Anne Arundel County is home to over 500 miles of coastline and is known as a destination for all things boating, fishing, crabbing, water skiing, sailing, and swimming. Nature lovers will enjoy the various county parks, nature preserves, and state parks that call the area home.
The Best Coffee Shops in Anne Arundel County
Sip on a warming cappuccino or an ice-cold latte at these Anne Arundel County coffee shops. Pair your beverage with a freshly baked pastry or a bagel sandwich to kick-start your morning.
Ceremony Coffee Roasters
Where? 2329 Forest Drive
Enjoy the freshest of the freshly roasted coffee beans at Ceremony Coffee Roasters, which proudly features a range of seasonal coffees that are sourced throughout the year. Ceremony Coffee Roasters is the biggest specialty coffee name in the area, characterized by their commitment to serving only 85+ scoring coffees and using high-tech gear to ensure you get the perfect cup each and every time. Try signature drinks such as the Indigo Dreams, which is a blueberry muffin matcha latte crafted with oat milk, vanilla, and blueberry syrup before being topped with a graham crumble. The spiced pear espresso is espresso and tonic with maple, cinnamon, and pear syrup — served with a candied ginger garnish! Naturally, the menu also features familiar favorites like cappuccinos, macchiatos, flat whites, and more.
The Big Bean
Where? 558 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard
This Severna Park coffee shop serves up a range of delicious beverages, including americanos, Mexican mochas, cortados, traditional macchiatos, and chai tea! Enjoy your drink hot or iced. The Bulletproof coffee combines coffee, coconut oil, and Kerrygold grass-fed butter and there is also a nitro on tap using house-made cold brew. If you’re usually a coffee drinker but want to mix things up, try the iced London Fog, which is Earl Grey tea, vanilla syrup, and milk and is sure to turn any bad day right around. Kiddos can enjoy hot chocolate, steamers, hot apple cider, and even Italian sodas which are topped with whipped cream!
Bean Rush Cafe
Where? 1015 Generals Highway
While Bean Rush Cafe is known for its assorted coffee offerings, they also feature a range of delicious food options as well — such as seasonal salads, hot paninis, and even hummus toast for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or lunch option! The menu includes freshly brewed coffee and espresso specialties, such as vanilla lattes, white chocolate mochas, Aussie flat whites, and more. Signature lattes and mochas are available both hot and iced. The Honey Bee latte combines honey and toffee and the Funky Monkey mixes chocolate and banana for a unique flavor profile for your morning pick-me-up. Sugar-free flavorings are also available. The menu also includes a pastry selection, which pairs nicely with hot or cold brews. Try the butter croissant or a biscotti!
Where to Wine & Dine in Anne Arundel County
Treat your special someone to an anniversary dinner or celebrate that big promotion with a dinner out on the town. These area restaurants are serving up award-winning menus, signature cocktails, and fun times for all!
Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub
Where? 63 Maryland Avenue
The Galway Bay Irish Restaurant and Pub in Annapolis first opened in 1998 and has since become a well-known area staple, built on fine Irish hospitality. You’ll want to try the famous fish and chips when visiting or the legendary corned beef reuben. Inquire with your server about recommendations on the daily specials! Other mains include the fried shrimp dinner and the shepherd’s pie or you can opt for a burger, such as the signature 63 Dexter burger or the Galway lamb burger with 8oz of Colorado lamb and Dubliner cheese. As far as drinks, the restaurant and pub feature Maryland’s largest selection of Irish whiskey and an array of American spirits, premium Irish cocktails, and wines.
