Quarterdeck

Selfishly wary of giving this place too high a review, but it seems the public consensus beat me to it - and democracy nailed it this time around. This place is the bomb dot com - literally everything I got to try and enjoy here was phenomenal. And it's so accessible, nothing pretentious or priced past what quality seafood should be. Beer pitchers, low top tables, free smells in the air, and the sound of a loud kitchen and happy crowd. Heck yeah, it's a grand old time. I'd like to think I'll get to come here every time I make it back to DC, because the Good Lord knows it's a gamble eating seafood in large quantities in the Midwest.

first time for everything & thoroughly enjoyed! our waitress was amazing & patient, her recommendations were spot on… wish i remembered her name! i had the lobster roll & grilled crab cake OMG i never want a fried crab cake after that one! my cousin had a half dozen of crab legs & wings (which were superb).. it was so cool seeing the stacks of crabs 😂 if you aren’t a fan of noise this may disturb you, other than that it was a wonderful experience & i would visit again!

We were visiting from OKC and I was trying to find a new place to eat on a rainy night. This place was great. We sat in the bar area and it was the best service by a bar tender we have ever had. Also, the best fish and chips that I have had anywhere. We will definitely be back next time we are in town.

Good stream crab classic and very good crab legs! We also ordered Mac&cheese, hush puppies, broccoli, rice, corn, crab soup for the side. The cocktails were okay. The table outside was still quite hot at 7 pm and it got too dark to see after an hour we had to ask for the lamp to see the crab 😂

Second time visiting this place while visiting the DMV. This time, the food was very bland. The crab dip was better once we added Old Bay seasoning and though the broiled crab cakes were mostly crab, it lacked seasoning. My husband had the fish and chips, and he said the same thing, it needed seasoning. Other than that, the drinks and service were great.

The food and service are great in this no-frills seafood restaurant. There’s street parking so beware but still worth a trip. The setting is very casual and somewhere to hang with friends. I decided on something different and settled on this place. As mentioned, both food and service were great for me. I had the hush puppies for starters and the fried chicken sandwich, which both were delicious.

I was born and raised in VA and the wharf was the only blue crabs place my family and I have enjoyed going to for 43 years - finding quarterdeck was so random as I am an Arlingtonian native- best blue crabs ever, fresh, heavy, sweet, and delicious! Pricy! However you absolutely get what you pay for most definitely. Great service, nice ambiance, extremely busy but know to make reservations ahead of time is key! Excellent sides but save yourself from getting full because just the crabs alone will fill you up! Take your time enjoying every single bit of it cause it’s too good to waste!

BEWARE 20% GRATUITY WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR CHECK. We’re here for blue crab. We are party of 2pp Blue crab only serve in regular size. We ordered 1 dozen unfortunately some of them are not fresh. Crab dip is amazing. Recommend Lobter bisque is alright. Oysters half shell is tasty. Service was so poor. She all over the place. Have to go to the bar to get a second drink. I just wonder because of gratuity already added so she don’t have to service that much. We don’t mind to added service charge on if is good service. Disappointed but it’s ok. Perhaps Good food should come with good service specially when you want to added 20% service charges.

I don't know how or why it took me so long to try Quarterdeck. After seeing countless reviews on social media, I finally had the chance to check it out--and the hype is real! From the service to the food, everything was excellent. I ordered the fried oysters as my appetizer, and my cousin had the crab dip, which she loved. There was a generous amount of crab meat, and even my little cousin couldn't get enough of it! For our main meal, we shared a dozen extra-large crabs. They were heavy, meaty, and seasoned to perfection--sweet and succulent! We chose to sit outside, as it was a beautiful day. I'll definitely be back!

Love the food and service. The ambiance is not existence. For fresh delicious seafood this is your place. Dishes I had and grade. Medium steam crabs :(A) crabs are meaty and plenty of mustard. Crabcake and mesquite shrimp with rice and broccoli :(A) shrimp are grilled to perfection crabcake is amazing rice taste great broccoli cooked perfectly it's not too soft or hard. Softshell crab dinner (C+) the crabs were really good but for the price not enough food not worth the price point. Crab dip with nann bread (A+++) my favorite. Absolutely delicious! Salmon dinner (B) I think they could give you a bigger portion of salmon and a bit more moist. I love this place highly recommended.

There are not many crab houses left around the DC metro and this staple is a no frills neighborhood gem. Crabcakes, crabs, and sides are all delicious. It's such a random mix of people that come here to enjoy crab. Make sure you make a reservation as it is chaotic in the summer.

