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The Salt Line’s Nashville hot softshell crab dish.
The Salt Line/official photo

Where to Find Soft Shell Crabs To Go Around D.C.

Cold waters in the Chesapeake Bay pushed back the season this year

by Tierney Plumb Updated
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The Salt Line’s Nashville hot softshell crab dish.
| The Salt Line/official photo
by Tierney Plumb Updated

Soft shell crabs typically hit the market near the start of April, but like seemingly everything in 2020, the season for the Mid-Atlantic favorite hit a snag. An unseasonably cold spring caused Chesapeake Bay blue crabs to molt from their hard shells later than usual this year. And, of course, the novel coronavirus pandemic has disrupted logistics and demand for suppliers.

Softies are now popping up all over town, and chefs are preparing them with seasonal ingredients like pea shoots, tomatoes, and green beans. Spot them in sandwiches, as part of weekly specials, or inside sushi rolls.

Given their relative scarcity and popularity, it’s always best to confirm with restaurants that they have soft shells on hand for delivery or takeout. To find steamed blue crabs, go here.

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Kao Thai Restaurant

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The “chef’s special” at the Silver Spring eatery is lightly battered and fried, topped with yellow curry or chili basil sauce and served with white jasmine rice ($19.95).

8650 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 495-1234
(301) 495-1234

Benihana

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The iconic Asian hibachi chain offers a tempura soft shell crab appetizer, served with momiji, scallion, and ponzu sauce ($13.30), for delivery or takeout. The delicacy also has a starring role in its spider roll ($15).

7935 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-5391
(301) 652-5391

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Satsuma

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The Japanese restaurant in Bethesda sells an a la carte piece of fried soft shell crab with tempura sauce as an appetizer ($9.75).

8003 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-1400
(301) 652-1400

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Bethesda Crab House

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The Bethesda seafood joint just got its first soft shell shipment of the season from Eastern Shore supplier Baxter. Individual softies ($16.95) come with crackers and tartar and cocktail sauces. There are also sandwiches with cole slaw ($18.95) and a platter of two softies with corn on the cob and cole slaw ($32.95).

4958 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-3382
(301) 652-3382

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Passion Fin

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This seafood spot in Bethesda serves a crispy soft shell crab app ($12.95) that’s tossed with a salt and pepper mix, onion, and bell pepper. Available on takeout or delivery.

4611 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 229-2848
(301) 229-2848

Sushi Keiko

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Glover Park’s beloved sushi and ramen spot offers an eight-piece fried soft shell crab roll with scallion, avocado and sesame sauce ($12).

2309 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-3986
(202) 333-3986

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Black Salt

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Crispy tempura Chesapeake soft shell crab is on the carryout menu at the upper Northwest seafood house, accompanied by soba noodle salad and sesame tamari ($25).

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-9101
(202) 342-9101

The Imperial

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Jack Rose’s sibling spot down the street has reopened with a takeout menu that includes a pan-fried soft shell crab sandwich dressed with Old Bay mayo and tomato ($16).

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-0334
(202) 299-0334

Also featured in:

Pesce

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Local soft shell crabs are joined by long bean salad, chile, and garlic ($19) at the seafood staple in Dupont (takeout only).

2002 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-3474
(202) 466-3474

Nina May

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The Logan Circle eatery reopened its patio in late May with Maryland soft shell crab on the menu. The dish comes with its potato roll, tartar sauce, pickled green tomatoes, and hickory smoked bacon ($19).

1337 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 518-3609
(202) 518-3609
A soft shell crab dish at Nina May.
Nina May/official photo

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Martin's Tavern

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The Georgetown mainstay offers a special featuring Chesapeake Bay soft shell crabs. They’re lightly coated in seasoned flour and served with French fries, cole slaw and a side of lemon-butter caper sauce.

1264 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-7370
(202) 333-7370

Also featured in:

King Street Oyster Bar

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The NoMa newcomer serves a to-go sautéed jumbo soft shell crab dish over green beans with a lemon butter sauce for $25.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513
King Street Oyster Bar/official photo

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Clyde's of Georgetown

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Clyde’s just added a soft shell crab sandwich to takeout menus in Georgetown and Chevy Chase, which also delivers. Wedged in a potato roll, the crab comes with chipotle slaw and French fries ($16.99).

