10 Columbia restaurants currently serving soft-shell crabs

Soft-shell crab sandwich | Photo by @spottedsalamander

Table of Contents

Soft-shell crabs

Columbia has a weird obsession with soft-shell crabs. We like ‘em on sandwiches, over grits, in salads – you name it. And it seems like the season lasts of all of two weeks, which makes them *extra special* – and in high demand (so make sure you call ahead to confirm your cravings or else return home crabby).

Here are 10 local restaurants that are serving softies:

  • Terra | 💰 TBA | 🦀 Pan-fried with a parsnip puree, S.C. asparagus, fava bean, + green garlic. Served with a green tomato carpaccio, basil, + sherry mustard butter.
  • Cellar on Greene | 💰$14 for the app, $27 as an entree | 🦀 Fried with Romesco beurre blanc + pickled veggies (as an app) or nestled on top of polenta + sautéed broccolini (as a main course).
  • Hunter-Gatherer Brewery (Main St.) | 💰$24 | 🦀 Pan-seared with a seafood risotto, poached shrimp, crab meat, citrus, asparagus, + mushrooms.
  • Solstice Kitchen | 💰$14 | 🦀 Crispy fried McClellanville softies.
  • Inakaya | 💰$8 | 🦀 Soft-shell crab sushi roll.
  • Lula Drake |💰 $25 | 🦀 Fried with creamed corn, roasted red peppers, + leeks – finished with a sriracha beurre blanc.
  • Motor Supply | 💰$19 | 🦀 Fried tempura-style with local, seasonal ingredients.
  • Mr. Friendly’s | 💰$28 | 🦀 Fried, then topped with a sherry-mustard beurre blanc and a grilled corn-tomato “salad.”
  • Spotted Salamander | 💰$16.50 | 🦀 Nashville hot soft-shell sandwich with b&b pickles, lettuce + mayo – all nestled atop a piece of white bread.
  • Also, look out for a special from The War Mouth. We hear they’re getting a shipment in today + will be offering them soon.

Poll


More from COLAtoday
Leadership Columbia offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, issues, and decisions shaping the Midlands.
Ice storms in SC have caused widespread damage in the past, and as we brace for winter weather, we spoke to a meteorologist to find out why.
The 59-room Lantern Columbia opens inside the former fire station as the Vista continues evolving.
Black Dog Pizza is expected to open in late January on Main Street underneath The Hendrix.
Get to know the musical lineup that will keep you entertained at this year’s St. Patrick’s Day in Five Points Festival, the largest one-day fest in South Carolina.
Find your next great read when you join Richland Library’s Broader Bookshelf Reading Challenge.
The 16th annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival features 19 local bands across three stages, plus a parade, food vendors, and craft beer.
Experience Columbia SC introduces its 2026 ambassadors, highlighting locals shaping how visitors experience the Midlands.
Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.'s presence in Columbia and how to commemorate his life and legacy on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
ColaJazz Foundation and the Koger Center announce seven intimate jazz performances running from February through December.