! Then the wait is est at 2hours! Of course that is usually because the idiots on the deck think they are entitled to holding up the table for hours. I think Cantler;s should enforce a table time limit--IMO. With that said--we only waited 15 minutes because we wedged into the corner of the bar. Bar staff was amazing---so friendly even when dealing with obnoxious people. Food is alright-- you go for the hype and experience but if you don't go you won't be missing much. View was not that great--
(2)stephanie t.
I'm happy to see so many five star reviews for Cantler's. It deserves them. Cantler's is the quintessential crab eating experience. Kind of dingy, right on the water, messy, slightly seedy, indoor and outdoor seating, unpretentious. The one drawback is that it has gotten so crowded that you shouldn't really bother trying to go on a weekend during the summer/early fall, but aside from this, it's pretty much perfect, which is why my family has been going for over 30 years. Crabs are expensive no matter where you get them, so don't think that casual = low bill, but the food is great (seems like a shame to get anything but crabs and maybe some steamers, but actually the rest of the food on the menu, particularly the soft shells and crab cakes, is pretty good if you're not in the mood to pick). For kids it's fun to go down by the water and look at the tanks where they have molting soft shells.
(5)Carl L.
Always love Cantler's. Been going there for over 20 years, and it's my favorite place to get those Maryland Crabs we all crave
(5)ted c.
On your next trip to Annapolis, Maryland you definitely need to checkout Cantler's. This is a classic Maryland bayside restaurant that is serving up the Maryland crab feast experience! Difficult to find, because it is a bit remote, and I was greatly rewarded for my journey! A killer view, even at night. And they have a nice outside patio for patrons, which is right above their soft-shell crab farm. This a great place for fresh Maryland crabs (in the summer... they serve gulf crab too). Blue crabs are pricey at all Maryland restaurants, and I think they charge a little more and/or serve a little less compared to other restaurants. But when it guaranteed fresh, it is worth it. I was very very fortunate to have arrived on a Monday night, in October it is all-you-can-eat steamed hard crab night for $18.95! 6 med size blue crabs will usually go for about $20, on that evening I had 18 crabs!! (FYI, Old bay or J.O. was OK... if you like the salt.) I returned the following night and had the soft shell crabs. I returned the following week twice for the Blackened Rockfish and Crab Cakes. Two thumbs up for the slaw and fresh Maryland corn cob. Hush puppies was too pellet like, fries were coated thus I love the extra crispiness. Overall though, the All-You-Can-Eat crabs are worth the visit! You might want to consider going to other more convenient to find places for the soft-shell, rockfish and crab cakes.
(4)Jill H.
Don't bother going to any other crab shack in Annapolis. The outdoor sitting is the best; I've never sat inside. The hush puppies & crabs are A....mazingg...
(5)Kate R.
well i'm veggie so i can't speak for the crabs. this is my second time here. we called ahead to book (weeks ago, and then prior to coming) big work party needed a few veggie options (which was told when booking.) veggie options finally came a good 20 minutes into the meal (they should have just let us order of the menu) which ended up being some pasta with red sauce worse than any middle school lunch you've ever had. no thanks. we were a big party (40) the staff just seemed to roam over everyone that was outside instead of having a few folks assigned to our tables. if they had they'd probably have noticed we were out of beers, like immediately and we had to ask to get more. they'd come out and place one for every bucket. come on son! you haven't given me the veggie option. at least give me the beer! it is a fun experience, everyone was in a great mood when we got there and in a great mood when we left and the crab eaters def seemed to enjoy themselves.
(3)Jennifer S.
The nationally acclaimed Cantler's Riverside Inn has a puzzling name. Nothing here has anything to do with an Inn, unless of course they are referring to the crabs you won't be able to stop putting Inn your mouth (couldn't help myself)! Now there are tons of touristy crab shacks to choose from in downtown Annapolis, this place (open for 30 years now) is actually right outside of it in Mill Creek (semantics, right?). Wherever you want to say it is, just go there! I don't care how hot it is outside, don't eat inside. The best experience is had outside on the water's edge sitting amongst other crab-feasters at paper-covered picnic tables watching the boaters dock to join you. I cannot personally speak for anything other than the crabs and the onion rings and as far as I'm concerned this is the single-most best place to get them.
(5)Jamie H.
2nd best place for blue crabs, amazingly fresh but very expensive.
(4)Maria K.
I went here on a recommendation of a friend, she said it was a pretty famous place, but *shrugs* I guess I didn't know. Anyway, the huge disappointing factor was that they ran out of crabs right when we got there -- this was on Memorial day, early in the afternoon. That was the reason why we went, so it was disappointing. However, we still decided to stick around for a little bit to eat since we were starving, and then find crabs later (which we didn't b/c we're both small and fill up quickly). Anyway, we got the hush puppies and a bucket of steamers (which are these really plump clams). I wasn't a fan of the hush puppies, but the steamers were really good. I had never had steamers and had to have one of the workers show me how it's done. They were very meaty and tender... but a half bucket/person is more than enough I think.
(3)Computer S.
Plain broiled and overpriced, overrated by tourist
(1)William M.
Love this place. Had a great experience. Staff is very attentive. Yeungling in cans?! I guess I can chalk that up to quirk. Can't wait to come back.
(4)J J.
So, we went to this Annapolis Institution, and we have mixed feelings. The crabs were very good (although there is some controversy as to whether they or local crabs, this time of year, or not) One waitress said that the crabs were from Louisiana while another waitress said that the crabs were local (huh?). I understand that the noise and chaos are part of the "charm" of this place, but indoor seating is a real challenge in terms of the noise (and claustrophobia). If you can stand to wait, I would recommend trying to get covered seating, outside. The crabs were yummy. Our waiter was somewhat inept, watched us knock over a glass of water and offered nothing in the way of napkins or help. We had to ask another waitress. He also disappeared after serving our food, and we had to look for him for 10 minutes to secure our check. I think Cantler's may be better than Mike's in terms of price, and one is spared the talentless trio who make "music" at Mike's. Bon appetit! P.S. Oh, yes, the bathroom situation is fairly appalling--dirty and unample. They are serving a vast crowd--spring for a second bathroom and clean it, from time to time.
(3)Laurie B.
Here is the deal. The mixed drinks are served in the smallest glasses i have ever encountered in a restaurant. The steamed clams were cooked so long they were like little gobs of hard glue. To add insult to injury they served them with fake butter...the kind they put on your popcorn in cheap movie theaters. when I asked for real butter..they said ok and cheerfully got some from the kitchen. The fried clam strips were ok if you like chewing through breaded leather strips. I bought a single crab which was yummy. Bottom line....when they serve fake popcorn topping oil instead of butter...the owner is assuming he can rip off his stupid customer who does not know any better. I hate that.
(1)Jenna P.
Huge disappointment! I originally spent time at Cantlers as a kid about 30 years ago and had many great times cracking crabs while enjoying the easygoing atmosphere. Last night it was just awful. Everything from the rock hard hush puppies to the obscenely priced blue crabs ($75/dozen for jumbos). The corn on the cob was wormed out and the "butter" you are supposed to dip your $75/ dozen crabs in was margarine. Fried Mussels could not be identified....could have been anything in there. The only thing that we really enjoyed was a portabello/ crab appetizer that was fairly priced which arrived with a full lump crab cake on top. Outdoor seating smells like garbage. Bathrooms are disgusting. So sad that I don't think we will revisit. If you do choose to stomach Cantlers arrive at 5:30 or earlier else you are waiting a long time for a table.
(1)Ami C.
What else can you say but..."MORE PLEASE!" Cantler's is THE place to go for crabs in Annapolis. Not just crabs - but their Lump Crab Cake might just be the best Crab Cake on the planet! The lumps of crab are big enough to choke on. They have delightful cream of crab soup too and something magical in their house dressing. It is a little challenging to get to...all the better to keep the mobs away during high tourist weeks.weekends in Annapolis. Let them eat Buddy's! The ladies room always gets a thumbs up for cleanliness as well. Growing up in Annapolis has ruined the crab experience in most other places - a trip home is never complete with a quick trip to Cantler's.
(5)Caryl M.
I remember coming to Cantler's on dates when I was 17. Casual, out of the way hideout that only locals knew about. Back then you would be sitting next to a wealthy Annapolitan just off their yacht and on the other side of you a local waterman. It seemed like everyone just meshed well and conversed over good food. The wait staff was always down to earth and friendly. I've been many times over the past 18 years and that wonderful quaint charm has slowly faded. We came in on a boat 2 weekends ago and were told there would be a 20 minute wait... An hour and 10 minutes later we were seated. We were seated at a dirty table that still had crab gut remnants on it..gross!!To make matters worse, the server was annoyed that I asked if it could be cleaned. While waiting for our meal, a sudden downpour hit us. We started to put down the plastic awnings so we wouldn't get soaked and we were yelled at..yes yelled at to leave it. The manager did come over to put the awnings down but only after he put down the ones closer to him...we got wet..no big deal..but the rudeness was unnecessary. I love the location still and the food was good but the service not worth it. And for any tourists coming here, leave your heals and your bedazzled clothes at home...it's an old crab shack for gosh sakes.
(2)Ashley A.
This was my first time eating crabs like this, and it was great. The crabs were yummy along with some of the appetizers. Definitely try to sit outside if the weather is nice and get there early! We got there around 12:30 and it was a 30 minute wait; when we left a few hours later the line of cars to get into the parking lot had to be 20 deep.
(4)Curt H.
Anything from the bay is wonderfully prepared at this "standard" Annapolis waterfront joint. Always crowded, but food worth the hassle. Don't miss it.
(4)Gary R.
Took my family for crabs and was not at all impresses as so many reviews state. We bought a dozen and half. At least 6 were overcooked.the waitress took care of but for a restaurant that focuses on crabs they are challenged to deliver properly cooked crabs to a table.
(1)Joe L.
This crab house is in a hidden place. You will find it in a nice quiet neighborhood. After I found the place, I finally relief from getting the wrong address. After 20 minutes waiting, we got a nice big table for two people. The food serving is fast but the food is not really tasty. The clam chowder soup is way too salty. I don't believe the soup is right. We also order calamari, jimmy steamer, and a dozen extra large crab. The calamari and jimmy steamer is okay size and okay cook. Nothing special about the dish. Let's talk about the main meal "crab" which I think extra large should mean the biggest crab in the restaurant. But what we get was bunch missing crab claws and kind of small size crab. If you see my other review, I have mentioned about Bethesda crab house is bigger than here and they all have crab claw on them even they are kind of dirty. There are no taste on meat of these crab. I don't think this is the place to enjoy the crab.
(2)Michael B.
Come here for the crabs..Period. I have been here several times and have always been served great crabs. I had a light crab once and they had no problem taking it back. They are not inexpensive though. Expect to pay between 65-75 for x-large crabs. However, you get what you pay for. Heavy, tasty, and well seasoned crabs. The fries a also perfect accompaniment. Salads are large and well done. I honestly have never had any of the entries. As others have said the view is great. No reservations so it you go on a fri or sat plan to wait and don't even try on commissioning weekend. Service has been good. Not many beers on tap. Also be prepared to sit on a picnic bench next to other patrons. I wasn't too concerned but it can throw some people off. All in all one of the best crab houses around and definitely the best in Annapolis.
(4)J L.
PRO: Good, no-nonsense crabhouse. Good, thick cut onion rings. Super sweet corn. Friendly wait staff. CON: We had to wait for about 1/2 hour before our crabs came out that night, but our waitress was friendly and very apologetic about it. Crab seasoning was also a bit too heavy on the salt.
(4)despina s.
