The smell of salt air, the feeling of sand between your toes, and the taste of a fresh, flavorful crab cake on your tongue. It’s the quintessential coastal, summer vibes. So whether you’re patiently awaiting your coastal vacation, impatiently stuck between tropical excursions, or are simply craving quality seafood, treat yourself to the finest crab cakes in Chicago. Check out our picks for the seven absolute best crab cakes the city has to offer.
See Also: The 9 Best Barbecue Spots In Chicago
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218 W Kinzie Street / Website
This Michelin Guide steakhouse serves a divine freshly-baked crab cake crafted with preserved lemons, creamy remoulade, and pure blue crab. Also deliciously crabby is the crab stuffed avocado. Bavette’s is moody and sexy, with dim lighting, exposed brick walls, vintage brown leather lounging couches, and elegant chandeliers, making it a stellar date night restaurant. Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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52 W Elm Street / Website
Enjoy sustainably-sourced, fresh crab cakes at this Michelin Guide restaurant run by Oprah Winfrey’s former personal chef. Blue Door is known for its monstrous crab cakes, made with crab, saffron aioli, frisée, ref bell peppers, and sweet corn. Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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300 N LaSalle Street / Website
Head to this Michelin Guide, celebrity-loved steakhouse for a decadent Maryland crab cake, served with spinach salad and lemon remoulade. There’s a variety of other seafood dishes on the menu, like Chilean sea bass, grilled branzino, and “lobstercargot.” Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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531 N Wells Street / Website
Enjoy crab among a nautically-inspired interior at GT Fish and Oyster, a member of Chicago’s Michelin Guide. On the menu, find a delicious crab cake served with pickled vegetables and red pepper aioli. There’s a variety of other crab dishes on the menu as well, like a half-pound king crab, snow crab claws, and prime Carolina soft shell crabs. Reservations are encouraged and can be placed here.
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1024 N Rush Street / Website
Head to Hugo’s Frog Bar for a large selection of Michelin Guide quality seafood and crab dishes. The flavorful crab cake is made with jumbo lump crab and hot pink mayonnaise. Other crab menu items include the Crab Louie (pictured above), a crab salad seafood tower, and lump crab mac and cheese. Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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192 E Walton Street / Website
Pop by this Magnificent Mile staple for tasty crab cakes and quality cuts of steak. The menu features a Maryland crab cake, topped with greens and loaded with large chunks of crab. Browse through the lengthy wine list or ask the restaurant's staff for a delightful wine pairing to suit your meal. Reservations can be made here.
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21 E Hubbard Street / Website
Enjoy quality, sustainably-sourced seafood at one of Chicago’s longest-standing restaurants. On the menu, find a section devoted purely to crab dishes. Entries include a jumbo lump crab cake, Maryland-style crab cake, Caribbean stone crab claws, blue crab fingers, and North Carolina softshell crab. The interior of the restaurant is inspired by the 1940s and features a white linen-doused, formal dining room, and a lively oyster bar. Reservations are recommended and can be made here.
Photography by: Lauri Patterson / Getty Images
