Crab cakes on Kent Island, MD
We have a weekend house here, so we do a ‘two day stay’ every weekend! That’s a lot of time to return to restaurants, try many things, and get the best recommendations to you. If you’re nearby in DC, Baltimore, Annapolis, or Wilmington, take two days to visit this area and try some of the best Maryland crab cakes you’ve ever tasted.
Places to stay
The loveliest place to stay on Kent Island is the Inn at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club. Every detail is well done, the staff is consistently accommodating and friendly, both the restaurant Knoxie’s Table and the grab and go Market have great food options, and the small spa has very reasonably priced massages, facials, and scrubs.
A worthy alternative to the Inn is the recently renovated Kent Island Resort (formerly known as the Kent Manor Inn) just a few minutes away down Route 8. At the end of a long stretch of tree-lined road, this boutique property has a quaint bar, a restaurant 18TWENTY with a beautiful setting, and water sports seasonably available during warm months of the year.
If you’d like to stay at a place that is walkable to restaurants and nightlife, the Hyatt Place Kent Narrows opened in 2022, is waterfront with an indoor pool and many rooms with waterfront, sunset rooms. Kent Narrows has many dining options, which is the main draw of staying at the Hyatt, along with the water views. Nearby you can find the other great restaurants, including The Narrows, Bridges, Fisherman’s Inn, the Crab Deck, and the Jetty
Where to eat
For the astounding views and impeccable crab dishes, make a reservation at Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen. The cream of crab soup, crab cake sandwich, and bayside Cobb (with crab meat) are three dishes highly recommended at Libbey’s.
A ‘fit for foodies’ alternative to Libbey’s is Knoxie’s Table within the Inn, where you’ll also find great crab cakes (we recommend you have one atop one of Knoxie’s delicious salads complimented by a glass of white wine. Steak is also great here and, while not waterfront, both the interior (cozy) and exterior porch (sunny and appealing) offer great settings.
Beet salad with crab cake and wine on the patio at The Market in the Inn at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club
For Maryland crabs on the beach, try Kentmorr Beach Bar and Grill where you can crack your crabs open in the restaurant, on a beachfront deck, or on a small strip of beach beside the outdoor bar. For crabs on the wharf the Fisherman’s Crab Deck is a decades-long favorite of our family, but it’s popular so you may have to wait for a table.
View of the Chesapeake from Kentmorr
Maryland crab and cream of crab soup at Kentmorr
On the water across from the famous Harris Crab House, is the relatively new restaurant Dock House. We had great fried oysters, raw oysters, crab cake over a green salad, and homemade chicken tenders.
When you’re tired of seafood Adam’s Grille is good comfort food, with ribs being their specialty. They are located in a strip mall on the way to Queenstowne, so good for a pitstop on your way to shopping at the premium outlet mall there.
Things to do
Walk the trails near the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center. Alternatively, rent a kayak or paddleboard at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center or hike the walking trails of Terrapin Nature Park.
Ferry point park near the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitors Center near Kent Narrows
Bike the Cross Island Trail - a great way to see the island and most hotels offer free bikes for use by guests.
Shop at the Queenstowne Premium Outlets.
Go wine tasting at the Love Point Winery. The waterfront property has Adirondacks on a law with views, wine flights, and light snacks.
Take a half-day trip to Easton and St. Michaels - while in Easton, eat at The Wardroom or Scossa. Easton also offers great historic tours that feature the history of Harriet Tubman, born in nearby Dorchester County, Md.
While in St. Michaels, eat at The Ruse or splurge on a meal and spa day at the Inn at Perry Cabin and visit the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse and the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
View of the Chesapeake Bay from the top of the 1879 Strait Lighthouse in St. Michaels