Best place for a relaxed seafood meal...the freshest crabs i have ever had....had a blast just being messy using the mallets to crack the crabs and enjoy the sweet meat...waitstaff was not very attentive or special and i was disappointed they would not honor coupons from their site because it was one per table...meanwhile they forgot to bring our crab appetizer....overall still a great experience. Wait was not long. Tough to find but so worth thhe trip!
(4)Jessica E.
This out-of-the way place has great tasting Maryland crab and other local seafood. However, it's overpriced, and everything else on the menu is just kind of meh. Don't order anything other than local seafood if you want your food to taste good, and skip the overpriced, not so good desserts. Advice for first-time visitors: they have off-the-menu offerings, including the famous steamed Maryland crab - you just have to know they have it, the waiter may not remember to tell you (ask the waiter for prices). It's definitely worth a visit if you want to eat seafood the "real" Maryland way.
(3)Kristine M.
YES! We "jetta-driving pansies from DC" do love Cantler's! I don't care about the tourists, I don't care that people go there to order a chicken ceasar salad, i don't care that there's no parking after 1pm. I just love their crabs, their view, their desserts, and their staff.
(5)John S.
Go to Mike's instead. This was by far the worst service I've ever received. We sat down for 20 minutes in clear view and no one came to our table. Once the waitress came, we asked to order our food but she refused to take anything but our drink order. She came back 10 minutes later after we asked for service and finally told us in the rudest tone "we're out of crabs." At that point we left and went to Mike's. We were so happy with our decision to leave. Please refuse to be treated this poorly. It was terrible!
(1)Charlie L.
We had to wait 45 minutes to get a table. While waiting I observed the crabs being moved into the kitchen. None of them show any sign of life. I should have left the place there and then, because things just got worst as we were seated. The place was too small for the number of people they tried to cramp in there. The waiting staff consists of bunch of teenage girls and one of them looks no older than twelve. The hostess even took a bribe from a group of customers for a shorter wait. They weren't too friendly neither. We ordered dozen extra large crabs, but when it came out they were no bigger than the medium crabs on display. We were given exactly a dozen even though most crab places we've been to tend to give you one or two extra to replace any non-fresh ones that slip into the batch. Speaking of freshness, out of the four I had, three were dead before they were cooked as evident by the rotting stink as soon as I break open the shell. The couple that sat next to us actually left right after their order came out, either because the crabs were too small or they weren't fresh. The popularity of this place boggles me. It's certainly not cheap and its location isn't convenient. neither. Why anyone would drive half a hour, a hour to eat overpriced half rotting crabs is beyond me. Other than the fact they sell beer outside while you wait for your table, there's absolutely nothing redeemable about Cantler and you should avoid it despite what it claims about the restaurant being a Maryland "icon" on their website.
(1)Veronica L.
I went here with two of my girlfriends on a gorgeous Sunday in the middle of October. They had seating indoors but we decided to wait to get outside seating. While waiting, we had a drink at the bar. They have a cocktail menu, which I always like, and the price range was about $7 a drink. The bartender was quick with service. We were only sitting around 5 minutes when they were ready to seat us. Our waitress was very friendly and took good care of us. We ordered the crab dip to split. On the menu, it says it comes with two loaves of bread, so we thought the dip would be a big portion but it was on the smaller side. Delicious though. I ordered the rockfish tacos. I thought the fish was a little skimpy and actually took out the avocado that it came with because those were huge pieces and I was afraid I'd lose the rockfish taste but despite the fish size, they were really good. We had a good time and I'd have to say that my biggest complaint was that we sat next to all these plotted flowers and there were a lot of bees flying around and trying to land in our food and drinks.
(4)PC W.
I can't stop raving about this place!!! I've been twice and both times were awesome - once for a late lunch and once for an early dinner. We got seated relatively quickly both times. Crab is so good and atmosphere is very casual - worth the hour drive from DC. It gets messy but it's so worth it.
(5)Pam S.
there are better crab houses in the Annapolis and Chesapeake Bay area. It's always packed, you sit in a parking lot with views of cars. Try other options such Mike's Crab House on South River or over on the Eastern Shore.
(2)Daisy R.
On a visit to Annapolis we decided to try Cantler's because we wanted to experience that famous "Maryland crab" and the hotel staff highly recommended it. The atmosphere is nice enough if you sit outside, but if you're in the tented area or the inside there's really nothing special about it. There's a seafood place like this in many shore towns I've been to. The food was good but we certainly weren't bowled over. I had the Lump Crab cakes ($25), and they were mediocre. Crab was dry and just not that tasty. My husband had the all-you-can-eat crab special ($25) and he felt the same about his meal. My son had a crab leg and shrimp dish ($12) and his shrimp were inedible as they were simply covered with Old Bay seasoning. All in all it was kind of disappointing and we wouldn't return. I'm still looking for that Maryland crab cake experience.
(2)Todd Y.
It's the experience that you're paying for: crabs on the waterfront. Somewhat expensive. The calamari was good. If you're a party of 2, 6 large crabs, an appetizer, and one entree is plenty. Next time will probably get 6 extra large crabs and 2 appetizers (for two). Hopefully, though I can find a better less expensive place before then.
(4)dave d.
If you know the Vienna Inn, I would equate Cantlers to the Vienna Inn in Annapolis. Cantlers is OLD place that hasn't changed since it first opened. If you are going there expecting table cloth dining experieince then don't go. You can't miss for picking crabs, drinking beer and hanging out. Definitely low key, very casual and out of the way to get to.
(3)Jeffrey V.
I love how this place hides itself from the bustling crowds, secluded in a quiet neighborhood right on the water! The one dish that I still remember is the crab dip appetizer. It was served hot with steaming, fresh, sliced baguettes! Every bite was full of crabmeat and vegetables. I also ordered the crab soup - a hearty dish filled with, you guessed it, crabmeat, chunky vegetables, and a spicy-tomato based stock. The clamstrips and fries were pretty basic. The Seafood Slider Trio was interesting, mini sandwiches with different flavors.... (I couldn't stop thinking about the crab dip!) When we got the hard shell crabs, the first twenty bites were great. Afterwards, the Old Bay kicked in and started to make the meal REALLY salty. Shake it off before eating! Thank goodness for the bottomless iced tea and water! I'll go back just for the crab dip .... it's THAT GOOD!
(4)Lindsey W.
Anyone visiting Annapolis, go here for crabs! They are pricey and out of the way but worth it. It's filled with picnic tables covered in newspaper where you tear open yummy crabs and drink beer for hours. Everyone should take part in this experience!
(5)Jeff B.
This is one of my favorite places in the DC area. Whenever a friend or family member (including myself) has a birthday or occasion for celebration in the DC area, Cantler's is usually the venue of choice for dinner. I have been here both by boat and by car. If you come by boat, there is usually someone around to help you tie up. If you come by car and it's your first time, bring your GPS or some good directions since Cantler's is hidden away back in a neighborhood. All of the menu items here are absolutely wonderful. The steamed crabs, crabcakes, seafood platters, appetizers, etc, etc, etc, are all excellent. You can either sit outside or dine inside. Sitting outside on the water on a nice day here offers the perfect setting for a great meal. The staff have always been wonderful here. The owners have been in the area forever and do everything just the way it should be done in a true Maryland crab house. Just being in the place or sitting at the bar, you can just feel the decades of Chesapeake tradition around you. I would HIGHLY recommend giving Cantler's a try.
(5)Steve J.
Fabulous. This is no tourist trap. It is the real thing. While the whole crabs are quite good, my favorite is still the Oysters Chesapeake.
(5)Tim M.
If you're going to review something like MD crab cakes please make sure you've tried them at at least 20-30 different places around the state before proclaming 'the best I've ever had'. 99% of the time they are the worst you'll ever have as very few places in MD actually get it right. An authentic top notch cake in this state is EXPENSIVE, broiled, 100% massive jumbo lump crab and nothing else but a little Old Bay and mayo to hold it together. They should be about the size of a half softball. Cantler's is really known for crabs and atmosphere (crab house atmosphere). You can count on them year round to have some of the biggest crabs in the area (also the most expensive - up to 75 a dozen for jumbos if you're lucky enough to get them). The crabs may or may not be from MD either - those days are over - you can ask however - I can't honestly tell the difference between the blue crab of Louisiana and that of MD. Everything else on their menu is no different than at least a dozen other places in the area. The best crab cakes in the area and possibly the entire state are at the Edgewater Restaurant (and not because I happen to live there - I used to travel here from Springfield VA to get these crab cakes). Service at Cantler's is almost always very good and very friendly - the seating is family style - plan to meet new neighbors. For a real treat you can take a sail from City Dock downtown through the back creek to Cantlers - it's a package deal that includes dinner and a return trip - actually might be easier than finding it by car!!! It's known as the best place to get lost trying to find (Zagats rated no less for that!). This is one of the best places to get crabs in the area (sit down that is). Harris' out on Kent Island is also very good and a long time tradition. Mikes Crabhouse in Riva is also quite good although the service is totally unpredictable there. For to-go crabs the best by far nearby are at Chesapeake Seafood in Mayo MD. Places to avoid like the plague are Phillips, Buddy's, and Annapolis Seafood. If your crabs arrive faster than 20 minutes after ordering they were probably re-steamed (not good) - crabs take 20 minutes to steam to perfection - remember that ;)
(4)Allan H.
If you want a real Maryland Crab Shack (I'm not talking about the cheesy tourist traps on the Annapolis waterfront), there is no other place to go but here. To get to this place, you need to drive through about 10 miles of backwoods roads, driving through small neighborhoods, and one lane roads, but don't fret, the payoff at the end of the line is worth it. You sit down and there are no plates, the napkins are those brown paper towels, and there's a hammer as one of your utencils. There's no menu, except for a chalkboard with the daily catch on the back wall. I think there are other kinds of seafood, but if you get anything other than the crab, go somewhere else. You order by the dozen and the waitress will come out and just dump the crabs on the table and you go to town. Don't wear any clothes that are too nice, because it's a pretty casual place, and they'll probably end up smelling like crab for the next year. Get there around 5:00 on weekends to avoid the wait.
(5)Christy W.
I love the location, sitting outside near the river. I also love their crabs. I think the median size crab is actually big. Scallop and bacon is fine. But the maryland crab soup (not sure about the name) is no good. My friend feels that it's the kind of soup that you buy from supermarket. The Rum Punch cocktail is fine, but I'm so surprised that it is served in a low-quality plastic cup.
(3)Julia B.
Needing a day away from the city, my girlfriends and I went to get crabby in Maryland. Cantler's has a great reputation for excellent crabs and our friend had been there before so we decided this was the place to go. Cantler's is situated by the riverside, in a residential neighborhood. With a bar area, indoor, covered and uncovered outdoor seating, this place was busy. I had read there was often a a long wait but we were lucky and there was none. The restaurant is bi-level, with one floor being the restaurant and down below, by the dock, you can check out their crabs. Fresh crabs FTW! The menu is extensive and while the focus is seafood, they do offer non-seafood meals, such as chicken wings and filet mignon. I hope whoever orders chicken wings at this place gets punched in the neck because what's the point of coming here, if not for the seafood? I wanted to try a little bit of everything so I went with the Jimmy's Feast - 3 crabs, mussels, 1/2 pound shrimp and 2 sides. I also helped out my two girlfriends with their dozen crabs, though, because I'm a pig like that. The crabs are separated by size and prices are by the dozen (but you can request for half a dozen). Service was fast and friendly. If you don't know how to open crabs (which we all did but our neighbors didn't), they'll happily show you how it's done. I would happily make the trek back here from NYC!
(4)Steve P.
Drove from Reston to Cantler's because they said they had extra-large blue crab for $96 a dozen. Unfortunately, the extra-large crabs were no more than mediums. I questioned the waitress and she insisted that they were extra-large. I visited other tables and everyone felt they had been ripped off on the size! I don't know how they kept a straight face insisting they were extra large. Last time they will see any of my money!
