Baltimore Restaurants
Cafes & Market Vendors
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Slightly "off the beaten path" in Mt. Vernon, we went here occasionally and always enjoyed it. Tasty coffee drinks and good food. I think they have a special vegan "mac & cheese" every week. The people are very nice, and are well respected by the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. In addition to coffee, pastries, and other food, they are a record store!
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Blacksauce has the best biscuits in the City. You can get their biscuits on their own, as a breakfast sandwich, or check out a number of their other menu items. Their brick-and-mortar location is in Baltimore's Remington neighborhood, and they're open on Thursdays and Saturdays. They're consistently at the Waverly Farmers Market (32nd St.) on Saturday mornings.
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Go here. You won't regret it. They have some of the best pastries in the city. They have a progressive bake schedule during the day, and recently expanded their hours. Coffee is great, pastries are great, and the downside is other people agree with us on this....so there's routinely a line, especially around their bake release times.
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Good for pretty much any meal; breakfast, lunch, or dinner. We tend to go here earlier in the day and get a coffee, but we've been there at night for dinner and a sangria. Very good, lovely people. I really like the Short Rib Grilled Cheese and the Tunisian salad.
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Catalog may be one of the most meticulously-designed coffee shops in Baltimore. Light pours in from the bay door, bringing vibrant colors to life, and lifting your spirits before you even get to their fantastic coffee or delightful sandwiches. If you’ve ever been tempted to order whatever the people in the kitchen eat, it’s super easy here as it’s on the menu - just order the “What the Kitchen Eats” sandwich, and you won’t be disappointed.
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Worker-owned, neighborhood gem in Hampden. Tasty coffee, great pastries and sandwiches. Workers are incredibly attentive and want to ensure that you have only a positive experience. Dogs allowed on their patio, and a water bowl is provided.
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This is a little bit of everything in Hampden. It's a combination coffee shop, home goods shop, plant store, and now hotel! We learned about it from our real estate agent. They have excellent coffee, tasty food, and an eclectic atmosphere. The layout of the indoor space is slightly awkward, but when the weather is nice out, the outdoor seating area is one of the best in the city. They are known for the "toasts" on their menu, but everything we've ever had has been very good.
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THB is "Towson Hot Bagel." They specialize in bagel sandwiches, most of which are served hot. There are several locations in the area, including one on St. Paul Street (near Johns Hopkins University), and another in Canton. They are one of the few places in Baltimore where you can get "Taylor Ham."
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We've been here a handful of times and really enjoy the coffee. They are located in the block next to Federal Hill Park, and it's a great spot to get a coffee when you're visiting the Inner Harbor, Federal Hill, and Fort McHenry.
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Vent is an incredible coffee shop in an unassuming location. Perfect in-house roasted coffee beans are available for purchase, or you can order them brewed into any of their marvelous beverages. If you need a quick cup of coffee at home, take some of their instant coffee for the best cup of coffee you can make in seconds. Their pastries, toasts, and breakfast sandwiches always hit the spot (and the ciabatta they use for their sandwiches perfectly balances crusty and fluffy).
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Some of the most reliable coffee in the city. They roast their own coffee and have tons of different blends. Their food is consistently great, and the service is excellent. They have a location out on Harford Rd. in Lauraville, another in Pigtown, and have a truck/van at a lot of the local farmers markets. At farmers markets they typically only have coffee/drinks and coffee beans, no food.
Coffee, Breakfast, & Brunch
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Rustic cross between a Cracker Barrel and a 50’s diner. Well known for its breakfast skillets, their sandwiches are also fantastic. Great for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. They’ve got coffee, beer, and cocktails. On Wednesdays they’re open late for burger night.
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We go here for lunch during workweek a couple times a month. They specialize in British food and pastries, and have good coffee drinks. Sometimes we'll go for pastries, sometimes we'll get a sandwich or a big meal; but their menu and specialties always make for a good experience. Most of the time we get them to-go; they have a handful of tables outside and a bustling dining room.
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Another Mt. Vernon institution, they have great coffee and pastries, and a good food menu with an Asian focus. A favorite is the steak, egg, & cheese sandwich.
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Very good food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is available anytime they're open, and everything is excellent. We found them because we heard they have good milkshakes - and they're good! The atmosphere is one-of-a-kind.
Barbeque
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This is a bit farther out in the county, but it's worth the trip; it's excellent. They’ve got the closest thing around to Eastern North Carolina style barbeque. Their pulled pork, brisket, and ribs are top notch. Their cornbread is a thing of beauty, and second to none. They have indoor and outdoor dining areas, and during the summers tend to have a weekly concert series.
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This is a newer barbeque restaurant in the City. They are a bit more upscale than Andy Nelson’s, Blue Pit, and others; but they have good barbeque, good sides, and good drinks. Their menu changes regularly based on the meats and produce they can source. The menu includes “The Ron Swanson” which includes all the meats on the menu (in reference to the meat-loving character from “Parks & Recreation.”)
