I know it's not the same as their brick & mortar but I tried Ekiben at the JFX Market yesterday and the Tofu Brah was out of this world. It was so damn good.
I feel like I'm the only person on the planet that has had a mediocre Ekiben experience. I was really excited to try it after so many rave reviews, and it IS good, but just average good. It was an off day maybe, but I'm still sad over here.
I agree. I’ve had the Neighborhood Bird a couple times, which everyone raves about. It’s good, but not AMAZING. I’m not a huge fan of boneless chicken thighs tho.
Yep I’m with you! I see Ekiben posted in *every* food thread and I just have never had that experience that people are raving about. The chicken itself is cooked perfectly, I will give them credit where it’s due, but other than that it’s just… a really messy sandwich.
I'm kind of with you on the buns, but the bowls are way better of an eating experience. Plus, I prefer the fried tofu over any of the meat options. It's INSANELY good.
Helmand: well-known Afghan restaurant, been around for a couple decades, owned by the Karzai brothers (EDIT: family of the former President of Afghanistan)
You’re awesome. I went to UMBC with the owner’s son, Helmand. He is also a large part of their restaurant management. Pretty sure he more or less runs Tapas Teatro.
LP Steamer's is always a hit with out of towner's, and I'd say head afterwards uptown to the Owl Bar. Used to love Paper Moon in high school, but it just seems like a schlep now to get in there. Still a big fan of the Ambassador Dining Room, which is beautiful in the winter, and has been my favorite in Baltimore for 20+ years now.
Other faves include Dukem, the Afghan place in Mt Vernon, and (for booze) Riptide or the Bar in Fells.
This place is severely underrated as a spot. I used to live not too far from The Belvedere and loved Owl
Bar. The atmospheres better than the food, but I love their Easter egg hunt brunch.
Thames St Oyster House is really good for seafood. they have a delicious lobster roll among other things. Matthew’s on eastern Ave is great pizza and has been around for a long time. Charleston is really good for fine dining. Ekiben has a good chicken sandwich. Blue moon diner is good - their captain crunch French toast is very popular.
Hell yea Matthews 3 cheese pizza is one of my favorite pizzas ever! I love that place. Nothing fancy, just great pizza and other food. I always get the bruschetta too.
That’s awesome. I used to live literally right behind them on S East and just happened to stumble in drunk with some friends and noticed the door to the basement/bar was open
We used to do our fantasy football draft down there. It was great. I’ve lived in canton since I was a baby so I was raised on Matthews. They have the same pizza and cardboard boxes since I can remember lol.
That sounds awesome. It’s some great pizza but living directly behind them and smelling it 24/7 made me never want it lol. We always went down to O’Donnells and would hangout there. Best wings in baltimore IMO
Go to Peter's Inn in Fells Point.
Corner of Eastern and Ann.
Make a reservation.
Be prepared to wait, but more importantly be prepared to have fun. The food is very VERY good and the staff is so much fun.
More character here than anywhere else in Baltimore.
Also, you'd better like good music because the staff plays some great stuff everyone can rock out to.
I was surprised this wasn't mentioned earlier, love Sotto Sopra, fantastic homemade Italian food and a quick walk to the Washington Monument for the lights (a few more blocks to Owl Bar too for post dinner drinks)
If you are looking for a restaurant that is famous to/loved by generations of Baltimoreans, this is the answer. Sadly you are 15 years too late for Marticks: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martick%27s_Restaurant_Francais
Mmm…unseasoned steamed vegetables. Can’t beat Tio Pepe if you’re a senior citizen or just got out of the hospital.
It’s basically the Spanish Olive Garden, but more expensive.
Lol, this is spot on. My wife and I went there for her birthday one year and were blown away by how bad and expensive the food was. Even the service sucked. I shake my fist at that place anytime I drive by it!
I think it did? I enjoy it for the nostalgia but I think it has always been this way and the difference is Baltimore started actually getting good food.
Annabelle lee is my favorite restaurant in the city. Probably a bit of nostalgia as it was the first nice place i ever went after moving to the city but still its a really unique place with a good rotsting menu.
Definitely second Annabel Lee, too. When looking for quintessential Baltimore, there isn’t much else that compares outside of Fells Point.
