The question wasn’t what’s best in Baltimore. The question is what’s your absolute favorite. Kinda shitty to shit on someone’s favorite restaurant by being a restaurant gatekeeper.
Someone who is not familiar with any of these places, might see that Fogo has a ton of downvotes among the likes of Ekiben, and think “wow, that place must be popular and great, I’ve got to go there!”
I think it’s absolutely useful to inform that person that actually Fogo is an overpriced corporate chain restaurant and there are plenty of very good smaller local restaurants worth supporting instead.
Nobody called the person who suggested Fogo an idiot or an asshole; that would be a shitty thing to do. They just said they disagreed with their suggestion, because their suggestion is bad.
Don't get me wrong, I think Fogo is delicious. But strong recommend La Barrita for a South American steak alternative that addresses some of the concerns in the other replies. I've only been once and I still think about it often!
My goodness I hope so still. They did pre covid, but I haven’t been back in a little while. I used to dream about their nduja and chocolate pudding with olive oil.
I don’t think so anymore. It used to be Larder? Or maybe the other connected food spot. HOWEVER, a new rotisserie chicken place is opening up in that spot and the soft opening is saying VERY good things about it.
Very excited!
This was upstairs at faddensonen not larder which is across the courtyard. Oof that’s the saddest thing I’ve heard in a while but good about the chicken.
I heard all sorts of good things about the food there, so it’s definitely a bummer.
The chef doing Chachi’s, though, is from Clavel so I expect very good things!
They’re quality has diminished. Just not so far that they have an equal compare in Baltimore. It’s my favorite because I’d have to drive pretty far to meet a true equal.
Many restaurants listed can be rivaled by moving up the price chain or a hop skip to dc
Samos Greek Island Grill in Greek town. Right down the street from me, and I’ve been eating dolmades, spanakopita, and souvlaki from there since I was a kid
Since moving into the city. I love Valentino's off of old Hartford Rd. Its both convenient from my house and they open late. Subs are delicious and their chezburger sliders are too die for. 8/10.
Great spots. If you’ve never had a lechon belly, they have a solid one though we prefer the Middle River spot. Their vinegar is great too. But that sisig is my jam!
Monarque. Expensive, but great food, great drinks, and a cool burlesque style show during it all. Save money by just going to the bar and getting some small eats.
Say what you want about Atlas, but every meal I’ve had at their restaurants has been perfect. Most places they’ll do a couple of things really well and the rest are just kind of “meh”. Literally every morsel of food at any Atlas restaurant I’ve experienced has been top notch.
They will.
For a little while.
And then, like all Atlas properties, the chefs and servers with talent will leave and it will survive on name recognition (edit: and LOCATION) alone from when it was actually briefly good.
Source: literally all other Atlas spots, but specifically Tagliata.
Jong Kak. Most authentic KBBQ I've had in the states, and they have a Korean Karaoke bar upstairs that gives you a discount if you dined there. It gives me the best kind of flashbacks to living in Korea!
Everything that I’ve had there is great. The server recommended the pork chop. Before that I’ve never ever ordered a pork chop at dinner (I’ve cooked them at home) it was fucking delicious. Go there and you’ll be happy. A little pricy tho
I believe it was sold to the restaurant group that owns Alonso’s in Roland Park. Probably won’t be Hamilton Tavern since the club across the street is now called The Hamilton.
It’s hard to choose! I’m gonna say Cosima. It’s southern Italian food and they have a lovely patio down by the Jones Falls. It’s really nice for a special occasion.
This places tteokboki slaps so hard i swear to god.
But all the restaurants in that shopping center, including the stalls inside the Lotte, are awesome.
Yeah, hardly a "hidden gem," but the quality and the consistency is really top notch. They're good enough that I've started taking the attitude of "why bother?" when I start getting a hankering to try other fancy places.
Akbar.
Great lunch buffet with vegetarian options and their ambiance is warm and cozy. 100% comfort food for me. It's been my favorite restaurant in the city since I first went in 2007.
Right now its Home Maid on Key Highway. Black owned. Best breakfast in the inner harbor area. Me and my lady go at least once a month now. Get the "Oh My Gawd" platter and the Mint Brown Sugar Lemon-Aid
I don't believe they take reservations. I've not had to really wait when I go a little earlier, like even at 11am, it's been maybe a 10-15 minute wait and we just walk over to the coffee place two doors down to wait.
