Must-see restaurants in Maryland

  • Thames St Oyster House

    Baltimore

    A Fells Point icon, this vintage dining and drinking hall serves some of Baltimore's best seafood. Dine in the polished upstairs dining room with…

  • Woodberry Kitchen

    Baltimore

    The Woodberry takes everything the Chesapeake region has to offer, plops it into a former flour mill and creates culinary magic. The menu is a playful…

  • Jimmy Cantler's Riverside Inn

    Maryland

    One of the best crab shacks in the state, where eating a steamed crab has been elevated to an art form: a hands-on, messy endeavor, normally accompanied…

  • Vin 909

    Maryland

    Perched on a little wooded hill and boasting an intimate yet enjoyably casual ambience, Vin is the best thing happening in Annapolis for food. Farm…

  • Helmand

    Baltimore

    The Helmand is a longtime favorite for its kaddo borawni (pumpkin in yogurt-garlic sauce), vegetable platters and flavorful beef-and-lamb meatballs,…

  • Handlebar Cafe

    Baltimore

    Owned by X-Games champ Marla Streb, this friendly bike shop and bistro – adorned with mountain bikes and gear-themed decor – serves breakfast, burritos…

  • Rec Pier Chophouse

    Baltimore

    If you peer through the Sagamore Pendry's archway windows from Thames St, it can appear that everyone in town is celebrating inside this rustically chic…

  • Iron Rooster

    Maryland

    From the crab-cake Benedict layered with lump crab, poached eggs and hollandaise to the buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with black-pepper pan gravy,…

  • Faidley

    Baltimore

    Here's a fine example of a place that the press and the tourists 'discovered' long ago, yet whose brilliance hasn't been dimmed by the publicity. Faidley…

  • Artifact Coffee

    Baltimore

    From the folks behind Woodberry Kitchen, Artifact serves the city's best coffee, along with tasty light meals, such as egg muffins, spinach salads,…

  • Boatyard Bar & Grill

    Maryland

    This bright, nautically themed restaurant with a big central bar is a festive and welcoming spot for crab cakes, fish and chips, oysters, fish tacos and…

  • Manor Hill Tavern

    Maryland

    This spin-off from popular Manor Hill Brewing – a farm brewery in outer Howard County – sprawls across a 19th-century livery in the historic district…

  • R House

    Baltimore

    This sleek spot is home to 10 gourmet food stalls featuring a global array of cuisine from up-and-coming Baltimore chefs. Take your pick of poke, tacos,…

  • Heritage Chocolates

    Maryland

    Why yes, I would like a handcrafted sea-salt caramel in a cute little box. And go ahead and throw in a cashew turtle. And an almond cluster. And a…

  • Sip & Bite

    Baltimore

    Yes, you do want the grilled crab cake with two eggs, hash browns and toast. And no...don't even say the word 'diet.' No question, a hearty, appealingly…

  • Ekiben

    Baltimore

    The 'neighborhood bird' at this Asian fusion box of deliciousness is a sight to behold, and then devour: a giant piece of curry-fried chicken practically…

  • Liquid Assets

    Maryland

    Like a diamond in the rough, this bistro and wine shop is hidden in a strip mall in north OC. The menu is a refreshing mix of innovative seafood, grilled…

  • Courtney's Seafood Restaurant

    Maryland

    This fish shack, which isn't that far in exterior decor from a bomb shelter (it doesn't get significantly better inside), is run by Tom Courtney, local…

  • Food Market

    Baltimore

    Award-winning local chef Chad Gauss elevates American comfort fare to high art in dishes such as bread-and-butter-crusted sea bass with black-truffle…

  • Chick & Ruth’s Delly

    Maryland

    A cornerstone of Annapolis, the-squeeze-'em-in-tight Delly bursts with affable quirkiness and a big menu, heavy on sandwiches and breakfast fare. Patriots…

  • Vida Taco Bar

    Maryland

    The crowd is stylish – and getting its drink on – at this convivial spot serving fantastic street tacos and strong margaritas.

  • Miss Shirley's

    Baltimore

    Everybody, and we mean everybody, recommends Miss Shirley's for her decadent Southern-style breakfasts, from the fried buttermilk chicken and waffles to…

  • Birroteca

    Baltimore

    Amid stone walls and indie rock, Birroteca fires up delicious thin-crust pizzas in imaginative combos (such as duck confit with fig-onion jam). There's…

  • Lexington Market

    Baltimore

    Around since 1782, Mt Vernon's Lexington Market is one of Baltimore's true old-school food markets. It's a bit shabby on the outside, but the food is…

  • Layton's Family Restaurant

    Maryland

    Celebrating its 50th birthday in 2018, Layton's is the place to enjoy an old school breakfast. Join the crowds for diner standards and specialties, such…

  • Dooby's Coffee

    Baltimore

    This hip but unpretentious place is equal parts sunny cafe and creative eating and drinking spot. Come in the morning for tasty pastries and egg-and…

  • Old Angler's Inn

    Maryland

    While it sounds like a salty seadog hangout, the Old Angler's Inn is actually one of the poshest restaurants in town. Inside the warm, rustic-chic dining…

  • Chaps

    Baltimore

    This is the go-to stop for pit beef, Baltimore's take on barbecue – thinly sliced top round grilled over charcoal. Park and follow your nose to smoky…

  • Preserve

    Maryland

    Side dishes and toppings are fermented, pickled and tastily preserved at this well-named spot where you'll also enjoy big-windowed views of Main St…

  • Papermoon Diner

    Baltimore

    This brightly colored, quintessential Baltimore diner is decorated with thousands of old toys, creepy mannequins and other quirky knickknacks. The real…

  • CD Cafe

    Maryland

    Intensely fresh seafood and produce characterize the menu at this sunny spot, where natural light, friendly service, crisp salads and tasty pastas are the…

  • Greenhouse Cafe

    Maryland

    It's not all vegan or vegetarian – we're looking at you, bacon on the breakfast sandwich – at this cafe, but there are plenty of options for those seeking…

  • Casey Jones

    Maryland

    There are lots of restaurants in America that try to come off as high-end gastropubs, and they should all be more like Casey Jones. There's an excellent…

  • LP Steamers

    Baltimore

    LP is the best in Baltimore’s seafood stakes: working class, teasing smiles and the freshest crabs on the southside. Stop by on your way back from Fort…

  • 49 West

    Maryland

    This comfy, art-filled coffeehouse is a good spot for coffee and light bites (sandwiches, soups, salads) during the day and heartier bistro fare by night,…

  • Dukem

    Baltimore

    Dukem is a standout among Baltimore's many Ethiopian places. Delicious mains, including spicy chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes, all sopped up with…

  • EW Beck's

    Maryland

    In the middle of Sykesville's historic district, Beck's feels like a traditional pub, with wooden furnishings, soused regulars and serviceable pub grub…

  • Vaccaro's Pastry

    Baltimore

    Open for more than 60 years, Vaccaro's serves some of the best desserts and coffee in town. The cannolis are legendary.

  • Rams Head Tavern

    Maryland

    Serves pub fare and refreshing microbrews in an attractive exposed-brick and oak-paneled setting. Live acoustic music most nights. Attached to Rams Head…