Great crab shack for some seafood! We got the crab dip as an appetizer and I had the lobster bisque and half of the medium half crabs and it was both filling and a good time. We went on a rainy day and sat on the covered patio and there were no problems. Our server checked in on us to make sure we were enjoying our food a couple times as well, so it was an overall greatexperience!

Been many times, great neighborhood crab spot. It's like a dive bar so it's great for a super casual lunch or dinner. The crab legs are always tasty and fresh, and everything else I've eaten here has been tasty, especially the mac+cheese and hushpuppies. I've never gotten full crabs but other diners have told me they're great. The pricing is solid too. The service generally depends on how busy they are - when there aren't a lot of people it's usually great but when it's packed the service tends to slip a bit. Still worth a visit if you like crabs/crab legs!

How is this place on the middle of the city. It is one of the best crab places that I have ever been to. The crabs were heavy and well steamed. Lobster bisque was fine restaurant quality. Can't wait to go back. Major awesome neighborhood vibe feel

Good Yelp reviews matter! This pack is a gem. Neighborhoody, fantastic fish and chips (as good quality fish as I've had for fish and chips, frankly), fresh oysters (!), deep beer list, solid sides, definitely this place is a keeper. No trouble getting a table on the patio on a Monday night, plenty of parking around, and I ate and drank like a king for $42. Which, around these parts, is not common. Wonderful, knowledgeable, fast and friendly service (great job, Tisha!). Outstanding. No wonder the crowd around me look like they have been here before - they probably have...

Came for Mother's Day. Be sure to make reservations in advance because this place gets filled! It felt like we were eating at the beach but really this place was tucked away in the neighborhoods. All surrounded by apartments. Very odd place to be. Delish though!! We got oysters and jumbo crabs and some sandwiches to share. At this time it was $170 for dozen jumbo crabs and I would agree they were true jumbo and meaty!

I enjoyed my visit. There's ample street parking and a few spots on the side of the restaurant but I can see it being a bit difficult to find a nearby spot if it's a busy day. It's tight indoors but I saw two medium size parties (about 8 guests) who were able to sit together at a table. The hosts were pleasant and seem to be really helpful. The mussels were a perfect start. The bread is soft. The white wine garlic butter cream sauce looks thicker than it is but it has a nice flavor. They only had medium crabs during our visit but we went ahead and put in the work to get our crab fix. There were a few light/close to empty crabs so that wasn't great but it wasn't a huge deal. There is a full bar - I enjoyed my simple strawberry daiquiri. Frankie was on point with checking on us and making his way to his indoor and outdoor tables. I like that there is a standalone sink available to wash your hands instead of having to go into the restroom. The restrooms are on the lower floor/basement area at the bottom of some steep steps. Thinking back to the steps, I'm not sure how accessible it is for those with mobility challenges. Overall I see why this is a regular spot for my friends and locals and I'm happy I came to visit. I could see myself coming back if I was in the area and wanted to enjoy some blue crabs in a casual atmosphere.

This place has such a reputation for good crabs we had to check it out. Reservations are a must , there is outdoor and indoor seating plus a small bar. We had a fabulous Henny Rita a few times lol fried wings, hush puppies and and grilled shrimp. Service was efficient food came out fast and we all agreed the crabs were excellent! X-Large crabs 83.00 for 1/2 dz and the rest plus tip came out 202.00. The food was tasty and def a must do if you enjoy MD style crabs.

I'm normally not a fan of eating with my hands but had heard great things about this restaurant so decided to give it a try. We were seated outside under the tent so everything is red, but I definitely enjoyed the crab which was flavorful and relatively easy to eat. The hush puppies were crisp and savory, and the wings were good too. Service felt a little disjointed but they were fairly attentive and it was busy. Would definitely consider coming back again.

This was my first time having this style of boiled crab, and it was a pretty enjoyable experience. What I got: Crab cakes- no filler, all crab. Solid. Half dozen of their smallest crabs- I was a bit concerned about finishing 6 crabs, but this was their smallest order size. It actually turned out to be quite manageable as blue crabs aren't that big if you're used to eating snow or Dungeness crab. They steam these to order and it takes 30-45 minutes for them to come out, so I recommend putting in your order right away. This preparation is super simple with Old Bay seasoning and clarified butter on the side, but it's very satisfying to eat. As a newb extracting all the meat and goodies inside the head takes some getting used to, but like anything, after a couple of repetitions you'll get the hang of it. A bit time-consuming to eat (took me about 45 minutes to get through all 6), but it's all part of the fun! This seems to be a popping spot locally, but I had no trouble getting a seat around noon at the bar as a solo diner. The atmosphere is no-frills and down-to-earth which I appreciated. Glad I made the trek over from DC! Next time I'll probably try their larger sizes of crab as I imagine you get more reward for your efforts.