Edgewater Restaurant
Where? 148 Mayo Road
The menu at Edgewater kicks off with appetizers such as the cream of crab soup, Italian breaded zucchini, fried calamari, and onion-toasted fried green beans. Meat platters include the filet mignon, the New York strip sirloin steak, the baked honey ham, and the surf & turf with lobster tail and a strip steak. Swing by before 3:00 PM for the luncheon menu, which features discounted prices on some of your favorites. The wine list is varied, allowing patrons to purchase by the glass or the bottle. Split a bottle of Robert Mondavi sauvignon blanc or enjoy a glass or two of the Tolosa pinot noir. There are also domestic and imported beer options, spirit selections, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Hideaway
Where? 1439 Odenton Road
Dive into smoked fried chicken, pecan-smoked meatloaf, and Texas brisket at The Hideaway. Try one of the “Evil Weiners,” such as The Siberian Husky with sauerkraut and brown mustard. Sip on craft cocktails or a bourbon on the rocks. Happy hour specials at The Hideaway include their award-winning wings, adobo burnt ends tacos, and chili cheese fries, as well as $3 domestic bottles, $2 off all drafts, and $6 rail drinks and house wines. If you’re in the mood for brunch, swing by on Sunday between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM for homemade biscuits, cinnamon rolls, banana bread French toast, and pulled pork Benedicts.
True Food Kitchen
Where? 1906 Towne Centre Boulevard Suite 110
The menu at True Food Kitchen has been carefully crafted to ensure that every bite and every sip is big on flavor and takes advantage of fresh ingredients. The artisan chefs create delicious classics, as well as a rotation of seasonal offerings that take advantage of naturally ripened fruit and veggies so your dish is full of nutrients and color. Try one of the sourdough pizzas, such as the roasted butternut squash pie or the bougie blanco with parmesan cream, black truffle, and house-made hot honey. Sip on a signature cocktail, like the refreshing Doctor’s Mule or the blood orange margarita. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays until 3:00 PM, with decadent options like blueberry pancakes or the hearty southwest tofu scramble.
Libations
Where? 8541 Veterans Highway
Libations is locally owned and operated and is run by a team of restaurant veterans with over 50 years of combined experience in Anne Arundel County. This local gathering spot serves up the best made-from-scratch food and international wines in the area, helping to support small producers! Craft beers on the menu are sourced from some of Maryland’s best breweries. The lunch and dinner menu features tuna poke, raw oysters, steamed shrimp from the raw bar, and a range of tasty appetizers, like the brisket nachos, the Old Bay chicken, and the crispy brussels. Sink your teeth into an order of the blackened chicken Alfredo or the chipotle honey glazed salmon.
Where to Indulge in a Sweet Treat in Anne Arundel County
Treat yourself to scoops of ice cream, cupcakes, or freshly baked goods in the Anne Arundel area. Whether you’re in a celebratory mood or you want something sweet to make up for a long week — these area bakeries, scoop shops, and patisseries are waiting to serve you!
Daily Scoop
Where? 3201 Mountain Road #109
Make a trip to Maryland’s best gourmet ice cream shop, which is serving up scoops made in-store using the finest ingredients. Sip on milkshakes and malts or dig into a sundae or a banana split. Daily Scoop sells customized ice cream cakes, frozen ice coffee blends, root beer floats, and even New York-style egg creams! Whether you need a sweet treat pick me up for a weekday evening or if you need a showstopper for a wedding, birthday party, or anniversary event — the Daily Scoop has you covered. Ice cream pies are crafted in freshly baked 9″ deep dish shells with fresh fruit puree. New York-style Italian ice flavors include strawberry lemonade, mango, lemon, toasted coconut, chocolate, and bing cherry.
Smallcakes
Where? 2641 Riva Road Suite F
Craving a cupcake? Smallcakes is baking up the tastiest cupcakes in the DMV. Flavors include all the classics, such as red velvet, cookies & cream, birthday cake, carrot cake, and more specialty flavors such as peanut butter crunch, hot fudge sundae, chocolate caramel brownie, and salted caramel. Check out daily specials of the month, which range from Marble Mondays, Sweet Potato Pie Thursdays, and Animal Cookie Saturdays. Check the website for the most up-to-date flavor offerings. Other sweet treats at Smallcakes include ice cream, such as banana pudding, butter pecan, mint chocolate chip, and coffee & cream with Oreo cookies.
