The Yummiest Cocktail Bars in Baltimore

Blackwall Hitch

★★★★☆ 3.9 (965) • $$

"Came here for dinner and had a great experience! Enjoyed the crab dip (shared with colleagues) and the crab cakes entree which came with a spicy slaw, and potato wedges. Everything was absolutely delicious and filling too. Service was also great too. Our waitress checked on us frequently and made sure we had everything we needed. I'd love to come here again!"

Blackwall Hitch

★★★★☆ 3.7 (886) • $$$

"Came here for dinner on a Saturday, and enjoyed the food and ambiance so much we came back for happy hour later in the week. Everything we ate was great. I especially enjoyed the Brussel sprouts and filet. Service was excellent both times, and we even got to enjoy some live music the second time. Definitely a new favorite happy hour spot"

Papi's Tacos

★★★★☆ 3.9 (645) • $$

"$14 for the breakfast burrito tells you mostly everything you need to know. It was a really good burrito. the creamy salsa was very good. the breakfast potatoes also very good. Refried black beans great nuff said. Now for the serious stuff I hope someone at papis is reading this. The rice is ass. It was firm which happens but it also tasted like somebody made it with an old el paso taco seasoning packet. I think there's a highly skilled scandinavian chef in the back who is sick at making tiktok food but not basic mexican food(to be clear and fair, again, the mexican rice is my only gripe rn). Also the "4oz red rice" and the "8oz rice" are labeled differently so I thought i'd get two different types of rice but it was just two tiny containers of not good rice for $10.5 stars for me still but just order carefully. I probably wouldn't get something like enchiladas or chilaquiles here if that's even on their menu but i'm sure their nachos, burritos, fried items are great.Basically if you are annoyed by the pickled cabbage at mexican spots trend. don't get the rice. The breakfast burrito you might like"

B&O American Brasserie

★★★★☆ 3.8 (647) • $$

"Had a great lunch at the B&O Brasserie located inside the Hotel Monaco. Their Signature Burger was the grand-slam dish of the day. It was perfectly cooked med-rare and a glass of Lager added to my lunch experience. A very nice place for a business lunch. The restaurant has a NYC-type of cosmopolitan feel. Nice happy-hour after work downtown. The restaurant is just minutes away from the Inner Harbor and the Charm'tastic Mile."

Limoncello Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (476) • $$$

"My partner & I came to Limoncello in August (late post) to celebrate our anniversary! She picked the spot and it looked good to me! We Ubered over and were ushered to our table as soon as we walked in.Check this out, when I called to tell them we'd be a bit late, the woman on the phone told me our reservation was an hour earlier. Doh! How did that happen? However, she was sweet and told me not to worry, they would have a table for us. Life saver.Once seated our server came over to greet us and it was on from there. Limoncello martinis for everybody! My partner had the Limoncello Blush. The drinks were okay. I really wanted the Limoncello martini to be better, but everybody has different tastes. It was okay.But let me tell you about the Frito Misto! Its an appetizer (anti pasti) and was delicious! OMG, the head on shrimp were so good! Included cute little brown, paperbag cone are: head-on shrimp, crispy calamari, and octopus. If you've read any of my reviews you know I LOVE octopus. This app did not disappoint! And the sauce..... a perfect pairing. I could have had two of these and called it a day! YUM! My partner got the Mozarella D.O.P. It's basically an extravagant caprese salad. It was light and tasty. THE MAIN EVENT: Lets take about the Orecchiette! I didn't like it at all... Ha! I cleaned the plate, it was addictive. I couldn't stop eating it. It gave me comfort food vibes. The crumble-fennel sausage is what gets you. There's something different about fennel. You can taste it whenever its in a dish and it adds the 'umph' that takes any recipe over the top. I would come grab more of that to eat at home! It's good. My partner had the Linguine Sette Pesci. Those scallops were huge! That dish had a bit of everything that she loves. She was raving over that dish.We like to try different restaurants and this one did not disappoint. Give it a try."

