Delicious Crab Cakes: Easy Recipe & Dover’s Best Picks

Editor: Dhruv Gaur on Mar 25,2025

 

Crab cakes are a favorite dish, particularly along the United States' Eastern Seaboard. Rich, savory in flavor, and tender in texture, these golden brown patties are the epitome of coastal cuisine. Whether served at a seaside restaurant or made in your own home, crab cakes provide a delicious taste of the ocean.

Dover Delaware, is a great place to try real, top-quality crab cakes. Dover is a city with a strong heritage in seafood traditions, and so it has several restaurants that provide some of the tastiest crab cakes in the area. The following guide discusses everything you might want to know about crab cakes—from making the best recipe for crab cakes at home to learning where to go and get them while in Dover.

The Nature of Crab Cakes

Fundamentally, crab cakes honor the tender sweetness of crab meat. Hailing from the Chesapeake Bay region, specifically Maryland, crab cakes have a rich history based on the region's rich blue crab population. The secret to a great crab cake is its simplicity emphasizing the crab meat without overpowering it with fillers or too much seasoning.

Classic crab cakes are light and flaky in texture and have delicate flavors. Although there are variations, a traditional recipe keeps the emphasis on fresh lump crab meat, light binders, and mild seasonings that complement but do not overpower the natural flavor of the crab.

Similar Read: Top 10 Restaurants in Dover, DE: Best Rated Places to Eat

The Best Crab Cakes Recipe

Craving for restaurant-style crab cakes in the comfort of your own home? Using the proper ingredients and method, you can duplicate this favorite dish in your own kitchen. A good balance in a crab cakes recipe allows the sweet crab flavor to be maintained without losing the ideal texture for a crispy but tender bite.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh lump crab meat (blue crab preferred)
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 large egg, beaten slightly
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter (for frying)
  • Salt and pepper to taste, black

Instructions

First, carefully go over the lump crab meat to eliminate any loose pieces of the shell so the meat can be as smooth and delightful to eat. In a big mixing bowl, whisk the beaten egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Old Bay seasoning, parsley, and lemon juice together until nicely mixed. Fold in the crab meat gently, being careful to preserve the lumps for optimal texture. Then add the crushed crackers or panko breadcrumbs and gently stir carefully until it is just combined without over-mixing.

Once the mixture is prepared, form it into uniformly sized patties, three inches in diameter and one inch thick. Place the patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows them to firm up and be easier to handle and not fall apart while cooking.

When it is time to cook, heat a tablespoon of vegetable oil or butter in a skillet over medium heat. Put the crab cakes in the skillet and cook for about three to four minutes on each side until they are golden brown on the outside and warmed through. After cooking, put them on a plate covered with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately with tartar sauce, fresh lemon wedges, or a light aioli for the perfect finishing touch.

Suggested Read: Top British Restaurants in Dover: A Culinary Delight Awaits

Best Places to Eat Crab Cakes in Dover, Delaware

women eating salmon crab cake with knife and fork

If you’re in Dover Delaware and looking for expertly prepared crab cakes, the city boasts several fantastic eateries offering this local favorite. Each restaurant brings its own unique twist to this beloved dish, ensuring a delightful experience for seafood lovers.

1. Cool Springs Fish Bar & Restaurant

A premier seafood destination, Cool Springs Fish Bar is renowned for its freshly prepared seafood and iconic crab cakes. The quality and flavor focus of the restaurant make it a destination worth visiting. The crab cakes at this restaurant are crafted from high-quality lump crab meat with a minimal amount of fillers, ensuring a well-balanced dish that seafood lovers praise.

2. Restaurant 55

This Dover institution offers some of the city's finest crab cakes. Praised for its homey atmosphere and dedication to freshness, Restaurant 55's crab cakes are rewarded with perfect seasoning and texture. The chef pays close attention to detail so each bite is full of rich, buttery flavor, making it a highlight of their menu.

3. Sambo's Tavern

Situated in nearby Leipsic, only a short drive from Dover, Sambo's Tavern is renowned for its classic Delaware-style crab cakes. The restaurant's waterfront location with views of nature further complements the dining experience. At this restaurant, you can indulge in crab cakes in a casual atmosphere, where there is attention to fresh, local seafood cooked to perfection.

4. Touchdown Sports Bar

For a relaxed atmosphere, Touchdown Sports Bar in Dover serves a tasty crab cake platter, usually accompanied by fries and coleslaw—a wonderful game-day dining choice. Their crab cakes contain an interesting combination of spices that add an extra punch and are an excellent option for people who like strong flavors.

5. Pleasanton's Seafood

Pleasanton's Seafood offers top-notch seafood, and their crab cakes are no different. This little gem is a local favorite for delicious, fresh crab cakes. Their dedication to using locally sourced products guarantees that each bite is full of the real flavor of Dover's coastal dishes.

6. McGlynns Pub & Restaurant

A true local favorite, McGlynns Pub serves its own crab cakes plenty big and unassailably tasty. The McGlynns crab cake has got an exterior that is crisp and just a little welcoming crunch outside the tender lump crab meat paired with some of their own unique sauces and fresh sides. This makes it an honest meal in the setting of a pub. 

7. The Grey Fox Grille & Public House

Elegant but informal, the restaurant refines classic seafood cuisine, which populates the menu, including some of the best crab cakes in town. With crab cakes full of crab meat and spice, The Grey Fox Grille's version takes the distinction of house-made remoulade for dipping, complicating the already rich and savory taste.

Tips for Enjoying Crab Cakes

  • Pairings: Coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a green salad make fine pairings for crab cakes. For beverages, Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer can be paired with them. Fresh lemon juice squeezed on top of the crab cakes is an added delight.
  • Sauces: Top your crab cakes with tartar sauce, remoulade, or lemon aioli for an extra kick of flavor. Try various dipping sauces to discover your favorite combination.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to two days. Reheat over low heat in a skillet for optimal texture. Microwaving is not recommended, as it will make the crab cakes soggy.
  • Preparation Method: Though the old school is to pan-fry them, baking or air-frying crab cakes presents a healthier option. Baked at 375°F for a span of 15 minutes creates a crunchy exterior and maintains a soft interior.
  • Serving Style: Crab cakes can be used as an appetizer, a main course, or even a sandwich. Attempt to put them on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, and a pat of remoulade for a tasty crab cake sandwich.

Read you may like: Exploring Dover's Best Comfort Food Restaurants

Conclusion

Whether at home or in the region's best restaurants, crab cakes are a pleasure every food lover must try. Dover, Delaware, boasts a rich seafood culture where crab cakes shine like a local specialty made with the freshest ingredients and expert hands. When prepared properly, crab cakes do justice to the inherent sweetness and softness of crab meat, thus tantalizing your taste buds. A staple in a seafood lover's heart, crab cakes will always be revered for their preparation either crispy and golden from a prized restaurant or fresh from the kitchen.


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