It was my first time in Solomons Island and honestly? I didn’t want to leave. It’s beautiful down there, the people are SO nice, and I kicked off the trip with the best meal of the whole visit at The Island Hideaway. Picture a table outside, scenic water views, warm service, and seafood that’s genuinely on point, that’s the vibe. We got a whole spread, but the seafood cannelloni stole the show (more on that in a sec). It’s the kind of tucked-away Southern Maryland spot that makes the drive worth it, whether you’re boating in for the day or road-tripping down from the DMV. If you’re anywhere near Solomons, this one’s a must. Here’s everything we ordered.
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What Makes The Island Hideaway a Standout Seafood Spot in Solomons
The Island Hideaway’s a family-owned waterfront restaurant right on Solomons Island, and the setting is a huge part of the draw. You’re looking out over the water (there’s a glass wall overlooking the marinas, plus outdoor seating with views), so it feels like a proper getaway even if you’re just down for the day.
The menu’s an interesting mix, part Maryland seafood, part Italian-American, so cream of crab soup and fresh mussels share space with house-made pasta. That range is what makes it work: you can go full seafood, lean Italian, or do what we did and get a little of both. And if you’re staying the weekend, Solomons has more than one great table, The CD Cafe down the road is another spot I loved.
What to Order at The Island Hideaway
Seafood Cannelloni ($29)
The highlight of the meal, full stop. This was FANTASTIC, house-made pasta stuffed with shrimp, crab, and ricotta, and I got mine half Alfredo and half marinara (do this, it’s the move, you get the creamy Alfredo and the brighter marinara in the same bite). It’s exactly the kind of dish you drive out to the water for. If you order one thing here, make it this.
Cream of Crab Soup ($7 for a cup)
A Maryland classic done right. The texture was beautiful, loaded with tender crab meat, and it managed to be rich without tipping into too-salty territory. What got me was a delicate sweetness running through it. At $7 for a cup, it’s an easy yes to start, and it’s a great litmus test for any Maryland seafood spot, this one passes with flying colors.
Mussels ($18)
Super fresh mussels swimming in a lovely white wine sauce with lemon, garlic, and basil. The real gift, though? The parmesan toast it comes with, which is basically built for sopping up every last drop of that sauce. Don’t let a bit of it go to waste. A great shareable starter if you’re a mussels person.
Lasagna ($27)
Here’s my one honest caveat. The lasagna was tasty and I’d still call it very good, but the sauce ran a tad too sweet for our taste. If you’re sensitive to a sweeter red sauce, I’d point you toward the cannelloni instead. It wasn’t a miss, it just wasn’t the standout that the seafood was.
Why I’ll Be Back to Solomons
Can I gush for a second? Solomons Island completely won me over. It was my first time down there and I honestly didn’t want to leave, everyone was so friendly and the town’s just gorgeous. I actually want to bring my parents here for a little vacation, and The Island Hideaway is already locked in as one of our stops when we do. That’s the highest compliment I can give a place, when a meal makes me want to plan a whole trip around coming back to it. If you’re planning your own visit, the Visit Solomons guide is a handy place to start.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe’s relaxed and scenic, exactly what you want from a waterfront spot. We sat outside and just soaked in the water views, and the service was great start to finish. It’s a lovely pick for a date night, a special-occasion dinner, or a family meal after a day on the island (they’ve got a kids menu too). Fair warning, it’s on the smaller side inside and fills up fast, so it feels intimate but you’ll want to plan ahead. And if you’re making a full day of it, the Calvert Marine Museum is right there on Solomons.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 14556 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD 20688, right on the water.
- Hours: Monday 4 to 9PM, Tuesday 11AM to 9PM, Wednesday and Thursday 11AM to 8:30PM, Friday and Saturday 11AM to 9:30PM, Sunday 11AM to 8PM. Kitchen hours can shift, so call ahead.
- Reservations: accepted and strongly recommended, especially summer weekends, but they’re only guaranteed for indoor tables. Outdoor seating is first come, first served.
- Seating’s limited inside, so waits can hit 45 minutes-plus without a reservation on busy nights.
- Come by boat: there’s dinghy dock access behind the restaurant, it’s a Solomons dock-and-dine favorite.
- Dietary: vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
- Parking’s on site, but it fills up during peak times.
The Island Hideaway was the best meal of my first trip to Solomons, and the seafood cannelloni alone would bring me back. You get waterfront views, warm service, and a menu that does both Maryland seafood and Italian comfort food well, with only the slightly sweet lasagna keeping it from a perfect run. For a special dinner on the water in Southern Maryland, it’s a must, and it’s already on my list for when I bring my family down. Save room for that cannelloni.
Solomons, you have my heart, and Nomsters, if you make the trip, The Island Hideaway needs to be on your itinerary (there’s plenty more to do too, like the Spooky Solomons ghost tour). Have you guys been to Solomons Island yet? Tell me your must-visit spots in the comments, I’m already planning my next trip down.