Love Pomelo

Impeccable service and ambiance - our waiter was very attentive, and we had multiple waitstaff come to our table to replace cutlery, clean off crumbs, etc. Perfect for a date night. However, the food was just okay (aside from the Amatriciana which was delicious); we felt that there were too many risks taken with some of the recipes like the tuna crudo and the branzino. The portion sizes were small for the price.

Classy romantic gem in Canton from the people who brought us Cafe Dear Leon a few doors down. Excellent bar service and clever and authentic Italian style dishes.

**lovely staff and atmosphere but tiny portions I was SUPER excited to try this place, as I absolutely adore Cafe Dear León (which is owned by the same people). My friend raved about the Wednesday pasta deal they tried a few months ago (specifically the truffle pasta), so I wanted to try that. I made a reservation for Wednesday (there were many openings which was nice) on the second floor. When my boyfriend and I came in, we were greeted warmly and led upstairs. The waiters are very attentive and nice! Anytime my water even approached being halfway full, someone would be there to fill it. Since it was dinnertime, the lighting was dim and romantic. The decor is simple but elevated, and the seats are comfortable. Now onto the bad...I was very disappointed in the pasta. The Wednesday deal seems amazing as it's only $20, but the portion was unbelievably small. I'd understand if it was designed to be an appetizer or a part of multiple courses, but this was not mentioned while we were ordering. The menu changed from when my friend went, so the truffle pasta was not available. I decided to try a crab and tomato pasta (I forget the exact name). They were generous on the crab (yay!), but I got such a small amount of pasta noodles that I felt the ratio was off. Taste can be subjective, but I think the tomato pairing didn't go well with the crab. My boyfriend got a classic carbonara, which he said was overly salty (I tasted it and I agree). And he's Italian, so he's eaten many plates of carbonara in his life! The pastas did taste freshly-made and so did the other ingredients. I'm not doubtful of the quality, just the portion size. We both left hungry. Overall, I think this was an ok experience. Major pros are the friendly and attentive staff, and the warm, welcoming decor. I would consider coming back and trying their regular menu, since that could be a different story compared to the Wednesday pasta menu. I think that the deal is meant to attract customers in hopes that they will order more, which is fine! But then, please make it clear to the customers that the portions are small and that you recommend ordering multiple dishes.

Our server took some time to get to us. Food was good but my pasta was a bit hard, my partner’s on the other hand his food was great but his portion and mine were small.appetizer was good too, and so were our drinks. Desert on the other hand was 10/10 I highly recommend the tiramisu and gelato. Good night regardless

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best dining experience I’ve ever had. Love, Pomelo is on a clear path to earning a Michelin star. We did the pre-fixe menu with wine pairings, and every course was flawless. The black truffle pasta was rich and unforgettable, the caviar was perfectly balanced, and the chef’s special duck breast was easily one of the best dishes I’ve ever tasted—crispy skin, tender meat, and beautifully presented. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and well-paced. The wine pairings elevated every bite and made the night feel effortless and refined. If you’re looking for an elevated, intimate culinary experience, Love, Pomelo is it. Absolutely worth every penny.

I've been to Love Pomelo multiple times and always have a great experience. The food is amazing -the ingredients used are fresh and seasonal and put together with a lot of thought and care to make delicious and unique dishes. The atmosphere is spot on- its like casual and elegant at the same time and there's always a nice buzz in the place but there's also usually a couple spots at the bar whenever I go . The service is top notch- thoughtful and attentive without being too much. This place is just what the neighborhood was missing. *chefs kiss*

I’m a big fan of Cafe Dear Leon, so I had very high hopes for Love Pomelo and am happy to say I was blown away! We went opening night and were able to get seated at the bar fairly quickly. All the staff were super friendly and excited to share their drink and food recommendations. We sampled the supplì (think of a mozzarella stick covered with risotto and fried) and both the pasta dishes and thoroughly enjoyed everything. We ordered two different spritzes (both incredible) and sampled some red wine as well. So happy to have a quality neighborhood Italian spot - I can’t wait to come back and try the rest of the menu!

