Really good oysters. Crab cakes we stellar. My martini was well assembled. Parking was easy to find. Ambience wise it's a little noisy and pub-like. Upstairs is cozier than the bar area downstairs. Overall a solid pick for our first time dining in this neighborhood. Would go back to try more on the menu. The Chesapeake Chicken looked bonkers. read more

I ate here 4 years ago after wife left our then freshman son at school crying and this place literally made her a 180! Now we are here again. This time is for the commencement. This place is still that busy. Food is STILL that good! All the compliments about their foods are real. My tongue swells if the seafood is not fresh and after eating here - nothing happens to my tongue. That's how fresh their seafood is. That crab cake, that scallops, oh so good. I love So Cal. But when it comes to seafood, this place is hands down on the top 3! read more

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Overpriced and something made me sick. I had oysters which were good but not amazing and Seafood bouillabaisse which tasted really good but portion was small. Also had Maryland crab soup and one beer. Service was OK. The Price was not the total was over 85 dollars per person and they added 16% gratuity. Maybe I am spoiled in Midwest's on prices but seemed really high for one person. They did had nice outdoor sitting. What made me give bad review so that I got really sick. I did not eat anything anywhere else so it had to be them. Not fun for this price. Will not come back and do not recommend. Many other seafood places in Baltimore. read more

I ordered the classic mamas salad and the cabbage was bitter and the service was so slow and they didn't responded politely! I didn't eat anything read more

A friend who lives in the area recommended Mama's to us and we are glad we went! We thoroughly enjoyed everything we sampled and the service by Nicole R was top-notch. I went out on a limb and ordered the grilled oysters with smoked paprika butter and they were excellent! read more

The service was great. Seated quickly, food came out pretty quick and the waiter consistently asked us if everything was good. No complaints there. Food was... meh. Unflavored, bland and soggy if I could really describe it. Maybe it was the plates we got (steamed seafood platter, fish sandwich) but for a seafood pub with more than average prices I expected a little more. If I could give my advice for 1 thing; put some bolder flavors in the food! So... great service, mediocre food! My 2 cents. read more

Mama's is definitely going to be a must when I return to Baltimore. I dined at several seafood and supposed seafood restaurants while visiting. Have to place this establishment up to number one. Service was great food was excellent! Seafood was fresh and delicious. Oysters on the half shell were some of the best that I had and a bit better than Thames Street. Bouillabaisse was classic and the bread pudding at the end of the meal was outrageous! You should definitely consider Mama's when visiting The Charm City you will want to place it on your list of places to go to enjoy a fabulous dining experience. read more

I'm hesitant to write this review because I still have high hopes for this place. I visited Mama's for the first time this past weekend. It was a busy Saturday since there was a pub crawl happening. I didn't have reservations so I was worried about not getting seating but somehow I managed to find on the street parking and get a seat all within about 5 mins. I was excited because I had been perusing the pics on Yelp and saw a million things I wanted to try. Some of the things pictured where not on the menu (like the crab quesadilla or the butter pecan cheesecake) but the two things I wanted to try the most were there. I ordered the grilled parm herb oysters (thinking back to my amazing char grilled oysters experience in NOLA) and the double crab cake entree. I didn't even get to take pics because I was so excited and dug right in. The oysters were not great...they had a lot of watery liquid under the cheese and the oyster kind of got lost in it. This was a bit odd to me and not at all what I was expecting. I ate it, but definitely would not order it again. The crab cakes were pretty good. I'm still pretty new to Maryland so I can't say they are the best though I can say they had the largest pieces of lump crab that I've ever had in any crab cake. It was pretty moist so I imagine the sandwich version would taste even better than the entree. I wasn't blown away but it satisfied my crab craving. It is pretty pricey but I will likely come back at some point to give other dishes a try maybe. read more

I typically don't like writing bad reviews but, this one was costly. 1 Star goes to the Mac & Cheese and the second for the calamari. Everything else just sucked. Crap cake was extremely salty and the bouillabaisse was a cup of salt as well. I am very disappointed with my dinner tonight. Another thing I can't stand is businesses that don't take discover credit cards. I mean how embarrassing. I would recommend visiting your merchant provider to go over your pricing and be able to accept ALL major credit cards. read more

