Clavel is a mexican restaurant in Hampden, Baltimore.
Clavel in Hampden is Carlos Raba's Sinaloa-rooted mezcaleria, where tacos sit on nixtamalized corn tortillas and the bar runs deep on mezcal.
Signature dishes: Tacos al pastor, Ceviche, Mezcal flights
Must order: Tacos on the house-nixtamalized tortillas with a mezcal flight to match.
Tip: No reservations for small parties; the line moves fastest if you arrive right at open or late in the evening.
Address: 225 West 23rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21211
The Food Market anchors Hampden's Avenue, where chef Chad Gauss turns out playful New American plates and his well-known Amish soft pretzels.
Signature: Amish soft pretzels, Crispy oysters, New American plates
Order: The Amish soft pretzels to start, then whatever seafood is running that night.
Tip: Brunch on The Avenue is busy; reserve, and ask for a booth away from the open door.
Gertrude's sits inside the Baltimore Museum of Art, where founder John Shields cooks the Chesapeake canon of crab cake and Maryland crab soup.
Signature: Crab cake, Maryland crab soup, Fried oysters
Order: The crab cake, plus a cup of the Maryland crab soup loaded with vegetables.
Tip: Lunch on the terrace overlooking the BMA sculpture garden is the quietest, prettiest seat in the house.
The Helmand on Charles Street has cooked Afghan food in Mount Vernon since 1989, known for its kaddo borawni baby pumpkin and aushak dumplings.
Signature: Kaddo borawni, Aushak, Lamb kebab
Order: Start with the kaddo borawni; few first courses in the city are as well-loved.
Tip: It is a Mount Vernon institution and books up on weekends; reserve ahead for dinner.
NiHao on Boston Street in Canton is chef Peter Chang's Baltimore room, plating Peking duck, dim sum and dumplings in a busy waterfront rowhouse.
Signature: Peking duck, Dim sum, Dumplings
Order: The Peking duck and a spread of dumplings and dim sum.
Tip: Weekend dim sum brunch is the move; reserve, because the rowhouse seats fill fast.
The Food Market anchors Hampden's Avenue, where chef Chad Gauss turns out playful New American plates and his well-known Amish soft pretzels.
Signature: Amish soft pretzels, Crispy oysters, New American plates
Order: The Amish soft pretzels to start, then whatever seafood is running that night.
Tip: Brunch on The Avenue is busy; reserve, and ask for a booth away from the open door.
Little Donna's in Upper Fells Point is Robbie Tutlewski's Eastern European kitchen, on the New York Times best list for its pierogies and tavern pie.
Signature: Pierogies, Tavern pie, Shrimp toast
Order: The pierogies and the tavern pie, with a side of tomato hot honey for dipping.
Tip: It is small and reservations vanish fast; the bar seats are walk-in and worth the wait.
The Dara in Fells Point is chef Jeff Wannapithipat's Thai room, drawing crowds for khao soi and Hatyai-style fried chicken on South Wolfe Street.
Signature: Khao soi, Hatyai fried chicken, Curries
Order: The khao soi and the Hatyai fried chicken.
Tip: Much of the menu is gluten-free; ask the kitchen to flag the dishes that are not.
