Hands-on boils
Seafood boils arrive at the table for an apron-on, hands-first meal with crab legs, shrimp, mussels and corn.
Wicked Crab
Dubai Hills Estate
Wicked Crab is a Californian-inspired seafood shack in Dubai Hills Estate, with a hands-on, apron-and-gloves dining style. The seafood boils, including crab, shrimp and mussels in sauces such as Old Bay or garlic chili, are the main draw, while paella and other less-messy dishes broaden the menu.
Reputation Score
4.7
★★★★★
2,174 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Old Bay
The seafood boil with Old Bay seasoning is a standout for diners who like bold, savoury flavour.
Fresh seafood
Reviews regularly describe the seafood as fresh, with crab, shrimp and mussels praised for flavour and texture.
Generous dishes
The dampa and seafood rice receive praise for generous portions, and one Mixed Dampa included potatoes, corn and unlimited rice.
Paella
The paella is reported as generously portioned, beautifully presented and full of fresh seafood flavour.
Beach atmosphere
The ocean-themed interior has tall ceilings, large glass windows and a relaxed beach-house feel.
Group dining
Large seating arrangements and big sharing tables make the restaurant workable for families, celebrations and larger groups.
Sauce choice
You can choose a sauce for dishes such as Mixed Dampa, helping tailor the meal to your preferred flavour.
What to Eat at Wicked Crab How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Wicked Crab, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. We still have more reviews to analyze, so the scores may change. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Wicked Crab got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 3
-
Crispy calamari Net +3
“The soup was excellent, and both the crispy calamari and shrimp were delicious.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The soup was excellent, and both the crispy calamari and shrimp were delicious.”August 2025
“For two persons we had clam chowder, crispy calamari, a small bucket of shrimp with lemon butter sauce and a small bucket of blue crabs! I would recommend all of them! Yummy!”October 2025
-
Paella Net +2
“I had paella at this seafood restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. The seafood tasted really fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The portion was generous and the dish was beautifully presented.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had paella at this seafood restaurant and it was absolutely delicious. The seafood tasted really fresh, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. The portion was generous and the dish was beautifully presented.”August 2025
“The paella was mouth watering, it was absolutely delicious and filled with different flavors.”April 2024
-
Shrimp bucket Net +2
“We got the shrimp buckets and they were huge size and tasted very good and fresh.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We got the shrimp buckets and they were huge size and tasted very good and fresh.”September 2025
“Fresh seafood, great flavors, and generous portions. The shrimp bucket and seafood rice were delicious, and the crispy calamari was a standout. Friendly service, fun atmosphere, and definitely worth a visit for seafood lovers. 🦐🦀✨”June 2026
Honorable mentions (22)
-
Bang bang shrimps Net +1
“We ordered Sizzling Shrimps and it tasted a bit more on the tangy side and the bang bang shrimps were good but nothing special in taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered Sizzling Shrimps and it tasted a bit more on the tangy side and the bang bang shrimps were good but nothing special in taste.”June 2025
-
Blue crabs Net +1
“🦀 I ordered shrimps, blue crabs, and mussels all drenched in their amazing Cajun sauce (my absolute favorite 😍). Everything was fresh, juicy, and bursting with flavor.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“🦀 I ordered shrimps, blue crabs, and mussels all drenched in their amazing Cajun sauce (my absolute favorite 😍). Everything was fresh, juicy, and bursting with flavor.”August 2025
-
Chicken burger Net +1
“Chicken burger was best of all.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Chicken burger was best of all.”June 2025
-
Crab Net +1
“The star here is the crab served in a bag with their signature spicy garlic sauce. Everything tastes fresh and the flavors are bold.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The star here is the crab served in a bag with their signature spicy garlic sauce. Everything tastes fresh and the flavors are bold.”July 2025
-
Crab buckets Net +1
“The crab buckets and boils are the stars—especially the Old Bay. Prices lean high for the portion size, but the flavors and atmosphere make it worth a visit if you’re a seafood lover.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The crab buckets and boils are the stars—especially the Old Bay. Prices lean high for the portion size, but the flavors and atmosphere make it worth a visit if you’re a seafood lover.”August 2025
-
Dampa Net +1
“We ordered dampa which was big in portions.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered dampa which was big in portions.”June 2026
-
Garlic shrimp alfredo Net +1
