Fells Point

City Paper

Feb 25, 2015 5:06 PM

Thames Street Oyster House — (Daria Johnson)

The Admiral’s Cup

1647 Thames St., (410) 534-5555, theadmiralscup.com

$$, L, D, BR

This waterfront restaurant pleases patrons with the seafood-centric menu that Fells Point tourists and locals alike are after. Check out the crab mac and cheese and tuna Cobb salad.

Ale Mary’s

1939 Fleet St., (410) 276-2044, alemarys.com

$$, D, BR, Out

A dollar goes a long way on food here—huge entrees and lots of rib-sticking sides, including a wide array of tater tots. Lunch on weekends.

Alexander’s Tavern

710 S. Broadway, (410) 522-0000, alexanderstavern.com

$$, L, D, BR, Out, 10 p.m.

The tater tot menu kills, but the full weight of the offerings—including burgers, steaks, and crab cakes—will satisfy a gourmand.

AnastaSia

1636 Thames St.,(410) 534-6666, anastasiabaltimore.com

$$, L, D, OUT, 10 p.m.

Two big images of Italian actresses Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida hang on the walls and suggest the swank atmosphere of this bistro and lounge with very good Italian fare and craft cocktails. At night, it turns into a moody, cool nightclub.

Arcos

129 S. Broadway, (410) 522-4777, arcosrestaurante.com

$$, L, D, Br, Out

Possibly the most romantic outdoor dining available in Baltimore, with fine Latin cuisine to boot. Currently closed for the season.

Barcocina

1629 Thames St., (410) 563-8800, barcocina.com

$$$, L, D, BR, OUT, 10 p.m.

Named Best Outdoor Dining by City Paper last year, Barcocina provides a great view of Broadway pier and across the water into Locust Point that looks even better at night. The Mexican-inspired cuisine extends to unconventional, excellent dessert empanadas and tacos, including spice grilled lemon fish and cumin-spiked mushroom.

Bertha’s

734 S. Broadway, (410) 327-5795, berthas.com

$$$, L, D, BR

Serving mussels for years, this place knows its way around a stick of butter, a bottle of sherry, and a spice rack—who knew chicken livers could be so good?

The Black Olive

814 S. Bond St., (410) 276-7141, theblackolive.com

$$$, L, D, R

The specialty here is grilled whole fresh fish with the house sauce. Most diners select their own catch or go with the catch of the day. A recommended alternative is the kakavia, an amazing Greek stew.

Blue Moon Café

1621 Aliceanna St., (410) 522-3940, bluemoonbaltimore.com

$, B, L, D, BR, 10 p.m.

There's a reason for the line out front whenever this place is open—it's strictly breakfast food, done with delicious creativity. There will be a second location opening in Federal Hill on Light Street sometime this year.

Bond Street Social

901 S. Bond St., (443) 449-6234, bondstreetsocial.com

$$, D, BR, P, Out, R

Shared dishes run the gamut, from spicy lobster rangoon and fancy grilled cheese to pulled duck confit arepas and scallops. Cocktails get at least equal billing at this semi-swanky meet market.

Brick Oven Pizza

800 S. Broadway, (410) 563-1600, boppizza.com

$$, L, D, 10 p.m.

Outstanding pizza with a light crust, but this spot doesn't slouch when it comes to wraps and pasta either.

Darbar

1911 Aliceanna St., (410) 563-8008, darbarbaltimore.com

$$, L, D, P

A destination for very good Indian food, from perennials such as chicken tikka masala and saag paneer to the more exotic, such as benghan aftab, a fried eggplant specialty.

Ding How

631 S. Broadway, (410) 327-8888

$, L, D, DV

Known for its lo mein and white-meat General Tso's chicken, this is an old faithful for Chinese dining.

Dogwatch Tavern

709 S. Broadway, (410) 276-6030, dogwatchtavern.com

$, L, D, Out, 10 p.m.

Respectable pub grub, with excellent soups and a chicken pot pie that'll bring you back.

Duda’s Tavern

1600 Thames St., (410) 276-9719, dudastavern.com

$$, L, D, Out, 10 p.m.

Crab cakes, yes, and a full gamut of tasty options (including Taylor pork roll!), but for those looking to drop some cash, try the stupendous "bay pilot seafood medley," which is totally worth it.

The Greene Turtle

718-722 S. Broadway, (410) 342-4222, thegreeneturtle.com

$$, L, D, Out, 10 p.m.

