By Laura Walter

In the lingering warm weeks of summer, ’tis the season to enjoy one last round of al fresco dining in the warm balm of September.

The Harbor Shack restaurant in Rock Hall, Md., enjoys a waterfront view and invites guests to do the same. While indoor dining is available, including a cozy back bar, Harbor Shack shines in the sun, with a wide wooden deck, outdoor bar area and breezy tables. It’s the kind of place to relax, have a cold drink, a sandwich, entrée, or pile of appetizers. Indeed, on a sunny day, we see numerous platters of crab dip, shrimp, bar food and frozen cocktails delivered to relaxed diners.

And it’s only a Thursday, but this is clearly a place to be.

A historic waterman’s hamlet, Rock Hall’s marinas and small beaches are an important part of this peninsula-within-a-peninsula. Harbor Shack is located right along the water, so the boat ramps and docks are a bonus parking lot, hungry patrons sailing right in from the Chesapeake Bay.

It’s been a warm day, and we’ve been running around, so sitting under a bit of shade with a crabcake, daily special fajitas and two fizzy colas is both refreshing and relaxing. I’d be quite pleased to skip the rest of my errands and sit here instead, staring at the sparkling tide and the day tripper boats that bring more patrons. The main bar has a bright, local feel as guests laugh over lunch.

The menu includes plenty of sandwiches: beef brisket, Carolina pork, fried fish, chicken and my selection of crab cake with Swiss and bacon on ciabatta. Dinners include richer morsels: coffee and brown sugar-crusted ribeye steak, baby back ribs, chicken Chesapeake, seafood pastas, Cajun alfredo, jambalaya, sesame seared tuna and much more.

As I explore the restaurant, co-owner Donna Walls talks about the décor. Ever since she and her brothers went into business here, they’ve hung old, wooden business signs that represent the town’s history (often brought in by the locals).

But what’s the best part about this place? The Chesapeake Bay, practically under your feet, obviously.

“How can you get a better view? I never get sick of that view,” Walls mused. “It’s peaceful over here.”

But that doesn’t mean it’s drowsy. Look for live music during the warm weekends and good company, regardless of weather.

Harbor Shack is located at 20895 Bayside Avenue, Rock Hall, Md. Learn more at (410) 639-9996 and www.harborshack.net.

Bay to the Beach: Byways is a regular column in which we explore interesting places and projects on the Delmarva Peninsula. Videos and more photos at baytobaynews.com/bay-to-the-beach-byways