The Most Scrumptious Cafes in Baltimore

Bourbon Street Cajun Cafe & Grill

★★★★☆ 3.6 (28) • $

"The Bourbon Street Cajun Cafe & Grill is located within the food court at Columbia Mall. The process to order food is very easy you see something you want, then request it.I was surprised that 'Bourbon Street Cajun Cafe & Grill' charges a fifty-three cent fee for soft drink refills. There isn't anything posted regarding their refill policy. Bourbon Street Cajun Cafe & Grill is an option for you to dine at Columbia Mall's food court."

Miss Shirley's Cafe, Annapolis

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"Went in on a Tuesday for brunch and it wasn't busy so that was really nice! The service was very nice and prompt and the red velvet pancakes were better than I could imagine. Delicious!"

Delizia Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (62)

"Quaint cafe with an awesome breakfast buffet. Great selection of Italian and American style breakfast items all fresh, and a price that can't be beat!The staff is friendly and inviting and make you feel at home. We drive from Gaithersburg...it's worth the trip!"

Rise Up Coffee

★★★★★ 4.5 (130) • $

"This is a decent local chain coffee shop. The drink quality is good and better than Starbucks. They offer pastries and seasonal drinks. The seating areas are available inside and outside. Parking can be tight and lines can be long but it moves quickly."

Stone Mill Bakery

★★★★☆ 3.5 (179) • $$

"wrap and fries were $26.00. For that amount of money, the sandwich better give me an orgasm. It was mediocre at best.Great location. Staff members were busy, so i get the flustered employees."

Golden West Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.6 • $$

"Okay so here it is bullet point style:- service: FANTASTIC!!!!!! Super kind and knowledgable. - food: we ordered pretty basic. things and they took FOREVER. It was pretty good though. However, it was weird that there was no salt and pepper on the table. I could have used some, but we just ate. - My coffee came out cold AF. My friend's was warm but mine was cold. We were cutting it close to our next appointment so we just made it work.This was my second time going there and the second time being like mehhhhh....However, I really love the decor and the plants."

Artifact Coffee

★★★★☆ 4 (665) • $$

"Artifact continues to be my favorite place in Baltimore for breakfast sandwiches and killer coffee. They recently changed up the menu a bit and I tried the new smoked whitefish sandwich. Holy sh*t, it's amazing. I added bacon to it, because why not? Their bacon is some of my favorite ever. The flavor of the sandwich was absolutely incredible. I also appreciate that they give you two little sandwiches if you ask for gluten free bread since GF bread is infamously tiny. As always, the coffee is delicious especially their specialty lattes made with their house syrups. The service is consistently friendly and helpful and most of the employees seem genuinely happy to be there. Also, their house hot sauce is some of my favorite. This is a great place to work remote so long as you can find a two top since they leave their four tops reserved for non-laptop using customers. I also like that their outdoor patio continues to be open even after the cafe closes. The inside can be a bit chilly in the summer so bring a sweater."

Rox Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (36)

"Get the SOUP!I know it's summertime but get indoors into the AC and grab the chicken noodle soup!I came for the chicken parmigiana panini but as I waited about EIGHT different orders of soup were picked up. I don't want to miss out on a movement so I bought a cup too! It overshadowed my panini - my husband got the smoked salmon wrap - everything was good but the soup is the keeper! You have to call to see what they have for the day - something tells me everything here is delicious- I'll be back!"

Cocoaccino's

★★★★☆ 3.8 (17) • $

"Stopped in here for a quick breakfast on my recent trip to Baltimore. Cocoaccino's is located inside a large shopping center, and the seating area is inside an airy atrium so it affords a nice opportunity to people watch as you eat.The food was a very good value - I don't remember the exact cost, but it was definitely reasonable. I ordered a breakfast plate which came with eggs, bagel, shredded potatoes and coffee which was quite tasty. I also ordered a blueberry muffin which was fresh and delicious. Waitstaff and front counter staff were polite.Overall, it's a nice, quaint place for breakfast or lunch at a worthwhile value."

