Best Big and Little Restaurants in the Area

Submitted by jarandhel t3_yukr2s in baltimore

The recent post about closed Baltimore restaurants that we miss got me wondering - what are the best places now, in terms of food quality, atmosphere, price, etc? What wonders, big or little, are we missing out on if we haven't yet heard of them? What are your favorite places in the city and surrounding areas, and why?

I moved to the city back in 2018, and in many ways I'm still getting to know it. The best hidden gem that I've found so far is Horus Café on Broadway in the Fells Point neighborhood. Little Egyptian place, surprisingly good food for a fairly unassuming place, nice atmosphere, inexpensive, and a cute Easter Egg on their printed menu last time I was there.

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Maleficent_Thanks_51 t1_iw9y5rm wrote

Heritage Kitchen in Whitehall Mill for modern Filipino food. Chef Rey is amazing. I have a hard time choosing what to order because EVERYTHING is so good. Check the hours and menu on Instagram. In warm weather, take your food outside to the single table that's built over the Jones Falls.

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dopkick t1_iwblae6 wrote

It’s one of the best Filipino restaurants in the country and definitely a top place in the city. I could eat the shrimp laing every day.

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jarandhel OP t1_iw9zhh9 wrote

For their current menu, I am going to have a LOT of trouble deciding between the curried sweet potato soup and the charred brussel sprouts.

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Maleficent_Thanks_51 t1_iwa01o6 wrote

I JUST HAD THOSE THIS WEEKEND. Have both! Menu and availability change, so I keep up with it on Insta.

The cute table over the Jones Falls is back by the bike rack / far rear entrance.

For dessert, get the ridiculously rich chocolate chip cookies at Gundalow Gourmet. And don't sleep on the GG prepared meals and soups in their freezer display.

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RL_Mutt t1_iw9uzoo wrote

I went to Alma Cocina Latina a few nights ago and for me, it was the best meal I’ve had in Baltimore so far.

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jarandhel OP t1_iw9wj9u wrote

I'm not familiar with Venezuelan cuisine, though I'm always in favor of trying new things. What did you have? I'm looking at their menu right now and the Mapuche Risotto is looking very tempting if a bit expensive for my budget.

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RL_Mutt t1_iwaal0h wrote

Yeah, it’s a little pricey, my wife took me for my birthday.

She had the risotto and loved it, and can be very particular, so that’s a good bet. We also had the latin gyoza, the halloumi and corn cake (incredible) and I had the octopus. For dessert we split the cacao cake.

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bearjew64 t1_iwafjnu wrote

1157 Bar and Kitchen in Locust Point is a freaking gem.

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dopkick t1_iwbli6o wrote

When we go here we order what feels like a majority of the menu. When debating between two things the only wrong choice is not ordering both plus one more.

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PrincessBirthday t1_iwbp76d wrote

This is going to be a hot take but I think they have the best burgers in the city

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jarandhel OP t1_iwbe088 wrote

I need to get some of their Venison Shoulder Bolognese in my belly RIGHT NOW.

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BBshams t1_iwalqqc wrote

Bar 1801 in upper fells. Incredible food, great drinks, live music. one of my absolute fav spots

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jarandhel OP t1_iwbe4e7 wrote

Do you know how their Salmon Burgers are?

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BBshams t1_iwbl33d wrote

i’ve not had one myself but my friend got it and spoke very highly!

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APFernweh t1_iwbx2t0 wrote

Foraged is absolutely incredible. Oh my God, that mushroom soup!

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdip4y wrote

They do look good! Are they still requiring reservations?

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Mikel32 t1_iwdodxf wrote

Zella’s.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdpwrl wrote

Any dishes you'd particularly recommend?

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Mikel32 t1_iwdqoiz wrote

Pizzas are excellent. Even the GF ones are very good. Meatballs are fire. I personally like the Roma sandwich. The bread is great and I believe is made in house. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I have yet to get the wings but from what I heard they are also very good

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dopkick t1_iwbmdmi wrote

Nailah’s (apparently now called Fresh Out the Kitchen) for Senegalese.

Heritage Smokehouse and Woodrow’s both have excellent BBQ.

Good Neighbor has great toast and amazing coffee.

Ethel’s has had a seafood boil during crawfish season (February’ish) in the past.

The lobster roll at Thames Street Oyster House is by far the best I’ve had. It has to be one of the best in the world, it’s just amazing. Nothing I had in NE compares.

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APFernweh t1_iwbx7i2 wrote

Nailah’s is still called Nailah’s. Fresh out the kitchen is just their tagline. And yeah, that place is bangin’

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dopkick t1_iwc8cby wrote

Senegalese food can be so damn good, definitely flies under most people’s radars. I always recommend this place and the one in Hyattsville (Chez Dior?) to people. The one in Hyattsville has this intense mint tea that’s pretty awesome. Nailah’s baobab drink is incredible.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdj4x9 wrote

I don't think I've ever had Senegalese. Looks like it's time to change that!