It's a big menu from a big outfit (with almost 40 locations in four states and Washington, D.C.), so expect plentiful drinking grub.

Henninger’s Tavern

1812 Bank St., (410) 342-2172, henningerstavern.com

$$$, D

OK, so, Gruyere-and-leek bread pudding with a Cornish game hen and a side of jus-soaked haricot verte. Yum. Just go and see the rest yourself. The place is priceless.

Hungry Andy’s

629 S. Broadway, (410) 558-1869, hungryandys.com

$, L, D, DV

Everything you expect from a deli—subs, wings, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, barbecue—only tastier.

Jimmy’s Restaurant

801 S. Broadway, (410) 327-3273

$, B, L

Baltimore's platonic ideal of a breakfast joint also offers T-bones and New York strips, a full menu of subs and sandwiches, and burgers and dogs. Plus, pretty darn cold beer.

Johnny Rad’s

2108 Eastern Ave., (443) 759-6464, johnnyrads.com

$$, L, D, BR, 10 p.m.

People are drawn in by its imaginative thin-crust pizzas and awesome beer list. They stay for the Skee-ball lanes and they come back for the friendly service.

Kali’s Court

1606 Thames St., (410) 276-4700, kaliscourt.com

$$$, D, R, Out

Exquisite fish dishes, bouillabaisse, plus lamb. Fit for royalty.

Kali’s Mezze

1606 Thames St., (410) 563-7600, kalismezze.com

$$, D, R, OuT

Mediterranean tapas that, strategically selected, can fill you up without emptying your wallet and will leave you wanting to come back soon.

Kooper’s Tavern

1702 Thames St., (410) 563-5423, kooperstavern.com

$$, L, D, BR, Out, 10 p.m.

A wide variety of good burgers every day, and don't miss the Belgian beers paired with a mussels-and-fries menu on Thursdays.

Lobo

1900 Aliceanna St., (410) 327-0303, lobofellspoint.com

$$, L, D, 10 p.m.

This relaxing neighborhood spot doesn't have a full kitchen, which means you'll do lots of snacking by way of a variety of soups, salads, charcuterie, sandwiches, and desserts. Also offers up an extensive beer list and cocktail options.

Mare Nostrum Restaurant

716 S. Broadway, (410) 327-6173, marenostrumbaltimore.com

$$, D, 10 p.m.

Mare Nostrum, which opened in early 2015, serves Mediterranean and Turkish dishes with meat that's about as fresh as you can get—its menu boasts that all its lamb is grass-fed, and the fish is flown in daily from the Aegean Sea.

Max’s Taphouse

737 S. Broadway, (410) 675-6297, maxs.com

$, L, D, Out

The place is all about the beer and has easily the widest selection in town, with 140 taps and more than 1,200 bottled varieties. It serves what goes well with it: dense burgers, wraps, chicken, and deep-fried delectables with dips.

Nanami Café

907 S. Ann St., (410) 327-9400, nanamicafe907.com

$$, L, D, Out

Fresh, bountiful, and comparably affordable—three good reasons why this is a destination for sushi-philes, the fourth being that it has outdoor seating overlooking the harbor.

No. 1 Taste

224 S. Broadway, (410) 732-2288, numberonetaste.com

$, L, D

Plain ol' Chinese takeout for sure, though it's the best of that sort in Fells and the portions are more than generous.

The Olive Room at the Inn at the Black Olive

803 S. Caroline St., (443) 681-6316, theblackolive.com

$$$, D, Br, Out

The same exacting sensibility as the Black Olive, only a more diverse and affordable menu—plus an exceptional view of the harbor from atop a waterfront inn.

One-Eyed Mike’s

708 S. Bond St., (410) 327-0445, oneyedmikes.com

$$$, L, D, BR, OUT

Separate from the boozing boom of Fells bars, One-Eyed Mike's hides among some rowhouses on Bond and offers up an unexpected selection of wines and interesting bar food like potato pancakes and Thai shrimp.

Papi’s Tacos

1703 Aliceanna St., (410) 299-8480, papistacosfells.com

$, L, D, BR, OUT

Started by Charlie Gjerde (brother of noted restaurateur Spike—together they formerly ran Spike and Charlie's), this is a hip-enough riff on Mexican with options like lobster or chorizo tacos and a "mission" style burrito.

