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A plate of two crab cakes with a lemon and remoulade sauce. — Loch Bar serves up true Maryland-style crab cakes.

Where to Find Crab Cakes in Houston

These restaurants are serving up hard to resist lump crab-filled mounds

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated Feb 27, 2023, 1:11pm CST

If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

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Loch Bar serves up true Maryland-style crab cakes.

| Kirsten Gilliam

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated Feb 27, 2023, 1:11pm CST

If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Perfectly molded to pack in clean, honest lump crab meat, and presented simply with lemon or a saucy accompaniment, few dishes offer decadence like that of a well-built crab cake. Top-notch portions ought not to be too bready nor too soft, but rather rich and textured with layer after layer of fresh crab meat. The savory sometimes-starter, sometimes-entree, is a treat, to say the least.

But it can be a rare find on restaurant menus at times. So who’s got ‘em, and are they worth the splurge? From casual cafes to upscale destinations sourcing seafood from around the globe, consider our breakdown of restaurants touting the top cakes in all the land.

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If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Rainbow Lodge

If there’s anything better than a crab cake, it’s a crab cake with bacon. At Rainbow Lodge, the classic dish is amped up with chunky bits of bacon and green onion. It’s all served atop saucy creole mustard butter.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

Single crab cake is served on a white rectangular plate with green garnish and orange sauce. — Crab cakes are better with bacon.

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State Fare Kitchen & Bar

Make a meal out of the crab cakes at State Fare, where a double portion of pan-fried cakes arrive atop a creamy remoulade and are served alongside Hoppin’ John rice. Give them a try at State Fare’s water-front location in the Woodlands.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

Visit Website

Two crab cakes with a side of rice. — Bet you can’t have just one.

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B&B Butchers & Restaurant

At B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the crab cake boasts a hefty price tag of $36 for a single portion, but it’s well worth the splurge. Made with jumbo lump crab meat and presented with a whole grain mustard cream sauce, this savory cake packs a punch of tangy flavor.

1814 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

Single crab cake on a white plate cloaked in a yellow sauce. — B&B Butchers & Restaurant doesn’t skimp on the crab in their crab cake.

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Backstreet Cafe

Try the roasted corn crab cakes at Backstreet Cafe for a non-traditional take on the seafood dish. Presented with remoulade and slaw, they serve as a satisfying and easily shareable starter to your meal.

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

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Also featured in:

Gatsby's Prime Seafood

This impressive followup to Gatsby’s Steakhouse in Montrose offers all of the seafood gems one could want, including crab cakes. The 6-ounce mounds will set you back $24 each, or a pair for $47.

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1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

A crab cake with remoulade and a lemon on a black plate. — The 6-ounce crab cake at Gatsby’s Seafood.

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Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

When diners discuss Vic & Anthony’s, the jumbo lump crabcake is almost always a topic of conversation. A delightful way to start the meal, this standout dish is packed with crab and served with a chive beurre blanc, and pairs well with a glass of white and a steakhouse salad.

1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vic & Anthony's (@vicandanthonys)

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Willie G's Seafood

It’s no surprise that this swanky hangout, known for extravagant seafood offerings at its locations in Houston and in Galveston, has one of the best crab cake dishes in town. Here, the cake boasts a double dose of crab, served with tart remoulade and kimchi marinated crab claws.

Open in Google Maps

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

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Also featured in:

Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab

This Uptown stalwart is a haven for seafood lovers. There are no shortage of crab-loaded dishes, but the jumbo lump crab cake, served with a tangy dilled tartar sauce is a standout among them.

Open in Google Maps

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

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Also featured in:

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

This popular seafood haunt may be synonymous with fabulous oysters, but it has a killer menu of heartier seafood plates, including the 10-ounce butter-fried Chesapeake crab cake. A puncture of the crisp, golden exterior reveals a buttery crab filling. Meanwhile, the Brussels slaw, remoulade, and fries serve as worthy accompaniments.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Crab cake with slaw and fries are present on the right side of the photo’s frame on a white plate as a hand uses a silver fork at an angle to touch the food. — Liberty Kitchen’s Chesapeake crab cake is served with brussel slaw and fries.

Also featured in:

Loch Bar

This posh seafood tavern in River Oaks District has plenty of crab-inspired dishes to choose from, including Maryland crab cakes. An order of two will set you back $60, but you won’t likely regret it — these babies are the real deal, tightly packed with creamy lump crab meat, and served with mixed baby greens with a side of Old Bay remoulade.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G110, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Ouisie's Table

At this iconic River Oaks restaurant, there are plenty of ways to get your crab cake fix. Kick off your meal with a crab cake starter, served with house-made jalapeno tartar sauce — Ousie’s offers a mini at lunch, and a full-size portion at dinner. And during Sunday brunch, the crab cake eggs Benedict, served with a jalapeno hollandaise, is a standout.

