Cantler's Riverside

Always a good meal at Cantler's! Menu is a bit pricey but what a view and location...Jimmy Buffet playing on the patio. Tried the chopped salad with blackened Rockfish -tasty! Also ordered the crab dip. The place was slow on a sunny February day but last few visits it was packed! Great place for a drink or meal with friends or family.

The server (Madison) was great for the most part, considering that she was waiting on MANY tables simultaneously. However, this took her away from being able to check-in on us (party of six) from time to time to refill our drinks. If a [small] cup of soda is going to be priced at high price of $3.76 WITH REFILLS, then we should EXPECT refills.As far as food goes, along with pricing, the following comments:(1) the Clam Chowder cups...which are SMALL...are way overpriced at $8.00;(2) the Calamari starter ($16.00) is the absolute worst calamari that I've ever had; hardly ate any of it;(3) the Crab Pretzel starter ($21.00) was "okaaayyyyy", but not nearly as good as the one we had at the Alley restaurant on the Naval Academy; Cantler's may want to visit The Alley and get some pointers on what makes a great crab pretzel;(4) the Raw Oysters ($24.00/dozen) were great.....but.....I also ordered a dozen of the Fried Oysters (basket) ($32.00) which I was VERY disappointed in. Had I known that the fried ones would be so bad (and overpriced as a result), I would have gotten another dozen of the raw.Generally speaking, found the place to be way overpriced for what was served. The best part of the meal was the Raw Oysters (no disappointment there), but the rest was mediocre at best.

Can't wait to make the drive out to eat crabs. Went with some elders in my life and the wait staff have always been patient with our table. They actually were looking forward to seeing one waiter again.Food comes out hot. Seating can be a bit tight, but everyone there knows you are there for the food, so it doesn't matter much.Worth driving over an hour to eat here.

Got to drive a little ways off the beaten path to find this place, but worth the effort. Visited on a Saturday night with my family of 7 and we were one of the few patrons there. We got a little bit of everything to try, including one dozen XL steamed blue crabs. The service was great! The food was solid, very good and I'd try it all again, but nothing that I would have to visit again. We were in town for my son's track meet at The Naval Academy and it was my other son's birthday. Nothing was done to make it special, but the waiter was very friendly. The place looked more like a dive bar with cheap chairs, paper table covers, and plastic cups, but that didn't bother me. However, their minimal non-alcoholic drink menu was disappointing. After tax and tip the tab came to $335 for the 7 of us.

On our way to my husbands family farm outside of Chestertown, we stopped at Cantler's Riverside Inn, and it was an absolute gem! Established in 1974, this iconic spot has clearly stood the test of time, and it's easy to see why.The crab is simply outstanding--fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. We ordered a feast: steamers, a dozen large crabs, a pretzel with crab dip, fried cod, and clam chowder. Every dish was incredible, showcasing a commitment to quality and freshness. Even the fries and slaw that came with the fried cod were super good!The service was excellent, and the waterside location made the experience even better. With unbeatable views and a relaxed, picturesque atmosphere, it's the kind of place that makes you want to linger and soak it all in.If you're looking for authentic seafood and a memorable dining experience, Cantler's is a must-visit. We'll definitely be back!

Drove into Annapolis and made my first stop at Cantlers. I was early enough on a week day that the parking lot was full, but not crazy. Stepped inside and we were seated quickly outside. I loved having views of the water in Mill Creek. Tables outside are communal benches and another couple was seated further down from us. Although we were seated quickly, server never showed up. Couple next to us put their orders in and started receiving drinks and food and we had to flag someone down. They seemed embarrassed that our assigned server had disappeared. That was the only snafu.I was there for the Steam Crabs and they delivered. 1/2 dozen with J.O. crab seasoning. Excellent.Perfect way to start my weekend in Annapolis.

It's a twisting turning drive out to Cantler's Riverside, Annapolis. Going out there after dark can be a challenge as the road often is down to a single lane. But, the risks are all worthwhile, because this crab house has been steaming crustaceans for 50 years and has earned its reputation through satisfying generations of seafood loving customers. We were there on the recommendation of friends with family in the area. We were not disappointed in the least. The knotty pine predominated in the bar/dining room. The large rear porch overlooking Mill Creek was more popular, but the chill in the air kept us inside. We ordered three Super size crabs for the shellfish lover, and the Fried Oyster Sandwich pour moi. Armed with wooden mallet, short blade knife and thin long arm single pronged fork, she went wild slamming the claws, legs and main shell to extract every morsel of the sweet white crab meat. Perhaps, a little salty from the spice mix, but not enough to deter her ardor for the lucious prize. I helped out, but had my own fete with the 6 deep fried local oysters that presented on top of a brioche roll. A little dab of white will do 'ya, as I devoured those little dudes and threw down the side of chips (tots). It was all great; not the least significant being the completely rustic timeless atmosphere of the house. Service (Veronica) was excellent if not audacious. Turned out that a large claw was missing from the crab order (Shit happens). We mentioned it to her, and next thing we knew, another server stopped by to deliver a large plate with five more claws as sincere and generous compensation. Over and above, was all we could say. By the time we were done, the brown paper placed on the table was stained and littered with shell bits, and the pail put there was full of large crab appendages and exoskeletons. We had run through so many napkins because this was a full bore hands-on experience. If our hands and lips weren't a slippery mess, we're just weren't doing it right! All fun delicious things must come to an end, but we also demolished a slice of Key Lime Pie before the night faded toward moonrise. Definitely a bucket list experience.

It was a beautiful day, so we decided to sit outside on the deck overlooking the water. Obviously we had to order crabs, and we got a half dozen medium for the 2 of us. We also got some hushpuppies on the side.The crabs were piping hot and covered in seasoning! We're not experienced crab pickers, so they ended up room temperature by the time we got through with our second ones. The meat was so sweet and juicy - just perfect! The hush puppies were also the perfect amount of sweet, and they were especially yummy with the butter :)

Creating memories with the ones you love is special to me! My 800th review had to be special! Fourth of July 2024 my significant other and I ventured to Cantler's Riverside. He's a certified foodie and knows all the cool places to go. I always know anywhere he goes, is stellar! He wanted crabs and so Cantler's it was; it was literally the place to be. It opened at 11 a.m. and by noon there was already a 45 minute wait. People wait hours just to eat here. So that is telling! We got seated quickly because we aren't scared of sun! Ooooooh it was hot! Food was great! Ambiance was beautiful. Anything by the water is perfect to me. I didn't want to break my nails so I opted for the seafood broiler platter and that was delicious. Healthy option for those wanting to stay clear from fried foods. Asparagus was overcooked but scallops, shrimp and fish were great! My Beaus crabs were delicious! He shared!Frozen Daiquiris were great! Overall fun, delicious, and cute spot for seafood! I'd definitely return. #perfect4ththankyoubaby

Cantler's is a must if you love jumbo crabs and a beautiful view on the water. My friends come here every year and sent me an invite. We requested to sit outside and it was about a 25 minute wait on a Saturday. The view was an amazing right on the water. We ordered a feast, the highlight is the jumbo crab. They are seasoned well and very juicy. My mouth is watering thinking about it. The crab dip was also good. I would come back again.The parking is limited and cantler's is a bit pricey however it's worth every penny.