clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Baltimore-born Choptank added a waterfront location in downtown Annapolis last summer.
Choptank

Where to Eat and Drink in Annapolis, Maryland

Head to the bayside capital city for a taste of Chesapeake crab, preserve-packed New American cooking, and historic inn fare

View as Map
Baltimore-born Choptank added a waterfront location in downtown Annapolis last summer.
| Choptank

With postcard-perfect views of the Chesapeake Bay and a constant parade of United States Naval Academy midshipmen marching around in dress whites, Annapolis, Maryland, is an idyllic capital city full of prime dining options and iconic crab houses like Cantler’s and The Point. The historic town is located about 30 miles away from the District, making it a roughly 45-minute drive up U.S. 50 East (on a good day). For those wanting to leave the car at home, Maryland Transit runs a convenient bus line for a few bucks near Union Station.

This map highlights a few standbys in the quaint downtown district, but some of the best cafes, bakeries, and restaurants are actually located in Eastport — a quick walk across the bridge. Note: hip Sailor Oyster Bar remains temporarily closed after a fire last year.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Flamant

Copy Link

Chef/owner Frederik de Pue of downtown D.C.’s new bistro The Henri also is behind this stylish and homey Annapolis favorite of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema. Dine with the seasons with creative dishes like escargot doughnuts, seared scallops, spring lamb, and cotton cake (aka fluffy cheesecake).

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

Copy Link

This historic Irish pub, located in a cobblestone alleyway steps from State Circle, is known for $6 Guinness pours and hearty food like corned beef poppers and Irish curry fries. The local mainstay refreshed and expanded its bar area, adding colorful stained glass and encased collections of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.

Galway Bay Irish restaurant and Pub in Annapolis Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Acqua al 2 - Annapolis

Copy Link

The beloved Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill has made a surprise comeback in the heart of Annapolis. Acqua al 2 resurfaces with a large selection of steaks and a whopping 16 pastas to choose from, including homemade gnocchi, tagliatelle tossed in a Tuscan beef ragu, and cannelloni. Acqua al 2’s sister speakeasy Harold Black also lives on inside. Lunch and brunch kick off on Friday, May 5.

Tsunami

Copy Link

This late-night staple slings sushi rolls, rice bowls, steamed buns, and Sriracha-splashed mac and cheese, all complemented by a lengthy beer list. Rotating art exhibits inside support local up-and-comers. Tsunami accepts takeout orders over the phone.

Sushi from Tsunami
Sushi from Tsunami
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Reynold's Tavern

Copy Link

The tavern was built across from St. Anne’s Church in 1747, so dining here doubles as a history lesson. Relax across its outdoor brick patio strung with overhead lights that hosts rotating trivia and live acoustic nights. Afternoon tea service runs daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Iron Rooster (Multiple locations)

Copy Link

This bustling spot serves breakfast all day, but “waffle” burgers are also a hit. Walk off protein-packed omelets, crab Benedict, and creamy grits by wandering to the water to take in the natural beauty of the surrounding harbor. A morning weekday happy hour (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) caters to Ernest Hemingway types with $6 bacon bloody marys.

The Trophy Room

Copy Link

Tucked inside Annapolis’s preppy Graduate Hotel, the Trophy Room’s playful bar menu includes snacks like pimento cheese and pepper jelly Ritz crackers, an “Adult Capri Sun” spiked with vodka, and Jell-o shots. The hotel’s Poindexter cafe fuels up guests with hot breakfast sandwiches, coffee from Coffee Manufactory, and oatmeal.

The Trophy Room

Level a small plates lounge

Copy Link

Fried Brussels sprouts and spicy tuna tartare are favorites at this lounge devoted to small plates designed for sharing. The globally-influenced plates go well with a cocktail: the long list includes a lime foam-topped gimlet and tropical white sangria.

Drummer’s Lot

Copy Link

Tucked under the historic 18th-century Maryland Inn, English pub Drummer’s Lot starts pouring after 5 p.m. at the top of Church Circle. The hidden, brick-lined bar is known for its burgers and beers. Its 1920s-themed, luxe sister bar Harry Browne’s overlooks the Maryland State House and has served American cuisine and wines to local politicians and lobbyists for generations.

Drummer’s Lot/official photo

Preserve

Copy Link

This New American restaurant serves canned, pickled, and fermented produce, all with prime people-watching just off Main Street. The all-day menu, available 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, includes a smoked fish dip, fried duck tongues, bucatini with Virginia clams, and lamb gyros. The team recently expanded to Severna Park with the opening of Garten, a natural wine and beer garden with love for Maryland locals like Binkert’s Meat Products, Lyon Bakery, and Chesapeake Smokehouse, and Pherm Brewing. On-site beer production is scheduled to start this summer.

Preserve/official photo

Chick & Ruth's Delly

Copy Link

This family-owned greasy spoon has served all-day breakfast to countless politicians and celebrities since 1965. The Delly ships jumbo lump crab cakes across the U.S. and slings crab cakes in-house. All beer and wine is $3.99 all day. Past governors, judges, senators and delegates get their own sandwich names at the patriotic diner, where the National Anthem is recited every morning.

