This was my first time here, but definitely not the last time. There was a parking lot to park on of which was very convenient. There was both inside seating and outside seating. There is a cemented area that's kind of like a patio area with its ok bar , of which a band was setting up as we left. There was also seating down on the beach area where your feet is on the sand, and the water is feet away. The water added such an awesome view. The menu had a nice variety of food options and drink. My son ordered shrimp tacos and crab dip, I ordered rockfish tenders and mahi with asparagus and couscous. The food was really good and service was great as well! read more

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Great atmosphere on the water. Food is really good especially the Grilled Pineapple. Will be back for more. read more

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Go for the views and the crabs. But dont go for the food because its very regular. Staff is always helpful and nice. The beach is always lovely its just an OK place to eat. I swear they are scared of seasoning at this place. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - I swear they scared of seasoning here - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

Very very nice place to relax and enjoy a nice meal by the water. This place have a lot to offer, you can also dine in or relax outside read more

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Found a new spot to eat good and chill by the water. I recommend for food, drinks, and the perfect summer night ambiance. We had the following : *The Bowleys Burger *Crab dip *Maryland Crab Soup *Summer Salmon Salad *Orange crush The real star of the night was that gorgeous waterfront Can't wait to go back! read more

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The food could improve and the service could as well. The service was poor and the atmosphere was ok it wasn't the best.

Headed to Bowleys on the Bay on July 2nd by boat. After tying up at the marina fueling station (ok to dock there after 5 pm), we were told we could not sit outside and would need to be seated inside. Not sure why? There were other guests who arrived after us (a party of 5) who were welcomed to outdoor seating. The hostess seemed annoyed so maybe she was having a bad day. Considering that the main reason we chose the restaurant was because they have outdoor seating which allows for views of the sunset, not to mention, a small beach which would keep a toddler happy by playing in the water, we truly were disappointed by the hostess' choice to seat us in an empty dining area since the weather was gorgeous. The server was also unsure why we were seated inside since she had tables outside and had to run in and out to serve us. The food was pretty good but the service was slow (as noted above). The server was very nice and accommodating. All in all, a pleasant place to dine but beware of being seated indoors during the summer. In hindsight sight we should have insisted on being seated outside, even if it meant a wait. read more

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The ambiance is amazing. Beautiful sunsets right on Frog Mortar Creek. Kids can play on the beach and spash in the water. Unfortunately, there are no lifeguards! The staff is attentive and courteous. Good food, you're paying for the view, though. Weekdays are the best. The live music on weekends will make you glad you don't live here. read more

We were just here Friday afternoon. It was not busy at all pretty dead but it was early. It was such a rainy crappy day. We had the marina shrimp and the crab dip. Both were very good. I had a bloody Mary. There was nothing special to me. It was watered down made with a mix. I drink bloody Mary's constantly so I know a good bloody Mary that was not it. Now, my other half had a Jack and coke, and he said it was nice and strong. We just did drinks and app it was our first time in the area and we were driving around the area to see what was around. The weather sucks so we couldn't go outside and sit on the water. read more

The Food was amazing. Service was top tier our waiter was only there for 2 weeks and is so nice. Mashed potatoes were cold but they took it off the bill and replaced it with fries. Definitely would come again read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Long Beach Burger - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

I was very disappointed with the carry out order of fish and chips from BOTB which looked like shredded and formed large fish sticks. The 3 small filets were the same size and shape that further convinced me they were frozen, not nice and flaky cod as we usually get from higher end restaurants. J.Kelly Bowleys Quarters read more

Prices have gone up and the food has gotten worse. Try limited choices if you have food allergies.The sunsets and parking is nice.

Came in for an easy Sunday jump-start. Ms. Stacy was amazing. Her service was stellar and her patience was unforgettable. The ambiance of the beach dining was picture perfect today. My favorite, grilled salmon Caesar salad was as delicious as always. I tried the French Toast appetizer--- now another staple go-to. Another visit that did not disappoint. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Grilled salmon Caesar salad - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

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Had a great first experience at bowleys on the bay! Came here as a group of 8 with no reservation on a Wednesday evening and were seated immediately, and even got to sit outside! The view of the water is beautiful, and the inside of the restaurant is beautiful. Very clean, lovely decor, etc. I ordered cream of crab soup and steak tacos. The cream of crab was delicious. I could taste a hint of sherry which was the perfect touch. And lots of crab meat. The steak tacos were great too, it was flank steak strips and they were seasoned very well. They were slightly overcooked for my liking but not too much. They came with a spicy sauce and fries on the side too. Fries were cold but the sauce for the tacos was really good. Our waitress was very nice and personable, and even (accurately!) split our bill into 8 separate checks. Overall I had a wonderful time here and I'd definitely go again! read more

