A soft pretzel split flat, slathered with creamy crab dip and melted cheese, then baked until bubbling. It is the bar-snack form of Baltimore's crab obsession, built for sharing over a pitcher.

The crab pretzel is a relatively modern Maryland bar invention, marrying the soft pretzel to the region's crab dip. A large soft pretzel is opened flat, topped with a creamy blend of crab, cheese and Old Bay, and baked until the top browns. It spread through Baltimore taprooms and crab houses as the definitive shareable starter, and now turns up everywhere from neighbourhood bars to brewery taprooms.

2 editor picks for Crab pretzel in Baltimore, ranked by editorial score. All Baltimore signature dishes · Crab pretzel across every city.