Local Fare
Whether it’s regional favorites or ethnic cuisines, Baltimore dining offers variety, value, and plenty of Chesapeake Bay seafood. Local remodelers suggest their favorites:
Lexington Market
Founded in 1792, Lexington Market claims to be the world’s oldest continuously running market. It’s a great place to sample a variety of authentic local fare, including notables Rheb’s candies, Berger cookies, and Faidley seafood. (400 W. Lexington St., 410.685.6169; www.lexington market.com)
Cross Street Market
Located in the heart of Federal Hill, the market is unique in that it plays the role of historic farmer’s market by day and happy-hour hotspot by night. (Cross St. between Charles and Light streets; www.south baltimore.com/ shop/crossmkt.html)
The Brewer’s Art
Though this popular Mt. Vernon stop is best known for its house-brewed beers and appetizers served at the basement bar, the Brewer’s Art also offers gourmet European-style dinner fare upstairs. (1106 N. Charles St., 410.547.6925; www.belgianbeer.com)
Charleston
Renowned Chef Cindy Wolf prepares fine Carolina cuisine at Harbor East’s Charleston. The restaurant features a small-plate tasting menu and an extensive wine list aimed at creating a complete dining experience in the spirit of “improvisational dining.” (1000 Lancaster St., 410.332.7373; www.charlestonrestaurant.com)
Jack’s Bistro
This eatery is reasonably priced and centrally located in the heart of Canton, but more notably, it’s imaginative. Menu items range from traditional American cheeseburgers to the more adventurous Mac and Cheese and Chocolate. (3123 Elliot St., 410.878.6542; www.jacksbistro.net)
Salt
Featuring New American cuisine with French and Asian infl uences, Salt is a hip and comfortable corner tavern with moderate prices. (2127 E. Pratt St., 410.276.5480; www.salttavern.com)
Obrycki’s Crab House
Located in historic Fells Point, tourist favorite Obrycki’s has run a restaurant and mail-order business for more than 60 years centered around the local favorite, the Maryland blue crab. (1727 E. Pratt St., 410.732.6399; www.obryckis.com)
Rub
Featuring hearty Texas barbecue, this South Baltimore corner restaurant serves up signature dishes such as wings, brisket, and Texas corn pudding in a laid-back atmosphere. Rub is open for lunch and dinner and includes a full bar. (1843 Light St., 410.244.5667; www.rubbbq.com)
Regi’s American Bistro
A relaxed comfort-food restaurant set in a red brick row house, Regi’s is best known for its pan-seared crab cakes. Relatively quiet and reasonably priced, it offers classic American food and a cozy atmosphere. (1002 Light St., 410.539.7334; www.regisamerican bistro.com)
Pazo
Named for a Galician word meaning “grand house,” Pazo is a trendy Mediterranean-style dining and dancing venue. Choose from tapas-style dishes or main courses — and take advantage of the free valet parking. (1425 Aliceanna St., 410.534.7296; www.pazorestaurant.com)
Peter’s Inn
This down-to-earth row house tavern uses a chalkboard menu that changes every week, but there’s always the signature garlic bread and at least one vegan option. It’s such a local favorite that it can be hard to get a table on a Friday night unless you get there early. (504 S. Ann St., 410.675.7313; www.petersinn.com)
Sotto Sopra
Great for latenight dining, Sotto Sopra serves fi ne Italian cuisine, including house-made pasta and gelato. It is also open for lunch and is located next door to the Basilica, the fi rst Catholic Cathedral in the country. 405 N. Charles St., 410.625.0534; www.sottosoprainc.com)
Attman’s Authentic New York Delicatessen
Minutes from the harbor, this family-owned deli is unbelievably popular for lunch and known for its house pastrami. Attman’s is also a cultural landmark in Baltimore’s Jewish and Italian immigrant neighborhood, located down the block from the country’s third oldest synagogue on what is historically known as “Corned Beef Row.” (1019 E. Lombard St., 410.563.2666; www .attmansdeli.com)
Edo Sushi
Positioned to offer great views of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Edo Sushi serves sushi, sashimi, and cooked entrees for lunch and dinner, and has a full bar. It’s a good spot for lunch, particularly on the patio overlooking the harbor. (201 E. Pratt St., 410.843.9804; www.edosushimd.com)
Vaccaro’s
Vaccaro’s is a classic Little Italy destination for coffee and desserts. Family owned since it fi rst opened in 1956, Vaccaro’s now has locations in Harborplace and Canton Square as well. (222 Albemarle St., 410.685.4905; www.vaccarospastry.com)
The 13th Floor
Atop the historic Belvedere Grand Hotel, The 13th Floor lounge is a classic hotel bar offering a bird’seye view of Baltimore along with live music almost every night. (1 E. Chase St., 410.347.0888; www.truffl escatering.com/13th/ index.html)
Metropolitan Coffeehouse & Wine Bar
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, Metropolitan offers a small dinner and wine bar area downstairs and a larger, open café area with free wireless Internet upstairs. (902 S. Charles St., 410.234.0235; www.metrobalto.com)
Duda’s Tavern
This Fells Point waterfront bar stands out in an area of many local bars, with great burgers, bar food, and crab cakes voted Baltimore’s best by City Paper. (1600 Thames St., 410.276.9719)
Della Notte
Della Notte is a classically inspired Italian restaurant located in Baltimore’s Little Italy, featuring a huge circular main dining room situated around a live tree. Open for lunch and dinner with live entertainment in its piano lounge every night, Della Notte boasts Baltimore’s most extensive wine list with more than 1,200 choices. (801 Eastern Ave., 410.837.5500; www.dellanotte.com)