Baltimore Magazine February 2026 issue unveils Best Restaurants readers' poll and picks

Baltimore Magazine’s February 2026 issue assembles the magazine’s Best of Baltimore editorial picks alongside its annual Best Restaurants Readers’ Poll and other local cultural coverage, and the issue will be on newsstands February 27, 2026. The magazine frames the issue with a simple question: “What makes the Charm City dining scene one of the best in the nation?” and says its team of food reviewers “eat their way through Baltimore to find out.”

The readers’ poll invited nominations “From your top brunch spot to your favorite cocktail program,” and ran January 5-25. The magazine told readers it created the Best Restaurants Readers’ Poll “to honor their picks,” and it instructs that “Results will be listed in our April 2026 issue, on newsstands March 27, 2026.” The poll copy in the magazine includes a truncated sponsor line that reads “Presented by: ")” in the supplied materials.

Baltimore Magazine is staging a live tasting tied to the Best Restaurants coverage. An Eventbrite listing for “Best Restaurants 2026” markets the Penguin Room dinner at 3300 Clipper Mill Road, Baltimore, MD 21211, with the pitch “8 chefs. 8 courses. One delicious night.” The Eventbrite copy says “the eight-course seated dinner features cocktail pairings, live entertainment, and conversations with the chefs!” and warns “Limited tickets—this event sells out.” The listing notes “TICKETS TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC GO ON SALE FEB 20.” The Eventbrite listing also lists a “No refunds” policy.

National-level recognition for a Baltimore institution accompanied the local coverage: Ekiben placed No. 30 on Yelp’s Top 100 US Restaurants 2026 list, the only Maryland restaurant on that list. Ekiben’s three locations in the city — Fells Point, Hampden, and South Baltimore — collectively show a 4.7 out of 5 star Yelp rating with “more than 2,000 diners” sharing reviews. Yelp’s framing in the Patch write-up notes the Top 100 list “showcases the highest-reviewed restaurants by its users,” and Yelp said chefs nationwide “are plating up memorable, can’t-miss meals at fine-dining rooms, food halls, counter-order favorites, cozy cafés, and wallet-friendly gems that deliver big flavor without the big bill.” Local reviewer praise quoted in the coverage includes “If you're anywhere within 100 miles, make the detour and put Ekiben on your must-try list. You won't regret it. Loved every bite!”

A separate map refresh of Baltimore’s restaurant scene also surfaced in recent coverage: DC Eater’s “Baltimore’s 38 Essential Restaurants” update added The Wren “for cozy Irish fare in Fells Point,” The Urban Oyster “for fried oyster deviled eggs and whole grilled branzino with salsa verde,” Costiera “for Mediterranean-leaning local seafood and comforting pastas,” and Gunther “for modern American cuisine with global flair in Brewers Hill.” The update listed four departures from the 38: Ambassador Dining Room, Blk Swan, Cocina Luchadoras (noted “in relocation mode”), and Cafe Campli, “which recently closed.” DC Eater included the sensory detail that “The Urban Oyster’s gleaming backsplash at the bar resembles scallop shells.”

Social posts flagged other neighborhood favorites: an Instagram snippet described “Limoncello Baltimore is a popular Italian restaurant and wine bar in the Locust point.” Copyright lines in the supplied materials read “© 2026 Baltimore Magazine” and “© 2026 Eventbrite.” With the Best Restaurants issue on newsstands February 27, and poll results slated for the April 2026 issue on newsstands March 27, the city’s restaurants and diners can expect magazine coverage, a ticketed tasting at the Penguin Room, and continued national attention such as Ekiben’s Yelp Top 100 placement.