If the deliciousness of foods is determined by how dirty your hands get, it looks like we're onto a winner with House of Crabs. This St Kilda crab shack just below Newmarket Hotel will offer you a pair of rubber gloves and a bib on arrival, in preparation for the southern American-style feast you're about to be served.
Communal eating is very much encouraged at this Sydney import (the first venue opened above The Norfolk in Redfern in 2013); you'll want a few friends when you start tucking into the signature boil served straight out of the bag. Order your choice of shellfish – the local options are Portarlington mussels, Queensland prawn and blue swimmer crab, the snow and king crabs are Alaskan – and choose your sauce, which ranges from Cajun to Malaysian.
Naturally seafood is the star of the show at House of Crabs, but if you're not too keen on having to crack and shell for your meal, hit the grill menu for some Carolina-style grilled chicken, a 300g scotch fillet or pork ribs.
The drinks list follows a similarly Southern bent, cool down with a Lagerita (a deadly combo of margarita and a pale ale) or keep it classic with the Bulleit bourbon-based Backyard Julep. Finish off with an all-American chocolate sundae, complete with salted caramel and chocolate brownie.