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True Chesapeake, Baltimore, MD

True Chesapeake

4.5 (669)
$31 to $50
Seafood
3300 Clipper Mill Rd, Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21211-2332

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 7 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for happy hour
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for outdoor dining
True Chesapeake is a Baltimore restaurant born of an oyster farm. Executive Chef Zack Mills creates a seasonal menu that showcases oysters from our farm in St. Jerome’s Creek, Southern Maryland — raw, roasted, and in signature dishes like Classic Rockefeller and French Onion Oysters. But, the oysters are just the beginning. Our award winning menu celebrates the bounty of the Chesapeake region by using locally sourced seafood, meat, and produce to create exquisite dishes that evolve with the seasons. Chef Mills has been featured extensively for his use of invasive seafood species, a very delicious way to help the Chesapeake Bay. Don't forget to order the Blue Crab and Bone Marrow dip or handmade pasta. We have an expertly curated wine list, beer selection, and cocktails - both classic and creative. Ample bar, high-top, and terrace seating available for walk-ins on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Seafood, Oyster Bar, Farm-to-table
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (410) 913-6374
  • Website
    http://www.truechesapeake.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Chef Zack Mills
  • Catering
    The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
  • Private party facilities
    The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
  • Location
    3300 Clipper Mill Rd, Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21211-2332
  • Neighborhood
    Hampden
  • Cross street
    The entrance is at the back of Whitehall Mill, off Clipper Mill Road.
  • Parking details
    You will find our restaurant (and plenty of parking) beneath the historic smokestack at Whitehall Mill.
  • Additional
    Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Offers

  • Tropical Tuesday

    Multiple dates available
    Tue - 5:00 PM - 8:45 PM
    Join us every Tuesday for a special menu of 12 tropical cocktails including The Deep End, Three Dots & A Dash, Singapore Sling, Pearl Diver, Mai Tai, Missionary's Downfall, and more!

    Tropical Tuesday Photo

  • Happy Hour

    Multiple dates available
    Sun - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM,Tue - Sat - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    We are proud to have been named Best Happy Hour in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine! Join us at the bar and high-tops for Happy Hour every day except Monday from 5-7 PM. Enjoy $6 martinis, old fashioneds, and daiquiris, $6 wines by the glass, $5 draft beer, and $2 raw and roasted oysters. Cheers!

    Happy Hour Photo

  • Half-Price Wine Wednesdays

    Multiple dates available
    Wed - 5:00 PM - 8:45 PM
    HALF-PRICE WINE WEDNESDAYS 50% off select wine bottles!

    Half-Price Wine Wednesdays Photo

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Menu

True Chesapeake's menu was last updated on 4/26/2025.

Small Plates

  • Farm Greens Salad$13.00

    Local greens, toasted almonds, asparagus, strawberries, strawberry-balsamic vinaigrette

    • Beet Salad$14.00

      Pistachios, frisée, puffed quinoa, blue cheese mousse

      • Blue Crab & Bone Marrow Dip$17.00

        Pickled shallots, local micro greens, grilled bread

        • Hand-Cut Spaghetti

          Parmesan, cured egg yolk, bacon, middleneck clams

          • Regular$17.00
          • Large$34.00

        • Steak Tartare$18.00

          Smoked oyster aioli, osetra caviar, potato chips

          • Asparagus Soup$14.00

            Crispy country ham, preserved lemon cream

            • Mushroom Tart$16.00

              Local mushrooms, horseradish, tarragon crème fraîche

              • Ramp & Burrata Toast$15.00

                Grilled country bread, ramp pesto, aged balsamic vinegar

                Sandwiches

                • Our Burger$18.00

                  Cheddar cheese, fried pickles, spicy ketchup, bacon mayo, potato wedges

                  • Blue Catfish Sandwich$18.00

                    Salted cucumber, pickled shallot tartar sauce, potato wedges

                    • Fried Chicken Sandwich$18.00

                      Apple & celery root slaw, honey hot sauce, potato wedges

                      • True Blue Crab Cake Sandwich$29.00

                        Pickled red onions, old bay mayo, potato wedges

                        • 5oz lump$46.00

                      • Fried Soft Shell Crab$35.00

                        On the Half Shell

                        From Our Farm

                        • Skinny Dippers$2.75

                          • Huckleberries$2.75

                            • Chunky Dunkers$3.00

                              St. Jerome Creek, MD

                              • A Rotating Daily Selection

                                Market price

                                Steamed

                                • Peel & Eat Gulf Shrimp$20.00

                                  • Middleneck Clams$21.00

                                    • Newfoundland Mussels$19.00

                                      • The Chef, The Shucker, The Farmer$75.00

                                        Our signature platter of steamed and roasted shellfish: oysters rockefeller, old bay roasted oysters, clams, mussels, & gulf shrimp

