Where to eat in Baltimore

Where to eat in Baltimore

1. EatSouth Baltimore

   Abbey Burger Bistro

   Federal Hill's spot for loaded gourmet burgers, with a list of options long enough to keep you busy for a good 10 minutes figuring out what to order!

   Mon 5PM-1:30AM, Tue-Sun 11:30AM-1:30AM·$11-25

2. EatMidtown

   Aloha Sushi

   Baltimore is a little short on good sushi restaurants, but this is very much a good place for fresh sushi at reasonable prices with a casual atmosphere. Both lunch and happy hour see great deals both on the sushi, including a dollar sushi menu, and the drinks. The cheap BBQ wings are also surprisingly well done. Karaoke in the lounge downstairs F-Sa nights.

   Mon-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 1PM-11PM·$12-20

3. EatFells Point

   Amiccis

   It is all too easy to walk into an overpriced tourist trap in Little Italy, but that's why you brought this travel guide, right? Amiccis is one of the clear favorites, having won "best Italian restaurant" categories in various years across multiple Baltimore journals/websites. The setting seems somewhat fancy, but the atmosphere is decidedly casual and informal. Portions are enormous, wine flows plentifully, prices reasonable, and those mixed drinks are stiff. They also have a nice new bar, which is a solid after hours option in the area.

   Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-midnight·$16-32

4. EatSoutheast Baltimore

   Anabel Lee Tavern

   Though well off the beaten path, Anabel Lee Tavern is one of the hidden gems of Baltimore's foodie scene. The restaurant is decorated in the style of Edgar Allen Poe, and serves up American style dishes that has earned itself a well entrenched reputation from the locals. The dining area is extremely small, so reservations are required.

   $20-30 mains

5. EatFells Point

   Attman's Delicatessen

   This is just about the best New York-style Jewish deli you'll find anywhere. Sitting on the one-time famous "corned beef row" in Jonestown, one-time home to Baltimore's best known Jewish community, Attman's has been here for 100 years, and beaten incredible odds to continue thriving among newly constructed and now demolished violent housing projects, urban blight, the virtual end of the local Jewish community, economic decline—you name it. No matter what, Attman's has a line out the door. The famous items on order are without a doubt the packed-full-of-meat pastrami and corned beef sandwiches.

   Mon-Sat 8AM-6:30PM, Sun 8AM-5PM·$5-20

6. EatDowntown

   B&O American Brasserie

   Upscale American restaurant in the lobby of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, housed in the former B&O Railroad headquarters building.

7. EatSouth Baltimore

   Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen

   An almost startlingly good little place in Locust Point, with a Palestinian owner who knows his falafel.

   Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM,5PM-9PM, Sat 11:30AM-9PM, Sun noon-8PM·$9-19

8. EatSouth Baltimore

   Barfly's

   This is the best spot for pizza within a few blocks of the Inner Harbor, with a tasty, thick fresh dough crust, and a nice bar.

   Mon-Fri 4PM-2AM, Sat-Sun noon-2AM·$7-14

9. EatWest Baltimore

   Bay Island Seafood Carryout

   This is another one of those real gems in West Baltimore, with some incredible seafood, boiled, broiled or fried. As is generally the case in this part of town, though, it is carryout only. If you've seen David Simon's The Corner, you might recognize the Sea Pride Crab House across the street (this is a really crabby intersection). DeAndre attempted to work an honest job here, but ultimately had to quit due to crab allergies!

10. EatSouth Baltimore

    Berger Cookies

    As Natty Boh is to Baltimore beer, Berger Cookies are to Baltimore sweets. Incredibly rich, you should only ever eat one, and probably get two glasses of milk handy. The cookie is of the soft sugar variety (German vanilla wafer, to be precise), with a fudgy chocolate top so thick that it's better to think of it as an extra brownie. Berger's has been turning out these cookies for 175 years, and it's a true Baltimore tradition. You can buy them online, you can find them at Lexington Market (at De Bauffre Bakery), but adventure seekers can head straight here, to the factory itself, for the fix.

