23 Best Restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland

If you’re planning a vacation to the East Coast beach town of Ocean City, you’re probably already looking forward to fresh seafood, Old Bay seasoning, and the boardwalk fare of cotton candy, hot dogs, and saltwater taffy. The best restaurants in Ocean City can be found around the area from South to North Ocean City and beyond, to West Ocean City. Toss in views of the Atlantic Ocean, Isle of Wight Bay, or Assawoman Bay for a complete event.

Known as the White Marlin Capital of the World – proclaimed by Franklin Roosevelt in 1939 after a day of fishing in the Ocean City Inlet – Ocean City is home to the White Marlin Open, which has been held there for 50 years. It’s considered the world’s “largest and richest” billfish tournament.

A marlin is a billfish (as is a swordfish and a sailfish), in case you were wondering how the two go together. With those credentials, you should be able to angle yourself a good catch. Or at least catch a great seafood meal among the many choices in Ocean City, one of the best beaches on the East Coast.

Not into fresh seafood? Have no fear. There are plenty of Asian, Mexican, BBQ, and more venues with delicious food to choose from.

Yes, you could fill up on taffy, candy, and Thrasher’s French fries, but let’s add some healthy choices to the menu. It’ll make Mom happy.

Whether you’re searching for fine dining options, a casual eatery, an upscale wine bar, juicy burgers, or coastal low country boils, you’ll find some of the best restaurants on the Eastern Shores of Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware right here in Ocean City MD. Let’s get started!

Best Restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland

1. Harbor Inn

Address: 216 Somerset Street, Ocean City, MD 21842

Looking for that quintessential “hole in the wall” bar … the kind with dollar bills tacked to the walls, and quirky signs hanging all around? You’ll probably also wonder “What’s up with the naked Barbie dolls?” (We’d be worried if you didn’t). Well, then Harbor Inn is your kinda place.

Located on the bayside near the White Marlin Marina and Ripley’s Mirror Maze, Harbor Inn has weathered storms, hurricanes, beach weeks, and a fire in 2021 that stemmed from an uninhabited apartment nearby. The oldest bar in Ocean City, it opened more than 86 years ago, though the building is from the 1800s, and is the oldest bar in O.C.

Classic rock is the standard sound coming from within its walls, but there’s a jukebox, so it’s really up to you what you want to hear. As far as grub goes, the menu at Harbor Inn offers amazing ahi tuna wraps, steak subs, nachos, and soft-shell crab cake sandwiches.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Santa Barbara

2. Blue Fish Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Address: 9401 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

A former fast food location, Blue Fish Restaurant & Sushi Bar now serves an amazing array of signature sushi rolls and Japanese cuisine. You’ll find everything from shrimp tempura, tuna tataki, traditional beef, and chicken dishes to spider rolls, dragon rolls, and a Maryland roll with (what else?) a sprinkling of Old Bay. Additionally, there’s a la carte sushi with tuna, shrimp, squid, salmon, and more as well as rice, lo mein, and pad Thai noodle dishes.

Looking for a hotel in the area? The Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort is just a few blocks from Blue Fish on the beachfront. It has an Olympic-sized pool in a tropical glass atrium, a tiki bar, a coffee shop, and several restaurants that include Schooner’s Restaurant and The Current.

3. The Shark on the Harbor

Address: 12924 Sunset Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842

Serving some of the best food on the beach, Shark on the Harbor is one of the most popular restaurants in Ocean City. The menu offers New York strip, seared scallops with sweet chili garlic broth, sage-spiced duck breast, seasonal vegetables, seafood pasta, shrimp served with Old Bay and cocktail sauce, and Prince Edward mussels with spicy andouille sausages.

Dishes are made with fresh, local, and organic ingredients. Fish and seafood come directly from the commercial fishing harbor just outside the restaurant. Unlike some of the seasonal eateries in Ocean City, Shark on the Harbor is open year-round!

See Related: Best Restaurants in Asheville, North Carolina

4. Sunset Grille

Address: 12933 Sunset Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842

Sunset Grille (along with Teasers Bar) is located waterfront at the Sunset Marina. It’s across from Shark on the Harbor, which makes it easy to have drinks at one and dinner at the other.

Sunset Grille has a rooftop deck to get those stunning Ocean City views. The lively bar scene of Teasers, next door, is the perfect spot to listen to live music and sip cocktails, crushes, beer, and wine.

The house specialty at this waterfront restaurant is crab cake sandwiches that consist of a 5 oz. jumbo lump crab cake plopped on a soft potato roll. Other options include chicken Chesapeake, sesame-crusted tuna mignon, steak au poivre, and spiced Atlantic salmon with crispy Brussels sprouts.

