20 Legendary Maryland Eateries You Need To Experience
Maryland isn’t just about crabs and Old Bay, though those are pretty spectacular. This state serves up some of the most mouthwatering, soul-satisfying, and downright legendary food spots you’ll ever encounter.
From Baltimore’s bustling food scene to hidden jewels tucked away in small towns, these eateries have earned their stripes through decades of serving up unforgettable meals that keep locals and visitors coming back for more.
1. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, Baltimore
Where Twitter roasts meet top-tier seafood, magic happens in the most unexpected way. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood has become a Baltimore institution not just for its killer crabs but for its savage social media presence that’ll make you snort-laugh.
The crab cakes here are ridiculously huge, packed with jumbo lump meat that barely holds together because there’s so little filler. Their crab imperial is creamy, decadent, and worth every single calorie you’re about to consume without regret.
Don’t sleep on their rockfish either. It’s cooked to flaky perfection with just the right amount of seasoning that lets the fish shine through beautifully.
2. Schultz’s Crab House, Essex
This place screams authentic Maryland crab house from every weathered wooden plank and paper-covered table. Schultz’s Crab House sits right on the water, giving you that quintessential Chesapeake Bay experience you’ve been dreaming about since you planned this trip.
The steamed crabs arrive hot, spicy, and ready for you to demolish with a mallet. They’re seasoned generously with Old Bay and other secret spices that make your fingers tingle delightfully.
Grab a bushel, settle in for the afternoon, and prepare to get messy. That’s the only way to do it right here.
3. The Crab Claw Restaurant, St. Michaels
Though tourists flock here like seagulls to french fries, The Crab Claw Restaurant totally deserves the hype it gets. Perched right on the harbor in picturesque St. Michaels, this spot serves up views that rival the food itself.
Their all-you-can-eat crab feast is legendary for good reason. You’ll work through pounds of steamed crabs while watching boats glide by lazily.
The crab soup is thick, rich, and loaded with actual crab meat instead of just broth and vegetables. Pro tip: arrive early during summer weekends or prepare to wait.
4. Chaps Pit Beef, Baltimore
Are you ready for the most gloriously messy sandwich experience of your entire life? Chaps Pit Beef operates out of what looks like a roadside stand, but don’t let appearances fool you into thinking this isn’t serious business.
The pit beef sandwich comes piled high with tender, smoky sliced beef that’s been kissed by flames and seasoned to perfection. They slice it thin, stack it tall, and serve it on a Kaiser roll with onions.
Add some horseradish sauce and watch your taste buds do a happy dance. This is Baltimore comfort food at its absolute finest.
5. Lexington Market, Baltimore
When you walk into this historic market, you’re stepping into over 240 years of food history that’s still thriving today. Lexington Market isn’t just one restaurant but a collection of vendors serving everything from crab cakes to soul food to international cuisine.
Faidley’s inside the market makes some of the best crab cakes in the entire state, period. They’re enormous, all lump meat, and perfectly seasoned without overwhelming the delicate crab flavor.
Wander the aisles, sample different vendors, and soak up the lively atmosphere that makes this place truly special.
6. Attman’s Delicatessen, Baltimore / Potomac
Did you know that Baltimore once had a thriving Jewish deli scene that rivaled New York? Attman’s Delicatessen keeps that tradition alive with spectacular sandwiches piled so high you’ll need an engineering degree to figure out how to eat them.
The corned beef is brined in-house for days, resulting in tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. Their pastrami is equally impressive, with that perfect peppery crust and juicy interior.
Get the combo sandwich with both meats and prepare for sandwich nirvana. Don’t forget a side of their crispy potato pancakes.
7. Miss Shirley’s Café, Baltimore area
However you feel about breakfast being the most important meal, Miss Shirley’s Café will convert you into a true believer. This local brunch chain serves up Southern-inspired breakfast dishes that’ll make you want to wake up early for once in your life.
