Like the city itself, Baltimore dining is delightfully unpretentious. Restaurants here know how to stick the landing on simple comfort foods. Whether it’s a broiled crab cake along the Inner Harbor or a roadside pit beef sandwich, the town’s cuisine leans into rich, savory flavors that crave the balance of a fizzy, sweet beverage. These 12 restaurants, from local landmarks to newcomers, serve food that deserves Pepsi.
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12 Baltimore Restaurants Serving Comfort Food
Pit beef sandwiches, crab cakes, and other local favorites that pair with PEPSI®
12 Baltimore Restaurants Serving Comfort Food
Pit beef sandwiches, crab cakes, and other local favorites that pair with PEPSI®
Like the city itself, Baltimore dining is delightfully unpretentious. Restaurants here know how to stick the landing on simple comfort foods. Whether it’s a broiled crab cake along the Inner Harbor or a roadside pit beef sandwich, the town’s cuisine leans into rich, savory flavors that crave the balance of a fizzy, sweet beverage. These 12 restaurants, from local landmarks to newcomers, serve food that deserves Pepsi.
Captain James Landing
Captain James Landing in Fells Point is another one of the city’s landmark waterfront restaurants. Don’t overthink the menu — crab and seafood dishes are the stars here. Crab spanakopita is a decadent start, as are the Captain’s waffle fries, baked with crab dip and jack cheese. For a hearty main, order jumbo shrimp stuffed with creamy, baked crab imperial or the pan-seared scallops with cheddar grits.
Rochalle Stewart
Poyoteca
Poyoteca’s Peruvian rotisserie chicken hits all the right notes for a quick comfort meal. The slow-roasted meat is savory and juicy, and the skin gets a smoky char from the oven. Half, whole, and quarter chicken platters are available alongside bowls, quesadillas, wraps, and other daily specials. As far as sides go, opt for the traditional yucca fries — a perfect match to a cold Pepsi Zero Sugar.
Mt. Washington Tavern
This tavern has been a stalwart of the Mount Washington community since opening in 1979 — quite an achievement considering it was forced to completely rebuild following a catastrophic fire in 2011. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, Pepsi elevates the flavors of the menu’s comfort foods. Think: oysters Rockefeller with fennel butter and Parmesan or the Reuben sandwich stuffed with tender, 10-hour braised corned beef.
Mt. Washington Tavern
Chaps Pit Beef
Pit beef is a Baltimore classic, and Chaps has been slinging the sandwiches since 1978. The meat is cooked fast and hot over a charcoal flame, resulting in a blackened crust and pink center. The sandwich layers the thinly sliced pit beef with shaved raw white onions and tangy horseradish sauce. It’s a simple formula, one that’s made pit beef a Baltimore staple for generations.
Iron Rooster
This casual cafe has four locations throughout the state, including Annapolis, Canton, College Park, and Hunt Valley. Pepsi pairs with a range of items from its all-day breakfast menu, especially the crisp and juicy buttermilk fried chicken or rich eggs Benedict. For lunch, consider the chicken ciabatta melt or the double-patty Maryland smash burger stacked with crispy onion straws, cheddar cheese, and a kick of Old Bay aioli.
Lee Snead
THB Bagelry & Deli
This locally owned bakery is a neighborhood staple. The menu includes your typical roster of bagel breakfast sandwiches — bacon, egg and cheese, and schmears — along with a full list of hot and cold deli sandwiches. Try Mick Jagger, a three-meat-stack of corned beef, pastrami, and turkey breast topped with coleslaw and Russian dressing, served on rye bread.
Phillips Seafood
Baltimore dining doesn’t get much more iconic than a table at Phillips. The Inner Harbor landmark is a must-visit for crab. Grab a seat on the dock during the warmer months for relaxing views. Famous for its crab cakes, Philips also puts crab at the center of its menu with a cream of crab soup and decadent Chesapeake crab dip. Be sure to save room for a slice of Smith Island Cake, Maryland’s official state dessert with thin layers of yellow cake between chocolate fudge.
Moby Dick
Moby Dick is a staple for Persian kabob platters and wraps. The fast-casual restaurant punches above its weight with warm, freshly baked pitas, juicy grilled meats, and saffron-stained rice. Lunch is a great time to visit, as specials of traditional Iranian stews rotate daily. Pepsi pairs with rich and savory bagali polo: tender, braised lamb shank served on a bed of basmati rice with dill and fava beans.
Moby Dick
Nash & Smashed
First opened in Manassas, Virginia, in 2023, the restaurant’s name comes from its two staple dishes: Nashville hot chicken sandwiches and smash burgers. Sides like mac and cheese, waffle fries, and mashed potatoes round out the comfort food spread. Complement these multi-napkin dishes with Pepsi for a full meal.
Nash & Smashed
Facci Ristorante
This Baltimore location of Facci offers upscale Italian fare along the Inner Harbor. Regulars come for the house-made pastas, with favorites ranging from pappardelle bolognese to lobster-stuffed ravioli and gnocchi caprese. The half-dozen or so pizza options are great for sharing or as a main dish.
Angeli’s Pizzeria
This family-owned spot has built a loyal following for its New York-style pizza. At the original location in Little Italy, keep your order simple with a cheese or pepperoni slice or grab a special slice like the chicken diavolo, topped with spicy smoked tomato sauce, caramelized onions and pancetta. There are vegan-friendly slices and pies available on the menu, too.
Poblano Mexican Grill
For a local and halal alternative to fast-casual Mexican chains, try Poblano. Pick a protein — chicken, steak, shrimp, fish, or vegetables — as a base for hard or soft tacos, quesadillas, burritos, or tortas. The namesake Poblano Torta stacks grilled steak, sauteed onions, and poblano peppers on a soft roll with refried beans, while the generously sized burrito bowls, like the chicken version loaded with cilantro lime rice, beans, and pico de gallo, start around $12.
