True Chesapeake

4.6

569 Reviews

$31 to $50

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Great for happy hour
Charming

True Chesapeake is a Baltimore restaurant born of an oyster farm. Executive Chef Zack Mills creates a seasonal menu that showcases oysters from our farm in St. Jerome’s Creek, Southern Maryland — raw, roasted, and in signature dishes like Classic Rockefeller and French Onion Oysters. But, the oysters are just the beginning. Our award winning menu celebrates the bounty of the Chesapeake region by using locally sourced seafood, meat, and produce to create exquisite dishes that evolve with the seasons. Chef Mills has been featured extensively for his use of invasive seafood species, a very delicious way to help the Chesapeake Bay. Don't forget to order the Blue Crab and Bone Marrow dip or handmade pasta. We have an expertly curated wine list, beer selection, and cocktails - both classic and creative. Ample bar, high-top, and terrace seating available for walk-ins on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(410) 913-6374
Website
http://www.truechesapeake.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Chef Zack Mills
Catering
The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
Private party facilities
The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.

Location
3300 Clipper Mill Rd, Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21211-2332
Neighborhood
Hampden
Cross street
The entrance is at the back of Whitehall Mill, off Clipper Mill Road.
Parking details
You will find our restaurant (and plenty of parking) beneath the historic smokestack at Whitehall Mill.
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Baltimore Restaurant Week
$45.00 per person
Jan 24, 2025 - Feb 2, 2025
Enjoy a special restaurant week menu for $45 per person. appetizer (choose one): caesar salad farm greens salad spaghetti & clams entree (choose one): seared snakehead red wine braised brisket mushroom risotto dessert (choose one): pumpkin cake apple galette orange sorbet

Offers

Tropical Tuesday
Multiple dates available
Tue - 5:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Join us every Tuesday for a special menu of 12 tropical cocktails including The Deep End, Three Dots & A Dash, Singapore Sling, Pearl Diver, Mai Tai, Missionary's Downfall, and more!
Happy Hour
Multiple dates available
Sun - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM,Tue - Sat - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
We are proud to have been named Best Happy Hour in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine! Join us at the bar and high-tops for Happy Hour every day except Monday from 5-7 PM. Enjoy $6 martinis, old fashioneds, and daiquiris, $6 wines by the glass, $5 draft beer, and $2 raw and roasted oysters. Cheers!
Half-Price Wine Wednesdays
Multiple dates available
Wed - 5:00 PM - 8:45 PM
HALF-PRICE WINE WEDNESDAYS 50% off select wine bottles!

Popular dishes

farm greens salad$13.00
local greens, apples, blue cheese, candied pecans, apple-balsamic vinaigrette
beet salad$14.00
pistachios, frisee, puffed quinoa, blue cheese mousse
blue crab & bone marrow dip$16.00
pickled shallots, local micro greens, grilled bread
hand-cut spaghetti$17.00
parmesan, cured egg yolk, bacon, middleneck clams
steak tartare$16.00
smoked oyster aioli, cestra caviar, potato chips
broccoli & cheddar soup$10.00
broccoli soup, broccoli florets, cheddar cheese mousse
mushroom tart$15.00
local mushrooms, horseradish, tarragon creme fraiche

ON THE HALF SHELL

FROM OUR FARM

skinny dippers$2.75
Approximately 3-4 inches
huckleberries$2.75
Approximately 2 inches
chunky dunkers$3.00
These bivalves don't skinny dip - they chunky dunk. Approximately 4+ inches.
Rotating Selection of Neighbor Oysters$3.00

STEAMED

peel & eat gulf shrimp$19.00
middleneck clams$19.00
Newfoundland mussels$19.00
our signature platter of steamed and roasted shellfish$73.00
oysters rockefeller, old bay roasted oysters, clams, mussels, & gulf shrimp

SANDWICHES

our burger$18.00
cheddar cheese, fried pickles, spicy ketchup, bacon mayo, potato wedges
blue catfish sandwich$18.00
salted cucumber, pickled shallot tartar sauce, potato wedges
crab cake sandwich$29.00
pickled red onions, old bay mayo, potato wedges
- 5 oz lump crab$29.00
- 5 oz jumbo lump crab$46.00

SIDES & ADDITIONS

blue crab mac & cheese$13.00
herbed potato purée$7.00
buffalo brussels sprouts$8.00
roasted cauliflower & gruyère$8.00
sorghum glazed carrots$7.00
5 oz blue crab cake$25.00
5 oz jumbo lump crab cake$42.00

