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Name: Riptide by the Bay
Address: 1718 Thames St, Baltimore, MD, 21231
Telephone: (410) 732-3474
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.35

Riptide by the Bay

1718 Thames St, Baltimore, MD, 21231

(410) 732-3474
Store is closed

Riptide by the Bay Menu

Soups & Salads

Summer Salad with Grilled Seasonal Fruit

Caesar Salad

Avocado & Bacon Over Boston Bibb

Maryland Crab Bisque (Gluten Free)

Seafood Chowder (Gluten Free)

Summer Salad with Grilled Seasonal Fruit

Caesar Salad

Avocado & Bacon Over Boston Bibb

Maryland Crab Bisque (Gluten Free)

Seafood Chowder (Gluten Free)
Signature Entrees

Pan Seared Scallops

Grilled Sea Bass

Maryland Crab Cakes

Grilled Ahi Tuna

Lobster Ravioli

Ribeye Steak

Maker's Mark Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Classic Clam Linguini

Seasonal Vegetables Linguini

Butter Poached Lobster

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Twin Lobster Tails

Pan Seared Scallops

Grilled Sea Bass

Maryland Crab Cakes

Grilled Ahi Tuna

Lobster Ravioli

Ribeye Steak

Maker's Mark Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs

Classic Clam Linguini

Seasonal Vegetables Linguini

Butter Poached Lobster

Grilled Mahi Mahi

Twin Lobster Tails
Small Bites

Crab Cake Sliders

Little Neck clams with White Wine & Fresh Herbs

Wings 10 or 16 Pieces

Nachos Fresca

Maryland Crab Dip

Shrimp Potstickers

Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari

Prince Edward Island Mussels in a Red Curry with Lemon Grass

Hand Tossed Butterflied Coconut Shrimp

Ahi Tuna Tartar with Sesame-Ginger Dressing (Sushi Style)

Snow Crab Spring Roll

Tuna Crudo (Sushi Style)

Shrimp or Chicken Quesadilla Platter

Baked Local Oysters

Crab Cake Sliders

Little Neck clams with White Wine & Fresh Herbs

Wings 10 or 16 Pieces

Nachos Fresca

Maryland Crab Dip

Shrimp Potstickers

Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari

Prince Edward Island Mussels in a Red Curry with Lemon Grass

Hand Tossed Butterflied Coconut Shrimp

Ahi Tuna Tartar with Sesame-Ginger Dressing (Sushi Style)

Snow Crab Spring Roll

Tuna Crudo (Sushi Style)

Shrimp or Chicken Quesadilla Platter

Baked Local Oysters
Light Fare & Sandwiches

Beer Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos

Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwich

Double Decker Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

Signature High-Tide Crab Cake Sandwich

Maryland Crab Burger

Fish and Chips

Smoked Gouda Burger

Crab Mac & Cheese

Chicken Tacos with Garlic Mojo

Maryland White Crab Flatbread with Local Crabmeat

Maryland Style Shrimp Salad

Maker's Mark Bourbon Chicken Flatbread with Homemade Crust

Beer Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos

Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwich

Double Decker Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

Signature High-Tide Crab Cake Sandwich

Maryland Crab Burger

Fish and Chips

Smoked Gouda Burger

Crab Mac & Cheese

Chicken Tacos with Garlic Mojo

Maryland White Crab Flatbread with Local Crabmeat

Maryland Style Shrimp Salad

Maker's Mark Bourbon Chicken Flatbread with Homemade Crust
Sides

Corn on the Cob

Bucket of Fries

Honey Sweet Potato Fries

Twice Baked Potato

Grilled Asparagus

Sauteed Brussels Sprout Salad

Corn on the Cob

Bucket of Fries

Honey Sweet Potato Fries

Twice Baked Potato

Grilled Asparagus

Sauteed Brussels Sprout Salad

Healthy Meal suggestions for Riptide by the Bay

Soups & Salads

Summer Salad with Grilled Seasonal Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado & Bacon Over Boston Bibb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Bisque (Gluten Free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Chowder (Gluten Free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Summer Salad with Grilled Seasonal Fruit [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Avocado & Bacon Over Boston Bibb [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Bisque (Gluten Free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Chowder (Gluten Free) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Signature Entrees

Pan Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Ahi Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ribeye Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maker's Mark Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Clam Linguini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Vegetables Linguini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Poached Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twin Lobster Tails [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pan Seared Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Sea Bass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Ahi Tuna [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lobster Ravioli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ribeye Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maker's Mark Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Classic Clam Linguini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seasonal Vegetables Linguini [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Poached Lobster [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mahi Mahi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twin Lobster Tails [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Small Bites

Crab Cake Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Neck clams with White Wine & Fresh Herbs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wings 10 or 16 Pieces [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Potstickers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prince Edward Island Mussels in a Red Curry with Lemon Grass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Tossed Butterflied Coconut Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Tuna Tartar with Sesame-Ginger Dressing (Sushi Style) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snow Crab Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Crudo (Sushi Style) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp or Chicken Quesadilla Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Local Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Cake Sliders [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Little Neck clams with White Wine & Fresh Herbs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wings 10 or 16 Pieces [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nachos Fresca [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp Potstickers [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Prince Edward Island Mussels in a Red Curry with Lemon Grass [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hand Tossed Butterflied Coconut Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ahi Tuna Tartar with Sesame-Ginger Dressing (Sushi Style) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snow Crab Spring Roll [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tuna Crudo (Sushi Style) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp or Chicken Quesadilla Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baked Local Oysters [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Light Fare & Sandwiches

Beer Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Decker Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Signature High-Tide Crab Cake Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish and Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Gouda Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tacos with Garlic Mojo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland White Crab Flatbread with Local Crabmeat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Style Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maker's Mark Bourbon Chicken Flatbread with Homemade Crust [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beer Battered Mahi Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Ribeye Steak Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Double Decker Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Signature High-Tide Crab Cake Sandwich [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Crab Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fish and Chips [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Smoked Gouda Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crab Mac & Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Tacos with Garlic Mojo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland White Crab Flatbread with Local Crabmeat [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maryland Style Shrimp Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maker's Mark Bourbon Chicken Flatbread with Homemade Crust [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sides

Corn on the Cob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bucket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twice Baked Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Brussels Sprout Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn on the Cob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bucket of Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Honey Sweet Potato Fries [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Twice Baked Potato [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sauteed Brussels Sprout Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Charlotte F.

The perfect gem for a day trip to Baltimore! After touring the aquarium for several hours, my boyfriend and I went looking for a cozy spot in Fell's Point with great food and yummy drinks -- not too stuffy and not too pub'y: Riptide was just right. Though we arrived very early on a December night, and most of the patrons were at booths in the back room, we decided to sit up-front in the charming and inviting bar area; luckily, the tunes were fabulous, the setting was inviting, fun and warm and the wait staff was just attentive enough. The cocktail menu was a delight. Most of their concoctions were surprises to our eyes, and at $8 a pop, much more affordable than the $12 minimum these days in the District. The Chesapeake Crush and Mojito were good enough for a second round. For an appetizer we ordered the crab dip. I would have given Riptide five stars, but as delectable as the flavoring was, it was just slightly too heavy to have more than a four or five swabs on pita bread. We both had the specialty: the high-tide sandwich, and I have to say, it might have been one of the best crab cakes I've ever had. The portion was massive and it was seasoned to perfection, with peppered fries and a light tartar sauce. As a Maryland native, I finished the plate wanting more, which is always an unexpected delight. Can't wait to return!
(4)
G M.

Came here with a group of 6 after Sunday's Indycar race. Wasn't anticipating to be blown away, but that, I was. I have finally found legitimate crab mac and cheese. It was amazing . . . conspicuous crab pieces, rich cheddar, flavorful bacon. Worth the $15. I sampled the mahi mahi tacos as well, very delicious. I did notice it was quite hot inside and we had to ask the waitress to turn on the fan. Also there were flies everywhere - a little unfortunate. My friends sitting on the benches were very uncomfortable and kept complaining that their legs hurt. The prices were fair and the waitress was attentive. I look forward to coming here again.
(4)
Ellie R.

If you are looking for Maryland crabs, this is the place to go. Not only are the crabs the very best (they come steamed with great tasting Old Bay seasoning) but the view of the water is really nice too. Our waiter was excellent, very friendly and helpful. He suggested the crab dip to have along with the crabs which was perfect. As an added perk, you can walk around the area and check out all the other shops. I would love to go back!
(5)
Sara C.

My husband and I came here, child-free, for our Anniversary and had such a nice time. When you first walk in you are entering the bar area, so we then proceeded to the back and were greeted by the very friendly hostess who sat us right away. (We had reservations, which I recommend making as the place gets pretty busy). We ordered drinks, my husband got the October beer ( I can't remember the name) and I got a White Peach Sangria which was amazing! We then order the crab bisque which was perfect on that chilly night and was very satisfying. We went for the Alaskan crabs as our main dish and they were served at a perfect temperature of hot and were super delicious. We didn't have to wait long at all, even with the place being busy. After dinner I order the Pumpkin Parfait which was probably the best pumpkin dessert I ever had. I truly enjoyed it. I couldn't finish it all so I ended up taking home. I don't want to forget to I mention how attentive our waitress was. She made our experience at RTBTB an even more enjoyable. Thanks Katie K!
(4)
Joshua W.

They have limited outside seating but the tables they do have are great. Some of the tables have a view of the harbor, which is always lovely. It is a little less formal than Thames Street, and has a more extensive casual menu. They do have steamed crabs and roll out the paper table clothes. Two tables around us did crabs and they looked good. They looked like true "larges", but not sure how they were with pricing. Riptide claims to be the only Fells restaurant that does steamed crabs, so if that's true that's a nice touch. The seafood chowder was delicious, I almost think it could be named a Baltimore Chowder. Having nice amounts of vegetables, fish, clams and mussels. The scallop dish was very good, the mahi grilled tacos fell a little short. We sat and enjoyed drinks outside and they didn't push us off the table which I appreciated. Service was very good. Spicy margarita ! Blood orange margarita was nearly perfect.
(4)
Q K.

I came here for brunch and wish I had not. Our server Sarah was spraying cleaning product all around us and even sprayed some on my arm. I don't know if she got any in my food, but regardless, I lost my appetite. I would never come back!
(1)
Terry O.

Food is good, and it seems like they've put a decent amount of effort into creating new eating experiences from traditional seafood restaurant staples. Crabs can be a bit pricey, but i chalk that up to seasonality and the fact that youre eating them in a restaurant and not on a pier or in your backyard. Service is friendly and accommodating, if a bit goofy at times. My biggest complaint is the bar area. As the evening wears on, the volume on the stereo grows to a point where you can't hear yourself think. This is made worse when the hired musician for the night begins playing. Its as if he's set his speakers up for a show at Buffalo Wild wings, but suddenly found himself in a narrow bar in Fells. I would go here again, but i wish there was a way to escape the noise!
(3)
Paul J.

Great food, great drink specials, and great staff does more need to be said? Live music regularly and a great atmosphere come to riptide and have a great evening with great people!
(5)
Michael L.

Great selection of food I had the shark tacos which were amazing. The two people I was with had the fish and chips. The fish is dependent on when you go but the grouper was tasty. Our server was very nice always checking up on us and even found us a cab in the pouring rain. She definitely went above and beyond.
(4)
Michael B.

Had the crab cake sandwich and a natty boh - great lunch on a beautiful friday afternoon. Lunch menu was a bit sparse but the food didnt disappoint
(4)
Lindsay B.

What happened to the nachos? They were the best in town until Riptide got a new chef. C'mon these things are downright AWFUL now. Please someone who has authority, set this new guy straight. No one wants dry, cold chips with 2 jalapeno slices andzero cheese sauce (gag!). They truly were mine and many friends' reason for coming and dealing with slow, confused service. The nachos made that overlook-able. Sorry, Riptide, but we wont be coming back until I hear back here that your once perfect nachos will be gracing the menu again. On a happy note, the $5I martini special kicks butt. The key lime pie martini is delicious and doesn't use cream!
(1)
Soneyet M.

Sadly, the grouper sandwich and half-dozen crabs we ordered here were bland. My boyfriend and I had to douse our sandwich with salt and pepper and ketchup to get SOME kind of taste to our meal. The crab arrived hot, but with no seasoning really. I had to go to the bar and ask for more Old Bay and butter. The crabs were a good size. The ONLY saving grace here is that the waiter (possibly owner?) was awesome. Friendly, helpful, and paid good attn to us...until that is when I had to chase him down for seasoning. The table next to us sat for 10 min without placing an order...I dunno. POOR MEAL + GREAT SERVICE = 2 stars
(2)
Bon B.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday for steamed crabs. The price was reasonable, the service was good, good selection of brews, the most importance of all- the steamed crabs were delicious! We also ordered the maryland crab soup and it was very good as well!
(4)
Adam Z.

The braised beef short rib was great unfortunately, I went there for crab and they were OUT. How is a seafood restaurant in Baltimore out of crab on a Sunday night at dinner time? I also rather enjoyed the crab dip and their beer selection. My dinner companions ordered peel and eat shrimp for their main course. This came out with the appetizers so they chose to wait and had cold shrimp.
(3)
Blake J.

The food is delicious there. The atmosphere and the staff just contribute to the all around great feel of the whole restaurant. The menu has a wide selection on it, primarily seafood, but some things you wouldn't necessarily expect for a place on the water to carry, which makes them unique. I've eaten there on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed by the food. My favorite item on the menu is a spinach and goat cheese pizza. The cream sauce, spinach, and goat cheese just blend so well together, then you add in the garlic mushrooms and that just boosts up the flavor of the whole pizza. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the fells point area!
(4)
nayoung j.

I was surprised how hard it was to find CRAB in b-more (this was a few months back). it's a cute little place with a bar up front and family friendly tables towards the back. we ordered crab crab and more crab. i liked the seasoning and the crab meat was good - nothing like woah but its better than nothing? it took a while to get the food though - probably bc steaming it takes a while. i think there was only one or two people on staff for a whole dining place, making it a tad hard to get their attention.
(4)
D'Arcy P.

I had the Fish and Chips, mostly because I'm a picky eater and that looked the most appetizing. It is made out of grouper (I've never had it before...mmm) and beer battered (the ONLY way to have fish and chips). The prices were decent, but the amount of food that was served just wasn't enough for me. What made the night awesome was our server; she checked up on us often, but not too much, and even went outside to find us a cab in the rain. I would go back just for her to serve us again.
(4)
Marni S.

Everything about riptide is small. The dining room, the bar, bathroom and most unfortunately the food. The portions were very small. We ordered appetizer, salad and crabs. All of it was small. The bartender was exceptionally nice and took some off the bill. The food was tasty but just not worth the portion/dollar amount they charge. I would go back to order from the bar only.
(2)
Tom L.

in from pittsburgh for a night, we just wanted crabs and cheap beer after a day at the aquarium & exploring baltimore. after looking all on yelp for places all over the city while drinking at ale mary's, we ended up getting too buzzed to drive anywhere and "settled" on riptide by the bay since it was close to our hotel. good thing - it was exactly what we wanted. 7 natty bohs and 24 crabs for $45?! this place was amazing!!! i almost want to take one star off for our waitress' bored attitude, but she kept us full on beers and crabs -- so, i can't hate too much. plus, we ate on the breezeway and made friends with a dog named sherman. outdoor eating AND dog-friendly? total plus in my book!! i'll definitely be back next time i'm in town and will probably still smell like old bay by the time i make it back months from now.
(5)
Amy C.

What a charming place! We went barhopping around Fells for my cousin's birthday and Riptide happened to be the last place we stopped at. The place wasn't too packed and we were able to grab a couple of tables outside. (I love looking out into the moonlit water while my friends entertain each other with various shenanigans.) There was a live accoustic singer doing covers of... well, to be honest, I can't remember because he was not memorable at all. Aside from the singer, the bar manager was a really cool guy who came out to wish my cousin a happy birthday.
(4)
Mari C.

Great food but the service is terrrrible. Slow.
(3)
Semra E.

I will always come back, due to two things: Mango Mai Thai's AND Crab Pizza.....................I must have persuaded multiple folks sitting around me at the bar there to get both of those things & they did and thanked me back. The setting was awesome....everything there was right....it don't get no righter! See you later Riptide by the Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Walter H.

This is a great spot to hang out when looking for somewhere to eat or drink that is low key. If anyone knows Baltimore's nightlife there are neighborhoods that are flashy and trendy to hang out in. Fells Point also possesses some of those same characteristics but some of the bars and eateries are just a cool place to hang out. Riptide is one of them. You can go and grab a bite to eat and a beer and just chill. No crazy people or music. Just good food and beer. Some Fridays though they can have live music that is pretty cool to listen to. A good place to call a regular hang out.
(4)
Kathleen B.

Usually like this place but got takeout tonight & was disappointed. Shrimp salad sandwich had WAY too much onion and was served on a rock hard brioche roll that had obviously been frozen. The crab bisque is awesome...always great but was sad there were no croutons as promised:(
(2)
Marcus A.

The experience was awful and frankly appalling. In order to enter the restaurant, one walks through a space in between two beautiful, old brick buildings that the restaurant has covered with a roof and put seating in. The door is wide open to invite people in so it was freezing but they had heaters. We asked to be seated in this area in order to get seated because the inside was crowded. The tables were small and had 3 sides with metal chairs and one side has a long wooden bench running the length of the building. A blonde haired woman named Amber, who was the manager, helped us to our seats. There were two other couples sitting in here, both against the wall because the metal seats were very cold and because the heaters were on this side. Me and my boyfriend naturally did the same and manager Amber says in a disgusted tone, "oh you guys are going to sit on the same side?" We both felt extremely uncomfortable. We did exactly what the straight couples did and got a dirty look. When she walked away, we spoke to a very nice man named mike torri to see if he saw what happened. He was very understanding and made us feel much more comfortable. Amber came out because she saw us talking to him and said he was making the guests uncomfortable, but in reality it was her making the guests uncomfortable. Amber was extremely rude and disrespectful. In stark contrast to the management, the food was excellent. We got crab bisque soup and Prince Edward Island mussels, both amazing. Our entrees were excellent too, but came out within minutes of our appetizers so they got cold, which was poor thinking on their part. We got the crab flatbread, and crab Mac and cheese which were delicious. The service however was very poor and we ended up waiting a lot before and after we got our food. Overall it was not a good experience and I will never return.
(2)
Dalzire B.

Impolite staff, and they seem confused on busy days. I can't comment on their food because after waiting 30 minutes and noticing there was seating available my little group of 3 people decided to leave.
(1)
Chris P.

I recently had dinner w my wife and our daughter , the service was ok fast but not very knowledgeable about menu, we had poached lobster, seared scallops and crab cake entrees. The lobster was not poached it was either boiled or microwaved very chewy rubbery poor presentation , risotto was very unpleasant tasting. The seared scallops were over cooked, should be served medium rare ,also membrane of scallop was still attached, truly disgusting .. Crab cake tasted as though it was par cooked then microwaved to order. High lite of my experience at this establishment was drinking my beer to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. I don't write very often on my experiences at restaurants cuz I am a chef and can be very critical at times , but this dinner experience is hard to forget . I didn't complain I took the hit on the over priced bill . If you are thinking about coming to eat here , think twice
(1)
Brian W.

The worst food & service. The manager/owner Maradith is horrible at running the staff and the kitchen. Just order drinks!
(1)
Nicole W.

Great Sunday brunch, cheap tasteful, strong mimosa's. The steamed homemade asian dumplings were great and so was the brunch menu. Everything I ate (omlettes, bacon, potatoes, biscuits were delightful!) Great Sunday afternoon and excellent service. Enjoy and have fun!
(4)
Roy B.

So after not visiting Riptide for a little while we went back in last night and got an unwelcomed surprise, they've changed the menu! It seriously looks like it should be the "specials" menu not the full menu. I really liked going there and I really liked the veggie burger that they HAD but now if you want anything vegetarian your only options are a salad or one of the pasta dishes that they remove the meat from, probably after cooking it all together. Oh well, left and went to Alexander's instead.
(2)
Mike F.

Very fresh seafood. Enjoyed the lunch. Surprisingly not very crowded. I had the hamburger top with a mini crab cake. Excellent! I'll be back again.
(5)
Miriam B.

I got the Mahi tacos and they were extremely bland. The whole plate was the same color. The salsa had no flavor and the creamy sauce tasted like empty calories. I ended up being pretty envious of everyone else's food, though no one seemed overly satisfied with their meal. The cocktails were so-so. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
brian g.

it's all about two dollar tuesdays. $2 crabs and draft beers (including premium beers like Guinness and Yard's), live music at night, and $6 chicken club sandwiches. A definite crowd pleaser, but beware that they can run out of crabs during the summer when they are getting slammed!
(4)
Kimberly C.

This is a mixed review. My husband loved the fish tacos. My son felt the mussels had too much going on. My daughter had the crab flatbread. The bread resembled a burned paper towel and the toppings had limited flavor. my seafood chowder was heavy with half cooked potatoes. Beware of the horrible parking situation in the area.
(2)
Food R.

Atmosphere is very nice. Great location, neat little outside seating and alleyway seating. Very laid back and youthful feel to the place. Seating on the benches in the "alley" part was so uncomfortable that three of us had to keep getting up. It kills the backs of the legs. 5 out of 6 of us enjoyed the food. 3 crab burgers (burger with a crab cake on it), 2 crab pasta dishes. The guy that had the gumbo wasn't impressed. it also came out about 10 minutes after the other 5 dishes. Service was slow, even in early evening (before 5). Waitress was very cute, but tried waaaayyyy too hard to flirt. Have a feeling it's the vibe here as the girls wear extremely tight and low fitting shirts. She must have made physical contact with every member of the table, and we're pretty ugly guys. I'd go again. Beer was cold, price was reasonable.
(3)
Karena J.

Okay beers on tap. Live music on some nights. Dog friendly in the outdoor parts of the bar - always appreciated. Bartenders have since changed when I gave this place a 5 star rating. The atmosphere has thus suffered and I have stopped going.
(3)
Abigail O.

yipes, how the mighty have fallen! once upon a time, i had a good friend who worked as sous chef here. living not too far away, i'd come here a few times a month; often just for drinks, but a few times for food too. good times were had all around; i'd meet my friend after he got off of work and we'd sit together with other friends at the bar. ...apparently, you need to know someone to make this place worth going to. after some extensive traveling away from baltimore on my part, and after my friend leaving the restaurant due to moving out of town, i re-visited what i would previously have given a minimum of four stars. well, the food was still pretty good. fish and chips, margaritas, and steamed shrimp were fresh and well- (if simply) prepared. however, service was atrocious. first, it was difficult to tell where the hostess stand was, or if there was one. we found it past the bar and stood waiting to be seated. the hostess walked right past us to the 5-top waiting behind us. um... what? ok, she didn't see us. honest mistake. when she realized it, she didn't seem to care that much, but whatever; we sat down. i don't like to let a blip set the full tone. waited about 10 minutes for a server to come over, even though several sauntered by without recognizing our presence. it was a nice day out, several tables, but certainly not full or super busy. finally he came over and was smile-less and to the point... "what can i get you?" while staring at his pen and paper uh... alright. we ordered everything (drinks and food), since we'd had plenty of time to peruse the menu. 15 minutes or so later, our shrimp came out... without any silverware, napkins, or even the drinks we'd ordered. took at least another 5 minutes to flag someone down (not our server). we saw the bartenders lounging around (not fixing our drinks) and were about to go get them ourselves when someone else (still not our server) brought them. finally! ok, we're ready to go. eat the shrimp, then the fish and chips come. we'd asked for extra tartar sauce and some lemon wedges. half a plastic ramekin of tartar came with it, no lemons, no vinegar (isn't this standard? didn't think i'd have to ask), no salt and pepper (which we just assumed would appear at some point... our bad, i guess). what i assume was the manager came by and asked if everything was ok, so we filled her in on the few things we were missing. instead of grabbing them for us, she asked another staff member (still not our server) to fetch them. our server came back with one of the items another 5 minutes later... half a ramekin of vinegar. still need napkins, lemons, more tartar, salt and pepper. and our drinks have been empty for awhile. then 2 minutes later someone brings ketchup... which we didn't ask for... ok, i'm rambling; this sort of thing went on throughout the entire meal. this lack of attentiveness was incredibly irritating, on top of the staff being blatantly uninterested in helping us. oh wait, they were SUPER interested when we finally got the check. there were two servers literally standing next to our table waiting for me to get my card out, it was returned instantly, and someone also stood practically on top of me while i signed, and even looked at the tip right at the table before taking it away. unbelievable. i almost wanted to take it back and cross out the 15% tip i left (which is way more than deserved, but i'm a server and i can't bring myself to leave less, no matter what). i used to really like this place, but for now i will be telling friends and family to stay away. maybe in a few months i'll try again, but i'll probably just sit at the bar so i can at least see what's going on instead of waiting helplessly for someone to notice me.
(1)
Grey R.

My wife and I are new to Baltimore and this was one of the first places that we "discovered" in our new city. We almost always sit at the bar when we go out (having been a bartender for a while, this is what I prefer unless it is a special occasion) and tonight was no exception. We found a seat as soon as we walked in the door of this cozy little spot. The bartender noticed us quickly and came to take our order. Our beers got to us quickly and we started looking over the menu. A lot of the menu was appealing but when I came across the Maryland Burger (I believe the name is correct), which was an Angus patty, thick cut bacon, and a crab cake on top, I was sold. This is not something you order if you're not very hungry, but it's perfect before a night out in Canton or Fells. It was absolute, delicious perfection on a bun. The bartender made conversation with us after our meal, welcoming us to Baltimore and telling about some local spots. I would highly recommend Riptide by the Bay to anyone coming to or living in Baltimore!
(5)
Lilly S.

Maryland crabs yummy
(3)
Ja'Bette L.

Not sure what the hype is about. The food was mediocre, and if you want a real orange crush, head to Harborside in Ocean City, MD! This place is in a great location, but between being piled in like potato bugs under a rock and bland food, I'm not sure this place is worth spending a dime.
(2)
Saskia S.

Things I liked: Wednesday is the magic day: 1. Definitely one of the best kept secrets of Baltimore. Not the classiest or the best food ever..but for a good deal on seafood you can't go wrong! 2. Go with 2 girls friends on a Wed. and they give you 2 for 1 drinks 3. Go with 2 girl friends on a Wed. and they give you a free appetizer 4. The crabs are $1.50 (on Wed. only of course!!)..and you get a cute little mallet and fun pull-apart crab tools. I did not grow up eating seafood (oops again with the non-kosher food items) and it was quite the experience. The waiter was also incredibly friendly and gave us a full-on how to smash and eat a crab lesson. Apparently you have to pull out certain parts etc. or you'll get sick. Very helpful! Things I did not like: 1. I got a little tipsy on a Wednesday evening and got no work done for school. Bad habit! 2. You have to drive there & back (unless you want to wait for a bus) so somebody has to steer clear of the ridiculously strong cocktails.
(4)
Bernard R.

Great service, great food. Everyone is right the employees Add alot to this resteraunt. Prices are good alot to see close by.
(4)
Kelly T.

Friday night, busy evening before the Fells Point Festival. Nice staff, comfortable atmosphere and great food. I've also had the crab cake sandwich at lunchtime - which was awesome! It's great to sit outside and take in the view and happenings on the cobblestone street. Will definitely return.
(4)
Jana G.

Just OK food. Perky service. I gave them three stars as they were good to my dog.
(3)
Leeshy B.

I found this restaurant on Open Table and was attracted by the menu options and prices. I went for lunch and took friends from out of town, eager to try Maryland seafood. This restaurant did NOT disappoint! We started with the calamari and seafood chowder which were both delicious. The calamari was perfectly cooked. I only wish the delicious ginger sauce was served on the side instead of being poured over the calamari. I ordered the crab macaroni and cheese which was amazing! I was also able to try the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the crab cakes which were both delicious. The waitstaff was kind and helpful. I have no complaints and I will definitely be back.
(5)
Peter K.

I've been here several times and the seafood has always been top quality. Not the cheapest, but good value. Really enjoyed the seafood chowder, with shells and all.
(4)
Denise G.

Well, the wait staff was really nice. (Long pause) Oh, and the atmosphere was cute. (Another long pause). Unfortunately, the food is the weak link. Had the Mahi Tacos which were... not bad, but not anything to write home about. However our appetizer, the warm crab dip, was almost inedible it was so salty. The coup de grace was the check at the end of the evening... we paid dearly for this less than mediocre experience. Never again.
(2)
Lauren H.

Had a nice experience. Our server, mike, was very knowledgeable of the menu. I ordered the lobster ravioli, which is homemade. It tasted fresh. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Annabelle L.

Came here last night for their Tuesday night specials. Great atmosphere, quick and friendly service. As for the food, the bf and I ordered: 1. Half a dozen oysters--I think they were called the Sweet Jesus ones? They were delicious--fresh and yummy! 2. Crab bisque with baguette strips. The extra $2 were totally worth it for the baguette strips as they were super crispy and went wonderfully with the bisque. The soup had awesome flavor, lots of crab, and just so hearty (which was perfect since it was raining and gloomy outside!) 3. $2.50 crab special: SAD. If it were not for the crabs, I would give a 5 star rating, but the crabs were SO disappointing. Perhaps I should have known that they would be small since they were on special, but still. They were quite small (~4 inches maybe?) and empty, and almost not worth the effort of picking out the meat. The inside of the shell was also a little dry, perhaps they had been sitting out for a while? Tl;dr: awesome oysters and crab bisque, pass on the Tuesday crab special (at least this time of year).
(3)
Josh M.

Bartenders were incredibly rude, ignored and refused to make a bloody Mary although advertised on door.
(1)
Cris J.

Amateur hour. We came for oysters and drinks. We ordered apps and decided to leave after getting them. Our plates were dirty, the nachos were stale and greasy, the "crab" dip was onion dip with scant hints of crab, and the food was cold. Plus, the dining room was warm, we could smell the restroom, the overhead fan was turned off, and a portable ac unit was trying to keep up with the heat. And with no napkins or utensils, it was hard to wipe our hands. I'm glad one of us had wet wipes with her.
(2)
Stephen D.

Decent food and a decent beer selection. Great part of town for dinner and drinks.
(3)
Taylor K.

Wanted to find a place in the city to get Maryland crabs for Father's Day. Both of us had never been here before but we fell in love with it as soon as we walked in. Riptides is a very cute, small restaurant but even with it being busy I didn't feel crowded during dinner. We ordered the tuna appetizer which was AMAZING, a dozen crabs and oysters on the half shell. Everything was great. Only reason why I didn't give this place 5 stars was because they only had small crabs. I've never heard a place that carried smalls so I was nervous to get them but I was surprised by the amount of meat I'd got out of them. All n all I would recommend this place to my friends and family. It's worth checking out. Oh! Our server was great! Very friendly and personable. That's always a plus.
(4)
Xavier S.

I'm ONLY here on Fridays & Saturday. But the bartenders rock, the drinks are stellar & the beers are always cold. Tip them well & they will def take care of you!
(4)
Christina R.

I've heard the food is amazing. It's too bad we never got to try it because the lunchtime manager last Sunday (4/26) treats people so horribly. I had some friends in town for the first time from New York and wasn't counting on having to expose them to such unpleasantness when we were just trying to get some lunch and spend some money at local businesses. We'd heard the outside tables were first come, first serve. So we saw a table of 4 leaving and I walked in to see if we'd be allowed to take it. The kind gentleman inside - younger, seemed to be possibly a server or busser - was sweet and helpful and was trying to get the hostess's attention to help us out. The manager came sweeping in, in a tizzy as if the place was packed to the gills (PS there was hardly anyone in the place, they weren't busy enough to warrant a frenzied freak-out attitude) and berated this poor kid in front of all the customers saying things like "you don't know what you're talking about! you're just guessing at this point! just direct them toward the host station!" So maybe the kid was new, but at least he was being courteous and trying to help. So I went to the host station where everyone seemed confused and contradicting each other. Finally they said it was fine to take the table. One of my friends had already sat down to save our spot. I walked out and the manager was out there yelling at her. I explained that we were told to take the table. He yelled "not when it hasn't been wiped down yet!" and, referencing a couple of plastic water cups that had been left behind by the other guests "this is how things get spilled!" First of all, why is a "nice" restaurant using disposable glassware? Bad sign. Not environmentally cool. Second of all, if your guests don't mind that there are a couple cups on the table, why are you flipping out about it? It's not like someone wouldn't have come over and cleaned them up before we ordered. It wasn't a big deal. Third of all, you scream at your staff and you scream at your customers? Needless to say, we got up and left with a few choice words. We ended up at Bertha's instead and spent around $100. So, whoever owns this place should know the Sunday manager lost your business $100 that day. And I'm spreading the word - if that guy is there, my crew and I won't be.
(1)
Jenny V.

Had a few hours to kill in Bmore and ended up here for lunch. My server started out acting like a complete jerk, but softened up after I moved to the table he wanted me to sit at in the direct sunlight with no umbrella. Bloody Mary was ok, but served naked (no veggies). i would say the Mahi fish tacos were terrible but that would imply that they had flavor. The description of them sounded perfect and when they arrived it was a sad, plain sight ... And an even sadder taste experience. Sad face I give this place the two stars because the crab bisque was phenomenal.
(2)
Mark N.

This place is really good for seafood or anything else in Fells Point. Their $5 Burgers special is legit and they always have a good beer on special. (or at least higher quality beers than Miller Lite or Natty Boh). The prices are much better than some of the surrounding seafood places and the services is usually good/fast but the place is small - at least the bar area is. Good luck getting a seat on the weekends especially if there is a band playing the space is just just too cramped for that. **Ridiculous Friday Happy Hour $2.50 rail drinks**
(4)
Chrissy R.

Went here in the middle of the day on a weekday, so it was super quiet (I get the idea that Fells Point is more of a weekend/evening spot? We were tourists). Our waiter was really nice and attentive (our water glasses were refilled before they got empty every time), and when I requested lemonade, they were out -- so the waiter volunteered to make me a "ghetto lemonade," which I totally appreciated. I'm not really a fan of most sour mixes, though, so I just got some lemons for my water -- but I like that they're out to please. My mom got the crab cake sandwich and I ordered the crab mac 'n' cheese with fries. The fries were overdone and the mac 'n' cheese had much more bacon than crab, but it was really good and had chopped green onions for a little brightness here and there, so I'm not complaining too much about that. My mom's crab cake was amazing -- tasted super fresh and had the least filler of any crab cake I've ever had.. her fries were overdone, too, though. I'd totally go back here and give this place another chance, because they did some things well and other things I wondered if they were just being slacked on because of the time of day that we were there.. but this place gets a solid 3 stars.
(3)
Charlie Ann H.

Go there for a night of drinking. I don't think it is a dinner destination. The food might taste good when you have had many drinks first. We ordered dinners and I honestly it was gross.
(2)
Vivian N.

I thought this place was really good initially, but I recently went on Saturday and it was a huge let down. Our server was the worse, that the entire dinning experience went south. He was extremely impersonal and unprofessional. The menu changes ever so often that we wanted to try different entrees out. We asked him about the chicken linguini and all he really said was a lot of people order it--not really giving us a description of it. My friend is very particular about her food so we asked if it was more pasta or chicken, grilled or fried, etc.--he was honestly not having it. In addition to our horrid service, when the chicken linguini came out ("since a lot of people order it and all") it was more pasta based then chicken when we emphasized that she was not much of a pasta person (Leaving the meal to be tiny slices of chicken) When we asked him to take it back, he said that since we already ate the chicken, that we could not take it back. In my opinion, part of my dinning experience is actually eating the food to know if it fits-- I never have had this issue anywhere else. The vast majority of the entree was still there with some chicken eaten. We were upset that we were stuck with an entree that we did not like, and the server was not sympathetic or personal at all. So we ordered another entree to go with our crabs, it went well, but this entire predicament would have and should had been avoided with accommodative service. I give this restaurant two stars because the crab is good but the service absolutely terrifyingly sucks. The cucumber-jalepeno mojito also is super strong and spicy, I would stick with the margarita.
(2)
Mary P.

We went as a large group and they were awesome! Our server was always there and offered us rookie Maryland Crab eaters lessons! Speaking of the crabs they were delicious along with the mac n cheese, oysters, flat breads and of course the cocktails! Riptide by the Bay is a must!
(4)
Eugene L.

The servers here were all friendly and welcoming. The food was decent, definitely try the crab dip appetizer and their crabcakes. The raw oysters were okay, and stay away from the linguini.
(4)
Douglas C.

