14 Maryland Waterfront Restaurants Where The Views Match The Seafood
Maryland’s soul food scene is full of warmth, flavor, and a touch of nostalgia that rivals any homemade meal.
From tender fried chicken and buttery cornbread to rich collard greens and savory sides, these restaurants serve dishes that feel like a hug on a plate.
Loved by locals for generations, each spot captures the heart of Maryland cooking, proving that when it comes to soul food, some kitchens can truly compete with Grandma’s.
1. Thames Street Oyster House — Baltimore (Fells Point)
Tucked into historic Fells Point, this cozy oyster bar doesn’t waste space on fancy decorations when the harbor does all the talking.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame bobbing sailboats while you slurp down oysters so fresh they practically taste like the bay breeze.
The raw bar here is legendary, and the lobster rolls are stuffed so full you’ll need both hands.
Locals pack this place during happy hour, so snag a window seat early if you want prime waterfront real estate for your meal.
2. Nick’s Fish House — Baltimore (Baltimore Peninsula)
Nothing beats the laid-back vibe at Nick’s, where picnic tables and paper plates keep things refreshingly casual.
Perched right on the water’s edge, you can watch boats cruise by while demolishing a bucket of steamed crabs with Old Bay seasoning piled high.
The outdoor deck practically hangs over the water, making you feel like you’re dining on a friend’s dock.
Summer evenings here are pure magic, with live music drifting across the tables and sunset painting the sky orange and pink.
3. Rusty Scupper — Baltimore (Inner Harbor)
Panoramic harbor views steal the show at this Inner Harbor gem, where massive windows wrap around the entire dining room. Every table gets a water view, which is pretty much unheard of in popular tourist spots.
The seafood menu leans upscale without being stuffy, featuring everything from Maryland crab cakes to grilled salmon.
Their Sunday brunch draws serious crowds, and for good reason: bottomless mimosas paired with harbor views make any Sunday feel like a celebration worth attending.
4. The Choptank — Baltimore (Fells Point)
Beach vibes crash into urban waterfront at this surf-shack-inspired spot that somehow works perfectly in Fells Point.
Sand-colored wood, nautical ropes, and an amazing rooftop deck create the illusion you’ve escaped to the coast without leaving the city.
The menu bounces between Eastern Shore classics and creative seafood twists, like blackened mahi tacos that’ll make you forget about boring fish sandwiches.
Rooftop seating offers epic harbor panoramas, especially during golden hour when everything glows.
5. Carroll’s Creek Cafe — Annapolis
Sailboats practically parade past your table at this Annapolis institution, where the waterfront patio puts you right in the middle of all the nautical action.
The view across Spa Creek toward downtown Annapolis is postcard-perfect, especially when the Naval Academy’s sailing team practices nearby.
Their crab imperial is rich and buttery without being heavy, and the rockfish specials change with whatever’s freshest.
Weekend brunch here feels fancy without requiring fancy clothes, which is exactly the Maryland vibe we love.
6. O’Leary’s Seafood Restaurant — Annapolis (Eastport)
Family-owned since forever, O’Leary’s delivers that neighborhood spot warmth while sitting pretty on the Annapolis waterfront.
The outdoor deck gets you close enough to the water that you can practically high-five passing kayakers. Steamed crabs arrive by the dozen, and the seafood platters are ridiculously generous.
Locals treat this place like their personal dining room, which tells you everything you need to know about the consistently good food and friendly service that keeps people coming back season after season.
7. Severn Inn — Annapolis
Perched where the Severn River meets the Chesapeake Bay, this spot serves up views so stunning they should charge admission separately.
Floor-to-ceiling windows mean even indoor diners get the full waterfront experience, watching sailboats tack across the bay.
The menu goes beyond typical seafood shack fare with creative preparations that let fresh ingredients shine.
Their crab bisque is velvety perfection, and the rockfish gets treated with respect it deserves. Sunset reservations book fast because watching the sky turn pink over the water never gets old.
8. Mike’s Restaurant & Crabhouse — Riva
South River views and no-frills crab feasts define this Riva favorite, where paper-covered tables and mallets mean business.
The waterfront deck stretches right over the river, giving diners front-row seats to boats cruising past during dinner.
Crabs here are steamed to perfection with that signature Maryland seasoning blend that makes your fingers tingle.
It’s the kind of place where everyone leaves with messy hands and happy stomachs, having spent hours picking crabs while watching the river shimmer in the fading light.
9. Pirate’s Cove Restaurant & Dock Bar — Galesville
Boat up or drive in to this hidden gem where West River views and pirate-themed fun create the ultimate summer escape.
The tiki bar vibe and waterfront dock make you feel like you’ve discovered a secret tropical hideaway in Maryland.
Live music fills weekend evenings while boaters tie up at the dock to grab drinks and seafood baskets.
The casual atmosphere encourages lingering over frozen drinks and fried oysters while watching boats bob in their slips. It’s pure vacation energy without needing to leave the state.
10. Schaefer’s Canal House — Chesapeake City
Watching massive ships glide through the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal from your dinner table never stops being cool.
This historic spot sits right on the canal, offering front-row seats to an endless parade of boats, barges, and yachts passing impossibly close.
The menu celebrates local seafood with classic preparations that don’t try too hard. Their crab cakes are lumpy in all the right ways, mostly crab with just enough binder.
The outdoor patio is prime real estate for ship-watching while sipping wine and enjoying the breeze.
11. Chesapeake Inn Restaurant & Marina — Chesapeake City
Expansive canal views and a full marina make this spot feel like a destination vacation condensed into one meal.
The second-floor dining room provides elevated views of boats navigating the canal, while the outdoor deck puts you right at water level.
Seafood options run deep here, from steamed shrimp by the pound to blackened tuna that’s seared perfectly.
The laid-back marina atmosphere attracts boaters and landlubbers alike, all drawn by reliable seafood and those hypnotic canal views that make time disappear between courses.
12. Foxy’s Harbor Grille — St. Michaels
St. Michaels harbor spreads out before you at this charming spot where sailboats and working boats share the water.
The outdoor deck practically floats on the harbor, putting diners right in the middle of all the maritime activity.
Crab dip comes bubbling hot with enough Old Bay to remind you exactly where you are, and the fish tacos bring unexpected brightness to traditional seafood menus.
The vibe stays relaxed and friendly, perfect for long lunches watching boats come and go while you nurse a cold drink.
13. Fager’s Island — Ocean City
Bayside sunsets at this Ocean City landmark are so spectacular they’ve practically become a local tradition.
The multi-level decks wrap around the building, ensuring everyone scores water views whether you’re dining indoors or out on the expansive outdoor spaces.
The menu goes beyond typical beach town fare with upscale touches that elevate familiar favorites.
Their Sunday brunch buffet is legendary, and the nightly sunset celebrations draw crowds who gather just to watch the sky explode in color over the bay while sipping cocktails.
14. The Shark on the Harbor — West Ocean City
Harbor views without the Ocean City boardwalk chaos make this West Ocean City spot a refreshing alternative.
The waterfront patio offers peaceful marina scenes where fishing boats and pleasure craft create a constantly changing backdrop for your meal.
Fresh catches dominate the menu, often featuring whatever local fishermen brought in that morning.
The atmosphere stays relaxed and unpretentious, letting the quality seafood and pretty harbor views do all the talking. It’s the kind of place where flip-flops are perfectly acceptable and nobody rushes you through dinner.