We went Sunday and despite it being Hella windy, we really enjoyed our time. The service was quick and the food was worth braving dust bowl 2025 . All jokes aside, I could have drank a gallon of the cream of crab soup; I almost asked for a bowl to go. My meal was the delicious baja chicken wrap. I definitely understand why it was marked as a favorite. read more

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I highly recommend this place. The ambiance is amazing. Beach style setting with the sand and views of the water and boats. Great for a date or a outing with family or friends. The staff was welcoming, friendly and attentive. The food was amazing. Our orders came out timely which impressed me because they were super packed and busy for the Mother's Day weekend. So do yourself a favor and check them out. read more

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I'm honestly surprised by the mediocre Yelp reviews-- this place is fantastic. The food was incredible (easily the best salmon I've had in a long time), and our server, Jordan, was outstanding. The beautiful view is just an added bonus. 10/10. If I'm in the area again, I'll definitely be back. read more

We walked in, first time here, my mother in law wanted to come here to eat for mother's day. The front desk was full of teenagers who gave us very rude and very passive aggressive looks, and when my wife said thank you one of them replied in a sarcastic and mocking tone "You're welcome" and started laughing,and when we were waiting on our table they were gossiping and making inappropriate conversation about other guests. Remind you this is all at the host area. We did not feel welcomed and i know if i was working there at their age acting like that id be fired, id suggest hiring people with capacity for customer service. The food was good, and atmosphere was good as well when we were able to receive it. read more

We visited Bowleys on The Bay today and enjoyed our food and company. Our server, Grace was wonderful and gave us some great food recommendations. I ordered the shrimp salad and was delicious. I am sure this establishment is busy during the summer season. Would love to go back when the weather is warmer. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Shrimp salad sandwich - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

I love this place everything was so good The shrimp and grits are 10000/10 to die for And the drinks were cute too read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Shrimp and grits - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

My girlfriend and I thought it would be good to check out Bowleys on the Bay on a Monday night. When we arrived, there was a single large party, and a very small crowd dining. We were passed off from employee to employee saying we'd be helped. We sat after our waitress Maddie said she would be back to us, all we had to do was flag her down. How can I flag someone down when they are being the bar about 60 feet away inside the building? The waitress then bussed the table behind us, forcing her to walk past us every time we were ready to place the entire order (after waiting for so long). We decided to get up and leave after 40 minutes of no service. I seriously can't recommend anyone coming here for a simple service if receiving a meal. I have been here before on my boat, and can now confidently say I will never return. Thanks read more

I normally don't leave reviews but I think this is truly unacceptable. After being told 15min of a wait we ended up waiting over an hour. Once seated I ordered brussel sprouts for an appetizer which were good but we were seated without silverware. Once the silverware came out , this is what it looked like. I lost my complete appetite. Asked for a box to go and to cancel my entree because I had ordered the shrimp tacos. The waitress I forgot her name tried her best to accommodate which i appreciate but giving away dirty silver ware shows a lack of attention. Perfect Saturday went downhill fast. Other than that no other complaints. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

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I was pleasantly surprised by the ambiance, service and food. The waitstaff were extremely friendly and it was a beautiful day on the beach!

I always love coming to the Middle River area during the summer, because I love being on the water, and Bowley's on the Bay never disappoints. Stop in this evening with 5 other friends for a bite to eat. They had a special on orange crushes, $6 bucks till 8pm. We started with a plethora of apps for the table to share, the rockfish bites and the tempura cauliflower, also the maryland crab soup which isn't pictured was also delicious as well. For dinner, my friends ordered, the crab cake entree, shrimp po boy, tabbouleh summer salad, fish tacos and the poke bowl. There really wasn't a bad dish on the menu, everything was delicious. On Fridays through Sunday, they have live music with various bands. If the weather is really nice, I highly suggest to get there early so you can get a nice table outside to hear the band and be by the outside bar. Service was phenomenal. For large parties of 6 or more, they will add 18% gratuity, which is customary. If your in the Middle River area, make it your justice to stop in and grab some delicious food and have a cocktail or two, you won't be disappointed read more

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Great food this place runs very smoothly great live music the guitar player was amazing

This place is "in the cut", deep in middle river. Nice view of water and boats. Plenty of parking. Nice decor inside. Good size room for a big party if need be. You can also eat outside and enjoy the live band. I started off with the marina shrimp. There version of bang bang shrimp. Not too spicy which I would have liked more of a kick to the flavor but it was still flavorful. You get a nice size portion of 8 shrimp. My entree was the Philly cheesesteak. I knew something didn't look when my sandwich came out. I went to grab my sandwich and my thoughts were right. They used a hotdog bun instead of a sub roll! They don't even sell a hotdog on their menu! My taste buds was turned off. I didn't understand that. For a restaurant like this, I think that is something that shouldn't have been done. There's a difference between a sub roll and a hotdog bun. I hope they fix this soon. read more

