Inspired by founder Sam Calagione’ssummers spent in Maine and Dogfish Head’s connection to the Chesapeake region, Chesapeake & Maine is Dogfish Head’s Seafood & Cocktails spot. With seafood sourced exclusively from the Chesapeake and Maine region (starting to see where the name came from?), you’ll find our off-centered take on coastal dishes, handcrafted cocktails and Dogfish beers in a casual, nautical-themed atmosphere.
A custom-built raw bar serves an ever-rotating selection of oysters, clams and seafood from the waters of our namesake regions, as well as our innovative ‘Smoke in the Water’ oysters. Developed in collaboration with our friends at Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Company, these unique oysters are settled in holding pens filled with Chesapeake Bay water infused with culinary wood-smoked salt, making for the most off-centered bivalve in the US!
As a James Beard Award semi-finalist nominee for ‘Best Bar Program,’ Chesapeake & Maine’s inventive cocktail program highlights our scratch-made spirits from Dogfish Head Distilling Co. Holding true to Dogfish Head fashion, you’ll find an offbeat approach from our mixologists with new inspired drinks, keg-conditioned cocktails and of course, off-centered ales.
With original artwork from artist Jon Langford, the restaurant is playfully decorated with seafaring interpretations of country and rock music icons who anchor Chesapeake & Maine’s playlist: Billie Holiday, Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline. Other artists include Travis Louie who created otherworldly sea characters to adorn the walls, as well as Tony Millionaire who crafted an alley of sea monsters and fantastical nautical maps.
We currently work with the DE Center for the Inland Bays and participate in their “Don’t Chuck Your Shucks” program. All oyster shells shucked in house are saved and re-distributed to the team at the DE Center for Inland Bays. The program reuses the shells in local habitat restoration projects such as Living Shorelines and Oyster Gardening which helps to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay which in return betters the quality of seafood we put on our plates at Chesapeake & Maine. We are involved with The Surfrider Foundation Ocean Friendly Restaurants Program. This program focuses on reducing plastic pollution and carbon footprint in restaurants. We highlight avoiding the use of plastic/Styrofoam, having more innovative vegan/vegetarian options for our guests, and ensuring our seafood is sourced sustainably. We look to showcase this program and continue to grow our relationship with local organizations in 2021.
Recent Reviews
Jessie Grysikiewicz : 4 on 9/21/2023 1:45 am Atmosphere: We went on a Wednesday evening and were seated immediately. There was a relaxed atmosphere and it was not too noisy since they were not busy. I also was jamming to the playlist. 4/5 stars because we were seated at a high top, but now I'm just being picky.
Service: Our waitress Sophia was kind and quick so 5/5 stars for her. She made sure our drinks were full and checked on us enough that we had what we needed, but not too much that it was annoying. The food runner cleared our plates in between courses.
Food: It's a 3 for me. For starters, we shared the crab dip paired with bagel crisps. It needed some pepper and Old Bay (maybe that's just the Marylander in me), but otherwise, it was hot and tasty. For a second starter, I ordered three different types of raw oysters and enjoyed those with some cocktail, fresh lemon and horseradish. For entrees, I ordered the Fresh Catch of the day which was Salmon paired with Kale, Bacon Pieces, and Sliced Potatoes. The salmon was cooked well but not seasoned, the kale was steamed properly but the bacon's grease soaked into the kale and the potatoes which made it all a bit too oily for my liking and took away from the lightness of a salmon-kale dish. Overall it lacked flavor, but minor adjustments (more flavor to the salmon, less bacon grease, S&P on taters) would make this an exceptional dish for a salmon lover. My mother ordered the Whole Maine Lobster which she enjoyed with butter. This dish came with a House Salad and a side of her choosing: a heaping portion of Garlic Mashed Potatoes; No complaints there on taste although the portion was unnecessary.
Jay Rod : 5 on 8/5/2023 11:41 pm 
Bethany Hart : 5 on 1/8/2024 5:35 pm
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