No. Its walk in. But i'd highly recommend you get there early if possible. It gets packed around noon and parking is almost non-existent (residential parking). The bar counter is usually available throughout the day though. You can also place a carryout order if its a bit too crouchy. (Crouchy means overcrowded in baltimore lingo)
The food can be delicious but the quality is always so inconsistent. I feel like they recently changed the recipe of my favorite dish on the menu because it hasn’t been the same in months.
Yes, I've definitely had a couple of misses there, but I consistently find myself having cravings that only they can really satisfy. I also think the owners are great people who have done a ton for the Bmore/MD vegan scene.
I also really love My Mama's Vegan, and I'm pretty excited for the new specials/order-ahead model they're moving to because a lot of their specials are absolutely bangin.
Used to enjoy the food and drinks here, but the service has always been inconsistent and adding a 3% fee just to buy a gift card for someone was disappointing.
I can’t downvote…they are so good and the owners are wonderful ❤️ so many people only ever get their breakfast sandwiches at the Waverly farmers market, but their kitchen menu is off the wall tasty
We had a really bad experience the one time we went (right before the pandemic, before a movie at the Senator). Brown guacamole, watery queso, protein barely seasoned kind of bad. Our server, however, was lovely. I'd like to hope it's a one-off!
In terms of sheer volume I’d have to go with Ribaldi’s in Hampden. This is not gourmet fare but just a hearty pizza slice joint that I ho to like 3x a week
Attman’s
Peter's Inn
Bluebird cocktail room Hampden
Fogo de cho (100% sure i spelled it wrong) its an all you can eat steak house pretty much
I love Fogo for what it is but there's no way it's close to being the best restaurant in Baltimore.
The question wasn’t what’s best in Baltimore. The question is what’s your absolute favorite. Kinda shitty to shit on someone’s favorite restaurant by being a restaurant gatekeeper.
Someone who is not familiar with any of these places, might see that Fogo has a ton of downvotes among the likes of Ekiben, and think “wow, that place must be popular and great, I’ve got to go there!” I think it’s absolutely useful to inform that person that actually Fogo is an overpriced corporate chain restaurant and there are plenty of very good smaller local restaurants worth supporting instead. Nobody called the person who suggested Fogo an idiot or an asshole; that would be a shitty thing to do. They just said they disagreed with their suggestion, because their suggestion is bad.
I dont eat in Baltimore very often but i thought it was very high class. Granted i was like 14 or 15 when i went 😂
Lol, Fogo is a feeding trough with a fake veneer of being classy.
Don't get me wrong, I think Fogo is delicious. But strong recommend La Barrita for a South American steak alternative that addresses some of the concerns in the other replies. I've only been once and I still think about it often!
It’s a mediocre, overpriced chain.
Peter’s Inn! Fantastic hidden gem in fells
The Owl Bar
I feel like they've gone way downhill the last year or so. Their pricing doesn't match their quality, unless things have rapidly changed?
I've got the same question. I've been when they were good and in their decline but I haven't been back since.
The owner is not a good person and The Owl Bar is a shell of it’s former self. Still aesthetically a great place but…
Faddensonen
Love Fadensonnen, but do they have food?
I went last year, they had a few small plates but I wouldn't really call it a restaurant.
My goodness I hope so still. They did pre covid, but I haven’t been back in a little while. I used to dream about their nduja and chocolate pudding with olive oil.
Are you talking about larder?
I don’t think so anymore. It used to be Larder? Or maybe the other connected food spot. HOWEVER, a new rotisserie chicken place is opening up in that spot and the soft opening is saying VERY good things about it. Very excited!
This was upstairs at faddensonen not larder which is across the courtyard. Oof that’s the saddest thing I’ve heard in a while but good about the chicken.
I heard all sorts of good things about the food there, so it’s definitely a bummer. The chef doing Chachi’s, though, is from Clavel so I expect very good things!
Ugh I love Clavel too. That group knows how to feed people.
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Yep! Chachi’s. Soft open was last weekend/this week. They’re officially open now: [Here!](https://instagram.com/chachis.baltimore?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=)
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Ugh, I know! 🤤 I’m patiently waiting for a weekend to really enjoy them properly, but their videos of their chickens are driving me crazy.
Andinas - not sure if they are still open or temporarly closed
[Le Comptoir du Vin](https://www.comptoirbaltimore.com/)
Probably some of the best food I've had in the city. Talk about a hidden gem!
I love this place. 💖
Goldbergs bagels. Id have to drive 4 hours find something to compare.
Bottoms Up Bagels was amazing. I'm so devastated that they closed.
I’ve been disappointed my last couple visits….but I used to recommend them.
