Ocean City’s Hidden Gems: 11 Underrated Restaurants

Most people come to Ocean City for fun in the sun on the beach and boardwalk. But did you know Ocean City’s food scene is exploding with fun and fresh flavors? Just a few short years ago, while full of delicious seafood restaurants, Ocean City Maryland wasn’t particularly known for their food, but both the old and newly established restaurants are shaking it up and changing the dining scene in our resort town.

Captain’s Table

Located in Courtyard Marriott on 15th Street, Captain’s Table has been a fixture in Ocean City for over 50 years, but with a recent ownership change, their food has only gotten better. The menu is full of only the freshest seafood and features decadent whole lobsters, exotic South African lobster and only the best hand-cut steaks. On top of that, they have one of the best crab cakes in Ocean City.
Despite being tucked on the 3rd floor of a hotel, they are a must-stop location – especially if you’re a surf and turf fan.

Casita Linda

This family-run Mexican cafe, located on 3rd street & Baltimore Ave, makes everything from their delicious breakfasts and lunches to their bakery items all from scratch - made fresh every day. If you are looking for an authentic taste of Mexico while visiting OC, you have to stop here.
The family moved to Ocean City from Guanajuato, Mexico in 2006, bringing delicious and traditional Mexican flavors with them.
No matter what you choose it will be delicious, but their horchata, tortas, and conchas are definitely fan favorites!

Touch of Italy

An authentic Italian deli, market, and restaurant nestled in the 67th Street Holiday Inn is the home of an internationally recognized pizza. Touch of Italy is known for their delicious wood-fired pizzas with crisp, crackly crust and authentic Italian ingredients – many of which are sourced from Little Italy in the Bronx.
Not only is the pizza famous though, but also the chicken parm has become a local favorite. Pounded and cooked to perfection, the portion is huge and one of the stars of their menu. In the mood for fresh Italian pasta dishes, such as gnocchi or fettucini? This is your spot!

Annabelle’s BBQ & Creamery

Inspired by southern “backcountry cooks” and their recipes passed down generation after generation, Annabelle’s on 64th Street prides itself on its authentic southern staples like brisket, burnt ends, ribs, mac & cheese, collard greens, and more.
Their oak-smoked brisket is one of the hits – cooked “lo and slo” and melt in your mouth delicious. Their menu is full of equally delicious entrees and sides. It’s a must visit if you are in midtown.

Marlin Moon

Located on the second floor of DoubleTree on 33rd Street, Marlin Moon combines what Ocean City is famous for with an eclectic modern touch. Their Tuna Nachos are a deliciously, unique twist on a staple fish of seafood restaurants, fusing an Eastern Shore favorite with Asian flavors. Another star of their menu is their surf and turf. The dish features a tender center cut filet with a choice of a lobster tail, a crab cake, or shrimp.
The eclectic and modern atmosphere and the delicious dishes are more than enough reason to make a stop at Marlin Moon.

Happy Jack’s Pancakes

The “Ocean City House of Pancakes”, Happy Jack on 26th Street, has specialized in pancakes for over 50 years. The family-run breakfast place has 14 varieties from traditional pancakes to specialty ones like their Elvis Pancakes inspired by the king himself – a stack of peanut butter chip pancake topped with bananas and whipped cream.
It’s the perfect stop for the breakfast lover, and don’t fear if you are gluten free, most of their selections have gluten free alternatives. 

32 Palm

Ocean City’s best kept secret, 32 Palm, located in Hilton on 33rd street, boasts a menu full of Eastern Shore classics with modern dining experience. Their menu is always changing with seasonal ingredients, but their seafood is always a standout; however, what they’ve become known for is their extensive wine list featuring bottles from France, Italy, and Spain and their whiskey collection featuring rare bottles like a 25-year single malt scotch from Laphroaig Cask or an 18-year Whistle Pig Rye.
Stop by and try something from their unique collection with your meal!

Sushi Cafe

Located on 137th Street, this cozy sushi bar is beloved by locals for their fresh and innovative sushi creations. The owners and staff pride themselves on the quality and freshness of their dishes which means it’s some of the best sushi in town.
Their Ocean City specialty roll is OC meets sushi, featuring Eastern Shore classics lump crab and Old bay. If you are uptown, it’s a must stop!

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen

This Jewish deli, located on 63rd Street in an old beach house, has served up delicious Reubens, corned beef, pastrami and other Jewish delicacies for nearly 10 years. They pride themselves on their authentic Jewish meals that are filling a culinary gap in the town. If you’ve ever wanted to try an authentic matzo ball soup or lox bagel, Rosenfeld’s has got you covered.
Just a few months ago in October 2022, the deli was set to close due to leasing issues, but the community came out in full force, supporting the restaurant. The outpouring of love moved their landlord, because of that, the deli secured a lease until the end of Summer 2024. As a community fixture, they aren’t going anywhere, but they may have a new location in a few years.

Coral Reef

Located in Holiday Inn & Suites on 17th Street, Coral Reef is a casual restaurant serving OC favorites. Their cream of crab soup is one of the standouts on their menu full of delicious lump crab meat and topped with Old Bay.
They also have a Caribbean inspired cocktail menu featuring their twists on tropical drinks. Whether you are coming off the beach in need of a cocktail or want some warm food on a winter day, Coral Reef’s got you covered.

Pho-Char Grill

Named for its specialty, Pho-Char Grill, located in Gold Coast Mall near 118th Street, is known for their pho, a Vietnamese broth packed full of noodles, herbs, and meat. The warm and filling broth is good for the soul and any cold, and this restaurant is the one of the only places to get the delicious soup in Ocean City.
You won’t regret a trip for pho at Pho-Char.

Touch of Mediterranean

If you can’t travel to the Mediterranean, here’s the next best thing. Touch of Mediterranean, located on 27th Street, has many of the iconic dishes of Greek and the Middle Eastern cuisine. The fan-favorites here are their falafels, gyros, and shawarma. Customers have even said the restaurant has “the best gyro in town,” – what an endorsement!

Asian Garden

This Asian restaurant does Chinese, Indian, and Nepalese foods, but their customers and fans seem partial to their Indian and Nepalese dishes. One of the standouts on the menu are the momos dumplings filled with delicious marinated chicken and authentic Nepalese spices.
Located on 15th Street, and they’re the only place in Ocean City to get Indian and Nepalese food. Compared to what OC is known for, it’s a unique food stop along the strip.


Ocean City may not top lists as a foodie destination right now, but we have hundreds of interesting restaurants up and down the 10-mile strip, so if you are looking for unique bites or new food trails to discover, look no further because we’ve got it all here in OC.