McGarvey's

Seafood restaurant · Annapolis

McGarvey's

Seafood restaurant · Annapolis

1

8 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401

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Highlights

In the heart of Annapolis since '75, McGarvey's Saloon is your go-to for fresh $1 oysters, hearty pub fare, and a lively, welcoming vibe.  

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8 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401 Get directions

mcgarveysannapolis.com
@mcgarveysannapolis

$20–30 · Menu

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8 Market Space, Annapolis, MD 21401 Get directions

+1 410 263 5700
mcgarveysannapolis.com
@mcgarveysannapolis

$20–30 · Menu

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Jul 9, 2025

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"One of White’s favorites, McGarvey’s tomato-based version offers a hint of spice that “cuts the richness of the tomatoes” and features jumbo lump crab. The downtown Annapolis tavern and raw bar also serves the crab-full creamy version and the half and half, offering the best of both worlds." - Julekha Dash

Slurp Maryland's Best Crab Soup at These Standout Spots
View Postcard for McGarvey's

Sharon Luo

Google
McGarvey’s Saloon was a fantastic find during the boat show. The food was delicious, with fresh $1 oysters, great prices, and outstanding service. I accidentally left my credit card there, and after a quick call to the manager, they mailed it back to me out of state, saving me a lot of headache. I truly appreciate their kindness and professionalism—I’ll definitely be back!

Diesel Ripley

Google
WOW! My first visit and I am hooked. We tried the crab dip, which was crablicious. Then wings which were very meaty and flavorful. Then I have fried shrimp which were good and your coleslaw is truly amazing. My husband has the barbecue bacon burger and he loved.it. the services was great, we out outside. Bravo McGarvey's for doing it right.

Michelle W.

Google
A perfect experience here! Great service from the hostess and our friendly waitress (Alex). The food was all INCREDIBLE! The Calamari was some of the best I've ever had. My daughter ordered the Cream of Crab soup because it was windy and cold and she wanted something to warm her up. I was worried because she's picky and has never had that soup before. She absolutely loved it and is now a huge fan of Cream of Crab! Bravo! My Reuben was excellent and my husband loved his Oyster Po Boy. I also had a nice cup of coffee with Kahlua and Amaretto to warm me up and I was pleased that they were able to make that for me as it wasn't on the menu. I can wait to come back and visit the area so we can eat here again!

Lo Mae

Google
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint regarding an employee at your establishment. On the evening of October 12th, during our visit with a party of four, we encountered a staff member who behaved in an unprofessional and aggressive manner. The individual in question is a tall man with dark hair and glasses, who appeared to be working near the host stand or outside. This employee was rude not only to our group but also to a party of six seated next to us. His attitude was unnecessarily hostile and condescending, which created an uncomfortable atmosphere for everyone involved. As paying customers, we expect to be treated with respect, and his behavior was far from acceptable. Aside from this issue, we thoroughly enjoyed the food, and our server was excellent. However, the actions of this individual cast a negative shadow over what should have been a pleasant experience. I hope that appropriate steps are taken to address this situation, as no customer should be subjected to such treatment. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing how this will be handled. In response to yours, where can I contact you — do you mind providing an email? Thank you kindly.

Mila Ibnoujala

Google
We came in for lunch after a boat tour and I'm so glad we did. The bartender was great and the other guests were really sweet. Felt like a very welcoming place and I can't wait to stop by next time we are in town. We had drinks and apps and loved everything we got.

Jacob Golick

Google
Was recommended this by a local co-worker. We drove 45 minutes to come to this place and boy did it not disappoint! We ordered the crab wontons, oysters rockafeller, clams casino and the crab dip. I also had the Maryland cream of crab soup. Everything was super good. The soup had good flavor but I didn't like the fact it was thick like pudding. To each their own though. My co-worker has the crab cake which he said was the best hed ever had. We also ordered 5 dozen oysters, because for 1$ each, why the heck not. They were so fresh and delicious. We had keylime pie and the something island cake which were both very good. Our server was awesome and ambiance was just like an old school bar type with tons of neat things to look at for decorations.

