Charleston had been on my Baltimore restaurant bucket list since I moved here in 2008. I’m honestly not sure what took me so long to visit because the experience was incredible from start to finish. The food was outstanding, the service was impeccable, and the atmosphere felt welcoming rather than intimidating.

Before visiting, I expected Charleston to feel formal or even a bit stuffy, but that wasn’t the case at all. One of the highlights of the evening was meeting Chef Cindy Wolf, who personally visits tables in the dining room to greet guests and make them feel at home. We chatted for a few minutes, and it added such a warm, personal touch to the experience.

Charleston is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Baltimore for fine dining.

The Charleston Tasting Experience

At Charleston, guests can choose how many courses they would like to enjoy, and dessert is included. My friend and I decided to order four courses each and share everything, since there were so many incredible options on the menu.

Before the meal officially began, the kitchen sent out a couple of complimentary bites to start the evening.

Fried Oysters

The first bite was fried oysters served with lemon-cayenne mayonnaise.

They were light, perfectly crispy, and not chewy at all. The lemon-cayenne mayo added just the right amount of brightness and heat, making this a fantastic opening bite.

Artichoke Soup with Gruyère Pastry

Next came artichoke soup paired with a Gruyère pastry.

I had never tried artichoke soup before, but it was incredibly creamy with a deep, rich artichoke flavor. The pastry was subtly cheesy and buttery, making it the perfect companion to the soup.

Artichoke Soup with a Gruyere Pastry

Rich Lobster Soup with Curry

One of Chef Cindy Wolf’s most well-known dishes is the Rich Lobster Soup with Curry, and it ended up being one of my favorite bites of the entire evening.

The broth was creamy with a gentle curry spice that added warmth without overpowering the dish. It was rich but still balanced, and the generous portion of butter-poached lobster made it even more memorable.

Prime Beef Steak Tartare

We also ordered the Prime Beef Steak Tartare, which came with capers, shallots, Tabasco, and chives.

The flavors were perfectly balanced between savory, salty, and slightly spicy. I’m always excited when I see steak tartare on a menu, and this version was excellent.

Chanterelle Mushroom Sablé Tart

Another standout dish was the Fresh Chanterelle Mushroom Sablé Tart.

This buttery, cheesy tart was topped with tender mushrooms and finished with snail butter. The flavors were rich and deeply savory, and honestly, we wanted to lick the plates clean when we finished.

Shrimp and Grits

The Shrimp and Grits was another memorable course.

The grits were creamy and buttery with a salty, smoky flavor from the ham, and the shrimp were cooked perfectly. The richness of the grits made this dish incredibly comforting and satisfying.

Local Sweet Corn Flan

Since it was summer, we couldn’t resist the Local Sweet Corn Flan.

Corn is one of my favorite summer ingredients, and this dish really highlighted its natural sweetness. The corn paired beautifully with carrot purée and roasted beets, creating a vegetable-forward dish that helped balance the richness of the other courses.

Risotto with Artichokes

The risotto was another dish that had been recommended to me, so we made sure to order it.

During our visit, the preparation included artichokes, and the meaty texture of the artichokes paired wonderfully with the creamy risotto.

Pan-Roasted Wild Halibut

We also tried the Pan-Roasted Wild Halibut, which was cooked perfectly.

The fish was delicate and flaky, and the lemon beurre blanc added a rich, buttery finish that complemented the mushrooms and fish beautifully.

Grilled Hawkeye Ranch Buffalo Tenderloin

As someone who loves buffalo, I couldn’t pass up the Grilled Hawkeye Ranch Buffalo Tenderloin.

The meat was incredibly tender, and the fried green tomato added a nice contrast in texture. The tomato chimichurri brought freshness to the dish, while the veal reduction tied everything together with deep, savory flavor.

Dessert at Charleston

Dessert is included with the tasting menu, which makes the ending of the meal even more exciting.

I ordered the Chocolate Mousse Cake, which was rich and chocolatey, but the real surprise was the spearmint ice cream served alongside it. It was refreshing and elevated the entire dessert.

Vanilla Bean Poached Peaches and Raspberry Meringue

We also shared the Vanilla Bean Poached Local Peaches with Raspberry Meringue to highlight summer flavors.

The peaches were tender and sweet, and the crisp meringue added a perfect crunch.

Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée

When our server noticed we were curious about the Passion Fruit Crème Brûlée, he kindly brought one out for us to try.

This dessert was unlike any crème brûlée I’ve had before. The passion fruit added a bright acidity that balanced the sweetness, and the pineapple sorbet on top was an incredible finishing touch.

Final Thoughts on Charleston

Charleston absolutely lived up to the hype and easily earned its place among the best restaurants in Baltimore. Between the thoughtful tasting menu, impeccable service, and Chef Cindy Wolf’s warm hospitality, it’s a restaurant that truly delivers a memorable dining experience.

If you’re looking for fine dining in Baltimore, Charleston should be at the top of your list.

Charleston is located at 1000 Lancaster St., in Harbor East

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