Ocean City is a resort town in Maryland. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Isle of Wight Bay, the city features miles of beach and wooden boardwalk lined with restaurants, fancy hotels, and shops. When you get to the southern end of the Ocean City boardwalk, you can enjoy Trimper’s Rides, a theme-park attraction. In between, enjoy a meal in some of the best places to eat in Ocean City MD.
Ocean City can give you a memorable waterfront experience as you explore the city and its attractions. The gorgeous city is home to the many best restaurants that will satisfy your cravings and taste buds.
Dining at places by the coastline will give you some mesmerizing views. No matter if you want some flavorful fried dishes, fresh salad, high-quality steaks, or even pizza, Ocean City has it all.
What is Ocean City known for?
The seaside resort town in Maryland is famous for its coastal beauty and fun vibe. The city is home to a sandy Atlantic shoreline that is fun to explore. Among the many attractions, you can find watersports, fishing spots, kayaking spots, and surfing spots.
The city has more than 30 miles of beaches. More than 4 million people visit Ocean City MD every year. You can enjoy the beaches all day long, or take a break and grab a meal at the best places to eat in Ocean City MD.
There are always special events hosted on the weekends. Just a fair warning, the city can be a tad expensive. Travelers spend between $35 and $40 on a meal on average per day.
Best Restaurants
Seacrets
The name might suggest this local eatery is secretive, but that is not the case. Seacrets doubles as a restaurant, nightclub, and hotel. Many people know it as the best place for family dining and parties.
What makes this place special is its magical mustard sauce. You can even buy it in bottles and take it home with you.
It is a Jamaican-inspired Ocean City restaurant, so expect some great tuna steaks. You can also try pizza, Jamaican fries, or Caribbean quesadillas.
Ristorante Antipasti
This authentic Italian restaurant is famous for its award-winning Timballo, a baked dish of pasta, rice, or potatoes.
Ristorante Antipasti specializes in traditional dishes, with chef Fausto DiCaro making it his mission to greet every guest.
If you are there by eight o’clock at night, expect Fausto to welcome you with a dance and introduce the other chefs working in the kitchen.
You have to try the legendary Timballo, but also gnocchi, veal, pork, and lasagna. If you are there during winter, you can join a cookery class and learn how to make Italian food.
Anthony’s Beer, Wine and Deli
This has been a popular place in Ocean City for more than 40 years. Anthony’s Beer, Wine and Deli is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in alcoholic beverages and deli sandwiches.
Some of the best dishes include the 12-inch hoagies or the Captain’s Choice varieties for your sandwich. The Flagship is among the most popular choice. Aegean, a sandwich with feta cheese, sliced kalamata olives, veggies, and seasonings is another great option.
Because it is a takeaway joint, you can stop by, grab a sandwich, and then go to the beach.
Uber Bagels and Deli
This New York-style bagel shop is open daily for the season. It is a shore favorite with dishes from bacon and egg to bagels loaded with lox.
It is a classic quick eatery you can stop and grab something to eat. There are also options like an old bay bagel and pretzel bagels for the Philly set.
Pablo’s Bowls
Pablo’s Bowls is a Salisbury University venture that has extended its roots to the shore. Some of the snacks include smoothie bowls and vegan-friendly options. You can also try their handmade acai bowl.
Do not forget to get a rise and grind coffee.
Delmarva Boil Company
Opened in 2018, Delmarva Boil company is a locally-owned seafood restaurant. They specialize in coastal low-country boils.
You can find fresh seafood dishes here and many sides. It is a brilliant eatery that has generous portions. If you want a specialty, order The Classic.
This perfect dish includes 1/4lbs of spicy Andouille sausages, red bliss potatoes, 1/3lbs of jumbo shrimp, onions, sweet corn, and a homemade cocktail sauce.
Sahara Cafe
Sahara Cafe opened in 1986 as a charming restaurant serving American breakfast. It is one of the best restaurants in Ocean City MD.
Start your day with a filling meal. Order the Joe Smooth a Go-Go. This cheesesteak with mushrooms, onions, and sweetpeppers comes with biscuits, crab meat, twofried eggs, cheddar, and hollandaise sauce.
If you are there for lunch, order the Oriental Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, rice noodles, fresh greens, and a special dressing.
Sunset Grille
Sunset Grille is one of the newest best places to eat in Ocean City MD. The dockside dining restaurant opened in 2004 with an upscale menu.
