Dining in Ocean City

Cafe plates under the Starfish name.

Cafe and bakery pairing pastries with coffee.

Coffee-shop diner plates at Ready's.

Eatery on Asbury Ave cooking American basics.

Coffee bar brewing at JP's.

Health-focused kitchen and juice bar offering fresh, nutritious options.

Famous cinnamon roll chain on the Ocean City Boardwalk.

Cookie bakery and sweet shop. Located in Ocean City.

Emily's Ocean Room Cafe located in Ocean City.

Spadafora's runs a seafood market.

"Fresh and high-quality seafood since 1990" at 3.8/5 BYOB. Crabcakes, fish tacos, marine-themed decor. Buy fresh seafood from the case to cook at your rental.

Must try: Crabcakes

"Best Seafood in Ocean City area" for 40+ years—technically Somers Point but essential for OC visitors wanting alcohol with dinner. Stuffed flounder with deviled crab stuffing. Outdoor Crabby Jack's deck with harbor views. FULL BAR.

Must try: Stuffed flounder

Grille on Second Street cooking American food.

Tavern out in Seaville with drinks and grub.

Family restaurant plating American classics.

Pizzeria with a dairy bar on the side.

American cooking at Oves in Ocean City.

Eatery on Asbury Ave cooking American basics.

New York-style cafe and grill fare.

Donuts with a nautical pun at Nauti.

Mario's pairs a pizzeria with a full restaurant.

Gyros headline Katina's menu.

Island Grill plates American meals.

Restaurant and sauce company under one roof.

Breakfast and brunch in a stunning 1937 Spanish Mission Revival building designed by the same architect as the Flanders Hotel. The cookie dough stuffed French toast is the signature dish — generous, photogenic, and worth the wait. Lines move slowly on summer weekends; arrive by 8:30am or expect 45+ minutes.

Must try: Cookie dough stuffed French toast

The boardwalk breakfast stop since the early 1900s — fresh apple cider donuts hot from the fryer draw morning lines that start forming before 8am. Grab a half-dozen and a coffee and eat on the boardwalk overlooking the ocean.

Must try: Apple cider donuts

Casual American restaurant on Asbury Avenue with a broad menu of sandwiches, burgers, and pasta. Family-friendly atmosphere in the heart of downtown Ocean City, away from boardwalk crowds.

Quick-service boardwalk grill for burgers, hot dogs, and sandwiches. No-frills food at prices that fit a full boardwalk day budget.

Pizza and pasta by the sackful.

Roma bakes pies and slices.

Frozen custard and Italian ice chain stand.

Wood-fired pies at Piccini.

Italian bakery turning out bread and sweets.

Luigi's covers both restaurant and pizzeria duty.

Pizza plus grill fare at Lobo.

Roman-style pies at Lascalas.

Italian-American BYOB with twilight menu specials (4:30-5:30pm) including salad, vegetable, bread, and dessert under $20.

Must try: Twilight menu

Island brewery pouring Ludlam beers.

Ice cream factory churning scoops on West Ave.

Ice cream factory churning scoops on West Ave.

Ice cream parlor scooping Hobby Horse cones.

Boardwalk ice cream shop with creative treats. Located in Ocean City.

5/5 Yelp, "the ultimate Ocean City boardwalk food" since 1919. Orange/vanilla and peanut butter/chocolate twists. Uses eggs to prevent melting in shore salt air. 5 locations. "A trip without Kohr's is a waste of time!"

Must try: Orange/vanilla twist

Blizzards and soft-serve on the boardwalk. The Blizzard Treat bar is the family fallback when Kohr Bros has a line wrapping down the boardwalk.

Dual-concept shop on Asbury Avenue pairing specialty coffee drinks with hand-scooped ice cream. Morning cold brew crowd transitions to afternoon ice cream crowd — it works surprisingly well.

Mexican restaurant serving traditional favorites on West Avenue.

Street-style tacos and Mexican favorites in a dry-town setting. BYOB — bring your own margarita mix and a bottle of tequila from the liquor store across the bridge in Somers Point. Carnitas and al pastor are the moves.

Must try: Al pastor tacos

"THE definitive Ocean City pizzeria" since 1956. Signature style: sauce swirled ON TOP of cheese. Watch pizza tossing. Lines long but move quickly. Slice $3.28, plain pie $24.15. Zeppoles mandatory.

Must try: Cheese slice with zeppoles

Delivery and carryout pizza chain. Useful for rental house nights when the group doesn't want to cook or go out. Late delivery hours are the draw.

BYOB pizzeria featured by Guy Fieri for its bacon cheeseburger pizza.

Must try: Bacon cheeseburger pizza

Express Pizza & Subs located in Ocean City.

"Follow the scent" to this "Ocean City legend" since 1940. Hand-tossed caramel popcorn from copper kettles. Small cup $3.95. Refillable tubs available.

Must try: Caramel corn bucket

Boardwalk's oldest business since 1898. 30+ taffy flavors, homemade fudge (pumpkin, Irish mint, Black Forest cherry). Watch candy being made.

Must try: Assorted taffy box

The boardwalk fry stand that fuels Ocean City afternoons — thick-cut seasoned fries served in paper cones. Cash-friendly and positioned for impulse ordering between rides and arcades.

Ocean City's go-to morning pastry stop on Asbury Avenue. Fresh crumb cake, cinnamon buns, and muffins baked daily — buy a box for the rental and everyone's happy before the beach.

Must try: Crumb cake

Reliable chain for coffee and egg sandwiches before the beach. The drive-through location on West Avenue is the most practical option for families juggling towels and sunscreen.