Location: Essex
Top Restaurants in Essex
Top Things to do in Essex
Most Popular Restaurants in Essex
Essex is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 39,262 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Essex
1. Boulevard Diner
Overall Ratings
4 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By Michiemao
We found out about this place from Triple D and while traveling back to NYC, we decided to stop in. From the outside, you assume it is like any other dine in New York or New Jersey. Decor inside says the same thing. Food however is at a whole different level than what you would get in New York. yes, you can get breakfast and sandwiches and burgers, but you are in the Baltimore vicinity, so why not take advantage for what they are known for but crabs! I had a wonderful lunch at a great value, which included Maryland crab soup, a broiled crabcake, with a side and a chocolate pudding for dessert. My husband, who was in the mood for beef, ordered their meatloaf and pot roast plate (I think it was an Elvis) that included mash potatoes, onion rings with gravy and cheese. The plate was huge and could have been shared by two people easily. In addition, they have very good Greek food. My husband had the grape leaves, which are hot (in NY, they are usually chilled in a diner) and he also had the lemon soup. The service was excellent and friendly. My husband wants to return again if we are ever in the neighborhood. If you live in the area or are travelling north or south of Baltimore, stop by. From I95 it is only 5 to 6 minutes away...well worth detouring and enjoying a great meal!
2. Pizza John's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Reviewed By anmiko
This place never disappoints. The service is always friendly, the food is always fresh and lots of flavor no matter if you get a sub, platter or pizza. The ice cream is awesome. We never hesitate to go back.
3. Carson's Creekside Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 230 reviews
Reviewed By Nick C - Washington DC, District of Columbia
We went to Carson’s Creekside for the Easter brunch buffet. The restaurant is situated, as the name implies, next to the water. On a busy day such as Easter Sunday the parking is very tight. We were warmly greeted when we walked through the door, twenty minutes prior to our reserved time. However, our table was available and so we were seated. Our waitress, who was polite and attentive, asked what we would like to drink. She took our orders and said that we were welcome to go up to the buffet when we were ready. When I returned I could not believe that the coffee was served in a paper cup! For some reason this struck a nerve! The food from the buffet was average to very good depending on what you chose. I was surprised to hear during our meal that the Easter brunch buffet was $25/person After hearing this I made sure that I went back to the buffet for more! A price of $18-20 would have seemed more reasonable but clearly, based on the full restaurant, the price did not deter people from coming. I will return, but on a regular Sunday. I will pass on the Easter brunch buffet next year.
4. Fiesta Mexicana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By wboehmer - Pittsburgh, PA
Tiny place & there are not many tables, so for eat-in, you are taking your chances. Looks a little sketchy from the outside, but persevere - inside it's fine. Bunch of Mexican ladies cooking up a storm just on the other side of the counter. The waitress/cashier may be the only one who speaks useable English.
I'm no expert, but can believe the food is authentic. There are plenty of choices on the menu. We opted for the large sampler platter to get the variety. Wow, plenty of food!
Not only did we get a great meal, this outing turned out to be a lot of fun!
5. Schultz's Crab House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By Arthur S - Edgewood, Maryland
We looked at the various reviews for Schultz's and were pleased with the potential for excellent and reasonably priced seafood. Our previous place that we frequented has new management and the recent reviews were terrible, thus our new choice and we were quite pleased with this finding. We came a little after the noontime 'rush' and were able to seat ourselves. Our friendly waitress took our order and first brought the mixed green salad that we ordered as one of the two side dishes. The bleu cheese dressing and the ranch dressings had good flavor and the salad was fine. The steamed combo appetizer consisting of oysters, clams and mussels was really nice with plenty of the crustaceans served with drawn butter. The dish could have been a little warmer temperature wise but still quite good. The menu had two types of crabcake platters; one stating back-fin crabmeat and the other as jumbo lump crabmeat. Our waitress said the difference was that the jumbo lump was a little larger and with just lump crab meat....absolutely true. One main entree was the two jumbo lump crabcakes and the second was the jumbo lump crabcake with two huge fried oysters. The crabcakes had very, very little filler and were delicious. The fried oysters, although large in size, had a relatively thick batter coating whereas a thinner coating would be preferable. This meal also was served with a large loaf of warm bread and plenty of butter. The dining area is pleasantly furnished and tables have paper coverings. There is a large bar area along with a pool table but this did not affect the dining area. Our waitress was efficient and provided beverage refills and extra napkins. In our opinion the prices are quite reasonable.