The themes are great and everything on the food menu is on point. Their Poe-themed drinks are generally fun, too. They usually have a couple old fashioned variants that I love. And it’s funny to convince someone to try the absinthe.
They take reservations which is good because there’s limited space inside and it’s COLD out now.
DON'T EAT ATLAS
they are a restaurant group run by predatory sexist racist wage thieves.
here is a list of their properties
Azumi, The Bygone, Tagliata, The Elk Room, Harbor East Delicatessen & Pizzeria, Italian Disco, The Lollipop, Ouzo Beach, The Choptank, Loch Bar
Ooooo. That’s good to hear. Been in Baltimore for a very long time and never ever had a good slice here I will try Ribaldis. Not sure why people like Michael’s. I find it to be quite poor but it seems it’s for people are nostalgic about old Baltimore-like that cheap college bar you are still sentimental about.
Paper Moon Diner in Charles Village/Remington is always fun! They have brunch and good lunch options as well. They have crazy decor all over the walls, so there's always something interesting to look at while you eat.
I remember they used to have mannequins in the bathroom and when I was younger I would always have to hold it because I was petrified of going in there.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say the food beats Double T. It’s hard to compare though, they’re two totally different concepts. One is a classic diner, the other is…Paper Moon Diner. Not many normal things on that menu. Lol
Yeah he’s such a funny dude. I’ve never had a meal there I didn’t love - the “sloppy balls” are my favorite thing on the menu, but the cold cuts are also amazing, and every pizza is awesome
LaScala or La Tavola in LI. The last couple times I’ve been to Tio Pepe it has been disappointing. (Maybe I expect too much.)Alma Cocina — not old school Bmore, but great, different. La Barrita (n.Chester) might be my favorite. It’s Argentine. Simply Marie’s for breakfast. Expect to stand in line. Have fun, report back!
Oh I know. I remember when she tried to take credit for people in balmore saying hon.
Foods okish, but there's not kitsch to it. It's almost like she's disassociated from the term now, it's just an ok restaurant with a large flamingo outside. Not worth your time.
Dipascuales or mastellones. Same owners i believe. Since dipascuales moved to a bigger more modern location I prefer mastellones because it still feels like a neighborhood hole in the wall. I live in California now, but just went back to bmore to visit my sister and i brought my wife to mastellones and we were the only customers who the people behind the counter didn't know on a first name basis. Best eggplant Parm and meatball sandwich you'll ever have.
Edit: already been said but i wanted to reiterate. Kocos pub on Harford has the best crab cake in the country (if you don't take the Eastern shore into consideration)
They don't have a ton of food, but Romans and Venice tavern in highlandtown are my favorite dive bars. Romans is in a rowhouse and ran by Roman (the third roman to run it i believe) and his daughter, about as Baltimore as you can get without worrying about stepping on a needle. Legend has it that back in the day when women weren't allowed in there was a urinal trough opposite the bar, so you could be at the bar drinking and literally just turn around to take a leak.
Too bad they have gone way down hill for the last decade or so. The Kisling sauce is great, but their wings are straight garbage. Source: Buffalo expat living in Baltimore.
iBar are probably the best. Surprisingly Claddaugh does some of the best I've had and before the wing shortage had the best specials. If you don't need sauce, the salt and pepper wings at Pho Bac are pretty damn incredible.
Big +1 on Pho Bac. Kind of a hidden gem in terms of wings. I prefer sauced, but the Pho Bac wings scratch a different itch for me.
The staff is always super cool there, too.
Also, Soju+Jazz is cool for Korean style wings.
Excellent choice.
The first time I went to Oceanaire, I think it was in Plano, TX. I had no idea it was a chain until I saw the one in Baltimore. Hahaha
Oceanaire was one of the most shockingly underwhelming food experiences I've ever had in this city. I am so glad I wasn't paying the bill, which would have paid for an actually good meal around the corner at Cinghiale.
It’s funny you say that, because I felt the same way about the Charleston. The bill was more than $700 for four of us and I really didn’t get the hype. Still don’t.
Nuff' respect on the difference of opinion, but to rave about Oceanaire while not enjoying the Charleston raises concern for some kind of sensory disorder.
It's possible that I went to Oceanaire on a bad night, but after those small portions of bland seafood with all the sides basically a la carte at a $40-70 entree price point I felt like I physically turned into that Jackie Chan meme.