The facade at Chick & Ruth’s
The facade at Chick & Ruth’s
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

The Choptank - Annapolis

Copy Link

Atlas Restaurant Group brought its beloved Baltimore seafood house to downtown Annapolis last summer. Prominently situated at waterside City Dock, Choptank sends out steamed blue crabs, raw shrimp, lobster rolls, sea bass, calamari, clams, ceviche, mussels, oysters, cioppino, and more. The catch-all menu also includes a big porterhouse, burgers, fried chicken, wings, and bubble waffle ice cream sandwiches. Dozens of wines join orange crushes and ice-cold beer at an airy bar.

Carpaccio Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Copy Link

Open since 2008, this downtown favorite for Tuscan Italian cuisine is known for its lengthy wine list, Frank Sinatra tribute nights, neat nests of capellini pomodoro, porcini ravioli, pizzas, and tiramisu. Open for dine-in, carryout, or delivery for lunch and dinner. Soak up the last days of summer by dining alfresco across its sprawling circular patio out front.

Lewnes' Steakhouse

Copy Link

This 1920s-era steakhouse, adorned with high-back booths, white tablecloths, and vintage photos, is the crown jewel surf-and-turf option in Eastport. The classic menu includes cuts like porterhouse and filet mignon, clams casino, jumbo lump crab balls, and sides like creamed spinach or mashed potatoes.

Lewnes’ Steakhouse/official photo

Boatyard Bar & Grill

Copy Link

This airy waterfront spot is surrounded by broken shells and designed to look like the interior of a boat. Self-proclaimed fans of the filler-free crab cakes here include legendary Baltimore Orioles infielder Cal Ripken Jr. and musician Jimmy Buffet.

Forward Brewing

Copy Link

Annapolis’s first “nanobrewery” opened right before the pandemic, serving cans, pints, and crowlers of beer brewed in the back. Options include an “Annapolis Boat” kölsch-style ale and a “Ceremonious Exchange” imperial porter made with cold brew from Annapolis-based Ceremony Roasters. The diverse food menu includes chicken tinga tacos, build-your-own meat and cheese boards, and a smoked fish spread. Sit inside the stark white space or saddle up to a stone-filled patio.

Davis' Pub

Copy Link

This long-standing neighborhood dive, packed into a tiny wood cabin since 1986, sits right by the water. Expect to brush shoulders with exuberant yacht owners downing frosty Loose Cannon beers. Its crab cake pretzels featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives put the pub on the map, and soft shell crabs are currently still in stock this summer.

Bakers & Co.

Copy Link

This small, family-owned bakery and cafe rolls out an impressive lineup of pastries and breads. Pre-order online for pickup on Saturdays and Sundays. Its carbs also make an appearance at the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.

Vin 909

Copy Link

Located in a cozy, self-styled “winecafe,” Vin 909 is known for gourmet pizzas and a seasonal menu. To alleviate long wait times, there’s a “living room” area where visitors can enjoy wines — by the glass or bottle — before sitting down to dinner. Summer specials include sweet corn spinach crab dip with homemade Old Bay tortilla chips.

Flamant

Chef/owner Frederik de Pue of downtown D.C.’s new bistro The Henri also is behind this stylish and homey Annapolis favorite of Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema. Dine with the seasons with creative dishes like escargot doughnuts, seared scallops, spring lamb, and cotton cake (aka fluffy cheesecake).

Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub

This historic Irish pub, located in a cobblestone alleyway steps from State Circle, is known for $6 Guinness pours and hearty food like corned beef poppers and Irish curry fries. The local mainstay refreshed and expanded its bar area, adding colorful stained glass and encased collections of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin.

Galway Bay Irish restaurant and Pub in Annapolis Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Acqua al 2 - Annapolis

The beloved Italian restaurant on Capitol Hill has made a surprise comeback in the heart of Annapolis. Acqua al 2 resurfaces with a large selection of steaks and a whopping 16 pastas to choose from, including homemade gnocchi, tagliatelle tossed in a Tuscan beef ragu, and cannelloni. Acqua al 2’s sister speakeasy Harold Black also lives on inside. Lunch and brunch kick off on Friday, May 5.

Tsunami

This late-night staple slings sushi rolls, rice bowls, steamed buns, and Sriracha-splashed mac and cheese, all complemented by a lengthy beer list. Rotating art exhibits inside support local up-and-comers. Tsunami accepts takeout orders over the phone.

Sushi from Tsunami
Sushi from Tsunami
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Reynold's Tavern

The tavern was built across from St. Anne’s Church in 1747, so dining here doubles as a history lesson. Relax across its outdoor brick patio strung with overhead lights that hosts rotating trivia and live acoustic nights. Afternoon tea service runs daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Iron Rooster (Multiple locations)

This bustling spot serves breakfast all day, but “waffle” burgers are also a hit. Walk off protein-packed omelets, crab Benedict, and creamy grits by wandering to the water to take in the natural beauty of the surrounding harbor. A morning weekday happy hour (8 a.m. to 10 a.m.) caters to Ernest Hemingway types with $6 bacon bloody marys.

