Restaurants in Baltimore.

In this festive, informal restaurant, you'll find murals and music of Greece, and a clientele composed largely of families. Portions are generous, with rockfish and red snapper leading the fresh seafood menu. Try shrimp oregano - jumbo shrimp sautéed in white wine and served with a tomato-feta sauce over rice pilaf; or lamb Giouvetsi - baby lamb braised in olive oil and baked with orzo. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Akbar
823 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-0944
Under $30
Mount Vernon
Indian

A few steps below street level on the business-and-retail Charles Street corridor, this small restaurant is usually crowded and always filled with pungent aromas and the sounds of Indian music. Among the vegetarian dishes, alu gobi masala, a potato-and-cauliflower creation, is prepared with onions, tomatoes, and spices. Tandoori chicken is marinated in yogurt, herbs, and strong spices, then barbecued in a charcoal-fired clay oven. Try Akbar for an interesting Sunday brunch. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Angelina's
7135 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/444-5545
Over $20
Baltimore North
Italian

This neighborhood restaurant has an Irish pub downstairs and two dining rooms with casual booths. Specialties include crab cakes and lasagna. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Atlantic
2400 Boston St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/675-4565
$30 to $40
Canton
Seafood

Part of the restored American Can Company complex, the Gjerde brothers' Atlantic wows with a startlingly modern interior within the red-brick boiler building. The multi-level seating areas seem ready to showcase a clientele more glamour-conscious than your typical Baltimore resident. Locals know seafood though, and a combination of presentation, flavors, and textures in dishes like Monkfish Osso Bucco create the right amount of flair to please, but not go overboard. From the raw and sushi bars, the quality of the seafood speaks for itself. AE, D, MC, V.

The Bay Café
2809 Boston St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/522-3377
$20 to $30
Canton
American

This Canton eatery's position as a water taxi stop makes it a popular watering hole, especially in the summer when a large outdoor dining section is landscaped with palms and tropical flowers. In the winter some of its waterfront tables are converted for indoor use, but they retain the panoramic views. The menu includes seafood, steaks, pasta, stir fry, and sandwiches. Shrimp cocktail is the kitchen's specialty. AE, MC, V.

Bertha's
734 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/327-5795
Under $20 to over $40
Fells Point
Seafood

All over the region, visitors who see the bumper sticker "Eat Bertha's Mussels" come here to find out why that curious slogan is so enthusiastically displayed. This Fells Point landmark first opened as a bar in 1972 and has gradually expanded into two cozy dining rooms. The unusual menu partially reflects the Caledonian heritage of one of the proprietors: Scottish afternoon tea, offered every day but Sunday, is a rich array of Scotch eggs (hard-boiled eggs deep-fried with a sausage coating); sausages baked in dough blankets; cheese-tomato pasties; freshly baked scones with lemon, jam, and butter; and various pastries. On the lunch and dinner menu, the ballyhooed mussels are the outstanding item. They come steamed, with a choice of eight butter-based sauces such as a garlic sauce with capers or - in late summer through fall - a basil-pesto sauce made with homegrown basil. Reservations are required for tea and not accepted at other times. MC, V.

The Black Olive
814 S. Bond St. at Shakespeare St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/276-7141
Over $40
Fells Point
Greek

Impeccably fresh seafood is the specialty here. Enjoy your selection simply grilled, lightly dressed, and filleted for you at the tableside, accompanied by a glass from the wine list's intelligent selection of oft-neglected Greek vintages. Chef Pauline Spiliadis turns her skilled hand to meat with kleftico, cubes of tender marinated lamb cooked in parchment with mushrooms and mild sheep's cheese and served over couscous flavored with minced olives and red pepper. For an appetizer be sure to try the kakavia, a spicy Greek bouillabaisse, or the exemplary tzatziki, a tangy yogurt and cucumber dip served with irresistible bread warm from the brick oven. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch.

Boccaccio
925 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/234-1322
$30 to $40
Little Italy
Mediterranean

This 1870 Victorian mansion on the edge of Little Italy is now a Mediterranean-style restaurant with five dining rooms, filled with carved teak furniture, a Tiffany skylight, and marble fireplaces. The Dover sole, seared scallops, or angel hair pasta are solid choices. AE, DC, MC, V.

