Best Foodie: Simone Phillips
Simone Phillips, also known as @charmcitytable, is the person to go to if you want to know anything about food in and around Baltimore. It seems like she is everywhere good, new, or interesting food is happening. The dining guide on her website is extensive. Phillips has said that her food posts aren’t necessarily food reviews — instead, she’s doing her part to raise awareness about Baltimore’s bustling and sometimes undervalued food scene.
Best Bar Food: The Royal Blue
1733 Maryland Ave.
The Royal Blue is a space that feels like a pub but also has a dance floor and a steady stream of DJs. In addition to the music, there are also signature drinks that never disappoint, a diverse crowd with sprinkles of the who’s who in Baltimore’s art scene, and most importantly, some good-ass food. You can’t fail by ordering the tater tots, but everything from the smashburger to Pete’s Pasta is delicious and well put together. There’s something on the menu for everyone, vegans to meat lovers. So, if a friend wants to meet for drinks near Station North and you’re hungry, go to Royal Blue and thank us later.
Best Place for a Keith Lee Visit: BLK Swan
1302 Fleet St.
Keith Lee is a TikTok darling known for his food reviews in different cities. Lee will often show up and send his family and friends into a restaurant so that he won’t be recognized and treated differently. He recently gave scathing reviews of Atlanta’s restaurants and exposed the poor service among many Black-owned establishments.
As everyone discussed his ATL adventures, some people asked where he’d go if he came to Baltimore. We suggest BLK Swan.
The bougie Harbor East establishment is one place to go to dine next to the who’s who of Baltimore’s elite. You’ll also find loud music, trendy food staples like cheesesteak egg rolls, lamb chops, and (Funfetti) chicken and waffles. What would Lee say about their chicken box? What about their dress code? We need to know.
Best Instagram stories: Mount Royal Tavern
1204 W Mt. Royal Ave.
@mtroyaltavern
There is a beloved well-known MRT sweetheart who runs the Instagram account for Baltimore dive bar Mount Royal Tavern. We won’t put them on blast because keeping it spicy is always the best route but it’s always full of surprises, guest appearances, great outfits, derelict behavior, and pure Baltimore comedy. There is rarely a dull moment. Go follow @mtroyaltavern and see for yourself. Order too many signature apple pie shots and you may or may not end up there for 24 hours.
Messiest Close: Church Bar
When Church Bar first opened on Maryland Avenue everything about it seemed perfect. Queer -friendly, owned and operated, delicious food menu, amazing cocktails, and a very well-thought out ambiance and design inside and out.
But things quickly took a left turn. You had to have a reservation just to sit at the bar, stories came out about employees not getting paid, and some menu items were often not available for days in a row. An unusually early change of ownership and an attempt to rebrand followed, but alas, Church had a quick grand opening/grand closing.
Best Place for a Random Conversation: Charles Village Pub
3107 St. Paul St #3814
Known affectionately as CVP, Charles Village Pub is a well-known staple as far as pubs go. The food is great and the drinks are affordable. You have to be sure to go to the one in Charles Village, though. The Towson one is run and patronized by a more Trump-supporting crowd (they held an event in support of those who stormed the Capitol on January 6) and, well, it’s not actually in Charles Village.
The real CVP on Saint Paul Street brings in a lot of folks from all walks of life. If you’re not an introvert, you can debate anything from your stance on the Israel/Palestine conflict or whether Sheila Dixon should run for mayor again to which cast member of “The Facts of Life” was and still is the hottest. We recommend the honey Old Bay wings.
There’s also a Beat Box out front that is stocked and maintained with care by the patrons and nearby residents.
Most Instagrammable Bar: Bloom’s
2 East Read Street
Stepping into Bloom’s, which is housed inside Hotel Ulysses and opened in 2022, is like stepping back in time — specifically, into the 1970s. There are gleaming mirrors everywhere and its cushy seats are covered in plush velvet. The craft cocktails are well-made and tasty. The vibe is welcoming you to a good time; the walk from the front door to the bar feels like an opening scene of a Martin Scorcese film. Whether you’re sitting at the bar or posted up in the booths with friends, the energy is always pleasant and you can expect to see almost anyone come in the door. In a city that has faced challenges keeping good bars open, we hope to see Bloom remain as a Mount Vernon staple for locals and visitors alike. It’s definitely a “treat yourself” destination.
Best Restaurant That Feels Like Home: Mera Kitchen Collective
1301 North Calvert Street
Stepping into Mera Kitchen Collective’s bright and airy brick and mortar space feels like an embrace.
The worker co-operative restaurant and community-driven catering business opened in October 2021 and has emerged as one of the best and brightest — and perhaps most unsung — restaurants in the city. Part of their focus on community is through the empowerment of chefs from around the world by celebrating their skills and talents in the kitchen, highlighting the value newcomers bring to the fabric of our society.
Portions are huge, filling, and delicious, and the menu boasts dishes from around the world. If you stop by you can grab a copy of Baltimore Beat from Mera’s Beat Box, and pair it with Not for Mia for Baltimore Beat Cocktail.