Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Baltimore / Maryland

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Baltimore / Maryland? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

One Coastal

4.9

4.9 (2067)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Fenwick Island

About the restaurant

Indulge in an extraordinary dining experience, where we wholeheartedly champion responsible agriculture, local watermen, and the art of serving really good food. Led by James Beard Nominated chef and owner, Matthew Kern, our restaurant is a testament to his culinary expertise and unwavering dedication to showcase the best of Delaware.

Beyond the kitchen, Chef Kern's commitment extends to our exceptional staff, making every visit a memorable exploration of the heart and soul that sets our gem apart. Join us to enjoy a drink, savor a meal, and see for yourself what makes this place so special.

Top review

Marilou

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

One Coastal is simply a superb dining experience. The food is innovative and delicious. The service is top notch. The bar is fun and expert.

Oleum

4.9

4.9 (48)

$30 and under

Vegan

Inner Harbor

About the restaurant

Welcome to Oleum Vegan Kitchen, where Chef Adibe brings a fresh, creative approach to vegan cuisine, inspired by her almost 30 years of experience in the service industry and a deep passion for plant-based cooking. Originally founded in Okinawa, Japan, Oleum is now a Baltimore gem, located just a short drive from the National Aquarium and very close to the Baltimore Visitor's Center.

Our cozy and inviting space offers a welcoming atmosphere for both vegans and non-vegans alike, blending Mediterranean, Spanish, and Middle Eastern flavors into unforgettable dishes. A standout on our menu is the Miso Mushroom Bucatini, a delightful fusion of Chef Adibe's time in Japan and her love of savory pastas, this dish has quickly become a fan favorite.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy an intimate dinner or a special celebration, our friendly staff and beautiful ambiance, complete with a charming outdoor seating area, will ensure a memorable dining experience.

Top review

Jonathan

Dined 5 days ago

Fantastic surprise! Amazing service, a fantastic menu. The risotto was among hte best we've ever had, vegan or no; same with the flavorful mezze platter. The n/a cocktails were also very good. I'll be back.

Fox's Den

4.8

4.8 (322)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Annapolis

About the restaurant

An american craft Gastropub concentrating on local and small batch beers, whiskey, spirits and hand crafted cocktails along with a brick oven menu with Wood Fired Pizza, shareable items, and small plates.

*Please note for online wait listed reservations do have a 5-10 min time frame to arrive for your reservation to be sat*

Top review

DeniseVIP

Dined on Apr 4, 2025

Fox’s Den has never disappointed. While it’s a limited menu, the choices are great! Top pizza place in Annapolis. Only negative is they don’t open till 5, 4 would be better!

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Popular dish

Duck Fat Fries

The Dive Club

4.8

4.8 (144)

$30 and under

Seafood

Cambridge

About the restaurant

Join us on the USS N. Nectar as we set sail across the Chesapeake Bay in search of the infamous Chessie.

During your journey, enjoy Shareable Plates, and Tropical Cocktails inspired by the Captains many adventures around the globe.

*We are a themed restaurant, and not an actual boat on the water*

Top review

Jo-Ann

Dined 5 days ago

We were at the Dive Club to celebrate a friend’s birthday. Dinner was good, drinks interesting and enjoyed all the sensory stimulation!

The Federal Rehoboth

4.7

4.7 (492)

$30 and under

Unspecified

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

What started as a food truck concept in 2019 then became a beachside bistro in 2021. The Federal, located just a short block from the famed Rehoboth Beach boardwalk has become a full-service, beach casual, fine-dining bistro. The demure restaurant now hosts the two concepts in one space - you can enjoy fritters before dinner, for a happy hour snack, or go for a boardwalk stroll. Federal Fritter menu features a variety of crisp, poppable & snackable fritters, while The Federal menu expands on a way of eating that best defines Todd & Ellen's culinary style, the menu reads like a postcard from the Mid-Atlantic. Chef Gray pays careful attention to the seasons, honoring what the Delmarva region harvests.

Top review

Alan

Dined 2 days ago

Everything perfectly prepared and quite delicious. We attended an Easter Brunch but ordered dinner-like entrees.