Ethel's Creole Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4.4 (373) • $$

"Ethel's was authentic New Orleans food.The place is decorated with guitars and plenty of kitsch. The gold walls and clean decor remind you of a New Orleans classy restaurant. The music in the atmosphere is top of the chain and will have you humming.We started off with some great French bread that was super hot out the oven. It was crunch on the outside and hot and fresh on the inside. Your choice or butter of olive oil. We chose the olive oil which was of a good quality. It could have had some herbs. They grow their own herbs. So that is easy to do. You could eat just the bread and be satisfied in your soul.As an appetizer we elected to do the Chipeppa. It is a stuffed pepper with roasted red bell pepper, onions, cheese, andouille sausage with a fire roasted pepper sauce. They serve the pepper inverted in a bowl. It was very delicious. I would get it again.Next up was the jambalaya. It was a wet jambalaya with tomato sauce in it. Almost like a Spanish rice. There are as many jambalyas as there are gumbo. This one has beautiful meaty jumbo shrimp. And the andouille again this time it was harder than the pepper. So it was a little tough to eat. The jambalaya was good but I would not order it againThe red beans and rice was a rich dish. The beans themselves were well cooked. They tasted like some grandmother from NOLA had slowed simmered them all day. They were also loaded with you guessed it, andouille. I would have liked some good pickle meat or ham instead of the andouille. But they were disappeared because they were good. I would be happy to order it."

BLK SWAN

★★★★☆ 3.8 (496)

"This food is amazing! I have never had a French toast that did not need syrup. Oh it was so good! The fried chicken wings were not overly seasoned and the eggs were fluffy. I cannot say enough about this food! I sat at the bar and the bartender gave such great suggestions; which were all hits! The decor of the restaurant is beautiful; surrounded by images of beautiful black excellence. Definitely worth the trip! I'll be back!"

Avenue Kitchen & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (475) • $$$

"If you haven't been to this place but want to, I strongly suggest you go during happy hour or on a Monday (all day happy hour!). I went with a friend during happy hour and loved the selection of food and drinks. We each ordered a sangria (available red or white) and split 4 apps. Even with the auto-gratuity of 20%, the meal was still very affordable!We ordered the bang bang shrimp (not part of happy hour), crab dip, smoked wings, and roasted brussel sprouts. The wings and crab dip were okay (I could've sworn it used to come with pretzels) but I loved the brussel sprouts and bang bang shrimp. The food also came out really quick, which was a nice plus."

Maggie's Farm

★★★★☆ 4.1 (402) • $$

"First time here. Food was great! Staff was even better! Definitely gonna make this place a regular stop!"

Of Love & Regret

★★★★☆ 4.2 (364) • $$$

"When we got here we noticed the parking was weird but $1 an hour on the street. The menu is really diverse! From burgers to vegetarian dishes. The service was prompt and friendly and our waitress was knowledgeable about the menu. The ambiance is cozy and it feels like you've gone back in time. The music is amazing. I will be back. The food and drinks were so good!"

McFaul's IronHorse Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.7 (405) • $$

"Food is always amazing. Staff and space is great as well. Our go to local spot! Never misses"

The Bluebird Cocktail Room

★★★★☆ 4.1 (322) • $$

"Bluebird Baltimore is a stunning cocktail bar that exudes sophistication and charm. I recently visited to celebrate a friend's birthday and was thoroughly impressed by the upscale atmosphere and attentive service.The drink menu is creative and enticing, and I chose the Hessian's Head--a butternut squash sidecar that combined Maison Rouge, butternut squash, ginger turmeric syrup, and lemon. Each sip was a pleasure!While the experience was fantastic, parking was quite challenging due to its location, which can be a bit of a drawback. Additionally, be prepared for a workout, as the bar is situated up a considerable number of stairs. However, once you arrive, the ambiance and service make it all worthwhile.The pricing was fair for the quality of drinks and the overall experience. I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails."

