In Baltimore, wings are more than just a late-night craving. They’re a comfort food, a neighborhood staple and for many newcomers, their first delicious introduction to the city’s food scene. Whether you’re chasing that classic Old Bay hit or craving a fusion twist, these five spots prove that Baltimore knows how to do wings right.
iBar
iBar makes ordering wings feel like a choose-your-own-adventure story. You pick the style, the spice, the fry, the dip and even the size, meaning no two plates have to be the same. The standout? Their Chef Style Buffalo: a garlicky, parmesan-laced take on the bar classic. The garlic seeps into the skin, the parmesan clings to the sauce and every bite packs both heat and richness.
Their heat scale runs from gentle “mild” to fiery names like Inferno and Devil’s Blood, letting you find your perfect burn. But don’t skip their flavored wings: Old Bay, Spicy Thai Peanut and Asian Ginger prove that iBar’s real strength is variety. It’s the kind of place where wing fanatics can keep coming back just to try something new.
Kisling’s Tavern
Ask any Baltimorean where to find the city’s best wings and you’ll hear the same name: Kisling’s. Their award-winning buffalo wings are the definition of classic: tangy, buttery and just hot enough to keep you reaching for another. Somehow, the skin stays crisp even when the sauce puddles at the bottom of the plate.
Dry rub fans will also find a home here. The Cajun rub hits with a smoky kick that lingers without overwhelming. Kisling’s has been serving wings for decades, and it shows. Every plate feels like the standard by which all buffalo wings should be judged: reliable, nostalgic and exactly what you want.
Papi Cuisine
Born as a delivery service and now one of Maryland’s hottest dining spots, Papi Cuisine is all about bold creativity. Their wings are no exception. The Hot Honey Old Bay combines two Baltimore icons into one sweet-spicy masterpiece, while their Garlic wings double down on depth of flavor.
For a trip beyond Baltimore, order the Honey Jerk (smoky, sticky and layered with Caribbean heat), or the Korean BBQ, where savory soy meets just-right sweetness. Even the Buffalo here feels elevated, rich and saucy without losing its bite. And whatever you do, don’t skip the crisp fries with Old Bay ranch. At Papi, wings aren’t just food, they’re culture, history and flair served on a plate.
2AM Project
Tucked away like a secret you’re glad to stumble upon, 2AM Project is the kind of place you never forget. For me, a Jersey kid and lifelong wing lover, it was where I first tasted Baltimore’s signature Honey Old Bay wings. That sharp, salty seasoning with its hint of celery seed sank into the skin and told me, you’re in Baltimore now.
These wings aren’t just late-night fuel. They’re a love letter to the city’s flavor identity. The place itself may be small, but those wings? They leave a big impression, the kind that sticks with you long after the last bite.
Taste This
If wings are comfort food, then Taste This is comfort squared. This Black-owned soul food restaurant keeps prices wallet-friendly but refuses to compromise on quality. The wings are big, crisp and juicy, offered in classics like Buffalo, Honey Old Bay and Lemon Pepper.
But the magic’s in the adventurous flavors: Mardi Gras, Honey Hennessy and Jose Tequila & Lime, each one a party on the palate. Pair them with creamy Mac & Cheese or smoky Collard Greens, and you’ve got a meal that tastes like home cooking turned all the way up.
The Takeaway
Baltimore’s wing scene is a full spectrum: customizable and fiery at iBar, tried-and-true at Kisling’s, inventive at Papi Cuisine, personal at 2AM Project and soulful at Taste This. Together, they prove wings in this city aren’t just snacks. They’re stories on a plate, each bite connecting flavor to place and people.
So grab some napkins, because in Baltimore, the mess is always worth it.
