The Secret Delaware Crab And Shrimp Spot That Locals Keep To Themselves

There’s a big stainless steel sink right in the dining room, and it exists because crab eating gets gloriously messy. That one detail tells you exactly what kind of night you’re in for.

The blue crabs here get steamed to order. You can pick your size, from Selects all the way up to Extra-large.

There’s even an all-you-can-eat option with a two-hour clock ticking.

This coastal Delaware crab house comes from a family that has been cracking shells since 1961. I appreciate a place that knows its specialty and sticks with it.

Brown paper on the tables seals the deal for me.

Shrimp fans get plenty of love too. Jumbo, grilled, fried, and spiced versions all show up on the menu.

So which one lands on your table first?

Grab A Mallet, Because The Blue Crabs Run The Show

Hard shell blue crabs are the whole reason The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar exists. Every crab gets steamed to order, so nothing sits around waiting for you.

You can order them by the half dozen or by the dozen. Sizes include Selects, Mediums, Large, and Extra-large, which lets you match your appetite to your crab.

That size choice matters more than you might expect. Bigger crabs mean more meat per crack, while smaller ones keep the price friendlier for a casual feast.

Here’s a smart move worth knowing. Calling ahead to reserve a specific crab size is a good idea, especially during busy stretches.

Crabs at the larger end can go fast on popular nights. Nobody wants to show up dreaming of Extra-large and settle for something smaller.

I’d probably start with a dozen and see how the evening unfolds. Crab picking is slow, social work, and that pace is half the fun.

Brown paper covers the tables, so cleanup is simple. You crack, you pick, you pile up shells, and the paper handles the rest.

Honestly, it’s the most satisfying kind of mess a person can make at dinner.

The All-You-Can-Eat Deal Comes With A Ticking Clock

Two hours. That’s how long you get with the all-you-can-eat crabs, and it’s a challenge many crab lovers take seriously.

The deal includes fries, coleslaw, and hush puppies alongside the crabs. Those sides help round things out, though most people focus on the main event.

Specific rules come with this option, so ask your server to explain them before you begin. Knowing the guidelines up front keeps the experience smooth and stress-free.

Strategy helps here more than speed. Picking crabs takes patience, and rushing usually means leaving good meat behind in the shell.

I’d go easy on the hush puppies early. They’re tempting, but filling up on fried dough before round two of crabs feels like a rookie mistake.

Groups can have a blast with this setup. Friends and family can trade picking tips while the trays keep coming.

Timing your arrival matters too. Crab service may wind down before closing time, so showing up earlier gives you the full window to enjoy it.

Plan for a relaxed pace, plenty of napkins, and a trip to that handy sink afterward. Your fingers will thank you later.

Shrimp Lovers Get Four Different Reasons To Show Up

Jumbo Gulf Shrimp lead a lineup that covers just about every shrimp mood. You’ll find grilled, fried jumbo, and spiced shrimp on the menu.

Spiced shrimp make a great opener for the table. Peeling them gives everyone something to do while the crabs steam.

Grilled shrimp work well for folks who want something lighter. Fried jumbo shrimp, meanwhile, deliver that crunchy, golden comfort food feeling.

Not everyone at your table wants to wrestle a crab, and that’s okay. Shrimp offer plenty of seafood flavor without any mallets involved.

The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar treats shrimp as a real star, not an afterthought. That’s good news for anyone who loves seafood but skips the shell cracking.

I can’t imagine a crab night here without a round of spiced shrimp. It sets the tone and keeps hungry hands busy.

Pairing shrimp with crabs also makes a fun sampler meal. You get variety, and nobody ends up bored halfway through dinner.

Sides like hush puppies or seasonal corn on the cob fit nicely too. Build your plate however feels right.

Crab Cakes, Crab Mac And More For The No-Mallet Crowd

Crab mac and cheese topped with a crab cake sounds like a dare, but it’s real. The jumbo lump crab mac and cheese gets crowned with a crab cake.

Jumbo lump crab cakes also come on their own, either broiled or fried. Broiled lets the crab shine, while fried adds a crisp outer layer.

Crab meat soup offers a cozy option for cooler beach evenings. Fried soft shell crab is another choice for anyone who wants to eat the whole thing, shell and all.

Seafood fans have even more to explore. Fried oysters, steamed clams, a daily fish special, and blackened fish sandwiches round out the menu.

A gluten-free and dairy-free crab dip sometimes appears as a special. Ask about it, because specials can change.

All of these let you enjoy crab without the work. That’s a big deal for younger diners, first-timers, or anyone wearing a nice shirt.

Save room for bread pudding if you can. It’s a sweet, comforting finish after all that savory seafood.