The Trophy Room

Tucked inside Annapolis’s preppy Graduate Hotel, the Trophy Room’s playful bar menu includes snacks like pimento cheese and pepper jelly Ritz crackers, an “Adult Capri Sun” spiked with vodka, and Jell-o shots. The hotel’s Poindexter cafe fuels up guests with hot breakfast sandwiches, coffee from Coffee Manufactory, and oatmeal.

The Trophy Room

Level a small plates lounge

Fried Brussels sprouts and spicy tuna tartare are favorites at this lounge devoted to small plates designed for sharing. The globally-influenced plates go well with a cocktail: the long list includes a lime foam-topped gimlet and tropical white sangria.

Drummer’s Lot

Tucked under the historic 18th-century Maryland Inn, English pub Drummer’s Lot starts pouring after 5 p.m. at the top of Church Circle. The hidden, brick-lined bar is known for its burgers and beers. Its 1920s-themed, luxe sister bar Harry Browne’s overlooks the Maryland State House and has served American cuisine and wines to local politicians and lobbyists for generations.

Drummer’s Lot/official photo

Preserve

This New American restaurant serves canned, pickled, and fermented produce, all with prime people-watching just off Main Street. The all-day menu, available 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, includes a smoked fish dip, fried duck tongues, bucatini with Virginia clams, and lamb gyros. The team recently expanded to Severna Park with the opening of Garten, a natural wine and beer garden with love for Maryland locals like Binkert’s Meat Products, Lyon Bakery, and Chesapeake Smokehouse, and Pherm Brewing. On-site beer production is scheduled to start this summer.

Preserve/official photo

Chick & Ruth's Delly

This family-owned greasy spoon has served all-day breakfast to countless politicians and celebrities since 1965. The Delly ships jumbo lump crab cakes across the U.S. and slings crab cakes in-house. All beer and wine is $3.99 all day. Past governors, judges, senators and delegates get their own sandwich names at the patriotic diner, where the National Anthem is recited every morning.

The facade at Chick & Ruth’s
The facade at Chick & Ruth’s
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

The Choptank - Annapolis

Atlas Restaurant Group brought its beloved Baltimore seafood house to downtown Annapolis last summer. Prominently situated at waterside City Dock, Choptank sends out steamed blue crabs, raw shrimp, lobster rolls, sea bass, calamari, clams, ceviche, mussels, oysters, cioppino, and more. The catch-all menu also includes a big porterhouse, burgers, fried chicken, wings, and bubble waffle ice cream sandwiches. Dozens of wines join orange crushes and ice-cold beer at an airy bar.

Carpaccio Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

Open since 2008, this downtown favorite for Tuscan Italian cuisine is known for its lengthy wine list, Frank Sinatra tribute nights, neat nests of capellini pomodoro, porcini ravioli, pizzas, and tiramisu. Open for dine-in, carryout, or delivery for lunch and dinner. Soak up the last days of summer by dining alfresco across its sprawling circular patio out front.

Lewnes' Steakhouse

This 1920s-era steakhouse, adorned with high-back booths, white tablecloths, and vintage photos, is the crown jewel surf-and-turf option in Eastport. The classic menu includes cuts like porterhouse and filet mignon, clams casino, jumbo lump crab balls, and sides like creamed spinach or mashed potatoes.

Lewnes’ Steakhouse/official photo

Boatyard Bar & Grill

This airy waterfront spot is surrounded by broken shells and designed to look like the interior of a boat. Self-proclaimed fans of the filler-free crab cakes here include legendary Baltimore Orioles infielder Cal Ripken Jr. and musician Jimmy Buffet.

Related Maps

Forward Brewing

Annapolis’s first “nanobrewery” opened right before the pandemic, serving cans, pints, and crowlers of beer brewed in the back. Options include an “Annapolis Boat” kölsch-style ale and a “Ceremonious Exchange” imperial porter made with cold brew from Annapolis-based Ceremony Roasters. The diverse food menu includes chicken tinga tacos, build-your-own meat and cheese boards, and a smoked fish spread. Sit inside the stark white space or saddle up to a stone-filled patio.

Davis' Pub

This long-standing neighborhood dive, packed into a tiny wood cabin since 1986, sits right by the water. Expect to brush shoulders with exuberant yacht owners downing frosty Loose Cannon beers. Its crab cake pretzels featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives put the pub on the map, and soft shell crabs are currently still in stock this summer.

Bakers & Co.

This small, family-owned bakery and cafe rolls out an impressive lineup of pastries and breads. Pre-order online for pickup on Saturdays and Sundays. Its carbs also make an appearance at the Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings.

Vin 909

Located in a cozy, self-styled “winecafe,” Vin 909 is known for gourmet pizzas and a seasonal menu. To alleviate long wait times, there’s a “living room” area where visitors can enjoy wines — by the glass or bottle — before sitting down to dinner. Summer specials include sweet corn spinach crab dip with homemade Old Bay tortilla chips.

Related Maps