The Breakfast Club

★★★★☆ 3.8 (362) • $$

"Four of us met at The Breakfast Club this past summer while in town and it was truly a vibe! Once we got seated and settled in at our table, I understood why another colleague suggested our friend not bring her baby. It isn't the most family friendly, depending on when you go and we were there during the height of Sunday brunch. It can get very lively as can the crowd, especially once the adult beverages get to flowing. The table setup can be a little tight for high chairs or carriages also - not ideal.The service was good, the live music was amazing and the food was pretty tasty also! The cocktails were aesthetically pleasing and flavorful with tons of options. The menu is full of great fare to choose from. We shared some delicious wings to start. Everything from the breakfast sandwiches & french toast, to the mac n cheese, to the oxtail & grits and breakfast potatoes was yummy, served hot and in large enough portions. I'll have to remember which cocktails we had but I feel like my second one had sorrell in it - Fenton Street Evening. The first one was likely Mint Prohibition or Dreaming of Paradise.We were able to find close by parking on the street while our friends parked a block or two down the road. Our wait wasn't horribly long. We enjoyed the energy of the spot and are overall happy we went. When traveling domestically I like going to spots that I know I can't get in my own home city so this was a great choice. Check out The Breakfast Club if you like live jazz/ RnB and good brunch food. You'll also be supporting a black owned business!"

Rye

★★★★☆ 4.3 (273) • $$

"I stopped by here after getting some ice cream in the area. The drinks are good and the bartender, Chandler, was nice and attentive. Our cocktails came out so beautiful."

18th & 21st

★★★★☆ 4.3 (263) • $$$

"This is my first visit to 18th and 21st and it's always solid! If you're looking for a dining experience that combines a speakeasy vibe, live music, and elevated cuisine, look no further than 18th and 21st! It's hands down one of our favorite spots in Maryland. The Vibe: Always classy, always a vibe. Perfect for a night out or a special occasion. Don't miss the live music--it sets the tone for an unforgettable evening. Pro tip: Ask for Adam at the bar for a stellar cocktail experience! Drink: * Smoked Old Fashioned (a smoky, bold masterpiece) Appetizers: * Coconut Shrimp * Tuna Tartare Entrees: * Braised Beef Short Rib (melt-in-your-mouth perfection) * Salmon (cooked to perfection)This is perfect for date night or catching up with friends."

Brick Wood Fired Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.7 (329) • $$

"This is usually a go to in the Prince Frederick area if you want good food. Last night was no exception. We sat on the hipper 'bar side' of the restaurant in a booth. The Thursday night game was in and they had the volume up to 'I can't hear you speaking volume, This is why I subtracted a star mainly. I ordered the Tomahawk Pork chop. I am sooo glad I did. This was the best pork chop I've ever had! It was thick, juicy, and perfectly cooked. The fat that is normally in the outside of the pork chop is something that I normally don't eat. NOT TONIGHT. The chef crisped the edges of the fat. When taking a bite of the edge, you got the crispy fat (almost like thin bacon) and the date when chewed melted like butter and mixed with the meat. So good. I ate the whole thing, and I'm NOT ashamed to tell you I picked up the bone and gnawed on it a little!"

The Hall CP

★★★★☆ 3.8 (310) • $$

"Hey friends! I found the perfect summer spot with strong drinks, a beautiful outdoor seating and music. I've been eyeing this place for a while but I was skeptical because it's in a college town & I didn't want to be around annoying college kids lol. But I was pleasantly surprised to see a diverse crowd of all ages. There's plenty paid parking at $3/hour. There's no free parking at all, so make sure to budget for that. I recommend sitting outdoors, the patio is really nice with a tennis court, the perfect lighting, a swing and wall art.Service was amazing. The hostess was super sweet, we had a nice convo while I waited for my table. Our server was amazing, I'm sad that I didn't get his name, I would definitely request him again. He was attentive, friendly and made some great suggestions. He was also patient with us after we had a couple drinks lol!The food was good, nothing exceptional. I had the mushroom ravioli. As a vegetarian, I was super excited for this dish but not very impressed. It was flavorful and the texture was nice, but unfortunately it is dry. A sauce such as Alfredo would compliment this dish well. My buddies enjoyed their Bulgogi bowl and Margherita pizza. The drinks were amazing! I ordered a Long Island but received a Strong Island lol! I definitely recommend The Hall CP for your summertime hang out! Make sure to check out their happy hour from 4pm-7pm on Wednesdays- Fridays. Have fun and be safe!"

