14 Best Maryland Restaurants For Fresh Seafood Lovers

Maryland is one of the best places in the country to dig into fresh seafood, thanks to its long-standing fishing traditions, waterfront communities, and, of course, the Chesapeake Bay. The state is particularly famous for its blue crabs, which you'll typically find steamed with Old Bay seasoning or served in regional favorites like crab cakes, crab imperial, and cream of crab soup. But while crab gets much of the attention, Maryland's seafood scene also includes fresh oysters and local rockfish, with restaurants serving everything from casual fried platters to elaborate multi-course meals.

Whether you're looking for a classic crab house with waterfront views, a historic seafood institution serving generations-old recipes, or an upscale restaurant for a special occasion, Maryland has plenty of options worth seeking out. Some of the state's best seafood restaurants are tucked away in small Chesapeake Bay towns, while others are longtime fixtures in cities like Baltimore and Annapolis. To help you narrow down your choices, we've rounded up 14 standout seafood spots across Maryland, considering their menus, customer reviews, local reputation, and distinctive dining experiences. From casual eateries where you can roll up your sleeves and crack open steamed crabs to elegant eateries, these are some of the best places to enjoy the state's coastal cuisine.

Tucked away in Grasonville, Maryland's charming town just an hour from D.C., Harris Crab House was established in 1981. But its history stretches back even further, when the same owners opened Harris Seafood Co. in 1947 and is now considered the state's last year-round commercial oyster house. Sourcing seafood from more than 200 local fishermen, this waterfront eatery of course specializes in crab, which can be served steamed or in classic Maryland dishes like lump crab imperial, crab cakes, and cream of crab soup. 

You can also take your pick from a range of other fresh seafood dishes, ranging from oyster po' boy sandwiches to barbecue shrimp and grilled, blackened, or fried rockfish, served with your choice of sides. Additionally, Harris Crab House has a slew of specials throughout the week, like Wednesday seafood boils, a raw oyster bar on Thursdays, plus weekday happy hours and all-you-can-eat crab, depending on availability. The 4.4 Google-rated restaurant is particularly lively on Thursday and Friday evenings when there's live music. If you can, get a seat on the outdoor deck.

Baltimore is one of America's top seafood cities, so it's no surprise that it's home to a few of Maryland's best seafood eateries. Located in a historic row home in Baltimore's harborfront neighborhood called Fells Point, Thames Street Oyster House has become a local favorite since opening in 2011, garnering a number of accolades along with a 4.7 rating on Google. Reviewers frequently say it's among the best meals they've had in Baltimore, praising the seafood quality, service, and elegant but relaxed atmosphere.

Led by executive chef Eric Houseknecht, Thames Street Oyster Bar serves seafood dishes spanning across the Mid-Atlantic and New England, from Rhode Island-style whole belly fried clam rolls to Maryland blue crab cakes. At its heart is its raw bar, which features oysters from the Chesapeake, New England, the West Coast, and beyond, along with various shellfish and fish. Waits can be long, so make a reservation ahead of time if possible.

Among Maryland's longest-running seafood institutions is Faidley's. Housed within the historic Lexington Market (which dates all the way back to the 1780s), Faidley's Seafood opened its doors in 1886 and is still operated by the same family, centuries after its founding. However, it wasn't until the 1960s that Faidley's Seafood began serving cooked dishes — and two decades later, its now-famous jumbo lump crab cake was introduced. The dish is the highlight at Faidley's Seafood, which serves its seafood menu in a casual, standing room-only space. With a 4.4 rating on Google, customers say the crab cakes are packed with large, high-quality pieces of blue crab, well-seasoned, and live up to its reputation.

Among its other fresh seafood offerings are Maryland crab soup (another favorite among visitors), and platters with your choice of fish, with options including lake trout, catfish, and flounder. Guests also point out the raw bar — particularly the oysters — as standouts. Faidley's Seafood is closed on Sundays.

The charming Maryland city of Bowie is known for its tasty eats — and that's largely thanks to places like Jerry's Seafood. The casual 4.5 Google-rated spot has been serving fresh Maryland seafood for nearly four decades and has earned a reputation particularly for its signature "crab bomb," made with just handpicked jumbo lump crab meat, triple-yolk mayonnaise, and Old Bay, and simply baked until golden.

Either stick to the classic or try one of the varieties packed with shrimp or lobster in addition to crab. Note that they're all at market price — but Jerry's customers say it's well worth it. At Jerry's Seafood, you'll also find other customer favorites like cream of crab soup and crab dip, which comes topped with jumbo lump crab and with sliced baguettes on the side. Beyond crab, Jerry's menu features dishes ranging from fried oysters and fresh Atlantic salmon to the mariner's platter, which comes with a mix of lightly fried seafood.

