You guys! I’m so excited to share with you my top places to eat and drink across Charm City! This was my third time visiting Baltimore for longer than 24 hours, so get excited to read about my new faves you must visit during your next trip up to Baltimore!
Alma Cocina Latina: Where should I start when it comes to this wonderful restaurant? If I could describe Alma Cocina Latina in one word, it would be “delightful”! The minute you walk in, you truly feel the most amazing vibes! The warm and palm-filled decor reminded me of a sandy beach. It’s pretty much a mini oasis away from the city noise. The culinary director of Alma Cocina Latina is Enrique Limardo, executive chef and co-owner of my fave D.C. restaurant Seven Reasons. Hello, BIG expectations! But, my God were those all met and more. Each dish we devoured came with a gorgeous presentation — and tasted just as good as it looked! My favorite, called The Rabbit Paradise, was actually vegetarian. The colorful plate featured roasted baby carrots, raspberry hummus, toasted pumpkin seed romesco, carrot pureé, truffle oil and cilantro. So yummy! We also had the chance to meet the owners, Irena and Mark, and both were a treat to talk to! Their passion for their restaurant and life overall was contagious. After many laughs and countless cheers, we walked out of Alma Cocina Latina feeling inspired. Baltimore! You are so lucky to have this gem in your city, and we can’t wait to be back. P.S.: This month they are offering a vegetarian prix-fixe menu. After trying their Rabbit Paradise, something tells me you should not skip this special opportunity!
Guinness Brewery: Brewery visits are always so much fun, but Guinness Brewery was next-level sophisticated. Beer man Ryan Wagner, the official USA Guinness brewery ambassador, was kind enough to take us on a mini tour and teach us all about the process of how the iconic Irish brew is made. Ryan spilled some crazy knowledge on not only how the beers are made, but also why Guinness chose Baltimore, Maryland as their home for their U.S. brewery. He chatted about the history of the building and his overall experience as a Baltimore native and what the brewery means to him and his community. I felt his passion and overall commitment to his city made the experience that much more genuine. We wrapped up our tour by (DUH!) tasting some amazing beer. I must admit, I was one of those people who figured Guinness beer equated to heavy dark beer, but to my surprise, there were so many other lighter options! My fave was their El Dorado Amber, followed by their Coffee Stout. The production facility is huge and also has a restaurant that offers lunch/brunch/snacks. Their patio area is massive too! A perfect spot to enjoy a warm afternoon with family and friends. Start salivating over a summer trip now!
Vida Taco Bar at Harbor Point: I strolled in Vida Taco with high mezcal and taco expectations lol, and boy did they blow me away. I love that this spot is casual but also has some mad swag inside! Their cocktail list is solid, and each drink is crafted beautifully. Our server, Jake, was also very in the know about the tons of types of mezcal/tequila the restaurant carries. He even took the time to tell us the backstory behind the superstar brand Ilegal Mezcal! This Mexican stop was an overall amazing time. My favorite foods were their cauliflower and baja fish tacos. For apps, we loved their chicharrones and guac with lump crab pieces! And DO NOT miss dessert at this place! I’m still dreaming about their sweet churros donuts.
Bar Vasquez: I found Bar Vasquez on IG (shocker!) lol. The place looked super cute on the feed, and then my friend hit me up saying, “they have $5 HH cocktails.” We were officially sold and marked it down as a must-visit place. Bar Vasquez is located within walking distance of Fells Point, an amazing waterfront neighborhood packed with dining destinations. The decor at this place is very elegant, but with a fun and modern twist. During our visit, they had a live flamenco band playing. The main bar area was super packed, but we found the cutest little hidden nook where we ordered our much-anticipated $5 cocktail steals. They were so good! I mean, I can’t remember when I had a solid $5 cocktail, period (thank you, D.C. prices!). So that alone made them winners in my book. Overall a sexy and cool spot. I plan to go back for dinner soon. Happy hour is weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cosima: This gorgeous Italian restaurant sits in a relatively secluded area of Baltimore. You have to go down a hill to find the entrance, but the adventure is totally worth it! Cosima is actually an old boiler room of the Mill No. 1 building. The restaurant will give you mad industrial/ rustic vibes, which I loved. For appetizers we ordered their burrata and meatballs — super yummy and enough to share for two! Another item that stood out was their grilled branzino with a beautiful artistic presentation to match. They have a great selection of wines and a nice bar area. We hear their patio is a hotspot to sip rose during warmer months. Adding this to my “things to do” list this summer!
City Cafe: You guys already know how much I love me a good brunch spot! City Cafe is a chill and casual restaurant with an extensive brunch menu. The restaurant is located in the hip Mt. Vernon neighborhood of Charm City. We started our brunch pretty healthy by ordering their roasted cauliflower bites and fresh berries with homemade whip cream. As my main dish I had their homestyle breakfast. Craving a mimosa? City Cafe gives you an option to order this by the flute or a 16-oz. pint! Not into mimosas? They also have a list of other fun brunch cocktails.
There you have it! My new top restaurants to visit in Baltimore. This was my third time exploring Charm City and I still feel like I have so much more to eat, drink, and see! To read about my past Baltimore adventures, click HERE!