5. Café Mirage

Address: 12817 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

Located in the Montego Bay Shopping Center, Café Mirage serves a menu of comfort food, sandwiches, and seafood that includes loaded spinach and artichoke dip, grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes, shrimp and grits, and grilled mahi. Along with the tasty food, treat yourself to beverages such as a blueberry bourbon mule, an apple pie sangria, and a cinnamon roll cocktail with rumchata and Kahlua.

This mix of local ingredients and homemade recipes merges modern American and Caribbean influences to create great food and a welcoming ambiance.

The Ocean City restaurant has carry-out, indoor, and outdoor dining. Pups are allowed on the outdoor deck, so feel free to give them an invite.

Café Mirage is near the Northside Park, Playground, and Pier, and this neighborhood is one of the best places to stay in Ocean City. There’s a soft launch area for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. Check out the Wetlands Walkway for a leisurely stroll after lunch or paddling around in kayaks.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Key West

6. Shotti’s Point Café

Address: 607 N. Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Located on the Ocean City Boardwalk, Shotti’s Point Café gives early risers the advantage of a hearty meal before hitting the sand. Order up acai bowls, breakfast sandwiches and burritos with eggs and cheese, or build your own bagel sandwich. For lunch, make it a smash burger, gyro, cheesesteak, wings, or tacos.

Shotti’s has another location on the bayside (at 3505 Coastal Hwy and connected to the K-Coast Surf Shop). That location has an extensive selection of wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, grilled ahi tuna, a jumbo lump crab cake, and flat iron steak with roasted garlic butter.

Malibu’s Surf Shop, the Comfort Inn Boardwalk, and the Americana Motor Inn Oceanfront are nearby if you’re looking for accommodations and beach items like towels, apparel, sunscreen, and cool sunglasses.

7. Trattoria Lombardi’s Restaurant

Address: 9203 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

Sometimes you just want a big plate of spaghetti. And we get that. Trattoria Lombardi’s Restaurant is the place to find it in Ocean City. Located between 92nd and 93rd streets, it’s near the Art League of Ocean City and the Little Salisbury Neighborhood Park.

This Ocean City restaurant, family-owned for 50 years, offers an extensive menu of traditional Italian selections like pizza, pasta, subs, and sandwiches. Other items include chicken parmesan, chicken cacciatore and manicotti, and lasagna loaded up with meat and cheese. There’s also a full bar with an extensive collection of wine, beer, and creative cocktails.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Santa Fe, New Mexico

8. M.R. Ducks

Address: 311 Talbot Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

With thirst-quenching crushes, ice-cold beer, fresh seafood, and a lively buzz all about, M.R. Ducks offers the perfect beachy vibe for locals and visitors alike. The bayside staple sits dockside next to the Talbot Inn and near the Talbot fishing pier on Isle of Wight Bay. It’s near several local fishing charter companies.

As for the menu, just try to choose from steamed shrimp, hot dogs, grilled chicken breast sandwiches, Maryland fish and chips (we’re thinking it comes with a generous hit of Old Bay), a crab cake sandwich, and 10 flavors of chicken wings.

Enjoy seasonal live music and sunset-watching at the waterfront gazebo-style bar. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir tee or book a sport fishing charter trip while you’re there. 

9. Barn 34

Address: 3400 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

With two floors of fun, Barn 34 is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can’t miss it. It’s the one that looks like a barn.

The menu offers French toast, acai bowls, omelets, pancakes, and several varieties of eggs Benedict (yes, even crabcake bennies). For dinner, choose from filet mignon, grilled jerk pork chops, crabcake dinners, and cedar-plank salmon. Mojitos, mules, margaritas, and crushes as well as wine and beer round out the beverage portion of the menu.

Barn 34 is near the DoubleTree by Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront, which has an atrium-style indoor pool, two outdoor pools, a poolside bar, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant. The Marlin Moon restaurant serves breakfast and dinner.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Moab, Utah

10. On the Bay Seafood

Address: 4204 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

If it’s fresh crabs and cold brews you’re looking for, On the Bay Seafood has got you covered. Enjoy outdoor dining with picnic tables and a sand floor at this seafood restaurant. The predominately seafood menu offers blue crabs, steamed spiced shrimp, steamed crabs, scallops, clams, oysters, and calamari.

Order steamed bushels ahead of time to enjoy at home. Non-seafood items include chicken tenders and corn on the cob. Wash it all down with beer, wine, and daiquiris.

If you happen to be staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites Ocean City/Bayfront, you’ll find it easy to slip on over to On the Bay Seafood for every meal of the day. The pet-friendly Hampton Inn has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool, a fitness room, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary breakfast.

11. Fager’s Island Restaurant & Bar

Address: 201 60th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

For fine dining and excellent sunset views on the bay, Fager’s Island Restaurant & Bar serves a menu filled with seafood, Pacific Rim cuisine, and American fare. This Ocean City restaurant serves Chilean sea bass, prime rib, Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cakes, prime rib, and vegetarian pasta.