I would give them more stars if the rating system went higher. From the first moment we walked in, we were taken care of like they knew us. The service was elite. We were extremely well tended to, never sitting with an empty dish longer than a moment, water replenished long before we’d ever have the chance to ask, retrieving coats for guests and then waiting patiently for them at the door to put the coat on the guest. I have never felt so attended to at a restaurant. The door was held open for you as you left. I honestly could not say enough about how amazing the service is. The atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, like you are in someone’s Nonna’s house. And then there’s the food. To say everything was delicious almost feels insulting to how unbelievably amazing each bite tasted. We started with the castlevetrano olives, classic Negroni, and Moretti. Appetizers: Whipped Ricotta with citrus and Arugula salad First course: Pasta all’amatriciana Main course: A melt-in-your-mouth strip steak. The flavors were so delicious and it was cooked to perfection. We were full, so naturally we also ordered gelato. Pistachio with cardamaro poured over top. For the love…..SO GOOD!! This is one of my most favorite date nights! I imagine everything on the menu is equally as delicious. I cannot wait to go back.

Finally got the chance to check out Love, Pomelo for dinner on a random Tuesday night and I was truly blown away! The decor is stunning and well curated. Every nook seems to feature a gorgeous detail. I especially love the bar seating since the stools are really comfortable. You could easily enjoy a multi course meal at the bar and feel like you were at one of their well-appointed dining tables. More places need to take note of their bar stools - I'm so sick of these hard, backless, wooden stools at places! Love, Pomelo actually allows you to get comfortable and stay a while. We ordered the steak tartare, the endive salad, the mussels, and the squash. My boyfriend also got the carbonara pasta. Sadly, they don't have any gluten free pasta as of now. I'd love to see a GF noodle option in the future since the pastas seem like the true stars of the show. However, the steak tartare and endive salad were incredible! It is probably the best steak tartare I've ever had, maybe taking second place after The Charleston (and that's saying a lot). The endive salad was so flavorful and paired well with slices of pear. Such a creative dish. I loved the two spritzes I tried, the love pomelo spritz and the spritz di mare. Although, the spritz di mare was my favorite; the combo of grapefruit juice and white balsamic vinegar was so refreshing. Service was excellent from start to finish. I will definitely be back!

Food: Started with one of the specials, mussels, as an app - good flavor, but mussels were almost too big, quite a hefty bite; served with nice charred toast. Split the bolognese & steak (tagliata di manzo), both good but the pasta was the star of the show. Tried the tiramisu for dessert and as a self-proclaimed tiramisu snob, i LOVED it. Drinks: Love Pomelo Spritz was refreshing and not too sweet. The House Negroni was nice too. Ambiance: Lovely, romantic. Service: Friendly, attentive, cleared our plates quickly, recommended a good wine after our cocktails.

Love Pomelo is now one of my favorite restaurants in town. I have had the pleasure of visiting this lovely restaurant twice. This is the most well-put-together restaurant I have ever been to. The owners and the staff clearly love this place just as much as the customers. The last time I visited, we went to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Our waiter was so patient with us and gave us a ton of recommendations on things we should try. He even went as far as giving us ideas based on dishes he loved himself. We ended up ordering Zucca as an appetizer, which was the best dish I have ever tried. It is so flavorful and unique that I don't think I have ever had a dish like this before in my life. We then ordered the Tagliata di Manzo, a pasta dish, and dessert. Honestly, anything on the menu here is good, you really don't need a recommendation. Just close your eyes and pick anything, and 10/10, the dish will be amazing. I will be coming back, and they have a forever customer in me. Thank you so much to the staff and owners, this is a well-thought-out restaurant in the city.

Vibes are 10/10. Great for a date night or a happy hour with friends. No reservations, so get there early or after 8:30 if you don't want to wait. Food was delicious, portioned well, and flavorful. But it is expensive. Treat yourself and swing by if you want a nice night out.

