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Dining · Top 10

Top 10 Places to Dine on Kent Island, Maryland in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 6 min read
Knoxie's Table
Direct answer

Knoxie’s Table at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club is the best place to dine on Kent Island, with seasonal Chesapeake cooking like its Grilled Filet Mignon & Shrimp. Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails, on the bay at 357 Pier One Road, is #2 for views, and Rams Head Shore House on Main Street is #3.

At a glance

#PickSignatureBest for
1Knoxie's TableGrilled Filet Mignon & Shrimp: 7 oz. prime filet, blackened shrimp, bearnaise, garlic mashed potatoesA special-occasion dinner of local seafood and steak
2Libbey's Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails—Bay views and sunset cocktails by the Bay Bridge
3Rams Head Shore HouseCrab Dip: lump crab, cream cheese, jalapeños, cheddar jack cheese, warm baguetteBreakfast-to-late-night Chesapeake comfort food and live music
4Channel Side at Kentmorr MarinaChef’s Crab Beignets, crab fritters in a French quarter beignet batter, a guest favoriteScratch-made Eastern Shore food at a bayside marina
5Dock House—Kent Narrows water views on the island side, by car or boat
6Amalfi Coast Italian + Wine BarLobster & Crab Arancini: saffron risotto, lump crab and lobster meat, mozzarellaDate-night pasta, seafood and wine
7Vue Rooftop LoungeYellowtail Crudo with microgreens, chives, scallions and yuzu ponzuSunset cocktails and sushi-style small plates up high
8Stevensville Crab ShackSteamed crabs by the dozen or bushel, cooked to order (market price)Steamed crabs and a cheap crab cake platter, to eat in or carry out
9Big Bats Cafe—Watching the game with burgers and wings
10Carini's Pizza Subs & PastaCarini’s Stromboli Pie and specialty pizzas, dough made fresh dailyAn easy pizza or sub night, or delivery anywhere on the island

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Knoxie's Table
Best bay view
Libbey's Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails
Best all-day local spot
Rams Head Shore House
Best steamed crabs
Stevensville Crab Shack
Best sunset drinks
Vue Rooftop Lounge

The ranking

1

Knoxie's Table

Knoxie's Table
Answrs VerdictKent Island’s top sit-down dinner, with seasonal Chesapeake cooking and the island’s biggest whiskey list.
Signature: Grilled Filet Mignon & Shrimp: 7 oz. prime filet, blackened shrimp, bearnaise, garlic mashed potatoesPrice: $50 for the Grilled Filet Mignon & Shrimp; Chesapeake Crab Dip $19Where: The Inn at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, 180 Pier 1 Road, StevensvilleDinner hours: Sun-Thu 4:00pm - 9:00pm; Fri-Sat 4:00pm - 10:00pmAwards: Tripadvisor 2026 award and What's Up? Media Best of the Eastern Shore 2025 badges on its site

Knoxie’s Table sits in The Inn at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club at 180 Pier 1 Road. Its dinner menu runs from a Chesapeake Crab Dip ($19) to a Grilled Filet Mignon & Shrimp ($50), and the bar claims the most extensive whiskey selection on Kent Island. Dinner is Sun-Thu 4:00pm - 9:00pm and Fri-Sat 4:00pm - 10:00pm.

Go ifA special-occasion dinner of local seafood and steak
Skip ifYou want lunch (dinner service starts at 4:00pm)
Why #1 over #2: It is the most complete dinner on the island, with a chef garden and full steak and seafood menu, where Libbey’s leans on its view.
2

Libbey's Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails

Libbey's Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails
Answrs VerdictThe island’s big waterfront room, with bay views, a deck and free dock-and-dine slips.
Setting: On the Chesapeake Bay, with an upstairs dining room, a deck and dockside seatingTry: Jumbo lump crab pizza docksideWhere: 357 Pier One Road, StevensvilleHours: Lunch everyday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM; dinner everyday 4:00 PM - 9:00 PMBy boat: Complimentary slips in the Bay Bridge Marina for up to 2 hours while you dinePrice: Not published

Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails is on the Chesapeake Bay at 357 Pier One Road, with an upstairs dining room, a deck and dockside seating where you can order a jumbo lump crab pizza. Lunch runs everyday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM and dinner 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM, and boaters get complimentary slips for up to 2 hours.

Go ifBay views and sunset cocktails by the Bay Bridge
Skip ifYou want to walk in for an indoor table on a busy night (reservations are strongly encouraged)
Why #2 over #3: It is right on the bay with a deck and free dock-and-dine slips, which Rams Head on Main Street can’t offer.
3

Rams Head Shore House

Rams Head Shore House
Answrs VerdictMain Street’s all-day local hangout, open from breakfast until late.
Signature: Crab Dip: lump crab, cream cheese, jalapeños, cheddar jack cheese, warm baguettePrice: $19 for the Crab Dip; Chesapeake Burger $18Where: 800 Main Street, StevensvilleHours: Breakfast from 8 AM; lunch & dinner Mon-Thu 11 AM - 12 AM, Fri & Sat 12 PM - 2 AMHistory: The former Island Inn, bought by Rams Head in 2006; free weekly live music

Rams Head Shore House, the former Island Inn on 800 Main Street, has served Kent Island since Rams Head bought it in 2006. The Crab Dip with lump crab and jalapeños is $19 and the Chesapeake Burger is $18. It opens for breakfast at 8 AM and serves lunch and dinner until 12 AM Mon-Thu.

