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The gorgeous, glimmering waters of Chesapeake Bay could draw visitors with beauty alone, but the largest estuary in the United States is more than just a picturesque backdrop for boats and waterfront walks. Chesapeake Bay is the heartbeat of Maryland’s thriving culinary scene — one that’s unlike anywhere else in the world.
When you take your first bite of a light, crispy Maryland crab cake and taste the sweet, juicy jumbo lump blue crab meat and the unmistakable flavour of Old Bay seasoning, you’ll wonder why on earth you waited so long to visit this iconic culinary destination. It’s no surprise that the blue crab is so beloved here that it has been named Maryland’s official state crustacean. We still dream about the rich, savoury Maryland cream of crab soup we had during our trip to The Old Line State — we were never the same again. These unique dishes and flavours can only be experienced in Maryland, and that’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Maryland Office of Tourism
From traditional steamed blue crab feasts seasoned with Old Bay and freshly shucked Chesapeake oysters to rockfish, the decadent layered Smith Island Cake (Maryland’s official state dessert) and a freshly squeezed Orange Crush (Maryland’s official state cocktail), there are so many culinary traditions that define this bountiful and beautiful region. Maryland’s signature dishes and Chesapeake cuisine are inextricably linked to the Bay and rooted in generations of maritime heritage.
Maryland Office of Tourism
Traditional seafood isn’t the whole story in Maryland, though. Local farms, historic communities and working waterfronts all shape the state’s identity. A new generation of chefs are reimagining the region’s cuisine through a modern lens influenced by global flavours with Maryland’s culinary traditions as the backbone.
Sustainability also plays an important part in the future of Maryland’s food scene, with oyster restoration projects preserving the Bay for generations to come.
Maryland Office of Tourism
It’s all part of one of the most distinctive regional food identities in North America. The only way to experience it is to visit Maryland and explore its restaurants, food festivals, scenic waterfront towns, culinary trails, farmers’ markets and dock-to-table dining experiences.
Follow the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail to discover a collection of restaurants, seafood markets, waterfront destinations, charter experiences, festivals and local businesses all showcasing Maryland’s seafood traditions and the real people who are behind them.
Maryland Office of Tourism
Look for Maryland's "True Blue" designation, and you’ll know these restaurants are serving authentic Maryland crab meat and connecting travellers with the people, places and traditions behind Chesapeake cuisine.
There are so many unique flavours, signature dishes and heartfelt stories waiting to be discovered in Maryland.
To start planning your Maryland culinary getaway, head to VisitMaryland.org
