Baltimore City Guide

I went to college in Baltimore, and was mostly saddened by the fact that it took me until senior year to really start exploring its foods. Luckily my best friend still lives there, so I hop down often to see her. Here are my (our – we are one) favorite spots!

Where to stay:

Why Hotel: If you’re looking for a hotel that feels like a home Why Hotel is for you. A fully stocked kitchen with an array of utensils and Tupperware, a view of the Baltimore skyline, free coffee and nitro cold brew daily to name just a few perks. It’s essentially an apartment building that rents out rooms as a hotel. OH and the gym. I was absolutely speechless; it was MASSIVE and stocked with everything you could ever dream of: treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes, TRX bands, weight machines, free weights, racks, kettlebells, and even 4 Peloton bikes. Unreal. Overall 12/10 experience and this will be the anchor for the reminder of the times I return to Salty Balty.

$82-$90 per night for a 1 bedroom

Eat

[one_half]Green and Tonic: There are a variety of these along the way from massachusetts to baltimore (I would usually drive when in college). They’re mostly located in CT, which always ends up being a great pit stop and almost half way mark. It is 100% the reason I drive the 8 hours as opposed to flying. Though I end up spending as much money here as I would have if I had just bought a flight. 100% worth. Just look at this collard spicy quinoa wrap. I repeat. 100% worth it. [/one_half][one_half_last]Oh yeah, Green and Tonic also has delicacies like this (sweet potato mac and cheese (vegan and dairy free – cashew nut base) with quinoa pasta. I repeat. 100% worth it.[/one_half_last]

[one_half]Bagby Pizza: Congratulations! You’ve roadtripped down to Baltimore, now make Bagby your first stop. I go here minimum 2 times every time I’m in Baltimore. It is my favorite, favorite pizza in all of the land. I even own a Bagby t-shirt and wear it embarrassingly often with too much pride. I get the sausage pesto without sausage. And usually a big salad. To “split.” Lol jk I do usually split it. But begrudgingly. **Note Bagby is no longer in business but I feel it’s absolutely necessary to keep it on the list as an homage. [/one_half][one_half_last]Jinji Chocolate is located in Belvedere Square Market. It is responsibly sourced, hand crafted chocolate, and just amazing. I got a whole selection of truffles last year for Valentine’s day, and my worries melted away at about the same speed as the chocolate was melting in my mouth. [/one_half_last]

[one_half]Belvedere Square Market: The cutest market with tons of different stands like PlantBar (juices, raw foods, shots, elixirs, magic, splendor); Hex Ferments (kraut, kimchi, kombucha); Atwater’s (the BEST selection of different daily soups and if you don’t have any food restrictions, you’ve gotta sink the chompers into their chicken salad sandwich. They make all the bread themselves and this one comes on cranberry walnut bread. I have no words to describe its splendor); Neopol’s Smokery (smoked fish and other meats. Go on the weekend for brunch and order The Roland omelette with homefries. This wasn’t even on the online menu. I remembered it 3 years out college because I loved it so much. This combined with a green juice was my favorite hangover helper. [/one_half][one_half_last]Barcocina: Awesome booze and awesome brunch. Pictured here are the mushroom tinga tacos: corn tortilla + beech & oyster mushroom + chipotle tomato sauce + cotija + almond crema + salsa verde. Not pictured here: rosemary’s margarita, no agave. [/one_half_last]

[one_half]Pure Raw Juice bar: amazing acai and pitaya bowls and great ingredients used in smoothies. They use SunWarrior tribe vegan protein powder, which I love and use at home, plus even offer Fire Cider! My favorite juice and smoothie bar in Baltimore. [/one_half][one_half_last]Order and Chaos: Really cute coffee shop. You can stay and work all day, plenty of seating and outlets, bathrooms (though you need a code, so make sure to write it down after the first time – I know this from experience and needing to as 4 times),  wifi, AND bulletproof coffee.[/one_half_last]

[one_half]R House: Only went here once, since it opened after I graduated, but super cool market-like spot. Little pop-ups stud the circumference of the big, open space. There’s a vegan / vegetarian place, but I opted for a poke bowl from Hilo. [/one_half][one_half_last]Golden West Cafe: Okay I know this picture looks kind of fugly, but idgafug. Truly the best brussels I’ve ever had. And I’ve had a lot of Brussels sprouts. I usually go for brunch and get these as an appetizer, then opt for the Huevos Montulenos. [/one_half_last]

[one_half]Baltimore Farmer’s Market and Bizarre: Maryland’s largest producers0 only market. Tons of fresh product, good coffee, Hex ferments has a stand (kombucha), and open year round. Can’t ask for much more.

[/one_half]  [one_half_last]Absolutely love this place!! Tons of juices, shots, smoothies, raw food, and vegan treats! There are two locations – one in Belvedere Market and one in Fells. [/one_half_last]

Exercise:

[one_half]Rev Cycle Studio: Favorite workout spot in Bmore. Started by Esther (queen of the sweatiest workouts and the sailoriest mouth). See if you can get into one of her classes. Raunchy as hell, but an amazing workout. [/one_half][one_half_last]The Under Armour Headquarters has AMAZING classes. Love the boot camp! [/one_half_last]

 

Mentions but not photos:

• Bottega: best salted caramel pie ever. Literally best dessert ever had. Also their chicken dish is amazing. Both are also served at Collette, their sister restaurant in case you can’t get into Bottega. If you don’t have any food restrictions, this is a must, must, MUST!!!!!

***note: click on bolded name of restaurant to get to websites / menus