Best italian restaurants in Baltimore: find options near you

Heavenly Holiday Indulgence at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop in Little Italy.

Stepping into Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop on a chilly December day in Baltimore is like walking into a warm embrace of holiday cheer. From the moment I entered, the festive atmosphere transported me to a winter wonderland of sweet aromas and cozy charm. Twinkling lights, cheerful music, and the unmistakable scent of freshly brewed coffee made it an instant respite from the cold.

I started with their peppermint latte, and let me tell you, it’s pure magic in a cup. Topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with crushed peppermint, every sip was a blissful harmony of rich coffee and holiday sweetness. It’s a seasonal dream come true and the perfect companion for a winter stroll.

The mini cannolis are, quite simply, to die for. Crisp, delicate shells encase a creamy filling that balances just the right amount of sweetness. Each bite was a little piece of heaven that had me savoring every moment. And if that wasn’t enough, the peanut butter fudge gelato is a masterpiece in itself. Velvety, indulgent, and with the perfect hint of peanut butter richness, it’s the ultimate cold treat, even on a frosty day.

The service was impeccable, quick, efficient, and delightfully friendly. Despite a bustling crowd, the staff made me feel like I was their top priority, adding to the warmth of the experience. Vaccaro’s is a holiday treasure, delivering comfort and joy with every dish. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, this gem in the heart of Baltimore’s Little Italy is a must-visit this season.

We had stopped here as we had some time to spend before a flight.

We had gotten some coffee and thought to try out Brownie Lovers.

We were shocked with the amount that was given for the prize. We thought I might come with 2 or 3 scoops of gelato, but from the pic you can see that was not the case.

And not only the quantity but the taste was also awesome. Will definitely recommend this place to come and try out.

I thoroughly enjoyed my brunch today at Vaccaro’s. Our waitress was a delight and the cannoli was to die for!

I ordered the tomato, egg, and cheese on focaccia bread. And my mum ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese.

I HIGHLY recommend the Cappuccino Vaccaro it was amazing! “Even the Italian coffee was delicious” – My mum

Fantastic food – huge, delicious mufalato and every cookie I tried was amazing. Cannoli to stuff at home held well for three days! Must go! The table service is slow, and they warn you.

Wonderful experience all around! The staff was super friendly, welcoming, and made to feel like part of the family when dining in! Some of the best Italian pastries that you’ll come across and the best in Baltimore! Highly recommend stopping by and picking up one of everything!

Made my birthday extra sweet! It was amazing! Waitress was warm and caring, I would definitely return for her service! I usually only carryout crab cakes, but this time, My Boo surprised me, and the food taste even better my drink was on point, and I left satisfied, thanks Rosario’s!

Rosario’s is a great Italian restaurant/
American cuisine! The food is cooked to order and there is something for everyone as, there is quite an extensive menu. Delicious soups, crab cakes,veal and chicken parmigiana,pizza, chicken tenders,seafood dishes, liver with onions, vegetables, and pasta dishes are a few that are available. I was at a celebration there, and a cake and cupcakes were provided by my group. Rosario’s assortment of cakes,pies etc. are in a bakery showcase,and they look like they melt in your mouth. The service was excellent and the food was amazing. Alexis was our server and she was very accommodating. We even had more space made available to the group, and the staff was polite and assisted as well. There is a private room that can be rented, and there is also a decorated wall in the hallway where guests can take pictures with each other. We definitely will dine at Rosario’s again in the near future. I heard that there is a drive through window to pick up food if desired. I will inquire about this on my next visit.
Alexis has a pleasant disposition and I hope she will be available to wait on us again.

The genuine Cavils Liver smothered in a brown gravy, shoe string onions your choice of size 2 I have the collard greens salad wow tasty I was very satisfied with my experience and my evening. Can’t wait to go back.

I like Rosario’s, the food and service are good. The manager Rob is personable. The pricing is reasonable. The atmosphere is normally good, depending on what’s happening , it can be a bit noisy. I was last there on mom’s day. Parking can be tricky if it’s crowded. However, if you wait a bit, you should be fine.