We were visiting and decided to try this place out on a rainy evening. I didn't make a reservation but we were able to sit in the bar area. We felt like we were in a local pub. We loved the atmosphere. Service was great and the food came out quick and it was delicious. Probably the best fish and chips I've had ever. We will definitely be back on our next visit.

If I could can up the clam chowder and bring it home!! It was so creamy and hearty. Coming from the west coast we've had a good clam chowder in Monterey Bay, but after trying the one at Quarterdeck the bar has been lifted. We also had a Po'boy and that was a great choice too! Our waitress was very friendly, and the place itself felt like one of those hidden gems in a chill neighborhood; but boy is it popular, we came in at just the right time without a reservation and it filled up fairly quick. Great food and would definitely go back.

I came here with a party of 5 around 5:20 pm on a Monday. We were immediately seated outside and did not need a reservation. I started with the crab soup and oysters and enjoyed both. For the entree, I had the scallops and they were divine. I enjoyed the rice and green beans as well. I got a taste from the crab cakes and those were delicious as well. My whole party was pleased with their food and prices were on point. We will definitely come back if we are in the area.

Superb time picking crabs. Ordered a dozen XL and they were meaty, heavy and steamed to perfection. The brews were ice cold and the perfect compliment. Waitress was attentive and was amazing. R we joyed this quaint gem in Arlington.

You are never disappointed when you come here for crabs. They are always cooked to order. I love the home feeling you get when you eat crabs here! The staff is always friendly. I do return here as much as I can!

Arrived at the desired time for our reservations and got seated quickly. On this particular day we're able to find 3 parking spaces close to the restaurant, compared to other parking experiences. The service was little shaky in the beginning but it got better towards the ends. The XL male crabs definitely lived up to their size, they were HOT and meaty. The shrimp was good as well. Even though it was kinda hot and we reserved the patio, luckily we had a lil breeze come thru to make it comfortable.

We were hungry for crab. We got a half dozen steamed crabs and devoured them. Onion rings on the side and a delicious coleslaw. Service was good.

The food and service are great in this no-frills seafood restaurant. There's street parking so beware but still worth a trip. The setting is very casual and somewhere to hang with friends. I decided on something different and settled on this place. As mentioned, both food and service were great for me. I had the hush puppies for starters and the fried chicken sandwich, which both were delicious.

Walked in on a Tuesday afternoon and was able to sit right down for a table for two. But it did get really busy on the patio starting around 6pm! The mesquite grilled shrimp for a starter was super fresh and the crab dip was delicious! The jerk catfish is not overwhelmingly spicy but it had a good flavor. Overall, I recommend!

The food was on point, but the bugs and the heat were unbearable. They should have had misters outside. The service was good, but the waitress added when she dropped the bill that there is a 20% gratuity. However, the menu said otherwise. It said gratuity will be added to 6 or more guests. Wth!! That's illegal and it did not state anywhere that they changed the gratuity policy.

Our favorite "crab feast" location near DC! We come every year for a birthday dinner and it never disappoints. We recommend having at least the size large crabs and also trying a few of the appetizers like the fried oysters, soups, crab cakes, and hush puppies. Nice covered outdoor seating. Almost always need a reservation during crab season though.

Such a great place! We stopped in here on a trip to DC and had a great time. It's a small place so we were glad to get a table without a reservation for lunch. We did a half dozen of the large blue crab with two side salads and that was enough for two people! Our waitress was so nice and showed up how to break the crab apart even though they were super hot. It has a very dive bar feel which for us was great!

Great food and service, love this restaurant, must try. Better call for reservations.

This was my 1st visit to Quarterdeck to celebrate a birthday. It is hidden behind Ft. Myers in between that and Route 50. We ordered 2 dozen large male crabs, chicken Wings, a fried fish platter, and drinks. The fish and chicken were fried to perfection. No grease - very good. Seasoning on the side. The interior is a little on the small side but it works. Shout out to Collin he was great! Very attentive without hovering. We came back on Mother's day. Food was good seated outside. Nice atmosphere will return.

