The sugar cubes are homemade, and the clotted cream is made in house too. That’s the level of detail waiting at a colonial tearoom in Maryland, where afternoon tea arrives with scones, tiny sandwiches, and a stack of sweets.
The building dates back to the 1700s, with dark floors and antique-style chandeliers overhead. Teacups don’t match on purpose, so each guest gets a different piece of china.
I love that small touch, because it feels like borrowing a cupboard from a very fancy grandmother.
There’s also a cozy pub with a fireplace, plus a cream of crab soup with a serious following. I believe that’s the kind of combination only this state could pull off.
So how does a colonial tavern end up feeling this close to London? Pour a cup, grab a scone, and let’s find out.
A Georgian Inn Sitting Pretty In Downtown Annapolis
Three businesses share one historic address, and somehow they all fit. Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub is a tearoom, a restaurant, an old-world pub, and a small inn rolled into one Georgian-style building.
It sits in the heart of downtown Annapolis, right in the historic district. The Maryland capital already leans colonial, and this spot leans in even harder.
The inn side is small and refined, with just three rooms and suites. Antiques fill the space, so even a quick lunch feels like a visit to another century.
Most people come for the food, though, and the menu covers a lot of ground. Afternoon tea is the headliner, but lunch and dinner bring Chesapeake favorites like cream of crab soup and crab cakes.
Downstairs in spirit, the 1747 Pub offers a darker, cozier mood with its own fireplace. Upstairs in spirit, the tearoom keeps things bright, polished, and very proper.
That mix is what makes the place fun for a Maryland day trip. Grandma can sip oolong, the kids can chase scones, and everyone gets a slice of history on the side.
It’s a lot of personality for one building. Thankfully, the building has had plenty of practice.
Old Bones, Dark Floors, And A Whole Lot Of Colonial Charm
The number in the pub’s name isn’t random. That 1747 nods to the building’s roots in the 1700s, which makes this one of the older dining rooms you can book in Annapolis.
Inside, deep dark floors stretch under antique-style chandeliers. The effect is warm instead of stuffy, like a candlelit library that happens to serve soup.
Those Colonial dining rooms are split into smaller sections rather than one big hall. That layout keeps tables feeling intimate, though busy afternoons can get a little lively.
History buffs will enjoy the tavern’s tie to early American life. The setting even inspired a recent Liberty Tea, created to mark America’s 250th anniversary.
That event paired a three-course tea with a live performance from Classic Theatre of Maryland. Watching history acted out while eating scones?
That sounds like the best kind of homework.
The building runs as a working restaurant, so it isn’t a walk-through museum. Plan to sit down, order something, and enjoy the rooms from your table.
Honestly, that’s the better way to see them anyway. Old buildings always look friendlier when there’s a teapot nearby.
Scones So Good They Get Their Own Fan Club
Scones are the most talked-about item on this menu, and it isn’t close. They come warm, with house-made clotted cream and jam waiting alongside.
Flavors rotate between classics and fun twists. Plain, cranberry orange, and chocolate chip have all made appearances on the tea table.
The clotted cream is the real secret weapon here. It’s thick, rich, and exactly what a proper British tea demands.
Can’t finish them all? Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub sells scones to take home, including a six-pack option for anyone planning tomorrow’s breakfast.
That’s a smart move for parents, too. A box of scones in the car makes the drive home from Annapolis a lot quieter.
Tea service tiers let you choose how many scones land on your plate. Some options lean sweet, others lean savory, so you can tailor the spread to your appetite.
Kids tend to love anything with chocolate chips. Adults tend to love anything with clotted cream, which means everybody wins.
Just be warned that these little biscuits set a high bar. Grocery-store scones may never look the same again.
The Three-Tier Tea Spread That Steals The Show
Cucumber sandwiches with the crusts trimmed off. Turkey finger sandwiches, mini tartlets, and a tea cake plate stacked up like a dessert skyscraper.
That’s the traditional lineup for a Colonial high tea at Reynolds Tavern. It’s classic on purpose, built to feel like an English parlor afternoon.
The tea selection is broad, from bold black blends to softer choices like oolong. Each pot comes with homemade sugar cubes, a small detail that makes the whole table feel special.
Not a tea person? French press coffee is on hand for the caffeine crowd.
Then there’s the china. Every teacup is different, so your table ends up looking like a charming antique shop sale.