Overlooking the Baltimore skyline and harbor, Locust Point Steamers — also known as L.P. Steamers — is your classic Maryland crab house. Since opening in 1996, L.P. Steamers has not only earned a 4.5 rating on Google, but also received nods from "Man v. Food" and The Travel Channel's "Food Paradise," thanks to its authentic local vibe and flavorful blue crab. Inside, you'll find paper-topped tables and hot steamed crabs served year-round, which arrive with a wooden mallet for crab-picking. (If you're new to the crab-picking world, your server will lend you a hand.)

Its menu also boasts a steamed and raw bar, with everything from mussels to buttery lobster tail, plus fried plate options like fresh crab cakes and seasonal soft shell crab (either as is, or stuffed with crab cake). Don't skip a side of hush puppies (cornmeal fritters) served with honey butter, or Old Bay fries.

Within Baltimore's family-friendly suburb of Perry Hall is the long-running seafood staple, Conrad's Seafood Restaurant — which started off in 2007 as a seafood market before transitioning to a sit-down eatery in 2014. Although the restaurant has since expanded to a couple more locations, Perry Hall is the original with a 4.7 Google rating and over 7,000 reviews. The restaurant's founder, Anthony Conrad, has been crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay for over 20 years, so of course, the steamed crabs are the star of the show here. Guests regularly point out the freshness , large sizes, and custom seasonings.

The menu also features a range of other crab-filled dishes, like beer-battered crab balls, crab dip pretzels, and crab cakes, plus other fare like blackened local catfish, cornmeal-breaded oysters, yellowfin tuna poke bowls, and a raw bar. Plus, Conrad's Seafood Restaurant features a unique boat-shaped bar, alongside an outdoor patio. Visitors will also find a lineup of events, from Tuesday all-you-can-eat crab feasts, to Wednesday music bingo, and live music on Fridays.

Located on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, St. Michaels is known for its maritime history and many seafood spots — namely places like Chesapeake Landing. The local institution got its start back in 1991 as an extension of the family-run Bay Hundred Seafood processing plant, located right behind the restaurant.

"This is where the locals go on busy summer weekends," said one reviewer on Google, where the restaurant has a 4.4 rating. A similar sentiment was echoed on Reddit. "Chesapeake Landing is the real deal," confirmed one person in r/Maryland. "One of the very few places where you can find old-school classics like shad roe and soft clams." Other Chesapeake Landing favorites include crab imperial, crab dip, and crab cakes (broiled or fried), and the seafood platter, served with a mix of crab cake, shrimp, flounder, scallops, and soft crab or oyster. During oyster season between October and March, Chesapeake Landing even hosts a Friday night oyster buffet — complete with everything from oysters Rockefeller to hot steamed oysters and oyster stew, plus other seafood (and non-seafood) fare.

Perched on the Potomac River lies one of Maryland's longest-running seafood haunts, Captain Billy's Crab House. Established in 1947 by long-time crabber Billy Robertson, the crab house hasn't changed all that much in the decades since then — it's still operated by the same family (now in its third generation), and it excels when it comes to Southern Maryland crabbing traditions.

At Captain Billy's, crabs arrive at your table fresh from the Potomac, served over paper on a mallet and complete with a waterfront view. Opt for the classic steamed crabs or choose from other customer top picks like the broiled lump crab cake sandwich or the cream of crab soup. Customers on Google, where the restaurant has a 4.3 rating, also praise the relaxed, nostalgic atmosphere. At Captain Billy's, you'll also find a range of frozen cocktails (including non-alcoholic options), and drinks served by the glass or in a pitcher. For the best view, plan to visit around sunset. Captain Billy's Crab House is open seasonally and typically closes for the winter in late October, but check their Facebook page for updates.

Nestled on Hooper's Island, a laid-back Chesapeake Bay community with fishing and seafood, is the small village of Fishing Creek, where you'll find a historic schoolhouse transformed into one of Maryland's top seafood joints, Old Salty's. Serving largely seafood sourced by local fishermen in the Chesapeake, Old Salty's has become a beloved local hangout for its fresh sea fare since its founding in the 1980s.

Old Salty's is rated a 4.5 on Google, thanks to its local seafood, friendly service, and Chesapeake Bay scenery (particularly at sunset). Its made-from-scratch menu includes classic Maryland bites like lump crab cake (notably made with no fillers), house-made crab dip with pretzel nuggets, and a fried, blackened, or broiled catch of the day, with your choice of sides. Expect a lively vibe — located right on the water, Old Salty's also has a tiki bar, with occasional live music and other events. At the time of writing, Old Salty's is open Wednesdays through Sundays.

