Best Restaurants in Ocean City
10 hand-picked restaurants in this cape-may County beach town
Looking for the best restaurants in Ocean City? We've curated the top spots based on quality, value, and local reputation. From budget-friendly options to upscale experiences, here are our top picks for restaurants in Ocean City.
Top 10 Restaurants
Aneu Kitchen Juicery & Market
$$Health-focused kitchen and juice bar offering fresh, nutritious options.
Cinco De Mayo
$$Mexican restaurant serving traditional favorites on West Avenue.
Cone Appetit
$$Boardwalk ice cream shop with creative treats. Located in Ocean City.
Cousin's Restaurant
$$Italian-American BYOB with twilight menu specials (4:30-5:30pm) including salad, vegetable, bread, and dessert under $20.
Crazy Susan's Cookie Co
$$Cookie bakery and sweet shop. Located in Ocean City.
Crossings
$$Restaurant serving American cuisine. Located in Ocean City.
Don Jose Rojo's Tacos
$$Mexican taco spot with authentic flavors. Located in Ocean City.
Emily's Ocean Room Cafe
$$Emily's Ocean Room Cafe located in Ocean City.
Express Pizza & Subs
$$Express Pizza & Subs located in Ocean City.
Hobby Horse Ice Cream Parlor
$$Located in Ocean City.
Our Top Picks Reviewed
Best Overall: Aneu Kitchen Juicery & Market
Aneu Kitchen Juicery & Market stands out as our top pick for restaurants in Ocean City.Health-focused kitchen and juice bar offering fresh, nutritious options. At $$ pricing, it delivers excellent value for the quality. Notable features include healthy options, juice bar, market. Specializing in cafe and american, this spot is perfect for both locals and visitors.
Best Value: Cone Appetit
For those watching their budget without sacrificing quality, Cone Appetit offers exceptional value at $$ pricing.Boardwalk ice cream shop with creative treats. Located in Ocean City. This is our go-to recommendation for families and groups looking to experience great restaurants without breaking the bank.
Best for Special Occasions: Cinco De Mayo
When you're celebrating something special in Ocean City, Cinco De Mayo delivers an memorable experience.Mexican restaurant serving traditional favorites on West Avenue. Even at moderate pricing, the quality and atmosphere punch above its weight.
What to Know Before You Go
The restaurants scene in Ocean City varies by season. During peak summer months (June through August), wait times at popular spots can exceed an hour, especially on weekend evenings. We recommend making reservations at least a week in advance for weekend dining. Off-season visitors (September through May) will find it much easier to secure tables, and many establishments offer seasonal specials and promotions.
Price-wise, expect to spend between $15-30 per person at $ spots, $30-50 at $$ establishments, $50-80 at $$$ venues, and $80+ at $$$$ fine dining locations. Most Ocean City restaurants are BYOB-friendly, which can significantly reduce your total bill if you bring your own wine or beer.
Quick Comparison
| Name | Price | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aneu Kitchen Juicery & Market | $$ | Families & Groups | healthy options, juice bar |
| Cinco De Mayo | $$ | Families & Groups | casual, family-friendly |
| Cone Appetit | $$ | Families & Groups | ice-cream |
| Cousin's Restaurant | $$ | Families & Groups | BYOB, twilight specials |
| Crazy Susan's Cookie Co | $$ | Families & Groups | cafe, ice-cream |
More Restaurants in Ocean City
We've found 46 additional restaurants in Ocean City. Browse the complete list in our directory.
View All Restaurants →Planning Your Visit to Ocean City?
Check out our complete guide to Ocean City with beaches, events, parking info, and more.
View Ocean City Guide →About Ocean City
Ocean City has operated as a "dry town" since Methodist ministers founded it in 1879—no alcohol sales, period. What could feel restrictive has instead created a unique culture: one of the most family-focused shore towns in America, a thriving BYOB restaurant scene, and summer nights centered on boardwalk rides and ice cream rather than bar-hopping. The "America's Greatest Family Resort" slogan isn't marketing—it's an accurate description of what 1 million+ annual visitors experience. The beach here is what you picture when you imagine the Jersey Shore: wide, clean, well-patrolled by lifeguards. Badges cost $10/day, $20/week, or $35/season—under 12 and military are free. The water quality consistently ranks among the best in New Jersey, and the gentle wave break makes it ideal for families with young swimmers. Beaches stretch the full 8-mile length of the island, but most visitors cluster between 6th and 12th Streets where the boardwalk offers easy access to food and restrooms. Locals know that the beaches south of 34th Street stay quieter even in peak summer. The 2.5-mile boardwalk is the main attraction beyond the beach. Playland's Castaway Cove operates 30+ rides including GaleForce, a 125-foot launch coaster hitting 64 mph. (Note: Gillian's Wonderland Pier permanently closed October 2024 after 95 years.) Beyond rides, the boardwalk packs in arcades, mini-golf, bike rentals, and beach shops. Rainy days are covered—the Ocean City Aquatic Center has an indoor pool, and the downtown shops along Asbury Avenue offer browsing. Thursday nights in July and August bring Family Night with free entertainment along the boardwalk. Food is a religion here, with multi-generational traditions you won't find anywhere else. Manco & Manco Pizza serves their famous sauce-on-top slices (yes, sauce ON TOP of cheese—locals will correct you if you say it wrong). Johnson's Popcorn has hand-tossed caramel corn since 1940. Shriver's makes salt water taffy since 1898. Kohr Bros Frozen Custard (since 1919) adds eggs to the recipe so it doesn't melt in shore air. For sit-down meals, the BYOB scene is excellent—bring wine to Cafe Beach Club, Deauville Inn, or Spiaggia for upscale Italian. Expect $25-40/person at BYOB restaurants, $10-15 for boardwalk food. Ocean City draws primarily families with kids under 12. The dry policy means no rowdy bar scene, and the boardwalk empties by midnight even in peak summer. Peak season (July-August) fills hotels at $250-400/night; off-season drops to $100-150 and most attractions close. Night in Venice—a boat parade where residents decorate their vessels—draws 125,000 spectators each July and remains the signature event. Ocean City works best for families who want the classic shore experience without the party atmosphere of Wildwood or Seaside Heights. Young adults and couples often find it too quiet—the lack of bars means nightlife is essentially nonexistent. But families with young children, grandparents, and anyone who values clean beaches and an early-to-bed-early-to-rise rhythm will find exactly what they're looking for. Wildwood's free beaches and amusement parks are 20 minutes south; Cape May's restaurants and history are 25 minutes further. Ocean City is the sweet spot in between.
Why Ocean City for Restaurants?
Ocean City in Cape-may County has become a destination for restaurants lovers thanks to its unique blend of family friendly, boardwalk, dry town vibes. Whether you're looking for waterfront dining, hidden local gems, or family-friendly options, this cape-may County beach town delivers.
What Makes Ocean City Special
- family friendly atmosphere
- boardwalk atmosphere
- dry town atmosphere
- classic atmosphere
- wholesome atmosphere
Planning Your Visit
Ocean City is accessible from major cities, making it perfect for day trips or weekend getaways. For the best restaurants experience, consider visiting during shoulder season (May-June or September-October) when crowds are lighter but most establishments are open.
Getting to Ocean City
- From NYC: 2hr 30min
- From Philadelphia: 1hr 10min
- From Newark: 2hr 15min
Local Tips
- Parking: Limited free street parking away from beach. Metered spots fill early on weekends.
- Best Time: Weekday lunches offer shorter waits at popular spots.
- Reservations: Book ahead for summer weekends, especially waterfront venues.