Just east of the Inner Harbor, this part of Baltimore revolves around faith, family, and food. Even now, St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, built in 1880, anchors the close-knit community. Row houses with marble steps line the narrow streets. When the weather gets warm, residents sit outside on benches or in lawn chairs and visit with friends and neighbors.

"We've survived here for more than 125 years because we believe in family traditions, private enterprise, and the American dream," says Roberto Marsili, president of the Little Italy Community Organization. "Visitors who come to this neighborhood will see what America used to be and what we still want it to be."

Still, it's the neighborhood's reputation for fine Italian restaurants that draws thousands of visitors to the area each year. More than 20 restaurants populate this section of Baltimore, serving hearty helpings of old-world Italy. You'll find everything Italian, from a market that sells homemade sausage and brick-oven pizzas to fantastic bakeries that serve decadent treats to elegant establishments that cater to the stars. By midmorning, the tantalizing smell of homemade sauces and freshly baked bread leads you to this cluster of eateries.