Everyone associates Maryland with crab, but I wondered what else are the must-try foods in Ocean City, Maryland? When we headed down to Maryland in April, I consulted with locals and did some experimentation to find out. Here is our shortlist. Join in with your suggestions in the comments below.
Must Try Foods in Ocean City
1. Crab – you can’t go to Maryland and not eat crabs! Since we tried steamed crabs last year in Baltimore, we focused on crab cakes, crab imperial, and just about anything else stuffed with crab. If you are wondering where to go, locals suggest the crab cakes at Coins Pub & Restaurant and others swear by the steamed crab from the Crab Bag. Hoopers gets high marks for its all-you-can-eat crab fest as a “must do”, but others feel it is past its prime.
2. Rockfish – also called a striped bass, rockfish is the official state fish of Maryland, so clearly it needs to be a must try when visiting Ocean City. A flaky white fish, rockfish can be prepared in many ways so just pick one you like and go for it.
3. Fractured Prune Donuts – these always hot, fresh dipped donuts are all the rage in Ocean City and I can’t wait until they make their way north. Instead of rows of donuts, you pick your flavor and they crank them out and glaze them right in front of you with mouthwatering flavors like OC Sand, S’more and Peppermint Patty.
4. Thrasher’s Fries – these fries have been tempting Ocean City visitors since 1926 and are still a favorite boardwalk food made from the simplest ingredients…potatoes, peanut oil, apple cider vinegar and salt. Since french fries are my favorite food and diet downfall, I was crushed that Thrasher’s was closed when we visited recently in the off-season. So enjoy a bucket in the summer, but then run a few length of the boardwalk to work them off.
5. Fisher’s Popcorn – Fisher’s is another boardwalk staple since 1937, specializing in caramel popcorn but also offering other flavors like Caramel with Peanuts, Cinnamon Caramel, Butter flavored, White Cheddar and Old Bay.
A Few More Must Try Foods:
1. Peach dumplings from baked dessert cafe — the official dessert of nearby Berlin, MD is delectable, but get there early before they run out. You can always go kayaking to work off those calories!
2. Marsh Mud Ice Cream — If you are up for a side trip from Ocean City, the Island Creamery in Chincoteague, VA is so proud of their Marsh Mud ice cream they even made up t-shirts with the flavor on it. This super chocolatey flavor is homemade and a great way to top off a day of pony watching.
3. Dumser’s Dairyland – right in Ocean City, MD is another ice cream option. Dumser’s has been selling its ice cream on the boardwalk since 1939.
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Photo Credits:Thrasher’s Fries courtesy of BigBirdz on Flickr via Creative Commons License, has been edited for size. Fisher’s Popcorn photo courtesy of Austin Kirk via Creative Commons License and has been edited for size. Island Creamery photo courtesy of Paulo Ordoveza via Flickr Creative Commons License and has been edited for size.
Thank you to Worcester County Tourism and the Quality Inn for hosting our recent stay in Ocean City, MD.
Don’t forget Candy Kitchen! This should be a Top 10 list!
Love love love Fractured Prune doughnuts!
LOVE Dough Roller Pizza! Have to have it and Nick Idoni’s House of Ribs at least twice during the week are at the O.C.
Uber Bagel at 127th.
Julia’s cannoli, first stop Fishers, next stop Julia’s.
Though there are so many tremendous Pizza Shops on the Boardwalk and throughout, there is just something about Tony’s. It IS OCMD to me
My family prefers Dolle’s taffy and caramel corn. They have been there since 1910 and we like them the best.
I have to have a sub from Anthony’s.
How is The Wrapper not on here?!?!
Where is that from Maggie?
Its a pretzel place on the Boardwalk that specializes in stuffed pretzels, from crab and cheese pretzels to chicken and cheese they have it all that should definitely be on the list!
I agree. The Wrapper definitely needs to be on the list! They have the best combinations of foods in the pretzel dough. Hammerhead’s (on the boardwalk) should also be on the list. They have great coconut shrimp!
A “must try” in Ocean City ( 63rd St and Ocean Highway, Bayside) is Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli. The food is delicious and the service quick and friendly.
Put this on your “must try” list.
Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the pic of our crab imperial! Hope to see you this summer!
aaaaaayyyy how about the bull on the beach there PIT BEEF sandwiches with all the FIXINGS are the BEST In O C .MD ……….
I’ve been a local for 24 years. Hands down, Crab Bag is the absolute BEST
Captins Galley has the best crab cakes in the world
I am an eastern shore girl and Thrashers, crab cakes, and Fishers have been in my life for 64 years no matter where I lived.
Crab Bag has great food! Love their Oyster Po’boy! Best Italian Cold Cut is also in Berlin, around the corner from Baked Desserts at Main Street Deli! They also have great Maryland Crab Soup and Cream of Crab Soup! If you get a chance though, you absolutely must try their Shrimp and Potato Soup!
I can not go to OCMD without going to FishTales on 22nd street, Barn 34, Hooked, and Hooter’s.
I’ll take Thrasher’s Fries and Dumser’s Dairyland!
Fish tacos at Belly Busters on 45th street!!!!! The BEST!!!!
I send Fishers popcorn and salt water taffy to relatives for presents. They are out of Ocean City so they truly enjoy it. That is something I miss also here in Fl. Forget Florida crabs. They can’t compare to Md. crabs.
No dough roller?
What about Wockenfuss Maryland fudge?????
LOVES lemonade… Funnel cakes !!!