Went to Iron Rooster recently and overall had a really good experience. We started with the BBQ…read moreRooster Bites and they were honestly delicious. They are definitely lighter on the sauce, so if that's your preference these are perfect. Personally, I like my wings a little saucier, so I would probably ask for extra sauce next time. The chicken itself was fried perfectly and the portion size was pretty solid. For my main, I got the buffalo chicken wrap with no buffalo sauce and it was amazing. The lettuce, guac, and pico all tasted fresh and paired really nicely with the breaded chicken in the wrap. My only complaint with it is they go pretty light on the guac and pico, so I wish there was a bit more of both. The pricing overall was fair too and didn't feel over the top for the quality and portions. The fries that came with the wrap deserve their own mention because they were phenomenal. Crispy golden brown on the outside with a soft, fluffy inside. Honestly, I'd come back just for the fries alone. I requested outdoor seating when making the reservation and they have a really nice outdoor section with a great atmosphere and view. They did a good job with the space they had, but the tables are pretty close together, so you can hear basically every conversation around you. The chairs were also a bit smaller and not the most comfortable for longer seating. Service was great all around. Our server was very polite and even helped my very undecided sister choose her meal. Everyone was friendly and it definitely feels like a nice place to bring friends or family. My only real complaint, and honestly this applies to a lot of places nearby, is the parking. It was pretty rough. Other than that, definitely a place I'd come back to.

I had a mixed experience overall…read more I ordered the chicken and waffles. The fried chicken had good seasoning and flavor, which I did enjoy. However, the chicken was breast meat and sliced thin, which made it come across as dry. I did tell the server I liked it and didn't go into much detail since she seemed very busy and I didn't want to add stress in the moment. Still, it's not something I would personally order again. The waffle situation was more frustrating. I initially received cornmeal waffles, but I had told my server ahead of time that I strongly avoid cornmeal. She said she would substitute them, so I was surprised when the plate came out with the original cornmeal waffles. I didn't realize at first and ended up taking a bite before noticing. I let the server know and she had the kitchen remake it. The replacement Belgian waffles were overcooked and dense, so they didn't really improve the experience. The butter though was genuinely delicious, just very rich and more of a holiday-style flavor than something I'd personally crave in warmer weather. I also had a basic cup of coffee made with Rise Up Coffee Roasters, which was $4.50. That felt overpriced for what it was. I could have walked right across the street and had a specialty coffee from the source for very little extra cost, which honestly would have been the better choice. Overall, the experience had some clear issues, especially with the waffle mix-up and consistency, but it wasn't completely disappointing. I just don't think I would personally order the same meal again.

Oh man this spot is a hidden gem. If you enjoy farm to table and fresh tasting food, this is your…read moreplace . We enjoyed the gluten free blueberry pancakes, my goodness. They melt in your mouth and have you craving more. Even my 12 month old enjoyed it lol the chicken and sage sausage is like nothing I've ever tried, so savory and juicy. I can't wait to go back soon. Beautiful scenery and delicious food. You can't beat that.

Sunday 1/11/26 Once…read moreagain, another spot that I found with the help of yelp as the high ratings & reviews definitely gained my attention. I made a takeout order and got the crab cake omelette (w/ a biscuit) $18.29, legendary scone: Blueberry $3, single blueberry pancake $2.89, single maple bacon pancake $2.89, and single cinnamon roll pancake $2.89. - The crab cake omelet was my 2nd favorite as they surprisingly didn't skimp on the crab additions. The biscuit was just alright, but luckily it's best once combined with omlette to make a good sandwich. - The blueberry scone was probably my favorite, as it was pretty good. It was moist, fresh, and well done. - The trifecta of pancakes ranged from just okay to decent, and my ranking would go blueberry, maple bacon, and then cinnamon roll. For some odd reason, the texture of the cinnamon roll pancake was notably inferior to the other 2. Overall, my experience was quite a good one due to the scone and crab omelet delivering the most. -- #issa.cheatday