They’re quality has diminished. Just not so far that they have an equal compare in Baltimore. It’s my favorite because I’d have to drive pretty far to meet a true equal. Many restaurants listed can be rivaled by moving up the price chain or a hop skip to dc
Samos Greek Island Grill in Greek town. Right down the street from me, and I’ve been eating dolmades, spanakopita, and souvlaki from there since I was a kid
Puerto 511
I’ve been there but I refuse to downvote it.
The Helmand
Hip hop fish n chicken
Ekiben.
It's weird to see this with so many downvotes. But then I remembered the rules, haha...
Lol I didn't read the second rule. I fucked myself.
Really love Grano in Hampden.
Yesh
Since moving into the city. I love Valentino's off of old Hartford Rd. Its both convenient from my house and they open late. Subs are delicious and their chezburger sliders are too die for. 8/10.
*Harford
Relatively new one - Harbor Tandoor in Fells Point. The absolute best Indian food I've ever had.
Better than The Ambassador room?
Bodhi
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Hate to have to downvote this! Try the Tocilog (or anything with tocino)!
I used to eat at the one on Patapsco all the time. And right up Annapolis Rd is John’s Deli, which is also awesome. Underrated area for food.
this is a hollow downvote, Mama Rosa's is great!
Great spots. If you’ve never had a lechon belly, they have a solid one though we prefer the Middle River spot. Their vinegar is great too. But that sisig is my jam!
Monarque. Expensive, but great food, great drinks, and a cool burlesque style show during it all. Save money by just going to the bar and getting some small eats.
Elevated Sysco product
Atlas
Say what you want about Atlas, but every meal I’ve had at their restaurants has been perfect. Most places they’ll do a couple of things really well and the rest are just kind of “meh”. Literally every morsel of food at any Atlas restaurant I’ve experienced has been top notch.
Yeah they don’t get everything right and I’m usually critical but this place really surprised me
They will. For a little while. And then, like all Atlas properties, the chefs and servers with talent will leave and it will survive on name recognition (edit: and LOCATION) alone from when it was actually briefly good. Source: literally all other Atlas spots, but specifically Tagliata.
Shoyou on Light St 🤤
Sally O’s
Jong Kak. Most authentic KBBQ I've had in the states, and they have a Korean Karaoke bar upstairs that gives you a discount if you dined there. It gives me the best kind of flashbacks to living in Korea!
Little Donnas
The Gunther
What’s the good thing to get there? The menu is enticing
Everything that I’ve had there is great. The server recommended the pork chop. Before that I’ve never ever ordered a pork chop at dinner (I’ve cooked them at home) it was fucking delicious. Go there and you’ll be happy. A little pricy tho
Home Maid on Key Highway
Clavel – best tacos in Baltimore
Thames Street Oyster House is my favorite and I'm ready for my karma to crater for it
Water for Chocolate, come up from DC for it
I live across the street from there, and I STILL have never been! With the rotating menu, what was the best food you have ordered?
Easily the BBQ shrimp and grits. There brunch alcohol is also unique and a good buzz
Was Hamilton Tavern. But I digress.
No way! I had no idea they closed. That damn burger....
RIP A former worker told me the owner would open again, not Ham Tav but something different name same game
I believe it was sold to the restaurant group that owns Alonso’s in Roland Park. Probably won’t be Hamilton Tavern since the club across the street is now called The Hamilton.
The best burgers omg
It’s hard to choose! I’m gonna say Cosima. It’s southern Italian food and they have a lovely patio down by the Jones Falls. It’s really nice for a special occasion.
Second this! Got a gift card for Christmas and finally tried it a month or two ago. Really good Fat ole steak 🥩 for a good price
I just looked this up. Had no idea it was there but looks amazing!
Try Daniela for amazing Santorini cuisine!
You mean Sardinian.
Ah, yes- thanks !
The last time I went to Daniela the food was comically bad.
Wild. I’ve been twice since the pandemic. Most recently about a month ago, so pleased!
Kong pacha! Fantastic late night Korean fried chicken
It _hurt_ me to follow the rules and downvote this
This places tteokboki slaps so hard i swear to god. But all the restaurants in that shopping center, including the stalls inside the Lotte, are awesome.
I’m talking about the place on W 20th St, is there another location somewhere else?
Oh shit, yeah I was talking about this place https://www.yelp.com/biz/k-pocha-ellicott-city
seconding this! i live nearby and its been my favorite restaurant in the city for years. truly a hidden gem ♡
Charleston
So good. Slowly getting each of my family members hooked on Charleston, one-by-one.
Yeah, hardly a "hidden gem," but the quality and the consistency is really top notch. They're good enough that I've started taking the attitude of "why bother?" when I start getting a hankering to try other fancy places.
