18 Weekend Seafood Buffets In Maryland That Always Stay Packed
Maryland’s coastal location makes it a seafood lover’s paradise, especially on weekends when buffets overflow with fresh catches from the Chesapeake Bay.
From steamed crabs to raw oysters, these all-you-can-eat spots draw crowds looking for the best deals and freshest flavors. I’ve gathered the most popular weekend seafood buffets across the state that consistently pack in diners seeking memorable meals.
1. The Bonfire Restaurant
Over 150 feet of seafood stretches before your eyes at this Ocean City landmark, where weekend crowds line up early for their famous spread. Canadian crab legs sit alongside blackened ahi tuna, fresh mussels, and perfectly cooked prime rib that melts in your mouth.
The sheer variety means everyone finds something they love, from picky eaters to adventurous seafood enthusiasts. Fresh fish arrives daily, ensuring quality that keeps locals and tourists returning weekend after weekend.
Reservations fill up quickly during summer months, so calling ahead saves you from long waits. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement as families and friends gather around tables piled high with shells and satisfied smiles.
2. Hooper’s Crab House
If you’re craving authentic Maryland steamed crabs without limits, this West Ocean City spot delivers exactly that experience. House-seasoned crabs arrive at your table steaming hot, accompanied by golden fried chicken, sweet corn on the cob, and crispy hush puppies.
The casual atmosphere encourages you to roll up your sleeves and dig in with both hands, just like locals have done for decades. Steamed shrimp adds another layer of indulgence to an already generous spread.
Weekends see families gathering for hours-long feasts, creating memories over mountains of crab shells. The waterfront views enhance the dining experience, making it feel like a true Eastern Shore celebration.
3. Higgins Crab House
Since 1943, this family-run establishment has perfected the art of steaming jumbo blue crabs with a heavy hand of spice that tingles your taste buds. Four generations have maintained the same commitment to quality that made them legendary among crab lovers.
When soft shell crabs come into season, they add these delicacies to the menu, creating even more reasons to visit. The spice blend they use remains a closely guarded family secret that keeps customers guessing and coming back.
Weekend crowds testify to their enduring popularity, with many diners claiming these are the best crabs they’ve ever tasted. The no-frills atmosphere lets the food speak for itself.
4. Phillips Seafood Restaurant
A raw bar glistening with fresh oysters and clams greets you at this Ocean City institution known for variety and quality. The pasta bar lets you customize seafood combinations with your choice of sauces, creating personalized dishes right before your eyes.
Beyond the raw offerings, hot seafood favorites fill multiple stations, ensuring you’ll find everything from classic fried fish to innovative preparations. The waterfront location adds ambiance that makes weekend dining feel special and memorable.
Families appreciate the wide selection that accommodates different tastes and dietary preferences within one meal. The restaurant’s reputation spans generations, with grandparents bringing grandchildren to share traditions.
5. Jonah & the Whale Restaurant
More than 75 items await you at this family-owned Ocean City gem where the buffet seems to stretch endlessly. The raw bar showcases the freshest catches, while the seafood pasta bar allows creative combinations you won’t find elsewhere.
Family ownership means personal attention to detail and quality control that corporate chains simply cannot match. Hot dishes rotate seasonally, taking advantage of whatever the bay and ocean provide at their peak freshness.
Weekend brunch brings additional breakfast items alongside seafood classics, creating unique flavor pairings many diners love. The welcoming atmosphere makes first-time visitors feel like regulars, encouraging repeat visits throughout the year.
6. Captain James Landing
Built to resemble an actual ship, this Baltimore landmark offers one of the city’s most beloved seafood experiences every Friday and Saturday night. The nautical theme extends beyond architecture into every detail, creating an immersive dining adventure.
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor location makes it convenient for both locals and tourists exploring the city’s attractions. The seafood buffet features Chesapeake Bay specialties prepared with regional recipes passed down through generations.
Weekend reservations become essential as word spreads about the quality and variety offered here. The unique building design creates conversation starters and photo opportunities that enhance the overall dining experience beyond just the food.
7. The Hobbit Restaurant
Upscale brunch takes on new meaning at this Ocean City favorite where cream of crab soup has achieved legendary status. Raw bar selections sparkle with freshness, while hot stations feature crab imperial so rich it tastes like pure indulgence.
Blackened fish arrives perfectly seasoned with a crispy exterior and tender interior that seafood lovers dream about. The brunch atmosphere feels refined yet comfortable, striking a balance between special occasion and relaxed weekend dining.
Their famous soup recipe has people attempting to recreate it at home, though most agree the original cannot be duplicated. Weekend crowds include both dressed-up diners and casual beachgoers.
8. Waterman’s Crab House
Live music fills the air on the deck at this Rock Hall treasure where steamed crabs pair perfectly with Chesapeake Bay views. Soft shell crabs arrive lightly fried, offering a delicate crunch that contrasts beautifully with tender meat inside.
Oyster fritters provide a unique twist on traditional preparations, becoming addictive after just one bite. Maryland crab soup warms you on cooler evenings while still delivering that authentic Eastern Shore flavor profile.
The combination of great food, live entertainment, and waterfront ambiance creates weekend experiences people remember long after they leave. Local musicians add authentic regional character that chain restaurants simply cannot replicate.
9. Ocean City Fish Company
Right on the boardwalk, this casual spot serves up fried fish so crispy it shatters at first bite while staying moist inside. Steamed shrimp comes perfectly cooked, never rubbery, making it easy to lose count of how many you’ve eaten.
Crab cakes here contain more crab than filler, a rarity that locals appreciate and tourists discover with delight. Clam chowder arrives creamy and loaded with tender clams that taste like they were harvested that morning.
