Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Baltimore / Maryland

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Baltimore / Maryland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Water for Chocolate

4.9

4.9 (299)

$30 and under

American

Upper Fells Point

About the restaurant

Water for Chocolate provides an intimate and savory experience with a nod to personal space and service.
Chef Sean Guy and his team prepares creative dishes using seasonal ingredients with the best of intentions.
The result is a fresh, eclectic take on comfort food that elevates the familiar to wow!!
Pairings with "holistic cocktails" such as the house brewed ginger beer and a selected wine portfolio allows for guests to create real dining memories.

Top review

Nosizwe

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

Came to visit family in Baltimore and ended up finding this lovely restaurant by Chef Sean Guy! Incredible dinner I had with my aunt. We loved evening. The food was full of flavor, great presentation and you can tell it’s made with love. Will definitely come here again on my next visit. Cheers to the Chef and team! A must visit. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Experience

dinner prix fixe (four course)

t at The General Store

4.8

4.8 (730)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

St Michaels / Tilghman Island

About the restaurant

We offer a local farm-to-table menu. Best described as American cuisine with a healthy twist, we prepare our dishes fresh daily. We use no added salt, bringing tea infusion as a flavor and spice. We have a full bar with hand-crafted cocktail specials. Located inside the historic Royal Oak General Store, you will find a fun, modern decor.

Top review

Randyvip

Dined 6 days ago

We had a party of four. Everyone’s had different appetizers and entrees and all were excellent. There was a foul up in the kitchen that resulted in other parties seated 20 minutes after us getting their entrees before we got any appetizers. The waitress was stench to the max but really hustled to handle all her tables. Great attitude, personality, professionalism and understanding. Made sure we were compensated for our having to wait.

Ambassador Dining Room

4.7

4.7 (217)

$31 to $50

Indian

Tuscany-Canterbury

About the restaurant

Discover fine Indian fare at the Ambassador Dining Room. This upscale eatery, located in a stylish Roland Park apartment tower, features a beautiful outdoor patio, overlooking a verdant urban oasis. Ambassador Dining Room is a Baltimore favorite, beloved for its luxurious ambiance and white-glove service. The menu features a wealth of northern and southern Indian dishes, with a popular daily lunch buffet and a special Sunday brunch, featuring special combination plates and mimosas made with fresh-squeezed orange juice. The menu includes classic fare, from freshly-made samosas, chicken and fish Tikka Masala to vegetarian staples like Channa Masala and Palak Paneer. Food at Ambassador Dining Room is incredibly fresh and flavorful, paired with homemade breads and basmati rice for the ultimate authentic taste. The restaurant has a full bar, offering classic cocktails, spirits and imported and domestic beers and wines.

Top review

Walid

Dined 6 days ago

Outstanding well prepared food delivered promptly with the most courteous staff. Always a pleasure to dine here.

The County Cork Wine Pub

4.6

4.6 (825)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Eldersburg

About the restaurant

Welcome to The County Cork Wine Pub. The "Cork" as we are known is a classy, but casual restaurant. We have a unique menu using the freshest ingredients available. We offer an extensive wine list, as well as a selection of craft beers and a full bar. Happy Hour is best spent at The Cork where all small plates are $7 and drink specials. The Cork is your neighborhood meeting place, whether you desire a quick bite from our lite fare selection or a night out with friends. Enjoy the evening experiencing our incredible menu and succulent specials at reasonable prices. Our Butcher Block and Cheese Boards are enjoyed by many of our customers with a bottle of wine. We have the best brunch in the "Burg". An extensive a la carte menu featuring benedicts, steak and eggs, omletes anyway, corned beef hash and much more. We also have an all-you-can drink Bloody Mary Bar for $10.00. Come experience the warm atmosphere and exceptional service. You'll come as guests and leave as friends!!

Top review

Sonny

Dined 2 days ago

Nice bar/restaurant experience. Breakfast served all day menu had a good variety. Our MD omelette, chicken waffles, and french bread dishes were delicious!

Kelsey's Restaurant, Irish Pub, Banquet Room

4.6

4.6 (503)

$30 and under

Irish

Ellicott City

About the restaurant

Serving Irish Hospitality in Ellicott City, MD since October 17, 1994, Kelsey's Restaurant has been family-owned and operated since the very beginning. Every day we strive to provide excellent food, courteous service, and let's not forget beverages in a friendly, neighborhood pub-style environment. NEW PRIVATE ROOM for all your catering needs! Call our event coordinator today!

