Dock and Dine: 5 Restaurants to Visit Via Boat in St. Mary's City, Maryland

Sandy Allen

07 Jul 2025 — 2 min read

Photo: SALT Waterfront Kitchen (Facebook)

Situated along the St. Mary’s River, near the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, St. Mary’s City is an excellent spot to enjoy a dock and dine excursion from a marina or a nearby private boat lift for rent. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood - including crab cakes, shrimp, oysters and steamed fish - often with panoramic water views. Boaters can enjoy outdoor seating, gentle breezes and stunning sunsets.

1. Pier 450

Formerly known as Scheible’s (a 1940s fishing camp that’s now home to a restaurant, a hotel and a beach with fire pits) and rebuilt from the iconic Scheible’s spot, Pier 450 brings modern waterfront dining without losing character. Dock your boat and enjoy shrimp tacos, scallops, pasta, Maryland crab cakes and more with scenic views.

2. Courtney’s Seafood Restaurant

Photo: Courtney's Seafood Restaurant (Facebook)

The family-owned and operated Courtney’s Seafood Restaurant is a local gem offering genuine down-home seafood, fresh-caught rockfish and direct boat access. Locals praise it as reminiscent of the old Scheible’s vibe.

3. SALT Waterfront Kitchen

Photo: SALT Waterfront Kitchen (Facebook)

From seafood flatbreads to homemade donuts, SALT offers an elevated and family-friendly menu with sweeping water views and boat access. It’s conveniently located at Point Lookout Marina, offering easy access to private boat slips for rent. Choose from menu selections like oysters Rockefeller, Cajun chicken pasta, crab cakes, fried flounder and herb-roasted pollock.

4. Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse

Photo: Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse (Facebook)

In nearby Piney Point, the relaxed pub-style Ruddy Duck Seafood & Alehouse features craft beers, a spacious deck and convenient dock space. It’s an ideal spot for a post-fishing trip dinner or sunset cocktails.

5. Reluctant Navigator

Located in nearby Tall Timbers, the Reluctant Navigator is convenient to private boat slip rentals near St. Mary’s City in McKay Cove just off the Potomac River. After a day of fishing, you’ll find it at the Tall Timbers Marina before cruising back to your private boat dock rental near St. Mary’s City.

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1. Pier 450