The Tastiest Wine Bars in Baltimore

Nonna Angela's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (541) • $$

"Nonna's is a solid spot that I've visited several times with friends and colleagues after business events, and it never disappoints. The servers are always nice and pleasant, making for a welcoming atmosphere. Although it is a popular place (especially on Saturday nights), so we usually make a reservation for our large group, about 20 people, well in advance. They seat us comfortably in the back corner at two tables, which works out great.While the atmosphere can get a bit loud due to the crowd, it's not overwhelming like a sports bar, making it still enjoyable. The food is solid Italian fare. I've stuck to safe choices like the Spaghetti and Meatballs and Salsiccia Rustica, which have been great for my picky palate. They also serve ginger beer, but you must ask for it since it's not on the standard menu.The bathrooms are clean but small, so just keep that in mind if you're a large person. Located in a strip mall, there's ample parking and other businesses nearby. I always enjoy the area, which is conducive to a peaceful post-dinner chat outside."

Lewnes' Steakhouse

★★★★☆ 4.3 (519) • $$$

"I've been eyeing this place ever since I read about it being one of the best steakhouses on east coast on reddit. Seeing as how I lived just over an hour away I was happy to test out the hypothesis, and it didnt disappoint. I made reservations and found street parking. I was a smidge late, but fortunately they didnt give my table away. Once seated, I noticed the decor and ambiance was a bit aged, though still nice. I ordered an old fashion while my friend had red wine. We both ordered new york strip steaks and had salads to start. I went with a house while my friend had a greek salad, and tbh I wish I ordered the greek salad. the salad comes with potatoes under the lettuce and is topped with a bright tasting greek dressing consisting of lemon, garlic, and herbs. Coupled with the feta it reminded of my growing up in NYC and stopping in all of the rich tasting greek diners on the island. This stole the night for me, I'd go back just for this greek salad. The steakhouse's menu describes the restaurant as being the first to offer prime steaks. Upon further research I found that prime steak is the highest grade a meat could obtain. The meat tends to be juicer, packed with flavor and great has marbling. Lastly, the meat is cooked in a broiler at 1800 degrees. What surprised me the most was how well the steak was cooked, I ordered mine to be medium rare and typically in a restaurant medium rare means the middle of the steak is medium rare and the outside is more medium. However here the outside was medium rare and the center, inside of the steak was more on the rare side. What was disappointing was that the restaurant only tops their steaks with butter. Maybe I've grown accustomed to salt and pepper and while the steak was good, it felt like it was missing something. We also ordered a baked potato and mushrooms. The baked potato can be topped with butter, sour cream but not chives which is unfortunate but I managed. Both portions were enough to satisfy us both. The service was great, there are no complaints there. The waitress offered their opinion when asked, and guided us to the house favorites. She was quick to refill the water, and was prompt in returning often."

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."

Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar & Grill

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (740) • $$$

"I have a weakness for Crab Cakes, sometimes I order them as an appetizer (for sharing) or as an entree. If they are on the menu, 99.9% of the time, I will order them. Maryland is known for their fresh and tasty Crab Cakes, I was not going to miss out. The Blue Dolphin exceeded my expectations. Our group ordered a variety of dishes, from seafood to chicken and ribs. The portions were huge, the service was quick and our Server, Jennifer, was the best! Even though it was a busy Friday night, she was very attentive and so friendly. The Crabs Cakes come as a platter with two side dishes, I chose sautéed potatoes and spinach with Remoulade sauce. Most places offer tartar or cocktail sauce. If they have remoulade, you know you're having the real deal!! The Crab cake was a solid mound of Crab meat, not a lot of bread crumbs or filler. I tried my best to finish, I even took a break and still could not finish this delicious meal. One Crab cake at this fine establishment was bigger than other restaurants that serve two the size of a hamburger pattie. It may be a couple of years before I travel to Maryland, but when arrive at Blue Dolphin again, I won't forget to tell 'em Rosemary sent me!!!"

Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (430) • $$

"1st time dining at Carpaccio and it was underwhelming. Sat for reservations at 5:30pm on a Saturday night. They weren't super busy but, by the time we left 2 hours later there was a wait. The cocktails and lemoncello cake were delicious but, the food and the service was just ok. I had the linguine alla vongole, a dish I always get when I go out, but it was so salty that I could only get a couple of bites. The waiter was very inattentive and we had to flag him down a few times to order drinks, ask for napkins, get our check, etc. At one point I just walked uo to the front of the restaurant to ask for a dessert menu because our waiter would walk by our table without a word on his way to visit other tables multiple times. Once the food came he never came back to ask how everything was so that I could tell him that my dish was overly salty. Eventually, the bus boy cleared our plates, including my full bowl of pasta. We had noticed that several tables around us that were seated after us had received their food before us, got their check before us and were out the door before us. We aren't slow eaters and I was done eating after 3 bites. We felt sort of ignored. The managers (or what I assume are the managers) are walking around the dining room. However, I didn't see any of them stop at any tables to ask how everything was. Certainly not ours.Overall, not impressed with Carpaccio's and most likely won't be back."

