When asked for restaurant options, it’s easy to rely on the usual suspects in Baltimore.
There are the lauded Foreman Wolf restaurants, which have led the way in fine dining in Baltimore; the bold, brash new kids on the block, Atlas group restaurants; and the national press darlings such as Ekiben, Clavel, The Bluebird Cocktail Room and The Charmery.
But Charm City is actually chock full of hidden gems—many positioned in plain sight or just off the beaten path of tourist hot spots.
These places are frequented by local residents or visitors in the know—until now.
Here’s a robust offering of 14 special spots that will earn you Charm City cool points when your out of town guests ask for recommendations of non-touristy spots.
Michael’s Café
720 Concourse Cir., Middle River, michaelscafe.com
Sure you’ve heard of Michael’s Cafe, the popular American fare restaurant in Timonium. But the restaurant opened a second location this summer in Middle River. And quite frankly, it’s better than the original.
It’s probably because their talented Corporate Executive Chef Josh Vecchiolla spends a large portion of his time at the new location. And it shows. His shrimp and grits are arguably the best in the region. The grits are on a different level of creamy.
The charred cauliflower steak is a great option for vegetarians. And those mashed potatoes are to die for. And their meat platter, which features ribs, brisket, sausage and street corn, is equal parts scrumptious and Instagram-worthy. And the imaginative cocktails from the gorgeous, mammoth bar are also worth a look.
About The Author
