Baltimore Restaurants

Baltimore loves seafood, and, in particular, crabs. Soft- or hard-shell crabs, crab cakes, crab dip—the city's passion for clawed crustaceans seems to have no end. Flag down a Baltimore native and ask them where the best crab joint is and you'll get dozens of different options.

But crabs aren’t the only thing on the menu. Baltimore's burgeoning restaurant scene features a world of flavors: Afghan, Greek, American, French, Italian, Korean, and other ethnic cuisines. In recent years, Baltimore’s culinary cred has grown, thanks to the efforts of standout restauranteurs such as Spike Gjerde, Tony Foreman, and Cindy Wolf.

Most of the Inner Harbor has chain and hotel restaurants, so if you want to eat well, spread out. Harbor East is the city's newest center for fine dining. A few blocks east of the Inner Harbor, Little Italy has a host of Italian restaurants, most of which serve classic southern Italian, spaghetti-with-garlic-bread fare. Yet father east, Fells Point has some renowned local restaurants. Or, head north. Charles Village, near Johns Hopkins University, Hampden, to the northwest, and posh Roland Park, at the city’s suburban limits, have outstanding dining options. Note that most places generally stop serving by 10 pm, if not earlier.

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  • 1. Charleston

    $$$$

    Chef-owner Cindy Wolf's cuisine has a South Carolina Low Country accent with French roots—and the results are unparalleled. Inside the glowingly lit dining room, classics like she-crab soup and shrimp and grits complement more elegant fare, such as a lobster bisque spiced with curry or wild salmon with avocado.

    1000 Lancaster St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    410-332–7373

    Known For

    • Decadent desserts
    • Excellent service
    • The city's most elegant dining room

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., Reservations essential, Jacket and tie
  • 2. Miss Shirley's

    $$ | Inner Harbor

    With amazing pancakes, omelets, and French toast, this upscale cafe, now with locations at the Inner Harbor and in North Baltimore's Roland Park, has become the go-to destination for unbeatable breakfast and brunch (neither outlet serves dinner). Lunch entrées like the Chesapeake Club (crab cake, shrimp salad, lettuce, bacon, red and yellow tomatoes, avocado, and Old Bay remoulade on sourdough toast, dusted with more Old Bay) are also excellent. There's another location at 513 W. Cold Spring Lane in Roland Park.

    750 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    410-528–5373

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
  • 3. Pazo

    $$ | Fells Point

    An expansive 19th-century warehouse is home to this fashionable, two-level restaurant that celebrates Italian cuisine from regions south of Rome. Select a few appetizers: they are made for sharing. Spicy pork sausage adds heat to a tomato and Buffalo mozzarella (okay, that's a little east of Rome) pizza. In the rich, wine-hued setting, candles on tables and giant wrought-iron chandeliers illuminate the space, creating a downright sexy atmosphere. The choicest seats are upstairs in the mezzanine. Excellent service is a Foreman/Wolf trademark.

    1425 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, USA
    410-534–7296

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No lunch
  • 4. Akbar

    $ | Mount Vernon

    A few steps below street level, this small restaurant is usually crowded and always filled with pungent aromas and the sounds of Indian music. Among the vegetarian dishes, alu gobi masala, a potato-and-cauliflower creation, is prepared with onions, tomatoes, and spices. Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt, herbs, and strong spices, then barbecued in a charcoal-fired clay oven. The lunch buffet is another good choice.

    823 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
    410-539–0944

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 5. Ambassador Dining Room

    $$ | Tuscany-Canterbury

    A Tudor-style dining room in a 1930s apartment building is the setting for superb Indian fare. Go for the classics such as chicken tikka masala (grilled chicken in a sauce of red pepper, ginger, garlic, and yogurt) or alu gobi (spicy potatoes and cauliflower).

    3811 Canterbury Rd., Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
    410-366–1484

    Known For

    • Outdoor dining in the lovely garden
    • Excellent service
    • Traditional Indian desserts

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Attman's

    $ | Historic Jonestown

    Open since 1915, this authentic New York–style deli near the Jewish Museum is the only vestige of Baltimore's "Corned Beef Row" operating in its original location. Don't be put off by the long lines—they move fairly quickly, and the outstanding corned beef sandwiches are worth the wait, as are the pastrami, homemade chopped liver, and other oversized creations. Attman's closes at 6:30 pm on Monday through Saturday and 5 pm on Sunday.

    1019 E. Lombard St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    410-563–2666

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 7. Azumi

    $$$

    In a town known for its local catch, Azumi's chef flies his fish in daily from Tokyo's famous fish market. Creative takes on Maryland specialties are sure to delight, such as the crab starter, made with tiny Sawagani crabs, which are fried whole and pop in your mouth like buttered popcorn. A favorite from the land is the Japanese A5 Miyazaki Wagyu.

    725 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    443-220–0477

    Known For

    • Excellent sashimi, including fresh hamachi
    • Extensive list of Japanese whiskeys
    • Beautiful waterfront views in a luxury hotel setting
  • 8. Blue Moon Cafe

    $ | Fells Point

    A cozy café with a celestial motif appropriate to its name, the Blue Moon is a favorite for breakfast, served until 3 pm daily. Start with one of the enormous house-made cinnamon rolls, but save room for excellent brunch fare such as crab Benedict and sky-high French toast coated in a Cap'n Crunch cereal batter and served with whipped cream and strawberries. On weekends it's open 24 hours, attracting revelers from Fells Point's many clubs and bars. On weekend mornings there's often a line, but it's well worth the wait.

