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    By The Docks Restaurant

    3.7 (575 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 weeks ago

    Order By The Docks Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

    By The Docks Restaurant Photos

    BY THE DOCKS RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Dogs allowed

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    Cran Cake and Fried Shrimp
    CJ S.

    We celebrated my mother's 79th Birthday here on 7/18/26 and the service was great and the food was very good but it could have been better. The crab cakes didn't have enough seasoning so we added the Old Bay seasoning, the lobster was a little tough and they could have given us more vegetables. Other than these few complaints, it was great.

    NY steak
    Cheryll V.

    If we want to eat out but don't want to think about what to order or what's on the menu, we always head to By the Docks because we know we'll never go wrong. We were immediately seated and as always, the food did not disappoint though this is my first time writing a review. The crab cake is always a must for us -- absolutely delicious every time. My daughter had the NY steak, which she said was incredibly tender and flavorful. My other daughter devoured her Double Smash Burger so quickly that we didn't even get a chance to take a picture! The Greek salad and Natty Boh Beer Mussels were fresh, flavorful, and so comforting. The staff were pleasant and attentive, and the whole atmosphere was cozy and welcoming. By the Docks continues to be one of our favorite spots for a relaxing, satisfying meal. Highly recommend!

    Crab Imperial
    Garid G.

    A great experience with excellent customer service and delicious food. It could have been because we had a larger party and needed the additional attention but service was excellent for our party of 10. We had a great time. The waitress always had the drinks filled and was never too far for long. The ambiance is mostly casual and family friendly. Don't feel the need to dress up. The crab imperial was excellent. The special sauce they use was amazing and food was all seasoned very well. We highly recommend. The bread before dinner was also warm. No complaints. We would love to come back and try something different.

    Crab cake, fries
    Stefan S.

    Recently came here to eat for the first time and it definitely won't be my last. A great meal, excellent wait staff, and just an overall delicious restaurant. The only negative was it was very cold but it was also very cold outside and the door kept opening so it made it cold in the restaurant but that didn't deter our meal and our experience. It was cold so my friend and I both got a big bowl of crab soup and when I say a big bowl, it was mammoth! I usually at a bowl because usually it's not much bigger than a cup but this was huge and it definitely affected the amount that I was able to eat of my meal, however that's what doggie bags are for! I had the crab cake platter with a single broiled crab cake, french fries and applesauce. It was delicious. The crab cake was big and meaty and full of jumbo lump crab meat and very little filler. The fries were crispy and tasty and the applesauce had huge chunks of apples and was very good. For what we got our meal was super reasonable. My friend got the fish and chips and had this big huge long piece of fish that went from end to end on her plate. I tried her fish and it was really tasty. All in all a really good meal and I look forward to coming back in the future. Highly recommend a visit here.

    Seafood Club
    Joshina B.

    Stopped in for lunch during restaurant week. And I was thoroughly pleased from start to finish. Greeted and seated immediately upon entering. The restaurant is clean and with classy beach like aesthetics. The bathroom well maintained. Our server was very attentive to the table. The food was sooo good in every bite. Chef Kiss. I heard they have a great brunch, so I can't wait to come and experience the brunch. Definitely check this place out.

    Gnocchi & Crab
    Mary W.

    This restaurant is a bit deceiving from the outside -- the parking lot has plenty of space but the lines are really faded. Once you walk in, though, it's surprisingly huge and beautifully designed. It's two stories with some great semi-private dining areas. The food was outstanding. I ordered the Gnocchi and Crab, and it was fantastic! The picture honestly doesn't do it justice. The dish comes with gnocchi, wild mushrooms, lump crab, a bacon cream sauce, and truffle oil, topped with even more bacon and crispy wild mushrooms. It was absolutely delicious. I also tried some of my fiancé's crab cake, which was very good as well -- flavorful with little to no filler. I would come back just for this pasta dish and this place is an hour away from me!

    Orange creamsicle crush
    Aurisha S.

    The drinks and service was the best thing at this restaurant! I heard so many good reviews about the crab cakes, but they are not good at all. Save yourself the time. I would only go back for the drinks and the service of our amazing waiter.

    MiMi K.

    Let me start by saying, I love By the docks. I have been here several times but this time I was extremely disappointed. I got the crab cake and shrimp as my dinner and the Oyster Rockefeller and I have had before, yesterday they were absolutely terrible. They were covered in spinach and it was completely overwhelming. The crab cake was ok and the shrimp were overcooked. I will give them another try but the other day was not the best experience.

    Broiled rockfish $27 from May 2024
    Lisa L.

