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Federal House

3.6 (568 reviews)
ModerateAmerican, Seafood
Open • 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

Federal House Photos

Business Info

FEDERAL HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Good for groups
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Federal House

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Reviews With Photos

Jessica L.

Husband and I Went out to Annapolis for the day . It was too beautiful outside, haven't been here in years !!!! Enjoyed an amazing lunch outside near the water at Federal House , they had these cute miniature fire pits on each table that were optional to turn on and off. Our server was Jennifer, who was amazing , service was spectacular and food came out pretty fast a delicious.

Tuna tower was exquisite. The different sauces worked so good for differing flavors each bite.
Kim B.

A hidden gem right on the water of Annapolis. I am glad I found this place. The Crushes are 11/10 and the food was just as delicious. The Kay Lime Crush was phenomenal and I came back since the first time I tried just for that drink!

Rachel S.

Love this bar- come here often! Love their crab dip and crabcake sandwich, they also have really good soup. Mostly come here to drink at the bar and dance late night!

Kevin S.

We stopped by for a drink and maybe some apps. Not sure if they were short staffed inside but we never saw a server. We ordered a round of drinks from the bar and moved on. The wait time outside was over an hour. Perfect weather so that makes sense. Disappointing visit. Usually better.

Entrance
Elizabeth K.

Everything we got was amazing! The service was quick and our waiter was nice. The restaurant was not super busy but honestly after we ate we were so surprised! Will be back!

Oysters
Natalia K.

About what you'd expect for a mainstreet brewpub. Plenty of seating and a standard on draft menu. The food was on the pricier side, but I'd say the portions were quite good. A good place to catch the game and just chill after a night out shopping. Service was decent, we got our drinks and food in a reasonable amount of time.

Crab dip
Young K.

We just stopped by here for appetizers and I thought the price for the crab dip was a bit overpriced than the portion that was provided to us. It was very salty and greasy. The drinks are fairly expensive as well. They have outdoor seating as well. I recommend street parking outside of downtown Annapolis (DTA), and then walk to any of the restaurants in DTA.

Lobster Grilled Cheese
Anna F.

Been to Federal House before and went again this past weekend. It was a busy night since the weather was nice. We sat outside and they had tabletop fire to warm up. Our server was Carly and she was lovely. The menu is pretty extensive and overpriced for bar food A bowl of crab soup is $9.99 and salads were $19.99 and up and that is without the protein. The chicken wings were also in the $19.99 range. Carly recommended the I lobster grilled cheese and she was right! The lobster grilled cheese was delicious. Everyone at our table enjoyed their meals. I won't say I will be back. There are other food choices in downtown Annapolis have good food too.

Cowboy Double burger
Carrie K.

Wow! My friend and I stopped here for lunch while visiting Annapolis. It was a beautiful day, so we ate outside. The server was friendly and attentive. I ordered the Cowboy Double hamburger. It was DELICIOUS!! Wow! Great burger with unique taste. I would definitely come here again.

Salmon BLT Sandwich
Amanda S.

It's a touristy area. Service is okay. Beers are cold. Oyster poboy is okay. The salmon salad with the green goddess dressing is great. The kids cheeseburger is dismal with cold fries ($$extra). Good place to chill outside and people watch.

Wings (Jamaican jerk)
Shawn H.

I go to Annapolis on day trips from time to time so I've been to Federal House a couple times. Nothing to sing home about. The inside has a raging chemical smell- definitely a bad sign but we sit outside every time. I just can't forget the smell though- every time I need to go to the restroom, I'm reminded of it. The food itself is just fine. Overpriced as is all places around the area but I go for being near the water and being dog friendly. The oysters were fine. Chicken wings could use some work- tasted stale. What's AWESOME is the free doggy treats bag we got!

Mahi Mahi Sammie.
Melissa M.

Great location on the square with lots of tables outside. Very good service. Delicious lunches.

That's where my fish and chips use to be
Glen G.

Best fish and chips I've ever had. Hands down, wait staff were friendly and responsive the apple cider is to die for.

Fish and Chips

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3 years ago

Great food. Good service. Interesting little twists on food. Good seafood options. Well stocked bar.

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Really fun place. Beer towers are cool if you have a group. Food is a bit pricy, but taste pretty good. Always a really good atmosphere.

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Page 3 of 15

Ask the Community - Federal House

Do you allow pets on the patio?

Well behaved dogs are allowed

Mac and cheese?

On the kids menu

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Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls - Annapolis - Lobster Grilled cheese 02-15-26

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls - Annapolis

4.2(522 reviews)
0.2 mi
•$$

I have a serious love for lobster meat. Today I wanted a lobster grilled cheese. The sandwich was…read moregood. I also purchased a shrimp Salad Sandwich. That was pretty disappointing. Lot's of mayo with very little celery. It was also lacking flavor. I wouldn't order that again. I was satisfied with the lobster grilled cheese on texas toast. Very good with the right amount of lobster. This was all ordered online and pre-paid. Parking could be a challenge. Luckily we came on a Sunday so it was less of a crowd. Found a spot to quickly pull behind just to pick up the food. Annapolis is a busy area. Especially on a Friday or Saturday. Just make sure if you order to go. That you pre-check your order. They were missing my chips but corrected the order immediately. So 3.5 for this visit and definitely would return for my lobster grilled cheese or the Connecticut Lobster Roll.