My friends and I had been to Thames Street Oyster House and were intending on returning there but they were closed at 3:00 on a Saturday. We ended up at Rip Tide by chance and am glad we did. We were told they had tables reserved but we assured them we would be quick (as long as they were) and were seated. Typical row house restaurant style, but cool atmosphere for us out of towners. Everything we ate was good. Oysters were delicious and a high light. Seafood chowder was preferred over the lobster bisque. Crab cakes were excellent, Baltimore style...a lot of crab hardly any filler. We saw tables being brought trays of crab but were not in the mood to sit around pounding away so did not partake. No complaints with service. All in all a good spot.
(4)
Uc O.

Service was non existant. Our server seemed as though it was his first job and no ine bothered to train him. Oysters were horribly shucked, like half an oyster left in the shell with pieces of the shell in it as well. Why was there a hard boiled egg in steamed clams. Even the table next to us left the tip in change. Will not be going back. So disappointing.
(1)
Jerry B.

With all of the pubs on Thames full from the soccer games we were surprised that there was seating here. The crab cake burger was awesome. Great service, will definitely be back to try their menu again. Also the view of the harbor from the top dining area is beautiful!
(5)
Nick S.

Great spot for a quiet lunch, and a cocktail! The fish and chips are fantastic, and the burgers are cooked to perfection! $2.50 well drinks are generous pour as well! Staff is very friendly too!
(4)
Kev k.

Run of the mill seafood, portions of food is small for the price..... Had crab Mac and cheese Had very little crab , but did find a tiny bit of shell....
(2)
Grant ..

Ehh scallops were tasty but basically tapas for 23.00. Could have used a side dish . Perhaps asparagus ? Pricey for a pub bar feel
(2)
Susan L.

I want to give this place 3.5 stars because there was nothing necessarily wrong with it and as a backup to the rest of the restaurants on the same street, it'll do. The waitress was friendly enough but she took a really long time to get our orders. So long that I was genuinely confused about whether or not we ordered yet at some point. I ordered an Angus burger and for some reason the top bun was practically crunchy which ruined the consistency of the burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food but its not a place where I would personally want to spend my money again.
(3)
Jacquelyn W.

My friends had less than 24 hours in the Baltimore area and they wanted me to take them to get Maryland blue crabs. If you've read any of my reviews that relate to fish, you know I have a shellfish allergy so it's pretty amusing that they depended on me to show them where the real deal was for crabs. At least in Baltimore city, it was surprisingly difficult to find places that served blue crabs. Thanks to Yelp and some recommendations from people in the area, I came across Riptide by the Bay. The reviews seemed pretty good & they had the crabs my friends were looking for plus non-shellfish food that I could eat. It's right in Fells Point just passed the main square. We had made a reservation, but because of traffic related to the O's game we were about 30 minutes late.We called in advance to let them know about our dilemma, and when we arrived we were still able to be seated within 10-15 minutes. I had ordered a Watermelon jalapeÃ±o margarita while we waited at the bar & that was delicious. I thought it was gonna be super spicy because of the fresh jalapeÃ±os and seeds floating around in it, but it wasn't too bad. I also drank it through a straw so that may have made a difference. When we got to our table, my friends ordered their blue crabs and I ordered the swordfish skewers. Our server wasn't the best at explaining the different sizes of the crabs, but they still managed to order enough to satisfy them. When the crabs arrived, I amusingly tried to show my friends how to eat the crabs without actually touching them. Not an easy feat, but they tackled them like champs. The server came by later and asked if they needed a quick tutorial, but they were already far along. I still remember something from my crab-eating days! As for my swordfish skewers, they were very flavorful. The rice they served with it was good, but it was quite far from anything I'd consider Spanish rice. It was closer to a pilaf in my opinion, and there was nothing Spanish about it, unless the cilantro (mixed with pesto mind you) was supposed to count for something. We also had a side of polenta, which was really good. I had never had polenta before, but I really enjoyed this. Overall I'd say this was a really good experience if you want blue crabs or just fish in the Fells Point area.
(4)
Beth F.

My friends and I tried this place, expecting great seafood. But our experience was just okay. Although very cheesy, the crab dip had almost no crab meat which seemed like a waste. Don't get me wrong it tasted good, but not what we expected. For my meal I ordered the grilled mahi mahi tacos. The fish was so over cooked that I thought I was eating tough chicken that didn't have a taste. I feel like this place is hit or miss, and we hit it on a miss day.
(2)
Sarah F.

TERRIBLE SERVICE AND DIDN'T HAVE SEAFOOD. WORST EXPERIENCE AT A RESTAURANT EVER. Here's what happened: Had a reservation for Valentine's Day dinner. -They sat us in the worst spot in the bar area next to the door (freezing cold)---even though everyone else who had a reservation got to sit in the dining room. -Their steamer apparently broke so they couldn't make crab or shrimp or any other fresh seafood, which was the ONLY reason we were there. -They were not accommodating whatsoever, said they would give us a "discount" for our troubles. They gave us one beer for free. Not one for each of us... One between the both of us. Looks like from past reviews other people have gone when they didn't have any crab or oysters either, who is managing this place???
(1)
Dan A.

So I came here for a friend's birthday celebration not too long ago. I've walked by this place many, many times but never had a chance to swing by. Well, when I went on Saturday night, it was packed! Or was it? The front of Riptide, which is a bar, was really packed. There was barely room to move around. But the dining area, located past the bar area was more open and spacious. We had a reservation and I think if you plan on going on the weekend, a reservation would be wise just in case things get crazy busy. The food here was decent. We started off with some appetizers. In particular, we got the Prince Edwards mussels. There was a good amount of mussels and it came with a good, creamy broth. However, many of the mussel shells did not have meat in them. They must have fell out while cooking or something... and there were certainly a few in the dish. But there were still some empty shells whose meat was unaccounted for. Not a bad dish but I'd probably pick something else next time. For my entree, I had a crabcake sandwich, which was good, though certainly not as good as some of Baltimore's more famous crabcake restaurants. It was a little "mushy." I'm not sure if this was done purposely or not as there was also a normal crabcake on the menu (not crabcake sandwich); maybe the other crabcake option is made differently. It came on a nice brioche bun and had fixings like bacon, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce. It also came with french fries, which were pretty good too. All in all, pretty solid. Some of my other friends ordered the fish and chips (came in a big bucket!), clam linguini, and beet & goat chease salad. They all enjoyed their meals. Service, however, was a little spotty. Our server would disappear for long periods of time. Additionally, we were seated near the bathroom area. It wasn't a big deal at all but there is another exit in that area and we could smell cigarette smoke coming in from the outside. Again, it wasn't a big deal to me, but people who are more sensitive to cigarette smoke might find it more of a nuisance. The dessert menu was kind of a joke though. There was only one item on the menu! The rest were drinks. Overall, it's a decent bar and one I'd certainly have no problems going to. However, I wouldn't go out of the way to this place either.
(3)
Rae O.

Came here for crabs and got so much more! The vibe is amazing. The music fantastic. They played Bob Marley and tons of Reggae. The Drinks were surprisingly cheap. As a side we had fries with peperjack cheese which were AMAZING. The staff was so nice, and chill. It was a nice time. Only downside that we were not told that the Crabs were from New Orleans not Maryland until after we ate. I really wanted Maryland Crabs. Also the Crabs being from Louisiana made them super expensive. $75 for a dozen of crabs.
(3)
Shayanne N.

I just graduated with $60,000 in debt to try and save the "public's health" and the owner/manager/whoever was in charge refused to serve me because he said I was spoiled.
(1)
Kathy A.

My husband and I ate there on our visit during restaurant week. I got fish and chips which were fine. My husband got the restaurant week special and each part of it was on the small side. His food was good but the portions were very small. He left still feeling hungry. We would not recommend this place.
(2)
Melissa W.

Naturally, I'm between 3 & 4 stars. Went here recently on a gorgeous September day because I wanted to sit outside. Didn't want anything too heavy, so ordered the flatbread with crab ($12). OMG yum (see picture). Delicious & just what I was looking for. Waiter was prompt & friendly, perfect actually. Got dessert, and didn't actually love it - got the Creme Brulee ($8). To be completely honest though - I don't know that I actually like creme brulee. I believe this is the first time I had it - & I'm really not that big of a fan. But I have nothing to compare it to - so therefore don't actually know if it's good or bad. Ha! Didn't even step foot indoors, so this review is solely for an outdoor experience!
(4)
Krista B.

I had reservations here for dinner Saturday night at 6:30 We arrived on time and were seated promptly- thankfully it wasn't too busy, so I think reservations weren't necessary. After ordering drinks we ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the seafood chowder (soup? can't remember). I was not a fan of the blackened seasoning on the tuna but the bf loved the soup and liked the tuna. We then ordered snow crab legs to share along with their Brussels sprouts salad. The snow crabs were awesome, but forgot to ask to leave the old bay seasoning off- I know I know, it's a staple, but I am just not a fan. Otherwise, the crab was delicious! The sprouts were a bit oily and the anchovies garnish was not very good. So far I wasn't too impressed, but service was friendly and the space was nice. Time for dessert! We ordered their salted caramel creme brulee. Think that sounds amazing, right? WRONG. DO NOT ORDER. I don't know if the server was mad since ordered dessert on a whim after we already paid for dinner or what, but this was so incredibly salty we both couldn't stomach more than a taste. The sugar on top was burned beyond belief, not 'bruleed,' and the amount of salt in here was laughably disgusting. Seriously a literal salt lick, the salt flats of Utah, the Dead Sea- it was inedible. Walk a couple blocks and get gelato from Pitango (which we did to get the salt taste out of our mouths!). Overall it was a so-so dining experience with somewhat friendly, if not snarky, service. It was a bit pricey but Alaskan snow crab always is, and the salted caramel creme brulee really turned me off. I doubt I would visit again if in the area.
(2)
Cj B.

After getting bad service from Papi's, the pros here at riptide didn't disappoint. Great service, awesome food and the best drinks in fells. Thanks Halle, Mike and Brad!!!!
(5)
Justin W.

At lunchtime the crab cakes come as some sort of sandwich only. Service is friendly, atmosphere is more of a bar style. The main bar is at the front as you enter. Have a wide selection of seasonal cocktails which can take the sea chill off your bones!
(3)
Mike W.

An awesome choice for a relaxing atmosphere, great food and excellent beer on tap. Got into Fels Point and wanted some good seafood - stumbled into Riptide and will be back. Food is exquisitely prepared, staff is friendly and attentive- wife and I got a table for two looking out on the harbor- guess they wanted to ensure I return!
(5)
Rebekah T.

The Riptide is one of my favorite places in Fells Point, the food is so good that we came back here twice for dinner. Our first dinner here was inspired by the whole Maryland Blue Crab experience. I wanted to go to a nice place where I could crack crabs and drink cocktails. That's all I ever want honestly. We ordered up a 1/2 dozen of the large crabs, because small ones are too time consuming. We got a tutorial on the easiest way to rip them apart and we were off! They were SO GOOD. We also ordered a half dozen oysters. No sides, just seafood. That night I ordered a spicy strawberry margarita which was a little too sweet. My guy went with the UFO Hefeweizen, which is a good choice with that spiced up crab. The second time we came here for dinner, they were out of the blue crab but had a special of 1 pound of Snow Crab for $25 and the Maryland Crab Bisque. I really want to make that one at home. They had a margarita special that night for $5, so I decided to try that and ask them to throw in some jalapeÃ±os. The bartenders were pretty nice and accommodating with our order and requests. I know I'll be thinking about this place for a long time. Hopefully I will find myself back!
(5)
Beth J.

I've been to Riptide by the Bay on two separate occasions now, and they do not disappoint! They're always packed, but my party has been able to get seated almost immediately. The seating upstairs is just as nice as downstairs. Their crab cakes were great, and their oysters on the shell were fresh and delicious. Our server the second time we went, Samantha, was really nice, down to earth, and made us feel welcome and taken care of. We didn't even know until almost the end of our meal that it was her first night on the job! Go to Riptide by the Bay in Baltimore and you'll be happy!
(5)
David M.

The tables were sticky, when I asked the waiter about it he said it was the finish. The french fries were a dark brown and burnt. The crab cakes and beer were very good. It was open when the Oyster House down the street was not.
(3)
Cindy T.

We stopped in here for lunch and sat in the bar area. They have a great bar menu with some unique drinks. The bar tenders were so much fun, I'm glad we didn't opt for eating in the dining area. My husband had the scallops on rissoto and it was wonderful!!! I had the mahi tacos and loved them. We also had the crab dip for an appetizer and thought it was really good on the baguettes. I'd recommend stopping in here for a casual meal.
(5)
Tawney B.

The food is usually awesome. I've been here a few times and I recommend it a lot since the hotel I work at is so close. One time a business guest came back from a trip there with the rest of her business colleagues and the staff was drunk and the food was awful. I only half believed her and made a mental note to recommend Bertha's instead during the holidays. But I went in there during the week and our server was drunk, the hostest looked drunk, it was awful. I don't know what is going on there but be aware.
(3)
Nicole V.

Had the crab cake burger. Delicious. The fries were burned, but the burger was delicious. The view is nice too.
(4)
Brittany G.

nothing special about this place. The crab cake was a LOT of filler...there was nothing wrong with the fried oysters but nothing special. The little neck clams were fine but there was hard boiled eggs in the dish...kind of weird. The place smells a bit like stale beer and the table was very sticky. Not a memorable meal or all that delicious.
(2)
Jamey M.

I have been here for lunch a few times over the past couple years when I've been in town, food is always good, but the service is always really slow. They are friendly just slow.
(3)
Kate A.

I've lived in Baltimore for several years and somehow had never made it to Riptide before last night. Luckily I was in the mood for seafood and to try someplace new. When I saw Riptide's Tuesday Night Specials I was sold- $2.50 each for crabs and $2.50 for craft beer on draft? Yes please! There was live music going on inside, which was fun but a little loud for a nice relaxed dinner, so we opted to sit out front, which was great because we got to enjoy the music and our own conversation. Our waitress warned us that the crabs on special were what they called "lites" which means that they were a grab bag and some might be virtually empty, and recommended that we try their small/mediums for double the price. We had just planned on eating a few crabs as an appetizer, so decided to go for the "lites" and I'm so glad we did! They ended up ringing up at $1.25 each, so we got a dozen crabs for $15. Though some were on the empty side, they were just a little past being soft shells so were super easy to clean and very sweet and there were quite a few that were huge and full of meat. The craft beer selection was really good- 2 Heavy Seas offerings, and 3 other craft brews to pick from and a good variety of styles. For dinner we all ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos. They were good, though not outstanding because the fish itself could have used a little seasoning, but were the perfect light entree to follow our mini crab feast. The entree consisted of 3 tacos (flour tortillas, not corn, though the menu indicated that the entree was gluten free), there wasn't quite as much fish as I expected, but at $13 for fresh mahi mahi it's hard to complain. There was a fresh salsa, a delicious guac, and a slaw on the tacos with lime and a nice spicy verde salsa on the side. Our waitress was helpful and friendly, she didn't rush us but checked in at good intervals. Overall it was an excellent night out and with a delicious looking menu that was reasonably priced I'm sure I'll be back again soon.
(4)
Patrick F.

Pretty cool place to hang out but do not get the Old Bay wings really weren't good. Great place to hang out after work for drinks.
(4)
Emily L.

I feel a little guilty reviewing this place, because all I did was have a cocktail there. Super late at night. On Christmas. Yes, there are people who go to bars on Christmas. Some of us have sisters who turned 30 last Christmas, and what are we supposed to do? Sit around a roaring fire all night? There are good rumors about Riptide's excellent seafood, but in the late hours the place basically becomes a club: neon lights, drunk patrons, super-loud thumping music. Not my favorite, but it was at least classier than the place we had just come from! (Okay, you caught me. I might have been in TWO bars on Christmas. Jeez.) My Jameson & Ginger was great, not that you asked, and I promise I'll update this when I actually have something to eat there!
(3)
Jillian P.

$13 for a few small mahi-mahi tacos? They should add a half- or side salad with that - I felt a bit ripped off. Sat in restaurant area, large group next to us extremely loud, so pretty annoying. Service mediocre, though we were seated quickly.
(2)
Jerry K.

Had the crab cake sliders and smoked gouda burger with fries. All were excellent, the burger was the best I've had in Baltimore and the fries as well. However the service was slow and my girlfriend had the chicken tacos and they were lame.
(4)
Sue G.

Recently spent a weekend in Baltimore and Riptide was the first restaurant we came to. It was recommended by our hotel so we figured we would check it out. Good food is essential and sets the tone on how I feel about a city. Riptide left a great first impression. Upon entering, I noticed people sitting outside, enjoying a beer with a table full of crabs. No plates. Just a brown paper table cover, some wooden mallets and a bucket...then I thought...hmm this looks fun! I had previously read a tip on the watermelon/jalapeÃ±o margarita and had to try it. It was sooooo good and refreshing! I thought there would be a pucker of sweetness or a burn from the jalapeÃ±o, but it was neither too sweet nor spicy. It was a big portion too for $9. Bf and I wanted to have a Maryland experience so we ordered the blue crabs and steamed shrimp to start. I normally don't like getting my hands dirty and potentially ruining a new shirt, but surprisingly it wasn't as messy as I imagined! Just be prepared for your hands to smell up until the next day. The crab itself wasn't that meaty, so you may be disappointed putting all that work in for a small filler. We mainly enjoyed it for the experience. Then I ordered the scallops with lobster risotto. It wasn't the best ever, but it was still pretty good! I ate it all up and was perfectly satisfied. Our server was sweet and helpful with the menu. Everything came out with perfect timing. Towards the end, there was live music and the bar area got pretty packed. It was a fun meal and definitely something different. If this is Baltimore, I'd happily go back. :)
(4)
Chrissy A.

I first must say that I have never, ever in my life had the experience I had here. Our group of 5 came in around ~7:40 PM and were seated in the back dining area. We quickly ordered a bottle of wine, a few beers and a soda. Our original server was replaced with a man who seemed very friendly. We gave our drink orders again and off he went, promising to come back for our food orders. 20 minutes later, nothing. I went to search for him and found him deep in conversation in the bar, so I flagged down the bus boy and asked him if he could grab our server. It wasn't overly busy either. About 5 minutes after that, our server returned with an attitude as well. The 4 of us who ordered burgers even wrote it on the burger sheet they gave us, reiterated it to him and off he went. At 8:50 PM, an order shows up. I say "an order" because not a single burger was what anyone at my table ordered and I didn't even get an order, messed up or otherwise! I asked anyone who would listen where my food was, they said that I didn't order anything. I asked them to bring the server over, he told me to hold on and took another 5 minutes getting his check. At this point he showed me that I had no order but he offered to place a new one. After over an hour of waiting, I politely declined to which he got angry and started complaining and yelling. I responded telling him that what I would like is to eat in a timely manner, so I think we'd all just like our check so we can leave. He went over to the other side to ask how the rest of our tables food was and they told him: completely wrong. At this point the server, who's name I wish I knew, yelled, stormed off while kicking the wall on his way out. I have never seen someone in this industry have such a violent outburst. The entire dining room went silent and were in awe. I then asked to speak to a manager which took another 15 minutes. When she finally showed up, she said "sorry the other girl was slammed and your server is actually normally a bartender!" This is not how apologies work, I highly recommend some training (and firing) At this point we asked for our check, again. She gave us 50% off and walked away. Upon looking at the bill, I noticed we were charged for an item no one ever ordered at our table. I couldn't find the manager, so they sent over the same, violent server back to the table. He copped another attitude but eventually took it off. I just can't believe the level of incompetence at this restaurant. I am a server myself and even though the restaurant I work in is by no means high end, if I or any of the staff ever acted in such a way, they would be fired on the spot. We are a group of neighborhood residents who are heavily involved in the area and dine there at least once a month after our meetings. I can say with 100% certainty, we won't be going back or recommending this place anymore. Please, for the love of your business, retrain and hire some new staff. This is not how hospitality works. You don't apologize and blame the customers for your failings.
(1)
Sabrina B.

Good food, healthy portion sizes but the temperature there was uncomfortably cold and our waiter didn't smile at all. I might go back with friends or family that wanted to go there but t wouldn't be my first choice just because of the service we received.
(3)
Nicole O.

We had one of my best friends bridal showers here. The room upstairs was beautiful but kind of small to hold 30 or so people and allow them to be social! I had the crab omelette and it was okay. Tasted kind of "fishy" which makes me very nervous for a crab omelette! The service was awesome and the manager and wait staff were very accommodating and helpful! The mimosas were delicious. I would go here again - but maybe just for drinks!
(3)
Jennifer E.

Pretty cool spot for brunch or lunch in fells point. Prices aren't cheap but they have some great specials including cheap Mimosas when+ I went for brunch. Their seafood is fresh and they have outdoor seating for the warmer months. I've has some great seafood dishes including oysters, crab burger, crab omelette and crab pizza. Get the theme here? Beer selection isn't bad and their service is good.
(4)
Cristian T.

The place is nice and clean, the food is ok I had the pokey for first course which was good I know the tuna was nice and fresh frozen and the sauce was crisp and delightful. The second course was the swordfish kebabs They (2Äº were disappointing the fish was overcooked and dried out and the rice had corn mixed in and it was sweet mixed with the rice. I didn't know if it was a dessert or it was dinner. I did not like that. And for dessert key lime cheesecake was pretty good. I have to say I thought it was a little bit pricey for what you're getting. With the check they gave me a free 15% discount coupon for the next time so I left it there because I don't think I'm coming back.
(3)
James H.

We had a marvelous lunch during Restaurant Week. The tempura fried oysters were tender and light. Our second course was fish and chips. They, too, seem to have been dipped in a tempura batter and, according to our waiter, fried in beer. The fish came in an attractive tin bucket atop the French fries. Fries were only fair. The restaurant area was just up the steps from the moderately active bar. Service was excellent. A real bargain for Restaurant Week.
(4)
Matt B.

Had an awesome afternoon here. Stopped in for drinks. Bartenders were great and made great mixed drinks. I also ordered the crab cake sandwich which was outstanding.
(5)
Walt S.

The food is totally pedestrian. The ambiance is a bar. The wait staff act nearly brain dead. I would not recommend this place for dining. We had crab cakes. They were largely filler. Good flavor but "floury".
(1)
Heather F.

Great food! My boyfriend and I stopped here on our way back to Richmond and I am glad we did. The oysters were perfect. The crab dip was so delicious! Drinks and dinner entrees were perfected. Our waiter, Clarence, was super nice and friendly. Definitely will be back next time we day trip it to Maryland.
(5)
Elodie T.

My mom was at a convention in Baltimore and I joined her for the weekend. We wanted to get blue crab because that's what Baltimore is known for, so we went to Riptide by the Bay as it was one of the higher rated on yelp. We arrived around 6:30 and were seated immediately. They have converted an alleyway into a nice and quaint dining area. We asked about the blue crabs, and they told us that they only had the $70/dozen option. It was my birthday weekend, so my mom just said, "let's go for that". The waitress didn't even mention that we could get a half-dozen (I mean, between the 2 of us, she should've definitely realized that a dozen might be too much) and we realized, belatedly, that we could've had that option. Points down for that. A dozen was a LOT. We each went through 4 crabs before calling it quits and just saving the rest for leftovers. The spice mix was awesome but after 3 crabs, it was getting old. I got a number of cuts on my hands from taking the crab apart (sharp, sharp places) but overall a good experience. Mom had eaten crabs at several places already, but she said that Riptide had the best crabs of the lot. Solid 4.
(4)
Chris W.

Super awesome place, small and quaint. Very nice menu selections, outstanding beers on tap, great wine list. Had the raw oysters and crab cake sliders for lunch, was fantastic. The bar area is super neat and great place to hang and have a few and also enjoy lunch/dinner. Great views out the window onto the historic square area. Would definitely recommend and plan to go again when back in Baltimore.
(4)
Boris L.

Easiest 5 stars I have given in a while. One of the best meals I've had I a while. We got there during the evening rush on a Saturday on a weekend without a reservation and were told it would maybe be a 45 minute wait but they would try to squeeze us in ASAP. 5 minutes later we were being seated. We started off with some oysters which were really good. The. For my meal I got the fish tacos. I don't know what was in the guacamole on them, but it was perfect. I also got to try a bite of the burger/crab cake sandwich and both were excellent. Not a huge bar or a ton of draft beers, but it looked like they have a good cocktail list. The part we got to sit in was a retrofit back alley, which sounds gross, but was actually really cool. The service was friendly and prompt. I'm not sure when I'm going to be back I'm Baltimore again, but I would like to come back here when I do.
(5)
Steven H.

Food was very good. The crab dip was good and came with pita chips and bread. It was creamy and cheesy with a nice smoky undertone. The crab cake sandwich was good, but the crab cake burger was awesome! The burger was perfect and the crab cake make it special.
(4)
Dominique N.

Came here twice for lunch. Got the crab bisque soup the first time and it was good in the beginning, but then I got halfway through and it was less of a bisque and more of a vegetable soup with crab in it. Second time, I went on burger day and got a cheese burger with the maker's mark BBQ sauce. The sauce was very sweet and you could definitely smell the bourbon in it. I would have prefered it a little less sweet but that's just me.
(3)
Rebecca G.

My husband and I are from Virginia and we were staying at the Marriott. Our concierge recommended this place for us as a good seafood restaurant. They weren't lying. I had the grilled wahoo and my husband had the lobster ravioli. Delicious. The wahoo was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was a good touch, only complaint is that it had a few too many capers on it. I had a bite of my husband's lobster ravioli and it was to die for. Super creamy and there were some nice chunks of lobster. We also had a dozen of the raw oysters and they were pretty plump and not too expensive. Our server was great. He was super attentive and the manager also stopped by our table to see how we were doing. Great customer service and they were busy so it was nice to see that they took the time to make sure our service was good. After our meal we then went and sat at the bar were we had a couple of drinks to cap off our night. Mike the bartender made us feel so comfortable and we all joked all night. A great place for seafood and drinks. Will be back next time in Baltimore
(4)
Natasha S.

After a long day at the Aquarium with 2 kids and a baby, our group of 5 adults and 3 children came to this establishment for a late lunch. It was excruciating hot outside and we just picked the first establishment that looked nice and had a decent menu selection. Riptide was the winner. We were seated immediately even with our large party. They seated us in the far back right near the bathrooms, lost points for that. It's the only place they could seat us for a large party, so really had no option to move. Our table ordered the following dishes (not including kids meals): Shrimp salad sandwich - The sandwich was good. Came with fries and a tasty brioche bun. Crabcake entree - Crabcakes were decent. Had a good amount of filling and were kinda flat. Summer salad - Good. Grilled asparagus - Standard Corn on the cob - Fresh from the grill - good but had too much paprika on top. Twice baked potato - Standard Avocado bacon bibb salad with crabcake - Decent. Again crabcake was just alright. The salad was a large but yet fairly small. The lettuce was really wilted and had brown spots. Brussel sprout sauteed salad - Super salty and sour. Had too much anchovies and tasted very odd. Crabcake burger (Kobe beef patty with bacon and a crabcake) - This was loved. This seemed to be the best thing that was ordered, most satisfying and probably the best deal. ($13) For an appetizer, we shared the crab dip which was TINY. And not really enough to share but fortunately we had a lot of food coming. They didn't give us enough chips and we had to order more which took forever to be brought out. They chips are made in house so apparently it takes them awhile to make it, but they were not hot when they came out to the table. The kids meals were cheap and good portions. The service was good for the most part. The server was pleasant and very friendly. She was just extremely slow at bringing out lemon and the chips for the dip, otherwise she was alright. Gratuity was already included in the bill, which probably lent a hand in the service. She didn't really need to give us her all since it was already included. Overall, it's a nice atmosphere and restaurant in a good location. I don't think the food is all that good. Seems like most people come here for the crabs, so maybe that's the thing to order here. But next time I'm in Baltimore, I won't waste my time and just go to the places I know I love.
(2)
Sean O.

I got a breakfast platter with an omelette that had arugula, which really is too bitter for an omelette. It was still pretty good. What wasn't good was my girlfriend's pizza. At first bite it tasted like bad blue cheese/vomit. It actually made her sick. This place is a seafood restaurant primarily but it seems like their non seafood is average to subpar. Since I don't eat seafood, I most likely won't eat here again. However, I can see myself going here for a late night drink.
(2)
Katherine M.

This is an interesting little place in Fells Point, but I don't think it was my favorite experience I had. Came in on a busy Saturday and put our name in for a table. They will text you to let you know when to come back which is awesome. We were able to go grab a drink elsewhere while waiting. We were seated in the little alleyway they kind of converted for the restaurant into part of the restaurant. It was a little hot, but they did have fans to try and make it better. I ordered a blueberry mint cocktail of sorts that was just okay - it just tasted like blueberry vodka which is not my thing so my husband ended up drinking it. We chose mahi mahi tacos and snow crab (they were out of Maryland crabs early that day I guess). Our snow crab was served to another table, so it took a bit to get that after my husband's dish came out. He was done with the tacos, which were quite good but nothing too memorable, before my meal came. I mean it sucks, but it happens I suppose. It took awhile to get the food anyway, and I was beyond hungry by the time it came. The snow crab was fine. I mean, it's snow crab. Tasted the same as crab you've had anywhere else. I felt like it was a little pricey for what it was as it didn't come with anything at all. The place was good. Not great. Not bad. But I'm not sure we'd be running back.
(3)
Jenny K.

Came on a Thursday night. Seated in the back, and experienced very slow service. 20 minutes for the server to come by, with 15-20 minutes in between visits to check on us. We tried the ahi tuna, salad with crab cake, fish tacos, and sweet potato fries. The $1 oyster special is a good deal, but overall we weren't impressed with the food - especially for the price. Fries were limp, crab cake wasn't terribly meaty, fish tacos were just okay. We might be back when crabs are in season, but there are too many other spots to try to warrant another visit any time soon.
(2)
Amber L.

This was the worst restaurant experience I have ever had. The waiter was very rude. His name is Clarence and he had the worst attitude. If he is your waiter I would ask for a new one. The food was ok but the experience horrible.
(1)
Sant A.

Started out with med raw oysters and was hoping to try some Maryland crab but out of season and had to settle for Alaskan King Crab legs, which was fine...both were excellent! I couldn't get enough of the succulent crab...wanted a side but was told they were out of baked potato and corn on the cob...a little disappointing...settled for some steamed asparagus...small restaurant seating area...the bar is a bit close to the dining area downstairs and it got a bit loud but I was not bothered much by it... was expected as there are many bars in the surrounding neighborhood...will be back to get a taste of Maryland crab when they are back in season
(4)
Vanessa H.

This is a review that pains me to write. When we first moved to Baltimore almost 2 years ago, Riptide was our go-to. The service was great, even if the food was inconsistent. But, they had (and still have) some of the best nachos I've ever had. (Seriously, I dream about them.) Ultimately, the food is what pushed us away. The first couple of times we went, the fish tacos were some of the best we'd ever had. Then, they were terrible. Then back to good. Finally, just damn near inedible. We stopped going when we couldnt justify spending money on "meh" when there are so many other sure things on the same street. We had friends in from OOT for the Privateer Festival, and figured we would give Riptide another shot. We were sat immediately, and the drinks came out rather quickly. We were off to a great start! Aaaaaaand it's gone. Our server apparently was done with us after that. They literally walked away in the middle of us ordering. I guess only half of us were allowed to eat beyond appetizers, which turned out to be ok since the fish tacos ordered were at mediocre level. Also, the crab mac & cheese. It makes me wonder if Riptide is really serious with this dish, especially when it's competing with the crab mac being served 5 doors down. The portion is small, and the dish resembles velveeta deluxe in white cheddar. We think they forgot the crab. It was super busy, so we just paid and left. No additional drinks, no dessert (not that I think our server would have cared enough to take our order if we wanted it) I spent the night apologizing for the dinner let down, and promised to make up for it at brunch. I'm confident we made the right choice by choosing to eat meals at other places, but the nachos will always pull me back in. Also, I've never had bad service at the bar. I think if youre interested in checking out Riptide, start at the bar with some appetizers (did I mention the nachos?) and go on from there.
(2)
Janey R.

I came here a couple times with friends to get drinks and some food. The food here is alright, not the best but I do like their Flat Bread options. If you are a high spender on bar food you might like it here. The bar tender the days I went was great, made all the drinks properly and everything was delicious. If you want nice and good bar tenders come to riptide. It can get very crowded but the Bar Tenders pay close attention who walks in, is waiting for a drink, etc. As far as a dinner joint, not recommended. A night with friends to grab a drink? Highly recommended.
(3)
Marilynn A.

Had a great experience there! The service was a little slow, but we did order three dozen crabs, so I don't blame them. The seasoning was delicious and my family had a great time. The ambience and location is great. We went around brunch time on a Sunday so everyone was out enjoying the nice weather and I was enjoying a mimosa. We had a really tall guy as our server, he was really nice, but seemed shy. I will def go stop by again if I'm ever in the area again.
(5)
Sanjay J.

Haiku I love the crabs here! They are flavored with old bay and are steamed beautifully. Tuesday are special: They offer two dollar ($2) crabs and three dollar ($3) beer! Cheap yet yummy date-- your partner will like this place esp if out of town!
(5)
Mike J.

Very nice place to walk in and get some good seafood. The place is not with so much room in it. Avery narrow place. However the place keeps folks coming in as fast as they go out. We went for late lunch / early dinner and it was pretty quiet. but something tells me it can get pretty noisy when it is crowded. The dÃ©cor is of a fishing place as I would expect from a seafood establishment. For Appetizer we shared Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari (spicy)Buttermilk battered calamari tossed in a miso-ginger glaze. This was very good. Cooked nearly to perfection. The gaze had a spicy sweet taste that was not over powering of the calamari. My wife had the PAN SEARED SCALLOPS Three U-10 scallops seared to perfection and served over a fresh lobster risotto made from our homemade seafood broth. She loved it. And I can say I finally tried a scallop. It was actually pretty good. The lobster risotto was pretty good to me. My wife whom is a hard critic even enjoyed it very much. She thought 3 would not be enough so also had a crab cake with it. That was good as well. But it turned out the scallop dinner would had been plenty. I enjoyed the GRILLED MAHI MAHI Served with a pearled couscous adorned with golden raisins, roma tomatoes, cilantro & a squeeze of lime juice. The mahi was prepared excellent. What looked like a small piece of meat on the plate. It was actually more than enough for me. I was not a fan of the couscous. Would have enjoyed the meal better had I gotten plain veggies with it. I had a piece of corn on cob with mines and that was very good. The waiter was very good, and attentive and not over bearing. he suggested a Peach margarita and turned out wife ended up drinking two of them. For the non drinker. leave the ginger ale alone. Was very flat. water was a better choice. The price was about what you would pay for a NY dinner and very worth it. Worth the trip for seafood. Thanks yelp for the reviews for why I picked this place to take my wife.
(4)
Tony H.

This is a great example of a Baltimore bar. The set up is cozy, with a great view of the water, and the brick walls/exposed ventilation give it a nice industrial feel. The servers and bartenders bend over backwards to ensure prompt service when it's slow, and work hard to minimize wait times for you when it's busy. Come here for the seafood when it's in season, and the sandwiches any other time. The brioche rolls they use for their burgers should be the standard at other restaurants in Fells.
(4)
Michael M.

Good food...poor service! This place has a lot of charm and great crab. Unfortunately it had really poor service. However, in all fairness it was the kitchens fault and not the servers. A shame because this place could have been fantastic!
(3)
Bruna P.

Great crab cakes! Nice place to sip wine, eat crab cakes and watch the O's win Game 2.
(5)
Quinn S.

I liked the vibe of this place, but our server was slightly off. The bacon wrapped shrimp was VERY good! We ordered the Alaskan crab legs, which lacked meat and flavor. They give you a thing of butter but it seemed that even the butter was lacking! They sprinkled some Old Bay to make it seem more Maryland-y, but it came off as an insult; if your going to use OB you need to coat the crabs! Overall I may come back, but not for crabs.
(3)
Sophie O.

