Higgins Crab House

Higgins Crab House on Coastal Highway in Ocean City is one of the Maryland beach resort's most established seafood restaurants, serving steamed blue crabs and local seafood on the bayside of the barrier island that defines Ocean City's geography. The restaurant operates seasonally from May through October, aligned with the resort season and the Maryland crab calendar, drawing a mix of vacationing families and returning locals who make Higgins part of their annual Ocean City routine. The bayside location—as opposed to the ocean-facing boardwalk—means a quieter, more local-feeling setting with views across the Maryland inland waterway rather than the Atlantic surf, giving the restaurant a character distinct from Ocean City's more tourist-oriented establishments. Steamed blue crabs are the main attraction, priced by the dozen at market rate and served with the standard complement of Old Bay, white vinegar, and cold beer in the straightforward Chesapeake crab house tradition. Shrimp feasts and fried fish sandwiches round out the menu for diners who prefer an alternative to the labour-intensive crab-picking experience. Higgins Crab House is a reliable institution for beachgoers wanting to combine a Maryland shore day with the authentic experience of eating steamed crabs at a table with a mallet and a pile of brown paper. Walk-in dining is the norm; summer Saturday evenings can generate waits.