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Best Places To Eat Crab In Orange County

crab header
Orange County is known for its share of delicious seafood restaurants. For those of you who love this delicious cuisine, grab a bib and claw your way to one of these places in Orange County to eat some delicious crab.
Crab Cooker
(credit: Crab Cooker)

The Crab Cooker
2200 Newport Blvd
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(949) 673-0100
Additional Location In Tustin
www.crabcooker.com

The Crab Cooker was a dream of owner Bob Roubian, who upon returning from World War II, scrimped and saved until he had enough to open his seafood restaurant in 1951. Not only can you dine on the freshest crustaceans at Newport's landmark restaurant, you can also take home the seafood from the seafood market located onsite. Customers can choose from King Crab killer claws from Alaska served with lots of meat or Alaska King Crab, which is sweet and juicy, with the shell pre-cut for easy eating, Dungeness crab meat (not the fake stuff) already shelled and ready to eat and whole Dungeness crabs that weigh two to three pounds each.

Kickin Crab
(credit: Kickin' Crab)

Kickin' Crab
Four OC Locations
www.thekickincrab.com

Get ready to go crabbing at the Kickin' Crab and that means wash your hands and hide the silverware. This restaurant specializes in Louisiana-style seafood and Cajun cuisine, where you can eat everything by hand….well, almost everything -- they do provide spoons for the chowder. The Dungeness crab legs at Kickin' Crab are baked in bags coated in Cajun seasonings and mixed with a choice of: ears of corn, shrimp, crawfish, clams, potatoes, sausages or lobster. The atmosphere is very casual -- you eat your dinner out of a bag or on a paper table covering and use your hands. It is highly advised to forgo an evening dress or anything white when dining at the Kickin' Crab, where it's OK to get dirty.

Boiling Crab
(credit: Boiling Crab)

The Boiling Crab
13892 Brookhurst St
Garden Grove, CA
(714) 636-4885
www.theboilingcrab.com

Finger lickin', lip smackin', Cajun lovin' good is why crab lovers line up to enjoy the Boiling Crab's cuisine. This restaurant with 13 locations has been featured in multiple publications and TV shows such as The Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate." Boiling Crab guests need to come prepared and expect to get their hands messy while devouring the sweet tender crab meat cooked in their famous "Whole Sha-bang" sauce. There are no plates -- the meals are served in a bag and silverware is optional. The owners of the Boiling Crab have captured an authentic Louisiana Creole blend of spices for their crabs, making guest feel as if they are dining in the bayou.

wind and sea restaurant
(credit: Wind And Sea Restaurant)

Wind And Sea Restaurant
34699 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 496-6500
www.windandsearestaurants.com

Get your crab on at the Wind and Sea Restaurant located on the water in Dana Point Harbor. Since the restaurant has water on three sides, every table has a spectacular view of the ocean. Crustacean lovers can feast on daily selections of Alaskan king crab in a tropical atmosphere. For guests with different tastes, they can also enjoy a juicy steak, lobster or vegetarian platter. Compliment the King Crabs with one of Wind and Sea Restaurant's wines. The wine selection has earned a Wine Spectator Award for the past six years.

Rockin Fish
(credit: Rockin Fish)

Rockin Fish
422 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 497-3113
www.rocknfishrestaurants.com

Ladies throw on a sundress and heels and men find some beachy but fashionable wear and dine on crab legs in a slightly more upscale atmosphere in the heart of Laguna Beach. Rockin Fish is located in downtown Laguna Beach, overlooking a legendary strip of the Pacific Ocean. The beach atmosphere draws you into craving fresh sweet seafood. Rockin Fish offers crab legs that go great with their legendary Navy Grog rum cocktail. You can enjoy King Alaskan Crab Legs or for a twist, try the ROCK'N Louisiana crab cakes served with a spicy remoulade and tartar sauces….oh soo good!

Michelle Mears-Gerst is a writer in South Orange County who can also be found at @sunnynsocal.
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