Restaurants in Baltimore
Baltimore is known for its seafood, but the city is also home to a variety of ethnic and regional cuisines. There are plenty of good restaurants in the main tourist areas, with excellent choices in Little Italy, Fell's Point, Harbor East, and Mount Vernon.
In recent years, the Inner Harbor has become overrun with chain restaurants serving mediocre fare, but such places as the Hard Rock Cafe and ESPN Zone continue to draw crowds. Power Plant Live, with its mix of restaurants and clubs, is also packed for dinner. You'll find it a block north of Pratt Street, a short walk from the Inner Harbor.
Little Italy -- In just a few packed blocks, you'll find all the pasta, cannoli, and chianti you could want. Make a reservation if you know where you want to eat beforehand. But if you prefer to wander, plan to eat early or late and choose a place as you stroll through the basil-scented streets. If you don't have room for dessert, remember, there's always Vaccaro's to go. Tip: Parking is fairly easy. Choose the garage at Pratt and President streets, opt for the valet parking many restaurants offer, or look for a spot on the street.
Baltimore's Best Crab Cakes
A visit to Baltimore means crab cakes -- but what makes a good crab cake is for a topic of heated debate. You can expect jumbo lump mixed with a bit of mayo; fried or broiled is often the diner's choice. But each recipe is different. Is Old Bay seasoning required? How much filler is too much? Should you see a fleck of any plant material besides parsley?
Keep in mind a few things: Crabs run from May to September (more or less), so you have a better chance of getting local crab -- not Louisiana or Asia imports -- then. You don't have to go to a crab house for a decent crab cake. In fact, the number of crab houses has dwindled in recent years, but you can find good seafood at just about every restaurant around. Expect to pay $12 to $18 for a crab-cake sandwich (served on crackers or a bun). A crab-cake platter will be at least $25 and usually comes with fries, coleslaw, and sliced tomato.
Below is my list of where I think you'll find a good crab cake. Are these the best? Have a marvelous time deciding!
The Crab Shanty Restaurant, 3410 Plum Tree Dr. (Rte. 40 W.), Ellicott City (tel. 410/465-9660; www.crabshanty.com). Good-size cake, not too much filler. Open Sunday through Friday for lunch, daily for dinner. Carryout is available.
Faidley Seafood, Lexington Market, 400 W. Lexington St. (tel. 410/727-4898; www.faidleyscrabcakes.com). The Faidley family has been selling seafood from this stall for 120 years, including a great traditional crab cake. Open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm. Carryout only; shipping is available, too.
Gertrude's, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr. (tel. 410/889-3399; www.gertrudesbaltimore.com). Noted chef John Shields offers traditional Baltimore-style cakes as well as a creative chef's special. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
Kali's Court, 1606 Thames St., Fell's Point (tel. 410/276-4700; www.kaliscourt.net). Crab, crab, and not much else. Open daily for dinner.
Nick's Fish House, 2600 Insulator Dr., South Baltimore (tel. 410/347-4123; www.nicksfishhouse.com). Maybe the old South Baltimore feel of this casual place swayed me, but this is a great traditional crab cake in a traditional (but new) crab house. Open every day for lunch and dinner.
Obrycki's Crab House and Seafood Restaurant, 1727 E. Pratt St., Upper Fell's Point (tel. 410/732-6399; www.obryckis.com). Traditional crab house, traditional crab cake. Open daily for lunch and dinner from mid-March to November.
Pierpoint Restaurant, 1822 Aliceanna St., Fell's Point (tel. 410/675-2080; www.pierpointrestaurant.com). Crab cakes here are smoked -- different, but well worth a try. Open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner.
Sweet Things in Charm City
Sometimes you just need a sweet -- and there are a couple sweet spots around town that shouldn't be missed if you're in the neighborhood. The most famous baker in town, Food Network's Ace of Cakes chef, Duff Goldman, has his Charm City Cakes shop in Remington, but it isn't open to the public.
The Baltimore Cupcake Company, 1433 E. Fort Ave. (tel. 410/783-1600; www.baltimorecupcakecompany.com). This little pink-and-white shop on the way to Fort McHenry sells cupcakes, other sweets, and Cafe du Monde coffee. Open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Charm City Cupcakes, 326 N. Charles St. (tel. 410/244-8790; www.charmcitycupcakes.com). This downtown spot sells tasty cupcakes. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am to 5:30pm.
Dangerously Delicious Pies, 1036 Light St., Federal Hill (tel. 410/522-7437; www.dangerouspies.com). No fancy stuff here -- just honest, homemade, fresh-out-of-the-oven pies. The rock-'n'-roll guys here make all kinds: fruit, Key (Bridge) lime, derby, and a towering lemon meringue. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am to 6pm.
Patisserie Poupon, 820 E. Baltimore St. (tel. 410/332-0390). You'll find this delightful French pastry shop in the shadow of the Shot Tower and near Port Discovery and Little Italy. (It's safer to drive here, due to traffic.) Stop for coffee and a croissant or a fabulously decorated pastry. Open Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm.