Big Bean Coffee House

★★★★★ 5 (2)

"This coffee house is surrounded by office spaces and is on the first floor on a corner. We went right before it closed on a Saturday afternoon and the cashier was very kind and patient as we took our time deciding what to order. My chai latte was sweet and I really enjoyed it. My daughter enjoyed her iced coffee and my mom LOVED her peach smoothie. The interior is very welcoming and cute. They have many choices for beverages and some lunch items too. I also got a dessert bar called peanut butter bliss that was very sweet and delicious. I definitely will return here since it is very close to the Annapolis mall and easy to get to from there."

Country Butcher

★★★★☆ 4 (51) • $$

"It's a butcher store, deli, cheese shop, charcuterie, and cafe all in one place with some gourmet items, local coffee, frozen trays of food if you're catering a party, and baked goods from somewhere else thrown in to take home for good measure. And they have pizza and BBQ on the weekends to take home. Think of it as a mini DiBruno's or Carlino's and you get the idea. Being lazy and hungry we decided to try the newly renovated cafe for a take out lunch last Saturday. My wife enjoyed a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich with apples that was pretty good. I decided to try the signature grilled rib eye steak sandwich. It's not like a steak sandwich but a big, sliced steak in a sandwich. I ordered it rare (of course) and it's served on a steak roll with lettuce, tomato, and basil mayo and a side of French fries. It was delicious and cooked perfectly and I would get it every time. At $19 it's not cheap (and it's messy to eat with stuff dripping and slipping everywhere) but it's like having an actual steak and a sandwich all in one. I would gladly eat this every time I go there. You can eat inside the cafe or they have a couple of (rusty) tables outside where you can nibble (and in my case dribble). We also took home a mini frozen Shepards pie (just ok) and some big type of big beans (pretty good) from the charcuterie. It's a great option for some meats, eats, and cheeses if you want to save yourself a trip to West Chester, Ardmore, or Philly."

Nancy by SNAC

★★★★★ 4.8 (30) • $

"Love the artistic atmosphere, customer service and yummy treats. Great place to work from in the morning or meet up with someone for a coffee and brunch. Look forward to coming back and checking out the art more. Thanks for the chat Kevin and incredible homemade bread pudding!"

First Watch

★★★★☆ 4.2 (14)

"Only been open a week, so their service is still finding its footing in terms of speed, but the servers are kind, willing to answer any questions you have. The food is delicious and well prepared. If you've been to any other First Watch, you'll know what it's like inside. Nice modern design, comfy seats, and a bright, well lit dining room.Right now they are still applying for their liquor license (as indicated by a sign outside) so no boozy drinks, and as they are still getting their bearings there's no special seasonal menu, but everything we had was great. Can't wait to come back."

Miss Shirley's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 • $$

"The food was amazing! I went with friends for Restaurant Week with the discounted menu of $25 for an appetizer and entree. I had the duo of biscuits for the appetizer, which came with one Doppy's Cinnamon Raisin biscuit and one Pimiento Cheese biscuit. Both were amazing, but while I was partial to the savoriness of the cheese biscuit over the sweetness of the cinnamon one, they were both visually great with a vanilla pear jam. For the entree I had the Chicken 'n Cheddar Green Onion Waffles. The honey mustard aioli drizzle was amazing over both the chicken and the waffles, and the jalapeno butter that came with them was also a great complement to the sweet and savory waffles. The one knock I have is just the general priciness of the menu, but the restaurant week special menu helped attenuate this. The service was very quick even with how full the restaurant was, and the hot chocolate (with a fantastic whipped cream) had free refills. The ambiance was warm and homey even with the big crowd, making the whole experience an easy 5 stars!"

