50 Best Cafes in Baltimore

“I love this place because of the great menu. I am lactose intolerant but eat meat. There are few places that allow you to customize items to cater both of things (generally, if places have this many alternative milk and cheeses, they are vegan - which can be great to be fair. Many places have no alternative milk for coffee). I only go during off hours though, their busy hours are too intense for me (but that’s unavoidable because they are so popular).

I have taken a star off service for the manager and owner, because they took away required tipping (this was implemented during covid) and then told me that since ppl complained about it, this was “more democratic” . It was a really stupid excuse that was worded to appeal to my (assumed) politics. I KNOW your staff isn’t getting paid enough, this decision is cruel. Red Emma’s can afford to include required tips with orders, why can’t you?“

“I recently read an article that said the best bakery in Maryland is Ovenbird. They are wrong. IT IS THIS PLACE. Fantastic bakery -- the croissants are fabulous. If I had to critique the place it would be they need a 2nd barista, or a cheap intercom system. The tiny place only holds 6 people (and a dog!) and 5 of those are standing around waiting for their coffee.“

“Best chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever had!“

“Such a unique menu and such nice people“

“Randomly ordered this morning through DoorDash, and I found this place. what a gem. The food was absolutely amazing and super quick delivery into the city. sandwiches were still hot and gooey. So thankful they are not right down the street for me as I would probably give them all my money. keep up the good work.“

“This place is amazing. Their empanadas are absolutely the best in Maryland. Their Dominican steak bowl is AMAZING. The Korean bbq steak bowl… AMAZING!! My only complaint is their steak sub. While it was TOTALLY delicious, it was very small for $12. It was sooo good I wanted more.“

“The food presentation is gorgeous. Each item really tastes like the recipe was meticulously created to optimized the flavor and texture of each ingredient. The bulgogi melt absolutely shook me to the core with the level of depth of just a few ingredients, if you were to only try one thing on the menu definitely go for this one. I’ve been overseas and had similar items and was surprised with how much the food quality reminded me of cafes in New Zealand or Germany. The chef also came out to ask about the food, he was kind and friendly to talk to. There are limited seats so be prepared by ordering online or for pick up, it’s quite well worth it.“

“Very good place. I generally prefer smaller owner operated establishments to big national or international chains. It always feels better to spend your money with them and when the overall experience is as rewarding as it is here it’s extra good!! Props to Spoons, they ace it“

“Very swanky coffee and tea shop. The instrumental music and hip patrons made the vibes. I ordered the classico vegano with vegan sausage on ciabatta and a matcha oat latte. The matcha oat latte had just enough sweetener (you have to ask for it). The classico vegano was good as well. The staff was very delightful and pleasant. They knew their customers and although they had a rush they handled it with ease and remained calm and pleasant. The price was reasonable for what I received and to have the opportunity to dine-in. Overall, this is a great place to visit alone or couples for a nice cup of java or tea.“

“Everything is fantastic! From breakfast sandwiches (and plates) to lunch specials. The food tastes great, you are usually in and out very quickly, and they have fantastic memories and will greet you by name. I ended up with Covid, my last day of work was Nov 17th, and I did not come back until Jan 4th. They still remembered my order! "I" didn't even remember it!!! Always excellent. Highly recommend.“

“Been going to Sweet 27 for probably 12 years. My grandson is 6, this is his favorite spot. Friendly staff and great food.“

“When we lived in Maryland I bought all of our coffee from High Grounds. I have now moved to Georgia and wouldn't consider changing my coffee source. The main reason that one would go to a coffee roaster for the 2nd, 3rd or 99th time would be for the quality of the coffee, and any one who would rate High Grounds less than 5 star“

“What a lovely, friendly and delicious afternoon! The place looks beautiful, the tea divine and the food spectacular! Thank you for the fun experience!! All should go!“

“A huge thank you to the folks at One World Cafe for coming to the Hopkins football tailgate crepe tent rescue. We discovered post game when it was time to start cooking for the team that we left our cooler of eggs and milk on the 7th floor of the Marriott parking garage. We had all the toppings but no crepe ingredients! Remembering all the great breakfasts I have had at One World (as a regular customer we have always received stellar service and food) I dashed across the street to see if they could spare some eggs and milk. Everyone was so friendly and kind and happy to help and saved the day with 8 eggs and a gallon of milk! Thank you so very much. Your kindness was much appreciated and helped our team celebrate our win! 5 stars for quality service and kindness and generosity as a bonus!“

“Cute little diner. Friendly Staff. Good prices. Breakfast sandwiches were made fast and pretty tasty for how simple they were made. The fresh watermelon was cut onsite. Lots of drink options at reasonable prices. Overall a good place for a quick cheap meal and definitely better than most places around the hospital.“

“This is an absolutely delightful place. It has indoor and outdoor seating with a very cozy atmosphere. The food was very good and the service very pleasant. The buttermilk biscuits sound simple, but they’re a delicious and filling option if you’re looking for something that’s not too sweet. The neighborhood (36th St) offers a lot of interesting places to check out, too.“