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I visited Bowleys twice. The first time, I was with a group on a Bachelorette party and had a great time. I ordered the Poke bowl, and it was so delicious. The service was great. We had a training server, and he did great he also had help. I also had the Creamsicle it was so good. I love the beach right beside the tables it's so calming. The second time, I ordered the breakfast nachos with eggs on the side. I wasn't a fan of it or the brunch menu. But our server was again wonderful. I will be back for the regular menu. read more

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Absolutely different environment the open spot facing the beach is stunning gives you a sense that you are in the Caribbean right on front of the beach the drinks are spectacular and the food so good the atmosphere in general are very pleasant family friendly environment!!! read more

This was a great experience. Service was friendly and able to assist with menu selections. The double crab cake with mashed potatoes and Brussels were delicious! The mashed potatoes were freshly made and very good. .Cauliflower appetizer was well cooked and miso sauce was delicious. They were deep-fried and reminded you of an Asian-flavored wing. The shrimp said had a deep flavor with a lot of Old Bay was the least like of dishes. It was good but different. The sweet potato fries were addictive. The banana bread pudding was serves with a whiskey & caramel saice and scoop of ice scream. It was very good. Not too dense. Great banana flavor. The atmosphere was beachy. We were in the main dining room with a large baby shower. They were kinda noisy. But overall it was a great experience! We will be back when they deck next to the water opens in the spring. read more

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we were a party of 10 at waters edge in full sun. asked for umbrella , only got one. Asked for cocktail sauce for my crab cake and was told they ran out. HOW DOES A SEAFOOD RESTURANT RUN OUT OF COCKTAILS SAUCE??? Then had the balls to charge a lousy 15 cents for something I couldn't and didn't use. Waited about 45 minutes for food, waited 30 minutes for check. Then to top it off right after we all paid our bills one of the wait staff came and took our umbrella never going back. read more

One star for location and atmosphere. I do not recommend this establishment. Waited over 30 minutes just to get our drinks ordered. The worst was their hostess. We kept asking to sit at a table next to the water. There were several open like 4 to be exact. We asked at 30 minute intervals each time we were rudely told "NO you may NOT switch tables" You get tired of being told NO when you're a customer. It doesn't matter if the tables are empty and it doesn't matter if you'd like to be near your children playing by the shoreline. This place is a flat "NO" We will never return. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Empty table among others - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

Second time visiting. Beautiful views, horrible table service. Once arrived the hostess sat us outside directly in the sun. No shade. We stuck it out for maybe 10min but ultimately it was too hot. We asked to move and was told we could not. We moved anyway because that was absurd. The server came back to us after about 15min to take our drink/appetizer order. Apps came in not time. Garden salad, fried green tomatoes, and ahi tuna. Drinks took 20min. We had to get up and inquire because the server hadn't returned. Bartender brought over the drinks but the piña colada was sitting in the sun and had to remade. Server finally returned to take food orders- never inquired about drink quality or the issues that arose. Ahi tuna wrap no complaints. Shrimps salad sandwich served on a burger bun. Crab cake enter with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Terrible. We asked for ketchup and tartar sauce (for the crab cake) by the time we wrapped up eating and stood up to go inside the server came with the tartar sauce. Better service at the bar. I didn't catch her name but quality of service and overall experience were a pleasure. read more

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While sitting outside was a nice experience, the food was not. Soft shell crab sandwich lacked taste but the shrimp salad wrap was ok. Service was terrible. We were charged for an item that we did not order. An order was to come with fries, but they were omitted and we had to ask for them. The server was not attentive at all and cleared plates before we were done eating. Water glasses were not refilled, server never checked to see how things were or if we needed anything, after waiting forever, we got our bill from someone else. Since our gratuity was added automatically because of the size of the party, the server still got a very nice tip so I doubt the server will even care unfortunately. read more

