Let me put you on to one of the most exciting new-ish restaurants in Baltimore. Josefina is a modern Spanish spot in Harbor Point from chef David Zamudio, and from the moment I walked in I could tell this was going to be a special one. The space is gorgeous, the service was great, and the food? Some of the most memorable I’ve had in the city lately. I went for dinner with @charmcitytable and we worked through a bunch of dishes, but the duck rice and that torrija dessert are still living in my memory. This is a date-night, special-occasion kind of place, the one you save for an anniversary or a night you want to feel fancy. If you’ve been looking for a reason to dress up and eat well in Baltimore, Josefina’s it!
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What Makes Josefina Legit…
Baltimore’s got great restaurants, but a modern Spanish spot at this level feels genuinely new for the city. Josefina isn’t your standard tapas place. Chef David Zamudio pulls from Spain but makes it his own, so you get pintxos and tapas alongside gorgeous rice dishes and seafood, all executed at a high level. The space is stunning two-story building with deep red walls and an open kitchen, and the space alone lives up to the hype. If you love a waterfront fine-dining night, its Harbor Point neighbor, the French spot La Jetée, is another one I adore, but Josefina brings something totally different to the same area.
What to Order at Josefina
Here’s everything we loved, and what I’d tell you to order.
Bacalao Frito ($14)
This battered cod was my favorite starter. It’s fried to crispy perfection and served with a yum tartar sauce, simple but executed really well. Get it to start while you figure out the rest of the table.
Burger ($28)
Okay, I usually prefer a “regular” burger to the more cheffy ones, but this was fire. It was cooked to a perfect temperature, the meat was so, so juicy, and they topped it with thick-cut bacon and mahon cheese on ciabatta, with fries and a tasty paprika aioli on the side. Highly, highly recommend, even if fancy burgers aren’t usually your thing.
Duck Rice ($52)
LOVED this one! The duck was fantastic, and they served it with this beautiful carrot cream that added a gentle sweetness to balance the richness. It’s one of several rice dishes they do, and honestly it made me want to come back and work through all of them. If you only get one rice dish, make it this one.
Torrija ($16)
Save room, because this dessert is ridiculously tasty. It’s like a Spanish French toast but richer and more indulgent, paired with hazelnut chocolate and a scoop of goat milk ice cream. A 10/10 way to end the meal!
One more must-order: get the dumplings. The signature Rabo de Toro (oxtail) version is the dish everyone talks about, and if you come for the $35 two-course lunch, that’s the move to make, paired with the burger.
Who Is Chef David Zamudio?
If the name’s not familiar yet, it will be. David Zamudio was a 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, and he ran the kitchen at Alma Cocina Latina here in Baltimore for years before opening his own place. He grew up in eastern Venezuela and trained in some serious kitchens, including a stage at Martín Berasategui’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Spain. Josefina’s actually named after the matriarchs in his family, which I love. All of that pedigree shows up on the plate, but it never feels pretentious, and it’s already earned a glowing writeup from Baltimore Magazine.
Worth Saving for a Special Occasion
I’ve said it already, but this is a special-occasion spot through and through. It’s the kind of place you book for an anniversary, a birthday, or a night you just want to feel a little fancy. The prices match the ambition (mains and rice dishes climb, and that duck rice is $52), so it’s a treat, not a weeknight regular, and that’s okay. What I appreciated is that it still felt worth every dollar. If you’re building a Baltimore date-night list, put it right next to Marta, one of the best Italian spots in the city for a special night out.
The Vibe and Experience
The space is stunning. It’s a two-story restaurant with high ceilings, deep red walls, and an open kitchen you can watch while you eat, right in Harbor Point with views of the harbor. Service was great the night I went. It’s perfect for a date or a celebration dinner with people you like. Reservations are the way to go (they book through Resy), and I’d plan for parking in one of the Harbor Point garages since street spots are limited. It’s worth taking your time with the menu.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1409 Point Street, Baltimore, MD, in Harbor Point on the Fells Point border
- Hours: Su-Th 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 to 10 PM, Fr-Sa 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5 to 11 PM, closed Tuesdays
- Cuisine: modern Spanish (pintxos, tapas, rice dishes, seafood)
- Reservations: book through Resy, recommended for dinner and weekends
- Lunch deal: a two-course lunch runs $35, a great way to try it for less
- Price range: tapas start low, but rice dishes and mains climb ($38 and up), so it’s a splurge
- Parking: use the Harbor Point garages, street parking is limited
- Dietary: the menu marks gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options
- Best for: date night, anniversaries, and special-occasion dinners
- See the menu and full details on their website
Is Josefina Worth a Visit?
Yes, especially if you’re looking to indulge for a special night out. The food’s ambitious and delicious, the space is gorgeous, and the service backs it up, so if you’re celebrating something, this is an easy recommendation. Just know it’s a splurge and go in ready for that. I’m already planning my next visit to work through more of those rice dishes. If you want another Baltimore date-night gem to keep in your back pocket, Chiyo Sushi is a favorite of mine too.
So save this one for when the occasion calls for it, Nomsters, and go treat yourself, you deserve it! Have you guys been to Josefina yet? Let me know what you order in the comments!