Mt Washington Tavern

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (622) • $$

"Oh and yes went back to my favorite tavern, Mt Washington and well.... Jamar is the best bartender in Baltimore City. Food, service as it always is and we'll all delish. Jamar will not let u down. Trust. Or do not. I do. Trevor"

Mint Indian Cuisine & Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.2 (231) • $$

"We had a great carry out meal. The veggie samosas were excellent, perfect crust and delicious. The salmon tikka and veggie tikka masala were mildly spicy as requested and were both excellent. Naan - perfect texture and yummy. This was the fifth time we have had carry out from them and there will be sixth, seventh eighth..."

Bammy's Modern Caribbean

★★★★☆ 4 (254) • $$

"The view of the river is so beautiful but the food was even better!We got the jerk wings, Plantains and spicy beef patties. Everything was really delicious, with fantastic flavors and just the right amount of spice. I got a strawberry Long Island ice tea which was great and not too sweet. During happy hour it's on sale for $8. Even though I paid full price it was worth it. The server was very helpful and attentive especially Dre who kept coming back to make sure everything was good. I can't say enough good about this place. Great food! Good drinks! Beautiful location! Great service!"

Tark's Grill & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.5 (327) • $$

"The food is delicious!! Everything that I've had so far was divine, from the lobster bites, cheese steak egg rolls, Salmon sandwich and the Blackened Turkey burger was Amazing. Let's not forget the best bread pudding I have ever had!!! The staff, ambience and atmosphere is wonderful! I will definitely be returning."

Severn Inn

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (363) • $$$

"I had a work lunch at Severn Inn a few weeks ago and enjoyed the meal! I enjoyed their crab cake sandwich (classic on a brioche bun with a mixed green side salad - other side options were fries, coleslaw, and fruit) after they had just sold out of their softshell crab special. It was classic, delicious - totally enjoyed it. I appreciate that Severn Inn has a parking lot (I've been taking a lot of work meetings/lunches in Annapolis lately and often have to -park in a nearby parking garage when that meal is in the area near the Maryland State House). I also really appreciate the water views - they're great whether you sit inside or out! And the service was very welcoming. Overall, definitely a place I'd visit again. Those water views make it a special place for a meal!"

Eggspectation - Gambrills

★★★★☆ 3.8 (264) • $$

"This place used to be in Silver Spring, but... then they closed lol. After Dodgebow for a friend's birthday, we came here for 'dinner', and I was so excited! It's a huge restaurant, and we got seated in the back room, it felt so private. They have a special Fall menu right now, and I was so very close to getting the apple pie crepe. But it felt so much like dessert I was on the fence... it was either going to be that or the breakfast poutine. While deciding, I got a smoothie -- I forget the name, but it had lots of berries and mango in it. And it was fantastic, and I would've gotten a second one... but nah, enough money spent haha.For food, I decided to get the breakfast poutine, which had cheese curds, an egg, applewood bacon, chorizo, gravy, and more. It was quite delicious, and I was nothing short of satisfied. They have so many menus... the seasonal one, the breakfast one, and the lunch/dinner one. I'll be back, because there's much much more to try. By the way, given the size of our party (10), the woman taking care of us did a fantastic job."

Dylan's Oyster Cellar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (198) • $$

"I've been to Dylan's twice now and I've got to say, I'm officially a fan. The first time was a quick stop in after a walk in Wyman Park. We got half a dozen oysters, the potato skins, and the cava during happy hour. The second time, I came in for a quick dinner and got another half dozen oysters, a caesar salad, and the potato skins. The potato skins are absolutely delicious and come with a sour cream and horseradish sauce. Very reminiscent of the Prime Rib's - iykyk. The caesar salad was generously dressed and they accommodated my request for no croutons. The oysters were delicious both times but I especially enjoyed my selection on the second time. Nice and small, light brine, with a little bit of sweetness. You can even watch them shuck them right there in front of you at their beautiful wrap around bar. The prices are fairly reasonable too ranging from $15-$25 for half a dozen depending on the specific selection. This last time the bartender was nice enough to give me a sample of their signature dirty martini. He said it had been on the menu since they started as a pop up and it's so popular it's never left. I can see why - it's made with celery bitters which was really delicious and well balanced. I'd definitely return for more oysters and get that martini next time."