OYSTER SIGNATURES

True Chesapeake caesar$15.00
fried oyster croutons, smoked oyster caesar dressing
- roasted chicken breast$10.00
- 5 oz crab cake$25.00
- 5 oz jumbo crab cake$42.00
oyster stew$14.00
made à la minute, bacon, potatoes, salsify, tarragon
roasted half-shell oysters$15.00
herb & old bay butter
classic rockefeller$16.00
spinach, aged parmesan, fennel liqueur
fried oysters$15.00
split pea purée, country ham chips
french onion oysters$16.00
gruyère cheese, black truffle

ENTRÉES

butter-poached snakehead$33.00
wrapped in cabbage, spaghetti squash & cabbage cake, fall squash curry broth
mushroom & truffle risotto$26.00
local mushrooms, black truffle, sage, rosemary, roasted acorn squash bowl
seared scallops$33.00
pork belly, turnips, sea island red pea cassoulet
red wine braised beef cheeks$34.00
braised lactino kale, root vegetable purée, mint & parsley sauce
grilled new york strip steak$36.00
potato purée, apple butter, puffed beef tendon, sauce au poivre

What 569 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.5Service
4.8Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Baltimore / Maryland
Kid-friendly
Baltimore / Maryland
Seafood
Baltimore
Great for brunch
Baltimore
Kid-friendly
Baltimore
Innovative
Baltimore
Good for groups
Baltimore
Healthy
Baltimore
Hot spot
Baltimore
Romantic
Baltimore
Good for special occasions
Baltimore
Lively
Baltimore
Seafood

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

True Chesapeake offers a delightful dining experience with its standout "fabulous oysters," beautifully presented dishes, and a warm, engaging atmosphere. Diners appreciate the "amazing food" and exquisite cocktails, while the venue's beautiful setting adds to the charm. Service can be inconsistent, but the overall experience remains highly satisfying, making it a popular choice for special occasions and casual meals alike.

569 Reviews

S
Susan
VIP
Baltimore
4 reviews
4.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Nice crowd for a Thursday night. Loved the ambiance of the place. We started with farm green salads and the blue crab and bone marrow dip. The dip was amazing. Creamy and the pickled shallots added a nice touch. Then got fried sweetbreads, true Chesapeake Caesar, and crab cakes. Enters were good. For dessert got the peanut butter chocolate marshmallow. Peanut butter and ganache were delicious the toasted marshmalow had a weird consistancy and added a weird taste (almost like the marshmallow was not toasted enough). We also got the pumpkin cake. The cake was a little dry but had good taste and the cream cheese frosting and candid peanuts were delicious. The one thing was at the end of the meal we were sitting finishing our drinks and paying the bill and then were aggressively rushed out. The bus joy kept coming over and asked to take glasses fine. Then we joked and said oh are you kicking us out and gave us a look and no response. The restaurant was not closing and there were still people in the bar area. Also we chatted in the bar and he was still cleaning up other things so I’m not sure why we needed to be rushed out of our table at 9:30 when it says it closes at 11 pm? Otherwise looking back to coming back in the spring and enjoying some cocktails on the patio.
Is this helpful?
E
Elena
VIP
Baltimore
20 reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Very welcoming space. We really enjoyed their oyster selection and appreciate the provided information, including a map showing where the oysters come from.
Is this helpful?
G
Gail
VIP
Baltimore
40 reviews
5.0
40 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food, great drinks and service in a beautiful dining room. Our go to!
Is this helpful?
T
Tedine
Washington DC
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great place with fine oysters and locally sourced Maryland seafood like catfish and snakehead! Enjoy eating at this place knowing you are doing good for our regional environment and the bay!
Is this helpful?
T
Tina
VIP
Baltimore
31 reviews
4.0
31 reviews
Dined on January 11, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We have been here 4 times or more now. The food and drinks are always very good. The only complaint this time was the amount of time it took to get our food. We went with another couple. We ordered our dinners 10 to 15 minutes before them. Their food came out first, they finished their meals and we still hadn't gotten ours yet. I said something to the server and then the food came out shortly. Not sure what the problem was. Will still go back as the food and happy hour specials are really good.
True ChesapeakeResponded on January 17, 2025
Thanks for your review, Tina. We're so glad you enjoy the food, drinks, and happy hour specials. We're so sorry that your food was delayed and will address this issue with our team that was working that evening. Thanks for continuing to support us. We hope to welcome you back soon for a much improved service experience!
Is this helpful?
A
Andrew
VIP
Baltimore
7 reviews
4.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We have come here about half a dozen times and most of the time it’s a lovely experience. The oysters are always fab. The fish is always fab. Drinks are on point. The problem is often with meat dishes lacking the depth of flavor found in their seafood dishes. But it’s always a treat to end with their apple galette - best dessert ever!
True ChesapeakeResponded on January 17, 2025
Thanks for your review, Andrew. We're so glad you've enjoyed the oysters, fish dishes, drinks, and dessert. We're sorry you felt the meat dishes lacked depth. We take guest satisfaction very seriously and want to remedy this. If you could provide more details about which dish you're referring to and what specifically you felt was lacking that would be much appreciated. Thanks so much! TC Management
Is this helpful?
E
Eric
Detroit
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 3, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful food, delicious wine, and the Oysters are truly fantastic! Do not be afraid to use a small plate as an entree (the pasta is great).
True ChesapeakeResponded on January 17, 2025
Thanks for your review, Eric. We are glad you have enjoyed the food, wine, oysters, and the hand cut spaghetti. It's one of our favorites as well! We hope to serve you again soon! Best, TC Management
Is this helpful?
M
Mollie
VIP
Baltimore
56 reviews
3.0
56 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Easy to make a reservation for NYE on Open Table. Beautiful venue, nice atmosphere. Unique cuisine. Delicious cocktails. Service could have been a little better. Server stressed out and a bit short with us.
Is this helpful?
F
Florence
Baltimore
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always have an amazing time at True Chesapeake! The food is amazing and the staff is warm and engaging. We love that an owner comes around and talks with us during our visits! Plan to go back many times!
True ChesapeakeResponded on January 1, 2025
Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad you enjoyed the food and service. Come visit us again soon!
Is this helpful?
j
jennifer
VIP
Baltimore
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The french onion toasted onions are really killer- my favorite!
True ChesapeakeResponded on January 1, 2025
Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad you love the french onion oysters - they are truly delicious. Come visit us again soon!
Is this helpful?