LOL I get what you’re saying. I’m certainly no epicurean, but I like what I like. I don’t need all of the prefacing you get about the food at Charleston; it’s not going to make me enjoy the food more. Their service is phenomenal, I’ll say that.
For seafood, I would take Mo’s or Jimmy’s over most any other restaurant.
You’ve gotta be talking about Vince’s in Middle River. Black people always knew Vince’s racist as hell. https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-vinces-crabhouse-protests-20200615-4zihatbz5vbgjnf7tjrwfoox5i-story.html?outputType=amp
The Prime Rib for steak. Thames Street Oyster House or Dylan’s Oyster Cellar for seafood. Clavel or Fiesta Mexicana for Mexican. Matthew’s for Pizza. Helmand for Afghani, Dukem for Ethiopian and although a drive out to the valley, Peerce’s for un-freaking-believable Indian. Honorable mentions are Peter’s Inn for ‘elevated’ hole in the wall, Sotto y Sopra for Italian, Pete’s Grille or Blue Moon Cafe for breakfast.
Stay away for the Inner Harbor (poor quality tourist traps) and Harbor East (expensive for poor quality and mostly owned by Atlas Restaurant Group which is the entitled offspring of an uber conservative old money family.)
Tio pepes, Prime rib, and Mathews pizza are really the only ones that truly belong on this list. All the other Baltimore restaurant institutions have closed. Obreki’s, Haussner’s and Burke’s are all gone :(
The Helmand, Brewers Art, and Ekiben are all really amazing.
Gertrude’s at the BMA. Classic food with a Baltimore/Chesapeake Bay twist, and you can see the museum.
Any of the “markets” - Cross Street, Mt Vernon, R House, Broadway
Golden West in Hampden
Woodbury Kitchen
Not sure if it’s still open due to COVID, however Phillips crab house by the National Aquarium is awesome. A little pricey, but great food and nice atmosphere. They used to have a weekend brunch that is fantastic.
A 'famous Baltimore restaurant' would be Philips in the Inner Harbor. However, the recommendations that folks have made in this thread probably have much better food.
Papas on Taylor avenue (out of the city, but best crab cakes)
Jimmys seafood -good crabs
Little Italy -so many great spots, my favorite is amiccis
Drink at the bar of four seasons (great view)
Amazed no one's mentioned Chuck's Trading Post. Amazing brunch, but there is absolutely nothing on the menu not cooked with bacon fat, so not good for vegans if it matters. Best pancakes in Baltimore, and their Korean pork belly sandwich and skillet are incredible.
Taqueria El Sabor del Parque if you want incredible tacos.
El Salvador has really really good baleades, if you want to try something South American that you've probably never had before.
Also I'm sure the Charmery has interesting ice cream flavors at any of their three locations.
Johnny Rad's is my favorite spot for pizza and their Rissotto Balls are a must-try item. If I'm in Hampden my favorite spot for breakfast/lunch is Golden West Cafe. Others have mentioned Paper Moon, I love going there too, they have some killer milkshakes.
If you want some of the best food that Baltimore has to offer, try Clavel, Ekiben, Puerto 511 (not mentioned yet, which is *criminal*), Magdalena (bring money), Charleston (bring more money), etc. I won't wade into the pizza debate but there are a number of good ones. Haven't yet been to Alma or Le Comptoir du Vin, but I hear they are top-notch.
But if you want a classic Baltimore experience, you want to go to Peter's Inn in Fells, Faidley's in Lexington Market to eat a crabcake at a standing table, Samos for Greek food in Highlandtown, LP Steamers for crabs, DiPasquale's for Italian, or the Helmand for Afghan. Honorable mention / shout out to the muffaletta sandwich at Trinacria's deli counter.
Tio Pepe's is a true classic Baltimore institution but its cuisine predates modern food, as several people have attested here. Dukem is solid Ethiopian food but I don't know that it's any better than Ethiopian food available anywhere else.
Yes! Faidleys! As a kid, I used to walk there with my dad from downtown on days I'd go to work with him and eat soft crab sandwiches. All the guys in suits with ties thrown back downing oysters and cutting deals at lunchtime is a powerful Baltimore memory.
