It’s not really surprising that Philadelphia has an abundance of restaurants serving crab cakes, given the city’s proximity to waters that each year yield tons of blue crabs. The ready availability of the key ingredient, and Philadelphia’s vast pool of cooking talent, combine to turn out crab cakes that are truly memorable.
Part of a regional chain, this center-city restaurant and its siblings serve up more than 30,000 jumbo lump crab cakes a week, including wholesale sales to area supermarkets and other restaurants. The Philadelphia restaurant, operated by Robert Sliwowski (Bobby Chez), serves a five-ounce crab cake, the recipe for which was originated by Sliwowski’s father and first introduced to the public in 1997. The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday.
Bobby Chez
1352 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 732-1003
bobbychezcrabcakes.com
This tiny soul-food restaurant, located near the campus of St. Joseph’s University, serves up crab cakes that some reviewers have praised as rich and moist. The eatery is also justly famous for its fried chicken, collard greens and cornbread. Lunch and dinner are served here seven days a week.
DeBreaux’s
2135 N 63rd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19151
(215) 877-4559
Part of a small chain, this Rittenhouse Square restaurant serves up a variety of seafood dishes, including a crab cake about which Philadelphia Weekly reviewer Robin Rinaldi observed that “the usual binders have given way to chunks of rich crustacean.” Rinaldi also praised the Creole remoulade and mango tartar sauce that were served as condiments with the crab cakes. The Devon serves lunch and dinner daily.
Devon Seafood Grill
225 S 18th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 546-5940
devonseafood.com/home.aspx?location_id=96
This seafood emporium, located not far from the riverfront in one of Philadelphia’s historic neighborhoods, has been honored multiple times with Philadelphia magazine’s “Best of Philly” award. As its name makes clear, this is a prime destination for crab lovers, serving not only crab cakes but also a wide array of other menu items featuring crab. DiNardo’s serves lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner seven nights a week.
DiNardo’s Famous Crabs
312 Race St.
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 925-5115
dinardos.com
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, close to City Hall, this restaurant is part of a nationwide chain that serves up praiseworthy crab cakes as well as other dishes made with fresh seafood flown in daily from around the globe. Favorites include crab hash, cod fish and chips, and almond-crusted halibut. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner daily.
McCormick & Schmick’s
1 S Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 568-6888
mccormickandschmicks.com/Locations/philadelphia-Pennsylvania/SouthBroadSt.aspx
Operated by the Mink family, this center-city restaurant is widely renowned not only for its oyster dishes but other types of seafood as well. Its popular Maryland crab cakes are made with jumbo lump crabmeat and served with Chesapeake remoulade, fingerling potatoes and green beans. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday.
Oyster House
1516 Sansom St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 567-7683
oysterhousephilly.com
