Best Food In Baltimore: 12 Foods You Have To Try In Charm City

If you are traveling to Baltimore soon, then here is a list of the best food in Baltimore that you simply cannot miss!

Yes, yes. The city is famous for seafood, but as a vegetarian, I did find a few vegan and vegetarian dishes that you can try when traveling to Baltimore.

Of course, if you are a non-vegetarian, then crab cakes are a must-try here. But trust me, there is more to Baltimore food than just seafood.

From chocolate fudge-covered cookies to a qunieu lemon-and-peppermint treat, you will find lots of delicious Baltimore food specialties to cover here.

Confused about where to start? Then, keep reading my list of the Best Food in Baltimore that you have to try!

Best Food In Baltimore: 12 Foods You Have To Try In Charm City

Baltimore Crab Cakes

If you are planning a weekend trip to Baltimore, then the first thing you need to try is the crab cakes.

I mean, come on, what is a trip to Baltimore without the crab cakes?

And Maryland crab cakes are amazing, with all the crab meat. They don’t contain too many breadcrumbs and fillers, so you can actually enjoy the crab flavor with a little seasoning.

One of the best-known places to try crab cakes in Baltimore is Faidley’s Seafood at Lexington Market.

This place serves the best crab cakes in the city for generations and is the perfect stop for anyone who wants to check out Baltimore’s food scene.

Of course, this one is for seafood eaters. If you don’t eat crab, don’t worry I have more best food in Baltimore options for you listed below!

Check Out: Baltimore: Fells Point Food Tour with Maryland Crab Cakes

Vegan Crab Cakes: Best Food In Baltimore Option

For all my vegan peers, the best food in Baltimore to try is vegan crab cakes.

Personally, I love eating at The Land of Kush, a vegan soul food restaurant in the city.

You can get the best vegan crab cakes, which are made using plant-based protein and Old Bay seasoning.

This is the best way to try the Baltimore food specialty without actually eating a crab.

I love that they give vegetarian and vegan travellers a way to try the signature Baltimore dish without having to eat meat.

Best Food in Baltimore: Maryland Oysters

Yes, Baltimore crabs are famous, but you can get some of the most delicious oysters here too.

Since Baltimore is located near the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of seafood options, and oysters are quite commonly available at the local restaurants.

The best part is that you can find them in different variations – half shell, fried, grilled, or roasted.

So, if you enjoy seafood, then this food in Baltimore is definitely worth trying.

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Vegan BBQ Ribs

What I love about visiting Baltimore is that vegan food doesn’t mean only salads and vegetables here.

In fact, Baltimore’s vegan food scene will actually surprise you.

Another one of my favorites from the Land of Kush is this dish known as Kush BBQ Ribs. It is made with soy protein and has a savoury flavour with a good texture.

Yes, it is not a traditional Baltimore food specialty like crab cakes, but it is a good example of the city’s modern food scene.

Plus, this dish is perfect for vegan travelers who are looking for something more filling while exploring Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and more.

Have A Berger Cookie

For anyone who has a sweet tooth, another great Baltimore food to try is the Berger Cookie.

This is a soft, cake-like cookie with a thick layer of chocolate fudge on it. And trust me, when I say thick, I really mean it.

The chocolate topping is actually one of the main highlights of this cookie.

You cannot miss Berger cookies because they have been part of Baltimore’s food culture since the 19th century!

A German baker, Henry Berger, opened his bakery here and served these cookies, which is how they became the city’s famous dessert.

So, if you are looking for a dessert, then Berger cookie is one of the best foods in Baltimore to try.

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Best Food in Baltimore: Smith Island Cake

Listen, if you are visiting Baltimore, then you cannot even think about missing out on Maryland’s official state dessert – the Smith Island Cake.

This is definitely a good choice for all the chocolate lovers out there, like me!

The cake has multiple thin layers with chocolate icing, which makes it quite different from a regular two- or three-layer cake.