Food, service and atmosphere were stellar. I know crabs and these Larges (2 dozen) were sweet and full, seasoned well and hot. Our waiter and the rest of the crew were on point with the rest of the extremely tasty food (kids meals, mussels, oysters on the half shell, hush puppies, multiple beverages). Everything was perfect for our party of 10 and we had a blast. Highly recommend.

You can expect the same great taste each visit, never fails! Top 1 Seafood Restaurant in Arlington.

We had to wait a bit even with a reservation. Bartender was awesome in that he cared. Get the Bloody Mary. Food was obviously amazing if you get the blue crabs. We sat outside which was nice. I'd request it. Only complaint is the old bay seasoning on the crabs. Personally I'd eliminate it altogether but even just less of it would help!

We show the snow crab legs, a very large portion with hush puppies. Also, they made Mac and Cheese with Lobster! Fantastic. Great portions and tasty fresh food. Everyone was friendly. Atlas Bullpen Pilsner - from DC was very good. This is a must go to restaurant. Definitely coming back here.

Crabs were a nice size. Place is small but it was nice to sit out on the deck. Service could be improved. The waiters and waitresses were nice but seemed to be all over the place. Beer choices were great! However the Paloma and the tequila shots we ordered tasted like water.

Food was excellent here!!! And the service was fantastic!! The blue crab were perfectly seasoned and flavorful. They also were the size we ordered which isn't always the case. We were very happy with our meal. And the crab cakes were AMAZING!!! You definitely have to order those! Next time I'll try the lobster roll! Can't wait to return.

Service here was great! We came here later in the evening and were treated upon arrival, seated quickly and waited on promptly. There is both indoor and outdoor seating that is screened in. Food was delicious! We ordered hush puppies, lobster macaroni and cheese and fried oysters with onion rings.

Met up with a co-worker who is moving OoS and wanted to have a MD blue crabs send off. Atmosphere is cozy (a plus) and the parking cozier. They have a parking lot but it's tiny so it took us 15 min to find a parking spot in the surrounding residential area. Our waitress was great and so were the cocktails. They make a great margarita. Buuut the crabs..unfortunately weren't my favorite. Definitely overpriced, as compared to similar establishments, not as heavy as expected and slightly overcooked. We got the extra large and pushed through them pretty quickly but, I guess not quick enough. lol Towards the end of our meal the hostess walked very to inform us that whomever reserved the table after us had arrived. Not sure what she wanted us to do with that information, especially considering there were empty tables around us. I let her know we were waiting on our dessert and she quickly said oh you can go ahead and enjoy your dessert. Gee thanks! Note - we also had a reservation and were never informed that there was a time limit on the tables. I still don't know if there is one posted somewhere (we looked and didn't see it) or if this was just mismanagement. She returned to let us know she had spoken with the next reservation (who was seated on the patio) and they actually preferred to stay where they were. Ok. As for the food, the key lime pie was the best thing I had out of the $250 meal (1dz crabs, 2 margaritas, 3 beers, 1 key lime pie, auto-incl tip) that they were eager for us to wrap up. I'll pass on this one.

Went for a birthday. Made reservations well in advance due to reviews that said the restaurant was always busy. Changed the time of reservation that day. Arrived at the restaurant and the table was waiting for us. Took awhile to get drink after being seated. Ordered crab dip for an appetizer and it was disappointing. Had crab cake and grilled shrimp for dinner with a side of fries and salad. Aside from the salad having 1,000 red onions everything was perfect. Also had a taste of onion rings which weren't good but onion rings aren't my thing anyway.

I'm the TRUE DUTCHESS of Quarterdeck!! It's always a treat coming back home to the East Coast. Of course I had to get my fix of crabs! So, I opted for the Clam Chowder Soup with Crab cake broiled...I placed on the top, because that's the way it should be served NOM! Then I ordered 2lb Snow Crab with an additional cluster. My sister ordered a garden salad with fried shrimp and honey mustard dressing. Can I just say, the food was AMAZING!! The service by Yésica was on point and we were taken care of for sure. The ambiance is cool! It's a true seafood spot that has never disappointed!! If you're around...it's a must that you stop by and enjoy! If you like my post, please like, follow, and leave a comment below. Cheers!

Great food and the Service is always friendly. Dog friendly patio too. Perfect place to have a few afternoon drinks and enjoy the sunshine.

