Baltimore's food scene is booming, with a growing emphasis on healthy, diverse, and sustainably sourced options. From vegan comfort food to Mediterranean seafood and traditional Greek dishes, the city offers a wide array of restaurants catering to various dietary preferences and culinary interests. This article explores some of the top healthy food restaurants in Baltimore, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to quality ingredients.
A Melting Pot of Flavors: Exploring Baltimore's Healthy Dining Options
Baltimore's dedication to healthy eating is reflected in its diverse culinary landscape. Restaurants emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative approaches to traditional dishes. OpenTable analyzes millions of diner reviews each month to identify restaurants with the best overall healthy cuisine, making it easier for diners to discover new favorites.
Vegan and Vegetarian Delights
Several restaurants in Baltimore cater specifically to vegan and vegetarian diners, offering creative and flavorful plant-based options.
Golden West: A Hampden Staple with Something for Everyone
A Hampden staple since 1997, Golden West offers American comfort food for vegans and omnivores alike, creating a welcoming environment for all. Known for its inclusive menu, Golden West prides itself on offering "Something for Everyone!" The restaurant is a popular spot for locals and tourists, ideal for first dates, after-work drinks, and birthday celebrations. Golden West started the nation's first Vegan Week and continues to champion inclusive dining.
R. Plant Forward: Egyptian and Mediterranean Cuisine
R. Plant Forward offers a gluten-free menu of Egyptian and Mediterranean dishes. The restaurant's vegan kofta is particularly popular, with customers praising its delicious flavors and textures.
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Global Cuisine with a Healthy Twist
Baltimore's culinary scene also features restaurants that offer healthy interpretations of international cuisines.
Mera Kitchen Collective: Story-Worthy Food from Around the World
Mera Kitchen Collective is a worker cooperative that serves "story-worthy food" from chefs from around the world. Located in Mt. Vernon, the restaurant offers lunch, dinner, brunch, and happy hour, with dine-in, take-out, bar service, and outdoor seating. Mera Kitchen Collective is committed to equitable access to opportunities, building community, and providing living wages. The collective operates democratically, allowing each member to strengthen their culinary expertise and have a voice in the operations. They envision their space as a vehicle to share cultures, offering dishes infused with cardamom, tangy spices, fruity baked goods, and refreshing gingery mint juices.
The Black Olive: Mediterranean Seafood in Historic Fells Point
Established in 1997, The Black Olive is a Greek fish tavern in historic Fells Point specializing in Mediterranean seafood and traditional Greek dishes. The restaurant supports organic and sustainable producers of ingredients, including wines and spirits. Signature dishes include Village Pie, Grilled Octopus, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon, Bronzini, Dover Sole, and Maine Lobster Pasta. The Black Olive has been recognized by Wine and Spirits Magazine as one of the '50 Most Amazing Wine Experiences in America.'
Cazbar: Authentic Turkish Cuisine
Cazbar, established in 2006, is Baltimore’s first and only Turkish Restaurant. It offers food, atmosphere, and entertainment in an authentic Turkish style. Cazbar serves lunch and dinner daily and Brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant offers vegan substitutions for many of its dishes upon request.
Estiatorio Plaka: A Taste of Greece in Greektown
Estiatorio Plaka, located in Baltimore's Greektown, is a must-visit for authentic Greek cuisine. The menu includes classics like spanakopita, lamb souvlaki, and grilled octopus. Adjacent to the restaurant is Plaka Bakery, offering traditional Greek desserts like baklava, loukoumades, and galaktoboureko.
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Cypriana: Authentic Cypriot Cuisine
Cypriana is committed to providing clean, house-made, and authentic Cypriot cuisine, an amalgamation of various cultures. The restaurant prides itself on creating a familial hangout environment and serving refined dishes.
Ammoora: Levantine Cuisine in a Fine-Dining Setting
Ammoora, located within the Ritz-Carlton Residences Baltimore, offers authentic Levantine cuisine in an ornate dining destination. The restaurant embraces the cultural beauty and diversity of its fare, immersing guests in an intimate fine-dining experience. The Syrian-focused menu offers unique interpretations of classic dishes.
Farm-to-Table and Locally Sourced Dining
Several Baltimore restaurants prioritize farm-to-table dining, using locally sourced ingredients to create fresh and seasonal menus.
Atwater's: Traditional Food Crafted by Hand
Since 1999, Atwater’s has been making traditional food crafted by hand. Starting as a small bakery, it has grown to include multiple Baltimore shops specializing in soup, sandwiches, salad, cheese, coffee, and more. Atwater's is committed to quality food and service, using Small Valley Milling organic wheat to make fresh bread daily. The restaurant also makes its cheese from raw milk sourced from Palmyra Farm.
True Chesapeake: Oysters and Chesapeake Bounty
True Chesapeake is a Baltimore restaurant born of an oyster farm. Executive Chef Zack Mills creates a seasonal menu that showcases oysters from their farm in St. Jerome’s Creek, Southern Maryland. The restaurant also uses locally sourced seafood, meat, and produce to create dishes that evolve with the seasons. Chef Mills is known for his use of invasive seafood species.
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Gertrude's
Gertrude's offers a Mediterranean hummus plate.
Watershed
Watershed is a classic Maryland seafood house serving some of the region’s signature dishes, including steamed hard-shell crabs.
Pizza with a Focus on Quality
Verde
From an extensive list of authentic Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, to fresh salads & homemade desserts, Verde brings the traditional flavors of Italy to the Canton neighborhood of Baltimore City.
Handmade Pasta and Sardinian Cuisine
Ristorante Daniela
Established in 2011, Ristorante Daniela serves hand made Sardinian and Italian cuisine. Every detail and part of each recipe served at the restaurant is made from complete scratch, from the pasta and sauces, to the puff pastry and creams in our delicious desserts!
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