I ordered pick up and went thru the drive thru window for my food. The chicken seafood quesadilla was doo doo came sloppy in container no sour cream. Mozzarella sticks were thick and soggy and the sauce was not to my liking. Definitely not ordering again

Great neighborhood spot with some good ass food!
Popped in for their happy hour on a Wednesday afternoon, which had half price on mad food!
We wound up ordering the lamb chops macaroni and cheese, onion soup, fried fried chicken sandwich, old bay honey wings and a couple of strong poured drinks!!
Everything was delicious!
Will definitely visit again.

Usually my food is super fresh and very good. I ordered honey old Bay wings for pickup. The fries were wet and soggy because they didn’t put holes in the carton. Two orders of wings and a order of fries was $38……very pricey. The wings tasted old heavily seasoned. Yuck

Good food portion sizes. Whole table ordered something different and everyone enjoyed theirs

Food is horrible and they sold me moldy Shrimp. I contact the Manager Warren and he was rude n nasty!!! He told me the owner when the Greece for a yr and he can’t do nothing about it…… I have health problems and I will be contacting a lawyer

food is dope. service and drinks can be a hit or a miss. food is sooo affordable, big portions, worth it every time. Can get a bit noisy

Greens and spinach juice all over my stuff shrimp witch made the slogging just a mess. And I wrote a note to put them each in their own containers. Smh 90.00 dollars of mess. Crab dip big dumb pieces of bread no crab meat. Sorry I ever order.

Open 147 out of 168 hours that are in a week, only closed for 3 hours each day. Practically dependable in the same manner as a fire station or a hospital. Ambitiously large menu. Walked here right off the railroad tracks. The rail line leads right here like a pot of gold and rainbow scenario. Lovingly attentive dine in service. Hot cocoa for my darling. Tadeusz was there too. Seafood lasagna 10 out of 5 stars. 174 miles from where I live and each mile hurts like a paper cut

Ordered a cheese pizza through DoorDash. If I could give zero stars, I would. The dough was rubbery, tasted like frozen and microwaved rather than baked. I’ve had better crust from the grocery store. Lukewarm, hardly any sauce, nearly dry, cheese was minimal and just overall not good at all. A $23 lesson. Peeled the cheese off to show the missing sauce. Thumbs way down, Italiano’s. I’ve had better pizza from Little Caesar’s, which I abhor. I miss Two Boots & Hot Tomato. Completely unacceptable.

Oh I was about to say $60.12 for chicken & crab alfedro with a cheesesteak sub & half & half at 1:43 a.m., but listen though it was worth it. The cheesesteak didn’t disappoint me. Meat was cut fine, with bread freshly toasted nice and hot. The Alfredo made with the real alfredo sauce the chicken was crisp with crab meat added on top of fettuccine, the noodle was not over cooked and the sauce amount was just right. The food was excellent, however I thought the half & half would have been the hand made version but it’s was just the fountain lemonade and tea mix. Moreover, everything the customer service was great! At 1a.m. super great. I recommend.

Stopped in on way back from Maryland. Had the chicken Caesar salad with crab mean and a burger and fries! Food was amazing and so was the cake I got to go! Definitely will stop back of in the area!

Always a great meal and phenomenal service! My most recent visit was for a wine dinner and the curated wines and food pairings were a perfect match – cooked perfectly and poured perfectly!

Caprice and Cristal, did such a great job hosting the wine dinner. Very knowledgeable, friendly, and super sweet to their customers! Carrabba’s is lucky to have them!

Love coming to this location for their wine dinners. The atmosphere and staff is very welcoming and the food is delicious. Caprice and Cristal are the best wait staff.

Wanted a wholesome meal and was pleased to find this location. Robert was a great server and the food was tasty as well as quick out the kitchen. Salads were fresh and serving sizes were large. I would eat here again.

We had a small celebration of life luncheon after the funeral mass for a dear friend last week. What a great choice! Most places couldn’t accommodate us not knowing how many would attend. Carabba’s made us feel most welcome, setting our group of 21 up in the rear, somewhat secluded from the main dining area. Our fabulous server Francis could not have been any better! Very attentive, friendly, accommodating, and compassionate. Have your event or get together here, ask for Francis and you won’t be disappointed!!!

