Annapolis might be known as America’s sailing capital (Newport can fight us!), but we all know the real wind in our sails is caffeine. And sure, while some people can debate whether Sperrys count as business casual (the answer is yes), nobody can debate that a good cup of coffee works wonders. So here are our favorite spots around Naptown for a cup of morning brew — or afternoon or evening brew, we don’t judge.

Bean Rush knows customer service. Why? Because before they started the shop, the owners spent five years crewing multimillion dollar charter yachts in the Caribbean. So Annapolis, right?

Make no mistake, Bean Rush welcomes everyone, but this is a local's coffee shop. The kind of place where you know the barista and they know you. Bonus: Two locations.

Big Bean's been a Severna Park favorite since opening in 2000. So we were super stoked when they opened a second café in Annapolis during summer 2021. We were even more excited about how much more seating the Annapolis store has than Severna Park.

I know this is a coffee shop, but I highly recommend trying the Mexican hot chocolate. You won't be disappointed.

Good coffee alone is not enough to make a coffee shop great. You need something else to push it over the edge. At Bitty and Beau's, that extra something is the beautiful mission of the company. The shop is run by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

You won't find a more unique and joyful customer service experience in Annapolis. Proof: The first time I walked in (around 10 AM on a weekday) they were having an all-staff dance party. Instant smile.

124 Dock Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Remember when I said good coffee wasn't enough to make a shop great? Brown Mustache's secret sauce is being tucked into the corner of the endlessly charming Old Fox Books on Maryland Avenue.

Coffee and books. Need I say more? Ok I will. There's a ridiculously cute garden out back.

35 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

Ceremony has eight locations across Maryland and its beans are enjoyed nationwide. But it all started in Annapolis. And that’s still where the bean roasting magic happens. If there's a hidden gem on the list, this is it. It's tucked off West Street and feels like its own world. When the weather's nice, they'll open that big garage door and spill the chill vibes straight into the parking lot.

The Roastery is pictured, but don't miss the Riva location.

Curate’s come a long way since we first wrote this list. Aside from great coffee, incredible vibes (and plenty of plugs for remote working), they also have wine tastings and wine dinners and even a wine club. They also have an in-house pastry chef who makes some of the most visually stunning pastries in town.

Curate’s owned by the same folks at Brown Mustache so they know good vibes.

141 West Street Suite 102, Annapolis, MD 21401

The Red Bean doesn't just serve delicious and sustainable coffee. They're also a fantastic and unique ice cream shop. Did someone say affogato?

But the best thing about the Red Bean is not the tasty goods they produce. It's their relentless pursuit of local sourcing. You can find their partners right on their website.

220 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Rise Up is Maryland coffee royalty. What started out as a tiny trailer in St. Michaels 15 years ago is now a coffee powerhouse with 13 locations, a thriving online store, big name wholesale partnerships, and famous fans (hey Maggie Rogers!)

But it still feels like a small-town coffeehouse in the best way possible. Case in point: I ran into owner Brandon Bartlett at the Market House while taking photos for this story. He was happy to chat — even before he knew who I was. When I asked him to describe the shop in one sentence, he said, "I want it to be a place where someone who doesn't know anything about coffee isn't afraid to order."

Fits their motto: Grown by friends. Roasted by friends. Enjoyed by friends.

If you want to go to be transported, go to 49 West. Not only is it a coffee shop, it's a winebar and gallery too. If this sounds like a European coffeehouse, it's because that's exactly what the owners intended.

49 West serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. But they can handle your boozy needs, sweet tooth, and caffeine fix, too. There's a reason we call it Annapolis's Living Room. You'll never want to leave.

49 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Started by owners Bill and Michelle Kirby in the summer of 2014, Leeward Market is a small boutique grocery shop and café hidden away in the heart of Eastport. And yes, they serve coffee — Chesapeake Bay Roasting Coffee, to be specific.

With their coastal-inspired little outdoor dining patio, they offer the perfect escape to enjoy a recharge. Be sure to order your coffee with one of their made-to-order breakfast sandwiches.

608 Second Street, Annapolis, MD 21403

By the far the dog-friendliest option on this list. Oscar’s was basically built for dogs. But it was also built by some folks with incredible taste. Everything from the beans and the syrups to the location (a restored 1972 Shasta trailer) and believe it or not, the trash cans were painstakingly selected.

Another thing we love about Oscar’s is that because it’s parked at Horn Point Harbor Marina, Cocoa and Pearl’s bakery boat is often docked at its side to complement Oscar’s own food offerings.

105 Eastern Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403

Like Brown Mustache tucked away inside Old Fox Books, the café at Wyrd combines the best of two worlds: You have the chance to browse books (both new and secondhand) while enjoying something from the café. It’s why Wyrd calls itself “your new favorite third space.”

The team can whip up any specialty coffee drink of your choice, but if you’re a tea drinker, we highly recommend you try their signature Lavender London Fog. They’ve also got a stellar selection of pastries.

1708 Professional Drive, Edgewater, MD

Coffee makes us feel good, and so does good food. That’s why Toastique is always a good choice. This café is a relatively new addition to the Annapolis food and drink scene, and they specialize in healthy breakfast options like gourmet toast.

Skilled baristas handle all of the hand-crafted coffee orders, making any of your favorites to order, whether you want an iced Americano or a hot flat white.

214 Harker Place, Annapolis, MD 21401

When the weather is beautiful, we love a good cup of coffee on a casual stroll. That’s why a mobile café like Casa is so cool — they’re usually parked at Quiet Waters Park (next to the dog park) Friday through Sunday. Before you walk a lap, take a moment to order your favorite specialty coffee drink and pick up a pastry to nibble on.

Want something refreshing on a warmer day? They offer a mint lemonade that’s said to be highly addictive.

600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD 21403

This booming DC-based chain recently opened an Annapolis location, and its Mediterranean-inspired menu is proving to be just as popular in our state capital as it is in our nation’s capital. Their specialty black sesame latte (available hot or iced) is a must-try, and you can pair it with something sweet or savory.

In fact, Tatte develops their own coffee blends from scratch so they are intentionally designed to pair with food. Their coffee tastes balanced and approachable, not overpowering. This is thanks to an in-house coffee program the chain started over the past couple of years to take themselves from the category of nice café coffee to legit specialty coffee.

305 Sail Place, Annapolis, MD 21401

This one is more of a food-focused spot than coffee, but that’s not to sell short what they offer. They use locally roasted beans and do the full espresso bar for any of the specialty drinks you could want. But the coffee is really there to support their fantastic pastries and other baked goods, which is what they’re actually all about. They’re a family-run bakery that prepare everything fresh daily — it’s got a very European feel to it.

Be sure to check the hours before you go. They’re usually open only in the morning Friday through Sunday.

618 Chesapeake Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403