Fine Dining at the Beach: Our Top 4 Favorite Places To Eat On Special Occasions in Ocean City, MD
Are you a “foodie” that makes a yearly summer vacation to Ocean City, MD? If your answer to that question is ‘yes’, you’re reading the right blog! Today, we’ll be discussing some of our favorite fine-dining establishments to try on your next visit in Ocean City.
Here at the beach, you might be surprised with how many high-quality places there are to eat! Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, having an impromptu date night, or having a special dinner with family & friends, you’re going to want to check out these restaurants. Without further ado, let’s dive right in!
Spain Wine Bar
First on our list is one of OC’s newer ‘must try’ dining establishments, the Spain Wine Bar. There’s a reason this is the first on our list, and if you happen to give it a try, you’ll see why. Spain Wine Bar offers an experience like no other in OCMD. The moment you step in the door, you know you are in for a treat. You can see the stunning views of the Assawoman Bay, smell the delightful food being crafted, and feel the warm and vibrant atmosphere while groups of friends and family all around you are smiling ear-to-ear while enjoying their meal. Don’t let the name fool you… while they do have a great selection of Wine, Spain Wine Bar has sooo much more to offer than just that… their food is absolutely amazing. Spain Wine Bar offers a culinary experience that consists of Charcuterie Boards, Tapas & Ensaladas, “Large Experiences,” and of course, Dessert. Their Charcuterie Boards are delightful… their meat and cheese selection are sure to satisfy your cravings. Their Tapas & Ensaladas, which are essentially tasting dishes for the whole table to enjoy are just as scrumptious. A few of our favorites are their Lamb Chops, Truffle Ham & Cheese which is a great twist on an American lunch classic, and Creamy Burrata. All of these dishes are sure to please whoever it is you are enjoying this experience with. Lots of people who visit Spain Wine Bar choose to have their entire meal from the Tapas & Ensaladas section of the menu, but if you’re especially hungry, you can try their “Large Experiences.” From Mediterranean Roasted Chicken to Branzino, which is a whole roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass, there is something for everyone and you will most definitely not be disappointed. They also have some great desserts to choose from, if you aren’t too full already. If you’re interested in learning more about Spain Wine Bar’s food menu, you can visit their website here! We could go on and on about their food, but when you visit the Spain Wine Bar, it’s all about the experience. While the food, of course, does add to the experience… the views, service, cocktails, and wine is what makes Spain Wine Bar a must visit when you are vacationing in Ocean city, MD.
If you traditionally vacation in Downtown Ocean City, and are considering visiting Spain Wine Bar, book a vacation in downtown Ocean City, MD today by clicking here!
**Locals Tip: Make sure you book a reservation a few weeks in advance. They book up fast and you don’t want to miss out!**
The Hobbit Restaurant
Next on our list is The Hobbit Restaurant. A ‘locals tradition’, The Hobbit Restaurant is another true culinary experience. Offering amore ‘traditional’ fine-dining experience, like most of us are accustomed to. The Hobbit restaurant is located on 81st Street on the Bay, inside the Rivendell Condominium Complex. Established in 1977 and true to this day, The Hobbit Restaurant offers some of the best food our town has to offer. If you choose to visit The Hobbit restaurant, we highly recommend you begin with one of their hand-crafted cocktails. A few of our favorites are their Locals John Daly which is made with Mango Hoop Tea (an Ocean City staple) and their Smaug’s Spicy Margarita… Because well, who doesn’t love a Margarita?? If you want to view some more of their delicious cocktails or hand-picked wines, visit their drink menu here! After you’ve enjoyed a cocktail (or two), try out their Crab Stack which has jumbo lump MD crabmeat, tasty guac, gazpacho, and ranchero chips, or the Purk’s Duck Cigars. Moving on to their main courses, you can enjoy just about anything you want for your meal at The Hobbit Restaurant. They have everything from stuffed filet’s, macadamia encrusted salmon, and pork chops to your traditional MD crab cake, pierogies, and pan roasted duck with caramelized local peaches. Just like the Spain Wine Bar, no matter your preferences and cravings, you can enjoy a meal with a view and great service at The Hobbit Restaurant.