I'm going to be completely honest. What ruined my experience here was simply the service. It's obvious that this place is trying way too hard to play the "We're too cool to worry about customer service because heh.. This is Baltimore.. We don't kiss ass.... We don't need you, you need us" card. Which bothers me because it will eventually fail when people don't bother returning. Food was pretty decent, but my friends and I waited over 45 minutes for it. I only know that because my stomach started shrinking and I started timing it once we hit the half hour mark. Server was unfriendly and awful at his job. I've been a server for over five years--- currently at a very busy restaurant---it's truly an easy job if you know how to multitask. Just keep walking. Oh!!!! But the strawberry pancakes were delicious. Not worth waiting an hour after sitting down though...
(2)
Nicky P.

I suppose this place is alright. Whatever you do, do not get the fried Oyster. Very skimp. Crab cakes are good. Scallops are yummy but comes with some sort of weird bitter rice. Honey potatoes are very yummy as well. Their margaritas are delishhhhh. I just don't like how little and skimped the fried oysters were. Fried oysters are my faveee. Sitting outside was the worst; it was like sitting in a box. Pretty crammed. I wouldn't return here.
(3)
Mike D.

Service was much better this time around. I got the fish tacos which were great but it would have been nice to get a side with it for $12.00. 2 tacos still left me a bit hungry. My buddy got the burger with the crab cake on it and said it my be the best thing he has ever eaten.
(4)
Darth S.

My Burger was not cooked right instead of the manager just taken it off like we asked her to . She tried to tell me that I was wrong and ."The lighting in the room made the burger look raw and the liquid on the plate was the burgers natural juices not blood." This after the waitress brought me some unseasoned mushy male crabs after I asked for female crabs . Bottom line bad service bad food don't waist your time . Oh and this was my second time here and the service was bad both times. SMH
(1)
Inayah L.

Looved the food! Me and a friend went during happy hour. We ordered the Sweet potato fries and chicken tacos. So good! Great prices and service. We wanted to sit outside but it was a 45min wait. Inside wasn't bad at all though. We walked around trying to find outside seating but had to turn around and go back because the food looked tOO good!
(4)
Tom H.

Great crab dishes. Good mixed drinks
(5)
Alice P.

Love this place. This is my first time here, and I really had a great time. My hubby and I ate here for our anniversary, and it was a great way to celebrate. The service is friendly and the ambience is casual and hip. Snow crab legs, five stars. Yum-city. Maryland blue crab, delish. But a little too much work. My hands ached after cracking six of those suckers. Wasn't too crazy about the seasoning, but NOT a deal-breaker, folks. Still come here. Finally, the best for last. Two things. Aweeeeeesome oysters. Five stars. And the Maryland Crab Bisque is a serious MUST. I popped one Lactaid, and basically one-shotted that mug of rich, savory goodness. There was more crab in that $7 dollar soup than the total crabs we ate tonight. This place is great. And Fells Point will make even the dullest person feel like the life of the party.
(4)
Danielle S.

The crab cake sliders and crab Mac and cheese were delicious!!! The fried oysters were mediocre but the dipping sauce made it taste good. The wait was about 20 minutes on a nice Saturday afternoon. The service wasn't amazing, our waitress never brought us water after reminding her. But other than that, she was very friendly.
(4)
Denise W.

Terrible food and even worse service. Went there on burger night. it took 15 minutes to take our drink order, and another 30 minutes to take out food other. The waiter seemed high, and couldn't seem to get the orders straight. We were just ordering burgers, 3 of the 4 burgers came out wrong, one never came out at all. When we questioned the waiter, he had a hissy fit and THREW his receipt book and stormed off. We asked to see the manager, another 20 minute wait. Horrible experience.
(1)
Jonathan S.

Food and outdoor seating were both excellent. Service a little slow but friendly. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Meghan M.

This place was pretty awesome. Right along Thames Street, a touristy restaurant row in Fells Point, you'll find this low-key place they call Riptide. Around 11:30 or so, we popped in for a pre-friend's-wedding-festivities lunch. We grabbed a seat at the bar, though if it wasn't over 100 degrees outside, I likely would've opted for a cool little outdoor breezeway. Here's the highlights: Staff here is hilarious Fish tacos are great and huge Crabs (we ordered half dozen of the 60s) were really good Bloody Marys were awesome I'd possibly become a regular at Riptide if I lived in the area but for an out-of-towner, it was a great taste of Baltimore.
(4)
Chris F.

Solid spot...nice atmosphere, casual environment, and good food. Fish tacos and crabcake sandwich worth checking out. Decent beer selection too...stop by if you're in fells point, worth a try if you like seafood.
(4)
Imani R.

I went to Riptide last night and the place was pretty packed. I thought that meant the food would be good, WRONG! My ginger ale was so watery it looked like water. when I told the waiter he promptly told me that's the way it is. As the night progressed his attitude got worse. If you are seated in Clarence's section RUN. Not exaggerating, it was the worst service I have ever had. To top it all off the food wasn't even good and the portions are small. Not to mention, the food is pricey. Me and Clarence ended up getting into an argument and the manager wasn't even very apologetic. I have worked in the restaurant industry and I can honestly say the customer service is abysmal at Riptide. Save your money.
(1)
David M.

This was one of the reasons we opted to come to Fells Point when the in-laws were in town. We made a reservation since it was a weekend and an O's game night (sure to make for a busy evening). When we arrived, they said they could not honor that reservation. They say they called my wife's phone. Nope. It sucks because we really, really enjoyed Riptide when we were up in FP for my wife's birthday last year. Ironically, it was them who saved us from another local restaurant that screwed up our reservation that trip. The food was great, and the service was really good. Still, leaving our party of 7 with 1 hungry kid in tow (and my pissed off in laws...THANKS!) might be the unforgivable sin... Stay classy, Riptide. We just won't be back to enjoy it.
(1)
Suka H.

Our waiter must have been competing for the fastest waiter competition at the olympics. He was always taking our order as he was running away and never offered any suggestions...He would drop our food off and constantly run away...I ordered the steak( yes my mistake)and a side of crab cakes which i never rcvd and my gf ordered snow crab legs that were brownish and did not crack easily...You know the crabs are fresh when you can crack them in half without the crab crackers....our waiter was also cleaning the bathrooms with the same napkins that were used by customers. The tables are very sticky, we witnessed the staff remove the card board papers after a table that had blue crabs. All he did was remove the paper and never wiped the table down...ewww...this explains the stickiness..I would give this place one more try before i wipe it off my list
(2)
Mayowa D.

Went here on a whim and with the help of other yelp reviews and I am glad we did. Their draft beer selection was awesome. The crab dip was just perfect and our main dishes were well done and very tasty. We did a lot of crab related foods that night and I was not disappointed at all. Also we made a reservation before we went in which made our sitting speedy. The waitress was really good with helping is decide on our meal choices and also very attentive. Overall a great place to get a taste of Baltimore.
(4)
Renee C.

This place is really nice. I like the ambiance, I also like the food. We got the crab mac & cheese and the crabcake sandwich. I loved the crabcake sandwich, just the perfect amount of salty goodness! The crab mac & cheese was okay... maybe I had higher expectations because of all the praise I hear about it. I liked it, what's not to like about cheesy crab and macaroni. I just LOVED the crabcake.
(4)
Brittany S.

My favorite restaurant when I'm at school. I LOVE going to Fells Point when it's nice out, its right on the water so its perfect in the spring/summer time. I love walking around that area and Riptide by the Bay has a young professional type audience so its always fun. The food is AMAZING, seriously some of the best food I've ever had. The only kind of bad part is that it seems like every time I go they have a different menu. I guess it helps me to try new things on the menu but sometimes I want the same thing I had last time because it was just that good! The drinks are pretty good too. On Sunday's they have really cheap mimosas and they have good daily specials. The people there are super nice! The service is a little slow and unorganized but once you get your food you really don't care. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Lieutenant W.

I love Riptide. Been there twice in a month and love it everytime. Quick service, solid food and not overly priced. Perfect, quick little date night and the front bar seating is awesome. I'm a fan and I recommend.
(4)
Erin V.

Not impressed. I'm pretty sure the chef put jalapeno seeds in my fiances food on purpose because he sent his food back (his original order came out with guacamole and he can't eat avocados-he ordered it without guacamole and they "forgot".) Food was blah. Service not much better. Servers talking about other customers in front of us. Bartender was very friendly, though.
(1)
Ragan B.

Was here Friday night. It was fantastic. Chill bar, really personable bartenders, great drinks, and fun live entertainment! Bartender totally made custom shots for us that we're delicious! Can I say dirty martini shot with blue cheese olives? Awesome! We'll be back!
(4)
Chelsea C.

Crab cake Mac was so delicious. Crab cake sandwich was very moist, so if you're into firmer cc's this place won't be your jam. Got a cucumber chili drink with Hendricks and jalapeÃ±o.. Woot woot! Service was quick and attentive too. All signs point to yes for me. My friends say 4 stars because they are critical meanies. Try making Mac and cheese like that yo'self! Not happening. :)
(5)
Tunisha W.

This is a nice place, I havent had the food but I have had an alcoholic beverage and its really good ..and it is really charming .
(3)
Victoria A.

Love the old charm and "artsy" feel of the neighborhood (ladies beware, cobblestone streets and high heels = Yikes!). We stopped in just before noon on a Monday. We loved the casual atmosphere in the bar area (which is where we chose to sit). You can eat crabs at the bar which we LOVED! They also have a dining area with booths and outside seating as well. The service was exceptional and friendly with Tony and Alicia being the perfect bartenders, and "hosts" for our first visit to Fells Point. We will be returning again and again. Great time, great crabs, great drinks!!
(4)
Doug S.

After a less than stellar meal a few blocks away the previous night, we were in town looking for fresh seafood and a good time last weekend. We found everything we were looking for at Riptide by the Bay. Located in Fells Point, RBTB is a small storefront on the water with a bunch of other cool looking restaurants with seating out front. The weather was awesome, and Thames Street was packed with people milling about. Such a nice thing to see after weve had some poor spring weather up in Connecticut. We had an 830 reservation and were sat at a table immediately. Nice table with cloth linens and napkins, but we knew these wouldnt be staying long, as we were there to crack some fresh, Maryland crab. Our one concern was that they would be sold out, but were immediately told they were not. Score one for us! The waittress explained to us that, due to the "interesting" spring, they have only gotten the small blue crabs in. At 32 dollars per dozen, we knew this to be the case. We also knew that 12 small crabs wouldnt provide nearly enough meat for the two of us, so we also ordered a pound of Maryland seasoned peel and eat shrimp and a bucket of french fries. Once they knew we ordered the crab, the nice table cloth was pulled and replaced with a big, paper mat. A fun touch I personally liked as they are showing that they can be fancy or casual depending on your order. The food came out piping hot, and the waittress gladly washed her hands to give us a brief tutorial on how to crack the crabs. Easy enough, it seemed. The next 45 minutes were an absolute blast. As my wife and I hammered and cracked the crab, sought out the meat and intermingled it with the extra large shrimps and crisp fries, we felt like everyone in the restaurant was having as good of a time as we were. The crab was fresh, with that soft and buttery flavor that comes straight from the Bay. An overwhelming amount of Old Bay was on the outside (never a bad thing) but hadnt penetrated the crabs enough to overpower the meat. Again, these were the small crabs, so the meat wasnt in abundance, but with the other 2 food items, a dozen was a perfect amount for the two of us. The shrimp were huge, perfectly boiled, and seasoned with enough Old Bay to give them that Maryland taste, but not take the taste of the shrimp away either. Fries were great at RIptide, super hot and crispy on the outside. Next time, ill add the pepper jack cheese, but this time we were happy with just ketchup. We will definitely go back to Riptide by the Bay based on experience, atmosphere, service, price and most importantly the food itself. Overall, I gave them 5 stars for excelling in Maryland Blue crab, something that must be a difficult market in that area of Baltimore.
(5)
Melissa P.

Had dinner here last night... Seared scallops on lobster risotto... It was super. Also, they had blue cheese stuffed olives with my martini...got right in and out. My friend had tuna, it was delish.
(5)
Ada G.

This is my husband's very favorite place to eat. He orders a half dozen crabs, and I watch him deconstruct and devour every bite of goodness. I love their huge cocktail menu. Last time, I had a spicy watermelon margarita that was sooo good. They also have a smoked tomato soup that's super delish. The servers here are super cool. I think they make the place even more awesome. It seems like they are all having a good time. I highly recommend this place for crabs and cocktails!
(4)
Chris D.

I think maybe I stepped through some sort of dimensional portal into an alternate universe and ate at the Riptide by the Bay there. It looked great on paper, and even came recommended by someone who'd eaten there a night or two before, but they just fell down on most every level. Maybe we went on an off night or something, but here are a couple things I feel worth mentioning. 1a) It took close to 30 minutes to get our oysters. You know, the raw kind that don't involve cooking. Checking in to ask about them didn't seem to matter because we still waited a good 10-15 minutes after that. Generally speaking, service was sloooooow and downright MIA at times. It was a weekend night on a very busy weekend for Baltimore, but I'm a firm believer restaurants should be able to handle as many tables as they seat. 2) The middle of my crab cake was cold. Not "oh this sat for a few minutes under a warmer" lukewarm but full on "we threw it in a pan for 3 minutes after sitting in the fridge for as many days" cold. If crab cakes and football are what Maryland does (name that movie!) then at least they still have football. Oh, wait... 3) The music was obnoxiously loud to the point of preventing conversation. So. Yeah. It was about what I would have expected of a tourist trap. It's a shame too because it appears others thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
(2)
Joe K.

Riptide is one of those bars i walked by all the time with no interest in, until last Sunday. Located right off Thames street in restaurant row in scenic Fells Point. A beautiful display of maritime photos, and decor reminding you of the heavy seas help set the mood for this eatery. Sit out doors, in doors at the bar/booth area or sit in their outdoor side alley, either way your sure to enjoy your food. The wait staff was excellent and attentive. The lunch menu was pretty large and offered some light fare and some more heavy dishes like the Crab Burger, a large beef patty perfectly seasoned and cooked to preference with a jumbo lump crab cake on top. My friends had this and loved it! Looking for something lite i went with the chicken tacos, two small shelled tortilla tacos with grilled chicken, salsa, crumbed feta, and lettuce, very good! The beer selection was OK a few standards and a couple local micro brews; there is a full bar and a small wine list too. Ill be returning to try some more foods, you should too; 4 stars!
(4)
Hector B.

Wow! This place really brings it home. The first thing you do when you enter this place is to order the Maryland Crab Dip, it is heaven! The blue crabs tasted like a little piece of ocean heaven and I have to say the custom in house seasoning was packed with potent flavor. The oysters were incredibly fresh, it felt like they were picked out of the water very recently. I highly recommend making a stop here if you are in the Fells Point area. PS. The Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita is the bomb.
(4)
Kristyna S.

Stumbled upon Riptide as a second choice as our first wasn't to open until 5p.m. Was looking forward to some great Baltimore seafood. Sorely disappointed! First, their "market price" for appetizer crabcakes were $18!!!! so obviously we passed. Ordered the crab mac n cheese (which was really good), added a crabcake for $6 (no idea why it was cheaper that way... it was barely ok), fish and chips (soggy, soggy, soggy and the fries were drenched in grease), and children's tenders and fries. The fries were so terrible, that my 3 year old (who LOVES fries in any shape or form) wouldn't touch them. They were a grease slick! Just nasty! Granted, the fries were replaced after an extremely long wait, but again greasy. Mind you, our friends who were eating w/ us were having just as a miserable time with their food. They ordered the fish tacos, one order grilled, one battered. They were brought two orders of grilled. They sent one back, FINALLY got the correct order only to have the manager explain that they weren't specific enough to the waitress about their order... Like it was their fault she misunderstood or didn't ask and clarify. Finally get our checks.... manager comp'd us part of our meals which was greatly appreciated and the only reason I give a second star. Irony? Our friends who waited forever for the remainder of their meal? Were comp'd nothing.
(2)
Axl R.

FOOD: We ordered a wide variety of plates and all of our food was good. We enjoyed pretty much our entire meal, except the molten chocolate cake was not molten. There was nothing special and nothing awful about our meals. We ordered the oysters, dumplings, the crab cakes, the lobster tail, the snow crab, the mac/cheese (lobster), and the aforementioned dessert. DRINKS: two drinks ordered, they were good AMBIANCE: Surprisingly busy for a Sunday night, but we were seated immediately. Granted, I also had reservations for a very early dinner when I doubt many people would even eat on a week night. SERVICE: The drinks were slow to come out, but overall since we were not in a rush we were not annoyed. The food came out in a normal time. The waitress was pleasant bur would be intermittently attentive. I would return if if I had to because it is close, but I would not go out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Hetty W.

Great seafood in a fun spot, and cheap drinks! (May be biased from nyc standards) The winner is the mahi mahi taco. Served with fried jalapenos and this yummy shaved pickled... something. Not sure what it is, but it was tasty! Seafood chowder was chock full of really fresh juicy clams, mussels, shrimp, fish. Cocktails are $7-9, which is super cheap in my book! I think they skimp a little on the alcohol, though.
(3)
L T.

Our seafood was good, but the service was kind of ridiculous. We had two vegetarians in our group, so one ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and the other ordered the poached pear and blue cheese salad. (Which, by the way -- props to Riptide for offering a couple of vegetarian options.) The beet salad isn't typically served with meat, but when it was presented to us, it had bacon, so we asked the kitchen to remake it. Round two: bacon bits again. Round three: no bacon bits... but this time no beets, either! The other salad also took two attempts to be served without meat, although we specifically asked for the bacon vinaigrette to be left off.
(2)
Laura C.

You never want to get caught in a riptide at the beach, but you definitely want Riptide by the Bay to capture your taste buds on your next trip to Baltimore! With so many restaurants to visit near the Inner Harbor area of Downtown Baltimore, it is tough to find a place that can fulfill your craving for authentic local seafood. Skip the Cheesecake Factory or the P.F. Chang's and head to this wonderful place with pleasant service! With a busy bar in the front, you may not believe that a well-lit restaurant lives in the back of this place. Do not let the outside deceive what is on the low-key inside...deep inside. Unfortunately, crab was all sold out the night I went, but that's how you know that it must have been THAT good. I wasn't too upset about missing blue crabs because I loved everything else that I ordered and here is why! MARYLAND CRAB DIP: You have got to try the "Maryland Crab Dip" in the Small Bites section. The dip is creamy, thick with lump crab meat inside. If you love chowder, this dip is the thicker version of it made with garlic, lemon, wine and shallots. You can order it with either toasted baguette or corn chips and I got the baguette...TWICE! One order contains 6 strips of warm, toasty white bread baguettes, but I got a refill so that we could finish every last drop of that dip! I am not exaggerating when I say I swiped my finger around the bottom rim just to get every last lick off that bowl...and I AM NOT ASHAMED! OYSTERS: They also have orgasmic oysters from the sea! Talk about an aphrodisiac... It was extremely fresh and perfectly chilled, served on a bed of ice. Squeeze some lemon and add mignonette sauce. The mignonette sauce really has a spicy pepper kick to it and I liked every slurp of that raw oyster goodness. CHARRED CAESAR SALAD: Now, now...we can get Caesar salad anywhere in the world right? But why is it that the day I go to Baltimore is the ONLY time in my life that I was ever asked if I wanted my salad charred. That option to grill your romaine lettuce so that the edges have a smoky flare to them was enticing and boy am I SO glad I went with that option! It still retains its crispness, but that charred flavor enhances the garlic and Parmesan cheese. GIVE THAT GRILLED VEGGIE A CHANCE! SNOW CRAB LEGS: Eating these are a LOT easier than cracking the regular crabs (and cleaner, too). I always thought crab meat was difficult because I wouldn't get that fulfilling mouthful of crab meat feeling when I individually peel the shell off. Since the crabs were out, we gave the snow crab legs a shot. They were steamed to delicate perfection. The crab meat stuck together when you cracked its shell and you could easily tug the meat right out. Every bite was delectable and satisfying! Bottom line...LET RIPTIDE BY THE BAY RAPE YOUR TASTEBUDS!!
(4)
Sonya M.

Great drinks, great food & great service. Stopped in one night during happy hour for a couple cocktails & tacos. The (chicken) tacos were pretty good & the two drinks I had were bad either. Can't recall the exact names but one was the passion punch & the other was grapefruit. Our waiter was awesome & I'd most definitely return.
(5)
Camille C.

In-laws came to visit & they were in the mood to experience downtown Baltimore. Found this place on Yelp & on we went! First impression walking up to this restaurant is, "oh no, is this just some bar??". It's easy to have that impression because the front part of the restaurant is just all bar. Just walk in & head straight past the bar. Someone greeted us & sat us right away (we had a reservation). We were 4 adults & 2 toddlers. Yup, we braved a downtown restaurant/bar with 2 toddlers on a crazy busy Saturday night (it was also one of the first warm days in March so Thames St. was crowded). They had one highchair available & took our server a good 30 minutes to locate a booster seat for the other guy (we got the impression they don't have a lot of kids frequenting this place). We ordered their food first since toddlers can be highly demanding. The chicken fingers & fries we ordered them came out overcooked. I mean, these chicken fingers were practically black & they wouldn't eat it. So, that is the negative... Positive side is big because it involved the food, us adults, ordered & ate. All 4 of us LOVED our food. Appetizer of oysters & calamari were wonderful. I had the crab cake sandwich and that was one of the tastiest crab cakes I have ever had (and I have had a bunch!). My husband practically swallowed his meal of scallops. My father-in-law loved his fish tacos & my mother-in-law's steak was cooked perfectly. The fiasco with the kids during the first half of our visit there was completely trumped by the amazing food! We also highly enjoyed the location. Tons of other bars/restaurants on this street plus some unique looking stores.
(4)
Lucie B.

Seating was fun on the patio, but close to the walking crowd. Transients asked us for food and$$. Splurged on the lobster and coconut shrimp. Lots of beating on the shrimp and the lobster was almost inedible...wouldn't other it again. Service was great. Abigail was friendly and accommodating. She's gets 4 stars!!
(3)
Jamie H.

The best Bloody Mary that I've found since I moved to Maryland. The salads are good too.
(5)
Liz F.

Good food and great place but not impressed. Love the atmosphere and the decor. Great customer service but food was very disappointing. The crab bisque is amazing! But that was the only good thing all night. Crab cake NOT WORTH IT. Something is off. Fish and chips- batter is nice but fish very bland. Shrimp salad- weird after taste. Not a place I would be crazy about going back to.
(3)
Todd W.

A lot of fun. I planned a bachelor party to come here to accommodate a large group and they didn't disappoint. They had fresh crab, great sandwiches, and a great environment. Fell's point also doesn't hurt the places value as its a pretty cool place. Definitely recommend!
(4)
Katherine S.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday. Our server Clarence was wonderful. The food was good, but I thought it was very overpriced for the portion size. This place is definitely not fine dining, so I'm unclear on the rationale behind the portion sizes. We both left kind of hungry, and that was after an appetizer and a main! I won't be back because it's so overpriced.
(3)
Joanne L.

This place has awesome oysters and snow crabs!!! Our server was so helpful and awesome; he was great at making sure we were ok and just overall wonderful. Riptides is very quaint and comfy and the food came fast!! We ordered a little bit of everything: a dozen oysters, snow crab, seafood chowder, fish tacos, and shrimp tampura. The table was never without any food. For two people who ate 2.5 hrs before... We devoured it! The cooked food was good but the raw oysters and the snow crab took the spotlight. Oysters were fresh and huge (the best I've ever had!) and best of all... decently priced!! My boyfriend who didn't really care for oysters changed his mind after this place. The snow crab was warm and meaty... Love love love I will definitely be returning to Thames St. To dine at Riptides whenever I'm passing by.
(5)
Issy H.

This place is more like a 3.5, but not quite a 4. We were in Maryland and I needed a crab fix. We stumbled into Riptide as we strolled along Thames Street in Fells Point. We were there on a relatively quiet night and the waitress was great. We got a dozen of the maryland blue crabs to share. The crabs came piping ot and dumped in the middle of our table. We originally wanted the medium sized ones, but they didn't have it that night, so we got the small mediums. To our surprise, the crabs were pretty big. The crabs were good, but it could do with less of the old bay seasoning, but my husband thought it was good with the old bay. So I guess it's a matter of taste. I somehow wish they could bring out the crabs half-a-dozen at a time. Since it is pretty time consuming to pick at crabs, by the time we got to our last one, it was cold. Burgers start at $5 on Wednesdays and includes cheese and hand-cut fries. So we ordered a burger to share in addition to our crabs. The burger was good, but a bit greasy. The fries on the other hand were great! I would go back just for the fries.
(3)
Alyssa P.

Went for crabs and burgers. Wednesday burger night for $5 dollars was awesome. Good burgers, variety of add on toppings for extra, comes with nice crispy fries. We also got a dozen crabs size large for $60 and shared among the table. The server was super friendly in helping us open the crabs and get every last piece of meat out of them. Honestly, not the best crabs I have had in Maryland, but decent enough. Also had cheap yuengling for $2.25 each which pairs great with crabs. Went with a large group and they were more than accommodating to us.
(3)
Jeannette S.

Tried for the first time Friday and loved it. Michael in particular was friendly,helpful and very attentive. My husband and I will make the trip again. The crab dip was yummy as was the fish and chips. Plenty of beers to choose from .
(4)
Mindy S.

Riptide is a RIP OFF! I took family here from out of town for crabs, and we quickly left without eating. The bartender seemed like he wasn't interested in serving us...they were out of Corona, only had Corona light! We did order fries while we waited for a table...they were good (one point for them). When were seated, they place was very small and cramped. The only crabs they had were small, medium small, and medium (WTF)! The wait staff was really the problem, they were rude and started off with an attitude. I ordered a drink with Captain Morgan Dark rum and they told me they didn't have it; all the while I was looking at it at the bar. The server said it "wasn't in the system" again, are they not aware of what they sell here??? Then we attempted to order crabs and they had issues explaining the pricing and sizes of the crabs; they couldn't articulate the pricing to us. They continued to frustrate us and the next thing you know, the manager walks over to the table asking what the problem was. We first explained about the drink and she walks away and comes back with the Captain Morgan drink I ordered WITHOUT asking anyone else if they wanted something to drink. One of my friends got up from the table to find the bathroom, she asked the manager in the hall, and the manager immediately said "I just want everyone to respect each other" again WTF, she asked for the fricken bathroom! I would NEVER walk in this place again, very unprofessional and rude staff AND management. There are much nicer places and better crabs in Baltimore! Don't waist your time or you money here! Try Captain James for crabs if your in Fells Point! They were delish!
(1)
Gaz H.

Had a delightful lunch here. Everything that came to the table demonstrated the kitchen's proficiency; they know what they are doing back there. Taste combinations, basic grill work, French fries. All good. Really good. Service exceptionally friendly. Bathrooms are fine, not pristine.
(4)
Marcelle D.

Visiting Baltimore for a few days with my husband and read the review about the crab dip and so decided to try it. Awesome!! We also enjoy items from the Monday special list- the $2.50 Natty Boh's and the $2.50 chicken tacos and $5.00 margaritas.
(4)
Vida L.

We made a reso on open table, so no problem getting seated. We came on a Saturday night during Pirate Festival so needless to say it was very loud in the restaurant. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, drinks came relatively quickly. We ordered the calamari and shrimp wonton appetizers. The calamari was over cooked with more breading than squid and the portion was quite small for the price. The wonton shrimp was ok but the presentation was poor. We had ribs which were good, lobster ravioli which were also good and scallops which were tasteless. Also, three scallops for $25 was totally cheezy. Over all I expected better. This place was more like a pub trying to pass as a great restaurant. There are so many great restaurants to go to in Baltimore so I doubt I'd waste my time on this one again.
(2)
Beth F.

Riptide was pretty good. We had crab dip, crab cakes, sea bass and lobster tail. Everything was good. The lobster tail was very good and included a twice baked potato. Both were small portions but the price was reasonable: $24. The crab cakes were good but a little more filling than I would have liked. Our friend's sea bass was very good and the portion was generous. The restaurant was very warm and the wait staff could not agree on who would wait on our table, which was a little confusing and awkward. Generally a young and energetic crowd. Fun atmosphere. We would consider returning.
(3)
Leslie K.

1st time I went here I was really hungry, so the vegetarian gouda burger tasted amazing and I ate every fry. The patty appears to be black bean based and homemade. It was on the dry side, but overall not bad. We had just moved to Baltimore, so my friends had fun busting open tiny crabs. They had the arugula and strawberry salad which was delicious, flavorful, and not overdressed. 2nd time I went here they put bacon in the veggie burger (it's the only vegetarian option). I calmly brought this to the waitress' attention and she was kind enough to remove it from the bill. I appreciated her courtesy. PROS: - Large beer selection, decent slew of microbrews - Fun to open up whole crabs - They have specials during the week, e.g. build your own burger night Cons: - Only one vegetarian option, not a lot of modifiable dishes - Not a very enticing menu Food was 2 stars, but the beer pushed it to 3.
(3)
Christopher H.

Had a few hours before catching my flight, and I wanted to grab some crab while in Baltimore. After poking through the reviews, I found myself here - and I made the right choice. I was there at about 3ish, so the place was empty. Frank was the bartender - very friendly and helpful. He brought out the tray of crabs to show off the sizes and prices. I went with a half dozen of the larger ones and a couple of beers. They also steam corn with the crab if you like, but the corn came out undercooked. (Not worth knocking off a star, as I barely eat sides when I'm pigging out on crab). The crab was doused with Old Bay, which is exactly the way to have it. Served up plain on butcher paper, with a mallet and a plastic knife. Shell parts everywhere by the end of it, and a very happy stuffed human. The place was exactly what I wanted - a dive-ish seafood joint down by the water with great crab.
(5)
Katelyn C.

Well, good food but not very big portions. They kind if treated us like we weren't high class enough, but the food was good. Not enough bread with the crab dip. We went at 8pm & getting a table took awhile, & service was slow. They said they were busy but there were open tables beside us...kind of weird. The margaritas were fairly priced and strong ;),
(2)
C S.

Prices were fair, staff was friendly , and food was excellent. A great Place for lunch
(5)
Ieesha J.

Came on a date and was very pleased with our service. Not so much on portion size but the food was delicious. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Jessica M.

Been a regular here for a while, eat here at least 2 to 3 times a week. Food is always great and the servers friendly and accomodating. Funny thing happened a few weeks ago when I was sitting outside though, and I have a feeling the gentleman who thinks Meredith, the owner, is a terrible manager is who I'm thinking of. In short, he and his friends refused to pay for a bunch of food after eating all of it with no complaint and had the cops called on them for walking out on their check. The hilarious part was when he insisted he was afraid for his safety, like the tiny 90lb server was going to drop kick him or something. Sad. But this place is fabulous. Oh, and another thing... food poisoning doesn't show up for 24 hours after eating whatever gave it to you, and involves *alot* more severe effects than minor stomach cramps. And if you don't like our crabs or seasoning, don't flipping eat it dumb dumb! Not the restaurants fault you're not a Blue Crab fan.
(5)
Amy N.

We popped in on a sunny Sunday, too late for brunch but not for the killer mimosa special. Food was amazing (my husband said the crabcakes were the best ever, and I thought even the avocado bibb salad was delish), and they had Terrapin Pumpkin Fest beer on tap. We sat in the breezeway, and the service and atmosphere were both awesome. Couldn't have picked a better place to spend a lazy weekend afternoon.
(4)
Beverly G.

What an amazing find! My husband and I were walking around Fell's Point in search of a crab restaurant and by shear luck found Riptide! We were welcomed by Erin and were seated promptly, then greeted by our gregarious and knowledgable server, Michael . He was so warm and genuinely interested in making sure we were happy with every aspect of our meal! We decided to start with a luscious warm crab dip ( tons of large crab in the dip), followed by the most delicious crab bisque either of us has ever tasted! Laden with a plentiful amount if crab, creamy and delicious with a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Last but not least Michael suggested the crab cake sandwich with bacon... To die for! Not too much breading as one would find elsewhere, baked and deliciously seasoned. All in all I would absolutely recommend Riptide to everyone! We will return on our next trip to Baltimore !!
(5)
Niel K.

Intimate bar/ restaurant in the Fells Point area of Baltimore. Plenty of seafood and cocktail options. We sat at the bar and had the obligatory crab cakes and scallops. Both excellent.
(4)
Lauren S.

Well, the short of it is, the beer is good. The Organic Pumpkin Ale was really good. My boys October Fest whatever, also good! Now on to the rest of the dinner. We went early (around 7:30) and the place was not busy. That being said, our waiter was not great. Seriously, walked by our table multiple times while our beer glasses sat very empty and sad looking. The food, was on the same page. Pat liked his burger, but my calamari rings were not so great. I'm no big calamari expert, but it was mostly deep fried breading and not much else. I ate about 5-10 before calling it quits. I'd come here to sit at the bar since the beer is good, but I'd skip out on the food.
(3)
Julie S.

After a quick google search saw that this place has crab specials every Tues. night for $2.50 ea. Advertised on their website, local crabs are available April-Nov and the rest of the year they fly in crabs from the southern states. We drove over from the other side of the city, only to be disappointed when our waitress told us it was too early in the season for crabs. Not only were the Local crabs not available as advertised in the website (April-Nov) but they also didn't offer the crabs they supposedly had from southern states during off season. Argh. My husband got the snow crab legs instead ($25...a nice up sell), which he seemed to be satisfied with. Trying to stay on my no carb diet, I ordered a bunless burger.... Not much flavor. What got me was that while we were eating we heard at least 3-4 other tables come in and ask for crabs and the waiter responded that there were none to be had. We probably all saw the same thing online - why change the website I guess...it's obviously working to get people in the door and once they're there, spend a lot more money!
(2)
Alyssa M.

Get your fresh blue crab here! Not only I t was fresh crab meat, the seasonings were done right. It is not busy during the week between 3-5pm. The only tip I can provide to be prepared to get messy.
(4)
Mabel T.

I had some family visiting Maryland for the first time, so I wanted to make sure they had a great experience with some blue crabs. We went on a Sunday night around 7:30 p.m.. Place was busy, but we only waited about 10 minutes. Server was very knowledgeable and friendly. We ordered the crab dip and calamari as appetizers. Dip was creamy and very flavorful, but I thought the portion was a little small for the price. Calamari was seasoned well and I loved the breading. We ordered a dozen and a half of large blue crabs ($60/dozen) for 7 people. And it was more than enough!! Crabs came out hot and steamy with just the right amount of old bay seasoning. Not too much where it's caked on, but definitely very flavorful. They just pile the crab on the table with some wooden spoons and a bucket for the shells, and you just have at it! Definitely a great experience! I highly recommend Riptide.
(4)
Vickie S.

Okay, our waiter was awesome. He even got us plates and silverware for a birthday cake I brought in with me. The live entertainment sang and played with us for "Happy Birthday". That was cool. On a Tuesday, crabs in any side other than small had run out by about 8 in the evening. The birthday girl had called ahead, but still no dice there. I wasn't impressed by the pricing on the crabs, even on a day with specials. The rest of the food was so-so. I ordered the goat cheese pizza (since I am such a sucker for chevre) but it wasn't memorable. I ate less than half, took the rest home and ended up throwing it out because I wasn't enthusiastic. Beer (on tap) was okay, not extensive. It's a great location, and an outlet for seafood if you're jonesing for it, but I can't muster up a wholly positive opinion.
(2)
Brittany R.

Great little place. Was in town for a few days and decided to come here. The service is great. The crab dip is AMAZING. The seafood bique is awesome. THe lobster mac and cheese, the crab cakes were AMAZING as well. Get anything crab here--you can't go wrong.
(5)
Tisha N.

We came here with friends as we were touring Baltimore. We grabbed some appetizers and light lunch. We also enjoyed the brunch special mimosas and blood mary's. Our server was great and attentive. We had a toddler in tow and she was very prompt with everything. I really appreciate that when dining out. Recommend the crab dip and peel & eat shrimp. Also their large brunch drinks until 3pm.
(4)
Lauren S.

Not a great experience. Although there were many open tables, our party of 2 was seated in was literally used to be a coat closet. It was a little cubby next to the bathroom. Odd, but okay. They were out of everything good: blue crabs, calamari, clams, etc. We placed an order for four items. Our server did not write anything down (no one in this town seems to?) and he had to come back later to clarify our order. When it came out, we got something random we had not ordered, so the server took that back. For us to get the actual item that we ordered, though, took the better part of an hour. We asked for extra chips for the crab dip we ordered after we had eaten all of them - not only did we have to ask three times, but we were charged for them when the check finally came. Meh. Wouldn't recommend to anyone and won't be back. Too many fun and accommodating places around here to return to somewhere that clearly doesn't want our business.
(2)
K M.

