The Black Olive, located in the heart of old Baltimore's maritime district, is perhaps one of the best seafood restaurants in the city. Only the freshest fish are displayed in The Black Olive's case, and guests can choose anything from locally caught rockfish to more exotic fare. Selections are then grilled to perfection, filleted at table side and served with the house's amazing Mediterranean-style sauces.

Located in the historic but funky Fells Point neighborhood, Kali's Court brings a Greek sensibility to traditional Maryland seafood favorites; there's Orzo pasta floating in the crab soup, for example. With its high-ceilings and darkly polished furnishings, this fine restaurant has a casual elegance that makes it as appropriate for a romantic evening as well as for a friendly night out. Kali's also boasts a lovely brick courtyard for al fresco dining, but be sure to call ahead and reserve a table.

Located in the charming and centrally located Charles Village neighborhood, this relaxed, casual restaurant serves up first-rate, yet moderately priced, Korean and Japanese cuisine. Take a seat at the sushi bar and feast on fresh tuna, salmon and mackerel, or find a quiet booth and enjoy the delicious hot dishes. The bibimbap, a bowl of rice, mixed vegetables and meat, with a fried egg on top, is comfort food at its best. The understated Asian décor and fresh flowers add to the tranquil atmosphere.

Imagine a parallel universe in which a chrome-plated, 1950s era American diner somehow collided with a first rate Indian restaurant. Furthermore, imagine that nothing was damaged and the only thing to get mixed up was the menu. The result would be something like this friendly neighborhood eatery. Located in the middle of the city, Tamber's offers cheeseburgers and eggs, as well as Tandoori Chicken and Rogin Josh. Everything is perfectly cooked and moderately priced. The crab cake sandwich is one of the best bargains in town.

This small, somewhat eccentric café is a local favorite. The décor is certainly part of the café's charm- bright primary colors abound, the thrift store furniture is mismatched; mannequins, dolls and other toys decorate the window sills, walls and even the ceiling. But it's the food that keeps the locals coming back. It's a terrific blend of traditional home cooking and lighter vegetarian fare. The French toast (served all day) is one of the city's treasures.

Set in the heart of mid-town's busy Mount Vernon neighborhood, this quiet, softly lit oasis of a restaurant is the perfect place to restore yourself with a savory lunch or unwind with a hearty dinner. The décor is muted, the furnishings solid, the staff mature and sure-footed and the traditional Indian cuisine- Sagwala, Makhani, Pulao are simply perfect. All the elements combine to make a visitor feel comfortable and relaxed. The lunch buffet is one of the city's best bargains.

This Charles Street establishment, set in an opulent row house just north of downtown, boasts great food and a great bar. The downstairs bar features scores of micro-brews from around the region and the country. It's a grotto-like space, perfect for intimate conversation and very popular with Baltimore's young professionals. The upstairs restaurant, with its marble fireplaces and raftered ceilings, is cozy and warm, and offers fare that's both hearty and inventive. The Saffron Ravioli should not be missed.

There is an informal tradition among Baltimore waitresses to address customers as 'Hon' (pronounced to rhyme with 'bun.') Over the years, the term has come to symbolize the town's casual hospitality` and as such, it suits this friendly café perfectly. Located in Hampden, it has the ambiance of a suburban kitchen circa 1955, and the menu fits the décor just right. Dishes like Four Cheese Lasagna and 'Much Better Than Mom's' Meatloaf are guaranteed to stick to your ribs, and the Crab cake Platter does Baltimore proud.

Baltimore is a patchwork of vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, and one of the most delightful ways they celebrate their different heritages is through their restaurants. Ikaros, located in East Baltimore's Greek enclave is one of the best of these. For years, this quietly elegant establishment, with its cool white walls and darkly polished furnishings, has been serving some of the most sumptuous meals in town. The seafood, wrapped in phyllo sheets, is both delicate and savory, and the Moussaka is simply the stuff of legend.

In an ideal world, every neighborhood would have a tavern like this. Set in a lovely old two-story home on a quiet tree-lined street, its two wood-paneled bars brim with hospitality, and its two dining rooms, an intimate non-smoking room with bare stone walls and a larger room designed like an indoor gazebo serve first-rate meals. The bars offer a buffet from 5pm-7pm weekdays and the kitchen's seafood specialties, such as Mahi-mahi topped with Lump Crab meat are both creative and flavorful.