Their stuffed French toast comes in flavors like coconut cream and is absolutely decadent without being sickeningly sweet. The crab cake eggs Benedict swaps boring Canadian bacon for a jumbo lump crab cake that’s pure Maryland pride.
Expect a wait on weekends, but trust me, it’s worth every hungry minute you spend in line.
8. Southern Blues Restaurant, Parkville
Hence the name, you’d expect good Southern food, but Southern Blues Restaurant exceeds expectations by serving up soul food that’ll make your grandmother jealous.
This family-owned spot brings authentic Southern flavors to the Baltimore suburbs with dishes that taste like they came straight from somebody’s loving kitchen. The fried chicken is crispy, juicy, and seasoned so well you might actually cry happy tears. Their mac and cheese is creamy, cheesy, and dangerously addictive.
Save room for sweet potato pie that’s smooth, spiced perfectly, and topped with just enough whipped cream to make it heavenly.
9. Henry’s Soul Café, Oxon Hill
Where comfort meets flavor in the most spectacular way imaginable, you’ll find Henry’s Soul Café serving up portions that could feed a small army. This unassuming spot near National Harbor dishes out authentic soul food that locals have been devouring for years.
The oxtails are fall-off-the-bone tender, braised in rich gravy that you’ll want to drink with a straw. Their collard greens are cooked low and slow with just the right amount of seasoning and smokiness.
Don’t even think about skipping the cornbread. It’s sweet, moist, and pairs perfectly with everything on your overflowing plate.
10. G&M Restaurant, Linthicum Heights
This restaurant serves crab cakes so legendary that people literally plan their airport layovers around eating here. G&M Restaurant sits near BWI and has been slinging massive, award-winning crab cakes since 1972 that put most other versions to shame.
Each crab cake weighs nearly a pound and contains almost exclusively jumbo lump crab meat. They’re broiled to golden perfection with minimal filler, letting that sweet crab flavor shine through brilliantly.
Order one as your main dish and marvel at how something so simple can taste so incredibly good. You’ll understand the hype immediately.
11. El Gavilan Restaurant, Langley Park
When you’re craving pupusas that transport you straight to El Salvador, this is your destination without question. El Gavilan Restaurant serves up some of the most authentic Salvadoran cuisine in the entire DMV area with flavors that’ll make you a regular.
The pupusas are made fresh to order with perfectly crispy exteriors and warm, gooey fillings like cheese, beans, and chicharrón. They arrive with tangy curtido and salsa that add the perfect acidic balance.
Try the carne asada plate too. It’s grilled beautifully and comes with rice, beans, and fresh tortillas for building your own tacos.
12. Princess Restaurant, Frostburg
Are you ready to experience a true Western Maryland institution that’s been feeding locals since 1937? Princess Restaurant sits in the mountains of Frostburg, serving up classic American diner fare with portions that’ll leave you pleasantly stuffed.
Their breakfast is legendary among college students and truckers alike, with fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and eggs cooked exactly how you want them. The homemade pies rotate daily and are baked fresh every morning.
Everything here feels like stepping back in time to when diners were community gathering spots. The service is friendly, the food is honest, and the prices won’t break your budget.
13. Timbuktu Restaurant, Hanover
Though African cuisine remains criminally underrepresented in many American food scenes, Timbuktu Restaurant brings authentic West African flavors to Maryland with dishes that’ll expand your culinary horizons beautifully. This family-run spot serves food that’s aromatic, complex, and absolutely delicious.
The jollof rice is perfectly seasoned with a slight smokiness that makes it incredibly addictive. Their suya, grilled meat skewers coated in spicy peanut seasoning, are tender and packed with flavor.
Try the egusi soup with fufu for a truly authentic experience. It’s rich, hearty, and unlike anything else you’ve probably tasted before.
14. The Land of Kush, Baltimore
However skeptical you might be about vegan soul food, The Land of Kush will make you a believer faster than you can say tempeh. This all-vegan spot proves that plant-based cooking can deliver all the comfort and flavor of traditional soul food without any animal products whatsoever.
