50 Best American Restaurants near Shady Side

“Food is great! I get the double fillet and it the best i have had anywhere in this area! Veggies are always cooked to perfection.Everything i had there has been great and the prices are always right! The place probably could use an update but i consider it a hidden gem!“

“Omg! Absolutely amazing! Homemade food everything handmade everything on point! Cute restaurant run by the family that owns it! I also heard tell of some delicious cupcakes they get every Thursday that are a must try! But hurry cuz they go quick! And if you're looking for an amazing delicious breakfast I recommend stopping in they have breakfast and lunch from open to close! The breakfast potatoes wow! The French toast yum yum yum! The people so friendly! If you're looking for a cute little hole in the wall with some amazing food I recommend heading to the Driftwood Diner!!“

“We ordered food to go and had a couple drinks while we waited. The bartender was super nice and efficient and kept us updated on our food. We didn't have to wait long. I ordered the club, which was great, and my husband ordered the crabcake sandwich and said it was one of the best he's ever had.“

“Leo's is always a fabulous experience. Highly recommend! Wonderful food and wine list (there is a shorter one on the back of the food menu and a separate longer one). The service is top notch, as are the bartenders (drinks are outstanding), and it has a cute, cozy ambiance. Everyone on the team, starting with the owners, is friendly, professional, and strives to please. Leo's is one of the very few excellent restaurants in Annapolis. We are going twice this week ;)“

“Food here can be hit or miss. You usually can't go wrong with the appetizers, but I feel that every other time I go to True Food Kitchen I pick the wrong entrée and leave unsatisfied. That said, the last time I went I had the butternut squash pizza and it was delicious!“

“We recently hosted a baby shower party for our daughter at the Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge in Annapolis. The staff made this event incredibly memorable, and it was easy to arrange and pull off. The food and drinks were fantastic, and the service was the best. Thanks so much to Tom Hanna and his staff. :-)“

“Honesty a lot of restaurants I've been to have been a bit subpar when it comes to more hearty meals, which is okay don't get me wrong. This place however had pulled pork sandwiches that were by no means under filled and most of the drinks you get will be served in Mason jars, this is how I'd cook at home and I love it.“

“We had a table reservation, but ended up staying at the bar because we were having so much fun there! The bar team is super knowledgeable and personable...and make a mean cocktail! We had the deviled eggs, mussels, and pizza...all outstanding. If we lived locally, we'd be regulars for sure! p.s. the deviled eggs were the best we've ever had...yes, they are that good!“

“We went on a Friday night, and boy was it busy. It was about a 45 min wait, but we didn't mind. It was worth the wait! We ordered clams, skirt steak and pizza. Everything was delicious and fresh. Overall, we would definitely be back...one of my fave pizzas ever!“

“Continuing with our “Only Good Restaurants List.”Great food. Our burgers were cooked to perfection, not greasy. Fresh salad and fries. Attentive servers. You can seat upstairs, downstairs or outside. Located right in the middle of Old town Annapolis. Reasonable prices.“

“I wanted to stay in Annapolis but wasn't quite sure what I wanted to eat. Did a quick search and found this delight of a place. I was able to make reservations on the same day (Saturday) My wife and I arrived and were quickly seated. The restaurant has a nice intimate feel however this place was jumping. Tons of people inside with everyone having a good time. Our waitress was sweet. Made good suggestions and was very attentive. For starters we ordered the Crispy Calamri while my wife had a lemon drop for a drink. The Clamari was in fact crispy. Very solid crunch. The marinara sauce was PIPING hot. Good start to our dinner. The lemon drop was a good mix of alcohol and juice. They provide you the cup along with the remainder on the side. BIG TIME PLUS. For Dinner, I was starving. I ordered the Steak N Fries, along with the Rockfish and Not your Ordinary Mac & Cheese. The steak was delicious! Nice and juicy. Cooks to perfection. Fries were crispy. The Fish was tasty and the mashed potatoes were GREAT!!! The Mac & Cheese is definitely not ordinary. There was a tangy taste that I could do without. It was missing something but the rest of my food was so good I could easily overcook it. My wife ordered the Steak Brazil with mashed Potatoes & Broccoli. She also enjoyed her food. Broccoli was fresh. Mashed Potatoes were delicious. She preferred the filet cooked a little more but still ate them. I'd happily come back and plan on returning to J. Alexander. It was a great time. Great service, Wonderful atmosphere, and good food. I enjoyed myself.“