One of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore! Love, Pomelo opened earlier in 2024 and is located two doors down from their sister establishment, Cafe Dear Leon, on Canton square. They do not take reservations but I've never had to wait longer than 20 mins -- and their selection of spritzes make that wait fly by! The interior is cozy and features tables on the main floor (upstairs not yet open) and a good bit of bar seating. I've mostly eaten at the bar, which is fantastic because the bartender is SPECTACULAR and remembers me even when it's been months between visits. The cocktails are all innovative and fun, and they have a lovely rotating selection of wines. The Montefalco has been one of my favorites and pairs amazingly well with the tiramisu. Food - you really cannot go wrong. The menu rotates based on the ingredients they are able to source. Currently they have an incredible delicata squash appetizer which you absolutely MUST try if you are stopping in. The pastas are well portioned, the cacio e pepe is one of my favorites. I am so glad Love, Pomelo has come to Canton! Looking forward to many more memorable dinners there.

What a lovely dinner at Love, Pomelo! I'm so glad I finally got to try this spot, especially since it's from the same owners as Café Dear Leon. **Drinks: 10/10** The cocktails were incredible--perfectly balanced, neither too sweet nor too strong. Each one was unique and absolutely delicious. **Food: 8/10** For appetizers, we had the insalata and Jimmy Nardello peppers. The peppers, paired with Calabrian hot honey, were a standout--so flavorful! For the mains, my husband had the pork chop, and I ordered the crab and shrimp pasta. His pork chop was perfectly cooked, though we found the sauce a bit overwhelming and felt it could have paired better with different sides. My pasta, on the other hand, was fantastic. The al dente pasta and well-balanced sauce really brought the dish together without being overly salty. For dessert, my husband opted for the raspberry sorbet, which was clearly fresh and really good, while I had the panna cotta. It was delicious, though I wasn't a fan of the peach compote with bitters; it overpowered the panna cotta, which was amazing on its own. **Service:** Our server was kind, but the pacing was a little slow, especially with the drinks. We waited about 20 minutes for our first round and the same for the second. It's a new restaurant, so I imagine they're still working out the kinks. **Overall:** This is a fantastic spot for dinner! The ambiance is beautiful, and they've done a great job with the décor. I'm looking forward to coming back!

I almost hesitated in writing this review because I truly want to keep this spot a secret--Love Pomelo you are truly the newest neighborhood gem! The cozy, intimate vibe of this row home spot is immediately apparent upon entry. The bar is front and center, leading back into a warm but dimly lit dining area with just a handful of tables. The greeting/welcome conversation I received from the front of house was perhaps the warmest in recent years. Very memorable and appreciated! Our service at the table maintained this same standard--friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and happy to weigh in on the menu. Our drinks and food arrived in perfectly timed fashion to allow for a wonderfully lengthy 3hr meal, transitioning from Aperitivo hour to dinner service. We both tried the Miele Miele--excellent warm summer evening choice for any tequila lover with smoky, spicy meets subtly sweet notes. We started off with the Stracciatella and Foccacia from the Aperitivo menu--divine! The bread comes from beloved next door Cafe Dear Leon and was a perfect vessel for carrying luscious, chewy but creamy Stracciatella presented in strands enveloped in olive oil and fresh cracked black pepper. We moved on to the Watermelon and Shishito plate, complete with goat cheese, balsamic and mint. A nice lighter, refreshing dish for summer. The Stuffed Summer Squash, while tasty, was probably the weakest dish of the night for me. The squash was a bit too raw for my preference and the dish just didn't pack as much flavor as others in the evening. While the meat eater at the table tried the Carbonara (5 star review), I ordered the Rigatoni Norma--delicious! The pasta was cooked to al dente perfection and the rigatoni large enough to find bites of the sauce hidden throughout. The sauce finds just rhetorical right chunky to coating ratio, with fresh pops of rich roasted eggplant, saltier pecorino and creamy ricotta salata. Definitely a main dish winner for this vegetarian. Love Pomelo team, looking forward to becoming a regular! Thank you for a memorable evening!