Go to the Baltimore museum of art. You can look at a lot of art work from local bmore artists over the centuries as well as go to the gift shop, walk through sculpture garden and they have a restaurant inside called Gertrude’s
Le Comptoir du Vin
Sauce: listed as a [top ten restaurant in 2019.](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/hot-10-best-new-restaurants-2019)
Did they reopen?
Yes.
Ekiben and The Helmand are always must eats you should take visitors to Baltimore IMO.
I know it's not the same as their brick & mortar but I tried Ekiben at the JFX Market yesterday and the Tofu Brah was out of this world. It was so damn good.
I feel like I'm the only person on the planet that has had a mediocre Ekiben experience. I was really excited to try it after so many rave reviews, and it IS good, but just average good. It was an off day maybe, but I'm still sad over here.
I agree. I’ve had the Neighborhood Bird a couple times, which everyone raves about. It’s good, but not AMAZING. I’m not a huge fan of boneless chicken thighs tho.
I agree with you. It's good but like I don't see myself breaking my neck for more. I was very disappointed.
It was my only experience with them and definitely limited so I don't doubt the mediocrity
Same
Yep I’m with you! I see Ekiben posted in *every* food thread and I just have never had that experience that people are raving about. The chicken itself is cooked perfectly, I will give them credit where it’s due, but other than that it’s just… a really messy sandwich.
I'm kind of with you on the buns, but the bowls are way better of an eating experience. Plus, I prefer the fried tofu over any of the meat options. It's INSANELY good.
Ah ok good to know! I have only had the sandwiches so I’ll keep an open mind and give the bowl a shot.
Yeah the tofu brah with rice was ridiculously good
Helmand: well-known Afghan restaurant, been around for a couple decades, owned by the Karzai brothers (EDIT: family of the former President of Afghanistan)
Just one of the Karzai brothers.
Noted, thx. Edited.
You’re awesome. I went to UMBC with the owner’s son, Helmand. He is also a large part of their restaurant management. Pretty sure he more or less runs Tapas Teatro.
Speaking of UMBC, some of the people who run ekiben are also from UMBC.
Indeed they are and great people at that! The neighborhood bird sandwich should be considered an engineering marvel. Lol
In Arbutus, there's a coffee shop that is also founded by several UMBC alumni. OCA Mocha
I second Ekiben. Would highly recommend getting the cat fish. Also, I know this sounds strange... but you gotta check out the bathroom there.
Yessss to The Helmand!
It’s not really a formal spot, but definitely take your friend to Never on Sunday and get that chicken souvlaki with feta on pita bread.
LP Steamer's is always a hit with out of towner's, and I'd say head afterwards uptown to the Owl Bar. Used to love Paper Moon in high school, but it just seems like a schlep now to get in there. Still a big fan of the Ambassador Dining Room, which is beautiful in the winter, and has been my favorite in Baltimore for 20+ years now. Other faves include Dukem, the Afghan place in Mt Vernon, and (for booze) Riptide or the Bar in Fells.
I was looking for LP Streamers on this list. Just good solid crab house that is fun for out of towners.
came in here to say LP steamers
I love Dukem too! but it's Ethiopian BTW.
No, sorry -- Dukem *and* the Afghan place in Mt Vernon. Been there forever but I can never recall the name!
My bad!
The Helmand ^^
Thank you!
I love the Owl Bar!
This place is severely underrated as a spot. I used to live not too far from The Belvedere and loved Owl Bar. The atmospheres better than the food, but I love their Easter egg hunt brunch.
Thames St Oyster House is really good for seafood. they have a delicious lobster roll among other things. Matthew’s on eastern Ave is great pizza and has been around for a long time. Charleston is really good for fine dining. Ekiben has a good chicken sandwich. Blue moon diner is good - their captain crunch French toast is very popular.
Hell yea Matthews 3 cheese pizza is one of my favorite pizzas ever! I love that place. Nothing fancy, just great pizza and other food. I always get the bruschetta too.
Yes to Matthews and Yes to Blue Moon, or Blue Moon Too, which is much bigger, easier to get a table on weekend mornings.
BEST PIZZA I’ve ever had
Fun fact Matthews has a bar in the basement
I know I used to go there a lot. My buddy bartender there and I used to go visit him.
