Mahi Rueben, wings, salads, drinks, scallop "cheesesteak" sub..... Man, this place just does some things well. We've dined at Sterling a many dozen times. Great food, great drinks and even better service. We are regulars and will be for years to come, God willing. Keep up the great work! read more

My husband and I had dinner at the Sterling Tavern on Saturday 01/10/26. I'll start off by giving credit where it's due -- the food was delicious. Unfortunately, they booked a party of at least 60 people for the second floor dining room. Every table was reserved for this party. The restaurant is way too small and did not have enough staff to handle a large group like that. The patrons who were already seated on the second floor were basically ignored after the large group started pouring in. They did not have enough tables or chairs for that group and the dining room was far too crowded for comfort. Kids from the group were running back and forth between their tables and the restroom. They were in the way of the staff serving food and drinks and none of the parents were doing anything to corral their children. People coming into the restaurant were taking one look into the dining room and leaving. They should have closed the second floor dining room and not sent people up there who were not with the large group. Cramming people in around the bar and a tiny side bar was just not a good idea. By the time the room was packed with people from the large party, it was so loud that I couldn't even have a conversation with my husband who was sitting right next to me. read more

Generally the food was good. BUT STAY AWAY FROM the shrimp and grits. They are absolutely horrible. A scoop of grits swimming in the middle of a bowl of about three inches of inedible "cheese sauce." Simply terrible. Other food was decent. read more

The hostess greeted us with a big smile and took us to our table. She was the best part of the service for the entire time we were there. Our server treated us like we were an imposition and was like a drop by when she brought our food. If you can't do your job with grace, friendliness and respect, you need a new job. Food was delicious as always read more

First time in Berlin and 2 people recommended us to go to Sterling Tavern. It was early on a Friday and were seated immediately. They have a large menu from crab cakes ( delicious ), chicken wings to shrimp and grits(taste better than it looks). Everyone was friendly and the beer list was large. read more

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We passed through and this was the only place without a wait for dinner. Service was bad. We had to ask several times for napkins and silverware after our food was tabled. Fried oysters overcooked and over breaded. Fried green tomatoes so bland. The worst was the clam chowder. It was runny as water from a faucet. Big pass. read more

We went after the farmers market so it was crowded but we were able to get in. A big pro was that they have high top highchairs! The waitress was great and the crushes were delicious. My clam strips were just okay and didn't taste like much other than fried food without any salt but my mom enjoyed her pizza! read more

The Sterling Tavern - Clam strips - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

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Met some friends here Friday night and everything was excellent. The vibe is very laid back and comfortable. I got the pretzels for an appetizer and fried shrimp for a small plate. Wonderful experience and the service was top notch. read more

The Sterling Tavern - Outside covered seating area - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

We really enjoyed all the food we ordered and the ambience of the restaurant, however the service was a bit lacking. We received the check, the prices on the check didn't match what was on the menu. There was some back and forth with the server justifying the restaurant didn't have what we ordered from the menu therefore higher price was charged to replace what we ordered. It was little strange. Also, note that the fries that comes with the Fish & Chips comes with truffle salted fries. I know many people love truffle, but I cannot stand it. We asked for a replacement so was charged an extra $5 for it. It will probably be good to note on the menu that the dish comes with truffle salted fries. Pros/Compliments: -Food is very delicious!! -Place is clean! -Fish & Chips - Flounder was very fresh and cooked to perfection; the regular fries with no truffle tasted delicious -Steamed Shrimp- Cooked perfect, not over done -Chesapeake Oysters - Fresh and no sand :) Cons/Complaints: -Service - Drink refills, silverware, plates; Check on table; Don't enter incorrect prices and up charge -Menu - Add that fries come with truffle salt; Make sure what is ordered and the prices match what comes out on the check/bill read more

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We got the chicken tacos, oysters and Maryland crab soup. Tacos were dry oysters good and soup only fair. The service was super slow. read more

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We really love it here! The food is good and the staff is great. We go there with guests and can count on it being a great experience. I appreciate all of the community support that they provide as well. read more

Nice find and less than 15 minutes from Assateague area. This Pet friendly (outdoors) was just what we have been looking for on our vacation to Assateague. Great menu, clean and friendly staff. The Mussels with linguini was very good. read more

The whole experience turned out to be just OK. After ordering our drinks and food, it was about 45 to 50 minutes before were got our food. Our drinks came almost right away. There were 8 of us at an outside table. Just about as we sat down a guitarist began to sing and play. His performance was very good but it was at a very high volume. You could only possibly talk to the person sitting by your side or directly across from you, so there was a lot of shouting going on! I'm only going to rate our 2 entrees. The Crab Cake dinner, as well as the Crab & Steak dinner were nothing special, with the experience not being what we had enjoyed here a year ago. The crab to "filling" ratio had done a major reversal. The Sirloin (?) steak was a fairly big piece of meat but that's about it. Nice staff - good location but I wouldn't rush back any time soon. read more