Brett Sabbato

Google
One of my favorite places to go in Annapolis... Went solo for lunch and as always it did not dissapoint. I sat at the classic bar that has the navy pilot flight helmets lining the top of it. The chili and oysters were awesome. It's a ritual to go there on every trip. Highly reccomended.

Crimson Kng

Google
Chicken wings were excellent. (Pro tip: order them naked with the sauce/rub on the side for proper sauce/rub distribution.) Didn't care for the clam chowder. It had some kind of smoky flavor to it and it was a little too soupy. Fried shrimp (see photo) was darn good. The shrimp were a little smaller than I expected, but still very tasty. (Pro tip: order the fries well done.) Their special fall salad with turkey (see photo) and cranberries and butternut squash and all kinds of other stuff was delicious, fresh, and colorful. We ate outside.

Dee Renè L.

Yelp
Sat at the bar: cute! Bar area is very old school tavern style which I loved. Food & drinks: all hits, no misses. The one dollar oysters were actually delicious! Which is not always the case lol. Ended up being a mix of briney and more sweet oysters but they were large and very fresh. Tried quite a few other things -- Calamari, fried shrimp and fries were perfectly seasoned, and corned beef Reuben was delicious. Service: excellent. Shaun (bartender) made me something off menu by request and it was one of the best versions of that cocktail I've had. She was attentive and great energy. Rebecca also helped us and she was just as welcoming and attentive.

Jessica M.

Yelp
While on a work trip, I had multiple people recommend McGarvey's. My coworkers and I loved this place! We shared some crab dip and crab soup appetizers, and I had the crab cake entree. It was all fabulous! The location is also perfect--just steps away from Main Street that literally looked like a Hallmark movie.

Stacy H.

Yelp
A fun Irish restaurant on the waterfront. An excellent menu and a good beverage menu. This was a much needed food stop. We enjoyed the fried oysters and the crab pretzels which was delicious and paired nicely with the local seasonal cider. Definitely a popular spot especially on a Friday night after 8. You maybe standing in line for a table. We had excellent service on a busy night.

Mai Y.

Yelp
Had lunch there with a friend today and was not disappointed at all. The food was amazing and considering how packed they were, we got seated in 15-20 minutes. The server was very attentive and our food came out pretty fast as well. My favorite was the fresh oysters. For $1.00 each you cannot beat that! The oysters were very fresh and tasted delicious!!

Elaine S.

Yelp
McGarvey's is always a great spot for hosting friends or just having a good meal. I've been here for years and they have a menu of various seafood, appetizers and all around bar food etc. Love the oysters here too!

Rod V.

Yelp
Solid 3.5 for me. Hubs and I had a quiet lunch here as part of an afternoon visit to downtown Annapolis. I ordered a bowl of the MD crab soup with a large house salad as my main, hubs got the fish tacos, which he said were delish. My soup was good, though not the best I ever had, salad was a-ok. It wasn't terribly busy when we were there, and service was efficient. I don't know if I'd go out of my way to come back, but I also wouldn't hesitate to come back if we were in the area.

Bob N.

Yelp
The atmosphere was amazing, and I loved every minute of it. Now for the food, I did not care for the bland tasting gumbo (which is usually somewhat spicy) that I ordered as well as the crab ball that I tasted from my counterpart. Plus I didn't like the fact that my butter packets for my bread were in my soup along with the long hair. The staff were rather friendly, but very inattentive to my drink that I finished and never got a refill. This place is more nostalgic than a true food spot or maybe it was just me. I gave them a one due to the hair mainly, which I didn't complain about because I've seen grosser things, I was hungry and I'm in the military and hair doesn't scare me.

Kelly C.

Yelp
An excellent option for seafood in the heart of Annapolis! We were quickly seated on a weekend for dinner. Outdoor seating with space heaters available. Great ambiance. Quick service. Some of the best oysters I've had in the area, highly recommend. The fish and chips were also tasty. Would definitely recommend if in Annapolis!

