Crabs and Cocktails: A Weekend Guide to Baltimore

Fells Point: Established in 1763 on the Baltimore Harbor waterfront, Fells Point boasts a maze of cobblestone streets. They are lined with trendy restaurants, lively bars, live music joints and eclectic shops. You can’t go wrong here.

Inner Harbor: Catch an Orioles game at Camden Yards, drink Natty Boh beer at Pickles Pub, stand spellbound by marine life at the National Aquarium. The inner harbor remains the best area for a family-friendly day!

Federal Hill: Take the water taxi over to Federal Hill. There is a high concentration of bars, pubs and restaurants cluster around the historic Cross Street Market. Take a stroll through Federal Park. Cap it off with a visit to the American Visionary Art Museum, a playful and creative display of art produced by self-taught artists.

Fort McHenry: On the other side of the harbor lies Fort McHenry, a national monument that gained prominence during the War of 1812. It was bombed by the British during the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.

Mount Vernon: Baltimore’s cultural center, Mount Vernon will keep history and art buffs busy with the Walters Art Gallery, Peabody School of Music and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. This is also home to the Baltimore Symphony. Mount Vernon’s leafy streets are perfect for a walk up to the “original” Washington Monument or over to the Basilica of the Assumption, the oldest cathedral in the United States.

Hampden: Retro and eclectic Baltimore comes to life in this hip neighborhood of colorful rowhomes. It is now a growing nexus for vintage shops, cafes and farm-to-table food.

Canton and Brewers Hill: Trendy but laid-back waterfront neighborhoods on the “outer” harbor of Baltimore. Canton and Brewers Hill have undergone significant gentrification in the past 15 years. They now showcasing some of the best oyster bars, seafood shacks and charming dive bars against a residential backdrop of gorgeous yet affordable rowhomes and condos.

Thames Street Oyster House: In the heart of Fells Point, this highly popular seafood restaurant shucks up a boatload of its namesake. They also specialize in excellent crabcakes, grilled fish and shrimp. Mid-upscale but still dressed down. Reservations are necessary.

Loch Bar: A dressy tavern with an oyster bar, excellent cocktails, a good wine list, and chilled seafood platters, and a killer cream of crab soup. Decent for familiar with some walk-in seats, even during busy hours. Lively bar.

Duda’s Tavern: Okay, this seems like a dive bar. But, look no further for the best crab dip in Baltimore. The crabcakes will also give you a run for your money. You’ll need a cold Natty Boh to wash down the Old Bay.

Penny Black Bar and Restaurant: Shockingly good peel-and-eat shrimp, oyster po-boy and smoked wings. Fries are also fresh-cut. There’s seating at the bar but casual seating inside and on the patio. Great for a bite with close friends.

One-Eyed Mike’s: A pirate-themed bar with Grand Marnier Bottle Club that serves some of the best food in Baltimore? Strange as it seems, this place has been here for a while because it works. Drippy wax candles, white tablecloths, dim lighting — the romance is vibing. Perfect for date night.

Blue Moon Café: Easily the best diner food in Baltimore. The hash browns are out of this world, and the French toast concoctions will leave you in a sugar coma for hours to come. First-come, first-served seating, so make sure you’re out of the door early for this one. A Baltimore culinary classic.

Ouzo Bay: Trendy Greek food, serving up flaming plates of Saganaki, whole Dorado deboned and grilled with capers, oregano and parsley (must try) and fall-off-the-bone lamb shank. The crowd can be rowdy, but you can sit back and easily imagine yourself transported to the Greek Isles.

Alexander’s Tavern Fells Point: Home to the largest mimosas I’ve ever seen and the best breakfast sandwich ever created: the Baltimore Crab Melt. This impressive brunch pleaser consists of a Maryland cab cake topped with scrambled egg and melted cheddar on a perfectly toasted croissant. Don’t miss it.

Rec Pier Chophouse: If nothing else, go for the ambiance. Located in the Sagamore Pendry Hotel in Fells Point, this steakhouse will astound with the high ceilings, leather booths and dark, sultry corners. Beautiful bar, decent steaks. A place to see and be seen.

Slainte: Behold, a great pint of Guinness! This beautiful three-story Irish pub celebrates soccer as a religion while dishing out plates of pub favorites like burgers and Reubens. Even better, they’re open for breakfast every day starting at 7 am.