Must-Try Baltimore Restaurants
The best bets for dining in Charm City, from trendy taquerias to modern soul food.
Baltimore’s food scene is bursting with must-try eateries in every cuisine, from classic Italian chophouses and cozy French bistros, to sleek sushi bars and farm-to-table favorites. Whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to taste the best Baltimore has to offer, or on the search for the ultimate date night destination or celebratory spot, these restaurants are sure to serve up a memorable meal.
Alma Cocina Latina
Located in Station North Arts & Entertainment District, Alma Cocina Latina takes a contemporary approach to Venezuelan cuisine. Chef Irena Stein published the first arepa-focused cookbook in the world, so you’ll want to try the the arepa pabellón from the takeout window; her rendition of Venezuela’s national dish contains layers of black bean purée, fried plantain, shredded beef and fontina cheese. Must-try items on the dinner menu include the gazpacho, the solomo criollo and the cheesy tequeños. Also on tap: artisanal sangria and cocktails made with small craft spirits.
Alma’s bright and warm exterior, coupled with its flavorful Venezuelan cuisine, make for a great night out in Station North.
Azumi
Make the most of Baltimore’s waterfront with an upscale meal on Azumi’s outdoor patio.
This stylish spot at the Four Seasons is helmed by a Tokyo native whose impressive resume includes stints at Japanese restaurants in our nation’s biggest cities. At Azumi, he creates a menu that features luxe ingredients like wagyu short rib and miniature Japanese freshwater crabs—a signature appetizer—plus sushi made from fish flown directly from Tokyo’s famous Tsukiji Fish Market.
Charleston
Chef Cindy Wolf and Charleston are frequently nominated for James Beard Awards. Most recently, in 2025, the restaurant won for its beverage program.
Inventive cuisine crafted by chef Cindy Wolf has made this upscale James Beard Award-winning restaurant in Harbor East restaurant a beloved favorite since it opened in the late 1990s, and for good reason. Wolf’s menus deftly combine classic French techniques with the comforting cooking of South Carolina. Charleston’s dishes feature acclaimed plates like black truffle risotto, pan-seared foie gras, cornmeal-fried oysters and slow-roasted pork belly. There’s no wonder this is one the best restaurants in Baltimore.
Clavel
Before you even take a bite, this Remington mezcaleria and taqueria’s clean white walls, warm wood furniture, incandescent string lights and gorgeous greenery will have you dying to snap a picture worthy of Instagram’s Explore page. Just as stylish is the Sinaloan-inspired menu, which boasts modern takes on classic Mexican dishes. Standouts include the lamb tacos with barbacoa braised in Mexican coffee and ceviche with lime-cured shrimp, spicy cilantro pesto and cucumber. There’s more to Clavel’s tortillas than meets the eye, too: the flour ones are the result of Head Chef Carlos Raba’s own family recipe.
Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of the Baltimore Museum of Art, Gertrude’s is as much a destination as its home. Owned by chef John Shields, a well-known expert in Chesapeake cuisine, the restaurant specializes in locally sourced farm-fresh food that honors the area’s culinary traditions. From small plates and salads at lunchtime, to regional specialties like Chincoteague Single-Fry Oysters on its dinner menu, this sophisticated spot is a lovely way to sample the flavors of the region.
La Cuchara
Taking inspiration from the Basque region, La Cuchara is set in a former mill in Woodberry and features an open kitchen centered around a wood-fire grill that plays a role in producing its traditional asador, or grilled meats and seafood, and its pitxos, which are small bites.
Enjoy small bites, grilled meats and fresh seafood inspired by Spain’s Basque region at La Cuchara in Woodberry.
Le Comptoir du Vin
Food magazine Bon Appétit added this cozy French bistro to its ranking of America’s hottest new restaurants in 2019, and it’s been a hot ticket ever since. Le Comptoir du Vin’s menu may be minimal—typically just a smattering of dishes written on a chalkboard each day—but it’s mighty. And it’s crafted by chef and co-owner Will Mester, formerly of Woodberry Kitchen. The dishes vary daily, but some of their soul-warming creations have included French lentils served with curry, labneh and grilled flatbread or persimmons with creamy mascarpone, mint and dukkah.
