Four Annapolis restaurants and one grocery store are among 50 across the state that recently passed certification for Maryland’s True Blue campaign, which promotes local businesses that use genuine blue crabs in their dishes.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) launched the True Blue campaign in May as a way to promote businesses that use locally sourced crab meat.

Those who participate in the program can use a special logo in marketing or advertisements for their dishes—a blue crab insignia, certified by the state.  

The promotional campaign began a month after Gov. Martin O'Malley announced the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population is the highest it’s been in almost 20 years.

Recently, the DNR released a list of 50 businesses that qualified for the program, and a few Annapolis restaurants made the cut. A Cook's Cafe, Davis Pub, Sam's on the Waterfront, Vin 909 and Whole Foods all offer certified Maryland blue crabs. 

So if you’re craving real Maryland blue crabs, there’s now a short list of the best places to find them locally.