(1)Natasha R.
Are you people on drugs?! How in the world did you rate this tourist trap so high??? Just because it is super hard to find and not in downtown Annapolis, it is a great place? We went there after I heard do much about it and that it is a locals place and that JImmy Buffet has been ther, yada...yada...yada....... I would not even be disappointed after the hour wait if it was worth it. While waiting at the bar for our table, our bartender belittled this very sad looking woman who was there with her son, because when she ordered her Coors, she did not specify that she wanted Coor "Original" and this lovely bartender gave her a Coors light. I should have known to run then. But noooooo, I wanted to give this place a shot after hearing so much about their crabs. Well, when we actually got seated, it was at a table with a million tourists. Not a single person there was from MD. To make it all worse, they were all pounding the hell out of their crabs without even taking the shell off. You would think that the waitstaff would show them how to pick a crab. I asked the waitress if it was always like this and she basically said that it was a tourist trap and she would never eat there. She indicated that it actually got much worse since they aired it on Food Network. Then the crabs came. $75.00 a dozen. They were obviously steamed by a tourist as well. They had seasoning sprfinkled on top (not while they were steamed), so when we picked a crab up, all of the seasoning fell off. Plus the crabs were mediums at best, NOT extra larges, like advertised. Then the corn on the cob was enedible. Oh well, I tried it. I should have known better. I am too much of an optimist.
(1)Maureen B.
We arrived around 3:30 on a Sunday afternoon. we were greeted by the host. seated promptly ,. Food was Okay, I'm not sure if it was worth the hour drive.
(3)Brad B.
First time eating "Baltimore" crabs (from Louisiana where crabs are of course a commodity). Very good! You will of course be paying a premium for restuarant seafood ($50/per dozen large)... which is normal but do yourself a favor and get the crab dip ... unreal. Take a trip to downtown Annapolis while you are there - great for a Saturday visit.
(4)Vegetarian Diner A.
The first star is for the setting- the waterfront is always a nice place to eat. And, tucked away from the mainstream, you get a real neighborhood feel- that's the second star. Food-wise, I feel they are too limited for vegetarians. Granted, Cantler's does not present themselves as a vegetarian friendly place, but they could be more accommodating. The pizza is the best bet, but will not be memorable. The desserts look better than they taste. There are better options.
(2)Becca Clara L.
I've never encountered such stupid hostesses in my life. We waited for two hours for a table while the imbecile high schoolers kept messing up the table list. Not worth the food to be treated like that.
(1)Jenny C.
Best hardshell crabs in the region. Other steamed seafood items are also good. Crab soup is good. I don't like any of the specials, anything that sounds fancy isn't good. Great location. Lots of fun. Loud and messy - it is a crab house afterall.... Great service!
(5)J B.
One of the best crab houses around. The only crabs I like better are my Dad's. Cantler's crabs are spiced well and steamed to order. That is really all you have to do for great MD crabs. A shame that so many places can't seem to do it. Don't tell the tourist, let them eat at Buddy's (-;
(5)Felipe M.
We were on a day trip to the Naval Academy, and I knew I had to find a place for crab. Again with help from fellow YELPers, I found Cantler's. What a great setting! Inside and outside seating along the river. We went early because I had heard that this place gets crowded. On a weekday we got there just as they opened, and before 12:30 when we left the place was packed. We love crab but have never had Maryland crab, so of course we had to go where the YELPers would take us. On the back patio, you sit down on those old school picnic benches, and when they figure out you are having crab, they cover the table in thick butcher paper. They also bring out a bucket for all the crab parts, some mallets, and a ton of napkins. For appetizers we ordered shrimp which were fantastic. For the main course we had a tray of crabs brought out to us. There was definitely a ton of Old Bay on the crab, but of course you don't eat the shell, so after you got to the meat and with the drawn butter, our meal was FANTASTIC! Some YELPers call this a tourist place, but hey we were, and it was great. It is on a back road, so in the dark, or after a few too many adult beverages it may be difficult to navigate to or from, but for us tourists, it is definitely worth the drive.
(5)Rachel P.
we went here for an anniversary, and yummmmmm, this was some delicious seafood! this is exactly what i want in a seafood place. no frills, bibs, paper tablecloths and tasty tasty fresh food. we ordered the portobella with crabcake appetizer, and it was absolutely delicious. seasoned perfectly, great compliments of tomatoes, diced red pepper and sauteed spinach...so so so good. then we split a pound of snow crab legs and half a pound of the jumbo shrimp. everything again, was steamed perfectly and seasoned perfectly. i didn't even need any old bay (which they give a great amount if you need it) and hardly even dipped the crab or shrimp in the lemon butter sauce. it was just succulent the way it was. we will definitely return and spread the word. (oh, we also went on a sunday for lunch, got there just about 11:15-11:30 which was perfect timing b/c it got PACKED soon after we got there. the wait, we heard, had turned into at least a half hour by the time we left.)
(5)Fletch P.
One of our favorites when in town. Good services, great crabs, makes everyone feel like a local... A little off the beaten path, but sometimes that is a good thing! Take some key lime to go, a tradition in our family and nice treat when you get home.
(4)Lily H.
This place has the best crabs, oysters, and sweet potato fries. You have to try all three with pink lemonade. My advice to you is to arrive early. It's gets busy fast and before you know it, the crabs will be sold out.
(5)Teresa L.
We stopped in here over Labor Day weekend while in town for the day. This was the place we were told was just the standard for blue crabs, and they did not disappoint. Our wait was less than we were told initially, so we got drinks and wandered the docks down below while waiting. Hubs said his bloody Mary was overpriced ($8) and not very good but was strong. My cold beers hit the spot. I ordered soft shell crabs, and hubs got a feast so we could try everything. The crab was delicious and sweet, mussells and clams were ok, but we both loved the shrimp. Cantler's is crowded for a reason...because it's the best!
(5)Jason C.
If you're lookin' to eat whole crabs and wash them down with some canned beer, you're in heaven - if not, save yourself the drive. Service was pretty good.
(3)Robert S.
Five pointy ones because, when I stop to think about it, I can't think of a better crabhouse in Annapolis! The rating should probably be 4.5 stars because of the high prices but it seems to me that market prices would be fairly uniform in a given geographical area. On to the good stuff: -Maryland crab soup comes in tomato-base and cream-base and they are both the bomb, although I prefer tomato-base. -Steamed soft shell clams are my favorite here. Fresh, freshly steamed, with drawn butter and old bay seasoning. I think they may make their own old bay, can anyone verify this?? -Crab cake sandwich - A very healthy ball of crab on a bun. Tomato and lettuce. You add your toppings (cocktail sauce, horseradish, ketchup, etc). A little bit of a big bun, but still very tasty. -Steamed jumbo shrimp - 1/2 lb or 1 lb=6 or 12 prawns. Good size prawns, I think our waitress told us they were from NC or SC (don't quite remember). Boiled clambake style with lots of old bay, onions and new potatoes. Another winner! -Steamed MD blue crabs- $60/dz this day. Would have ordered them except we went crabbing the day before and caught and tried to eat a bushel of crabs, so I was a little "crabby"! and decided to order other items. I make a pilgrimage to the one and only Cantler's every time I come back to Annapolis. Lots of good memories reinforced by awesome food that has remained remarkably consistent over the time I have been coming here. Service was very good the two times I was there last weekend, with different waitresses each time. One note: make sure you have a GPS or print directions/map before you get here, it is a little tricky because it is tucked way back in a residential neighborhood. There are signs but not till you get pretty far into the 'hood.
(5)Merrill H.
Ok, so I agree with many yelpers than it can be a confusing drive to Cantler's for the average tourist, but there's no need for a GPS unless you are seriously directionally challenged or completely clueless. Either way, Cantler's is full of crab. Crab crab crab crab crab! Don't come here for a hamburger, folks! Be prepared to shell out (no pun intended) $70 and up for a lunch for 2. My bf and I shared half a dozen large crabs and 2 lump crab cakes. The crab cakes were delicious and my favorite part of the meal, but pricey at $25. The 1/2 dozen crabs came out, buried under copious amounts of Cantler's crab seasoning mix. If you don't like seasoning, be sure to let the waiter/waitress know beforehand! Expect crowds here, no matter what time of day. The bar seemed to attract the yuppie, J Crew type guys. Yuck.
(4)Tino D.
Sitting on a sunny patio, overlooking the river, I was surrounded by friends with a table full of fresh seafood and beer in front of me. Sufficed to say, I had a great time at Cantlers! The food was very simply prepared; steamed crabs with old bay spice, fresh oysters with horse radish and some sweet potato fries. I guess when food is this fresh, you really want the ingredients to speak for themselves. It was very busy when we were there, but we still received stellar service. Our waiter was very attentive and was knowledgeable about the menu items. This place is a lot of fun, with great food and service. I definitely plan on going again.
(4)JW B.
Went to Cantler's Memorial Day weekend (Sunday) May 2012. Seems to have been on an off day when the crabs weren't very large, but fresh. Giving 2 stars because the location was great, food was fresh, but I would give it a 1 for it's clear prejudice against certain people vs others when doling out the crab. And the pricing - all of the food is WAY overpriced. Only "All You Can Eat" sizes were available - no jumbo, large, etc. Wish they would have told us that, instead of telling us to 'They're still checking...' which wasted 40 minutes of our time and after 3 appetizers later, we decided to just indulge in the All You Can Eats to finally get some crab. We Ordered: -Crab dip - OK; salty but creamy. Light on the crab meat, but lots of cream. -Filet of Sole platter - OK, tartar sauce is Heinz or the prepackaged little containers you get at Burger King - wasn't exactly thrilled to see that since this is suppose to be a seafood restaurant with a LARGE menu of fried seafood items. -Mussels - OK, wine and tomato sauce. -Jumbo shrimp platter - standard fried shrimp, although they were fresh. -3 adults of All You Can Eat - disappointing because we waited so long to finally place our order, since we were told they were still 'counting' the crab orders, which was not true. There was a clear discrepancy with how they were bringing out the crabs toto certain groups vs. others. It was OBVIOUS and it made me want to get up and not finish the meal, but since were already elbow deep in 5 plates of food and 2 trays of crab, we finished our meal. Pros: -Great location, on the water -Large enough to go with a group of friends/family (I went with a party of 5 including myself) -Freshness of crab, corn -Ample parking if you're the first 15 parties Cons: -Waitstaff are rude, but with a smile and fake sing-songy voice to make up for it. Younger waitstaff aren't as bad, since they just seat and run food, but the older ladies are RUDE. Brace yourselves. -Other items on menu (friend shrimp, fish, mussels) are just OK, sub-par compared to fast food chains like TGIF or Friendly's or wherever. Wouldn't order them again. -Items are overpriced, except the beer. -Selective in which parties get larger "All You Can Eat" crab (maybe they were Regular customers, maybe they were friends, maybe they were...whatever reason). VERY disappointing and makes me wonder, "I thought we got over the race issue in America, no?" Final Thoughts: -Get there early - 15 minutes before opening to get in line and get the table you want -Stick with crab & corn - get the jumbos if possible, if not, stick with All You Can Eat and place order as soon as possible, not wasting time -Wouldn't bother ordering anything else off the menu accept the fried shrimp - it's the safest, except you get prepackaged tartar sauce - yuck. -Expect/condescending rude waitstaff with fake smiles and sing-songy voices, but you only need to deal with that when you order and ask for more crab. Would I go back? Not by choice. Would I recommend it? No, I'd say try the other recommended spots first.
(1)Keith M.
