THE best crabcakes around! And the drinks are good as well. Nice family atmosphere. great service. You definitely have to come here at least once. Then you'll be hooked.
I can understand why the tourists don’t make it out of the harbor and up here for crab cakes. But, the rest of you? get in the car (or uber). It’s in the heart of Lauraville, and worth the drive – shoot meander up the block to Maggie’s for a cocktail. Clearly everyone else is, it was evening on a Wednesday and this place was packed. I grabbed us a few seats at the bar.
I admit that I can be tough to please at restaurants. Well my wife and I decided to try something different and went to Koco's. I can say that our experience pleased us more than we could have imagined. The food, service, and ambiance was exceptional. It was a wonderful experience!!! By the way, they had the best crabcake I ever tasted.
If you truly don't mind the small pub atmosphere and your meal on actual paper plates, then you will really enjoy the crab cakes. Which this place is known for. The crab cakes were the size of a softball and more importantly, not loaded with fillers like bread or crackers. It was truly worth the money. The service could be better, but overall it's a nice place.
What Everyone Else Has Said About the Crab Cakes.... ...is spot on. They are yummery goodness. Difficult to come here and order something besides the crab cakes, but everything has been fab - the shrimp salad, salmon, burgers, (even the veggie burger) are all worth a try. Nice friendly staff. Place fills up fast, so reservations are a good idea.
Best crab cake ever! Nice staff and good prices!
My quest for the perfect crab cake. While in Baltimore on business, I decided to have crab cakes for every lunch and dinner I was there (4 meals).
I scoured "best" lists, the Internet and best of all got suggestions from people I knew that either lived in Baltimore or spent a lot of time there.
My crabcakes at Koco's had the perfect taste and texture. I really don't know how it stays together because I could not detect any type of breading. Of the four meals this trip, Koco's was the best. (in fairness, the others were pretty darn good but there has to be a best of the best!)
Crab Cakes. If you go here and do not eat the crab cakes, something bad should happen to you. It is a crime on par with de-friending your spouse on Facebook. Absolutely incredible.
It is entirely about the crab cake. Koco's has the most expensive crab cake in Baltimore, and you absolutely get what you pay for. It is simply delicious, and I have yet to have a better one anywhere in the city (possibly even the state!), and not for lack of trying either!
That said, once you get past the crab cake or the crab soup, this is a pretty regular pub. In fact, if you take the crab stuff out of the mix, it's probably a little below average as far as food is concerned. In fairness, I would not personally know since I always go for the crab cake, but my non-shellfish eating friends have been less than pleased with the other offerings.
If you're just there for a drink, it's also a decent stop. Their draft selection isn't bad for a corner bar, and there is a good neighborhood vibe typical of the better Baltimore bars.
Best Damned Crab Cakes...EVER!. Nothing but crab. No fluff, breading or fillers...you get nothing but meat!...Love them...get them everytime & anytime I'm in Baltimore.
Great service. Very good crab cakes. A bit 'imperially', but delicious with plenty of lump. Other dishes were good too. Still doesn't top Box Hill Pizzeria's crab cakes.
Best crab cakes. Love this place. Love love love Koco's. I had a bad experience at another seafood restaurant tonight & it reminded me why I appreciate Koco's so much.. Straight up, best crab cake in Baltimore. Great service every single time & run by a nice family. Reasonable prices for the quality and amount of food you receive. Always busy but I've never waited a long time for anything. I wish they would expand, the only thing I'd change would be to make the restaurant bigger! Delicious :)
Probably the best crab cakes around. A family style restaurant off the beaten track; good food, limited seating but gives a certain Baltimore flare!
Koco's has the best crab cake I have ever eaten. I dare you to find a better one... I have read some reviews here about Koco's where people don't like the paper plates... so what! Maybe they don't like to do dishes same as you! LoL
Koco's Pub and Grill. They have the best crab cake around. I'm planning to come from out-of-state to have it again ~ yummo!
Another Favorite!. Crabcakes are the best and biggest lumps in Baltimore, and the wings with homemade sause are delish as well. They make you feel like you are apart of the family! The margaritas are awesome too!
Are you kidding me?. That grapefruit-sized lump in front of me can not be a crabcake. It's the biggest damn crabcake I've ever seen!
And, upon first bite, it's the tastiest damn crabcake I've ever had.
Koco's is not fancy and not pretentious, and it's a moderately scary cab ride from Inner Harbor. The restaurant feels like a locals joint, and has the down-home hospitality to match. And the crab cakes. Holy crap, the wonderful crab cakes. Golden brown on top with thumb-sized pieces of lump meat throughout. Fantastic.
