Ocean City's Top 8 Restaurants Serving Unforgettable American Contemporary Cuisine

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Upscale restaurant serving New American fare paired with craft beers, wine & house cocktails

Hooked is a seafood restaurant known for its quality dishes and impeccable service. Located conveniently across the street in a small strip of stores, the restaurant serves a variety of dishes, including fish and chips, calamari, and seafood pasta. With a warm and clean ambiance, Hooked also offers a pleasant dining experience with friendly staff and efficient service. Despite the lack of outdoor patio seating, the restaurant provides a comfortable indoor dining area. The daily specials menu is a highlight, featuring unique dishes like Shrimp Fra Diavolo. The restaurant operates year-round, making it an essential stop for both locals and visitors.

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We specialize and are well known for breakfast. Recently we brought on a new chef for dinner who is amazing and our dinners are amazing we use all local produce and meats and pride ourselves on making everything from scratch so if you have tried us for breakfast make sure to try us for dinner. Oh yea and we also have two amazing bars with great cocktails and an excellent bar menu.

Located just a block off the water in OC, Barn 34 is a renowned breakfast spot known for its incredible menu and friendly staff. Recognized for its extraordinary breakfast offerings, the eatery serves a broad spectrum of dishes - from a traditional classic benedict to the unique stuffed date special. The service is fast, and the food is accurately described as 'spot on'. The restaurant boasts a distinctive cocktail selection, including the popular mango chili mimosa and the Bloody Mary special adorned with shrimp and crab. Whether you're looking for a hearty meal or a light bite, Barn 34 is the perfect place to start your day in OC.

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The Hobbit Restaurant has been an Ocean City Destination since 1977. The owner put the name of a few books he had read while in high school and college in a hat and pulled out "The Hobbit". The original Hobbit was on 82nd street in the building right on Coastal Highway in front of where Ropewalk is currently located. The second version of the Hobbit, built in 1983, was in the same location as the current Hobbit and was a free standing building that had about four times the amount of seating capacity. The original stove still remains as our hostess stand. In 2006 the opportunity arose to create a third and current edition of The Hobbit Restaurant. Opening in April 2008 and located in The Rivendell Condominium Complex at 81st Street on the Bay. The Hobbit remains under the same family ownership and management

The Hobbit Restaurant is a highly-rated, fine dining establishment in Ocean City known for its romantic ambiance, attentive service, and generous portions of gourmet cuisine. The restaurant offers outdoor dining with a spectacular bay view and sunset vistas, and indoor seating featuring many Hobbiton-style details. The diverse menu features delicacies such as lamb lollipop chops, duck breast, and macadamia crusted salmon. The restaurant is known for its strict adherence to safety measures, including catering to dietary restrictions such as nut allergies, making it a top choice for diners seeking a safe and luxurious culinary experience.

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Cafe Mirage, a hidden gem located in North Ocean City, is a beloved local dining spot known for its flavorful seafood dishes, attentive service, and commitment to safety during the pandemic. The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes perfectly seasoned scallops, a delightful shrimp and grits dish, and a memorable seafood pot pie. Despite its unassuming exterior, Cafe Mirage provides a warm, inviting dining experience with its friendly staff and fast service. This dining treasure is a must-visit place for both locals and tourists alike, with its impressive quality of food, generous portions, and reasonable prices.

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Longboard Cafe' is new in 2013 in name and location only. The menu is largely the same as the owner Rick Vach's former restaurant, Island Time Café & Bar which was located inside the Sunset Island Community. Longboard opened to an already established clientel in its new location in the fabulous new Town Center located at 67th St in Ocean City.

Longboard Café is a lively restaurant in a bustling area near shops and hotels. It offers delicious food and drinks, including a variety of unique cocktails and a range of dishes from seafood pasta to burgers. Known for its friendly service and dog-friendly patio, Longboard Café is also famous for their happy hour from 5-6. The restaurant is open year-round, and has adapted its outdoor seating for winter use with heaters and plastic enclosures. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this café is a must-visit for a relaxed dining experience.

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The Shark on the Harbor (TSotH) is a seafood restaurant located approximately 10 minutes away from downtown Ocean City, Maryland. This dining spot is highly recommended by locals for its fresh seafood dishes. The restaurant offers a changing menu that occasionally includes specialty nights with unique offerings such as pizza. The establishment also hosts crafters and vendors on-site, adding a unique shopping experience to your dining. Despite being known for seafood, TSotH also offers other dishes like Korean BBQ pizza and desserts like apple crumble. The restaurant has a warm, wooden interior and provides ample parking space. It operates on a reservation basis and it's advisable to book a table a week in advance, especially for Saturday dinners.

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Belly Busters is a highly recommended food destination in Ocean City, Maryland, popular for its delicious crab dishes and friendly service. Offering both dine-in and delivery options, the eatery provides a range of seafood delights, including conch fritters and fish tacos. Known for its relaxed atmosphere and intimate vibe, it offers a true crab shack experience with its generously coated and well-cooked crabs. Despite a few reported hiccups in service, the quality of food at Belly Busters continues to impress visitors, making it a must-visit spot for seafood lovers.

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Tailchasers Restaurant & Dock Bar is the latest addition to the Off the Hook Restaurant Group. Off the Hook Restaurant Group began in 2010 when the Indian River Seafood Company opened their first restaurant Off the Hook in Bethany Beach, DE. Tailchasers Restaurant & Dock Bar. Tailchasers sits on the canal of 122nd street offering waterfront views, family-friendly dining, and the fresh, honest, local food and beverages Off the Hook Restaurant Group is known for.

Tailchasers is a unique dining experience in Ocean City, right on the bay from the Hooked franchise. This family-friendly restaurant features a large play area with a sand pit and jungle gym, making it an ideal spot for families with children. It offers a range of food options from raw oysters to soups, appetizers, and entrees. Their cocktails, seafood, burgers, ribs, and desserts are well-loved by customers. The restaurant is also recognized for their Covid-19 safety measures, and even allows dogs on their back patio. Despite its strip mall location, Tailchasers is a gem that serves fresh and delicious meals.

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