Terrible service. Endless waiting for a table on a not very busy evening. We have eaten here several times over the past 6 years while visiting Annapolis. We always found it to be a pretty good crab shack. This visit however was total unsatisfactory. There was a moderate size crowd. We were told we to expect a 20 minute wait for an outside table. 1 hour and twenty minutes later we gave up. No table - no explanation - total waste of time. We will not return. Try Mike's instead.
(1)Kathie P.
Cantler's has been a well known Annapolis establishment for about 40 years and is located right on Mill Creek, so you have a lovely view of the water. Don't dress up as the atmosphere at Cantler's is very casual. Everything served here is wonderful - it is not fancy, but the food is meticulously prepared, and is awesome. I had crab cakes my last visit, and my friends had the soft shell crabs - Everything was awesome. Something important to me, is that Cantler's is one of the few restaurants in Maryland that uses only Maryland crab in their recipes (which makes the crab cakes more awesome!). If nyou have not been to Cantler's you have to give it a try. It's a bit tricky to find, but once you find it, you'll be back over and over again.
(4)Deborah G.
It was such a beautiful day that we decided to take a drive to the Annapolis area and Spring for some steamed crabs and other watery delights at Cantler's. I happened to look on their new website and saw that they have a daily special if you are willing to text crabs to a designated phone number. Well we won two cups of free crab soup by each of us texting Crabs. So off we went with our cell phones to Forest Beach Road in Cantlerville. We walked in and were told to take any table we wanted as they were not busy. We asked about the crabs, the sizes and the prices and settled on four of the super sized crabs at $** a dozen. I'm ashamed to say how much they were but we had $10 of free crab soup to make us feel better. Okay, crab soup, the red kind, a shrimp basket of six fried jumbos and a crab cake platter and those four crabs. Here's the whole story of this $85 lunch for two and we had a pitcher of iced tea. The crab soup was not very crabby but it was loaded with Tabasco sauce and very brackish- stay away unless it's free by texting. The crabs were huge, hot, perfectly spiced and filled with white lumps of crab meat - crab heaven for sure. Then we had the shrimp basket, huge, hot, tasty crunchy crustaceans with just the right amount of grease (not too much) and for a chaser a double crab cake platter with no taste. I could barely eat my crab cake and left some on the plate as it had the worst taste or no taste for my buds to enjoy. Gosh what was wrong? The slaw was pale and soft and the oven baked potatoes were a bit greasy and had too much Rosemary sprinkled on them. I told the waitress and she told me what I wished I had known in the beginning - pasteurized crab meat. Oh no, what happened from the shell to the can. Some kind of processing that completely ruined the taste of the meat and gave me a strange aftertaste for three hours . Avoid the crab cakes till the real stuff comes from the Chesapeake Bay. Also choose other sides because the slaw and the oven roastatos were BAAAD! So how do I rate thee a three on the taste-o-meter. The crabs were outstanding and so were the shrimp. The rest of the food was a Big Blah. Therefore I took off two stars and am writing this somewhat unfavorable review. Our waitress was nice and the place was fairly quiet for a crab house that normally sounds like a thousand wooden mallets pounding at one time. It's only March and the place was very clean for a bar-crabhouse environment. The restroom is adequate but very small and narrow. I've always thought that it was a definite afterthought and if not required by State law it would not exist. If you want a lovely restroom, go to Carrol's Creek in Westport and not Cantler's because it's definitely not the most glam restroom in Annapolis.
(3)Emily P.
If you have young children, be forewarned. Knowing to expect long wait times, my husband and I called ahead on the way to Cantler's to add our name to the list since we have a very busy infant who won't endure a 45 minute wait time on top of an hour or more spent eating at the restaurant. I was informed by the woman who answered the phone, with some significant attitude, that they didn't accept call aheads on weekends and "there's really nothing I can do for you," even though I explained my son couldn't handle the 40 minute wait and assured her we would be there 15 minutes in advance of the table opening up. This is one family who will not be patronizing Cantler's, with or without our kids. I cannot bring myself to spend money in an establishment that refuses to make a simple accommodation for families with young children, especially given the demeaning response I received from the hostess for even asking. We went to Mike's in Riva instead and had a lovely meal on the water.
(1)Roll T.
Michele D. was gracious enough to organize an event over at Cantler's before the end of crab season, and we were hungry enough to put down a few dozen of Maryland's famous blue crabs doused in JO. For the uninitiated, the drive to Cantler's takes you through a windy path eventually leading to a shack by the water shore. At this point, you are escorted by the friendly staff to an available table. In our case, we were lucky enough to get a spot right on the water. On this occasion, we ordered a few dozen jumbo sized crabs and some shrimp and hush puppies on the side. I had a rather unremarkable cream of crab soup, but the individuals who ordered the Maryland crab soup sounded like they enjoyed their experience. The shrimp and hush puppies were likewise forgettable. People don't come here for soup, shrimp, or hush puppies. They come here to down nice, succulent, fleshy crab meat in apple vinegar. While I exhibited novice crab picking skills, my companions happily ingested extraordinary amounts of blue crab. While I enjoyed my meal, I simply find Alaskan red king crab to be juicier, more flavorful, and easier to eat than its Maryland counterpart. Indeed, in my opinion, blue crab is probably best suited for crab cakes. The jumbo crab imperial cakes here are amazing; I like them even better than ordering a dozen blue crabs here. Although the price is a bit steep (we ended up at $50/person), Cantler's is still a remarkable place that is worth an occasional drive up to Annapolis. If you are local, I would suggest going on an off-night to avoid the tourist crowd. I'm still a fan of this place, but I think you might be able to find better deals in Baltimore.
(4)Holly C.
Stopped by this place on the way back home from New Orleans. Had some Chesapeake Bay raw oysters - they were pretty good. For our entree, we ordered the special: 1 1/4 lb lobster & Alaskan King Crab legs. The lobster was okay (a little too cooked/rubbery in my opinion). The crab legs on the other hand were amazing! Tender & flavorful. I got the hush puppies as my side (no extra charge for changing it). They were decent, but it was my first time having them. My friend, who is more familiar with them, said they were "oookay" as well. The home cooked potato chips were pretty good, and the coleslaw was good! (I'm one of those weirdos who love cold slaw) We decided to sit "outside", which was basically picnic table outside. Since it was the winter, it was covered & heated, but I think it would be a nice place to come to during the summer.
(3)Michele D.
Look at all these great reviews...let that tell the message right there. I have been so busy this summer that I never got the chance to sit outside and enjoy some sweet and succulent crabs. Until last Saturday. I posted a UYE and called all Yelpers to enjoy the awesome spot on the water with some of the best crabs in town. Their crabs may be on the expensive side, but they do -not- disappoint. At. All. They are big, meaty and oh so sweet. We ordered 3 dozen of the jumbos for eight people. Did we get down, or what? We also ordered two pounds of steamed shrimp, which were wonderful but came with potatoes and onions. I wish they would only serve the shrimp because the potatoes and onions went to waste at our table! Please, who's got room for that filler stuff when you need the room for crab meat? The other thing we ordered but I only ate a few of was Hush Puppies. They have the best ones I've had; they are a very nice break from the Old Bay seasoning. Our server, Micky, was a rock star when it came to handling our group. She was spot on with service and took great care of us. Ahhh, until next summer...
(5)Cheryl B.
Labor Day weekend 2009. Michele D. gathered a few Yelpers together to enjoy an end to summer Crab event in Annapolis. Where else would you go but Cantler's? Answer: NOWHERE! I've been going to Cantler's for years and am never disappointed. The crabs are fresh and hot, the beer is ice cold...and the service is the best around for a family oriented restaurant. It was great to kick off our weekend laughing, meeting new friends and enjoying the fruits of the Chesapeake Bay. We took up a couple tables outside on the back deck and lazily picked large chunks of luscious white meat from our trays of season laiden crabs. Sipping icy cold beer, and iced tea you couldn't help but always turn toward the water to admire yet another beautiful sailboat passing by....not jealous, but a bit envious that we too were not aboard heading out for a day on the water. Stuffed with the selection of crabs, shrimp, fried fish and hush puppies we completed our 2 1/2 hr dining experience and waddled off for our next adventure....Annapolis downtown beware!! Thanks again Michele D.!!
(5)David T.
We pulled in here to eat dinner during a cruise down the bay headed to Naptown to watch the fireworks. Free mooring for diners. The smell of rotten fish/crabs at the dock on the way up to the restaurant isn't a good thing. The calamari appetizer was horrible. So chewy that it was like chewing on rubber. How can a seafood place not know how to cook calamari? Between the four of us, one halibut and ahi tuna kabob (special), two crab cake sandwiches, and one drunk'n shellfish. While we all thought the food was good, it wasn't what any of us considered excellent or anything close to 5 stars worth. No frills place, like the other reviewers have said. Not very clean and our waiter had somewhat of a "I'm doing you a favor" attitude. I imagine this place is more well known for it's crabs than anything else they serve. Of course I really don't know how you can screw up steaming a crab with Old Bay seasoning. So because of that, wow on the 5 star ratings.
(3)Marisa F.
Really great seafood place located in Annapolis. It is a pretty drive and the restaurant is located at the end of the drive. They have a lot of outdoor seating for when the weather is nice and you can pull up to it with your boat. Great place to enjoy Maryland crabs and lots of other kinds of seafood.
(4)Miss E.
If you want to stuff your face with fresh seafood, this is the place! We wound up here for the first time early one Saturday evening. The wait for a table was about 40 minutes, but we were lucky enough to grab a couple seats at the bar. Before our asses hit the barstools, the bartender was taking our drink order and getting us menus. She joked that we'd get way better service at the bar than in the dining room. She wasn't kidding. While everyone else was waiting for food and drinks, we were scarfing down on hot seafood and sipping on cold beer. We only ordered crabs (super fresh) and shrimp (HUGE), so I can't comment on their side dishes. The bartender also served us a couple great margaritas, which was a nice surprise. There are a couple of things you should know before you go: prices are high, they only serve beer in a can, the parking lot is small, and there is virtually no waiting area up front. But if you plan accordingly, you'll hopefully have a great experience like we did.
(4)Ai-Chen Y.
"A perfect place to enjoy fresh blue crabs!" I am a crab fan and went to the places several times. If you went to the place on the weekend, the place is super crowded. They don't take reservation and normally have to wait approximately 30 minutes... Go to Cantler's on a week day will be better, less crowded and no need to wait. The most famous item here is its blue crab with the old bay seasoning. There are different prices based on the size. Highly recommended "Super"- the biggest one. (If they run out of "super", order "X-Large"($36 for 6 crabs)price may change due to the size). People use the wood hammer to eat the crab, be careful that the old bay seasoning will split every where when u crush the crab shell. Don't wear fancy clothes, or you cannot eat the crab with fun. The thing I love Cantler's most is that their crab is very fresh. You could see the fresh crabs loaded by the ships near the riverside dock. My mom has an serious allergy problem that if she eats the seafood not fresh. However, she does not have any problem with the crabs from Cantler's! The other thing in Cantler's are soso, I will suggest that you just eat some crabs here and go other place to fill your stomach.
(4)Megan P.
Great crab dip with fresh loaves of bread. They were out of wings when my husband tried to order them, which seemed a little strange. The cream of crab soup was good, but had a little bit too much sherry for my taste. The hardshells were not very good. Their blend of old bay was extremely salty (and I like salt). The rest of the seafood on our platter (king crab legs, oysters, clams, fried shrimp) were okay, but nothing special. The service was a little slow. We had to flag down our waitress a few times to get her to pay attention to us.
(3)Cee L.
