Submitted by Disastrous_Food_6973 t3_11z2ywc in baltimore
I'm visiting Baltimore for just a couple of days this summer and was wondering which restaurants should be at the top of my list. Some quality seafood is definitely at the top of the list as I live in the Midwest and don't get to have it fresh very often. I don't really plan on visiting outside of the downtown/harbour area at all. My plan is to stay on foot and just walk around to various bars and restaurants in that area.
Fogo de chao, The Charleston
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You need to go to fells point. It’s a historic district a short walk from the inner harbor. Lots of great bars and restaurants.
This might be a controversial suggestion but the Rusty Scupper. It’s pricy as hell but the food is good (not great) and the view is out of this world
I will echo making the walk over to Thames Street Oyster House. It’s absolutely phenomenal.
Please don’t be tempted by the great location that Phillips has. The food and service is just embarrassing. Although props to their chef who jumped in the harbor and saved someone from drowning today, that’s cool man.
If you can broaden your search and take a 10-15 minute Uber I would also look at Nicks Fish House right on the water. It’s a great place to be in the summer, drinking an orange crush and listening to the live music. I love their mini crab balls and they have the best crab dip in town.
Nicks and Thames are my 2 favorite places to take people who don’t get to eat seafood a lot,
Not to yuck anyone’s yum but downtown Baltimore is a wasteland for food. I worked down there for ten years before Covid happened. I’ve done it all.
Ramen Utsuke, Liora/Double Zero are good ideas. Underground Pizza. Ammoora. Pitamore and Poyoteca are legit for quick lunch. I always kinda liked Supanos but it’s basic home style Italian.
Don’t bother with Phillips, Bubba Gump, Hard Rock, Hooters— ie Chain Nonsense. Fogo is fine but it’s also a huge chain. Ditto Ruths Chris and Capital Grille. Don’t go to Kona; overpriced! Sullivan’s (if it’s still there) was on a downward slide, don’t recommend. Blackwall Hitch is a chain but I haven’t been there.
Don’t go to crafty crab either. They’ve got a god damn dungeoness crab claw logo 🙄
The best thing near downtown for the money is Mick O Shea's, which is an Irish pub that serves some of the better Latin American food in the city center because the chefs plainly just want to be making Mexican food rather than Irish pub fare (though both are pretty decent)
Yeah do this
Maybe Uber though..
If you want an actual baltimore quality seafood experience, and are willing to take a short Uber, the best might be in Locust Point at LP steamers.
Harbor East has Charleston and CindyLous Fish House that’s right on the water. There’s also Little Italy by the Inner Harbor with good Italian food and Vaccaros for dessert and gelato. Take in great jazz at Keystone Korner in Harbor East. Helmand is a short distance from the Inner Harbor for Afghan food.
It’s easy and scenic to walk along the water to Fells Point using the brick paved Harbor Walk that connects the inner Harbor to Harbor East, Fells Point and Canton one way and Federal Hill and Locust Point the other way.
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Bubba Gump has been closed for more than a year FYI. Hooters is legit the only thing left in that Harborfront building.
That said, I think most of the Inner Harbor is for tourists. People who come into the city from elsewhere and are looking for things that feel familiar. It’s that and empty storefronts. I agree with everyone suggesting that you bop over the Fells.
Yeah, you gotta leave the inner harbor if you want anything good. The downtown area and inner harbor is a dump right now. Luckily, Federal Hill, Harbor East, Fells Point and Canton are close by and all on the waterfront promenade. The most useful way to get around will be the water taxi.
edit: love the downvotes, you all know it's true.
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Yeah I guess depending on the time of day is what I was thinking.
Is Nick's still open? Someone told me it had closed. I know there is a lot of construction down that way now. Having friends here from the UK, and thought it would be fun to take them there.
Mamas on the Halfshell 100%. Or Thames Street Oyster house. Both are an Uber but honestly the harbor is tourist trap food.
Lol ok we’ll just pretend it’s safe to walk around Baltimore at night.
go to fells, dont stay in the inner harbor, please.
Hahaha I got downvoted too for suggesting not walking around at night.
Inner harbor is a dump though you’re right. Anyone that visits and limits themselves to the inner harbor is really missing out on the charm and safety this city has to offer.
I second the Uber! It is a mile and half from the Hyatt to Max's Taphouse. It doesn't sound like a lot but it is a bit of hike. I only say this because I have parked at Gay street for Camden Yards and walked. That is only a mile but it took forever. At least take an Uber back to the hotel if you walk there.
I appreciate all the feedback. It looks like all be getting a hotel in fells point 👉 instead. Any good hotel recommendations would be good to! Especially one with a cool bar
In descending order of spendiness:
I would stay in Harbor East, lots of hotels and a great area where you can walk to tons of restaurants. For seafood - Thames Street Oyster, you will need a reservation. I also recommend La Barrita and Peter’s Inn.
Oh, and Fells Point is cool and all, but definitely get yourself a $20 dat pass on the water taxi and check out some other neighborhoods like Federal Hill and Canton.
In Fells Point, do go by Cat's Eye for live music (365 days per year), Max's for a massive beer selection, Bertha's (if it's still open at that point) to get your sticker and some mussels, Pierpoint for some non-traditional smoked crab cakes, Blue Moon for brunch, Captain James Landing (water side deck, not the big boat building) for steamed crabs. Check out the Broadway market.
Do not go to Choptank.
Got my Christmas tiramisu from Vaccaros and it was a religious experience.
Don’t drive a Lamborghini
It depends what you are looking for in a hotel. The Pendry is a swanky property and smack in the middle of Fells Point but quiet when you’re inside. It was the former police station featured in the tv series Homicide. The Hilton Harbor Point is where CindyLou’s Fish house is located. Its also called the Canopy Hotel and has free bikes to explore the area. It’s a newer hotel overlooking the water and well located in Harbor East toward Fells Point. The restaurant and bar are nice.
Bygone at Four Seasons is a rooftop bar in Harbor East. Henderson Wharf is very nice and quiet but still well located in Fells Point.
The other option is staying in Harbor East and walking into Fells Point. Both are nice areas. Harbor East may be preferable but both areas are nice. Harbor East hotels to consider are the Marriott Waterfront and Four Seasons.
A good property that’s well priced is the Courtyard by Marriott but no bar.
Consider the Elk Room for a great bar
Stay clear of the Inner Harbor and never take your family there....unless you enjoy roving packs of thugs smoking weed. Little Italy, Fells and Harbor East much safer along with great restaurants.
Nick’s is still open and would also highly recommend! In the summer you can sit outside on the water as well.
We went to the Charleston when visiting Baltimore (from the UK) and I can confidently say it was the most dire experience for the most money I've ever paid in my life. And we eat out the whole time, from cheap ethnic to Michelin*.
Everyone said we'd get mugged in Baltimore, and we did. But only at the Charleston.
EfficiencySuch6361 t1_jdanmm2 wrote
Utsuke is awesomest spot at inner harbor. Walk a little further east from inner harbor and try Thames St Oyster House in Fells Point - get a reservation if possible it’s really popular & really good