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Baltimore's "alternative" spot for high-end coffee drinks and good conversation, The Daily Grind serves up plenty of chic and funky ambience with its pricey coffee drinks and luscious munchies. The hipper branch is located in charming, bustling Fells Point, and there's a suburban branch in upscale Roland Park. Pink-haired teen or soccer mom, loyal patrons go out of their way to sip their lattes in a place teeming with local color, happily eschewing the soulless mega-chain competition. Several different joes are brewed each day (decaf and regular, of course) and the fresh pastries are generous and delicious, though not inexpensive. There's also a selection of smoothies. Both locations support Baltimore artists by displaying their work. In good weather, the Fells Point branch has outside tables with a view of the water where you might event catch a glimpse of a tall ship. -- Melissa Nurczynski

Baltimore's "alternative" spot for high-end coffee drinks and good conversation, The Daily Grind serves up plenty of chic and funky ambience with its pricey coffee drinks and luscious munchies. The hipper branch is located in charming, bustling Fells Point, and there's a suburban branch in upscale Roland Park. Pink-haired teen or soccer mom, loyal patrons go out of their way to sip their lattes in a place teeming with local color, happily eschewing the soulless mega-chain competition. rnrnSeveral different joes are brewed each day (decaf and regular, of course) and the fresh pastries are generous and delicious, though not inexpensive. There's also a selection of smoothies. Both locations support Baltimore artists by displaying their work. In good weather, the Fells Point branch has outside tables with a view of the water where you might event catch a glimpse of a tall ship.rnrn -- Melissa Nurczynski

Baltimore's "alternative" spot for high-end coffee drinks and good conversation, The Daily Grind serves up plenty of chic and funky ambience with its pricey coffee drinks and luscious munchies. The hipper branch is located in charming, bustling Fells Point, and there's a suburban branch in upscale Roland Park. Pink-haired teen or soccer mom, loyal patrons go out of their way to sip their lattes in a place teeming with local color, happily eschewing the soulless mega-chain competition. rnrnSeveral different joes are brewed each day (decaf and regular, of course) and the fresh pastries are generous and delicious, though not inexpensive. There's also a selection of smoothies. Both locations support Baltimore artists by displaying their work. In good weather, the Fells Point branch has outside tables with a view of the water where you might event catch a glimpse of a tall ship.rnrn -- Melissa Nurczynski

DuClaw Brewing Co. is a brewpub survivor, mainly because it takes as much pride in its food as it does in its specially crafted quaffables. At the same time, DuClaw doesn't forget that an interesting, changeable collection of beers is what sets brewpubs apart from ordinary bars and restaurants. Staple beers like robust Bad Moon Porter, Australian lager Kangaroo Love and pale ale Venom are always available, but you'll have to time your trip to catch seasonal selections like oatmeal stout Alchemy, Oktoberfest favorite Mad Bishop, Scotch ale Twisted Kilt and Belgian white ale Sawtooth. Food at DuClaw isn't an afterthought. Nachos, pretzel sticks or beer-battered onion rings are perfect for noshing and hoisting. Black Angus burgers and jumbo sandwiches -- like pepperjack chicken, a Cuban, Buffalo chicken panini and Carolina pork barbecue -- accent what's in your mug. Heartier appetites can feast on sesame ginger salmon, pork chops glazed in margarita lime sauce, honey porter chicken and tangy jambalaya. Kids get fish sticks, spaghetti or chicken nuggets, but they'll have to settle for a soda. -- Pete Kerzel, AOL Cityguide

DuClaw Brewing Co. is a brewpub survivor, mainly because it takes as much pride in its food as it does in its specially crafted quaffables. At the same time, DuClaw doesn't forget that an interesting, changeable collection of beers is what sets brewpubs apart from ordinary bars and restaurants. Staple beers like robust Bad Moon Porter, Australian lager Kangaroo Love and pale ale Venom are always available, but you'll have to time your trip to catch seasonal selections like oatmeal stout Alchemy, Oktoberfest favorite Mad Bishop, Scotch ale Twisted Kilt and Belgian white ale Sawtooth. rnrnFood at DuClaw isn't an afterthought. Nachos, pretzel sticks or beer-battered onion rings are perfect for noshing and hoisting. Black Angus burgers and jumbo sandwiches -- like pepperjack chicken, a Cuban, Buffalo chicken panini and Carolina pork barbecue -- accent what's in your mug. Heartier appetites can feast on sesame ginger salmon, pork chops glazed in margarita lime sauce, honey porter chicken and tangy jambalaya. Kids get fish sticks, spaghetti or chicken nuggets, but they'll have to settle for a soda. rnrn-- Pete Kerzel, AOL Cityguide

