Restaurant Review: O'Learys Seafood

Ambience and service

O'Learys features a classy nautical theme and lots of Eastport charm. The weather was fantastic when we went (a few months ago) so they had the windows open which was lovely. The street is nice and quiet; you almost feel like you're dining at a friend's house. O'Learys also has a nice bar area—perfect for an evening drink and meal.

Service at O'Learys is always excellent. Our waiter was patient, attentive, and full of recommendations. I expect nothing less from a restaurant of O'Learys' quality.

Food

For starters, we ordered oysters on the half shell and tuna tartare. The oysters on the half shell were so good that we ordered a second round! They're a bit pricey—6 for $18—but worth it. The ahi tuna tartare was phenomenal. It had a strong wasabi flavor and loads of crab meat on top! We were tempted to order another one of these as well, but restrained ourselves.

One of the main highlights for me, however, was the rolls and whipped butter. As a "certified" bread fanatic, I can definitively state that the complementary rolls at O'Learys are in the top tier of free restaurant breads.

On to the entrées.

We ordered the lobster risotto special, red snapper, diver scallops, and crab mac and cheese. O'Learys is known for their crab risotto. So you know it's going to be good when they put a whole lobster on top!

Every dish we had was amazing. The crab mac and cheese did not skimp on the crab. The fish was very fresh and the scallops were awesome.

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Late in the meal, I made a spontaneous decision to order truffle parmesan fries and boy am I glad I did. They were some of the best fries I have ever had in my life. Next time, I plan on ordering the Bourdain burger which comes with a side of those slices of heaven. Some tables around us ordered the Bourdain and it looked amazing.

We did not plan on ordering desserts, but changed our mind after our server told us about the poached pear and flourless chocolate cake. I've never had poached pear and didn't think I'd like it, but it was crisp, unique, and delicious. The cake came with little malt candies on top and a unique cinnamon caramel sauce. Talk about decadence.

Pro tips

• Anniversary? Date night? Special occasion? Craving for good seafood? Call O'Learys and make a reservation! They have recently added an outdoor tent for more seating, but a reservation is always a good idea for a restaurant of this renown.
• Check their menu before you go to see seasonal additions and changes. They also have wonderful specials (such as the lobster risotto we enjoyed).
• Get dessert! The poached pear was one of the most unique desserts I've ever tried and I'm so glad we got it.

Final thoughts

O'Learys is an Eastport staple (since 1983, after all!). It is a must for any local Annapolitan or out-of-town visitor. My parents would kill me if I failed to mention that O'Learys is their favorite restaurant in town. They have been there many more times than I have, and they have always had consistently wonderful experiences.

Editor's note: please follow @annapolitan_eats on Instagram. Word of warning: don't look at her pictures on an empty stomach.

How many scoops?

The Naptown Scoop rates restaurants on the same scale as Michelin stars:

• Single scoop: a very good restaurant
• Double scoop: excellent cooking worth a detour
• Triple scoop: exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey

Just like Michelin stars, not every restaurant will earn scoops. This does not mean they aren't good.

Alexandra has decided to award O'Learys a double scoop.