This Is the Best Buffet in Maryland, Known for Its Oyster Selection

Spend a little time on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and you start to notice where people actually go to eat. While many travelers flock to the waterfront in downtown St. Michaels for the views, locals know to head just two and a half miles west. There, you’ll find Chesapeake Landing Restaurant, a community staple for more than 30 years. It’s unpretentious, family-owned, and holds the title for the best oyster buffet in Maryland.

The secret to this spot’s reputation is located right behind the building. While most restaurants wait for a delivery truck, Chesapeake Landing has its own packing house, Bay Hundred Seafood, just outside the back door. Joe Spurry Sr. launched this part of the business in 1984, drawing on his own experience as a local waterman. Today, Joe and Nida Spurry and their family continue the tradition, ensuring oysters go from the local waters to your table every single day.

From October through March, when the air turns crisp and the "R" months are in full swing, the restaurant rolls out its legendary Friday Night Oyster Buffet. It is a seafood lover’s dream. I’m talking every style of oyster you can imagine—raw on the half-shell, crispy fried, stuffed, steamed, and even in a rich house-made oyster stew. It’s a comprehensive celebration of the Bay’s bounty that you simply can't find elsewhere.

Although the oysters are the main event, the buffet doesn’t leave anyone out. The lineup includes Maryland-style crab cakes—voted the best in Talbot County for over a decade—alongside seasoned fried chicken made from a family recipe handed down for generations. The sides are just as delicious, featuring Eastern Shore staples like corn pudding, mac and cheese, and creamy coleslaw.

If you happen to visit in the summer when the oyster buffet is on hiatus, the restaurant stays busy by switching gears. They focus on hot steamed blue crabs, snow crab legs, Maine lobster, fresh shrimp, and fresh fish of the day, prepared however you like it.

St. Michaels is often called “the town that fooled the British,” and it’s a great place to spend a day before your meal. Wander through the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, hop on a scenic cruise down the Miles River, or browse the boutiques along Talbot Street. The town has a quaint, historic charm, and Chesapeake Landing feels right at home with its laid-back vibe. The service is friendly, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere is welcoming—a perfect way to end a day of exploring.

Because this is such a popular local haunt, especially on Friday nights, things get busy very quickly. The parking lot often fills up, so it is a smart move to call ahead. If you find something you absolutely love on the menu, you can even visit their onsite seafood market to take some fresh crabmeat or shucked oysters home with you.

Whether you are a lifelong Marylander or just passing through Talbot County for the weekend, this is a must-stop. For those seeking the freshest local catch in a friendly, no-frills environment, there is no question that this is the best buffet for oysters in Maryland.

Planning your visit? Stop by 23713 St. Michaels Road, St. Michaels, MD 21663, check out the menu at the official website of Chesapeake Landing, and organize your trip with the Only In Your State itinerary planner to catch the Friday Night Oyster Buffet in season.