Feast & Beach in One Great Place at Kentmorr Restaurant & Crab House

A must-do during summer in (or, actually, just beyond) this area: Crabs on the Eastern Shore. Sure, there are spots close to DC, even in the city, where we can get good steamed blue crabs or live ones to cook at home. But it just doesn’t match the experience of an excursion to a crab house somewhere along the Chesapeake Bay, where you can dig into a pile of Maryland’s tastiest while enjoying scenic views and that easy breezy coastal vibe.

It’s a staple on our seasonal agenda, and I love finding out about different places to indulge. Our most recent discovery (thanks to my friend Elsa, who recommended it) may just be my new favorite: Kentmorr Restaurant & Crab House on Kent Island in Stevensville, MD.

Located over the Bay Bridge, it’s a bit of a drive to get there — but so worth the time and mileage. Kentmorr has way more than the average crab house, and you can really make a day of it there. Along with the restaurant, there’s a great stretch of beach with play areas and lots of seating, plus a tiki bar, snack bar, and live music as well as a nice grassy area for hanging out, too.

We enjoyed all of it for the first time on Mother’s Day, and it was a great way to celebrate the occasion. Like many crab houses, there was a long wait for a table without a reservation — nearly two hours — but that didn’t phase us one bit (because tiki bar 😉 ). We took advantage of the chance to relax on the beach, and the kids had a blast playing by the water and spinning around in hammock swings.

The good vibes continued with our feast inside the restaurant. The crabs were excellent and reasonably priced, and they have a good kids menu for young diners who prefer other fare, as well as plenty of other options on the main menu for adults.

Some things to keep in mind as you’re planning a day there: 1) There are beach rules, including no pets, coolers, or outside food. 2) Bay Bridge traffic. Chances are, you’re going to hit it on a summer weekend, especially as you’re driving home on a Sunday. But when you’re relaxed and full of crabs after a great beach day, you may not even care.

Kentmorr Restaurant and Crab House is located at 910 Kentmorr Road in Stevensville, MD. It’s Sunday – Thursday, 12-8pm, and Friday – Saturday, 12-9pm. You can make a reservation online or by calling 410.643.6623, or you can just put your name on the list when you get there and have fun on the beach while you wait. (Update: Beach reservations are now also required on weekends for Dirty Dave’ s Tiki Bar, the beach area at Kentmorr, so be sure to book ahead!)