Captain Pell's Fairfax Crabhouse

Captain Pell’s is my favorite place to bring family when they visit from out of town. The seafood is always fresh and delicious, and the staff is warm and welcoming. Everyone I bring ends up loving it, and it’s become one of the most requested spots by our guests.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I’ve been a long time customer and love the crabs and staff (especially Lexi). It’s a little dated but nice family atmosphere.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great food. Huge portions. I had to bring 1/2 home - made the family happy 😊.

A great crab house.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love this place always great food great service and great vibes! Bring the family or come with a friend they will take care of ya !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: All You Can Eat Crabs

food was amazing, our server was fast, attentive, and super personable. crabs were a great price for a dozen, couldnt even finish and had amazing leftovers for the next day!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: All You Can Eat Crabs, Full

This is my go to for good seafood. You won’t find another place with shrimp like they have. Good service and a friendly atmosphere

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Snow Crab Legs, Steamed Shrimp, Jumbo Shrimp, Combo

I have been coming to Captain Pells for years. I use to have all my birthday parties here. I love crabs. With that said Captain Pells have really fallen off. I was there last week after taking a hiatus from them. They bought me out old, cold crabs. After i said something he went in and brought me hot crabs. I told the owner that i was very disappointed in the crabs after being a customer for many years. I will no longer be eating crabs at Captain Pells. I have found a place with nice hot and meaty crabs in springfield called Jason’s. I highly recommend them.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 3

Food was definitely overpriced for the quality. For $250, it should have been delicious.
Service was good, nice & friendly.
The atmosphere is that of you are at the beach.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 5

Disappointed After Multiple Visits — Won’t Be Returning

I’ve given this family-run restaurant several chances, hoping for improvement, but my most recent visit confirmed it’s time to move on. Unfortunately, the experience was marked by a lack of professionalism and cleanliness that overshadowed any positives.

Service was inattentive and unpolished. The male waiter appeared disheveled and disengaged, approaching our table multiple times only to stare silently before walking away. When we requested napkins, he returned with a stack and dropped them on the table without a word, then tucked his hands back into a visibly dirty apron. The female staff member who seated us wore a shirt with large, noticeable food stains, which didn’t inspire confidence.

The kitchen door remained wide open throughout our meal, revealing an area that looked far from sanitary. As for the food: the fried calamari and oysters were excessively greasy, the steamed shrimp lacked seasoning, and the coleslaw and condiments were served in takeout containers — not ideal for dine-in presentation. The only redeeming item was the French fries, which were crisp and well-prepared.

To top it off, the restaurant was permeated by a strong, unpleasant seafood odor that lingered throughout our visit.

This was my third time dining here, and sadly, it will be my last. A family business should reflect pride and care — not neglect.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Only thing I don't like about this place is getting served crabs that were already dead when they steamed them. There were at least 4 out of a dozen that tasted of ammonia, very strong. They replaced 2 but when you're paying $6.5/ crab, it's very disappointing. Still, I've been coming here for decades and I love them.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

This place used to be our go to for seafood. It's not aged, dirty and all of our food came out cold which ruined the experience even more.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

When there yesterday and had the Neptune platter (2 lbs snow crab). Had them before and they were great. Yesterday they were very watery and slightly overcooked. There was a puddle of water on my tray and water dripping out of the crabs. Disappointed after spending $75 some Boss didn’t seem to care

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 5

Today is my birthday. My mom tried to order jumbo crabs, but it was right when they first opened, so door dash showed they didn’t have them, but Josie came to the rescue!! Thanks Josie, heavy MD jumbo

Really good crabs. They offer AYCE for $59. The AYCE crabs are small and light but some were heavy. You get 2 hours to enjoy.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Crabs were great! The service was too. Crab cakes are really good.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5