This Annapolis food tour turns lunch into a history lesson. Over about three and a half hours, a guide leads a small group through the historic downtown, pairing the story of the colonial capital with a progressive meal served at a handful of downtown restaurants and finishing with dessert. The route passes the United States Naval Academy, the Maryland State House and the Hammond-Harwood House, all as walk-bys rather than entries, so it gives you the lay of the town as well as a meal. The tour is run by Food Tour Corporation and is rated 4.7 from 51 reviews. Groups are limited to 12 travelers, which keeps things relaxed. The booking page names a historic tavern and a lobbyists’ favorite lunch spot as the kind of places you may visit, though it does not name the restaurants, so treat the exact stops as a surprise. It is easy to pair with a harbor cruise and the Naval Academy visitor center.
How to book
The tour starts at 13:00 and lasts about three and a half hours. It meets at the Annapolis Visitor Center, 26 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, and ends back at the same point, with exact meeting details sent after you buy. The group is capped at 12. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and the tour runs rain or shine. It is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
What to expect
Lunch, a multi-course progressive meal, and the guide’s gratuity are included, while drinks are extra unless specified. The booking page does not give a fixed number of tastings, but reviewers report three or four restaurant stops. Allergies and dietary restrictions must be flagged at the time of booking, and the operator makes accommodations only if you do so then. Wear comfortable shoes for brick sidewalks, and arrive hungry, since the portions add up to a full meal.
Making the most of it
Schedule the tour for the middle of your day trip, then use the afternoon for the Naval Academy visitor center or a harbor cruise. Because the tour begins at 13:00, you will want to have eaten only a light breakfast. Annapolis is about 30 miles from Baltimore, and a car gets you there in under an hour, so plan to arrive early for parking near the visitor center.
Combined with a stroll past City Dock, the tour is an easy way to see why Annapolis is one of the best historic towns in the region.
What to expect
The experience
A guided walking progressive lunch through historic Annapolis, with a multi-course meal at downtown restaurants and dessert.
Best time
The 13:00 start, in the middle of a day trip from Baltimore.
How long
About three and a half hours.
Tips
Flag allergies at booking, wear comfortable shoes and eat lightly beforehand.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers, history fans and couples on a day trip from Baltimore.
- Families
- Wheelchair and stroller accessible, with discounted child rates, but best for children who enjoy a long walk and a sit-down lunch.
- Couples
- A relaxed lunch date with a history lesson and no need to choose a restaurant.
- Pair with
- The Annapolis harbor cruise or the Naval Academy visitor center.
- Time needed
- Half a day, plus travel from Baltimore.
Good questions
Where does the Annapolis food tour start?+
It meets at the Annapolis Visitor Center, 26 West Street, at 13:00 and ends back at the same point.
Is lunch included?+
Yes, a multi-course progressive lunch and the guide’s gratuity are included, while drinks are extra unless specified.
How big are the groups?+
Groups are capped at 12 travelers.
Can the tour handle dietary needs?+
Allergies and restrictions must be noted when you book, and accommodations are made only if they are noted then.
What if it rains?+
The tour runs rain or shine, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start.