Read Your Bill Carefully - "For Your Convenience" Comes at a Cost! This dining experience was utterly disappointing, not just by the poor service and incorrect food, but by what felt like a deliberately misleading billing process. To start, concerns were raised immediately upon meeting our glazed glassy-eyed forgetful server. Sure enough this was followed by abominable service that was delayed, inconsistent, and incorrect, throughout the night. Three of the four meals were incorrect. Items were substituted without notice or explanation. One guest ordered a plain hamburger and instead received the more expensive option of a burger topped with a crabcake. Another dish was unrecognizable when it was brought out since two of the three components, were changed entirely without warning. To top that, my meal never came out!! The runner determined that the order was entered incorrectly. Our server came back and asked why I refused my meal when it was brought out. Nope. Not what happened. We clarified, nothing had been brought out and what the original order was. Same server came back a second time and asked me again what was the issue with my order that I never received. Okay this is craziness. An apology was offered, and I was asked if there was anything I could be offered in the meantime as my companions were finishing their dinner. Thank you, I'll have a glass of wine. When the check came, I noticed that a 20% gratuity had already been automatically added in the total owed amount with additional tip suggestions printed on the receipt as if no tip had yet been included. Nowhere was it clearly explained upfront that this would happen -- it was buried in small text on the menu. What made this worse was that the quality of service did not come close to justifying a standard tip, let alone one that was automatically added without proper disclosure. When I asked to speak with the manager, I was met with multiple stall tactics -- being told he was "too busy" to come to the table. As we waited our above mentioned server twice came by and asked to pass along our concerns to the manager, (unusual?inappropriate?). Eventually, someone who I seriously doubt was the actual manager arrived, explaining he was very, very busy as a reason for his delay. He gave vague excuses about "IT issues" causing the double-tip suggestions. He did agree to remove the automatic gratuity, but only after I specifically challenged it. The takeaway: Read the fine print. REVIEW YOUR BILL CAREFULLY. This restaurant's policies and presentation of charges feel intentionally confusing and, frankly, dishonest. Adding a 20% gratuity automatically is one thing -- misleading customers into tipping again on top of it is another. It's not just bad service; it's a system designed to quietly take advantage of customers who aren't paying close attention. I left feeling not just frustrated, but taken advantage of -- and that's not something any restaurant should leave its guests feeling. Epilogue: I was charged for the wine. read more

I came here for the first time on a friend's recommendation and I'm glad I did. You are transported away from Middle River to Florida. It felt like a vacation. The staff was pleasant and there was a great view of the water. The food was enjoyable. Nothing spectacular but also nothing loathsome. Come out for the ambiance and music. read more

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Love love love the area. The seating was directly on the beach area which I felt was nice touch. Periodically there would be a plane overhead as the small airport is quite close. There is a pool for use as well as your able to rent jet skis. Drinks: I ordered the Mermaid water which was filled with Rum and had a nice mixture of juices(you won't be disappointed) my friend ordered the something Sunrise she stated it was delicious however there wasn't the same amount of Rum in hers. Food: Crab flat bread was fresh and filled with actual crabmeat. A lot of places skimp on this part but Bowleys didn't at all! We also ordered Fried Green Tomatoes with Crabmeat. The tomatoes were meaty as well as filled with crab and I mean lump crab! It was crispy and the sauce was just enough not overpowering. We left before the band showed up but it would be a place I return. read more

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I decided to try something new for date night and ended up here for dinner. Upon arrival, parking was somewhat easy to find even though they were packed. We checked into the outdoor hostess stand. Due to the sun, we asked for shade and was advised there will be a 15 minute wait. I gave her my number in order for us to receive a text when our table was ready. Not sure how long we waited, but we did finally receive our notification and taken to our table. Was not totally happy since the hostess sat us still in the sun. There was more shade near the hostess stand area. I had to play musical chairs just to avoid the sun and poor hubby ended up sun burned after our dining experience. There was a long wait before our server greeted us and take our order. Here is what we ordered: Me- Cup of Cream of crab soup and the broiled crabcake with sautéed spinach and roasted rosemary potatoes and for dessert crem brulee. Hubby- Pork Chop (medium rare) with spinach and sweet potatoes. It was weird when she asked hubby how he would like his pork chop cooked. Food was not bad, but had some complaints. My soup was more creme than crabmeat and my creme brulee sugar coating was burnt. And these two items I know how to prepare because I make them all the time. The sweet tea was overly sweet, which I had to water down. Overall the music was a whole vibe, and they have live music Fri- Sun. The band was okay, but would have preferred the music they were playing. Was not thrilled when a patron walked through from the water park nearby smoking past our table, also there was a wait to use the ladies room since there was only two stalls for an indoor/ outdoor restaurant. Thank God for the sweet lady who helped me out while we both utilized the men's restroom. I was happy it was clean enough to use because I could not hold it long enough. I would return but either make a reservation if the evening is very sunny to get a decent shadey view if we dine outdoors. read more

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I went there for a happy hour. The decor was really nice. I wish I would've come in the summertime. The drinks were great and decently priced. The staff was very nice. I ordered the Poké bowl with salmon. It was a very nice presentation and really flavorful. I felt like there should've been more rice and wasn't sure about how fresh the salmon was however, I am willing to go back and try something else. read more

Bowleys On The Bay - Salmon Poke Bowl - New American Near Me - Middle River, Maryland

A hidden gem located on the bay. Beautiful views. Food was mediocre. Crab cake was served cold. Drinks watered down. The service was great. Optinal dine in or outside. Advice: Bring bug spray. We were attacked by bees. Could not enjoy food sitting oustide. read more

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Absolutely love the ambiance and vibe at Bowleys!! Food is your average bar food - nothing to rave about but was overall good! I love the live music and beautiful views. We had great service and definitely will be returning before the end of the summer! read more

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