Alex Eisler is a Training and Technical Assistance Manager and freelance writes for Baltimore’s City Paper as a restaurant reviewer. You can find her eating at (and sometimes writing about) many of Baltimore’s great food and drink establishments from comfort food to the exotic. Shanise Taylor is an Administrative and Executive Coordinator and is a restaurant reviewing Yelp Elite.  When she’s not out discovering new eats and drinks in Baltimore, she can be caught extolling the virtues of Maryland seafood.

Since both Shanise and Alex have lots of experience navigating Baltimore’s food scene, we asked them to share their top recommendations for places to eat in Baltimore. Here is what they had to say.

Birroteca
Nickel Taphouse
Both Birroteca and Nickel Taphouse are beyond walking distance from the conference, but each are well worth the trek and excellent for groups. A few months ago, Healthy Teen Network staff enjoyed a group dinner at Birroteca, a new-ish destination in Baltimore’s Italian food scene  and it was incredible. The large dining room offered us a comfortable space to spread out and enjoy a wide variety of dishes for everyone from the the super picky to the more adventurous. We love, love, love the crisp Brussel sprouts with coppa (fancy sausage) and black garlic aioli. We can always go for the fresh pastas (gluten-free on request!), as well as the oven-fired pizza. If we had to choose a fave pizza, it’d be the Duck, Duck, Goose. Don’t be alarmed when it looks like your cabbie is dropping you off in an industrial area—Birroteca is halfway between two charming neighborhoods, Hampden and Woodberry, and is nice and quiet.

Nickel Taphouse, owned by the same folks, prides itself on its twists on American classics. Don’t shy away from retro dishes like the deviled eggs (with bacon jam, no less), iceberg salad, and the pimento cheese spread. For the veggie lovers out there, despite being omnivores ourselves, we’d absolutely get the red lentil and mushroom burger with no regrets. But, since you’re in Baltimore, you can’t go wrong with the crab cake, done perfectly here.

B&O
Full disclosure: Head Barman, Brendan Dorr, is engaged to Alex! That said, B&O American Brasserie was just named Baltimore’s Best Swanky Bar (but don’t feel like you have dress up to come visit). Located on the same city block as the Lord Baltimore Hotel, B&O is a must-do for cocktails and well-executed classic small plates and entrees. We love the grilled piggy and homemade beef jerky. We’re also into their veggies from the brick oven along with their crispy pizzas. Chef Ransom is no slouch on the charcuterie front either—it is presented as a low-key board of various pates, slices of meat, and fresh, crispy pickles.

Thames Street Oyster House
This little gem is located right on the water in Fells Point with a killer view and a beautiful bar. (Of note, it sits across from the Recreation Pier Building where Homicide: Life on the Street and Step Up were filmed.) As you’d expect, we recommend the oysters and the variety of mignonettes, from the fruity to the savory. Don’t miss the Thames Street Seafood Salad, which delivers a hearty pile of crab, shrimp, calamari, and scallops. This dish is bright and filling, but make sure to share! If you’ve got a weak spot for ooey-gooey cheesy business, you should try the lobster mac n’ cheese, which comes with a crunchy top and is piled high in a cast iron pot.

Dooby’s
Sugarvale
These two joints are owned by the same Baltimore native and located around the corner from one another. Dooby’s offers a full menu all day. Highlights for us include the Korean BBQ cheesesteak, a well-balanced Asian-American spin on the Philly classic. Our hearts melt for the steamed pork buns which come three to an order—fluffy, savory, and perfectly sauced. We could make these our whole dinner! Dooby’s is also a delightful coffee/breakfast/lunch destination if you need a pick me up.

Sugarvale, around the corner on Madison Street, is a small, well-appointed cocktail bar offering house-made cured meats and savory snacks.

Kumari
Indigma
Kumari and Indigma stand out in Baltimore’s Indian and Pakistani scene. Kumai’s lunch buffet may be one of our favorites in the city and sits nestled in an unassuming space you might just otherwise pass by. We’re huge fans of their staples dishes like saag paneer and chicken tikka masala.

Indigma, on the other hand, has a regal position a block from the Washington Monument and is housed in a grand townhome mansion with high ceilings, plaster moldings, and chandeliers. You can’t go wrong on their menu, and when they say “hot”…they mean it! But not everything is super spicy; they cater to a broad range of taste buds. We love their almond chicken that balances savory with sweet, using wine, dried fruit, and robust seasonings. The lamb vindaloo is hearty and comes in a substantial portion.

We love Baltimore’s food scene, and these reviews just scratch the surface. Also try out a few of these below if you’re looking for more options:

• The French Kitchen
• Waterfront Hotel
• Minato
• Grano
• Le Garage
• Ryleigh’s
• Family Meal
• Barcocina

If you see Alex or Shanise around conference, don’t be shy—put the “ask me” feature on their conference badges to good use and ask for more recommendations for great Charm City eating.