A Crowdpleaser on Mill Creek that Offers Something for Everyone!

Ask anyone in Annapolis where is the best place for crabs and Cantlers will always come up. We followed the recommendation, and boy were they spot on; we found the food, service, and views at the restaurant to be amazing. It is nestled in a residential neighborhood, though easily accessible from downtown Annapolis, you'd be unlikely to stumble upon it, so while it's far from a secret, consider yourself lucky to be in the know.

Cantlers offers both indoor and outdoor seating that is kid-friendly. If you’re lucky enough to nab a spot on the deck, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the water that Cantlers sits above with small watercraft of all kinds cruising by or pulling up for some crabs themselves. Our girls especially enjoyed watching fresh crabs caught that day delivered to the dock hands working on the lower level of the restaurant. - t doesn’t get much fresher than that, right? 

The kids were happy to find that an extensive kids menu is available and the adults were happy to find a fabulous menu packed with reasonably priced seafood (as welll as non-seafood) offerings. If you really want the full Maryland experience, Cantlers also has you covered with steamed blue crabs by the dozen, half dozen or by the crab.

The wait for a table on the day we visited was only about 20 minutes but we’ve been told that the wait can be quite long on particularly nice summer days. If you’re worried about waiting, be sure to call ahead or bring some options for entertaining the kids. The tables are covered in brown paper (even if you haven’t ordered crabs) and the children are supplied with crayons for coloring or tic-tac-toe playing so once you've been seated, waiting for your food to arrive is relaxing and fun, but usually there isn't much of a wait.

Due to the small dining room, strollers are not permitted inside but Cantlers does offer high chairs for indoor dining and also has some high chairs that can be used on the outdoor deck. However, we were advised that they can run out if it’s a busy day so if you’ve got an easy, portable option and would like to sit outside, it may be wise to bring it along. 

All-in-all, as Maryland natives that have enjoyed many crabs over the years, Cantlers easily ranks among the top crab house experiences that we’ve ever had!

Sandy Point State Park is less than fifteen minutes away and The Naval Academy is ten minutes by car.