FAQs

True Chesapeake offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (410) 913-6374.

True Chesapeake is rated 4.6 stars by 569 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 25, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 29 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

3300 Clipper Mill Rd, Ste 400, Baltimore, MD 21211-2332

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
The entrance is at the back of Whitehall Mill, off Clipper Mill Road.
Neighborhood
Hampden
Hours of operation
Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Brunch Sun 11:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, Farm-to-table
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
You will find our restaurant (and plenty of parking) beneath the historic smokestack at Whitehall Mill.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Zack Mills
Additional
Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.truechesapeake.com/
Phone number
(410) 913-6374
Catering
The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.
Private party facilities
The True Chesapeake Oyster Co. team would love to chat with you about your next event! Please email us at events@truechesapeake.com to hear more about our options for your celebration.

True Chesapeake

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Baltimore Restaurant Week

Tropical Tuesday

Happy Hour

Half-Price Wine Wednesdays

Oyster Stew

fried oysters

french onion oysters

SMALL PLATES

farm greens salad$13.00

beet salad$14.00

blue crab & bone marrow dip$16.00

hand-cut spaghetti$17.00

steak tartare$16.00

broccoli & cheddar soup$10.00

mushroom tart$15.00

ON THE HALF SHELL

skinny dippers$2.75

huckleberries$2.75

chunky dunkers$3.00

Rotating Selection of Neighbor Oysters$3.00

STEAMED

peel & eat gulf shrimp$19.00

middleneck clams$19.00

Newfoundland mussels$19.00

our signature platter of steamed and roasted shellfish$73.00

SANDWICHES

our burger$18.00

blue catfish sandwich$18.00

crab cake sandwich$29.00

SIDES & ADDITIONS

blue crab mac & cheese$13.00

herbed potato purée$7.00

buffalo brussels sprouts$8.00

roasted cauliflower & gruyère$8.00

sorghum glazed carrots$7.00

5 oz blue crab cake$25.00

5 oz jumbo lump crab cake$42.00

OYSTER SIGNATURES

True Chesapeake caesar$15.00

oyster stew$14.00

roasted half-shell oysters$15.00

classic rockefeller$16.00

fried oysters$15.00

french onion oysters$16.00

ENTRÉES

butter-poached snakehead$33.00

mushroom & truffle risotto$26.00

seared scallops$33.00

red wine braised beef cheeks$34.00

grilled new york strip steak$36.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does True Chesapeake offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is True Chesapeake restaurant rated?

Is True Chesapeake currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information