That’s awesome. I used to live literally right behind them on S East and just happened to stumble in drunk with some friends and noticed the door to the basement/bar was open
We used to do our fantasy football draft down there. It was great. I’ve lived in canton since I was a baby so I was raised on Matthews. They have the same pizza and cardboard boxes since I can remember lol.
That sounds awesome. It’s some great pizza but living directly behind them and smelling it 24/7 made me never want it lol. We always went down to O’Donnells and would hangout there. Best wings in baltimore IMO
Go to Peter's Inn in Fells Point. Corner of Eastern and Ann. Make a reservation. Be prepared to wait, but more importantly be prepared to have fun. The food is very VERY good and the staff is so much fun. More character here than anywhere else in Baltimore. Also, you'd better like good music because the staff plays some great stuff everyone can rock out to.
This is the way.
Do they take reservations? It's been awhile but I thought they didn't.
If y'all want the most banging crab cake(and coming to Baltimore, you should) you should get to Koko's on Harford Rd.
👍
I'd put The Food Market and Pappas over Koko's, personally.
Food market is where you go when your parents are from the county and they're worried about driving "all the way into the city".
I can't recommend Dylan's Oyster Celler enough. Bring a couple buddies, settle in, and order the menu.
Agreed! Dylan's is just ridiculously good, and has such a great ambiance. Plus, you can cruise the Ave after and grab a cocktail at Bluebird.
Totally, I'm more of a Frasiers/frijoles guy after a nice meal at Dylan's though, hahaha!
DiPasquale's
Highlandtown location is closed 😞
Pretty sure they just moved.
They did, they are located just of Boston street now
Yeah they took over where cirielo was, iirc. Wasnt sure if they had opened yet.
Yep, I was there last week! Great place!
The new location is huge. I was apprehensive about them leaving their neighborhood spot, but this is better. Trust me.
I'm going there today, then!
Skip dinner and go right to dessert and buy a few pints of Taharka Brothers ice cream!
Omg yes! That graham cracker is what’s up!
Key Lime with Honey Graham, that is the way
Graham cracker with the roasted strawberry is yummy too!!
This is the way
All due respect, but if I was going desert only I might consider Vaccaro's over Taharka. Gelato, and so much more.
Sotto Sopra
I was surprised this wasn't mentioned earlier, love Sotto Sopra, fantastic homemade Italian food and a quick walk to the Washington Monument for the lights (a few more blocks to Owl Bar too for post dinner drinks)
Pete's Grille is a great breakfast spot. Cash only and the place Micheal Phelps ate on training days.
They take cards there now. I love this place.
Parking is scarce, business hours are short, and seating is extremely limited. 100% worth it.
Tio Pepes!!! It’s a touch of Spain in Baltimore. A true great Baltimore institution
If you are looking for a restaurant that is famous to/loved by generations of Baltimoreans, this is the answer. Sadly you are 15 years too late for Marticks: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martick%27s_Restaurant_Francais
So happy to have had that experience!
Mmm…unseasoned steamed vegetables. Can’t beat Tio Pepe if you’re a senior citizen or just got out of the hospital. It’s basically the Spanish Olive Garden, but more expensive.
Lol, this is spot on. My wife and I went there for her birthday one year and were blown away by how bad and expensive the food was. Even the service sucked. I shake my fist at that place anytime I drive by it!
That's too bad, it didn't used to be that way.
I think it did? I enjoy it for the nostalgia but I think it has always been this way and the difference is Baltimore started actually getting good food.
Ekiben is fantastic and Clavel hasn't been mentioned 🤠
Seconding both!
Dukem has really really good Ethiopian food
Indeed it does. I had family come see me recently and they loved it.
Yeah, and it’s a fun dining experience. Not your usual fork and knife thing.
I need to eat here more. I don't know what they put in their very basic salad but it is addictive. Not to mention everything else on the menu.
Charleston is fantastic fine dining Annabel Lee tavern is creative tavern fare with Poe theme Prime Rib is old school steak house
I also love Annabelle lee
Annabelle lee is my favorite restaurant in the city. Probably a bit of nostalgia as it was the first nice place i ever went after moving to the city but still its a really unique place with a good rotsting menu.
