Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Ruse

    4.5 (99 reviews)
    Open 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Ruse Photos

    RUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Ruse

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Mary L.

    Wow!!! My experiences today prompted me to write this review. We are staying at Wildset for our babymoon and read about how Ruse is the best restaurant in St. Michael's. We tried the happy hour first and sat at the raw bar- the roasted oysters and spring gem salad were delicious and this was some of the the best service I have ever received from a server while sitting at the bar! We then went later that day to try dinner and we were in for a treat! The lamb ribs, wild mushrooms, and smoked trout were all so delicious. The trout in particular was cooked to perfection, crispy skin on the outside, tender meat inside, and the lemon caper sauce was delicious. I also loved the labneh ice cream, perfect amount of tangy and sweet with the rhubarb compote and crumbles. Brittany, our server, was so genuine and pleasant to be around, and enthusiastic about all of our choices. She gave us amazing service and was so sweet to even gave us complimentary non-alcoholic sparkling rose to congratulate us! My God, can't wait to come back to try the famous burger and shoestring fries!

    Espresso martini
    Mary K.

    My second trip down to Ruse and I couldn't be happier that I decided to come back. I asked my bartender for a lot of recommendations, and ended up starting with the potstickers, which had such an amazing flavor profile I was blown away. He says the team gets them all the time and I am so jealous. I had the scallops for my main course and again, was blown away by how amazing the flavor was and how perfectly they were cooked. I will say they had tomatoes with the dish and some just didn't seem cooked all the way, so I ended up pushing all of them to the side so I didn't ruin the amazing flavor of the rest of the dish. I asked him for his recommendation on what wine to get for this dish, and he let me try a few different options before I picked his first choice. I wasn't really into their dessert this time, they were both ice cream and I really wanted something more so instead, I had an espresso martini to finish off my night. Ruse is a beautiful restaurant and is connected to a hotel so the bathrooms are very clean and has a neat space. Would highly recommend checking it out.

    Local Sourdough Bread.
    Russell J.

    We had a GREAT evening at Ruse. Made reservations for my wife's birthday. Greeted and seated promptly. Started with 1/2 dozen oysters. Then the tuna rolls, which were so much fun to roll by hand. Cucumber Salad and Cherry Salad followed. Main was the Blue Crab Caccio y Pepe, which was fantastic! The place is small, so reservations go fast. Overall, a great seaside dining experience in St. Michaels!

    Michelle C.

    The food was amazing!! My favorites were the strawberry and burrata salad, the scallop crudo, and the trout piccata. The smoked trout dip and roasted oysters were also great appetizers. What I like about this place is the freshness and quality of ingredients. All the flavors accentuated the seafood but the seasonings weren't too overwhelming. The atmosphere has a cute boho vibe. Service was attentive and friendly.

    Strawberry sorbet and labneh with chocolate shell and a birthday candle
    Tracy W.

    We were told this place was a can't miss! We found out too late that we should have come for happy hour rather than a pricier dinner but that's ok- we were celebrating! The tostada was a little salty for our tastes. We both loved the burger and fries! The pork loin was pretty good! And the dessert was out of this world! The strawberry combined with the labneh from the soft serve machine combined flavors - topped with the chocolate shell to be probably one of the best desserts I've had in a long time. The cocktails are also amazing here! And I love that they will make you mocktails upon request too! Special props for also having a gluten free menu!

    malvina g.

    Wow and double wow. Follow me here, farm to table fusion cuisine that could easily be in a fancy European town but it lives in St Michael's. Ruse is not one style or trend, it's a surprising mix that doesn't try too hard, while ensuring the food tastes great and surprises you. Here's what we had: aguachile tostada (took me back to our last MX trip), oysters (good), chicken (I don't like ordering chicken at a restaurant, this is a MUST. Crispy skin, delicious flavor), crab pasta (So good, very rich), dumplings ( very good). Connor was great and very friendly! Service was 5 stars! Pro tip: off season you may still need a resy. Dogs allowed on patio. Get a resy always. We can't wait to come back!

    Pork chop Milanese & grilled sea scallops
    Vidisha S.

    We came here for our anniversary dinner, as we were staying at The Wildset. Service - AMAZING. We were stuck in traffic on the way from Baltimore, so we called ahead and they were able to accommodate us a little later than evening and we really appreciated it. They also gave us complimentary champagne since we were celebrating. It was a really nice touch and made our evening extra special. Ambiance - We loved the casual nautical vibe, without everything being the typical blue & white color. It was definitely an intimate space however, so I would strongly recommend making a reservation well in advance. Food - also amazing! Our waitress gave us amazing recommendations. We started with the oysters and cocktails, following by prawns, and ending with the pork chop and scallops. The only thing we didn't love was the pork chop - it was cooked well but it was sweeter than we expected and I wish it had a sauce (felt a little dry bc it was breaded). Would strongly recommend any seafood dishes. Didn't have any room for dessert, but I'm sure it would be great as well. Our bill overall was about $250 - on the more expensive end, but worth it for a special occasion. Would highly recommend this restaurant.

