Ocean City, MD Family Restaurants

BJ's has a beautiful view and a long deck for eating in or outside. The seafood is great with a wide selection of crab, fish and shrimp dished. Signature salads reign supreme and with more than 15 specialty sandwiches, there's bound to be something for everyone in the family. There's a separate kids' menu, and a duck feeding on the deck every day at 1 p.m. They also have live music several nights a week.

At the waterfront Fish Tales, parents can enjoy a drink while the kids play in the sand on a huge wooden pirate ship or have their faces painted. There are all kinds of toys for okids to borrow, and an area where they can watch cartoons. The food is kid-friendly and unpretentious with a great mix of seafood, chicken, ribs and salads. Kids have their own menu with peanut butter and jellyfish sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, and chicken fingers, served with smiley fries and juice boxes on a Frisbee they get to keep.

You can't go to Ocean City, or anywhere on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for that matter, without eating crabs. Typically served on a picnic table covered with butcher paper, picking crabs is at least an hour-long event accompanied by pitchers of soda and beer, lots of paper towels and even more laughter - especially if you don't know how to clean or pick the meat out of a crab. Kids love it! On The Bay Seafood had great-tasting, meaty crabs available to take home or enjoy on their sand patio. Order as few as a 1/2 dozen or as much as a bushel, and take advantage of the all-you-can-eat specials.

A fun family spot, the Dough Roller is known for great breakfasts, which are servied until 1 p.m., and their amazing pizza. Kid-friendly and decorated with carousel ponies, the Dough Roller has 12 varieties of pancakes, and allows kids to play with pizza dough while they wait for their food. In addition to the original restaurant on 3rd Street and the boardwalk, there are three other locations in Ocean City:

South Division Street and Boardwalk 410-289-3501
41st Street and Coastal Highway 410-524-9254
70th Street and Coastal Highway 410-524-7981

You owe them a visit if for no other reason than the original name. This (franchise) donut shop has three locations in Ocean City and is a great option for breakfast and anytime snacks. The Fractured Prune has been keeping families happy for 30 years with their fresh, hot, sweet donuts with unique flavor combinations including Creamsicle, Peppermint Patty, Reese Cup, and Trail Mix donuts. Get there early, there will be a line; but there's always free samples and the wait is so worth it.

Locations:
North Bay Shopping Center in the corner by Ledo's Pizza
127th Street and Coastal Highway

28th St./2808 Philadelphia Ave.

Corner of Route 611 and Sunset Avenue
9636 Stephen Decatur Highway