We were so looking forward to this meal bc the menu looked great. The calamari was soggy, the service was terrible and half of our food was cold. When I asked to speak to the manager and told him that my food was cold, his response was, "have you ever had tuna before?" YUP, I HAVE, I ACTUALLY WORK AT A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IDIOT. Do not go here. Terrible, horrible food and service experience.
(1)
Rebecca S.

EXPENSIVE but delicious crabs. So expensive. So delicious. So crabby. This is what I imagined eating crab in Baltimore would be like, but I am certain there are more affordable places elsewhere. Still, a good experience, and very close to where I live. My only other complaint is that there doesn't seem to be anyone who knows what the sizes of the crabs mean. Our waiter had trouble explaining the difference between a medium and large sized crab (obviously one is bigger), and whether that would be enough for one person. A little more guidance on our crab feast adventure would have been awesome. If you are looking for a meal to fill you up, just expect to drop around $20 here, or buy a cheap meal after your crab dinner.
(3)
Patty L.

We went just for the medium crabs with old bay seasoning. Why fill your stomach with anything else when it seems the reviews are all over the place with inconsistent ratings on both quality of food and service? You would be setting yourself for disappointment and a lighter wallet. Just go there for 2 things and you will not be disappointed: Crabs and the $3.50 bloody mary If you want anything else - go elsewhere. Service was decent. The hostess cancelled my opentable reservation after 5 minutes of being seated which was really freaking weird but whatever.
(4)
Charles B.

Was not impressed at all. The Mrs said it was the worst Caesar salad she ever had and she makes it a point to try them everywhere we go. I had the seafood chowder and will say that was good. Had the crab cake sandwich. Market price was $18 ok...but way to much filler if charging that. Very little lump crab in the sandwich. The mrs had a seared fish sanwich...she had to look for the fish it was so small. Server was good but will not make a second go of it.
(2)
Chantelle L.

Wonderful service! Excellent drink options we came in around 5pm on a Friday, sat anywhere we want and I love this place! We will be back for their White peach Sangria! The food looked amazing, we only ordered a Maryland Crab Dip Appetizer which was too creamy and heavy for my liking, the shallots a bit overbearing but drinks were wonderful and strong! Cute place they have outside and inside seating and four bathrooms! The bar area is where I would sit next time, looked so fun, music was really good and not too loud just great vibes all around.
(5)
Michele J.

On a street packed with places to eat, I wandered in here, and I'm happy I did. I chose the crab bisque...different, but still very good. It was a blush cream soup with plenty of crab and tasty other bits as well. I had a salad with the crab cake added to it. The salad was small for a 5.00 salad, but it was tasty. The crab cake was listed MP...it was a 4 oz cake priced at 10.00...not sure if that's average price or not. It was flavorful and also had lots of crab. Finally, I had an ear of corn. The menu stated that it was served with salted butter. I didn't recieve the salted butter (unless it was on the corn already, but I don't think so). At any rate, the full ear of corn I recieved was delicious and sweet. Service was speedy and friendly.
(4)
Jamie B.

While in Baltimore, my wife wanted to eat crabs and go to Fells Point. Well we found the perfect place. We had a great meal that started with drinks and tasty apps. Then came the crabs! We got the large ones and had more than we could handle. We will be back the next time we are in town.
(4)
Bern M.

Tables are sticky, I repeat, the tables are sticky!!! Other than situation, my mom and I loved the food!!! We were in for a treat! We ordered the Maryland crab cake entree, Cobb salad, and seafood chowder bowl. We went halfsies and loved every bit of it! The pluses: Food is legit. Seafood is fresh. Quick timing No waiting in line or reservations necessary. Come hither!
(4)
Cat V.

Riptide was my second choice on Thames by the harbor, but such a good alternative. The bartender greeted me right as I sat at the bar not making me feel weird that I was by myself which was nice. I got the crab burger and I'll just say, sloppy. It really didn't have much taste which means it was simply crabmeat mashed with mayo or something non-descript without much spicing. The fries were alright butost were well done, and a bit burnt. What I did think was great was the seafood chowder soup. It was warm and had some heat, chock full of seafood - clams, lobster, muscles, etc. The look of the place was boring, traditional bar by a body of water motif. The clientele was a mix of tourists and townees, but generally 40+. If you need some food at a reasonable price, Riptide is ok. Location, right by the harbor - about 1-2 miles from the inner harbor. Would give it another try if and when I'm in the area again.
(3)
Teri H.

So from the start....its just disappointing. With Thames Street Oyster House right next to it...why even go? We tried a shrimp appetizer that was okay...and then we had some sandwiches that were just blah. We had a nice view from the top of the restaurant but the waitress was really slow to fill our water glasses. Needless to say probably won't be coming back here.
(3)
Pearl K.

I grabbed some outdoor seats at Riptide on Memorial Day with my puppy and a friend. We got moved around a little as a bigger party rolled through and requested outdoor seats as well, but our server was really kind while we relocated and even got my dog a big bucket of water. I got the seafood linguini with scallops, my friend got the mahi mahi tacos, and we split an appetizer of wings. The wings were really good. The mahi mahi tacos were a bit bland unless you slather it with the guacamole it comes with. And the linguini had this strange taste to it, most likely from the odd assortment of vegetables thrown into the mix. I'm of the belief that seafood linguini should be simple and highlight the seafood in the dish, so I think the vegetables actually took away from the dish. There are three scallops in the dish, but they're large, well-cooked, and a surprisingly good portion size. Overall, an average meal. Service was spotty. Some times our server was completely on point and flitting between the tables, other times he would disappear for a long time. For a busy Memorial Day lunchtime, though, I think he did okay.
(3)
Greg S.

Let me clear: even if the food here were abysmal, I'd probably go back just for their Bloody Marys. They're large, potent, spicy, served just above freezing, and, best of all, $3.50 on the weekends. The servers are friendly and efficient and keep the alcohol flowing effortlessly. Combine that with a fantastic view of the water from their outdoor tables and Riptide is hard to beat for effective relaxation on an 85+ degree morning. Luckily, the food is also great. I was in a brunch mood and went for the crab Benedict. Piles of fresh crabmeat, perfectly poached eggs, and spicy Hollandaise all on buttery biscuits. My one complaint is that the side of potatoes was greasy to the point of being almost inedible, but it's a minor one. It can be hard to decide among the huge number of similar bar/restaurants lining Thames St., but Riptide is well worth a visit.
(4)
Bernie C.

One of my favourite places to happily pound my troubles away whilst feasting on delicious seafood. I could eat crabs and butter and oysters forever for the rest of my life. So this place wins for those. Steamed or fresh seafood is pretty much always a hit here. So, why so cruel Bernie? Why so cruel to three star the restaurant that serves you seafood? Well, I've been here many times, and we've never really had any dishes that were truly downright disappointing. Still, not all of them have been spectacular, and though most hit at least moderately good, the menu can be hit or miss, not just by item, but also by day.
(3)
Kati H.

Got the local oysters and a local beer and it was on point! My husband's tacos were a bit bland. Tiny, crowded atmosphere that I personally enjoyed.
(4)
Ashuantay H.

Riptide by the Bay was decent. I met up with my cousins who saw this place on a list of crab places to try. They only had small male blue crabs. The bacon wrapped shrimp were good. We also had chicken wings and fries which were both ok.
(3)
Jeff J.

We stopped in to give it a try. The food was good (not great) and filled us up. The place itself is old (remodeled) and that's cool. They were playing good music to help pass the time. The only down thing was the soda machine was producing sodas that weren't carbonated. When asked if it was fixed or going to be fixed we were told that's just how it was. That was a bummer! Anyway, overall the food was good, the ambience was good and the restaurant itself was good. This is one of those places good to go to every now and then.
(4)
J Z.

Speechless about their services and food. The crab is all dead. They are not fresh at all.
(1)
Hope H.

This was a great place, the crab dip and crab Mac and cheese were both amazing! Tony, the bartender, was very personable and fun to talk to!
(5)
Lauron T.

Came on cinco de mayo. Service was good, drinks were cool. Tacos (chicken and mahi mahi) were a waste of time and money. We were disappointed as soon as they came. Ate them only bc we were hangry (hungry and angry). We were completely disappointed, but since it was so late on cinco de mayo and all the restaurants were packed, we had no other options. Probably won't be back
(3)
Lisa D.

GLAD WE STOPPED HERE! NICE Snack of calamari and fried oysters. Peach Sangria was a great summer pick!
(4)
Laura L.

"We don't have any oysters today. Or crab." NOOOOOOOOOO .... It's okay. What we got made up for it. Kinda. We arrived on new years day for an early brunch and it was pretty empty in the dining area upstairs. The bar area downstairs still had drunk patrons from the night before, so it wasn't very pleasant walking in to screaming drunks and tiptoeing around their spilled drinks. Anyway. Food came out in a timely fashion which was great because I was starving!! We tried the crab bisque which was tasty with a nice old bay-ish kick to it though I wish there was a bit more crab. Also had the seafood chowder which featured a LOT of seafood - it was creamy, hearty, and not too salty which some chowders tend to be. Perfect! The crab dip was just okay to me, but I'm not much of a dip person. All 3 of our items were hearty portions which was great but also bad because I fell into a deep food coma. Great way to start off the new year!
(4)
Ace W.

Crabs were really good, but crab cakes were just ok. But staff was very fast and attentive !!
(3)
Gina M.

So we ended up here after leaving Thames Oyster house and we were so upset we didn't just come here first! The atmosphere was so laid back and the staff was awesome! We started off by ordering the crab dip... Which was terrible! There was not one hint of actual crab in the dip. Instead it was pure cream cheese and obay seasoning. I have never had a crab dip this bad. However - they redeemed themselves with the scallops over lobster risotto that my wife ordered - it was soooo good. I ordered a burger with bacon & smoked gouda cheese which was pretty damn good. I'd say between the staff and actual entree, I'll be coming back if in Baltimore. However, I will stay far away from that crab dip!
(3)
Irene A.

The good: the apple dumpling was ok (really trying to be a little positive about this place) The Bad: -Seafood chowder -crab mac and cheese- luke warm and needed more cheese -TERRIBLE SERVICE, TERRIBLE (can't say that enough). It wasn't busy and we had to go up to our waitress multiple times, for the desert menu and to give her our credit cards and we weren't even in a rush.. she just took A LONG LONG time to do everything and anything and had a terrible attitude. She never checked up on us. Never asked us how things were. Cleaned up peoples dishes around us who had gotten their food after us but never cleaned up our plates till we asked 1 hour later. The only server that ever talked to us was the server who asked about our desert and he wasn't even our waiter. Wish I got his name. I wouldn't go back here.
(3)
Lynne S.

Stumbled upon this place as our 2nd choice. Typical Baltimore row house converted to a restaurant. The hostess was very pleasant and seated us after a short wait. My boyfriend and I ordered bacon wrapped wonton shrimp as an appetizer. It was average. I wanted to order the Alaskan crab legs, but was told they were all out of crabs. It's SATURDAY afternoon!!! Ok, so we both ordered crabcakes. Soon after our appetizer came, I saw an order of Alaskan crab legs go by!!! Maybe they ran out just BEFORE we were seated. Smh The crabcakes were just ok too. They were messier (kind of wet) than we thought. Pretty good chance we won't ever go back.
(2)
Timmy T.

We were THIS (very very close) to leaving, at least I was, when they said they ran out of oysters on New Years day. We probably shouldn't have been surprised though as they were probably sold out the night before around 10PM Downstairs is mainly for the people who want to gets Apps only and or drink at the bar. There was quite a rowdy crowd down there even though it was only 11:30 in the morning..We sat upstairs, nice and quiet and bright because the sun shined right through the windows they had. Me and my gf got the crab dip to share to start and I absolutely loved it; it was thick/creamy and full of flavor! For my main course I got the seafood chowder which I was excited about because it was chilly out and I wanted something to warm me up. The portion was a pretty good size (I got a bowl) and it came out piping hot. It had potato, bacon, shrimp, clams and mussels from what I can remember. Everything was cooked well and it was very delicious. Also noticed Bae stole a few spoons more than usual from my dish too! hehe. Our other friends got some soups and crab cakes and they seemed to enjoy their food as well. Our other dining companion got a crab mac/cheese and the serving was huge! Service was good for me, although I think the waiter forgot an order for our friends though.. Prices are pretty average for a place right on the harbor. I really wished there were oysters though but that seafood chowder and crab dip definitely made up for it! S/N: I am not from around here so I have no idea where the best parking is but even we initially had trouble finding parking on New Years day when most people were still sleeping!
(4)
Jazmine L.

Went here for a late birthday dinner with some friends. We were able to get a reservation and they were even really accommodating with the toddler that tagged along. But seriously I can not say enough about the food. We ordered from all over the menu and every single one of us was happy and completely stuffed at a decent price. And the service was amazing. The guy checked on is continually and was really knowledgeable about the food and drinks. Definitely going again. My boyfriend is still salivating over the crab cake burger he had.
(5)
Robert B.

If you get nothing else, get the Seafood Chowder. Its top of the line. As for crabs, that's the reason to go. Long story short, excellent choice for crabs and seafood in Baltimore. Restaurant is around a portion of the Harbor. However, what most folks are on the hunt for is the famous Maryland Crabs. Riptide will not disappoint. SERVICE Our server was excellent. Attentive and knowledgeable and full of fun. FOOD We ordered four crabs. Excellent, once you get used to the idea that most of the food is in the crab and not the legs. Cracking them with a wood mallet is fun all by itself. We also ordered some clams and oysters. All excellent. But the best is the Seafood Chowder. Honestly, as good as I've ever had. The Crab bisque was similarly good. Both are worth the trip. AMBIANCE It's a bar on the first floor. But we sat outside on the sidewalk and that was a great experience. The bar was a bit loud at 5, but that was to be expected. Sitting outside would be my recommendation if the weather will accommodate it. Parking is hard to find, but is available. I can imagine though, later at night, it would be hard to find near the restaurant. VALUE The crabs are $7 a piece and you'll need 3-4 to get full. So you can easily spend a good bit of money here. But the taste is well worth it. Overall, if you are looking for Maryland crabs in Baltimore, you cannot go wrong yere.
(5)
Jordan G.

I took my family here who was visiting from Pittsburgh and it was really good. The waiter gave great suggestions and we all liked our dishes. The crab was good and fun as well. They also have the option to make reservations online which is nice. Definitely suggest this place!
(4)
Kay H.

Pretty killer cakes . Cakes were full on crab. Sweaty server. Thanks Baltimore for introducing me to grapefruit crushes .
(3)
Ryan S.

Love this place, I have tried just about everything on the menu and have yet to try something I didn't like. I'm especially fond of their multiple seating options.... Inside, outside, or the breezeway!!! Good seafood, good scenery!!!
(4)
Leslie S.

I was in Baltimore for a work conference back in April with some colleagues, so that meant lunch outings every day! Luckily for us, one of my colleagues had lived in Baltimore doing research at Johns Hopkins years ago, so he knew the good neighborhoods to try. We were walking around in Fells Point, and decided on Riptide by the Bay, as we were after fresh seafood, particularly fresh and raw oysters! Well, for me and one of my co-workers, anyhow. They were very accommodating when our party of five came in, and ushered us to a table in the back of the small restaurant -- it was rainy, so we opted to sit inside, at a corner table in the back by the bar area. It's a narrow space, with a few tables in the back (we were seated on the ground floor). Naturally, we all had to start with some cocktails. I'm not a big beer drinker, so I opted for their watermelon jalapeno margarita. First of all - the size of this thing was ridiculous. It was a pretty pink color, with slices of jalapeno floating in it, seeds and all. Now, I'm not a spice wimp by any stretch, but I actually had to drink this from a straw because my lips were ON FIRE when they touched the glass. Two of my fellow diners tried it and were both surprised at how spicy it was. It's tasty, but not for the weak of heart! Thank goodness I had some mint-flavored lip gloss - my boss even commented on my applying it, saying it must have been hot. Now, the food: Raw Oysters - Delicious. Served with fresh lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. They were nice and small, my preferred size when it comes to raw oysters, the small ones are nice and sweet. Crap Dip - Ooey gooey and delicious. It was served with pita chips, and I'm pretty sure I could have eaten the whole crock of it by myself. As I was with work people, I obviously refrained, but it would been easy to down that caloric monstrosity in a matter of minutes. Miso Ginger-glazed Calamari - I only had a bite or two of this, but it was tasty. Not ohmygodican'tstopeating good, but tasty. I would have preferred a strong hit of ginger and miso. Grilled mahi-mahi tacos - Get these. Beautifully grilled fish with corn tortillas, cilantro, fresh, chunky guacamole and a salsa fresca (reminded me of pico de gallo -my favorite)! Other dishes that my colleagues had were the battered fish tacos, the crab cake sandwich, fish and chips, etc. It all looked and smelled awesome. I can't wait to go back and sample the blue crab the next time I'm in the area! Our server was great. Fun, with a great sense of humor and didn't rush us at all. If you are in Fells Point, make sure to check this place out! Just try the regular margarita instead. :-)
(4)
Kirk S.

If Riptide by the Bay was a person, it would be a 40-something man drunk on Bud Light with a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt on. Someone who is completely content with who he is, but he's not going to win any "high-end" fans anytime soon. Riptide is good. It's a by-the-books decent fish place. Their Mahi Mahi Tacos were pretty good. Ditto for their fish and chips and their mimosas. I suggest going here if (1) you want to have some damn good fish-qua-fish or (2) you want something approximating Maryland comfort food. This is not the place to go for something you don't expect - it's the kind of place you go when you want exactly what you're expecting.
(3)
Jorge M.

I don't usually do any kind of review. But this definitely made me angry and very disappointed. I went for Valentines with my girlfriend and it was a terrible experience. I really don't want to write the whole story so I'm just gonna point out the facts: 1) They gave us the worst terrible table even though we have a reservation 2) They did'n have any seafood available (the steamer was "broken") 3) They offered us a good compensation for the inconvenience. At the end they only gave us a free beer (yeah, just one in valentines day) 4) The wings sucked 5) Terrible service
(1)
Ryan B.

Riptide by the Bay has great seafood. I've had oysters and crab here several times. Their fish is always fresh and well-prepared. I was also impressed by their serving sizes. I don't have a problem paying a premium for high quality ingredients, but it's awesome when a restaurant also give you a decently sized meal so you actually leave feeling full. In particular, I'd recommend their crab cake sandwich and their fried oysters, especially for folks visiting Baltimore or Maryland and looking for a solid experience with local seafood. Riptide by the Bay has a nice outdoor seating area which is great in pleasant weather because it's right across the street from the water and you're on a stretch of Fells Point with tons of pedestrians, so it's ideal for people-watching. It's relaxing to sit out in the shade under one of their umbrellas while you eat. The only downside at least my experience has been a bit slower service if you sit outside.
(4)
Amy L.

Came to Riptide after scouting around a couple busy Fells Point blocks. My bf and I came to dinner on a Saturday night and were seated right away. That was a plus. What's not a plus? Being seated on a strange sticky table. Okay, strange sticky table aside, now let's get to the food! I had a Maryland Angus burger, which was basically a beef burger with a crab cake layered in. I know, my mind was kind of blown! The crab cake on its own had some good flavor, some nice chunks crabmeat, and pretty moist. However, minus the crab cake, the burger as a whole was average. The fries were, well, fries. Again, nothing special. My bf had a rockfish special with roasted veggies and asparagus. The fish was nicely cooked and tender, but under seasoned. It was placed on top of the veggies, which had good flavor but could have been saucier to complement the relatively dry piece of fish. And for a $25 dish, the portion was pretty small. In fact, my bf ended up splitting my burger because he was still hungry.
(3)
David H.

We were walking the cobblestones and came upon this restaurant. Small place with a nice bar and friendly staff. The bartender was our waitress and she was great. Very attentive and great personality. The crab cakes were very good and the beer was cold and local. Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the inner harbor.
(3)
Paris W.

Riptide by the Bay was a great place for a date. The staff were very respectful, engaging, and considerate. When we went to the restaurant, we wanted blue crabs, however, they ran around 7 pm. So we order snow crab legs instead and they were amazing. The portions for their food was very fulling and it was worth every dollar. I'll definitely go again.
(5)
Carrie D.

I see that this place receives high ratings on Yelp, so I think we may have gone on an off day. I give this place credit for creativity with ingredients, but the execution of most of the dishes was not good during our visit. We started with the baked local oysters. The citrus-passion fruit emulsion was extremely citrusy - it overpowered the oysters. The sauce wasn't too bad once we removed 2/3rds of it from each oyster. Next, we shared the mahi-mahi tacos. I loved that you can order them fried or grilled. We opted for grilled. The authentic tortillas were appreciated, but the filler fell flat. There was a sliver of avocado and a small piece of fish on each - the tacos were mostly filled with shredded lettuce. Luckily, the accompanying salsa verde saved the tacos - the salsa tasted fresh and had a nice kick. We also shared the rib eye special, which came with a brussel sprout salad (advertised as having garlic, anchovy and parmesan - which sounds interesting, right?). The steak was the best item we ordered. It was cooked perfectly and was super tender. The brussel sprout salad, to my disappointment, was meh. Either the flavors weren't evenly distributed or the combination just didn't work. I'm not exactly sure which, since there was no consistency in each bite. Overall, I don't think this place is bad to grab a drink and slurp down some raw oysters. The food, however, won't have us coming back any time soon for a full meal.
(2)
Kina A.

For our first night in Baltimore we went here thanks to all the great recommendations on yelp. It was the exact atmosphere we were looking for, lots of young people, chill, relaxed, friendly. The waitress was great, very helpful and easy to get a hold of. We ordered: Maryland Crab Dip- Thick, creamy, large chunks of crab. They made two by accident so they gave us two (which was just a little too much considering the amount of creme they must have used) Grilled Calamari- Green olive tapenade, baby arugula, cured lemon 9 You have to get this. No questions. It was the softest calamari I have ever eaten flavored in the most simple yet delicious way. Korean BBQ Pork Tacos Plum/pepper glaze, spicy cabbage, sesame rice, scallions 9 Very tasty Tacos con Pollo y Ajo Chicken confit, garlic mojo, salsa verde, queso blanco 8 mediocre MARYLAND CRAB CAKES Avocado mousse, fennel salsa verde, tomatillo sauce 24 I'm not too familiar with crab cakes but in my opinion they were a bit too mushy and I could have never eaten the whole plate by myself because of how thick it was. Snow Crabs- The reason I gave a 4 out of 5 is because THEY DID NOT HAVE BLUE CRAB THAT NIGHT. Such a bummer. We had these instead which were tasty but disappointing due to the circumstance. Shrimp - perfectly cooked. Otherwise pretty bland though.
(4)
Judy C.

I've been here for just drinks and for just food, and I can see this place being loved by locals. It's laidback and charming. The barstaff can make some interesting drinks as I remembered he made 4 drinks for us 4 in rainbow colors. Recently, we went there for steamed crabs, some ceviche-like dish, and steamed corn, and all the food was decent. Not much to complain in that dept.
(4)
Chris S.

Oyster shooters all around! As a self-proclaimed oyster-holic, I entered virgin territory with an oyster shooter to start off my meal. And it was everything I wanted it to be and more, I could have woofed down quite a few more, but I refrained. If you're feeling crabby (pardon my pun) Riptide is your place, especially on Tuesdays where you enter $2 crab world. Oh yeah, that's right $2 whole steamed crabs. Sign me up! But if you are not lucky enough to land on a Tuesday, their other daily specials are pretty great too. My last trip there was on Friday and they had $5 mac and cheese, discounts on select beers and other various deals. But as you can probably guess, I went expecting to get some crabs (yeahhh, it's Monday morning, excuse m over-caffeinated attempt at humor). I went with two other friends, and as much as I wanted to get one of the crazy pricey steamed platters (options starting at about $100 going up to $200) I decided my bank account would get a bit passive aggressive with me if tried it... so I went with the crab cake sandwich and it was great! Good amounts of crab, with a solid tartar sauce for it. And if you think one crab was enough, think again. So before diving into the sandwich, my group shared the crab dip, which was damn incredible, and I had a cream of crab soup. Now we are talking some serious crabs. Washing each course down with an ice-cold Longhammer, I was in pure heaven the whole trip. But, right when I thought it was over, and I would have to be rolled out the door... I was told about the dessert special. And noting all of the food I stuffed myself with previously, you can definitely guess that it would take some pretty incredible dessert to lure me in. And they did it. Pancake battered, deep fried chocolate mousse. And as a fried-food-fanatic, I obviously had to take the leap, and not look back.... and HOLY CRAP, this was the best dessert I have had in a long time. Delicious sweet, crispy batter, with a creamy, warm filling. wow. My advice to you, go all in. Get your crabs, grab your drink and finish it all off (even if you are having reservations and think you can't) with an incredible dessert. Just do it.
(5)
Marcel W.

Stopped by here last Saturday night. Was able to get an outside table on the sidewalk, which is a nice touch and brings "atmosphere" to the place. The waitress was outstanding and patient. She gave a pretty good explanation of how to clean and eat a crab, which is pretty good for the uninitiated. We had their crab dip and crab sliders for appetizers. Both were very nice. We then shared an order of medium sized crabs. The crabs were cooked very well, but I felt they could have been seasoned a little better. Nice place and I would stop there again.
(3)
James N.

Bad crabs. So disappointed. Go elsewhere if you want fresh steamed crabs (this was during the summer).
(2)
S B.

Decent food. Visited today 4/1/13 around 2pm. Had a $5 Margarita served in a beer glass (good buzz) and 2 luke warm chicken tacos $2.50each. Over heard the staff say the oysters weren't fresh. Probably because they didn't get any new ones in yet. At least he was honest and friendly. I'll be back after I explore the other places that offer outside seating. No wifi
(3)
George H.

Worst service ever encountered. My wife and I were out celebrating my birthday on Saturday night when we noticed an available outdoor table in front of Riptide. With my beautiful wife holding down the table, I ventured in to get us a couple of drinks. I was happy to see an available spot at the bar just inside the door so I could place an order. I was a bit worried about leaving my wife outside by herself, but at that spot at the bar I was able to see through the window to make sure she wasn't being accosted by any of Fell's Point's finer citizens. The bar itself was fairly crowded with a decent musician providing some enjoyable music. I was patiently waiting for the only bartender behind the bar and enjoying the tunes when the bartender finally made her way over to me. I asked her what she had on tap and she said in a nasty tone - verbatim: "Not to be rude, but you've been standing here for awhile, don't you think you could have gone (she points to the far side of the bar, through a throng of drunk looking patrons) over there and checked the beer taps to see what we have?" Wow. I guess she wasn't going to tell me. I was so stunned by how rude she was, I just turned and walked out and we went to another place. We'll never go there again.
(1)
Firstname L.

We (wife, kid) stopped here randomly, which is not like me at all since I usually like to research places on Yelp or other websites before picking lunch or dinner. However, it turned out to be very good, and no regrets. I had shark tacos because... well, it's SHARK and when do you get to eat that? They were excellent. My wife got chicken tacos because her stomach was a little upset and they were also excellent and spiced perfectly. The kid got chickenfingers which were not typical boring foodservice chicken fingers. We were seated in that little breezeway on the side of the restaurant, which was nice. It was hot out so this was fine. I assume in the colder months it's too chilly and they close this part down (or maybe put heaters in it?) The only complaint was that the breezeway is a smoking area so people stopped by and lit up while we were eating, which we didn't know was going to happen. I almost gave it 4 stars because of this, but if you kno about it and can avoid it, sit inside and you won't have this problem. Waitresses were very nice.
(5)
Ww H.

Great environment to just have crabs, enjoy beer and listen to people cheer on the orioles in the front bar. Crabs were baked to perfection. Beer battered fish tacos were amazing. If I were to go back, I'd just order two of those plates and 1 crab on the side. Draft beers could use some more variety. Service was great.
(4)
Jo Y.

Very cute spot! I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. The crabs were great also. I was most impressed with the service! Our server pat was on point. I cant wait to go back!
(4)
Clara Y.

People always told me to try the crabs when I go to Baltimore. I searched high and low and could not find any place that served hot, hard shelled crabs. I was about to give up until a local finally led me to Riptide. First of all, the staff is gorgeous AND friendly. Secondly, I almost died when they pulled out the brown paper & brought me a mallet! Finally, some crabs!! I was a happy camper. Great eye candy, great food, great CRABS! :D
(5)
Lisa G.

I was referred here by my hotel. My 12 year old daughter ordered the lemon chicken and didn't care for it. She said the wine taste was too strong. I told our waitress who took it back. When the bill came, the lemon chicken was on it and not for the $16 it was listed for on the menu, but for $18. I told the server who said the manager said she couldn't take the charge off. I asked for the manager (female, young, medium dark brown hair). She said since nothing was "wrong" with it, they have a policy that they won't take it off the bill. She nicely told me though that she would charge me the price that was on the MENU and take off the overcharge! She also said she'd give me 10% off our $50 meal but that was it. I honestly have never had this problem before and was shocked. I paid for the $16 chicken and went back and told my hotel. They were appalled and apologetic and will not be sending hotel guests there any longer. So know that their policy is if you don't like something and send it back, they will still charge you (and possibly overcharge you on top of it) so make sure to check your bill. There are many better restaurants in the area than to waste your time and money here.
(1)
Max F.

Came here for lunch on a drizzly Friday. Cool spot with a nice little patio area right across the street from the police station from the show Homicide. A lot of the crab houses in Baltimore don't start serving until 4, but this place had a selection running from small to large and was open and serving at 11:30. Ordered a couple brews, fries, some corn on the cob and a dozen mediums. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. This was my first time doing crab in Baltimore, I thought it was great, but my local friend said they were not the best crabs she had ever had but were above average. Sides were good, had to ask for butter but it was brought promptly, and there was a copious amount of old bay seasoning covering all the crustaceans. Highs: crabs, sides, service Lows: it started raining halfway through lunch...why can't they control the weather! Overall: Good food, great service, cool spot near some historic bars... what's not to like?
(4)
Mindy M.

I would love to add a category here in Yelp that includes whether or not places are dog friendly- if there was one. I would give this place 5 stars! They are super dog friendly and as a bonus, they have a breezway where you can duck in with your pet should the weather take a turn for the worse. The food is ok- it's like a hawaiian fusion place but I thinkt he food is just ok- not bad, but not as good as the menu makes it sound. Oh- and DON'T get the steamed crabs here- we've tried them several times and they are either undercooked or we get a bad crab or two (which means to me that they are steaming dead crabs- a MAJOR no-no). I like this place more for the pub grub options and listening to the live music with my puppy.
(3)
Erin H.

3.5. So close to a 4, but no cigar. Coming from California, we were meandering around the heart of Baltimore and what do you get when you're in Maryland? Blue crabs, of course! The whole dining concept is like Boiling Crab with the paper covered tables, except your crabs are dumped right in the middle of the table for your party to go hog wild. I felt embarrassed when I had no idea how to properly crack open a blue crab with the wooden mallet and knife. The server was kind enough to not make fun of a noob from the west coast like me and gave me a demonstration. Back home, I'm used to using metal nutcrackers for my dungeness crabs. Very flavorful with the dry rub smothered all over each crab. A bit too salty for me, which got me severely parched after a few crabs. Great little joint. Very comfy, clean, and a fun experience.
(3)
Blythe K.

This place was exactly what we wanted at the time: crab. We sat outside and watched the tourist traffic go by as we tore into some "large" blue crab. The server was very attentive, and the food came out in decent time, although not super speedily. The crab tasted great and was a fairly reasonable price, especially considering we got to sit right on the harbor. As is Maryland style, it was caked with seasoning. I wish they had given us real knives instead of cheap plastic ones, though. While we were eating, it was fun to listen to the passers-by mumble to each other "Oh, we should get some blue crab." One (I assume homeless) lady asked the table next to ours if she could have one of their crab, and after they gave it to her she tried to sit at our table and eat it with us. I told her we were on a date and asked her to leave, and she did so very politely. It was bizarre, but not really unpleasant; just another day in Baltimore.
(4)
Jinny P.

Wanted to really like the place. I really did. the owner/manager/bartender was so nice and went above and beyond to answer our questions and requests. however....when we ordered with our waiter, we ordered half a dozen oysters (2 of each of the 3 varieties they had), 6 crabs, and an order of crabcakes. we got the crabs first and then crabcakes, about 20 minutes later 18 oysters came to our table. ??? we told the server that we had only wanted 6. I had specifically said "2 of each" so a half dozen total. somewhere, somehow, the waiter heard in his head half dozen of each. the server went to go speak to the manager and waiter but we didn't want the poor shucked oysters to go to waste so we told them that we'd eat them anyway. What made me very upset was that they just let us pay for all of them....even though it was THEIR MISTAKE. They didn't take one thing off our bill, we ordered two iced teas which could have easily have been discounted for our trouble. yes we ate all of the oysters, but guess what the alternative have been. those oysters would have been garbage and not have gotten any profit out of it. so we basically did you a favor by accepting your mistake. and we didn't get squat but a fattened check for lunch. also, no apologies or thank you. nada. and from a dining point of view, why would you serve appetizers 20 minutes after the main??? Now I had to choose to between my oysters getting warm or my crabcake getting cold. the "small" crabs were miniscule and overpriced for not getting any fixins with it (no potatoes or corn). skip this place and just buy the crab, old bay, and boil yourself. save yourself the headache and the $$$$$.
(1)
Chaka H.

I've been here many, many times... and I'm just now getting to a point where I can truly write a sound review... and feel good about it. I love Riptide. I feel like the vibe is very Baltimore, the staff is happy and helpful and the food is great! My favorite thing is taco tuesdays... great tacos, I mean excellent tacos for great prices... pair that up with a margarita and you're good to go! If you're looking for more of a meal, the Maryland crab cakes are also well done... I like them! I don't really care for their crab cake sliders though, I felt like they didn't carry the same punch! One fond memory I have is when my sister felt like the mimosa was lacking... specifically in the area of alcohol. Our waitress took our mimosas and returned with new and improved glasses of wonderfulness! We gave her a huge tip, we appreciated it. This is a great place to go weekly, or take outta-towners and just enjoy Bmore. :)
(5)
HJ B.

Great place for crab and local seafood dishes & outstanding service. I had the crab bisque soup, steamed shrimp, and fresh blue crab (3) ...all of which were awesome! If you need instructions on how to eat and crack the fresh crab it's given. Lots of awards for best crab dishes (crab dip, crab macn'cheese), crab flatbread, etc) in Baltimore, which seem highly deserved. Would love to return & try them all. As a single female business traveler, I was especially impressed with the attentiveness and friendly, prompt, first name service given by my awesome server, Danny. Most servers cater to couples or groups. It was a packed Sat night & yet he showed the same level of personal attention & enthusiasm to everyone he served. My seafood was fresh and delicious, service was exceptional, the vibe was casual & unpretentious, and live music capped the evening. What could be better? Highly recommend!
(5)
David S.

The mussels are amazing. The sauce is made with chorizo which is my favorite type of sausage! More importantly, the wait staff was amazing. We went in the middle of a big game and everyone was glued to the TV. I thought we were going to get horrible service but it was the total opposite. Not only did our waitress pay very close attention, she show my GF 3 TIMES how to properly open up the crabs. The next time I am in Baltimore, I will be coming back here.
(5)
Mark M.

This place opened up shortly before I moved out of the area. I went once or twice, and enjoyed myself...but never felt really compelled to go back. There was nothing wrong with it. If anything, it felt like a slight step up from your usual Fells type of establishments. But it just didn't wow me either. And there's a lot of good food in Baltimore. And a lot of good bars too. If I was ever in Fells for a weekend, I might stop in here. But if I was only in town for a night, there's other places I'd rather go.
(3)
Thomas D.

