This Maryland Dining Experience Has Been Called One of the Best Restaurants in the U.S.

Maryland tends to fall under the radar when it comes to lists of the best restaurants in the U.S. Of course, any local will tell you that the Old Line State has just about any cuisine you could desire, especially when you factor in our proximity to Washington D.C. Today's feature spot is relatively new to the Baltimore dining scene, and it made its way onto The New York Times's Best Restaurant List. Come with us as we explore Little Donna's.

There's a lot that makes Little Donna's stand out, despite fitting in so seamlessly to its physical location on Bank Street. It's named in honor of the chef's grandmother, Little Donna from Yugoslavia, known for welcoming family and friends to her kitchen for a made-from-scratch meal. Today, head chef Robbie Tutlewski continues this legacy of caring for others through homemade food.

If you're in the mood for something hearty, opt for one of the Tavern Pies. These are a nod to Chicago, where the chef attended culinary school, and include unexpected toppings such as crumbled sausage, shaved garlic, or crushed corn chips.

Every single dish on the menu is worth trying, and, as popular opinion has proven, lives up to the restaurant's hype. Start your experience with the Housemade Pickle Plate or perhaps the Serbian Pancakes, which include local crab and warm farmer cheese filling. Another must-try dish features pierogies with sauerkraut and sausage.

Those with a sweet tooth would be remiss to skip dessert; a rotating menu of options ranges from melt-in-your-mouth sugar cookies to warm apple hand pie and a flourless chocolate brownie parfait.

Pro tip: Reservations are highly recommended; however the bar area and outdoor dining area are first-come, first-served. To learn more about what you can look forward to when you visit, head on over to Little Donna's online.

And if you need a place to stay while you're visiting, check out these amazing vacation rentals in Baltimore, Maryland.