Samantha T.

Yelp
Came here on a Sunday. We saw that they don't take reservations so we decided to come right when they open at 11:30 just to be safe and was surprised to see so many people outside waiting for them to open. There was plenty of seating, both inside and outside, so there was probably nothing to worry about. We got calamari and their raw oysters to start with and you can't go wrong with either option! I saw some reviews saying the calamari was too salty but I personally thought it was well seasoned and so delicious! You also can't go wrong with some oysters at $1 per piece. I got the crab cake ($28 market price for 1) for my main dish and it was full of crab meat and came w fries and some steamed (tasted like it was unseasoned) veggies. Overall we all enjoyed our meals and would come back again!

Kathy M.

Yelp
Third try was not a charm. This restaurant has amazing outdoor seating, great location .... that's where it stops. Menu has good potential.! But the food is frozen, fried and bad. The calamari was salty. The fried oysters had no flavor. The char grill oysters were covered in cheese. The best thing was an order of fries! Drinks are overpriced and not good. Service is hit or miss. My 1st water was great then Rebecca took over and she NEVER even came to our table.

John M.

Yelp
Great food in a naval aviator themed dive bar. Go in and have seafood, soft shell crab sandwich (in season), ahi tuna poke bowl which has no rice, and could have more tuna, lump crab dip, or Louisiana style Char-Broiled oysters. There is a full bar, and a few wine offerings. Service at the bar was good.

Payton D.

Yelp
This place was OK. Not the best, not the worst. We started with an order of the crab dip. It was almost too much cream cheese. There were huge chunks of cream cheese and the taste of cream cheese overpowered the crab. We also got oysters, which were some of the best oysters I've had. For my meal I got the simple fish and chips were good and crispy. I went here with a group of 5 other people and the server was not the best. He seemed bothered that people at the table were asking for special instructions for their dishes. He was also not very attentive during our meal. Took our food order and didn't see much of him after that until he brought over the check. Overall, I think the food was pretty good (besides the crab dip) but I think this would have been more enjoyable if our server was a little more engaged in conversation and bit more friendly.

Olivia O.

Yelp
Awesome place in Annapolis for seafood! They have very neat bar that welcomes their customers! They have great deals on their raw oysters and they are great! The peel and eat shrimp were cooked perfectly. Staff is friendly and place is clean

Robert G.

Yelp
The food here is just incredible. Their wings are on another level and the oysters are just to die for. If you're on the area this is a must stop!!!

Annabelle P.

Yelp
The ladies behind the bar were wonderful and were great company. I got the small steamed platter. The only annoyance was a rowdy group of young men enjoying an extended bottomless brunch of their own. Haha Oysters were amazing.

Tracey D.

Yelp
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 were 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 inside but beyond that the food was good!

Howie X.

Yelp
I was living in Annapolis in the 80s and this restaurant has been my favorite place . It's located in the heart of Annapolis City Dock and right outside of the U.S Naval Academy campus . This restaurant has also been a daily dining resource for these future Naval officers. My favourite is their local oysters for $1 each , great seafood selections . I had the seafood combo today that featured oysters , clams , crabs and boiled shrimps $38 , in addition I ordered another a dozen oysters for $12 and blackened seared tuna for $16 just for myself . All the seafood was super fresh especially the oysters . The price is reasonable considering the center of the tourist spot . So this is definitely a great place to experience the truth Annapolis !

H S.

Yelp
Good good. Good vibe. Really good service. We laughed because there were several cockroaches running around. Didn't bother us. Just chalked it up to being near the water on the East Coast. I have been coming here for years when I visit Annapolis and I will continue to hang out here

Vicki L.

