WHERE CULINARY ADVENTURE BEGINS

Think you know what to expect on a local menu? Think again. This crossroads of a county is a distinctive mix of Chesapeake Bay traditions and international influences.

The Annapolis culinary scene runs as deep as its heritage. The port town established as an English settlement in 1649 was a promising commercial center for the new colony. The Bay’s seafood bounty long predates that, and is evident in dishes throughout the county, as there are more surprising influences that span styles and cultures. The county’s position as a crossroads made it a spirited social spot as well, with George Washington and signers of the Declaration of Independence sharing toasts at the still-lively Reynolds and Middleton Taverns. Politicians and lobbyists keep the tradition alive today at places like Harry Browne’s Restaurant, conveniently located across the street from the Maryland State House.

Downtown Annapolis wears its heart on its sleeve and on its menus. You’d be hard-pressed to find a higher concentration of crabmeat on menus anywhere else in the country, and with good reason: the Chesapeake Bay you see from City Dock is the best blue-crab nursery in the world. If you’ve had a crab cake elsewhere but not here, the truth is you’ve never really had one. A classic Maryland crab cake is all lump meat, with just enough binding to hold it together. But it’s not just crab cakes that beckon. You’ll find crabmeat hash for breakfast at Iron Rooster, crab-topped pizza at Fox’s Den, soft-shell crab tacos at Vida Taco Bar, and the list goes on.

Oysters are another regional treasure, with a deep legacy from the 19th century, when oystermen brought their bounty to City Dock and sold the bivalves from their boats. Today, you can savor oysters served chilled on the half shell at historic Annapolis Market House, char-grilled at McGarvey’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar, paired with shrimp cocktail and tuna poke at Fran O’Brien’s, or dropped into oyster shooters (vodka and cocktail sauce) at Middleton Tavern. All within a one-block radius.

But that doesn’t mean downtown Annapolis is only about seafood. Café Normandie is a longtime staple that takes you to Provence, France, while Osteria 177 and Acqua Al 2 share different regions of Italian cuisine. The culinary diversity continues on West Street, a cornerstone of Annapolis’ Arts & Entertainment District. Experience Oaxacan cuisine at Picante, stellar sushi at Tsunami, classic pub food paired with live music at Stan & Joe’s Saloon or Rams Head Tavern, and creative small plates at Level. Farther along West Street, hop from True Food Kitchen to Tuscan Prime Italian Steakhouse to Ziki Japanese Steakhouse at the Annapolis Town Center outdoor mall. On the Annapolis Neck peninsula, dig into great barbecue at Annapolis Smokehouse and Tavern or classic American fare (and delicious cakes) at Main & Market.

A Pub Crawl by Every Vantage Point

Annapolis is a city of layers with centuries of history. But don’t get the idea that it’s an outdoor museum; Annapolis is a thriving city that loves to socialize and celebrate. Here are 10 great bars beloved by locals and visitors alike, each offering a distinct perspective of our Sailing Capital.

For Great Views

You can’t get any closer to Ego Alley than the patio at Pusser’s Caribbean Grille; it edges the side of the channel, which serves as a watery runway for boaters who want to show off their boating skills. Order a Painkiller invented at their sister bar on Tortola Island, British Virgin Islands. With sweeping views overlooking Ego Alley and Spa Creek, The Choptank Annapolis receives as much acclaim for its food as for its breathtaking views. And with 8,500 square feet of outdoor dining space, that’s saying a lot. Order a Point of No Return, made with Maryland’s own Sagamore Spirit Rye Whiskey, and ask for a seat on the top deck for the best vantages from Annapolis’s newest waterfront spot. Their signature Crushes get rave reviews. Try lemon, the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

They don’t take reservations for the rooftop deck at Blackwall Hitch, an Eastport favorite, so get there early. Sunday brunch is the perfect time to watch the goings-on in Spa Creek and beyond, with a signature Bloody Mary in hand. Carrol’s Creek Café is a longtime award winner for the best view in town, thanks to its oversized deck overlooking Spa Creek and the iconic Annapolis Yacht Club across the way. Order a bottle of your favorite wine and prepare to linger over it.

Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge caters to a cosmopolitan crowd, the perfect fit for its prime location in the Arts and Entertainment District. Their Cucumber Moon–made with citrus vodka, elderflower, and house made sour–is an in-the-know favorite, as is their rooftop deck overlooking Annapolis.

What Lies Beneath

The tiny, brick-walled Drummer’s Lot graces the basement of The Maryland Inn, one of the oldest hotels in the country. Rumor has it there’s a centuries-old tunnel that runs from behind the bar to St. Anne’s Church–something to ponder while you sip a classic martini or Manhattan.

With a lively tearoom and restaurant on its ground floor, Reynolds Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Annapolis. Go downstairs to cozy up by the fireplace at the aptly named 1747 Pub, set in the original kitchen, and enjoy your choice from their fine collection of Maryland-made brews on tap.

Located in an 18th-century former bank building on Church Circle, Acqua al 2 is one of the city’s newest restaurants. After indulging in authentic Florentine cuisine, head to their subterranean speakeasy, Harold Black (named after the owner’s grandfather), for a Prohibition-era cocktail like a Bee’s Knees, made with gin, lemon, and honey.

Fox’s Den is located on Main Street, but you wouldn’t know it unless you looked for their sign that directs you downstairs to a speakeasy-style bar. Ask the bartender to whip up a special, tapping into their ever-changing selection of house-made syrups and barrel-aged cocktails. Check out the For Fox Sake cocktail, their take on a whiskey sour.

Rams Head Tavern is one the best live music venues on the East Coast, offering fantastic pub food in its historic dining rooms and garden. Fewer people know about their cubbyhole basement bar with brick walls, timbered ceiling, and smoke-stained fireplaces that wear the history of the city’s earliest days. Try a seasonal beer from Fordham & Dominion, named in part for Benjamin Fordham who pioneered the area’s brewing industry back in 1703.

I am homegrown in this area, and Annapolis has changed since childhood. As an adult, I have discovered new treasures. Everyone should take the tour with Mrs. Janice Hayes-Williams. The knowledge and experience you get from her are outstanding! After, enjoy great food at Evelyn’s, I tell everyone to try the AZTK food truck near the BP on Old Solomons Island Road. One of the best there is.

ERIKA

JOHNSON, Founder and Executive Director, PrettyGirl Academy, Inc.

Northern Anne Arundel County adds to the mix of flavors. Locals head up Route 2 for authentic Guatemalan chicken pepian at Chapines, Vietnamese pho at VN Noodle House, lamb vindaloo at Namaste Fine Indian Cuisine, or Jamaican ackee and saltfish at Judy’s Island Grill. On the northern edge of the county, Pasadena offers a slew of dock bars that pair fresh seafood with relaxing views. For starters, check out Sam & Maggie’s Dockside Grill for scratch cuisine with Latin and Caribbean influences, The Rumor Reel for soft crab sandwiches and family-friendly fare, or Rams Head Dockside for seafood, burgers, and brews.

Should your travels take you to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport for a brief stay, take advantage of the opportunity to experience some of the best food in the county. While Live!

Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover is the state’s largest gaming-entertainment venue, it’s also home to signature steaks at The Prime Rib and tasty Asian fusion at Luk-Fu. Just down the road, swing by G&M Restaurant & Lounge, a landmark since 1993. (Their crab cakes are so good, they ship them nationwide.)

If you like craft beer, you’re in luck. Anne Arundel County is home to a slew of breweries, from tiny Forward Brewing in Eastport (try the Annapolis Boat, a delicious Kolsch-style ale) to Pherm Brewing Company in Crofton. They’re part of a quartet of breweries that make up the BWI Craft Brewery Trail. More of an oenophile? Head to Great Frogs Winery in Annapolis for a weekend wine tasting with live music or enjoy a scenic drive to Thanksgiving Farm Winery in scenic South County.

