50 Best Seafood Restaurants near Essex

“Got a 1/2 bushel for a friend's birthday and they were absolutely fantastic crabs! They were heavy, full of meat, and a lot of flavor. I'll definitely be using this establishment when I get a taste for crabs moving forward. To top it off, the price was quite reasonable! Thank you.“

“We had our wedding here. Island View Waterfront Cafe was everything we envisioned for our wedding!! It had that backyard wedding feel with GORGEOUS waterfront views! Jess was absolutely amazing to work with and her love for weddings and desire for you to have your dream day is evident after working with her. She is a great communicator and was a huge help during the different planning stages of our wedding. During our rehearsal and on the day of I came to her with all the questions and she had already had the answers and plans for those worked out and she is a HUGE reason why our day went so smoothly! We love and Cherish being an Island View Couple!! Some cool perks: flexibility to pick our own vendors; chairs and tables were included in the rental; we rented out the the evening before for our rehearsal and hosted an informal pizza party as we were setting up and organizing all the decor which made everything so much easier; you get to work with Jess and I can't say enough good things about her!!“

“Today we took our young kids here for lunch and it was exactly what we were looking for! Great outside dining area on the water and we asked to be sat right next to the kids area (which was perfect!) so that our little one could play while we enjoyed our food and drinks. Everything was delicious and we felt the prices on food and drinks were very reasonable. We will definitely be back!“

“I have been going here since I was a kid. Their steamed shrimp and crabs are both amazing. Every time I come.back east I make sure I go here for dinner one night during the trip as the seafood we have out in Colorado does not hold a candle to what they have in Maryland but especially here. My grandmother who passed 2.5 years ago would always say how much she missed going here and it is a shame she never had a chance to come back here after she moved with us to Colorado.“

“Nothing like the Birdland; ½ lb steamed shrimp 🦐 & ½ lb wings 🐔— the perfect combo. Had to get a ½ dozen crabs too 🦀 Great food, even better company, and top-tier service every time, thanks to Stephanie! We truly love being able to have dinner here!“

“Crabs were delicious & steamed perfect..so good! Love this carry-out place“

“We had a wonderful first visit to Charley’s! Our party of seven arrived around 4:30 without a reservation, but what appeared to be the manager quickly had a table cleaned and ready for us within five minutes. He was attentive and present throughout the restaurant, which was great to see. Our server was excellent, the food came out surprisingly fast, and the whole family loved the cozy, fun atmosphere—especially the arcade room. The plants and café lights are a nice touch too. We’re already looking forward to coming back!“

“Food is excellent and so is the server Rubi! Will eat here again“

“Food & service is superb. A great dining experience“

“This was by far the BEST seafood in the area. Food was delicious, service was superb, staff very friendly. Shuttle service right on point! Overall experience 10/10 in all areas. I definitely will be back and telling everyone looking for great seafood and experience! Thank you!“

“Hello! My husband and I visited the Baltimore inner harbor location and our waiter Ruslan was top tier! His services was A1, it’s a most you visit!! TheWiseWay“

“Gretta was great. Had 1 bad crab out of 12 Kate replaced no problem and no questions asked.“

“This was my first time there. Crabs were spot on, in size and price. Service was amazing. Easy parking. Great views. I'll be back.“

“We come to eat at the Rosedale location maybe once a month. Even on long waits when we are extra hungry, we always request Draven because he is a rockstar! Our drinks are never empty and requests such as extra napkins, gloves, bibs etc are always met expeditiously. We never have to wait long for food and it is always fresh and hot. Our family are creatures of habit and we typically get the same thing every time. Let’s start with the clam chowder. A generous bowl with a heaping portion of clam. We especially enjoy the crackers on the side for our picky toddler to nibble on. For dinner I always get the Cajun boil with the hook n reel blend *spicy* with sausage and hard boiled eggs as an add on. I like to get a 20 oz. draft ipa. It pairs very well with the spiciness of the boil. Our toddler usually ends up with tenders and sweet potato waffle fries. Recently she has started to eat broccoli (hallelujah!) so we get that on the side as well. For a family of 3, we spend around $130. If you request Draven, please expect to be amazed by the service and expect to tip at LEAST 20% for impeccable service. For those bad at math, 20% of $130 is $26, which I like to bump up to $30. Sorry this was so long! If you got this far, enjoy your dinner at Hook n Reel in Rosedale. We always do!“

“Exceptional Service, Made Our Meal Even Better!”

I just have to give a huge shoutout to our server, Enrique who made our experience at Baltimore Seafood absolutely unforgettable. From the moment we sat down, Enrique was friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. They took the time to walk us through the specials and offer recommendations based on our preferences, which made choosing our dishes so much easier.

What really stood out was how knowledgeable Enrique was about the seafood on the menu. They could easily answer every question we had about the sourcing and preparation of each dish. It was clear that they took pride in the restaurant’s offerings and cared about making our meal the best it could be.

Throughout the evening, they checked in just the right amount—never hovering, but always making sure we had everything we needed. They also made great wine pairings suggestions, which were spot on. It’s rare to get such personalized service, and it really elevated our dining experience.

