If you and your friends can’t decide on a new place to eat or grab drinks, consider these fantastic Baltimore restaurants that are sure to please a crowd. Waterview’s, brunch spots, vegan options, and spots that are college affordable—these are some tried and true restaurants that you have to visit before leaving Baltimore.
Each summer that I travel back home and live in the suburbs with my parents I constantly fantasize about my favorite restaurants and food joints that I’m a regular at during the school year. While my wallet is thankful for its summer break, my stomach cries out for some specific places. Here’s a list of some all-time favorites of mine. Now I’m no millionaire—I’ve had a minimum wage job all of college—so don’t worry these places aren’t going to break the bank.
If you’re a brunch regular, then you are probably familiar with the Mexican inspired Barcocina located in Fells Point. This place has everything you could ask for in a hip restaurant and bar with an amazing outdoor seating area that is right next to the harbor. Looking for some classic margaritas? They have it. Want something different? Try their Julio Smash. Their weekend brunch is a big hit with college students and especially those from Loyola. They have your classic favorites like French toast, but a lot of people love their Mexican fusion breakfast. Who doesn’t love sangria at 11 a.m.? Maybe not everyone, but it’s definitely worth taking the Uber down to Fells one lovely Saturday to see for yourself.
Another Fells Point favorite is The Choptank. This half outdoor half indoor bar and restaurant is perfect for summer and spring months in Baltimore. With COVID-19 this spot has also been popular for its spaced outdoor tables and all-around good vibes. The Choptank is a newly renovated 200-year-old Broadway Market that serves Maryland seafood and exciting drinks. Choptank is great for live music and summer evenings that you don’t want to end. The menu is full of great food and drinks that has options for your adventurous friends, and fantastic choices for those who want to play it safe. The Choptank is slightly more on the expensive side but you definitely get what you pay for as the food is wonderful and the ambiance is great.
RHouse has been a favorite of mine since I was a first year and most of my friends will say the same. If you’re ever going to eat with some friends and you all can’t decide on what to get, then RHouse is definitely the best choice. With several stalls varying from sushi to pizza, RHouse allows you to pick and choose exactly what you want and sit at their several seat-yourself tables. My personal favorites are Amano Taco and Be.bim (Korean BBQ). They both offer amazing food and are a good escape from my usual Chipotle habits. My vegan friends have also told me that Molina pizza has an amazing vegan pie. Make sure to check them out on Wednesdays for half off pizza! My most recent adventure to RHouse brought me to Ground&Griddled, RHouse’s breakfast and coffee shop. Since COVID G&G has opened a pickup window and made all service virtual, but I still enjoyed a great breakfast sandwich with an iced coffee on a particularly sunny February day.
Hampden is always one of my favorite areas to explore around Baltimore, I especially love how close to Loyola it is! I could go on about several Hampden restaurants that I absolutely adore but the one that deserves pointing out is Golden West Cafe. Golden West is an American Mexican fusion diner that also specializes in awesome vegan and vegetarian food. The inside of the restaurant is also something to behold, there’s old furniture and fun ornaments all around that make your entire dining experience seriously fun. If you’re vegan or vegetarian I definitely recommend their Buffalo Chik’n Caesar Wrap and their Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and my favorite has to be their amazing burritos. Since COVID began Golden West hasn’t offered any indoor dining, but they’ve always had a fully functioning and super-fast take-out window that makes pick up very simple. Stop by for some great food and spend an afternoon walking through Hampden.
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