Food - food was decent. A little underwhelming in some areas, particularly the tacos.General vibes - a little bit loud but still cute.Seating - I was disappointed in the seating. I would not consider this a fat friendly place. Seating is TIGHT and I don’t understand why restaurants continually do this. It’s not just uncomfortable seating but fatphobic seating and I think we just need to at least name that.Service - not great but we definitely came during a big rush. Service got better towards the end when things settled a bit.Parking - was fine. Just be prepared to drive around a little.Wait - we waited about 30 min when we were told it would be 45, so that’s always good.
Christian Hinderer
Owner is a Baltimore gem behind some of the city’s best spots. Unfortunately this place is so terribly mismanaged that it’s not worth trying. Won’t take reservations, but if you show up when they open be ready to be told it’s a two hour wait, only to wait until they close without being served. No way to treat people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Sarah
Its clavel. It’s always worth the wait. Go put your name in and wander over to WC Harlan, Faddensonnen, or Dutch courage for a drink before dinner.Start with the tamale de elote fresco (most underrated item on the menu, it’s incredible? and a mezcalita. Then you really can’t go wrong- my favorite is the torta al gobernador.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Thaler
True restaurant gem in Baltimore. It is by far the best authentic Mexican food in the area. It is a must place to go for anyone who considers themselves a foodie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo
Brian B
Arrive 15 minutes before they open, or be prepared to wait over 45 minutes for a table.Waiting isn't half bad though, they do have a separate waiting room where you can order drinks, food, and sit down (although space is very limited in this room). If the room is full, you can head down the block to WC Harlan for cocktails which will never disappoint.Once you received the text you have 10 minutes to get there, don't miss it!The seating arrangement is pretty nice but the seats do leave a bit to be desired in terms of cushion, but they aren't the worst I've sat.You'll forget all about the wait, the chair, the hunger, once your food comes. My wife and I have never had ceviche so substantial and delicious, even in Mexico itself.The cocktails are incredible as well, and I recommend their Mezcal tasting. Raicilla is rare but Clavel has it!Since the experience is so incredible you'll find that many of the tables choose to sit for quite a long time. Even with all the hustle and bustle we never felt rushed during our dining experience.My wife and I will continue to come back to Clavel for years to come (if we're lucky), and is easily one of my top 3 recommendations for dining in Baltimore!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samantha Mincarelli
Great atmosphere, staff, food, and drinks. You can't go wrong with Clavel. Arrive at 5 if you want to ensure you get a table, or get on the waiting list and pop over to WC Harlan's for a cocktail while you wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
lane E
Food is great!! Drinks are unique and honestly hit or miss for me but still a great spot!! The staff are very nice, but there is ALWAYS a long wait. The atmosphere is amazing and such a cute place. The only issue is it gets sooo loud in there, i think there's an echo or something. Five stars though because the food and atmosphere is so nice :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Flor Garrido
I love tacos, a unique season ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Davis
Loud, but tacos are exactly what you want.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Margherita
Greta Yoka
Great food and drinks! Very busy!! The queso was so good and really enjoyed the quesadilla!
This is a restaurant worth a visit. My experience was great. The only issue I had was parking, if you're not there early enough you will have to park and walk a couple of streets. It's also best to arrive early because this place fills up fast. This was my first Mexican restaurant, so I had no clue what I was about to eat. Thanks to our server Ray, who suggested everything I ordered (I asked for their choosing), I was able to order. I had a pineapple coconut cocktail, strong and sweet, fulfilling. Appetizers were stuffed Tamales, and I got a cheese dip with roasted vegetables in the middle of the dip, served with chips. (This is the english version. Lol) My entree was beef tips on a sandwich bread...it was to die for. My friend enjoyed their dessert; however I did not. So I won't mention what they had. This place was clean, family friendly, original, and culturally kept. The cost is very reasonable, $40 should be enough per person. I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo, Tortilla Chips
Anna Marie Raglani
Food was very good as well as prices and service. However be aware of automatic gratuity added for party's of 5 and larger. I was never told by my waiter of this policy. The restaurant is not well lit. I do accept some responsibility but I’ve never been at a restaurant when this was not mentioned to patrons. In the end my waiters tip was 40%.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo
Jaimee Young
So the tacos are authentic and flavorful. I also love the corn with chips. But my favorite is the house margarita with a raw sugar rim!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Street Tacos, Margherita, Con Salsa, Tortilla Chips, Aguachile Ceviche
Corey Matlak
The food was genuinely great. But the service was very poor. This could have been because we were crammed in at the bar area and constantly overlooked. But as there was no were else to stash us it's all I have to work off of. The icing on the disappointing cake was my wife's cocktail which she didn't enjoy, on trying to swap it out for a different drink, the server darted away. Leaving us with little to do but awkwardly shuffle our way out the door. I see no reason to recommend this place as anything other than a novelty.