“After we were turned away from Harry Browne's because there was only one waitress and she couldn't handle additional guests, we saw this place and were delighted by the woman at the counter who was so warm and friendly and a pure delight. The food was delicious and came out FAST! We were surprised at how quickly 5 orders (sandwiches, salad, and loaded potatoes) all came out boom boom boom .... but the woman at the counter said it best, "we've been doing this for 28 years, we have it down." I loved seeing her chit chat with customers and making them each feel welcomed. Definitely loved the service and the food and wouldn't have even thought to try it until we stopped in front of the cafe wondering where to go eat at 2pm on President's Day. Definitely recommend!“

“We apparently came on a bar crawl night but we still got seated for dinner immediately. Our server, Brooke, was great. She gave us time to ask questions and read through the menu/drinks. We ordered a calamari appetizer, chicken Riesling and crab cake dinner. All was great and my husband said the crab cake was one of the best he ever ate. My chicken had a creamier sauce with mushrooms and bacon. Very tasty! For dessert we had the special Bailey's cheesecake. It was topped with a thick piece of chocolate (not my favorite) but the creamy center was delicious. It was extremely loud but beyond that the food was good!“

“Been here a few times now and it never disappoints! We’ve only ever gotten the Bar Harbor rolls and I think $25 is a totally fair price for the amount of meat and quality. The rolls are very tasty and the staff are friendly! Of course this isn’t the same as an actual lobster roll from Maine but it also isn’t the same price nor do you have to go the distance. I will continue coming here, this place is great!!“

“10/10The appetizers are great.The squid was tender and had a great mix of sauces.Icebox pickles were greatDon’t miss the pierogiThe rockfish spaetzel was a rad piece of fish and the Serrano relish and ginger was a nice combinationThe bolognese was very good too“

“This is about a take out order so I understand I didn't get the full Memo's experience. Service was quick and polite. The food was ready when I got there. Once at home the food just didn't have much flavor. My fish still had bones in it. Appetizer was disappointing. I probably won't go back again.“

“Food and service was great as always. The brunch menu is really good. The fried deviled egg Benedict is really delicious. The omlete is fantastic and the coconut French toast is amazing. The service is really great. The staff were really friendly and accommodating and checked on us multiple times during our visit.“

“Wonderful atmosphere, friendly staff and owner, great, fresh food from a standard menu full of winners and specials that are always worth the choice. My wife and I always leave saying, "We have to eat here more often." Try it, you will be back!“

“Jacksonville native transplanted here. First of all, dont let anyone from Maryland fool you into thinking they invented blue crabs. They didn’t. That aside, their pimento cheese crab dip is a banger. It’s an appetizer, or boy dinner if you’re flying solo. The horchata beer was too easy to drink; tasted great and the buzz slowly creeps on you— definitely a beer you can drink in the morning.Great environment. I’ll be bringing my shiba next time.“

“This place rules. Years and years I've walked by it as I grew up here and decided to go for a solo lunch while in town visiting family. It is the last bastion of a fading type of eatery. A homely American style greasy spoon diner run by a husband and wife who are so nice and welcoming. I got the Rueben for lunch and a cup of ginseng tea to warm up. I will go back for breakfast before I leave. Just putting this out into the world: if this place served homestyle Korean food in addition to their regular diner menu it would be an absolute slam dunk of a gem.“

“Fresh and tasty seafood - good selections too. The crab chowder is to die for. It a nice waterfront restaurants next to West River Yacht Harbour. I wish they have Tesla EV charger though. Would be a great place to stop and get good food /drinks while waiting for the car to 'charged up'. The owner should think about this addition for extra revenue since I saw many Tesla while I was in the area but there was no charging station.“

“The food was excellent. The server was very friendly and attentive.The only issue was the wait for the beautifully crafted cocktails. They need a 2nd bartender. We were there early and it wasn't crowded but still had quite a wait on our drinks.“

“I visited Ketch 22 for lunch on a weekday. We enjoyed the Whipped Feta appetizer the most! It was delicious and the bread it was served with was great! We also had the crabcake! It was very good! All crab meat not any filler ! I also really enjoyed the Key Lime Crush cocktail“

“Amazing food good drinks and great people! Environment overall was amazing ! Thanks Google for taking me to my new crab dip pretzel spot! Thank y'all! I'm full and happy now !Kid-friendliness: They do offer a kids menu. For the parents that want a nice drink at dinner and good food !“