11. EatFells Point

    Bertha's Restaurant

    "EAT BERTHA'S MUSSELS." The famous slogan is mostly true, the mussels at this would-be tourist trap are indeed really good, while the rest of the menu is a little weak. Perhaps the number one reason to come, besides the magnetic fame, though, is simply for the famous bumper stickers that come with every meal! Frequent good live jazz—check the website for dates.

    Sun-Thu 11:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-11PM·$15-25

12. EatEast Baltimore

    Big Bad Wolf's House of BBQ

    A simple sit-down BBQ joint, offering ribs, pulled pork, brisket, etc. of different regional styles, as well as some real mouth-watering Eastern Shore BBQ chicken. Aside from the chicken, the consensus standouts would be the signature Big Bad Wolf sandwich, the pork ribs, baked beans, and just about any of those sauces.

    Mon-Fri 11AM-9PM, Sat-Sun 8AM-10PM, 2AM-3AM·$5-15

13. EatFells Point

    Black Olive

    This is an excellent upscale seafood restaurant that nary a tourist has heard of. Classy, but not formal. There is a light Greek influence, like the delicious hummus and olives up front, but you'll find the regular upscale Baltimore seafood dishes on offer as well.

    noon-2PM, 5-10PM daily·$34-65

14. EatSoutheast Baltimore

    Blue Hill Tavern

    Upscale restaurant on the edge of the Canton neighborhood, bordering with Highlandtown. The food is pricey and the portions small, but extremely delicious. Reservations recommended, but not required, on the weekends. Well worth it for happy hour (4-7PM) on weekdays.

    $20-30 Entree

15. EatFells Point

    Blue Moon

    A kitschy-trendy all day breakfast restaurant, know best for its audacious Cap'n Crunch French toast and long lines for weekend breakfast. The lines are actually bad enough to the point of ruling it out as a good weekend option. Unsurprisingly, the place is also very popular with the late-night after-bar crowd on weekends.

    Sun-Thu 7AM-3PM, Fri-Sat 7AM-3AM·$9-22

16. EatSouth Baltimore

    Byblos

    Whether to go to this Lebanese hole-in-the-wall or to Baba's for your Middle Eastern fix is a questions generally best determined by proximity. It is similarly excellent, cheap, friendly, and informal. But it also can claim to be one of the best places in South Baltimore for vegetarian/vegan diners. Because it is in the thick of Federal Hill, though, it will be more crowded!

    Mon-Thu 11AM-9:30PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM·$9-14

17. EatFells Point

    Cafe Gia

    This small, colorful restaurant's food is universally well received. Portions are small and modern, so don't skip the appetizer. The one misstep is pretty clearly the service, which, while knowledgeable and pleasant, is slow.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM, Fri 11:30AM-10PM, Sun 4-9PM·$23-30

18. EatEast Baltimore

    Chaps Pit Beef

    Chaps has long served the best pit beef in the city, and is the place to come if you want the real deal. The location is seedy (but perfectly safe), next to a strip club and an adult video wholesaler. Chaps itself is a nice place, however, to sit and enjoy your meal on the wood picnic tables enveloped in Ravens colors. The pit beef eclipses all else on the menu, but the dry-rub ribs as well as the rice pudding merit a little extra expense. (The lines, which shot out the door after the gurus at the Food Network, Travel Channel, et al., caught the little sandwich shop in their massive spotlight, have thankfully died down.)

    Sun-Thu 10:30AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 10:30AM-midnight·$5-15

19. EatInner Harbor

    Charleston Restaurant

    An elegant Charleston-style restaurant serving a seafood-heavy menu of Southern fine dining. Dressy, traditional, and impeccable service. Prix fixe menus run from three to eight courses.

    Mon-Sat 5-10PM·$30-60

20. EatInner Harbor

    Chiu's Sushi

    This sushi house has stylish atmosphere, high quality sushi by the touristy part of town, and inventive sushi rolls. For a bit of local flavor, look to the crab, lobster, and shrimp roll, which packs in a bit of spicy Maryland Old Bay seasoning!