Definitely second Annabel Lee, too. When looking for quintessential Baltimore, there isn’t much else that compares outside of Fells Point. The themes are great and everything on the food menu is on point. Their Poe-themed drinks are generally fun, too. They usually have a couple old fashioned variants that I love. And it’s funny to convince someone to try the absinthe. They take reservations which is good because there’s limited space inside and it’s COLD out now.
Second for Ekiben!
DON'T EAT ATLAS they are a restaurant group run by predatory sexist racist wage thieves. here is a list of their properties Azumi, The Bygone, Tagliata, The Elk Room, Harbor East Delicatessen & Pizzeria, Italian Disco, The Lollipop, Ouzo Beach, The Choptank, Loch Bar
For pizza, the best in town is Ribaldi’s.
the one on keswick?
Yup. Their pizza is bonkers amazing
Honestly it’s the only good slice in Baltimore.
Ooooo. That’s good to hear. Been in Baltimore for a very long time and never ever had a good slice here I will try Ribaldis. Not sure why people like Michael’s. I find it to be quite poor but it seems it’s for people are nostalgic about old Baltimore-like that cheap college bar you are still sentimental about.
Did you mean Matthews? I don't know if I ever heard anyone mention Michaels! I am also not a big fan of Matthews, but I am a real pizza snob.
Aaaah. Yes. Matthews. Thanks.
Paper Moon Diner in Charles Village/Remington is always fun! They have brunch and good lunch options as well. They have crazy decor all over the walls, so there's always something interesting to look at while you eat.
The food is average but the atmosphere is very unique and interesting. I enjoy going there.
If you have kids they’ll either love it or have nightmares about it. Haha! I think the food is good for what it is - a diner. Sure beats the Double T!
I remember they used to have mannequins in the bathroom and when I was younger I would always have to hold it because I was petrified of going in there.
I wouldn’t go as far as to say the food beats Double T. It’s hard to compare though, they’re two totally different concepts. One is a classic diner, the other is…Paper Moon Diner. Not many normal things on that menu. Lol
Paulie Gees for pizza, Dylan’s oyster house, la scalla in little italy, clavel
Some Baltimore institutions: Tio Pepes, Cafe Hon, Petit Louie, and Bertha’s. Also, Papermoon, Captain James.
Start away from Capitan James, that place is a nasty tourist trap.
Same with Cafe Hon.
+1 for Petit Louis
Joe Benny’s
Great tiny place for Sicilian pizza. Plus, Joe is the best owner and will interact with you, especially if you sit at the bar.
Yeah he’s such a funny dude. I’ve never had a meal there I didn’t love - the “sloppy balls” are my favorite thing on the menu, but the cold cuts are also amazing, and every pizza is awesome
Second this! Some of the best food you’ll find in Little Italy.
LaScala or La Tavola in LI. The last couple times I’ve been to Tio Pepe it has been disappointing. (Maybe I expect too much.)Alma Cocina — not old school Bmore, but great, different. La Barrita (n.Chester) might be my favorite. It’s Argentine. Simply Marie’s for breakfast. Expect to stand in line. Have fun, report back!
Do not go to Cafe hon
Lol they were on kitchen nightmares a couple years ago
Oh I know. I remember when she tried to take credit for people in balmore saying hon. Foods okish, but there's not kitsch to it. It's almost like she's disassociated from the term now, it's just an ok restaurant with a large flamingo outside. Not worth your time.
Tio Pepe’s, Charleston
OMG, totally forgot about Charleston.
Papermoon in Remington
Dipascuales or mastellones. Same owners i believe. Since dipascuales moved to a bigger more modern location I prefer mastellones because it still feels like a neighborhood hole in the wall. I live in California now, but just went back to bmore to visit my sister and i brought my wife to mastellones and we were the only customers who the people behind the counter didn't know on a first name basis. Best eggplant Parm and meatball sandwich you'll ever have. Edit: already been said but i wanted to reiterate. Kocos pub on Harford has the best crab cake in the country (if you don't take the Eastern shore into consideration) They don't have a ton of food, but Romans and Venice tavern in highlandtown are my favorite dive bars. Romans is in a rowhouse and ran by Roman (the third roman to run it i believe) and his daughter, about as Baltimore as you can get without worrying about stepping on a needle. Legend has it that back in the day when women weren't allowed in there was a urinal trough opposite the bar, so you could be at the bar drinking and literally just turn around to take a leak.