“I ordered the Garlic Shrimp Alfredo 🍝 – pasta with shrimp, butter, garlic, and cream… it was absolutely delicious!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the Garlic Shrimp Alfredo 🍝 – pasta with shrimp, butter, garlic, and cream… it was absolutely delicious!”September 2025
-
Grilled shrimp Net +1
“The grilled shrimp were perfectly cooked and flavorful, but the clam chowder lacked depth and tasted a bit bland.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The grilled shrimp were perfectly cooked and flavorful, but the clam chowder lacked depth and tasted a bit bland.”August 2023
-
Lobster and shrimp rolls Net +1
“The brioche bun in the lobster and shrimp rolls was very soft and buttery, it made these cold sandwiches taste even better.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The brioche bun in the lobster and shrimp rolls was very soft and buttery, it made these cold sandwiches taste even better.”April 2024
-
Lobster rolls Net +1
“Full disclosure, we ate here just because we had a craving for lobster rolls. But wow, the food is actually really good!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Full disclosure, we ate here just because we had a craving for lobster rolls. But wow, the food is actually really good!”November 2023
-
Lobster tail Net +1
“It’s a nice place to get your seafood fix. The food is good, rice could be a lot better (flavor wise). The sauce we chose for the broil was okay, but it’s a personal preferences. The lobster tail was incredible tho. The service is perfect and a really nice cosy place with good food !”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“It’s a nice place to get your seafood fix. The food is good, rice could be a lot better (flavor wise). The sauce we chose for the broil was okay, but it’s a personal preferences. The lobster tail was incredible tho. The service is perfect and a really nice cosy place with good food !”March 2026
-
Mixed dampa in garlic chili sauce Net +1
“From the moment I slipped on my apron and dove hands-first into the Mixed Dampa in Garlic Chili sauce, it was a full on flavor explosion. Cracking open those crab legs, dipping into that rich, spicy, garlicky goodness… every bite was messy, fun, and SO satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“From the moment I slipped on my apron and dove hands-first into the Mixed Dampa in Garlic Chili sauce, it was a full on flavor explosion. Cracking open those crab legs, dipping into that rich, spicy, garlicky goodness… every bite was messy, fun, and SO satisfying.”September 2025
-
Mixed dampa with omani lobster Net +1
“We ordered the Mixed Dampa with Omani lobster – it was absolutely delicious. The seafood was fresh and flavourful, and we loved that you can choose your own sauce to suit your taste. The dish also comes with potatoes, corn, and unlimited rice, which makes it super filling and satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered the Mixed Dampa with Omani lobster – it was absolutely delicious. The seafood was fresh and flavourful, and we loved that you can choose your own sauce to suit your taste. The dish also comes with potatoes, corn, and unlimited rice, which makes it super filling and satisfying.”May 2025
-
Mussel bucket Net +1
“I also tried the Mussel Bucket 🦪 – fresh mussels with their special sauce, and it was just perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I also tried the Mussel Bucket 🦪 – fresh mussels with their special sauce, and it was just perfect.”September 2025
-
Mussels saffron Net +1
“And the mussels saffron are the best here!!! Must try!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And the mussels saffron are the best here!!! Must try!”June 2026
-
Salmon grill Net +1
“I chose a Salmon grill at 95 aed, which came with a very nice salad & good quantity of fries. Taste was better than average. 4/5.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I chose a Salmon grill at 95 aed, which came with a very nice salad & good quantity of fries. Taste was better than average. 4/5.”June 2026
-
Sea bass fillet Net +1
“Though the sea bass fillet was very delicious 😋”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Though the sea bass fillet was very delicious 😋”May 2025
-
Seafood boil with old bay seasoning Net +1
“The seafood boil with old bay seasoning is easily my favourite.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The seafood boil with old bay seasoning is easily my favourite.”June 2026
-
Seafood chowder soup Net +1
“Initially I had a seafood chowder soup which I found very tasty and they gave a huge bowl of it. Soup came with 2 buttered toasts. 4.5/5.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Initially I had a seafood chowder soup which I found very tasty and they gave a huge bowl of it. Soup came with 2 buttered toasts. 4.5/5.”June 2026
-
Seafood rice Net +1
“Fresh seafood, great flavors, and generous portions. The shrimp bucket and seafood rice were delicious, and the crispy calamari was a standout. Friendly service, fun atmosphere, and definitely worth a visit for seafood lovers. 🦐🦀✨”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Fresh seafood, great flavors, and generous portions. The shrimp bucket and seafood rice were delicious, and the crispy calamari was a standout. Friendly service, fun atmosphere, and definitely worth a visit for seafood lovers. 🦐🦀✨”June 2026