3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-9180
(202) 333-9180
Molly Quigley/Clyde’s

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New Big Wong

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The Chinese staple’s salt-and-pepper soft shell crab entree, located under the “chef’s suggestions” section, brings the heat at home ($21.95). Pick-up only.

610 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 628-0491
(202) 628-0491

Also featured in:

Umaya Izakaya

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This Japanese gastropub downtown makes a Chesapeake Roll with soft shell crab tempura, Old Bay crabmeat mix, spicy aioli, tobiko, cilantro, jalapeño, and scallions ($20.50) for takeout.

733 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 290-3443
(202) 290-3443

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The Alibi

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A soft shell crab meal kit ($30.50 per person), prepared and ready to fry at home, comes with a choice of three sides. The suggested seafood pairing is a six-pack of local Hellbender Ignite IPA.

237 2nd St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 347-2237
(202) 347-2237

Also featured in:

Nam-Viet Restaurant

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Arlington’s cult favorite for Vietnamese food is back with a hefty helping of two Saigon-style soft shell crabs that are deep fried and sauteed with garlic, ginger, jalapenos, and house seasonings, all served atop a bed of fresh salad. The gluten-free entree (market price) comes with a hit lemon pepper dipping sauce made on-site.

1127 N Hudson St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 522-7110
(703) 522-7110
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Captain White’s Seafood

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Call ahead to the Wharf’s signature seafood stand to pick up frozen soft shell crabs at $4.50 a pop.

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-2722
(202) 484-2722
Captain White/official photo

Also featured in:

Hank's Oyster Bar

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The waterfront eatery on the Wharf made a comeback this week with a soft shell crab sandwich with Old Bay French fries ($20), or sub in a side of greens or mac and cheese. Takeout and delivery, Tuesday to Sunday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055

Also featured in:

The Salt Line

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The New England eatery in Navy Yard takes a page from Tennessee for a popular soft shell crab dish. Crabs are doused in the tongue-tingling heat of classic Nashville hot spices typically used on fried chicken. The dish is served with white bread, pickled green tomato, and black garlic honey.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368
The Salt Line/official photo

Also featured in:

Tsunami Sushi

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The sushi spot in suburbia deep fries soft shell crab and balances the to-go entree on a bed of fried rice. The takeout meal ($24.95) include miso soup and salad.

13039 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 449-8404
(703) 449-8404

Also featured in:

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Kao Thai Restaurant

8650 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910

The “chef’s special” at the Silver Spring eatery is lightly battered and fried, topped with yellow curry or chili basil sauce and served with white jasmine rice ($19.95).

8650 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 495-1234
(301) 495-1234

Benihana

7935 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

The iconic Asian hibachi chain offers a tempura soft shell crab appetizer, served with momiji, scallion, and ponzu sauce ($13.30), for delivery or takeout. The delicacy also has a starring role in its spider roll ($15).

7935 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-5391
(301) 652-5391

Satsuma

8003 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

The Japanese restaurant in Bethesda sells an a la carte piece of fried soft shell crab with tempura sauce as an appetizer ($9.75).

8003 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-1400
(301) 652-1400

Bethesda Crab House

4958 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

The Bethesda seafood joint just got its first soft shell shipment of the season from Eastern Shore supplier Baxter. Individual softies ($16.95) come with crackers and tartar and cocktail sauces. There are also sandwiches with cole slaw ($18.95) and a platter of two softies with corn on the cob and cole slaw ($32.95).

4958 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 652-3382
(301) 652-3382

Passion Fin

4611 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816

This seafood spot in Bethesda serves a crispy soft shell crab app ($12.95) that’s tossed with a salt and pepper mix, onion, and bell pepper. Available on takeout or delivery.

4611 Sangamore Rd, Bethesda, MD 20816
(301) 229-2848
(301) 229-2848

Sushi Keiko

2309 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Glover Park’s beloved sushi and ramen spot offers an eight-piece fried soft shell crab roll with scallion, avocado and sesame sauce ($12).

2309 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-3986
(202) 333-3986

Black Salt

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007

Crispy tempura Chesapeake soft shell crab is on the carryout menu at the upper Northwest seafood house, accompanied by soba noodle salad and sesame tamari ($25).

