Leo Annapolis

It's been ages since I reviewed a restaurant, but Leo earned it. Stepping in for date night, the warm, minimalist vibe instantly explained their high rating. Perfect for couples, it was relaxed yet sophisticated. Service was top-notch; attentive and efficient, our server knew the menu well, giving great recommendations. Passion shone through. The food? Amazing. Duck was perfect: crispy skin, tender meat, balanced flavors. High-quality ingredients and detail were obvious in every bite. Even the bar nailed it, crafting a perfect off-menu cocktail. Leo surpassed expectations. We'll be back!

OMG! Come on over to Leo Annapolis and stay awhile. This place is perfect for after work, catching up with friends, social hour, date night or a solo day. It’s a whole vibe. The atmosphere and energy were amazing. Adrienne G. was the perfect waitress. She made sure we were taken care of the entire evening, from beginning to end. She suggested some really great choices for me to try my first time here. The cornbread was amazing. The steak was so tender and flavorful. The burger was delicious. Meats so fresh and tender. And the S’Mores ice cream was heavenly. Thank me later.

Absolutely loved this place. The fries were cooked perfectly—crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and packed with flavor. The coulotte steak was out of this world. The sauce was melt-in-your-mouth amazing, and the steak itself was so juicy and tender without being fatty—I could honestly eat it every single day, it was so freaking good. The atmosphere is dim and intimate, perfect for a cozy night out. The staff was super friendly, and I have to shout out Marcus at the bar—he was fantastic. It’s a small, cozy spot that feels really upscale thanks to the mature food and drink menu. A great cocktail bar and dining experience overall!

Leo is a must visit restaurant in Annapolis for foodies. I was so impressed with their apps from the start: celery bisque was delish and comforting and their Delicata & ricotta is a brilliant app. I love how the chef came up with the concept of a cold squash dish: the fresh veggies and ricotta cheese made this dish perfect. Blue catfish did not disappoint either. Loved the mushroom topping on the catfish. Unfortunately their cocktails didn't live up to their food: they were a-OK. Winter mule was nice but Manhattan and espresso martini, not so much. Otherwise, Leo is a dynamite spot for foodies and I will be returning on my next Annapolis visit.

My fiancé and I had a terrific dinner here for Valentine's Day. The staff were very friendly, the food was delicious, and I loved the music they played. We got the sweet potato spring rolls to start and they really do live up to the hype. The filling was so creamy and they had a bit of a kick, and were so great. We shared the duck entree that was out of this world. My fiancé loved it and declared that it wasn't "gamey at all" and was really happy about that. The celery root and the beet/red wine reduction was just divine. Then we had chocolate ravioli for dessert, a V Day special, also great, but I wish there had been a little more of the mascarpone filling. The bottle of Ingrid Groiss Reisling we shared was absolutely delightful. Will definitely be back for future events!

So delicious! Went here for my birthday (back in April) and it was so yum!! They use local and fresh foods & ingredients, I love that so much. Can’t wait to go back!!

There's a seasonal menu, so items may change. This was our first time at Leo's. Clearly this place is popular, but it's also not very big. Definitely recommend getting a reservation. After 8pm on a Saturday you could get lucky as a walk in! All of our food was fantastic in presentation & taste. The specialty drinks were also great! Camamile infused rye? Yes please. I'll take 3! I'd recommend parking in a nearby parking garage. Relatively inexpensive to park (3-4 hrs for $8). Enjoyed the decor and the staff, everything was beyond expectation. Hoping to come back when snakehead fish is on the menu

Amazing casual dining. Would absolutely recommend only to those you wish to have a great night. Turned my entire day around and will definitely be a go-to restaurant from here on out.