“Our Mens Ministry had a fellowship breakfast earlier this month and we were beyond satisfied. The food, drinks and service was exceptional! We will continue to have our monthly fellowship here as long as they’ll allow. Speaking for the men who attended, we HIGHLY recommend this business and we’ve recommended it to other groups, family and friends.…“

“such an amazing experience, some dishes are served in a tea pot, tea and dessert are amazing. One of my favorite places to order food from and to dine in person. My favorite afghan spot in the city! they also sell rugs and tea sets which adds to the atmosphere“

“beautiful space, delicious eats, i love that you can get coffee or alcohol, depending on your mood“

“Went by today for the first time and the employees could not have been nicer or more informative. They took their time to describe the different teas they had available and made recommendations based on my taste. The tea was delicious and service outstanding. It’s great to have this new small business in the area.“

“I recently moved offices from DC to Baltimore and needed place for coffee in the morning. This charming little shop has easily become my go-to. The standard drip coffee is exactly what I want and so much better than Dunkin or Starbucks. This place is a gem and deserves all the hype!“

“Stopped here for breakfast, food was good!“

“As soon as my wife and I walked in, we were greeted with a smile. The VIBE is amazing. Steffon then seated us and took our drink orders. I had the Cadillac on 22's (just woke up from nap lol) and my wife loved her drink 🍸 and she normally does not drink alcohol.

Now for the food 🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥Chef Heather is amazing. The Brown Sugar French Toast, Espresso Rub Wings and country potatoes (Party time for your taste buds), Salmon with Fried grits & cheese...ALL DELICIOUS.

We will be back and bringing FAMILY & FRIENDS...#AdventuresofTnJ #TTC4LIFE“

“They have really good espresso! I also like the taste of their oatmilk — creamy and smooth. My favorite thing about this place is they allow dogs (not just service dogs)! Plenty of outlets, wifi. Quick service. They could use new chairs tho…“

“I got the delicious gluten free corn cakes with a fried egg and bacon. It was $20 but it was good, there was a nice outdoor seating area of 4 tables, it was a cute neighborhood, and I found parking. They also have gluten free bagels, buns, and their home fries look bomb, I'm going to try those next time.“

“Beautiful boutique hotel with friendly staff. Check out the Speak Easy and rooftop restaurant. Mt Vernon park is just across the street and Mt Vernon marketplace is just 2 blocks away.“

“Best catfish and Mac and cheese I have had in years. Very friendly service“

“My wife and I are in town for a trade show and came across Sunny Side Cafe on google.

Amazing service and absolutely outstanding food. This was exactly what we were looking for. We sat at their little bar and the vibe was on point!

Nice short walk from our hotel.

We would highly recommend checking these guys out!“

“Because I was in a big big hurry, the Guy behind suggested a list of items that will be quicker to make. I chose Pork Buns. Omg. They r really good. If you’re on the run as much as I am, great food to get“

“Good place to stop by whenever I'm in town“

“Best food on campus, breakfast and lunch. Pre-made breakfast burritos are toasty, warm, and ENORMOUS. Not for the faint of heart (me) unless you want to be sent into a food coma (which I was) and sleep through your afternoon class (worth it). Don't even get me started on the sandwiches at lunch. I get an egg salad sandwich (hummus if they're out of egg salad) on toasted rye with all the fixings -- and I mean ALL of them. You can get a mile-high stacker that's caving in on itself for a single meal swipe here. What do you get at Chick-fil-a? A single piece of chicken on soggy bread. The service here at the Coffee Shop is amazing, too. Workers are super nice and fun to chat with. If you've just finished working out at the RAC, swing in here to cancel out all those calories you burned because you earned it, champ.

Vegetarian options: Good stuff“

“I stopped today for the first time and I will definitely be back! I got a snickerdoodle latte, chocolate croissant, and some sort of caramel apple pastry. All three were SO GOOD! The chocolate croissant was so flaky and buttery! Highly recommend! Plus the lady running the cafe was so sweet and friendly!“

“We stumbled upon The Nook upon accident, having a little bit of extra time before an appointment. The service is great, and the food is even better. As a family that is next door at Hopkins far too often and always disappointed in the food and service, this was a breath of fresh air.“

“My favorite tea, ever. And I am VERY picky about my tea. AND it is very difficult to impress me. AND most tea companies do it wrong. But these people do it Wight 👐 I was initially enchanted when gifted Jasmine tea balls and found out the Jasmine I'd been drinking all my life was trash, haha. Wight changed my life. Since then I have tried a few other varieties including their Marquess Grey which went above and beyond and I completely fell head over heels for. Wow. These teas are so FRESH, fragrant, soothing, and they feel the way tea should in your body: relaxed, happy & fulfilled. I was just gifted their Evening Tisane and am equally enthralled with the product. I can't wait to buy more & gift to my friends & family. Everyone I've ever made a cup of tea for with Wight tea has been amazed by the flavor and aroma. Wight does tea right 🫖“