The Brass Elephant
924 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/547-8480
Over $30
Mount Vernon
Italian

The rooms of this grand antebellum house on Charles Street are filled with classical music and the chatter of diners (the Teak Room is the quietest, the Oak Room the noisiest). An atrium meant to suggest a Venetian café has moss painted on pink walls, and the rest of the decor, including the elephant sconces, is just as remarkable. So is the northern Italian menu. Veal Valdostano, a favorite of the owner and chef, is a cutlet sautéed with butter, shallots, mushrooms, cream, white wine, and Fontina cheese. For an unusual dessert, indulge in the Chesapeake oyster - a fanciful mousse-filled chocolate bivalve. Upstairs, try the Brass Elephant Lounge for smaller plates of the same excellent food at a fraction of the price. AE, DC, MC, V.

The Brewer's Art
1106 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/547-6925
$20 to $40
Mount Vernon
Contemporary

This tastefully re-done Mount Vernon mansion houses a pair of elegant dining rooms, but look closely - the Brewer's Art is serious about its mission, as evidenced by the discreet copper-tank brewhouse in the back. Downstairs, hipsters convene for drinks in the basement bar, its cavelike nooks crammed with mismatched furniture. The Brewer's Art cultivates a young but sophisticated air, with an ambitious menu, a clever wine list, and impressive house-brewed Belgian style beers - try the potent Resurrection ale. The changing menu offers a tapas platter of delectable bite-size appetizers as a perfect accompaniment to the brews, as well as seasonal dishes that rely on high-quality locally available ingredients, like pumpkin ravioli in autumn and lamb with fava beans in spring. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Café Hon
1002 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/243-1230
$20 to $40
Baltimore North
American

In a former hardware store, this restaurant looks like a 1950s kitchen with its old porcelain tables, colorful tablecloths, and Hoosier cabinet. The homestyle cooking includes crab cakes, lasagna, and meat loaf. Brunch is served on weekends. AE, DC, MC, V.

Charleston
1000 Lancaster St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/332-7373
Over $20
Fells Point
Southern

Specializing in the low-country cuisine of South Carolina, the kitchen of Charleston's owner/celebrity chef Cindy Wolfe may have a Southern accent but she's fluent in the fundamentals of French cooking. Served in the attractive, glowingly lit dining room, such classics as decadently creamy she-crab soup, crisply cornmeal-crusted oysters, and the best spoon bread you've ever tasted mesh beautifully with more elegant fare, such as bacon-wrapped pheasant or duck with poached pears and shiitake mushrooms. Best bets are Southern-inspired fare such as the shrimp sautéed with fiery andouille sausage and bits of Cajun ham and served over rich, creamy grits. The wine list offers over 250 vintages, many by the glass, and the award-winning waitstaff provides attentive yet unobtrusive service. Reservations essential. AE, D, MC, V.

City Lights
301 Light St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/244-8811
$20 to $40
Inner Harbor
Seafood

Only a glass wall separates you from the harbor, making the view unforgettable. This second-floor restaurant has a cozy patio where you can dine under the canopy. Crab cakes, crab dip, lobster, and fresh fish are popular menu items. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Dalesio's of Little Italy
829 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-1965
$20 to $30
Little Italy
Italian

Bare wood tables and chairs are accented in hunter-green, but it's the view of the harbor that grabs attention. The outdoor balcony is reminiscent of a European café, with quaint marble tables and wrought-iron chairs. The veal chop, shrimp marinara, and duck ravioli are among the northern Italian menu's offerings. AE, MC, V. No dinner Sun.

ESPN Zone
601 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/685-3776
$20 to $40
Inner Harbor
American

Not surprisingly, televisions - all airing different games - are in every nook of this sports-themed dining and entertainment complex. Upstairs you'll find a wide range of high-end, sports-related arcade games. It's known mostly for easy fare such as burgers and pasta. AE, D, MC, V.

Germano's Trattoria
300 S. High St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/752-4515
Over $20
Little Italy
Italian

From this informal dining room, you can watch people on the bustling streets of Little Italy. Osso buco, arista (roasted loin of pork), and taglierini are house specialties. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Hamilton's
888 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/522-2195
Over $30
Fells Point
Seafood

In the basement of the over 200-year-old Admiral Fell Inn, Hamilton's low-ceiling dining room is as warm and inviting as the menu is inventive. Beyond crab cake and seafood dishes, Hudson Valley foie gras is an appetizer you won't find in other area restaurants. Flavor is as important as presentation here, and the kitchen never loses its focus on quality. AE, DC, MC, V.