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NUMMERS. Okay - I do not consider myself a "foodie",but working in the "industry" and a person who loves to cook, I can say I trust my taste. We went to Koco's for the first time last week. As soon as we stepped in, someone was right there to seat us - NICE! Then we sat at the bar, you could tell there were some regulars there, but the waitresses made us feel like we were just as important as the guys who stop by on a regular. They introduced themselves and were VERY warm and welcoming. This place is 5 minutes away from our house, and I am sad to say this is our first time visiting in the 3 years of living here. My guy got the ribs. He was not very pleased - he finished them in about 10 minutes and was still hungry. Also - the sauce (I only eat seafood, but I used to eat meat - and I loved me some RIBS!) was very thin. It looked oily, you know what I mean? Looked more like a glaze than a sauce. You could see the bottom of the plate clearly. So he said they were kinda "meh". Okay. enough of him... Those crabcakes. O M G - those crabcakes! First up, where did they find those crabs?!?! GIANT LAND!?!? It was lump crab cake extreme! Some of the lumps were as big an my thumb! And the cake itself was HUGE! What was great about them was the fact they were tasty but not overwhelming with seasoning. Dunno how they did it! You could taste the crab, but it was SO flavorful with spices the same time! And MOIST! UGHHH! The deeper you climbed into this cake, the more lumpy and moist it became! So good, people. So good. Have not tasted a crabcake better. Nope - can say I have. Now why they are not served with fries?!??!? Cannot answer that one. Meh - I have gone to places with pretty good cakes and they come with a side (if not two) other than chips. That kinda felt like a rip though. If I am going to spend over 20 bucks - toss me something other than Lays... I am sorry UTS. Other than that - great place, great people, Great crabsckes. Just a bit chintzy on the amount of ribs and french fries.
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Yep, the crabcakes are incredible!. I only go here for the crab cakes, which are everything they're reputed to be. Plenty of jumbo lump crab meat, no shell (none!), just enough filler to keep it together and the exact amount of seasoning to enhance the crab flavor without overpowering.
Koco's does have other offerings; my kids enjoy the chicken fingers from the kids' menu, and my husband gives the burgers a thumbs up. The atmosphere is friendly and cozy, and they close a bit on the early side, so it's never over-the-top raucous
A small bone to pick: last time I was there they'd done away with the kids' toys. I know it's a restaurant (and a bar at that) but I always appreciate a place that welcomes kids to the extent of offering a few things for them to do while they wait for the plates.
A slightly larger bone to pick: fabulous crab cakes deserve fabulous beer, and Koco's offerings are heavy on the American lagers with just a few decent 'real beers.' I'd be thrilled if they added a Dogfish Head IPA!
Stll, what matters at Koco's for me are the crabcakes, and as long as they keep making them, I'll keep coming back for more.
Great Crabcakes.... We went to Koko's earlier this year to meet friends that lived in the neighborhood. We all got menu's, and our friends didn't even open theirs. After my wife and I looked through the menu for a few minutes, Then our friend both said that we had to get the crabcakes! So we did... wow. I seem to remember thet price was something like 13.99 and you got crabcakes and a side...I usually don't get crabcakes out, because there is always too many shells left by whomever picked the meat. These were different I didn't find a single piece of shell, and in fact the cake was almost all meat, lump at that with out much breading at all, perfectly broiled and seasoned just right. Now I know that there are allot of places in Balmer that say they have the best crabcake... but not at this price. Check it out !
Koco's Pub is one of those places you drive by time after time but glance at it as you drive by but never go in. This family owned and operated quaint parrot-filled bar and restaurant is more than meets the eye. When trying to describe the décor and atmos
Let me tell you, I have a soft spot for a good crab cake, and this place absolutely nailed it – hands down! The flavors were impeccable, and I couldn't get enough.
Beyond the fantastic food, the overall atmosphere was delightful. The waitress and bartender created an environment that felt like family. It's not just about the delicious dishes; it's the warm and welcoming vibe that makes this place special.
Speaking of the bartender, they went above and beyond. When I inquired about a special drink, I got more than just a recommendation. To my surprise, the bartender personally came over and shared the entire recipe with me, ingredient by ingredient. Now, that's some next-level service!