At Preserve, consistency is not the point, evolution is. Each visit feels slightly different,…read moreshaped by a menu that shifts with the seasons and refuses to coast on familiarity. That restlessness works in its favor. The space is compact, almost disarming at first. Then it settles around you. There is a quiet intimacy to the room, the kind that feels less designed and more lived in. It leans closer to a welcoming home than a polished dining room, without losing its sense of purpose. The food carries that same balance. Thoughtful, seasonal, and just unpredictable enough to keep you paying attention. Cocktails follow suit, measured and deliberate, never an afterthought. For Annapolis, where good options are not exactly rare, this place still manages to separate itself. It belongs firmly in the top tier of the city's dining scene, and it earns that position every time it changes the menu and starts over again.

We had made a reservation here for a Sunday brunch at 11. It wasn't overly busy when we came. This…read moreis in downtown Annapolis so there's some street parking around. Bright and open inside with friendly service. We ordered a handful of mimosas and got a couple of small bites to share. Sourdough Foccaccia - this was pretty good, warm and toasted. Pork Bites - I loved the flavor but thought this was pork belly and not ground pork. Overall, flavor was good but the texture wasn't great. Crispy Kale - this is very popular here and we really enjoyed it. The cumin yogurt really brought it together. Pickled Squid - Not what we expected but I actually really liked this dish. We did also order the Coconut Panna Cotta for dessert. The raspberry was pretty prominent here and wasn't as custard like as expected, just a little too soft but the flavor otherwise wasn't bad. Overall, everything was pretty good and I would visit again to try other items on their menu.

This bistro feels very community-centered and has a great mission. Servers seem incredibly…read morehardworking and want the best experience for the diners. Went out of their way to get more milk for chocolate milk and the service was quite fast. Open kitchen layout so you can see the chefs preparing the food which is always fun. The food was good but nothing blew me away. I will say the menu has a lot of options so there's bound to be something for someone. Would come back here for sure for brunch!

Sunday 1/11/26 I…read morebelieve I've had this spot on my list for a while due to a Yelp search, so I was pretty excited to try it out. I spent $26.50 on a takeout order of bread pudding French toast $13, one blueberry pancake $7, and a cinnamon bun $5. - The bread pudding French toast was quite underwhelming as it was just alright. Also, it should definitely be no more than $10. - The blueberry pancake was the best item I had, as it semi-delivered taste-wise, but charging me $7 for a single SMALL pancake is RIDICULOUS. - The cinnamon bun was the worst of them all as it was AWFUL, hard, and dry. There's no way these were freshly made in-house pastries. Overall, my "sweet-tooth" brunch experience was pretty bad and certainly deserves a 1-star, but the business's mission and objective are what save it. -- #issa.cheatday

Love Boatyard. Have been going there for years and never been disappointed the service is always…read moregood and the ambience is great‍

First time in Annapolis and had the pleasure of dining with Kelsey at Boatyard Bar & Grill. She…read moregave great recommendations and the food came out fantastic. If ever in the area we will definitely come back!!!

One doesn't go to downtown Annapolis without visiting Chick & Ruth's for a bite to eat!…read more You've probably seen this place on Man vs. Food. But it's another to actually go in and grab lunch in there. The spirit of Annapolis is self contained in this compact little diner. Steps away from the USNA, Chick & Ruth's is a charming little spot that captures the classic diner feel with the soul of a local business that stands ten toes down for the local sports team just a few steps away. The crab cakes are great, the burgers are solid, and the deli Sammys aren't half bad either. If you're feeling bold, I recommend doing the Colossal Challenge. If you come during breakfast and it's before 8am on the weekday or before 9:30am before the weekends prepared to drop everything you're doing and join the friendly staff to say the pledge of allegiance! Chick & Ruth's is peak local business, it's a great spot for any Navy game (or visiting their loved ones attending USNA), and offers comfort diner food. This is one place in Annapolis everyone outta visit.