“I leftid a dumb pictures wdownstairs hello Ruth n ladies! green man Pete's the bottomless bottoms over there's inswins lemonade was alright still looking for the saval meats the music getnacks the Julia's child's sweet repeats the waffles were ill say it to u personally pegey petey greens tiffsneys chairs and scotts wallahms! Claire chairs alright toos tiny Tim's in the wind and project jerk chickens of pats follow mees! come with me ptowned up they're going brazzys till later annapolis boons amy pascals friends petey latscals“

“Took a first-time guest to Cooper's Hawk and initially seated on the patio. However, discomfort from the temperature led us to request assistance from Manager Al, who promptly relocated us to a more comfortable area. Our server, Rorie, provided attentive service throughout the evening. The wine tasting experience, guided by Amy and Dee, was enlightening, helping my family member grasp the differences between the three tasting types. Thank you to Al, Rorie, Amy, and Dee for ensuring a memorable first-time visit and creating lasting memories for us.“

“This is a sleeper value pick for quality dining in the heart of Annapolis. You'll find generous portions for the price compared to the local white-cloth fare (especially if you stick with the apps, brunch, and casual options). We have yet to try the dinner entrees or cocktails, but they sound very nice. The staff are busy, attentive, and polite.Today we had the cream of crab soup, turkey croissant, and the Ensign pizza. Picture included. Highly recommended.We'll be back soon for drinks and a different pizza.Edit: Try the french fries if you have space. They are among the best I've ever eaten!“

“We come here about once a year and this time was especially excellent. Jayden (sorry if I’m misspelling that) was our server and he was fantastic. Attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, willing to request a particular old fashioned from the bar (as in, I asked for a specific ratio), truly a great experience. As usual, the food and atmosphere was excellent. Definitely try the Smith Island cake; we hadn’t before and we’ve been missing out! Plus it *is* the official state cake of Maryland.“

“South County Cafe offers fresh breakfast selections in a quaint and pleasant atmosphere. The staff is very helpful and the food is excellent. We enjoyed breakfast and lunch at South County Cafe, and we have been very pleased each time. Whatever you do, get the crispy breakfast potatoes. They are crunchy and delicious!!!“

“We went in with eight people and tried a little bit of everything. There was not a bad dish out of anything we tried. Everything was fresh and way above what you expect for bar food. Maryland half and half crab soup was awesome. The staff was super nice and willing to meet people's needs. I would definitely recommend this place and If I was here for longer, I would come back“

“Excellent meal with friendly and quick service. The Club, as expected, has nautical theme. Visit their website to view a menu and find the times the Club is opened for members only and available to the general public. If you are visiting the Academy, visit the Club for a meal or a drink at the bar.“

“This is one of my Mom and my favorite spots. We love to go there to sit at the bar and get soup. They have hands down the best vegetable crab soup I've had around here and I'm a vegetable crab soup connoisseur. We have yet to get anything on the menu which hasn't been delicious. We'll be continuing to go.“

“We have had our company holiday party at The Golf Club at South River for the 2nd year in a row. The venue is beautiful! It's a lovely rustic but beautiful setting with pretty views out of every window. The communication before the event was amazing. The staff was able to work with us within our budget. We had a fantastic dinner, buffet style and chose from a wide variety of options on their menus. The staff was fantastic and handled the last minute requests from my boss (AV requests for a presentation that wasn't mentioned prior) quickly and without a moment of hesitation. All in all, our staff and their guests had a wonderful time as we enjoyed a very special night out. We are all employees at a 24-hour medical facility so these nights are very few and far between and it was greatly appreciated. I highly recommend this beautiful venue!“

“My husband and I took our 4 and 2 year olds for brunch, which can be a risky move. It was awesome all around! Our server Russell set the mood with his welcoming personality, his knowledge of the menu, his enthusiasm and his kindness! Did we just become best friends!?!? He made our drinks-delicious blood Mary and perfect mimosa! And the food-*chefs kiss*!! What a great morning and what delicious food! You must go!“

“Went to Reynold's Tavern for afternoon tea. Been wanting to try this place for a while and it was definitely worth the wait. I had the best roasted tomato soup I've ever had anywhere. Their season chocolate chip cherry scones were delightful. They have a wide selection of teas so it was hard to narrow down what I wanted but I went with the pineapple youth berry white tea and it was light and fruity. The ambience is great with all the history associated with the building and the staff is really friendly. I'd highly recommend this place.“

