Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Baltimore / Maryland

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

The Melting Pot - Towson

4.8

4.8 (1890)

$31 to $50

Fondue

Towson

About the restaurant

The Melting Pot in Towson offers an extraordinary dining experience that you won't find at any other restaurant. Here, you'll discover all the ingredients to a perfect evening, including a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and fabulous four-course dinners. No matter what the occasion, from a romantic date to get-togethers with friends, meetings or large groups, The Melting Pot always hits the spot. We believe in celebrating the everyday, so you don’t need a special reason to come out for our delicious menu offerings.

Your experience begins with rich cheese fondues prepared table-side. Your taste buds will be delighted by a fresh salad course. The third course is diverse selections of entrées choice ranging from steak, seafood, gluten free and vegetarian options! The finale fourth course is Chocolate Fondue served with decadent dippers.

We are sure the time and rich conversations around our steamy fondue pots will bring you closer to family and friends.

Top review

Shantel

Dined 6 days ago

The experience was lovely abs the server was top notch.

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Experience

Celebration Squishie Fondue Pot Stuffed Toy $25

Venetian Italian Eatery

4.8

4.8 (131)

$30 and under

Italian

Edgewood

About the restaurant

In May 2021, this 40year-old-neighborhood gem on a hill underwent a full renovation. Venetian Palace is now sporting new digs with crisp modern decor and an expanded wine list. The impetus for the revamp was new ownership. Yes, the rumors are true... Valentino’s Restaurant Group which began in NE Baltimore city has now come to Harford County!

The food is better than ever, with highlights being the seafood pasta, the jumbo lump crab cakes, the grilled lamb chops, artisan handhelds, and the breakfast choices served all day. Whether you are dining in or picking up carry-out do not forget the dessert!

Come as you are, the staff is knowledgeable and ready to serve. We also offer our entire menu for carryout. For your convenience, The Venetian Italian Eatery has teamed with Doordash, GrubHub & Uber Eats.

Buon appetito!

Top review

Barbara

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

This was our first visit and we loved it. The service was excellent from the time we walked in until the time we left. The food was delicious all around. The portions were very generous - enough that we were able to have dinner the next day with our leftovers! The noise level was a little loud but.... there happened to be two birthday parties going on same time we were dining. The decor was lovely. We will definitely return.

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Pasta Night Wednesday!

Glyndon Grill

4.7

4.7 (1419)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Glyndon

About the restaurant

From the owners of Barrett's Grill at the Hunt Valley Towne Centre, Glyndon Grill will operate with a different menu and chef than Barrett's but will also focus on in-house, made-from-scratch preparations.

Top review

Karen

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

Very pleasant meal. Quality service and the food was delicious. Will definitely be returning.

Conrad's Seafood Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (975)

$30 and under

Seafood

Perry Hall

About the restaurant

**If you prefer to have steamed crabs please specify desired size and quantity when making your reservation so we can do our best to accommodate. Requests are not guaranteed. Please call the day of to confirm your request.**

Voted Baltimore's Best crabs 10 years in a row! Available year around! Conrad's prides itself in the use of local seafood, meats, and produce as well as being True Blue certified! We're more than just a crab house, our seasonal menu prepared by Chef Lancelotta offers the ultimate Maryland seafood experience. From fresh fish, seasonal raw oysters on the half shell, fresh local soft shell crabs, or everyone's favorite Conrad's crab fries, there truly is something on the menu for everyone! Featuring our unique boat bar and awesome outdoor bar/patio!

Top review

Scott

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

Great service as usual and the crabs were excellent!

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Popular dish

Deviled Eggs

Clove and Cardamom

4.7

4.7 (153)

$30 and under

Indian

Columbia

About the restaurant

To create an ambiance where you can savor specialized Italian, Asian, Mediterranean, Greek, and Indian cuisines to suit your moods.

Top review

HopeVIP

Dined on Mar 1, 2025

If you don't like very spicy, ask for mild. Otherwise we will go back and try the small plates ..Naan was very good and all food was served sizzling.