Sweet Hearts Patisserie
Where? 1410 Forest Drive
Everything baked at Sweet Hearts Patisserie is made from scratch, using quality ingredients and traditional European recipes that call for real butter, fresh cream and eggs, high-quality French chocolate, and fresh, seasonal local produce. It’s a difference you can taste! The bakery is closed on Sundays and Mondays, but swing by throughout the rest of the week for deliciously light macarons, petit fours, custom cakes, and moist cupcakes. The patisserie also offers local Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company coffee and Harney & Sons fine teas. Daily treats include French vanilla and chocolate silk cupcakes and petit fours that come in flavors such as triple chocolate, vanilla raspberry, almond apricot, and more.
Anne Arundel County’s Parks & Green Spaces
Whether you enjoy casting a line off of the fishing pier or grilling out at the park, these local green spaces are the perfect place to bring your family out to enjoy the weather. Say hello to the farm animals or hit the playground with the kiddos!
Fort Smallwood Park
Where? 9500 Fort Smallwood Road
Fort Smallwood Park spans approximately 90 acres at the northern tip of a peninsula in northeastern Anne Arundel County, where the Patapsco River and Rock Creek converge with the Chesapeake Bay. Earlier this year, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association honored the park’s shoreline as one of the top restored shorelines in the nation. Visitors can enjoy various recreational amenities, such as a 380-foot fishing pier, a historic gun battery and barracks, walking trails, beaches, a boat ramp, and a pond. The park also features a playground, which is currently being upgraded to a new playscape. We invite you to check back in late October or early November for updates! A daily entry fee of $6 per vehicle applies, and annual passes are also available. For more information, please visit: www.aacounty.org/recparks.
Kinder Farm Park
Where? 1001 Kinder Farm Park Road
Kinder Farm Park is a 288-acre property that offers the community a variety of natural and recreational activities, including walking, birding, biking, fishing, and picnicking. Visitors can view farm artifacts from the 1930s, including an old tobacco press and the tools used to harvest tobacco. The farm park has picnic tables and grills, as well as two large outdoor pavilions that are available for rent. Children can enjoy the large playground and tot-lot and there is a 2.4-mile paved perimeter trail, along with several miles of natural trails. Farm animals on site are owned and cared for by the Kinder Farm Park 4-H Livestock Club and The Friends Farm Park FLEP Program. Animals may include chickens, turkeys, geese, cows, pigs, goats, and sheep.
Points of Interest in Anne Arundel County
If you’re looking for something new to explore in Anne Arundel County, check out these area museums. Unearth unique stories and learn about the fascinating history that has helped form the region.
Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park
Where? 723 Second Street
Exhibits at the Annapolis Maritime Museum include interactive activities, aquariums, and the holographic waterman. Unleash your inner explorer, climb aboard the historic skipjack and enjoy the breeze off of the bay. The museum doubles as a vibrant community hub, where history meets cutting-edge tech and sparks playful learning for visitors of all ages. Upon visiting the museum, you’ll learn about naval heroes, oystermen, and everything in between. Whether you’ve been a lifelong resident of the area or you’re just passing through, a trip to the Maritime Museum is worthwhile for all.
U.S. Naval Academy Museum
Where? 118 Maryland Avenue
The U.S. Naval Academy Museum is located in Preble Hall on the grounds of the Naval Academy. The museum features two floors of exhibits about the long history of seapower, as well as the development of the U.S. Navy. The displays combine interesting historical artifacts with video and audio tech that bring history to life for visitors. Whether you’re fascinated by all things naval history or you’re a casual visitor, you’ll find something new to explore and interesting facts to uncover.
Interested in Learning More About Maryland’s Anne Arundel County? Let Us Help!
Whether you’re into outdoor recreation, trying new restaurants, or simply taking in the local history — Anne Arundel County has a touch of something for everybody. Sip on coffee at a new local shop or indulge in locally crafted ice cream as you explore the vast coastline and historical landmarks in the area.