3939 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Crab cake eggs benedict. — Ousie’s crab cake egg benedict is a true indulgence.

Also featured in:

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

Nestled among the homes in a residential neighborhood, Eugene’s is a cozy alternative to some of the more high profile seafood restaurants in town. Find a large menu of Cajun seafood dishes on the menu, including crab cakes. Here, an order of two patties, made with blue crab claw meat, roasted corn, red bell peppers, and fresh bread crumbs, is served with garlic rémoulade sauce, and is a fair price at under $20.

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1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

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Also featured in:

Acme Oyster House

Don’t let the name mislead you — this New Orleans transplant offers far more than oysters. In addition to fried shrimp platters, seafood gumbo, and po-boys of all types, Acme Oyster House offers a crab cake, served with remoulade sauce, atop of sweet corn maque choux.

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Brennan's of Houston

Like many of the menu offerings, the crab cakes at Brennan’s are pure decadence. Presented on a bed of creamy melted leek and roasted corn sauce, and topped with a petite herb salad, the cakes offer multiple layers of flavor.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brennan’s of Houston (@brennanshouston)

Also featured in:

Ragin' Cajun

Ragin’ Cajun is a Houston institution, famous for its spicy Cajun eats, and its pan-seared South Louisiana crab cake is not to be missed. Seasoned with the restaurant’s own spice blend and served with a signature remoulade sauce, a sampling of this crab cake will set you back $18.

Open in Google Maps

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Single crab cake is presented with a shadow on a white plate with two green chive garnish strands. — Ragin Cajun’s crab cake is rich in spices.

Also featured in:

Goode Company Seafood

This time-honored restaurant operated by the Goode family is a fool-proof destination to satisfy seafood cravings, big and small. Among worthy starters like smoked redfish dip and shrimp empanadas, is the oven-baked jumbo lump crab cake, served with lemon garlic cream sauce.

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Navy Blue

The crab cake is not to be missed at this upscale seafood restaurant, newly opened from the team behind Bludorn in Rice Village. The dish packs in a substantial amount of crab, and is enhanced with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga.

Open in Google Maps

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

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Navy Blue’s crab cake with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga. — Navy Blue’s crab cake is enhanced with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga.

Also featured in:

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Rainbow Lodge

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

If there’s anything better than a crab cake, it’s a crab cake with bacon. At Rainbow Lodge, the classic dish is amped up with chunky bits of bacon and green onion. It’s all served atop saucy creole mustard butter.

2011 Ella Blvd, Houston, TX 77008

Visit Website

Single crab cake is served on a white rectangular plate with green garnish and orange sauce. — Crab cakes are better with bacon.

State Fare Kitchen & Bar

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

Make a meal out of the crab cakes at State Fare, where a double portion of pan-fried cakes arrive atop a creamy remoulade and are served alongside Hoppin’ John rice. Give them a try at State Fare’s water-front location in the Woodlands.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024

Visit Website

Two crab cakes with a side of rice. — Bet you can’t have just one.

B&B Butchers & Restaurant

1814 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

At B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the crab cake boasts a hefty price tag of $36 for a single portion, but it’s well worth the splurge. Made with jumbo lump crab meat and presented with a whole grain mustard cream sauce, this savory cake packs a punch of tangy flavor.

1814 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007

Visit Website

Single crab cake on a white plate cloaked in a yellow sauce. — B&B Butchers & Restaurant doesn’t skimp on the crab in their crab cake.

Backstreet Cafe

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Try the roasted corn crab cakes at Backstreet Cafe for a non-traditional take on the seafood dish. Presented with remoulade and slaw, they serve as a satisfying and easily shareable starter to your meal.

1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Gatsby's Prime Seafood

1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019

This impressive followup to Gatsby’s Steakhouse in Montrose offers all of the seafood gems one could want, including crab cakes. The 6-ounce mounds will set you back $24 each, or a pair for $47.

Open in Google Maps

1212 Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

A crab cake with remoulade and a lemon on a black plate. — The 6-ounce crab cake at Gatsby’s Seafood.

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

When diners discuss Vic & Anthony’s, the jumbo lump crabcake is almost always a topic of conversation. A delightful way to start the meal, this standout dish is packed with crab and served with a chive beurre blanc, and pairs well with a glass of white and a steakhouse salad.