Peter’s Inn

504 S. Ann St., (410) 675-7313, petersinn.com

$$$, D

The remarkably creative and adventurous menu (the things one can do with a parsnip!) changes weekly, but some things—the filet mignon/New York strip option, and the famously delicious salad-and-garlic-bread combo—are staples. Among the best bets in Baltimore dining.

Pierpoint Restaurant

1822 Aliceanna St., (410) 675-2080, pierpointrestaurant.com

$$$, D, BR, P

Into the locavore thing way before it became cool, Pierpoint has Maryland cuisine with an imaginative, contemporary twist.

The Point in Fells

1738 Thames St., (410) 327-7264, thepointinfells.com

$$, L, D, BR, Out, R

The kitchen knows what it's doing here and serves its eclectic menu to both the fancy and the grubby with style.

Red Star

906 S. Wolfe St., (410) 675-0212, redstarbar.us

$$, L, D, BR, P

Burgers, pizza, wraps, and a huge selection of creative, filling salads, all done with a flair that pairs well with the smartly curated wines, beers, and specialty cocktails.

Riptide By the Bay

1718 Thames St., (410) 732-3474, riptidebythebay.net

$$$, L, D, BR, OUT

This noted crab house has a loud and boozy downstairs and a more pleasant upstairs, so everybody's welcome. Make sure you try the Seafood Chowder.

Rye

807 S. Broadway, (443) 438-3296, ryebaltimore.com

$$, D, 10 p.m.

Named one of America's best bars by Esquire magazine last year (do not sleep on the cocktail list and sazaracs), Rye's tapas-style menu's worthy of praise too.

Salt

2127 E. Pratt St., (410) 276-5480, salttavern.com

$$$, D, R

Entrees like roasted vegetable crepes and pan-seared duck breast are highlights, but the duck-fat fries are also something to really write home about.

Sip & Bite

2200 Boston St., (410) 675-7077, sipandbite.com

$, B, L, D, 10 p.m.

Round-the-clock dining with a rock 'n' roll attitude and possibly Mobtown's most extensive menu.

SlÁinte

1700 Thames St., (410) 563-6600, slaintepub.com

$$, B, L, D, BR, Out, 10 p.m.

The Irish aren't known for the quality of their food (well, maybe except for breakfast, if you're into those puddings), but Sláinte is. And if you're a fan of rest-of-the-world football or rugby, you'll find yourself here to watch matches anyway.

Sticky Rice

1634 Aliceanna St., (443) 682-8243, bmoresticky.com

$$, L, D, Out, 10 p.m.

The sushi/sashimi experience is worth the visit, but fill out the meal with those extra-special sticky balls and tater tots.

Stuggy’s

809 S. Broadway, (410) 327-0228, stuggys.com

$, L, D

The best-dressed dogs in town, hands down, and superior hand-cut fries to boot.

Tapas Adela

814 S. Broadway, (410) 534-6262, tapasadela.com

$$, L, D, BR, Out, R

Smartly presented Spanish small dishes are as yummy on the plate as in the belly, with outdoor seating pleasingly shaded from the afternoon sun in summer.

Thames Street Oyster House

1728 Thames St., (443) 449-7726, thamesstreetoysterhouse.com

$$$, L, D, Out, R

Fresh seafood dishes done in a New England style, with a relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable service. The Maryland-style crab soup with short rib is not to be missed. Raw bar open late.

Todd Conner’s

700 S. Broadway, (410) 537-5005, toddconners.com

$$, L, D, BR, Out, 10 p.m.

Plenty of good options here, but intriguing appetizers like the edamame with the option of honey Sriracha are a great start before getting to the delicious, though more conventional, main event of the meal.

Tortilleria Sinaloa

1716 Eastern Ave., (410) 276-3741, tortilleria-sinaloa.com

$, B, L, D

Easily the best corn tortillas in town, and once those tortillas are filled with perfectly seasoned fresh fish, fresh chunky guacamole, and salsa, possibly the best tacos in the world.

V-No Wine Bar

905 S. Ann St., (410) 342-8466, v-nowinebar.com

$, L, D, Out

Nuts, cheeses, pâtés, and cured meats to complement the wine—all while cozying up in the year-round (with blankets) outdoor seating.

Waterfront Hotel

1710 Thames St., (410) 537-5055, waterfronthotel.us

$$, L, D, BR, Out

The publike atmosphere belies the quality of the food, which is a considerable cut above your average Fells Point bar fare, especially the pork-belly tacos and barbecue.