Thames Street Oyster House
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore Sun
1728 Thames St. 443-449-7726, thamesstreetoysterhouse.com The backyard seating at Thames Street Oyster House is equal parts ramshackle and chic. The gritty history of Fells Point hasn't been sanitized here; it's been cast into beautiful high relief. This is the place to take an out-of-town guest.
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Regi's American Bistro
Barbara Haddock Taylor, Baltimore Sun
1002 Light St. 410-539-7344, regisamericanbistro.com Federal Hill's favorite sidewalk-dining spot is a year-round affair. The outdoor seating at Regi's is covered -- and heated -- during the cold months. But when spring comes, Regi's diners bask in the sunshine.
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Tapas Teatro
Colby Ware, Baltimore Sun
1711 N Charles St. 410-332-0110, tapasteatro.com Tapas Teatro is Baltimore sidewalk dining at its best. Feasting on tapas at these cafe tables, you feel the energy from the emerging Station North Arts Distric, and the neighboring Charles Theatre.
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Gertrude's
Kenneth K. Lam, Baltimore Sun
10 Art Museum Drive 410-889-3399, johnshields.com The ideal modern museum cafe. The flagstone patio at Gertrude's is set in the museum's Wurtzburger Sculpture Garden, with views into the winding paths of the Levi Sculpture Garden below. It's pretty stirring stuff, and when there's live jazz playing, we're in heaven.
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Tiki Barge
Gene Sweeney Jr., Baltimore Sun
500 Harborview Drive tikibargebaltimore.com This year, the owners of the popular (and occasionally notorious) South Baltimore barge had planned to add a dining area called the Raw Barge, but alas, it was not to be. Instead, the original, which opened three summers ago, is scheduled to launch again Friday. Get ready for another round of pool parties, frozen drinks and almost panoramic views of the harbor.
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