10 Best places to eat mud crab in Queensland

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The mangrove tree-lined edges of Queensland coastline and the rivers that feed into it create crab heaven. Locals love to throw in a crab pot and catch their own while visitors can indulge in sweet crab flesh in many variations, from sandwiches or lasagne to a whole crab just on its own. Here’s where you’ll find the best places to eat mud crab in Queensland.

10 Mud Crab Restaurants in Queensland

1- Fish D’Vine, Arlie Beach

queensland crab
Check out the chilli crab in Airlie Beach. Photo: Kerry Heany

Rebecca Clark of Fish D’Vine in Arlie Beach says the restaurant buys directly each day from local registered fishermen.

Try their famous chilli crab, wok tossed in a Thai chilli marinade on steamed jasmine rice.

2- On The Inlet Seafood Restaurant, Port Douglas

placest o eat mud crab
This Port Douglas restaurant serves fantastic mud crab. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland & Darren Jew

On The Inlet has a wonderful view across the Coral Sea towards Cape Tribulation and the Daintree.

It’s the perfect spot to devour a seafood platter for two, especially when it includes a wok-tossed whole mud crab.

3- Rosslyn Bay Fishermans Market

Perched on the headland at Rosslyn Bay Harbour, Rosslyn Bay Fishermans Market is where you’ll find the freshest seafood sustainably caught by local fishermen.

That includes the sweetest crab around and is one of the best places to eat mud crabs in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region.

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4- Muddies, Cardwell

chilli mud crab
Anyone for a mud crab sandwich? Photo: Kerry Heany

Best mud crab sandwiches ever – just ask a local.  

Watch out for the huge mud crab as you drive through Cardwell.

5- Il Centro, Brisbane

When it comes to crab dishes, Il Centro’s Sand Crab Lasagne is the granddaddy.

It’s a rich dish boosted with sea urchin roe in the creamy sauce.

The dish has been on the menu of this Brisbane CBD restaurant for 25 years.

6- Embassy XO, Sunshine Beach

chilli mud crab
One of the best places to eat mud crab near Noosa. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland & Barry Goodwin

The crab spring rolls are dipped in the green chilli mayo and wrapped in a lettuce leaf.

It’s an absolute flavour eye opener.  

They are part of a 10 piece Yum Cha menu available Friday to Sunday.

7- Mooloolaba Fish Market

placest o eat mud crab
Check out the mud crab for sale at the fisheries. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland & Tony Gwynn-Jones

The Spit at Mooloolaba is where the trawlers come in and the fish and chips go out.  

Dine at the Mooloolaba Fish Market or take your dinner to the beach for a total seaside experience.

8- Gambaro, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane

mud crab brisbane
Best mud crab in Brisbane? Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland & Ezra Patchett

An award-winning seafood restaurant and Brisbane institution since 1953, Gambaro’s is the place to order a Queensland brown belly mud crab simply dressed with a choice of lemon or garlic butter. Oh yes.

9- Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant, Gold Coast

mud crab gold coast
Is this the best mud crab on the Gold Coast? Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland & Barry Goodwin

Have your mud crab Greek style grilled with shallots, garlic, oregano, lemon butter or Chilli Plum, grilled and finished with Omeros Bros’ homemade sweet chilli plum sauce.

10- Grunske’s by the River, Bundaberg

queensland crab restaurant
Get your fill of mud crab in Queensland. Photo: Tourism & Events Queensland & Rowan Bestmann

Watch the boats unload their catch while dining on mud, spanner or sand crabs or freshly cooked fish and chips.

Grunske’s by the River is one of the state’s largest retail seafood outlets.

10 Best places to eat mud crab in Queensland

10 Best places to eat mud crab in Queensland

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Kerry Heaney
My mission is to search the world for food that tastes as good as it looks. I’m dedicated to finding the perfect cupcake, the best brekkie and the ultimate lunch everywhere I go. As a freelance food and travel writer I contribute to a wide range of publications including News Corporation’s Escape Travel, Get Up and Go, Selector Magazine, and Where Magazine. I also was a restaurant reviewer for the 2014 Brisbane Times Good Food Guide and wrote the Queensland section of Gourmet Touring around Australia. I have Brisbane’s best loved and longest established food blog, Eat,Drink+beKerry. It’s the food lover’s guide to finding good food where ever they travel.