Inspired by Parisian bars where Hemingway or F. Scott Fitzgerald might have imbibed, this dimly lit cocktail haven above a Belgian beer hall is already seeing wait lists. Sit at the bar or at one of the communal tables lit by crystal chandeliers and sip on its literature-inspired boozy concoctions (many served with swank, hand-cut ice) while sharing plates of lamb meatballs or fried oyster and bacon skewers.

For years, locals have been waiting in lines at farmers markets to score one of Blacksauce’s decadent biscuit breakfast sandwiches. With a new Thursday-only brick-and-mortar, people are making weekly pilgrimages to this simple lunch counter for brisket fried rice, smoked shrimp and pickled okra fritters, and thick slices of chocolate stout cake. Almost the entire menu changes weekly, but it’s posted every Thursday morning on Instagram, for those who like to plan.

Opened in what has been largely considered a food desert, this proud neighborhood spot has become an oasis for nearby residents and a worthy destination for everyone else thanks to the much-lauded hickory-smoked chicken, sauce-laden ribs, and hearty brisket burnt ends. At the no-frills but tastefully decorated spot, order at the counter and grab a seat with fellow barbecue fans as you bond over plates of smoked meat and cups of sweet tea.

Named for Ida B. Wells, the famous black journalist who tackled civil rights issues in the early 1900s, this breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot serves up modern interpretations of locally sourced soul food. Chef David Thomas’s catfish, Native American fry bread tacos, fried chicken, and octopus po’ boy sliders are some of the more talked-about plates, while the standout cocktail program doesn’t just list ingredients, but also the bold flavor profiles of its creations.

Hall of Fame mountain biker Marla Streb and her husband Mark Fitzgerald opened this amalgamation of a bike shop, coffee counter, pizza-and-sandwich shop, and craft beer-and-cocktail bar after deciding they liked all of those things equally. And given the response, they’re not alone. In the summer you’ll find the casual, open-air space filled with bikers taking a break for a cold beer and wood-fired pizza, while in the winter it’s an enclosed escape from the elements with big burritos and time to eye up your next bike purchase.

When it was announced that former head chef of the revered Cinghiale Julian Marucci would be leading the kitchen in this new Italian restaurant, local food lovers instantly took note. And since opening, the Harbor East restaurant has been racking up accolades. Inside, patrons can expect to dine on plates of homemade pasta, like the squid ink campanelle with blue crab and sea urchin, over the sounds of nightly live piano. Or on warmer nights, they can sit outdoors with spoons of king salmon crudo and wine from the 1,000-plus bottle list.

Baltimore city is buzzing about this opulent space on the 29th floor of the Four Seasons. Opened by the Atlas Restaurant Group as part of its growing roster of highly touted Harbor East spots, the Bygone is an homage to the Roaring ’20s’ reputation for over-the-top indulgence. Pick from Maryland’s largest whiskey selection or a bottle of wine from the 30-page list and dine on the likes of lobster Newburg, duck flambé, and caviar while overlooking one of the best — if not the best — views of the harbor.

Located in the stunning new Sagamore Pendry hotel, this contemporary Italian chophouse looks out over Fell’s Point’s cobbled streets as diners enjoy Caesar salads prepared tableside, handmade pasta, and 28-day dry-aged steaks. James Beard award-winning chef Andrew Carmellini leads the kitchen, his work elevated by the restaurant’s attention to service and its instant-classic setting complete with iron light fixtures, tufted banquette seating, tableside brass lamps, and marble bar.

James Beard award-winner Andrew Carmellini is also behind this culinary accompaniment to the brand-new Sagamore Spirit rye distillery next door. Rye Street has become the first true hot spot in the soon-to-be re-developed Port Covington neighborhood. A copper-accented bar prominently displays bottles of Sagamore whiskey, while a fireplace and stuffed bison head give the space a stylish lodge vibe. The menu — which draws inspiration from mid-Atlantic-meets-Americana dishes such as fried chicken, wood-grilled seafood, steak, seafood bakes, and a daily blue crab preparation — has garnered gushing reviews.