Thanks to Enrique , our evening at [Restaurant Name] was truly memorable. We’ll be back soon, and hopefully, we get to have them as“

“My daughter and I ate here last night in the bar/lounge area. The ambiance was perfect! There was live music and they were great! But the star of the show was the Fabulous food and Amazing service! Everyone made us feel so welcomed. They greeted us with a smile and kindness. Our server, Marshal, was very knowledgeable of the preparation of the dishes and was extremely helpful in making our selections. The cocktails were very good! I had the margaritas. The deviled eggs were so good and the crab cakes? Oh the Crabcakes! The best I have ever had! (And I've tried them a lot) So much crab, not filler! DELISH! We highly recommend Jimmy's! Make your reservation, you won't be disappointed!“

“Rusty Scupper was amazing. The goold was delicious but what really set them apart was how they went the extra mile for my parents anniversary dinner. I got my parents a gift card and made reservations, in the reservation saying it wasy parents anniversary celebration, could they give them a quiet table. They did that and so very much more. My mom can't stop talking about how incredible they were, how special she felt, how incredible the food was and how she had 3 wait staff, one in training but she had never felt so special in her life. Her excitement and joy makes me smile and I want everyone to know that Rusty Scupper could have set them in a nice table and said Happy Anniversary, that would have been great service but what they did was make an unforgettable memory for my parents. Going above and beyond, thank you Rusty Scupper staff, thank you so very much. You gave my parents an experience that is above and beyond "like something out of a movie" mom keeps saying!!!!“

“Definitely a 10/10 spot went there around 7:30 for dinner !! Food was awesome and in good prices I got a crab cake for 18$ with a 2 dollar add on for fries and coleslaw. Recommend getting there early just because wait times are crazy. Service was awesome I was there 5/21 and sitting on the first floor outside the server was amazing but sadly I can’t remember the young girls name she was tall and skinny. I’m definitely coming back!!!“

“Great place to come eat and enjoy family and friends. They also have live music, fantastic.“

“Food was delicious!!!! Delivered nice and hot. It was almost too pretty to eat. I can’t wait to order again!!“

“absolutely the best dinner i’ve had in a longgggg time. we split the steak and crab cake and we were so completely satisfied!!! will come back soon and often!!“

“You know a restaurant is top notch when you’re willing to miss a flight just to dine there. That’s how I feel about Costas Inn. I had my first taste of their amazing, heavy, and very sweet crabs a few years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Now, I gladly make the two-hour drive just to order six crabs — though I never make it past three! But what truly sets this place apart is the family atmosphere. Every visit feels like coming home. You’re always welcomed with a warm smile, and with every bite, you’re reminded why you came back. Tonight was extra special. Not only did I get to meet the owner’s daughter, who embodies the heartwarming smile and customer service this place is known for, but I was also lucky to be served by Dominic, our waiter. With the cutest smile and an attentive, friendly attitude, he made sure our experience was perfect from start to finish. If you ever get the chance to visit, don’t hesitate — grab a seat and start cracking!“

“Justin was our server for Sunday Brunch. He was very attentive & friendly. The food was delicious & came out fast! We will definitely we back & be sure to ask for Justin!“

“Always good always hot always fresh i also love how neatly the crabs r placed in the bag an season is on time!!!!! Dave is always kind prices always great wish i could give 1000 stars keep up the great work Dave I appreciate u“

“the food was excellent!! couldn't have asked for better. our waiter's name was John and was the absolute best!!“

“Outdoor seating was a perfect ambiance. The crab soup was excellent with sweet crabmeat on top. Seafood boil was excellent. Crab cakes were delicious. First crab cake I’ve had that was actually crab meat and not bread crumbs.“

“Food so good . Cajun catfish delicious“

“The food was excellent and the atmosphere was excellent and waiters was excellent thank you for good prepared food“

“Hubby and I ordered for the first time and picked it up. The salmon and shrimp dishes are seasoned so well yet simple and cooked perfectly! While calling to order the young man I spoke with was very patient and helpful while I asked questions to ensure eating the food was safe for my dietary restrictions.“

“I was sooo excited to try this place after my boyfriend kept talking about it. We went on a Saturday evening and had to wait about 10 minutes to be seated. We were seated upstairs. Our waitress Mellisa was AMAZING!!!!! She offered her suggestions on what to order. She also made theeeee BEST Long Island Iced Teas!!! She mentioned she has been with the company/restaurant and I can tell why! She is a GEM! I ordered the lump crab cake that came with shrimp and asparagus. I ordered rosemary potatoes as an additional side. He ordered the Lump crab imperial (came in a small black skillet) and had a sauce in it. Food was very tasteful!!! I even had some leftover to take home. Believe the hype! This IS SEAFOOD at its finest!!“

“Simply put…W O W! The history alone drew me to stop in. The food will keep me coming back! If you haven’t, why? Incredible crabs and a clean, relaxed atmosphere and staff! See y’all again SOON!“

