Among the best things to do in Baltimore are amazing seafood dishes, and there is perhaps no place in the country that does it better. A large number of restaurants specialize in serving East Coast seafood in the city of Baltimore and so it can be hard to choose. We have selected 15 of the best seafood restaurants in a city that does seafood phenomenally well. Each restaurant puts their own twist on the food and dining experience, meaning that Baltimore has a wide range of amazing and interesting options.


Rusty Scupper, Inner Harbor

Rusty Scupper, Inner Harbor

© Rusty Scupper

Rusty Scupper is an upscale landmark seafood restaurant that has been serving regional Maryland-style seafood for more than 30 years at their convenient Inner Harbor location. One of the best weekend getaways in Maryland, The restaurant serves mostly seafood dishes that have been enhanced by the spices and seasonings of the Chesapeake region.

Some of the most praise-worthy items on the menu include the warm ciabatta bread, the crab bisque, and the Maryland crab cakes. The Sunday brunch features live jazz or piano music and reservations are recommended, especially during the popular brunch service. Diners can take in fantastic panoramic views of the Baltimore waterfront while indulging in seafood favorites. The restaurant offers a convenient shuttle service to many hotels in the Inner Harbor. Explore these top beaches near Baltimore for a relaxing day out.

402 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230, Phone: 410-727-3678


Faidley's, West Side

Faidley's, West Side

© Faidley’s

Faidley Seafood is one of the best-known and oldest seafood restaurants in Baltimore and in fact the entire Chesapeake area. One of the best things to do in Maryland and famous for crab cakes, the restaurant makes gigantic hand-formed lump crab cakes. Located in the world-famous Lexington Market, Faidley’s has received many awards and accolades and has appeared on a number of media outlets such as the Travel Channel, Smithsonian Magazine, the Food Network, and more. In addition to the iconic crab cakes, the restaurant serves a selection of seafood, soups, and entrees.

They offer the interesting experience of ordering fresh fish from their fish counter and having it cooked to order. Faidley’s also offers a next-day air delivery service of their crab cakes, so fans can partake in them anywhere in the United States. Explore these relaxing Baltimore hotels and inns for a perfect stay.

203 North Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, Phone: 410-727-4898


LP Steamers, Locust Point

LP Steamers, Locust Point

© LP Steamers

Located in a corner row house in Locust Point, the family-run LP Steamers is a laid-back Maryland-style crab house. The crabs are definitely the focus of LP’s simple menu. The popular steamed crabs can be ordered in several sizes and are brought to you at the table to crack and pick yourself.

Other steamed seafood is also done quite well and includes shrimp, mussels, scallops, and clams. A few standard crab-shack appetizers are available to get you started and there is a small menu of spirits to wash it all down.

1100 East Fort Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21230, Phone: 410-576-9294


Mama's on the Half Shell, Canton

Mama's on the Half Shell, Canton

© Mama's on the Half Shell

Mama’s on the Half Shell is a popular Baltimore tavern which offers up large portions of rich, hearty seafood dishes and also features a large oyster selection. This reasonably priced restaurant has attempted to recreate the seafood restaurants of the past. Fitting with this theme, the decorations feature photographs and cultural artifacts from Baltimore’s past.

There is a bustling bar downstairs that can be a bit noisy and crowded at times, although the upstairs dining room is cozy and much quieter. In the summer, you can also dine on the sidewalk outside. The menu features a wide range of seafood dishes, including fried, steamed, or raw seafood as well as a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, soups, and salads. You would be missing out if you didn’t accompany your meal with one of the restaurant’s famous orange crushes.

2901 O’Donnell Street, Baltimore, MD 21224, Phone: 410-276-3160


Nick's Fish House, Port Covington

Nick's Fish House, Port Covington

© Nick's Fish House

Nick’s Fish House is a casual seafood restaurant modeled after a beach bar. The restaurant serves a variety of seafood classics, including their popular steamed crab and crab cakes. The menu offers a selection of appetizers that leans heavily toward fried foods and is reminiscent of a beach-front dive; it includes fried calamari, fried green tomatoes, and chicken wings.

The rest of the menu includes a large variety of drool-worthy seafood of the raw, steamed, and fried varieties. The outdoor dining on the waterfront deck is a great way to partake in happy hour, a delicious seafood dinner, or an orange crush while overlooking the picturesque Patapsco River. Nick’s frequently hosts events, including live music and entertainment, nearly every weekend. Browse some of the best Baltimore wedding venues to celebrate a special day.