Tsunami

★★★★☆ 3.5 (297) • $$

"Love the ambiance of this restaurant even on a Tuesday night. A perfect date night spot, even though I went with some friends. The star of the show was the braised pork belly appetizer; it was sweet, savory, tender, with so much flavor in a single bite. I wish there was a meal with this same meat and rice! The chili garlic edamame was amazing too! The sushi was good too, some rolls were better than others, but I wish there was a larger menu. There's only a handful of chef rolls. Drinks were strong so you're getting your moneys worth! Overall, had a good time and will be coming back!"

Bunny's Buckets & Bubbles

★★★★☆ 4.4 (182) • $$

"We took a LONG morning stroll from Patterson Park to Bunny's and was SO ready to get our grub on. This was everyone's first time here. We climbed a flight of stairs and were seated right in front of the kitchen. To our delight, everything on the counter was ginormous and looked absolutely delicious. We ordered a couple of drinks and proceeded with our food choices:Smoked Trout Dip w/ chives, roe & ritz crackers - really good balanced smoking. Good creamy texture, no chunky fish pieces found!Deviled Eggs Sampler that includes traditional, lump crab & pimento cheese - good..BUT not enough crabbiness for me. Hash Browns & Caviar w/ crème fraiche & chives - good crunchiness, caviar added a good burst of salty goodness to the dish. Duck Benny - sliced magnet duck breast, hot honey mustard hollandaise, chow chow on an open faced biscuit - the duck was a tad dry, hollandaise had a good pucker to it. The Mensch - everything flavored biscuit, smoked trout spread, pickled red onions, sprouts, fried egg, avocado and a side of grits - this was by FAR the BEST dish of the morning. That smoked trout spread is very tasty. BTW, this was the BEST tasting grits I've ever had. I first thought it was mixed with quinoa but nope just grits. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this dish. Chicken Waffle Sammie - crispy chicken thigh, benne seed miso hot honey, coleslaw, pimento cheese & liege waffle - Oooooo, this was a ginormous sandwich, well worth your time and money! Everyone at the table liked it and everyone surrounding us had ordered one as well. Personally, I prefer a tad sweeter sauce, but don't get me wrong, I swallowed my piece of the sandwich!It's a fun place! The food is good. The service is fantastic. Not sure what parking is like, we were on a walking tour through the neighborhood."

Lew Gambino's

★★★★☆ 3.5 (287) • $$

"I came here for lunch on a weekday with a groupon worth $40 (paid $18). The restaurant interior was far from impressive. The decor seemed a bit cheap, furniture seemed a bit rundown, the air smelled a bit stale. Although there was a ton of space and amble seating, The restaurant itself wasn't too packed. While we were offered seats immediately, no one came to get our orders and greet us until about 15-20min after sitting down. I only noticed one waiter and when he eventually approached us, he seemed a bit frazzled but he was very sweet and nice. We ordered escargot for appetizer, penne bacon carbonara, and the mussel marinara. I read from prior reviews that the bread with olive oil was delicious, but we didn't get anything for the first 25 min. But once it did come out, man oh man was it glorious. The bread came steaming out with a super crunchy crust and soft, warm interior. The escargot soon followed next. I thought it was awesome, de-shelled, served with garlic and parsley seasoning. The juices were perfect for dipping our bread into. My girlfriend has a bit milder taste bud, so she thought the dish was too salty... she's odd. The mussel marinara was 'pretty good' with a home made taste. The mussels were large but not too fresh, sauce was on the milder side, and the noodles were firm. The carbonara was creamy, peppered, with huge chunks of bacon and mushrooms. Everything was solid, but not mind blowing. Overall, I enjoyed my lunch at Ciao Bella. The food was good, but would I come back and pay full price for the exact same meal? Probably not. But was it worth the $18 that I paid for the Groupon? Definitely."

Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes

★★★★☆ 4.3 (188) • $$

"A very mixed experience. The food was fantastic, but the service was slow, and the server wasn't very nice - not just to us, but we noticed with other diners. Had the beet burger, which was delicious, as were the fries. We may give it another try, but someone needs to find another server to hire - one without a stick up her rear. I'd say a solid 3.5."