    Mon-Thu 11AM-3PM, 4:30-10PM; Fri 11AM-3PM, 4:30-11PM; Sat noon-11PM; Sun 3-10PM·$20-40

21. EatEast Baltimore

    Corner Crab House

    A hidden diamond in the rough of East Baltimore, this "house" is little more than a large shack, but it cooks up some of the city's best crabs. Go ahead and splurge on the large crabs: the prices are usually very good here, and they don't kid around when they say large. There are plenty of other options, if you aren't in the mood for effortful eating, or if crabs are out of season. Coddies and mac n' cheese could fill you up for less than $5, or you could go through the fried fresh shrimp, crabcakes, whiting, fried oysters, etc. This is a true Baltimore seafood house.

    $5-22

22. EatSouth Baltimore

    Cross St Market

    One of Baltimore's many covered markets, this little known building houses a lot of tasty, quick, cheap food. Some local favorites include Bruce Lee's Wings, Hot Corner Lee's for the real deal Philly cheesesteaks, and O's Breakfast and Barbeque (M-Sa 7AM-5PM, and especially for that breakfast!).

    Mon-Sat 7AM-7PM

23. EatFells Point

    Dalesio's

    The huge portions on Italian carb-loaded dishes in this part of town can make dinner here ruinous for anyone on a diet. Enter Dalesio's, which offers a host of low-cal dishes, with the numbers printed on the menu. It's also small, quiet, and dimly lit, making it a good date option. A neat surprise are the great all-lump crabcakes.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-3PM, 5-10PM, Fri-Sat 11:30AM-3PM, 5-11PM, Sun 4-9PM·$23-40

24. EatDowntown

    David & Dad's Cafe

    Cafe open for breakfast and lunch, housed in the impressive lobby of an 1895 bank building.

    Mon-Fri 6:30AM-3PM, Sat 8AM-1PM·$5-14

25. EatEast Baltimore

    Dino's Carryout & Restaurant

    If over by the hospital, you could do a lot worse than Dino's. Expect big, cheap, tasty portions of greasy pizza, gyros, subs, etc., as well as some surprisingly good salads, but more importantly a nice, clean dining room--a bit of an oasis in these parts.

    $5-12

26. EatMidtown

    Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant

    D.C.'s U Street mainstay for Ethiopian food has opened a location in Baltimore, and it easily surpasses the original: prices are a bit lower, the atmosphere is more relaxed and friendly, and some would even say the food is a notch higher! As in D.C., Dukem excels in the meat category, with wonderful beef tibs especially, as well as great raw dishes. If you haven't had Ethiopian food before, this is a great place to start—just remember that you'll be eating with your hands, and that you can wind up with some spicy dishes! They roast their own coffee beans daily in an elaborate, traditional, and very elaborate Ethiopian coffee ceremony, down to the white dresses, scented grasses, frankincense, etc. It's incredible.

    11AM-11PM daily·$10-20

27. EatSouth Baltimore

    El Salto

    A cheap, no frills restaurant, with friendly service and authentic Mexican cuisine. The margaritas are big and stiff, and the staff speaks precious little English.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM·$7-17

28. EatInner Harbor

    Fogo de Chao

    The Baltimore location of the national chain of Brazilian Charcuterie restaurants is big, and will serve you copious quantities of high-quality Brazilian meat. The gimmick consists of an all-you-can-eat fixed price dinner, where you raise a flag at your table to invite the server to come bring more meat, and lower it when you want to simply eat in peace. Knowing full well that not everyone in a group is going to want meat, Fogo also has an excellent salad bar at a reduced price.

    Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2PM, 5-10PM, Fri 5-10:30PM, Sat 4:30-10:30PM, Sun 3:30-9PM·Lunch: $31.50 (salad bar only: $19.50), dinner: $48.50 (salad bar only: $24.50)

29. EatDowntown

    Forno Restaurant & Wine Bar

    Italian restaurant and wine bar across the street from the Hippodrome Theatre. Mix of small plates, Italian-style pizza, and pasta dishes. Normally open only for dinner, Tuesdays through Saturdays. Happy hour Tu-Fr 4-6pm. Opens for brunch and/or dinner on some Sundays, when there is a performance at the Hippodrome.

    Tue-Sat 4PM-9PM·$16-30

30. EatEast Baltimore

    Frank's Pizza & Pasta

    An unassuming Italian restaurant, with surprisingly good food inside, and very friendly service (and patrons!). The pastas are as excellent as the pizzas, which come either thin crust or thick pan pizza. The meaty crabcakes are another pleasant surprise.