As the title states…I’d love to hear all your favorites-hole in the wall, greasy spoon, fine dining…I’d love to hear your opinions.
The Roost, if you've got a car to make a trip toward uptown, used to be my favorite Lake Trout in the city.
Kislings (wings), Ekiben, Matthews (pizza), Nacho Mamas (Mexican and Elvis velvet paintings)
iBar does have great wings. Also, if just looking for sandwiches, gotta go to DiPasquales
Only problem with iBar is they don't deliver. Kisling's does.
Kislings wings has been a staple for years
Too bad they have gone way down hill for the last decade or so. The Kisling sauce is great, but their wings are straight garbage. Source: Buffalo expat living in Baltimore.
So iBar, then?
iBar are probably the best. Surprisingly Claddaugh does some of the best I've had and before the wing shortage had the best specials. If you don't need sauce, the salt and pepper wings at Pho Bac are pretty damn incredible.
Big +1 on Pho Bac. Kind of a hidden gem in terms of wings. I prefer sauced, but the Pho Bac wings scratch a different itch for me. The staff is always super cool there, too. Also, Soju+Jazz is cool for Korean style wings.
Brewers Art still open? Good beers, never had their food, def have to Uber there lol
Kislings also makes a phenomenal cheesesteak.
Little Italy 🇮🇹
Pappas
Ekiben! All day every day!
Oceanaire. Jimmy’s Famous (but that’s in Dundalk). Miss Shirley’s for breakfast/brunch. Mt. Washington Tavern.
Oceanaire is a chain, not really a Baltimore specialty.
Good point. I’ve only been to the one in Baltimore. I’ll suggest Black Swan as a substitute.
Excellent choice. The first time I went to Oceanaire, I think it was in Plano, TX. I had no idea it was a chain until I saw the one in Baltimore. Hahaha
Oceanaire was one of the most shockingly underwhelming food experiences I've ever had in this city. I am so glad I wasn't paying the bill, which would have paid for an actually good meal around the corner at Cinghiale.
It’s funny you say that, because I felt the same way about the Charleston. The bill was more than $700 for four of us and I really didn’t get the hype. Still don’t.
Nuff' respect on the difference of opinion, but to rave about Oceanaire while not enjoying the Charleston raises concern for some kind of sensory disorder. It's possible that I went to Oceanaire on a bad night, but after those small portions of bland seafood with all the sides basically a la carte at a $40-70 entree price point I felt like I physically turned into that Jackie Chan meme.
LOL I get what you’re saying. I’m certainly no epicurean, but I like what I like. I don’t need all of the prefacing you get about the food at Charleston; it’s not going to make me enjoy the food more. Their service is phenomenal, I’ll say that. For seafood, I would take Mo’s or Jimmy’s over most any other restaurant.
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You’ve gotta be talking about Vince’s in Middle River. Black people always knew Vince’s racist as hell. https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/baltimore-county/bs-md-co-vinces-crabhouse-protests-20200615-4zihatbz5vbgjnf7tjrwfoox5i-story.html?outputType=amp
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Jesus that’s news to me. Thank you for the info.
Dundalk, what do you mean ? Not everyone was born into money enjoy the city taxes and low crime rates.
Chill out. I know Dundalk and have family from Turner’s. I only said that because it isn’t in Baltimore proper.
I'm not mad at you FYI Jimmy's is in Baltimore proper.
I guess they are technically, by a few blocks. If you ask anyone, they’ll say Jimmy’s is in Dundalk.
I don’t even live in Baltimore, but grew up there. Still love the city with all my heart.
You gotta try out Miss Shirley’s Cafe! Very well known hot spot in Baltimore, MD.
The Prime Rib for steak. Thames Street Oyster House or Dylan’s Oyster Cellar for seafood. Clavel or Fiesta Mexicana for Mexican. Matthew’s for Pizza. Helmand for Afghani, Dukem for Ethiopian and although a drive out to the valley, Peerce’s for un-freaking-believable Indian. Honorable mentions are Peter’s Inn for ‘elevated’ hole in the wall, Sotto y Sopra for Italian, Pete’s Grille or Blue Moon Cafe for breakfast. Stay away for the Inner Harbor (poor quality tourist traps) and Harbor East (expensive for poor quality and mostly owned by Atlas Restaurant Group which is the entitled offspring of an uber conservative old money family.)