Lunch & Dinner
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This is an Asian fusion restaurant with three locations in the City - we usually go to the one in Hampden. They also frequent some of the local farmers markets. They are known for their "Neighborhood Bird" bun, which is an amazing chicken sandwich on a steamed bun. They were quite popular before COVID, and have only become more beloved since they drove up north in a snowstorm to make their broccoli tempura for a terminally-ill customer. Story available from the Baltimore Fishbowl. Their head chef is a 2023 semi-finalist in the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" category for the James Beard Awards.
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This is a bit of a weird one, but it really is a local institution. (Most locals call it "RoFo.") RoFo is a chain of convenience stores, and they're known for their "world famous" fried chicken. I'm not sure the chicken is world-famous, but it is very good. The chicken tender box with western fries is a favorite, as are the spicy tenders. They have bone-in chicken which a lot of people prefer.
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Old fashioned Italian deli and grocer. Great sandwiches, and a wide variety of take-home/frozen entrees.
Dinner
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This is an excellent seafood restaurant in Fells Point, with an unobstructed view of the Harbor. One of our favorite views in the city, because we love seeing the Domino Sugars sign. We love the pretzel and crab dip appetizer, and their burger is always great. (You can even add a crabcake to the burger...which just seems like a bit too much; but apparently some people do it.)
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An Italian/pizza restaurant in the Woodberry neighborhood, a slightly longer walk from the Light Rail stop. It's located in an old stone building, and has a great atmosphere. Between their pizza and extensive pasta menu, I’ve heard an Italian say that Birroteca was “the best meal [he’d] had in at least a year.” Everything is incredible. They have easily the best Brussels Sprouts you’ll find in Baltimore.
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This was one of our favorite places to go when we lived in Mt. Vernon...partially because it was so close to our apartment, but also because it's excellent. They have excellent pub food, a bit of a focus on German food, and some of the best beer in the City. We generally favor the downstairs bar because it's a bit cozier; but the upstairs bar and dining room are absolutely beautiful. Since COVID started they've added outdoor seating in a "parklet" out front, and it's a good place to sit when the weather is nice.
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Charleston is one of the finest restaurants in town. This restaurant, owned by beloved Baltimore chef Cindy Wolf, finally brought home a James Beard Award in 2025 to Baltimore. A perfect destination for a special occasion, a romantic date night, or a New Years Eve celebration, Charleston will not disappoint. The menu changes daily, and you’ll choose from three, four, five, or six courses from the tasting menu that changes daily. Petit fours, dessert, and amuse-bouche courses are included on the house. Add a coffee or a course from the extensive cheese cart to round out your experience.
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We haven't managed to eat at Chiapparelli's, but have gotten them for takeout several times - particularly during COVID. We always ended up with huge portions of salad and bread in addition to the meals we actually ordered, and we could routinely get two or three meals out of "a meal" from Chiapparelli's. Several other friends and colleagues in the area like Chiapparelli's. Definitely a good one to check out.
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This is our favorite Mexican restaurant in the city. Their tacos are amazing, and I finally tried ceviche for the first time there - it was incredible. They focus on food from the Sinaloa state, which can be a bit different from other Mexican food you'll have. Their margaritas are second-to-none. Similar to Cafe Dear Leon, this place is definitely not a secret. They open at 5:00 PM, and there will be a line out front at opening time every day. You can get a drink from the bar while you wait or head to W.C. Harlan down the street (see "Drinks") to pass the time. The dining room will fill up, as will the outdoor dining area when the weather is nice. We highly recommend the Queso Fundido with Chorizo as an appetizer. It's served in a cast iron skillet...and you're not finished until you can see the clean, bare cast iron skillet on the bottom. They charge a 20% service charge to all customer cheques which is split evenly among all the staff working each night; additional tips are not required or expected, but would be split evenly among everyone working that night, as well.
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A unique British Pub atmosphere meets the Chamorro cuisine of Guam. The Duchess provides another impeccable dining experience from Tony Foreman + Co., with an attentive team that will leave you wanting nothing more by the end of your night.
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Located in Hampden, this is a good place for elevated American cuisine. They've always got something interesting on the menu. Often we'll go during Restaurant Week, but the regular menu is excellent.
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One of our favorite places to get pizza. They have a few locations in the City, and have quite a wide range of toppings to choose from. In our experience, their delivery is always super quick. We're so happy that we have a location that delivers to our new neighborhood!
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Another top-notch restaurant in the Tony Foreman + Co. restaurant group. Nestled in the heart of Roland Park, Johnny’s is a local favorite for casual but elevated American dining. Johnny’s has excellent specials all week long, including a daily happy hour cocktail, Meatball Mondays, Burger Tuesdays, and Whiskey Wednesdays. In addition to their seafood, Johnny’s is known for their cookies – be sure to try them out! Check them out during October, when they go all out and decorate the entire restaurant like a scene from Harry Potter.
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Located in Canton’s O’Donnel Square, Love, Pomelo is an Italian restaurant specializing in scrumptious homemade pasta. This is another wonderful gem from the same owners as Cafe Dear Leon. The service, ambiance, and food will leave you absolutely delighted.
