Best Food of 2025

2025 was a very good year to be hungry in Annapolis. Over the past year, we ate our way through bagel shops, bakeries, comfort food counters, and sit-down spots that made us cancel dinner plans just to go back again. From breakfasts worth waking up early for to desserts that absolutely required a second fork, these were the places that stood out, surprised us, and kept us talking long after the plates were cleared. This roundup is a love letter to the meals we still think about, the flavors that delivered every single time, and the local spots that made dining out feel fun, memorable, and very delicious. Grab a napkin, maybe a snack, and let’s revisit the best bites of 2025.

Best Breakfast of 2025

Call Your Mother Deli

Call Your Mother Deli arrived in Annapolis loud, pink, and absolutely ready to be your new breakfast obsession. The vibe is pure joy. Food-wise, the Sun City on an everything bagel stole our hearts with its sweet heat combo of spicy honey, bacon, eggs, and melty cheese. The Mountain View was another standout, layering latke, egg, avocado, and cheese into one glorious bite. And do not skip the chocolate chunk cookies or babka muffins. They are mandatory. Wash it all down with a Honey Oat Latte and you have yourself a perfect morning. This spot is bold, nostalgic, and unapologetically fun, just like breakfast should be.

Nico’s Bagels & Brunch

Calling Nico’s just a bagel shop feels almost insulting. Yes, the bagels and breakfast sandwiches are excellent, but this place goes way beyond that. We loved how you can order a classic breakfast bagel and then casually add fresh salads, flavorful sides, pastries, or even gelato to the mix. Pair it all with a coffee, smoothie, or energy drink and suddenly breakfast turns into an event. Beyond the food, Nico’s stands out for its heart. The shop was created to honor Nico Osuna’s vision and supports mental health awareness and suicide prevention. You feel that purpose the moment you walk in, along with genuinely great service and good vibes.

Best Comfort Food of 2025

Julep Kitchen and Bar

If comfort food had a dressier cousin who also knew their way around a bourbon list, it would be Julep Kitchen and Bar. This Annapolis favorite delivers Southern comfort with creativity and serious flavor. We started strong with cocktails, then dove into fluffy biscuits with honey butter and pepper jelly that deserved a standing ovation. The wings, especially the blackberry chipotle and Old Bay, were smoky, juicy, and impossible to stop eating. The mains were next-level comfort, from burnt ends piled over mashed potatoes to baked mac and cheese, collard greens, and Southern egg rolls packed with pulled pork and collards. The smoked pork steak stole the show with tender, smoky perfection and crunchy onion straws on top. Add in indulgent desserts like bourbon pecan pie and a dessert tasting board, and Julep becomes the kind of place where every meal feels like a celebration.

Vivi’s Chicken ‘N Mac

Vivi’s Chicken ‘N Mac is comfort food with personality, and yes, it comes fully toddler-approved. This family-rooted spot from the MONTE Restaurant Development Group takes classic chicken and mac and cheese and gives it just enough flair to keep everyone happy. The Vivi’s Traditional Mac and Cheese is the star, made with cavatappi pasta and a velvety cheese sauce that somehow disappeared faster than we could photograph it. Pair it with their crispy, golden chicken tenders and you have a comfort combo that works for kids and adults alike. The Nashville Wings brought just the right amount of heat with a crunchy bite that kept us reaching for more. Bonus points for meal deals that feel like a steal and the chance to add your name to the wall. Vivi’s is cozy, fun, and exactly the kind of place you want in your regular dinner rotation.

Best Dessert of 2025

Mangia Baby Cupcakes

Mangia Baby Cupcakes feels like dessert at Nonna’s house, where sweets come first and questions come later. Created by local mom and baker Gina Cicatelli, this Eastport gem turns Italian American family recipes into show-stopping cupcakes and BabyCakes that taste just as good as they look. The Original Cannoli Cupcake is the star for a reason, capturing all the crispy, creamy magic of a cannoli with extra frosting, which honestly feels like a gift. We also loved the tiramisu cupcake with its espresso-soaked layers and cloud-like frosting, plus the toasted coconut and chocolate mascarpone whip for anyone who takes their chocolate seriously. The BabyCakes stole our hearts, especially the Torta Nua Boston Cream Pie and the Strawberry Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake. Every box feels celebratory, and every bite feels like a family tradition worth sharing.

Best Dining Out of 2025

Federal House

Federal House feels like a place you stumble upon and immediately want to keep to yourself. Tucked just behind Market Square, it blends cozy old-town charm with modern polish and a menu that makes decision-making delightfully difficult. The oyster bar is where things get fun, with creative options like fried buffalo oysters and a watermelon cucumber mignonette that somehow just works. For dinner, the seared red pepper scallops over red pepper risotto were cooked perfectly, rich without being heavy, and paired beautifully with grilled jumbo asparagus. Other menu standouts include the Shrimp Boil, Blackened Rockfish with mango, and a Lobster Grilled Cheese that lives rent-free in our minds. End the night with the Crème Brûlée Cheesecake and thank yourself later.

Rumhouse

Rumhouse is doing something completely different, and that is exactly why we love it. This Eastport standout brings Caribbean flair, bold flavors, and a cocktail program that treats rum like the star it deserves to be. The mojitos are a must, hand-bruised mint and all, and the Rum Old Fashioned is smooth, bold, and unforgettable. On the food side, the Oxtail Croquettes are nearly all meat, crispy on the outside and rich on the inside, while the Crab and Dumplings arrive in a coconut curry that feels warm and comforting with just enough spice. Dessert sealed the deal with the Chocolate Voyage, a cacao-bean-shaped showstopper that is just as impressive as it is delicious. Rumhouse is polished, playful, and absolutely worth repeat visits.

Cypress

Cypress has quickly become a go-to for elevated dining that still feels relaxed and welcoming. Located in Severna Park, this modern spot offers a menu that balances fresh seafood, comforting classics, and crowd-pleasing favorites. During our tasting, the P.E.I. mussels stole the show, served in a spicy tomato broth with roasted fennel and chorizo, perfect for soaking up with a crispy baguette. The crab dip came loaded with Old Bay flavor and gooey cheese, while the warm crispy Brussels with smoked bacon, goat cheese, and honey Dijon vinaigrette were impossible to stop eating. For something lighter, the ahi tuna tartare delivered bright citrus flavor and creamy avocado mousse. Save room for Chef Tamar’s Bread Pudding, which feels like a warm hug and is the perfect ending to any meal.

From morning bagels to late-night desserts, 2025 reminded us just how lucky we are to live in a town full of incredible food and passionate people behind it. These spots brought the comfort, the creativity, and the kind of meals that turn into memories. Whether you’re trying one new place or planning a full-on food tour, consider this your sign to treat yourself and support local along the way. We’ll be the ones at the next table over, debating what to order and promising, once again, that we’ll save room for dessert.