2600 Insulator Drive, Baltimore, MD 21230, Phone: 410-347-4123


Ouzo Bay, East Harbor

Ouzo Bay, East Harbor

© Ouzo Bay

Ouzo Bay is a swanky East Harbor restaurant serving Greek seafood and creative cocktails. Visitors will find traditional Greek and Mediterranean dishes such as spanakopita and dolmades. However, there are several more exotic dishes on offer as well such as ortyki, which is a grilled quail served atop a pancake made from zucchini.

The seafood menu is diverse and includes fresh-caught fish from around the world prepared with fresh herbs and spices to give it a distinct Mediterranean flavor. Ouzo Bay also offers one of the largest selections of Ouzo in the Eastern United States. Reservations are accepted.

1000 Lancaster Street, Baltimore, MD 21224, Phone: 443-708-5818


Phillips Seafood, Inner Harbor

Phillips Seafood, Inner Harbor

© Phillips Seafood

Phillips Seafood is a Baltimore icon serving fresh, Maryland-style seafood and American favorites. The menu features all the traditional seafood dishes that you would expect, with a special emphasis on their famous jumbo lump crab cakes, which are served with a zesty chipotle sauce.

Other non-seafood items on the menu include a roasted breast of chicken and a grilled ribeye. Over the past few years, the menu has placed more emphasis on local seafood and farm products from the Baltimore area. The restaurant features nightly live piano music and is only steps away from the attractions in the Inner Harbor as well as many popular downtown hotels. Phillips also has a branch at the Baltimore-Washington Airport.

601 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, Phone: 410-685-6600


Thames Street Oyster House, Fells Point

Thames Street Oyster House, Fells Point

© Thames Street Oyster House

Thames Street Oyster House is a classic New England oyster house that serves both traditional and modern seafood. The restaurant takes its inspiration from the Maryland, mid-Atlantic, and New England styles of preparing seafood and has an award-winning raw bar. The restaurant is located on the waterfront in historic Fells Point and thus the upstairs dining area boasts a beautiful view of the water.

In addition to this dining room, Thames Street also features a delightful courtyard in the back as well as a main bar room inside. The star of the show, the oysters, come from both U.S. coasts and beyond and Thames Street features more than 10 kinds of oysters each day. Reservations are always recommended.

1728 Thames Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, Phone: 443-449-7726


The Black Olive, Fells Point

The Black Olive, Fells Point

© The Black Olive

The Black Olive is a Greek seafood restaurant located on the cobblestone section of Bond Street in beautiful Fells Point. The restaurant’s menu is defined by simplicity and tradition. They serve whole fish, seafood, and lamb and have some of the freshest seafood around.

The fresh fish is taken from the ice display case, filleted at the table, and then prepared in the traditional Greek style. The entire menu is made with organic produce, dairy, sugars, and flours. The Black Olive has one of the largest wine selections in Baltimore with over 3000 bottles. For a truly unique experience, visitors can choose to dine in the wine cellar.

814 South Bond Street, Baltimore, MD 21231, Phone: 410-276-7141


The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Harbor East

The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Harbor East

© The Oceanaire Seafood Room

Oceanaire Seafood Room is a high-end chain restaurant with a location in Harbor East. The sophisticated but fun environment and delectable seafood, steaks, and wine make Oceanaire a popular restaurant to visit for special occasions or events. The menu is based on the market and changes frequently but always features simple, seasonal, and regionally inspired fresh seafood dishes.

Talented wine stewards guide guests through the expansive wine list to help them find the perfect wine pairing to complement their meal. Oceanaire is committed to purchasing only choice, sustainable seafood from around the world so you can indulge in your pick of fresh seafood without any guilt. Oceanaire has several other locations throughout the country.

801 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD 21202, Phone: 443-872-0000

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The Prime Rib, Mount Vernon

The Prime Rib, Mount Vernon

© The Prime Rib

The Prime Rib has been a Baltimore favorite since it opened in 1965. However, when you step through the doors, you might feel as though you were in a supper club from the 1930s or 1940s. The classically formal style, complete with tuxedo-clad waitstaff, leopard print carpet, and live piano music, creates a signature experience from the start.

The restaurant serves dishes that are as classic as the decor and include steak, seafood, and the famous prime rib. The seafood selections range from a raw bar to several classic hot seafood options such as oysters Rockefeller, clams casino, and a Maryland-style jumbo lump crab cake. The restaurant has complimentary valet parking. The Prime Rib Baltimore is the original flagship restaurant of what has now become a 3-location chain with restaurants in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia as well.

1101 North Calvert Street, Baltimore, MD 21202


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