Their vegan crab cakes made from hearts of palm are shockingly good, with texture and flavor that’ll fool your taste buds. The BBQ tofu is smoky, tangy, and satisfies those meat cravings perfectly.
Even hardcore carnivores leave here impressed. The food is that good, and the portions are generous enough to share happily.
15. Connie’s Chicken & Waffles, Baltimore
When late-night cravings hit hard, Connie’s Chicken & Waffles comes to the rescue with soul food that hits different after midnight. This Baltimore staple serves up the classic Southern combination with their own special twist that keeps people coming back regularly.
The fried chicken is seasoned aggressively and fried to crispy perfection with meat that stays juicy inside. The waffles are fluffy, golden, and slightly sweet, providing the perfect contrast to that savory, crunchy chicken.
Drizzle everything with their signature sauces and prepare for flavor overload. It’s messy, it’s indulgent, and it’s exactly what you need sometimes.
16. Bayside Bull, Edgewater
Where water views meet seriously good food, you’ll discover Bayside Bull serving up fresh seafood with a side of stunning Chesapeake Bay scenery. This Edgewater jewel combines upscale dining with a relaxed waterfront vibe that makes every meal feel special.
Their seafood towers are Instagram-worthy and packed with oysters, shrimp, clams, and crab that taste incredibly fresh. The rockfish is pan-seared beautifully with seasonal vegetables that complement rather than overpower the delicate fish.
Grab a seat on the deck during sunset for an experience that’s as much about ambiance as it is about excellent food.
17. Ledo Pizza, various locations
This Maryland-born pizza chain serves up square pies that locals have been obsessing over since 1955 with good reason. Ledo Pizza’s unique rectangular shape and sweet sauce create a flavor profile that’s distinctly different from typical round pizzas you’ve had everywhere else.
The crust is thin and crispy, providing the perfect base for generous toppings that go all the way to the edges. Their signature sauce is slightly sweet, which sounds weird but works incredibly well with the smoked provolone cheese.
Get the original with pepperoni and prepare to understand why Marylanders are so fiercely loyal to this local chain. It’s comfort food perfection.
18. Phillips Seafood, Ocean City
Did you know that Phillips started as a small crab shack and grew into a seafood empire? Phillips Seafood in Ocean City remains the flagship location where you can enjoy fresh seafood while soaking up that classic beach town atmosphere.
Their all-you-can-eat crab legs are a summer tradition for many families vacationing at the shore. The crab cakes are consistently good, packed with meat and broiled until golden brown.
Sure, it’s touristy, but sometimes touristy spots become popular because they’re actually worth visiting. This is one of those places that delivers reliably good seafood year after year.
19. Silver Diner, Rockville
Hence the shiny chrome exterior and retro vibes, you might think Silver Diner is stuck in the past, but they’re actually pretty forward-thinking. This local chain combines classic diner comfort food with modern touches like farm-to-table ingredients and healthier options alongside traditional favorites.
Their burgers are juicy and cooked to order with creative topping combinations that elevate the humble burger game. The milkshakes are thick, creamy, and come in both classic and adventurous flavors.
They also accommodate dietary restrictions better than most diners, offering gluten-free and vegetarian options that don’t feel like sad afterthoughts. It’s nostalgic comfort done right.
20. Jerry’s Subs & Pizza, Wheaton
When you need a massive sub that’ll fuel you through an entire afternoon, Jerry’s Subs & Pizza delivers every single time. This DMV-area chain has been serving up oversized sandwiches and New York-style pizza since 1954, earning devoted fans across generations.
The cheesesteaks are loaded with thinly sliced beef and melted cheese that drips deliciously with every bite. Their subs come packed with quality deli meats, fresh vegetables, and just the right amount of oil and vinegar.
The pizza is thin-crust perfection with a slight char that adds texture and flavor. It’s unpretentious, satisfying food that never disappoints when hunger strikes hard.