The Sweet Stuff

When it’s time to beat the heat, Annapolitans don’t scream for ice cream; they head for one of the great shops around town. Annapolis Ice Cream Company on Main Street has been hand making creamy ice cream with all natural ingredients since 2004 and garnering a slew of awards in the process. They offer classic flavors as well as creative twists like mint Oreo and blueberry pie, made with actual pie. The goodness continues at their sister stores, Always Ice Cream , in West Annapolis and Edgewater.

At The Daily Scoop in Pasadena, 32 flavors are always on tap, but you never know which ones to expect; they make them onsite and change them up daily. Along with cones and sundaes, you’ll find ice cream cakes and ice cream pies in stock or customizable with advance orders. Looking for something a little less rich? Try their New York-style Italian ice.

If you love retro, you’ll love Ann’s Dari-Crème This classic roadside staple on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie has been pleasing families since 1951. Order soft-serve cones and cups topped with jimmies, hot fudge, or walnuts. Better yet, make a meal of it by pairing the ice cream with a footlong hot dog and enjoying it at a picnic table.

You’ll know The Red Bean by its distinctive red façade on upper Main Street. Choose your ice cream flavor (chocolate or vanilla) and then customize it with mix-ins, from fresh fruit to crushed candy, syrups and sauces, nuts, and even spices. (Yes, there’s Old Bay–this is Annapolis.) They also have specialty coffee drinks from classic Americano to peanut butter mocha espresso. Everything possible is produced or sourced locally.

Although you could dine and drink out every day to try something new, you don’t have to, especially if you’re staying in a place with a kitchen. Farmer’s markets throughout Anne Arundel County highlight the best of area farms, from duck eggs to mushrooms, six days a week. Food Truck Tuesdays at the Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Department in Severna Park feature an ever-changing array of the area’s most popular offerings, including Blondie’s Doughnuts, Greek on the Street, and All Fired Up pizza. The Pennsylvania Dutch Farmer’s Market at Annapolis Harbour Center serves up the best that Lancaster County farmers and food artisans have to offer, from fresh produce and cheeses, to baked foods and snacks, to hot food favorites including sausage-stuffed pretzel rolls. (Yes, there is a line. And yes, it is worth it.) They are open Thursdays through Saturdays, so plan accordingly.

Storm Brothers has been a City Dock staple for more than 45 years, when the Storm brothers (yes, that’s their name) opened their shop at the tender ages of 19 and 20. Nothing says summer like standing in line (there’s always one, but it moves fast!) and then enjoying your cone as you people watch along Ego Alley.

like standing in line (there’s always one, your cone as you people watch along the South River. Mike’s Crab House North in Pasadena

Pop Pops Ice Creamery in Edgewater has 32 flavors onsite, including traditional favorites and decadent combos like Caramel Cheesecake Cookie Monster and Brown Butter Bourbon Truffle. And, if you’re a fan of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream , the regional chain from Pennsylvania, you’re in luck; they have outposts in Annapolis, Severna Park, and Glen Burnie.

Last—but certainly not least—is the Maryland Crab Feast! Pick a date, any date, during the April through October Maryland crab season for a mouthwatering adventure. Cantler’s Riverside Inn may be the most famous crab house in the area, family-owned for generations. But every local has his or her favorite. Mike’s Crab House in Edgewater overlooks the South River. Mike’s Crab House North in Pasadena overlooks Rock Creek. The Crab Shack, with outposts in Edgewater and Crofton, serves its steamed crabs at colorful picnic tables. Snag an outside picnic table or order steamed crabs to go at Wild Country Seafood in Eastport. Pit Boys in Annapolis offers steamed crabs to go, along with another regional specialty, slow-cooked pit beef sandwiches. If you’re not a crab fan (yet), no worries. Crab houses have plenty of tempting items on their menus—from fried shrimp to steak, and everything in between.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT MARYLAND CRABS?