    Sara S.

    We walked in for a quick drink and ended up getting a few apps, and regretted not eating dinner here too. The tuna and oysters were unbelievable and fresh. The bartender was impeccable and gave us the best service. We will 100% be back here to have a full dinner experience.

    Aphrodite Oyster & Eld Inlet Oyster
    William A.

    Haven't had a meal this good in a long time! The Aphrodite oyster was so delicious I could have had 30 more. The whipped ricotta toast is A MUST! I gasped at first bite and have been daydreaming of it ever since. The cucumber salad is truly special and any fan of chili crisp and tahini will adore it. And OMG THE CHICKEN! Simple but perfectly executed. It burst with juice when I cut into it, and the Alabama white sauce was a perfect pairing. The service was also at the level of a Michelin star restaurant. When placing down cutlery, all staff aligned them (it's the little things that make you say "huh" that set them apart). Our waiter was helpful and very friendly as well, but honestly all of the staff were just so kind. No doubt we'll be back. St Michael's is an absolute joy and it's holding an absolute gem of a restaurant. Can't wait till Ruse hold its rightful place on the Michelin guide!

    tater tots + caviar duh!
    Ruby G.

    We loved Ruse!! The ambiance is more of a casual, rustic farm/coastal vibe. I love the long wooden table in the kitchen which gives the feeling you are hanging out, having dinner at a friend's house. We loved all of the super fresh seafood. Some highlights of the meal were the interactive make your own spicy tuna rolls, fresh sourdough bread with salty butter and fresh briney oysters. The caviar with the tater tots and creme fraise was actually the most perfect bite and I could've eaten a million of those. The burger was perfect with light shoe string fries! Overall Ruse was a perfect hit to kick off our stay-cation!

    Hannah H.

    A new favorite, Ruse in Maryland. We had a great meal with the trout and the burger paired with dirty martinis. The trout was well-prepared, with a fresh and flavorful profile, while the burger was juicy and satisfying, cooked to perfection. The dirty martinis complemented both dishes well, enhancing the overall experience. The service was attentive, and the ambiance added to a relaxing dining experience. A fantastic spot for a quality meal!

    Jessica R.

    Everything was absolutely perfect. Food, service, and ambiance. Couldn't have asked for a better time and meal. Everything was delicious.

    Trout special

    Food, service, and ambiance was amazing. The best trout dish I have ever eaten, bread service was delicious, the wait staff was pleasant, informative, and attentive. I can't say enough wonderful things!

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Trent C.
    3
    402
    20

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Seth R.
    242
    142
    29

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 6
    Oh no 1

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Great service, atmosphere, and outstanding food. Everything was perfect from start to finish.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    The food and oyster bar were amazing. The service and ambiance were incredible. Make sure to schedule ahead for reservations

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Phil C.
    1
    173
    7

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Great food. Great service. Sat outside lovely night. Would recommend for sure. Great food. Great service.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2
    Photo of R P.
    0
    4
    0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Ruse

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Bistro St. Michaels - Pork tenderloin entree

    Bistro St. Michaels

    (221 reviews)

    $$

    We chose The Bistro in St. Michaels to celebrate my wife's birthday, and the entire experience was…read moreoutstanding from start to finish. Making the reservation was pleasant and seamless. We arrived a bit early and were seated immediately, which set the tone for a relaxed and welcoming evening. We started with the baked oysters, foie gras and bone marrow appetizers--both were absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. For dinner, my wife had the sword fish, I had the veal chop, and my son had the seafood gumbo. Each dish was incredible, cooked perfectly, and full of flavor. We finished the night with the crème brûlée, which was prepared to perfection and was the perfect ending to a memorable meal. The entire staff was A+ across the board, including owner/exec chef Doug and his lovely wife Jenn, who clearly care deeply about both the food and the guest experience. Don't let the quaint town of St. Michaels fool you--this gem is absolutely worth the visit.

    The atmosphere is great and on the night we dined it was bustling. I ordered the cream of crab soup…read morewhich I thought would be a safe selection as it's billed as one of their signature dishes. Unfortunately, it was lack luster; more shell than crab and mostly devoid of flavor. I'll admit that being from the lowcountry I have a high bar for crab soup and this didn't come close to meeting it. The truffle fries were delicious and it was fun to sit at the bar and watch the kitchen action. Our waiter was attentive but when the bill arrived we had been charged for drinks we didn't order. This is not as uncommon in tourist towns as one would hope. I lived in Nantucket long enough to always go over the bill with a careful eye.

    Ruse - salad - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...