Was excited to try this place out and thought the food would be worth waiting for a parking space. Unfortunately we started off with mushy clams. The crab meat was too clean with a bunch of old bay thrown on the shells making my fingers hurt and making everything I touched too salty. Not worth the long drive or the windy roads to the middle of nowhere.
(2)Christine E.
Word to the wise...if you plan to come here on a Saturday, I highly recommend you come sometime during the hours between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. After that...expect a wait in line...not just for a table...but to park your car! We arrived at around 3 pm and found a parking spot in the small lot (relative to the number of patrons that come in) right away. Put our names in for a table and waited about 20-30 minutes for a table inside. (There is a nice patio overlooking the water.) Wait wasn't so bad since we got to take the stairs down to the pier and enjoy the scenic water views and really get into the spirit of things as first-time visitors to Annapolis! We ordered the crab dip to start and that was probably my favorite part of the meal. BEST crab dip I think I've ever tasted! For entrees, we ordered the three-crab sampler just to get the full experience of trying Maryland blue crabs. We also ordered the 1/2 order of lobster (which was very delicious) and jumbo shrimps. Each entree was around $20-$25, which isn't cheap but well worth it for the quality seafood and experience. Seating and wait staff were young and friendly. I expect to come back with first-time visitors. Probably best to come when it's still light out since the area is somewhat remote. Get ready to dig in!
(5)Al G.
I have been here a few times . The food is good but not consistent. The place can be like a zoo at times so many people wanting to come here. I have to say that it is cool to pull up in a bout and go to dinner. The staff is nice.
(3)RB S.
I was in DC for a family vacation and tried this place on a local friend recommendation. It has mostly outdoor tables either in patio or by the river. There is only one road in and out. Our family tried extra large crabs. and they were too salty. or too much seasoning (probably msg based). No biggie to wash down with beer. But it's not a wholesome dining experience. Service was good.
(2)D L.
Went for weekend dinner. Six people (three hardcore crab lovers and three on for the ride). Ordered: - Two dozen soft crabs, large size. GET SEASONING ON THE SIDE, otherwise might be to salty. Also, would be even messier trying to throw down with hands soaked in seasoning AND crab juice - Corn: Steamed, with no butter. Very sweet and good. - Onion rings: HUGE! But, all batter and no onion. - French fries: actually tasty, but came out cold - Lump cake crab cakes dish: HUGE crab cakes - Stuffed shrimp dish. Only have can beer. Good ginger ale (I don't know, it was just good). Kind of pricey. Bathroom is tiny and cramped! Why don't they have a huge trough outside for people to wash their hands in?? Service good. Friendly and accommodating. Price, on the medium-high side.
(3)Laura R.
We came here with a large group for lunch. We were seated around 12:30 and they had run out of Supers. By the time we finished our meal, they only had mediums left, and the mediums were rather small. Most of our party ordered Jimmy's Crab feast, which came with three crabs, mussels, clams, shrimp, and corn. The best thing on the plate was the shrimp. The crabs were so overdone I felt like I was eating cat food. All in all, I was disappointed, but I may be willing to give it another try.
(2)Lara S.
Me (newish to DC area) to a friend: Hey, I'm taking a random trip to Annapolis. I'm not sure why really, but I thought it would be good to check out other places around DC while I'm here. Friend: Um, yeah. Annapolis is great. Me: So, do you have any suggestions? Friend: Cantler's. You have to go to Cantler's. Me: I read about this place called Mike's. You heard of that? Friend: Yeah, but I think you should go to Cantler's. Other places might be cheaper, but this is the best one. _______________________________________________ Ok, so who can argue about where to go after that kind of recommendation? We drove down the windy road to get to Cantler's. Waited to park our car in the spot designated by the teenagers working outside in the blazing heat. We rushed to put our name on the list, got our buzzer and the approximate 1 hour 15 minute wait time prognosis, and headed back to the car to read and enjoy the AC. Once our time had elapsed, the buzzer buzzed, and we scurried back to the restaurant to claim our table. We ordered some crabs, of course, and also corn and mussels. It was my first time eating crabs, so I asked some fellows dinners for their advice on opening up the shells. The waiter also showed us how to do it, and what parts we should or shouldn't eat. The restaurant overlooks the water, and we were happy with our selection of table section - outside and covered. Overall, a wonderful and worthwhile experience. Just make sure to plan ahead for the long wait. It will be worth it.
(5)BiG M.
Honestly, i think the pictures say it all: Where else can you buy crabs by the dozen? Where else do you get to park on a bed of clam & oyster shells? Where else can you gorge yourself on the table topped with butcher paper? Where can you wield a small wooden mallet like a drunken dwarf? This place is hidden Hidden HIDDEN away on a big hill...i wouldnt reccomend trying to find it without GPS. Once you find it though your day will get 100 times better. I would reccomend you wear some clothes you dont mind getting crab all over, cause its gonna get all over ur fingers, hands, face & body: this is a good thing!! It was pretty late in the winter & there werent too many places one could still get Maryland bluecrab...but my hosts love me & set this place aside for me ^^ luv!! A chart on the wall tells you how big the crabs are: we ate a dozen Large & another dozen Super. The Old Bay spice on top is very pungent & may take a bit to get used to, but after a while its intoxicating musk & flavor are all over your hands & face & you will want more! More!! You should ask your host how to properly use the knife & mallet if ur into instructions, otherwise just hammer away & stuff your face! We took a handfull of pictures with our waitress after our meal too ^^ they are so sweet here. Before heading back to our cars, we slipped down to the back side of the building via a side door & onto the riverbank. In the darkness of the night sky the houses along the river light up like lifeflies dancing up & down the current. Its quite a pictureque view & ur body will thank you for walking around to ease your comfortable suffering from being too full!!
(5)Olivia H.
We came to Maryland to attemd the wedding of a dear friend and decided to get some blue crab for lunch before heading back to NY. After a sort search, we found this place and though its off the beaten path, I'm so glad we chose to eat here . We got here at 11:30 am and so glad we did. This place gets super packed. By the time we left at 1:30 there is already a line of cars just waiting to get into this place and I can understand why. It has an extremely casual atmosphere and the staff is super friendly. Our server, Billie, was great. She came by a few times and asked how we were doing without being annoying or intrusive. She had perfect timing unlike some places where they come back too often or don't come back at all. As soon as we were seated (we were given a choice of where we wanted to sit, obviously, we chose to sit outside and we got to choose either shaded or in the sun) Billie came over to take our drinks and order. Within moments our food came out and we sat quietly eating our super sized blue crabs. Man oh man, these suckers were huge and so worth it. We got a half dozen of these bad boys plus one starter and drinks. Cost was $82 including tip. So worth it. Can't wait to come back here. Had such a wonderful experience.
(5)Fenny L.
My BFF is a Baltimore native that had to relocate to the fabulous city of NY for work. While NYC offers a plethora more dining options and fantastic cuisines and cultures over the DMV, there is one thing that we have that they don't have...all you can eat crab feasts! So, when my BFF came down to do Baltimore Comic Con, we quickly made plans to gorge on some yummy crustaceans after the show. My husband called around and quickly found out that only Cantler's offered AYCE feasts on the weekends. As I hadn't been there before, and knew that this meant another Yelp review in the works, I quickly agreed. Although it was a busy Sunday at 7pm, they were still able to seat us quickly. Unfortunately, this was the last thing that happened "quickly" all night. My husband and I both ordered the Jimmy's Feast or something - it a platter of mussels, clams, shrimp and 3 crabs and sides. The two other friends that also came along, ordered sandwiches and a Maryland Crab Soup, my BFF's fiancée ordered the crab cake platter, and my BFF ordered the all you can eat crab feast. Now, looking at this list, what would you suppose would be the first food to come out? If you said my BFF's crabs (because you know they have several big vats in the back just cooking these babies up), you would be wrong. Instead - ALL of our food - minus the soup and the crab feast came out after about 30 minutes. We dug into our food, expecting my BFF's crabs to come out shortly...only to see trays of crabs going to all the other tables except for ours. We tried to flag down one of the half a dozen wait staff that was milling around (we were seated outdoors, right next to the soda/utensils station so we were less than 2 feet away from them), and they *VERY* studiously, avoided making eye contact. We ended up getting up to 1) GET OUR OWN UTENSILS (we weren't handed forks, knives, or even mallets when we were seated, nor when our food arrived), 2) GET REFILLS OF OUR DRINKS (yes, we got up, went to the station, walked PAST at least 3 servers to pour our own drinks - and they STILL ignored us), and 3) basically body-checking a server to point out that my BFF still hadn't gotten her food. When they did finally bring her out her crabs...they did so with a mumbled half-hearted apology. As for the soup? After asking no less than 3 times, we finally got it...as we got our check. Our poor friends were from NJ and were about to drive back - so they had to put the soup in a to go container and had to hope that it wouldn't spoil by the time they got home and could put it in the fridge. Normally, I would rate this place as a lowly 1 star for this experience, but 2 factors bumped it up to a 2 star rating - the first is that the outdoor seating on the water was magnificent. The view was great, there were no bugs, and I loved that they had an outdoor sink (with soap!) for us to wash off after digging into our food. The second was that despite the awful awful awful service...the crabs were MAGNIFICENT. Although small (as all you can eat crabs are wont to be), they were exceptionally heavy and fat and meaty. Clearly, this will not be my first crabby place of choice. Not even my second or third. I would much rather pay for crabs by the dozen and get pleasant attentive service, then pay $27 for all you can eat crabs...and not get any crabs until you raise a fuss and cause a scene.
(2)Chris T.
Not sure what all the "must do" reviews are for. Crab was good. Basic outdoor waterfront dining (the inside dining is smelly and stuffy). We had a bad waitress, but she seemed the exception, as it seemed other tables were having much better experiences. Sweet potatoes fries were soggy and over-cooked. Overall we wouldn't go back, but I can see why some people would find it unique.
(3)Tim T.
Just blah. We came here Sunday afternoon after reading all the great reviews about this place. We left disappointed. I should state that we did not get crabs (they were all out due to 4th of July weekend), so our experience may be limited. Lets start with the service. It was okay, nothing spectacular. We had few moments of long wait times.. but it wasn't too terrible. We ordered the Blackened Rockfish Bites, Hush Puppies, Crab Melt Sandwich w/ Sweet Potato Fries, and the Cantler Jumbo Seafood Club with Onion Rings. Blackened rockfish bites was nice... three pieces of fish on a bed of slaw. Hush Puppies were decent. Unfortunately, these were the highlights. Everything else was bland. The crab melt sandwich looked like they took two slices of bread, threw on a slice of tomato, few sprinklings of crabmeat, and a slice of cheddar cheese. It was not good. The sweet potato fries lacked any flavor. Same with the onion rings and seafood club sandwich. The sandwich bread tasted stale, crabcake was dry and bland, onions rings were overcooked and lacked flavor. Oh yea, the tarter sauce they gave me came in a packet (Krafts). I've never been to a seafood place that didn't make their own tarter sauce. Like I said in the beginning, they may very well serve awesome crabs, too bad we couldn't try them. But their sandwiches should be avoided.
(2)Irm M.
Hands down best crab dip I've ever tried. Crab meat is fresh, consistency is very rich, there's a bit of lemon zest in it... delicious. If I could eat that every day I would be a very happy (and plump) lady! The servers are generally very friendly and helpful. It's a no frills kind of place. It's right on the water. As others have mentioned it's a bit of winding and complicated path to get out there, but once you do you will be glad you did! Last time I came here we didn't have the straight up crabs. Looked like a little too much work for us and we were feeling lazy so we opted for crab cakes and jumbo shrimp platter instead. Everything was so good I literally stuffed my face!
(4)Matthew R.
