Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Baltimore by diners
Fine dining in the U.S. isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; instead, it's about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller at the French Laundry unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals—a French style of serving with a set menu—became the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chef's tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America to choose from, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Baltimore using data from Yelp. Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of Aug. 19, 2024.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#29. Namaste Baltimore
- Rating: 4.5/5 (355 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 413 West Cold Spring Lane Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Indian, Himalayan/Nepalese
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Rize + Rest Cafe
- Rating: 4.7/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3100 East Baltimore St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Cafes, American, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Cinghiale
- Rating: 3.9/5 (605 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 822 Lancaster St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#26. The Prime Rib
- Rating: 4.0/5 (315 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1101 North Calvert St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Steakhouses, Wine Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Gunther & Co
- Rating: 4.0/5 (537 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3650 Toone St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Loch Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (568 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 240 International Drive Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, Live/Raw Food, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Woodberry Kitchen
- Rating: 4.1/5 (2450 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2010 Clipper Park Road Ste 126 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: American
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Serengeti
- Rating: 4.2/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2839M Smith Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Southern, African, Kosher
- Read more on Yelp
#21. The Brewer's Art
- Rating: 4.2/5 (1115 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1106 North Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Breweries, Modern European, Belgian
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Tagliata
- Rating: 4.2/5 (713 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1012 Fleet St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Sotto Sopra
- Rating: 4.2/5 (517 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 405 North Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Desserts, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#18. La Cuchara
- Rating: 4.2/5 (445 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 3600 Clipper Mill Road Ste 125 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Basque, Spanish, French
- Read more on Yelp
#17. La Scala
- Rating: 4.2/5 (677 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1012 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Salad, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#16. The Food Market
- Rating: 4.3/5 (1482 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1017 West 36th St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Petit Louis Bistro
- Rating: 4.3/5 (428 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 4800 Roland Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: French
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Sal and Sons
- Rating: 4.3/5 (229 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1640 Aliceanna St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, Seafood Markets
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Alma Cocina Latina
- Rating: 4.3/5 (490 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1701 North Charles St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Venezuelan, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Limoncello Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Rating: 4.3/5 (454 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 900 East Fort Ave. Ate 101 Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Ethel's Creole Kitchen
- Rating: 4.4/5 (359 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1615 Sulgrave Ave. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Cocktail Bars, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Magdalena A Maryland Bistro
- Rating: 4.4/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 205 East Biddle St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: New American, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Bodhi Federal Hill
- Rating: 4.4/5 (240 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1444 Light St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Ammoora
- Rating: 4.4/5 (126 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 751 Key Hwy Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Mediterranean, Syrian, Lebanese
- Read more on Yelp
#7. True Chesapeake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3300 Clipper Mill Road Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, Live/Raw Food, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Charleston
- Rating: 4.5/5 (708 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 1000 Lancaster St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: New American, Southern, French
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Thames Street Oyster House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (3202 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1728 Thames St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Seafood, Live/Raw Food
- Read more on Yelp
#4. La Calle
- Rating: 4.6/5 (294 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 623 South Broadway Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Mexican
- Read more on Yelp
#3. The Center Club
- Rating: 4.6/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 100 Light St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Venues & Event Spaces, American, Social Clubs
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Puerto 511
- Rating: 4.6/5 (489 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 102 West Clay St. Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Peruvian
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Harbor Tandoor
- Rating: 4.8/5 (201 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 803 South Caroline Baltimore, Maryland
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 299 metros.
