When you’re headed out on a date with someone you’ve never met, as is commonplace in the age of dating apps, there are certain criteria. Not only do you want to like the person you’re sharing appetizers with, but you also want to like the appetizers themselves.

The thing about first dates is that your comfort level can make or break them. You don’t want something too formal, or else it will feel like a business meeting, but you want something casual enough to keep the whole thing feeling breezy.

Luckily, in Baltimore, you don’t have to go a five-star restaurant to find stellar atmosphere, a good meal, and a couple of tasty drinks. Here are some of the best first date-spots around.

Wicked Sisters
There are a few reasons why I try and steer all of my first dates towards Wicked Sisters. The Hampden spot has great atmosphere filled with intimate corners that are great for, at the very least, cozying up to a bottle of wine. The whole place has good vibes but, come springtime, the outdoor patio is where it’s at. Appetizers are big enough to share and you should never leave without trying the sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts. 3845 Falls Rd., 410-878-0884

Belvedere Square Market
When you’re planning to meet someone for the first time, you probably have no idea what food they’re into. Luckily, Belvedere Square Market has everything from smoked fish and quick-fired pizza to hearty sandwiches and spicy ramen. Afterwards, if the date lasts that long, head over to Grand Cru for some cocktails and light bites. The whole marketplace has outdoor seating, too, which is perfect for the warmer weather. 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-464-9773

Nepenthe Brewing Co.
It’s the perfect time to make a date at the brewery just off of The Avenue in Hampden. Check out the new peach and raspberry sour beer or the Something Pithy Pale Ale with grapefruit while the spring breeze rolls through the open garage-door windows. Talk about keepin’ it breezy! You know the beers will be delicious but the food is on point, too. And if it all starts to go south, there are plenty of nearby places to escape (aka bar hop with your friends). 3626 Falls Rd., 443-438-4846

Nick’s Fish House
If you’re looking for relaxing, you can’t really beat sitting out on the deck at Nick’s Fish House overlooking the Patapsco River. Sure, you’ll probably wind up covered in Old Bay from picking crabs and sucking down many more Orange Crushes than you had planned, but it’s all in good fun. Make sure to check the music schedule and bring your energy because jammy music is the thing at Nick’s every Thursday-Sunday. As long as your date can get down, you’re in for a night filled with seafood, dance moves, and all-around good vibes. 2600 Insulator Dr., 410- 347-4123

R. House
With new spring drinks on the menu and ample outdoor seating, you can’t beat a date at R. House. Clever new drink creations like the new Mean Green Mother from Outer Space cocktail and the Rebel Dentist will be sure to help rid you of the first-date jitters. You can find tacos, spicy chicken sandwiches, and scrumptious hot dogs from new stand, On Top Hot, just to name a few. The patio is tons of fun this time of year, but, maybe more importantly, it provides a speedy exit when absolutely necessary. 301 W 29th St., 443- 347-3570

29th Street Tavern
We all love to sit outside and soak up the sun this time of year, but spring still has a few chilly days in store. For those rainy date nights, hunker down at the ultra cozy 29th Street Tavern and load up on the spicy wings and beers. Blast some tunes on the jukebox and, if you aren’t having fun yet, well, you’re definitely on the wrong date. 398 W 29th St., 410-235-2426

The Sandlot
You don’t have to head downy ocean to put your toes in the sand. Just head towards Harbor Point to this seasonal waterfront bar. Opening day is just around the corner on May 3, making this the perfect warm-weather date spot. Word on the street is there will be a bit more shade than last year so you won’t wind-up sundrunk, though maybe just regular drunk. Sun, sand, boozy beverages, and crab-corn fritters? At this point, halfway decent conversation would just be an added bonus. 1000 Wills St., 410-568-4916

Of Love & Regret
This unique, hidden gem in Brewer’s Hill has some of the best cocktails around, making it just a touch easier to fall in love, at least for the evening. You can sample liquor from all over the globe while munching delicious shareables like grilled smoked meatballs or calamari. The lobster mac and cheese is a must-have but they have tons of vegetarian options in case your date is an omnivore. With such amazing menu options and a cozy first-date atmosphere, Of Love & Regret boasts a price point that’s totally reasonable. Let’s hope your date is, too. 1028 S. Conkling St., 410-327-0760