The beachside location means you can watch waves while enjoying your meal, creating a quintessential Ocean City experience. Weekend crowds prove this combination of location, quality, and value keeps people coming back.
10. Sunset Grille
When the sun sets over Annapolis harbor, this restaurant’s buffet truly shines with fresh catches and stunning views. Grilled fish arrives with char marks that add smoky flavor without overpowering the natural taste of quality seafood.
The raw bar features local oysters harvested from nearby beds, ensuring freshness and supporting regional watermen. Steamed crabs seasoned to perfection round out a menu that celebrates Maryland’s maritime heritage.
Boat owners often dock right outside, adding to the authentic waterfront atmosphere that makes dining here feel special. Reservations during summer weekends become necessary as both locals and visitors seek this combination of food and scenery.
11. The Crab Claw Restaurant
Picnic tables covered in brown paper set the stage for serious crab picking at this St. Michaels institution overlooking the harbor. Sailboats gliding past create postcard-perfect scenery while you crack shells and savor sweet crabmeat.
Corn on the cob and creamy coleslaw complement the crabs without competing for attention, keeping the focus where it belongs. The casual outdoor setting encourages leisurely meals that stretch for hours as conversation flows freely.
Weekend afternoons here feel like stepping back in time to simpler days when meals brought communities together. Generations of families have made this a tradition, passing down crab-picking techniques to youngsters.
12. Cantler’s Riverside Inn
Hidden down a winding road in Annapolis, this local favorite rewards those who find it with all-you-can-eat steamed crabs and authentic atmosphere. The deck overlooks a peaceful creek where herons fish, creating a serene backdrop for your feast.
Old Bay seasoning coats each crab generously, delivering that classic Maryland flavor in every bite you take. Wooden mallets and knives become tools of the trade as you work your way through pile after pile.
Weekend waits can stretch long, but regulars know the food and setting make patience worthwhile. The rustic charm and commitment to quality have kept this place packed for decades.
13. Abner’s Crab House
Perched along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, this spot offers bridge views and buffet spreads that impress even seasoned seafood lovers. Fried oysters achieve perfect golden crispness while maintaining juicy interiors that burst with briny flavor.
Crab soup here carries deep, rich flavor developed through slow cooking and generous portions of lump crabmeat. Steamed crabs arrive hot and heavily seasoned, requiring plenty of napkins and cold beverages to balance the spice.
The waterfront location attracts boaters who tie up and walk over for weekend meals they rave about later. Families spread across multiple tables, creating a festive atmosphere that makes dining here feel like celebration.
14. Suicide Bridge Restaurant
Despite the unusual name rooted in local history, this Hurlock restaurant on the Choptank River serves life-affirming seafood that keeps tables full. Crab cakes here pack serious crabmeat with minimal filler, pan-fried to achieve crispy exteriors and tender centers.
Raw oysters from local waters taste incredibly fresh, reflecting the restaurant’s commitment to sourcing from nearby watermen. Fried fish options provide variety for those who prefer different preparations beyond steamed or raw.
The historic building and river views create ambiance that transports you to another era of Eastern Shore dining. Weekend buffets draw crowds from surrounding counties who consider the drive worthwhile.
15. Mike’s Crab House
Two locations near Annapolis mean more chances to experience Mike’s legendary all-you-can-eat crab feasts with waterfront views. The Riva location on the South River offers spectacular sunsets that paint the sky while you crack shells.
Paper-covered tables and casual vibes encourage messy eating without worry, embracing the true Maryland crab house experience. Crabs arrive continuously throughout your meal, ensuring hot, fresh batches replace empty platters.
Weekend crowds include everyone from yacht club members to families on budget-friendly outings seeking quality seafood. The democratic atmosphere where everyone shares the same great food and views makes dining here special.
16. The Point Crab House
Arnold’s location on the Magothy River provides stunning water views that enhance already impressive seafood offerings at this weekend hotspot. Crab dip arrives bubbling hot with chunks of real crabmeat throughout, perfect for spreading on crackers between courses.
Fried shrimp comes lightly battered, allowing the sweet shrimp flavor to shine through without heavy breading weighing it down. Steamed crabs maintain consistent quality and generous seasoning that locals have come to expect and demand.
Boat traffic on summer weekends creates entertaining scenery while you dine on the deck overlooking the water. The combination of great food and prime waterfront location explains why parking lots stay full.
17. Thursday’s Steak and Crabhouse
Combining land and sea, this Edgewater establishment offers both premium steaks and abundant seafood in their weekend buffet. Stuffed shrimp filled with crabmeat represents the best of both worlds, creating flavor combinations that seafood purists and variety seekers both enjoy.
Grilled steaks provide options for anyone in your group who might not love seafood, making it easier to please everyone. Seafood pasta dishes offer comfort food appeal while still delivering that fresh Maryland seafood taste.
The nautical decor creates atmosphere without feeling kitschy, striking a balance between themed and tasteful. Weekend reservations help avoid disappointment as word spreads about this unique surf-and-turf approach.
18. Fisherman’s Inn & Crab Deck
Just over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Grasonville, this dual-concept restaurant offers both indoor dining and casual outdoor crab deck experiences. All-you-can-eat steamed crabs on the deck create the ultimate Eastern Shore weekend tradition that families cherish.
Hush puppies arrive hot and slightly sweet, providing perfect contrast to spicy, salty crabs that dominate your plate. Sweet corn completes the classic trio that has fueled Maryland summers for generations.
The convenient location makes it a first or last stop for beach-bound travelers crossing the bridge. Locals know to arrive early on summer weekends before crowds descend, though the wait rarely disappoints those who stick it out.