Hampton's
550 Light St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/234-0550
Over $40
Inner Harbor
American

This elegant restaurant at the Harbor Court Hotel has panoramic views of the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium. Wing-back chairs, candelabras, and red draperies give it a formal but romantic air. On the menu are grilled dry-aged beef tenderloin, Maine lobster gratinée, and pan-seared Atlantic halibut. A vegetarian prix-fixe menu is available. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Hamptons
Harbor Court Hotel, 550 Light St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/347-9744
Over $40
Inner Harbor
Contemporary

A panoramic view of the Inner Harbor competes with the restaurant's elegant interior: Sheraton-style tables, set with bowls of gardenias, are spaced generously in a dining room styled after an English country house. Lauded by both the national media and local gastronomes alike, Baltimore's foremost restaurant is a consistent award-winner for its exquisite food and flawless service. Expect carefully composed seasonal cuisine at once contemporary and classic. Veal tenderloin and sweetbreads are paired with risotto, rainbow chard, and celery and cauliflower puree, for example, and sea bass is seared with chantarelle mushrooms, shallots, beets, and white bean puree. A major draw is the Sunday champagne brunch. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Hard Rock Café
601 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/347-7625
$20 to $30
Inner Harbor
American

Music memorabilia all over the walls - the trademark of this chain eatery - plus a bar shaped like a Les Paul guitar, make this restaurant an attraction unto itself. Burgers, steaks, and pasta are popular choices. AE, MC, V.

Helen's Garden
2908 O'Donnell St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/276-2233
$20 to $40
Canton
Eclectic

Original art on the exposed brick walls, earth tones and a worn wooden floor give this bistro a casual elegance. Choose from seating in one of the three dining rooms or the backyard patio. Dishes range from pecan-crusted brook trout with horseradish potatoes to Asian pesto shrimp, sauteed with peanuts, basil, lime, and garlic. D, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Henninger's Tavern
1812 Bank St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/342-2172
$20 to $40
Fells Point
Contemporary

An antique china closet and an eclectic display of photos fill this 200-year-old building in Fells Point. White tablecloths mute the effect of the bright green and pink sponge-painted walls. Look for crab cakes and filet mignon; they're usually offered although the menu changes biweekly. Reservations not accepted. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon.

Ikaros
4805 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/633-3750
$20 to $30
Fells Point
Greek

Owned and operated by an immigrant family since 1967, this Greektown institution was voted the Best Greek Restaurant for 15 years in a row by Baltimore magazine. Greek paintings and photos adorn the walls, and the waitstaff wear Cleopatra-design dark blue uniforms imported from Greece. The traditional dishes include moussaka, fried calamari, lamb in wine and tomato sauce, and eggplant salad. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Tues.

Jeannier's
105 W. 39th St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/889-3303
Over $30
Baltimore North
French

The quiet dining rooms here face Johns Hopkins University. The café has casual hardwood floors, while the main dining area has French paintings, lace curtains, and vases throughout the room. Specials include rack of lamb, quenelle (classic mousse of pike fish), and seafood Catalane. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

John Steven, Ltd
1800 Thames St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/327-5561
$20 to $40
Fells Point
Contemporary

This restaurant takes its name from the owner's son's Teddy bear, hence the logo (a Teddy bear in a suit, playing the cello). The restaurant is done in old stone with 18th- to 20th-century paintings, and bare dark-wood tables. The brick courtyard has intimate dining in the open air. You might try the steamed shrimp, Cajun crawfish pie, or something from the sushi menu. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Joy America Café
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Hwy., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/244-6500
Over $30
Inner Harbor
Contemporary

Baltimore's most creative kitchen overlooks the harbor from the offbeat American Visionary Art Museum, and the appropriately unconventional menu does justice to the setting. Exuberant flavors abound, from a tart, chile-spiced rockfish ceviche to creatively stuffed tamales (fresh corn, mushrooms, cheese) with tomatillo salsa. The food is inspired by New World flavors: South and Central America, as well as the American Southwest and the Caribbean influence the kitchen. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Kawasaki
413 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/659-7600
Under $30
Mount Vernon
Japanese

