Baltimore's 12 Trendiest New Dining Spots

Channeling the ambiance of Parisian bars frequented by literary giants like Hemingway or Fitzgerald, this intimate cocktail retreat above a Belgian beer hall is already attracting crowds. Enjoy its literary-themed cocktails, often garnished with elegant, hand-cut ice, while seated at the bar or communal tables under crystal chandeliers. Pair your drinks with plates of lamb meatballs or fried oyster and bacon skewers.

For years, locals have flocked to farmers markets for Blacksauce’s indulgent biscuit breakfast sandwiches. Now, with a new brick-and-mortar open on Thursdays only, fans are making weekly visits to this modest lunch spot for delights like brisket fried rice, smoked shrimp with pickled okra fritters, and rich chocolate stout cake. The menu shifts almost entirely each week, but you can check out the offerings every Thursday morning on Instagram for those who like to plan ahead.

Once known as a food desert, this beloved neighborhood spot has become a haven for locals and a destination for others, thanks to its acclaimed hickory-smoked chicken, sauce-drenched ribs, and hearty brisket burnt ends. At this unpretentious yet tastefully appointed Mytoury, order at the counter and enjoy your meal alongside fellow barbecue enthusiasts while savoring plates of smoked meats and sips of sweet tea.

This acclaimed brewery has recently transitioned from its shared space at Peabody Heights Brewery to its own dedicated production facility and taproom on the east side of the city. It has rapidly become the favorite haunt for craft beer lovers. Enjoy a hoppy 51 Rye (the flagship brew) or a Penchant Pils while engaging in free ping-pong, enjoying live music on most Fridays, and sampling offerings from rotating food vendors on Saturdays.

Named in honor of Ida B. Wells, the pioneering civil rights journalist from the early 1900s, this Mytoury offers contemporary twists on classic soul food made with local ingredients. Chef David Thomas is celebrated for dishes like catfish, Native American fry bread tacos, fried chicken, and octopus po’ boy sliders. The cocktail menu is equally impressive, featuring detailed flavor profiles that highlight the bold character of each drink.

Mountain biking legend Marla Streb and her husband Mark Fitzgerald created this unique spot that combines a bike shop, coffee bar, pizza and sandwich counter, and a craft beer and cocktail lounge. The result is a vibrant hangout where, in the summer, bikers relax with cold brews and wood-fired pizza in the open air, and in the winter, enjoy hearty burritos and browse for their next bike purchase in a cozy indoor space.

Hidden behind a discreet door in a Harbor East alley, this speakeasy-inspired cocktail lounge boasts a blend of upscale drinks, luxurious decor, and dramatic bartender performances. Head bartender Shawn Stewart creates cocktails that might smoke, flame, or even use liquid nitrogen. The ambiance is completed with sparkling chandeliers, plush leather seating, and live jazz music adding to the enchanting atmosphere.

When Julian Marucci, the acclaimed former head chef of Cinghiale, took the helm at this new Italian Mytoury, the local dining scene buzzed with excitement. Tagliata, located in Harbor East, has since gained fame for its exquisite homemade pasta dishes, such as squid ink campanelle with blue crab and sea urchin. Guests can enjoy these delicacies alongside live piano music or opt for outdoor seating to savor king salmon crudo and select from an extensive wine list of over 1,000 bottles.

Perched on the 29th floor of the Four Seasons, The Bygone is creating a buzz with its extravagant Roaring ’20s theme. This Atlas Restaurant Group gem offers an extensive whiskey selection and a wine list spanning 30 pages. Indulge in luxurious dishes like lobster Newburg, duck flambé, and caviar while taking in one of the most breathtaking views of the harbor.

Set within the luxurious Sagamore Pendry hotel, this chic Italian chophouse offers a panoramic view of Fell’s Point’s historic streets. Guests can savor Caesar salads made right at their table, fresh handmade pasta, and premium 28-day dry-aged steaks. Helmed by the acclaimed James Beard award-winner Andrew Carmellini, the restaurant impresses with its classic décor, featuring iron chandeliers, plush banquette seating, elegant tableside brass lamps, and a marble bar.

Dedicated to all things seafood, this laid-back sibling of the acclaimed La Cuchara brings a relaxed vibe to Riverside. Expect dishes like whole branzino, shrimp ceviche, and rainbow trout. The standout feature? Their ‘bait’ selection: small, appetizer-sized delights like sardines, fried oysters, and marinated mussels, presented in repurposed fish tins. The bar also serves up creative drinks such as hot toddies for two and the Love Potion No. 8—a vodka and elderflower mix that swirls with dry ice fog.

Renowned chef Andrew Carmellini, a James Beard award winner, lends his expertise to this new gem next to the Sagamore Spirit rye distillery. Rye Street has quickly become a hotspot in the emerging Port Covington area. A copper-clad bar showcases Sagamore whiskey, and a stylish lodge ambiance is set with a fireplace and a mounted bison head. The menu, featuring mid-Atlantic and Americana classics like fried chicken, wood-grilled seafood, steak, seafood bakes, and daily blue crab specials, has received rave reviews.