    1621 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, USA
    410-522–3940

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted
  • 9. Chipparelli's

    $$

    The owners of Baltimore Little Italy mainstay Chipparelli's recently opened up a second outlet in the Old Chesapeake Hotel, an elegant historic building in the heart of Havre de Grace that dates back to the 1890s. In addition to serving up old-school favorites like Homemade Gnocchi and Spaghetti Toscanini, the location offers guest accommodations—not a bad ideal after all that pasta.

    400 N. Union Ave., Havre de Grace, Maryland, 21078, USA
    410-939–5440

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 10. Cinghiale

    $$

    The spotlight is on wine at Cinghiale (pronounced ching-GYAH-lay), an open, inviting space with tall, wide windows. Enjoy hand-cut pastas such as tagliatelle with tender chicken, greens, and walnuts or lasagna with veal ragù. Cinghiale is split into two sections: the elegant osteria and the less-formal enoteca.

    822 Lancaster St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    410-547–8282

    Known For

    • Northern Italian fare
    • Vast wine list of more than 600 bottles
    • Sharp and unpretentious service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 11. City Cafe

    $$ | Mount Vernon

    The lofty space and black-and-white tile floors give this casual spot a feeling of classic grandeur. Come here for American fare with a creative twist—shrimp and grits carbonara or juicy lamb burgers. Another standout is the grilled Atlantic salmon with cannellini beans. Service is warm and efficient. For dessert, order the affogato: it's made with salted caramel Taharka Bros. ice cream and served over a steaming cup of espresso. Weekend brunch is very popular.

    1001 Cathedral St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
    410-539–4252

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 12. Dooby's Coffee

    Mount Vernon

    A comfortable spot for a chai latte or espresso creation, Dooby's serves artisanal sandwiches, pastries, and they offer a full dinner menu as well.

    802 N. Charles St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, USA
    410-702–5144
  • 13. Fleet Street Kitchen

    $$$ | Harbor East

    You can choose the atmosphere you want at Fleet Street Kitchen, which is housed in a former furniture factory. The downstairs is a casual Tavern Room; while upstairs, there's an elegant dining room. Chef Nate Magat creates beautiful New American dishes that speak to the season, such as hand-cut linguine with a garlic cream sauce and tomatoes from the restaurant’s Cunningham Farm. The popular slow-roasted pork is a winning bet. For dessert, the dark chocolate semi-freddo is as intense as it gets.

    1012 Fleet St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21202, USA
    410-244–5830

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch
  • 14. Gertrude's

    $$ | Charles Village

    In the Baltimore Museum of Art, this casual yet classy spot cooks up creative Maryland specialties. Crab cakes, served with a variety of tasty sauces, are one option, Parmesan-crusted salmon is another. Finish with a decadent dessert.

    10 Art Museum Dr., Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, USA
    410-889–3399

    Known For

    • Lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the sculpture garden
    • A commitment to sustainable Chesapeake cuisine
    • Sunday jazz brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential
  • 15. Kooper's Tavern

    Fells Point

    Scrumptious burgers abound at Kooper's—be they made with Angus or Wagyu beef, bison, lamb or even black beans. It's a popular Thames Street watering hole and restaurant.

    1702 Thames St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, USA
    410-563–5423
  • 16. La Cuchara

    $$$$ | Hampden

    Authentic Basque cuisine is on full display at this lovely restaurant located in the Meadow Mill building: pinxtos like ham croquettes with Gruyère cheese, sardines in oil, and fingerling potatoes with garlic aioli are perfect for sharing. The vast space is anchored by a 40-foot chestnut bar, behind which sits a wood-fired grill.

    3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Baltimore, Maryland, 21211, USA
    443-708--3838

    Known For

    • Duck breast with a honey-Banyuis reduction
    • Homemade breads
    • Friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
  • 17. Louisiana

    $$ | Fells Point

    You may feel like you've stepped back in time when you enter this antebellum parlor. Wood floors and tapestried curtains give rise to a winding staircase. The menu, a mix of French and American, is accompanied by an extensive wine list. The lobster bisque, with a dollop of sherry added at the table by one of Louisiana's servers, is sublime, and the cheese grits, served with big, blackened shrimp, is a worthy follow-up course.

    1708 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, Maryland, 21231, USA
    410-327–2610

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, No lunch
  • 18. MacGregor's

    $$

    Behind the redbrick facade of a bank built in 1928, MacGregor's occupies two dining rooms on two levels, with glass walls on three sides looking onto the Chesapeake Bay. The interior is adorned with carved duck decoys, mounted guns, and antique prints of the town; there's also outdoor dining on a deck with a gazebo. Seafood is the specialty, and the kitchen claims to have the best crab cakes on the bay.

    331 St. John's St., Havre de Grace, Maryland, 21078, USA
    410-939–3003

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
  • 19. One World Cafe

    With great vegetarian food, cocktails, and doors that stay open until 2 am every day but Sunday, it's no surprise that students love the One World Cafe. In summer, take advantage of the café's sidewalk seating.

    100 W. University Pkwy., Baltimore, Maryland, 21210, USA
    410-235–5777
  • 20. One World Cafe

    $ | Tuscany-Canterbury

    A favorite of Johns Hopkins students, this low-key restaurant, café, and bar is open morning until night for tasty vegetarian fare. Settle onto a couch or at one of the small tables for a portobello sandwich with caramelized onions and feta cheese, a wild rice and tempeh burger, or One World's version of that Baltimore specialty: a crabless crab cake. Fresh pressed juices, smoothies, espresso drinks, microbrews, and mixed drinks from the full bar fill out the menu.

    100 W. University Pkwy., Baltimore, Maryland, 21210, USA
    410-235–5777

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations not accepted

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