Amid the art galleries and shops of North Charles Street, this lively dining room is a good setting for a convivial dinner or weekday lunch. Menu standouts are the fresh sushi and sashimi, whose preparation can be watched at the sushi bar in the front dining room; it is without a doubt the best in town. Try one of the creative sushi rolls, such as the Number 5 with scallops, orange slices, and Japanese mayonnaise. AE, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

La Scala
1012 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/783-9209
Over $30
Little Italy
Italian

Mahogany chairs, multi-colored tablecloths, and tile floors give this family-owned restaurant its upscale appearance. Dishes include the veal chop, grilled Caesar salad, and shrimp Luana. Reservations recommended. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

La Tavola
248 Albemarle St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/685-1859
Under $40
Little Italy
Italian

Specializing in homemade, inventively sauced pasta, La Tavola is a cut above many Little Italy spaghetti houses. Owner Piero Conti pays careful attention to every facet of his restaurant, and it shows in the flawless table settings, attentive service, and terrific food. Do not miss the mafalde alla fiorentina, a delicious pairing of ruffled wide pasta with spinach, ricotta, pine nuts, and raisins in a nutmeg-scented cream sauce. Grilled calamari paired with lemony black linguini and plump, buttery crab-stuffed ravioli are other standouts on a consistently creative and excellent menu. If you're still hungry after one of La Tavola's generous plates of pasta, the fresh fish is always a good bet, as is the roasted veal chop. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Lista's
1637 Thames St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/327-0040
$20 to $30
Fells Point
American

Unmistakably Southwestern, this Fells Point eatery has dark-wood tables, padded chairs, and Native American decorations on the walls. House specialties are margaritas, New Mexican dishes, and chile Colorado. AE, DC, MC, V.

Loco Hombre
413 W. Cold Spring La., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/889-2233
Under $40
Baltimore North
Mexican

This extremely popular restaurant is packed for Sunday brunch, when the menu features such favorites as white corn cakes with maple syrup, red banana-stuffed French toast, and burritos and enchiladas stuffed with eggs, breakfast meats, refried beans, and cheeses. Lunch and dinner bring spicy, imaginative versions of Southwestern classics, such as sautéed achiote rock shrimp enchiladas or pescado caliente, grilled salmon topped with banana salsa. A local favorite for Mexican food, Loco Hombre is often overlooked by tourists because of its distance from the Inner Harbor. It's well worth a visit. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Louie's Café
518 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/230-2998
Over $20
Mount Vernon
Contemporary

Original art hangs in the busy two-story dining room and adjoining lounge. Try the baked mahi-mahi, Spanish pork, or the shrimp and salmon linguine. Dine to live jazz Tuesday to Sunday. AE, MC, V.

McCafferty's
1501 Sulgrave Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/664-2200
$20 to $40
Baltimore North
Steak

Named for former Baltimore Colts coach Don McCafferty, this is a haven for fans of both pigskin and beef. The house specialty is aged prime beef, which receives unanimous raves. The menu also includes seafood, poultry, and even vegetarian options such as a surprisingly good vegetable lasagna (a combination of squash, sweet red peppers, onions, and carrots delicately layered with Asiago cheese and a little tomato sauce). What really draws attention is the restaurant's decor: Football helmets, signed baseballs, caricatures, and jerseys are all on display. From some tables, guests can watch ESPN and the Orioles games running concurrently on the bar's two TVs. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

McCormick & Schmick's
711 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/234-1300
Under $20 to over $40
Inner Harbor
Seafood

This expansive location at the end of Pier 5, on the east side of the busy waterfront, offers a terrific harbor view; ask to be seated on the waterfront patio. The menu is primarily seafood with more than two dozen varieties of fish and seafood flown in from all over the world. The large menu changes daily, depending on what's available. Sample the half-dozen plus different varieties of oysters on the half shell, or one of the creative fish treatments such as Chilean sea bass with shiitake vinaigrette over wilted greens. Classics such as seafood Newburg and crab cakes are also very good. AE, D, MC, V.

Mt. Washington Tavern
5700 Newbury St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/367-6903
Over $30
Baltimore North
American

The building housing this tavern is more than 150 years old. Lacrosse and hunting objects accent the dining rooms, which are lined with tables and booths. The glass-enclosed atrium has a retractable roof for more scenic dining. Seafood choices include soft-shell crab, crab cakes, and rockfish. AE, DC, MC, V.