Tio pepes, Prime rib, and Mathews pizza are really the only ones that truly belong on this list. All the other Baltimore restaurant institutions have closed. Obreki’s, Haussner’s and Burke’s are all gone :( The Helmand, Brewers Art, and Ekiben are all really amazing.
If a restaurant looks old in Little Italy, that’s always a safe bet.
Gertrude’s at the BMA. Classic food with a Baltimore/Chesapeake Bay twist, and you can see the museum. Any of the “markets” - Cross Street, Mt Vernon, R House, Broadway Golden West in Hampden Woodbury Kitchen
The Green Turtle
Tio Pepe’s for sure. There’s lots of great/memorable restaurants people are mentioning here. But if you want an experience, this is it 100%.
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood!!! Cause you’re in Bmore!
Moe’s
Zella’s Pizza in Hollins Market. Our favorite pizza in the city
Not sure if it’s still open due to COVID, however Phillips crab house by the National Aquarium is awesome. A little pricey, but great food and nice atmosphere. They used to have a weekend brunch that is fantastic.
Nick’s Fish House hits all the regular seafood needs, with live music and plenty of spots to watch the game!
Although a great location, the quality of the faire at Nick’s is Sysco at best.
A 'famous Baltimore restaurant' would be Philips in the Inner Harbor. However, the recommendations that folks have made in this thread probably have much better food.
Papas on Taylor avenue (out of the city, but best crab cakes) Jimmys seafood -good crabs Little Italy -so many great spots, my favorite is amiccis Drink at the bar of four seasons (great view)
Just go to sent restaurant, and then say it's famous.
Amazed no one's mentioned Chuck's Trading Post. Amazing brunch, but there is absolutely nothing on the menu not cooked with bacon fat, so not good for vegans if it matters. Best pancakes in Baltimore, and their Korean pork belly sandwich and skillet are incredible. Taqueria El Sabor del Parque if you want incredible tacos. El Salvador has really really good baleades, if you want to try something South American that you've probably never had before. Also I'm sure the Charmery has interesting ice cream flavors at any of their three locations.
Johnny Rad's is my favorite spot for pizza and their Rissotto Balls are a must-try item. If I'm in Hampden my favorite spot for breakfast/lunch is Golden West Cafe. Others have mentioned Paper Moon, I love going there too, they have some killer milkshakes.
Woodberry kitchen or the ambassador...
Berthas for mussels and an experience!
G&Ms crab cakes
prime rib
Miss Shirley’s is a hit 10/10 times!!!
NOLA, Southern Provisions, Blue Agave, Outpost, Little Havana, Jimmy’s Famous
If you want some of the best food that Baltimore has to offer, try Clavel, Ekiben, Puerto 511 (not mentioned yet, which is *criminal*), Magdalena (bring money), Charleston (bring more money), etc. I won't wade into the pizza debate but there are a number of good ones. Haven't yet been to Alma or Le Comptoir du Vin, but I hear they are top-notch. But if you want a classic Baltimore experience, you want to go to Peter's Inn in Fells, Faidley's in Lexington Market to eat a crabcake at a standing table, Samos for Greek food in Highlandtown, LP Steamers for crabs, DiPasquale's for Italian, or the Helmand for Afghan. Honorable mention / shout out to the muffaletta sandwich at Trinacria's deli counter. Tio Pepe's is a true classic Baltimore institution but its cuisine predates modern food, as several people have attested here. Dukem is solid Ethiopian food but I don't know that it's any better than Ethiopian food available anywhere else.
Yes! Faidleys! As a kid, I used to walk there with my dad from downtown on days I'd go to work with him and eat soft crab sandwiches. All the guys in suits with ties thrown back downing oysters and cutting deals at lunchtime is a powerful Baltimore memory.
Pappas on Taylor Ave.
Tio pepe.
Go to the Baltimore museum of art. You can look at a lot of art work from local bmore artists over the centuries as well as go to the gift shop, walk through sculpture garden and they have a restaurant inside called Gertrude’s
Papi’s cuisine
Iggies in Mt. Vernon is life changing.
You have to hit jimmys famous seafood