Latitude 38° Waterfront Dining — Restaurant in Annapolis

My wife and I reserved a table at Latitude 38, and upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by the receptionist, who led us to a table with a lovely view. The service throughout our meal was exceptional—our server was friendly, always smiling, and remarkably attentive, ensuring we never had to wait for anything.

For appetizers, we decided to share the Crispy Calamari and the Three Cheese Crab Dip. The calamari, while delicious, had a batter that detached and crumbled, suggesting it may have been prepared earlier and reheated. The bell peppers, sliced and baked, appeared to have lost turgor pressure, possibly due to prolonged storage after cooking. However, the calamari itself was in excellent condition and quite flavorful. The Three Cheese Crab Dip, on the other hand, was superb—creamy and rich, topped with diced crab meat and accompanied by small baguette that complemented it perfectly.

For the main dish I opted for the NY Strip Steak, requesting it medium. While I personally prefer medium-rare, I chose medium for safety reasons, as an undercooked medium-rare steak can result in underheated fat tissue that compromises the overall dish. The steak arrived perfectly cooked—the reddish center was fresh and tender, while the crust was well-grilled. A slightly deeper Maillard reaction could have enhanced the flavor further, but it was still well-executed.

My wife chose the Lobster Roll, which did not disappoint. The buns were freshly buttered and expertly toasted, and the lobster filling was wonderfully flavorful.

Having read some critical reviews beforehand, I understand that every restaurant has its own approach to balancing quality and efficiency. Latitude 38 successfully strikes a balance between delivering satisfying dishes and managing high-volume service effectively. Located in the bustling City Dock of Annapolis, the restaurant faces an influx of tourists at any given moment. Some efficiency-driven choices are inevitable, but the overall experience was quite enjoyable.

Would I return? Absolutely. The combination of attentive service, quality food, and a well-thought-out approach to handling busy crowds makes Latitude 38 a solid...

While the place was very nice, our experience was not. I had gone to have lunch with my boyfriend and we were sitting outside, it started to get a little hot (sun was over us) so I had asked our waitress if we could get the table across from us which was in the shade. The waitress was kind enough and allowed us to move. All of the sudden, a woman comes over and asks us if we moved ourselves to the table and I explained to her what happened, I also let her know our waitress said ir was okay. I don't know what set her off but she became extremely rude, stormed off and began yelling as to why we were there. She began causing a scene, so much the other customers started to look at us. I called her over and asked her if there was a problem and with the nastiest attitude began saying that the table was reserved and there is a policy in place and we should have never been there. I was appalled and have never felt so embarrassed in my life. I understand that there was a policy but she didn't have to be so nasty about it. I told her the same and I called the waitress over and asked for the check. We paid for the drinks and appetizers and left, I felt so uncomfortable, embarrassed and we just wanted leave. Turns out that the woman was the manager named Jen. If a mistake was made, I understand, but her behavior does not reflect that of a manager. If there is an issue, you address your employees in private, in a calmly manner and don't embarrass the customers and make them feel unwanted. I felt bad for our waitress, we didn't mean to cause any trouble. We were sitting there about 35 minutes and no one was around which is why we asked to be moved. If she would have explained the issue, we would have moved back with no problem. Very upsetting, we were really looking forward to the food.

(I don't have google review so my sister let me post...

You're Paying for the Prime Location, Not the Experience or Food

This is a restaurant where the view is the main attraction, and the food and service feel like an afterthought. We came for a family dinner, and the location is undeniably fantastic with a great view of Dock Street. There were a few bright spots on the menu: the Island Shrimp were plump and perfectly cooked, and the side of plantains was delicious.

Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn't justify the premium price tag. The coconut mango rice that accompanied the shrimp was a perfect example of a dish that passes the "Pepsi challenge"—it hits you with sweetness on the first bite but lacks the authentic flavor and complexity to make you want to finish it, with unripe mango bits betraying a lack of mastery. Similarly, the Mahi Mahi Rachel had good flavor but was let down by being served on a sloppy piece of rye.

The service was the biggest disappointment for the price. After a pleasant start, our waiter disappeared. Our food arrived after a long wait, but without any utensils. We had to flag down another server, and our silverware arrived five minutes later; at least our kid could eat her fries while we waited. The waiter's reappearance at the end of the meal to regale us with a fabricated local history lesson felt more like a gimmick than a substitute for genuine attentiveness. This was followed by an awkward payment process where he stood over our shoulder as the terminal presented bold, pre-set tip options of 20%, 25%, and 35%—a high expectation for service that was so lacking.

Who is this for? This place is best for tourists who prioritize a waterfront view above all else and are willing to overpay for average food and slow, disjointed service. If you're looking for a meal that offers good value and a great dining experience, I would recommend...