Planning a trip to Charm City? Whether you’re visiting for a long weekend or making a more permanent move to Baltimore, we have got all your foodie desires covered. Taking in the harbor views and historic scenery is a must. Another must is taking in the views of some of the most legendary food and drink the city has to offer. Here are 10 amazing food places in Baltimore you have to try!
Note: these restaurants are in no particular order and are all equally to die for.
The Italian chophouse created by the Atlas Group has easily become the new hot spot of the city. Located in the glamorous Harbor East area, the food, ambiance and piano bar makes for the perfect romantic date night or a classy girls night out. Not to mention the happy hour deals are out of this world. Have your very own sommelier give you the run down of options from the 1,000+ wine menu (sidebar: it is the largest wine list in Baltimore). Without a doubt, order the rigatoni alla vodka and squid ink campanelle. The best part: you can order half portions of all pasta dishes, which is truly AMAZING if you are an indecisive diner. Be sure to go when the weather is fantastic to take advantage of the chic outdoor seating. A little pricey, but you will not be disappointed.
Bottomless brunch in historic Fells Point anyone? Need I say more? Not just any bottomless – bottomless bloody mary’s, mimosas, screwdrivers and Charm City’s finest beer: Natty Boh. For happy hour or dinner, ordering the crispy Brussels sprouts, WTF wings and Smoke of the Waterfront burger is a necessity. Aside from the food and amazing deals, the building is extremely historic – built in 1771. It has multiple levels of seating and a prime location along the water and cobblestone streets of Fells Point. Not to mention it is filled with some of the friendliest bartenders and servers. An absolute must for happy hour or even better: make it your weekend staple.
Named after one of the most successful merchant ships during the War of 1812 and built by Baltimore’s own, this ship earned its nickname ‘The Pride of Baltimore.’ This restaurant encompasses just that. The Chasseur has three floors with a rooftop patio with remarkable water views from Canton. Not only do they have an amazing happy hour extended through Saturday, they have daily specials and bottomless brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Do not leave Baltimore without trying their duck fat tots. Check them out on Thursday’s for ‘Vine and Dine’ – $10 bottles of wine and $18 dine menu. This is truly a hidden gem of Charm City.
A place that serves oysters, gourmet cheese, dumplings, tacos, fresh crepes, kombucha and craft beers all under one roof? Sounds too good to be true, but it isn’t for Baltimore natives. Mount Vernon Marketplace, located in the historic Mount Vernon district, is home to over 14 food and drink stalls, including The Local Oyster, Pinch, Mr. Souvlaki, Taps Fill Station and many more. The marketplace is open seating with a grown-up cafeteria-style hall vibe complete with DJs and live music on the weekends. Check out Cultured for rotating wine and artisanal cheese and Taps Fill Station for rotating craft beers and kombucha. If you don’t hit up The Local Oyster on Wednesday for $15 Maine Lobster Night complemented by their fresh oysters, then you are surely missing out.
Some have acclaimed Verde for the best pizza in Baltimore. It is definitely the perfect spot for a romantic date night or cozy happy hour for some delicious Neapolitan Pizza and Italian comfort food. Located in the heart of Canton, the menu encompasses just about every authentic Italian pizza you could imagine, making it perfect for sharing with a group or your significant other. They also serve brunch on Sunday’s, which is the ideal way to beat the Sunday Scaries and transport your mind to dining on the streets of Italy. If that doesn’t entice you enough, check out their extensive French toast options. It will leave you drooling.
Just like their website says – ‘Breakfast with a Rock & Roll Attitude.’ This café is one of the coolest spots to dine in Baltimore. They are definitely known for their breakfast and brunch, but also serve lunch and dinner plus they are open 24 hours on the weekends! All of their food is divine and you cannot go wrong, but you MUST get the homemade cinnamon roll. No. Matter. What. If you aren’t in the Fells Point area or realize the line is too long for your liking (which is frequently the case), check out their sister restaurant in Federal Hill – Blue Moon Too. Both are equally incredible.
Located in the heart of Hamden in an old factory flour mill turned rustic-chic location, this spot is remarkable for New American fare and ambiance. All of their food and drinks are locally sourced with a wide range of strictly organic options. Better yet – they even have a full gluten free menu. Their WK Onion Soup is out of this world. Accompany it with some Farmstead Cheeses or local Chesapeake oysters, followed by any of their entrees and you will leave one happy diner. This place is a must for dessert – specifically the blueberry cheesecake. To top it all off, they have an amazing outside patio for dining in the warmer months. Their menu rotates seasonally, so you really cannot go wrong dining here at any time of the year.
Located at the edge of Locust Point, Wine Market is a unique bistro, wine bar and wine shop all within one roof. Walk around the shop and pick your own bottle of wine (for a small corkage fee) to pair with your entrée. Top food recommendations would be to start with the grilled Caesar salad accompanied by the mac and aged cheddar cheese to start. Follow it up with the pan seared U-10 scallops or the Mediterranean lamb ‘burger.’ What seems to be a theme for all of Baltimore’s restaurants is the brunch menu. Wine Market’s brunch is divine and elevates your Sunday to a certain level of class. They have a beautiful courtyard patio open in the warmer months. If you love wine and remarkable food, look no further.
Breakfast menu all day located in a cozy café – enough said. In addition to breakfast, lunch is also an option (and just as good) if you aren’t feeling the brunch vibe that day. Located in the heart of Federal Hill, they have amazing coffee and tea drinks – most notably known for their cold brew, matcha latte and golden milk latte for you hipster, health nuts. Along those same lines of health, a must-try is the parmesan-crusted spinach omelet. It is to die for. For those who don’t care about counting calories, get the Beast breakfast sandwich. You may enter into a food coma, but you will not be disappointed. Make sure you take an Instagram worthy pic with the hashtag #eatthebeast.
Last but certainly not least, one of the best restaurants in the Baltimore area. It offers the complete experience from the moment you step inside. All options can be modified to accompany any gluten free diners. Start with the lobster boom boom and cream of crab soup. Any of their small plates are exquisite, but some recommendations are the French onion rings, fired oysters ‘carbonara’ or the pan roasted mussels. Whatever you do, get the truffle parmesan fries (it doesn’t matter what diet you’re on). For dessert (another must) try the heath bar bread pudding or the chocolate hazelnut whipped cheesecake. Again, another Baltimore brunch essential and it puts all other brunch menus to shame. Make sure to stop in on Tuesday for ½ priced bottles of wine. This place cannot be rivaled.
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