I didn’t arrive here expecting anything too fabulous…wow! was I surprised!! I just wanted something light for lunch — had the caprese salad. It was very generous and so good. The cheese in the center- rather than the usual mozzarella – was a beautiful tender burrata.
Then I got seduced into dessert by the adorable, dear and excellent server, Francis. An almond rainbow cake with a dark chocolate ganache frosting and vanilla ice cream. Quite yummy, although I would leave off the chocolate sauce!
Ask for Francis and be served well!

Everything was delicious and our waitress was wonderful. The stuffed mushrooms were absolutely delicious. My friend got Cajun shrimp and grits she loved it, the banana Puddingi ordered to take home which isn’t pictured was delectable. It was a great dining experience. Everyone was friendly and the bathroom was clean too

This place has been around for years and is still a gem in Baltimore. The interior is spacious, clean and can accommodate large groups.

The service was great! The waitresses were very friendly and experienced. The honey old bay wings were sooooo delicious! The large crab cakes were also a big hit!

Done in or out, this restaurant continues to be a staple in Baltimore with delicious food.

The parking lot is just a short walk from the entrance.

Had a Sunday afternoon, early dinner experience after 5 years, and it was just fantastic! Service was prompt, as the restaurant did not have too many people dining at that time. Ordered a bottle of Moscato that came chilled and the bread was freshly made and served with a side of tomato sauce. Main courses were ordered and were as delicious as they looked! Generous portions, and fair prices.

Restaurant has been updated since I was last here, and provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Large TV screen setup, in secondary dining area facilitated watching the scheduled football game.

Ive been supporting Valentino’s for years and it’s only gotten better it’s a Baltimore staple for date night, family/friends or late night bite .The food is always phenomenal service impeccable wait time has improved. I’ve tried almost everything on the menu, but the salmon caesar salad is impeccable.

My first time dining at Valentino’s was a delight, and undoubtedly, it won’t be my last. The quality of food, service, and ambiance left a lasting impression. My only gripe is living too far away to make eating here a weekly ritual. A solid 10 out of 10 experience.

I haven’t been to Squires in about 2 years but visited tonight for dinner with family and it was a great experience!

First the service was excellent! Our server was attentive and she checked in on us periodically but not too much. She was also quick with greeting us, bringing us our drinks and food.

Given it was a Friday night, families started to slow trickle in but the restaurant is large so it can seat many people without having to wait too long.

We ordered crab soup, buffalo pizza and seafood pizza. The soup was THICKKK. I personally didn’t like the texture as I would have preferred a more liquid consistency. However, I did appreciate the lump crab meat on top! I think it more than made up for the consistency.

The buffalo pizza lacked the buffalo sauce tang. Because of that, it tasted a little bland. I can’t say I would recommend or maybe ask for more sauce to round out the flavor.

The seafood pizza though was the star! It had pieces of crab and shrimp and the red sauce was savory and well balanced. I would highly recommend this pizza!

There is also a large parking lot with handicap spots, wheelchair ramp, and carry out parking spots.

First time at this location . We stopped in and I noticed that there was plenty of parking in the rear of the location . As we walked into the door there was the kitchen to our left and to the front of us. In order to be seated we had to walk off to the right . We were greeted by a young lady and she was polite and showed us to our seats. Once seated our server came over and asked if we were ready for our drinks . We decided to try pizza and one of the kids got the child size spaghetti. Prior to the foods arrival we got some bread . The pizza wasn’t bad and the kids ate all of it . However the spaghetti had a taste like it had too much oregano in it and gave an after taste so my one child didn’t like it . The prices were from average to high ( children’s menu is posted ) . Over all not a bad experience just wish the spaghetti would have been better .

TLDR: A Baltimore County Italian staple. Perfect for family dinners and get togethers. Don’t miss the seafood pizza!

Vibe: 5/5. Situated right on the City/County line in Dundalk, Squire’s has been in the Italian food game for decades. The restaurant is a sprawling complex, complete with ample private lot parking and seating arrangements to accommodate both groups large and small. Accessibility is also very easy, making this a perfect option for quick lunches and last minute to go orders. Inside, the restaurant shows it’s age, but in a nice way (think like a fine patina). Everything has been maintained, with clean bathrooms and dining surfaces throughout the place. Overall, Squire’s exudes a “homey” atmosphere.