I must admit that Riptide by the Bay was a second-choice outfit, but I'm glad it worked out that way. Our first choice was so overflowing with people that the lady on the phone practically chortled when I asked about reservations! We did a Yelp search and saw positive reviews for Riptide, so the decision was made. First, a note regarding stafff: The waitress was friendly, knowledgable, and sweet. We loved her, although we can't remember her name. On the short side with very dark, almost black hair. I had a Golden Margarita, which was made well: not too strong or weak, but not too sweet either. We ordered the Chipotle nachos to start. Bueno! Good flavor, not overloaded with crap. The main course was, naturally: blue crabs! We ordered a dozen of the sm/med (I think the girl referred to them as "40s"). When we asked for a brief tutorial upon serving, she did an excellent job of showing us what to do. I had eaten blue crab many times before having been a Maryland resident for 7 years, but the refresher course was great for both me and my wife :-) The Old Bay was caked on nice and heavy, and the crabs were all in good condition with very few missing appendages. The kiddies had the obligatory chicken fingers and fries, which were servicable. We had a very positive experience here, and would surely return to try the rest of the menu. Next time we are in Baltimore, we will be hitting up Riptide's for an evening for sure.
(4)
Wei L.

The restaurant is located in a neighborhood full of restaurant. I brought my daughter there and it was her first time "Blue crab outing". The main dining room is some ole house setting. We chose to sit in a long narrow dinning room which is an alley converted to dinning room. The decor was fun. We asked for crab and were told only extra large crabs were available. 70$ for 12. We went for it. I wish the waitress would suggest half dozen, given we were two women. Since a dozen crabs were lot for us, we didn't order other meals. The crabs were good, filled with meat. The taste is a common Old Bay taste. I can't comment on the other food. The crabs were worth 4 stars but the service made me to give only 3 stars. Tips: ask half dozen if you can finish a dozen crabs.
(3)
Melissa H.

Flew in from California and my dad took us here as a surprise - because I love Blue Crab! I was NOT disappointed! The crab bisque soup was absolutely THE best and the crabs were smokin hot and heavy w great crab! Delicious! Very worth coming here. Thanks Dad!
(5)
Nicole R.

My friends and I love this place! The staff is so friendly, Pat the bartender is on point like fells! Erin is my favorite server/bartender, Adam Bennett performs as the acoustic singer a few nights a week - he can basically sing any song you request. They draw a friendly crowd which is a good reflection of this neighborhood. The location on Thames St. puts it next door to dozens of other great restaurants and bars so if you're in the mood to hop around - this place is perfect. They also have a great $2 crab special so you can fill yourself up picking crabs with friends and you won't go broke. One of my favorites, highly suggested.
(5)
Tisha N.

We came here with friends as we were touring Baltimore. We grabbed some appetizers and light lunch. We also enjoyed the brunch special mimosas and blood mary's. Our server was great and attentive. We had a toddler in tow and she was very prompt with everything. I really appreciate that when dining out. Recommend the crab dip and peel & eat shrimp. Also their large brunch drinks until 3pm.
(4)
Lauren S.

Not a great experience. Although there were many open tables, our party of 2 was seated in was literally used to be a coat closet. It was a little cubby next to the bathroom. Odd, but okay. They were out of everything good: blue crabs, calamari, clams, etc. We placed an order for four items. Our server did not write anything down (no one in this town seems to?) and he had to come back later to clarify our order. When it came out, we got something random we had not ordered, so the server took that back. For us to get the actual item that we ordered, though, took the better part of an hour. We asked for extra chips for the crab dip we ordered after we had eaten all of them - not only did we have to ask three times, but we were charged for them when the check finally came. Meh. Wouldn't recommend to anyone and won't be back. Too many fun and accommodating places around here to return to somewhere that clearly doesn't want our business.
(2)
K M.

We were so looking forward to this meal bc the menu looked great. The calamari was soggy, the service was terrible and half of our food was cold. When I asked to speak to the manager and told him that my food was cold, his response was, "have you ever had tuna before?" YUP, I HAVE, I ACTUALLY WORK AT A SEAFOOD RESTAURANT IDIOT. Do not go here. Terrible, horrible food and service experience.
(1)
Rebecca S.

EXPENSIVE but delicious crabs. So expensive. So delicious. So crabby. This is what I imagined eating crab in Baltimore would be like, but I am certain there are more affordable places elsewhere. Still, a good experience, and very close to where I live. My only other complaint is that there doesn't seem to be anyone who knows what the sizes of the crabs mean. Our waiter had trouble explaining the difference between a medium and large sized crab (obviously one is bigger), and whether that would be enough for one person. A little more guidance on our crab feast adventure would have been awesome. If you are looking for a meal to fill you up, just expect to drop around $20 here, or buy a cheap meal after your crab dinner.
(3)
Patty L.

We went just for the medium crabs with old bay seasoning. Why fill your stomach with anything else when it seems the reviews are all over the place with inconsistent ratings on both quality of food and service? You would be setting yourself for disappointment and a lighter wallet. Just go there for 2 things and you will not be disappointed: Crabs and the $3.50 bloody mary If you want anything else - go elsewhere. Service was decent. The hostess cancelled my opentable reservation after 5 minutes of being seated which was really freaking weird but whatever.
(4)
Charles B.

Was not impressed at all. The Mrs said it was the worst Caesar salad she ever had and she makes it a point to try them everywhere we go. I had the seafood chowder and will say that was good. Had the crab cake sandwich. Market price was $18 ok...but way to much filler if charging that. Very little lump crab in the sandwich. The mrs had a seared fish sanwich...she had to look for the fish it was so small. Server was good but will not make a second go of it.
(2)
Chantelle L.

Wonderful service! Excellent drink options we came in around 5pm on a Friday, sat anywhere we want and I love this place! We will be back for their White peach Sangria! The food looked amazing, we only ordered a Maryland Crab Dip Appetizer which was too creamy and heavy for my liking, the shallots a bit overbearing but drinks were wonderful and strong! Cute place they have outside and inside seating and four bathrooms! The bar area is where I would sit next time, looked so fun, music was really good and not too loud just great vibes all around.
(5)
Michele J.

On a street packed with places to eat, I wandered in here, and I'm happy I did. I chose the crab bisque...different, but still very good. It was a blush cream soup with plenty of crab and tasty other bits as well. I had a salad with the crab cake added to it. The salad was small for a 5.00 salad, but it was tasty. The crab cake was listed MP...it was a 4 oz cake priced at 10.00...not sure if that's average price or not. It was flavorful and also had lots of crab. Finally, I had an ear of corn. The menu stated that it was served with salted butter. I didn't recieve the salted butter (unless it was on the corn already, but I don't think so). At any rate, the full ear of corn I recieved was delicious and sweet. Service was speedy and friendly.
(4)
Jamie B.

While in Baltimore, my wife wanted to eat crabs and go to Fells Point. Well we found the perfect place. We had a great meal that started with drinks and tasty apps. Then came the crabs! We got the large ones and had more than we could handle. We will be back the next time we are in town.
(4)
Bern M.

Tables are sticky, I repeat, the tables are sticky!!! Other than situation, my mom and I loved the food!!! We were in for a treat! We ordered the Maryland crab cake entree, Cobb salad, and seafood chowder bowl. We went halfsies and loved every bit of it! The pluses: Food is legit. Seafood is fresh. Quick timing No waiting in line or reservations necessary. Come hither!
(4)
Cat V.

Riptide was my second choice on Thames by the harbor, but such a good alternative. The bartender greeted me right as I sat at the bar not making me feel weird that I was by myself which was nice. I got the crab burger and I'll just say, sloppy. It really didn't have much taste which means it was simply crabmeat mashed with mayo or something non-descript without much spicing. The fries were alright butost were well done, and a bit burnt. What I did think was great was the seafood chowder soup. It was warm and had some heat, chock full of seafood - clams, lobster, muscles, etc. The look of the place was boring, traditional bar by a body of water motif. The clientele was a mix of tourists and townees, but generally 40+. If you need some food at a reasonable price, Riptide is ok. Location, right by the harbor - about 1-2 miles from the inner harbor. Would give it another try if and when I'm in the area again.
(3)
Teri H.

So from the start....its just disappointing. With Thames Street Oyster House right next to it...why even go? We tried a shrimp appetizer that was okay...and then we had some sandwiches that were just blah. We had a nice view from the top of the restaurant but the waitress was really slow to fill our water glasses. Needless to say probably won't be coming back here.
(3)
Pearl K.

I grabbed some outdoor seats at Riptide on Memorial Day with my puppy and a friend. We got moved around a little as a bigger party rolled through and requested outdoor seats as well, but our server was really kind while we relocated and even got my dog a big bucket of water. I got the seafood linguini with scallops, my friend got the mahi mahi tacos, and we split an appetizer of wings. The wings were really good. The mahi mahi tacos were a bit bland unless you slather it with the guacamole it comes with. And the linguini had this strange taste to it, most likely from the odd assortment of vegetables thrown into the mix. I'm of the belief that seafood linguini should be simple and highlight the seafood in the dish, so I think the vegetables actually took away from the dish. There are three scallops in the dish, but they're large, well-cooked, and a surprisingly good portion size. Overall, an average meal. Service was spotty. Some times our server was completely on point and flitting between the tables, other times he would disappear for a long time. For a busy Memorial Day lunchtime, though, I think he did okay.
(3)
Greg S.

Let me clear: even if the food here were abysmal, I'd probably go back just for their Bloody Marys. They're large, potent, spicy, served just above freezing, and, best of all, $3.50 on the weekends. The servers are friendly and efficient and keep the alcohol flowing effortlessly. Combine that with a fantastic view of the water from their outdoor tables and Riptide is hard to beat for effective relaxation on an 85+ degree morning. Luckily, the food is also great. I was in a brunch mood and went for the crab Benedict. Piles of fresh crabmeat, perfectly poached eggs, and spicy Hollandaise all on buttery biscuits. My one complaint is that the side of potatoes was greasy to the point of being almost inedible, but it's a minor one. It can be hard to decide among the huge number of similar bar/restaurants lining Thames St., but Riptide is well worth a visit.
(4)
Bernie C.

One of my favourite places to happily pound my troubles away whilst feasting on delicious seafood. I could eat crabs and butter and oysters forever for the rest of my life. So this place wins for those. Steamed or fresh seafood is pretty much always a hit here. So, why so cruel Bernie? Why so cruel to three star the restaurant that serves you seafood? Well, I've been here many times, and we've never really had any dishes that were truly downright disappointing. Still, not all of them have been spectacular, and though most hit at least moderately good, the menu can be hit or miss, not just by item, but also by day.
(3)
Kati H.

Got the local oysters and a local beer and it was on point! My husband's tacos were a bit bland. Tiny, crowded atmosphere that I personally enjoyed.
(4)
Ashuantay H.

Riptide by the Bay was decent. I met up with my cousins who saw this place on a list of crab places to try. They only had small male blue crabs. The bacon wrapped shrimp were good. We also had chicken wings and fries which were both ok.
(3)
Jeff J.

We stopped in to give it a try. The food was good (not great) and filled us up. The place itself is old (remodeled) and that's cool. They were playing good music to help pass the time. The only down thing was the soda machine was producing sodas that weren't carbonated. When asked if it was fixed or going to be fixed we were told that's just how it was. That was a bummer! Anyway, overall the food was good, the ambience was good and the restaurant itself was good. This is one of those places good to go to every now and then.
(4)
J Z.

Speechless about their services and food. The crab is all dead. They are not fresh at all.
(1)
Hope H.

This was a great place, the crab dip and crab Mac and cheese were both amazing! Tony, the bartender, was very personable and fun to talk to!
(5)
Lauron T.

Came on cinco de mayo. Service was good, drinks were cool. Tacos (chicken and mahi mahi) were a waste of time and money. We were disappointed as soon as they came. Ate them only bc we were hangry (hungry and angry). We were completely disappointed, but since it was so late on cinco de mayo and all the restaurants were packed, we had no other options. Probably won't be back
(3)
Lisa D.

GLAD WE STOPPED HERE! NICE Snack of calamari and fried oysters. Peach Sangria was a great summer pick!
(4)
Laura L.

"We don't have any oysters today. Or crab." NOOOOOOOOOO .... It's okay. What we got made up for it. Kinda. We arrived on new years day for an early brunch and it was pretty empty in the dining area upstairs. The bar area downstairs still had drunk patrons from the night before, so it wasn't very pleasant walking in to screaming drunks and tiptoeing around their spilled drinks. Anyway. Food came out in a timely fashion which was great because I was starving!! We tried the crab bisque which was tasty with a nice old bay-ish kick to it though I wish there was a bit more crab. Also had the seafood chowder which featured a LOT of seafood - it was creamy, hearty, and not too salty which some chowders tend to be. Perfect! The crab dip was just okay to me, but I'm not much of a dip person. All 3 of our items were hearty portions which was great but also bad because I fell into a deep food coma. Great way to start off the new year!
(4)
Ace W.

Crabs were really good, but crab cakes were just ok. But staff was very fast and attentive !!
(3)
Gina M.

So we ended up here after leaving Thames Oyster house and we were so upset we didn't just come here first! The atmosphere was so laid back and the staff was awesome! We started off by ordering the crab dip... Which was terrible! There was not one hint of actual crab in the dip. Instead it was pure cream cheese and obay seasoning. I have never had a crab dip this bad. However - they redeemed themselves with the scallops over lobster risotto that my wife ordered - it was soooo good. I ordered a burger with bacon & smoked gouda cheese which was pretty damn good. I'd say between the staff and actual entree, I'll be coming back if in Baltimore. However, I will stay far away from that crab dip!
(3)
Irene A.

The good: the apple dumpling was ok (really trying to be a little positive about this place) The Bad: -Seafood chowder -crab mac and cheese- luke warm and needed more cheese -TERRIBLE SERVICE, TERRIBLE (can't say that enough). It wasn't busy and we had to go up to our waitress multiple times, for the desert menu and to give her our credit cards and we weren't even in a rush.. she just took A LONG LONG time to do everything and anything and had a terrible attitude. She never checked up on us. Never asked us how things were. Cleaned up peoples dishes around us who had gotten their food after us but never cleaned up our plates till we asked 1 hour later. The only server that ever talked to us was the server who asked about our desert and he wasn't even our waiter. Wish I got his name. I wouldn't go back here.
(3)
Timmy T.

We were THIS (very very close) to leaving, at least I was, when they said they ran out of oysters on New Years day. We probably shouldn't have been surprised though as they were probably sold out the night before around 10PM Downstairs is mainly for the people who want to gets Apps only and or drink at the bar. There was quite a rowdy crowd down there even though it was only 11:30 in the morning..We sat upstairs, nice and quiet and bright because the sun shined right through the windows they had. Me and my gf got the crab dip to share to start and I absolutely loved it; it was thick/creamy and full of flavor! For my main course I got the seafood chowder which I was excited about because it was chilly out and I wanted something to warm me up. The portion was a pretty good size (I got a bowl) and it came out piping hot. It had potato, bacon, shrimp, clams and mussels from what I can remember. Everything was cooked well and it was very delicious. Also noticed Bae stole a few spoons more than usual from my dish too! hehe. Our other friends got some soups and crab cakes and they seemed to enjoy their food as well. Our other dining companion got a crab mac/cheese and the serving was huge! Service was good for me, although I think the waiter forgot an order for our friends though.. Prices are pretty average for a place right on the harbor. I really wished there were oysters though but that seafood chowder and crab dip definitely made up for it! S/N: I am not from around here so I have no idea where the best parking is but even we initially had trouble finding parking on New Years day when most people were still sleeping!
(4)
Jazmine L.

Went here for a late birthday dinner with some friends. We were able to get a reservation and they were even really accommodating with the toddler that tagged along. But seriously I can not say enough about the food. We ordered from all over the menu and every single one of us was happy and completely stuffed at a decent price. And the service was amazing. The guy checked on is continually and was really knowledgeable about the food and drinks. Definitely going again. My boyfriend is still salivating over the crab cake burger he had.
(5)
Robert B.

If you get nothing else, get the Seafood Chowder. Its top of the line. As for crabs, that's the reason to go. Long story short, excellent choice for crabs and seafood in Baltimore. Restaurant is around a portion of the Harbor. However, what most folks are on the hunt for is the famous Maryland Crabs. Riptide will not disappoint. SERVICE Our server was excellent. Attentive and knowledgeable and full of fun. FOOD We ordered four crabs. Excellent, once you get used to the idea that most of the food is in the crab and not the legs. Cracking them with a wood mallet is fun all by itself. We also ordered some clams and oysters. All excellent. But the best is the Seafood Chowder. Honestly, as good as I've ever had. The Crab bisque was similarly good. Both are worth the trip. AMBIANCE It's a bar on the first floor. But we sat outside on the sidewalk and that was a great experience. The bar was a bit loud at 5, but that was to be expected. Sitting outside would be my recommendation if the weather will accommodate it. Parking is hard to find, but is available. I can imagine though, later at night, it would be hard to find near the restaurant. VALUE The crabs are $7 a piece and you'll need 3-4 to get full. So you can easily spend a good bit of money here. But the taste is well worth it. Overall, if you are looking for Maryland crabs in Baltimore, you cannot go wrong yere.
(5)
Lynne S.

Stumbled upon this place as our 2nd choice. Typical Baltimore row house converted to a restaurant. The hostess was very pleasant and seated us after a short wait. My boyfriend and I ordered bacon wrapped wonton shrimp as an appetizer. It was average. I wanted to order the Alaskan crab legs, but was told they were all out of crabs. It's SATURDAY afternoon!!! Ok, so we both ordered crabcakes. Soon after our appetizer came, I saw an order of Alaskan crab legs go by!!! Maybe they ran out just BEFORE we were seated. Smh The crabcakes were just ok too. They were messier (kind of wet) than we thought. Pretty good chance we won't ever go back.
(2)
Jordan G.

I took my family here who was visiting from Pittsburgh and it was really good. The waiter gave great suggestions and we all liked our dishes. The crab was good and fun as well. They also have the option to make reservations online which is nice. Definitely suggest this place!
(4)
Kay H.

Pretty killer cakes . Cakes were full on crab. Sweaty server. Thanks Baltimore for introducing me to grapefruit crushes .
(3)
Ryan S.

Love this place, I have tried just about everything on the menu and have yet to try something I didn't like. I'm especially fond of their multiple seating options.... Inside, outside, or the breezeway!!! Good seafood, good scenery!!!
(4)
Jorge M.

I don't usually do any kind of review. But this definitely made me angry and very disappointed. I went for Valentines with my girlfriend and it was a terrible experience. I really don't want to write the whole story so I'm just gonna point out the facts: 1) They gave us the worst terrible table even though we have a reservation 2) They did'n have any seafood available (the steamer was "broken") 3) They offered us a good compensation for the inconvenience. At the end they only gave us a free beer (yeah, just one in valentines day) 4) The wings sucked 5) Terrible service
(1)
Ryan B.

Riptide by the Bay has great seafood. I've had oysters and crab here several times. Their fish is always fresh and well-prepared. I was also impressed by their serving sizes. I don't have a problem paying a premium for high quality ingredients, but it's awesome when a restaurant also give you a decently sized meal so you actually leave feeling full. In particular, I'd recommend their crab cake sandwich and their fried oysters, especially for folks visiting Baltimore or Maryland and looking for a solid experience with local seafood. Riptide by the Bay has a nice outdoor seating area which is great in pleasant weather because it's right across the street from the water and you're on a stretch of Fells Point with tons of pedestrians, so it's ideal for people-watching. It's relaxing to sit out in the shade under one of their umbrellas while you eat. The only downside at least my experience has been a bit slower service if you sit outside.
(4)
Leslie S.

I was in Baltimore for a work conference back in April with some colleagues, so that meant lunch outings every day! Luckily for us, one of my colleagues had lived in Baltimore doing research at Johns Hopkins years ago, so he knew the good neighborhoods to try. We were walking around in Fells Point, and decided on Riptide by the Bay, as we were after fresh seafood, particularly fresh and raw oysters! Well, for me and one of my co-workers, anyhow. They were very accommodating when our party of five came in, and ushered us to a table in the back of the small restaurant -- it was rainy, so we opted to sit inside, at a corner table in the back by the bar area. It's a narrow space, with a few tables in the back (we were seated on the ground floor). Naturally, we all had to start with some cocktails. I'm not a big beer drinker, so I opted for their watermelon jalapeno margarita. First of all - the size of this thing was ridiculous. It was a pretty pink color, with slices of jalapeno floating in it, seeds and all. Now, I'm not a spice wimp by any stretch, but I actually had to drink this from a straw because my lips were ON FIRE when they touched the glass. Two of my fellow diners tried it and were both surprised at how spicy it was. It's tasty, but not for the weak of heart! Thank goodness I had some mint-flavored lip gloss - my boss even commented on my applying it, saying it must have been hot. Now, the food: Raw Oysters - Delicious. Served with fresh lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. They were nice and small, my preferred size when it comes to raw oysters, the small ones are nice and sweet. Crap Dip - Ooey gooey and delicious. It was served with pita chips, and I'm pretty sure I could have eaten the whole crock of it by myself. As I was with work people, I obviously refrained, but it would been easy to down that caloric monstrosity in a matter of minutes. Miso Ginger-glazed Calamari - I only had a bite or two of this, but it was tasty. Not ohmygodican'tstopeating good, but tasty. I would have preferred a strong hit of ginger and miso. Grilled mahi-mahi tacos - Get these. Beautifully grilled fish with corn tortillas, cilantro, fresh, chunky guacamole and a salsa fresca (reminded me of pico de gallo -my favorite)! Other dishes that my colleagues had were the battered fish tacos, the crab cake sandwich, fish and chips, etc. It all looked and smelled awesome. I can't wait to go back and sample the blue crab the next time I'm in the area! Our server was great. Fun, with a great sense of humor and didn't rush us at all. If you are in Fells Point, make sure to check this place out! Just try the regular margarita instead. :-)
(4)
Kirk S.

If Riptide by the Bay was a person, it would be a 40-something man drunk on Bud Light with a Jimmy Buffett t-shirt on. Someone who is completely content with who he is, but he's not going to win any "high-end" fans anytime soon. Riptide is good. It's a by-the-books decent fish place. Their Mahi Mahi Tacos were pretty good. Ditto for their fish and chips and their mimosas. I suggest going here if (1) you want to have some damn good fish-qua-fish or (2) you want something approximating Maryland comfort food. This is not the place to go for something you don't expect - it's the kind of place you go when you want exactly what you're expecting.
(3)
Amy L.

Came to Riptide after scouting around a couple busy Fells Point blocks. My bf and I came to dinner on a Saturday night and were seated right away. That was a plus. What's not a plus? Being seated on a strange sticky table. Okay, strange sticky table aside, now let's get to the food! I had a Maryland Angus burger, which was basically a beef burger with a crab cake layered in. I know, my mind was kind of blown! The crab cake on its own had some good flavor, some nice chunks crabmeat, and pretty moist. However, minus the crab cake, the burger as a whole was average. The fries were, well, fries. Again, nothing special. My bf had a rockfish special with roasted veggies and asparagus. The fish was nicely cooked and tender, but under seasoned. It was placed on top of the veggies, which had good flavor but could have been saucier to complement the relatively dry piece of fish. And for a $25 dish, the portion was pretty small. In fact, my bf ended up splitting my burger because he was still hungry.
(3)
David H.

We were walking the cobblestones and came upon this restaurant. Small place with a nice bar and friendly staff. The bartender was our waitress and she was great. Very attentive and great personality. The crab cakes were very good and the beer was cold and local. Definitely worth a stop if you find yourself in the inner harbor.
(3)
Paris W.

Riptide by the Bay was a great place for a date. The staff were very respectful, engaging, and considerate. When we went to the restaurant, we wanted blue crabs, however, they ran around 7 pm. So we order snow crab legs instead and they were amazing. The portions for their food was very fulling and it was worth every dollar. I'll definitely go again.
(5)
Denise G.

Well, the wait staff was really nice. (Long pause) Oh, and the atmosphere was cute. (Another long pause). Unfortunately, the food is the weak link. Had the Mahi Tacos which were... not bad, but not anything to write home about. However our appetizer, the warm crab dip, was almost inedible it was so salty. The coup de grace was the check at the end of the evening... we paid dearly for this less than mediocre experience. Never again.
(2)
Lauren H.

Had a nice experience. Our server, mike, was very knowledgeable of the menu. I ordered the lobster ravioli, which is homemade. It tasted fresh. Would definitely go back.
(5)
Marni S.

Everything about riptide is small. The dining room, the bar, bathroom and most unfortunately the food. The portions were very small. We ordered appetizer, salad and crabs. All of it was small. The bartender was exceptionally nice and took some off the bill. The food was tasty but just not worth the portion/dollar amount they charge. I would go back to order from the bar only.
(2)
Annabelle L.

Came here last night for their Tuesday night specials. Great atmosphere, quick and friendly service. As for the food, the bf and I ordered: 1. Half a dozen oysters--I think they were called the Sweet Jesus ones? They were delicious--fresh and yummy! 2. Crab bisque with baguette strips. The extra $2 were totally worth it for the baguette strips as they were super crispy and went wonderfully with the bisque. The soup had awesome flavor, lots of crab, and just so hearty (which was perfect since it was raining and gloomy outside!) 3. $2.50 crab special: SAD. If it were not for the crabs, I would give a 5 star rating, but the crabs were SO disappointing. Perhaps I should have known that they would be small since they were on special, but still. They were quite small (~4 inches maybe?) and empty, and almost not worth the effort of picking out the meat. The inside of the shell was also a little dry, perhaps they had been sitting out for a while? Tl;dr: awesome oysters and crab bisque, pass on the Tuesday crab special (at least this time of year).
(3)
Josh M.

Bartenders were incredibly rude, ignored and refused to make a bloody Mary although advertised on door.
(1)
Cris J.

Amateur hour. We came for oysters and drinks. We ordered apps and decided to leave after getting them. Our plates were dirty, the nachos were stale and greasy, the "crab" dip was onion dip with scant hints of crab, and the food was cold. Plus, the dining room was warm, we could smell the restroom, the overhead fan was turned off, and a portable ac unit was trying to keep up with the heat. And with no napkins or utensils, it was hard to wipe our hands. I'm glad one of us had wet wipes with her.
(2)
Stephen D.

Decent food and a decent beer selection. Great part of town for dinner and drinks.
(3)
Taylor K.

Wanted to find a place in the city to get Maryland crabs for Father's Day. Both of us had never been here before but we fell in love with it as soon as we walked in. Riptides is a very cute, small restaurant but even with it being busy I didn't feel crowded during dinner. We ordered the tuna appetizer which was AMAZING, a dozen crabs and oysters on the half shell. Everything was great. Only reason why I didn't give this place 5 stars was because they only had small crabs. I've never heard a place that carried smalls so I was nervous to get them but I was surprised by the amount of meat I'd got out of them. All n all I would recommend this place to my friends and family. It's worth checking out. Oh! Our server was great! Very friendly and personable. That's always a plus.
(4)
Xavier S.

I'm ONLY here on Fridays & Saturday. But the bartenders rock, the drinks are stellar & the beers are always cold. Tip them well & they will def take care of you!
(4)
Christina R.

I've heard the food is amazing. It's too bad we never got to try it because the lunchtime manager last Sunday (4/26) treats people so horribly. I had some friends in town for the first time from New York and wasn't counting on having to expose them to such unpleasantness when we were just trying to get some lunch and spend some money at local businesses. We'd heard the outside tables were first come, first serve. So we saw a table of 4 leaving and I walked in to see if we'd be allowed to take it. The kind gentleman inside - younger, seemed to be possibly a server or busser - was sweet and helpful and was trying to get the hostess's attention to help us out. The manager came sweeping in, in a tizzy as if the place was packed to the gills (PS there was hardly anyone in the place, they weren't busy enough to warrant a frenzied freak-out attitude) and berated this poor kid in front of all the customers saying things like "you don't know what you're talking about! you're just guessing at this point! just direct them toward the host station!" So maybe the kid was new, but at least he was being courteous and trying to help. So I went to the host station where everyone seemed confused and contradicting each other. Finally they said it was fine to take the table. One of my friends had already sat down to save our spot. I walked out and the manager was out there yelling at her. I explained that we were told to take the table. He yelled "not when it hasn't been wiped down yet!" and, referencing a couple of plastic water cups that had been left behind by the other guests "this is how things get spilled!" First of all, why is a "nice" restaurant using disposable glassware? Bad sign. Not environmentally cool. Second of all, if your guests don't mind that there are a couple cups on the table, why are you flipping out about it? It's not like someone wouldn't have come over and cleaned them up before we ordered. It wasn't a big deal. Third of all, you scream at your staff and you scream at your customers? Needless to say, we got up and left with a few choice words. We ended up at Bertha's instead and spent around $100. So, whoever owns this place should know the Sunday manager lost your business $100 that day. And I'm spreading the word - if that guy is there, my crew and I won't be.
(1)
Jenny V.

Had a few hours to kill in Bmore and ended up here for lunch. My server started out acting like a complete jerk, but softened up after I moved to the table he wanted me to sit at in the direct sunlight with no umbrella. Bloody Mary was ok, but served naked (no veggies). i would say the Mahi fish tacos were terrible but that would imply that they had flavor. The description of them sounded perfect and when they arrived it was a sad, plain sight ... And an even sadder taste experience. Sad face I give this place the two stars because the crab bisque was phenomenal.
(2)
Mark N.

This place is really good for seafood or anything else in Fells Point. Their $5 Burgers special is legit and they always have a good beer on special. (or at least higher quality beers than Miller Lite or Natty Boh). The prices are much better than some of the surrounding seafood places and the services is usually good/fast but the place is small - at least the bar area is. Good luck getting a seat on the weekends especially if there is a band playing the space is just just too cramped for that. **Ridiculous Friday Happy Hour $2.50 rail drinks**
(4)
Chrissy R.

Went here in the middle of the day on a weekday, so it was super quiet (I get the idea that Fells Point is more of a weekend/evening spot? We were tourists). Our waiter was really nice and attentive (our water glasses were refilled before they got empty every time), and when I requested lemonade, they were out -- so the waiter volunteered to make me a "ghetto lemonade," which I totally appreciated. I'm not really a fan of most sour mixes, though, so I just got some lemons for my water -- but I like that they're out to please. My mom got the crab cake sandwich and I ordered the crab mac 'n' cheese with fries. The fries were overdone and the mac 'n' cheese had much more bacon than crab, but it was really good and had chopped green onions for a little brightness here and there, so I'm not complaining too much about that. My mom's crab cake was amazing -- tasted super fresh and had the least filler of any crab cake I've ever had.. her fries were overdone, too, though. I'd totally go back here and give this place another chance, because they did some things well and other things I wondered if they were just being slacked on because of the time of day that we were there.. but this place gets a solid 3 stars.
(3)
Charlie Ann H.

Go there for a night of drinking. I don't think it is a dinner destination. The food might taste good when you have had many drinks first. We ordered dinners and I honestly it was gross.
(2)
Vivian N.

I thought this place was really good initially, but I recently went on Saturday and it was a huge let down. Our server was the worse, that the entire dinning experience went south. He was extremely impersonal and unprofessional. The menu changes ever so often that we wanted to try different entrees out. We asked him about the chicken linguini and all he really said was a lot of people order it--not really giving us a description of it. My friend is very particular about her food so we asked if it was more pasta or chicken, grilled or fried, etc.--he was honestly not having it. In addition to our horrid service, when the chicken linguini came out ("since a lot of people order it and all") it was more pasta based then chicken when we emphasized that she was not much of a pasta person (Leaving the meal to be tiny slices of chicken) When we asked him to take it back, he said that since we already ate the chicken, that we could not take it back. In my opinion, part of my dinning experience is actually eating the food to know if it fits-- I never have had this issue anywhere else. The vast majority of the entree was still there with some chicken eaten. We were upset that we were stuck with an entree that we did not like, and the server was not sympathetic or personal at all. So we ordered another entree to go with our crabs, it went well, but this entire predicament would have and should had been avoided with accommodative service. I give this restaurant two stars because the crab is good but the service absolutely terrifyingly sucks. The cucumber-jalepeno mojito also is super strong and spicy, I would stick with the margarita.
(2)
Mary P.

We went as a large group and they were awesome! Our server was always there and offered us rookie Maryland Crab eaters lessons! Speaking of the crabs they were delicious along with the mac n cheese, oysters, flat breads and of course the cocktails! Riptide by the Bay is a must!
(4)
Leeshy B.

I found this restaurant on Open Table and was attracted by the menu options and prices. I went for lunch and took friends from out of town, eager to try Maryland seafood. This restaurant did NOT disappoint! We started with the calamari and seafood chowder which were both delicious. The calamari was perfectly cooked. I only wish the delicious ginger sauce was served on the side instead of being poured over the calamari. I ordered the crab macaroni and cheese which was amazing! I was also able to try the grilled mahi mahi tacos and the crab cakes which were both delicious. The waitstaff was kind and helpful. I have no complaints and I will definitely be back.
(5)
Peter K.

I've been here several times and the seafood has always been top quality. Not the cheapest, but good value. Really enjoyed the seafood chowder, with shells and all.
(4)
Eugene L.

The servers here were all friendly and welcoming. The food was decent, definitely try the crab dip appetizer and their crabcakes. The raw oysters were okay, and stay away from the linguini.
(4)
Douglas C.

My friends and I had been to Thames Street Oyster House and were intending on returning there but they were closed at 3:00 on a Saturday. We ended up at Rip Tide by chance and am glad we did. We were told they had tables reserved but we assured them we would be quick (as long as they were) and were seated. Typical row house restaurant style, but cool atmosphere for us out of towners. Everything we ate was good. Oysters were delicious and a high light. Seafood chowder was preferred over the lobster bisque. Crab cakes were excellent, Baltimore style...a lot of crab hardly any filler. We saw tables being brought trays of crab but were not in the mood to sit around pounding away so did not partake. No complaints with service. All in all a good spot.
(4)
Uc O.

Service was non existant. Our server seemed as though it was his first job and no ine bothered to train him. Oysters were horribly shucked, like half an oyster left in the shell with pieces of the shell in it as well. Why was there a hard boiled egg in steamed clams. Even the table next to us left the tip in change. Will not be going back. So disappointing.
(1)
Jerry B.

With all of the pubs on Thames full from the soccer games we were surprised that there was seating here. The crab cake burger was awesome. Great service, will definitely be back to try their menu again. Also the view of the harbor from the top dining area is beautiful!
(5)
Nick S.

Great spot for a quiet lunch, and a cocktail! The fish and chips are fantastic, and the burgers are cooked to perfection! $2.50 well drinks are generous pour as well! Staff is very friendly too!
(4)
Jacquelyn W.

My friends had less than 24 hours in the Baltimore area and they wanted me to take them to get Maryland blue crabs. If you've read any of my reviews that relate to fish, you know I have a shellfish allergy so it's pretty amusing that they depended on me to show them where the real deal was for crabs. At least in Baltimore city, it was surprisingly difficult to find places that served blue crabs. Thanks to Yelp and some recommendations from people in the area, I came across Riptide by the Bay. The reviews seemed pretty good & they had the crabs my friends were looking for plus non-shellfish food that I could eat. It's right in Fells Point just passed the main square. We had made a reservation, but because of traffic related to the O's game we were about 30 minutes late.We called in advance to let them know about our dilemma, and when we arrived we were still able to be seated within 10-15 minutes. I had ordered a Watermelon jalapeÃ±o margarita while we waited at the bar & that was delicious. I thought it was gonna be super spicy because of the fresh jalapeÃ±os and seeds floating around in it, but it wasn't too bad. I also drank it through a straw so that may have made a difference. When we got to our table, my friends ordered their blue crabs and I ordered the swordfish skewers. Our server wasn't the best at explaining the different sizes of the crabs, but they still managed to order enough to satisfy them. When the crabs arrived, I amusingly tried to show my friends how to eat the crabs without actually touching them. Not an easy feat, but they tackled them like champs. The server came by later and asked if they needed a quick tutorial, but they were already far along. I still remember something from my crab-eating days! As for my swordfish skewers, they were very flavorful. The rice they served with it was good, but it was quite far from anything I'd consider Spanish rice. It was closer to a pilaf in my opinion, and there was nothing Spanish about it, unless the cilantro (mixed with pesto mind you) was supposed to count for something. We also had a side of polenta, which was really good. I had never had polenta before, but I really enjoyed this. Overall I'd say this was a really good experience if you want blue crabs or just fish in the Fells Point area.
(4)
Beth F.

My friends and I tried this place, expecting great seafood. But our experience was just okay. Although very cheesy, the crab dip had almost no crab meat which seemed like a waste. Don't get me wrong it tasted good, but not what we expected. For my meal I ordered the grilled mahi mahi tacos. The fish was so over cooked that I thought I was eating tough chicken that didn't have a taste. I feel like this place is hit or miss, and we hit it on a miss day.
(2)
Sarah F.