1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vic & Anthony's (@vicandanthonys)

Willie G's Seafood

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

It’s no surprise that this swanky hangout, known for extravagant seafood offerings at its locations in Houston and in Galveston, has one of the best crab cake dishes in town. Here, the cake boasts a double dose of crab, served with tart remoulade and kimchi marinated crab claws.

Open in Google Maps

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

This Uptown stalwart is a haven for seafood lovers. There are no shortage of crab-loaded dishes, but the jumbo lump crab cake, served with a tangy dilled tartar sauce is a standout among them.

Open in Google Maps

5350 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056

Visit Website

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

This popular seafood haunt may be synonymous with fabulous oysters, but it has a killer menu of heartier seafood plates, including the 10-ounce butter-fried Chesapeake crab cake. A puncture of the crisp, golden exterior reveals a buttery crab filling. Meanwhile, the Brussels slaw, remoulade, and fries serve as worthy accompaniments.

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Crab cake with slaw and fries are present on the right side of the photo’s frame on a white plate as a hand uses a silver fork at an angle to touch the food. — Liberty Kitchen’s Chesapeake crab cake is served with brussel slaw and fries.

Loch Bar

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G110, Houston, TX 77027

This posh seafood tavern in River Oaks District has plenty of crab-inspired dishes to choose from, including Maryland crab cakes. An order of two will set you back $60, but you won’t likely regret it — these babies are the real deal, tightly packed with creamy lump crab meat, and served with mixed baby greens with a side of Old Bay remoulade.

4444 Westheimer Rd Suite G110, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Ouisie's Table

3939 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

At this iconic River Oaks restaurant, there are plenty of ways to get your crab cake fix. Kick off your meal with a crab cake starter, served with house-made jalapeno tartar sauce — Ousie’s offers a mini at lunch, and a full-size portion at dinner. And during Sunday brunch, the crab cake eggs Benedict, served with a jalapeno hollandaise, is a standout.

3939 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Crab cake eggs benedict. — Ousie’s crab cake egg benedict is a true indulgence.

Eugene's Gulf Coast Cuisine

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

Nestled among the homes in a residential neighborhood, Eugene’s is a cozy alternative to some of the more high profile seafood restaurants in town. Find a large menu of Cajun seafood dishes on the menu, including crab cakes. Here, an order of two patties, made with blue crab claw meat, roasted corn, red bell peppers, and fresh bread crumbs, is served with garlic rémoulade sauce, and is a fair price at under $20.

Open in Google Maps

1985 Welch St, Houston, TX 77019

Visit Website

Acme Oyster House

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Don’t let the name mislead you — this New Orleans transplant offers far more than oysters. In addition to fried shrimp platters, seafood gumbo, and po-boys of all types, Acme Oyster House offers a crab cake, served with remoulade sauce, atop of sweet corn maque choux.

1201 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Like many of the menu offerings, the crab cakes at Brennan’s are pure decadence. Presented on a bed of creamy melted leek and roasted corn sauce, and topped with a petite herb salad, the cakes offer multiple layers of flavor.

3300 Smith St, Houston, TX 77006

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brennan’s of Houston (@brennanshouston)

Ragin' Cajun

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027

Ragin’ Cajun is a Houston institution, famous for its spicy Cajun eats, and its pan-seared South Louisiana crab cake is not to be missed. Seasoned with the restaurant’s own spice blend and served with a signature remoulade sauce, a sampling of this crab cake will set you back $18.

Open in Google Maps

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027

Visit Website

Single crab cake is presented with a shadow on a white plate with two green chive garnish strands. — Ragin Cajun’s crab cake is rich in spices.

Related Maps

Goode Company Seafood

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098

This time-honored restaurant operated by the Goode family is a fool-proof destination to satisfy seafood cravings, big and small. Among worthy starters like smoked redfish dip and shrimp empanadas, is the oven-baked jumbo lump crab cake, served with lemon garlic cream sauce.

2621 Westpark Dr, Houston, TX 77098

Visit Website

Navy Blue

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

The crab cake is not to be missed at this upscale seafood restaurant, newly opened from the team behind Bludorn in Rice Village. The dish packs in a substantial amount of crab, and is enhanced with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga.

Open in Google Maps

2445 Times Blvd, Houston, TX 77005

Visit Website

Navy Blue’s crab cake with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga. — Navy Blue’s crab cake is enhanced with celery root, remoulade, and bottarga.

Related Maps