Restaurante Tio Pepe
Billed as authentically Spanish, this Baltimore institution has been beloved by diners for a half-century, and for good reason. Tio Pepe serves up a traditional regional menu that includes classic favorites like gazpacho, tortillas and paella, plus grilled and roasted meats and seafood, complete with a selection of fine wines.
Sotto Sopra
Nestled in Mount Vernon along the famous Charles Street corridor—the main thoroughfare running through Baltimore—this contemporary Italian restaurant boasts a luxe yet inviting atmosphere. The menu features creative takes on Italian classics, such as squid ink pasta with seafood and the ultra-popular pumpkin ravioli. Vibrant murals line the walls of Sotto Sopra, while dim lighting creates a romantic atmosphere. Plus, it’s just steps away from the Baltimore Basilica and the iconic Washington Monument.
Thames Street Oyster House
There’s a reason it’s nearly impossible to get a seat at this Fell’s Point hot spot without a reservation. Thames Street offers freshly shucked oysters, award-winning lobster rolls and a robust menu of local seafood dishes. Here’s a little tip: go right at open on weekdays, or between lunch and dinner on weekends to get a table and access sweet drink deals and bar specials—including $2 local, mid-Atlantic and northeastern oysters are a happy hour mainstay.
The Bygone
A swanky setting with a panoramic view—thanks to The Bygone’s location on the rooftop of the Four Seasons—is married with a historic fantasy approach for this buzzy concept restaurant. The French-inspired menu blends the glamorous ’20s and ’30s with nouvelle cuisine of the post-World War II era and today’s trends. The result: a truly special dining experience.
Enjoy the view of the Inner Harbor from the 29th floor.
The Duchess
Located on The Avenue, The Duchess serves Guamian cuisine in a British pub-like atmosphere.
From esteemed Baltimore restaurateur Tony Foreman and Chef Kiko Fejarang comes The Duchess, a culinary concept that marries the congenial vibe of an English pub with indigenous Western Pacific flavors. The menu mostly consists of chesas, or small plates, creating a communal dining experience in which everyone can get a taste of the pork lumpia, Chamorro skewers, spam musubi, crispy shrimp and corn patties and much, much more. Additional brunch and late-night menus offer an international escape any time of day.
The Food Market
We can’t let you go to the Food Market without trying their famous pretzels and beer cheese fondue, but that’s not all they have to offer. Chef Chad Gauss combines foods you know and love with innovative technique, like scallops with summer squash risotto, blistered cherry tomatoes and bacon soubise.
The Prime Rib
At The Prime Rib’s flagship restaurant, luxury is on the menu. Inspired by the founders’ love for 1940s glamour, the restaurant boasts rich leather seating, tuxedoed waitstaff, a complimentary valet and nightly live musicians. The steaks and seafood, too, are second to none. You’re guaranteed a perfectly roasted prime rib, chilled oysters and an expertly shaken (or stirred) martini.
The Urban Oyster
After years spent cultivating a fandom via farmers markets and pop-ups across the city, Chef Jasmine Norton recently opened a sit-down restaurant, The Urban Oyster, in Hampden. The first female and Black-owned oyster bar in the country, The Urban Oyster provides high-quality seafood in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu includes plenty of oyster dishes—think chargrilled, cheese-topped oysters and zesty oyster tacos—as well as non-seafood delicacies like oxtail lasagna and her signature burger.
Woodberry Tavern
An intimate reimagining of the former Woodberry Kitchen, a concept that quickly won praise for its innovative farm-to-table model, Woodberry Tavern aims to provide a cozy, quiet refuge in which diners can unwind and enjoy a carefully-crafted meal. At the helm is Spike Gjerde, Baltimore’s first and only James Beard Award-winning chef, who remains as sustainability-focused as ever. Start with the tavern board, a hearty mix of crackers, cheese, micro-vegetables and cured meats, or one of the artful salads before feasting on your main course. With only 28 seats, Woodberry Tavern books up quickly, but Gjerde’s creations are always worth the wait.
The Wren
This cozy pub has captured national attention, earning praise from The New York Times and a spot on Bon Appétit’s prestigious list of America’s best new restaurants. Described as a “public living room,” The Wren boasts only 20 seats and an intimate lounge for drinks. The menu is written on chalkboard and changes daily, but dishes that have earned praise include a country-style omelet with brown butter and Lancashire cheese, a decadent whole roast pigeon and “George’s ham” sourced from Heritage Smokehouse.