I arrived at noon on a Saturday in early September with a group of people all looking forward to crabs and seafood. Even a few crabby virgins in the group! I had to explain to two of the crabby virgins they should not base their opinion of blue crab from their experience here. My crabs were definitely overcooked. I'm assuming the insanely large serving of melted butter that came with the "Jimmy's Crab Feast" platter was to cover up the bad preparation of the food. Even the small side of cole slaw was bland and uninteresting. The only thing that saved this place from a one star review was our pleasant and attentive waitress, who we tipped well because she wasn't the chef.
(2)Vince D.
Arrived at 10:30pm and ate outside. Service by Carlo was fantastic! This was my first time at the restaurant which I heard was terrific. It was. We had 18 large crabs, cherrystone clams, french fries and bucket of beer. Could not ask for a better experience. A terrific play to eat by the water. NOTE: the drive to the restaurant seems like you are on the wrong road. If it wasn't for a friend who has been there before I would have turned around thinking that this can't be the road. Well, it is! And it's worth it!!!
(5)N C.
I was here 7 years ago and just returned with my husband. I couldn't wait to introduce him to Cantlers. He ordered the soft shell crabs and the fresh clams. The clams came in a bucket and smelled horrible. My husband said they taste as bad as they smelled. He did however love the soft shell crabs. I had the crab cakes which were delicious! The best I have had in a long time. After watching the people around us with their mallets and crabs, we decided to ask for one crab each. I don't get it...why go through all the work for such little meat. Get the crab cakes and enjoy the free time watching everyone else pound away.
(4)C M.
Love this hideaway spot. Food is always delicious. Crabs are a little high but the crabs are seasoned well. Service is good.
(4)Mike M.
Best crabs in Annapolis
(4)Henry Z.
My girlfriend -- a Maryland native -- wouldn't let me come here for the first year we were dating because I had to prove I was crabworthy. Before coming to a place like this you need to learn the difference between weak crabs and crabs that have strength. This place is strictly for people who are crabworthy, and most of the poor reviews come from people who aren't. We came on a hot Saturday, sat in the sun, and went through more than a dozen all-you-can-eats a piece. We did it with an endless pitcher of iced tea, adding old-bay generously, and getting multiple servings of the corn on the cob, as we watched the boats drift by. By the end of the meal we were sweaty, stained in old bay, wreaking of crab, and had no reason to eat dinner that night. The only way to do it.
(5)john b.
Definitely not 5 stars based on price, taste, ambiance and portion size. For around $25+ you'd expect to get a good amount of food... maybe even left overs. The food itself was ok... just way too pricey. Ambiance-wise, it was very crowded indoors (didn't sit outside so can't comment on that). Since it was so crowded, my expectations were raised but this place is just eh in my book. Even if I had lots of money, I'd still go elsewhere.
(2)Vicki C.
What else can I add to the already hundreds of reviews. When it comes to crabs and seafood, this place is definitely good. There are plenty of crab shacks along the East Coast, but what makes this place special is the location. It is right on the water, and the view is spectacular. We were there in October when the weather is a bit nippy, so the whole outdoor deck area was covered. It was still breathtaking. Definitely worth a look-see if you are in the Annapolis area.
(3)Duane S.
I was surprised I didn't like this place better. I had the Maryland crab soup, crab cakes platter, and an order of hush puppies. The soup was way too salty compared to others I have had before. While I was happy to see very little filler in the crab cakes, they needed some Old Bay mixed in. They were very bland. The fries were nasty coated fries that tasted like they had been sitting for a while. The hush puppies were pre-formed very hard brown turds. I am used to odd shaped and fluffy hush puppies. I am not sure if I will come back.
(2)Rachel S.
A friend suggested Cantler's when she heard we were headed to Annapolis for the wknd. I was so excited because I really just wanted a pile of crabs and cold beer in a locals' joint. Having read the previous reviews I was grateful to get a heads up on their parking sitch and waiting list. Not a bad wait to get into the lot - 10 mins, however it was a 2 hr waiting list for a table. My husband and I lurked over the bar while sipping drinks and waited for seats to open up, which they did in about 15 mins. We ordered a dozen medium crabs @ $38.00, dusted with Old Bay (is there really any other way!) and they appeared shortly after. The bartenders were VERY friendly and efficient and helped make the adventure awesome! We will definitely be back next time we're in town!
(5)Mike H.
Great seafood place in the middle of nowhere. My wife and I split a dozen extra large crabs and some sides. The crabs were really good. Fresh, perfectly cooked, and begging to get torn apart. It took almost two hours to eat the dozen, and it was glorious. I had to shower when i got back to my hotel in Annapolis because I was covered in old bay and crab juice. Amazing experience. Good service. The waitress was really friendly, attentive, and on the spot with changing the garbage bucket. Pass on the sides if you don't need them, though my wife enjoyed the fresh corn. Oh yeah, the beer is cold! Make an experience of this place. We had a blast.
(5)Bren P.
This place is great for MD blue crabs! We came here two weekends in a row with different set of friends bc it was THAT good. The place is hidden in at the end of a neighborhood and sits right on the water. I recommend coming here right when it opens.. 11ish to avoid a long wait for parking and a long wait for a table. The first week, we got here late afternoon and waited 20 minutes for a parking spot and then an hour for a table. We got a table inside since the wait seemed longer for a table outside. It was nice that they sold beer outside as you waited for your table. The second week, we got there around 11 and there were plenty of parking and got seated outside right away. Not bad! We ordered, 2 dozen large md blue crabs for 4 ppl (you have to ask what's caught locally, bc they import the larger crabs from somewhere else). the crabs were full and so fresh! the md crab soup was flavorful and hit the spot! the cream of crab soup was too creamy and too thick which wasn't my favorite of the bunch. also ordered a side of onion rings which were huge!! i didn't think those were worth it. sometimes when the rings are too big, it doesn't taste as great. the cole slaw was good, but nothing special. what was special, besides the crabs, was the crab dip! the dip was full of chunks of crab and the bread was soooo fresh and soft! a must get! the corn was just ok..nothing special again.. just another filler. Definitely recommend this place for md blue crabs!
(4)David A.
Cantler's is located just a few minutes outside downtown Annapolis you have to take a few winding roads that lead you back to this hidden gem of a restaurant that is located right on the water. It's not a big place and it's well known among the locals and typically crowded, so expect to wait for a table. We went for lunch on an early Sunday afternoon and had to wait for about 20 minutes, which I'd assume is fairly common. There are both indoor and outdoor dining areas and we were fortunate enough to be able to eat outside. Most of the tables are connected together (a la long picnic tables) and you sit on long benches, which means everyone kind of crowds together and enjoys the entire experience as a collective group. People are pounding away and cracking crabs all around you and the smell of fresh seafood fills the air as you look out over the water. Nothing fancy about it - Cantler's is truly authentic. The menu features a variety of seafood options as well as other things for people who are in the mood for something else. Our group didn't rate high on the variety scale with four of us ordering the lump crab cake sandwich. Branching away from the crab cake party, Nicole ordered the crab legs and my mom ordered the steamed shrimp. We also ordered a basket of steamed shrimp for the table as an appetizer. Everything we ordered was OUTSTANDING! The steamed shrimp were enormous and had great flavor and I don't think I've ever tasted a better crab cake. Not only was it huge, it had awesome flavor with large chunks of fresh crab (delivered straight off the boat to the restaurant's dock) and basically no filler at all. The side of hush puppies that I had with it were very good as well. I'd want to go back and try the all-you-can-eat steamed Blue Crabs, but it'd be tough to pass up another opportunity to get another crab cake sandwich. Honestly, it'd be tough to ever pass up a sandwich that good. My only complaint about Cantler's would be the service. Nearly everyone we encountered that worked there would fall under the category of rude. The parking attendant, hostess, and our waitress all had trouble being friendly or exhibiting any sort of hospitality. We also had a tough time getting our drinks refilled in a timely manner. That being said, we were so happy with the food that it didn't matter too much. Cantler's is exactly the type of restaurant we were hoping to find. A local restaurant with a great atmosphere that reflected the culture of Maryland and the coastal/Eastern Shore area. A meal here helps make spending time in Annapolis truly memorable.
(5)Joe B.
Great dockside shanty atmosphere. Good crab chowder delicious steamed crabs. Get the extra large crabs. Coming from New England they are not as big as the rock crabs I'm used to. The spice is really nice.
(4)S C.
Good locaton, great clams and shrimp. Good menu thats not steamed crabs. Crabs are usually pretty good and reasonably priced. Alwasy at least one bad one (THEY WILL replace it, JUST ASK!) , but why? Do they not know they are dead going in, or is it that they are trying to pass something over? But again, staff always pleasant about replacement. No bottled beer, thats what lost them the 5th star. Can beer only (what is this 1970?) And its always amusing to hear at least one table of seniors say "Were from conneticut, How do we do this again?" I cant imagine having to explain this to people over and over again. So kudos to the cantlers ladies!
(4)Rachel C.
I'm not really familiar with seafood culture, nor with how to "pick" crabs Maryland-style, but it seemed good to me! Yeah, it was pretty crowded with yacht-setting types and tourists (which I guess includes us because we live in DC?), but we got seating for 10 after a 30-minute wait on a Saturday afternoon (even though most of our party was still missing, they were kind enough to give us a table). Not bad! Waitstaff seemed young and a little overwhelmed, but our server was good. She refilled drinks with regularity and checked in on our party several times. It's definitely on the pricey side, but really, I think it's meant for large group or family-style meals. My boyfriend and I split the medium crabs, which were $37/dozen (v. something outrageous for the large size, which were only one inch larger). Along with some appetizers split with others and a couple of beers, my the two of us paid a total of $68, including tax and tip. The food was solid. The crab dip was thick and creamy, the fried clams were just plain tasty, and the crabs were REALLY good. A little too much powdery Old Bay for my taste, but you can easily dust it off. I had only ever had crab legs before, so hacking apart an entire crustacean was a new experience--and it was fun! The meat was buttery, salty, and steamed to perfection. A couple of crabs were missing front claws, but I wasn't bothered. I nabbed a shrimp and a mussel from a friend, and they were quite yummy. Beers (canned only) were decently priced. They had something called a frozen tidal wave for $6 that involved grenadine, coconut rum and ice cream--I wanted to try it, but we were stuffed to the gills (pun intended) and couldn't handle anything else. Very, very casual. Feels like a picnic. Don't wear nice clothes because you will get crab guts and Old Bay all over you. Dishware is styrofoam and plastic--not the most sustainable or classy choice, but with the number of customers they get and with the messiness factor of the food, it makes sense. Not a first date place or a place for a quiet, romantic night on the river...but for a fun afternoon out with friends, this definitely fits the bill!
(3)Katie R.
There are so many good things to say, from the crabs down to the key lime pie. It's one of those gems you stumble upons. Its completely off the beaten path, which makes it even better. Hands down the best crab joint in Annapolis! There is plenty of parking but you can also drive your boat right up to the dock, which makes it even more fun! There is plenty of outdoor seating, so you can enjoy some beautiful Annapolis weather! They have great lunch special for all you can eats. It varies based on the market price that day but I've eaten for as cheap at $20.95. That includes corn on the cob and french fries :) Yay ;) I no longer live in annapolis but I frequently make the drive out there a) to get drunk downtown or b) to eat at Cantlers. There is nothing better!
(5)Valarie G.
Pretty good but a 20 minute wait for parking followed by an hour wait for a seat seemed a bit excessive. Also a kid vomiting all over the floor right next to our table and the staff didn't exactly seem to be that quick to take care of it until we said something...cute right? Food is good but all the other issues kind of made the experience lackluster.
(3)Jeremy L.
This place was exactly what I was hoping for. The reviews are accurate. What more can I say? Nice waitress, fun atmosphere. I will return with out of staters.