The Grill at Harryman House

★★★★☆ 3.6 (256) • $$

"Absolutely delicious food and outstanding service! The ambience is perfect! I highly recommend."

Los Compadres

★★★★☆ 4.3 (165) • $$

"Amazing food and great service. Any time I am in town to visit family, I make it a point to visit Los Compadres. They have great daily food and drink specials, plus you can't go wrong with any of their mix/match street tacos! Probably one of the coolest things that I witnessed here a few months ago was when a customer ordered a beer that they had run out of. So instead of saying they didn't have any, the manager causally left the restaurant and bought more at the near-by liquor store. The customer never knew this, but afterwards I struct up a conversation to learn how they valued their customers."

NOLA Seafood & Spirits

★★★★☆ 3.7 (207) • $$

"While on an impromptu staycay, it was time for brunch before heading down 95S!We wanted somewhere near our hotel and when I saw the name "Nola", my mouth started to water for charbroiled oysters! After checking out the brunch menu online, I was a little disappointed that oysters weren't on it but hey, I'm somewhat of a risk taker so she was all in. Let's take a shot! LolOnce we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised that they also offered their full menu during brunch so already, they were WINNING! So without further ado, let's see if their charbroiled oysters lived up to the restaurant's name! Let me tell you, they certainly did! I'm glad she's not an oyster lover like me so she only had one. I was low key happy as hell because those things were heavenly and I got to eat 5 without feeling guilty.. LolI went for the fried seafood platter and she being a chicken and waffle connoisseur, she chose that after our attentive server highly recommended it. My meal was great while the chicken part fell a little short on flavor but the waffle part was perfect. She'll get the shrimp and grits next time while I'll probably do a complete redo because mine was sooo good! :)Nola in a word is charming. Small but big enough! B'more gets a bad rap for being a big bad city. I love the Federal Hill community and Nola and its employees were awesome and we'll definitely return.. This time it'll be later in the day so we can try their NOLA inspired drinks.. CAN'T WAIT!"

Toki Underground

★★★★★ 4.5 (126) • $$

"Good food: the ramen is super flavorful. Soup (I had original/classic one) was thick and creamy. You can tell they must have boiled it for hours for the soup to look like that and very umami.The egg is noodle is perfectly processed-- melted egg yolk, so tender.Service is wonderful. They check on us frequently, asking if we need anything or add more order. Very nice and kind. When we order they didn't bring a booklet but simply remembered our order. Apparently they know their business very well.Ambience is good too. There are not many tables, but each with enough space in between to keep conversation private. Cocktail (gin with yuzu, and peppercorn) was awesome. I like how slightly bitter it was. But very strong aroma of the yuzu. I enjoyed a lot."

Nautilus Diner

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (251) • $$

"I've eaten here three times in the past two weeks (it's less than a mile from where I live). I've eaten dinner, breakfast, and just dessert. Large portions, fast service, and a good value. The breakfast in particular was delicious even though my egg whites were only warm. The Bananas Foster French toast with challa bread on the other hand was perfection. Endless coffee which wasn't bad. Go there!"

Po Boy Jim Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (228) • $$

"I come for lunch. Usually not very busy. Sandwiches are WHAM and BAM. Hearty, just what you'd want in a PO Boy. Quite good. Satisfying. Fries are fresh and crisp. Service? It's not Chick-fil-A speed, but it is a southern restaurant, yah? Seems like they do have some consistency issues, but I'm only rating my experience of dining here 2x. The other time I ordered the oyster po boy, and it was also spot on. It's a small business. Give them time to grow and refine. Their Sandwiches are worth the trip here."

Lime and Salt

★★★★☆ 3.8 (153) • $$

"Came here with some friends after arriving in town. Our waitress was very nice, but seemed to be juggling a lot of tables. My friend and I ordered two baja burritos, but they only brought out one because she thought we ordered one to split. The burrito was pretty good, but not amazing. The margarita was good. I just didn't feel blown away by this place, and thought the prices were a little steep. I would maybe consider returning to try some of the other menu items but only if they have happy hour deals."