Leo Annapolis is a contemporary American restaurant that provides a unique culinary experience with unexpected twists. If you happen to be in Annapolis, you wouldn't want to miss out on this dining experience. The menu changes throughout the year, so you can always expect something new and exciting. Food: One of the standout dishes on the menu is the Broiled Oysters served with nduja butter and gremolata. The blend of spice and creaminess of the butter complements the sweetness of the oyster perfectly. Order The House Rolls so you can dip them in the remnants of the oyster sauce. It will extend this delightful experience by five bites. Pair this appetizer with "The Last Dance Cocktail," a mix of Mazcel, Cocci Rosa, Cranberry Cordial, and lime, which is a refreshing experience before your main course. For the main course, you can't go wrong with the Maryland Blue Catfish. It's an invasive species, but the chefs at Leo Annapolis have turned it into a delicious work of art by finishing it with a tarragon and trout roe beurre blanc sauce. The fish is served with broccolini and roasted sunchokes, which have the texture of potatoes but have a nutty flavor that pairs well with the sauce. Regarding dessert, the bread pudding at Leo Annapolis is one of the best you'll ever have. The texture is perfect, neither too moist nor too dry, and not too dense. Service: Top-notch, with attentive staff who are patient and always ready to help. Sydney, you are an absolute delight! Ambiance: A perfect blend of American tradition and modern design, with neon lights and live plants, adds pops of cool color to the warm space. The bar is stunning! If you don't have time for dinner, this is an excellent spot to enjoy a craft cocktail. Overall, Leo Annapolis is perfect for any special occasion, including birthdays, date nights, and drinks at the bar. With its unique and exciting menu, excellent service, and inviting ambiance, it's a must-visit restaurant for foodies and anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience.

The menu had fewer choices than many run of the mill Annapolis venues. However, everything was prepared exquisitely! The chef truly knows his craft! The brussel sprouts and broccolini were wonderful compliments to the fish and beef entrees. The mushroom risotto was so tasty. And definitely leave room for the raspberry tart and bread pudding-... best that I ever had. I suggest that you share the plates with your table so that you can enjoy the full range of flavors. The waiter was courteous and so helpful and knowledgeable about the menu preparations.

The burger is to die for. Cute little establishment in Annapolis but not in the touristy downtown, west street has a cool vide. The bar is neat and the table intimate yet part of an overall groovy feel. The cheese board and burgers are our thing. Been there numerous times and will always be on the top of my list when visiting town.

Leo in Annapolis is an absolute gem! From the moment I stepped in, I was greeted by its cute, chic and modern decor. Our server was attentive and really personable. The cocktails were absolutely refreshing including their Roses are Pink. The chicken croquettes were a delightful starter, and the coulotte steak, dry-aged and bursting with flavor, was definitely a true highlight. The brussel sprouts were a tasty accompaniment. For dessert, let's talk about the drunken bread pudding--absolutely amazing! All the above make Leo a restaurant to check out when exploring Annapolis.

So it has been a while since I have posted and I am happy to say this was an excellent meal to come back and post about. The food was elegant and well-portioned. The staff was very attentive, helpful, and knowledgeable. The atmosphere was excellent great music and pleasant lighting. The owner stopped at all the tables to check on his guests. All in all, it was a great experience and we would love to visit Leo's again soon.

The food, service, and ambiance are all superb. I had never had snakefish before, but man is that thing delicious! And you're helping out the city eliminate an invasive species. So I get to help, and I get to eat doing it? Sign me up! We started off with the wings and they were perfectly seasoned and delicious. My friend got the pesto risotto which was very flavorful, and my other friend got the chicken sandwich. Everything was delicious, including our drinks. The bartenders here are phenomenal, let them make you something!

In a sea of Annapolis restaurants we were fortunate to catch a reservation at Leo! Try their amazing food and you'll be hooked. The award winning soup - fantastic! The scallops- amazing! Everything we tried was delicious. Can't wait to return.

We met a friend here after hearing how many locals have been enjoying Leo. All in all we left happy. The service was nice and helpful when we got served the wrong dessert and our two cups of tea only came with one tea bag. We loved the local sourcing of the food and some meals were great while others left us confused on the whole. If you only read this one thing - get the scallop appetizer. It was one of the best preparations of scallops I've had in recent memory. The grits appetizer was disappointing as it wasn't very flavorful and the spice didn't come through in just a dressing. My husband's catfish was tasty and prepared so well but then was overwhelmed by the topping. The griddled angel food cake itself was good but was served on basically a cup of applesauce which we found confusing. The chocolate ice cream was a lovely end to our meal.

