Outdoor Dining in Baltimore

Ampersea

Curated by executive chef Nelson Morton, Ampersea’s menu aims to celebrate Maryland in its entirety with signature dishes like the blue crab dip, plus vegan and vegetarian options, such as the cauliflower risotto.

Azumi

Enjoy sushi flown in each day from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market at this chic Harbor East restaurant. Azumi offers panoramic views of the Inner Harbor from its waterfront patio.

Barcocina

Enjoy tacos and margaritas with a waterfront view.

Barcocina’s outdoor patio on the water in Fell’s Point is a picturesque spot for tacos and cocktails made with fresh-squeezed juice. The rolling garage doors open during the warmer months to bring the harbor breeze through the restaurant and stay closed in the winter to keep you warm while enjoying the view.

Bayside Cantina

Located in Canton’s Tindeco Wharf development, Bayside Cantina offers one of the best waterfront settings in the city with ample covered and uncovered outdoor seating. The menu features traditional Mexican fare like tacos and burritos while the cocktail list encourages you to step outside your comfort zone. The Mescalita, for example, is a twist on a margarita that pairs mezcal, sour mix and caramelized chile ancho syrup. There’s also the Bayside Manhattan, which uses tequila and chocolate bitters. Follow their Facebook to keep tabs on Taco Tuesday deals and live music nights.

Cinghiale

Enjoy Cinghiale’s Italian menu complimented by a wine list with more than 500 labels. Planters full of greens and chef’s herbs frame the patio facing the Harbor East marina, offering a semi-private area for guests.

Cindy Lou’s Fish House

Set in Harbor Point’s Canopy Hotel and created by lauded restaurant duo Tony Foreman and chef Cindy Wolf, Cindy Lou’s Fish House pairs waterfront views of the Domino Sugar Factory with a menu inspired by Southern classics. Expect delicious cuisine standards with a modern update, such as cornmeal-fried oysters, pork chops served with barbecue sauce and “kaleslaw,” and fried green tomatoes alongside pimento ricotta. 

Loch Bar

This 1920s-inspired oyster bar offers Chesapeake seafood as well as products from all over the East and West coasts and Mexico. Dine outdoors with Loch Bar’s sweeping view of the Inner Harbor while feasting on a seafood tower and enjoying one (or several) of the more than 350 different whiskey offerings.

Nick’s Fish House

Located in the developing Baltimore Peninsula neighborhood, this seafood restaurant’s open air crab deck and earthy aesthetic will make you feel like you’ve landed in a beach town. The menu is a seafood lovers’ dream, with offerings like crab dip, loaded fries, lobster rolls, crab cakes, fish tacos and steamed crabs, mussels and clams. Also be sure to try a Nick’s crush, which are heavy on the fresh-squeezed juice and liquor.

Enjoy an authentic Baltimore crab feast at Nick’s Seafood in Baltimore Peninsula.

Phillips Seafood

A casual and friendly atmosphere and a delicious seafood feast await you on the Phillips Seafood crab deck, located just steps away from paddle boats, historic ships and the National Aquarium in the Inner Harbor. During Phillips’ outdoor Friday happy hour, enjoy $4 beer, wine and sangria as well as specialty appetizers like crab rangoon, crispy calamari and Chesapeake crab dip.

Looking for more places to enjoy Chesapeake-style crabs? See our guide to all things Maryland blue crab—including how to find, crack and season them. 

Raw & Refined

This Canton spot overlooks a marina and pool, channeling a tropical vibe with fruity cocktails and fresh seafood on the menu. Start with the tuna tostada, enjoy a lobster roll or shrimp salad sandwich as your main, and then feast on Raw & Refined’s classic Baltimore bomb pie for dessert.

Enjoy the outdoor bar and dining options at Raw and Refined.

Cosima

Tucked along the Jones Falls waterway, feel transported to Italy on Cosima’s waterside patio surrounded by the brick and stone façade of the historic Mill No. 1 underneath twinkling lights and shining stars.

Gunther & Co.

The Gunther & Co. patio in Canton features a pergola, umbrellas and two living walls to match the interior, which incorporate a natural landscape of pollinator plants and organic herbs. The herbs are used both in the kitchen and as part of the cocktail program.

Leinenkugel’s Beer Garden

Enjoy an afternoon in the Power Plant Live! beer garden lounging in one of Leinenkugel’s Adirondack chairs as you sip on a crisp local brew, or cozy up next to the outdoor fireplace.

Mama’s On the Half Shell

Mama’s on the Half Shell quickly became a Baltimore seafood institution after opening in 2003. For more than 15 years, the Canton gastropub has served Charm City classics like crab cakes, coddies, rockfish and, of course, oysters on the half shell. Wash it down with a crush, a classic Baltimore summer drink featuring fresh-squeezed juices, vodka and crushed ice. On a nice day, sit outside to enjoy views of the charming Canton Square and soak up some sun.

Mama’s outdoor setup offers some relief from the hot summer sun.

Ouzo Bay & Ouzo Beach

Retractable windows and doors create an open-air feel connecting the restaurant and waterfront patio at Ouzo Bay. You’ll feel transported to Greece without leaving Harbor East as you enjoy fresh bronzino, kalitsounia and one of the most extensive ouzo selections on the East Coast. Just across the street is Ouzo Beach, sharing a kitchen and a lighter, modified menu with Ouzo Bay. The Mediterranean villa-inspired bar is even closer to the water and features a live DJ every night.