When we were in DC, we wanted some blue crabs. After some research, we found Quarterdeck. It did not disappoint! It was a happening place, and friendly staffs. We ordered a dozen of blue crabs, we thoroughly enjoyed them. While we were waiting, we also ordered their soup to tie us over. Don't get me wrong, there were other items on the menu such as pasta and sandwiches, but we didn't want to soil our appetite.

We had to sit at the bar because it was fully booked. The bartender was very rude!!! Our bill was 199.09. After paying our bill, we tipped the bartender $20 in cash. He begins to state " he doesn't need it, we need it more than he does". Basically stating he should receive "more" money as a tip because he took "care of us". As a regular who always comes to quarterdeck that's was very insulting to myself and my mother. You don't "tell" anyone especially a customer that they should "tip you more". He becomes upset and hostile. Myself and my mom was very offended!!! I never seeen this man before. He has pretty eyes and works at the bar. This has

Fresh seafood. Fast service and friendly. Nice ambiance. Easy to find parking. I will going back to try the crab next time.

First time here and not my last. Succulent crabmeat and excellent oysters. Had a gathering with over 45 friends

If you're coming for CRABS...this is the place! But, the fried oysters, Mini crab cakes & hush puppies are delicious too! Super casual with outdoor seating but come early or make reservations. Never had bad crabs from here and I've been coming for YEARS!!! Full bar w/a few signature cocktails!!! The servers run! They're busy but they t be to their tables.

Whew those crabs were huge! Perfectly seasoned and prepared perfectly. Caution, order time you sit down. They take 35 minutes. Definitely make a reservation, this place gets packed! I mean packed packed and quickly! The wait is almost 1-2 hours. We came back the next day with a reservation. They do need to retire that steak and cheese sandwich! It was a hot mess. Parking is a huge issue. If you don't get here early, idk where you're going to park without getting towed. All parking spaces off there property warn of being towed. That also was a huge hassle and perfect reason why you should come on a reservation and make it early so you can enjoy your experience. You really can set yourself up for a nightmare if you don't! Eat good and then have to walk home won't be the highlight of your day!

We drove an hour to get to the restaurant and once i went to put my name down for a party of 3, I was told that they were not taking parties that small in size. BUT there were multiple parties of 2 seated at the time. I have never had issues with party sizes before and thought this was ridiculous. Not to mention she had a bad attitude.

We've visited Quarterdeck several times for both lunch and dinner. In addition to their exceptional, fresh crab, the service is truly outstanding. The restaurant has a warm, family-friendly atmosphere that makes you feel instantly welcomed. This unique hidden gem is the perfect spot to indulge if you're a fan of crab meat or seafood in general.

This place is really nice nothing famous bird down on earth. I didn't have a full plate of food. I didn't feel good but I did eat some fresh crab claws and looked at other peoples and they came out. They were very I just wasn't feeling well. the place was crowded. The crab claws were delicious hot and seasoned very well. I can't wait appetite back Seafood. I'll be there for sure.

Decided to try quarterdeck again. Paid $90 total for half a pound of shrimp, one dozen crabs, and a $5. tip for a Carryout order. They keep your order in the back. When you come in and ask for it, they go in the back to get it. They have also had the opportunity to see you. I'm going to blame it on the fact that I can't seem to get a decent seafood takeout order from this location in Arlington,, VA. The size of my order or the quality of the seafood are always an issue. I know I don't have a half a pound of shrimp. 7 shrimp. The crabs have several missing legs. They weren't crowded, but that's how they roll. So I'm going to roll on to another seafood location. PS:, The crabs and shrimp taste decent. The crabs had a lot of that yellow and orange stuff in them. I had to wash them off. I've been eating crabs for over 40 years. I've never had to do that before. Maybe Maryland crabs are different.

Unfortunately, they were out of crabs when we visited but we were really famished and ordered away. Everything was as you would expect. Two people in our party who both have been and are Quarterdeck fans agreed that without a tabletop of crabs- it'll be a pass

We were in the area for my sons birthday and he knew he wanted blue crabs so I looked at some places and this seemed to have a pretty good menu that I thought he would like. We had a 5:30 reservation and were about 15/20 minutes late but they held our table for us since it wasn't that busy. The crabs are steamed to order here so they do take a little bit to come out but we didn't mind since we ordered some oysters and crab balls while we waited. Everything tasted really fresh and good. My son and I shared oysters and crabs and my husband got the fish and chips. My son also got a kids pizza and ate everything. They didn't have extra large or jumbo crabs so we got the large but it turned out to be the perfect amount and they were very meaty.