This dessert originated on Smith Island in the Chesapeake Bay and has become quite popular in bakeries and restaurants around Maryland.

Traditional versions contain eggs and dairy, so they’re not vegan. If you’re following a plant-based diet, ask whether a vegan version is available.

It’s a lovely regional dessert to look for if you’re exploring Maryland beyond Baltimore, too.

Get A Baltimore Snowball

Are you planning to visit Baltimore in the summer?

If yes, then keep an eye out for the snowball stands.

These icy sweets are every local’s favorite, especially when it gets hot.

You can find Baltimore snowballs on almost every street during summer.

It is basically made with finely shaved ice and flavoured syrup and is quite different from a regular snow cone.

It is softer and you have to try the egg custard flavour, it is a classic.

Many people also get marshmallow added on top.

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Best Baltimore Food: A Lemon Stick

This is probably one of the most unusual foods in Baltimore, but quite memorable as well.

A Baltimore lemon stick is actually a lemon paired with a peppermint candy stick.

You create a small hole in the lemon to add the peppermint stick as a straw. And then you suck on it for a sweet, tangy taste.

But this treat is usually found during the spring festival – Baltimore’s Mount Vernon Place Mart and dates back to 1911.

So, you will not find lemon sticks everywhere throughout the year.

Plan your trip around the festival to try this fun local tradition.

Eat Maryland Steamed Blue Crabs

Maryland blue crab is the best food in Baltimore and a big part of the local food culture.

So, if you are a seafood lover, then you have to experience the food that represents Baltimore.

These crabs are steamed and usually seasoned with Old Bay.

You’ll get them on the table covered with paper and a mallet to crack the shells and get the meat out.

It is a messy food experience, but that’s part of the fun.

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Vegan Black-Eyed Pea Fritters

Looking for a nice snack? If so, then you should try the black-eyed pea fritters.

They are made from seasoned, battered, and fried black-eyed peas, so the inside is soft and hearty.

They are a great choice for anyone who has gotten bored of the usual fries or vegetable sides.

Of course, they are not a historic Baltimore food specialty.

But they are a great choice for vegans and vegetarians visiting Baltimore, which is more of a seafood-centric city.

Sample Some Delicious Coddies

One of the more unusual Baltimore foods to try are the coddies.

You will have to dig a little deeper into the city’s food history to learn about them,

which is why I added it to this list.

These are made using salt cod, eggs, onions, potatoes, and seasonings,

which are mixed, then shaped into patties and fried.

They are traditionally served with mustard and saltine crackers

and are actually an old-school snack that was quite common around Baltimore.

Now, you will find coddies at traditional local food spots like the Faidley’s Seafood at Lexington Market

If you enjoy seafood and want to try something beyond crab cakes and oysters, this is a local specialty worth try.

Old Bay-Seasoned Fries

Of course, when I am listing the best food in Baltimore, I cannot miss the Old Bay.

Sure, it is a spice blend commonly used on Maryland crabs, but you can find it on plenty of other things as well.

If seafood feels like a lot, then I suggest you look for Old Bay-seasoned fries.

This seasoning makes the fries salty and spicy and perfect for your introduction to the seasoning.

Trust me, whatever you do, don’t miss trying Old Bay fries when visiting Baltimore.

Baltimore Essentials Packing List

Here are a few of my packing and travel tips I think will be useful for you:

Especially important are my tips on how to pack lightly using a carry-on when traveling.

And WHY it is almost a necessity!

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors.

These RFID sleeves are another solution.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry on all my trips.

Don’t forget Apple AirTags to track your luggage. (Whether you fly or drive.)

My daughter gifted me this FugeTek selfie stick and tripod setup for my birthday.

It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

I never leave home on a trip without a non-disposable water bottle. 

Then this collapsible silicone foldable water bottle would work well for you as well.

This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great for a daily go-pack.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in many lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable, too.

If you like aviator-style sunglasses, these polarized aviators may interest you.

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