Waterfront Dining Round-Up
As one of the most “boat-able” places in Maryland, there’s no shortage of delicious waterfront restaurants with docking facilities in Dorchester County!
From upscale dining and family friendly to fun and funky, there’s something for everyone. Enjoy local seafood specialties including rock fish, blue crabs or oysters overlooking the waters. Stick your toes in the sand or listen to live music at an outdoor tiki bar. Watch the sun set over dinner and drinks before heading back to your boat.
Here’s our roundup of seven great spots to dock and dine.
Blue Point Provision Co., Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, Cambridge
One of three acclaimed dining rooms at the resort Travel & Leisure Magazine named the best hotel in Maryland, Blue Point Provision Co. is the Hyatt’s specialty seafood restaurant. Located at the far end of the property, it overlooks the River Marsh Marina and is a stone’s throw away from the shores of the Choptank River. Blue Point offers locally harvested oysters, fresh rockfish, signature crab cakes and numerous regional specialties. This freestanding restaurant with its panoramic water views and outdoor patio is “the” place to view gorgeous Eastern Shore sunsets.
- Hours: Wed. to Sun., 5-10pm
- Phone: Restaurant 410-901-1234; Marina (410) 901-6380
- Marina: Choptank River. Free docking for restaurant patrons. Contact marina at 09 on VHF for direction to the floating dock.
- Lat/Long: 38° 33′ 89″ N, 76° 08′ 78″ W
Millie’s at Madison Bay
From the shores of Madison Bay, enjoy a taste of the Eastern Shore. Millie’s serves fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, and comfort dishes. Check out their Facebook page for specials including live entertainment.
- Hours: Wed-Fri, 4pm-9pm; Sat & Sun, 12pm-8pm
- Phone: 410-228-1108
- Marina: Madison Bay off the Little Choptank River
- Lat/Long: 38.507353, -76.223647
Old Salty’s, Seafood Restaurant, Fishing Creek
Serving what many consider to be one of the finest all-lump no filler crab cakes, Old Salty’s is located in beautiful Fishing Creek, one of Dorchester’s storied, ‘island’ villages. Renowned for their award-winning backfin crab cakes, local oysters and seafood platters, their menu features appetizers, prime rib and house-made desserts. Old Salty’s also serves steamed crabs and crab feasts by request.
- Hours: Wed-Sun, 11am-8pm
- Phone: 410-397-3752
- Marina: Dock at P.L. Jones Boat Yard & Marina, Back Creek, off the Honga River. Easy five-minute walk to the restaurant.
- Lat/Long: 38.3240681, -76.2308477
Palm Beach Willie’s, Taylor’s Island
Cruise in to Slaughter Marina and discover Palm Beach Willies. Located on Slaughter Creek in Taylors Island, PBW – as the locals call it – is open five days a week in summer. Their crowd-pleasing menu includes Chesapeake crab specialties, rock fish bites, steamed shrimp, salads, sandwiches, and steak and seafood dinners. Enjoy a cocktail while you watch the sun set from their outdoor bar.
- Hours: Wed-Fri, 4pm-9pm; Sat, 12pm-10pm; Sun, 12pm-8pm
- Phone: Restaurant, 410-221-5111; Marina, 410-221-0050
- Marina: Slaughter Creek off the Little Choptank River. Marina open 9-5, seven days a week. Free docking for diners. Berth at first dock.
- Lat/Long: 38.4740112, -76.2865474
Portside, Cambridge
A former oyster house, Portside has been family owned and operated since 1997. Their popular warm weather deck is a favorite lunch time and happy hour favorite with customers vying for a prime spot overlooking the Cambridge Creek. Watch as the waterman return with the day’s catch while you enjoy local seafood.
- Hours: Sun-Tues, 11am-9pm; Wed-Sat, 11am-10pm
- Phone: 410-228-9007
- Marina: Cambridge Creek off the Choptank River. Free docking for patrons as available.
- Lat/Long: 38.5702952, -76.0729576
Snappers Waterfront Café, Cambridge
For 25 years, Snappers Waterfront Café has delighted locals and visitors alike with its laid-back vibe and Caribbean inspired menu. Check out their expanded Tiki bar and new cabana open seven days a week (weather permitting). This family-owned and family-friendly restaurant serves up island food with an Eastern shore flair. Enjoy crab meat picked next door at J.M. Claytons, blackened fish tacos or shrimp fajitas with peppers and pineapple. Relax over a game of corn hole or listen to live music from their pet friendly outdoor dining.
- Hours: Mon-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, 10am-9pm. Tiki Bar, Noon to last call
- Phone: 410-228-0112
- Marina: Cambridge Creek off the Choptank River. Free docking as available first come first serve. Additional boat docking on seawall.
- Lat/Long: 38.5726436, -76.0733315
Suicide Bridge Restaurant, East New Market
A gathering place for Eastern Shore residents for more than 60 years, Suicide Bridge Restaurant is one of Delmarva’s favorite waterfront dining destinations. Located on Cabin Creek off the Choptank River, Suicide Bridge’s extensive menu features something for everyone. Enjoy their renowned Friday night seafood buffet, steamed crabs or specialities from the waterfront deck. Watch the sun set from the Tiki Bar (open Friday-Sunday) as paddlers and anglers cruise by. Family friendly. (Suicide Bridge is also home port for the Choptank Riverboat cruises. Learn more here.)
- Hours: Tues-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri & Sat, 11am-10pm; Sun, 12pm-8pm
- Phone: 410-943-4689
- Docking: Free docking for restaurant patrons; call in advance for overnight reservations, and or for large vessels. Cabin Creek off the Choptank River. Year-round and transient boat slips available. From Choptank, turn at red #138 and steer 100 degrees into Cabin Creek.
- Lat/Long: 38.6336093,-75.946923
With over 1,700 miles of shoreline, two dozen public marinas and ramps, dozens of special events and races, and countless opportunities to cruise, sail, or paddle, Dorchester is the heart of Chesapeake country boating.
Our beautiful waterways are ideal for cruising, sailing and fishing the Bay and three major tributaries, the Choptank, Little Choptank and Nanticoke rivers. Overnight at a marina in Cambridge or trailer your boat to more than two dozen accessible – and FREE – public boat ramps. Or bring your kayak or SUP and explore our waterways.
Whether you’re a casual paddler, cruise lover, seasoned angler or shore-side stroller, discover Dorchester’s many waterfront attractions, activities and amenities for boaters and water lovers here:
