Crab cake and Old Bay without leaving BWI’s A–B Terminal
Obrycki's A-Bar sits airside in the A–B Terminal corridor, so you stay past security for a Baltimore crab fix. It’s a compact offshoot of the longtime local crab house, with most seating at the bar and a few high-tops. Expect airport pricing: crab dishes run in the $$$ range, and recent reviews peg crab cake sandwiches around what you’d pay downtown plus a markup.
Hours flex with flight banks, but the bar usually opens by late morning and runs into the evening rush for Southwest departures. It’s walk-up only; there’s no reservation system, and bar stools disappear fast during 4–7 p.m. waves. If every seat is taken, ask about to-go packaging and carry your order to a nearby gate in A or B.
Order the crab cake sandwich and the Old Bay–rimmed Bloody Mary; both come up over and over in reviews as the move here. One Reddit regular flat-out says Obrycki’s crab cake at BWI beats Phillips, gate for gate. Many frequent flyers keep it simple: one crab cake, one drink, then back to A–B security’s gate cluster.
Watch the texture on the crab cake: several Google and Reddit comments mention inconsistent batches, sometimes with too much filler compared with city locations. If the cakes look off that day, pivot to a drink and maybe a non-crab appetizer instead of dropping $$$ on a full plate. Seafood is always airport-marked, so don’t expect Baltimore street prices inside the terminal.
What regulars do: they sit directly at the bar, order a single crab cake and a Bloody Mary, and skip dessert or extras to keep the bill under control. Seating is limited to a small bar and a short row of tables, so plan to slide in before the 5 p.m. push. Tip: if you want crab before an A-concourse flight, stop here first, then walk to your gate with anything packed to-go.