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    Explorer's Lounge

    3.3 (40 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 10:00 AM, 4:30 pm - 9:00 PM

    Explorer's Lounge Photos

    EXPLORER'S LOUNGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Touristy
    Classy
    Casual

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    Evelyn C.

    My husband and I were staying at the Royal Sonesta in Baltimore for our anniversary weekend. Explorer's Restaurant/Lounge is in the hotel on the 2nd floor so on our first night after a couple of hours driving, we decided to make it to the lounge before happy hour ended (it was a Friday/HH ends at 7pm). To start, I got a strawberry mojito which was really good. Tyre the bartender made it with fresh strawberries and mint. My husband got a Stella. We ordered wings and the chorizo flatbread. You can't go wrong with wings so they were good but to our surprise, our favorite was the chorizo flatbread - now this I would order again (even if it's somewhere else lol). We stayed a bit longer and I had 2 Hawaiian Martinis (OMG) and my husband (I think) got Jameson. The martinis were just PERFECT!!! We had a great time meeting new people that sat next to us; from locals to people travelling there for business. If you're in the area or staying at Royal Sonesta, give Tyre a visit. He was very nice and service was great. Thank you !

    Half Dozen Oysters
    A. C.

    (2/20/2014) Went for Restaurant Week to try out the Explorers Lounge at the Harbor Court Hotel. The feel is decidedly too rich for your blood. Prices are steep, best come at happy hour for $5 wine/$4 beers/half-off apps. The service seemed overwhelmed by the number of people dining-in, and mentioned that they're not used to being that busy; started off attentive, ended up having to get up and flag someone down at the bar for our desserts and check. Started with a few apps to share: Truffle Fries (earthy, crispy, shoestring white potato); Wild Mushroom Arancini (tart-creamy with goat cheese, savory, deep-fried to a crunchy dark brown); Harbor Court Honey Wings (deep-fried crunchy large wings with a dunk in a slightly spicy sticky sweet and savory sauce, like Korean fried chicken), "the best I've ever had" remarked one of our diners. The Spiced Pear Salad came with a warm savory tart of Saga Blue Cheese frisee, chicory, walnuts, and a sweet-tart red wine vinaigrette, really nice mix of warm fruit and "meaty" cheese with the cool crisp bitter lettuces. Honey Braised Shortribs were meaty and fork-tender, cannellini toothsome and flavorful, soaking up the meat juices. Braised Lamb Shank was a large bone-in portion, savory, herb-scented jus. I personally could've done without the Sweet Potato Gnocchi (but I'm not a gnocchi fan, in general, those gummy dough balls). Desserts were serviceable, very sweet, not much by way of subtle. If you need an after dinner sweet, they fit the bill. We'll be back to get our Out of Africa on with discounted libations and small plates. Probably the closest we'll get to the Ngong Hills.

    Double Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Cheesecake.
    Alex K.

    I came here for the Valentine's Day Dinner. The main course was delicious, but the appetizer was pretty average. I had the Avocado & Arugula Bruschetta as my first course and it was average; it had way too many onions, the bread was chewy, and there was little balsamic on it. For my second course, I had the Grilled Hanger Steak, which was delicious and would recommend. The dessert was great except for the dry chocolate cake.

    Crab and Corn Chowder "fresh corn, lump crab, old bay". I literally found 2 pieces of corn in this "chowder". Very Watery.
    Alicia B.

    We went here for restaurant week. Not sure why they even advertised. Very disappointing - will not return. Lack of staff, overcooked steak, couldn't cut through the crust on the apple dessert. Can't make this stuff up.

    American breakfast : eggs bacon hash browns toast coffee and juice choice of fruit instead of potatos
    Megan R.

    My uncle was staying at the hotel and we met him here for a brunch. I ordered blueberry pancakes and they were really good. Crispy, fluffy, yet the blueberry Weren't soggy. The coffee was fresh and had a nice strong flavor. Eggs were good but not outstanding. All and all the food was good and it was a nice environment for a relaxing breakfast. The decor is fun and makes you feel like you've stepped a bit back in time to some sort of old hotel. The service was a bit lacking. The staff, while nice enough, weren't exactly running to take anyone's order or make sure you needs were met. If your in the hotel and don't want to leave it's a convenient and solid choice for a nice meal.

    We stayed at the Royal Sonesta on a business trip. We'd been going out to local places for breakfast but one day it rained torrentially so we decided to stay in and just have breakfast at the hotel at Explorers, on the 2nd Fl. According to the front desk they don't always have a breakfast buffet but they do have ala carte. My husband is a big fan of breakfast buffets (and we've been to very good ones at other hotel restaurants) so we went with that option. It was a bad move. I felt like I was getting the type of mediocre free breakfast buffet you'd normally get at a Hampton Inn except I paid $25pp for it. The French toast was chewy, the potatoes were soft and bland. The eggs, bacon, sausage were just ok. So if you're coming here for breakfast, I'd probably go for ala carte. At least it'll be fresh and cheaper.

    Thanksgiving menu

    Had Thanksgiving dinner here. They offered a set menu with good vegetarian options. It was pricey at $42 but the food was very good. The portions were just right too. Some places offer vegetable dishes and you get something that isn't seasoned well or with barely cooked vegetables. Not the case here. Everything was flavorful and done well.

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    7 years ago

    Had appetizers and enjoyed. Nice hotel restaurant. Friendly staff. Prices reasonable.

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    Delicious food. Maybe a little pricey but that is hotel food for you! The sweet potato fries were dreamy.

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    10 years ago

    Food and service was good. The atmosphere is nice and relaxing. A pleasant surprise for a hotel restaurant.