This experience has left a lasting impression, and I can say with certainty that I'll be back for more. When you find a spot that masters both incredible food and a genuine family feel, it's a gem worth revisiting. Cheers to great crabcakes and even better hospitality! 🦀🍹💯
The crab cakes are market price, which most people consider kinda pricey. But keep in mind, they're softball sized LUMP crab cakes and worth every penny. The fries were better than expected. The orange crush drink is highly recommended as well. It was delicious and potent. Service was great, and they're the best crab cakes I've ever had. (Keep in mind, I've lived in Baltimore and its suburbs 33 years, so it's high praise indeed.)
I live in NC. I heard about Koco's from a friend who is originally from Baltimore. I used their online ordering service and had the crab cakes shipped to my location. Everything was superb. The shipping was fast, the packaging was top notch and the crab cakes themselves were amazing. They were the best crab cakes I've ever had. I will definitely be ordering again in the future.
The best crab cakes in Baltimore. Extremely flavorful. The prices used to be around $25 for a crab cake platter before Covid. Now it’s a whopping $40. But it was worth it because they haven’t changed the recipe or decreased the amount of crab meat you get like most other restaurants have increased their prices and give you smaller portions with more filling. I deducted one star from service because I didn’t receive the pickle that I paid extra for. You can see the crab meat throughout in my photo included.
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Koco’s Pub is a must-visit and should not be missed. Koco’s is about as underrated as you can get when it comes to crab cakes - until you’ve had them of course. Their crab cakes are truly a standout. When I say there’s no filler, there’s no filler. I’m genuinely amazed at how they manage to hold together that much jumbo lump crab meat. In my experience here in Maryland, they rank among the best crab cakes I’ve ever had. Although I haven’t tried them all, I’ve certainly had my fair share, and I don’t make such claims lightly.
But wait, there’s more! I was also blown away by their onion rings. Crispy, golden-brown, and perfectly battered, these rings were an addictive indulgence. The sweet onions nestled inside were soft and flavorful, complementing the crunch of the outer coating.
With their crab cakes and onion rings, this highly-underrated Baltimore establishment will leave you craving more. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to visit Koco’s Pub. Trust me your taste buds will thank you!
Wow. Very impressed with the quality of the crab cakes. Love the fact that it's off the beaten path and the service was great. Would definitely go back again when passing through that Baltimore.
Not sure if this is a crab cake place with awesome burgers, or a burger place with amazing crab cakes. Either way it's 100% the place you want to visit for a taste of Baltimore. The staff was so friendly and the drinks went down smoothly. Call and get a seat, stop looking for a new place to try. This is it.
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As a born and bred Marylander (yes, we are a cult), I have eaten crabcakes all over Maryland and all over the country. Believe me when I say this is one of the places that sets the bar for the Maryland crab cake. This one really is a place for foodies to travel for. It's got a lot of character (big yellow corner pub) and embodies the charm of Charm City.
Some notes: first, it does not have its own parking lot and they ask you to be kind to their residential neighbors who only have street parking. There is plenty of parking at the Safeway a block away.
Secondly, it's a small place with limited seating. Make sure to reserve your table. If you want a table on Friday or Saturday, call several days in advance.
Thirdly, they do not sell dessert. You can bring your own if you want (but I'd be surprised if you have any room).
Lastly, crabcakes are market rates and, at these sizes, it's expensive. Don't be surprised to pay over $30 for them. (They are worth it)
Now back to the good stuff: the crabcakes are enormous with minimal filler (major pet peave for Marylanders) and perfectly cooked and spiced. The crab's texture is so light and airy that it's hard to see how it sticks together. They really know what they're doing. For a crabcake, there's not a lot to say. You'll have to try for yourself.
My gf and I shared a cream of crab soup that had real pieces of jumbo lump (the big lollipops of body meat from the base of the hind legs). Usually crab soups have the tiny lumps or long strings of claw meat. This was the opposite with crab in every bite. The flavoring was subtle but just right. It didn't overwhelm you with sherry or Old Bay like many out there.
We also enjoyed their old bay wings. These were also fried perfectly for the table to share. Even the coleslaw was excellent.
This is a Maryland institution and a destination for any crab lover or foodie. There are few other places I would visit for a taste unique to Maryland.
The crab cakes were excellent, and the service was great too. This is exactly what we were looking for - some non-touristy, real-deal, Baltimore crab cakes. Definitely recommend, and will go back for sure!
One suggestion I would make - go for the cream of crab soup, not the 50/50 mixture. It's a buck more & way better!
Best crab cake ever!! We ordered the 11 oz crabcake dinner and savored EVERY bite! There was enough to save for the next day, and it was even better! First time in a long stint that a crabcake was short on fillers and big on the crab! Our server was friendly and professional, as was the bartender! Will definitely make this my go-to spot when in Baltimore!
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