6. By The Docks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 201 reviews
Conveniently located about 1 mile east of Martins Sate Airport and Rt 43.Just before Bengies Drive In Theatre. Plenty of parking. By The Docks strives to provide a pleasurable dining experience at moderate prices with generous portions by offering an extensive seafood, steak & pasta menu in an atmosphere with an attentive, efficient and friendly staff. SErving Saturday & Sunday Brunch.
Reviewed By wiserperson36
Our family made reservations for the Saturday Brunch. Excellent service and delish food. Made to order omelets, grits, shimp, raw oysters, Caesar salad, breakfast items with carved beef are on the buffet menu. If you have room left, assortment of delectable desserts. Can't beat the $1 per drink of Mimosa or Bloody Mary, only available at this price on Saturday. Our visit was great and we WILL be back.
7. Di Pasquale's Italian Marketplace & Deli
Overall Ratings
5 based on 554 reviews
Di Pasquale's is an Italian Supermarket with a dining room available for seating to enjoy your food from either the kitchen or the deli. Di Pasquale's been around and in the family for over 100 years. Di Pasquale's started out as a small grocery store in Highlandtown, Maryland.
Reviewed By GCC14173 - Washington DC, District of Columbia
This is a small bustling deli and store that serves us pizza, sandwiches and meats. I'm surprised it's #1 in the city, but I think it was clear when I visited how popular the place is.
Just so everyone knows the system:
1. You go to the counter and order (pizza, sandwich, etc)
2. Then you go to the register line and you pay. There you're given a number.
3. You get seated by the folks there and the number stays on the table.
4. You get your delicious food.
I had the eggplant parm. It was quite good. A small is large enough. The Italian looked delicious as well.
8. The Crazy Tuna Bar & Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By John L - White Marsh, Maryland
We were at Crazy Tuna with a party of 7. The service was excellent. Savannah, our server, was very busy with a great personalty, very prompt and extremely attentive to our needs.
The food was a bit inconsistent. Overall it was very good. Cream of crab soup was fantastic. The sliders, ditto. the pit beef was very enjoyable. The stuffed shrimp was too salty and very greasy.
As far as ambiance, the Crazy Tuna is primarily a sports bar with a restaurant menu. Very noisy with lots of tv's.
9. Little China Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
ChinaReviewed By Kim B
A co-worker of my husband's overheard him talking about a favorite Chinese restaurant of his and suggested he check this place out so when we were in the area this afternoon grocery shopping we stopped by for lunch. Although I was a little disappointed that they don't offer the lunch specials on Sunday hubby and I ended up sharing a combination meal that was more than enough for the both of us. When you are first seated they bring you a pot of delicious hot tea which hubby and I completely emptied and they also bring a bowl of Crispy Wonton Strips to snack on. We ordered the Shrimp Toast and the Shrimp in Garlic Sauce Appetizer which came with Wonton Soup, 1 Egg Roll, Pork Fried Rice and dessert. First off I just have to say that I have been eating Chinese food for well over 45 years and I have never seen Shrimp Toast this large, and it was delicious. The main meal was just as yummy although I would have liked for the shrimp in the dish to have more flavor and there truly was so much food that I cannot imagine being able to ever eat that by myself. The service is spot on, lots of parking and even without the lunch specials the prices are very fair. We will definitely be back for sure.
10. Island View Waterfront Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 64 reviews
Quiet, friendly, out-of-the-way, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay. The Island View has been in business for over 80 years, over 40 by the same family. It was built in the 1920's as a dance hall and prohibition bar. From the 40's-60's is served as a picnic grove for residents of Baltimore city and others to relax on those hot summer days. The Laing family purchaces the property in 1968 and has provided waterfront dining for over 40 years!
Reviewed By Markoshannon - Essex, Maryland
I think I reviewed this place once before but it was a while ago. We just had dinner here and it was fantastic! We made it in time for happy hour, so I got a coconut crush for $4! I got the blackened chicken BLT. My son got the crab cake sandwich, and my daughter got the chicken tenders off the kids menu. Everything was wonderful. Even the kids menu food! They serve desserts from Dangerously Delicious. We didn't have room for desserts, but now I will have to make a trip just for dessert. The atmosphere here is wonderful and you have great views of the Chesapeake bay. I highly recommend a sunset dinner here!