Yelp
This was my first time visiting Annapolis and I really wanted to try some crab cakes so I stopped by McGarvey's for lunch. I got the single crab cake with seasonal vegetables and fingerling potatoes and my partner got the steak and avocado salad. The food came out in a timely manner and the waitress was super friendly. I really enjoyed the crab cake and the lightly seasoned veggies were a great contrast to it. The steak and avocado salad portion was massive but served on a rectangular plate which was an interesting choice. My partner requested the steak medium rare and it was delicious. If I'm in the area again I'd love to come back!

Rachel B.

Yelp
Food great/solid Service : perfect with a smile Ambiance: just right Bloody Mary -excellent Enjoy yourself here at mcgarvey's

Steve J.

Yelp
Fun spot for lunch. Recommend the oysters at $1 each. Sports/sailor bar with bright interior. Attentive service and good beer selection. Right near the wharf.

Elizabeth M.

Yelp
Sincerely one of the best meals I've had in a long time! I was wandering through Annapolis with a friend, looking for somewhere to eat and the menu looked promising so we sat down and hoped for the best... and we were not disappointed! I got a rum punch which was full to the brim and potent, absolutely loved it. My friend got a Bloody Mary which she absolutely loved loved and it was a little spicy which was pleasantly surprising. I got Shrimp and Grits that were cooked and seasoned to perfection. I literally cleaned my plate because it was so good and I didn't want to let any of it go to waste. The meal was filling too so if I had gotten a side salad like I had initially planned to, I wouldn't have finished it. My friend got fish and chips which she enjoyed. I tried some of her fries and they were equal parts soft and crunchy to perfection. Our waiter was readily available as needed and it felt so nice to side outside, enjoying the food, weather and people watching. Indoors, they have additional seating with a huge bar and extra courtyard seating with beautiful lighting. I really love this restaurant and hope to go back sometime. 10/10 recommend.

Dillan K.

Yelp
Food is phenomenal as always. Service is ok, (it's a pub), and the ambiance is definitely worth having out in the side room with the tree!

Shay R.

Yelp
The resturant is spacious with two bars and plenty of table seating. The servers were quick and the food was delicious. The ambiance is cozy and warm with lots of greenery and wood tones. They're famous for their oysters and seafood but their plenty has plenty of scrumptious options.

Angel B.

Yelp
Wasn't really expecting much by we were pleasantly surprised. We were a group of 7 without a reservation (they don't take them) but they sat us immediately and our server was very pleasant and attentive. The place looks a little divey but the food was very good.

Dave E.

Yelp
Great location near the harbor the shrimp and crab salad sandwich with cream of crab soup was very tasty.

Rick L.

Yelp
So disappointing. I researched restaurants in Annapolis and loved their menu. I was excited to grab some dinner and started off with little neck clams. They were so small I was shocked. Looking over the rest of the menu I decided to call it quits at that point.

Victoria R.

Yelp
Stopped by the town of Annapolis and stumbled across McGarvey's. WOW... is all I can say. The service and hospitality were just next level! I was seated near the back close to the bar and let me just say the ambiance was unmatched! The food also came out in a timely manner. I ordered the catch of the day which was swordfish with a lovely mango salsa, and the shrimp and grits which was truly a delight. The fish was fresh and very well seasoned and the shrimp and grits were cheesy and flavorful. This restaurant is very affordable and will for sure be back!

Nnifer N.

Yelp
I came here with no knowledge of the place and my review is solely for sitting outdoors. I ordered the half and half soup on recommendation from the server, and it did not disappoint. Perfect for someone who loves a cream-based soup but definitely will feel terrible after a cup of cream-based soup. The fried shrimp was ok. Didn't knock my socks off, but nothing to complain about, nicely breaded. Fries were crispy, which isn't my favorite, but they weren't terrible. Honestly, what inspired this review was the hostess coming over and moving the outdoor umbrellas multiple times to ensure the clientele didn't roast in the summer sun. Good service deserves a shout out and I'll definitely be back here next time I'm in Annapolis.

Eowyn K.

