Charm City has a wealth of Black history — no surprise, considering it’s been home to revolutionary abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass, Underground Railroad activist Harriet Tubman, jazz icon Billie Holiday, and civil rights advocate and late U.S. Representative Elijah E. Cummings. The city’s diverse influences range from soul food to made-from-scratch meals, vegan twists on barbecue dishes, and delectable desserts.
We’ve rounded up a little something for everyone in Baltimore’s vibrant culinary scene, from cozy spots for brunch or breakfast, locally sourced ingredients, flavorful and authentic African and Caribbean dishes, and sweet, decadent delights.
3100 E. Baltimore St. Baltimore, MD 21224
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (443) 835-4713
When you’re looking for an early bite or an evening treat, head to the Patterson Park District for Rize + Rest, the city’s only dual-concept restaurant. Recharge with breakfast and brunch at 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with must-try piled-high dishes like Nana’s Famous Egg and Parmesan Biscuit. Then pop in after the restaurant’s afternoon break from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Tuesday through Thursday, and stay till 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday to replenish yourself with curated craft cocktails and elevated comfort food. Try the focaccia pizza or Baby Gem Lettuce with roasted garlic vinaigrette, corn, tomato, pickled onion, and cucumber yogurt.
840 N Eutaw St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (410) 225-5874
Want award-winning soul food without the guilt? Owners Gregory Brown and Naijha Wright-Brown know how to serve it up right, crafting 100% plant-based dishes that taste like the real deal. Baltimore’s premiere vegan bistro won a 2020 readers’ poll from Baltimore magazine and has served author and social justice pioneer Angela Davis and music legend Stevie Wonder. We love the Black-Eyed Pea Fritters, gluten-free with sides such as collards, jollof rice, or live kale salad, and the Vegan Crab Cakes, featuring soy protein seasoned with Old Bay and optional sauces such as tartar, BBQ, and honey mustard.
920 Light St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (410) 440-3239
Our taste buds are thankful that owner LaQuicha Brown loves strawberries and is dreaming up inventive ways to enjoy them. Her Federal Hill sweet spot combines fresh berries hand-dipped in gourmet flavors such as Red Velvet Chocolate, bacon-infused chocolate, vodka-infused chocolate … even strawberries stuffed with cheesecake! From a snack-size half dozen to a platter with assorted flavors or a spelled-out message (“She said yes!”), these berries are a delight. Indulge your own creative side by booking a Berry Dip, Sip & Paint session, featuring wine, unlimited all-you-can-dip (and eat) strawberries, a painting session, and a souvenir T-shirt.
4201 Belair Rd, Baltimore, MD 21206
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | (443) 759-9701
Near Herring Run Park, Bertha’s Soul Food features wings, subs, burgers, cheesesteaks, fish sandwiches including salmon, catfish, and crab, and a bevy of sides. We’re fond of the turkey wing dinner with light, regular, or extra gravy and sides such as collard greens, string beans, fries, mac-and-cheese, cabbage, or candied yams. Bertha’s also offers drink and food specials during the week, such as Mayhem Mondays, Karaoke & Crabs on Wednesdays, Game Night on Thursdays, Ladies’ Night on Fridays, and Brunch & Booze on weekends.
5525 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | (410) 777-5020
Near the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, this Jamaican and American fusion restaurant serves food that tastes like homemade and is served with love, thanks to Camele “Chef Kay” Winkler, her husband, Dennis Winkler, and their two sons. Originally from Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, Chef Kay doesn’t believe in skimping on ingredients, with hearty traditional meals such as Curry Chicken, Jerk Salmon, and diasporan sides. The Vegan Jerk Chicken Meal is one of our must-try dishes, served with rice and beans and cabbage or the green of the day. Don’t miss the savory Brown Stewed Lentils, either.
1423 W Baltimore St, Baltimore, MD 21223
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram |Facebook | (410) 617-0942
This Franklin Square family-owned spot features seafood and comfort food to feed the soul, from twice-cooked turkey wings to Honey Lemon Pepper Whiting, sweet chili shrimp tacos, salmon bites, country-fried lamb chops, and more. Stop by for specials throughout the week, such as the Crabby Biscuit, featuring a sauce of honey and Old Bay drizzled on a biscuit stuffed with crab and cheese, or the Stuffed Salmon, broiled and stuffed with a jumbo lump crab mixture drizzled with Old Bay aioli.