-
Shrimp tacos Net +1
“The place is so vibrant and beautiful. The food and drinks were delicious especially the seafood, more specifically the shrimp tacos (the only thing that i didn’t like was the taste of the chicken in the Caesar salad). The service was great.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The place is so vibrant and beautiful. The food and drinks were delicious especially the seafood, more specifically the shrimp tacos (the only thing that i didn’t like was the taste of the chicken in the Caesar salad). The service was great.”May 2024
-
Wicked crab mixed seafood boils Net +1
“Regarding the food - crab is the star, in the wicked crab mixed seafood boils...served with white rice... Good mix of seafood items - crabs, shrimps, mussels with crab balls, baby potato and corn.... Flavour was really good...”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Regarding the food - crab is the star, in the wicked crab mixed seafood boils...served with white rice... Good mix of seafood items - crabs, shrimps, mussels with crab balls, baby potato and corn.... Flavour was really good...”February 2026
What to Avoid (2)
Food 2
-
Fried fish Net −1
“The fried fish could use a bit more seasoning, as it tasted slightly bland, but everything else was spot on.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The fried fish could use a bit more seasoning, as it tasted slightly bland, but everything else was spot on.”August 2025
-
Sizzling shrimps Net −1
“We ordered Sizzling Shrimps and it tasted a bit more on the tangy side and the bang bang shrimps were good but nothing special in taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered Sizzling Shrimps and it tasted a bit more on the tangy side and the bang bang shrimps were good but nothing special in taste.”June 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Check vouchers. If using Entertainer, confirm which main courses are included before ordering; one review says not all were covered.
Try Old Bay. For a first seafood boil, consider Old Bay seasoning: one reviewer called it their favourite.
Choose a sauce. Ask about the sauce options for a dampa or boil, since diners specifically praised the garlic chili, Cajun and lemon butter choices.
Check availability. Compare the current menu with online listings before visiting, as one diner found fewer fish options than shown on Google.
Visit quieter. Consider an off-peak visit if you want a calmer meal; one review found the restaurant quiet, while another reported a lengthy wait.
Bring an appetite. If you are particularly hungry, plan your order carefully: one family review found portions slightly small.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Al Khail Rd
Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid, Dubai
| Mon | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sat | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun | 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Voucher delays
One reviewer reported waiting over 45 minutes after mentioning an Entertainer voucher, with no explanation for the delay.
Uneven service
A review describes having to call staff and send children to the front for service, drinks and the bill.
Small portions
Some diners found portions small, including dishes listed under “Large Plates,” while another review wished for larger servings.
Menu changes
The menu was reportedly more limited than the Google listing, particularly for fish dishes.
Inconsistent cooking
Reviews mention dry shrimp, squishy snow crab, bland fried fish and rice that needed more flavour.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
95 aed
Salmon grill
“I chose a Salmon grill at 95 aed, which came with a very nice salad & good quantity of fries”Google review · June 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Wicked Crab is a casual seafood shack in Dubai Hills Estate where the signature experience is hands-on: put on the apron and gloves, then dig into a seafood boil or Mixed Dampa with crab, shrimp, mussels, corn and potatoes. Paella, crispy calamari and mussels in saffron sauce are also repeatedly mentioned, so you are not limited to messy bucket-style dishes. The atmosphere is a strong part of the appeal.
Reviews describe a bright, ocean-themed interior with beach-house décor, large windows and enough seating for families, celebrations and larger groups. Big sharing tables suit a social meal, although the hands-on format can leave shells and sauces on the table. Service is often described as quick, friendly and attentive, but it is not completely consistent: some diners experienced long waits, missed check-ins and difficulty getting the bill.
Portions and cooking can vary. Several guests found the boils generous, while others considered portions small or reported dry shrimp, bland rice or squishy crab. If you use Entertainer, confirm exactly which main courses qualify before ordering; one review also alleged a serious voucher-related delay.
For a first visit, ask about the sauces and consider the Old Bay boil, then check the current fish selection rather than relying solely on the online menu.