North Baltimore

The Golden West Cafe is very popular, and not without good reason. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable and family-friendly, with almost beautifully tacky "golden western" decor. The "southwestern" food on offer is very good, even for the relatively high prices. The service is slow and inattentive—don't be shy about hollerin' at your server if he's ignoring you. The bar here is one of the better places in Hampden to enjoy a beer, and it's open Su-Th until 1AM, F-Sa until 2AM.

A late night diner south of Johns Hopkins that can go head to head with any Baltimore establishment on funky decor—every non-food-related surface in and on this building is plastered with elaborate and brightly painted found/trash art if you have been diagnosed with OCD, never come here. The colors of the place alone are worth a visit just to cheer up your mood. The food is basically what you would expect from large-serving diner-style comfort food, perhaps a bit more, and is served until late despite that the management, in a fit of idiocy, decided the place would no longer be open 24 hours. Ultimately though, you come here because you can't find a place this authentically funky outside of Baltimore.

If you want more than a dash of Hampden culture with your food, come here. Cafe Hon is has its fair share of campy decor, but not so much of genuine Hampden culture for that, look to the nearby "Junque" store. Your waitress will call you hon but probably wouldn't normally speak like that. It has been around for ages and is an iconic centerpiece on the Avenue. The food is nice, if not great, and a little overpriced.

Traditional Italian cuisine in the heart of the Tuscany Canterbury community. Complimentary valet, open 7 nights a week. Private dining room and outside terrace seating also available.