Service: 5/5. The waitstaff at Squires were fantastic from start to finish. My table of 5 was seated immediately by the hostess for our 6pm Friday dinner (restaurant was busy). Our waitress came over immediately and began taking drink orders. Both food and drinks came out very quickly after ordering and we never had a problem with refills. Extra brownie points for providing a pitcher of iced tea without us asking for some extra thirsty members of the table.

Food: 5/5. Simple yet tasty American Italian fare with some Maryland twists. For dinner, we ordered the seafood pizza, buffalo pizza, calamari and a few cups of cream of crab and 50/50 (cream and crab and MD Crab). The soups were fantastic, with backfin lump clusters gracing the top of each cup. The calamari was perfectly fried and generous in portion size. But the pièce de résistance was certainly the pizza. Squire’s is notable for their crispy yet hearty pies, which are thicker than thin crust/ NYC style but much thinner than sicilian. Both the buffalo and seafood pizza were perfectly baked to a golden brown and generous in toppings. If we had to pick a favorite, the seafood pie would take best in show, as the delicate flavors of the shrimp and crab toppings played wonderfully with the spicy seafood based red sauce and mozz cheese. Overall, Squire’s is a solid go to pick for some honest, Maryland Italian eats!

The best espresso martini of my life! Pizza and veal was amazing, cute date night and lunch spot with amazing staff and menu

Can’t be in Dundalk (Baltimore) and not stop by the famous Squire’s….food and drinks were top notch and service was great as well. We got the $5 margaritas, pepperoni, cheese, and squires special pizza’s. Can’t wait to go back!

Stopped in for the first time to try one of these legendary sandwiches and found so much more. While I waited for my sandwich, I strolled thru the store and all the amazing products that were available. I really want to stop back and eat in the little bistro then a little shop around the store. I took my sandwich home and it was absolutely delish. One of the best Italian subs I have ever had. That crunchy bread, the meats and the toppings were just right. I will surely be back!

This is one of our favorite restaurants in Baltimore and we usually eat here once or twice a month on Saturday. It can be very busy but we never mind waiting for a table. It is all worth the wait since the food is so good. Today, three of us had lunch here. The spicy lentil soup, the wedding soup, pasta with clams, old Italian world sandwich, seafood salad and other specialties made there were just delicious. Make sure to leave room for dessert. The cannolis, gelatos and other treats are so tasty.

For food, you won’t find anything better. As an Italian grocer? It’s okay but limited. Very crowded store space as well as foot traffic.
My oldest son had the santino sandwich which is prosciutto and mozzarella. He said it was the best sandwich he’s ever had. My youngest son had the pepperoni calzone. He couldn’t stop raving about it. I tried the pasta fagioli and it was okay. Traditional recipe, but I prefer ground beef or sausage along with red kidney beans as well as Great Northern.

As a restaurant, I can’t say enough positive things about it. As an Italian grocery store? It’s okay. We prefer The Italian Store in Arlington for Italian groceries.

This was definitely worth the hour drive and highly recommend.

Stopped in to grab lunch on my way home from Baltimore. Got the Jersey Boy: a chicken cutlet with fresh mozzarella and roasted peppers. The bread is awesome, and the cutlets were near perfect (thin, great breading, well seasoned). A really great variety of sandwiches, prepared foods, pizzas, Italian pastry, etc. Staff was helpful, and everything was ready quickly. Definitely worth a visit if you are in Baltimore.

It was busy and crowded on the weekends, but if you were ordering food to go, then the wait was like 15 to 20 minutes to get your food and longer for a table.
I liked the meatball sandwich the best. The cold cut sandwich was ok.
It’s a great place to get all your Italian specialty items that aren’t in stores.