4883 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-9101
(202) 342-9101

The Imperial

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Jack Rose’s sibling spot down the street has reopened with a takeout menu that includes a pan-fried soft shell crab sandwich dressed with Old Bay mayo and tomato ($16).

2001 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 299-0334
(202) 299-0334

Pesce

2002 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Local soft shell crabs are joined by long bean salad, chile, and garlic ($19) at the seafood staple in Dupont (takeout only).

2002 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 466-3474
(202) 466-3474

Nina May

1337 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Logan Circle eatery reopened its patio in late May with Maryland soft shell crab on the menu. The dish comes with its potato roll, tartar sauce, pickled green tomatoes, and hickory smoked bacon ($19).

1337 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 518-3609
(202) 518-3609
A soft shell crab dish at Nina May.
Nina May/official photo

Martin's Tavern

1264 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

The Georgetown mainstay offers a special featuring Chesapeake Bay soft shell crabs. They’re lightly coated in seasoned flour and served with French fries, cole slaw and a side of lemon-butter caper sauce.

1264 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-7370
(202) 333-7370

King Street Oyster Bar

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002

The NoMa newcomer serves a to-go sautéed jumbo soft shell crab dish over green beans with a lemon butter sauce for $25.

22 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 621-8513
(202) 621-8513
King Street Oyster Bar/official photo

Clyde's of Georgetown

3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Clyde’s just added a soft shell crab sandwich to takeout menus in Georgetown and Chevy Chase, which also delivers. Wedged in a potato roll, the crab comes with chipotle slaw and French fries ($16.99).

3236 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-9180
(202) 333-9180
Molly Quigley/Clyde’s

New Big Wong

610 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Chinese staple’s salt-and-pepper soft shell crab entree, located under the “chef’s suggestions” section, brings the heat at home ($21.95). Pick-up only.

610 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 628-0491
(202) 628-0491

Umaya Izakaya

733 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This Japanese gastropub downtown makes a Chesapeake Roll with soft shell crab tempura, Old Bay crabmeat mix, spicy aioli, tobiko, cilantro, jalapeño, and scallions ($20.50) for takeout.

733 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 290-3443
(202) 290-3443

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The Alibi

237 2nd St NW, Washington, DC 20001

A soft shell crab meal kit ($30.50 per person), prepared and ready to fry at home, comes with a choice of three sides. The suggested seafood pairing is a six-pack of local Hellbender Ignite IPA.

237 2nd St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 347-2237
(202) 347-2237

Nam-Viet Restaurant

1127 N Hudson St, Arlington, VA 22201

Arlington’s cult favorite for Vietnamese food is back with a hefty helping of two Saigon-style soft shell crabs that are deep fried and sauteed with garlic, ginger, jalapenos, and house seasonings, all served atop a bed of fresh salad. The gluten-free entree (market price) comes with a hit lemon pepper dipping sauce made on-site.

1127 N Hudson St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 522-7110
(703) 522-7110
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Captain White’s Seafood

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Call ahead to the Wharf’s signature seafood stand to pick up frozen soft shell crabs at $4.50 a pop.

1100 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 484-2722
(202) 484-2722
Captain White/official photo

Hank's Oyster Bar

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The waterfront eatery on the Wharf made a comeback this week with a soft shell crab sandwich with Old Bay French fries ($20), or sub in a side of greens or mac and cheese. Takeout and delivery, Tuesday to Sunday (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

701 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 817-3055
(202) 817-3055

The Salt Line

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

The New England eatery in Navy Yard takes a page from Tennessee for a popular soft shell crab dish. Crabs are doused in the tongue-tingling heat of classic Nashville hot spices typically used on fried chicken. The dish is served with white bread, pickled green tomato, and black garlic honey.

79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
(202) 506-2368
(202) 506-2368
The Salt Line/official photo

Tsunami Sushi

13039 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA 22033

The sushi spot in suburbia deep fries soft shell crab and balances the to-go entree on a bed of fried rice. The takeout meal ($24.95) include miso soup and salad.

13039 Fair Lakes Shopping Center, Fairfax, VA 22033
(703) 449-8404
(703) 449-8404

Related Maps