Facci Ristorante

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (551) • $$

"Loved the eggplant appetizer and the beet salad! My husband loved the seafood with pasta and Caesar salad. Great service, too!"

Bacco Italian + Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (332) • $$

"Place was packed so make a reservation! Food was delicious. Fresh basil on everything. The bread was warm and fresh. Our server was r he eat. She was ver knowledgeable in all the plates. Looked at all the food passing our table and decided we will be back on our next trip to Maryland! Keep up the good work!"

Tino's Italian Bistro

★★★★☆ 3.7 (346) • $$

"Finally had the chance to check out Tino's and I was pleasantly surprised. A friend from work son was hosting an event for Lumiere Vodka so I came after work. The parking lot is small but I was lucky to find a spot near the front entrance. I made a reservation to make sure I had a table since I expected the event to be well attended. I checked in with the hostess and was seated quickly. The interior is small. A small bar separates the two sides of the dinning area. They have additional seating outside. For the event there was a live music performing outside as well. The waitress Trish was great. She explained the menu and offered some suggestions on what she enjoyed. I chose the veal parmigiana. She provided some fresh bread with olive oil. The main course came out very quickly. The flavor was delicious. It was so good that I forgot to take a picture before I dug in. The portion was large enough for me to have leftovers to take home. Prices are reasonable with some good looking lunch specials. I will definitely return."

Monocacy Crossing

★★★★☆ 4.1 (277) • $$

"Always imaginative and creative food here. Get the crab deviled eggs! Check out the subtle flavor of the homemade bread!"

Facci Ristorante

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (451) • $$

"Great ambiance and super friendly service! The food was great, and our kids loved the choices on the kids menu. Our super picky 6 year old said it was the best Alfredo pasta he's ever had as well."

Johnny's

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (391) • $$

"Half priced burger nights on Tuesday is a good time!!They have a variety of burgers, including turkey burgers.I love their fries!! But you can also get fruit or salad if you are watching your calorie intake.They also have other daily specials, including 1/2 priced whiskey nights!"

Smashing Grapes

★★★★★ 4.5 (210)

"Had a wonderful late lunch here between the Christmas and New Year holidays. Our server was attentive and made great suggestions along the way. I had the peach ice tea, garlic edamame and the cilantro shrimp sandwich. All very delicious. My guy opted for the ahi tuna and the house burger topped with an egg and accompanied by broccolini and loved all of it. The decor is modern and posh. There are glass enclosed private dining rooms and a spacious bar area too. We'll definitely be returning."

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"

Daniela Pasta & Pastries

★★★★☆ 4.1 (249) • $$

"Yum! I returned to Daniela for lunch this past week and was really happy with my experience. It was far less crowded for lunch and the service was excellent. I got the gluten free gnocchi and absolutely loved it. It was super filling and the sauce was just exceptional. They were even nice enough to make me a little piece of gluten free focaccia. It was even better than the sourdough-esque GF bread they gave me last time. I wish I wouldn't have eaten the bread so fast so I could've scooped up all the leftover sauce with it. Maybe next time ;)Everytime I come here, I'm always impressed with the number of gluten free options. As a pasta lover who has only just recently had to give up gluten, I can't personally tell the difference because the flavor and texture is just so spot on. I love that they have so many options I can still enjoy that aren't just your boring spaghetti or penne (GF seafood ravioli?? C'mon!)This might be my new favorite lunch spot whenever I feel like treating myself!"

Mansa Kunda Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (191) • $$

"Well done!Gambian eatery in the Takoma Park & Silver Spring area. (Down the street from WAU) Went on the weekend, evening hours, not too busy. Spacious seating, good for groups / individuals / couples. Parking is available in front of the restaurant (street parking) or the side of the building. Beautiful decor inside. We were seated promptly, our order taken shortly after. The food arrived piping hot. Filling portions and I took my leftovers to-go. Not too pricey, in comparison to similar area restaurants.Check it out."

Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano

★★★★☆ 3.6 (267) • $$

"I've always have my eye on this place every time I'm in town. My father just gave me a local magazine that showed all the best places in the area. Luna blu kept getting mentioned. I booked an 11:45 reservation for my father and I for their lunch specialParking is street parking and they do have parking garages in the area This cute little Italian place is tucked by rams head tavern and other places. As soon as we walked in we got greeted by staff and was sat right away. 5 stars for that. This is a cozy little place. I'm a sucker for locally owned Italian places. Everyone was extremely welcoming and our server was nice, but she didn't refill our drinks at allWe decided to get their two course lunch special (which comes with two glasses of wine) and you have a TON OF OPTIONS. You get to pick one appetizer to share and two lunch options (if you don't drink you can get a soda instead) We picked the - Bruschetta, which had a lot of tomato on it, which I didn't think I'd be a huge fan of and thought it would overpower the other flavors. But it was perfect. 5/5I picked the - penne vodka, which we all know I'm ordering anything with the word vodka in it. I loved the sauce and the noodles were cooked perfectly. 5/5 And my dad picked the-Tortellini alla Romana 5/5 the sauce was perfectly creamy I thought their sauces tasted great and homemadeThey also have a great dinner menu and offer great sounding cocktails. (I'm also impressed by how big their menu is) all their tables were extremely clean, there was only a few people dining in because of the snow storm but there was a lot of traffic coming in and out for take out Other helpful things - it offers vegan and vegetarian options And gotta love a woman owned business. Also, their lunch hours are 11-2:30 and then dinner starts at 5 pm"

Harry Browne's

★★★★☆ 3.8 (228) • $$$

"My second time here and I was again charmed. I can't decide if it's the food or service I like better. They are both excellent. The menu has dishes that are somewhat traditional Maryland staples but each one has a special twist that takes it to a new level. One of my favorites is the Roasted Local Oysters with Chorizo sausage, fresh mozzarella and garlic butter served with sliced baguette. YUM! But I also can't say enough about the service. The staff are super accommodating. It's almost like they can anticipate what you want or they try to imagine how to provide you with the best experience. This will always be at the top of my list when I visit Annapolis!"

The County Cork Wine Pub

★★★★☆ 3.9 (180) • $$

"The chef takes pride in his creations, the bartenders and wait staff are awesome, and the music on Friday nights is great. An Eldersburg restaurant that shouldn't be missed!"

Galliano

★★★★☆ 3.7 (199) • $$

"I've been back several times now, and they've definitely gotten better. The drinks have been consistent, service is mostly pretty good unless it's extremely busy, and the food is exactly what you'd expect but has been good. They have also been really good about noticing and fixing errors with the orders. Recently, they overcooked our caulflower crust pizza to a burnt crisp, but the server immediately noticed as they were bringing the food to us, and took it back to the kitchen to be remade. Also, the patio is really wonderful when the weather is nice!"

LOCAVINO

★★★★★ 4.5 (120) • $$

"In the heart of downtown Silver Spring, but a bit tucked away not street facing. Free 2 hr parking around the back. Met up with friends for a late lunch and was surprised by the food offerings! Everyone got a little something different and everyone enjoyed their meal! Burgers were recommended by the cashier so I got the Frederick County Cabernet - didn't taste the wine but it was a thick patty and all the ingredients were fresh - only downside was I asked for a medium cook and it came out well done despite the thick patty. I had a bite of the jerk sandwich and it was also a bit overcooked and dry but the flavors were good. I added the Truffle Parmesan fries and they were fried perfectly and flavorful. And of course there's a large selection of vino to drink there or buy a bottle for home. Definitely a nice casual spot to catch up with friends or even a casual date! The service was also good, you pay first at the cashier but they bring your food and clean the table, so don't forget to tip when you pay! Solid 4 stars, maybe even 4.5 based on price if they didn't overcook the meat."

Towson Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.6 (179) • $$

"I went Sunday morning at 10 am when the doors opened with three friends of mine. The ambience was warm and inviting. There were plenty of booths and tables with a long bar off to the side with TVs on the wall. I was expecting their brunch on Sunday morning to be delicious. Boy was I wrong. All the options on the menu sounded so good. My friend ordered the smoked salmon plate. The server informed her they were out of smoked salmon. Now we were the first patrons there. How is it possible they are already out of smoked salmon. I ordered the breakfast burrito for $9 and added steak which made it $12. The coffee that came out came in a dirty mug. There was something dark I flicked off the top of rim of the cup. I still drank the coffee which was awfully bitter. The fruit that I got as a side option was just ok, nothing special. The burrito looked appetizing. Sadly it was just the appearance. Totally superficial. There was absolutely no flavor in it whatsoever. No seasoning to be found. My steak was hammered! I couldn't eat it. I got a doggy bag and yes it went to the dogs. I asked the ladies about their food and they said the thing. My one friend said her crab omelette was dried up. The eggs were way over cooked in the oven. And she found a minuscule amount of crab. All of us were laughing because this is a possibility of trying a new place. You just never know. I honestly cannot recommend this place nor will be returning. Our server was super nice so a shout out to him. Unfortunately besides the ambiance and the nice server this meal was lacking in any flavor."