Little ones usually find that mismatched pattern hunt delightful. Who got the flowers, and who got the gold rim?
Several tea options come at different levels, with sweet and savory customizations. That flexibility helps if you’re feeding a mix of picky eaters and serious snackers.
Prefer something heartier? Regular entrées are also available on standard days.
Still, ordering the full tea at least once feels like the whole point of the trip.
Chesapeake Comfort Food Sneaks Onto The Menu
London may own the tea, but Maryland owns the crab. Here, both get equal billing on the menu.
Cream of crab soup is a star in its own right, smooth and rich with a devoted following. It shows up as a starter at lunch and even sneaks onto some tea menus.
The crab cake sandwich adds a Southern twist with a fried green tomato tucked underneath. Lightly buttered bread and a pile of French fries round out the plate.
Quiche is another popular lunch pick for lighter appetites. Mac and cheese also has its fans, which is great news for younger diners.
Save room for Smith Island cake, Maryland’s official state dessert. Those thin, stacked layers make it a proud local treat worth sharing.
Dinner brings heartier options too, like filet with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Seafood plates and steak keep the evening menu feeling substantial.
Over in the 1747 Pub, the vibe shifts to burgers, onion soup with gooey cheese, and an eggplant crepe. It’s comfort food for chilly afternoons.
Between crab and scones, you’ll leave with a very confused but very happy stomach.
Who Should Book A Table, From Showers To Mother’s Day
Bridal showers love this place. The servers handle event timing smoothly, and sweet and savory finger foods keep a crowd happy.
Birthdays, anniversaries, and girls’ lunches fit right in too. Bring your mom, your daughter, or your favorite aunt who owns too many teapots.
Mother’s Day Tea is a big deal at Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub. The tradition has run for more than 20 years as a special prix fixe event.
On that day, the regular menu takes a break. Everyone at the table joins the fixed tea service, so plan accordingly with little kids.
Special events like the Liberty Tea work the same way. Tickets and tea come bundled, with gratuity included in advance, so read the details before booking.
Families with older kids will likely have the most fun. Tweens who enjoy dressing up or playing grown-up tend to treat tea like a party.
The pub, meanwhile, suits couples wanting a cozy dinner by the fire. Live music shows up regularly, adding extra warmth to the evening.
Basically, there’s a room for every mood. Fancy upstairs energy and fireside pub coziness live under the same old roof.
Smart Planning Tips Before You Head To Church Circle
Reservations matter here, especially for afternoon tea. Tables fill fast, and walk-ins often find the tearoom fully booked.
You’ll find Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub at 7 Church Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401. It sits right on Church Circle, in the middle of the historic downtown.
From Baltimore or the DC suburbs, Annapolis makes an easy Maryland day trip. Pair your tea with a stroll around the waterfront and the old brick streets.
Mondays are the staff’s day off, so plan around that. Hours can shift with seasons and events, so check before you go.
Prices vary depending on which tea tier you choose. Lunch and dinner entrées are also available on standard days for a different budget.
Bring a physical card, since tap-to-pay isn’t available yet. The family-owned team has said a system upgrade is on the wish list.
Accessibility is covered with a lift from the loading area. It reaches the back terrace and continues into the Colonial dining rooms.
Have dietary needs? Mention them when booking, especially for special events.
The kitchen can prepare better when it knows ahead of time.
Worth Every Sip For A Very Proper Maryland Afternoon
Few places manage to feel British and deeply Maryland in the same breath. Reynolds Tavern and 1747 Pub pulls it off with scones on one table and cream of crab on the next.
The building does a lot of heavy lifting. Old floors, antique chandeliers, and Georgian bones set the tone before the first pot even arrives.
Then the details take over. Homemade sugar cubes, house-made clotted cream, and mismatched china turn a simple meal into a little occasion.
Small, family-run businesses like this keep downtown Annapolis full of character. Proprietress Sally Boyett and her team run the tavern, the events, and the inn day to day.
Is it the cheapest outing in Maryland? Probably not.
But for a birthday, a shower, or a special mother-daughter date, it’s hard to beat the charm.
My advice is simple. Book ahead, pick a tea tier, and save room for Smith Island cake.
Grab a six-pack of scones on your way out, too. Tomorrow morning will thank you.
London can keep its double-decker buses. Annapolis has the tea, the crab, and a seriously charming old tavern.
