The last two summers we have vacationed in Ocean City, Maryland for a long weekend. One of the reasons we went back this year was because of all the family-friendly restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland. Unlike Ocean City, New Jersey, Ocean City, Maryland is not a dry town which means there are abundant places for parents to enjoy a great cocktail and good food with their kids.
All of the restaurants on this list offer a playground on-site and/or an arcade. We recommend picking one for each night of your vacation, they make dining out with kids so much easier.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland
Ropewalk
We went to Ropewalk for the first time this year after being told that it was a must-do. I’m not sure how we missed the awesomeness that is Ropewalk on our first trip, but if you are going to Ocean City Maryland make sure to hit up Ropewalk on your first night. Ropewalk has a large playground, indoor and outdoor dining, multiple bars and plenty of televisions for viewing sports.
Best bet on the menu: Crab cake egg rolls
For the kids: Playground and all kids meals are served on frisbees
Don’t miss: The fire pits, they are a perfect place for a pre or post-dinner drink.
Ropewalk: 8203 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842
Fish Tales
We’ve been to Fish Tales twice and it never disappoints. Last year this place was the first of our Ocean City Maryland dining experiences and it changed how we thought about dining with kids. Fish Tales has a playground and an arcade which made it a favorite for my son and his friends from Mommy University.
Best bet on the menu: Appetizers we loved sharing a bunch of appetizers including the hot chicken sandwich.
For the kids: Playground and a small arcade. Kids meals are served on a frisbee
Don’t miss: The adults-only hammock room located past the arcade and next to the bar. When they say adults-only they mean it, so enjoy it.
Fish Tales: 22nd Street Bayside, Ocean City, MD
De Lazy Lizard
We are suckers for a fun name and De Lazy Lizard lived up to the fun when we visited last year. We loved the centrally located playground which allowed us to keep an eye on the kids while we ate.
Best bet on the menu: Caribbean Ahi Tuna
For the kids: Playground; dessert is served in a bucket with a shovel and kids can order their own fishbowl drink (non-alcoholic of course)
Don’t miss: The sunset, the views from the boat docks are gorgeous.
De Lazy Lizard: 305 N. 1st Street, Ocean City, MD
Dead Freddies
Dead Freddies tag line is “Come get Shipwrecked with Us”. The kids loved the pirate theme of this restaurant that caters to adults and kids. It has two playgrounds one for younger kids and one for older kids, though be aware that the two playgrounds aren’t next to each other and are not easily accessible to each other as the bar and adults-only area separates the two. Since the playgrounds are geared towards different ages do the playground in the back of the restaurant if you have mostly younger kids, if your kids are older or you have a mix of ages ask to be seated near the playground that is closer to the parking lot.
Best bet on the menu: Crab Dip with extra lump crab meat. We had a lot of crab dip on vacation and this was my favorite
For the kids: 2 playgrounds, creative kids drinks served in fun cups like a shark head and a pineapple
Don’t miss: The fun drinks, we loved the Pineapple Rum Crush served in a souvenir pineapple.
Dead Freddies: 105 64th Street Bayside, Ocean City, MD
More Family-Friendly Restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland:
Alley Oops
Alley Oops is owned by the same company that owns Ropewalk. We stopped by Alley Oops on a rainy, chilly night after dinner so we didn’t have a chance to eat here but judging by Ropewalks food I would bet on it being good. Alley Oops has a small bowling alley that is first-come, first-serve and plenty of video games to keep the kids (and husbands) busy. My friend and I enjoyed a drink at the bar while everyone played video games. There is also a large shark tank that’s pretty cool. All kids meals are served on frisbees and the staff was kind enough to give us one for each kid even though we didn’t eat there.
Alley Oops: 13101 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD
Hammerheads
Located on the boardwalk Hammerheads was our first stop for lunch once we were settled into our hotel. A few of us agreed that this was one of our best meals of the week. We sat outside which was a great place for our large, loud group. The kid’s meals were served on frisbees.
Hammerheads: 913 Atlantic Ave A, Ocean City, MD
Brass Balls Saloon
Brass Balls Saloon was located next to our hotel and we couldn’t resist the name, call us childish but we had to go. I highly suggest sitting outside if you have kids as some of the indoor decor is not rated PG, though honestly it was nothing out kids noticed. Food and drinks were good. I loved my burger and the buffalo chicken dip, though my husband said mine was better. The kid’s meals were served in buckets with shovels, don’t forget to dig to the bottom for the carrots.
Brass Balls Saloon: 1105 Atlantic Ave, Ocean City, MD
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