                                        Oyster Signatures

                                        • True Chesapeake Caesar$15.00

                                          Fried oyster croutons, smoked oyster caesar dressing

                                          • Roasted Half-Shell Oysters$16.00

                                            Herb & old bay butter

                                            • Oyster Stew$15.00

                                              Made à la minute, bacon, potatoes, salsify, tarragon

                                              • Classic Rockefeller$17.00

                                                Spinach, aged parmesan, fennel liqueur

                                                • Fried Oysters$16.00

                                                  Split pea purée, country ham chips

                                                  • French Onion Oysters$17.00

                                                    Gruyère cheese, black truffle

                                                    Entrées

                                                    • Roasted Snakehead$33.00

                                                      Potato leek fritter, potato leek broth, smoked trout caviar

                                                      • English Pea Risotto$28.00

                                                        Carnoroli rice, aged parmesan, english peas, morel mushrooms

                                                        • Seared Scallops$32.00

                                                          Pork belly, turnips, sea island red pea cassoulet

                                                          • Cavatelli Pasta$32.00

                                                            Duck confit, crispy duck skin, asparagus, aged parmesan

                                                            • Grilled New York Strip Steak$43.00

                                                              Potato purée, chive butter, grilled alliums, sauce au poivre

                                                              Sides & Additions

                                                              • Blue Crab Mac & Cheese$13.00

                                                                • Herbed Potato Purée$8.00

                                                                  • Grilled Asparagus & Orange Hollandaise$9.00

                                                                    • Roasted Cauliflower & Gruyère$9.00

                                                                      • Sorghum Glazed Carrots$8.00

                                                                        • 5 oz True Blue Crab Cake$25.00

                                                                          • 5 oz Jumbo Lump Crab Cake$42.00

                                                                            • Fried Soft Shell Crab$31.00

                                                                              • Roasted Chicken Breast$11.00

                                                                                Last updated: April 25, 2025

                                                                                What 669 people are saying

                                                                                True Chesapeake 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

                                                                                4.5
                                                                                4.5 based on recent ratings
                                                                                • 4.5Food
                                                                                • 4.5Service
                                                                                • 4.7Ambience
                                                                                • 4.2Value

                                                                                Noise • Moderate

                                                                                Loved For

                                                                                • Baltimore

                                                                                  Innovative

                                                                                • Baltimore

                                                                                  Great for outdoor dining

                                                                                • Baltimore

                                                                                  Seafood

                                                                                Review summary

                                                                                AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                                                True Chesapeake offers an outstanding dining experience with "the best oysters in the Baltimore area." Diners love the "creative and delicious food" and "great service," making it a top choice for seafood enthusiasts. Although some reviews mention service delays and noisy ambience, the overall atmosphere and food are praised as "absolutely phenomenal."
                                                                                669 Reviews

                                                                                1. Cherisse

                                                                                  Baltimore / Maryland12 reviews

                                                                                  3.0

                                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                                  1. Overall 3
                                                                                  2. Food 2
                                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  My family and I visited to celebrate my dads birthday. They gave him a birthday card, which was a sweet gesture! However, we just weren’t too impressed with the food. I was particularly disappointed because I ordered the jumbo lump crab cake sandwich, which is $22 more than the lump crab cake ($24), almost double the price for a total of $46 for my sandwich and wedges. But as a Marylander, if I’m eating crab cakes I want jumbo lump! What I received was the mushiest jumbo lump crab cake I’ve ever had. I told the server I thought I got a lump crab cake by accident and all she did was check what she rung up (she didn’t check what was on my plate). I was really hungry so I ate it and I just kept telling myself maybe I’ll get to the jumbo lump but it honestly never happened. The outside looked jumbo lump but the inside was nothing but mush. I get crab cakes almost everywhere I go that offers them and I expected much more for this price point. My advice is don’t waste your money on the jumbo lump upgrade. Or rather, avoid the crab cakes all together. My son got the spaghetti (their version of Carbonara) and it was extremely salty and came with tons of chives on there, as did my husband’s oysters and it’s not mentioned in their menu. So it seems that they love tons of chives here so be sure to request none if you don’t like them. And their bourbon ice cream was incredibly delicious!! Tasted homemade and was enough to share. I may be back for happy hour and oysters because they have an amazing deal but I don’t think the food is worth my hike over here again.

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                                                                                2. Jerry

                                                                                  Philadelphia County2 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  The food was great. Our server, Z, was an 11 out of 10. Crab cakes and oysters were delicious.