Great new restaurant that opened with a friendly, hospital staff, great cocktails and a refreshing menu. I always love places that reimagine food and put their own spin on things. Leo, from the menu to the interior space, does this perfectly. Cocktails seemed to rotate and most (all?) of the food is locally sourced. It was clear that everything was so fresh! Looking forward to see how the menu evolves.

Medium lighted, clean, well appointed interior. Short, diverse, well curated wine list. Excellent food. We had the roasted bone marrow which was the largest we've ever had. The seared Atlantic scallops were just a little over cooked but the curried cauliflower purée made up for it. The broiled oysters were excellent. Service was good, friendly, attentive and timely.

Clean contemporary elegant interior. Love the warm feel. Service was awesome our server was great. Food was very good here if your talking taste! They have it down. I feel like I could have eaten more of the sliders like 20 of them or 10 cheeseburgers...The pickles that we in the sandwich was amazing. But there's one thing that bothered me with the food. The chicken sliders chicken meat were so thin. The taste was great but felt like they skimp on you with amount of chicken. I'll say the same for the burger. Great taste but patty was very thin. Wanted to really give it a five star but with the way the meat portions come out it's kinda concerning and disappointing. Don't skimp on the meats please and you have a great place here. French toast was amazing and so so good I'll come here just for that.

Came on a Sunday night, they have a build your own burger thing on Sunday night. The burger was delicious and the service was great.

Can't believe I didn't know about this restaurant sooner. We went on a Sunday night and were surprised how amazing service, food and atmosphere were! We're looking for excuses to get back to an Annapolis or hit it up for carry out on our way to the beach. I highly recommend this restaurant.

It's always late nice to experience newly opened restaurants. Even nicer when they're just steps away from your hotel. I showed up without a reservation but they had space for me at the bar. The restaurant has a fresh interior, good lighting, and is nicely laid out. The staff were friendly and engaging which is nice when you're on your own. The food and drink menus make choosing an enjoyable challenge. I went with a dirty martini and the Seared Bavette Steak. Both were excellent. Leo was a great experience. I highly recommend giving this place a try. Enjoy!

This is a fairly fancy restaurant, but they advertise as family friendly and truly are. We came with a 2 month old and were treated very well - they made space for her stroller and made us feel completely welcome. There was also a child at the next table who appeared to be 2-3 and they provided her with a high chair. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but it seemed like they intentionally put the families with kids together - if so, it was very smart since it puts less pressure on those families if the kids get fussy and allows the adults without kids to avoid them. The food was excellent! The Parker rolls were incredible - only complaint was that there were 4 of us and it would have been nice to have them either bring out 4 rolls or warn us that it only came with 3. We tried 3 of the sides - potatoes, Brussels sprouts with harissa, and broccolini. My favorite was the broccolini, but the rest of my family liked the Brussels sprouts best. For entrees two of us ordered the catfish, one ordered the risotto, and one ordered the steak. Everyone was thrilled with the entrees, which we sadly didn't remember to take pictures of since we were too excited to eat! We tried the bread pudding, coffee panna cotta, and raspberry tart for dessert. The general consensus was that the bread pudding was amazing, the raspberry tart was a very close second best, and the panna cotta would have been great without the comparison to the others but didn't rise to their level. The staff, especially our server, were all very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu.

While I wanted to go to one of my favorite places for a burger, they are not super easy to get to so we decided to give Leo a try. Well I'm happy to report they did not disappoint. The decor is fresh and cozy and the place is very intimate. We started off with a make your own charcuterie and did two cheeses and one meat. Everything was delicious. We also got the pork belly. I don't eat pork belly often but this was probably one of the best I've ever had. The Old Bay dusted on it really elevated the flavor. It basically melted in my mouth. As for entrees, we got the seared bavette steak and the Leo Burger. Everything was cooked perfectly and very flavorful. My only complaint is that the fries with the burger weren't cooked enough for me. I like my fries to have a nice crisp to them. I'll be sure to order them that way next time.

