Best Restaurants in Baltimore: Charm City, Baltimore has a thriving food scene with its best restaurants being as diverse as its people.
We won’t hide the main point: eating steamed crabs with Old Bay seasoning is a must in Baltimore. It’s like a rite of passage. When it comes to food in Charm City, nothing is more Baltimore than that.
Baltimore’s food scene goes beyond just steamed crabs. The city’s best restaurants show off its culinary revival, with menus as diverse as its people. You’ll find classic American dishes, Venezuelan arepas, Basque pintxos, Asian fusion, and more. Eating is one of the best things to do in Baltimore, whether you’re enjoying crabs or dressing up for a fancy meal.
Best Restaurants in Baltimore
Hersh’s
The simple restaurant in a quiet, mostly residential area serves Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta, and creative salads and appetizers. The well-chosen wine and cocktail list complements the food. If you want a cozy place to catch up with friends over good food and drinks, Hersh’s is perfect. The pizzas have a charred but chewy crust with unique toppings.
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Ekiben
People pack into this small Asian fusion restaurant to enjoy hot steamed bun sandwiches. Broccoli and tofu might not sound exciting, but Ekiben makes them special by mixing Indian, Ethiopian, Thai, and Ethiopian flavors. The broccoli is topped with fresh herbs, chopped onions, and rice vinegar, while the tofu is covered in spicy peanut sauce.
The Helmand
Helmand is an Afghan restaurant offering authentic food in a dining room decorated with Afghan art and textiles. Warm naan, tender lamb and beef meatballs, and leek-filled ravioli have kept guests coming back for over 30 years. The highlight is kaddo bowrani, a delicious mix of sweet and savory with baked baby pumpkin topped with garlic yogurt.
Woodberry Kitchen
James Beard Award-winning chef Spike Gjerde offers Chesapeake Bay flavors at his farm-to-table restaurant. The casual, rustic setting features exposed brick, natural wood, and plenty of light in a former mill. Popular seafood dishes include rockfish and Tilghman Island crab, while the rotating crispy flatbreads are a brunch favorite. The dedication to local sourcing also shows in the excellent cocktail and mocktail list.
Tagliata
This stylish spot focuses on steak and modern Italian dishes. Tagliata draws crowds with its fresh-made pasta and romantic atmosphere, featuring plush chairs in the piano bar and lights on the patio. While some menu items are expensive, there are plenty of more affordable options.
Samos Restaurant
Samos offers comforting Greek food like Yaya used to make. They’ve been feeding Baltimore for a long time, and their success isn’t slowing down. The key to their lasting popularity is their delicious traditional Greek food. The simple, homey decor lets the dishes stand out.
La Cuchara
La Cuchara transports diners to Spain’s Basque region with bite-sized pintxos, vermouth by the glass, and jamon y queso. Located in a former manufacturing building, the restaurant’s exposed brick and white-washed walls enhance the experience.
Clavel
This lively taqueria serves Mexican food, margaritas, and mezcal. The space is filled with natural light, and its decor, including lights strung across the ceiling and plants on white walls, is inspired by taquerias in Sinaloa, Mexico. You can also visit owner Lane Harlan’s cozy candlelit speakeasy, W.C. Harlan, nearby.
Alma Cocina Latina
This Venezuelan restaurant offers filling dishes like flavorful arepas filled with beans, chicken, seafood, or pork. The bright and open space delights guests with exposed brick walls and lots of plants—some growing in large tomato cans on the wall. The Venezuelan food is tasty, using fresh vegetables and meats from nearby farms. You can enjoy it with one of their great cocktails, many of which feature rum.
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