Best Restaurants Readers’ Poll Results 2022

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Thanks so much for voting in our 2022 Best Restaurants Readers’ Poll! Our Readers’ Poll launched in January as a way for readers to weigh in on their favorite people and places in the local dining scene. Now, the results are in!

Browse the top picks in the list below, and be sure to check out our editorial “50 Best Restaurants” winners from the March 2022 issue, here.

Best African Cuisine

Winner: Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant 
Runners-Up: Nailah’s Kitchen; Tabor Ethiopian Restaurant

Best Al Fresco Dining

Winner: Miss Shirley’s Cafe 
Runner-Ups: Gunther & Co.; Sally O’s

Best Ambiance

Winners: Cured | 18th and 21st and Gunther & Co. (tie)
Runner-Ups: One Eleven Main; The Bluebird Cocktail Room

Best Bartender

Winner: Francisco (Taco Love Grill) 
Runners-Up: Ricky Kingsley (Frazier’s); Oskr Hernández (Mucho Gusto)

Best Place to Eat at the Bar

Winner: By The Docks Seafood
Runners-Up: Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant; Cured | 18th & 21st

Best Burger Joint

Winner: Fuzzies Burgers
Runners-Up: Clark Burger; Vagabond Sandwich Co.

Best Brunch

Winner: EC Diner
Runners-Up: Blue Moon Cafe; Silver Queen Cafe

Best Chef

Winner: Zack Trabbold (The Local)  
Runners-Up: Zuri Coles (Miss Shirley’s Cafe); Cindy Wolf (Charleston)

Best Chesapeake Fare

Winner: True Chesapeake Oyster Co.
Runners-Up: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood; Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen

Best Chinese Cuisine

Winner: NiHao
Runners-Up: Joey Chiu’s; Chopstix Gourmet

Best Cocktail Program

Winner: The Bluebird Cocktail Room 
Runners-Up: Dutch Courage; Clavel

Best Crab Cake

Winner: By the Docks Seafood Restaurant
Runners-Up: Pappas Restaurant & Sports Bar; Koco’s Pub

Best Curbside/Takeout Model

Winner: Ekiben
Runners-Up: Mission BBQ; Clavel

Best Dessert/Pastry Program

Winner: Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop
Runners-Up: Dangerously Delicious Pies; Cafe Dear Leon

Best Fast Casual

Winner: DiPasquale’s Italian Market
Runners-Up: Ekiben; Atwater’s

Best Food Truck

Winner: Bmore Greek Grill 
Runners-Up: Love.Crust.Pizza; La Migueleña

Best French Cuisine

Winner: Petit Louis Bistro
Runners-Up: Duck Duck Goose; Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant

Best Gluten Free Cuisine

Winner: Ekiben and Verde (tie)
Runners-Up: Harmony Bakery; Alma Cocina Latina

Best Indian Cuisine

Winner: Peerce’s Plantation
Runner-Ups: The Ambassador Dining Room; Royal Taj

Best Industry Supporter

Winner: Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Runners-Up: Atlas Restaurant Group; Ekiben

Best Italian Cuisine

Winner: La Scala Ristorante Italiano
Runners-Up: Di Pasquale’s; Tagliata, Cinghiale, and Libertore’s (three-way tie)

Best Japanese Cuisine

Winner: Azumi
Runners-Up: Yama Sushi Bar; Shoyou Sushi

Best Korean Cuisine

Winner: Honey Pig
Runners-Up: Jong Kak; Iron Age

Best Lunch Spot

Winner: Atwater’s
Runners-Up: Chuck’s Trading Post; Ravage Deli

Best Mediterranean Cuisine

Winner: Samos
Runners-Up: Ouzo Bay; Baba’s Mediterranean Kitchen

Best Mexican Cuisine

Winner: Taco Love Grill 
Runners-Up: Clavel; Mucho Gusto

Best Middle Eastern Cuisine

Winner: The Helmand
Runners-Up: Cazbar; House of Kebab

Best New Restaurant

Winner: The Local
Runners-Up: JBGB’s; Heritage Smokehouse

Best Pizza Place

Winner: Coal Fire Pizza
Runners-Up: Pizza Johns; Matthew’s Pizza

Best Prix-Fixe Menu

Winner: Petit Louis Bistro 
Runners-Up: Cinghiale; Maggie’s Farm

Best Raw Bar

Winner: Thames Street Oyster House
Runner-Up: Dylan’s Oyster Cellar; True Chesapeake Oyster Co.

Best Reinvention

Winner: The Milton Inn
Runner-Up: EC Diner; Cardinal Tavern

Best Romantic Restaurant

Winner: Gunther & Co.
Runner-Up: Charleston; One Eleven Main

Best Seafood Spot

Winner: Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant
Runner-Up: Thames Street Oyster House; Nick’s Fish House

Best Server

Winner: Chrissy Glass (One Eleven Main)
Runner-Up: Amanda Wiley (Fallston Barrel House); Kelly Cranston (Magerk’s Bel Air)

Best South American Restaurant

Winner: Alma Cocina Latina 
Runners-Up: La Barrita; Puerto 511

Best Steakhouse

Winner: The Prime Rib
Runners-Up: The Capital Grille; Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Best Thai Cuisine

Winner: Bodhi Corner
Runners-Up: Spice and Dice Thai Kitchen; Mayuree Thai Tavern

Best Vegan

Winner: The Land of Kush
Runners-Up: Farm to Face; Great Sage

Best Vegetarian

Winner: Golden West Cafe 
Runners-Up: Johnny Rad’s; One World Cafe

Best Wine List

Winner: Iron Bridge Wine Company 
Runners-Up: Charleston; 13.5% Wine Bar