50 Best Seafood Restaurants near Essex

“Best crabs I had in years! Season well heavy meaty with lots of the yellow sauce inside! I don’t like the butter. The staff is nice. The shrimp is good as well . I live 45 minutes away I don’t care I will take the ride lol. Check them out you will not be disappointed“

“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!“

“Awesome a great Baltimore tradition for crabs, recently enjoyed the soup flight that comes with bread and it was amazing, I recommend the seafood gumbo.. my new favorite, engaging prompt bartender, sitting at the bar alone still felt so welcoming, 63 year old female FYI.“

“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!!“

“Enjoying perfect Baltimore weather this one evening in June with outstanding service from Taylor! The crabcakes were fabulous and quite reasonable price-wise. I wasn’t a big fan of the french fries; they had some kind of sweet salt on them? The rockfish appetizer was delicious and the oysters were yummy.“

“Best yet best be on your way to get you some them things go fast“

“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!“

“Incredible service incredible food We cannot wait to visit again. Christine, Bobby, Taylor Tharp, Will .R.“

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

“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!“

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

“From the moment we arrived, the entire team at Phillips Seafood was incredibly kind, welcoming, and attentive. They went above and beyond to help make our event both seamless and memorable. What truly stood out was the genuine hospitality of the staff. Not only did they provide excellent service throughout the event, but they also graciously helped us set up and display our materials beforehand, making the process stress-free and easy for our team. Their willingness to assist in every detail reflected a level of care and professionalism that made a lasting impression on all of us. The atmosphere, food, and service were exceptional, and our students, staff, and guests all felt warmly welcomed. We are deeply grateful to the Phillips Seafood team for helping create such a successful and meaningful event. We would highly recommend Phillips Seafood to anyone looking for a venue with outstanding food and even more outstanding people behind it.“

“The food is very good, but It is a little pricey. I am disappointed to find out yesterday that they no longer have the French dip grilled cheese sandwich on their menu. Why not??“

“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!!!“

“I Love It Here!!! I’ve Been About 4-5 Times, Each Visit Was Great Customer Service, Food, Vibe, Drinks All A+“

“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!!!!“

“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!“

“I love the mamas on the half shell in Owings Mills. The food is great and I am a frequent diner. I love Mary, Alaina, and Gavin the best. They are so courteous and customer service orientated. The crab soup there and the cream of crab is to die for. Also love their coddies! The restaurant is beautiful and I also love sitting outside as well. Always seems very clean. Would highly recommend this restaurant. Mindy.“

“I love the crabs, food and drinks.“

“I would never go anywhere else but Conrad's Parkville. They are the best“

“We came here last night before the Phillies/Orioles game and had a great time! The crab cakes and UFO were great, so decided to bring Mom here for brunch. Did not disappoint! Sushi roll, oysters Rockefeller and the breakfast tower, oh my! Our waitress Mackenzie was sweet and knowledgeable! We Will be coming back soon!“

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

“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!“

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

“Good portions. Lump crab cake was a good 8.5/10. For the cost and being good cab with minimum binder/filler.

Soft Crab was mushy and no so great.

The other meals were solid and great portions for the price.

Service was good.“

“We had the most amazing dinner. A particular shout out goes to our server Sandra. She has served us several times and always knocks it out of the park. We felt exceptionally cared for. It was a little cold by our table and they immediately noticed and offered to adjust the temp for me. Everyone who passed by our table offered assistance. We never felt rushed. The birthday and anniversary touches added to the occasion. Overall, there were so many personal touches from the handwritten bday card to the beautiful white rose I received. The food was outstanding as always and I would like to extend my compliments to the chef. Beautifully presented dishes with amazing flavors, perfectly cooked steaks, and a world of great textures. We will be back! Fans for life!“

“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!“

“Crab cakes hands down the best ever! My favorite of all time. I can’t get enough and always my go to! You won’t be disappointed. Enjoy!“

“perfect everytime.. mex.males meaty flavorful and not a mushy crab ever. run to.get you some!! the other C place is good but these are better!“

“great food worth every penny service was best“

“I think I died and went to heaven lol. I was at a neighborhood outdoor festival and ordered from their food truck there. I expected it to be half the amount of food I received and delightfully surprised at the amount of food I got for $11! I can see why they have 100% positive ratings. Quality and quantity at the same time is rare! I ate the tofu nuggets with the peanut sauce and my pallet hasn’t experienced that type of satisfaction in decades lol! 🤩😋 Delicious!!!“

“Excellent food , they certainly picked the right name for it because it’s bangin“

“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.“

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

“We celebrated my daughter's 21st birthday at Sotto Sopra last night and had the best experience! we were met by name at the door! Given prosecco when we arrived at our table! Had a delicious 3 course meal. And then dessert with sparkler! The atmosphere was amazing - beautiful decor, clean, perfect acoustics so you could hear and talk, but also wonderful selection of music playing in the background. And our waiter was just amazing and so attentive and friendly! Perfect restaurant for your special occasion! I cant wait to go back! Thank you for making our daughter's birthday so special!“

“I hosted a surprise 30th birthday for my husband at HYC last night. Everyone I dealt with from the moment I reached out to inquire about hosting an event there up until the end of the event last night were fantastic. I ordered food from the catering menu and everyone in attendance commented on how great the food was. Our bartender and server were great as well and I was checked on several times to make sure that everything was going well. We had a great time with great food and drinks and I would highly recommend hosting an event here!“

“Great crabs great customer service“

“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.“

“Food so good . Cajun catfish delicious“

“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“

“The cutest little crab house! I am not usually a fan of crabs because of the work you have to do to get the meat out but these crabs were HUGE fresh and hot! We got there early and was seated right away but I suggest making a reservation because they fill quickly and usually already have tables filled. Im so happy we ate here I can't wait to go back!“

“We searched for a Jamaican spot to get some food and when I tell you they did not disappoint. The food was good on the second day as well. We traveled 3 hours back home with half of our meals and the flavor was worthy of slapping someone mama not mine though. My grandprincess enjoyed her honey bbq wings and gave them the thumbs up.“

“I can’t say enough good things about this place! Every time we go here for dinner, we always enjoy! The staff is friendly and the owner Jerome is awesome! He comes to the table not only to greet you and to make sure everything is okay. He even takes the empty dishes off the table. He’s always helping out around the restaurant. Love this place!!!“

“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“

“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!“

“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!“

“Ordered off of their catering menu for my wife's birthday. I purchased the Margharita Seafood Special with shrimp, scallops and lump crabmeat in a rose' cream sauce and it was excellent! The homemade meatballs jad everybody raving and their sausage, onions and peppers in marinara sauce was also great. Thankfully we had some left overs that we are still enjoying. Lastly was their Greek salad, very fresh and loaded with feta cheese. I definitely recommend these folks for your next lunch or dinner or when you need an event catered. Call and ask for Saul and he and the staff there will take great care of you!!“

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

“Place is great had a good experience with my family kids had a great time occupied by the beach and food was above and beyond fresh
Highly recommend for a family night out
The management was top notch consistency check on guest and made sure everyone was happy and having fun
Not many places nowadays that out as much effort and care into their work the manager definitely takes pride in what he does

Do your self a favor and go out to eat here you won’t regret it.“