“Hard to find any faults here! Super popular for good reason. We got there around 9:30 and were anticipating a wait, but we were seated within a few minutes. It’s a big space, but not too noisy. The food was incredible! I don’t think you can go wrong. I’d for sure go again and again!“

“The B&O Café provided a refreshing respite during our visit to the museum. It is located in one of the historic buildings that also houses some of the museum's educational programs and is easy to find when one visits the outdoor train garden. There is seating both inside and out, and given today's heat, we appreciated the clean and well-spaced tables inside. We were happy to learn that our purchases of drinks and fresh pastries supported the Franciscan Center Dignity Plates Culinary Training Academy and that the cheerful staff on duty would become certified as a ServSafe Food Manager after completing the 13-week course. The Chocolate Chip Brownie was heavenly, and the Cold Brew Nitro was perfect for today's weather. If we did not already have a lunch commitment, we would have tried the various soups, sandwiches, and grilled burgers sourced from local farms - something to look forward to next time.“

“1:39 4 ..ll 5G§ 83 < Reviews Koba Café First coffee shop of 2023! Koba is a cozy shop on the corner. The young lady at the counter was friendly. She was familiar with the two customers in front of me. It definitely had a neighborhood friendly vibe. The shop was busy. Most of the tables on the first floor were taken up when I was there. Be sure to take a stroll up the stairs. At the top of the stairs was an adorable little spot for two people to sit and chat. The second floor has a great little area to sit and ready or study. The top floor was full of light. I ordered my usual cortado. It was a solid drink. The cortado wasn't bad but it also wasn't anything spectacular to write home about.“

“Amazing food. Impeccable service. Relaxed ambience. Great conversation with the well travelled owner/ chef. I highly recommend.“

“The food is amazing and you can tell it is cooked with passion and love. Tastes great and looks really pretty, there was an edible flower as a garnish! This is an amazing small business. We worked specifically with Elle. Elle is extremely passionate in her job and in the community.“

“Enjoyed my breakfast here. Lots of variety on the menu. I appreciated they had 3 different seating options: 1) inside the restaurant, 2) out in an enclosed patio area, 3) an outdoor seating area. I relished in the music they played from Buddy Holly and that era. It made for a perfect start to a Sunday. Prices were reasonable for that area.“

“I come here every now and then and i must say out of all the cafes with baked goods in baltimore. This cute cafe tucked away in the ambassador apartments has the best savory breakfast pastries. There cakes and sweet pastries are phenomenal as well. The matcha cheesecake is bar none. And the coffee is solid too. I have no idea why anyone would ever choose to go to a chain like starbucks. Support your local economy.“

“Really wished this business would open again. It provided a great community service to the business park. Best food! Best prices! Best staffing of peoples with disabilities delivering phenomenal service and quality food. Please open again! I miss the fried chicken most of all!“

“Actually it was the gentile half of the hospital cafe. I was impressed with the selection and quality. Hot, tasty food done pretty quick. And the price was right. I had a Cuban sandwich and my wife had a delicious looking salad she made herself. The dining area was roomy and filled with natural light.“

“I eat here every time I visit the area.“

“Today I had the pleasure of visiting the newest addition to the neighborhood. The German chocolate cupcake advertised on Face book had my name written all over it I couldn't wait to get home and have at it with my fresh coffee I purchased there as well. Absolutely delicious. I can't wait to visit again especially when they expand their menu to include pies. With the Holidays approaching I definitely need more of their goodies on my table. Please stop by and help this up and coming coffee shop prosper. We really need more of this type of business in our neighborhood Best of luck Sunga“

“The food is exquisite here!! The employees provide quick and efficient service. The food was packed with flavors and seasoned to my liking. The perfect lunch , was fast and casual. Surprised it’s not blown up with popularity by now. Will definitely be ordering again!!“

“Still in soft opening until 1/26 but the pastries are delicious, attentive baristas, affordable price points and has a very cozy vibe for coffee dates :)“

“This made our Baltimore trip! We would come back just to go to this restaurant! We ended up sitting at the bar,(something I normally don’t like to do) and it was a fortunate happenstance. We ended up sitting with some regular customers and had a blast, everyone was so friendly and it was like being among family. Nino the owner brought our meals out and they were superb! From the appetizers to desert everything was impeccable! The bartender Boulot was SO fun and attentive (we never had an empty glass). The cannoli (hand made by Nino’s mom) was Terrific. When we get back to Baltimore this will be one of the first places we stop.“

“Had their special rum drink. Quite tasty. 14.00
Then had the chicken liver hash hangover cure. Very very good. Presentation was terrific. Eggs were perfect overeasy
I think it was 16.00 (maube 17.00) drinks and food there are inventive and not sloppy. I had a zekes coffee there too 5.00. More than I wanted to spend, but everything was carefully prepared, like in a super exclusive downtown restaurant. Informal atmosphere. Not pretentious. Spent to much but really enjoyed it“