50 Best Seafood Restaurants near Essex

“I found out about this hidden gem years ago and have been a customer since! When lady Frances is open they are my go to! Never had bad crabs or a bad experience! Also the shrimp was good when I had it with the onions! Anybody I’ve sent there love the crabs. Always affordable prices, fast and friendly service! I’m a customer for life.“

“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!!“

“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“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 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.“

“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!“

“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!!!!“

“I love the crabs, food and drinks.“

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

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

“Food was great.. our waiter Craig was awesome.. a really good experience for my first time. They were a little backed up in the kitchen so the food took a little longer but we were immediately compensated for it without asking.. So i tip my hat to Jimmy's Seafood. Excellent job!“

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

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

“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!“

“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!“

“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!“

“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“

“Gus was fabulous!!! Gus was so kind and very attentive to our service! Don't miss this place and especially ask for Gus. Food was beyond delicious!!! My new go to in Baltimore. We are even getting food for our flight home to Florida. The food is that phenomenal! Thank You Gus!“

“Great crabs great customer service“

“great food worth every penny service was best“

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

“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 !“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“Hands down, the crabs were so GREAT!!! I've been thinking about them since I had them!!! On another note, the service wasn't good, but what can you expect when the tips are included in your bill. Service staff will do the bare minimum in cases like that. She kept forgetting to bring items, and just left the trash on our table the whole time.“

“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“

“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!“

“Crabs were outstanding and seasoned well. Very friendly service every trip! Always pleased with the crabs and today I bought 6 large males and received 6 free! I don't go anywhere else for crabs cause I know they're gonna be great.“

“We stopped by after the Orioles game and were given great service despite being dressed rather casual for the game. We split the Nueske’s Cherrywood Smoked Bacon with Korean BBQ, the 22oz. Bone-In Ribeye, and the Creamed Spinach. All were delicious.“

“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!“

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

“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 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!!!“

“Would come back if in the area!“

“Pete’s Crab House served some of the absolute best steamed crabs we’ve had all season! Ordered a dozen large for a family birthday, and they did not disappoint. The crabs were heavy, packed with sweet meat, and perfectly seasoned. If you are looking for quality seafood in the area, this spot is definitely worth it.

Word of warning on payment: they charge an extra 4% if you use a debit card and prefer cash. Since debit card surcharges aren't allowed under major card network rules, save yourself the hassle and stop by an ATM or bring cash.“

“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!“

“Food so good . Cajun catfish delicious“

“Went there today to get a large female crabs. And they were the best crabs. I've had in a very long time. I wanna think. The guy at the front desk, I forget his name, but he was great. And we touched on eating crabs being on vacation, smoking cigars and drinking a good scotch. I will definitely recommend this place to anybody who wants a good bargain on crabs and delicious crabs.“

“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.“