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B&B Butcher’s crab cake on a white table top.
The jumbo lump crab cake at B&B Butchers is pure elegance on a plate.
Kirsten Gilliam

The 11 Best Crab Cakes in Houston

Where to find the best lump crab-filled mounds

by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
If you book a reservation through an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.
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The jumbo lump crab cake at B&B Butchers is pure elegance on a plate.
| Kirsten Gilliam
by Megha McSwain and Brittany Britto Garley Updated
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

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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
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666
Single crab cake is served on a white rectangular plate with green garnish and orange sauce.
Crab cakes are better with bacon.
Patterson Murphy PR

Also featured in:

State Fare Kitchen & Bar

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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 new water-front location in the Woodlands.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024
(832) 831-0950
(832) 831-0950
Two crab cakes with a side of rice.
Bet you can’t have just one.
Lisa Gochman PR

Also featured in:

1751 Sea and Bar

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Unlike a crab cab you’ve likely had before, 1751’s pumpkin crab cake offers a new edition, Served over a brown butter bearnaise and a seed mustard deli, this cake is packed with crab and delicata squash and topped with more claw meat, micro greens, and a persimmon vinaigrette for a slight sweetness.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820
1751 Sea and Bar’s crab cake topped with crab claw meat and microgreens.
For a unique spin on a crab cake, head to 1751 Sea and Bar.
Willie Garley

Also featured in:

B&B Butchers & Restaurant

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At B&B Butchers and Restaurant, the crab cake boasts a hefty price tag of $35 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
(713) 862-1814
(713) 862-1814
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.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

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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 salad.

1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1111
(713) 228-1111

Also featured in:

Willie G's Seafood

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It’s no surprise that this swanky hangout, known for its extravagant seafood offerings, has one of the best crab cake dishes in town. Willie G’s touts a double dose of crab with its neatly packed cake. This crab cake is served with tart remoulade and kimchi marinated crab claws.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

Also featured in:

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

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This popular seafood haunt may be synonymous with fabulous oysters, but it boasts 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
(713) 622-1010
(713) 622-1010
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.
Lisa Gochman PR

Also featured in:

Ouisie's Table

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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
(713) 528-2264
(713) 528-2264
Crab cake eggs benedict.
Ousie’s crab cake egg benedict is a true indulgence.
Gracie DiAnne Henley

Also featured in:

Loch Bar

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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
(832) 430-6601
(832) 430-6601
Two crab cakes with sauce on a white plate with blue trim, featuring a pink sauce on the side.
Splurge of real Maryland crab cakes at Loch Bar.
Kirsten Gilliam

Also featured in:

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

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Fine dining stalwart, Eddie V’s is a haven for steak and seafood delights. It’s no surprise, then, that its Maryland-style crab cakes are a fine way to kick off a wine-fueled meal. Sauteed, and served with a spicy chive remoulade, these crab cakes aren’t recommended for sharing.

2800 Kirby Dr A100, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 874-1800
(713) 874-1800

Ragin' Cajun

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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, this crab cake is a bargain at just $14.

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 623-6321
(713) 623-6321
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.
Ragin’ Cajun

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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
(713) 861-8666
(713) 861-8666
Single crab cake is served on a white rectangular plate with green garnish and orange sauce.
Crab cakes are better with bacon.
Patterson Murphy PR

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 new water-front location in the Woodlands.

947 Gessner Rd Suite B-190, Houston, TX 77024
(832) 831-0950
(832) 831-0950
Two crab cakes with a side of rice.
Bet you can’t have just one.
Lisa Gochman PR

1751 Sea and Bar

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007

Unlike a crab cab you’ve likely had before, 1751’s pumpkin crab cake offers a new edition, Served over a brown butter bearnaise and a seed mustard deli, this cake is packed with crab and delicata squash and topped with more claw meat, micro greens, and a persimmon vinaigrette for a slight sweetness.

191 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
(832) 831-9820
(832) 831-9820
1751 Sea and Bar’s crab cake topped with crab claw meat and microgreens.
For a unique spin on a crab cake, head to 1751 Sea and Bar.
Willie Garley

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 $35 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
(713) 862-1814
(713) 862-1814
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.
Kirsten Gilliam

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 salad.

1510 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 228-1111
(713) 228-1111

Willie G's Seafood

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027

It’s no surprise that this swanky hangout, known for its extravagant seafood offerings, has one of the best crab cake dishes in town. Willie G’s touts a double dose of crab with its neatly packed cake. This crab cake is served with tart remoulade and kimchi marinated crab claws.

1640 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 840-7190
(713) 840-7190

Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette

4224 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

This popular seafood haunt may be synonymous with fabulous oysters, but it boasts 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
(713) 622-1010
(713) 622-1010
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.
Lisa Gochman PR

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
(713) 528-2264
(713) 528-2264
Crab cake eggs benedict.
Ousie’s crab cake egg benedict is a true indulgence.
Gracie DiAnne Henley

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
(832) 430-6601
(832) 430-6601
Two crab cakes with sauce on a white plate with blue trim, featuring a pink sauce on the side.
Splurge of real Maryland crab cakes at Loch Bar.
Kirsten Gilliam

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

2800 Kirby Dr A100, Houston, TX 77098

Fine dining stalwart, Eddie V’s is a haven for steak and seafood delights. It’s no surprise, then, that its Maryland-style crab cakes are a fine way to kick off a wine-fueled meal. Sauteed, and served with a spicy chive remoulade, these crab cakes aren’t recommended for sharing.

2800 Kirby Dr A100, Houston, TX 77098
(713) 874-1800
(713) 874-1800

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, this crab cake is a bargain at just $14.

4302 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77027
(713) 623-6321
(713) 623-6321
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.
Ragin’ Cajun

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