TERRIBLE SERVICE AND DIDN'T HAVE SEAFOOD. WORST EXPERIENCE AT A RESTAURANT EVER. Here's what happened: Had a reservation for Valentine's Day dinner. -They sat us in the worst spot in the bar area next to the door (freezing cold)---even though everyone else who had a reservation got to sit in the dining room. -Their steamer apparently broke so they couldn't make crab or shrimp or any other fresh seafood, which was the ONLY reason we were there. -They were not accommodating whatsoever, said they would give us a "discount" for our troubles. They gave us one beer for free. Not one for each of us... One between the both of us. Looks like from past reviews other people have gone when they didn't have any crab or oysters either, who is managing this place???
(1)
Kev k.

Run of the mill seafood, portions of food is small for the price..... Had crab Mac and cheese Had very little crab , but did find a tiny bit of shell....
(2)
Grant ..

Ehh scallops were tasty but basically tapas for 23.00. Could have used a side dish . Perhaps asparagus ? Pricey for a pub bar feel
(2)
Dan A.

So I came here for a friend's birthday celebration not too long ago. I've walked by this place many, many times but never had a chance to swing by. Well, when I went on Saturday night, it was packed! Or was it? The front of Riptide, which is a bar, was really packed. There was barely room to move around. But the dining area, located past the bar area was more open and spacious. We had a reservation and I think if you plan on going on the weekend, a reservation would be wise just in case things get crazy busy. The food here was decent. We started off with some appetizers. In particular, we got the Prince Edwards mussels. There was a good amount of mussels and it came with a good, creamy broth. However, many of the mussel shells did not have meat in them. They must have fell out while cooking or something... and there were certainly a few in the dish. But there were still some empty shells whose meat was unaccounted for. Not a bad dish but I'd probably pick something else next time. For my entree, I had a crabcake sandwich, which was good, though certainly not as good as some of Baltimore's more famous crabcake restaurants. It was a little "mushy." I'm not sure if this was done purposely or not as there was also a normal crabcake on the menu (not crabcake sandwich); maybe the other crabcake option is made differently. It came on a nice brioche bun and had fixings like bacon, pickles, tomatoes, and lettuce. It also came with french fries, which were pretty good too. All in all, pretty solid. Some of my other friends ordered the fish and chips (came in a big bucket!), clam linguini, and beet & goat chease salad. They all enjoyed their meals. Service, however, was a little spotty. Our server would disappear for long periods of time. Additionally, we were seated near the bathroom area. It wasn't a big deal at all but there is another exit in that area and we could smell cigarette smoke coming in from the outside. Again, it wasn't a big deal to me, but people who are more sensitive to cigarette smoke might find it more of a nuisance. The dessert menu was kind of a joke though. There was only one item on the menu! The rest were drinks. Overall, it's a decent bar and one I'd certainly have no problems going to. However, I wouldn't go out of the way to this place either.
(3)
Rae O.

Came here for crabs and got so much more! The vibe is amazing. The music fantastic. They played Bob Marley and tons of Reggae. The Drinks were surprisingly cheap. As a side we had fries with peperjack cheese which were AMAZING. The staff was so nice, and chill. It was a nice time. Only downside that we were not told that the Crabs were from New Orleans not Maryland until after we ate. I really wanted Maryland Crabs. Also the Crabs being from Louisiana made them super expensive. $75 for a dozen of crabs.
(3)
Shayanne N.

I just graduated with $60,000 in debt to try and save the "public's health" and the owner/manager/whoever was in charge refused to serve me because he said I was spoiled.
(1)
Kathy A.

My husband and I ate there on our visit during restaurant week. I got fish and chips which were fine. My husband got the restaurant week special and each part of it was on the small side. His food was good but the portions were very small. He left still feeling hungry. We would not recommend this place.
(2)
Melissa W.

Naturally, I'm between 3 & 4 stars. Went here recently on a gorgeous September day because I wanted to sit outside. Didn't want anything too heavy, so ordered the flatbread with crab ($12). OMG yum (see picture). Delicious & just what I was looking for. Waiter was prompt & friendly, perfect actually. Got dessert, and didn't actually love it - got the Creme Brulee ($8). To be completely honest though - I don't know that I actually like creme brulee. I believe this is the first time I had it - & I'm really not that big of a fan. But I have nothing to compare it to - so therefore don't actually know if it's good or bad. Ha! Didn't even step foot indoors, so this review is solely for an outdoor experience!
(4)
Krista B.

I had reservations here for dinner Saturday night at 6:30 We arrived on time and were seated promptly- thankfully it wasn't too busy, so I think reservations weren't necessary. After ordering drinks we ordered the ahi tuna appetizer and the seafood chowder (soup? can't remember). I was not a fan of the blackened seasoning on the tuna but the bf loved the soup and liked the tuna. We then ordered snow crab legs to share along with their Brussels sprouts salad. The snow crabs were awesome, but forgot to ask to leave the old bay seasoning off- I know I know, it's a staple, but I am just not a fan. Otherwise, the crab was delicious! The sprouts were a bit oily and the anchovies garnish was not very good. So far I wasn't too impressed, but service was friendly and the space was nice. Time for dessert! We ordered their salted caramel creme brulee. Think that sounds amazing, right? WRONG. DO NOT ORDER. I don't know if the server was mad since ordered dessert on a whim after we already paid for dinner or what, but this was so incredibly salty we both couldn't stomach more than a taste. The sugar on top was burned beyond belief, not 'bruleed,' and the amount of salt in here was laughably disgusting. Seriously a literal salt lick, the salt flats of Utah, the Dead Sea- it was inedible. Walk a couple blocks and get gelato from Pitango (which we did to get the salt taste out of our mouths!). Overall it was a so-so dining experience with somewhat friendly, if not snarky, service. It was a bit pricey but Alaskan snow crab always is, and the salted caramel creme brulee really turned me off. I doubt I would visit again if in the area.
(2)
Cj B.

After getting bad service from Papi's, the pros here at riptide didn't disappoint. Great service, awesome food and the best drinks in fells. Thanks Halle, Mike and Brad!!!!
(5)
Justin W.

At lunchtime the crab cakes come as some sort of sandwich only. Service is friendly, atmosphere is more of a bar style. The main bar is at the front as you enter. Have a wide selection of seasonal cocktails which can take the sea chill off your bones!
(3)
Susan L.

I want to give this place 3.5 stars because there was nothing necessarily wrong with it and as a backup to the rest of the restaurants on the same street, it'll do. The waitress was friendly enough but she took a really long time to get our orders. So long that I was genuinely confused about whether or not we ordered yet at some point. I ordered an Angus burger and for some reason the top bun was practically crunchy which ruined the consistency of the burger. Everyone else seemed to like their food but its not a place where I would personally want to spend my money again.
(3)
Mike W.

An awesome choice for a relaxing atmosphere, great food and excellent beer on tap. Got into Fels Point and wanted some good seafood - stumbled into Riptide and will be back. Food is exquisitely prepared, staff is friendly and attentive- wife and I got a table for two looking out on the harbor- guess they wanted to ensure I return!
(5)
Rebekah T.

The Riptide is one of my favorite places in Fells Point, the food is so good that we came back here twice for dinner. Our first dinner here was inspired by the whole Maryland Blue Crab experience. I wanted to go to a nice place where I could crack crabs and drink cocktails. That's all I ever want honestly. We ordered up a 1/2 dozen of the large crabs, because small ones are too time consuming. We got a tutorial on the easiest way to rip them apart and we were off! They were SO GOOD. We also ordered a half dozen oysters. No sides, just seafood. That night I ordered a spicy strawberry margarita which was a little too sweet. My guy went with the UFO Hefeweizen, which is a good choice with that spiced up crab. The second time we came here for dinner, they were out of the blue crab but had a special of 1 pound of Snow Crab for $25 and the Maryland Crab Bisque. I really want to make that one at home. They had a margarita special that night for $5, so I decided to try that and ask them to throw in some jalapeÃ±os. The bartenders were pretty nice and accommodating with our order and requests. I know I'll be thinking about this place for a long time. Hopefully I will find myself back!
(5)
Beth J.

I've been to Riptide by the Bay on two separate occasions now, and they do not disappoint! They're always packed, but my party has been able to get seated almost immediately. The seating upstairs is just as nice as downstairs. Their crab cakes were great, and their oysters on the shell were fresh and delicious. Our server the second time we went, Samantha, was really nice, down to earth, and made us feel welcome and taken care of. We didn't even know until almost the end of our meal that it was her first night on the job! Go to Riptide by the Bay in Baltimore and you'll be happy!
(5)
David M.

The tables were sticky, when I asked the waiter about it he said it was the finish. The french fries were a dark brown and burnt. The crab cakes and beer were very good. It was open when the Oyster House down the street was not.
(3)
Cindy T.

We stopped in here for lunch and sat in the bar area. They have a great bar menu with some unique drinks. The bar tenders were so much fun, I'm glad we didn't opt for eating in the dining area. My husband had the scallops on rissoto and it was wonderful!!! I had the mahi tacos and loved them. We also had the crab dip for an appetizer and thought it was really good on the baguettes. I'd recommend stopping in here for a casual meal.
(5)
Tawney B.

The food is usually awesome. I've been here a few times and I recommend it a lot since the hotel I work at is so close. One time a business guest came back from a trip there with the rest of her business colleagues and the staff was drunk and the food was awful. I only half believed her and made a mental note to recommend Bertha's instead during the holidays. But I went in there during the week and our server was drunk, the hostest looked drunk, it was awful. I don't know what is going on there but be aware.
(3)
Nicole V.

Had the crab cake burger. Delicious. The fries were burned, but the burger was delicious. The view is nice too.
(4)
Brittany G.

nothing special about this place. The crab cake was a LOT of filler...there was nothing wrong with the fried oysters but nothing special. The little neck clams were fine but there was hard boiled eggs in the dish...kind of weird. The place smells a bit like stale beer and the table was very sticky. Not a memorable meal or all that delicious.
(2)
Jamey M.

I have been here for lunch a few times over the past couple years when I've been in town, food is always good, but the service is always really slow. They are friendly just slow.
(3)
Jerry K.

Had the crab cake sliders and smoked gouda burger with fries. All were excellent, the burger was the best I've had in Baltimore and the fries as well. However the service was slow and my girlfriend had the chicken tacos and they were lame.
(4)
James H.

We had a marvelous lunch during Restaurant Week. The tempura fried oysters were tender and light. Our second course was fish and chips. They, too, seem to have been dipped in a tempura batter and, according to our waiter, fried in beer. The fish came in an attractive tin bucket atop the French fries. Fries were only fair. The restaurant area was just up the steps from the moderately active bar. Service was excellent. A real bargain for Restaurant Week.
(4)
Matt B.

Had an awesome afternoon here. Stopped in for drinks. Bartenders were great and made great mixed drinks. I also ordered the crab cake sandwich which was outstanding.
(5)
Kate A.

I've lived in Baltimore for several years and somehow had never made it to Riptide before last night. Luckily I was in the mood for seafood and to try someplace new. When I saw Riptide's Tuesday Night Specials I was sold- $2.50 each for crabs and $2.50 for craft beer on draft? Yes please! There was live music going on inside, which was fun but a little loud for a nice relaxed dinner, so we opted to sit out front, which was great because we got to enjoy the music and our own conversation. Our waitress warned us that the crabs on special were what they called "lites" which means that they were a grab bag and some might be virtually empty, and recommended that we try their small/mediums for double the price. We had just planned on eating a few crabs as an appetizer, so decided to go for the "lites" and I'm so glad we did! They ended up ringing up at $1.25 each, so we got a dozen crabs for $15. Though some were on the empty side, they were just a little past being soft shells so were super easy to clean and very sweet and there were quite a few that were huge and full of meat. The craft beer selection was really good- 2 Heavy Seas offerings, and 3 other craft brews to pick from and a good variety of styles. For dinner we all ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos. They were good, though not outstanding because the fish itself could have used a little seasoning, but were the perfect light entree to follow our mini crab feast. The entree consisted of 3 tacos (flour tortillas, not corn, though the menu indicated that the entree was gluten free), there wasn't quite as much fish as I expected, but at $13 for fresh mahi mahi it's hard to complain. There was a fresh salsa, a delicious guac, and a slaw on the tacos with lime and a nice spicy verde salsa on the side. Our waitress was helpful and friendly, she didn't rush us but checked in at good intervals. Overall it was an excellent night out and with a delicious looking menu that was reasonably priced I'm sure I'll be back again soon.
(4)
Patrick F.

Pretty cool place to hang out but do not get the Old Bay wings really weren't good. Great place to hang out after work for drinks.
(4)
Emily L.

I feel a little guilty reviewing this place, because all I did was have a cocktail there. Super late at night. On Christmas. Yes, there are people who go to bars on Christmas. Some of us have sisters who turned 30 last Christmas, and what are we supposed to do? Sit around a roaring fire all night? There are good rumors about Riptide's excellent seafood, but in the late hours the place basically becomes a club: neon lights, drunk patrons, super-loud thumping music. Not my favorite, but it was at least classier than the place we had just come from! (Okay, you caught me. I might have been in TWO bars on Christmas. Jeez.) My Jameson & Ginger was great, not that you asked, and I promise I'll update this when I actually have something to eat there!
(3)
Jillian P.

$13 for a few small mahi-mahi tacos? They should add a half- or side salad with that - I felt a bit ripped off. Sat in restaurant area, large group next to us extremely loud, so pretty annoying. Service mediocre, though we were seated quickly.
(2)
Chrissy A.

I first must say that I have never, ever in my life had the experience I had here. Our group of 5 came in around ~7:40 PM and were seated in the back dining area. We quickly ordered a bottle of wine, a few beers and a soda. Our original server was replaced with a man who seemed very friendly. We gave our drink orders again and off he went, promising to come back for our food orders. 20 minutes later, nothing. I went to search for him and found him deep in conversation in the bar, so I flagged down the bus boy and asked him if he could grab our server. It wasn't overly busy either. About 5 minutes after that, our server returned with an attitude as well. The 4 of us who ordered burgers even wrote it on the burger sheet they gave us, reiterated it to him and off he went. At 8:50 PM, an order shows up. I say "an order" because not a single burger was what anyone at my table ordered and I didn't even get an order, messed up or otherwise! I asked anyone who would listen where my food was, they said that I didn't order anything. I asked them to bring the server over, he told me to hold on and took another 5 minutes getting his check. At this point he showed me that I had no order but he offered to place a new one. After over an hour of waiting, I politely declined to which he got angry and started complaining and yelling. I responded telling him that what I would like is to eat in a timely manner, so I think we'd all just like our check so we can leave. He went over to the other side to ask how the rest of our tables food was and they told him: completely wrong. At this point the server, who's name I wish I knew, yelled, stormed off while kicking the wall on his way out. I have never seen someone in this industry have such a violent outburst. The entire dining room went silent and were in awe. I then asked to speak to a manager which took another 15 minutes. When she finally showed up, she said "sorry the other girl was slammed and your server is actually normally a bartender!" This is not how apologies work, I highly recommend some training (and firing) At this point we asked for our check, again. She gave us 50% off and walked away. Upon looking at the bill, I noticed we were charged for an item no one ever ordered at our table. I couldn't find the manager, so they sent over the same, violent server back to the table. He copped another attitude but eventually took it off. I just can't believe the level of incompetence at this restaurant. I am a server myself and even though the restaurant I work in is by no means high end, if I or any of the staff ever acted in such a way, they would be fired on the spot. We are a group of neighborhood residents who are heavily involved in the area and dine there at least once a month after our meetings. I can say with 100% certainty, we won't be going back or recommending this place anymore. Please, for the love of your business, retrain and hire some new staff. This is not how hospitality works. You don't apologize and blame the customers for your failings.
(1)
Sabrina B.

Good food, healthy portion sizes but the temperature there was uncomfortably cold and our waiter didn't smile at all. I might go back with friends or family that wanted to go there but t wouldn't be my first choice just because of the service we received.
(3)
Sue G.

Recently spent a weekend in Baltimore and Riptide was the first restaurant we came to. It was recommended by our hotel so we figured we would check it out. Good food is essential and sets the tone on how I feel about a city. Riptide left a great first impression. Upon entering, I noticed people sitting outside, enjoying a beer with a table full of crabs. No plates. Just a brown paper table cover, some wooden mallets and a bucket...then I thought...hmm this looks fun! I had previously read a tip on the watermelon/jalapeÃ±o margarita and had to try it. It was sooooo good and refreshing! I thought there would be a pucker of sweetness or a burn from the jalapeÃ±o, but it was neither too sweet nor spicy. It was a big portion too for $9. Bf and I wanted to have a Maryland experience so we ordered the blue crabs and steamed shrimp to start. I normally don't like getting my hands dirty and potentially ruining a new shirt, but surprisingly it wasn't as messy as I imagined! Just be prepared for your hands to smell up until the next day. The crab itself wasn't that meaty, so you may be disappointed putting all that work in for a small filler. We mainly enjoyed it for the experience. Then I ordered the scallops with lobster risotto. It wasn't the best ever, but it was still pretty good! I ate it all up and was perfectly satisfied. Our server was sweet and helpful with the menu. Everything came out with perfect timing. Towards the end, there was live music and the bar area got pretty packed. It was a fun meal and definitely something different. If this is Baltimore, I'd happily go back. :)
(4)
Nicole O.

We had one of my best friends bridal showers here. The room upstairs was beautiful but kind of small to hold 30 or so people and allow them to be social! I had the crab omelette and it was okay. Tasted kind of "fishy" which makes me very nervous for a crab omelette! The service was awesome and the manager and wait staff were very accommodating and helpful! The mimosas were delicious. I would go here again - but maybe just for drinks!
(3)
Jennifer E.

Pretty cool spot for brunch or lunch in fells point. Prices aren't cheap but they have some great specials including cheap Mimosas when+ I went for brunch. Their seafood is fresh and they have outdoor seating for the warmer months. I've has some great seafood dishes including oysters, crab burger, crab omelette and crab pizza. Get the theme here? Beer selection isn't bad and their service is good.
(4)
Cristian T.

The place is nice and clean, the food is ok I had the pokey for first course which was good I know the tuna was nice and fresh frozen and the sauce was crisp and delightful. The second course was the swordfish kebabs They (2Äº were disappointing the fish was overcooked and dried out and the rice had corn mixed in and it was sweet mixed with the rice. I didn't know if it was a dessert or it was dinner. I did not like that. And for dessert key lime cheesecake was pretty good. I have to say I thought it was a little bit pricey for what you're getting. With the check they gave me a free 15% discount coupon for the next time so I left it there because I don't think I'm coming back.
(3)
Elodie T.

My mom was at a convention in Baltimore and I joined her for the weekend. We wanted to get blue crab because that's what Baltimore is known for, so we went to Riptide by the Bay as it was one of the higher rated on yelp. We arrived around 6:30 and were seated immediately. They have converted an alleyway into a nice and quaint dining area. We asked about the blue crabs, and they told us that they only had the $70/dozen option. It was my birthday weekend, so my mom just said, "let's go for that". The waitress didn't even mention that we could get a half-dozen (I mean, between the 2 of us, she should've definitely realized that a dozen might be too much) and we realized, belatedly, that we could've had that option. Points down for that. A dozen was a LOT. We each went through 4 crabs before calling it quits and just saving the rest for leftovers. The spice mix was awesome but after 3 crabs, it was getting old. I got a number of cuts on my hands from taking the crab apart (sharp, sharp places) but overall a good experience. Mom had eaten crabs at several places already, but she said that Riptide had the best crabs of the lot. Solid 4.
(4)
Chris W.

Super awesome place, small and quaint. Very nice menu selections, outstanding beers on tap, great wine list. Had the raw oysters and crab cake sliders for lunch, was fantastic. The bar area is super neat and great place to hang and have a few and also enjoy lunch/dinner. Great views out the window onto the historic square area. Would definitely recommend and plan to go again when back in Baltimore.
(4)
Boris L.

Easiest 5 stars I have given in a while. One of the best meals I've had I a while. We got there during the evening rush on a Saturday on a weekend without a reservation and were told it would maybe be a 45 minute wait but they would try to squeeze us in ASAP. 5 minutes later we were being seated. We started off with some oysters which were really good. The. For my meal I got the fish tacos. I don't know what was in the guacamole on them, but it was perfect. I also got to try a bite of the burger/crab cake sandwich and both were excellent. Not a huge bar or a ton of draft beers, but it looked like they have a good cocktail list. The part we got to sit in was a retrofit back alley, which sounds gross, but was actually really cool. The service was friendly and prompt. I'm not sure when I'm going to be back I'm Baltimore again, but I would like to come back here when I do.
(5)
Steven H.

Food was very good. The crab dip was good and came with pita chips and bread. It was creamy and cheesy with a nice smoky undertone. The crab cake sandwich was good, but the crab cake burger was awesome! The burger was perfect and the crab cake make it special.
(4)
Dominique N.

Came here twice for lunch. Got the crab bisque soup the first time and it was good in the beginning, but then I got halfway through and it was less of a bisque and more of a vegetable soup with crab in it. Second time, I went on burger day and got a cheese burger with the maker's mark BBQ sauce. The sauce was very sweet and you could definitely smell the bourbon in it. I would have prefered it a little less sweet but that's just me.
(3)
Walt S.

The food is totally pedestrian. The ambiance is a bar. The wait staff act nearly brain dead. I would not recommend this place for dining. We had crab cakes. They were largely filler. Good flavor but "floury".
(1)
Rebecca G.

My husband and I are from Virginia and we were staying at the Marriott. Our concierge recommended this place for us as a good seafood restaurant. They weren't lying. I had the grilled wahoo and my husband had the lobster ravioli. Delicious. The wahoo was cooked perfectly and the asparagus was a good touch, only complaint is that it had a few too many capers on it. I had a bite of my husband's lobster ravioli and it was to die for. Super creamy and there were some nice chunks of lobster. We also had a dozen of the raw oysters and they were pretty plump and not too expensive. Our server was great. He was super attentive and the manager also stopped by our table to see how we were doing. Great customer service and they were busy so it was nice to see that they took the time to make sure our service was good. After our meal we then went and sat at the bar were we had a couple of drinks to cap off our night. Mike the bartender made us feel so comfortable and we all joked all night. A great place for seafood and drinks. Will be back next time in Baltimore
(4)
Katherine M.

This is an interesting little place in Fells Point, but I don't think it was my favorite experience I had. Came in on a busy Saturday and put our name in for a table. They will text you to let you know when to come back which is awesome. We were able to go grab a drink elsewhere while waiting. We were seated in the little alleyway they kind of converted for the restaurant into part of the restaurant. It was a little hot, but they did have fans to try and make it better. I ordered a blueberry mint cocktail of sorts that was just okay - it just tasted like blueberry vodka which is not my thing so my husband ended up drinking it. We chose mahi mahi tacos and snow crab (they were out of Maryland crabs early that day I guess). Our snow crab was served to another table, so it took a bit to get that after my husband's dish came out. He was done with the tacos, which were quite good but nothing too memorable, before my meal came. I mean it sucks, but it happens I suppose. It took awhile to get the food anyway, and I was beyond hungry by the time it came. The snow crab was fine. I mean, it's snow crab. Tasted the same as crab you've had anywhere else. I felt like it was a little pricey for what it was as it didn't come with anything at all. The place was good. Not great. Not bad. But I'm not sure we'd be running back.
(3)
Jenny K.

Came on a Thursday night. Seated in the back, and experienced very slow service. 20 minutes for the server to come by, with 15-20 minutes in between visits to check on us. We tried the ahi tuna, salad with crab cake, fish tacos, and sweet potato fries. The $1 oyster special is a good deal, but overall we weren't impressed with the food - especially for the price. Fries were limp, crab cake wasn't terribly meaty, fish tacos were just okay. We might be back when crabs are in season, but there are too many other spots to try to warrant another visit any time soon.
(2)
Natasha S.

After a long day at the Aquarium with 2 kids and a baby, our group of 5 adults and 3 children came to this establishment for a late lunch. It was excruciating hot outside and we just picked the first establishment that looked nice and had a decent menu selection. Riptide was the winner. We were seated immediately even with our large party. They seated us in the far back right near the bathrooms, lost points for that. It's the only place they could seat us for a large party, so really had no option to move. Our table ordered the following dishes (not including kids meals): Shrimp salad sandwich - The sandwich was good. Came with fries and a tasty brioche bun. Crabcake entree - Crabcakes were decent. Had a good amount of filling and were kinda flat. Summer salad - Good. Grilled asparagus - Standard Corn on the cob - Fresh from the grill - good but had too much paprika on top. Twice baked potato - Standard Avocado bacon bibb salad with crabcake - Decent. Again crabcake was just alright. The salad was a large but yet fairly small. The lettuce was really wilted and had brown spots. Brussel sprout sauteed salad - Super salty and sour. Had too much anchovies and tasted very odd. Crabcake burger (Kobe beef patty with bacon and a crabcake) - This was loved. This seemed to be the best thing that was ordered, most satisfying and probably the best deal. ($13) For an appetizer, we shared the crab dip which was TINY. And not really enough to share but fortunately we had a lot of food coming. They didn't give us enough chips and we had to order more which took forever to be brought out. They chips are made in house so apparently it takes them awhile to make it, but they were not hot when they came out to the table. The kids meals were cheap and good portions. The service was good for the most part. The server was pleasant and very friendly. She was just extremely slow at bringing out lemon and the chips for the dip, otherwise she was alright. Gratuity was already included in the bill, which probably lent a hand in the service. She didn't really need to give us her all since it was already included. Overall, it's a nice atmosphere and restaurant in a good location. I don't think the food is all that good. Seems like most people come here for the crabs, so maybe that's the thing to order here. But next time I'm in Baltimore, I won't waste my time and just go to the places I know I love.
(2)
Heather F.

Great food! My boyfriend and I stopped here on our way back to Richmond and I am glad we did. The oysters were perfect. The crab dip was so delicious! Drinks and dinner entrees were perfected. Our waiter, Clarence, was super nice and friendly. Definitely will be back next time we day trip it to Maryland.
(5)
Sean O.

I got a breakfast platter with an omelette that had arugula, which really is too bitter for an omelette. It was still pretty good. What wasn't good was my girlfriend's pizza. At first bite it tasted like bad blue cheese/vomit. It actually made her sick. This place is a seafood restaurant primarily but it seems like their non seafood is average to subpar. Since I don't eat seafood, I most likely won't eat here again. However, I can see myself going here for a late night drink.
(2)
Vanessa H.

This is a review that pains me to write. When we first moved to Baltimore almost 2 years ago, Riptide was our go-to. The service was great, even if the food was inconsistent. But, they had (and still have) some of the best nachos I've ever had. (Seriously, I dream about them.) Ultimately, the food is what pushed us away. The first couple of times we went, the fish tacos were some of the best we'd ever had. Then, they were terrible. Then back to good. Finally, just damn near inedible. We stopped going when we couldnt justify spending money on "meh" when there are so many other sure things on the same street. We had friends in from OOT for the Privateer Festival, and figured we would give Riptide another shot. We were sat immediately, and the drinks came out rather quickly. We were off to a great start! Aaaaaaand it's gone. Our server apparently was done with us after that. They literally walked away in the middle of us ordering. I guess only half of us were allowed to eat beyond appetizers, which turned out to be ok since the fish tacos ordered were at mediocre level. Also, the crab mac & cheese. It makes me wonder if Riptide is really serious with this dish, especially when it's competing with the crab mac being served 5 doors down. The portion is small, and the dish resembles velveeta deluxe in white cheddar. We think they forgot the crab. It was super busy, so we just paid and left. No additional drinks, no dessert (not that I think our server would have cared enough to take our order if we wanted it) I spent the night apologizing for the dinner let down, and promised to make up for it at brunch. I'm confident we made the right choice by choosing to eat meals at other places, but the nachos will always pull me back in. Also, I've never had bad service at the bar. I think if youre interested in checking out Riptide, start at the bar with some appetizers (did I mention the nachos?) and go on from there.
(2)
Janey R.

I came here a couple times with friends to get drinks and some food. The food here is alright, not the best but I do like their Flat Bread options. If you are a high spender on bar food you might like it here. The bar tender the days I went was great, made all the drinks properly and everything was delicious. If you want nice and good bar tenders come to riptide. It can get very crowded but the Bar Tenders pay close attention who walks in, is waiting for a drink, etc. As far as a dinner joint, not recommended. A night with friends to grab a drink? Highly recommended.
(3)
Marilynn A.

Had a great experience there! The service was a little slow, but we did order three dozen crabs, so I don't blame them. The seasoning was delicious and my family had a great time. The ambience and location is great. We went around brunch time on a Sunday so everyone was out enjoying the nice weather and I was enjoying a mimosa. We had a really tall guy as our server, he was really nice, but seemed shy. I will def go stop by again if I'm ever in the area again.
(5)
Sanjay J.

Haiku I love the crabs here! They are flavored with old bay and are steamed beautifully. Tuesday are special: They offer two dollar ($2) crabs and three dollar ($3) beer! Cheap yet yummy date-- your partner will like this place esp if out of town!
(5)
Mike J.

Very nice place to walk in and get some good seafood. The place is not with so much room in it. Avery narrow place. However the place keeps folks coming in as fast as they go out. We went for late lunch / early dinner and it was pretty quiet. but something tells me it can get pretty noisy when it is crowded. The dÃ©cor is of a fishing place as I would expect from a seafood establishment. For Appetizer we shared Miso-Ginger Glazed Calamari (spicy)Buttermilk battered calamari tossed in a miso-ginger glaze. This was very good. Cooked nearly to perfection. The gaze had a spicy sweet taste that was not over powering of the calamari. My wife had the PAN SEARED SCALLOPS Three U-10 scallops seared to perfection and served over a fresh lobster risotto made from our homemade seafood broth. She loved it. And I can say I finally tried a scallop. It was actually pretty good. The lobster risotto was pretty good to me. My wife whom is a hard critic even enjoyed it very much. She thought 3 would not be enough so also had a crab cake with it. That was good as well. But it turned out the scallop dinner would had been plenty. I enjoyed the GRILLED MAHI MAHI Served with a pearled couscous adorned with golden raisins, roma tomatoes, cilantro & a squeeze of lime juice. The mahi was prepared excellent. What looked like a small piece of meat on the plate. It was actually more than enough for me. I was not a fan of the couscous. Would have enjoyed the meal better had I gotten plain veggies with it. I had a piece of corn on cob with mines and that was very good. The waiter was very good, and attentive and not over bearing. he suggested a Peach margarita and turned out wife ended up drinking two of them. For the non drinker. leave the ginger ale alone. Was very flat. water was a better choice. The price was about what you would pay for a NY dinner and very worth it. Worth the trip for seafood. Thanks yelp for the reviews for why I picked this place to take my wife.
(4)
Tony H.

This is a great example of a Baltimore bar. The set up is cozy, with a great view of the water, and the brick walls/exposed ventilation give it a nice industrial feel. The servers and bartenders bend over backwards to ensure prompt service when it's slow, and work hard to minimize wait times for you when it's busy. Come here for the seafood when it's in season, and the sandwiches any other time. The brioche rolls they use for their burgers should be the standard at other restaurants in Fells.
(4)
Michael M.

Good food...poor service! This place has a lot of charm and great crab. Unfortunately it had really poor service. However, in all fairness it was the kitchens fault and not the servers. A shame because this place could have been fantastic!
(3)
Bruna P.

Great crab cakes! Nice place to sip wine, eat crab cakes and watch the O's win Game 2.
(5)
Quinn S.

I liked the vibe of this place, but our server was slightly off. The bacon wrapped shrimp was VERY good! We ordered the Alaskan crab legs, which lacked meat and flavor. They give you a thing of butter but it seemed that even the butter was lacking! They sprinkled some Old Bay to make it seem more Maryland-y, but it came off as an insult; if your going to use OB you need to coat the crabs! Overall I may come back, but not for crabs.
(3)
Amber L.

This was the worst restaurant experience I have ever had. The waiter was very rude. His name is Clarence and he had the worst attitude. If he is your waiter I would ask for a new one. The food was ok but the experience horrible.
(1)
Sant A.

Started out with med raw oysters and was hoping to try some Maryland crab but out of season and had to settle for Alaskan King Crab legs, which was fine...both were excellent! I couldn't get enough of the succulent crab...wanted a side but was told they were out of baked potato and corn on the cob...a little disappointing...settled for some steamed asparagus...small restaurant seating area...the bar is a bit close to the dining area downstairs and it got a bit loud but I was not bothered much by it... was expected as there are many bars in the surrounding neighborhood...will be back to get a taste of Maryland crab when they are back in season
(4)
Sophie O.

I'm going to be completely honest. What ruined my experience here was simply the service. It's obvious that this place is trying way too hard to play the "We're too cool to worry about customer service because heh.. This is Baltimore.. We don't kiss ass.... We don't need you, you need us" card. Which bothers me because it will eventually fail when people don't bother returning. Food was pretty decent, but my friends and I waited over 45 minutes for it. I only know that because my stomach started shrinking and I started timing it once we hit the half hour mark. Server was unfriendly and awful at his job. I've been a server for over five years--- currently at a very busy restaurant---it's truly an easy job if you know how to multitask. Just keep walking. Oh!!!! But the strawberry pancakes were delicious. Not worth waiting an hour after sitting down though...
(2)
Nicky P.

I suppose this place is alright. Whatever you do, do not get the fried Oyster. Very skimp. Crab cakes are good. Scallops are yummy but comes with some sort of weird bitter rice. Honey potatoes are very yummy as well. Their margaritas are delishhhhh. I just don't like how little and skimped the fried oysters were. Fried oysters are my faveee. Sitting outside was the worst; it was like sitting in a box. Pretty crammed. I wouldn't return here.
(3)
Mike D.

Service was much better this time around. I got the fish tacos which were great but it would have been nice to get a side with it for $12.00. 2 tacos still left me a bit hungry. My buddy got the burger with the crab cake on it and said it my be the best thing he has ever eaten.
(4)
Darth S.

My Burger was not cooked right instead of the manager just taken it off like we asked her to . She tried to tell me that I was wrong and ."The lighting in the room made the burger look raw and the liquid on the plate was the burgers natural juices not blood." This after the waitress brought me some unseasoned mushy male crabs after I asked for female crabs . Bottom line bad service bad food don't waist your time . Oh and this was my second time here and the service was bad both times. SMH
(1)
Inayah L.

Looved the food! Me and a friend went during happy hour. We ordered the Sweet potato fries and chicken tacos. So good! Great prices and service. We wanted to sit outside but it was a 45min wait. Inside wasn't bad at all though. We walked around trying to find outside seating but had to turn around and go back because the food looked tOO good!
(4)
Tom H.

Great crab dishes. Good mixed drinks
(5)
Alice P.

Love this place. This is my first time here, and I really had a great time. My hubby and I ate here for our anniversary, and it was a great way to celebrate. The service is friendly and the ambience is casual and hip. Snow crab legs, five stars. Yum-city. Maryland blue crab, delish. But a little too much work. My hands ached after cracking six of those suckers. Wasn't too crazy about the seasoning, but NOT a deal-breaker, folks. Still come here. Finally, the best for last. Two things. Aweeeeeesome oysters. Five stars. And the Maryland Crab Bisque is a serious MUST. I popped one Lactaid, and basically one-shotted that mug of rich, savory goodness. There was more crab in that $7 dollar soup than the total crabs we ate tonight. This place is great. And Fells Point will make even the dullest person feel like the life of the party.
(4)
Danielle S.

The crab cake sliders and crab Mac and cheese were delicious!!! The fried oysters were mediocre but the dipping sauce made it taste good. The wait was about 20 minutes on a nice Saturday afternoon. The service wasn't amazing, our waitress never brought us water after reminding her. But other than that, she was very friendly.
(4)
Denise W.

Terrible food and even worse service. Went there on burger night. it took 15 minutes to take our drink order, and another 30 minutes to take out food other. The waiter seemed high, and couldn't seem to get the orders straight. We were just ordering burgers, 3 of the 4 burgers came out wrong, one never came out at all. When we questioned the waiter, he had a hissy fit and THREW his receipt book and stormed off. We asked to see the manager, another 20 minute wait. Horrible experience.
(1)
Jonathan S.