It was easy to get a reservation a few days in advance. Beautiful interior and tasty food! My friend and I got the burger with no bun, another friend got the chicken and it was soo moist. How do they do that?! We joked, when we cook chicken it never turns out that perfect. Service was good and friendly. Great location near downtown, a little on the pricey side but I would definitely return.

Hands down one of the best place for happy hour! Great food, drinks, and friendliest bartender. We always come back and always enjoy the atmosphere.

Came on a Sunday. I had a reservation but was about 15 minutes late. Called to let them know and was reassured that I could still be accommodated. When we arrived it wasn't full. We sat down right away. Marcy was our waitress. She provided attentive service. My guest had a lot of questions and some request. She graciously answered all of them. We had the salmon dip which was tasty. We don't really eat oysters but decided to try. Didn't really know what to expect but they were ok. I probably wouldn't order those again. For my entree I had the chicken breast. It was juicy and flavorful. My guest had the snakehead and I sampled a little piece. The sauce with corn and tomato was good. The fish itself had a very mild flavor with a tad of a fishy taste. I got the end so it was a less flaky than I expected. For dessert I had bread pudding which was also tasty. Overall, everything I tried was flavorful and pleasing. Ambiance was cute. Good food and good service is hard to come by. So for that, 5 .

We had an amazing experience dining here. We sat outside because we had our dogs with us. The staff was so welcoming and accommodating. They helped us rearrange the table to fit our stroller and brought water for our dogs. The cocktails were so good! We ordered the 200 block, a beet cocktail, and liquid gold, a bourbon and averna cocktail. Both recommended by our server and both excellent. We ordered the old bay wings, the crispy chicken, and the porchetta sandwich. Our favorite was the crispy chicken. The sauces and carrot puree were perfect with the juicy chicken. For dessert we ordered the flour less chocolate cake. It was delicious! Although we sat outside, we went inside to use the restroom and the interior was beautiful. Great atmosphere overall. We went when they were still new (only open 8 weeks) so it wasn't too busy. I would guess they will get pretty busy quickly as it was a wonderful place to dine!

Place is delicious and worth all the acclaim. Had a great meal and the service is outstanding!

I don't write reviews often, but after an exceptional dining experience at Leo during a weekend trip to Annapolis, I felt obligated to write a glowing review. I eat a lot of fish at restaurants, so I feel qualified to say that the rockfish they prepared was the flakiest, most incredible piece of fish I've ever eaten. It was absolute perfection, and I would make the trek from DC back to Annapolis for that same meal again and again. My boyfriend ordered the porchetta sandwich, which he said had an incredible texture, and the beet hummus appetizer which he loved as well. Service was excellent as well - staff were friendly and very accommodating of dietary restrictions. If you're in Annapolis and looking for outrageously good food, it's a mistake to miss out on Leo.

Lovely service with kind staff! Great menu. Quiet shaded spot with tables outside for those with spots for your dog. Pretty lights overhead. Great choice of beers, wines and creative cocktails.

Food was delicious and service was great. My wife and I had a really enjoyable Saturday night date night here. We got the buns for an appetizer, steak and rockfish for entrees, and the dessert special. Everything was perfectly made.

One of the best meals I have ever had in Annapolis. It genuinely was that good. The food was unbelievable (the grits + pork belly appetizers, the burger, the desserts!) and the service was unmatched. I also love the aesthetic and ambiance of the space! Such an incredible experience.

At the moment, the location can be missed because it's so new but it's definitely not hidden. The interior is very spacious, the bar area is beautiful, and the service is absolutely wonderful. The food is I N C R E D I B L E and the cocktails are amazing. The smoked salmon dip beats any crab dip downtown and the angel food cake is seriously one of a kind.

Went here shortly after they opened. my wife and I didn't have reservations and just came in to look at the menu but our surprise they were able to fit us in without a reservation on a Friday night even though it was packed. Very accommodating. The food was much better than the usual Annapolis fair. Very creative and flavorful. we ordered the scallop appetizer, and I must say they were quite possibly the best scallops we have had. Highly recommend Leo's.

Have been meaning to try Leo's since it opened however wanted to avoid the crowds that I have seen there, particularly during the weekends . Went in on a weekday with the family and the atmosphere was cozy and the food from app to main was amazing. The scallop app was cooked to perfection and a must try! Highly recommend an early weekday dining experience at Leo's.

