Barracudas: A Locust Point Tavern
1230 E. Fort Ave., (410) 685-2832, cudabarracuda.com
$$, L, D
This small Locust Point neighborhood spot serves pubby standards with a few beachy twists (jerk chicken pasta) and some serious local flavor (coddies).
Big Matty’s Diner
$, B, L
The old Rallo’s space gets a reboot as a straight-up diner, with breakfast, sandwiches, platters, the works.
Hersh’s Pizza and Drinks
1843 Light St., (443) 438-4948, hershspizza.com
$$, D
A new South Baltimore hotspot for Neapolitan pizza and drinks, but also pasta, nibbles, and good times. The small but focused menu is rich with stuff you oughta try (prosciutto balls, crostini, pizza topped with kale and pistachios). Yum.
Harborque
1421 Lawrence St., (410) 685-7675, harborque.com
$$, L, D, BYOB, Out
South Baltimore’s premier place for ’cue offers vinegary Carolina-style pulled pork, ribs, and chicken, as well as Baltimore favorites pit beef and ham. Skip fries for Southern sides such as tangy collards, hush puppies, and smoky baked beans.
Hull Street Blues Café
$$, L, D, Br, R
Hull Street Blues still lays out a beautiful spread every Sunday for its famous brunch, one of the best in Baltimore. The lunch menu sports familiar salad, sandwich, and pasta options, while the dinner menu reaches a bit higher.
Little Havana Restaurante y Cantina Cubana
$$, D, Br, Out
This longtime favorite for Sunday brunch, mind-obliteration, and warm-weather flirting has made admirable attempts to serious-up its Cuban cuisine. Starters—flash-fried cubes of pork tenderloin, black bean soup—work best. Lunch served on Fridays and Saturdays. The huge deck is a must in warm weather.
Miguel’s Cocina y Cantina
$$, L, D, Br, Out
Miguel’s spicy, colorful food nods to authentic Mexican fare. Forgo entrées for ample and well-executed small plates such as Baja tacos, empanadas, and flautas with dusky mole sauce.
Nick’s Fish House and grill
2600 Insulator Drive, (410) 347-4123, nicksfishhouse.com
$$$, L, D, P, out
Nick’s offers up all the usual beach-y seafood staples—plus sushi—and an assortment of turf-y stuff too, but the thing that really sells this spot on Baltimore’s second coast is the famous waterside deck.
Silo .5 Wine Bar
1200 Steuart St. No. 2, (443) 438-4044, silo.5winebar.com
$$, D
The Silo Point complex gets its own swank lounge in a soaring space with unbeatable water views that boasts a serious cellar and a small menu of upscale apps, pizzas, and entrees.
The Wine Market
$$$, L, D, Br, R, Out
The New American menu at the Wine Market consistently offers interesting preparations, such as salt-roasted veal loin or sake-marinated slow-roasted black cod, and the À la carte brunch shouldn’t be overlooked.
