EDITOR’S NOTE: For more beach news, traffic and weather, visit WTOP’s Summer Beach Guide section.
When WTOP staffers are not reporting on the latest news, traffic and weather, chances are, you can find them at the beach — likely with a crabcake sandwich in hand.
Over the years, many employees inside the Glass-Enclosed Nerve Center have become experts at navigating the best crab shacks, burger joints and dive bars at the beach. Below are our recommendations on where to grab a great bite of food when you need a break from the surf.
3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, Maryland Marlin Moon reopened in Ocean City during the middle of last summer, finding a new home inside the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on 33rd Street. Before that, owner Gary Beach ran his restaurant in West Ocean City for many years before moving it to Florida for a spell. Now he’s back in OC, and his restaurant was nominated for Best New Restaurant in the state of Maryland last year. “It’s the freshest seafood prepared simply and interestingly,” said Beach. – John Domen (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
7701 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
The Bayside Skillet calls itself “the crepe and omelet place” in Ocean City, Maryland. There’s a strawberry theme throughout the restaurant, and the portions are quite large and worth sharing. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
6301 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland This casual Jewish deli is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. This year, the eatery opened a new location in Rehoboth Beach. (Google Street View)
Google Street View
12924 Sunset Ave. West Ocean City You wrote in, and we listened. The Shark has a legion of fans who flock to the harbor-side restaurant for fresh and innovative cuisine. The menu is filled with goodies such as blowfish ‘n chips, stuffed soft shell crab and seared golden tilefish. Fenwick, Delaware resident Pat Wood tells WTOP’s Megan Cloherty, “That is my favorite, favorite restaurant because they have natural, good food.” (Photo courtesy The Shark on the Harbor Restaurant)
Photo courtesy The Shark on the Harbor Restaurant
9301 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland “Liquid Assets is not only a great restaurant because it is in a liquor store and wine cellar, the burger was actually noted as one of the best by Condé Nast Traveler,” said WTOP’s Stephanie Flax. (Thinkstock)
Thinkstock
12841 Harbor Rd., Ocean City, Maryland The famous “orange crush” drink was invented at Harborside Grill in West Ocean City. Order one to wash down the restaurant’s crab dip, steamed shrimp, soft shell sandwich and more. (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
12 48th St., Ocean City, Maryland Relatively new to Ocean City, this charming Annapolis-based wine bar serves more than 30 wines by the glass, plus coastal cuisine and pizza. (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
12 48th St., Ocean City, Maryland From the same husband-and-wife team as Red Red Wine — and right next door — is Dry 85, a speakeasy-style atmosphere that serves up craft cocktails and comfort food (plus a bacon brunch). (WTOP/John Domen)
305 N. 1st St., Ocean City, Maryland Dining out with kids? This is a great place to take them — there’s even a playground on the premises . (plus, a tiki bar and waterfront dining for the adults)
plus, a tiki bar and waterfront dining for the adults
8003 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland Hooked is a favorite of WTOP’s Shawn Anderson — especially when it comes to local seafood. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
12913 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, Maryland
Crabs and craft beer? What could be better? (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
201 60th St, Ocean City, Maryland
Shawn Anderson also recommends Fager’s Island Restaurant for “terrific steaks and prime rib.” (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
12919 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland The name says it all: There are more than 100 tequilas (and a good selection of mezcal) at this Ocean City joint. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
913 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City, Maryland A brew with a view: This beach side brewpub serves craft beer, pizza, burgers and other bar favorites. (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
115 75th St, Ocean City, Maryland WTOP’s Julia Ziegler said BJ’s has great views of the bay, free popcorn at the bar and live music. Her go-to order is the seafood skins, which she describes as “a great mix of potato skins and seafood salad, topped with cheese. You won’t regret it!” (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
9203 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
“What Vince Lombardi was to football, this Lombardi is to pizza,” said WTOP’s John Domen. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
12000 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland “The crabcakes are outstanding, naturally. The breakfast and bloody mary menu will have you showing up for an early start,” said WTOP’s John Domen. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
3400 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland This family-owned, neighborhood spot is known for its seafood. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
6601 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
General’s Kitchen is a popular diner, known for its creamed chipped beef. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
2810 Philadelphia Ave, Ocean City, Maryland The recommendation for this Tex-Mex joint comes straight from WTOP Program Director Mike McMearty. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
7645 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, Maryland
WTOP’s Jason Fraley recommends this Berlin, Maryland, crab house. (AP Photo)
AP Photo
12817 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, Maryland
WTOP’s Colleen Kelleher puts this Montego Bay Shopping Center restaurant at the top of her list. The menu has everything from salads and sandwiches to dinner plates, such as large grilled shrimp with panko-coated grits and chorizo. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
WTOP/Megan Cloherty
1800 Baltimore Ave, Ocean City, MD
This cute cafe serves a mean breakfast. (WTOP/Megan Cloherty)
Multiple locations “What kid doesn’t go there and get ice cream all over his face? There’s a reason it’s been there for decades,” said WTOP’s John Domen. (WTOP/John Domen)
WTOP/John Domen
121 81st St #101, Ocean City, Maryland For bay-front fine dining, WTOP’s Jack Taylor heads to The Hobbit. (WTOP/John Domen)
12933 Sunset Ave, Ocean City, Maryland
Sunset Grille is a waterfront dining destination in West Ocean City. The menu is heavy on surf and turf classics. (WTOP/John Domen)
8203 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Maryland
If you don’t mind waiting for a table, WTOP’s Diane Pelton said go to Ropewalk at 83rd in Ocean City. The open-air, waterfront restaurant has entertainment for adults and kids. (WTOP/John Domen)