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18 Results
- Italian
Aldo's Ristorante Italiano
Aldo's perfectly prepared Italian entrees, candlelit dining rooms, and attentive service make this Little Italy's finest restaurant.The main dining room, with its two-story ceiling and creamy white walls, is always a winner but sometimes you might prefer the smaller and quieter…$$$Little Italy - Italian
Amicci's
Casual and inexpensive, Amicci's doesn't create a lot of buzz but it sure satisfies its pasta-loving diners. Traditionalists will delight in the tender pasta (made down the street at Casa di Pasta) with classic marinara, bolognese, or fra diavolo.…$Little Italy - Seafood
Bo Brooks
This is where Baltimoreans take their visitors for steamed crabs. It's one of the few places in the city where you can get both a view and a pile of hot, steaming crustaceans. The fat and spicy crabs are from the Chesapeake when available;…$$Canton - Southern
Charleston
Dinner at the Charleston is always a celebration of the best in food and wine. Chef Cindy Wolf uses local seafood, meat, and produce to create tantalizing Southern dishes. You have a choice of three- to six- courses—but don't worry. Charleston serves smallish…$$$Harbor East - Comfort Food
Johnny's
The marketing mavens pushed this new Cindy Wolf–Tony Foreman eatery (see Charleston review) as an upscale diner. Although they have a room with an old-style soda fountain counter I'm not buying the concept. But I will go back for the…$$Roland Park - Low Country
Langermann’s Fresh Kitchen
The airy two-level dining room at Langermann's has an industrial feel owing to its location in an old can company, but the food definitely has a Southern drawl: fried catfish, Georgia grits, green tomatoes, and barbeque. Lunchtime is usually a quiet time here and a…$$Canton - Comfort Food
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Hungry? Miss Shirley will get you something good to eat, hon. Coconut cream-stuffed French toast, oatmeal with apples and pecans, pulled pork and fried egg sandwiches, fried green tomatoes, and Eggs Benedict (with crab) are among the scrumptious house specialties. This family-run…$Inner Harbor or Roland Park - Baltimore Seafood
Nick's Fish House
This fish house in the shadow of the Hanover Street Bridge pays homage to the traditional Baltimore seafood house—and sure has fun doing it. You'll find a good crab cakes and oysters here to share with a crowd of friends (or soon-to-be friends) at the bar, the waterside deck, or in…$South Baltimore, adjacent to the Hanover Street Bridge (over the Patapsco River) - American Comfort Food
Papermoon Diner
Plates laden with great comfort food might be reason enough to stop here for a meal. But it's the zany decor—a cabinet filled with doll heads, sleds, and scooters hanging from the ceiling, planters made of tubs and, well, a toilet—that will make you smile. Papermoon has a menu to…$Remington - Maryland Seafood
Phillips
A new location and a new outlook on their menu makes this old Maryland seafood joint worth another look since its update in 2013. The curved banquettes, open kitchen, and neutral color palette are the first signals that Phillips has thrown off its tired ways. The menu—and oh! the…$$Inner Harbor, Pier 4 - American
Sascha’s 527 Café
Bright, colorful Sascha's—with the cherry-red facade, the mustard walls, eggplant upholstery, and local art—has a fanciful menu to match its dining room's spicy decor. Choose entrees as varied as petite filets with baby potato salad or short ribs …$$Mount Vernon - Contemporary Italian
Sotto Sopra
One of Baltimore's best Italian restaurants (and Charm City has lots of them), Sotto Sopra is situated inside a tony Charles Street townhouse. The food, a modern take on Italian classics, is as refined as the gilt-edged dining room decor. At dinner, guests choose between the tender…$$$Mount Vernon - Greek
The Black Olive
Jumbo shrimp and scallops grilled to perfection, an array of whole fresh fish cooked to your liking, lobster, mussels, and fish swimming in a rich Greek broth called kakavia, as well as creamy baklava ice cream made on the premises, are among the …$$Fells Point - American Pub Food
The Mount Washington Tavern
Baltimoreans were heartbroken when this Mount Washington haunt burned in 2011 but the new tavern was worth the wait. It's very similar to the original, with a big open bar, an airy garden room, and a Preakness-themed dining room— but the finishes…$$Mount Washington - Steak
The Prime Rib
A fixture in Mount Vernon since 1965, the original Prime Rib keeps it classy, 1960s style. You'll think you fell into a "Mad Men" set with all the brass, black leather, and flowers. It's a favorite for celebrating families and romancing couples, and reservations are a must on…$$$Mount Vernon, between Biddle and Chase streets - Spanish
Tío Pepe
Tio's is an old Baltimore favorite—some say worn-out, I say well-worn. After 45 years in the same space with an unchanging menu, they must be doing something right. In a warren of basement rooms, whitewashed with wrought iron and colorful pottery, Tio Pepe serves up sangria, paella…$$$Mount Vernon, off Charles Street - Wine Bar
Wine Market Bistro
This bistro, located inside a cavernous old 19th-century foundry, is a bustling, often loud scene. What saves it from feeling too frenetic are the excellent wines (25 are available by the glass and 800 bottles can be purchased at the wine store at the front)—yes, they take the edge…$$South Baltimore - American farm-to-table
Woodberry Kitchen
"Farm-to-table" is the concept here, but it's done exceptionally well by chef/owner Spike Gjerde. He dresses his wait staff in old-fashioned aprons and plaid flannel shirts, lights his rustic dining rooms with candlelight, and serves foods we all know, but in bright new ways and…$$$Hampden