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    14 years ago

    Dreadful, soulless, over priced typical hell hole of a hotel bar. Why do people put up with this? $16 for one drink?

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    Ask the Community - Explorer's Lounge

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    The Charles

    The Charles

    4.0
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    0.4 mi
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    So fun! Had some beers and watched the Os game! Will definitely be going back again soon! Service…read morewas great also!

    It's been a long time since I've been to this spot! I dropped in for brunch with my cousin on an…read moreearly Saturday afternoon. Given my experience with DC and other parts of MD, I was determined to contact them ahead of time and make sure I would have a spot for brunch. But after some contact on IG, they said it's just walk-ins and I would most likely get a table with no effort or wait. I was concerned... but they were right! So we got settled immediately and started ordering. Our gracious server asked for drinks, which have a bottomless option during brunch. We could pick from mimosas, crushes, sangria and bloody marys. I tried everything but the bloody marys, and while they were good, whew there was a lot of ice in the mimosa... I'm not used to ice there, so it threw me off but it was still good! The REAL highlight was the food... the item I got changed my life: Crab. Cake. Eggrolls. They came with this amazing sweet chili sauce and were so filling and delicious! I also got chicken & waffle sliders to go that had a nice kick and the waffle texture was great! My cousin enjoyed his food as well. Also, shout out to the bagel wall that's on the way to the bathroom. It had great options and all the fixings! If I wasn't full I would've gotten one myself. I will return here for brunch.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Sangria, bang bang shrimp, crab egg rolls, Brussel sprouts
    Sangria, bang bang shrimp, crab egg rolls, Brussel sprouts
    Outside

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    Outside
    Topside

    Topside

    4.0
    (396 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    Unmatched views, chic decor, comfy seats, and attentive servers…read more I came in for a few drinks with a colleague. We didn't get any food but were allowed to sit at a 4-top by the window. It was a very pleasant time, and we enjoyed the view of beautiful Mount Vernon. Our server was very well-timed and attentive without being overbearing. I hadn't been there in a while, but l will make a point to come back again soon!

    Baltimore, MD (Mount Vernon) - perched on the 14th floor of the Hotel Revival, Topside overlooks…read morethe Washington Monument and boasts stunning wrap-around views of the Baltimore skyline, with an aesthetic that's clean, bright and vibes modern-Deco. A respectably curated menu carries dishes that are inventively accessorized and beautifully plated, but the quality was somewhat hit or miss, and seems to aim for a level of upscale ambition that comes close but doesn't always quite match the intent in execution. I ordered the duck breast upon our server's recommendation and was happy with that choice, along with the creamy deviled crab. Others at my table seemed to enjoy their steak frites and the market fish special (walleye). The "artisanal" breads & spreads platter arrived on a lovely tea tray, but was far from luxe, I'm afraid, consisting of butter, yellow mustard, commercial-grade olive tapenade, thin jam, and an uninspired selection of dry breads. The Duchess of Bedford would roll over in her grave. Service was kind but rather slow, but if you're here to enjoy the view, you might appreciate the unharriedness. But this really is a gorgeous location for a meal or sunset cocktails. Topside's proximity to Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) and the Lyric - both about a half mile away - also makes this an attractive pre-concert/theater spot to grab a bite or cocktail. Furthermore, it is located right by the Walters Art Museum and the George Peabody Library of the Peabody Institute, both worth visiting if you're killing time in the area.

    Photos
    Bar area
    Bar area
    Duck Breast (lobster creamed corn, wild mushrooms, zucchini)
    Duck Breast (lobster creamed corn, wild mushrooms, zucchini)
    Signature Espresso Martini

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    Signature Espresso Martini
    QG’s Clockwork Restoration

    QG’s Clockwork Restoration

    4.2
    (18 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Ended up here on an evening when we were staying at an Inner Harbor Hotel. It wasn't particularly…read morebusy, but all of the tables were still waiting to be cleared. There wasn't much speakeasy going on, but it was a nice vibe. Server/bartender was very friendly and helped me choose a local beer from among the offerings. Both of my companions got cocktails which were apparently very tasty. I wasn't super hungry so I got an appetizer portion of brussell sprouts which were delicious. One companion got a burger, but they aren't "camera eats before I do" folks so I didn't get any pictures. Maybe next time.

    #CynBites #ThisFeedsMySoulStatusConferred…read more Fried Pickles Thinly sliced house-made pickles. Lightly breaded, perfect of breading to pickle ratio. Golden brown and crispy. The dipping sauce has a slight amount of spice kick that compliments the pickles well. Absolutely delicious. Cheesesteak Egg rolls These are huge! Stuffed full of steak and cheesy goodness. The red peppers were still crisp and not mushy. Excellent flavors on the steak. The dipping sauce add to the flavors. Fried Goat Cheese Balls Panko breading feel to the outside coating, perfectly golden fried, and a nice crunch. The goat cheese inside was creamy with herbs. The balsamic drizzle brought all of the flavors together. Nicely done. Smash Burger The burger patties were thick and juicy. Lots of google perfectly melted cheese. Bacon was perfectly fried, and fit on the entire burger from each edge of the bun. The brioche bun was toasted, leaving the inside soft and warm. Medium temperature was accurately prepared. Delicious. All of the food was surprisingly delicious for a bar. Definitely Baltimores best kept secret. Check them out and tell Macy I sent you!

    Photos
    Skip the deviled eggs if you are averse to mustard.
    Skip the deviled eggs if you are averse to mustard.
    QG’s Clockwork Restoration
    QG’s Clockwork Restoration

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    Explorer's Lounge - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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