Brian Nagele
One of my favorite recent trips was to Baltimore, Maryland where I enjoyed visiting the Maryland Zoo, the Walters Art Museum, and the National Aquarium.
However, when I got hungry throughout the day, I made sure to grab meals at the best restaurants in Inner Harbor Baltimore.
Formally known as Charm City, Baltimore boasts all sorts of delicious foods including seafood like swordfish, crab cakes, and shrimp cocktails.
You can also find tasty Lebanese food here like Falafel and stuffed grape leaves.
Also, if you’re in the mood for steak, you can go to McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks. Here, you can choose filet mignon, a ribeye steak, or a New York Strip steak.
If you’re ready to pick the top eateries, check out my list of the best restaurants in Inner Harbor Baltimore below!
Rusty Scupper Restaurant & Bar
402 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
Phone: 410-727-3678
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During my vacation, I spent an afternoon at the American Visionary Art Museum and Federal Hill Park next door. Then, I walked up Covington Street and onto Key Highway to find the Rusty Scupper Restaurant & Bar.
At the restaurant, my favorite dish was the Baltimore fish fry, which included tasty shrimp, oysters, and rockfish.
The meal came with some crispy French fries that had the perfect amount of salt on top. I also split the warm butter cake for dessert with my significant other.
The delicious vanilla ice cream melted in my mouth while the crumb topping had the perfect texture and sweet taste.
I recommend any tourist to check out the Rusty Scupper Restaurant & Bar.
Lebanese Taverna
The Charm’tastic Mile, 719 S President St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-244-5533
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Are you looking for a unique and ethnic meal? If so, check out the Lebanese Taverna for some authentic Lebanese cuisine.
The ocean-front restaurant sits down the street from a key monument known as the National Katyn Memorial Park.
When I visited the Lebanese Taverna, I loved the casual atmosphere and the ethnic food. I especially liked trying the shawarma sliders with the tasty stuffed grape leaves.
I also split a dish of shrimp kabobs with my loved one.
The meal served some mouthwatering eggplant-pomegranate chutney and Lebanese rice pilaf. The Lebanese Taverna is surely a great place to visit!
The Oceanaire Seafood Room
801 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 443-872-0000
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After spending a few hours at the Historic President Street Station museum and checking out the National Katyn Memorial Park monument, I stepped onto Aliceanna Street with my family.
We decided to grab dinner at the Oceanaire Seafood Room.
The upscale and trendy restaurant served impressive plates of seafood, such as lobsters and oysters.
My favorite dishes here included the jumbo shrimp cocktail, the yellowfish tuna with a sesame crust, and the truffle whipped potatoes.
I also liked having a taste of my friend’s Ora King salmon. The restaurant is such a nice place that it has won the Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence.
Hard Rock Cafe
601 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-347-7625
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If you spent the day hanging out at aquariums like the National Aquarium and the Marine Mammal Pavilion, you can make your way to East Pratt Street to grab lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe.
This casual yet trendy restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining options.
Here, I enjoyed the surf and turf burger, which included spicy shrimp and slaw along with crunchy fries.
The buffalo wings were also delicious.
For dessert, the hot fudge brownie was the best! The sweet ice cream, hot fudge, and crumbling brownie were a perfect combination.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks
711 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-234-1300
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The ocean-front McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks restaurant sits in a fun location with Pierce’s Park right nearby and the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse positioned in front of the eatery.
The owner first opened the fancy and upscale restaurant in 1974. When I visited the restaurant, I ordered the Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Sixty South Salmon.
I loved the savory flavor of the salmon with the creamy mashed potatoes. The crab cakes were also amazing.
For dessert, my favorite was the classic crème brûlée topped with fresh berries. You’ll love the natural and fresh ingredients served at this upscale eatery.
Watertable
202 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-685-8439
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The Watertable restaurant stands only a few blocks away from the Holocaust Memorial of Baltimore.
It’s also up the street from the National Aquarium, so you’ll have plenty of attractions to visit before getting dinner here.
The exquisite ocean-front restaurant is on the fifth floor of the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel.
The upscale eatery serves breakfast and dinner for those staying at the hotel. Here, I enjoyed the turkey BLT sandwich with the savory crab bisque.
Everything was well-seasoned and quite delicious. If you’re staying at the Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, make sure to check out their restaurant.
The Charm’tastic Mile, 750 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-528-5373
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If you’re looking for a casual yet delicious restaurant to grab breakfast, brunch, or lunch, then you can’t miss out on Miss Shirley’s Cafe.
The eatery sits a few blocks away from the Port Discovery Children’s Museum and right next to the historical Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
After carting your kids around at the children’s museum, make sure to have some lunch at Miss Shirley’s Cafe.
I loved trying the coconut cream-stuffed french toast for weekend brunch while my son enjoyed the banana chocolate chip pancakes.
Television shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives, and America’s Favorites have even featured Miss Shirley’s Cafe.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls
201 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 443-453-9664
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Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is another great ocean-front yet casual eatery.
The restaurant stands near several maritime museums like the Historic Ships in Baltimore and the USCG Lightship Chesapeake museums.
The best dish I tried here is the lobster BLT roll, which was a bun filled with lobster, bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes.
I also like trying the shrimp salad over fresh greens. It was an incredibly delicious lunch.
Founder Dan Beck first opened Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in 2014 and has remained dedicated to serving authentic lobster rolls ever since.
Kona Grill – Baltimore
1 E Pratt St Ste 103, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: 410-244-8994
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The best restaurants in Inner Harbor Baltimore include Kona Grill.
You can find the eatery right next to the McKeldin Fountain and a few blocks away from the Edward A. Garmatz United States District Courthouse.
The Baltimore Convention Center stands right next door to Kona Grill. The trendy restaurant has a nice-looking modern bar and serves award-winning sushi.
At the Kona Grill, I enjoyed trying the tasty chicken potstickers.
My favorite dish included the sweet-chili glazed salmon, which came with savory shrimp and pork fried rice. The crunchy brussels sprouts were also a great addition.
Morton’s The Steakhouse
300 S Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-547-8255
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Morton’s The Steakhouse restaurant sits only a couple of blocks away from West Shore Park, which has a splash pad for your kids to play with.
You can also find Old Otterbein United Methodist Church just down the street from the steakhouse. When my family and I visited the upscale steakhouse, we loved the food.
I enjoyed the creamy lobster bisque and the shrimp scampi dish. If you’re visiting Baltimore, go out for a fancy dinner at Morton’s The Steakhouse.
When vacationing in Baltimore, you’ll find more than enough attractions and restaurants to visit. Along with the many tourist destinations already mentioned, you might want to check out the Maryland Science Center.
Yet, more than anything, you’ll enjoy the many seafood options, authentic cuisine, and premium steaks available at some of the best restaurants in Inner Harbor Baltimore.
I especially recommend the Lebanese Tavern, McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks restaurant, and Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls.
If you’re looking for breakfast, visit Miss Shirley’s Cafe. Did I forget to add a restaurant to this list? Make sure to leave a comment below and I’ll check it out!
Lebanese Taverna, Miss Shirley’s, Watertable (Renaissance Hotel), Kona Grill, Oceanaire, Hard Rock Cafe, McCormick & Schlick’s and Morton’s Steakhouse are all located on or near The Charm’tastic Mile. Very nice list.
You forgot Phillips seafood on the harbor
My only comment is that none of these places are “oceanfront,” as Baltimore is not near the ocean. They are on the Inner Harbor which is our own very small part of the much larger Chesapeake Bay. Probably doesn’t seem like a big point, but the water and experience are very different than one may expect at the ocean.