We had a group of 20+ upstairs for an office reunion. I cant thank the staff enough. They were so amazing!! They worked with all our needs including photos, checks, constant orders! They made our evening so perfect. Food is always great. Prices are so reasonable. Everyone has reached out to me thanking me for a perfect evening. It wasn't me! It was Austin, John, Brooke and Nadia! I hope I didn't leave anyone out! Only recommendation would be to buy a nice big fan for crazy 100 degree days with 20+ women!! LOL! read more

Wish there was 0 stars to give... Never have I ever left a place hungry, disappointed, and just bewildered. After a 1-hour wait, our food came out cold -- except the oysters, which require zero cooking. My medium rare steak? First attempt: burnt to a crisp. Second attempt: still bleeding. It was either shoe leather or a biohazard. Worse? Discrimination alert. Not even kinda low-key, very high-key. A family of 6 (Caucasian) who showed up 15 minutes after us got three servers running back & forth "how's your food, do you need anything..etc" AND get this - got their meals first. We had one overwhelmed server who maybe once/twice tended to us. They comped the steak, but by then, i just wanted to up & leave. Damage was done. The people who we went with are returning customers and have admitted it's gone downhill. We won't be back -- and neither should you. read more

Every time we are in town, we come to the Sterling and they never disappoint! The atmosphere is eclectic and laid back! We love it! The service (Nadia this time) and the owners are amazing. We are here for St. Patrick's Day weekend and my husband just had the best corned beef and cabbage he's ever had in his life. It was so good. We actually ordered two to take home for later! We always recommend this place Any time of the year! They have cool shirts too! read more

A-OK, nothing wrong with this place. Outdoor seating, upstairs seating. I had the wings, half Old Bay, half Buffalo sauce, both sides were good. Buffalo sauce was perfectly mid-level spicy. Served with carrots (where's the celery?). My dining partners' orders looked adequate. Beer menu looks good, inventive drinks, just fine in Berlin. read more

The Sterling Tavern - Old Bay and Buffalo wings - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

Food was great, neat place and service was great. Not too expensive. Great small town restaurant.

Rating it 1 star because we didnt even get attended to.... by the host, manager, or anyone else for like 10 minutes. Finally caught him and asked if there was a wait time for outside, and he apparently was taking wait times outside while there was a line waiting by the HOST DESK INSIDE like it said to do. He said about a 20 min wait and I asked if we could put our name down to which he denied and offered us to go upstairs and sit ourselves on the second floor patio which was FULL. Walked back down because at this point... WTF? And there's MORE people in line. Ugh... so disappointing, the food looked great but what was that service???? Needs better system if they are so unprepared to run a friday night. read more

Had the fosh and chips. Nicely fried haddock could have used some salt and pepper along aith flour but the aioli had plenty of old bay seasoning so it made up in flavor. Sadly the french fries were under the fish, so they fries while they were real home made potatoes, they were soggy... my suggestion to the chef would be set fries on the side. My daughter had the Mahi BLT, the fish was bit More cooked than we liked but very tasty, different as I had it without the brioche bread. Good selection of beers. Had a Burkey Oak IPA on draft, kater I took a drive tk the brewery which is 10 mins away from the restaurant. Overall, good experience. As expected food is expensive in the area but its a tourist town. read more

The Sterling Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

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We have been there before and the food was really good. This visit not so much. It was disgusting. I don't know what happened, but it seems there must a a new cook and it's gone down hill. read more

Worst food. The salt bouy oysters were amazing. I ordered shrimp and grits. The grits were like paste. I then ordered the crab soup to take home. Tasteless. The consistency's is that of dishwater. Zero flavor. Having to fix a restaurant's flaws is never good. read more

My family and I went today and was very disappointed. We drove an hour to get there because we saw it when we went down for the Oktoberfest. We ordered clam strips over cooked and nothing but breading, cheesesteak dry as can be French fries cold and stale. It took the server forever to comeback to check on us she spilled some of the beer on the table never whipped it up . The bartender and a server were very loud running from the bar to the upstairs area . My daughter in law's burger was terrible and her Cole slaw was hot from being kept under the heat lamps. I managed restaurants in N.Y.C , Ct. And Florida keys the staff was more concerned in hanging out with each other than taking care of customers. We will definitely never go back. read more

Nice spot for dinner. I'd say food was 3.8. Burger was a little overcooked and dry but not horrible. Fries are great. Got old bay wings which were great. Fish tacos were good but could have used more accompaniments. Service was fantastic and quick. Front patio seating was very nice. The service and set up bumps It slightly over the 4 mark. read more

Locals from the area and we come often. Always want seafood but decided to try something different this time. I had the Turkey pesto panini and it was delicious! My hubby had the roast beef panini and loved his too! Get the tots too! read more

I stopped in for lunch with my parents after visiting Assateague Park on our way back to Ocean City. We were offered a seat downstairs that only had high tops available or seat yourself upstairs in the bar area. We decided to seat ourselves as it didn't seem too busy however that was a mistake. It seemed there was only one waitress taking care of every table as well as being the bartender making drinks so the service was horribly slow. We sat there for a while before she could even make her way over to us, trying to be patient understanding she was by herself. We had our food and drinks orders ready and when I asked if we order it all at once to speed it up, she did not want to take our food order and said she'd be back after she got our drinks. Eventually many more people joined the bar area which is when she eventually got help as we were almost done. I had a shrimp flat bread which was underwhelming. My parents did really enjoy their meals, the Florida Rueben with mahi and the scallop cheesesteak which had plenty of delicious scallops. Their unique twist on these classics is what intrigued me to visit but I probably would not return because of the service. Maybe you'd have better luck being sat at a table read more