“Lemme just start i 10/10 recommend this place just amazing everything is seasoned to perfection great servers atmosphere definitely come here if your looking for a great night“

“Great crabs great customer service“

“Today is the second time I have gotten Steamed Crabs from them, and just like the first time, this time the Crabs 🦀 were excellent. This is now going to be my go to place for Crabs.“

“Something Magical about this place! Crabs are very heavy and reasonably priced. My "fav"is Snow Crab Legs and that golden steamed corn on cobb. Staff members, always smiling, very knowledgeable about their product; each one seems very happy to have his/her job, so courteous. BLAKE'S is the Best in Baltimore!“

“I ordered 2 dozen XL crabs today, and when I went to pick them up, there was only 1dozen crabs on my order. After speaking with the young lady who took my order, she remembered taking the order, but inadvertently put in the wrong amount.
She immediately told me to go home with the aforementioned 1dozen, and that she would deliver the second dozen to my home personally.
You do not get this type of service anywhere else.
The crabs were delicious, heavy, and packed. I’m sorry I didn’t get her name, but just assumed she was the manager.
I’ve been getting my crabs here for years. It is the only place I go for carry out, and will continue to do so.
Thank you again for your exceptional service, and the best, most consistent product anywhere.
Chris Pappas“

“Never had a bad experience here! The crabs and service are always on point!“

“We had our daughters bridal shower their on Saturday March 4th. It was for 50 people. The food and the service was excellent. They went above, what we expected. The chef came out spoke to us and assisted in any way they could. The service was wonderful. If you are looking for a venu to host a party, "Hull Street Blues " is it. Wonderful, wonderful, service and great people !“

“The Capital Grill is our favorite restaurant especially for special occasions. Our most recent dining was on the occasion of our 52nd Wedding Anniversary. As always, excellent Menu selection superb wait staff. I cannot recall the gentleman who served us however, upon seeing him, recalled that with the assistance of another member of the staff on the occasion of my wife's 70th Birthday took great care of us.“

“The 2 ladies were very nice they went above and beyond when they didn’t have too. I work industry and hospitality is a big deal where I come from in SC I don’t mind tipping and i understand at the end of the night when closing everybody is ready to go but they were very nice and still made sure to be professional and I will be back just because of that

Remember Tesh I have an addiction to crabs this my first time and won’t be my last“

“Every time we come our waitress Sue gives us the ultimate dining experience. She has been the best waitress I’ve ever had anywhere. The food is always exceptional, and by far the most delicious seafood around here. Always a perfect 5 star ⭐️“

“Some times there can be so much salt but if you let them know they will not put as much I've been coming here for a years and the experience is always top-notch. The staff is consistently friendly, helpful, and professional—they really make you feel welcome every time. On top of that, the prices are hard to beat, especially for the quality of crabs you get. Fresh, flavorful, and well-seasoned! If you're looking for a go-to spot for great crabs and great service, this is definitely it.“

“Angelo provided wonderful service! The food was delicious, the location and view were beautiful, and we enjoyed sitting outside. The restaurant itself has a great atmosphere, and I'm looking forward to coming back to try the dinner menu.“

“In July, we bought 2 bushels of crabs because we had people coming from out of state. They were the best crabs we ever had. They were really fantastic. Captain Jimmys took very good care of us. We now will be a lifetime customer. Getting ready to order crabs for Labor Day. I would highly recommend getting your crabs captain Jimmys. 10 stars“

“Dear Brittany,

I wanted to express how amazing the food and ecstatic decor were during my recent visit. The staff was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, making the experience even better. The food is like no other—clearly made with love every time. Whenever I’m in town, this place is a must-visit. Keep up the great work!

Best regards,
Erica B.“

“I had fried chicken and French fries, and it was exactly how I like it. It was well done and well-seasoned. Actually, it was the best and had it twice in a row. He listened to what I wanted, and he made it happened.“

“One of the best dining experiences you can have. Every bite was absolutely perfect. We literally tried just about everything on the menu. To say we were impressed is an understatement. I literally can't wait to come back! Chef Austin personally came out to check on us. He's just insanely talented. Thank you!“

“Crabs, crabs, crabs. Im shocked to find out so many people don't realize Chris' sells crabs. My family have been going here for years and we've never had a bad dozen from Chris'. Nice sizes, healthy crabs, steamed perfecr, and we seasoned.

Call a day or two ahead to really get the sizes you want.“

“You can't beat a dozen of large male crabs for $90. The crabs are always good, fresh, and hot. The corn is locally grown and sweet, which is great! The wings are decent, and i love the hush puppies. I wish they'd put a few heaters outside so people could sit out there. I'm not sure if they do that as I've never been when it's cold. It's just small and tight in there. Opening that patio would help even in the winter. Would recommend! And they are BYOB! Beers and Wine. Not too sure about hard alcohol.“

“We went to Indigma this evening for restaurant week. The food was fantastic and my nine-year-old loved everything! She gave it a 1523/10 rating! Though everything was excellent, the creme brulee was the best I've ever had. Thank you for a fantastic meal!“