    We came for dinner on Saturday, 1/25/25 with reservations at 7 pm, but the lobby area was very crowded. We didn't get seated until 45 minutes later. The restaurant shouldn't take more reservations than necessary. Our waitress Kimberly was very nice and attentive, but the broiled rockfish was overcooked and smaller than what we had in a previous visit. The best food item was the fried calamari appetizer, which was large and tender. Our table was close to other tables that you can hear their conversations so don't discuss anything personal. Finally, the women's bathroom stall floors were wet, but it was not raining or snowing that day. The men's bathroom paper dispenser was not working. Overall, I would not recommend coming here on a Saturday unless you're not hungry.

    Maryland half and half soup  Colossal jumbo lump crab cake  Lamb chops  House salad  Stuffed mushroom caps
    Michael-Alan G.

    Fantastic Energy and Top-Tier Service Despite the Crowds! I visited By the Docks this past Friday to celebrate my friend's birthday and catch the tail end of Restaurant Week. Even though it was an incredibly hectic Friday night, the experience was a win. We were 10 minutes late due to traffic, but we called ahead and the staff was very accommodating. When we arrived, the lobby was packed. Since I'm in a wheelchair, the other patrons were kind enough to usher me to the front to check in. Despite the crowd, we were seated in under 5 minutes. Our server, Abner, was honest from the start, giving us a heads-up that it was a "crazy" night. We did have a kitchen mix-up where our entrees arrived before our soup and salad. Abner was clearly frustrated on our behalf, but we told him to just bring it all out--and the food did not disappoint! The lamb chops were tender and flavorful, and the crab cake really "brought it" in terms of quality. My peanut butter and jelly bread pudding was the perfect finish. I also want to mention that the manager made it his business to stop by our table at least twice to check on us. I apologize that I didn't catch his name, but I thought that was a great touch considering how busy they were. The space is a bit tight for a wheelchair when it's that crowded, and the bathroom is smaller than expected for a place this size, but I was still able to maneuver fine. Big thanks to Abner and the team--I'll definitely be back!

    Halibut with crab, fried potato balls, spinach
    Jenna H.

    Perfectly cooked fresh seafood, great cocktails, excellent service, great finish with dessert and coffee!

    Kimberly A.

    By the docks was so good that I literally made a TikTok review right after leaving lol. They have beyond amazing service, delicious , reasonably priced drinks, and the restaurant is so aesthetically pleasing, especially with the boats hanging from the ceiling. I absolutely love the $25.99 Tuesday night special where you can get a salad, crab cake dinner with two sides, and a crème brûlée for dessert! you also get free bread!

    By the Docks Award Winning Colossal Crab Cakes - Single with baked.potato
    Theron M.

    I wanted a good pork chop. I eat one maybe twice a year. So I was looking for places on Yelp. I hunted. Then I decided that eating it once a year mea y that I should have a good one. So on crabcake night I went to a place knowing that the food would be good. I went to By the Docks.knowing that it would be packed with crabcake eaters. Their crabcakes are good. I have had them several times. Btlut I wanted a good porkchop. The rolls with honey butter made for a good appetizer. But when the entree came out there was no turning

    Restaurant decor

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    9 months ago

    The food was delicious. The waitress couldn't have been nicer. And sometimes we see the owner which is very nice.

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    1 year ago

    Fantastic food and service! haven't been since before 2020 covid, everything is superb.

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Food was delicious!! Great happy hour and the service was top notch. We will definitely return soon

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    2 years ago

    I love the food, people, and the specials are killer deals. Don't miss out on the crab cakes!!!!!!

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    1 year ago

    Just had a great dinner. The service was great. My service, Iris was very friendly and personable. We will return agin.

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    Page 2 of 15

    By The Docks Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

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    Charlys Waterfront - Brussels

    Charlys Waterfront

    3.8(78 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    This was my second time at Charly's and wow was it just as good as the first time! We arrived…read morearound 5:40 p.m. on a Saturday evening and while it was busy it wasn't crowded and we didn't have to wait long for a table. The first thing I noticed was the host was so patient and kind. She also was so friendly. Once we were sat we were greeted by our server who was also extremely kind and helpful with our questions and needs. We placed our drink orders, a mocktail for me (Cranberry Cosmo) and a Charly's Crush for my friend. The mocktail was served in a martini glass and was so delicious. I'll be honest I was impressed and pleased that the mocktail was only $9 as some places charge the same price for mocktails as they do cocktails. We ordered appetizers for dinner 2 crab pretzels and crispy brussels. The crab pretzel was soft, delicious and had the perfect amount of old bay, crab meat + cheese! The brussel were crispy, with priscuitto, a homemade dijon mustard sauce and gorgonzola cheese. For three of us this was perfect and delicious! The restaurant is beautiful and on the water. One of the things I really love is that you can sit inside but with the garage doors open you feel like you're on the patio. Outdoors there are benches, yard games and mini golf. And while there was live music that was ending for the evening it didn't feel overly loud or overwhelming. My only complaints about this evening were not the fault of the restaurant but we did have a few flies around our table that were annoying. And I was really hoping to have an egg custard snowball with marshmallow and they were out of marshmallow :)! I would 100% visit again and continue to try different menu items!

