The Crab Claw has an ideal waterfront location at Navy Point. It is a large, somewhat over-patronized restaurant, but you can't beat the location and atmosphere. They have indoor dining in the air-conditioning, but I prefer the deck. There is a covered portion and an open portion.
I remember a beautiful evening spent dockside at the Crab Claw, eating a dozen steamed blue crabs and washing it all down with a pitcher of beer. The sky was so perfectly clear that the stars reflected off of the glassy surface of the water. The food was absolutely delicious and the scenery fantastic.
I'm not sure if they take reservations, but if they do I would recommend that you make them. This restaurant is extremely popular and the wait is long on a summer evening for good reason. There is a sign posted in the covered deck area that reads, "If he don't kick, we don't cook." Crab Claw patrons can be assured that the crab feast on their table was still scuttling around only a short time ago. This restaurant is a very, very short walk from the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, so you can spend the day or night there and then come in for dinner.
The dress is pretty casual, but some people dress up too. I would recommend at least nice khaki shorts and a collared shirt for men. We found the staff to be pleasant but a bit harried. The pace during the summer months is very fast. If you dine on the deck, don't be a bit surprised if fowl of all descriptions come begging for your crumbs. We saw geese and ducks circling very close to the restaurant and a few curious gulls wheeling overhead. Ever vigilant, those little guys can snap up a handout in the blink of an eye. I would caution you not to encourage the dependence of these birds on humans by feeding them. They may look sad and hungry, but feeding them table food can actually do more harm that good. It can also result in an unpleasant dining experience for others as birds become bolder. If dining outside, make sure you keep your food and scraps on your own table. You'll have a bucket and a roll of paper towels to take care of all that.
Although you'll no doubt find the fresh blue crab to be thoroughly tasty, you probably won't be able to give the meal your undivided attention. The crowd outdoors at the Crab Claw is lively, and there are tons of people to talk to and watch. My dinner experience there was almost like a big deck party--not rowdy, but full of laughter and friendly folks. You can also purchase Crab Claw souvenir items outside near the entrance.