Teens in front of Dead Freddies, an Ocean City family-friendly restaurant

Looking for family-friendly restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland, where parents, teens, and kids can all enjoy a meal out?

Ocean City, Maryland, is a fantastic family getaway on the East Coast. From sun up to sun down, this picture-perfect coastal town has plenty of family and teen-friendly activities. Even when it is time to get a bite to eat, the fun doesn’t stop in Ocean City.

We’ve broken down the best family-friendly restaurants in Ocean City for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert! 🍽️

Family-Friendly Restaurants for Breakfast in Ocean City, MD: Fuel Up for All Day Energy 🍳

1. Dough Roller


📍Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Dough Roller, an OC staple, is a must for a delicious breakfast. With three locations around the city, including one on the Boardwalk, it’s an easy choice for a tasty start to the day. They’re famous for their pancakes—over a dozen varieties—but they also serve omelets, French toast, creamed chip beef, and more. The relaxed atmosphere makes it ideal for a sit-down family breakfast. If your family loves the pancakes, be sure to stop by later in the day to try their other specialty, pizza!

2. Bad Monkey


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Bad Monkey is a surf-themed restaurant that serves up the best breakfast. Think breakfast tacos, avocado toast, pancakes, and more, all in a fun, laid-back setting. With two locations around Ocean City, it’s easy to start your day here. Wake up, get dressed, and bring your family to Bad Monkey for good food and a good vibe with the people you love.

3. Açai Bowls


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
For a fresh and quick start to your day, Açai Bowls is the breakfast spot. As the name suggests, healthy and delicious açai bowls are what’s on the menu here. The bowls come packed with a variety of toppings from fresh fruit to crunchy granola and creamy peanut butter. Pick your toppings, snap a picture for the gram, and kick off your family’s morning with a healthy, satisfying, and popular breakfast item.

4. Rise Up Coffee Roasters


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
If you need your morning caffeine fix, Rise Up Coffee Roasters is the place to go. A local favorite in Ocean City, this spot brews the best coffee around, all organic and locally roasted beans. Teens will love their lattes, while younger kids will enjoy their organic smoothies. Drinks aren’t the only draw here; breakfast burritos and bowls will satiate your hunger. Rise Up is a hit with teens, kids, and adults looking for that perfect kick to the day.

Family-Friendly Restaurants for Lunch in Ocean City, MD: Midday Break from the Sun ☀️

5. Brass Balls Saloon


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Brass Balls Saloon, right on the Boardwalk, is a fun spot for lunch. The ocean view is top-notch as well as the food and fun. Options galore for every taste, kid’s meals served in a sand pail with a shovel, and second-floor games like ping pong and pool. Making a pit stop at Brass Balls makes for a delicious and entertaining lunch.

6. Alley Oops


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Food, fish, and fun are the name of the game at Alley Oops. Black-tipped sharks (live in an aquarium!) greet you as you enter this food and entertainment mecca! The extensive menu covers all the bases, from burgers and pasta to wings and seafood. And the entertainment does as well! Play virtual reality, arcade games, and mini-bowling. Alley Oops is the spot to fill up on deliciousness while letting out all the energy!

7. Thrasher’s French Fries


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Feeling peckish? Run, don’t walk to Thrasher’s French Fries. These Boardwalk fries are legendary—piping hot and perfect with a splash of vinegar. Grab a bucket and enjoy them while you stroll.

8. Piezano’s Pizza


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Piezano’s Pizza is another option for a quick Boardwalk lunch on the go. Their slices are big, cheesy, and delicious—just what kids and teens need to keep their tummies full and a smile on their faces all family vacation long.

Family-Friendly Restaurants for Dinner in Ocean City, MD: Wind Down the Day 🍝

9. The Bonfire Restaurant


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
For a dinner that truly has something for everyone, head to The Bonfire. This all-you-can-eat spot of your dreams boasts over 150 items, from seafood to prime rib to pasta and a salad bar. There’s even a kids’ section with childhood favorites that might even tempt the adults. And don’t forget to save room for dessert—it’s part of the buffet, too!

