Today, restaurants and bars form the backbone of our cultural landscape. New homeowners, especially, are interested in exploring their neighborhood’s culinary traditions - and many people are prioritizing proximity to eateries when it comes to finding a home.
According to the New York Post, 53% of Americans now consider themselves “foodies.” Foodies aren’t interested in dinner at Applebee’s - they thrive on tasting experimental cuisines, love food-oriented events like the Maryland Chicken Wing festival, and they prioritize having a beloved neighborhood restaurant a stone’s throw from their home.
When it comes to identifying the best Baltimore neighborhoods for foodies, there’s plenty to choose from - but here are four we think stand out from the crowd. Bon appetit!
This lively, hip neighborhood has a lot going for it. Once a blue-collar town, Hampden is now central to the city’s vibrant alternative scene - and this means plenty of intriguing eateries to match. The artsy neighborhood is home to numerous galleries and boutiques that match the energy of the many colorfully painted homes in this area.
A wine bar, Italian deli, a cozy coffee bar and the mystical Crystals, Candles and Cauldrons shop all occupy Hampden’s West 36th Street - an avenue packed with unique shops that encapsulate the neighborhood’s repurposed aesthetic.
Both single-family homes and row homes are fairly standard in this location, making it a breeze to walk from your front door to your favorite restaurant. Swing by The Food Market with award-winning local chef Chad Gauss at the helm - it’s an open kitchen set in a grocery store and Baltimore Magazine went so far as to call it “the place that kickstarted Hampden’s culinary renaissance.”
Taste test:
Come to Baltimore’s outer harbor and stroll through Canton, a cozy neighborhood with a village-like atmosphere. Brick-front and formstone townhomes are common here, allowing residents privacy while still maintaining an urban feel. It’s a popular area for young professionals thanks to its waterfront location, active nightlife and walkability.
The sense of close-knit community is part of what draws people to this neighborhood, and the charming and convenient foodie scene helps encourage them to stick around.
Locals know to come to Canton for good eating - the area is home to many top-rated restaurants. You won’t run out of dishes to sample here! Make sure to swing by the Annabel Lee Tavern. Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe, this top-rated restaurant comes with an appropriately melodramatic ambiance to match.
Taste test:
The historic maritime neighborhood of Fell’s Point has a lot to offer its resident foodies. Living in Baltimore next to the harbor means there are plenty of amazing seafood restaurants available, including plenty of buck-a-shuck oyster deals beloved by young professionals looking for a cheap night out. Live music is a norm here, and walkability remains key to drawing in new residents.
Antique shops and narrow alleys of 1730s Federal-era rowhomes lend this neighborhood a historical charm, but the quaint atmosphere is balanced by a vibrant neighborhood life with plenty of joggers during the day, and coworkers seeking happy hour drink specials in the evening.
Walk from your three-bedroom row home to the Thames Street Oyster House, where chef Eric Houseknecht is known for dishing up some of the city’s most mouthwatering seafood selections - and all of the pasta is made in house.
photography via Duck Duck Goose
Not everyone is interested in living in downtown Baltimore. Luckily, the Baltimore suburb of Ellicott City is known for pleasing sophisticated palettes. This historic neighborhood is a 20 minute drive from downtown Baltimore, nestled next to the Patapsco River and Patapsco Valley State Park.
You won’t find many chain stores while walking down Main Street - instead, one-of-a-kind clothing, rug, and antique furniture shops abound - along with a chocolatier, wine cafe, and popcorn shop to satisfy every craving in turn.
Not every American suburb is known for culinary gems, but Ellicott City is a clear exception. Make sure to stop by The Trolly Stop, an eatery-bar operating out of a former tavern and trolley stop - revel in the historical atmosphere, while enjoying generous portion sizes. There's also the crowd-pleasing Manor Hill Tavern - Baltimore Magazine declared that it "succeeds in being all things to all people."
Taste test:
Photos of Manor Hill Tavern courtesy of Mike Buscher Photography
The taste buds don’t lie: Baltimore neighborhoods have plenty to offer when it comes to intriguing culinary options.