112 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Multiple Locations
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (443) 982-1973
This staple at Baltimore’s historic Lexington Market serves the Southern staple of chicken and waffles with hand-breaded and never-frozen chicken made to order on waffles such as classic buttermilk and mind-blowing options such as cinnamon, Oreo, and red velvet. We love the tang of the Crunchberry Waffle with 2 Chicken Breast Tenders — or try a different flavor combo with hand-breaded shrimp on a fresh-toasted waffle of your choice. Need a gift? Ms. Connie also sells take-home kits to recreate the goodness.
914 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (443) 379-9050
Executive chef and Baltimore native Jasmine Norton launched this Inner Harbor spot in 2017, making it the first Black-woman-owned oyster bar in the United States. The Urban Oyster has since racked up accolades as the city’s Best Raw Bar and nominations for its Cream of Crab Soup, featuring a splash of sherry. Although the menu includes Lobster Cavatelli (a butter-poached lobster tail), a Yardbird (a rotisserie-style Cornish hen), seared scallops, a New York Strip steak, and other hearty fare, the oysters are divine. Try the Chargrilled Oysters, a platter of six featuring flavors like Cheese Louise, Bacon BBQ Cheddar, Volcano Oy, and Teriyaki.
1401 E Clement St, Baltimore, MD 21230
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (410) 646-8364
Head to Locust Point for this upscale cocktail bar and restaurant featuring Caribbean fusion cuisine with flair and fire. How else to describe Flaming Calamari with Sweet Thai Chili Glaze, Flame Tacos, Jerk Shrimp Kabobs, or Peppa Flame Oxtails with butter beans, herbs, and spices? While the menu also includes flavorful surf and turf and signature crab cakes, take time to savor the Bob Marley Rasta Pasta featuring your choice of chicken, shrimp, and salmon tossed with penne pasta and the restaurant’s signature Jerk alfredo sauce, fresh basil, fresh peppers, onions, and diced tomatoes.
8625 Liberty Rd, Randallstown, MD 21133
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (410) 922-9196
Caribbean and Jamaican food reign supreme at this carryout restaurant with outdoor seating about a half-hour northwest of Baltimore. Experience a warm island vibe at special events such as a fish fry featuring steamed, roasted, and fried fish; a rundown seafood boil; stuffed fish with shrimp; and sides such as fried breadfruit and fried bammy. The regular mouthwatering menu includes snapper “down your way” (rundown, curry, Jerk, steam, escovitch, or shrimp-stuffed), Ackee & Saltfish, Callaloo & Saltfish, Curry Goat, or Oxtail served with rice and peas, mac and cheese, quinoa, white or brown rice, or ground provisions (yam, banana, and boiled dumplings).
8126 Liberty Rd, Windsor Mill, MD 21244
Black Restaurant Week Listing | Website | Instagram | Facebook | (443) 405-3106
Technically in Windsor Mill, about a half hour northwest of Baltimore, IQ Bar & Grill features Caribbean cuisine marinated to perfection and served on heated plates, so it stays hot while you dine — extra care that’s worth the drive. Dishes include mussels steamed in a coconut cream and garlic-butter-wine sauce, Shrimp Pon di River (served with seaweed pearls), Goat Soup, Caribbean Citrus Salad, Braised Oxtail in red wine gravy, and Lluidas Vale Lamb Chops. Among our favorites? Likkle Ochi Snapper, featuring a whole red snapper “seasoned to the bone” and topped with a spicy Escovitch sauce. Save room for desserts such as mango sorbet, Jamaican Fruit Cake, or Coconut Cream Cake.
Our list only scratches the surface of the culinary charms of black-owned restaurants in Baltimore. Got a favorite we haven’t mentioned or one you’ve just discovered? Let us know. We’re happy to bring our appetites.
Author: Black Restaurant Week
Content Team