Had a great experience!! First of all, the side salad is the best I’ve ever had, hands down . It was perfect. Texture, taste, ingredients, dressing… perfect. I got the “Tour of Chiapparelli’s” with the Eggplant Parmesan, Fettuccine, and Meat Lasagna. All were very good, but the Fettuccine ranks among my favorites . My next visit I’ll probably just get the Fettuccine entree but it was fun to try the variety. I also tried the Gnocchi Bolognese that someone in my party ordered, and it was decent. The sauce was spectacular but the gnocchi was a little too tough for me. The other entree ordered, I believe it was the Chicken Louie, was great! The chicken was a little dry, but all of the other aspects of the meal (spinach, artichokes, peppers) were perfect. The bread was good by itself . I wish there was a dipping sauce but we made our own with the oil and Parmesan, which elevated the bread to delicious. Our server was good, not as attentive as we would have liked, but friendly and helpful ‍ . Also, the restaurant was beautifully designed for the holidays and very clean .

So, overall:
Bread – 8.1
Salad – 9.7
Tour of Chiapparelli’s – 8.5
Gnocchi Bolognese – 8.2
Chicken Louie – 8.4
Service – 8
Environment – 9
Total – 8.5/10 ⭐️

We stopped in Chiapparelli’s, a long time staple in Baltimore’s Little Italy. We were not disappointed all of the dishes were solid such as the fried mozzarella, Alfredo,Garlic Bread, and Pasta dishes. The Chip Salad also was a great accompaniment. Finally, the service and atmosphere were great and the cost was reasonable. If you are in the area I recommend giving Chiapparelli’s a stop.

Went here last minute with some friends. I normally and not super excited about Italian food, but I definitely would come back here. The salad was probably the best house salad I’ve ever had. Perfectly tossed. My pasta was also delicious, and after all the bread and salad I could only eat half. A great spot in Little Italy.

We arrived on a Sunday for lunch to any empty restaurant. My step mom and her brother have been coming here for years and swear by it. We arrived and we were discussing how their menu works, which we knew pizza was only served at lunch, not dinner. We were shocked to find out that Sundays have a dinner menu only and no pizza is made on Sundays. I checked their website to see if any of that was listed, which it’s not. It was also no where on the menu or signage. The salad that comes with each entree was entirely iceberg lettuce, which would’ve been a bit better had it had some more hearty lettuce varieties. The dressing on it was amazing. I was not amazed with the fried mozzarella as it had a weird after taste, same for the cheese ravioli. But the penne alla vodka was delicious. Overall, decent experience but for how many italian restaurants are in Baltimore now, they may want to change some stuff up.

Went to dinner at a little Italian restaurant in the Little Italy section of Baltimore tonight. I had some mozzarella sticks and fried calamari to start, then had the lasagna for my meal and finished it off with some cheesecake for dessert. Not a bad little restaurant. I highly recommend the lasagna. It was delicious.

Review for Angelies Pizzeria

I had one of the worst dining experiences at Angelies Pizzeria. We ordered a four-cheese pizza, expecting a rich, flavorful blend of cheeses. Instead, we were hit with a foul smell that made it impossible to eat. Out of a group of eight people, we couldn’t even get through two slices combined — it was that bad.

When we raised our concerns with the server, hoping for a solution, we were met with complete indifference. Her response? “There’s nothing I can do because the pizza is already made.” No offer to remake it, no apology, just a total lack of care for customer satisfaction.

This experience was disappointing from start to finish. If you value your taste buds (and customer service), I’d strongly recommend looking elsewhere for pizza. Angelies Pizzeria is a hard pass for me.

Excellent food. The perfect pizza crust. The spicy tomato sauce is delicious (a little spicy if you have tame taste buds). The service was great, and they went above and beyond for our kiddos.

Everything was delicious, the Sangria & espresso martini was top tier, & the atmosphere was cozy. Definitely would recommend to a friend

This is their best location for pizza. Possibly the best pizza I’ve had in the city.

Where they fell flat was their “Alfredo fettuccine Angeli’s” years ago my family had the best fettuccine at this same location and I thought this was that.

This was just red sauce with a little bit of Alfredo. Disgusting and disappointing for me since I only like red sauce on pizza.

No need to have your own take on a basic dish. I’d be back for the pizza but I’ll skip the pasta going forward.

Side note I brought the pasta home to get my family’s opinion and so far we’ve all had the same reaction.

Another great pizza place with good atmosphere and service. The Della Carne pizza was full of flavor and the large was way more than we could eat. Made a good late night snack later. Would definitely recommend.