The Pier

★★★☆☆ 2.6 (334) • $$

"My husband is there right now and I referred him to their Yelp page for some light entertainment to go with the light fare we always get just to get our kids out of the house to socialize at "The Pirate Ship Playground". It's occupying the kids who are impossible to take anywhere solo except a handful of places. This allows a tired mother to get a few things done on my end with then out of the house. Just exchanged messages with my husband. The kids are having a blast and the food is consistently good. As for service and speed of turnaround, I honestly can't weigh in we're distracted by the kids. If it's a long wait I wouldn't know. With our kids time flies. But my instincts are always "tuned in" and my gut feels that the critics are "unique" to the norm of service we receive. We just "go", it's not centered on an occasion that might be widely celebrated with "dinner out" along with the rest of town. If you go during rush and are met with a lengthy waits, as the reviews dominate and impress upon others, thats NOT the "majority experience". Again, I'm not watched by the clock, we go "on a whim" and actually avoid widespread celebrations/holiday dates. Our kids get restless, no restaurant is worth going to what we can easily predict will spoil all enjoyment. To tired parents of bored energetic or lonely children. Go with an open mind. If you don't you could be denying yourself a pleasant place to take your kids, eat decent food at a fair price while they burn energy with other kids.. I'm going to keep rating every time we go. If anything is valid to the critics it has my objective awareness and I'll rate and explain with objective fairness EVERY TIME."

Little Georgia

★★★★☆ 4.3 (95) • $$

"First time coming and really enjoyed it! We got the Adjaruli (bread filled with cheese and topped with an egg yolk you mix in) , khinkali (dumplings. We did potato next time we want to try the meat one), sacivi (chicken cooked in walnut sauce), and honey cake. Delicious. The initial service was a little slow but once we put our order in the food came out pretty quickly. The restaurant itself was nice and clean."

Baia Coastal Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (91) • $$

"I have to give props to our wonderful service on Sunday, St. Patrick's Day. There were 14 of us in our party celebrating a birthday with Baia's $20 bottomless Mimosas. We ran our server for 4 straight hours. She was absolutely amazing! Mimosas were delicious. So many flavors to choose from. Blood Orange and Pineapple were favorites and on constant rotation. My Mozzarella Fritte and Truffle Fries were very good. Two friends had Blueberry Pancakes, full of blueberries, fluffy and yummy. Such a fun time was had by all!"

Fallston Barrel House

★★★★☆ 3.5 (130) • $$

"Bidenomics. Stings everyone, everywhere and politicians don't care. They've forgotten they work for us and that we are a "free" people. I decided to descend on the FBH to take in some live music on a Sunday afternoon. Carl Filipiak and Jimi Jazz rocked the house. The show was in the FBH Cellar. So, what does one do when they go out to hear live music? Well, you eat and drink. And that's what a buddy of mine and I did today. Service here is very good and attentive. Food? Well, let's go back to Bidenomics. My first visit, reviewed here in Yelpland, had me order home style chicken tenders. Last year, four tenders ran $15. Today? Three for $14. Hmmm. Everything seems to be up at least a third from a year ago. Food. Energy. Fireworks. Food, retail and foodservice: we have the above example. And, even shopping at Aldi, $50 filled three bags. Now it fills two. On top of that, items are in smaller packages and prices are stratospheric. For the same amount of money a friend spent for his annual Independence Day celebration, he only got two thirds of what he bought last year. Enough of my rant. There's 81 million reasons why things are the way they are and I'm kinda tired of it. Oh, my $63 synthetic blend oil changes are now $107. All said and done, despite Bidenflation, FBH is a great dining and entertainment destination."

Oscar's Alehouse

★★★★☆ 3.9 (101) • $$

"We came in on a Saturday night for dinner and it was about 15 minute wait. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout the dinner. We ordered a few entrees and a dinner salad. Everything came out hot and fresh. We were able to pay for our meal using the QR code."