Food - food was decent. A little underwhelming in some areas, particularly the tacos.General vibes - a little bit loud but still cute.Seating - I was disappointed in the seating. I would not consider this a fat friendly place. Seating is TIGHT and I don’t understand why restaurants continually do this. It’s not just uncomfortable seating but fatphobic seating and I think we just need to at least name that.Service - not great but we definitely came during a big rush. Service got better towards the end when things settled a bit.Parking - was fine. Just be prepared to drive around a little.Wait - we waited about 30 min when we were told it would be 45, so that’s always good.
Owner is a Baltimore gem behind some of the city’s best spots. Unfortunately this place is so terribly mismanaged that it’s not worth trying. Won’t take reservations, but if you show up when they open be ready to be told it’s a two hour wait, only to wait until they close without being served. No way to treat people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 1
Its clavel. It’s always worth the wait. Go put your name in and wander over to WC Harlan, Faddensonnen, or Dutch courage for a drink before dinner.Start with the tamale de elote fresco (most underrated item on the menu, it’s incredible? and a mezcalita. Then you really can’t go wrong- my favorite is the torta al gobernador.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
True restaurant gem in Baltimore. It is by far the best authentic Mexican food in the area. It is a must place to go for anyone who considers themselves a foodie.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo
Arrive 15 minutes before they open, or be prepared to wait over 45 minutes for a table.Waiting isn't half bad though, they do have a separate waiting room where you can order drinks, food, and sit down (although space is very limited in this room). If the room is full, you can head down the block to WC Harlan for cocktails which will never disappoint.Once you received the text you have 10 minutes to get there, don't miss it!The seating arrangement is pretty nice but the seats do leave a bit to be desired in terms of cushion, but they aren't the worst I've sat.You'll forget all about the wait, the chair, the hunger, once your food comes. My wife and I have never had ceviche so substantial and delicious, even in Mexico itself.The cocktails are incredible as well, and I recommend their Mezcal tasting. Raicilla is rare but Clavel has it!Since the experience is so incredible you'll find that many of the tables choose to sit for quite a long time. Even with all the hustle and bustle we never felt rushed during our dining experience.My wife and I will continue to come back to Clavel for years to come (if we're lucky), and is easily one of my top 3 recommendations for dining in Baltimore!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, staff, food, and drinks. You can't go wrong with Clavel. Arrive at 5 if you want to ensure you get a table, or get on the waiting list and pop over to WC Harlan's for a cocktail while you wait.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is great!! Drinks are unique and honestly hit or miss for me but still a great spot!! The staff are very nice, but there is ALWAYS a long wait. The atmosphere is amazing and such a cute place. The only issue is it gets sooo loud in there, i think there's an echo or something. Five stars though because the food and atmosphere is so nice :)
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
I love tacos, a unique season ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loud, but tacos are exactly what you want.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Margherita
Great food and drinks! Very busy!! The queso was so good and really enjoyed the quesadilla!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a restaurant worth a visit. My experience was great. The only issue I had was parking, if you're not there early enough you will have to park and walk a couple of streets. It's also best to arrive early because this place fills up fast. This was my first Mexican restaurant, so I had no clue what I was about to eat. Thanks to our server Ray, who suggested everything I ordered (I asked for their choosing), I was able to order. I had a pineapple coconut cocktail, strong and sweet, fulfilling. Appetizers were stuffed Tamales, and I got a cheese dip with roasted vegetables in the middle of the dip, served with chips. (This is the english version. Lol) My entree was beef tips on a sandwich bread...it was to die for. My friend enjoyed their dessert; however I did not. So I won't mention what they had. This place was clean, family friendly, original, and culturally kept. The cost is very reasonable, $40 should be enough per person. I will be returning.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo, Tortilla Chips
Food was very good as well as prices and service. However be aware of automatic gratuity added for party's of 5 and larger. I was never told by my waiter of this policy. The restaurant is not well lit. I do accept some responsibility but I’ve never been at a restaurant when this was not mentioned to patrons. In the end my waiters tip was 40%.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Queso Fundido with Chorizo
So the tacos are authentic and flavorful. I also love the corn with chips. But my favorite is the house margarita with a raw sugar rim!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Street Tacos, Margherita, Con Salsa, Tortilla Chips, Aguachile Ceviche
The food was genuinely great. But the service was very poor. This could have been because we were crammed in at the bar area and constantly overlooked. But as there was no were else to stash us it's all I have to work off of. The icing on the disappointing cake was my wife's cocktail which she didn't enjoy, on trying to swap it out for a different drink, the server darted away. Leaving us with little to do but awkwardly shuffle our way out the door. I see no reason to recommend this place as anything other than a novelty.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1