Lovely little Italian restaurant in Canton square and owned by the same people who run Cafe Dear Leon. A very small space in a row home there are about 5 small tables for 2-4 people and a bar. Expect to wait for a table, especially if you are bigger than a group of 2. They do not currently have reservations. They do have a happy hour from 4-6PM with discounts on some of their cocktails and appetizers. They also do a pasta of the day for $15 which is a great deal. We really enjoyed the pasta of the day (Puttanesca) Spagetti ala baccala, Strip steak, Romanesco and the tiramisu. This was the perfect amount to share amongst 3 people. The pasta was cooked perfectly Al Dente and had a great chew, the spaghetti tastes like fresh made pasta. Overall a great place if you are looking for a nice Italian dinner, I would say on par with Marta or Cinghale in terms of similar restaurants in Baltimore.

So exiting to see a fine dining restaurant in Canton square. I went with a few girlfriends for dinner (they don't take reservations as they're new). We went at 6 pm and waited 45 minutes for a table, which was totally fine as there was plenty of daylight out, and we went to one of the many bars in the square for a pre dinner drink. The restaurant is located right next to Café Dear Leon as it's owned by the same people. The special thing about this restaurant is that it carries wines from producers the restauranteurs are friends with so they do a direct import. We got to try lots of wines from various regions in Italy and ended up getting a bottle of their white. It's a tight Italian menu so we had almost everything on the list. The suplli surprised me. It was basically like a fried Arancini, but better. There was cacio e Pepe risotto and cheese and a hint of spice which was delightful. The pasta was great, but honestly, the highlight of the meal for me was the steak with the salsa verde. Perfectly cooked and salted. For me, the spaghetti cook was off but the sauce was amazing. The chef was able to customize the sauce as we had dietary restrictions. The friendliest staff (Zach told us to come back as he'd love to serve us again!) and the cutest little restaurant with bar seating and a few tables. The bathroom was so cute (it's one for the restaurant) and they had hand lotion, which I appreciate. Definitely worth checking out and I will be back for their wine tastings.

Was really excited to check this place out as soon as I found out it was owned by the same people that opened Café Dear Leon next door. I'm glad we gave it a try! Love Pomelo is conveniently situated next to several shops and bars which is nice if you have to wait a bit for a table as they do not take reservations. We got there at 6p on a Saturday and had about a 45 min wait so went to a bar nearby and grabbed cocktails :) They have a very tight menu that changes frequently so we sampled most of everything they had that evening. We ordered the whipped ricotta, Cacio e Pepe risotto, and arugula salad to start. All were lovely but my favorite was the risotto! So good. The pasta had great flavor and the sauce was great, the only critique I had was that the spaghetti wasn't cooked all the way and had a little bite to it. The restaurant was very clean and beautifully decorated. The service was excellent! Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu and offered great wine suggestions. Overall, we had a great time and will be back!

My Fiancé and I came in on a Saturday night for date night and we really enjoyed our time there! The place is small and cute, and with two big windows at the front, it has a lot of natural light. We started out with drinks from the apertivo menu. I got the Centennial Spritz and he got the Prosecco Rose, both of which we enjoyed. For appetizers, we got the Ricotta E Miele, which was excellent and came with delicious grilled bread. We also got the Watermelon & Shishito which was a delicious and refreshing start to the meal. For entrees, we got the pasta of the day and the Garganelli Bolonese Bianco. We both really enjoyed our meals. Definitely would recommend this spot!

Love, Pomelo brings a level of fine dining that is so needed in this area of Canton! The experience and the decor are so elegant and well done. The service can be a little slow but it is worth it. As a huge Cafe Dear Leon fan, I had high expectations for the food and it did not disappoint! I loved the fun spritzes we tried. Cute date spot or girls night!

