If there’s one thing I love to participate in is brunch. Perhaps, that makes me sound very basic as I know I am not the only one who loves brunch, but what’s not to love about it? It’s one of my husband and I’s favorite thing to do after church and serves as a nice opportunity for the both of us to connect, check in, reflect on the service, and relax.
This is why while honeymooning in Annapolis, one of the things I really wanted to do (other than sample their crabcakes) was to try as many local cafes in the area as I could. Although I love a good cup of Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, or La Colombe every now and then, I knew I could get those rather easily back home if I wanted to. Yet local, mom-and-pop owned and/or other privately owned, local cafes in Annapolis, I knew I wouldn’t be able to have once I headed back north.
I also really love the authenticity of local cafes and the love that’s often experienced through the food and drinks that they serve, so visiting some local spots in Annapolis was a must on our to-do list.
Unfortunately, despite my original intent to go around to every coffee shop in Annapolis, sampling it’s coffee like the self-proclaimed, coffee connoisseur that I am, our time would not allow for us to explore all of the cafes in Annapolis. Bummer.
However, I’ve compiled a list of four of my favorite local cafes in the Annapolis/Baltimore/DC area that are sure to rock your socks off. If you’re planning on visiting the region during Christmas or New Year’s Eve and need a pick me up on the way as you visit your loved ones or you simply enjoy cafes as much as I do, this one’s for you (holds up a caramel machiatto to cheers).
City Dock
If you follow me on Twitter, you know I’ve swooned about this place and how much I am going to miss it. I even followed them on their inactive Twitter of which they haven’t posted on for a few years. Yes, the coffee is that good. In fact, I am still raving about their coffee to peers and how much I’ve considered going back down to Annapolis to see if they sold bags to brew from home.
I know that coffee is one of those things that is very subjective, but if there was a coffee shop I would recommend in Annapolis, City Dock would be it.
This local cafe near the harbor is amazing! One of my favorite things to get from there is their iced, White Chocolate Latte. It’s smooth and perfectly brewed. I’ve had iced coffees that taste very watered down or too sweet, but this one was perfect. I prefer it when my coffee still tastes like coffee with just a hint of sweetness and flavor. However, if you’re looking for a hot coffee since it’s pretty chilly in December, their Almond Joy or Milky Way coffee is pretty delicious as well.
An actual picture of me drinking the iced, White Chocolate Latte
Did you know? They sell pastries and other goodies in addition to their coffees. They have smoothies that are really delicious!
Taken from Iron Rooster’s FB page at @ironroosterallday
Iron Rooster
This cafe sells food that is made with and inspired by Southern cuisine. In other words, it is amazing! We actually ended up visiting this place on our last day and we both said we wish we would’ve gone there earlier or for dinner. While we went for brunch around 11am, one thing about this place is that they sell breakfast all day. So if you’re hankering for an omelette for dinner, Iron Rooster’s got you covered. They also serve dinner and lunch, if that tickles your fancy a bit more. If the food on their dinner menu is as good as the food they served for breakfast, we would’ve certainly been regulars during the week of our honeymoon.
The ambiance is very rustic, which I know I especially love. There’s something about rustic decor that feels very simple and homey, which I think is one of the reasons why I’ve grown to appreciate it so much. It totally fits the vibe of the place and the Southern-hospitality vibe of the menu.
I got the Angry Pig omelette which included sausage, ham, pulled pork, a chipotle sauce, pepper jack cheese, and a few jalapeno peppers as a garnish on top of it. It was deliciously spicy and very hearty. It’s served with a side of potatoes, of which I enjoyed with a nice cup of – you guessed it – coffee. Instead of getting a specialty drink, I got an iced coffee that I added cream and sugar to. Very delicious!
Did you know? They have upstairs seating as well as downstairs seating! If you’re seated near the balcony you can get a nice view of the floor below you or a window seat that faces the Annapolis harbor.
Chick and Ruth’s Delly:
This cafe is located below a bed and breakfast and is known for it’s delicious food! It sells nearly everything you could ask for and sells every meal of the day – all day. Yes, that means you can have crabcakes for breakfast or a Western omelette for dinner, if you’d like.
The first thing you notice when you come in, other than the appearance, is how homey it is. It has the feel of a diner in your hometown yet includes pictures of the owner’s family members along the wall (of whom own the bed and breakfast). There’s also pictures featuring the original owners, Chick and Ruth, both separately and together along the dining room walls.
If you happen to visit, I would recommend the the Senator special that includes homemade corned-beef hash for breakfast, the chilli cheese fries for lunch, the crab cake platter for dinner, and one of their donuts or pies for dessert.
Did you know? They were voted for having the BEST crab cakes in all of Annapolis? Han and I went around trying crab cakes from different restaurants and while the others were delicious, we can definitely understand why Chick and Ruth’s Delly got voted as number one. If you’re in the Annapolis area and looking to try a crab cake that’ll knock your socks off, I’d highly recommend this place!
Annapolis Market House:
Taken from the Market House FB page at @annapolismarkethouse
Technically, my husband brought this coffee for me the first morning of our honeymoon, so I regrettably cannot comment much on the environment. However, he thought it was a pretty cool space as they have both indoor and outdoor seating and the coffee is pretty awesome! The Market House also has several vendors inside of it, so if getting coffee is not really your thing, there’s a place where you can indulge in fried-chicken or a slice of pizza. It reminds me of a smaller version of the Terminal Market in Lancaster and Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, PA.
Now regarding the coffee, it was perf! It was hot, not too sweet, but also not too bitter either. It’s also approved by my husband as well, who loved both the coffee and the fried chicken.
Coffee from Market House in Annapolis
Did you know? They recently changed up the place? According to some locals, the Market House used to look very different a few years back.
What are some of your favorite local shops in Annapolis? If you haven’t visited the area yet, what are some places you’d recommend in the cities near you?
