These 5 Baltimore Restaurants Deserve Michelin Stars

The famed Michelin Guide and its sought-after Stars have yet to enter the Baltimore area, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any restaurants worthy of the accolades.

Michelin has only produced guides in six U.S. cities/states, awarding their coveted Stars to over 1,500 establishments. That being said, there are other culinary awards to earn that are well worth their salt, including the James Beard Award — and Baltimore is lucky to have five restaurants that have been given those honors.

The James Beard Award is presented throughout the United States, with awards going to restaurants that demonstrate inclusive kitchens, positive values, and culinary prowess. James Beard also looks for a strong sense of direction in the food and restaurant environment. Categories include regional “best chef” and regional “outstanding chef.” There are also awards for hospitality and “best new restaurant,” among many others. (Here’s a look at the top seafood restaurant in every state .)

So, while Michelin has yet to enter the Baltimore market, James Beard has recognized that the city has some outstanding restaurants. Here are five Baltimore restaurants with James Beard nominations that Michelin should consider if they ever head to Baltimore.

Ekiben

Ekiben is an Asian fusion restaurant that uses locally sourced, seasonal ingredients in its recipes. The restaurant is led by chef Steve Chu. Chu made it into the semifinals for the 2023 James Beard regional “best chef” category. Ekiben has multiple locations, including Fells Point, Hampden, and South Baltimore. The restaurant made it to Yelp’s “100 best places to eat in the U.S.” list (via Baltimore Business Journal ). Overall, it has received lots of support from the local community, hence the numerous locations.

Their menu is pretty straightforward, with buns and bowls being the two main food groups. Meat fillings include Thai chicken meatballs in black peppercorn sauce, pho-spiced braised beef, and Taiwanese curry fried chicken. There’s also tofu with spicy peanut sauce and seared ancho chile pork. Their bowl-only offering includes crispy catfish or crispy shrimp with roasted garlic. Sides include house-made sauces, seasonal slaw, and pickles. These dishes are served over rice. Nomastic Foods named Ekiben the “best rice bowls and steamed buns in Baltimore.”

Foraged

Foraged was listed in the 2023 James Beard Awards . Its chef, Chris Amendola, was up for the regional “best chef” category. Foraged is inspired by the local ingredients available in the Maryland region. Amendola is known for his love of the woods and the process of foraging. Hand-foraged materials from the outdoors combined with creative cuisine choices result in the seasonal menu at Baltimore’s Foraged. This natural farm-to-table experience is well worth a visit! Let’s take a look at the menu that’s had such a response in the culinary world.

It’s important to note that this restaurant’s menu changes very frequently. As such, you should check their website for the most current offerings. A sample menu from August 2024 includes the option to choose from a variety of pig parts to eat. These include pig ears, pork belly, liver mousse, and pig cheek. The restaurant offers other dishes for those who aren’t looking for something on the more exotic side. These other options include wild catfish (pictured), roasted pork loin, chicken, risotto, and scallops.

Charleston

Charleston first opened in 1997, guided by the team of Tony Foreman and chef Cindy Wolf, who has received 13 nominations for the James Beard regional “best chef” category, and one “outstanding chef” nomination in 2022. In 2023, Charleston made it on the shortlist for James Beard’s “outstanding hospitality” award. Charleston has received the four-diamond award from AAA, and four stars from Forbes Magazine. They have a Zagat for their food service and décor and a Washington Post Restaurant Hall of Fame shoutout. Let’s check out their menu , which changes seasonally to provide the freshest ingredients.

Wolf’s cooking has roots in the Southern and French styles. Starters include ossetra caviar with chives and crème fraîche, lobster soup with curry, and butternut squash and sausage soup. Try their cornmeal fried oysters, steak tartare, or zucchini beignets, along with several very fresh and delicate salad options. Mains include white truffle fettuccine, braised lamb neck lasagna, and grilled octopus (pictured). There’s also wild mushroom risotto, lobster ravioli, and shrimp and grits.

For still-heartier dishes, try the wild rockfish, roasted beef tenderloin, or the grilled lamb rack chop. Desserts feature a winter walnut cake, traditional opera cake, and a chocolate mousse, among other options. No wonder it’s deserving of a Michelin Star!

Clavel Mezcaleria

Clavel Mezcaleria chef Carlos Raba was up for the 2022 James Beard nomination for regional “best chef” (via Eater ). This family-owned-and-ran taqueria is located in the Remington district, very central to the city of Baltimore. With rave reviews from the culinary scene and lots of community support, this eatery absolutely deserves consideration for a Michelin Star. Or, at least a Bib Gourmand rating! Clavel Mezcaleria’s menu takes inspiration from the cuisine of the Sinaloa province of Mexico. They craft their tortilla offerings by hand with corn imported from Oaxaca and Puebla. Also, their cocktail menu is crafted by Mezcal experts. The bar program has two separate nominations for a James Beard Award in the “outstanding bar” category.

Pick from a menu centered around options for ceviche dishes, tacos, quesadillas, and more. Try their aguachile ceviche with butterflied shrimp in lime juice, or sinaloense, another wild shrimp dish with chiles, cucumber, avocado, and sunflower mayonesa. There’s salmon crudo, and atun con pina with Ahi tuna. Sample their barbacoa, carne de res, or carnitas con salsa verde tacos. Pair these with house-pickled jalepeños, mayocoba beans with lard and chorizo, or black beans with roasted poblano peppers. And finally, they have classic flan, trés leches cake, and an array of Mezcal cocktails.

NiHao

NiHao , a contemporary Chinese restaurant, was up for the James Beard “ best new restaurant ” award in 2022. It is led by Chef Peter Chang, an expert in Szechuan cuisine who has made quite a name for himself in the culinary world. Trained in Wuhan, Chang’s accolades include cooking for the previous Chinese president and working as a chef at the Chinese Embassy located in Washington, D.C. NiHao opened in 2020 in the Baltimore district of Canton and has since remained a city favorite.

Enjoy dim sum, fish, seafood, meat, vegan, and vegetarian menu options . Some of the chef’s recommendations are a great try, like the Peking duck or the spicy lamb chop. Dim sum options include pork dumplings, duck spring rolls, pork belly buns, and veggie dumplings. Try their puffy beef country steak, stir-fried beef tenderloin, crispy jumbo shrimp, or black pepper scallops.

Noodle lovers should try the restaurant’s Lo Mein. For vegan diners, the signature mapo tofu, garden mix stir fry, and dry-fried cauliflower are some great options to consider. Of course, you can’t forget about dessert. NiHao offers black sesame egg yolk bao, sticky rice, and fried banana for the end of your meal. (Here’s the must-visit restaurant in every state .)

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