8 of The Best Restaurants in Delaware for Crab Cakes

Delaware's Crab Cake Quest: A Guide to the 8 Best Spots

An actual Delmarva-style crab cake is a masterpiece of simplicity, focusing on sweet, jumbo lump blue crab meat with just enough binder to hold it together. Here is a guide to eight of the best places to find an exceptional crab cake in Delaware.

1. Woody's Dewey Beach

• The Crab Cake: A legend in the Delaware beach scene, Woody's is famous for its no-filler, all-lump crab cakes. They are perfectly seasoned and broiled, allowing the pure, sweet flavor of the crab to shine through.
• The Vibe: A casual, often crowded, but always friendly crab house and grill that embodies the laid-back spirit of Dewey Beach.
• Location: 1904 Coastal Hwy, Dewey Beach, DE 19971

2. The Blue Hen at The Avenue (Rehoboth Beach)

• The Crab Cake: For a more refined and upscale take, The Blue Hen, located inside The Avenue Inn, offers a gourmet crab cake that is consistently praised. Expect an excellently prepared, high-quality crab cake made with premium lump meat and sophisticated accompaniments.
• The Vibe: An elegant yet comfortable restaurant setting, perfect for a special occasion dinner after a day of strolling the Rehoboth boardwalk.
• Location: 33 Wilmington Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

3. Fenwick Crab House (Fenwick Island)

• The Crab Cake: A long-standing institution at the southern edge of the Delaware beaches, Fenwick Crab House has been serving classic Maryland-style seafood for decades. Their crab cakes are a traditional and beloved staple, known for being generously sized and full of flavor.
• The Vibe: A classic, family-friendly seafood house with a casual, welcoming atmosphere.
• Location: 100 Coastal Hwy, Fenwick Island, DE 19944

4. Old Mill Crab House (Delmar)

• The Crab Cake: Straddling the Delaware-Maryland border, the Old Mill Crab House is a beloved destination for those seeking an authentic Delmarva seafood experience. Their crab cakes are a highlight, made with a time-honored recipe.
• The Vibe: A rustic and casual crab house that feels like a classic, down-home local secret.
• Location: 39450 Old Mill Rd, Delmar, DE 19940

5. Meding's Seafood (Milford)

• The Crab Cake: A landmark on the highway for travelers heading to and from the beaches, Meding's Seafood is a family-style restaurant and seafood market renowned for its fresh, reliable seafood. Their crab cakes are a customer favorite.
• The Vibe: A bustling, casual, and family-friendly restaurant with a nautical theme and an attached seafood market.
• Location: 3697 Bay Rd, Milford, DE 19963

6. Henlopen City Oyster House (Rehoboth Beach)

• The Crab Cake: While renowned for its incredible selection of fresh oysters, Henlopen City Oyster House also serves a top-tier crab cake. As a premier seafood restaurant, they use high-quality lump crab meat, resulting in a delicious and satisfying cake.
• The Vibe: A stylish and lively beach town restaurant with a great raw bar and a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere.
• Location: 52 Wilmington Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

7. Sambo's Tavern (Leipsic)

• The Crab Cake: For a truly authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience, head to Sambo's Tavern. This legendary, no-frills crab house sits right on the Leipsic River. Their crab cakes are simple, fresh, and perfectly showcase the local blue crab.
• The Vibe: A classic, waterside dive bar and tavern where the focus is entirely on fresh seafood. Note: They are often cash-only and have specific seasonal hours.
• Location: 283 Front St, Leipsic, DE 19901

8. Catch 54 (Fenwick Island)

• The Crab Cake: With stunning waterfront views of the bay, Catch 54 is an upscale-casual restaurant known for its high-quality seafood. Their crab cake is a refined and delicious offering, made with premium ingredients.
• The Vibe: A beautiful restaurant with fantastic views, making it an excellent spot for a scenic and memorable dinner.
• Location: 38931 Madison Ave, Fenwick Island, DE 19975

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Delaware's culinary scene offers a delicious and authentic crab cake experience that proudly rivals any other. From the rustic, waterside charm of Sambo's Tavern and the classic seafood houses like Fenwick Crab House to the beach-town energy of Woody's and the upscale preparations at The Blue Hen, the First State is brimming with fantastic options for every taste. The common denominator among these top spots is a commitment to quality, highlighting sweet, succulent, jumbo lump blue crab with minimal filler. So, on your next visit to Delaware, embark on your own crab cake quest to savor this quintessential Delmarva delicacy.