Over the past 28 years, we have made every effort to live up to these standards and are proud to be known as "Your Neighborhood Meeting Place!"

Top review

Genevip

Dined on Aug 3, 2024

Service was great and food was good. Always enjoy Kelseys.

Watershed

4.6

4.6 (258)

$30 and under

Seafood

Federal Hill

About the restaurant

Now open in the newly remodeled Cross Street Market, Watershed is a classic Maryland seafood house serving some of the region’s signature dishes, including steamed hard-shell crabs. An expansive rooftop deck provides an intimate outdoor experience in the heart of Federal Hill, complete with a covered bar, gaming area and an abundance of televisions for sports viewing.

Top review

Nicolevip

Dined on Aug 24, 2024

Food and service was great! We will return! The lime crush was great!

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4.6

4.6 (228)

$30 and under

Southern

North East

About the restaurant

With a passion for southern comfort cuisine, and a refinement worthy of fine dining, Chef Tom and Chef Raheem provide a unique culinary experience to all. Through innovation, dedication, and some delectable food, new bonds and lasting memories will be formed; for together, we Forge.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Aug 30, 2024

This is our 2nd time eating here, and we love the unique food and friendly service. Our server was super friendly and enthusiastic about the food served here. We usually try the appetizer specials and this time we got the pizza rolls which were yummy and the crab dip. I didn't care for the chips with dorito like seasoning that came with the crab dip, but there was a generous serving of lump crab meat in the dip, but it was a little salty for my taste. I don't usually use salt in my food, so it's probably fine for most people. I got the filet salad and forgot to ask for dressing on the side--my bad. Again, a little too much dressing for my taste. Husband had the shrimp and grits which were excellent. The shrimp was tender and large and the dish came with some grilled fresh corn kernels on the side which elevated the dish. Nice assortment of desserts which were large enough to share with another person. I don't live close but would definitely go back again.

La Palapa Grill & Cantina

4.5

4.5 (181)

$31 to $50

Mexican

Ellicott City

About the restaurant

La Palapa Grill & Cantina is committed to providing only the freshest and highest quality of Mexican cuisine in a distinctive Hacienda decor setting, a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, with exceptional service, and the real flavors of México.

We have created a unique restaurant concept around original recipes. Beyond tacos, enchiladas and burritos... we offer a tour of authentic Mexican gastronomy; from our delicious ceviche and mouth-watering molé, to our more traditional tamales and equally delectable quesadillas.

Our bar is without a doubt the witness of fun nights under the Maryland sky, and the best host of good friends and great times.

La Palapa Grill & Cantina, family owned and operated, is your festive neighborhood restaurant and bar.

The Flavor of Mexico in Historic Ellicott City.

Top review

Lindsay

Dined 4 days ago

Food is amazing! The servers were friendly and timely. Nice atmosphere and the outdoor patio was comfortable.

Rigby's

4.4

4.4 (451)

$30 and under

American

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

Simple home cooking at its best… served in a casual, bistro-style dining room or on our outdoor, garden patio. A year-round local favorite, since 2009, offering home-made food, that’s always fresh. A lively mix of locals and tourists, gathering for dinner in the dining room, or drinks at the bar. Just a 10 minute walk from the ocean, on Rehoboth Avenue. We also have some free parking behind our restaurant and free parking (after 5pm) on the street behind our building. Late night bar entertainment includes: live music or Karaoke with a late night menu available after 9pm. Owners John & John are regularly on the premise, making sure you have a pleasant experience. “We strive to make Rigby’s a comfortable place, for all to feel welcome!” “We encourage you to have some good food and relax… after all, you’re at the beach!”

Top review

Julianavip

Dined 6 days ago

Hamburger night is great with added benefit of karaoke.

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Popular dish

Rigby Burger

The Goat

4.4

4.4 (31)

$30 and under

Mexican

Annapolis

About the restaurant

Latin inspired Tavern with daily specials and creative cocktail menu.

Top review

Alexvip

Dined on Aug 11, 2024

Always a 5 star experience at the goat. Friendly and attentive staff who go above and beyond + fresh, delicious Mexican food. So glad this exists in Annapolis!

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