Blue Pit BBQ and Whiskey Bar
Blue Pit’s laid-back vibes make for a great first date no matter what. But in the springtime, you can head out to the patio, which means your dog can come, too (your dog’s instincts about your date may even be more accurate than yours). With $2 off drafts, $1 off wine, $7 house Old Fashioneds and Manhattans, and $5 for a shot and a beer, the happy hour is a near steal. But don’t forget to fill up on pulled pork and addictive potato salad. If you don’t, the whiskey might get the best of you. And then it’s just you and the dog . . . 1601 Union Ave., 443- 948-5590

Valentine’s Day is upon us, and there’s no time to lose. Not sure where to start? We’ve got the down-low on today’s top dating apps and where to take your match. Whether you’re a tried and true dating app pro or you’ve had one too many mismatches, Baltimore abounds with date-night spots for every level commitment.

Best if you’re up for anything: Tinder

The O.G. of dating apps, Tinder is where swiping left for “no” and swiping right for “yes” all began. It’s the virtual land of possibilities. Just select your radius and get swiping. Find a match, send a message (or wait for them), and let fate take it from there! Perks: if you and your squad are looking for a group of new friends, just use Tinder Groups and match with others nearby.

Date idea: Drinks at a neighborhood bar—easy to ditch if the night goes sour, or end up out all night if you hit it off. Try Max’s Taphouse, Southern Provisions, or the upstairs of the Ottobar.

Best for easy conversation: Hinge

Known as a slightly more serious in the dating app arena, Hinge is all about connecting with people with whom you have actual interests in common. Set up your profile using your most authentically “you” selfies, and get honest about your hopes, dreams, or quirky stories with the app’s sentence starters. You’ll set your radius and have a pool of Hinge users to swipe. If you match someone, start the conversation or pass it to them.

Date idea: Happy hour trivia is a great way to see if your common interests have a spark. Try Five and Dime Ale House (Wednesdays), Sláinte (also on Wednesdays), and fun Birroteca theme nights (Mondays).

Best for daring women: Bumble

Women-forward and time-sensitive, Bumble is all about filtering out what isn’t meant to be. You each have your best selfies and most clever bios set, but the ladies call the shots—it’s up to the women to make the match and start the conversation within 24 hours. If it’s meant to be, you’ll both be chatting away within hours.

Date idea: Get out of your comfort zone with fun and unique dinner spots like Ekiben, the various food stalls at R. House, and bivalves by the dozen at The Local Oyster in Mount Vernon Marketplace.

Best for no-BS: Coffee Meets Bagel

Not into the whole meeting strangers in public thing? Coffee Meets Bagel pairs you with people with whom you have mutual Facebook friends. Men get 21 bagels to swipe through every day at noon and then the ball is in the ladies’ court. Women can only see a round-up of people who’ve already “liked” them and meet their set criteria. But, the catch is women only get five matches per day and have only 24-hours to respond. For same-sex couples, you only get to see one best match a day. It’s probably the most restrictive dating app, but it works for those looking for connections already close to their circle of friends.

Date idea: Seems a bit on the nose, but might we suggest these area coffee spots to start? Try 3 Bean, Ceremony Coffee, or Dovecote Cafe.

Best for women looking for women: Her

More than your average dating app, Her is a source of LGBTQ+ news and events designed for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. Looking for a match? Simply select a profile and like. But the limit doesn’t end there, besides plenty of date potentials, there’s endless opportunity to find your community nearby.

Date idea: See if you two are musically compatible at these spots around town—Metro Gallery, The Crown, and Flavor (for Queeraoke Fridays).

Best for the missed opportunity: Happn

We admit that this concept is a little creepy, but Happn uses GPS tracking to show you various matches that you’ve crossed paths with geographically. Missed the name of the person you were chatting up in the grocery line? No worries. If they’re also on Happn, you yourself can align the stars.

Date idea: Clearly you both lead an active and cultured lifestyle, so why not check out our local museum guide and visit places like the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, or American Visionary Art Museum.

Best for an instant match-maker: Plenty of Fish

A dating app that threatens to give matchmakers a run for their money, Plenty of Fish has people swearing by the solid connections they’ve made from this ope pool of matches. In-depth personality questions and chemistry assessments help to pair you up with your most compatible partner.

Date idea: IPA or Stout? You can learn so much about your date while tasting craft beers. There are plenty of places to try in town, but check out the fun events in the taprooms of Monument City Brewing, Charm City Meadworks, and Union Craft Brewing.