The eatery has a rooftop deck for an al-fresco dining experience. We recommend trying the Spicy Rigatoni Bolognese. Great for pasta lovers, it consists of rigatoni noodles with aged parmesan, Sicilian olive oil, fennel, and basil.
For a white meat meal, order the Sesame Crusted Tuna Mignon with sushi-grade tuna, toasted almonds, wasabi, avocado, and sesame ginger sauce.
Crab Alley
If you are a fan of a crab specialty, then Crab Alley is the place to go. They try to find new ways to prepare the city’s favorite crustaceans.
You can eat whole crabs, with a price based on weight, or try any other crab-inspired dish. For example, crab rolls or crab soups. They even have a dessert, a crab cake.
Crazy 8s
This fast-casual dockside café is the place to find some delicious sandwiches, soups, and salads. It is a place for light lunch and breakfast.
Located along the water allows you to enjoy the views and sit with your family. You can travel there by boat and enter the cozy patio once docked.
The highlight of the menu is the florentine Panini dish with grilled chicken, sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomato-pesto mayonnaise, and mozzarella. Or you can try the Mahi Mahi wrap with spicy Cajun remoulade and blackened Mahi Mahi.
Hooked
Steven Hagen and Kevin Frey opened this Ocean City restaurant in 2013. Hooked specializes in creative local cuisine. Their motto is fresh, honest, local.
Here you can try some of the freshest ingredients and dishes. We recommend their classic fish and chips. The food might not be WoW, but the interior is just amazing. It is an art-filled space with works by photographer Kevin Flemings and painter Aubre Duncan.
The Original Greene Turtle
This is the quintessential Maryland bar you have to visit. The sports pub draws people that love to chat, enjoy a casual drink, grab something to eat, and watch their favorite team.
Go there to grab some wings and chat with friends.
Cafe Mirage
Cafe Mirage is an American restaurant that opened in 2013. Located at the Montego Bay Shopping Center, it is the best place to spend time with companions and snack on tasty food.
The local restaurant features a vibrant space and colorful decorations. The house favorite is the Mirage Burger. This brioche roll with bacon, special house-made sauce, lettuce, fried egg, tomatoes, and cheese is something you have to try.
Liquid Assets Bistro
Let’s put a bistro on our list of best places to eat in Ocean City MD. Tucked inside a beer and wine shop, this hidden gem features upscale American cuisine and friendly space.
Liquid Assets Bistro is basically a circular bar where guests can try some beer, wine, or martinis in a cozy dining room.
Some of the savory delights include roasted chicken with black-eyed peas, roasted tomatoes, and smoky white BBQ glaze. Or try the fried shrimp and chorizo grits.
On the Bay Seafood
This is the best place where locals go. On the Bay Seafood is a seasonal seafood restaurant that specializes in steamed crabs. That is their award-winning dish.
You can also try shrimp, calamari, scallops, or more tasty seafood delights. But the highlight is soft-shell crabs with a choice of two sides. If you want something lower in calories, try the fried oyster sandwich.
Fair warning: you will leave the place with sand in your shoes after visiting. But that is all part of the fun.
Longboard Cafe
The American restaurant opened in 2013 at the Town Center. Located inside a shopping center, Longboard Cafe is a great place to enjoy a quick meal during your shopping.
The surf-themed interior is on par with the city’s history and culture. Besides dining, you can try some creative cocktails.
During lunch, the best option is the powerhouse wrap, a herb and garlic wrap with avocado, greens, cucumber, tomatoes, shredded jack cheese, chicken, and more.
If you are there for dinner, try the Seafood pasta, a dish of fettuccine noodles with freshly caught scallops, lobster, and shrimp.
The Hobbit Restaurant
Last on our list is a sophisticated eatery that opened in 1977. Located just minutes from shops, hotels, and entertainment centers, The Hobbit Restaurant is always full.
If you want to splurge on fine dining, then this is your choice. With colossal windows, this best restaurant offers mesmerizing views while you eat your meal.
We highly recommend their Macadamia Crusted Salmon, a dish served with mild red curry sauce, Thai cucumber mint salad, and coconut rice.
Hi, I’m a clinical psychologist and inclined towards best buying practices for home and kitchen things. Critical towards choosing the best product and honest with my feedback. I’m a seasoned writer having more than 4 years of experience in multiple niches as well.
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