Pierpoint Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.8 (89) • $$$

"We were passing through Baltimore and looking for crab cakes. The first two place we called were full so we settled on this little hole-in-the-wall joint. And I'm glad we did. They have limited private parking at a nearby lot. ASK ABOUT IT. We didn't know and circled for 10 minutes trying to find a spot. The place has limited street frontage and you'll miss it, if you're not careful. Brooke was the waitress, bartender and other things, as the owner was out of town for the holiday weekend. I had a smoked crab cake and a regular one. This is one of their most popular dishes. The smoke on the cake was just right, not overpowering at all. This was paired with a Brussels sprouts salad and fresh home fries. My son had the scallops, which were perfectly cooked. Didn't try desert but the two the couple next to us had looked awesome and, by their reactions, tasted that way, too. If you're in the Baltimore area, definitely make a reservation at this place."

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (90)

"My husband and I decided to give this restaurant a try for seventh year wedding anniversary. We have been to Firebirds restaurant before currently different state. As soon as we walked in, we are graded by three staff, who were very welcoming, and offered us a seat at the bar or patio while we wait for our table. Less than two minutes we were sitting at our table. if you like appetizers, we absolutely loved the eggrolls and deviled eggs! Main meals - ordered a Colorado salad and salmon spinach salad, but we changed out the salmon for steak instead. The drink pineapple vodka martini is now one of our favorites! Hats off to our waitress she was the best. Her name was MIA - so helpful, made great food and drink recommendations, pass by our table often to check in on us. Have you got to try this place, you won't regret it!! Enjoy"

Ricci Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (58)

"We love Ricci!! The best pasta dishes around, and the brunch is excellent, too! We almost always order the calamari and the chicken parmesan. The lox platter is my favorite brunch item - highly recommend! The bread and oil they provide at the start of service is so incredible. I love the outdoor patio on a warm day. Dining indoors is great, too, because they have a bar area, classic dining tables, and a high top counter facing the pizza oven. We will continue to come here!"

The Red Horse

★★★☆☆ 2.7 (121) • $$$

"Our server Celeste was amazing, very attentive and fun. My husbands drinks were on point, he loved the pear martinis. Best thing we ordered was the escargot, the garlic oil was perfect to dip the bread into. The place was a bit empty but we came to eat a little bit early. We would come back for the amazing service, drinks, and escargot!"

Highlands Cafè and Grill

★★★★☆ 4.1 (50) • $$

"Great parking, great service, great food, and great music! I've heard about Highlands and I'm so happy that I've finally given it a try. We went for dinner and drinks and both were delicious. Can't wait to try them for breakfast."

Jerk House Eatery

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (53)

"So authentic. True Jamaican taste. Great service and pleasant atmosphere. Love going back again and again"

Alizee American Bistro

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (62) • $$

"Came here for Bmore winter restaurant week. The location is right in the heart of Johns Jopk6ins territory. We parked in the Inn at Collinaide's underground garage. The restaurant was located inside.We were greeted by a pleasant host and quickly seated. Our server came, who was pleasant and very accommodating, and quickly took our orders: The prix-fix dinner (we chose Md crab bisque and the Chicken Chesapeake stuffed with crab meat and covered with a cream in addition to the flourless chocolate cake).Our meal started off with a nice, fresh house salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onions, shredded carrots and a long slice of cucumber wrapped around its base. It was accompanied by a balsamic vinaigrette. Next was the MD crab bisque. It was served with saltine crackers. The soup arrived warm and it was okay with noticable bits of crab, but was a tad bit salty.Our main course, Chicken Chesapeake arrived. The plate and contents, crisp French green beans, smashed potatoes along with a chicken breast stuffed with crab and spinach topped with a cream sauce (I believed it was the bisque) came out hot and it was tasty.We ended our meal with the flourless chocolate cake with a side of whipped cream topped strawberries. The cake was super rich, more like fudge, and although it was good, I couldn't indulge myself in more than half of the small round cake.Our parking was validated by the restaurant manager, who was pleasant.All in all, a decent meal for the $25 price."

Osteria Pirata

★★★★☆ 3.6 (36)

"I mean wow! Let me start off by saying I arrived with high expectations and this place blew them right out of Baltimore- if you order the prosciutto with melon don't panic the melon is there. For some reason the white wine glasses are smaller than the red ones and when asked why??- no answer. but the wine was still good. The salt and peppa pasta had too much salt and peppa!! No bread basket which is an automatic sad face. But vibes were good the little moped was cute great taste of decor"

Della Notte

★★★★☆ 3.5 (31)

"Wonderful to have a great Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. Food is plentiful, delicious and the music is fun and not too loud."