(4)David P.
Overpriced, placed smelled like a garbage dump inside and out and the seafood so so. I should have left before going in, as a child was puking in the parking lot when I arrived!
(2)Jenny T.
CRABS!!!!!!!!! ...please dont come here wthout trying the crab dip and soft, warm bread... *drool*
(5)Dawn R.
When my daughter and son in law come to visit from Kansas City, I always have to take them to Cantler's. If you want some fantastic Chesapeake Bay steamed crabs, cold beer, and the best hushpuppies on the planet, this is the place to be. But you're going to need a GPS, or better yet a local person, to help you find the place. It's definitely off the beaten path, but once you get there, you won't be disappointed. In addition to the great food and friendly staff, you have the choice of eating indoors or on the deck overlooking the water. Inside or out, seating consists of long picnic style tables, giving it a real feeling of community. It can get a little noisy, but that's just all part of the atmosphere.
(5)Jess M.
Imagine this: It's hot as hell outside, but you don't care, cuz you've got... a parking spot iced cold canned beer the BEST damn crabs in town and seasoning all over yourself from cracking away! Cantler's is the local crab shack you day dream about. It's for the seafood seeker who doesn't care about getting their hands dirty, hanging out elbow to elbow with other fellow crab crackers, and laughing off the occasional pastel shirt/boat shoe douche bag that walks by. It gets pretty busy, so expect to wait around impatiently if you want that shaded outdoor spot. But trust me, it's worth the wait and you'll find yourself walking back to your car happy! I didn't give 5 stars because of the bathroom situation- there's two stalls in the ladies room, but I'm pretty sure an Oompa Loompa couldn't even fit in the right hand stall because the door is right up against the toilet.
(4)Vina Y.
Super friendly staff. We came on Father's Day and must have hit some sweet spot because we found parking right away and there was no wait. Lots of options on the menu but really you should just get the crabs. They were all very delicious though in two our of crabs, the meat was not as sweet and tender. I think they overdo it with the Old Bay on top but it's easy to scrape off. Make sure you take time to visit the docks behind the restaurant when you're done!
(4)Paul B.
Out of the way but definitely worth it. It's what every Maryland restaurant should be: on the water with great crab. The fact that the beer helps the Chesapeake Bay is a bonus. I would return here again on my next trip and would definitely sit outside again.
(5)AL K.
super crowded on the weekends. approximate wait is about an hour or so. Crabs are fresh and has a sweet taste. Service is friendly and efficient Outside seating available. Great during the summer months. Would go back again! $65 a dozen for the large sized crabs. Fish and sandwiches also available.
(5)Lesley G.
This place is certainly an experience, and off the beaten path. Its full of mostly locals binging on crab meat, but not until you wait perhaps an hour and a half. There's even a line to get into the parking lot, so plan to sink your night here. The crabs were cooked well, but they were a lot of work to eat and extremely messy. I loved the mussels the most, with tons of types of butter. Its a great experience for crab and seafood lovers of the world, but it might be exhausting to visit too often.
(4)Joe B.
We tried CANTLER'S this SUNDAY and even though the crab's were what we thought they were going to be just about all else was a very big and expensive disappointment . The soda was OK but the crab cake sandwich was shredded and had no taste , the side's were a real eye opener . Slaw and '' tater'' salad were without taste and just didn't look good. But, the crab cake was listed as lump not ''limp'' and I will never try the uptown recommendation's again. 2 star. Service was very good. Best item we had---WAIT FOR IT -- HUSH PUPPIES!!!!!!
(2)Stephanie M.
I LOVE this place! Great seafood, great views and great service. I have been coming here for years and have never been disappointed. The biggest drawback is that due to popularity it can sometimes be difficult to get a table at Cantlers - especially in the summer months. I agree with another reviewer that the bathrooms are not ideal - extremely small.
(4)Ben D.
Stopped here on the way home from Washington, DC. Phenomenal crabs. Dessert was meh, I'd go somewhere else for it. But really, after gorging on spiced crabs, who gets dessert? Just eat more crabs!
(4)HanaDC T.
Our friends of mine took us this place. This restaurant is located in the corner of housing community. But I guess this place is so famous. It is so crowded all the time. The service was okay. I ordered coleslaw with Crabs but the waitress forgot to bring it. This place was too crowded. I guess that was the reason. We ordered a dozen of larges. The price is market price. This place is not a cheap place. But I enjoyed with eating crabs like that. Do not wear nice clothes. Wear some casual clothes that you can wash. Also this is not a place to bring your first date because you can't talk much while eating crabs and you get too messy by eating crabs. This is a great place to hang out in summer. Love it.
(4)Catie C.
I always have fun smashing crabs! This was my 3rd. 2nd at Cantler's. I was disappointed, however, as we progressed each tray, the size of the medium crabs got smaller. They should seriously discount anything that 1/2"+ smaller than a medium since they increase the price in such increments. To a small degree, I felt that I got robbed; but I wasn't about to whip out my measuring tape to make sure it was 5 1/2 ". The service was lacking as well. I emptied out the shell bucket twice for the team! Getting refills initially was a challenge as well. That went smoother when they gave us a pitcher to ward off our thirst! I took a quick tour of the tanks after I used up all my arm power on fighting the crabs. I was delightfully surprised to see horseshoe crabs in the tank. The only other time I've seen this is inside an aquarium. It is also comforting to see that they sort out the dead crabs when the shipment comes in. I come here for one reason and one reason only: Smashin' Blue Crabs!
(3)Angela N.
Friends declared this was the "only" place near Annapolis to go for crabs. So, on Labor Day weekend, we ventured to Cantler's. The wait for a table was an hour and 30 minutes, pretty long, but luckily they have beverages for sale and you can wander the docks until they cal your name. We wanted to sit outside but it was an additional 45 minutes; with growling stomachs, we were seated inside. They really need to do a better job of cleaning up between parties; there were napkins and food scraps all over the floor. The inside also isn't very bright and the tables are crammed together. Not the best dining experience overall. However, the food was good---I had hard crabs for the first time as part of the $25 Cantler's platter, which includes steamed clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and coleslaw. The corn was over cooked and soft, but the staff was amenable to substituting my mussels for more clams or shrimp. The crabs were very good, although since I don't usually eat crabs, I have a hard time comparing Cantler's crabs to others. Definitely an outing and experience! I might try another place in the future though...
(3)Jenna T.
Yes, there was a 1.5 hr wait, was it worth it? YOU BET If you love seafood and feel like getting dirty , then this is the place for you! Drove from NYC to check this place out and it was the highlight of our trip. The restaurant itself it right by the water and you are welcome to walk around the dock and take a peek at the crabs you are about to eat in the tanks they have set up ADDED BONUS: they sell ice cold beer in the parking lot while you wait for your table. Oh, and the crabs? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! spicy, sweet succulent- ALL OF THE ABOVE. Topped off with a summer shandy- it is truly a revelation! The service was excellent, sure it was a Saturday night, but our waitress was very friendly , knowledgeable and attentive. The restaurant as a whole had a great, fisherman-tavern-jaws should have shot here" vibe. Great times, already planning a second trip!
(5)D S.
Always awesome food. Almost always good service. Crowds every time we go, so waiting a little bit is typical, but it is totally worth the wait.
(4)Hannah M.
A must go! Kinda pricey, but how often do you get to enjoy a crab feed, while throwing back a few beers, while the spring sun gives you a farmer tan? Enjoyed our dozen large crabs, drunken mussels, rockfish bites, and fries = more than enough to feed 3 people. My belly was very happy and thankful.
(4)Emily B.
Yesterday was my third visit to Cantler's Riverside Inn, in what has become a delicious annual tradition for my friends and me in DC. It's just outside of Annapolis and nestled right against the river in an inconspicuous residential neighborhood that can be a bit hard to find. But bring the GPS--it's worth the not-too-long hike outside DC! No one should ever come to Cantler's when you're in a rush. If it's a nice day you're almost assured to wait an hour or more to get a table for your party, but this is made infinitely more tolerable by the fact that there is a beer stand in the parking lot. Buy a few cans of beer, then hang out on the docks below the restaurant to check out the fresh crabs in their water bins before they're hauled off and steamed. Once you get a table, the best thing to do is share an order among the group. While the prices per dozen crabs may seem scary (as of yesterday it was $55 per dozen for the large, and $75 per dozen for the extra large) but don't think you'll save money by ordering smaller crabs. The bigger crab you order, the more meat inside, and the easier it is to dismember. Last night we had 9 people in our party, and we ordered 3 dozen extra large crabs, 2 orders of hush puppies, one order of fries, and one order of crab dip. The hush puppies are nothing to write home about, but the fries are delicious. I am not a huge fan of the crab dip (too much filler and not enough crab) but others really liked it. There are also a decent number of options on the menu for people not interested in doing crabs, but anyone I've ever gone with that orders off the menu while the rest of the party is covered head to toe in Old Bay and melted butter seems to not enjoy the experience as much. Finally, please don't go dressed in anything you would want to get messy--crabbing is a down and dirty culinary experience--one that makes your hands stink, your brow sweat, and your shorts to get covered in tiny flecks of crab. It's an annual tradition I wouldn't trade for anything!
(4)Sheng Z.
Amazing, just simply amazing. Best crabs in the area and the best atmosphere. Outdoor seating is awesome and everything just screams MARYLAND!!
(5)Dan A.
Cantler's is the place I always recommend to others as a good crabhouse. While it may be a little difficult to find, it certainly is worth it. The crabs are well-seasoned and look healthy. The other dishes and seafood are good as well. However, it can get crowded and there can be a wait. Also, don't expect to dine in a poshy environment--it is a crabhouse after all. Your tables are covered in brown paper and you are given wooden mallets. However, if you sit outside, you have a nice view of the water. It is a bit expensive... although I suppose one should expect that when dining at a crabhouse. If price is a concern, you'd probably want to go to a local seafood market and buy crabs and take them home. But if you have your heart set on dining at an actual crabhouse, you really can't go wrong with Cantler's food and experience.
(4)Irene F.
Everything about this experience was horrible. The parking was ridiculous. The wait was stupid long. The bathroom was tiny and disgusting. The place was packed- I felt like a sardine. I never got a drink refill. It was expensive as all get out. The crabs were small and light. I'm sticking to my go to in bmore- Costas Inn- where you get hefty crabs, elbow room, no waiting, easy parking, and a good price. Totally not worth the drive-- oh and I had ISSUES after wards...if you know what I mean...
(2)A M.
Down-home, fun and unpretentious (though not inexpensive) - we loved it! If you want to pick crabs and drink canned beer this is your place. So much fun in the summer but be ready to wait.
(5)Reena R.
Besides the 45 minute wait since we were a party of 10..... Everything else was AWESOME! Steamed shrimps, obviously lots of crabs, crab cakes, crabmeat cocktail....we tried a variety and everything was deliciously fresh making the wait so worth it! Highly recommended.
(5)Jen C.
Popular, crowded seafood establishment with plenty of options, but I think you can find other places for cheaper if you are looking for platters...especially without an hour wait. Everything tasted good, but the only thing that stuck out as a huge disappointment was their shrimp platter with potatoes and onions. They did not scrub the skins of the potatoes so it felt like I was chewing on fur. In the yelp photos, I saw other people's platters and clearly theirs was prepared fine...but I don't know if I just got an anomaly since they were running behind on our order and so busy. It was also not cooked uniformly, as some chunks of vegetables were really hard and untouched by juices. They also missed gutting one of the giant shrimp, which was pretty disgusting to unexpectedly bite into crunchy shrimp guts. Also, they charged us extra for crabcake sliders, but since they were too busy, it just wasn't worth waiting to point out the overcharge and wait for a new check. Will go to other, cheaper crab houses without having to wait so long.
