Pair a delicious meal with a nearby activity or attraction and eat like a tourist during Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week, running January 27 – February 5, 2023.
The end of January in Baltimore can feel a little, well…quiet. Holiday activities have come and gone — The German Christmas Village, Inner Harbor Ice Rink, Miracle on 34th Street, and other holiday favorites have packed up for the season. Football is winding down, and even with the Ravens making the playoffs (yay!), there won’t be another home game at M&T Bank Stadium until the preseason rolls around in August (or a home opener at Camden Yards until April, for that matter). And let’s not forget those Baltimore winters, which can be brutal and leave us longing for the humidity we were all but cursing at in the Summer.
In spite of all that, the end of January does boast an exciting Baltimore tradition — Winter Restaurant Week. A variation on the larger Restaurant Week that takes place during the summer, Winter Restaurant Week runs January 27 – February 5, 2023, and features dining deals on multi-course, pre-fixe menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner at over 75 area establishments. This popular promotion encourages residents and visitors alike to try something new and positively supports the city’s local restaurant economy. As an added bonus, many participating restaurants are around the corner from some of the world-class attractions our city has to offer.
As you map out your Restaurant Week experience this month, why not pair a meal with an activity or attraction and make a day out of it? Whether it’s a date night, an outing for the kids, or you’re entertaining out-of-towners, keep reading to explore our suggested pairings and eat like a tourist during Baltimore Restaurant Week.
To learn more about Baltimore Restaurant Week, and explore menus from participating establishments, visit BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com.
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City Cruises + Top of The World
Talk about a meal with a view! Head to Top of the World Observatory, located on the 27th Floor of the World Trade Center, just before sunset to take in sweeping views of the city. Then walk over to board the Restaurant Week dinner cruise with City Cruises. No matter the occasion, a dinner cruise in Baltimore is sure to create an unforgettable evening. Dine and dance the night away with friends and family and soak in Baltimore skyline views. These cruises normally run $90-100 but are being offered at only $55 during Baltimore Restaurant Week!
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Miss Shirley’s Café + Port Discovery or The National Aquarium
This one’s for the kiddos! Take advantage of the delicious, award-winning, breakfast and brunch deals at Miss Shirley’s Café Inner Harbor, and then spend a fulfilling and educational afternoon at Port Discovery Children’s Museum or The National Aquarium with the family.
Cost-saving tip: Port Discovery is hosting a $5 Community Day on February 1, 2023, which happens to coincide with Winter Restaurant Week. The National Aquarium also hosts Half-Price Friday Nights, every Friday after 5 PM.
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Blackwall Hitch + Concert at Power Plant Live or Baltimore Soundstage
Plan an adventure night with friends! Grab drinks and dinner at Blackwall Hitch, and then walk over to Baltimore Soundstage or Rams Head Live for a night of live performances. During Restaurant Week, enjoy A John Waters Christmas in January on January 31 or Three Sacred Souls on January 29 at Baltimore Soundstage. Or head to Power Plant Live for the popular Emo Night Brooklyn on February 3, or G.Love & Special Sauce and Donovan Frankenreiter on February 4.
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Rusty Scupper + Federal Hill Park + Rash Field Park
Make it a date night! Head to the south side of the Inner Harbor and enjoy a romantic, sunset stroll around the newly reimagined Rash Field, then hike up the hill to the top of Federal Hill Park and take in one of our favorite views in the city. After, enjoy a picturesque, waterfront dinner at Rusty Scupper, whose pre-fixe dinner menu will feature a collection of the restaurant’s favorite signature dishes.
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Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen + Baltimore Museum of Art
Spend an afternoon wandering the galleries at the Baltimore Museum of Art then head to the ground floor to grab dinner that the Museum’s restaurant — Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen. Currently on View at the BMA is an exhibition featuring the 2022 Baker Artist Award winners, The John Waters Collection, and much more. Admission to the BMA is always free. During Restaurant Week Gertrude’s is offering a $45, three-course dinner ($60 with wine pairings). Enjoy options like Baked Wild Chesapeake Oysters, Rockfish Imperial, and Bloody Mary Jambalaya.
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The Food Market + The Ave in Hampden
Spend an afternoon shopping at the many vintage and antique shops that the iconic 36th Avenue in Hampden has to offer. From books to clothing to jewelry and furniture, there’s a quirky shop for every taste. For dinner, you’re going to want to head to The Food Market. Located on “The Ave.,” The Food Market offers awesome eats and outstanding service from Chef Chad Gauss and his talented team. During Baltimore Restaurant Week, enjoy a $45 three-course dinner featuring options like Shrimp & Corn Doughnuts, Duck Confit Gumbo, and Wagyu Meatloaf.
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Taco Mama Cantina + Fort McHenry
Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays! In fact, tacos make the perfect meal or snack for any day, at any time, and preferably, in large quantities… Anyways, if you’re as crazy about Mexican food as we are, you’ll want to check out the newly opened Taco Mama Cantina during Baltimore Restaurant Week. This vibrant, Locust Point establishment has quickly become a neighborhood fave. Enjoy the two-course lunch menus featuring house favorites like the Loco Burrito, Al Pastor Tacos, and Dos Amigos Sizzling Fajitas. After, we recommend heading over to Fort McHenry National Monument for a historic stroll to walk off that burrito belly. The Fort is best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy from the Chesapeake Bay in 1814.
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Topside + Walters Art Museum
Take in the rich arts history of the Mt. Vernon Neighborhood. Spend a late afternoon wandering the galleries at the distinctive Walters Art Museum, where you can expect to encounter a stunning array of objects, from 19th-century paintings of French country and city life to Ethiopian icons, richly illuminated Qur’ans, and Gospel books, ancient Roman sarcophagi, and images of the Buddha. Then for dinner, head around the corner to the equally historical Hotel Revival. Once a private mansion and formerly the site of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s inaugural exhibition in 1923, this 100-year-old structure (complete with original elevator) houses an incredible, top-floor restaurant — Topside —with sweeping views of central Baltimore. During Baltimore Restaurant Week, you can expect a pre-fixe dinner menu rooted in Baltimore culture. From seafood-centric dishes to season craft cocktails from expert mixologists, dining at Topside will make for a memorable evening.
To learn more about Baltimore Restaurant Week, and explore menus from participating establishments, visit BaltimoreRestaurantWeek.com