The lunch menu offers salads, chicken quesadillas, jerk chicken BLTs, wraps, and burgers. You can also try to choose between 32 wine varieties. Good luck with that.

The fine dining restaurant has a bar, live entertainment, parties, and special events. Fager’s Island is near the Lighthouse Club Hotel and The Edge, two of the best places to stay in Ocean City.

The Edge, an adults-only hotel, offers a pool, free continental breakfast, a library, meeting space, and stunning bayfront views. Guest rooms feature Italian linens, luxury furnishings, extra seating space, and jacuzzis with waterfront views.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Disney Springs

12. Harrison’s Harbor Watch

Address: 806 S. Atlantic Ave. #5915, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Harrison’s Harbor Watch, situated at the inlet on the southern end of the Ocean City Boardwalk, has an award-winning raw bar, the freshest seafood on the beach, and certified Angus beef steaks. Oysters, seasonal fish, and clams come from local waterways around Maryland and Virginia.

A super long happy hour extends from 4-9 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. Trimper Rides, the Inlet Village Shopping Mall, and the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum are all nearby.

13. Tequila Mockingbird

Address: 12919 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

For authentic Mexican dishes and more than 300 kinds of tequila, Tequila Mockingbird is one of the best Ocean City restaurants for fans of creative cocktails and flavor-filled recipes. Choose fresh homemade guacamole, fajitas with Angus flank steak, braised short rib quesadillas, and a wide array of tacos and burritos.

There are happy hour food and drink specials to kick off the evening. Tequila Mockingbird is in the Montego Bay Shopping Center near Higgins Crab House North, Café Mirage, and Northside Park.

See Related: Best Restaurants in San Diego, California

14. Seacrets

Address: 117 49th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Easily one of the most well-known hot spots in Ocean City, Seacrets is a lively venue at any time of day. Outdoor seating is a Jamaican vibe of tropical plants and a sand-covered floor.

Enjoy island-inspired cocktails, happy hour specials, and Caribbean-style cuisines, such as fish tacos, Jamaican pizza, chicken club wraps, and a whole host of other sandwiches. You’ll find New York strip, pork chops, and baby back ribs on the dinner menu.

With several dance floors and live music stages (there’s a tiki, pier, and beach stage), there’s always a full line-up of events and entertainment. Film festivals, March Madness basketball viewing, pig roasts, and beer fests are just a few of the events held at Seacrets. The venue is on Isle of Wight Bay and offers docks for those coming by boat.

Take a tour of Seacrets Distilling Company, located next door to Seacrets. It’s been named Maryland Rum Distillery of the Year in the New York International Spirits Competition. Try spiced rum, coconut rum, handcrafted gin, and flavored vodkas as well as traditional bourbon and American whiskey.

15. Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill

Address: 3701 Atlantic Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

Located at the Castle in the Sand Hotel, Coconuts Beach Bar & Grill is said to have the best happy hour around. With 2-for-1 drink specials, we’d have to agree (it’s only from 5-6, so be swift). Sip on frosty drinks, rum punch, and crushes (considered the best on the beach) while listening to seasonal live entertainment by local bands.

The menu offers char-grilled Angus burgers, grilled fish, wraps, crab cakes, jerk chicken, salads, grilled mahi, and seared tuna. With seating right on the sand, it’s one of the best Ocean City restaurants for a post-beach bite to eat.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Ogden, Utah

16. Fish Tales Bar and Grill

Address: 2107 Herring Way, Ocean City, MD 21842

Fish Tales is found on the bayside and has docks to tie up if you’re coming by boat. You can watch fish being cleaned and sliced right off the fishing charter boats. It’s that fresh.

Opened in 1983, the relaxed family-friendly eatery features Maryland crab soup, wings, seared ahi tacos, burgers, veggie wraps, and crab cake platters. It’s all about the chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and hot dogs for the kiddos.

Enjoy tropical drinks like orange crushes, dark and stormys, painkillers, mudslides, and more, or dive into desserts like key lime pie and mango pie. Fish Tales is near Embers Island Mini Golf, Old Pro Golf, Island Parasail, and OC Baysports for all your water and land-based activities.

17. Bull on the Beach

Address: 17 94th Street, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

If you’re more into “land food” than “sea food”, Bull on the Beach is the place to go. Check out the selection of steaks, ribs, chili, pit beef-smoked sandwiches, ½ racks of ribs, and homemade meatloaf with mushrooms, onions, and gravy. There’s a raw bar and daily bar specials.

The first Bull on the Beach location opened in 1980 on the boardwalk. There are now two locations: one on 2nd Street and one on 94th Street.