Go ifBreakfast-to-late-night Chesapeake comfort food and live music
Skip ifYou want a table on the water
Why #3 over #4: It serves from breakfast to late night with prices on the menu, while Channel Side has not published prices.
4

Channel Side at Kentmorr Marina

Channel Side at Kentmorr Marina
Answrs VerdictThe new restaurant at the old Kentmorr site, run by a chef raised on Kent Island.
Signature: Chef’s Crab Beignets, crab fritters in a French quarter beignet batter, a guest favoriteKitchen: Local, dry aged, grass fed beef; Maryland crab meat; blue crabs from local watersWhere: 910 Kentmorr Rd, Stevensville, on the south-eastern edge of Kent IslandHours: 11:30am - 9pm Tuesday - Sunday; closed Mondays until MarchPrice: Not published

Channel Side at Kentmorr Marina, at 910 Kentmorr Rd, is a scratch kitchen run by Chef Ryan, who was raised on Kent Island and started out at Kentmorr. It uses local, dry aged, grass fed beef and Maryland crab meat, and its Chef’s Crab Beignets are a guest favorite. It is open 11:30am - 9pm and closed Mondays until March.

Go ifScratch-made Eastern Shore food at a bayside marina
Skip ifYou are going on a Monday before March
Why #4 over #5: It sits right on the bay at a marina, a setting Dock House matches only on the Narrows.
5

Dock House

Dock House
Answrs VerdictThe Kent Island side of the Narrows, with a wrap-around deck and free dockage.
Setting: Panoramic views of the Kent Narrows from the dining room or a wrap-around deckWhere: 110 Piney Narrows Road, ChesterHours: Mon - Fri 11 AM - 9 PM; Sat - Sun 10 AM - 9 PM; open year-roundSeating: First-come, first-serve (no reservations); free dockage while you dinePrice: Not published

Dock House, at 110 Piney Narrows Road in Chester, looks out over the Kent Narrows from its dining room and wrap-around deck, which is enclosed and heated in winter. It is open year-round, takes no reservations and offers free dockage while you dine.

Go ifKent Narrows water views on the island side, by car or boat
Skip ifYou need a reservation for a set time
Why #5 over #6: It gives you a water view on the island side of the Narrows, which Amalfi Coast on Love Point Road does not.
6

Amalfi Coast Italian + Wine Bar

Amalfi Coast Italian + Wine Bar
Answrs VerdictKent Island’s Southern Italian dining room, with crab and lobster worked into the pasta and risotto.
Signature: Lobster & Crab Arancini: saffron risotto, lump crab and lobster meat, mozzarellaPrice: $20 for the Lobster & Crab Arancini; Shrimp & Crab Risotto $32Where: 401 Love Point Road, StevensvilleHours: Lunch daily 11:00 am - 4:00 pm; dinner Mon-Thu, Sun 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Fri & Sat 4:00 pm - 11:00 pmDeals: Happy hour Monday - Friday 3:30pm to 6:30pm; 1/2 priced wine bottles every Monday and Wednesday

Amalfi Coast Italian + Wine Bar at 401 Love Point Road serves Southern Italian food, including Lobster & Crab Arancini ($20) and Shrimp & Crab Risotto ($32). Happy hour runs Monday - Friday 3:30pm to 6:30pm, with 1/2 priced wine bottles every Monday and Wednesday.

Go ifDate-night pasta, seafood and wine
Skip ifYou want a water view
Why #6 over #7: It is open for lunch and dinner every day with a full menu, while Vue opens only Wednesday through Sunday evenings.
7

Vue Rooftop Lounge

Vue Rooftop Lounge
Answrs VerdictThe island’s rooftop, pairing Chesapeake sunsets with crudo and maki.
Signature: Yellowtail Crudo with microgreens, chives, scallions and yuzu ponzuPrice: $22 for the Yellowtail Crudo; A5 Vue Roll with jumbo lump Maryland crabmeat $50Setting: Fourth floor of Wilson’s Cove at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, with a west-facing terrace over the bayHours: Open Wednesday through Sunday evenings; open to hotel guests and the public

Vue Rooftop Lounge is on the fourth floor of Wilson’s Cove at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, with a west-facing terrace over the bay. Its menu leans to crudo and maki, from a Yellowtail Crudo ($22) to the A5 Vue Roll with jumbo lump Maryland crabmeat ($50). It is open Wednesday through Sunday evenings to hotel guests and the public.