R. House

Whether you’re enjoying an evening by the fire pit or hosting a group of friends in your own private section, enjoy your evening underneath the trellis with food from 10 of Baltimore’s most creative chefs, and inventive craft cocktails from r. bar at R. House, a former auto body repair shop turned food hall located in Remington.

Sally O’s

Sally O’s has quickly become known for its colorful, flavorful cocktails that match the restaurant’s playful spirit.

Highlandtown’s Sally O’s has developed a loyal local fan base thanks to its swanky decor, hot happy hour deals and comprehensive late-night menu courtesy of “Top Chef” alum Jesse Sandlin (midnight mac and cheese, anyone?). Having opened during the pandemic, the restaurant boasts a thoughtful al fresco setup consisting of plush velvet chairs, large wooden tables, heat lamps and a canopy. Stop by for a signature cocktail like an Old Fashioned with marshmallow syrup or the Star Tropics with a secret blend of tropical flavor.

Bodhi Federal Hill

This family-owned authentic Thai restaurant in Federal Hill has a hidden courtyard behind the restaurant for an intimate meal. Try Bodhi’s crispy chicken, pad Thai or crab fried rice for out-of-this-world flavor.

Claddagh Pub

Besides being a go-to spot for catching the latest soccer game, Claddagh Pub has an interior courtyard with its own bar and is covered by nothing but twinkling lights. Be sure to check out the surf and turf options, or an authentic Irish reuben.

Gertrude’s

Gertrude’s Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art combines art and food on the flagstone patio overlooking the BMA sculpture garden. Whether it’s dinner for two, a corporate function, garden party, storybook wedding or other special occasion, Gertrude’s is an artsy, delicious option.

Hampden Yards

This outdoor beer and cocktail garden opened up just off Hampden‘s main drag, 36th Street (aka “The Avenue”). Hampden Yards is a laid-back, dog-friendly and entirely outdoor spot that offers craft beer, cocktails, wine, crushes and bites like brats, burgers and pretzels. Plus there’s board games and foosball on deck to keep you entertained.

La Cuchara

Take advantage of La Cuchara’s patio in the summer with delicious pintxos and primeros from the daily changing menu, wine by the glass selections and Union Craft Brewing beers to wash down their Basque-inspired cuisine.

Magdalena

Enjoy al fresco dining in the courtyard of Magdalena, the celebrated restaurant of The Ivy Hotel, a Relais & Châteaux property in Baltimore’s historic Mount Vernon neighborhood. High-quality, local, seasonal ingredients are at the forefront of the menu, along with a wine cellar of great depth and variety, malt whiskeys and craft beers.

Papi’s Tacos

Sit at one of the dog-friendly tables outside the front of Papi’s Tacos in Fell’s Point, or head to the courtyard behind the restaurant for a more intimate setting inspired by the culture of Mexico. Or check out their location in Hampden for the same great flavors and specials.

LB Skybar

Overlooking downtown Baltimore on the 19^th floor of the Lord Baltimore Hotel, LB Skybar is a spectacular rooftop deck complete with sparkling string lights, cabana seating and an Instagram-ready plant wall. Enjoy specialty cocktails, canned craft cocktails and local beers plus light fare.

LB Skybar on the roof of the Lord Baltimore hotel overlooks downtown.

LP Steamers

In addition to the roof deck, LP Steamers offers street-level outdoor seating.

In addition to serving some of the city’s freshest seafood, this laidback Locust Point joint boasts one of the best views of the water from its rooftop deck. They’ve been recognized by Zagat, Trip Advisor and Yelp for their steamed and fried crabs, so they’ll be happy to help you crack ’em like a local.

16 On the Park

16 On the Park offers a rooftop view unlike any other in the city, located steps from the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, overlooking downtown Baltimore. Enjoy Maryland crab sliders, crab and corn fitters and a fresh raw bar on the roof of the Residence Inn.

The Bygone

Atop the extravagant Four Seasons Hotel, this fine dining restaurant will satisfy your cravings with the Chef’s Tasting, a five-course meal specially cooked by its head chefs. Even better, you can feast your eyes on the panoramic scenery of the Inner Harbor on the balcony of the 26^th floor at The Bygone.

The Chasseur

Head upstairs to The Chasseur’s third floor bar surrounded by floor to ceiling garage doors that remain open during warm weather. Pair the elevated bar food with a local beer on tap or a specialty cocktail.

Watershed

At the end of Cross Street Market in Federal Hill, Watershed is a welcome rooftop reprieve from the neighborhood’s bustling bar and club scene. Whether you want to watch an Orioles or Ravens game on the big screen or relax with a beverage at the covered bar, Watershed can match your going-out vibe. As for the menu, it’s elevated Charm City seafood: cream of crab soup, stuffed lobster, pan-seared rockfish, soft shell crab platters and pistachio-crusted scallops.

For the ultimate outdoor dining (and shopping) experience, spend the morning at one of Baltimore’s sprawling farmer’s markets. These hyper-local community events are a foodie’s paradise, filled with seasonal bounty, specialty coffees, smoked oysters, artisanal cheeses and fresh bread. They’re also a great way to mingle with local artists, enjoy live music or shop for handcrafted souvenirs.

Find fresh groceries at downtown’s Baltimore Farmers Market, the largest produce-only market in the country. Savor local bites at the year-round Waverly Farmers Market, or grab a drink at the waterfront Fell’s Point Farmers Market. See our full list of neighborhood markets here.