DuClaw Brewing Co. is a brewpub survivor, mainly because it takes as much pride in its food as it does in its specially crafted quaffables. At the same time, DuClaw doesn't forget that an interesting, changeable collection of beers is what sets brewpubs apart from ordinary bars and restaurants. Staple beers like robust Bad Moon Porter, Australian lager Kangaroo Love and pale ale Venom are always available, but you'll have to time your trip to catch seasonal selections like oatmeal stout Alchemy, Oktoberfest favorite Mad Bishop, Scotch ale Twisted Kilt and Belgian white ale Sawtooth. rnrnFood at DuClaw isn't an afterthought. Nachos, pretzel sticks or beer-battered onion rings are perfect for noshing and hoisting. Black Angus burgers and jumbo sandwiches -- like pepperjack chicken, a Cuban, Buffalo chicken panini and Carolina pork barbecue -- accent what's in your mug. Heartier appetites can feast on sesame ginger salmon, pork chops glazed in margarita lime sauce, honey porter chicken and tangy jambalaya. Kids get fish sticks, spaghetti or chicken nuggets, but they'll have to settle for a soda. rnrn-- Pete Kerzel, AOL Cityguide

In Baltimore, Bertha's means the blues-and mussels to beat the band. Offered with your choice of eight sauces, Bertha's Mussels are plump, tender, and steamed just right. For years this Fells Point landmark has been giving out green bumper stickers that simply state; "Eat Bertha's Mussels." The rest of the seafood entrees are also very good. They, too, boast fresh ingredients and a sure touch. The decor is warm and funky, the atmosphere lively, and, on weekends, even rowdy. Guest Review from berthas.com

The Wharf Rat at Camden Yards is a fun and versatile location for all of your downtown Baltimore gatherings. From a" beer with the boys" to business meetings, dinners for two, to wedding receptions, our private dining rooms suit all ranges of events. Our restaurant and brew pub is located in an historic 19th century building in the heart of downtown Baltimore, directly across Pratt Street from the Baltimore Convention Center. We're just a short walk from most of the major city hotels, The new Hippodrome theater and the Baltimore Arena. We are convenient to the local museums, handy to Inner Harbor shopping, just a short fly ball from Oriole Park at Camden Yards and Raven Stadium. Both our food and our hand-crafted English ales have been lauded by international critics such as Bon Appetit Magazine and The Food Network as well as honored in Baltimore Magazine's annual "Best of Baltimore" ratings. The Wharf Rat would be proud to share our heritage and hospitality with you and your guests. - From The Wharf Rat website

College students, young professionals and local bar hoppers all flock here for fun. If downstairs seems overly crowded, work your way up to the second floor. It's smaller, but it has an air pingpong table and a little room to breathe. With reasonably priced draft beers and a wide variety of bottles, it has something for any beer drinker. If mixed drinks are your thing, choose from the huge spread of bottles behind the bar. The bar usually has a drink special going on, especially during weekday happy hours from 4pm to 7pm. - from Citysearch.com

Figure what you're good at and stick with it -- that might as well be the mantra at the Greene Turtle. The Greene Turtle relies on old standards -- casual atmosphere, pleasing pub grub and plenty of sports talk -- to achieve its fan-friendly ambience. Dim light provides the perfect atmosphere for the glow of multiple TVs. Happy chatter overrides the din of video games and sports debates bar-side. Even something as simple as a potato chip isn't left to chance -- Greene Turtle's standard accompaniment is a wedge-cut chip, deep-fried and sprinkled with Old Bay, perhaps an ode to the O.C. roots. Onion straws, chicken tenders and personal pizzas are obligatory warm-ups, or opt for wings or steamed shrimp with a frosty pitcher of suds. Two-handers are hearty fare, and specialty sandwiches include the Turtle's turn on the Cuban, a turkey melt and a salmon BLT. Want to watch the whole game? Feast on crab imperial-stuffed twin filets, Creole pork roast, spicy fried shrimp or a 12-ounce slab of beef known as The Terrapin. -- Pete Kerzel, AOL Cityguide