Hidden Gems: Best Unique Restaurants in Baltimore

Though Baltimore may be a comparatively small city, its restaurant scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors and experiences. Charm City's culinary treasures, each with its unique allure, captivate both out-of-towners and locals alike with ever-evolving menus.

If you’re planning a visit, we recommend exploring these standout establishments. Here are our top dining suggestions in Baltimore. Savor distinctive flavors and dishes that will undoubtedly delight your taste buds.

Magdalena, A Maryland Bistro at Mt. Vernon

This hidden gem epitomizes elegance with its posh dining rooms and dreamy garden patio, set on the ground floor of The Ivy Hotel, a historic Mt. Vernon mansion, and one of the top luxury hotels in the U.S.

Magdalena, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant in Maryland, offers a menu highlighting seasonal Mid-Atlantic cuisine. Enjoy dishes like Chesapeake Bay Scallops with Karma Farm summer beans, or dry-aged ribeye steak with asparagus and Romesco sauce.

Executive Chef Ülfet Ralph brings a wealth of experience from top Relais & Châteaux properties, including Café Boulud and Magee Homestead. Her spring menu features vibrant dishes like Gazpacho, Spring Risotto, and Whole Branzino.

Magdalena also boasts a full selection of cocktails, whiskey, and award-winning wines, earning the Wine Spectator Excellence Award. Experience dining that blends bistro charm with sophisticated elegance.

Magdalena offers some of the best dining in Baltimore, with complimentary parking for guests. For an ultra-special experience, reserve a room for the night—5-star breakfast included—at this unique Baltimore venue. You won’t be disappointed.

Foraged: A Hyper-Seasonal Eatery

This hidden gem, founded by Chef Chris Amendola, is a testament to foraging and sustainable farming. The dynamic menu changes with the seasons—sometimes even daily—and highlights fresh, high-quality, locally sourced, and wild ingredients.

Foraged offers a fresh take on favorite recipes, such as a Maryland-style mushroom ‘crab cake’ that mimics the state’s signature seafood, or a leg of lamb topped with a zesty chimichurri over eggplant puree with roasted tomato and broccoli. Whatever the spin on the day’s recipes, you’ll soon discover why Amendola was named a James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category in 2023.

Peter’s Inn at Fells Point

Peter’s Inn at Fells Point is not just a quintessential introduction to Baltimore; it also offers some of the city's finest dining with a blend of gritty, cosmopolitan, eccentric, yet accessible cuisine. Once an Ann Street biker bar, this culinary treasure embodies the contradictions that define Baltimore.

Owners Karin and Bud Tiffany have perfected Baltimore's art of paradox in both taste and ambiance. Expect dishes like Prince Edward Island oysters with a ‘bump’ of caviar, alongside exceptional Texas toast-style garlic bread. Hand-written menus and antique oil paintings create a charming blend of frills and no-fuss that delights the senses.

This unique dining experience promises not to disappoint.

Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen

Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen, located in the Baltimore Museum of Art, is a work of art in itself. It overlooks a sculpture garden featuring works by Isamu Noguchi, Auguste Rodin, and Alexander Calder.

The restaurant was founded by John Shields and John Gilligan in 1998, and its cuisine perfectly matches the museum’s high culture. The menu celebrates the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay, with dishes such as smoked blue catfish catties, Chincoteague fried oysters, and rockfish paired with creamy garlic mashed potatoes.

An array of inventive options rounds out the menu, such as spicy udon noodles with soy sauce, chile oil, orange zest, and toasted sesame seeds, or lamb meatballs with figs and yogurt. It’s easy to see why this Baltimore stand-out has been praised by The Washington Post, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, Edible DC, The Baltimore Sun, and Baltimore Magazine’s “Best of Baltimore.”