Food and outdoor seating were both excellent. Service a little slow but friendly. Would definitely go back.
(4)
Meghan M.

This place was pretty awesome. Right along Thames Street, a touristy restaurant row in Fells Point, you'll find this low-key place they call Riptide. Around 11:30 or so, we popped in for a pre-friend's-wedding-festivities lunch. We grabbed a seat at the bar, though if it wasn't over 100 degrees outside, I likely would've opted for a cool little outdoor breezeway. Here's the highlights: Staff here is hilarious Fish tacos are great and huge Crabs (we ordered half dozen of the 60s) were really good Bloody Marys were awesome I'd possibly become a regular at Riptide if I lived in the area but for an out-of-towner, it was a great taste of Baltimore.
(4)
Chris F.

Solid spot...nice atmosphere, casual environment, and good food. Fish tacos and crabcake sandwich worth checking out. Decent beer selection too...stop by if you're in fells point, worth a try if you like seafood.
(4)
Imani R.

I went to Riptide last night and the place was pretty packed. I thought that meant the food would be good, WRONG! My ginger ale was so watery it looked like water. when I told the waiter he promptly told me that's the way it is. As the night progressed his attitude got worse. If you are seated in Clarence's section RUN. Not exaggerating, it was the worst service I have ever had. To top it all off the food wasn't even good and the portions are small. Not to mention, the food is pricey. Me and Clarence ended up getting into an argument and the manager wasn't even very apologetic. I have worked in the restaurant industry and I can honestly say the customer service is abysmal at Riptide. Save your money.
(1)
David M.

This was one of the reasons we opted to come to Fells Point when the in-laws were in town. We made a reservation since it was a weekend and an O's game night (sure to make for a busy evening). When we arrived, they said they could not honor that reservation. They say they called my wife's phone. Nope. It sucks because we really, really enjoyed Riptide when we were up in FP for my wife's birthday last year. Ironically, it was them who saved us from another local restaurant that screwed up our reservation that trip. The food was great, and the service was really good. Still, leaving our party of 7 with 1 hungry kid in tow (and my pissed off in laws...THANKS!) might be the unforgivable sin... Stay classy, Riptide. We just won't be back to enjoy it.
(1)
Suka H.

Our waiter must have been competing for the fastest waiter competition at the olympics. He was always taking our order as he was running away and never offered any suggestions...He would drop our food off and constantly run away...I ordered the steak( yes my mistake)and a side of crab cakes which i never rcvd and my gf ordered snow crab legs that were brownish and did not crack easily...You know the crabs are fresh when you can crack them in half without the crab crackers....our waiter was also cleaning the bathrooms with the same napkins that were used by customers. The tables are very sticky, we witnessed the staff remove the card board papers after a table that had blue crabs. All he did was remove the paper and never wiped the table down...ewww...this explains the stickiness..I would give this place one more try before i wipe it off my list
(2)
Mayowa D.

Went here on a whim and with the help of other yelp reviews and I am glad we did. Their draft beer selection was awesome. The crab dip was just perfect and our main dishes were well done and very tasty. We did a lot of crab related foods that night and I was not disappointed at all. Also we made a reservation before we went in which made our sitting speedy. The waitress was really good with helping is decide on our meal choices and also very attentive. Overall a great place to get a taste of Baltimore.
(4)
Renee C.

This place is really nice. I like the ambiance, I also like the food. We got the crab mac & cheese and the crabcake sandwich. I loved the crabcake sandwich, just the perfect amount of salty goodness! The crab mac & cheese was okay... maybe I had higher expectations because of all the praise I hear about it. I liked it, what's not to like about cheesy crab and macaroni. I just LOVED the crabcake.
(4)
Brittany S.

My favorite restaurant when I'm at school. I LOVE going to Fells Point when it's nice out, its right on the water so its perfect in the spring/summer time. I love walking around that area and Riptide by the Bay has a young professional type audience so its always fun. The food is AMAZING, seriously some of the best food I've ever had. The only kind of bad part is that it seems like every time I go they have a different menu. I guess it helps me to try new things on the menu but sometimes I want the same thing I had last time because it was just that good! The drinks are pretty good too. On Sunday's they have really cheap mimosas and they have good daily specials. The people there are super nice! The service is a little slow and unorganized but once you get your food you really don't care. Definitely worth the wait!
(4)
Lieutenant W.

I love Riptide. Been there twice in a month and love it everytime. Quick service, solid food and not overly priced. Perfect, quick little date night and the front bar seating is awesome. I'm a fan and I recommend.
(4)
Erin V.

Not impressed. I'm pretty sure the chef put jalapeno seeds in my fiances food on purpose because he sent his food back (his original order came out with guacamole and he can't eat avocados-he ordered it without guacamole and they "forgot".) Food was blah. Service not much better. Servers talking about other customers in front of us. Bartender was very friendly, though.
(1)
Ragan B.

Was here Friday night. It was fantastic. Chill bar, really personable bartenders, great drinks, and fun live entertainment! Bartender totally made custom shots for us that we're delicious! Can I say dirty martini shot with blue cheese olives? Awesome! We'll be back!
(4)
Chelsea C.

Crab cake Mac was so delicious. Crab cake sandwich was very moist, so if you're into firmer cc's this place won't be your jam. Got a cucumber chili drink with Hendricks and jalapeÃ±o.. Woot woot! Service was quick and attentive too. All signs point to yes for me. My friends say 4 stars because they are critical meanies. Try making Mac and cheese like that yo'self! Not happening. :)
(5)
Tunisha W.

This is a nice place, I havent had the food but I have had an alcoholic beverage and its really good ..and it is really charming .
(3)
Doug S.

After a less than stellar meal a few blocks away the previous night, we were in town looking for fresh seafood and a good time last weekend. We found everything we were looking for at Riptide by the Bay. Located in Fells Point, RBTB is a small storefront on the water with a bunch of other cool looking restaurants with seating out front. The weather was awesome, and Thames Street was packed with people milling about. Such a nice thing to see after weve had some poor spring weather up in Connecticut. We had an 830 reservation and were sat at a table immediately. Nice table with cloth linens and napkins, but we knew these wouldnt be staying long, as we were there to crack some fresh, Maryland crab. Our one concern was that they would be sold out, but were immediately told they were not. Score one for us! The waittress explained to us that, due to the "interesting" spring, they have only gotten the small blue crabs in. At 32 dollars per dozen, we knew this to be the case. We also knew that 12 small crabs wouldnt provide nearly enough meat for the two of us, so we also ordered a pound of Maryland seasoned peel and eat shrimp and a bucket of french fries. Once they knew we ordered the crab, the nice table cloth was pulled and replaced with a big, paper mat. A fun touch I personally liked as they are showing that they can be fancy or casual depending on your order. The food came out piping hot, and the waittress gladly washed her hands to give us a brief tutorial on how to crack the crabs. Easy enough, it seemed. The next 45 minutes were an absolute blast. As my wife and I hammered and cracked the crab, sought out the meat and intermingled it with the extra large shrimps and crisp fries, we felt like everyone in the restaurant was having as good of a time as we were. The crab was fresh, with that soft and buttery flavor that comes straight from the Bay. An overwhelming amount of Old Bay was on the outside (never a bad thing) but hadnt penetrated the crabs enough to overpower the meat. Again, these were the small crabs, so the meat wasnt in abundance, but with the other 2 food items, a dozen was a perfect amount for the two of us. The shrimp were huge, perfectly boiled, and seasoned with enough Old Bay to give them that Maryland taste, but not take the taste of the shrimp away either. Fries were great at RIptide, super hot and crispy on the outside. Next time, ill add the pepper jack cheese, but this time we were happy with just ketchup. We will definitely go back to Riptide by the Bay based on experience, atmosphere, service, price and most importantly the food itself. Overall, I gave them 5 stars for excelling in Maryland Blue crab, something that must be a difficult market in that area of Baltimore.
(5)
Melissa P.

Had dinner here last night... Seared scallops on lobster risotto... It was super. Also, they had blue cheese stuffed olives with my martini...got right in and out. My friend had tuna, it was delish.
(5)
Ada G.

This is my husband's very favorite place to eat. He orders a half dozen crabs, and I watch him deconstruct and devour every bite of goodness. I love their huge cocktail menu. Last time, I had a spicy watermelon margarita that was sooo good. They also have a smoked tomato soup that's super delish. The servers here are super cool. I think they make the place even more awesome. It seems like they are all having a good time. I highly recommend this place for crabs and cocktails!
(4)
Chris D.

I think maybe I stepped through some sort of dimensional portal into an alternate universe and ate at the Riptide by the Bay there. It looked great on paper, and even came recommended by someone who'd eaten there a night or two before, but they just fell down on most every level. Maybe we went on an off night or something, but here are a couple things I feel worth mentioning. 1a) It took close to 30 minutes to get our oysters. You know, the raw kind that don't involve cooking. Checking in to ask about them didn't seem to matter because we still waited a good 10-15 minutes after that. Generally speaking, service was sloooooow and downright MIA at times. It was a weekend night on a very busy weekend for Baltimore, but I'm a firm believer restaurants should be able to handle as many tables as they seat. 2) The middle of my crab cake was cold. Not "oh this sat for a few minutes under a warmer" lukewarm but full on "we threw it in a pan for 3 minutes after sitting in the fridge for as many days" cold. If crab cakes and football are what Maryland does (name that movie!) then at least they still have football. Oh, wait... 3) The music was obnoxiously loud to the point of preventing conversation. So. Yeah. It was about what I would have expected of a tourist trap. It's a shame too because it appears others thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
(2)
Joe K.

Riptide is one of those bars i walked by all the time with no interest in, until last Sunday. Located right off Thames street in restaurant row in scenic Fells Point. A beautiful display of maritime photos, and decor reminding you of the heavy seas help set the mood for this eatery. Sit out doors, in doors at the bar/booth area or sit in their outdoor side alley, either way your sure to enjoy your food. The wait staff was excellent and attentive. The lunch menu was pretty large and offered some light fare and some more heavy dishes like the Crab Burger, a large beef patty perfectly seasoned and cooked to preference with a jumbo lump crab cake on top. My friends had this and loved it! Looking for something lite i went with the chicken tacos, two small shelled tortilla tacos with grilled chicken, salsa, crumbed feta, and lettuce, very good! The beer selection was OK a few standards and a couple local micro brews; there is a full bar and a small wine list too. Ill be returning to try some more foods, you should too; 4 stars!
(4)
Hector B.

Wow! This place really brings it home. The first thing you do when you enter this place is to order the Maryland Crab Dip, it is heaven! The blue crabs tasted like a little piece of ocean heaven and I have to say the custom in house seasoning was packed with potent flavor. The oysters were incredibly fresh, it felt like they were picked out of the water very recently. I highly recommend making a stop here if you are in the Fells Point area. PS. The Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita is the bomb.
(4)
Kristyna S.

Stumbled upon Riptide as a second choice as our first wasn't to open until 5p.m. Was looking forward to some great Baltimore seafood. Sorely disappointed! First, their "market price" for appetizer crabcakes were $18!!!! so obviously we passed. Ordered the crab mac n cheese (which was really good), added a crabcake for $6 (no idea why it was cheaper that way... it was barely ok), fish and chips (soggy, soggy, soggy and the fries were drenched in grease), and children's tenders and fries. The fries were so terrible, that my 3 year old (who LOVES fries in any shape or form) wouldn't touch them. They were a grease slick! Just nasty! Granted, the fries were replaced after an extremely long wait, but again greasy. Mind you, our friends who were eating w/ us were having just as a miserable time with their food. They ordered the fish tacos, one order grilled, one battered. They were brought two orders of grilled. They sent one back, FINALLY got the correct order only to have the manager explain that they weren't specific enough to the waitress about their order... Like it was their fault she misunderstood or didn't ask and clarify. Finally get our checks.... manager comp'd us part of our meals which was greatly appreciated and the only reason I give a second star. Irony? Our friends who waited forever for the remainder of their meal? Were comp'd nothing.
(2)
Axl R.

FOOD: We ordered a wide variety of plates and all of our food was good. We enjoyed pretty much our entire meal, except the molten chocolate cake was not molten. There was nothing special and nothing awful about our meals. We ordered the oysters, dumplings, the crab cakes, the lobster tail, the snow crab, the mac/cheese (lobster), and the aforementioned dessert. DRINKS: two drinks ordered, they were good AMBIANCE: Surprisingly busy for a Sunday night, but we were seated immediately. Granted, I also had reservations for a very early dinner when I doubt many people would even eat on a week night. SERVICE: The drinks were slow to come out, but overall since we were not in a rush we were not annoyed. The food came out in a normal time. The waitress was pleasant bur would be intermittently attentive. I would return if if I had to because it is close, but I would not go out of my way to eat here.
(3)
Hetty W.

Great seafood in a fun spot, and cheap drinks! (May be biased from nyc standards) The winner is the mahi mahi taco. Served with fried jalapenos and this yummy shaved pickled... something. Not sure what it is, but it was tasty! Seafood chowder was chock full of really fresh juicy clams, mussels, shrimp, fish. Cocktails are $7-9, which is super cheap in my book! I think they skimp a little on the alcohol, though.
(3)
L T.

Our seafood was good, but the service was kind of ridiculous. We had two vegetarians in our group, so one ordered the beet and goat cheese salad, and the other ordered the poached pear and blue cheese salad. (Which, by the way -- props to Riptide for offering a couple of vegetarian options.) The beet salad isn't typically served with meat, but when it was presented to us, it had bacon, so we asked the kitchen to remake it. Round two: bacon bits again. Round three: no bacon bits... but this time no beets, either! The other salad also took two attempts to be served without meat, although we specifically asked for the bacon vinaigrette to be left off.
(2)
Laura C.

You never want to get caught in a riptide at the beach, but you definitely want Riptide by the Bay to capture your taste buds on your next trip to Baltimore! With so many restaurants to visit near the Inner Harbor area of Downtown Baltimore, it is tough to find a place that can fulfill your craving for authentic local seafood. Skip the Cheesecake Factory or the P.F. Chang's and head to this wonderful place with pleasant service! With a busy bar in the front, you may not believe that a well-lit restaurant lives in the back of this place. Do not let the outside deceive what is on the low-key inside...deep inside. Unfortunately, crab was all sold out the night I went, but that's how you know that it must have been THAT good. I wasn't too upset about missing blue crabs because I loved everything else that I ordered and here is why! MARYLAND CRAB DIP: You have got to try the "Maryland Crab Dip" in the Small Bites section. The dip is creamy, thick with lump crab meat inside. If you love chowder, this dip is the thicker version of it made with garlic, lemon, wine and shallots. You can order it with either toasted baguette or corn chips and I got the baguette...TWICE! One order contains 6 strips of warm, toasty white bread baguettes, but I got a refill so that we could finish every last drop of that dip! I am not exaggerating when I say I swiped my finger around the bottom rim just to get every last lick off that bowl...and I AM NOT ASHAMED! OYSTERS: They also have orgasmic oysters from the sea! Talk about an aphrodisiac... It was extremely fresh and perfectly chilled, served on a bed of ice. Squeeze some lemon and add mignonette sauce. The mignonette sauce really has a spicy pepper kick to it and I liked every slurp of that raw oyster goodness. CHARRED CAESAR SALAD: Now, now...we can get Caesar salad anywhere in the world right? But why is it that the day I go to Baltimore is the ONLY time in my life that I was ever asked if I wanted my salad charred. That option to grill your romaine lettuce so that the edges have a smoky flare to them was enticing and boy am I SO glad I went with that option! It still retains its crispness, but that charred flavor enhances the garlic and Parmesan cheese. GIVE THAT GRILLED VEGGIE A CHANCE! SNOW CRAB LEGS: Eating these are a LOT easier than cracking the regular crabs (and cleaner, too). I always thought crab meat was difficult because I wouldn't get that fulfilling mouthful of crab meat feeling when I individually peel the shell off. Since the crabs were out, we gave the snow crab legs a shot. They were steamed to delicate perfection. The crab meat stuck together when you cracked its shell and you could easily tug the meat right out. Every bite was delectable and satisfying! Bottom line...LET RIPTIDE BY THE BAY RAPE YOUR TASTEBUDS!!
(4)
Sonya M.

Great drinks, great food & great service. Stopped in one night during happy hour for a couple cocktails & tacos. The (chicken) tacos were pretty good & the two drinks I had were bad either. Can't recall the exact names but one was the passion punch & the other was grapefruit. Our waiter was awesome & I'd most definitely return.
(5)
Camille C.

In-laws came to visit & they were in the mood to experience downtown Baltimore. Found this place on Yelp & on we went! First impression walking up to this restaurant is, "oh no, is this just some bar??". It's easy to have that impression because the front part of the restaurant is just all bar. Just walk in & head straight past the bar. Someone greeted us & sat us right away (we had a reservation). We were 4 adults & 2 toddlers. Yup, we braved a downtown restaurant/bar with 2 toddlers on a crazy busy Saturday night (it was also one of the first warm days in March so Thames St. was crowded). They had one highchair available & took our server a good 30 minutes to locate a booster seat for the other guy (we got the impression they don't have a lot of kids frequenting this place). We ordered their food first since toddlers can be highly demanding. The chicken fingers & fries we ordered them came out overcooked. I mean, these chicken fingers were practically black & they wouldn't eat it. So, that is the negative... Positive side is big because it involved the food, us adults, ordered & ate. All 4 of us LOVED our food. Appetizer of oysters & calamari were wonderful. I had the crab cake sandwich and that was one of the tastiest crab cakes I have ever had (and I have had a bunch!). My husband practically swallowed his meal of scallops. My father-in-law loved his fish tacos & my mother-in-law's steak was cooked perfectly. The fiasco with the kids during the first half of our visit there was completely trumped by the amazing food! We also highly enjoyed the location. Tons of other bars/restaurants on this street plus some unique looking stores.
(4)
Lucie B.

Seating was fun on the patio, but close to the walking crowd. Transients asked us for food and$$. Splurged on the lobster and coconut shrimp. Lots of beating on the shrimp and the lobster was almost inedible...wouldn't other it again. Service was great. Abigail was friendly and accommodating. She's gets 4 stars!!
(3)
Jamie H.

The best Bloody Mary that I've found since I moved to Maryland. The salads are good too.
(5)
Liz F.

Good food and great place but not impressed. Love the atmosphere and the decor. Great customer service but food was very disappointing. The crab bisque is amazing! But that was the only good thing all night. Crab cake NOT WORTH IT. Something is off. Fish and chips- batter is nice but fish very bland. Shrimp salad- weird after taste. Not a place I would be crazy about going back to.
(3)
Todd W.

A lot of fun. I planned a bachelor party to come here to accommodate a large group and they didn't disappoint. They had fresh crab, great sandwiches, and a great environment. Fell's point also doesn't hurt the places value as its a pretty cool place. Definitely recommend!
(4)
Victoria A.

Love the old charm and "artsy" feel of the neighborhood (ladies beware, cobblestone streets and high heels = Yikes!). We stopped in just before noon on a Monday. We loved the casual atmosphere in the bar area (which is where we chose to sit). You can eat crabs at the bar which we LOVED! They also have a dining area with booths and outside seating as well. The service was exceptional and friendly with Tony and Alicia being the perfect bartenders, and "hosts" for our first visit to Fells Point. We will be returning again and again. Great time, great crabs, great drinks!!
(4)
Katherine S.

Went here for dinner on a Saturday. Our server Clarence was wonderful. The food was good, but I thought it was very overpriced for the portion size. This place is definitely not fine dining, so I'm unclear on the rationale behind the portion sizes. We both left kind of hungry, and that was after an appetizer and a main! I won't be back because it's so overpriced.
(3)
Joanne L.

This place has awesome oysters and snow crabs!!! Our server was so helpful and awesome; he was great at making sure we were ok and just overall wonderful. Riptides is very quaint and comfy and the food came fast!! We ordered a little bit of everything: a dozen oysters, snow crab, seafood chowder, fish tacos, and shrimp tampura. The table was never without any food. For two people who ate 2.5 hrs before... We devoured it! The cooked food was good but the raw oysters and the snow crab took the spotlight. Oysters were fresh and huge (the best I've ever had!) and best of all... decently priced!! My boyfriend who didn't really care for oysters changed his mind after this place. The snow crab was warm and meaty... Love love love I will definitely be returning to Thames St. To dine at Riptides whenever I'm passing by.
(5)
Issy H.

This place is more like a 3.5, but not quite a 4. We were in Maryland and I needed a crab fix. We stumbled into Riptide as we strolled along Thames Street in Fells Point. We were there on a relatively quiet night and the waitress was great. We got a dozen of the maryland blue crabs to share. The crabs came piping ot and dumped in the middle of our table. We originally wanted the medium sized ones, but they didn't have it that night, so we got the small mediums. To our surprise, the crabs were pretty big. The crabs were good, but it could do with less of the old bay seasoning, but my husband thought it was good with the old bay. So I guess it's a matter of taste. I somehow wish they could bring out the crabs half-a-dozen at a time. Since it is pretty time consuming to pick at crabs, by the time we got to our last one, it was cold. Burgers start at $5 on Wednesdays and includes cheese and hand-cut fries. So we ordered a burger to share in addition to our crabs. The burger was good, but a bit greasy. The fries on the other hand were great! I would go back just for the fries.
(3)
Mindy S.

Riptide is a RIP OFF! I took family here from out of town for crabs, and we quickly left without eating. The bartender seemed like he wasn't interested in serving us...they were out of Corona, only had Corona light! We did order fries while we waited for a table...they were good (one point for them). When were seated, they place was very small and cramped. The only crabs they had were small, medium small, and medium (WTF)! The wait staff was really the problem, they were rude and started off with an attitude. I ordered a drink with Captain Morgan Dark rum and they told me they didn't have it; all the while I was looking at it at the bar. The server said it "wasn't in the system" again, are they not aware of what they sell here??? Then we attempted to order crabs and they had issues explaining the pricing and sizes of the crabs; they couldn't articulate the pricing to us. They continued to frustrate us and the next thing you know, the manager walks over to the table asking what the problem was. We first explained about the drink and she walks away and comes back with the Captain Morgan drink I ordered WITHOUT asking anyone else if they wanted something to drink. One of my friends got up from the table to find the bathroom, she asked the manager in the hall, and the manager immediately said "I just want everyone to respect each other" again WTF, she asked for the fricken bathroom! I would NEVER walk in this place again, very unprofessional and rude staff AND management. There are much nicer places and better crabs in Baltimore! Don't waist your time or you money here! Try Captain James for crabs if your in Fells Point! They were delish!
(1)
Gaz H.

Had a delightful lunch here. Everything that came to the table demonstrated the kitchen's proficiency; they know what they are doing back there. Taste combinations, basic grill work, French fries. All good. Really good. Service exceptionally friendly. Bathrooms are fine, not pristine.
(4)
Marcelle D.

Visiting Baltimore for a few days with my husband and read the review about the crab dip and so decided to try it. Awesome!! We also enjoy items from the Monday special list- the $2.50 Natty Boh's and the $2.50 chicken tacos and $5.00 margaritas.
(4)
Vida L.

We made a reso on open table, so no problem getting seated. We came on a Saturday night during Pirate Festival so needless to say it was very loud in the restaurant. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable, drinks came relatively quickly. We ordered the calamari and shrimp wonton appetizers. The calamari was over cooked with more breading than squid and the portion was quite small for the price. The wonton shrimp was ok but the presentation was poor. We had ribs which were good, lobster ravioli which were also good and scallops which were tasteless. Also, three scallops for $25 was totally cheezy. Over all I expected better. This place was more like a pub trying to pass as a great restaurant. There are so many great restaurants to go to in Baltimore so I doubt I'd waste my time on this one again.
(2)
Alyssa P.

Went for crabs and burgers. Wednesday burger night for $5 dollars was awesome. Good burgers, variety of add on toppings for extra, comes with nice crispy fries. We also got a dozen crabs size large for $60 and shared among the table. The server was super friendly in helping us open the crabs and get every last piece of meat out of them. Honestly, not the best crabs I have had in Maryland, but decent enough. Also had cheap yuengling for $2.25 each which pairs great with crabs. Went with a large group and they were more than accommodating to us.
(3)
Jeannette S.

Tried for the first time Friday and loved it. Michael in particular was friendly,helpful and very attentive. My husband and I will make the trip again. The crab dip was yummy as was the fish and chips. Plenty of beers to choose from .
(4)
Beth F.

Riptide was pretty good. We had crab dip, crab cakes, sea bass and lobster tail. Everything was good. The lobster tail was very good and included a twice baked potato. Both were small portions but the price was reasonable: $24. The crab cakes were good but a little more filling than I would have liked. Our friend's sea bass was very good and the portion was generous. The restaurant was very warm and the wait staff could not agree on who would wait on our table, which was a little confusing and awkward. Generally a young and energetic crowd. Fun atmosphere. We would consider returning.
(3)
Leslie K.

1st time I went here I was really hungry, so the vegetarian gouda burger tasted amazing and I ate every fry. The patty appears to be black bean based and homemade. It was on the dry side, but overall not bad. We had just moved to Baltimore, so my friends had fun busting open tiny crabs. They had the arugula and strawberry salad which was delicious, flavorful, and not overdressed. 2nd time I went here they put bacon in the veggie burger (it's the only vegetarian option). I calmly brought this to the waitress' attention and she was kind enough to remove it from the bill. I appreciated her courtesy. PROS: - Large beer selection, decent slew of microbrews - Fun to open up whole crabs - They have specials during the week, e.g. build your own burger night Cons: - Only one vegetarian option, not a lot of modifiable dishes - Not a very enticing menu Food was 2 stars, but the beer pushed it to 3.
(3)
Christopher H.

Had a few hours before catching my flight, and I wanted to grab some crab while in Baltimore. After poking through the reviews, I found myself here - and I made the right choice. I was there at about 3ish, so the place was empty. Frank was the bartender - very friendly and helpful. He brought out the tray of crabs to show off the sizes and prices. I went with a half dozen of the larger ones and a couple of beers. They also steam corn with the crab if you like, but the corn came out undercooked. (Not worth knocking off a star, as I barely eat sides when I'm pigging out on crab). The crab was doused with Old Bay, which is exactly the way to have it. Served up plain on butcher paper, with a mallet and a plastic knife. Shell parts everywhere by the end of it, and a very happy stuffed human. The place was exactly what I wanted - a dive-ish seafood joint down by the water with great crab.
(5)
Katelyn C.

Well, good food but not very big portions. They kind if treated us like we weren't high class enough, but the food was good. Not enough bread with the crab dip. We went at 8pm & getting a table took awhile, & service was slow. They said they were busy but there were open tables beside us...kind of weird. The margaritas were fairly priced and strong ;),
(2)
C S.

Prices were fair, staff was friendly , and food was excellent. A great Place for lunch
(5)
Ieesha J.

Came on a date and was very pleased with our service. Not so much on portion size but the food was delicious. Will visit again soon.
(4)
Jessica M.

Been a regular here for a while, eat here at least 2 to 3 times a week. Food is always great and the servers friendly and accomodating. Funny thing happened a few weeks ago when I was sitting outside though, and I have a feeling the gentleman who thinks Meredith, the owner, is a terrible manager is who I'm thinking of. In short, he and his friends refused to pay for a bunch of food after eating all of it with no complaint and had the cops called on them for walking out on their check. The hilarious part was when he insisted he was afraid for his safety, like the tiny 90lb server was going to drop kick him or something. Sad. But this place is fabulous. Oh, and another thing... food poisoning doesn't show up for 24 hours after eating whatever gave it to you, and involves *alot* more severe effects than minor stomach cramps. And if you don't like our crabs or seasoning, don't flipping eat it dumb dumb! Not the restaurants fault you're not a Blue Crab fan.
(5)
Amy N.

We popped in on a sunny Sunday, too late for brunch but not for the killer mimosa special. Food was amazing (my husband said the crabcakes were the best ever, and I thought even the avocado bibb salad was delish), and they had Terrapin Pumpkin Fest beer on tap. We sat in the breezeway, and the service and atmosphere were both awesome. Couldn't have picked a better place to spend a lazy weekend afternoon.
(4)
Beverly G.

What an amazing find! My husband and I were walking around Fell's Point in search of a crab restaurant and by shear luck found Riptide! We were welcomed by Erin and were seated promptly, then greeted by our gregarious and knowledgable server, Michael . He was so warm and genuinely interested in making sure we were happy with every aspect of our meal! We decided to start with a luscious warm crab dip ( tons of large crab in the dip), followed by the most delicious crab bisque either of us has ever tasted! Laden with a plentiful amount if crab, creamy and delicious with a hint of Old Bay seasoning. Last but not least Michael suggested the crab cake sandwich with bacon... To die for! Not too much breading as one would find elsewhere, baked and deliciously seasoned. All in all I would absolutely recommend Riptide to everyone! We will return on our next trip to Baltimore !!
(5)
Niel K.

Intimate bar/ restaurant in the Fells Point area of Baltimore. Plenty of seafood and cocktail options. We sat at the bar and had the obligatory crab cakes and scallops. Both excellent.
(4)
Julie S.

After a quick google search saw that this place has crab specials every Tues. night for $2.50 ea. Advertised on their website, local crabs are available April-Nov and the rest of the year they fly in crabs from the southern states. We drove over from the other side of the city, only to be disappointed when our waitress told us it was too early in the season for crabs. Not only were the Local crabs not available as advertised in the website (April-Nov) but they also didn't offer the crabs they supposedly had from southern states during off season. Argh. My husband got the snow crab legs instead ($25...a nice up sell), which he seemed to be satisfied with. Trying to stay on my no carb diet, I ordered a bunless burger.... Not much flavor. What got me was that while we were eating we heard at least 3-4 other tables come in and ask for crabs and the waiter responded that there were none to be had. We probably all saw the same thing online - why change the website I guess...it's obviously working to get people in the door and once they're there, spend a lot more money!
(2)
Alyssa M.

Get your fresh blue crab here! Not only I t was fresh crab meat, the seasonings were done right. It is not busy during the week between 3-5pm. The only tip I can provide to be prepared to get messy.
(4)
Mabel T.

I had some family visiting Maryland for the first time, so I wanted to make sure they had a great experience with some blue crabs. We went on a Sunday night around 7:30 p.m.. Place was busy, but we only waited about 10 minutes. Server was very knowledgeable and friendly. We ordered the crab dip and calamari as appetizers. Dip was creamy and very flavorful, but I thought the portion was a little small for the price. Calamari was seasoned well and I loved the breading. We ordered a dozen and a half of large blue crabs ($60/dozen) for 7 people. And it was more than enough!! Crabs came out hot and steamy with just the right amount of old bay seasoning. Not too much where it's caked on, but definitely very flavorful. They just pile the crab on the table with some wooden spoons and a bucket for the shells, and you just have at it! Definitely a great experience! I highly recommend Riptide.
(4)
Vickie S.

Okay, our waiter was awesome. He even got us plates and silverware for a birthday cake I brought in with me. The live entertainment sang and played with us for "Happy Birthday". That was cool. On a Tuesday, crabs in any side other than small had run out by about 8 in the evening. The birthday girl had called ahead, but still no dice there. I wasn't impressed by the pricing on the crabs, even on a day with specials. The rest of the food was so-so. I ordered the goat cheese pizza (since I am such a sucker for chevre) but it wasn't memorable. I ate less than half, took the rest home and ended up throwing it out because I wasn't enthusiastic. Beer (on tap) was okay, not extensive. It's a great location, and an outlet for seafood if you're jonesing for it, but I can't muster up a wholly positive opinion.
(2)
Lauren S.

Well, the short of it is, the beer is good. The Organic Pumpkin Ale was really good. My boys October Fest whatever, also good! Now on to the rest of the dinner. We went early (around 7:30) and the place was not busy. That being said, our waiter was not great. Seriously, walked by our table multiple times while our beer glasses sat very empty and sad looking. The food, was on the same page. Pat liked his burger, but my calamari rings were not so great. I'm no big calamari expert, but it was mostly deep fried breading and not much else. I ate about 5-10 before calling it quits. I'd come here to sit at the bar since the beer is good, but I'd skip out on the food.
(3)
Brittany R.

Great little place. Was in town for a few days and decided to come here. The service is great. The crab dip is AMAZING. The seafood bique is awesome. THe lobster mac and cheese, the crab cakes were AMAZING as well. Get anything crab here--you can't go wrong.
(5)
Carrie D.

I see that this place receives high ratings on Yelp, so I think we may have gone on an off day. I give this place credit for creativity with ingredients, but the execution of most of the dishes was not good during our visit. We started with the baked local oysters. The citrus-passion fruit emulsion was extremely citrusy - it overpowered the oysters. The sauce wasn't too bad once we removed 2/3rds of it from each oyster. Next, we shared the mahi-mahi tacos. I loved that you can order them fried or grilled. We opted for grilled. The authentic tortillas were appreciated, but the filler fell flat. There was a sliver of avocado and a small piece of fish on each - the tacos were mostly filled with shredded lettuce. Luckily, the accompanying salsa verde saved the tacos - the salsa tasted fresh and had a nice kick. We also shared the rib eye special, which came with a brussel sprout salad (advertised as having garlic, anchovy and parmesan - which sounds interesting, right?). The steak was the best item we ordered. It was cooked perfectly and was super tender. The brussel sprout salad, to my disappointment, was meh. Either the flavors weren't evenly distributed or the combination just didn't work. I'm not exactly sure which, since there was no consistency in each bite. Overall, I don't think this place is bad to grab a drink and slurp down some raw oysters. The food, however, won't have us coming back any time soon for a full meal.
(2)
David S.

The mussels are amazing. The sauce is made with chorizo which is my favorite type of sausage! More importantly, the wait staff was amazing. We went in the middle of a big game and everyone was glued to the TV. I thought we were going to get horrible service but it was the total opposite. Not only did our waitress pay very close attention, she show my GF 3 TIMES how to properly open up the crabs. The next time I am in Baltimore, I will be coming back here.
(5)
Kina A.

For our first night in Baltimore we went here thanks to all the great recommendations on yelp. It was the exact atmosphere we were looking for, lots of young people, chill, relaxed, friendly. The waitress was great, very helpful and easy to get a hold of. We ordered: Maryland Crab Dip- Thick, creamy, large chunks of crab. They made two by accident so they gave us two (which was just a little too much considering the amount of creme they must have used) Grilled Calamari- Green olive tapenade, baby arugula, cured lemon 9 You have to get this. No questions. It was the softest calamari I have ever eaten flavored in the most simple yet delicious way. Korean BBQ Pork Tacos Plum/pepper glaze, spicy cabbage, sesame rice, scallions 9 Very tasty Tacos con Pollo y Ajo Chicken confit, garlic mojo, salsa verde, queso blanco 8 mediocre MARYLAND CRAB CAKES Avocado mousse, fennel salsa verde, tomatillo sauce 24 I'm not too familiar with crab cakes but in my opinion they were a bit too mushy and I could have never eaten the whole plate by myself because of how thick it was. Snow Crabs- The reason I gave a 4 out of 5 is because THEY DID NOT HAVE BLUE CRAB THAT NIGHT. Such a bummer. We had these instead which were tasty but disappointing due to the circumstance. Shrimp - perfectly cooked. Otherwise pretty bland though.
(4)
Judy C.

I've been here for just drinks and for just food, and I can see this place being loved by locals. It's laidback and charming. The barstaff can make some interesting drinks as I remembered he made 4 drinks for us 4 in rainbow colors. Recently, we went there for steamed crabs, some ceviche-like dish, and steamed corn, and all the food was decent. Not much to complain in that dept.
(4)
George H.

Worst service ever encountered. My wife and I were out celebrating my birthday on Saturday night when we noticed an available outdoor table in front of Riptide. With my beautiful wife holding down the table, I ventured in to get us a couple of drinks. I was happy to see an available spot at the bar just inside the door so I could place an order. I was a bit worried about leaving my wife outside by herself, but at that spot at the bar I was able to see through the window to make sure she wasn't being accosted by any of Fell's Point's finer citizens. The bar itself was fairly crowded with a decent musician providing some enjoyable music. I was patiently waiting for the only bartender behind the bar and enjoying the tunes when the bartender finally made her way over to me. I asked her what she had on tap and she said in a nasty tone - verbatim: "Not to be rude, but you've been standing here for awhile, don't you think you could have gone (she points to the far side of the bar, through a throng of drunk looking patrons) over there and checked the beer taps to see what we have?" Wow. I guess she wasn't going to tell me. I was so stunned by how rude she was, I just turned and walked out and we went to another place. We'll never go there again.
(1)
Chris S.

