No neighborhood food scene is complete without good dose of Italian restaurants.

Between pizza and pasta, paninis and parmesan, prosciutto and pesto, Italian cuisine is both comforting and delectable. It’s an easy go-to choice, particularly when you live near Baltimore’s Little Italy—a prime example of a locale that does Italian right. Even after you’ve made the choice to dine in Little Italy, a new question arises: which restaurant do you choose?

Here’s our take on Little Italy’s must-try venues. Yes, even some non-Italian ones.

Joe Benny’s

313 S High St., Baltimore, MD 21202

With Little Italy just down the street from Harbor Point, it can be a challenge to sift through all the Italian-themed eateries in the area. Luckily for you, we’re here to tell you that Joe Benny’s has it all. Casual, affordable, trendy, and tasty, this restaurant proffers everything Italian. They even take midday siestas, a quintessential quality of Italian businesses. After all, how can you sustain the energy to knead dough without a few solid hours of daytime snoozing?

Isabella’s Brick Oven Pizza and Panini

221 S High St., Baltimore, MD 21202

While Joe Benny’s has pristine cuisine, there’s one caveat: their pizza isn’t really pizza, it’s focaccia. While we can’t deny that it’s delicious, we know that pizza cravings can be finicky at times. Brick oven pizza is some of the tastiest stuff about, and Isabella’s Brick Oven makes the finest in town. They also use their brick oven to bake their paninis, which range from traditional to experimental. All in all, Isabella’s should be your first destination for a quick and quality Italian meal.

La Scala Ristorante

1012 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD 21202

When you’re in the mood for some more upscale entrees, La Scala is the ristorante for you. With Italian mainstays like caprese, carbonara, bruschetta, La Scala offers one of the most authentic sit-down Italian experiences near Harbor Point. There’s even a bocce ball court inside the restaurant, perfect for burning off those patented Italian carbs while sipping a glass of fine wine. Insider tip: the Espresso Martini is as picturesque as it is exquisite.

Piedigrotta Bakery

1300 Bank St., Baltimore, MD 21231

Let’s start off with a fun fact: the owner of Piedigrotta Bakery, one Carminantonio Iannaccone, is credited by some sources with the invention of Tiramisu in 1969. While the lineage of this Italian dessert remains somewhat of a mystery, the bakery Iannaccone runs in Little Italy certainly lends credence to the rumor. Quaint and bursting with incredible Italian pastries, this little venue is as authentic as it gets. Drop by for a tasty lobster tail or potentially historic slab of Tiramisu, or grab a fresh cold-cut sandwich and espresso shot. Whatever you get, you’ll feel a bit more Italian as you leave Piedigrotta.

Cinco De Mayo Dos

1312 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD 21231

Cinco De Mayo is a great option when your tongue is playing traitor to the neighborhood. How good can Mexican food in an Italian district be? You’d be surprised, especially since Cinco De Mayo is crammed in the back of a Mexican meat market. Hailed as the most authentic Mexican food in Baltimore, Cinco De Mayo’s fare stays true to its roots: el pastor quesadillas, carne asada burritos, chorizo tamales, and the list goes on. Mexico has staked a miniature claim in Baltimore, and its name is Cinco De Mayo Dos.

Palmere’s

1018 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, MD 21202

There are plenty of places you can go to blow an entire week’s paycheck on the appetizers alone. For those nights you feel like filling your stomach without emptying your wallet, however, Palmere’s should be on your radar. It’s a bar by nature, and though its fare falls under the category of “pub food,” it’s all about technique, and they do all of the classics just right. Their burgers are some of the best in town, and the rest of the menu pairs wonderfully with a glistening glass of beer. Every neighborhood needs a place you can grab a burger at 2 AM, right?

Little Italy is just another amazing neighborhood in walking reach of 1305 Dock Street. It’s the go-to destination for Italian food, but also holds some wayward gems in its red-bricked lanes. Little Italy is well worth the drive, but being in walking distance of its plentiful restaurants is ideal. If you’re interested in waterfront living in the heart of bustling harbor area, get in touch with us at 1305 Dock Street today.