Eat, Drink and Be Merry in Annapolis
Who’s ready to rock the Annapolis Boat Shows? We know we are! There’s nothing quite like Annapolis, and we aren’t just saying that because it’s our hometown. This great capital city is a special place, full of the laid-back charm that makes the entire Chesapeake Bay a fun playground, chock-full of great events and friendly people.
By now, you’ve probably been inundated with Annapolis Boat Show news, so we won’t pile on. You can go here to learn more about the Annapolis Boat Show event. Instead, we want to share with you our favorite local hot spots!
Whether you are looking for an awesome breakfast, or a place with a great pint, we’ve got you covered with the inside scoop. Below please find our Snag-A-Slip picks for eating and drinking in Downtown Annapolis:
Start Your Boat Show Day Off Right!
Homeade poptarts are a must order at the Rooster!
Have a late night? Need some sustenance for hours at the booth? Look no further than these great breakfast spots:
Grab Some Coffee: City Dock Coffee
Best Sit-Down Breakfast near the Docks: The Iron Rooster. Breakfast all day. Expect a wait, but it’s worth it.
Best Bakery: Baker’s and Co. A hidden gem in Eastport with all the great sweet treats.
Best Bagels: Navel Bagels. We are partial to the Naval Bagel Breakfast Bagel (lox, cream cheese, scallions – what’s not to love?).
Take a Lunch Break
Whether you need to grab and go, or hold a meeting, here are some great spots for lunch near the docks:
Grab and Go: Sammy’s Downtown Deli. If you like hot sauce they have dozens of different kinds. We even found our favorite St. Lucian hot sauce here, tucked away on a shelf full of hundreds.
Delivery to the Show: Jimmy Johns. What can we say? It’s freaky fast.
Sit-down Lunch Meeting: Middleton Tavern. Quiet, sophisticated and great food.
Hit the Bars!
Soak up those Pusser’s Painkillers with the famous Davis’ Pub Crab Pretzel
They say that Annapolis is a drinking town, with a sailing problem. We don’t disagree. There are many great watering holes around Annapolis, but these are our local picks:
Best Happy Hour: Boatyard Bar & Grill. Seventh Avenue and 4th Street. $3 beers, $5 apps and Buck a Shuck Oysters!
Best Pint of Guinness: Galway Bay Irish Pub. Authentic Irish Pub with great pours and traditional Irish fare.
Best Salty Sailor Bar: Davis’ Pub. AKA, Snag-A-Slip’s second office. Eat like a local and get the crab pretzel.
Numb Those Aching Feet: Pussers Caribbean Grille. Have a Painkiller.
Best Spirits Bar: Fox’s Den. Famous for craft beer, Bourbon, Rye and Whiskey. Excellent martinis. Great food. If they have the brick oven oysters don’t think, just order.
Best Wine Bar: Red Red Wine Bar. Wine on tap. ‘Nuff said.
Best Sunday Football Watching Bar: Heroes Pub. If you can break away for a game, this is the true local’s haunt for football. Lots of TV’s, 48 beers on tap and great wings. Grab an Uber and have some fun.
Where’s the After Party?: Blackwall Hitch. Everyone ends up here!
Grab a Great Dinner
At the end of a boat show day, there’s nothing better than sitting down to a great meal. Thankfully, Annapolis is a foodie town! Here are some of Snag-A-Slip’s favorite dinner spots:
We love Vin 909! These are two of our favorite pizzas: The Cheddar Biscuit and the Spotted Pig.
Best Oyster House: McGarvey’s Saloon and Oyster Bar
Best Cream of Crab Soup: Federal House
Best Farm to Table: Vin 909. Vin’s pizza is arguably the best pizza in the world. The menu is refreshed by season and everything on it is spectacular (trust us, we’ve had every dish). Be warned – Vin does not take reservations. Expect to wait an hour or more for a table. They have great wine and beer, which you can enjoy while waiting outside in a well-appointed courtyard. Vin is an Uber ride away from the show.
Most Unique Menu: Preserve. If you like to experiment with food, this is the place to be. Excellent dishes, with a unique flare. The crispy kale is one of a kind.
Best Sushi: Joss’ Sushi Bar. If you can snag a seat at the window bar, the people watching is excellent.
Best Thai: Carlson’s Donuts and Thai Food. We know, we know. Donuts at Thai restaurant? It’s a real thing. Not only are the donuts amazing in the AM, but this authentic Thai spot is awesome for dinner. If you’re lucky, you will get sent home with a bag of donuts from the morning. This is an Uber ride from the show.
Best Mexican: Jalapenos. Don’t let this strip mall location fool you! Best Mexican in town, with a cute interior and an extensive menu of Spanish and Mexican favorites. This is an Uber ride from the show.
Best Steak: Lewnes Steak House. A true slice of Annapolis history, with excellent steaks and premium wines.
Best View of Spa Creek: Carrol’s Creek.
Best Seafood: O’Leary’s. Crab cakes? Yes, please.
Best Authentic Maryland Crab Pickin’ Experience: Mike’s Crab House. If you want a true Maryland Crab Pickin’ experience this is the closest spot to the show. Grab an Uber and a mallet!
There are many other options, and we encourage you to keep coming back to town until you try them all. Have a great boat show, friends!
Boatyard is an iconic Annapolis sailor bar and you’ll know it as soon as you arrive and see the photo and decor-lined walls. Their happy hour food and drink specials don’t disappoint, but get there early to snag a seat. They have daily specials and are well-known for having the best crab cake in town.