Oyster shooters all around! As a self-proclaimed oyster-holic, I entered virgin territory with an oyster shooter to start off my meal. And it was everything I wanted it to be and more, I could have woofed down quite a few more, but I refrained. If you're feeling crabby (pardon my pun) Riptide is your place, especially on Tuesdays where you enter $2 crab world. Oh yeah, that's right $2 whole steamed crabs. Sign me up! But if you are not lucky enough to land on a Tuesday, their other daily specials are pretty great too. My last trip there was on Friday and they had $5 mac and cheese, discounts on select beers and other various deals. But as you can probably guess, I went expecting to get some crabs (yeahhh, it's Monday morning, excuse m over-caffeinated attempt at humor). I went with two other friends, and as much as I wanted to get one of the crazy pricey steamed platters (options starting at about $100 going up to $200) I decided my bank account would get a bit passive aggressive with me if tried it... so I went with the crab cake sandwich and it was great! Good amounts of crab, with a solid tartar sauce for it. And if you think one crab was enough, think again. So before diving into the sandwich, my group shared the crab dip, which was damn incredible, and I had a cream of crab soup. Now we are talking some serious crabs. Washing each course down with an ice-cold Longhammer, I was in pure heaven the whole trip. But, right when I thought it was over, and I would have to be rolled out the door... I was told about the dessert special. And noting all of the food I stuffed myself with previously, you can definitely guess that it would take some pretty incredible dessert to lure me in. And they did it. Pancake battered, deep fried chocolate mousse. And as a fried-food-fanatic, I obviously had to take the leap, and not look back.... and HOLY CRAP, this was the best dessert I have had in a long time. Delicious sweet, crispy batter, with a creamy, warm filling. wow. My advice to you, go all in. Get your crabs, grab your drink and finish it all off (even if you are having reservations and think you can't) with an incredible dessert. Just do it.
(5)
Marcel W.

Stopped by here last Saturday night. Was able to get an outside table on the sidewalk, which is a nice touch and brings "atmosphere" to the place. The waitress was outstanding and patient. She gave a pretty good explanation of how to clean and eat a crab, which is pretty good for the uninitiated. We had their crab dip and crab sliders for appetizers. Both were very nice. We then shared an order of medium sized crabs. The crabs were cooked very well, but I felt they could have been seasoned a little better. Nice place and I would stop there again.
(3)
James N.

Bad crabs. So disappointed. Go elsewhere if you want fresh steamed crabs (this was during the summer).
(2)
S B.

Decent food. Visited today 4/1/13 around 2pm. Had a $5 Margarita served in a beer glass (good buzz) and 2 luke warm chicken tacos $2.50each. Over heard the staff say the oysters weren't fresh. Probably because they didn't get any new ones in yet. At least he was honest and friendly. I'll be back after I explore the other places that offer outside seating. No wifi
(3)
Firstname L.

We (wife, kid) stopped here randomly, which is not like me at all since I usually like to research places on Yelp or other websites before picking lunch or dinner. However, it turned out to be very good, and no regrets. I had shark tacos because... well, it's SHARK and when do you get to eat that? They were excellent. My wife got chicken tacos because her stomach was a little upset and they were also excellent and spiced perfectly. The kid got chickenfingers which were not typical boring foodservice chicken fingers. We were seated in that little breezeway on the side of the restaurant, which was nice. It was hot out so this was fine. I assume in the colder months it's too chilly and they close this part down (or maybe put heaters in it?) The only complaint was that the breezeway is a smoking area so people stopped by and lit up while we were eating, which we didn't know was going to happen. I almost gave it 4 stars because of this, but if you kno about it and can avoid it, sit inside and you won't have this problem. Waitresses were very nice.
(5)
Ww H.

Great environment to just have crabs, enjoy beer and listen to people cheer on the orioles in the front bar. Crabs were baked to perfection. Beer battered fish tacos were amazing. If I were to go back, I'd just order two of those plates and 1 crab on the side. Draft beers could use some more variety. Service was great.
(4)
Jo Y.

Very cute spot! I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. The crabs were great also. I was most impressed with the service! Our server pat was on point. I cant wait to go back!
(4)
Clara Y.

People always told me to try the crabs when I go to Baltimore. I searched high and low and could not find any place that served hot, hard shelled crabs. I was about to give up until a local finally led me to Riptide. First of all, the staff is gorgeous AND friendly. Secondly, I almost died when they pulled out the brown paper & brought me a mallet! Finally, some crabs!! I was a happy camper. Great eye candy, great food, great CRABS! :D
(5)
Lisa G.

I was referred here by my hotel. My 12 year old daughter ordered the lemon chicken and didn't care for it. She said the wine taste was too strong. I told our waitress who took it back. When the bill came, the lemon chicken was on it and not for the $16 it was listed for on the menu, but for $18. I told the server who said the manager said she couldn't take the charge off. I asked for the manager (female, young, medium dark brown hair). She said since nothing was "wrong" with it, they have a policy that they won't take it off the bill. She nicely told me though that she would charge me the price that was on the MENU and take off the overcharge! She also said she'd give me 10% off our $50 meal but that was it. I honestly have never had this problem before and was shocked. I paid for the $16 chicken and went back and told my hotel. They were appalled and apologetic and will not be sending hotel guests there any longer. So know that their policy is if you don't like something and send it back, they will still charge you (and possibly overcharge you on top of it) so make sure to check your bill. There are many better restaurants in the area than to waste your time and money here.
(1)
Max F.

Came here for lunch on a drizzly Friday. Cool spot with a nice little patio area right across the street from the police station from the show Homicide. A lot of the crab houses in Baltimore don't start serving until 4, but this place had a selection running from small to large and was open and serving at 11:30. Ordered a couple brews, fries, some corn on the cob and a dozen mediums. Service was friendly and attentive without being overbearing. This was my first time doing crab in Baltimore, I thought it was great, but my local friend said they were not the best crabs she had ever had but were above average. Sides were good, had to ask for butter but it was brought promptly, and there was a copious amount of old bay seasoning covering all the crustaceans. Highs: crabs, sides, service Lows: it started raining halfway through lunch...why can't they control the weather! Overall: Good food, great service, cool spot near some historic bars... what's not to like?
(4)
Mindy M.

I would love to add a category here in Yelp that includes whether or not places are dog friendly- if there was one. I would give this place 5 stars! They are super dog friendly and as a bonus, they have a breezway where you can duck in with your pet should the weather take a turn for the worse. The food is ok- it's like a hawaiian fusion place but I thinkt he food is just ok- not bad, but not as good as the menu makes it sound. Oh- and DON'T get the steamed crabs here- we've tried them several times and they are either undercooked or we get a bad crab or two (which means to me that they are steaming dead crabs- a MAJOR no-no). I like this place more for the pub grub options and listening to the live music with my puppy.
(3)
Erin H.

3.5. So close to a 4, but no cigar. Coming from California, we were meandering around the heart of Baltimore and what do you get when you're in Maryland? Blue crabs, of course! The whole dining concept is like Boiling Crab with the paper covered tables, except your crabs are dumped right in the middle of the table for your party to go hog wild. I felt embarrassed when I had no idea how to properly crack open a blue crab with the wooden mallet and knife. The server was kind enough to not make fun of a noob from the west coast like me and gave me a demonstration. Back home, I'm used to using metal nutcrackers for my dungeness crabs. Very flavorful with the dry rub smothered all over each crab. A bit too salty for me, which got me severely parched after a few crabs. Great little joint. Very comfy, clean, and a fun experience.
(3)
Blythe K.

This place was exactly what we wanted at the time: crab. We sat outside and watched the tourist traffic go by as we tore into some "large" blue crab. The server was very attentive, and the food came out in decent time, although not super speedily. The crab tasted great and was a fairly reasonable price, especially considering we got to sit right on the harbor. As is Maryland style, it was caked with seasoning. I wish they had given us real knives instead of cheap plastic ones, though. While we were eating, it was fun to listen to the passers-by mumble to each other "Oh, we should get some blue crab." One (I assume homeless) lady asked the table next to ours if she could have one of their crab, and after they gave it to her she tried to sit at our table and eat it with us. I told her we were on a date and asked her to leave, and she did so very politely. It was bizarre, but not really unpleasant; just another day in Baltimore.
(4)
Jinny P.

Wanted to really like the place. I really did. the owner/manager/bartender was so nice and went above and beyond to answer our questions and requests. however....when we ordered with our waiter, we ordered half a dozen oysters (2 of each of the 3 varieties they had), 6 crabs, and an order of crabcakes. we got the crabs first and then crabcakes, about 20 minutes later 18 oysters came to our table. ??? we told the server that we had only wanted 6. I had specifically said "2 of each" so a half dozen total. somewhere, somehow, the waiter heard in his head half dozen of each. the server went to go speak to the manager and waiter but we didn't want the poor shucked oysters to go to waste so we told them that we'd eat them anyway. What made me very upset was that they just let us pay for all of them....even though it was THEIR MISTAKE. They didn't take one thing off our bill, we ordered two iced teas which could have easily have been discounted for our trouble. yes we ate all of the oysters, but guess what the alternative have been. those oysters would have been garbage and not have gotten any profit out of it. so we basically did you a favor by accepting your mistake. and we didn't get squat but a fattened check for lunch. also, no apologies or thank you. nada. and from a dining point of view, why would you serve appetizers 20 minutes after the main??? Now I had to choose to between my oysters getting warm or my crabcake getting cold. the "small" crabs were miniscule and overpriced for not getting any fixins with it (no potatoes or corn). skip this place and just buy the crab, old bay, and boil yourself. save yourself the headache and the $$$$$.
(1)
Chaka H.

I've been here many, many times... and I'm just now getting to a point where I can truly write a sound review... and feel good about it. I love Riptide. I feel like the vibe is very Baltimore, the staff is happy and helpful and the food is great! My favorite thing is taco tuesdays... great tacos, I mean excellent tacos for great prices... pair that up with a margarita and you're good to go! If you're looking for more of a meal, the Maryland crab cakes are also well done... I like them! I don't really care for their crab cake sliders though, I felt like they didn't carry the same punch! One fond memory I have is when my sister felt like the mimosa was lacking... specifically in the area of alcohol. Our waitress took our mimosas and returned with new and improved glasses of wonderfulness! We gave her a huge tip, we appreciated it. This is a great place to go weekly, or take outta-towners and just enjoy Bmore. :)
(5)
HJ B.

Great place for crab and local seafood dishes & outstanding service. I had the crab bisque soup, steamed shrimp, and fresh blue crab (3) ...all of which were awesome! If you need instructions on how to eat and crack the fresh crab it's given. Lots of awards for best crab dishes (crab dip, crab macn'cheese), crab flatbread, etc) in Baltimore, which seem highly deserved. Would love to return & try them all. As a single female business traveler, I was especially impressed with the attentiveness and friendly, prompt, first name service given by my awesome server, Danny. Most servers cater to couples or groups. It was a packed Sat night & yet he showed the same level of personal attention & enthusiasm to everyone he served. My seafood was fresh and delicious, service was exceptional, the vibe was casual & unpretentious, and live music capped the evening. What could be better? Highly recommend!
(5)
Thomas D.

I must admit that Riptide by the Bay was a second-choice outfit, but I'm glad it worked out that way. Our first choice was so overflowing with people that the lady on the phone practically chortled when I asked about reservations! We did a Yelp search and saw positive reviews for Riptide, so the decision was made. First, a note regarding stafff: The waitress was friendly, knowledgable, and sweet. We loved her, although we can't remember her name. On the short side with very dark, almost black hair. I had a Golden Margarita, which was made well: not too strong or weak, but not too sweet either. We ordered the Chipotle nachos to start. Bueno! Good flavor, not overloaded with crap. The main course was, naturally: blue crabs! We ordered a dozen of the sm/med (I think the girl referred to them as "40s"). When we asked for a brief tutorial upon serving, she did an excellent job of showing us what to do. I had eaten blue crab many times before having been a Maryland resident for 7 years, but the refresher course was great for both me and my wife :-) The Old Bay was caked on nice and heavy, and the crabs were all in good condition with very few missing appendages. The kiddies had the obligatory chicken fingers and fries, which were servicable. We had a very positive experience here, and would surely return to try the rest of the menu. Next time we are in Baltimore, we will be hitting up Riptide's for an evening for sure.
(4)
Wei L.

The restaurant is located in a neighborhood full of restaurant. I brought my daughter there and it was her first time "Blue crab outing". The main dining room is some ole house setting. We chose to sit in a long narrow dinning room which is an alley converted to dinning room. The decor was fun. We asked for crab and were told only extra large crabs were available. 70$ for 12. We went for it. I wish the waitress would suggest half dozen, given we were two women. Since a dozen crabs were lot for us, we didn't order other meals. The crabs were good, filled with meat. The taste is a common Old Bay taste. I can't comment on the other food. The crabs were worth 4 stars but the service made me to give only 3 stars. Tips: ask half dozen if you can finish a dozen crabs.
(3)
Melissa H.

Flew in from California and my dad took us here as a surprise - because I love Blue Crab! I was NOT disappointed! The crab bisque soup was absolutely THE best and the crabs were smokin hot and heavy w great crab! Delicious! Very worth coming here. Thanks Dad!
(5)
Nicole R.

My friends and I love this place! The staff is so friendly, Pat the bartender is on point like fells! Erin is my favorite server/bartender, Adam Bennett performs as the acoustic singer a few nights a week - he can basically sing any song you request. They draw a friendly crowd which is a good reflection of this neighborhood. The location on Thames St. puts it next door to dozens of other great restaurants and bars so if you're in the mood to hop around - this place is perfect. They also have a great $2 crab special so you can fill yourself up picking crabs with friends and you won't go broke. One of my favorites, highly suggested.
(5)
Tom L.

in from pittsburgh for a night, we just wanted crabs and cheap beer after a day at the aquarium & exploring baltimore. after looking all on yelp for places all over the city while drinking at ale mary's, we ended up getting too buzzed to drive anywhere and "settled" on riptide by the bay since it was close to our hotel. good thing - it was exactly what we wanted. 7 natty bohs and 24 crabs for $45?! this place was amazing!!! i almost want to take one star off for our waitress' bored attitude, but she kept us full on beers and crabs -- so, i can't hate too much. plus, we ate on the breezeway and made friends with a dog named sherman. outdoor eating AND dog-friendly? total plus in my book!! i'll definitely be back next time i'm in town and will probably still smell like old bay by the time i make it back months from now.
(5)
Amy C.

What a charming place! We went barhopping around Fells for my cousin's birthday and Riptide happened to be the last place we stopped at. The place wasn't too packed and we were able to grab a couple of tables outside. (I love looking out into the moonlit water while my friends entertain each other with various shenanigans.) There was a live accoustic singer doing covers of... well, to be honest, I can't remember because he was not memorable at all. Aside from the singer, the bar manager was a really cool guy who came out to wish my cousin a happy birthday.
(4)
Mari C.

Great food but the service is terrrrible. Slow.
(3)
Semra E.

I will always come back, due to two things: Mango Mai Thai's AND Crab Pizza.....................I must have persuaded multiple folks sitting around me at the bar there to get both of those things & they did and thanked me back. The setting was awesome....everything there was right....it don't get no righter! See you later Riptide by the Bay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(5)
Walter H.

This is a great spot to hang out when looking for somewhere to eat or drink that is low key. If anyone knows Baltimore's nightlife there are neighborhoods that are flashy and trendy to hang out in. Fells Point also possesses some of those same characteristics but some of the bars and eateries are just a cool place to hang out. Riptide is one of them. You can go and grab a bite to eat and a beer and just chill. No crazy people or music. Just good food and beer. Some Fridays though they can have live music that is pretty cool to listen to. A good place to call a regular hang out.
(4)
Kathleen B.

Usually like this place but got takeout tonight & was disappointed. Shrimp salad sandwich had WAY too much onion and was served on a rock hard brioche roll that had obviously been frozen. The crab bisque is awesome...always great but was sad there were no croutons as promised:(
(2)
Mark M.

This place opened up shortly before I moved out of the area. I went once or twice, and enjoyed myself...but never felt really compelled to go back. There was nothing wrong with it. If anything, it felt like a slight step up from your usual Fells type of establishments. But it just didn't wow me either. And there's a lot of good food in Baltimore. And a lot of good bars too. If I was ever in Fells for a weekend, I might stop in here. But if I was only in town for a night, there's other places I'd rather go.
(3)
Marcus A.

The experience was awful and frankly appalling. In order to enter the restaurant, one walks through a space in between two beautiful, old brick buildings that the restaurant has covered with a roof and put seating in. The door is wide open to invite people in so it was freezing but they had heaters. We asked to be seated in this area in order to get seated because the inside was crowded. The tables were small and had 3 sides with metal chairs and one side has a long wooden bench running the length of the building. A blonde haired woman named Amber, who was the manager, helped us to our seats. There were two other couples sitting in here, both against the wall because the metal seats were very cold and because the heaters were on this side. Me and my boyfriend naturally did the same and manager Amber says in a disgusted tone, "oh you guys are going to sit on the same side?" We both felt extremely uncomfortable. We did exactly what the straight couples did and got a dirty look. When she walked away, we spoke to a very nice man named mike torri to see if he saw what happened. He was very understanding and made us feel much more comfortable. Amber came out because she saw us talking to him and said he was making the guests uncomfortable, but in reality it was her making the guests uncomfortable. Amber was extremely rude and disrespectful. In stark contrast to the management, the food was excellent. We got crab bisque soup and Prince Edward Island mussels, both amazing. Our entrees were excellent too, but came out within minutes of our appetizers so they got cold, which was poor thinking on their part. We got the crab flatbread, and crab Mac and cheese which were delicious. The service however was very poor and we ended up waiting a lot before and after we got our food. Overall it was not a good experience and I will never return.
(2)
Dalzire B.

Impolite staff, and they seem confused on busy days. I can't comment on their food because after waiting 30 minutes and noticing there was seating available my little group of 3 people decided to leave.
(1)
Chris P.

I recently had dinner w my wife and our daughter , the service was ok fast but not very knowledgeable about menu, we had poached lobster, seared scallops and crab cake entrees. The lobster was not poached it was either boiled or microwaved very chewy rubbery poor presentation , risotto was very unpleasant tasting. The seared scallops were over cooked, should be served medium rare ,also membrane of scallop was still attached, truly disgusting .. Crab cake tasted as though it was par cooked then microwaved to order. High lite of my experience at this establishment was drinking my beer to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. I don't write very often on my experiences at restaurants cuz I am a chef and can be very critical at times , but this dinner experience is hard to forget . I didn't complain I took the hit on the over priced bill . If you are thinking about coming to eat here , think twice
(1)
Brian W.

The worst food & service. The manager/owner Maradith is horrible at running the staff and the kitchen. Just order drinks!
(1)
Nicole W.

Great Sunday brunch, cheap tasteful, strong mimosa's. The steamed homemade asian dumplings were great and so was the brunch menu. Everything I ate (omlettes, bacon, potatoes, biscuits were delightful!) Great Sunday afternoon and excellent service. Enjoy and have fun!
(4)
Roy B.

So after not visiting Riptide for a little while we went back in last night and got an unwelcomed surprise, they've changed the menu! It seriously looks like it should be the "specials" menu not the full menu. I really liked going there and I really liked the veggie burger that they HAD but now if you want anything vegetarian your only options are a salad or one of the pasta dishes that they remove the meat from, probably after cooking it all together. Oh well, left and went to Alexander's instead.
(2)
Mike F.

Very fresh seafood. Enjoyed the lunch. Surprisingly not very crowded. I had the hamburger top with a mini crab cake. Excellent! I'll be back again.
(5)
Miriam B.

I got the Mahi tacos and they were extremely bland. The whole plate was the same color. The salsa had no flavor and the creamy sauce tasted like empty calories. I ended up being pretty envious of everyone else's food, though no one seemed overly satisfied with their meal. The cocktails were so-so. I wouldn't go back.
(2)
brian g.

it's all about two dollar tuesdays. $2 crabs and draft beers (including premium beers like Guinness and Yard's), live music at night, and $6 chicken club sandwiches. A definite crowd pleaser, but beware that they can run out of crabs during the summer when they are getting slammed!
(4)
Kimberly C.

This is a mixed review. My husband loved the fish tacos. My son felt the mussels had too much going on. My daughter had the crab flatbread. The bread resembled a burned paper towel and the toppings had limited flavor. my seafood chowder was heavy with half cooked potatoes. Beware of the horrible parking situation in the area.
(2)
Food R.

Atmosphere is very nice. Great location, neat little outside seating and alleyway seating. Very laid back and youthful feel to the place. Seating on the benches in the "alley" part was so uncomfortable that three of us had to keep getting up. It kills the backs of the legs. 5 out of 6 of us enjoyed the food. 3 crab burgers (burger with a crab cake on it), 2 crab pasta dishes. The guy that had the gumbo wasn't impressed. it also came out about 10 minutes after the other 5 dishes. Service was slow, even in early evening (before 5). Waitress was very cute, but tried waaaayyyy too hard to flirt. Have a feeling it's the vibe here as the girls wear extremely tight and low fitting shirts. She must have made physical contact with every member of the table, and we're pretty ugly guys. I'd go again. Beer was cold, price was reasonable.
(3)
Abigail O.

yipes, how the mighty have fallen! once upon a time, i had a good friend who worked as sous chef here. living not too far away, i'd come here a few times a month; often just for drinks, but a few times for food too. good times were had all around; i'd meet my friend after he got off of work and we'd sit together with other friends at the bar. ...apparently, you need to know someone to make this place worth going to. after some extensive traveling away from baltimore on my part, and after my friend leaving the restaurant due to moving out of town, i re-visited what i would previously have given a minimum of four stars. well, the food was still pretty good. fish and chips, margaritas, and steamed shrimp were fresh and well- (if simply) prepared. however, service was atrocious. first, it was difficult to tell where the hostess stand was, or if there was one. we found it past the bar and stood waiting to be seated. the hostess walked right past us to the 5-top waiting behind us. um... what? ok, she didn't see us. honest mistake. when she realized it, she didn't seem to care that much, but whatever; we sat down. i don't like to let a blip set the full tone. waited about 10 minutes for a server to come over, even though several sauntered by without recognizing our presence. it was a nice day out, several tables, but certainly not full or super busy. finally he came over and was smile-less and to the point... "what can i get you?" while staring at his pen and paper uh... alright. we ordered everything (drinks and food), since we'd had plenty of time to peruse the menu. 15 minutes or so later, our shrimp came out... without any silverware, napkins, or even the drinks we'd ordered. took at least another 5 minutes to flag someone down (not our server). we saw the bartenders lounging around (not fixing our drinks) and were about to go get them ourselves when someone else (still not our server) brought them. finally! ok, we're ready to go. eat the shrimp, then the fish and chips come. we'd asked for extra tartar sauce and some lemon wedges. half a plastic ramekin of tartar came with it, no lemons, no vinegar (isn't this standard? didn't think i'd have to ask), no salt and pepper (which we just assumed would appear at some point... our bad, i guess). what i assume was the manager came by and asked if everything was ok, so we filled her in on the few things we were missing. instead of grabbing them for us, she asked another staff member (still not our server) to fetch them. our server came back with one of the items another 5 minutes later... half a ramekin of vinegar. still need napkins, lemons, more tartar, salt and pepper. and our drinks have been empty for awhile. then 2 minutes later someone brings ketchup... which we didn't ask for... ok, i'm rambling; this sort of thing went on throughout the entire meal. this lack of attentiveness was incredibly irritating, on top of the staff being blatantly uninterested in helping us. oh wait, they were SUPER interested when we finally got the check. there were two servers literally standing next to our table waiting for me to get my card out, it was returned instantly, and someone also stood practically on top of me while i signed, and even looked at the tip right at the table before taking it away. unbelievable. i almost wanted to take it back and cross out the 15% tip i left (which is way more than deserved, but i'm a server and i can't bring myself to leave less, no matter what). i used to really like this place, but for now i will be telling friends and family to stay away. maybe in a few months i'll try again, but i'll probably just sit at the bar so i can at least see what's going on instead of waiting helplessly for someone to notice me.
(1)
Karena J.

Okay beers on tap. Live music on some nights. Dog friendly in the outdoor parts of the bar - always appreciated. Bartenders have since changed when I gave this place a 5 star rating. The atmosphere has thus suffered and I have stopped going.
(3)
Grey R.

My wife and I are new to Baltimore and this was one of the first places that we "discovered" in our new city. We almost always sit at the bar when we go out (having been a bartender for a while, this is what I prefer unless it is a special occasion) and tonight was no exception. We found a seat as soon as we walked in the door of this cozy little spot. The bartender noticed us quickly and came to take our order. Our beers got to us quickly and we started looking over the menu. A lot of the menu was appealing but when I came across the Maryland Burger (I believe the name is correct), which was an Angus patty, thick cut bacon, and a crab cake on top, I was sold. This is not something you order if you're not very hungry, but it's perfect before a night out in Canton or Fells. It was absolute, delicious perfection on a bun. The bartender made conversation with us after our meal, welcoming us to Baltimore and telling about some local spots. I would highly recommend Riptide by the Bay to anyone coming to or living in Baltimore!
(5)
Lilly S.

Maryland crabs yummy
(3)
Ja'Bette L.

Not sure what the hype is about. The food was mediocre, and if you want a real orange crush, head to Harborside in Ocean City, MD! This place is in a great location, but between being piled in like potato bugs under a rock and bland food, I'm not sure this place is worth spending a dime.
(2)
Saskia S.

Things I liked: Wednesday is the magic day: 1. Definitely one of the best kept secrets of Baltimore. Not the classiest or the best food ever..but for a good deal on seafood you can't go wrong! 2. Go with 2 girls friends on a Wed. and they give you 2 for 1 drinks 3. Go with 2 girl friends on a Wed. and they give you a free appetizer 4. The crabs are $1.50 (on Wed. only of course!!)..and you get a cute little mallet and fun pull-apart crab tools. I did not grow up eating seafood (oops again with the non-kosher food items) and it was quite the experience. The waiter was also incredibly friendly and gave us a full-on how to smash and eat a crab lesson. Apparently you have to pull out certain parts etc. or you'll get sick. Very helpful! Things I did not like: 1. I got a little tipsy on a Wednesday evening and got no work done for school. Bad habit! 2. You have to drive there & back (unless you want to wait for a bus) so somebody has to steer clear of the ridiculously strong cocktails.
(4)
Bernard R.

Great service, great food. Everyone is right the employees Add alot to this resteraunt. Prices are good alot to see close by.
(4)
Charlotte F.

The perfect gem for a day trip to Baltimore! After touring the aquarium for several hours, my boyfriend and I went looking for a cozy spot in Fell's Point with great food and yummy drinks -- not too stuffy and not too pub'y: Riptide was just right. Though we arrived very early on a December night, and most of the patrons were at booths in the back room, we decided to sit up-front in the charming and inviting bar area; luckily, the tunes were fabulous, the setting was inviting, fun and warm and the wait staff was just attentive enough. The cocktail menu was a delight. Most of their concoctions were surprises to our eyes, and at $8 a pop, much more affordable than the $12 minimum these days in the District. The Chesapeake Crush and Mojito were good enough for a second round. For an appetizer we ordered the crab dip. I would have given Riptide five stars, but as delectable as the flavoring was, it was just slightly too heavy to have more than a four or five swabs on pita bread. We both had the specialty: the high-tide sandwich, and I have to say, it might have been one of the best crab cakes I've ever had. The portion was massive and it was seasoned to perfection, with peppered fries and a light tartar sauce. As a Maryland native, I finished the plate wanting more, which is always an unexpected delight. Can't wait to return!
(4)
G M.

Came here with a group of 6 after Sunday's Indycar race. Wasn't anticipating to be blown away, but that, I was. I have finally found legitimate crab mac and cheese. It was amazing . . . conspicuous crab pieces, rich cheddar, flavorful bacon. Worth the $15. I sampled the mahi mahi tacos as well, very delicious. I did notice it was quite hot inside and we had to ask the waitress to turn on the fan. Also there were flies everywhere - a little unfortunate. My friends sitting on the benches were very uncomfortable and kept complaining that their legs hurt. The prices were fair and the waitress was attentive. I look forward to coming here again.
(4)
Ellie R.

If you are looking for Maryland crabs, this is the place to go. Not only are the crabs the very best (they come steamed with great tasting Old Bay seasoning) but the view of the water is really nice too. Our waiter was excellent, very friendly and helpful. He suggested the crab dip to have along with the crabs which was perfect. As an added perk, you can walk around the area and check out all the other shops. I would love to go back!
(5)
Sara C.

My husband and I came here, child-free, for our Anniversary and had such a nice time. When you first walk in you are entering the bar area, so we then proceeded to the back and were greeted by the very friendly hostess who sat us right away. (We had reservations, which I recommend making as the place gets pretty busy). We ordered drinks, my husband got the October beer ( I can't remember the name) and I got a White Peach Sangria which was amazing! We then order the crab bisque which was perfect on that chilly night and was very satisfying. We went for the Alaskan crabs as our main dish and they were served at a perfect temperature of hot and were super delicious. We didn't have to wait long at all, even with the place being busy. After dinner I order the Pumpkin Parfait which was probably the best pumpkin dessert I ever had. I truly enjoyed it. I couldn't finish it all so I ended up taking home. I don't want to forget to I mention how attentive our waitress was. She made our experience at RTBTB an even more enjoyable. Thanks Katie K!
(4)
Kelly T.

Friday night, busy evening before the Fells Point Festival. Nice staff, comfortable atmosphere and great food. I've also had the crab cake sandwich at lunchtime - which was awesome! It's great to sit outside and take in the view and happenings on the cobblestone street. Will definitely return.
(4)
Jana G.

Just OK food. Perky service. I gave them three stars as they were good to my dog.
(3)
Joshua W.

They have limited outside seating but the tables they do have are great. Some of the tables have a view of the harbor, which is always lovely. It is a little less formal than Thames Street, and has a more extensive casual menu. They do have steamed crabs and roll out the paper table clothes. Two tables around us did crabs and they looked good. They looked like true "larges", but not sure how they were with pricing. Riptide claims to be the only Fells restaurant that does steamed crabs, so if that's true that's a nice touch. The seafood chowder was delicious, I almost think it could be named a Baltimore Chowder. Having nice amounts of vegetables, fish, clams and mussels. The scallop dish was very good, the mahi grilled tacos fell a little short. We sat and enjoyed drinks outside and they didn't push us off the table which I appreciated. Service was very good. Spicy margarita ! Blood orange margarita was nearly perfect.
(4)
Q K.

I came here for brunch and wish I had not. Our server Sarah was spraying cleaning product all around us and even sprayed some on my arm. I don't know if she got any in my food, but regardless, I lost my appetite. I would never come back!
(1)
Terry O.

Food is good, and it seems like they've put a decent amount of effort into creating new eating experiences from traditional seafood restaurant staples. Crabs can be a bit pricey, but i chalk that up to seasonality and the fact that youre eating them in a restaurant and not on a pier or in your backyard. Service is friendly and accommodating, if a bit goofy at times. My biggest complaint is the bar area. As the evening wears on, the volume on the stereo grows to a point where you can't hear yourself think. This is made worse when the hired musician for the night begins playing. Its as if he's set his speakers up for a show at Buffalo Wild wings, but suddenly found himself in a narrow bar in Fells. I would go here again, but i wish there was a way to escape the noise!
(3)
Paul J.

Great food, great drink specials, and great staff does more need to be said? Live music regularly and a great atmosphere come to riptide and have a great evening with great people!
(5)
Michael L.

Great selection of food I had the shark tacos which were amazing. The two people I was with had the fish and chips. The fish is dependent on when you go but the grouper was tasty. Our server was very nice always checking up on us and even found us a cab in the pouring rain. She definitely went above and beyond.
(4)
Michael B.

Had the crab cake sandwich and a natty boh - great lunch on a beautiful friday afternoon. Lunch menu was a bit sparse but the food didnt disappoint
(4)
Lindsay B.

What happened to the nachos? They were the best in town until Riptide got a new chef. C'mon these things are downright AWFUL now. Please someone who has authority, set this new guy straight. No one wants dry, cold chips with 2 jalapeno slices andzero cheese sauce (gag!). They truly were mine and many friends' reason for coming and dealing with slow, confused service. The nachos made that overlook-able. Sorry, Riptide, but we wont be coming back until I hear back here that your once perfect nachos will be gracing the menu again. On a happy note, the $5I martini special kicks butt. The key lime pie martini is delicious and doesn't use cream!
(1)
Soneyet M.

Sadly, the grouper sandwich and half-dozen crabs we ordered here were bland. My boyfriend and I had to douse our sandwich with salt and pepper and ketchup to get SOME kind of taste to our meal. The crab arrived hot, but with no seasoning really. I had to go to the bar and ask for more Old Bay and butter. The crabs were a good size. The ONLY saving grace here is that the waiter (possibly owner?) was awesome. Friendly, helpful, and paid good attn to us...until that is when I had to chase him down for seasoning. The table next to us sat for 10 min without placing an order...I dunno. POOR MEAL + GREAT SERVICE = 2 stars
(2)
Bon B.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday for steamed crabs. The price was reasonable, the service was good, good selection of brews, the most importance of all- the steamed crabs were delicious! We also ordered the maryland crab soup and it was very good as well!
(4)
Adam Z.

The braised beef short rib was great unfortunately, I went there for crab and they were OUT. How is a seafood restaurant in Baltimore out of crab on a Sunday night at dinner time? I also rather enjoyed the crab dip and their beer selection. My dinner companions ordered peel and eat shrimp for their main course. This came out with the appetizers so they chose to wait and had cold shrimp.
(3)
Blake J.

The food is delicious there. The atmosphere and the staff just contribute to the all around great feel of the whole restaurant. The menu has a wide selection on it, primarily seafood, but some things you wouldn't necessarily expect for a place on the water to carry, which makes them unique. I've eaten there on numerous occasions and have never been disappointed by the food. My favorite item on the menu is a spinach and goat cheese pizza. The cream sauce, spinach, and goat cheese just blend so well together, then you add in the garlic mushrooms and that just boosts up the flavor of the whole pizza. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting the fells point area!
(4)
nayoung j.

I was surprised how hard it was to find CRAB in b-more (this was a few months back). it's a cute little place with a bar up front and family friendly tables towards the back. we ordered crab crab and more crab. i liked the seasoning and the crab meat was good - nothing like woah but its better than nothing? it took a while to get the food though - probably bc steaming it takes a while. i think there was only one or two people on staff for a whole dining place, making it a tad hard to get their attention.
(4)
D'Arcy P.

I had the Fish and Chips, mostly because I'm a picky eater and that looked the most appetizing. It is made out of grouper (I've never had it before...mmm) and beer battered (the ONLY way to have fish and chips). The prices were decent, but the amount of food that was served just wasn't enough for me. What made the night awesome was our server; she checked up on us often, but not too much, and even went outside to find us a cab in the rain. I would go back just for her to serve us again.
(4)

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Address : 1718 Thames St
Baltimore, MD, 21231
Phone (410) 732-3474
Website https://www.riptidebythebay.net/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 12

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Riptide by the Bay

1718 Thames St, Baltimore, MD, 21231

Riptide by the Bay Menu

Soups & Salads

Signature Entrees

Small Bites

Light Fare & Sandwiches

Sides

Healthy Meal suggestions for Riptide by the Bay

Soups & Salads

Signature Entrees

Small Bites

Light Fare & Sandwiches

Sides

Charlotte F.

G M.

Ellie R.

Sara C.

Joshua W.

Q K.

Terry O.

Paul J.

Michael L.

Michael B.

Lindsay B.

Soneyet M.

Bon B.

Adam Z.

Blake J.

nayoung j.

D'Arcy P.

Marni S.

Tom L.

Amy C.

Mari C.

Semra E.

Walter H.

Kathleen B.

Marcus A.

Dalzire B.

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brian g.

Kimberly C.

Food R.

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Grey R.

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Ja'Bette L.

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Kelly T.

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Stephen D.

Taylor K.

Xavier S.

Christina R.

Jenny V.

Mark N.

Chrissy R.

Charlie Ann H.

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Mary P.

Eugene L.

Douglas C.

Uc O.

Jerry B.