    Who knew you could find a beachy vibe on the water in Essex. Well, I was pleasantly surprised at…read morethe views and food Charlys Waterfront had to offer. In need of a new restaurant for happy hour with a friend, I stumbled upon Charlys Waterfront. Upon arrival I immediately felt like I was transported to restaurant on the beach. A nice outside area and bar for lounging late into the summer nights, mini golf for the kiddies, and good drinks and food. Our bartender was great and very attentative, given it was her first night behind the bar. And the crushes were quite tasty. The menu had a decent amount of seafood items given we were dining on the water. And the star of the night were the nachos. The chips seems to be house fried and the cheese sauce was divine. Now that I've discovered this hidden gem on the water I'm definitely looking forward to my next visit to Charlys Waterfront and an opportunity to relax near the water with a grapefruit crush in hand.

    Photos
    Charlys Waterfront
    Charlys Waterfront - Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich

    Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich

    Charlys Waterfront - Patio and game area fireplace

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    Patio and game area fireplace

    Carson's Creekside Restaurant and Lounge - Cup of cream of crab soup

    Carson's Creekside Restaurant and Lounge

    3.8(275 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    The excited southerner wanted outside on this beautiful Saturday afternoon and I came to Carson's…read morefor the first time.. waiting for my deck table to be ready, I sat by the windows at the bar... open , light and great views of the creek, I rested and sipped my house merlot... just soaking in the relaxing setting. The host came and let me know that my table was ready, I settled with the bartender and went to sit outside... the water beautiful, the sun, dipping into the sky... my server came up and ask what I wanted. I got the cheeseburger sliders and she went to put the order in.. being able to sit and soak in the sun on the water was wonderful... to sip good wine and soak in the sun... priceless My sliders came and the plate was full of burger goodness. The view is great, the food is wonderful.. My server never introduced herself and I had to ask the host as I was leaving what her name was... Sabrina.. thanks for a quiet night out on the creek.

    What a nice place. I love the view of the water. I placed my order via phone and carried out my…read morefood. It was a typical Friday evening after work around 6pm. The phone lines were so busy but after several attempts I finally got through. Ordering over the phone was easy. The agent was very friendly and did not rush me off the phone (as this was my first time calling and I had lots of questions). I could hear it was jammed packed with all the conversations in the background. Arriving 20 mins later and my food was piping hot and ready to go. By the time I got home my food was still hot and the flavors were nice and fresh. You can Taste the love in the food. My only issue was that my fried shrimp were a little too crispy for me. It was almost doubled fried which made it a little hard to eat. Also my wings (old bay) were overly seasoned. However I very much enjoyed the homemade ranch dressing! (They need to sell that in stores)!!!! The customer service was great and the spot seems very popular as it was jammed packed inside, also lots of carry out orders and plenty of people parking and pulling up to join the fun.

    Photos
    Carson's Creekside Restaurant and Lounge - Inside

    Inside

    Carson's Creekside Restaurant and Lounge - Cup of cream of crab

    Cup of cream of crab

    Carson's Creekside Restaurant and Lounge - House merlot on the deck

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    House merlot on the deck

    The Local - Outside

    The Local

    3.8(101 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$$

    The place is packed -making money hand over fist- but why only one wait person in a big room packed…read morewith people. Made for some really long wait times. On the plus side my family enjoyed the ribs and crab balls. On the negative side, the fish in my fish and chips was painfully thin and small. Normally you get a nice chunky piece of fish when you get fish and chips. Not only that, l've never had fish and chips where the skin was on the fish. I left most of the skin behind, but ate some of it because the portion was so small. I had to eat something. Please have the chef look up what fish and chips is supposed to look like. Despite being the only server, our wait person was outstanding - it wasn't their fault that they had to handle the entire dining room. . Also appreciated the carafe of water on the table - but why no ice -had to drink lukewarm water. Make sure to ask for prices upfront and verify-for a single crabcake entrée, we paid $63 when it's advertised online as 30. Let the buyer beware.. Wouldn't feel a need to return at this point, too many other better options.