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nationdecay t1_iwbso2n wrote

Abbey Burger Bistro. They have some really crazy choices for burger slider meat, build your own burger, a pretty decent bar, although I prefer the fed hill location for the bar over their fells point location. Staff is always really friendly

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jarandhel OP t1_iwditp0 wrote

Thank you for recommending Abbey Burger - I've had them before but it's been a while and I've been trying to think of the name and it was just not coming to me. I kept mixing it up with Clarke Burger, which is also good but not the same.

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shawtyallday t1_iwcc558 wrote

Manor Hill Brewery off 108 and their pub/restaurant in Ellicott City are worth it. Delicious local beer and really well-executed pub food. The atmosphere at both locations is welcoming, not pretentious. Mostly importantly, it’s TASTY.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdib8y wrote

I haven't gotten over into Ellicott City proper in a while. My husband and I used to frequent Ellicott Mills Brewery for many years. We'll have to give Manor Hill a try.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdm9up wrote

Was reminded of one more place my husband and I found recently: Grilled Cheese and Co. It's outside the city proper, in Catonsville, but still close enough that I think it would count for our purposes. I wasn't expecting too much, I mean it's just grilled cheese right? Boy was I surprised! I've had two of their Grilled Cheese Sandwiches so far - the Sweet Caroline and the Philly, and both were excellent. Their Broccoli Cheddar soup is also great! And my husband loves their Crabby Melt!

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Rmrkable t1_iwax71w wrote

Little Havana is really nice during summer time since it has a nice view of the city with the outside tables. Would recommend the Cuban bread, it’s top tier 🔥

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DfcukinLite t1_iwbhi6j wrote

The food has and will always be complete dogshit.

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[deleted] t1_iwbkzb7 wrote

[deleted]

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DfcukinLite t1_iwblc3p wrote

In my 14 years here I’ve never, except on this sub, heard anyone say anything remotely positive about the food there. Little Havana is a drinking establishment first and foremost followed by a waterfront location. If you’re going there to for food you’re doing it wrong.

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Rmrkable t1_iwbmago wrote

Let’s all rely on your opinion👌🏼 thanks for your input boss 🫡

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DfcukinLite t1_iwbme89 wrote

Actually it’s the general consensus. Not just mine.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdhpzu wrote

Not everyone is going to agree on food. If you can't recommend Little Havana, where would you recommend?

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DfcukinLite t1_iwdimfj wrote

If Cuban is what you seek, Franchesca’s Empanada Cafe is excellent. Sajhoma Resturtant is great Cuban/Dominican food also.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdlaf3 wrote

Franchesca's looks great, though I may end up being a little inauthentic and trying one of their fusion options - that Korean BBQ Steak bowl is tempting me. I'm sure I'll try the more traditional options on the menu too! And not sure what I'll get at Sajhoma, there are a lot of options looking tempting. Thank you for the recs!

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achirion t1_iwbrnhc wrote

Little Havana is a huge disappointment. First of all, chips and salsa at a (supposedly) Cuban restaurant? The bread is not Cuban pan, so the sandwich is not a cubano. Arroz y frijoles was not seasoned and the rice over saturated.

The rest of the menu is confused. Onion soup? Wings? Old bay shrimp? Huevos rancheros? Chilaquiles? Tacos AND crab cakes!? It’s like Tex-mex met Maryland and wanted to be a gastro pub.

I wanted it to be good. The location is decent if the day is warm, the cocktails are mid, but the food was a miss.

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jarandhel OP t1_iwdhnu1 wrote

Not everyone is going to agree on food. For some people, whether it is authentically Cuban is going to take a back seat to whether the food tastes good. For others, the two are inextricably linked. I can understand both sides - if I've never had something before, I probably wouldn't care so much how authentic it was if I enjoyed it, while if it was something I was very familiar with and had grown up with, I probably wouldn't like it if it significantly deviated from my expectations even if it might be enjoyable if billed as something new. If you can't recommend Little Havana, where would you recommend?

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achirion t1_iwdzj1j wrote

> Not everyone is going to agree on food.

> … if I’ve never had something before, I probably wouldn’t care so much how authentic it was if I enjoyed it…

Agreed on both points. While none of the places I recommend are revelatory, I think they are great and represent the Baltimore food scene.

For a casual spot with great food (menu is not static) and solid cocktails - Sally O’s

Maybe a bit late in the year, but crab cakes by some boats - Nick’s Fish House

Deli sandwiches, especially “The Real Italian”, and an Italian market (sauces, wine, premade food, etc.) - DiPasquale’s

While it doesn’t beat spots in Annandale or K-town in NYC, Korean fried chicken - Kong Pocha

Pizza is one of things that Baltimore doesn’t do great, but I have enjoyed it from a couple places -

Matthew’s Pizzeria

Isabella’s

Wings (there is a redditor with an impressive ongoing review in this subreddit) -

Kislings Tavern

iBar

Don’t Know Tavern

Tacos. The lengua was a disappointment, but the other meat tacos were good. The mezcal and margaritas were awesome - Clavel

Expensive, but great pasta and a broad wine menu - Cinghiale

For a special occasion/to really treat yourself - Charleston

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jarandhel OP t1_iwbe9td wrote

Oh wow, their entire menu looks amazing. And not gonna lie, I'm kind of a sucker for a mimosa brunch.

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