What Food is Baltimore Known For? A Complete Guide to Charm City's Iconic Dishes
Baltimore is known as a harbor town, but there is so much more that it has to offer. This city is a massive melting pot when it comes to flavors. From the working class feel it exudes to its remarkable seafood history; the soul of Baltimore can be felt in every bit of food that it offers. If you’ve ever asked yourself what food is Baltimore known for, get ready to go through a list of delicacies that will make your mouth water.
Culinary Traits That Define Baltimore
Chesapeake Bay plays a crucial role in defining the culture of food in Baltimore. It is a defining accent of food that the city loves the most. The shores offer an abundance of Seafood, but Baltimore has a history of food that goes beyond that. There is a rich culture of using bold spices, steam cooking, and blending it with hearty portions of food which gives their recipes an entirely unique touch.
What do you think is the result? You guessed it! Baltimore is the city where you will feel like you are receiving the warm embrace of Charm City with every single meal.
Must-Try Iconic Dishes in Baltimore
Maryland Blue Crab
For folks in Baltimore, crabs are more than just food – they are a way of life. The steamed Maryland blue crab is the centerpiece of innumerable city feasts. Served with mallets at paper-covered tables, these crabs are steamed to perfection and delightfully sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning, inviting everyone to indulge.
It's all about the experience: friends gathered around cracking shells and relishing tender crab meat, reminiscing about delightful old times.
Crab Cakes
Broiled or fried, as a local debate claims, either way you get to indulge in the delight that is crab cake. These scrumptious golden-brown crowns symbolize Baltimore the best and are crafted with just enough filler to hold the lump crab meat together for structural integrity.
Try crab cakes from legendary joints like Faidley’s in Lexington Market for unforgettable blended flavors that have astonished travelers and locals alike for decades.
Pit Beef
Brisket step aside, Baltimore serves up pit beef for its take on barbeque. It is not the slow-smoked Southern barbeque we are accustomed to; pit beef is grilled over charcoal, which gives it a distinct juicy center and charred exterior. It is then sliced into thin pieces, stacked on a kaiser roll, and finished with a zesty tiger sauce, which is a creamy horseradish mayonnaise that pulls the entire thing together.
Berger Cookies
If you have a sweet tooth, then Berger Cookies are a must-try. These thick, cake-like cookies covered smothered in rich fudge chocolate frosts are a local favorite. They are rooted in the recipes of a German immigrant bakery and are still made today with the same old school charm.
Most Baltimore locals never make it back home without the cookies being devoured and give them as a gift instead.
Coddies (Codfish Cakes)
Coddies are a piece of Baltimore’s working-class history. These fried patties of salted cod and mashed potatoes are served on crackers with a spread of yellow mustard. Coddies are humble yet full of flavor and were once a popular snack at lunch counters and corner stores.
Although their taste is still something that many Baltimoreans remember fondly, Coddies are hard to find these days.
Lake Trout (Fried Fish Sandwich)
Baltimore's ‘lake trout’ is a misnomer - it refers to a fried whiting fish fillet which is fried to a crisp and served on a sandwich or on the side with bread. Whiting Lake Trout is primarily a fast-food dish, and it is one of the goes to dishes for comfort food in Baltimore carry out joints and family motels.
For me, Lake Trout is a special dish as it is simple, fried crispy and uniquely tastes good every time.
Chicken Box with Western Fries
For those seeking some soul food, the chicken box hits the bell. It comes with a generous serving of juicy fried chicken pieces with thick cut seasoned western fries. For many locals, buying a chicken box after long work hours is a ritual.
Classic Baltimore Drinks
Baltimore has some unique drinks. Their signature drink, National Bohemian (Natty Boh) is not just renowned, but a Baltimore delicacy. You will see the mustachioed mascot of Natty Boh in bars and crab houses. Over the years it has become more and more associated with a Baltimore icon. You can get him at an affordable price and what vampire is not looking to wash down blue crabs with some beer.
Rye whiskey
In the earlier days, consuming Rye whiskey showcased class. Baltimore was the go-to place to have a drink. These days local places have continued small scale production of Rye whiskey with some holistic spicy undertones to it.
Food Festivals & Events in Baltimore
Charm City gives special preference to parties centered around food. The Baltimore Crab & Beer Festival and the Maryland Seafood Festival have a core focus on seafood heritage with bites, local alcohol, and music. On a more international scale, Charm City Night Market fuses food, culture, and community into a spectacle.
Where To Experience Food in Baltimore
Along with the cobblestone streets in Fell’s Point is the plethora of quirky eateries in Hampden, making Baltimore a one-stop shop for every food lover. Want some seafood? LP Steamers or Thames Street Oyster House is the perfect destination. In the mood for a pit beef sandwich? Chaps Pit Beef has you covered with its generous portions and astonishing mouthwatering taste.
As one of the iconic cities in the US, Baltimore has its signature dishes that can be made even more impressive without breaking a sweat through a private chef Baltimore service.