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Mama's is probably our favorite place to get seafood in the City. Everything they have is super tasty and fresh. Overall they are a pretty traditional seafood restaurant, having particularly good fried seafood (we often go for oysters or shrimp) and specials. A standout on their menu is their coleslaw. It's a slightly odd thing to be notable on a menu, but theirs is the best we've ever had. We always order it.
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We learned about Matthew's Pizza from a friend who grew up in the area. He said that "If Baltimore had its own type of pizza, it would be Matthew's." It's excellent. They're one of the few places we get pizza in the city, and would probably go there more frequently if they were closer to us. Located near Patterson Park, they specialize in smaller (individual-sized), pan pizzas. It's because of Matthew's Pizza that we've gained an appreciation for anchovies on pizza. (We now often put them on pizzas we make at home!) Matthew's is what Pizza Hut wishes it could be.
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Again, this was one of our go-to's when we lived in Mt. Vernon. We were scared that they would end up shutting down after a fire next door that was followed immediately by COVID. They're still going strong, though! They have excellent Happy Hour pricing, and everything we've had is great. We tend to get a number of sushi rolls to split, and a couple of their house cocktails. The people are very friendly, and have always taken good care of us. Austin (one of the owners) and Raj (one of the servers) know us by name, and always greet us like friends.
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This French bistro is a French love letter to Baltimore from Tony Foreman + Co. Petit Louis has some of the best French food I’ve had outside of France.
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This place is really special. It's an old-school Spanish restaurant, and we can't say enough good things about it. They're routinely part of Restaurant Week, and that's how we found them. We tend to go outside of Restaurant Week now and get the Paella for Two. The atmosphere is incredible, the food is great, and it's a great place for people watching. They are known for their sangria, and they even sell the handmade pitchers to go. Their flan is life changing.
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This is a great Italian restaurant we enjoyed when we lived in Mt. Vernon. We went here for at least one Valentine's Day, and a couple other date nights. We had the fortune of meeting "Judge K" one time, after whom "Judge K's Veal" is named. There are a number of judges in the City who eat at Sammy's, and they all have a menu item named after them. I'm partial to Judge Sweeney’s Pappardelle alla Bolognese.
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A well regarded Italian restaurant situated on Charles Street between the church and the Washington Monument. We've only been a couple times, but most recently had an exquisite dinner that left us excited to return. If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind experience, consider their Opera Nights. We've not been, but have heard good things about them.
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A relatively new addition to the Baltimore food scene, Toki Underground is known for their ramen. Their food is all amazing. The starters are great to share or to have as side dishes. We’ve also really enjoyed some of their non-ramen dishes, including steamed buns and broth-less noodles. While most of their ramen is made with a pork broth, this restaurant could be a good option for a vegetarian option, as well. Employees are very nice, attentive, but not overbearing. When we were leaving from our second visit, our server from our first visit stopped us to say “hi” and checked to make sure we enjoyed that night’s visit.
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True Chesapeake Oyster Co. is more than just a restaurant. They are, in fact, an oyster company, operating their own oyster farm in southern Maryland. Sharing some of the same visionaries as the former Mount Vernon gem Local Oyster, the True Chesapeake location in historic Whitehall Mill is an open, inviting space to enjoy some of Maryland’s finest seafood. Be sure to get some oysters on the half shell while you’re there - they are the restaurant’s namesake, after all. I recommend the Skinny Dippers and the Chunk Dunkers. (And no, I’m not making the names up.)
Drinks
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Spirits made by the Baltimore Spirits Company are always a winner, and they've recently opened the Cocktail Gallery, a cocktail bar where they focus on using their in-house spirits. We've only been here for cocktails once, but they were masterfully prepared using concepts and ingredients I would have never considered, myself.
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They're really more than just a place to go for drinks, but their cocktails are, indeed, incredible. They specialize in gin cocktails, but the geniuses behind the bar are well versed in all manner of cocktail making.
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Located one block away from Clavel, this speakeasy is a great place for a wonderful cocktail, mocktail, or beer. It's an intimate place to go for a beverage, especially if you're looking to pass some time while waiting for a table at Clavel. Similar to Clavel, they add a 20% service charge to all customer cheques which is split among all the staff that night; any extra tip is also split evenly.
Desserts
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Ice cream. It's amazing. Go there. They have several locations in the area, and the original one is in Hampden. If there are a couple flavors you're interested in but don't want to commit to a "big" scoop of, you can order "baby" scoops! They can be quite adventurous with their flavors - especially around Halloween - but they are one of the best ice creams in the city. Their menu includes some flavors that they have all the time, and others that are only available from time to time. Their "always" flavors include Maryland Mud – a family favorite - and Old Bay Caramel (a baby scoop is always a great addition).
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Located in Little Italy, they're really a full restaurant, not just a pastry shop. But they are well regarded for their pastries. They have all kinds of incredible desserts, from delicate ricotta cookies, to robust cannoli, and massive eclairs (kudos to you if you can eat a whole one in a single sitting). One pastry I’ll never forget is the Zeppole di San Giuseppe. It's available on St. Joseph's Day!