    Good food, great service, and a reasonably priced happy hour are a just a few things The Local has…read moregoing on. I popped in to The Local with one of my friends for a much needed happy hour and we were both in consensus we had to come back to try some other menu items and specials. $7 for the house Sangria and a mule of the day, was a great start to the evening and quite tasty. We both dined on the burger and fries and enjoyed the dish. I would've like a bit of seasoning on the burger patties and maybe a cheddar or American cheese, but that's my personal preference. I asked for the black truffle aioli on the side and that was definitely the way to go to really be able to taste the black truffle. And might I say the aioli was delicious. Our waitress was great and very attentive. The Local offers different specials on various nights and even does live music on Friday nights. This is a great place on the Avenue to enjoy dishes made with ingredients from local businesses and enjoy a delicious meal.

    Photos
    The Local - Buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches

    Buttermilk fried chicken sandwiches

    The Local - Grilled oysters and raw oysters

    Grilled oysters and raw oysters

    The Local - Outside

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    Outside

    Costas Inn - A dozen of our perfectly seasoned Steamed Crabs. We take Pride in Our Presentation!!

    Costas Inn

    4.1(463 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    Costas Inn is a WINNER by means of fantastic service and incredible blue crabs and lump crab cake…read more Visiting family in Maryland and decided to take a 45 min drive due to rave reviews and was absolutely spectacular. No sense in rambling on except you gotta hit up this spot. Trust me, it's ALL GOOD.

    We stopped at Costas Inn tonight on our way north, hoping to find some great Maryland crab dishes,…read moreand we were not disappointed! Right from the start, our server, Chuck, made us feel welcome. We mentioned a food allergy, and while he wanted to make sure he understood everything correctly, he quickly brought over his manager, Maria, to assist. Maria was incredibly thorough and went above and beyond, even showing me ingredient information to ensure everything was safe. That level of care and attention was greatly appreciated. For dinner, we ordered the Maryland crab soup, which was hearty, thick, and packed with flavor--not watered down at all. We also shared a side salad that was surprisingly huge and fresh. The crab cakes were outstanding, loaded with lump crab meat and served with delicious sides. We also tried the rockfish special, which was almost like a crab cake made with fish--unique, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert, but the desserts we saw being served to other tables looked amazing and definitely worth trying on a future visit. Both Chuck and Maria were attentive throughout our meal, and Chuck's friendly, kind personality made the experience even better. Excellent food, outstanding service, and great attention to customer needs. We will absolutely be back the next time we're in Baltimore!

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    Costas Inn
    Costas Inn
    Costas Inn - July 2008

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    July 2008

    Two Guys Grill and Pub - Crab Cake is filled with lump crab meat

    Two Guys Grill and Pub

    4.0(43 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    We tried Two Guys for the first time in many years. Wow! Were we surprised to see all of the…read moreamazing changes here. The entire place has been updated and expanded and there is still more work in progress. We arrived around five on a very busy St. Patrick's for dinner. We were meeting very good friends and were excited to spend some time together. The decor was so fun and the place was hopping. Even though all of the staff seemed to be extremely busy, we were allowed to wait for a table that would seat us comfortably while being a bit out of the way of the hubbub. The redone U-shaped bar area is very large with plenty of seating at the bar and around it. There are multiple long, high top tables too. The other side of the restaurant is filled with booths and tables with plenty of room to accommodate any size party. I saw tables that fit at least 10 people there. There is also an outdoor area that is under construction, but looks like it will be a very nice addition to the bar. Now on to the food and the drinks. They had so many specials for St. Patrick's Day and a large variety of them too rather than just the typical corned beef and cabbage or Ruben's. They had lots of other Irish delicacies like shepherds pie, and bangers and mash. They had all kinds of drink specials, including green margaritas, Guinness, and lots of other fancy drinks to choose from. They have plenty of beers on top and basically a full bar where you can get anything to wet your whistle. I had a two guys burger, which was basically a bacon cheeseburger, and it was cooked to perfection (not to mention it was probably close to a half pound of ground beef on that burger) along with some fries and a salad. My friend had a Reuben, which she thought was very good. My husband who loves hot turkey sandwiches ended up getting one of those and a side salad too. It was made with fresh turkey and we all know how that kicks it up a notch. Other friend got the meatloaf, which was good, but there was cheese on top and he wasn't a big fan of that. They have daily specials with lots to choose from. We had the $1 wings and were delighted with the many choices of sauces. There were so many customers coming in constantly for their carry out, too. Everything was fresh. The prices were great. Everything was very tasty and the atmosphere was fun without being too noisy. We can't wait to go back and try it again soon.

    My favor bar during the day. At night...shitty service and this is a double on the rocks for 15$. I…read morewill never come in again after 4pm

    Photos
    Two Guys Grill and Pub - Dining area

    Dining area

    Two Guys Grill and Pub - Strawberry crunch cake

    Strawberry crunch cake

    Two Guys Grill and Pub - Bar area

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    Bar area

    By The Docks Restaurant - seafood - Updated September 2026

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