Head to the 94th Street location if you prefer the quieter vibe of North Ocean City. To be near all the attractions and activities of the boardwalk, check out the 2nd Street location.

See Related: Best Restaurants in Madison, Wisconsin

18. Crab Alley

Address: 9703 Golf Course Road, West Ocean City, Maryland 21842

The sister site of Bull on the Beach, Crab Alley is on the other side of the inlet from the boardwalk. It faces the water near Sunset Marina, O.C. Fisherman’s Marina, and the West Ocean City Boat Ramp, making for excellent beach views and access to the water and fishing charters.

Crab Alley is crab house, restaurant, lounge, and seafood market all in one. The menu is packed with steamed shrimp, crab dip, seared ahi tuna sandwich, flounder, snow crab legs, 10 oz. sirloin, chicken breasts, and a rack of ribs.

If you happen to have picky eaters, there are also hot dogs, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, steamed shrimp, and fried shrimp. Pick up shrimp, soup, oysters, tuna, and more in the market.

19. Tequila Frogs O.C.

Address: 5401 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland 21842

At Tequila Frogs, it’s all about frozen margaritas, crushes, sangria, and other bar favorites. If you happen to be looking for food items (and we recommend you do), choose from items like loaded nachos, tacos, tamales, enchiladas, fajitas, and carne asada.

For dessert, indulge in a big plate of sopapillas or pasteles de pina (layered sponge cake with pineapple, berries, and whipped topping). Go for the pasteles de pina. You won’t be disappointed.

The Best Western Ocean City Hotel & Suites is near Tequila Frog’s if you’re looking for a hotel nearby. The hotel is about a block from the beach and has a fitness center, a business center, and free Wi-Fi.

See Related: Best Restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip

20. Mackey’s Bayside Bar & Grill

Address: 5311 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

Located near Tequila Frog’s, Mackey’s Bayside Bar & Grill is a fun and lively bar scene with outdoor dining and waterfront tables. You’ll find it across from Reedy Island on Isle of Wight Bay, which makes it a great place to pull up a boat. There are docks right at the restaurant for docking and dining access.

Mackey’s is a real treat for seafood lovers with its vast collection of fresh fish and seafood. The menu offers Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cakes, chicken Chesapeake (stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat), shrimp imperial, and seafood kebobs. Texas BBQ ribs, certified Angus beef New York strip, and steak kebobs will please the landlubbers in your crew.

There’s an extensive selection of draft beer, wine, frozen drinks, premium cocktails, and buckets of sangria, rum punch, and crushes. Entertainment at Mackey’s includes karaoke, live music, beach bashes, and DJ nights.

21. Malia’s Café

Address: 1800 Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD

You’ll find Malia’s Café just steps from the beach and the Ocean City Boardwalk. Bright and colorful, Malia’s offers fantastic food to start the day.

Located at the Spinnaker Hotel, it serves breakfast and lunch items like sandwiches, smoothies, wraps, and tacos. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available.

If you’re looking for a hotel, the Spinnaker is an excellent option due to its beachfront location and proximity to the Jolly Roger Amusement Park and the Ocean City Convention Center. The hotel offers a pool, a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, and a private balcony.

See Related: Best Restaurants In New Orleans French Quarter

22. Longboard Café

Address: 6701 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842

The surf-themed Longboard Cafe is in the Town Center Shopping Center at 67th Street. It’s a bit north of the boardwalk but worth the drive or walk to get there. It’s across from the Ron Jon Surf Shop, so it’s a convenient spot to grab a bite after shopping for beach apparel or renting a surfboard.

Choose from salads and sandwiches, gourmet burgers, Mexican street corn, sushi-grade ahi nachos, jerk chicken, wings, and fish tacos. Specialty cocktails at Longboard Cafe include margaritas, martinis, crushes, dark and stormys, and goombay smashes.

Searching for a hotel in this fun area of Ocean City? The Home2Suites by Hilton Ocean City Bayside is the next block over. This modern and pet-friendly hotel offers convenient shopping, dining, and beach access as well as amenities like a business center, a swimming pool, kitchens, seating areas, and coffee machines.

23. BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar

Address: 2305 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842

With beautiful bayfront views, BLU Crabhouse & Raw Bar offers steaks, chicken, and pasta as well as traditional seafood like Maryland blue crabs, clams, shrimp, poke tuna tacos, sea bass citrus risotto, and more. Don’t forget to add a blue Hawaiian, Arnold Palmer, a gimlet, a strawberry daiquiri, or another creative combination of fruit and booze. Sangrias, margaritas, mules, wine, and craft beer round out the beverage choices.

The family-owned restaurant is a terrific choice for a relaxed meal after a day in the sun. Enjoy outdoor seating on the second-floor deck, on the sand, or on the dock. BLU Crabhouse has docks to tie up your boat for “dock and dine convenience”.

Related Resources