Late, Friday-night dinner over Christmas weekend. Survived a couple really close calls in the Uber to get to Mama's so I went in hoping the meal would be worth the near death experience. Bouncer at the door? Wasn't expecting that, but ok. We opted to sit upstairs which is the better area for convo. Shout out to the bartender for the stiff drinks (mostly moscow mules & old fashioneds). I've gotta get better at writing my reviews more quickly because I'm struggling to remember exactly what the table ordered. I know for sure that I had a mac n cheese dish that I'd easily rate an 11 out of 10. The calamari, and oyster Rockefeller were great as well. I have to acknowledge that our waiter was extremely patient and understanding because I spilled cocktail sauce all over the table no less than 3 times (again, shout out to those mules) and he never seemed to mind. Great ambiance, extremely attentive and knowledgeable staff, solid drinks, delicious grub. Really, what more could you ask for? If I remember what my friends ordered, I'll be sure to update this review with that info a little later. read more

Mama's On The Half Shell is one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore! Their food is always amazing, the waiters and bartenders are always super helpful and nice. Their crushes are so refreshing, the seafood is always great and the side options are so yummy (specially the mac-n-cheese). Highly recommend checking out Mama's! read more

WONDERFUL! We sat at the bar to avoid the wait and had great service. The crab cakes were amazing, be sure to get them broiled! The seafood chowder was phenomenal, definitely get the soup. The stuff shrimp was pretty good, wish I just got the crab cakes. Nice atmosphere and nice drink choice. Would definitely recommend and come back! read more

Mama's on the Half Shell - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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My favorite crab cake of all time. The crushes are amazing and come in all different flavors. I wish I lived closer to come here all of the time! I will eat a Mamas crab cake every time I am in Baltimore! read more

I don't come to Mama's often but when I do I'm reminded of why I don't frequent the place. As far as atmosphere, the place is one of the nicest on the square. The inside dining area and bar are nice and the outdoor dining area is almost always packed. Misters are always on during the summer to keep everyone cool which is a nice touch. The food here is just solid three star food. I haven't had anything I hated but I also haven't had anything I loved. I will say that their crab cake actually is really good. I would stick with the sandwiches and platters for food. The calamari is fine. But I would advise against the mussels. There are much better places in canton to get mussels. The oysters are just okay. I've only ordered their happy hour oysters and I felt like they weren't very clean. But they are cheap and I didn't get sick so at the end of the day that's a win for me. Mama's is a safe bet for good atmosphere, decent food, and average prices on the square. read more

Always a great meal. Not much more to say that than what other reviewers wrote. It's a Baltimore institution for a reason.

Went there a week ago to celebrate Fathers Day. Food was good and very good portion size. Both my father and law spent the rest of the day in the bathroom after eating the bouillabaisse. Called the restaurant and they didn't seem to concerned. Decided to review after reading the review of someone else who recently had the same experience with the bouillabaisse. read more

One of the best seafood spots!!! Fresh seafood, reasonable price and generous amount! The first sandwich on the menu, the seafood sandwich was amazingly done. Friendly staff and cute space. Would love to come back next time in town. read more

Mama's on the Half Shell - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Whitney K was amazing! Super knowledgeable about the menu and made great drinks. Suck a perfect spot.

So my husband and I went back with our newborn for our first dinner our since our son was born and it was definitely a different experience. We knew that it would be louder and was ok with that but it took our waitress way too long to even greet the table. From there she only remembered one of our drink orders (both were soda) and when our food came out she had put in an order for fried shrimp instead of fried oysters. By the time I received my order my husband had pretty much finished his food. I thought it would be a shorter dining experience and timed my son nap to the tee so there was no way he would disturb other diners. I ended up having to eat fast once the food did arrive because I knew he was going to wake up soon. The Mac and cheese was a little different as well. It wasn't as good as last time so I was a little disappointed. Will give them one more chance but we will see how they do at that time. read more

Mama's on the Half Shell - The Fried Oyster platter with Mac & cheese and a salad - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I am writing to "THANK" an incredible manager Cathie Shinnick who is the manager of such and awesome and incredible restaurant called Mama's on the Half Shell in Baltimore, MD. I cannot thank you enough for you and your company's 'honesty, integrity, caring and persistence in trying to locate me, to get my purse back to me. I am from St Louis, Mo. and had gone there to eat, with friends we were visiting for only that day in Baltimore. I was devastated when I realized I had lost it and wasn't even sure where it I might have left it. You went above and beyond trying to locate me... when I lost/left my favorite purse at your restaurant ( Mamas on the Half Shell) I cannot tell you how much YOU are appreciated!!! And how happy you have made mein returning it to me ..... and That you took the time to mail it back to me in St. Louis. Its the least that I can do !! Is to tell the world my wonderful experience and sing your praises to the everyone, Such Great FOOD!! Such a GREAT restaurant!!! Great PEOPLE!! And added Great experience!!!! Thank you, thank you... THANK YOU Cathie Shinnick !! You're the best!!!! Sincerely, Lynne Marstall St.Louis, Missouri read more

