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

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

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

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

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

B&O American Brasserie

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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