Around a half-hour drive from Savannah sits The Crab Shack, a local eatery "where the elite eat in their bare feet," according to the restaurant's website.

From exotic birds to an alligator pond to fresh seafood staples, this seafood shack was just named one of America's 35 Best Seafood Shacks by The Daily Meal.

Owners Jack and Belinda Flanigan bought the fish camp that would turn into The Crab Shack in 1983, but according to their website, no one is sure of the exact date it opened. The first menu was drawn on a 4-by-8 sheet of plywood, and it can still be seen there today.

In order to pick the best seafood shacks, the website took into account location, price and seafood that was served simply. The laid-back atmosphere, no-frills seafood and proximity to the beach are just a few reasons why The Crab Shack made the list. Snow crab, Dungeness crab and more, if it weren’t obvious by the name, this restaurant specializes in crab but still has plates for people who prefer turf over surf.

Check out all the featured restaurants here.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Fireworks will be set off at dusk at Alpharetta’s Independence Day event at Wills Park. The photo shows a view of a previous year’s fireworks from the nearby Walk of Memories at American Legion Post 201. (Courtesy of Alpharetta Convention & Visitors Bureau/Jack Tuszynski)

Credit: Jack Tuszynski/PhotoJack.net

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC