60+ Best Things to Eat

in the Annapolis Area

By Amy Russell, Assistant Editor | June 2011

We asked and you voted. From cocktails to appetizers and brunches to entrees, here's an invaluable list of all-time favorites in the Annapolis area.

The Annapolis area is famous for many things—sailing, the Naval Academy, 18th century architecture, the list goes on—but here's one of its best-kept secrets: Annapolis is a foodie town.

Good eats abound in the vast variety of restaurants, diners and dives nestled all around the Chesapeake Bay region, and the staff at Taste of the Bay magazine wanted to know: Who’s serving up the best dishes?

There’s no science to our survey—no serious mathematics-based systems or margins of error—TOTB simply polled residents all over the Bay area to find out what they love to eat in the Annapolis and the surrounding area. Many of the favored foods might surprise you, while others might have recurring roles on your placemat for top tasty treats.

Our goal was to highlight just one favorite dish per food category, but votes and input proved: Annapolitan edibles may be categorized, but each category can’t be pinned down. So what will it take to cure the insatiable foodie palate with this town’s best offerings? How about 52 foods, 11 drinks and five happy hours! TOTB recommends trying them all—we certainly will be—just not in one day. Here are the area’s top picks.

Absolute Must Tries

There are a few items on area menus that locals repeatedly said they loved. It didn’t matter the category; these few items ranked high on many of our readers’ lists.

Crab pretzel’s at Davis’ Pub (ANNAPOLIS)

The jumbo soft pretzel, sliced length-wise and topped with their Back Creek crap dip and melted cheddar cheese, makes the crab pretzel from Davis’s a must-have for pretzel and crab dip lovers alike.

 

High tea at Reynolds Tavern (ANNAPOLIS)

With half a dozen afternoon tea selections, scrumptious finger sandwiches and your choice of warm scones with clotted cream and preserves, Reynolds offers a unique experience that many locals said is a must-do.

Fried pickles at DJs Sports Bar and Grill (PASADENA)

A traditional southern favorite, fried pickles aren’t on every

menu in town. But when they’re good, they’re good.

Best Crab Cakes and Crabcake Sandwiches

• Edgewater Restaurant (Edgewater)
• Boatyard (Eastport)
• Ruth Chris (Eastport)
• Chick and Ruth’s Delly (Downtown Annapolis)
• Hellas Restaurant & Lounge (Millersville)

 

Best Maryland Crab Soup (the veggie kind)

• Yellowfin (Edgewater)
• Boatyard Bar & Grill (Eastport)
• Cantler’s (Annapolis)
• Seaside (Glen Burnie)
• Rockfish (Eastport)

Best Cream of Crab Soup

• Sly Horse Tavern (Crofton)
• Lure’s (Crownsville)
• McGarvey’s (Downtown Annapolis)
• Harris Crab House (Grasonville)
• Rockfish (Eastport)

 

Best Crab Dip

Inventive: Pusser’s Caribbean Grill (Downtown Annapolis)

Popular for its “different” flavor, this blend of crab dip topped with tomatoes and served with soft bread anchors the list of the local’s faves.

Classic: Dock Street (Downtown Annapolis)

For its classic cream cheese blend served with the jumbo lump crab meat on top along with thin, crispy slices of bread, this crab dip is a popular favorite.

 

Breakfast Faves

• Anything with a side of home fries at Chick and Ruth’s Delly
• Margarita poached eggs from the Main Ingredient
• Breakfast sandwiches at the Eastport Deli
• Omelets from Sue’s Deli in Edgewater
• Anything from Garry’s Grill in Severna Park
• Egg Scramblers at The Breakfast Shoppe in Severna Park

Brunch Faves

BUFFETS

Yellowfin

A seven-station buffet includes crab balls, sushi, snow crab legs, cream of crab soup, omelets, breakfast goodies, fresh squeezed orange juice, champagne and more for $25. Sunday’s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Carrol’s Creek (Annapolis)

A waffle station, home fries, fruit and cheese platter, steamed shrimp, poached salmon and seafood-, pasta-, soup- and meat-du jour are just a few things on this buffet, offered on Sunday’s from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $21.95 (including a choice of one Bloody Mary or Mimosa).

Rockfish

Pasta Alfredo, deviled eggs, oysters on the half shell, Caesar salad, smoked salmon, waffles, French toast and an omelet bar are just some of the buffet options. $29.95 includes bottomless Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s.