Honestly, the mac and cheese might be the boldest item on the board.

A Family Crab Story That Started Back In 1961

Long before this Delaware spot opened, Henry Vechery started the Bethesda Crab House in 1961. That’s where this whole crab tradition began.

Decades of steaming crabs taught the family a thing or two. The tradition of fresh seafood and crabs now spans more than 65 years.

Henry’s son, Donald Vechery, carried that know-how to the coast. He opened The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar around 2009.

That kind of family history gives a restaurant real roots. It’s not a trendy concept dreamed up last summer.

Crab houses depend on knowing suppliers, sizes, and steaming times. Generations of practice can make a meaningful difference in how things run.

I love that this is a family story first. A meal here connects you to a lineage of crab feasts stretching back to the early 1960s.

Brown paper tables and wooden mallets feel classic for a reason. They echo a style of crab eating that families have enjoyed for generations.

Next time you crack a claw here, give a little nod to Henry. His idea is still feeding hungry people today.

Look For The Big Blue Building On Coastal Highway

Blue is the color to watch for, and it’s hard to miss. The restaurant sits inside a big blue building along the highway.

You’ll find it at 16723 Coastal Hwy, Lewes, DE 19958. It’s just north of the Nassau Bridge, a few miles from Rehoboth Beach.

That location makes it an easy stop for beach-goers. You can spend the day on the sand and still reach dinner without a long drive.

Ample parking helps too. Even so, busy summer evenings can fill the lot, so arriving a bit early is smart.

Road trippers along the Delaware coast will find it convenient. It works nicely as a dinner stop before heading home after vacation.

Check the hours before you go. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays and opens at 3 PM Monday and Wednesday through Friday.

Weekends start earlier, with doors opening at noon on Saturday and Sunday. Closing time is 9 PM every day it operates.

Keep that schedule handy on your phone. Nothing stings like craving crabs on a Tuesday and finding the doors locked.

Brown Paper, Picnic Tables, And A Sink Built For Crab Hands

Fancy tablecloths would never survive a crab feast. That’s why brown paper covers the tables here, ready for shells and seasoning.

Picnic tables and stools give the room a laid-back, beachy feel. Nobody expects you to sit up straight and fold your napkin just so.

The star of the room might be the sink. A large stainless steel hand-washing station stands in the main dining area for crab-covered fingers.

It’s a small detail with big practical value. You can rinse up mid-meal without hunting for the restroom.

The atmosphere is lively and welcoming. It feels like the kind of place built for laughter, sticky hands, and long conversations.

Families fit right in. High chairs and a kids’ menu make it easier to bring the little ones along.

Casual is the dress code, more or less. Wear something you won’t mind getting a little Old Bay-adjacent.

The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar clearly designed its room around how people actually eat crabs. Function wins, and honestly, that’s charming.

Grab A Seat On The Screened Porch When The Weather Cooperates

Fresh air and crab shells make a pretty great team. Along with indoor tables, the restaurant offers outdoor seating, including a screened-in porch.

A screened porch is a smart setup at the beach. You get the breeze without inviting every bug in Sussex County to dinner.

Warm evenings feel made for this space. Cracking crabs outside just seems to fit the coastal mood.

Indoor seating stays ready for hot afternoons or rainy nights. Having both options gives you flexibility no matter the forecast.

Bigger groups may enjoy spreading out wherever space allows. Ask about seating when you arrive or reserve ahead.

Reservations are accepted and can be helpful on busy nights. Pair one with a crab size request, and your evening gets much easier.

The porch adds to that relaxed, vacation feeling. It’s the kind of spot where dinner can stretch on without anyone rushing.

Which seat would you pick: breezy porch or cozy dining room? Either way, the crabs taste just as good.

Not A Seafood Fan? Nobody Gets Left Out

Every family seems to have one person who won’t touch seafood. Luckily, this menu has that person covered too.

Chicken tender baskets and buffalo tender baskets are available. There’s also a half-pound Angus burger for anyone craving something hearty.

Blackened or grilled chicken breast sandwiches add more variety. Salads include Caesar, iceberg lettuce, and fresh spring mix options.

Classic sides fill in the gaps nicely. French fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, potato salad, and seasonal corn on the cob all appear on the menu.

Take-out and carry-out are available as well. That’s handy if you want a crab feast at your rental after a long beach day.

The kids’ menu makes family trips even simpler. Picky eaters can stay happy while the grown-ups get busy with mallets.

The Surfing Crab Restaurant and Bar manages to welcome everyone without losing its crab house identity. That balance isn’t always easy to pull off.

So bring the whole crew to this corner of Delaware. Someone will order crabs, someone will order a burger, and everyone wins.