As another year comes to a close, I always enjoy looking back at some of the meals that stuck with me the most. Baltimore’s food scene continues to grow, and every year brings a new list of dishes that I keep thinking about long after the meal is over.
For this roundup, I followed the same approach I used in previous years. Every dish on this list is something I tried for the first time during the year, no chains are included, and I limited it to one dish per restaurant.
The Best Plates of 2017These aren’t ranked in any particular order, but they’re all plates that stood out for one reason or another.
Rich Lobster Soup with Curry — Charleston
Dinner at Charleston in Harbor East was filled with memorable dishes, but Chef Cindy Wolf’s Rich Lobster Soup with Curry easily stood out.
The soup was creamy and deeply flavorful with just enough spice from the curry to keep things interesting. It’s one of the signature dishes at Charleston and absolutely worth ordering when you visit.
Rich Lobster Soup with Curry
Toothpick Mutton — Szechuan Impression
During a trip to California, I had the chance to visit Szechuan Impression in Alhambra, and nearly everything we ordered was memorable.
The dish I still think about the most is the Toothpick Mutton. The crispy, spicy lamb skewers were unlike anything I had tried before, and I’ve been craving them ever since.
Toothpick Mutton
Lemon Meringue — Wit & Wisdom
Chef Dyan Ng’s desserts at Wit & Wisdom in Baltimore are always impressive, but the Lemon Meringue was particularly memorable.
The bright citrus flavors paired perfectly with a scoop of spearmint ice cream, which made the dessert feel light and refreshing.
Lemon Meringue
Hummus with Stewed Chicken — Zahav
I had been wanting to visit Zahav in Philadelphia for quite a while, and finally made it there during the summer.
Everything we ordered was fantastic, but the creamy hummus topped with stewed chicken was easily the highlight. The texture alone made it one of the best hummus dishes I’ve ever had.
Creamy Hummus Topped with Stewed Chicken
Mac and Cheese — The Brewer’s Art
Mac and cheese is one of those comfort foods that feels simple but can be incredibly satisfying when done well.
The version at The Brewer’s Art in Baltimore is exactly that—cheesy, creamy, and rich. It’s only available at the bar, which somehow makes it feel like a hidden gem on the menu.
Mac N Cheese
Garlic Bread and Salad — Peter’s Inn
At Peter’s Inn in Fells Point, the salad and garlic bread combination ended up being a surprise favorite.
The salad’s balsamic Caesar dressing was incredibly flavorful, and the thick-cut garlic bread alongside it was buttery and crisp in all the right ways.
Garlic Bread and Salad
Pancake Burger — EatBar
The Pancake Burger at EatBar in Washington, DC was one of the most creative brunch dishes I tried all year.
The burger itself was juicy and flavorful, but the pancake bun made the whole dish feel like a playful twist on a classic brunch plate.
Pancake Burger
Fish Taco — Taco Maria
While visiting California, I stopped at Taco Maria, and the fish taco there ended up being one of the best tacos I’ve ever had.
The fish was perfectly crispy, and the addition of grapes added a subtle sweetness that made the taco stand out from more traditional versions.
Fish Taco
Beef Short Rib — Blacksauce
If you’ve never been to Blacksauce Kitchen in Baltimore on a Thursday, it’s worth adding to your list.
Their beef short rib sandwich features incredibly tender meat on one of their signature biscuits. It’s the kind of dish that keeps people checking the weekly menu to see when it will return.
Beef Short Rib
Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce — Tagliata
At Tagliata in Harbor East, the Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce reminded me how satisfying a well-executed classic can be.
The pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce had just the right balance of richness and acidity.
Rigatoni with Vodka Sauce
Looking Back at the Year in Baltimore Dining
Looking back at all of these dishes, it’s clear that the Baltimore restaurant scene—and the nearby cities I visited—continue to offer incredible variety.
From classic pasta dishes to inventive tacos and comforting soups, these were the plates that stood out the most during the year.
If you’re looking for more restaurant ideas, you can browse Rachel’s Baltimore Restaurant List, where I keep an updated collection of some of my favorite places to eat around the city.
You might also enjoy some of the other restaurant visits I’ve shared, including meals at Clavel, Magdalena, and Charleston, three of my favorite Baltimore restaurants.
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Looking for a place to eat? Check out Rachel’s Baltimore Restaurant List.
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Categories: Baltimore, California, Fells Point, Hampden/Remington, Harbor East, Mount Vernon, Pennsylvania, Restaurant Reviews, Travel, Washington DC
The lobster soup sounds so good!