If you’re looking for elite pizza, Little Donna’s is a must visit, Nomsters! This Fells Point gem is the kind of spot that’s perfect for date night or a delish night out with friends, and the service was impeccable and the vibes were on point. I loved the decor and ambiance. The food more than lived up to it too.
The shrimp toast was a great way to kick things off, but the Tavern Pie absolutely stole the show, with a crust baked to perfection. It’s no surprise this little Baltimore spot has landed on the New York Times’ best-of lists, because it’s doing something genuinely special. If you take your pizza seriously, this one needs to be on your Baltimore list.
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What Makes Little Donna’s A Must Try?
Little Donna’s is so much more than a pizzeria, and that’s exactly why it stands out. It comes from chef Robbie Tutlewski, who trained for years under the legendary Chris Bianco of Pizzeria Bianco and cooked at the Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat in DC before opening here.
The menu is this wonderful, idiosyncratic blend of his Eastern European heritage (the spot’s named after his Yugoslavian grandmother), Midwestern tavern traditions and seriously refined pizza, and it all lives inside the old Henninger’s Tavern space in Upper Fells Point, nostalgic decor and all. The food world has very much noticed: the New York Times named it one of the nation’s 50 best restaurants and later put it on its list of the best pizza places in the country. For a cozy neighborhood spot, that’s no small thing.
What to Order at Little Donna’s
We came hungry and had faves, so here’s exactly what I’d tell you to order.
Tavern Pie ($17)
This is the one that stole the show. It’s topped with crushed tomato sauce, their LD cheese blend, crumbled sausage and banana peppers, and it all just works. I LOVED the crust, that thin, crispy tavern-style base baked to absolute perfection. At $17, the Tavern Pie is the one to get. If you only order one thing here, make it this! Then do yourself a favor with the next tip.
Tomato Hot Honey ($3)
Pro tip, order a side of the tomato hot honey for dipping. It’s only three bucks and it takes the Tavern Pie to a whole other level. It’s a tiny add-on that is absolutely worth ordering. Next time I’m also grabbing their icebox ranch, which is on my list to try.
Shrimp Toast ($20) and Beyond the Pizza
The shrimp toast ($20) was a great way to kick off the meal, and it’s a good reminder that Little Donna’s isn’t a one-trick pizza spot. The menu leans into that Eastern European and tavern heritage, so there’s stuff like pierogies, palacinke (tender little pancakes) and pork schnitzel that I’ve got my eye on for next time. Come with a group so you can share a pie and work through a few of the plates.
What’s Tavern-Style Pizza?
Since the Tavern Pie’s the star, here’s a quick explainer. Tavern-style pizza is a thin, crispy pizza with a cracker-like crust, traditionally rolled out super thin and often cut into squares (the classic “tavern cut”) rather than wedges. It’s a Midwestern bar staple, built to be snackable and shareable over drinks, and the whole appeal is that crunchy, structural crust that holds up under its toppings. Little Donna’s takes that humble format and executes it at a level that’s earned the restaurant serious national attention.
Date Night Done Right…
What really sold me on Little Donna’s was the whole experience, not just the food. It’s the kind of place where the service is impeccable and the room feels special. The old tavern setting gives it this warm, lived-in charm you can’t fake, which makes it a perfect date night or a fun night out with a group of friends. It’s a spot that reminds you eating out can feel like an occasion, and I’m already looking forward to going back.
The Vibe and Experience
Little Donna’s sits in the beloved old Henninger’s Tavern space, so it’s got real history and a cozy, nostalgic feel. It’s ideal for date night or a small group, and because it’s gotten so popular, I’d book a reservation (they take them online) so you’re not left hoping for a walk-in seat at the bar. Street parking’s a bit limited, so give yourself a few extra minutes or grab a ride. If you want something sweet to end the night right there in the neighborhood, Sacre Sucre in Fells Point is a lovely follow-up.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1812 Bank St, Baltimore, MD 21231, in Upper Fells Point.
- Cuisine: tavern-style pizza plus Eastern European and Midwestern tavern plates.
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 5 to 10pm, closed Sunday and Monday (their site lists slightly later close times, so double-check for a late visit).
- Reservations: book online at littledonnas.com; walk-ins can try the bar room and patio first-come, first-served.
- Parking: street parking only and it’s limited, so walking, biking or a ride-share is the easy move.
- Accolades: named to the New York Times’ 50 best restaurants and its best-pizza list.
- Good to know: the menu and reservations are on their website, and you can read more of its story in Baltimore Magazine.
Is Little Donna’s Worth It?
100% yes. Between that perfect-crust Tavern Pie, the tomato hot honey and a setting that makes dinner feel like an event, Little Donna’s earns every bit of its reputation and then some. It’s my pick for a Fells Point date night or a special night out with friends in Baltimore, and it’s absolutely worth planning ahead for. For another great Baltimore bite, the Italian market and deli Di Pasquale’s is a classic worth knowing too.
So that’s Little Donna’s, Nomsters, and I need you to go get that Tavern Pie with a side of tomato hot honey so you understand the hype. Have you guys been yet, or is there a Baltimore pizza spot I need to try next? Let me know in the comments, and send this to whoever you’d happily split a pie with on date night. Save it for your next Fells Point outing!