(3)Christine C.
Roadtriped from DC - Boston to visit one of our college buddies and took a day trip out to Annapolis with the intention of grubbing out on some crabs. Thanks to the power of our iphones, foursquare + yelp, we found this place a bit outside the city and decided to explore this highly reviewed joint off the beaten path. YOU NEED gps to get here if you don't know the area. If you came to Annapolis area to eat some crabs, THIS IS WHERE YOU DO IT. - secluded, waterfront 'local' dive-y atmosphere - indoor and outdoor seating - Order Crabs by the DOZEN - slap around some wooden mallets - tables lined with butcher paper (meaning.. u eat off the table) - make some new friends Despite the long lines and my horrible experience with the staff, I can't deny this place is a gem and the crappy staff and merry crowd is all part of the experience. I was told by a guy traveling from Louisiana that people from all over stop here en route to their vacay destinations, he had been stopping here for years. FYI: When you're done, you will smell like crabs, old bay spices, and beer :) ...they don't do take out :(
(4)Tim M.
We go for the all you can eat crabs, and boy do we all you can eat the crap out of the crabs. Simple steamed crabs with Old Bay doused all over the place. Raw, animalistic, barbaric, and down right nummy. 4 out of 5 because the service could be better at times, although the last time we went, the service waas great and we didn't have to wait around for a refill on the crabs. 4 out of 5 also because there are a few bad crabs in the bunch, but hey, with all you can eat, you simply discard the crappy ones. 4 out of 5 because the sides aren't anything special, like overly cooked corn on the cob, which I hate to like, but like. The fries are good, the chowder was a bit salty, though. 4 out of 5 also because the Old Bay is rather useless since the crabs aren't steamed or boiled in it, and it just falls off the shell when you start a-cracken on the crabs. Plus, after a while, Old Bay just gets boring. You do get melted butter and vinegar if you want to dip. I choose to simply wipe the Old Bay off, and enjoy the pure sweetness of the crab meat. Can't wait to get back again and get my crab back on. Live in DC area so we call ahead in the AM to ensure they are having all you can eat that day. We also like to bring our dog, so the outdoor pet table works well for us, although at times you do get a waft of garbage since it is in the back. Not the most sightly or appetizing walking past the garbage in order to get to the seats, but the sacrifices we make for our dogs....
(4)Melissa J.
We were really looking forward to finally eating at Cantler's...we tried to come here last summer and couldn't get anywhere near it because the parking lot was so packed that the wait to park was 30 minutes. So we figured it must be pretty incredible to draw that kind of a crowd. Wrong. The fish was overcooked, bordering on rubbery. I ordered a broiled crabcake but they brought me fried. The fried soft shell was really nicely done, but as the server brought it to our table one of the legs was falling off the plate and she just grabbed it and pushed it back on with her bare hand, which she had just used to do who-knows-what. Delicious. Basically, not worth the wait (we were told it would be 45 minutes but it ended up being an hour and 20).
(2)Lynn S.
The place is in a weird residential neighborhood. But we found it through GPS easy enough. The steam shrimp really is nothing special. The Cajun grilled cod portion is sooo small for $12 bucks. The crabs, however, are good. Nice and full, fresh and sweet. We had a dozen of extra large for $90. It's tasty, but in my opinion, way too salty. I still think Mike's is better.
(3)Eileen L.
My family and i went to the naval academy for the weekend and wanted to have seafood in a scenic setting. i followed yelp to Cantler's Riverside Inn. we were sorely disappointed. the waitress who served us seemed very impatient and annoyed at us. the vegetable crab soup was not so spectacular. the dishes we ordered were subpar. the crabs were expensive and small. they were also not steamed as we had wanted. on top of that, the floor and benches we sat on were covered with crab remnants from other parties. we left the restaurant full, but not satisfied.
(2)Jessica L.
I will start this off by coming clean: I am not a seafood consumer, but my husband loves seafood. We were going to visit Annapolis for the day and he wanted to go to Cantler's for dinner. We got there about 5:30pm on a Saturday ad they are not kidding about needing GPS...a 2 lane road goes down to a 1 and 1/2 maybe before you get there so be careful driving. We came upon a line of cars waiting and were told by the man with the walkie talkie that this was the line to park since the lot was full. He said the non-driver should go up ahead and put our name down on the list since it was an hour and half wait. My husband was skeptical at first to waiting but I figured it's 5:30pm and I'm not exactly hungry yet. I went and put our name on the list and it took us about 30 minutes to park (might want to drive a small car or the one you don't care gets dinged since they make up parking spaces). Went to the bar for our drinks and had literally just walked out the door to wait outside, when our buzzer went off. A party of 2 has it's advantages sometimes : ) My husband ordered beer and I ordered the Iced Tea. We both got salads, Ceasar and Baby Spinach. Both were excellent and the size of probably a entree salad. Our server Annie was amazing and when either of our drinks were thinking of becoming too low she would bring us re-fills. We then had the Calamari to follow. Also a big hit since it was yummy seafood for my husband and it was fried yumminess with a great dipping sauce for me. We then had our entrees: Stuffed Rockfish and Filet Mignon both with steamed veggies and baked potatoe with the steak. I wasn't going to ask for steak sauce since it was a seafood joint but our server Annie offered me A1 so I was very excited. By the time we were done eating our wonderful entrees we were both so full we didn't even have room for dessert. I will also say the only ding against them is the bathroom with 2 stalls is not exactly great for such a crowded restaurant. I would deffintly go back just for the service which was amazing. The food was also 5 stars and loved that there was a wide range of options for non-seafood lovers. It is worth the wait.
(5)Chow N.
Generally speaking, I prefer a place across the bridge when I want crabs, but I try to stop by here for some fresh seafood whenever I'm in the area on the western shore. I had an iced tea, which wasn't refilled often enough, freshly fried calamari, and a crabcake sandwich. The calamari was really good, and as I always do, I asked if it was freshly prepared or from a bag. If it's from a bag, I can get that from the grocery store. They said it was freshly prepared, and by gosh, it was good. Only issue was that it was very expensive at $11.99 as an appetizer. It came with a Thai sweet/sour sauce, so I opted to go with the cocktail sauce from the squeeze bottle. For the price, I expect some kind of garlic aioli. I also had the crabcake sandwich, which was broiled. It tasted very fresh and very good, which is what I would expect during crab season. Along with the sandwich came the extra crispy fries, which were probably from a bag. Price was $14.99, and came with a packet of Kraft tartar sauce. The weather was beautiful, nice and cool/breezy while shaded from the sun. The place got packed for lunch. I didn't want to get messy, so I didn't want to deal with pounding on crabs. Super size crabs were $95/dozen.
(4)Rebecca K.
4 stars... Pros: -good deal for all-you-can-eat MD crabs and corn on-the-cob for $32.99 -yummy hush puppies -ideal to eat by the water -service was good, server was very friendly and attentive Cons: -long wait (1 hour) even though we arrived around 230 (not peak lunch time) on a Saturday--which was expected based on these other reviews -crowded Notes and Tips: -We didn't get to sit outside and eat by the water because the wait was too long -We waited near the water (down the steps) with our beers (which they sell outside) while we were waiting for our buzzer to go off
(4)debbie a.
I love the amount of Old Bay they put on the crabs you get! It just makes everything so delicious. We ordered the Crab Bruschetta - VERY delicious.. the crab meat was sweet and fresh with the acidity from the tomato.. perfect - only 3 to an order though. Crab soup (okay - a little too oily and salty.. missing that briney flavor) Crab boil... MmMmmmm my ONLY complaint was that they didnt scrub the crab clean before they were cooked.... would have made the crab more appetizing if i didnt see black grit all over the bottom outside of the shell (that i eventually tasted - hard to avoid all that when you are handling them) The fries were DELICIOUS... they have a slight batter to them so they stay crunchy and well spiced. Will definitely go again for outside seating (1) and food (2) if in the area. FYI - service needed some help..
(4)Sharon T.
We usually go to Harris Crab House when we want to eat crabs out. After reading review after review for Cantler's I convinced my family for us to try something different. We were sadly disappointed. We started with a dozen large crabs, and right off the bat my son's first crab was bad---mushy, ammonia smell, icky. Now being a MD girl I realize that can happen anywhere, but then my husband had a bad one, then my daughter (ironically I never got a bad one, but I did check theirs out). Our waitress did replace them but after ordering another dozen mediums and having a total of 5 out of 24 being bad we had enough. Also at one point a different server brought out a dish to the people sharing our table, and when she asked if anyone needed anything, I asked for a new shell bucket and some more vinegar. My husband told me after I asked she rolled her eyes and walked away. Really? We ordered hushpuppies, french fries, some cherrystones and steamers which were average. I also had a coupon for a free appetizer and we got the crab bruschetta, which was good. I SO wanted to like Canter's, and it is a cute getaway down a quaint river road, but after waiting to get in the parking lot (I knew that could happen) then a wait in the lot itself, it so NOT worth it. We came for CRABS, and they were the worst part of the meal. :( Poor quality control and indifferent service. Oh--also were were lucky to get outside seating. The inside is dark, dark, DARK and dreary. Why anyone would want to sit in a basement (not literally) to eat crabs is beyond me, but hey, if they had been amazing I might have considered it. We'll be going back to Harris' next time for our crabs, AND get a signature Nutty Buddy for dessert. Sorry Cantler's, I tried... :(
(1)Bob K.
Very disappointed. Food was so so and service was slow, tight space, smelled bad and very dirty. Also, not very scenic. It's off of my bucket list. To top things off, my wife was sick last night with symptoms of food poisoning....
(1)Angela S.
I have been to Jimmy's many times. The crabs are great especially this time of year. A side of onion rings, and a bloody mary...mmm!!!!
(4)Ken M.
I was out here with a large group (35 people) that had pre-arranged with the restaurant that we would be there at the appointed time.There was even a pre-arranged menu of three choices. So it shouldn't have been a big deal when we all showed up to be able to serve us. However, it was! Sure. there were a few "walk-ins" for our group but only a few and it shouldn't have thrown everything off. My food - the crab cake meal - took f-o-r-e-v-e-r and the seating was such that we were packed like sardines onto two benches when it would have been way more comfortable to spread out a bit. The result is that members of the group couldn't get up and move around once they were seated. The wait staff was friendly enough but, of course, slow as molasses due, in part, to the slow preparation in the kitchen. The kicker, for me, was when a small-sh family group came in well after us and ordered off the menu and got their meal while I was still guzzling iced tea...and waiting...and waiting. I would have thought that lunch time (12:30 to 2:30) on a Tuesday in an out-of-the-way place like this would mean attentive service and good food. Not so much. The food was OK. Nothing to write home about. Being on the water (Mill Creek??) was OK if you didn't mind looking at a bunch of boat slips and ramshackle boat houses. My experience is that there are lots better places with better ambiance, better food and a nicer view. Save your time (and money), don't get lost back along the winding roads to find this place. It's not worth it.
(2)Good E.
i was in annapolis with my mom and after a day of touring around we went to get some dinner here. i love seafood especially crab. we had crabcakes, hushpuppies which were ok. the shrimp was very tasty. the actual crab was meh. ive had better seafood in new england, so i wasnt that impressed with this place the ambience of the place is kind of divey/shack-like so dont come here with the mindset of fine dining
(3)Laura G.
So if you are ever in Maryland, this place is worth visiting!!!! I have never had better crabs than at Cantler's. The seafood is delicious. The place is super casual. You sit at what looks like a park bench and they put a thick paper down. We usually order the crabs by the dozen. Yummy!!!!
(5)Daniel N.
They deserve a 5 stars based on my experience there with my family.
(5)