Seriously, this was some really good food!!! Our service was fantastic, Sarah E. was fantastic and a lot of fun. I had a group of about 6 people and we were accommodated very quickly and easily. Oh, and did I mention that the food was awesome. Do yourself a favor and get the Classic Platter read more

Great atmosphere and great service!! The food was also amazing!! We can't forget big crab cake and side dishes were large and great quality. read more

Mama's on the Half Shell - Big crab cake :) - Bars Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

My experience at Mama's On The Half Shell was great. No complaints about the service what so ever! Our server was nice, attentive, and our drinks and food came out FAST. Crab and artichoke dip is delicious - could have used a bit more crab pieces though. The lunch salmon was one of the best I have had - it was seared perfectly and the seasoning was great. We also got the Seafood Melt... Read the rest of the review at http://www.munchingtheglobe.com/mamas-on-the-half-shell read more

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Incredible service during COVID 19- staff adjusted the umbrellas for us several times to be more in the shade outside while maintaining the tables at 6ft apart. Crushes are great, and crab cake was to die for! read more

I went here with my partner for just a small dinner and drinks kind of night. I ordered raw Chincoteage oysters and she ordered oysters Rockefeller with the fried shrimp platter that came with two sides. I also ordered a margarita with salt and she ordered a corona with grenadine. It was actually very good and the prices were not too bad either. For all of that our bill was $60. And I even got top shelf liquor in my margarita. We sat on the top floor near the fireplace which was very warm and intimate. I would definitely recommend going here but maybe only on special occasions as the prices can be high depending on what you get (but worth it)! And the service was very good. read more

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I was enjoying a weekend in Baltimore checking out some local areas when an Uber driver recommended we try this place. We were trying to eat as much Maryland crab as possible during our trip, so we thought the menu looked great! The inside bar area was pretty full so we decided to enjoy the weather and sit at one of the patio tables along the sidewalk. It was really nice outside and we enjoyed the bustle on a Sunday evening, but our table was very unsturdy. The sidewalk where were seated was unlevel and I was worried about my drink sliding off a few times. I ordered a soup and salad with a mixture of the two crab soups they offer (our server recommended this), and it was excellent! My bf ordered the scallop meal, which somehow was missed on the order maybe, as he didn't receive it until I was done with my meal. But when it came out, the scallops were amazing! Cooked perfectly and the sides were both awesome as well! It took a while for our server to realize that he had not gotten his food yet, and it took a little bit longer for it to come, but I am glad they didn't try to rush and send out something not cooked correctly. Coming from a restaurant background, I do think that the manager should have addressed the mistake, especially with the steep prices here, but I would love to go back and give a better review next visit! read more

Finally! I found a great seafood restaurant within driving distance of Harrisburg! Great drinks, great oysters on the half shell, and the service is impeccable! I highly recommend the seafood club sandwich, and the crab cakes! The drink selection is great as well. I'm already looking forward to our next visit! read more

This place is a favorite in the Canton neighborhood. Ok, I want to give this place 3.5. Service was great, the orange crush is to die for, and the oysters were amazing. My sandwich, the Seafood Club, was really good but it had entirely too much mayonnaise. The shrimp salad was whole shrimp, mayonnaise, and maybe some seasoning. Then it had additional mayonnaise on the bread...yikes. I would definitely recommend restructuring the shrimp salad a little to make it more gourmet and less mayonnaisey. Overall this is a cute little gem in the heart of canton and if you want great seafood, come here! read more

We came specifically to have a ton of seafood while in town visiting from Charlotte. They gave us a complimentary crab dip to fix a mistake that was a lot more cheesy than crabby (wouldn't recommend). My husband had the clams which he thought were amazing. Both the shrimp and crab cake were delicious! Fun atmosphere with really friendly staff! We will definitely be back. read more

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My husband, sister and I are visiting from Boston and stopped here for some seafood. Our waiter, Chris, was amazing and food service was quick. We had the scallops as an appetizer. The scallops were delicious. I had the seafood sandwich, which was incredibly good, and my husband had the mussels, which were very well seasoned. My sister had the Mac and cheese, which was ok, but a bit oily at the bottom. We tried the key lime and orange crushes, which were VERY well made. I would recommend Mama's on the half shell to anyone visiting the area. read more