Took my partner here for her birthday, and found that the non-alcoholic cocktails were really and truly quite amazing. So were the appetizers - definitely try the burrata! Our two vegetarian pasta dishes (the funghi and an off-menu red sauce dish) were a bit so-so to my tastes, but my partner enjoyed them. Everything else was completely stellar, including the charming and supremely knowledgeable wait person. They could make the lighting a bit dimmer or use spots more often than relatively bright overheads. But I would strongly recommend this place as a true destination restaurant you will be glad you tried!

Cuisine, Service, Atmosphere: 5 Stars. This establishment excels in every aspect, offering a remarkable experience whether one chooses to dine at the bar or a table. Our experiences here have consistently been exceptional.

I went to dinner at Love, Pomelo early on a Friday (right when they opened) and I think that is the move because the place fills up fast. I was lucky to get street parking in an otherwise pretty busy and cute square. We shared everything which I highly recommend! Portions are not too large but definitely filling! To start, we had the Marcona Almonds which were nice and salty to open our palates. We also had the burrata and salad as starters. The burrata was creamy and had peaches in the dish. We did order a basket of their bread to spread the cheese on - seems silly it doesn't already come with bread! The salad was so fresh and the herbs and dressing were perfect. For our mains we got the seasonal mushroom pasta (perfect, no notes), the clam pasta (too salty and clams were on the fishy side) and the cod (perfectly cooked, sauce was delicious). To finish, we had the grappa, the strega, and the limoncello. What really was stellar about Love, Pomelo was the ambiance and the service, which was impeccable!

The name says it all. Love, Pomelo brings you delicious sips and bites with a level of care and attention that can only come from passion and dedication toward Italian food and the dining experience. This gem, tucked away in Canton Square, has both bar and table seating in a cozy room made to feel airy and intimate at the same time by ample natural light and a balance of polished and rustic touches. The service is fast, friendly, and attentive. You won't regret a cocktail by Toni at the bar! She, along with all the other staff, are knowledgeable about the food and wine. This is impressive, given their ever evolving food and wine lists. While there are solid staples, new dishes and drinks keep the menu exciting even for return diners. The ingredients always taste fresh, and the dishes are outstanding in flavor, balance, and technical preparation. You won't find overcooked seafood or pasta here. It's always inspiring hearing from the staff the story behind the creation of a new appetizer or the feature of a new wine. Behind every delicious taste, there's Love (Pomelo). We've been many times and will return for many more to try what's new and revisit favorites. You won't regret doing the same!

What an incredible addition to the Baltimore food scene. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu, but if you have trouble deciding, the waiters are knowledgeable and will steer you in the right direction. The drinks are delicious, entrees were incredible and you must end with an espresso martini and the tiramisu. Also - follow the restaurant on social media to see what they're offering inf their takeout window! For their Fourth of July pop up, they had Italian beef's and Chicago hot dogs that were great!

Came on a Friday night for dinner a few weeks ago during one of the first weekends they were open! Had a short wait and sat at the bar. Got one of their delicious spritzes which had elderflower liquor in it! I would highly recommend it. We got the salad (SO good), romesco which was brocolli and cauliflower that was so well spiced. The rigatoni and cacio e pepe were so good! The pasta was perfectly Al dente. We ended with the tiramisu which was to die for!! Overall so excited to come back and keep trying this place!

Amazing food and the service was fantastic as well You can tell there is a level of caring that goes into the restaurant and great wine list Wish they were closer to me

This new establishment's name is accurate AF because I absolutely love it! I know, I know, yet another italian spot in Baltimore, but Love, Pomelo definitely stands out and earns its praise. A magical addition to Canton Square. Once you step inside, you'll actually forget you're in Baltimore. Dimly lit, classy, highly attentive service, limited yet carefully curated menu - this place has Michelin star vibes. If gin is your preferred spirit, you're in luck. The cocktail menu is gin heavy with many a unique option to try. I was adventurous and tried the Bitter Giuseppe and ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. The beverage set the stage for a wonderful meal. We started with the whipped ricotta and the Caesar salad. There wasn't a single crumb of food left when our appetizer plates were cleared, and the Caesar was probably the best I've had in recent memory. We next enjoyed the steak and the white bolognese pasta. Again, not a bite was spared. The steak was so tender and cooked perfectly. I don't know how they made those crispy purple potatoes so good, but they complimented the steak quite well. The homemade pasta was a perfect al dente, and the garganelli shape was a great vessel to capture all the delicious sauce. We also enjoyed a side of roasted carrots. While we dined and enjoyed ourselves, we felt taken care of. Wait staff checked in frequently even though everything was perfection. I'm very much looking forward to another visit to try more of the menu.