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4.7

4.7 (449)

$30 and under

International

Rehoboth Beach

About the restaurant

OUR MANTRA
Travel through the moon gate to Bodhi Kitchen, modern Asian cuisine with a twist located in Rehoboth Beach, DE. Bodhi's brand is minimal yet bold, utilizing the iconic shape of the moon gate to transport diners through the garden and into the escape that is Bodhi.

THE BODHI KITCHEN PHILOSOPHY
Bodhi Kitchen features an innovative Asian-inspired menu with flavor-forward dishes riffing on Thai, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese flavors to create something entirely new. This is our modern take on street food and Asian night markets.

Please note that the Bodhi Kitchen staff will try to accommodate any request(s) made but all requests are not guaranteed.

Top review

Vera

Dined 1 day ago

The food was tasty. The service was excellent. It was a loud for us. We are older and have hearing issues.

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Popular dish

Southern Thai Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Soup Dumplings

Popular dish

Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Seasalt Annapolis

4.6

4.6 (124)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Annapolis

About the restaurant

SEASALT is an ingredient driven seafood restaurant and raw bar located in the States Capital. We source fresh, seasonal, and sustainable fish, shellfish, meats, and produce. We thoughtfully and creatively make seafood dishes that have amazing global flavors. The SEASALT bar is a comfortable and friendly gathering place that serves award winning cocktails, curated spirits, wines, and beers. We like to say that we deliver all of this with true Irish hospitality and Southern charm.

Top review

dceeeeeater

Dined 6 days ago

We were told it took them about 15 years to get the recipe for the Salty Bread and it did not disappoint. Food and great, can’t wait to go back for their patio this summer.

Wye Oak Tavern

4.6

4.6 (318)

$31 to $50

American

Frederick

About the restaurant

When envisioning our restaurant, the team at Visitation Hotel knew we’d need to craft something truly special; a welcoming space where guests and locals alike could enjoy locally sourced cuisine, inspired cocktails, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

The result is Wye Oak Tavern.

A fitting addition to Frederick’s rightly renowned gourmet landscape, Wye Oak (helmed by acclaimed celebrity Executive Chef Bryan Voltaggio) is a distinctive locavore restaurant where the ever-evolving menu is inspired by the season, landscape and bounty of the region. Timeless favorites share space with surprising plates, and curated cuisines of undeniable excellence. Each course is served within warm elegant surroundings that encourage community and goodwill.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

I took my husband for his birthday. The food was excellent. Best pot roast I’ve ever had in my life. He had the prime rib and said it was an excellent. Good choice of cocktails and wine. Great place for a special occasion.

Jerk at Nite

4.6

4.6 (14)

$30 and under

Caribbean

West Baltimore

About the restaurant

Jerk at Nite, founded by Denville Myrie, Jr. in 2012, began as a solution to the lack of late-night food options at Howard University. After seeing his peers struggle with unhealthy fast food, Denville, raised in a Jamaican household, started delivering flavorful jerk chicken and other Jamaican dishes from his dorm. What began as a small campus venture evolved into a food truck business in 2015, and later, a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The menu features healthy fusion dishes, such as jerk chicken, oxtail, and jamming’ salmon, free of MSG and preservatives. Now with multiple locations, including in D.C. and Baltimore, Jerk at Nite continues to grow and serves the community with a focus on quality and flavor.

Top review

Marcus

Dined on Apr 13, 2025

Thoroughly enjoyed my dinner there. Food was amazing. Ambiance was amazing. They didnt have liquor the nite i was there, so that was disappointing. However, they said it was BYOB since they didnt have liquor, so that was cool.

Kabuto

4.5

4.5 (87)

$30 and under

Hibachi

Parkville

About the restaurant

We are committed to serving an authentic Japanese experience to each and every one of our guests. From the atmosphere of our dining room to the dishes we make, we have constructed a Japanese-inspired restaurant people want to visit.
Whether you prefer the excitement of our chefs cooking in front of you on our hibachi grill or the bursts of tangy flavor from our sushi rolls, you’ll have a dine-in experience that is unlike any other.

Top review

Nicole

Dined on Mar 24, 2025

We had a great time! We were at a table with a family and one other guest and they were all so fun and friendly! We all just had a great time! I am unfortunately allergic to onions but they were able to make my food in the back and it was delicious! This is our second visit at this location and both times were wonderful!

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