10. Ropewalk Ocean City


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
This bayside restaurant serves up delectable food, gorgeous sunset views, and fun for everyone—live music for the adults, cornhole for the teens, and a playground for the kids. Not to mention kid’s meals are served on a frisbee so even long after dinner is done, Ropewalk keeps serving up the fun! Grab a drink, order some fresh seafood, and sit back and relax. Vacation is grand with dinner at Ropewalk.

11. De Lazy Lizard


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Don’t let the name fool you—De Lazy Lizard is not for the lazy, at least not for the littles. They will be running, climbing, and sliding all evening long on the spacious, fenced-in waterfront playground. Older kids and teens can enjoy the indoor arcade. Enjoy your meal from the wide-ranging menu, inside at a cozy booth or under the sky at the open-air tiki bar. Either way, your family can’t go wrong with dinner at De Lazy Lizard.

12. Fish Tales Bar & Grill


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
With tables and hammocks in the sand, Fish Tales screams relaxing beach vibes. And with plenty of things for kids and teens to do, parents can do just that—relax with a drink from the dock bar. After ordering from the extensive menu, younger kids can explore the spacious pirate ship playground or get their face painted while teens can check out the arcade or enjoy a hammock swing with a mocktail in hand!

13. Dead Freddies Island Grill


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Grab your mateys and cruise down to Dead Freddies. This pirate-themed restaurant is the ideal bayside spot for fun, food, and family. A pirate ship playground for kids to explore, grenadine-filled sharks to pour in drinks, and water views for miles. Dinner options include everything from chicken tenders to seafood, so there’s something for even the pickiest eater. Don your eye patches (complimentary with kids’ meals), put away your swords, and dig into an unforgettable meal for the whole family.

Family-Friendly Spots for Dessert in Ocean City, MD: Treat Yourself on Vacation 🍦

14. Dumser’s Dairyland


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
For generations, Dumser’s has been the place to go for ice cream in Ocean City. It’s iconic. With seven locations, including on the Boardwalk, there’s no excuse not to hit up Dumsers for dessert. Order a cone, sundae, or milkshake for a sweet end to a perfect vacation day.

15. Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Prefer frozen custard over ice cream? Then Kohr Brothers is a must. This OC staple is famous for its rich, creamy frozen custard. Top off classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and twist with an array of fun toppings. Kohr Brothers is a great boardwalk stop for families looking to beat the heat.

16. Dodo Cookie Dough and Ice Cream


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Make your child’s dreams come true at Dodo Cookie Dough and Ice Cream. Here, kids and teens can eat all the cookie dough—it’s edible! If cookie dough is not your thing, they also offer ice cream. If you love both, why not combine the two? Whether you go for a scoop of classic chocolate chip dough or something more unique, it’s a perfect and delicious pick-me-up. After all, what kids don’t love to eat cookie dough?

17. Candy Kitchen


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Do your kids only have eyes for candy? Candy Kitchen is the place for them. Since 1937, this colorful candy store has been sharing the love of candy with visiting families and Ocean City locals alike. You can find homemade fudge, chocolates, saltwater taffy, and other popular and timeless candies here. Candy Kitchen will definitely satisfy your child’s sweet tooth.

18. Fisher’s Popcorn


📍 Google Maps | Website
⏰ Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
You can catch the scent of Fisher’s Popcorn long before you see it! The fresh popcorn aroma drifts down the boardwalk enticing visitors of all ages. The sweet treat is a great dessert for evening boardwalk strolls. No Ocean City trip is truly complete without snagging a bag for your family or as a souvenir—or both!

The Wrap-Up: Family-Friendly Restaurants in Ocean City, Maryland 🌊🍽️

Whether your family prefers meals with a view or meals on the run, Ocean City, Maryland has it all. From classic Boardwalk bites to restaurants with playgrounds, there’s fun and food for everyone. So dive in, check out these awesome family-friendly restaurants, and make your Ocean City trip one to remember!

Face of a 40 something woman writer smiling into camera

Dana Kampman is an entrepreneur and writer based in Baltimore. Her company has been featured in Entrepreneur Middle East, Startup MGZN, and others. She's worked with teens for years, and now, as a single mom of teens, she offers practical advice, stories, and tips for parents navigating the teen years.

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