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                                                                                3. Tom VIP

                                                                                  Baltimore / Maryland53 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Best chicken sandwich in the world! Great salad to start and terrific wine list.

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                                                                                4. Miguel

                                                                                  Baltimore / Maryland1 review

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  Dined 2 days ago

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Great food, even better service in a beautiful setting.

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                                                                                5. Dorothy VIP

                                                                                  Baltimore / Maryland66 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  Dined 6 days ago

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  We have been eating at True Chesapeake Oyster since it opened and have never been disappointed. Last night was no exception, and in fact, superb. The chef cared for my pepper allergy by preparing a delicious softshell crab without any seasoning. Other outstanding foods were the scallops, the salads, the cavatelli, and the bone marrow and crab dip. And then the desserts - over the top. Plus, the wait staff, Elisa, was very capable and fun. And eating outside by the Jones Falls was the perfect spot for a perfect evening.

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                                                                                6. Melanie

                                                                                  Baltimore / Maryland7 reviews

                                                                                  1.0

                                                                                  Dined on July 8, 2025

                                                                                  1. Overall 1
                                                                                  2. Food 2
                                                                                  3. Service 1
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  This restaurant has a nice atmosphere but absolutely the worst service I’ve ever experienced. The bar staff were inattentive, unable to make a correct cocktail and overall unhappy staff. We were never greeted with a hello, “be right with you” we were ignored for over 5-6 min. After we ordered a drink it was another 5-6 min before a drink was served. Our oysters came out before our drink. The food was fair and for the price, not worth it. I would not dine at this restaurant again.

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                                                                                7. Sue

                                                                                  Philadelphia County1 review

                                                                                  2.0

                                                                                  Dined on July 6, 2025

                                                                                  1. Overall 2
                                                                                  2. Food 2
                                                                                  3. Service 3
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  Crab cake was salty and found numerous shells. Would not rush back

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                                                                                8. martin

                                                                                  Washington, D.C. Area8 reviews

                                                                                  5.0

                                                                                  Dined on July 6, 2025

                                                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                                                  2. Food 5
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  Our waitress was amazing! Very helpful and accommodating! Had a lovely brunch. Food was great! Always impressed!

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                                                                                9. Bruce VIP

                                                                                  New York City41 reviews

                                                                                  4.0

                                                                                  Dined on July 3, 2025

                                                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                                                  2. Food 4
                                                                                  3. Service 4
                                                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                                                  Good menu selection. Was surprised only 2 kinds of oysters were available the night we ate there given oysters are the house specialty. The food is very good, and the setting is airy snd light.

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                                                                                10. Mark VIP

                                                                                  New York City11 reviews

                                                                                  4.0

                                                                                  Dined on July 3, 2025

                                                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                                                  2. Food 4
                                                                                  3. Service 5
                                                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                                                  First time dining here. Scallops dinner was very good. Fresh oysters were great. Service was on point. Will definitely go back for the Happy Hour specials. Very nice atmosphere. Nice selection of Non-alcohol mocktail and beer selection.

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                                                                                FAQs

                                                                                True Chesapeake offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (410) 913-6374.

                                                                                True Chesapeake is rated 4.5 stars by 669 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
                                                                                5. Hampden

                                                                                Make a reservation

                                                                                2 people
                                                                                7:00 PM
                                                                                Booked 7 times today
                                                                                Google Map for True Chesapeake

                                                                                3300 Clipper Mill Rd, Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21211-2332

                                                                                Dining areas

                                                                                Additional information

                                                                                • Cross street
                                                                                  The entrance is at the back of Whitehall Mill, off Clipper Mill Road.
                                                                                • Neighborhood
                                                                                  Hampden
                                                                                • Hours of operation
                                                                                  Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
                                                                                • Price
                                                                                  $31 to $50
                                                                                • Cuisines
                                                                                  Seafood, Oyster Bar, Farm-to-table
                                                                                • Dining style
                                                                                  Casual Elegant
                                                                                • Dress code
                                                                                  Smart Casual
                                                                                • Parking details
                                                                                  You will find our restaurant (and plenty of parking) beneath the historic smokestack at Whitehall Mill.
                                                                                • Payment options
                                                                                  AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                • Executive chef
                                                                                  Chef Zack Mills
                                                                                • Additional
                                                                                  Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                                                                                • Website
                                                                                  http://www.truechesapeake.com/
                                                                                • Phone number
                                                                                  (410) 913-6374
                                                                                • Catering
                                                                                  The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
                                                                                • Private party facilities
                                                                                  The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
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