It’s true, Marylander’s are crazy about crabs. You’ll see them on everything from T-shirts and hoodies to flags and dishware. The Blue Crab is our official state crustacean (yes, that’s a thing), and the inspiration for our unofficial state slogan: Maryland is for Crabs.

What makes them so special? A crab is a crab, right? Wrong. Maryland blue crabs grow up in the tidal waters of the Chesapeake Bay, which is a mix of salt and fresh water (also called brackish water). We think that mix makes them sweeter than crabs that come from saltier regions, like the Gulf of Mexico. Blue crabs also hibernate over the winter, burrowing beneath the seagrasses on the Bay floor. They build up fat stores throughout the summer and fall that helps them survive the winter. This leads to their delicious buttery taste.

Then there’s preparation. Most other places boil their crabs, but Marylanders know that steaming is the way to go: It keeps them moist, without the risk of water logging. And when you do it the real Maryland way, steaming them with beer (a light one, preferably local Natty Boh) and loads of Old Bay or J&O seasoning, the result is a flavor like no other.

Crab season runs from April through November, with the crabs getting plumper and meatier later in the season. At a traditional Maryland-style crab feast, the steamed crabs are presented on a large platter, or poured onto the center of a long table covered with paper. It’s true family style, with everyone eating from the same batch. Order up sides of Eastern Shore sweet corn and hush puppies, and you have a feast! Crabs take a lot of work to eat, which is part of the joy—crab feasts are the perfect way to spend time around the table with the ones you love.

AUTHOR, SUSAN MOYNIHAN

Susan’s Local Faves

Maryland Avenue ★ Greenbury Point Conservation Area ★ Old Stein Inn

Dock of the Bay Boating is a part of the Annapolis lifestyle, and dock bars are a part of the boating lifestyle. It should come as no surprise that, with more than 500 miles of shoreline, Annapolis and its environs have fantastic docking-anddining options tailor-made for boaters. Don’t have a boat? They’re all drivable as well, with waterside seating that won’t let you miss out.

Beacon Waterfront Galley and Dock Bar is a welcome new addition close to downtown. Located just off the Severn River in Chesapeake Harbor Marina, they offer fresh seafood from their lighthouse-inspired restaurant and live music and cocktails at their outdoor patio bar along the dock.

Galesville is one of Anne Arundel County’s most popular boating destinations, thanks to two fantastic dock bars jutting out into the West River. Pirates Cove Restaurant and Dock Bar is part of the acclaimed Irish Restaurant Company (owners of iconic Galway Bay in Annapolis, Brian Boru in Severna Park, and Killarney House in

Davidsonville), while Stan and Joe’s Riverside is the dock bar outpost of Stan and Joe’s Saloon, a lively staple in Annapolis known for its live music and great pub food.

The South County town of Deale is home to The Boathouse at Anchored Inn. This low-key favorite at Hidden Harbour Marina on Rockhold Creek serves up crushes and rum cocktails from a weathered deadrise boat-turned-bar, making for a perfect Instagram-worthy photo.

Enjoy steamed seafood, fresh oysters, tacos, and crabtopped deviled eggs at perennial award winner Ketch 22 at the southern end of Anne Arundel County on Herring Bay at Herrington Harbor South. Or, head north to their equally lauded sister restaurant, The Point Crab House & Grill. Located on Mill Creek in Arnold, it’s a local favorite for steamed crabs and all-day music on weekends.

Just around the corner from The Point on charming Deep Creek, Donnelly’s Dockside welcomes boaters with custombuilt docks and boatside delivery. If you prefer, choose an umbrellaed table out on the pier and feel like you’re on a boat without the work–the best of both worlds.