Go ifSunset cocktails and sushi-style small plates up high
Skip ifYou want a full dinner on a Monday or Tuesday
Why #7 over #8: It is a sit-down rooftop with sunset views, more of a night out than the Crab Shack’s picnic tables.
8

Stevensville Crab Shack

Stevensville Crab Shack
Answrs VerdictThe family crab shack for steamed crabs by the dozen at a fair price.
Signature: Steamed crabs by the dozen or bushel, cooked to order (market price)Price: $17.99 crab cake platter with two homemade sides; $15.99 crab cake sandwichWhere: 116 Pier One Road, StevensvilleHours: Mon 11 - 7; Tue closed; Wed - Sat 11 - 7; Sun 11-5Since: Family owned and operated, serving since 1998

Stevensville Crab Shack at 116 Pier One Road is family owned and has served since 1998. Crabs are steamed to order by the dozen or bushel at market price, and the crab cake platter with two homemade sides is $17.99. It is closed Tuesdays.

Go ifSteamed crabs and a cheap crab cake platter, to eat in or carry out
Skip ifYou want table service and cocktails
Why #8 over #9: It steams Chesapeake crabs to order, which you won’t find at a sports bar like Big Bats.
9

Big Bats Cafe

Big Bats Cafe
Answrs VerdictKent Island’s sports bar, a family-friendly game-day spot since 1997.
Theme: Baseball memorabilia, signed jerseys and bar stools made out of Rawlings bats and basesKnown for: Burgers and wingsWhere: 216 St. Claire Place, StevensvilleHours: Tue-Fri 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Sat-Sun 10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.; closed Monday; kitchen closes at 9:00 p.m.Since: Opened March 17, 1997

Big Bats Cafe at 216 St. Claire Place opened on March 17, 1997, and is packed with baseball memorabilia, down to bar stools made from Rawlings bats and bases. It is known for burgers and wings, is closed Monday, and the kitchen closes at 9:00 p.m.

Go ifWatching the game with burgers and wings
Skip ifYou are going on a Monday (closed)
Why #9 over #10: It is a sit-down sports bar with a full kitchen, where Carini’s is mostly a pizza and carryout shop.
10

Carini's Pizza Subs & Pasta

Carini's Pizza Subs & Pasta
Answrs VerdictThe island’s family pizza shop, with fresh dough daily and delivery across Kent Island.
Signature: Carini’s Stromboli Pie and specialty pizzas, dough made fresh dailyPrice: $11.43+ for a cheese pizza; $3.11 a sliceWhere: 356 Romancoke Road Rt 8, StevensvilleHours: Monday through Sunday, 11 AM - 9 PM; dine in, take out, deliverySince: Family-owned, serving the community since 1998

Carini’s Pizza Subs & Pasta at 356 Romancoke Road Rt 8 is a family-owned pizza shop that has served Stevensville since 1998, with dough made fresh daily. A cheese pizza starts at $11.43+, a slice is $3.11, and it delivers across Kent Island, 11 AM - 9 PM daily.

Go ifAn easy pizza or sub night, or delivery anywhere on the island
Skip ifYou want seafood and a view

How we ranked these

We ranked each place on the meal and the setting (Chesapeake seafood, water views, a real signature dish), then on how easy it is for a visitor: hours and whether prices are published. Every pick is on Kent Island itself (Stevensville or Chester); Kent Narrows places on the Grasonville side are on the mainland and were left out. Every fact comes from the restaurant’s own website. Hemingway’s is now Libbey’s, and Kentmorr Restaurant is now Channel Side. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What are the best waterfront restaurants on Kent Island?

Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails sits on the Chesapeake Bay at 357 Pier One Road, Channel Side is at Kentmorr Marina on the island’s south-eastern edge, and Dock House looks over the Kent Narrows from 110 Piney Narrows Road in Chester. Vue Rooftop Lounge has a west-facing terrace over the bay.

Can you dock and dine by boat on Kent Island?

Yes. Libbey’s offers complimentary slips in the Bay Bridge Marina for up to 2 hours while you dine, and Dock House offers free dockage while you dine.

Where can I get steamed crabs on Kent Island?

Stevensville Crab Shack at 116 Pier One Road steams crabs to order by the dozen or bushel (market price), with eat-in or carryout. Its crab cake platter is $17.99.

Are the Kent Narrows restaurants on Kent Island?

Only the west side. Dock House is at 110 Piney Narrows Road in Chester, on the island side of the Narrows. Places like Harris Crab House (Grasonville, MD 21638) and Bridges (Grasonville) are across the Narrows on the mainland, so they are not on this list.

Price of a signature crab dish at a glance

Stevensville Crab Shack (crab cake platter)$17.99
Knoxie's Table (Chesapeake Crab Dip)$19
Rams Head Shore House (Crab Dip)$19
Amalfi Coast (Lobster & Crab Arancini)$20
Vue Rooftop Lounge (A5 Vue Roll)$50
Price of a signature crab dish, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.