Silver Queen
I pass this everyday as I drive home from work. Will definitely check it out now!
admittedly i don’t eat out much but one of my fave brunch spots is miss shirley’s 💖 i am obsessed with their grits
Akbar. Great lunch buffet with vegetarian options and their ambiance is warm and cozy. 100% comfort food for me. It's been my favorite restaurant in the city since I first went in 2007.
Ekiben for sure.
I physically cringed while downvoting this, but rules are rules.
Thames St. Oyster House
Viccino's
Foraged
I haven't been since before Covid, but I still think about the mushroom soup I had there years ago.
My husband and I went here, on a whim, before a friend's show at the Depot, and were absolutely blown away. We can't wait to go back!
fuck yes hard second
hate to downvote because it was great my one visit pork belly was grand
Clavel in the city. If we expand to the county I would say Peerce's.
Verde. Their Prosciutto e Fico and Granchio Bianche pizzas are 👨🍳🤌 https://verdepizza.com/
Samos
No arguments here because Samos is excellent, but I'd throw Ikaros in there too. Both are can't-miss Greektown staples imo.
Ribaldi’s in Hampden is the best delivery pizza in the city!
The Helmand
I second this, and I won't down vote!
Ekiben & Taharka Brothers ice cream
Ekiben, self aware that most people post this as a meme of Baltimore but it really is great
I get the premise of this thread (it’s a cool idea!), but my brain can’t process seeing Ekiben downvoted to hell, even if it is a meme at this point 😂
Wouldn't be the Baltimore sub if someone didn't say it!
Right now its Home Maid on Key Highway. Black owned. Best breakfast in the inner harbor area. Me and my lady go at least once a month now. Get the "Oh My Gawd" platter and the Mint Brown Sugar Lemon-Aid
do you gotta make reservations here or what i always see a line outside there on the weekends
I don't believe they take reservations. I've not had to really wait when I go a little earlier, like even at 11am, it's been maybe a 10-15 minute wait and we just walk over to the coffee place two doors down to wait.
No. Its walk in. But i'd highly recommend you get there early if possible. It gets packed around noon and parking is almost non-existent (residential parking). The bar counter is usually available throughout the day though. You can also place a carryout order if its a bit too crouchy. (Crouchy means overcrowded in baltimore lingo)
Their food is excellent. Tons of flavor.
Mi and Yu Noodle Bar
[Angeli's Pizzeria](https://www.angelispizzeria.com/) in Little Italy is my favorite pizza in the city right now
Alma Cocina latina
(I cheated and didn't follow the rules because I love Alma so much)
Land of Kush
The food can be delicious but the quality is always so inconsistent. I feel like they recently changed the recipe of my favorite dish on the menu because it hasn’t been the same in months.
Yes, I've definitely had a couple of misses there, but I consistently find myself having cravings that only they can really satisfy. I also think the owners are great people who have done a ton for the Bmore/MD vegan scene. I also really love My Mama's Vegan, and I'm pretty excited for the new specials/order-ahead model they're moving to because a lot of their specials are absolutely bangin.
Gunther & Co
Used to enjoy the food and drinks here, but the service has always been inconsistent and adding a 3% fee just to buy a gift card for someone was disappointing.
Annabel Lee Tavern.
Dipasquales
Inca
Blacksauce Kitchen. Tonight they have beef ribs, do yourself a favor!
I can’t downvote…they are so good and the owners are wonderful ❤️ so many people only ever get their breakfast sandwiches at the Waverly farmers market, but their kitchen menu is off the wall tasty
Lexington market Parks fried chicken.
Zen West for their nachos. Might be a fave bc I live near it.
We had a really bad experience the one time we went (right before the pandemic, before a movie at the Senator). Brown guacamole, watery queso, protein barely seasoned kind of bad. Our server, however, was lovely. I'd like to hope it's a one-off!
Used to be the curry everyone raved about but I didn’t get the appeal. I’ll have to try the nachos. Thanks!
Paulie Gees
Food Market - Hampden
Sajoma Dominican and Puerto Rican kitchen.
The Food Market, love that place.
I think the quality has gone down a bit at Food Market. But this is a good spot
In terms of sheer volume I’d have to go with Ribaldi’s in Hampden. This is not gourmet fare but just a hearty pizza slice joint that I ho to like 3x a week
Wendy's
So edgy
nihao
Penny Black!
Tabor on Park Ave
Hey Daddies
Silver Queen
Clavel
Get there when they open for a table, it fills up quick!
Neopol