Yelp
A solid, fun tavern by Ego Alley. It's a bit loud and boisterous, so do not come for a quiet, relaxing night. The decor is English pub-ish, all dark paneled wood walls and hung stained glass lamps, though the football helmets are decidedly more American football. Our server, Brooke was a sweetheart. We also had a drink at the bar and Bartender was a hoot, he seemed like he genuinely enjoy interacting with patrons. He introduced me to the "crush", a local staple, and it was warm enough during our visit to have this decidedly summer drink. I had a cup of the cream of crab and my friend had the bowl. The soup is great, creamy with chucks of crab. It is very rich, and a cup really was enough, my friends bowl was huge, four times as large as mine. "Absolutely no chill between the two sizes." We also had the steamed (peel and eat) shrimp. Holy Old Bay! Otherwise the shrimp was cooked well. Good place to check out if you want somewhere with energy.

Sean C.

Yelp
I was told to leave without my friends with no explanation and no reasoning. There was a long line to get in, so it seemed they were looking for any reason to kick authorized patrons out to let in more people. Very shady business practice and I will not go there again unless I get a refund for the drink that was taken out of my hand without my consent and an apology.

John J.

Yelp
Pretty standard Irish bar comfortable ambiance. Anything but Irish food though. Excellent seafood from our experience. Loved the Fish & Chips. Firm delicious fish with great fries. Crab cake sandwich was so good! Lots of lump crab with minimal filler. Started with the lump crab with 2 loaves of toasted French bread - delicious, but too rich, so 2/3 came home. Also started with fried oysters. Perfectly fried, large, juicy, and delicious. Highly recommend all we tried. For drinks we had their signature draft, which I enjoyed and their old fashion. Some great, unique, cocktail options. Almost forgot the excellent service provided us by Aleksandra. She was friendly, patient, attentive, and very helpful. Great evening!

Dawn S.

Yelp
Went here for dinner and the service was absolutely abysmal. They sat us all the way in the back of the restaurant in the corner near the bar which was perhaps why we seemed forgotten. It appeared that the same person who was bartending at said bar was also waiting on the tables so in one sense, I felt bad for him, however he didn't at all appear to be hustling and was about as slow as molasses and was not at all apologetic. We waited at least 15 minutes after we were seated before anyone came to acknowledge us. Prior to that, that server/bartender was closing out the bill on the table next to us and when I looked at him expectantly thinking he was going to finally come and greet us and offer us something he said "do you have a question?" to me. I said "I thought you were coming to help us." He then walked away and didn't come back until 10 more minutes when he finally took our drink orders. He didn't introduce himself to us, he just stopped down and said "Hungry?" He didn't bring us even water until another 20 minutes after that. Finally our drinks came and then we quickly orders our food while he was there because we didn't know when he would ever come back. It was a terrible experience for us. This place seemed more like a bar then a restaurant. Would not go back.

Jackie B.

Yelp
What a find for lunch! The calamari was delicious and how great to find $1 oysters! We got a 1/2 doz and they were great. The Ahi tuna salad was FANTASTIC. The service was great. Kids loved their grilled chicken and French fries were good.

Saebin J.

Yelp
I went to McGarvey's to eat oysters because Annapolis was having an oyster fest. We went around 4pm on a Friday and we were seated right away. I loved the vibe of the inside and it was decorated for St. Patrick's day! We ordered 3 dozens of oysters, Calamari, Shepherd's Pie, and Shrimp Po Boy. The oysters were pretty good, had a decent size, and it was $1 which was great. Calamari was super crispy and it was actually so good. The Shepherd's Pie was really good especially when it was hot, and the size was actually kinda big. We were full after the pie. And lastly, the Shrimp Po Boy was good but It wasn't anything special. I think I would want to try something else instead of the Po Boy next time. The waitor was nice although it felt like he came back too often, so we felt a little pressured to order and leave. But overall, I had a great experience and would love to go back!

Michelle Y.