Check out their website here! If you enjoy stunning views of the bay, you can book a vacation at one of our bayfront vacation rentals by clicking here!
Grove Market
Next on our list is a tiny little gem that most locals want to keep hidden! It’s the Grove Market. This little restaurant is WAY different than any other restaurant on this list…and they’d tell you that themselves. This hidden treasure is located in Bishopville, MD just over the Route 90 bridge. The Grove has over 3 decades of experience serving some of our area’s most surprising and impressive cuisine; all while doing it their own unique way….with a hand crafter menu that changes almost daily! While the menu may constantly change, they always have a good option for everyone, offering freshly cultivated creations of seafood, imported steaks, duck, lamb, and more. Their famous smoked fish and roasted duck are made on site daily and have been an Ocean City, MD local favorite for years. Another cool fact about the Grove, that you should know ahead of time, is they don’t have any printed menus. This means the waitor quite literally shout out the menu, and they’ll often only do it once… so make sure you’re listening! Another thing you should be prepared for is the ambiance. While many locals will argue this is truly the most exquisite food being served in our area, you won’t find any white-table-cloths at this restaurant. Taking up residence in an old converted bait-and-tackle shop, you’re more than likely to drive right past this restaurant at least once before you realize ‘that building’ is where you’re actually going for dinner! Worry not, the eclectic, vintage, and unexpected atmosphere is part of the experience, and it’s a tradition that is as much a part of the experience as their food! We could go on and on about the Grove, but we don’t want to spoil the experience by telling you everything about it. Go and try it out for yourself!
If you typically stay in Mid-Town Ocean City, MD, the closest part of town to the Route 90 Bridge (so you can easily get to the Grove) click here to start planning your vacation today!
**Locals Tip: Once again, make sure you have a reservation… AT LEAST 2 weeks in advance. You can visit the Grove’s website here to book your reservation today!
Liquid Assets
Last, but CERTAINLY not last on our list of Central Reservations’ top 4 places to eat in Ocean City, MD for a special occasion is Liquid Assets. Located on 94th street on the bayside of Coastal Highway, Liquid Assets is another place you can visit to enjoy great food, wonderful drinks, and a great experience. Unlike the other restaurants on this list, Liquid Assets does not take any reservations. They operate solely on a first come first served basis. Don’t be deterred by this, as they have a large bar available where you can get a drink while you wait for your table. They also have a large waiting area where you can order some drinks or appetizers to begin your evening before you’re ready to start your main course! Liquid assets has a HUGE wine list to choose from, and some great, local beers to try as well. Oh, and we almost forgot. Their espresso martini called The Wide Awake is exquisite. Check out the rest of their cocktail menu here! If you’re into charcuterie boards, Liquid Assets is probably the best place in OCMD for you. They have a tasting board on their appetizer menu, and a huge selection of cheeses to choose form. One of the best parts about liquid assets is that you can visit no matter the occasion. If you’re looking for a quick lunch, they have a great lunch special where you can choose any two items from their lunch menu for only $15.00. If you’re looking for an after-dinner drink, their cocktails are delicious. Finally, if you’re having a sit-down dinner, we highly recommend the Chicken Pasta (which is new to their menu) and the pan seared jumbo shrimp risotto. P.S. their steaks are just as delicious as the rest of the menu!
If you’re looking to stay in uptown ocean city, nearby liquid assets, you can click here to start planning your summer vacation to OCMD!
Wrapping It Up
As you may know, there are a lot of GREAT restaurants in Ocean City, MD that aren’t on this list. This is simply just a few of our favorites and the first ones that came to mind for special occasions. All of the restaurants we mentioned today have their own unique attributes. Whether it’s the group dining experience at Spain Wine Bar, the more traditional dining experience at The Hobbit Restaurant, a locals favorite in the Grove market, or a flexible restaurant like Liquid Assets, you can’t really go wrong. We hope you enjoy your vacation to Ocean City, MD, and we think visiting one of these restaurants will help you do just that!
See you at the beach soon!
Central Reservations Team
6200 Coastal Hwy, Ste 100, Ocean City, MD, 21842
Email: info@centraloc.com
Phone: (410) 723-4111