CENTRAL MARYLAND With fi ve scenic counties and one large city, Central Maryland features Chesapeake Bay charm—and a “choose your own adventure” experience for any visitor. Whether you’re craving arts and culture, food and drink or history and heritage, the state’s cultural crossroads have you more than covered. Eat & Drink: Five Urban Palate Pleasers Find a Real-Deal Crab House Indulge in Baltimore’s Food Boom CARROLL Westminster BALTIMORE Towson HARFORD Bel Air Some of Maryland’s best crab houses are in the Central Region, with no-frills hotspots luring locals and tourists alike for some of the meatiest bites around. Baltimore County is full of such establishments, like decades-old Ocean Pride in Lutherville, Schultz’s Crab House and Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn in Essex and Costas Inn in Dundalk. Meanwhile, in Anne Arundel County, Cantler’s Riverside Inn boasts a quintessential crab feast setting overlooking a quiet creek in Annapolis. How do you know you’re in the right place? Brown-paper-wrapped tables, wooden mallets and spicy seafood seasoning—sometimes J.O. Spice, Old Bay or a secret recipe. Charm City—a nickname to acknowledge the city’s slew of hidden gems—has quickly become one of the hottest food scenes on the East Coast, with rave reviews rolling in as local chefs shine at both chic, cheap eats and five-star fine-dining experiences. With so many options from freshly caught fish, to exotic Ethiopian to local specialties, it can be hard to decide just how to treat your tastebuds. Lucky for you that Baltimore offers market-inspired food halls, like the newly renovated Cross Street and Broad Street Markets and the modern, eclectic R. House, that let you have it all. Baltimore City HOWARD Ellicott City ANNE ARUNDEL Annapolis Feast on Farm-to-Table Meals These days, it’s easy to eat seasonally and sustainably in Maryland, as many area chefs are supporting local agriculture and hopping on the farm-to-table bandwagon. At restaurants like Foraged in Baltimore, Preserve in Annapolis, Willy’s Kitchen in Glen Burnie and Woodberry Kitchen, nearly every ingredient—from meat and dairy to produce and breads—are sourced from within the state. The Annapolis waterfront is an idyllic setting for any meal, with spectacular views and stellar people-watching along the state capital’s brick-lined streets. Locals love historic pubs along City Dock such as Middleton’s Tavern and McGarvey’s Saloon for fresh-shucked oysters and pints of cold beer, or happy hour across Spa Creek at Davis’s Pub and Boatyard Bar & Grill in the neighborhood of Eastport. Down the street, Chart House and Carrol’s Creek Café also offer more renowned options like crabcakes and rockfish at the water’s edge. Dine By the Bay Chart House, Annapolis 80 ✥ VISITMARYLAND.ORG | 1-877-209-5883 PHOTO: VISIT ANNAPOLIS && ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY Central Maryland is home to a large Korean community. To get a taste of the authentic Asian cuisine, head to Route 40 for a bevy of mouthwatering barbecue spots. Perhaps most famous is Honey Pig Restaurant in Ellicott City, open 24/7 and always buzzing with energy. Other spots like Shin Chon, also in Ellicott City, and Iron Age in Catonsville are family-friendly favorites for traditional DIY dining experiences with tabletop grills. Dig Into Barbecue Along Korean Way
Maryland Official Visitors Guide 2020 Maryland Official Visitors Guide: Page 80