3 star for food, 4 stars for ambiance and service. But food was so MEH especially for the price (and tiny portion) so overall I'm giving 3 stars. Maybe I had high expectations, but the food unfortunately was very much sub-par. We ordered two burgers (porchetta burger and leo burger). Leo burger was double patty smashed burger which we liked, but the patties felt very lean / dry. It had a couple pickles, greens, and a tiny bit of sauce on top; overall the flavor was very bland and we had to dip the burger in ketchup (every bite) to give it flavor. Porchetta burger was basically the same thing except instead of beef patties they had porchetta - it also felt VERY dry (how does one cook pork belly dry?). Brioche bun used for both burgers were also dry, tasted store bought (and not even the good kind). Was a bit disappointed that they didn't have the creativity to make the two burger different other than swapping out proteins. Lastly fries... also tasted bland and not super crispy. Overall the theme of the dinner was bland, dry, and healthy(?). I guess if this is a plus for you (maybe some folks don't like greasy burgers or watching their figure), this is a place you can get healthy tasting food with good ambiance and very pleasant workers (nice maitre d, servers).. but personally I love me some juicy, mouth watering, flavorful burger. I really wanted to like this spot, but unfortunately won't be going back again. Sorry! Chef, you gotta step up to live up to the ambiance and service :(

The food was amazing with a cool vibe inside the restaurant and large open bar. I got the smash burger a great bourbon drink called liquid gold and the old bay wings. Those wings are for real - best I've had in Annapolis. Can't wait to comeback again!!

First time and will definitely be back! Started with cocktails and the beat dip, amazing! Shares the grilled Cobb salad, also very good. Chicken was tasty. My friend had the snake head! So good. Everything came out at the right time. Waiter was friendly. Food was all unique and flavorful and the presentation was lovely!

Outstanding atmosphere, food and drinks are incredible! The same attention to the perfect artistic combinations they create in their cocktails carries over to the thoughtfulness of their dishes. Great and attentive service! We'll definitely be back! It's our new favorite! Great opening weekend, and I can't wait to work through the menu and see what's next! I had the local rockfish and every last bite was perfect. The bread pudding dessert was incredible! The two cocktails I tried were complex and smooth! I can't recommend it enough!

Was here recently and everything was so good! Food was delicious, cocktails and mocktails were on point, amazing service, and cute and comfy atmosphere! We will definitely be back!

I was sadly disappointed. The food was mediocre. the charcuterie was something I could have easily put together at home. We got the risotto and chicken sandwich. Not anything special for the hype that surrounds this place. The atmosphere was nice and service was great.

This place was definitely a 5/5. The decor of the restaurant is wonderful, our waiter was so friendly and explained everything so well to us, and the food was amazing. The snakehead was what our waiter recommended to us and it didn't fail us. The fish was so tender and the sauce was very good. The burger and the charbroiled oysters were so good too! Also a plus, their bathrooms are so clean and vibrant :)

Stopped by on our way back to DC and loved Leo! Was some of the best fries and grits (sticks) I've had in my life! The peaches were the perfect combo of sweet and savory and so many textures, and the cheese was so fresh and yummy with the jam and cracker combo. So many locally sourced ingredients and fresh, organic flavors. Wonderful ambiance and the service was excellent. A breath of fresh air for the food scene in Annapolis! Will be back again.

French toast. Went to Leo Annapolis Sat for Brunch. Very good. Also had the watermelon mimosa. Nice and refreshing twist on the traditional mimosa. The doctor of the restaurant was simple yet chic. Loved the staff. Very attentive and friendly. I would highly recommend. I like the fact they source ingredients from the local area.