The Sterling Tavern sit's in charming downtown Berlin with outside seating that is very charming . The Place is always clean and starts just inside the door with someone who is genuinely glad to see you . The food is Wonderful tavern food and service is excellent . Are you going to Berlin , Stop in As the liquid is wonderful as well ! I love it ! read more

Food is fantastic! Better and better this year. Get the jerked wings, pretzel w/beer sauce, And the clam strips. Fantastic! Bravo!!! read more

The Sterling Tavern - Jerked wings. Bangin!!!!!! - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

Was in search of lunch and I hit the jackpot at the Sterling Tavern! I sat at the small downstairs bar and the bartender was immediately attentive and helpful. Opted for the Oyster Rockefeller Burger and it was one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. Crispy deep fried oysters, flavorful Rockefeller mix, and a perfectly medium burger and the house made chips were a great accompaniment. Highly recommend! read more

The Sterling Tavern - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

Somehow our names came off the wait list and we were never notified by phone when our tanle was ready. However, when we came back we were able to sit outside right away and the food was delicious! The tavern is right on the main street, so you are able to browse shops if there is a wait. Food is made to order so make sure you have plenty of time if you plan to visit. read more

The Sterling Tavern - Caprese-style fried, green tomatoes - Seafood Near Me - Berlin, Maryland

This place was one of the best meals I've had in a while. Little wait, cute Main Street in Berlin, they put us in a private room to the side. There was live music upstairs that was awesome. Everything we ate was fantastic. Chicken strips for my daughter was real pieces of chicken. Onion rings were flavorful and not just big fried gristle. Flatbread was a big underwhelming but fine. Spinach salad was awesome if you like goat cheese. All the servers were really friendly. Food was a little slow coming out. I would definitely come back here and highly recommend. read more

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I don't leave bad reviews often, but this place was shockingly disappointing. The hostess was extremely condescending to every table she greeted..it was appalling to watch. The "burger" was worse than a McDonald's cheeseburger (and that's being generous). The bread was drenched in butter to the point of being soggy. Ordered the "jumbo" wings and got all flats that were slimy and underwhelming, absolutely not jumbo as advertised. Save your money and go literally anywhere else. read more

Excellent food and service We went there during brunch and had a really good meal. My wife is not easily impressed and declared it the best meal after 3 weeks on the road from California q read more

Stopped in for lunch on a weekday and took a seat at the bar where only one other customer was seated. There are only high-top tables available upstairs. Overall ambience was very warm and welcoming with a small-town pub feel to it. Service was very friendly at the bar as well and we had a nice chat with the management around the bar downstairs after the meal. The menu selection was excellent. I loved the conch fritter appetizer and the Dagwood sandwich was a feast in itself. Sterling Tavern is definitely worth another visit! read more

Well deserved five stars!!! The atmosphere was eastern shore-like with lots of memorabilia upstairs and down... Offering seating from tables and booths to high-tops and the two bars (upstairs was nice).... They offer a great selection of signature cocktails and mocktails (try the loco coco).... We had the Baltimore Hot Dog (foot long with beer cheese and crabmeat) and Soft-shell Crab BLT.... DELICIOUS read more

Amazing the pretzels with beer cheese great the BEST chicken strips and cocktails delicious the prices reasonable read more

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Food was excellent as usual, pumpkin martini was yummy and HUNTER our server/bartender was really excellent and super friendly !! This was our 5th time here. We like to visit each time in town. read more

We just moved to DE from NY and our realtor recommended we check out the town of Berlin,MD. Such a cute town with lots of interesting shops and places to dine or grab a beer or a cocktail. We read about The Sterling Tavern in Coast magazine and decided to check it out. We sat at the bar and enjoyed meeting and chatting with Hunter, the bartender who was friendly and attentive. On our next visit to Berlin we ate at The Sterling and had a great lunch. I had a salad with blackened chicken. The greens were bright and crisp and the chicken was cooked perfectly. The Sterling makes all of their sauces and dressings in house and they are fantastic. They have Guinness on tap which is my husband's favorite beer so another plus for that. He enjoyed his lunch too. Definitely check out The Sterling Tavern! read more

Awful at best! Crab soup you couldn't taste it so much Cayenne in it. Fried Fish was burnt. read more

Great staff and outstanding food! We had a family event at the Sterling Tavern yesterday (booked the first floor and arranged a limited menu for our guests) and it could not have been any better. The owners worked with us to create a personalized menu that was lovely. The waitstaff and bartender were just great, and the food was stellar! VERY generous portions. Standouts were the Fried Oysters and BBQ Chicken flatbread -- but the Reuben, burgers and shrimp and grits also got rave reviews from all our guests. Thanks to the owners -- Brooke and Matt -- for being so responsive, kind and flexible! read more