Although many of Maryland's top seafood eateries lean more casual, when it comes to fine dining, one of the state's best is undoubtedly Charleston Restaurant. The 4.7-rated establishment, led by James Beard-nominated chef and owner Cindy Wolf, opened in 1997 and has since become a staple of Baltimore's dining scene, racking up accolades like the AAA Five‑Diamond Restaurant Award and more.

Focused on elegant Lowcountry South Carolina cuisine, Charleston Restaurant offers an ever-changing pre-fixe menu starring numerous seafood options — at the time of writing, offerings include shrimp and grits, Maryland lump crab gratin, and pan-roasted sea scallops with bacon, fettuccine, and whole grain mustard cream. Guests are offered the option of three through six courses, plus complimentary dessert. Don't skip the wine pairings, which come from Charleston's extensive wine list of over 1,100 global varieties, which earned the restaurant a James Beard award in 2025. "Hands down, possibly the best restaurant I've ever eaten in anywhere," said one Reddit user in r/Maryland, praising the service, food quality, and portions. "Truly a 'treat yourself' at least once for the ultimate dining experience."

Annapolis is known for its old town Europe vibes — and also for housing one of the state's best seafood restaurants. Boatyard Bar & Grill got its start in 2001, taking inspiration from local Chesapeake Bay culture. Since then, it's garnered a 4.7 rating on Google with nearly 7,000 reviews, becoming not only a favorite among local sailors and fishermen, but all sorts of seafood lovers. Beloved for its cozy nautical ambiance and fresh seafood dishes, menu standouts include no-filler crab cakes, fresh fried codfish tacos, flounder BLTs, and crap dip sandwiches topped with melted cheddar cheese.

Boatyard Bar & Grill also offers a raw bar of oysters, mussels, middle neck clams, and a selection of oyster shooters, along with daily specials of oysters from various locations around the country, sandwiches, and entrees. On weekends, you can join Boatyard Bar & Grill for brunch — expect a range of classic breakfast dishes, plus seafood-centric meals like the "Killer Cake n' Eggs," an English muffin topped with poached eggs, fried green tomatoes, and crab cakes.

Baltimore is filled with standout seafood institutions, and Nick's Fish House is no exception, with a 4.5 Google rating and over 8,000 reviews. It first opened its doors along the Patapsco River in 2004, and over 20 years later, it's a local go-to for hot steamed crabs with Old Bay and other regional cuisine like cheesy crab dip, broiled or fried crab cakes, crab-stuffed shrimp, and more. Beyond crab, you'll also be spoiled for choice, with fish and chips, Cajun salmon pasta, and a fried oyster platter among other offerings.

Nick's Fish House is also the spot to go if you're looking for a lively vibe, with live music out on the waterfront deck Thursdays through Sundays and a cocktail menu utilizing fresh-squeezed juice, plus beer and punch buckets. Apart from raving about the food, reviewers consistently point out the kind and helpful staff, the atmosphere, and the overall experience. Just be sure to leave yourself some extra time for parking — the restaurant does offer free parking offsite, along with a free shuttle service, as well as a paid valet.

Ocean City, Maryland, isn't just home to one of America's best beaches — it's also home to some of the best seafood in Maryland. And dating back to the 1980s, Crab Alley is one of the community's fixtures, with its steamed snow crab, crab cakes, Maryland oysters, local flounder, and other seafood specialties. Rated a 4.4 on Google, Crab Alley also offers two all-you-can-eat options and a selection of "Feasts for Two," featuring different combinations of crab, shrimp, and other sides like hush puppies.

Grab a seat outside on the upper deck to have a view of the marina, and don't skip dessert. Crab Alley serves Smith Island cake, a quintessential Maryland dessert made up of eight thin cake tiers layered between icing. Crab Alley is open seven days a week during the summer and closes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the off-season, but check the restaurant's Facebook page for scheduling updates. Plus, the restaurant accompanies a seafood market, if you want to take anything to go.

Frederick is a hip and historic city with an acclaimed food scene, and when it comes to Maryland-style seafood, a local favorite is Avery's Maryland Grille. The steamed Maryland blue crab is Avery's claim to fame, served in an all-you-can eat combination with crab soup, hush puppies, and more. "You can really taste the quality and care in every bite," said one recent Google reviewer. You'll also find a range of other regional favorites and seafood bites, from crab cakes to stuffed flounder and beer-battered haddock. Not only has Avery's garnered a 4.6 rating on Google, but it's also a top pick among local Reddit users. Guests love the laid-back ambiance, attentive service, and high-quality seafood.

You can also find nightly specials, like discounts on all-you-can-eat crabs on Wednesdays and $1 oysters on Thursdays. Note that the restaurant was founded in 2014 in the same building as local watering hole Monkey Lala. For a few years, the two operated as distinct businesses under the same ownership, but in 2023, they officially merged. You can now enjoy Avery's seafood menu on either floor, but you'll still find more of a bar-feel on the lower level.