LIBERATORE’S Ristorante & Catering - Timonium

4.6

4.6 (1101)

$30 and under

Italian

Timonium

About the restaurant

LIBERATORE'S RISTORANTE is a family owned restaurant since 1988. The Timonium location offers an extensive wine list from different parts of the world. Our menu include not only great Pastas with savoring homemade sauces, but we also serve 16oz. Steaks, Seafood, Chicken, & Veal. We also have great vegetarian dishes.LIBERATORE'S RISTORANTE is open for Lunch & Dinner ( Coming soon by popular demand SUNDAY BRUNCH)LIBERATORE'S RIATORANTE has four beautiful dining rooms to serve You with our friendly staff to make your dining experience a memorable one. LIBERATORE'S RISTORANTE also has private rooms from 20 guest up to 150 guest. Visit our elegant lounge for a cocktail or try one of our famous Martinis !!!Carry-out & gift certificates are available. We hope we can have the pleasure to serve You soon !!!

Top review

ericVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food, excellent service, and never disappoints.

Casa Mia's Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (424)

$30 and under

Italian

Parkton

About the restaurant

The original Casa Mia's comes to Northern Baltimore County with over 30 years of experience in the restaurant, bar and catering business. We are grateful to join this great community and bring with us our tradition of serving delectable-tasting food, using only the finest ingredients. We aim to provide our guests with oustanding service for an all-around exceptional dining experience.
Menus

We are excited about the opportunity to welcome you to enjoy family dinners, business events, romantic outings, happy hours and celebrations at our establishment. We will strive to make every visit special. Our goal is to provide you with diverse and delicious menu, in a casual and comfortable atmosphere that satisfies the expectations of all of our patrons. And while you are here, be sure to try our famous colossal crabcake, our original family recipe that we belive we have perfected. Let us know what you think!

Top review

TrvlgrlVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Our local go to restaurant. Had a special today, NY strip, Au Gratin Potatoes and Asparagus!, fantastic! Always get great service, food prepared exactly as requested and reasonably priced.

The Goat

4.6

4.6 (49)

$30 and under

Mexican

Annapolis

About the restaurant

Latin inspired Tavern with daily specials and creative cocktail menu.

Top review

Jessica

Dined on May 1, 2025

Great staff, food and live music! The ambiance is 👌🏼

Mountain Branch Grille & Pub

4.5

4.5 (995)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Joppa

About the restaurant

One of the best restaurants in Maryland is located just two miles from I-95 exit 74 at Mountain Branch Golf Course - 20 minutes from Baltimore.
Constructed out of three acres of Oregon’s finest Douglas Fir, the historic-looking timber-pegged post and beam structure has high ceilings, multilevel architecture and a magnificent view. The Grille & Pub at Mountain Branch is a favorite for relaxing after a round of golf and is an ever-popular destination for lunch, dinner and late night. Spacious patios afford dining al fresco when the weather is mild. And when winter winds are blowing, a large fireplace keeps the inside warm and cozy. The American-classic menu offers a diverse mix of tastes, including soups, salads, and sandwiches as well as fresh fish, crab cakes and Angus beef. Our chefs take pride in keeping the offerings creative and interesting - taking full advantage of fresh seasonal ingredients.

Top review

Vicky

Dined 6 days ago

Food was good service even better. Beautiful view off the patio.

Maggie's

4.1

4.1 (496)

$30 and under

American

Westminster

About the restaurant

Maggie’s Restaurant has been a Carroll County tradition for over 44 years, known for warm hospitality, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere.
Join us for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch and enjoy our chef-crafted daily specials featuring seasonal ingredients. Dine indoors in our inviting dining rooms or soak up the sunshine with outdoor seating on our patio.

Every Friday night, enjoy live music that adds the perfect touch to your evening. Maggie’s is also the perfect place to host your next private event or celebration in our dedicated event space.

Top review

Kayla

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

We were expecting and mom and pop’s diner vibe, but received an elegant, yet cozy vibe. Our server, Emma, was great and gave us HH pricing even though we put in orders a few minutes late. The steak frites were cooked to my liking, and one of their famous burgers was delicious. A $3 HH draft beer, reasonably priced cocktails, and filling food will bring us back for sure.

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