Nacho Mama's
2907 O'Donnell St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/675-0898
Under $30
Canton
Mexican

A wooden statue of Elvis marks the entrance to this bar and restaurant. Inside a funky mixture of local sports and Elvis memorabilia hang from the ceiling and walls. Share a margarita-filled hubcap with friends as you wait for a table. Look for south-of-the-border fare plus burgers and salads. The spinach salad with feta, roasted red peppers and avocado dressing is especially good. AE, MC, V.

Needful Things
2921 O'Donnell St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/675-0595
Under $20
Canton
American

Large front windows brighten this Canton eatery as well as provide a backdrop for imaginative window displays that change with the season. Breakfast and lunch-and on Fridays and Saturdays dinner - are served by the fireplace in this cozy café. Hearty omelets and pancakes with your choice of fillings are breakfast favorites. For lunch or dinner, try the chicken pot pie or turkey meatloaf. MC, V. Closed Mon.

O'Bryckis Crab House
1727 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/732-6399
Under $40
Fells Point
Seafood

For 50 years this has been Baltimore's crab house of choice; once you taste the steamed crabs you'll understand why. Otherwise the seafood menu is standard and the food fair. Talk-show hostess Oprah Winfrey, formerly a Baltimore television personality, still orders crab cakes from here by mail. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed mid-Dec.-early Mar.

Papermoon Diner
227 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/889-4444
Under $20
Charles Village
American

In an unassuming little house near the Charles Village neighborhood, the Papermoon has mismatched furniture and high ceilings crisscrossed with vibrantly painted pipes and ducts. Lava lights bubble, and mannequins in various stages of undress strike poses. Old-fashioned comfort foods like meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy or macaroni and cheese are on the menu along with dishes like angel hair pasta with garlic, lemon herb seasoning, and basil sauteed in butter. Reservations essential for groups of 5 or more. MC, V. Open 24 hrs.

Pierpoint
1822 Aliceanna St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/675-2080
Over $30
Fells Point
Contemporary

A bistro look with contemporary furnishings, this eatery has faux marble walls, marble chairs, and cushioned booths. The smoked Maryland crab cakes or the soft-shell stack are good choices. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch Sat.

Polo Grill
Doubletree Inn at the Colonnade, 4 W. University Pkwy., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/235-8200
Over $40
Baltimore North
Contemporary

Near the Johns Hopkins University campus, this is Baltimore's most prestigious see-and-be-seen dining room. The high-rollers at the next table and the masculine hunt club decor notwithstanding, it's still a warm and comfortable place for dinner. Hosts Lenny and Gail Kaplan - and the talented kitchen staff - live up to their formidable reputation with popular dishes such as grilled veal chops in Madeira sauce with mixed wild mushrooms and creamy polenta, and the decadent house specialty: fried lobster tail. There is an extensive wine list, with many vintages available by the glass, and the service is top-notch. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

The Prime Rib
1101 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-1804
Over $40
Mount Vernon
Steak

Bustling and crowded, this luxuriously dark dining room is just north of Mount Vernon Square and only five minutes from the Inner Harbor. Tables are set close together under a low ceiling, creating an intimate atmosphere for bankers and lawyers, as well as couples on expensive dates. Consistently ranked among the city's best restaurants, The Prime Rib has a traditional menu headed by a sterling prime rib and an even better filet mignon; jumbo lump crab cakes are also great here. If you still have room, try the bourbon bread pudding for dessert. The wine list is surprisingly short and predominantly Californian. Reservations essential. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Rocco's Capriccio
846 Fawn St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/685-2710
$30 to $40
Little Italy
Mediterranean

In the heart of Little Italy, this elegant dining room has a Mediterranean flair. Flambé dishes are cooked at your table. Your options include the veal chop a la Toscana, seafood ravioli, or stuffed calamari. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Ruby Lounge
802 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-8051
$20 to $40
Mount Vernon
Contemporary

The lounge in this bistro is an inviting ruby color while the dining area is canary yellow. The romantic surroundings make it a great place to bring a date. The eclectic cuisine includes green chili wontons, smoked trout quesadillas, and Cajun prime rib. AE, MC, V. Closed Sun.-Mon.

