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.

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 below. Open for lunch, dinner, and brunch.

After fire damage caused a nearly two-year hiatus, West Street’s beloved bivalve bar reopened in March with glistening crudo, Maryland oysters, local produce, and renovated look with a newly added space upstairs. Returning favorites include torched boquerón toast, a Reuben packed with pastrami rub-cured salmon, and mortadella between springy sourdough from local bakery InGrano.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Atlas Restaurant Group brought its beloved Baltimore seafood house to downtown Annapolis in 2022. 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.

D.C. bar owners Hilarey and Brian Leonard (Lost & Found, Free State) expanded to Annapolis last year with Leo, a dreamy tribute to Mid-Atlantic and Southern cuisine led by first-time chef Matthew Lego. New dishes include Springfield Farm roasted bone marrow, ricotta gnocchi, shaved porchetta sandwiches, and Roseda Farms smash burgers (plus a build-your-own burger menu on Sundays).

D.C. news anchor-turned-entrepreneur Brian Bolter and his wife Lisa operate this industrial-style ode to the Prohibition era with over 100 whiskeys to choose from. An expansive comfort foods menu include burgers, ribs, wings, and bacon-fueled brunch. Dry 85 also maintains a location in Ocean City, and the partners are also behind Annapolis stalwart Red Red Wine Bar.

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.

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.

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. Seasonal specials include sweet corn spinach crab dip with homemade Old Bay tortilla chips.

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.

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