Yelp
Stopped by for a few snacks! Oysters Rockefeller-- good but had had better. Alot of cheese that overwhelmed the oyster flavor. Louisiana Style Charbroiled Oysters- well...of you've been to big easy and had Oysters these are not it. Could use a tweak to the recipe. Also had a couple raw local Oysters that had a good flavor. Overall, nice spot for outside dining. Pleasant, attentive staff and reasonable prices. Enjoy!

Dave M.

Yelp
In the heart of Annapolis, McGarvey exudes local saloon charm. The $1 oysters are great, and the beer selection is solid. Their house lager Aviator is brewed by Heavy Seas and worth trying even though they also have fabulous IPAs on tap. The portions were generous and even though we went in for afternoon snacks and a drink we left happy full and satisfied. Service was friendly and staffed well enough that we didn't wait long for anything. We will definitely come back!

Sean L.

Yelp
Oysters, Cod Fish & Chips & Key Lime Pie are above average good! Crab Dip is really tasty, like it! Will Repeat!

CM L.

Yelp
We had a great snack here. Oysters on the half shell - incredibly fresh. And the crab ball appetizer. Would definitely order again. Vert tasty and a lot of crab!

Cheryl W.

Yelp
Amazing food! We ordered the clams casino and a dozen oysters along with the half-and-half Maryland crab and cream of crab soup. Absolutely delicious. Along with two beers and the bill came up to 60 bucks very affordable.

Elle E.

Yelp
Delicious shrimp & grits! This time, the oysters on the half shell were a bit large for my taste, but that's just my personal preference and not a fault of the kitchen.

Frank K.

Yelp
Cold beer, raw bar, attentive service. Nice location, fun environment right next to the dock area.

William J.

Yelp
This was our second visit. We stopped here a year ago. The atmosphere is great staff helpful and friendly. My wife had crab melt and I had fish and chips. Both were great. The crab soup half and half was excellent. Would highly recommend this place

Robert B.

Yelp
A very nice place to stop and enjoy an afternoon lunch by the harbor. We brought our dogs so we ate outside and the breeze was pleasant and with the umbrellas shielding us from the direct rays of the sun. The waitress even brought a bowl of water for the dogs (Nice touch). The children enjoyed kids meals of Mac & Cheese and Hotdogs. The Mac & Cheese got a thumbs up with the white cheese sauce "it was delicious". The hotdog rated a good. It was not completely eaten so have to take that as it could have been better. My wife had the fish taco which she gives 3 out of 5 and I had crab cakes platter with spinach. Mine was 3 as well. The spinach was bland and the crab cake dry. I expected some sauce but to my dismay there was none. The crab cake sandwich which my son-in-law had had a larger cake than my platter. My daughter just had fish and chips and very safe order. I would try others before coming back here again but service was exceptional.

Pete Z.

Yelp
The bartender mistook me for someone else and shamed me for not tipping when I placed my very first order. He then called security on me when i suggested that he should talk to his mgmt about paying him a living wage instead of forcing a mafia-style tip culture on their customers. Don't hang out here.

Katherine S.

Yelp
Service was quick despite how mousy they were. The crab dip is to die for!! The Bloody Mary is super strong with lots of old bay

Mauricio R.

Yelp
Very nice place to sit and have a drink with some awesome food. Staff was super friendly and I will definitely be coming back .

Daniel M.

Yelp
Pub crawl with my mid. We didn't eat anything so I can't comment on food but the drinks and vibe was excellent. The service was friendly and prompt. We will definitely return to try the food.

Dwain H.

Yelp
We were in the Washington DC area and decided to take a side trip to Annapolis. A friend recommended McGarvey's Saloon. I was totally blown away. The food was fabulous. The prices were reasonable. And the service was excellent. Normally in a place like this I would expect "bar" food (small servings of hors d'oeuvre type dishes). Instead we got premium restaurant food. My wife says it's the best shrimp and grits she's had in a long time. My son said his blackened salmon sandwich was more than he could eat. And I had the WTF burger that was cooked to perfection. If you're going to be shopping in downtown Annapolis make sure you stop in to McGarvey's.