Welcome to On the Bay Seafood
At On the Bay Seafood, located in Ocean City, MD, culinary traditions meet a passion for fresh, local seafood. Renowned for its homemade crab soups—like the rich Cream of Crab and the zesty Maryland Crab Soup—this cozy eatery invites seafood lovers to savor a variety of dishes, from golden-brown crab clusters to decadent crab cakes. The casual yet welcoming atmosphere, combined with the dedication of owner Rob, creates an experience that feels both friendly and genuine. With glowing reviews praising the quality, freshness, and neighborly service, On the Bay Seafood stands out as a must-visit destination for those seeking authentic coastal dining.
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4204 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842 Hotline: (410) 524-7070
Welcome to On the Bay Seafood, your go-to destination for fresh, delicious seafood nestled along the picturesque Coastal Highway in Ocean City, Maryland. Located at 4204 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842, this charming eatery has cemented itself as a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike. With a phone number of (410) 524-7070, you're never far from a savory seafood experience.
What sets On the Bay Seafood apart is its commitment to simplicity and quality. As indicated by customer reviews, patrons revel in the straightforward menu that celebrates the richness of Maryland's seafood heritage. The offerings range from mouthwatering crab dishes, including their acclaimed Homemade Crabcake and juicy Softshell Crabs, to satisfying sides like lightly dusted scallops and crispy clam strips.
- Crab Starters: Enjoy the heavenly taste of Golden Brown Crab Clusters served with drawn butter, or indulge in their Fried Rrr'ysters, which perfectly embody the essence of the ocean.
- Homemade Crab Soups: The Maryland Crab Soup is a tomato-based delight with a hint of spice, while the Cream of Crab is rich and lush, leaving your taste buds wanting more.
- Sandwiches: The menu features tantalizing options, including crab cake and fried fish filet, all prepared with the freshest ingredients.
First-time visitors often find themselves charmed by the casual, family-friendly atmosphere without the frills. Customers like Stephanie appreciate the no-nonsense approach, relishing a hot, locally sourced meal without the pretension often found in seafood restaurants. The eatery invites you to absorb the spirit of the Bay Area while enjoying a laid-back meal, as highlighted by Carson's reflection on the welcoming environment and warmth of the owner.
For serious crab lovers, On the Bay Seafood is hailed as a hidden gem where the specialty is fresh caught blue crabs. Autumn encourages you not to miss out, pointing out that the claws are tender and flavorful—paired perfectly with buttery corn.
Despite some challenges like limited parking and no full table service, the glowing reviews emphasize the restaurant's dedication to quality seafood and friendly service. Patrons keep coming back for the memorable meals and the delightful interactions with the staff, making each visit feel unique and welcoming.
Overall, On the Bay Seafood is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. Offering a taste of coastal life with every bite, this spot has become a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in some of the best seafood Ocean City has to offer. Whether you're a local or just passing through, make sure to stop by for a meal that promises both hearty flavors and a sense of community.
I just wanted a good, hot meal -- no processed food or anything overly complicated. Simple, local, fresh fish. I love a good, fresh fish sandwich and found it here. Light breading, flavorful and well prepared. Nice people, too, nothing pretentious. Around me people hammered away at fresh Bay crabs. This seems to be a favorite w serious crab lovers.
First time visiting On The Bay Seafood. When we arrived, we were surprised that there wasn't full table service, and needed to order at a window and provide you number to receive a text when ready. After receiving our order, we were pleasantly surprised. We had hush puppies, crab cake dinner and crab leg dinner. Each came with a side. The portions were great and everything was excellent. We would Highly recommend this hidden gem for any seafood lover. At the end of the meal, a lovely woman (we assume to be an owner) asked how things were and she was so friendly and thoughtful. Can't say enough good things!
If you blink, you'll miss it but I highly recommend you don't! The menu board is simple, fresh caught seafood, fries, coleslaw, crab cakes, etc. Their speciality however is their fresh caught blue crabs (keep in mind there is no crabbing on Sundays so they may run out of crabs earlier than normal on Mondays). The owner Rob is as friendly as they come and is honestly grateful that you chose his place to eat! It's really the best and only place for picking crabs in OC!
Good crabs, great crab sandwich, good service. Parking is a little hard and not enough spaces.
Came here with my family and everyone enjoyed their dinner. I was pleasantly surprised with the vast selection of food. Pros: Fresh delicious seafood Plenty of seating Nice employees Lots of gluten free options Cons: Hard to take a toddler no high chairs Lots of flies Parking is hard
Went for the first time last week and am coming on here to give a 5 star review because they deserve it. Even though it's on the side of coastal highway I still feel like I'm eating by the water. All the customers were having a good time enjoying their food. The owner is an absolute stand-up guy and interacts with every table in the restaurant. He's even been on shark tank with a couple inventions of his own and even gave me a sample of one of them to take home. Try the cream of crab soup and anything else on the menu. Definitely going back with family and friends whenever I get the chance.
Food was great! Ambiance was family style low key non dressy. I liked it perfect by the ocean. Service was prompt. Our server was sweet and helpful! Will return again. This was my 2nd time visiting
On The Bay has always been consistently serving up one of the best crabs in the OC area. They keep it simple- seafood cooked right, casual no frills dining area and fair prices. $125 for a half bushel, specials of $50 for about 15-18 crabs with different weights. They also have seafood platters and seafood sandwiches like butterfly shrimp, crab cakes , soft shell crabs, clam strips and the like. Their sides are also good and corn is served with butter. Beer by the pitcher or by the glass. No reservations, lines can be long but it pushes along in a decent amount of time. Sand 'floor' with a small table of area of sand for kids to play with. Cards cash and Apple Pay accepted, small parking lot. Friendly service. Clean tables and chairs, the staff makes sure customers are happy and they empty out the shell buckets often. Always are go to for fresh meaty and fatty crabs!
This place is a must try if you're in OCMD. We try to come down annually for the beaches and seafood and almost always make this one of our stops. The crabs here are delicious! I also love their chowder. They got rid of their AYCE option, but you're able to get bushels which is plenty. Come hungry and ready to peel!