Rusty Scupper
402 Key Hwy., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/727-3678
Over $20
Inner Harbor
Seafood

On a pier at the southwestern tip of the Inner Harbor, the Rusty Scupper undoubtedly has the best view along the waterfront; sunset here is magical, with the sun sinking slowly into the harbor as lights twinkle on in the city's skyscrapers. The interior is decorated with light wood and windows from floor to ceiling; the house specialty is seafood, but the wide-ranging menu also offers beef, chicken, and pasta. A locally famous appetizer is the artichoke and crab dip with pita chips - fresh lump crabmeat mixed with artichokes, cream cheese, and spices. Reservations are essential on Friday and Saturday. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Ruth's Chris Steak House
600 Water St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/783-0033
Over $30
Inner Harbor
Steak

One of Baltimore's best steak houses, Ruth's Chris is tucked away on Water Street, just a couple of blocks north of the Inner Harbor. The two-story dining room is decorated in dark florals with matching carpet and cushioned chairs and booths. White tablecloths add a touch of elegance. The dining room is dominated by an intricate wood staircase that was gleaned from a local railroad museum. A large, rectangular bar is the center of the more intimate lounge. The menu is primarily beef, custom-aged steaks cut by hand, broiled, and served sizzling on heated plates. A limited seafood and poultry menu includes blackened tuna, swordfish, and salmon fillet. Potatoes, salads, and vegetables are served à la carte. There is a free shuttle to and from area hotels. Reservations are essential for Friday and Saturday. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Spike & Charlie's Restaurant and Wine Bar
1225 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/752-8144
Under $40
Mount Vernon
Contemporary

In 1991, the Gjerde brothers opened their first eatery here, and it wasn't just the great location that catapulted their success. Across from the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and near the Lyric Theater, the innovative kitchen whips the mashed potatoes to order, makes the condiments from scratch, and still gets patrons to performances on time. No dish settles for simplicity, and there's a wide range of choices, from roasted squash and ricotta pizza with cremini mushrooms, to chevre and spinach stuffed salmon. No time for dinner? Stop in for one of over 200 well-chosen wines and delicious desserts (Spike began his career as a pastry chef). AE, D, MC, V. Mon. No lunch.

Tio Pepe
10 E. Franklin St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-4675
Over $30
Mount Vernon
Spanish

Candles illuminate the whitewashed walls of these cellar dining rooms, which are usually hopping (the Shawl Room is quietest), and the menu represents all regions of Spain. The staple is paella à la Valenciana (chicken, sausage, shrimp, clams, and mussels with saffron rice); a less-well-known Basque recipe for red snapper includes clams, mussels, asparagus, and boiled egg. For appetizers, be certain to sample the mushrooms from the caves of Segovia. The short but diverse wine list has many Spanish vintages, and there is a more expensive reserve list. Make reservations well in advance. Reservations essential. Jacket and tie. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Velleggia's
829 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/685-2620
$20 to $30
Little Italy
Italian

The Velleggia family has run this busy Little Italy restaurant since 1937. The dining area has an old Italy influence. There are smaller private dining areas for special occasions, a bar, and a lounge. Among the menu choices are beef, seafood, and chicken dishes. AE, DC, MC, V.

Wayne's Bar-B-Que
201 Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/539-3810
Under $30
Inner Harbor
Barbecue

This Pratt Street Pavilion eatery caters to crowds with BBQ ribs, pork, and chicken sandwiches. The dining area has log chairs, red-and-white checkered tablecloths, and recorded country music in the background. There is a patio area with a view of the harbor for scenic dining. AE, D, MC, V.

Windows
Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: 410/547-1200
$20 to $40
Inner Harbor
Contemporary

One of the best-kept secrets among the many restaurants surrounding the Inner Harbor, Windows' spectacular panorama allows diners to watch the comings and goings in and around the waterfront. The dining room is tasteful and understated, and tables are set far enough apart to ensure privacy. There is a fantastic array of seafood on the menu of contemporary American cuisine, although Windows' wood-fired grill makes great steaks as well. Try such creative offerings as grilled rockfish over mushroom salad and wilted spinach, or pan-roasted mussels with pancetta. Chesapeake Bay classics get a gourmet twist here, as with the Maryland crab cakes pan-seared and flooded with a sweet corn sauce. Desserts are outstanding, and the wine list has many American vintners. Reservations essential. AE, D, DC, MC, V.