M'eh. This place has…read morebeen on my list for years but this was my first visit. I was expecting so much more. More space. The tables and booths are very tight. That said, I didn't feel interrupted by the conversation of the folks next to us but the guy's elbow bumped me a couple times. We were basically shoulder to shoulder with the barrier between our food. More food. Given their penchant for super sized foods, I thought the default sandwich would be bigger. It wasn't bad but it was kind of skimpy. And it didn't come with anything. I got the jumbo fries and my nephew and I finished them with no trouble. More flavor. Yeah, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great! A Reuben should be really powerful with all the different flavors but this turkey Reuben was a bit muted. I joked that I would try to challenge menu but I would need to taste the food first to make sure I liked it. I think I could have met the challenge but I don't think I would have enjoyed it.

Jacob is the man! He provided excellent service and was attentive at the bar. I'll come back!read more

A great experience-loved the deviled eggs, slam sandwich & savory waffles & chicken…read more Service was outstanding

Today was my first & 2nd time eating at Sofi's Crepes! Absolutely delicious! In the morning I had…read morethe sausage, egg and cheese crepe and then in the afternoon I had the Godfather! They are perfectly balanced with the ingredients and crepes cooked to perfection as well all in a hand wrapped style making it easy on the go food! I wish this was here when I was a Midshipman! Now I'm 20 years removed this year but still live in the Alexandria area. If you're looking for a delicious breakfast or lunch/dinner wrap, I highly recommend Sofi's!!

Cool little place serving savory, sweet, and breakfast crepes. I got a monte cristo and a sweet one…read morewith fruit. Both were pretty good, but be aware they are messy! They serve them in paper wrapping which tears apart easily, especially when wet with something like syrup. I almost ate paper a couple of times. I recommend getting crepes with fruit, as a sweet snack. We sat outside at a sidewalk table, which was nice.

ALERT!Undeniably the highest quality coffee you will find in the entire state of Maryland!!!!There…read moreis nothing like this place when it comes to attention to detail, transparency, and excellence in the Maryland coffee scene. The coffee is fantastic, it brings Seattle style flavor, culture, and ethics to a place you would least expect. The taste is so fresh and comforting, you instantly taste what sets them apart. Today, the barista, Camden introduced me to the unique flavor profiles of every single bean they offer. She went above and beyond to pair me with the perfect drink, and did so with such raw, genuine enthusiasm. I enjoyed a flat white and homemade, hot Jamaican tea. I will be dreaming of them both until I get to come back. Do yourself a favor and get some real coffee from Rise Up !

Small pop through spot that can get the job done for a refill or a first cut. Not a large menu of…read morecustom options, a cold or hot simple bar style and coffee offering. Easy enough swing through option but a bit tight and can back up slightly if your timing is off due to the space they have to work with. If you catch downtown parking definitely not a bad one for a caffeine refill.

We really enjoyed dinner at Dry 85. We dined on a Friday night and the only negatives were that it…read morewas SUPER loud in there. My date and I could barely hear each other and had to yell to chat. Otherwise we loved it. The blueberry bbq ribs were awesome and so was the Mac and cheese. It was supposed to be seafood Mac but it came with only one solitary shrimp on top and we didn't taste any other seafood inside. Service was good, drinks were good and food was great.

After a long day of work (including a reception where I forgot to eat - too busy…read moreworking/networking), I needed a meal and a nightcap this past Wednesday night. I'd had Dry 85 on my list for a while, and it sounded just right on that cold, snowy day. I walked in, grabbed a seat at the bar, and was immediately welcomed and handed menus and given a glass of water. This welcome was consistent with great service throughout. I love sitting at a bar (especially for a solo meal), because it allows you to chat with the bartenders, and the bartenders at Dry 85 were great. I had one of their burgers and fries, and it was delicious. Add a bourbon cocktail and TVs playing college basketball, and I was a happy girl. Truly a good place for a meal or drinks. Cozy, warm, with solid food, drinks, and service. I'd be happy to return.