Absolutely loved my meal at Love Pomelo! This is such a welcomed change-up for the canton square. I came here with my husband and we were able to be seated right away at the bar. We ordered a few appetizers to start, the ricotta and the calamari that was on special. Ricotta was great but the calamari definitely stole the show on that. I also ordered the Love Pomelo Spritz which was delicious! For my entree, they were sadly out of ramps after I had ordered the spaghetti crab and ramp pasta, but I ordered the happy hour spaghetti with cod as an alternative and I felt like I was in Capri- the flavors were very fresh. My husband got the Rigatoni Norma and it was GREAT!! We also shared a piece of the tiramisu and I had no complaints. The bartender who served us was also super nice and friendly. Lastly, the space itself is perfect. Very light, like a bistro, elegantly decorated but not flashy. 10/10 all around, I will definitely be back.

This little gem is exactly what the Canton neighborhood needed. It gives Thames Street Oyster House vibes (in Fells Point) as far as the upscale, yet intimate vibes go. The food. The wine. The service. The ambiance. I truly loved it all. My husband and I sat at the bar for date night and I couldn't recommend it more. The bartenders Chris and Min were so knowledgeable and kind. Chris let me try both red wines and have great recommendations. We shared the watermelon salad app, the bolognese, the spaghetti, the steak, and tiramisu. Yes, we balled out and yes, it is a little pricey, but you are paying for value. Everything was absolutely delicious, but you NEED to get the bolognese - it's a blanco style so no heavy red sauce which was perfection. The steak and tiramisu were some of the best I've ever had. You can tell the owners, staff, chef all love the experience they are creating and we are so lucky to have them here in Canton Square!

SO GOOD! The waiter was so kind & had great recommendations in regard to wine pairings. Not only were the cocktails awesome but the food exceeded all expectations. Definitely get the tiramisu for dessert. Such a fun, well-decorated, cozy spot for dinner! 100% will be returning :)

Every food item here is an experience. And the service is excellent. Really looking forward to coming back

Excellent food, wine and service! A must for any occasion or visit to Baltimore! Every person, from host to server to sommelier, was courteous, professional and more than helpful! Our dinners were delicious!

Great services good hosting and excellent customer service ..................,.,,,good communication and great positive attitude

Amazing fresh food, beautiful European cafe ambiance, and absolutely 10/10 service. We were celebrating a birthday and the Love Pomelo family made sure we had a perfect evening. Tried tons of dishes but our favorite was the GARGANELLI MALFATTI and the stracciatella & focaccia!

We are huge fans of cafe dear leon and have been since their opening, so thought it would be fitting to try the owners new restaurant! Love Pomelo is an Italian inspired menu with higher end prices but a very cute and cozy interior vibe. We ordered the steak, fish, blanc rigatoni, and the spritz drink, and we thought each piece was very well cooked but the portions were definitely on the smaller side. I'd take a friend here for a special occasion if I wanted to splurge!

Wonderful new place. The happy hour pasta dish was delicious inventive, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.

If I could give Love Pomelo 10 stars I would. The food is absolutely phenomenal and the closest you'll ever get to eating authentic Italian food in Baltimore. The staff and owner are some of the friendliest, kindest people you'll ever meet. Every dish and drink is curated with such careful thought and passion. Truly an experience you can't pass up and will have you wanting to come back again time and time again!

Great food and great service. Limited menu but everything is excellent. We had steak and Bolognese and both were fantastic. Staff is especially impressive and professional. Quality of experience is a natural progression from the already incredible French place next door.