Baltimore’s dining scene looks different than it did when the city hosted its first Restaurant Week in July 2006. Back then, you could order three courses for $30, and some of the city’s top eateries were slammed. Twenty years later, prices are up, and many of this year’s participants have opened within the past two years, though an impressive handful have been participating since the beginning (I’m looking at you, Tio Pepe).
Whether you eat out all the time or it’s been way too long, consider this an excuse to reacquaint yourself with the city’s ever-evolving food landscape. Starting Friday, look for discounted three-course menus at some of the following new — or at least, newish — places that opened either earlier this year or in 2025.
Urbano Mexican Fare
- 2425 Rye St.
After opening earlier this month, Urbano Mexican Fare wants to lure Baltimore diners to Baltimore Peninsula with a Restaurant Week menu that also happens to be one of the most economical choices. For $35, you’ll get three courses with entrees that include a half chicken served with fried plantains and churros or tres leches cake for dessert.
Nora Blú
- 1225 Cathedral St.
Mediterranean dishes get a Charm City twist at Midtown’s new Nora Blú, where the $55 restaurant week menu includes options like crab and falafel, saffron risotto with crab, and cheesecake with pistachio crumble.
Seppia
- 901 W. 36th St.
What do you mean you haven’t been to Seppia yet? Fix that presto by stopping by the two-story Hampden trattoria, where the $45, three-course menu includes apps like tuna ‘nduja on toast plus entrees options such as squid ink spaghetti alla chitarra. The restaurant, which opened in spring, is another triumph from the owners of La Cuchara, which, alas, is still several months away from reopening after suffering a fire in January.
The Nest
- 21 N. Eutaw St.
Chef Loic Sany hasn’t yet posted the Restaurant Week menu for The Nest, his freshly launched speakeasy above downtown’s Jerk at Night, but look for Cameroonian influences and fine-dining flair. I’m eager to try Sany’s black pepper cheesecake, which he told The Banner this summer is inspired by the savory desserts at The Inn at Little Washington, where he once worked.
Oleum Vegan Kitchen
- 701 S. Bond St.
Vegan food doesn’t have to taste so… vegan. That’s the lesson learned after a meal at Alisha Adibe‘s plant-based restaurant, which means “oil” in Latin. The concept started as a ghost kitchen in Little Italy before relocating to Harborplace and last year, its forever home in Fells Point in the former Bondhouse Kitchen. Its Restaurant Week menu hasn’t been posted yet, but here’s a fun fact to discuss over dinner: The restaurant’s plant-based “steak” was recently recognized by PETA.
Pink Flamingo
- 300 W. 30th St.
You can drink your dessert at Pink Flamingo, which is a fitting option at the spot named a James Beard semifinalist for best new bar this year. The tropical rum bar in the former Dizz space is serving up a three-course meal for $45 that lets you sample their take on island cuisine, including a drool-worthy rockfish escovitch. Wrap things up with your choice of rum cake, panna cotta or an espresso martini. Cheers.
Luna Oaxaca
- 1 Village Square
The elevated Mexican eatery made a picturesque and family-friendly addition to the Village at Cross Keys when it opened last year. Their $45 Restaurant Week menu features comforting classics like taquitos and queso fundido as well as harder-to-find specialties such as salmon a la Veracruzana. Add suggested cocktail pairings for $12 or select bottles of wine for $20.
Midlina
- 2206 Boston St.
The eccentric Canton eatery has received some mixed reviews since opening last year, but Restaurant Week is as good a time as any to come up with your own opinion. Midlina’s three-course, $55 menu offers some of the more luxe-sounding entree options I’ve seen, including a whole branzino served with roasted potatoes and olive tapenade.
Papillons Cocoon
- 10 N. Calvert St.
Lavender-infused crème brûlée is always a good idea, and it’s on the Restaurant Week menu at Papillons Cocoon, which opened downtown last summer. To start, try out classic options like a chilled shrimp cocktail before moving onto heartier entrees such as braised short ribs and chicken fricassee.
Blancos Kitchen & Kocktails
- 413 N. Charles St
I am a lady who lunches, which is to say, I love lunch. So I’m drooling over the $25 two-course meal on offer at Blancos, which opened in Mount Vernon last year. The only problem is deciding between a softshell crab BLT, shrimp salad sandwich and jerk lamb cheesesteak on coco bread. Follow it up with turtle cheesesteak and roll me back to the office.
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