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By The Docks, Middle River, MD

By The Docks

4.6 (1987)
$30 and under
Seafood
3321 Eastern Blvd, Middle River, MD 21220

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Charming
Maryland is famous for it's crab cakes, and By The Docks is known for it's eight-ounce Colossal Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. Discover the fresh ingredients and outstanding seafood, steaks, and pasta's prepared by our chefs. Our menu includes various items from baby back ribs, slow roasted prime rib, hand cut steaks,and specialty sauteed dishes. Every sauce, soup and dressing is made from scratch. By The Docks welcomes families and large groups. Make reservations or call ahead for express carry out.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, American
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch & Dinner Mon–Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Alex Morris
  • Catering
    Please contact Rachel Paulino @ 443)475-0071
  • Private party facilities
    Please contact Rachel Paulino @ 443)475-0071 to book your party.
  • Neighborhood
    Essex
  • Cross street
    Bengies Rd.
  • Parking details
    Plenty of parking on premises with handicap accessibility.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,987 people are saying

By The Docks reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.7Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
By The Docks offers a welcoming atmosphere with "great food and service." Known for "generous portions" and "excellent crab cakes," this spot is perfect for seafood lovers. While some find it noisy, it's a "favorite go-to" for many, offering a "wonderful experience" with attentive staff like Abner and Kim.

1,987 Reviews
  1. Keith

    Washington DC7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our meal and our server Kimberly D was awesome. The manager Sharon was also amazing. I would highly recommend this restaurant. Will definitely be back very soon.

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  2. Kenneth

    Washington DC16 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    A decent restaurant with ample choices of item on the menu. My favorites were the crab & lobster eggrolls, the shrimp scampi, stuffed mushrooms & steak & crab cakes. The steak was cooked well, just needed more seasoning. The crab cake is a pretty good size and didn’t have much filler. Drinks were limited and weren’t really anything to rave about. All in all, 7.5/10. I would come again.

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  3. Zukeila

    Unspecified1 review

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Brunch selection was nice. Price and atmosphere was great.

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  4. Mary

    Phoenix41 reviews

    2.0

    Dined on May 15, 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Our service was excellent, however the food was not cooked to order (which we did not complain about). We like to eat early and there was plenty of tables available. Usually by the time we leave the place is full and people waiting. Not so last evening, which seams to us the neighborhood has become less enchanted with the food. Probably won't be going back anytime soon.

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  5. Yvonne

    Baltimore1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    By The Docks has been voted #1 for best crab cakes. I have to disagree. The size was plentiful but however, it had a good amount of filler in it. The quality of the lump crab meat was good but something was missing as far as the flavor. I don’t think they use old bay seasoning but overall it was pretty good.

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  6. Karen

    Baltimore1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    I understand that this time frame was Mother's Day, but there were more people there then waiters or waitresses. Our waiter who was a young man tried to do his job, but the attendance that we received was very little. When he did come by, he talked so fast ant moved fasts that we did not hear what he was saying and he also did not wait to see if my mother or sister wanted anything or refills. Like I said, I do understand that it was Mother's Day, but my experience was not good for my Mother at all.

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  7. Shawnae

    Baltimore1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The omelette are not really cooked the appropriate way in order to be considered an omelette, but overall, the food was ok.

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  8. Jacqueline

    Washington DC1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The inside ambiance and decor was very nice, and the service from our server was great! On the other hand, we were not impressed with the food and wish we would have known that coffee and chocolate milk were not included in the buffet price. As for the food, the sushi did not taste fresh, it was sticky and stale. The pancakes were cold, the sausage was not thoroughly cooked on the inside, and the bacon was chewy, not crispy. If I had to decide whether to go back again I would probably not. Disappointed, especially considering we all attended for Mother's Day. Definitely not worth the price.

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  9. Kelly

    Baltimore1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a lovely meal & experience for their Mother’s Day Brunch. The food items that were offered were: eggs, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, biscuits (DELICIOUS), pastas (Jambalaya & Fettuccini Alfredo), shrimp, oysters & mussels. An assortment of fruit & desserts. The hostess, waitress & staff were very kind & helpful. I would highly recommend!!

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  10. Mitchell

    Baltimore1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and great food presentation overall a wonderful experience.

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FAQs

By The Docks does offer delivery in partnership with Chow Now. By The Docks also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (410) 686-1188.

By The Docks is rated 4.6 stars by 1987 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Baltimore / Maryland
  4. Baltimore Suburbs
  5. Essex

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 25 times today
Google Map for By The Docks

3321 Eastern Blvd, Middle River, MD 21220

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Bengies Rd.
  • Neighborhood
    Essex
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sun 10:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch & Dinner Mon–Sat 11:00 am–10:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Steak, American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Plenty of parking on premises with handicap accessibility.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Alex Morris
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Entertainment, Full Bar, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Please contact Rachel Paulino @ 443)475-0071
  • Private party facilities
    Please contact Rachel Paulino @ 443)475-0071 to book your party.
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