Little Italy is one of Baltimore’s most historic neighborhoods and remains one of the best places in the city to find classic Italian food. Located just east of the Inner Harbor, the neighborhood is known for its strong Italian heritage, cozy streets, and family-run restaurants that have served the community for decades.
Today Little Italy still feels like a traditional Italian neighborhood filled with trattorias, pasta houses, and bakeries where you can find everything from handmade pasta and brick-oven pizza to cannoli and espresso. Whether you’re visiting for dinner or stopping in for dessert after exploring the harbor, the neighborhood offers plenty of great places to eat.
Below are some of my favorite restaurants in Little Italy Baltimore.
Best Restaurants in Little Italy Baltimore
If you’re exploring the neighborhood, these are a few standout places to start.
- Best classic Italian restaurant: Chiapparelli’s – A longtime neighborhood institution serving hearty Italian-American dishes.
- Best pasta restaurant: Amicci’s – Known for house-made pasta and popular dishes like lobster ravioli.
- Best intimate dinner spot: La Tavola – A small restaurant serving seasonal Italian dishes and fresh pasta.
- Best pizza spot: Isabella’s Brick Oven – Known for brick-oven pizzas and casual Italian comfort food.
- Best dessert stop: Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop – A Little Italy staple famous for cannoli, gelato, and Italian pastries.
Little Italy Restaurants
Chiapparelli’s Restaurant
Cuisine: Italian
A classic Little Italy institution serving hearty Italian-American favorites like baked pastas, chicken parmesan, and house specialties in a lively, old-school dining room.
What to order:
– Chip’s Salad
– Penne Vodka
Sabatino’s
Cuisine: Italian
A longtime neighborhood staple known for generous portions of traditional Italian dishes including lasagna, veal parmesan, and seafood pasta served in a classic trattoria setting.
What to order:
– Baked Rigatoni
– Chicken Parm
– Fried Ravioli
Amicci’s
Cuisine: Italian
A popular Italian restaurant known for house-made pasta, hearty entrées, and signature dishes like lobster ravioli and baked rigatoni.
What to order:
– Pane Con Rotundo
– Chicken Parm
– Baked Ziti
Isabella’s Brick Oven
Cuisine: Italian / Pizza
A counter service Italian restaurant specializing in brick-oven pizzas, sandwiches, and paninis.
What to order:
– Traditional Pizza
– Jersey Boy
– Serafina
Crave
Cuisine: Ice Cream / Dessert
An ice cream shop specializing in bubble waffle cones with scoops of ice cream and crepes.
What to order:
– Bubble Waffle Cone
La Tavola
Cuisine: Italian
An intimate Italian restaurant serving seasonal dishes, fresh pasta, and a thoughtful wine list in a small dining room inspired by traditional Italian kitchens.
What to order:
– Burrata
– Lasagna
– Pollo all Parmagina
Cafe Gia
Cuisine: Italian
A charming Sicilian Italian café serving handmade pastas, seafood, and classic Italian comfort dishes in a warm, intimate space.
What to order:
– Fettuccine Bolognese
– Burrata
– Cauliflower Carbonara
La Scala
Cuisine: Italian
An upscale Italian restaurant known for house-made pastas, veal, and seafood dishes paired with an extensive wine list. Plus, they have an indoor bocce court.
What to order:
– Chicken Parm
– Penne Vodka
– Grilled Caesar Salad
Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop
Cuisine: Bakery / Dessert
A beloved Little Italy dessert destination famous for Italian pastries, cannoli, gelato, espresso drinks, and decadent desserts.
What to order:
– Gelato
– Italian Cookies
– Cannoli
Culinary Architecture
Cuisine: Cafe / Specialty Grocer
Specialty shop offering a selection of gourmet food items, including their own baked goods and coffees.
What to order:
– Pastries
Ovenbird Bakery
Cuisine: Cafe/Bakery
Pastry shop and cafe serving a plethora of breads and coffee in a relaxed space to hang out. Also with locations in Hampden and Highlandtown.
What to order:
– Zaatar Bagel
– Coffee
– Pastries
Italian Food in Baltimore
Little Italy has been a center of Italian culture in Baltimore for generations. Many restaurants in the neighborhood are family-run and continue to serve traditional recipes that have been passed down over decades.
More Baltimore Restaurant Guides
Looking for more places to eat in Baltimore? Check out my Baltimore restaurant guide, where I organize restaurants by neighborhood including Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East, Highlandtown, and more.
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