Ocean City Foodie Tours

Ocean City is a serious food town hiding behind the fries and the funnel cake, and the guided foodie tours are the easiest way to find out. There are two walking versions. The downtown and boardwalk tour moves through the resort's historic core, sampling a mix of classic boardwalk bites and local restaurants, while the Midtown dining district tour heads to the strip of seafood houses, grills and neighborhood places that many visitors never find. Both pair tastings with stories about the town's history, its restaurant families and the dishes that define Maryland coast cooking. A typical tour stops at several places for small plates or samples, with the guide explaining the food and the people behind it. Expect crab-based dishes, seafood specialties, comfort food and sweets, along with the chance to ask about the best places for dinner, breakfast and late-night snacks. Walking between stops is short, which makes the tours accessible for most visitors, and the group setting is friendly. By the end you have eaten a satisfying meal and collected a short list of places to go back to.

The tours are best for people who like to eat curiously and talk about it. Come hungry, because the combined samples add up to a substantial meal, and avoid a big lunch beforehand. Tell the organizer about allergies, vegetarian needs or other restrictions when you book, since menus are fixed by the venues and options may be limited. Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat or sunscreen for summer, and keep a little cash for extras you want to buy along the way.

Choose between the two tours by where you are staying and what you like. The boardwalk tour is the better introduction, because it ties food to the resort's history and covers places you can easily revisit. The Midtown tour is better for repeat visitors and for people staying in the center of town who want to learn where the good restaurants are. Both run most often in the warm season, so confirm days and times and book early for weekends. Group sizes are usually modest, which makes the experience more personal than a casual walk.

A food tour also solves the problem of choice in a town with hundreds of restaurants. Instead of researching reviews, you sample the best, hear opinions from a local guide and leave with ideas for the rest of the trip. Families with adventurous eaters, couples and friends will enjoy it, while very picky children may prefer a simpler boardwalk crawl of their own. Pair the tour with a sunset cruise or an evening on the boardwalk to complete a day devoted to the flavors of the Eastern Shore.