Make sure they're made with Old Bay Seasoning. There's nothing like it. I won't eat crab cakes without Old Bay Seasoning. Mmmmmm-MMMMM!

Didn't Fred's in Annapolis (Parole, really) close?

Bardo,
I just checked out the website for Jerry's seafood and my mouth is watering! How far of a drive would it be from the Rosslyn area? Thanks.

Meant to say that Galway Bay is in Annapolis. I think Fred's has closed.

bargains,
30-60 minutes depending on traffic. Take the B-W pkwy to 495 and then take 450 north - Jerry's is a about a 1/2 mile outside the beltway. Print a good map of the restaurant area, it's a "little" confusing.

I used to live in the town where Jerry's Seafood is located. It's on Lanham-Severn Road, Rt. 564, in the town of Seabrook. About two miles off the beltway, east of New Carrollton.

Freds has closed and the best crab cake is definitely not at Philpips! I agree G&M in Linthicum..fantastic. The Emporium in Ellicott City is also really good.

For DC, the latest issue of the Washingtonian has an article feature and listing of the best crabcakes in the DC metropolitan area.

In Annapolis, many people recommend Cantler's or Fred's. However, as others have noted on this thread, the best crabcakes are probably going to be on the Eastern Shore, because you're much closer to where the crabs are caught (hence fresher and cheaper), than west of the Bay.

My wife and I stopped by Rock Hall - near Chestertown, and had a great crab cake at Waterman's Crab House with a view of the bay. It was full of lump crabmeat. The sides of sweet corn and sweet potato were delicious too. You can see the fishermen's nets on the dock with the latest catch.

Rock Hall is one of your more genuine waterman towns. I'm not surprised the crab cakes were excellent at Waterman's. I think I'll try it out this summer. Thanks for the heads up, gilber20.

Our favorite restaurant in Federal Hill (Baltimore) is 1006
Address is 1006 Light Street Baltimore, MD

It is more a pile of extraordinary lump crab meat with no filler -- broiled and perfect.

Alright experts .. how do any of these compare with the crab cakes you get from QVC .. ? ?

How would a "crab expert": someone who can get local, perfect, lump-meat, no-filler, super fresh, crab cakes have any idea what a QVC version tasted like??

I have been searching for years for the ultimate crab cake in a restaurant. Have tried many, and in my opinion, the very best crab cake is at The Big Fish restaurant in Rehoboth, Delaware. It is made of lump crab meat only, lightly seasoned with mayonnaise and perhaps some lemon juice, some salt and pepper, held together with egg. NO FILLER. Lightly broiled. I've eaten this many times ---the crab meat is always sweet and fresh. This is an outstanding restaurant, period, but the crab cakes are genuinely superior. Restaurant is on Rt. 1, Rehoboth Beach.

Please don't go to Phillips. You won't find what you are looking for there. I'm too far north for you, but my favorite place is the Corner Stable in Baltimore County.

Cantlers Crab House makes delicious crab cakes, it is east of Annapolis off Saint Margarets Road (Route 179) off Route 50, I think at exit 29. Then, west from the exit. Consider getting some crabs rather than crab cakes. I would definetly not reccomend Phillips. I have tried the one in Ocean City, the one in Annapolis, and the one in Baltimore and the food is not that good at ether of them.

Get into the website for The Robert Morris Inn in Oxford and your question will be answered. They are very famous for their crabcakes - a James Michener favorite!
Also, you can't do much better than Carroll's Creek in Eastport/Annapolis. We had friends from Australia there last year and they thought the crabcakes were better than any they have ever tasted. The restaurant is beautiful & fun, also! YUMMY!

I've lived in the Baltimore/DC area all of my life and Faidley's at the Lexington Market has the best crab cake by far. Made w/ all jumbo lump Maryland crab - very little filler and their own special recipe (not given out) "sauce". Lexington market is not the best "restaurant" at all - in fact, it is just that: a market, but there is seating there - the entire market is a trip worth making!

Western Shore - Best "Maryland" Crabcakes:

Snyders' Willow Grove - Linthicum, MD;
Brewsters Pub - Furnace Branch Road, Glen Burnie;
Roys Qwik Corner - Glen Burnie, MD;
Bella's Seafood - Cape St. Clair;
Cantler's Riverside Inn - Annapolis.

I would NEVER order a crabcake from G&M in Linthicum or Phillips at any location.

I agree about Phillips..awful food. however,,G &M in Linthicum..delicious!

I am allergic to crabs, so can't contribute my opinion on which is best... all that i can say is that it must be made with Old Bay...