    Tue-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun noon-9PM·$13-23

31. EatWest Baltimore

    Fred's Carryout

    Big T's

    Fred serves up some really fine chicken box, with all chicken made-to-order, ensuring the crucial layer of grease between the chicken proper and the skin fried hard. With all due respect to the NYFC around the corner, this is the place to go. Run by Koreans, naturally.

    Mon-Sat 11:30AM-7:30PM·$3-7

32. EatNorth Baltimore

    Golden West Cafe

    The Golden West Cafe is very popular, and not without good reason. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable (and family-friendly), with almost beautifully tacky "golden western" decor. The "southwestern" food on offer is very good, even for the relatively high prices. The service is slow and inattentive—don't be shy about hollerin' at your server if he's ignoring you. The bar here is one of the better places in Hampden to enjoy a beer, and it's open Su-Th until 1AM, F Sa until 2AM.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-3PM, 5PM-10PM; Sat 9AM-2:30PM, 5PM-10PM; Sun 9AM-2:30PM, 5PM-8:45PM·$8-15

33. EatMidtown

    Helmand

    The city papers love it, the locals love it, even the Karzai family loves it—this truly may be Baltimore's favorite restaurant. The decor is urbane and fairly upscale, but it's fine to wear jeans. The food, despite the restaurant's popularity, is remarkably well-priced. Focus on the appetizers; it's not a bad idea to order a bunch of them, and only one entree to share. Aushak is a specialty here, but if you haven't had kaddo (sauteed pumpkin with a garlic yogurt sauce), order it.

    Sun-Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-11PM·$18-30

34. EatSouth Baltimore

    Hersh's Pizza

    Hersh's has garnered a lot of positive attention around town for cool ambiance, high class cocktails, craft beers on tap, and some really good gourmet pizza (and pastas).

    Sun Mon Wed Thu 5PM-10PM, Fri Sat 5PM-midnight·$12-25

35. EatMidtown

    Iggie's Pizza

    Gourmet, creative, thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas here are easily right up there with the best in the city. The atmosphere is extremely casual, where you will take care of getting your pizza and extra water yourself. Likewise, BYOB.

    Tue-Thu noon-9PM, Fri Sat noon-10PM·$10-18

36. EatMidtown

    Indigma

    "Grand Lunch Buffet" available six days a week. In the evening, South Indian, North Indian, and Indo-Chinese specialties.

    Lunch: Tue-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, Sat Sun noon-3PM; dinner: Tue-Thu Sun 5PM-9:30PM, Fri Sat 5PM-10:30PM·$19-30

37. EatSouth Baltimore

    Italiano's

    The Italian food at this middle-of-nowhere spot is surprisingly quite good, unsurprisingly cheap, open until 4AM every night(!), and actually has a drive-thru for called in orders! Being in Southwest Baltimore, perhaps it's not surprising that they also have some soul food on the menu (the fried chicken is another surprisingly good dish). A simple place, no doubt, but a pretty sure bet for a solid meal.

    7AM-4AM daily·$8-26

38. EatMidtown

    Joe Squared

    Iggy's rival to the north has gourmet-ish pizza just as good. And, unsurprisingly, given its location on the hippest strip in town, has really cool atmosphere with local artists exhibiting on the walls and regular live jazz even on weeknights. It's more of a restaurant than its southern rival, with table service and a full bar. Outdoor patio seating is great in nice weather.

    11AM-2AM daily·$12-24

39. EatWest Baltimore

    Kimmy's Soul Food

    This much loved Soul Food buffet prices by the pound, and has especially good breakfast and vegetable dishes. Don't let the Korean ownership put you off the scent—Koreans seem to be the main purveyors of soul food in this city, and they've mastered the craft.

    $6-14

40. EatFells Point

    Kippo Ramen

    A surprisingly good ramen place in an area with a relative dearth of Asian restaurants.

    Tue-Thu 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-9PM, Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5-10PM, Sat 11:30AM-10PM, Sun 11:30AM-8:30PM·$11-30

Browse all 252 places in Baltimore

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Baltimore (CC BY-SA 4.0).