I wish it was possible to give zero stars. I've been here twice and the first time should have been my last time. The food is mediocre and Baltimore has way better to offer! The service is also shitty mainly because no one takes any accountability. And the new manager, Charles Scott is incredibly rude. If youre new to Baltimore or a visitor try Thames street or ryleighs for fresh oysters. This place has really gone downhill. read more

We were seated under an outside tent with plenty of space between us and other diners. Wait staff were all wearing masks. We had crab cakes which we describe as the best of Baltimore. Caesar Salad, Mac and cheese and Maryland crab soup were all excellent. We didn't give it a 5 because the wait time for 2nd round of drinks was too long. But we will go back! read more

Dropped for drinks and Oysters at the bar just after noon. Great service and excellent oysters with a Dangerously delicious pies a few doors away! Way a bit pricey. read more

Incredible food and service. Had clams with a shrimp sandwich. Tarah was great at the bar and gave great recommendations , orange crush was everything. read more

I love to eat...it's not a spectator sport in my book. Work had me jetsetting on a solo tip but old habits die hard. A girl gots to eat and without my favorite foodie friend, I decided to call in reinforcements. The Parents only live a couple states away so why not have them join me?! Anyways... My mom loves seafood...and I love to eat. Where do we go? YELP to the rescue! Mama's on the Half Shell is off the hook! From the neighborhood, to the building...we're definitely on the East Coast. Historic building, row houses abound... Let me just say that the oyster on the half shell in this place are freaking amazing! Fresh, fresh, fresh...did I mention how fresh these oysters were? Fresh! Simple and understated, served atop a bed of crushed ice, these little mini morsels were were accompanied by fresh grated horseradish and cocktail sauce. Perfection! Fresh, clean, perfectly briney...amazing! Mussels and Shrimp in Spicy Beer Sauce...heck yeah! Clams Casino...that too! Bouillabaisse...on point! Steamed Manila Clams...OMG! The Steamer Platter with Shrimp, Sausage, Corn, Clams, Oysters, Potatoes seasoned with Old Bay...GTFO! Definitely worth the trip and the toll. I gotta find a reason to come back to Baltimore just so that I can bring the favorite foodie friend soon. read more

What you love and hate about Baltimore bars, it gets real cozy. Mama's is really good,so get there early for a seat at the bar. Attentive bar staff, and they make great drinks. Orange and grapefruit crushes were perfect. Appreciate calamari that is cooked just right,without alot of breading,grilled would have been much better. Back on an oyster run, nice selections. Mama's is a staple in the Canton bar tour and the food is great. read more

Went there for lunch. Great spot within walking distance of Canton Waterfront Park. We sat outside since we had a dog and had raw oysters and a sandwhich along with drinks. They offer half sizes on select dishes which are great when you aren't super hungry. Overall great place to get a bite to eat. read more

An awesome location for some seafood and people-watching in the Canton neighborhood. However, rumor is that outdoor seating is highly requested, so I recommend making a reservation. You name your favorite seafood dish, whether it's raw oysters, seafood chowder, blackened tuna, shrimp salad, etc., etc., etc., this place has it. Their menu can seem a little overwhelming at first with so many options, but don't worry the staff is super friendly and willing to give you a few suggestions. I came here with a big group, all ordering something different and everyone was happy and satisfied, so that says something right there. I'm not going to break down every meal, but I will tell you that if your in the mood for a sandwich, go with the seafood club. It's huge and you'll need a doggie bag. Nice thick toast, mayo, shrimp salad, crab cake (or fried oysters) and scallops topped off with cheese and bacon. Pretty much everything awesome ever, in one sandwich. Some other tips, the salads aren't your normal wimpy salads, they're "man" salads and the Mac-n-cheese is not to be missed just because it's on the kiddie menu. read more

I love this place! I love taking friends who are new to Baltimore here because it has a wonderful variety of drink and seafood options, and is located on an adorable cobblestone street, decently close to the water. I've been here for a boozy brunch with friends visiting from out of town, and for a dinner date. Both times the service was on point and the food tasted awesome. I highly recommend the Irish Coffee and Cucumber Lemonade drinks, as well as the Maryland crab of course! You won't regret it! read more

The crab artichoke dip is like crack, and Baltimore knows crack. Definitely order this one :) Everything was good here, including the clam chowder, crab cake sandwich, pan seared scallops, pepperly cole slaw, mac & cheese, and classic combo platter. It's loud upstairs, but the eclectic furnishings feel cozy. I prefer Fell's Point vs. Canton for dinner, but nice change of pace. read more