“Local restaurant and bar with a neighborhood vibe. The food is excellent and reasonably priced. Service was quick and everyone was friendly and welcoming.Parking: Parking directly in front of the building and additional parking available.Kid-friendliness: I've brought my grandkids here for years and they always enjoy the food and staff here.Wheelchair accessibility: Easy handicapped parking and access.“

“I live in Alexandria but had some real estate business in the area and stopped at Chad's. What an adorable place. Seems they really made the best use of the space in there. The service was impeccable and Natasha made us feel very welcomed. I look forward to my next visit next time I'm in the area. My sister and I really enjoyed it.“

“The food was amazing, again! I had the Blackened Louisiana Swamp burger, my oldest son had the Hell Fire burger, and my youngest son had the Catfish Platter. All very amazing! Love coming here. Would frequent it more often if we lived a little closer, but we make the trip when we can. We love the food and the service.“

“We had a great meal here after a relaxing day in North Beach. We were greeted and seated promptly. Meal was crab dip, crab soup, crab cake, and fried shrimp platter. Everything was delicious and fresh! A great option for seafood on the shore!“

“The food is perfect, the location is great, the service is top tier, and they have onsite security. So with that said, bring at least $20 to $50 per person. My order was $50 with tip, but it was worth every penny. I tried to take pics of my food like I normally do, but I was too busy eating it. I highly recommend getting the Fillet Medallions (Rare), Sweet Potato Fries, and Saulteed Vegetables. You will not be disappointed.“

“The smoked salmon sandwich with grilled lettuce and chipotle mayo was insanely delicious. I paired it with the pan fried brussel sprouts with pork belly. I unfortunately didn't take a picture of the beautiful plate, but it was outstanding! The bartender was helpful and friendly (suggested the brussel sprouts). I will be back again soon“

“Some friends had clued us in that this place has really good food. From the outside, you get the impression it's a dive bar (which it kind of is), but the inside is clean and well lit. We sat at the bar and were greeted by everyone working there. They introduced themselves, got our names, and as each new person came into the area, they introduced us. We loved everything we had, and the bill was surprisingly inexpensive relative to any other place we typically go. One of gentlemen having his dinner nearby had so many complementary things to say about the food and recurring specials. We'll put this place on regular rotation.“

“Mike has been our server for the past 3 time we’ve gone. In each occasion, he has given us amazing service & his attention to detail gives you the welcoming atmosphere. He remembers that I don’t eat cheese & when I placed my order he made sure to remind me it had cheese so we removed it. The food is great as well! But the service from Mike makes it worth coming to this location!“

“Another great evening at one of my favorite watering holes. Jen and Janelle are such great hostesses and always have a welcoming smile. The cream of crab soup was absolutely spot on, very tasteful and filling. The lemon drop martinis went down well too! If you haven't given Peties a try yet, all I can say is what are you waiting for?“

“This was our first time there but we will definitely be back. The food was phenomenal, the service fantastic and the wine exemplary! Although I'm not a huge fan of the parking situation downtown, this place is well worth the extra effort. Thank you for a wonderful experience!“

“Absolutely fantastic experience dining here as a stop on a long ride home. We drove past and thought it looked like a nice local tavern with a seaside vibe. The staff and locals were wonderful super welcoming and friendly, the food was absolutely fantastic and the J*** chicken wrap in particular was a real highlight. We will definitely be back on our next road trip.“

“We had a small pepperoni pizza, a veggie pizza, and chicken tenders. It was great food and super service. A doordash driver came in ahead of us and was rude, insulting, and obscene. The staff at Neo's was very apologetic. They reported the driver on our behalf and made us feel welcome. Great place. Great food. Great people.“

“Had the rib basket from the Restaurant week menu. Was surprised it was a whole rack of ribs!!! And they were fall off the bone tender!!! Not much flavor tho.Parking: We parked at the garage on Gorman Street, walking distance to the restaurant.Wheelchair accessibility: You have to call ahead for elevator service.“

“Given this was our first experience here, it was quite wonderful!At first we didn't know where to check in to begin dinner but that was situated quite quicky. Employees are attentive even with how busy the restaurant was and the food? I'm still dreaming of it today. Their crab cakes are truly the best crab cakes I've had in any restaurant in Maryland!All the food was on par, the pricing is decent, everything was timely, and I can't wait to come back!“