The Desert Café, Baltimore

Classic Mediterranean food abounds at Desert Cafe, from gardens of crunchy salads to shish kebabs of skewered meat, onions, and peppers. City Paper's review made note of the colorful fabric that decorates the ceiling, forming a vivid canopy above plates of flaky spanakopita or mango curry chicken salad studded with golden raisins. Warm flatbread wraps around gyros made from chicken, falafel, or lamb and served with tzatziki sauce. Diners can also enjoy fresh air with their food on a colorful covered patio, sipping drinks amid strings of party lights and wood painted crimson. The café is also home to owner Blake Wollman's lauded Wild Pea hummus, which was voted best hummus of 2012 by Baltimore Magazine.