Had to go to the inaugural brunch weekend, I love brunch so was very excited when they announced they were doing a weekend brunch. We started with fried grits, they come with 4 sticks but we were so hungry that we ate two before I could snag a Pic. That hot sauce aoili is fire and the star of the brunch as they incorporate it into a good few of the menu items. It came on my pork belly hash and my wife used the leftover from the grits app to dip her frittata in. Speaking of the frittata it was cooked perfectly, some places the frittata ends up being dry and overcooked and that was not the case it was filled with toppings and not dry at all. The combo of Goat cheese and spinach gets me every time. The pork belly hash was also amazing, you get alot of nicely rendered pork belly potatoes, pickled jalapeños, red pepper and a egg on top served with the hot sauce aoili. The all those together in one bite is quite extraordinary. Lastly I had the grapefruit mimosas and I could tell it was fresh grapefruit and was so good I ordered two. Like my last dinner visit the staff is very friendly and the decor is very cool overall enjoyable space to dine in!

very loud burger was good kale was awful dessert was delish

Disappointed in the food; taste was mediocre and over priced. The chicken sandwich was too thin and burnt.

Amazing menu, atmosphere and welcoming staff. Such a fabulous addition to the area and I will be making this my go to spot for my date nights out with my Hubby! Thank you for opening!

Highly recommended. Great, locally sourced food and drink. The menu is ambitiois, and wee-executed. Great servers. A real gem.

Beet-infused tequila cocktail was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. It is so refreshing and if you are a lover for beets you'll enjoy this. Their wings are also nice and large and have a very crisp texture. We ordered burgers and they were delicious with a ton of flavor and good size. I love the look of this place and it's a cute place for after work drinks or date night.

Happy hour was great! Nice beer, great Manhattan. Apps we're tasty. Excellent value!

My wife and I just moved from DC to the Annapolis area 6 weeks ago and one of the things I was most worried about was missing out on the DC food scene we loved. We came to Leo tonight as your first sit down night out in Annapolis and we were not disappointed. We had 4 things on the menu (pork belly, vegan risotto, rockfish, and smash burger all delicious) and I wish I could have had everything else on the menu. We will be back often and I hope everyone in the area patronizes this new restaurant. Our waiter Kilmer was attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes.

Food is phenomenal! Went back a second time and it was just as great! Hubby had the pork hash, I had the chicken sliders, and daughter had the frittata--all so scrumptious! We started off with the one of a kind fried grits which we had the first time--so yummy!!! Spectacular service and such a beautiful and charming setting! We'll be coming back for dinner soon and bringing friends!

Awesome vibe and the restaurant looks great when you walk in. Good option for a date downtown. Friendly staff, delicious food and fun cocktails. Another great addition to the Annapolis restaurant scene we will be back for sure!

Fantastic beer, cocktails and charcuterie! We loved that everything was sourced locally.

Try the Snakehead. No really. Tried Leo for the first time last night - shame on me for not spotting it earlier. The atmosphere is warm and inviting; the commitment to finding the best local ingredients and making them shine is evident; and the staff is knowledgeable and genuinely excited about the menu (always a good sign). The cocktail menu is fun and eclectic - I had the West Street Gimlet, which added a hint of mint and celery bitters to the gin and lime juice for a very refreshing take on a classic. The broiled oysters were delicious (and from Annapolis!). Just when I thought it couldn't be any better, I tried the Snakehead. Yes, that Snakehead - the very invasive species of fish that has been plaguing mid-Atlantic waterways for some time now because they have no local natural predators. If you look them up, they are kind of scary (they can walk short distances on land) - but it turns out they are also DELICIOUS! A firm white fish with a delightfully delicate flavor. It would be great in almost style , but the preparation in light butter with beets and beet greens really highlights everything well. The portion was quite generous and I'm not usually a member of the "clean plate club" on any night, but I demolished this dish. And I actually got to HELP the environment doing it (bonus!). Finally, I didn't think I'd have room for dessert, but I kept seeing slices of the Griddled Angel Food Cake go by, so I just had to try. It was lovely - lite and delicate but still full of flavor. Plus, the griddling gave it a hint of "toasted marshmallow". If you are a fan of a light and not TOO sweet dessert, this one is for you! And seriously, do yourself a favor and try the Snakehead.

Good food and great service. Smallish restaurant and bar great for low noise level dining. Menu a bit limited, but likely will find something interesting to try. The steak filet was very good. Perfectly cooked and great flavor. The vegan pesto risotto was a treat for my partner who can't eat dairy. Small dessert menu