 

Stans and Joe's (ANNAPOLIS)

Anything on the menu, which includes eggs benedict, omelets, steak and eggs and more, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Plus, $2.50 Bloody Mary bar and screwdrivers until 2.

(See Ways to Wet Your Whistle)

 

Lunch Faves

The granny chicken sandwich from Rams Head (UPTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

A chicken breast, with granny smith apples covered with melted brie cheese, makes this sandwich a favorite among locals.

 

Anything from Chris’s Charcoal Pit (ANNAPOLIS)

For 30 years this Greek establishment has been a staple on West Street, featuring the motto “You haven’t had a gyro until you’ve had one of ours.”

Sesame chicken salad at Boatyard Bar & Grill

Chopped lettuce topped with pulled chicken, red bell pepper, slivered almonds and crispy wonton strips served with sesame oil dressing.

Any salad from Garry’s Grill (SEVERNA PARK )

More than 15 entrée salads, from the taco to the fajita Caesar, the craisin chicken to the steak and gorgonzola. Two continual faves are the Garry’s Salad with candied pecans, pears, strawberries, gorgonzola and maple champagne vinaigrette, and the sultan garden with curried chicken served on a wedge of pineapple topped with a brown sugar trail mix.

 

Potatoes at Potato Valley (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

Tucked away on State Circle, locals raves about the carry-out lunches available here.

Late Night Snack Faves

Pizza at Mangia’s Italian Grill & Sports (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

After last call, the line draped outside Mangia’s door is an Annapolis mainstay. For a late night quick slice, locals head to Mangia’s, cash in hand.

Wings at McGarvey's (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

According to our poll results, the Aviator Wings at McGarvey’s Saloon are the best in town. The dozen wings are deep fried, then tossed in buffalo sauce and served with “French Roquefort” dressing. The kitchen is open until 1 a.m., so locals can enjoy McGarvey’s day and night.

Anything from Dock Street (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

With an extensive menu available until 1 a.m., Dock Street is another favorite place for the area’s late night crowd to find good grub.

Dessert Faves

Ice cream at Storm Brothers (DOWNTOWN ANNAPOLIS)

Since 1976 Storm Brothers has been a Dock Street staple, scooping up sundaes and floats in more than 45 flavors, including yogurt, sherbet and sugar-free varieties.

Ice cream at The Daily Scoop (PASADENA)

The locally-owned Mountain Road gem offers 32 homemade flavors that change daily. 

 

Cake Truffles at Kirsten’s Cakery (SEVERNA PARK)

The perfect little bite-sized pieces are available in a variety of flavors.

Brown Bread Ice Cream from Fadó (ANNAPOLIS)

It’s the Irish tradition and friendly staff that bring you in, but it’s the divine bread-meets-homemade ice cream concoction of caramel-topped goodness that’ll bring you back.

Hot Chocolate Lava Cake from Chart House (EASTPORT)

The chocolate cake, topped with warm chocolate sauce, Heath bar crunch and vanilla ice cream, features a delicious molten center of Godiva liqueur. Order it early, as preparation takes 30 minutes.

 

Appetizer Faves

Dynamite scallops: Chart House

Crab encrusted scallops with a basil drizzle.

Guacamole: Paladar

Traditional, spicy or chef’s inspiration—freshly-made dip and served with a house-made chip blend of plantain, yucca, malanga and tortilla chips.

Shrimp shooters: Middleton’s

The raw shrimp is served with cocktail sauce in a shot glass, with a shot of beer on the side.

Spicy Tuna Tartare: Level

Yellow fin sashimi, sriracha chile, soy, sesame and wasabi tobiko

Ceviche: Paladar

Choose from tomato-lime shrimp, tuna and watermelon, and/or island salmon

 

Dinner Faves

Crispy Grouper from O’Learys Seafood

Served over black beans and rice with sautéed shrimp, tomato-cilantro salsa, chipotle aioli and barbecue sauce.

Crabs from Cantler’s (Annapolis)

An area icon, it’s the go-to spot for very fresh, hot steamed crabs.

Steak from Lewnes’ Steakhouse (Annapolis)

Since 1921 it’s been the prime spot for perfectly aged, seasoned and cooked steak. 

Anything (tacos or quesadillas) from El Toro Bravo (Annapolis)

A West Street gem with the best Mexican food in town.

For more information including addresses and contact information for these and other restaurants around town, click on the “Dining and Food”  Resources tab.

 

*Pricing subject to change. Contact the restaurants for children’s and other pricing. 

 

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