Mason's is a casual and comfortable eatery with both table seating and a bar by the window…read more You order at the counter and can request either dine-in or take-out. Counter service was fine. In addition to the lobster rolls there's several sides available. Complementary self-serve water is available. I like that the restaurant staff carefully prepares your order, not just slapping things together, even though that takes a bit of time. I ordered the Classical Lobster Roll. It was perfection and so delish. Served in a tasty lightly toasted and buttered bun. The hefty lobster serving comes with a dash of mayo. I'll be back again and again for Mason's lobster rolls. Love 'em!

Photos
Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls - Annapolis - Menu inside

Menu inside

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls - Annapolis - *Classic Roll

*Classic Roll

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls - Annapolis - CT Roll Bowl New England Clam Chowder

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CT Roll Bowl New England Clam Chowder

Preserve - Pork Terrine

Preserve

4.3(502 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$

At Preserve, consistency is not the point, evolution is. Each visit feels slightly different,…read moreshaped by a menu that shifts with the seasons and refuses to coast on familiarity. That restlessness works in its favor. The space is compact, almost disarming at first. Then it settles around you. There is a quiet intimacy to the room, the kind that feels less designed and more lived in. It leans closer to a welcoming home than a polished dining room, without losing its sense of purpose. The food carries that same balance. Thoughtful, seasonal, and just unpredictable enough to keep you paying attention. Cocktails follow suit, measured and deliberate, never an afterthought. For Annapolis, where good options are not exactly rare, this place still manages to separate itself. It belongs firmly in the top tier of the city's dining scene, and it earns that position every time it changes the menu and starts over again.

We had made a reservation here for a Sunday brunch at 11. It wasn't overly busy when we came. This…read moreis in downtown Annapolis so there's some street parking around. Bright and open inside with friendly service. We ordered a handful of mimosas and got a couple of small bites to share. Sourdough Foccaccia - this was pretty good, warm and toasted. Pork Bites - I loved the flavor but thought this was pork belly and not ground pork. Overall, flavor was good but the texture wasn't great. Crispy Kale - this is very popular here and we really enjoyed it. The cumin yogurt really brought it together. Pickled Squid - Not what we expected but I actually really liked this dish. We did also order the Coconut Panna Cotta for dessert. The raspberry was pretty prominent here and wasn't as custard like as expected, just a little too soft but the flavor otherwise wasn't bad. Overall, everything was pretty good and I would visit again to try other items on their menu.

Photos
Preserve - Seating

Seating

Preserve - Fish Dip

Fish Dip

Preserve - Bar area

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Bar area

The Choptank

The Choptank

3.7(533 reviews)
0.1 mi
•$$$

Ate here last night for my future sister in law's birthday dinner. We had an 8 pm reservation and…read morearrived a few minutes past 8. They told us they were getting our table ready. We waited for quite some time, and were seated closer to 9 pm. We were seated on the second floor which was very large and spacious. There were several large parties upstairs, and I will say our server was excellent. She was attentive, patient, and checked in regularly with us. Their menu has a great selection of seafood options, albeit more pricey. I started with seafood soup, and that was delicious. It had shrimp, thick slab of bacon cut into cubes, and scallops I believe. It was creamy, seasoned well, and a great starter. Then, I had their Caesar salad with chicken. It was a generous portion. I asked for blackened chicken, but they brought out grilled. It was fine. I just think the breadcrumbs were a bit too hard for my preference. Most of the table ordered salads, soups, and my sister in law ordered the crab sandwich. My fiancé had the salmon and he loved it. Since the portions were so large, most people took home to go boxes. What I loved about this location was how spacious and open it was. I liked that it was by the water. Definitely a nice seafood option that I'd return to again if I'm back in the area.

Let me start with this. When a place is absolutely packed on a Saturday night, that is usually a…read morestrong sign that you have found somewhere worth being. The Choptank in Annapolis proved exactly that. The restaurant was busy, vibrant, and full of energy. We were quoted a two hour wait, which might turn some people away, but honestly it only confirmed that we were in the right place. Instead of waiting it out completely, we put our name on the list and made a strategic move toward the bar area hoping to grab a quick opening. That decision ended up being the best call of the night. That is where we met Vanessa, also known as V, who turned out to be the true highlight of the evening. Coincidentally sharing my nickname, she immediately set the tone with a radiant smile, infectious energy, and a personality that matched the lively atmosphere of the restaurant perfectly. Her service struck that rare balance of attentive, professional, and genuinely fun. She kept the conversation going with playful banter and a little spicy personality that made the entire experience feel welcoming and memorable. The kind of bartender presence that makes you feel like you have been coming there for years. Now let us talk about the food and drinks, because they absolutely delivered. We started with the Crab n Chilling oysters and they were fantastic. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. Then came the spicy sesame wings which were bold, crispy, and packed with flavor. Every bite was satisfying. The drinks were equally impressive. We ordered a French 75 and an Old Fashioned and both were crafted perfectly. Smooth, balanced, and made with care. Between the vibrant atmosphere, excellent seafood, outstanding cocktails, and Vanessa's remarkable service, the entire evening felt effortless and enjoyable. The Choptank manages to be lively without feeling chaotic, polished without feeling pretentious, and welcoming in a way that keeps people coming back. If you are in Annapolis and looking for a place with great energy, great seafood, and great drinks, The Choptank is absolutely worth the wait. And if you happen to land a seat at the bar with Vanessa, your night just got even better. Outstanding experience. We will definitely be back.

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The Choptank
The Choptank - Calamari

Calamari

The Choptank - Rooftop view

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Rooftop view

Federal House - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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