Morning Mugs Coffee

★★★★★ 4.7 (101) • $

"Drinks ordered:-La marvolous mocha: A delicious and unique drink. Perfect level of sweet and smooth in the cold foam followed by the mocha drink. I added an extra shot of espresso and I thought I had a high caffeine tolerance but that drink had been going. 9.5/10Food ordered: Cheddar chive scone: Not like the scones I'm normally accustomed to as this one was softer and more like a bread. Neither the cheddar or chive taste really stood out, but there's nothing bad about it. 7/10 Pumpkin poptart:It was filled with a pumpkin paste and glazed with some sugar. Pastry tasted pretty decent, but nothing really stood out to me to make it special. 7.5/10Sausage, egg and cheese taquito:Delicious and served with a side of ranch, there is no complexity to note on this dish, it's simply a breakfast taquito. $6 for 2 taquitos, 8/10. -Ambience:The vibe was a local neighborhood coffee shop. I enjoy these types of places :)-Cleanliness: Pretty clean. No crumbs to be seen on tables or floors. -Service: Service was fast, and really friendly. I was immediately greeted with a smile a when I walked in and they answered all my questions in a friendly and welcome voice. They were also very helpful in commenting on their menu and recommendations.Transportation:I walked here from our hotel, but parking options look like parallel parking on the street. -Value:It's a little pricey but I would say I'm willing to pay for it due to the quality of the drinks and service 8/10-Wait time: I was in and out in less than 10 minutes. They work fast. Personal Note:I came in for a coffee and pick-me-up and left with a smile. I saw that they were voted one of the best coffee shops in Baltimore and I believe it. Their team of barristas looked well-coordinated and in harmony. The foods were alright but I would certainly let come back for the drinks! Try the seasonal specials! That's my one regret as they had this Carmel Apple Macchiato that I COMPLETELY overlooked."

Main & Market

★★★★☆ 3.9 (311) • $$

"Great Food Always & good Service and the Catering Service is Excellent!!Their Bakery is so good and they do Custom Cakes too!"

Colette's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.3 (15)

"Okay you definitely have to be in the know to be aware of this place's existence. There is a parking lot near the entrance of the building, but only 7 cars can fit there! So otherwise you have to park down the hill around the corner and walk over. But look, I gotta say that the little hunt was worth it. I parked, went up the hill and as soon as I got into the office building, there was a sign pointing to the left where Colette's Cafe is located.Once I walked in, it had the standard office cafe feel. There were plants in the window, a big fridge with a bunch of drinks in it, chips and snacks along some shelves, and magazines near some chairs. I walked up to the counter and saw the day's specials -- a tuna melt and a turkey chili. Those are two of my favorite things, so I got them both! It took 5-10 minutes and I paid and took them home.The tuna melt was... nothing short of delicious. It's a sandwich that I have quite rarely, like tortellini. But I enjoy it whenever I do... and this one was no different. The bread, the tuna itself, the cheese... oof. And the turkey chili? Flavorful, but not too salty!! No complaints whatsoever. I got some plantain chips as well, but haven't tried them yet. Technically it's not their brand, but I'll update regardless.Price-wise, for the quality of what I had, they were great. I am definitely looking forward to returning and trying their breakfast items. If you find yourself in the Greenbelt area, don't hesitate to seek this place out."

Martha's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (37) • $$

"Our travels today from Towson brought us over to the west side of the County, and I'd had this place bookmarked for a while, so we stopped in for brunch. It would be a 25-30 min drive from Towson to Martha's, and I wouldn't hesitate to drive there weekly to eat here. Such a hidden gem! Let me start with the service. These are some genuinely super nice people who clearly love what they do. The staff has a family vibe, and that starts at the top with the owner. Will is on-site, working, hands-on, and super well respected by his staff (3 different people told me about how great he is to work for). Onto the food. LAWDAMERCY! The food! Loaded Chicken and Waffles: The flavors went together so well, and the maple butter is bomb. Only criticism was that the bacon on the dish was not at all crispy, and well....flaccid. (Sorry for that word) (8/10)Monte Cristo: absolutely delish and the raspberry jam is such a nice contrast to the ham(s) and swiss. (9/10) Creamed chipped beef: This one SENT US. Probably the best cream chipped beef I've had in my 53+ years on earth. The chipped beef is finely chopped, and the gravy is smooth and like BUTTAH. This is the dish I would drive around the beltway for on the regular. Even the Pullman toast is perfect. Hearty enough to provide a perfect raft for the chipped beef, and toasted to perfection. Chef's kiss all around. (40 bajillion stars/10) Sides of scrapple and bacon: We requested for both to be crispy, and honestly, I would've liked about minute on the cooktop for the scrapple to really get a nice crust, but it didn't matter because the scrapple was soooo good. Inner texture was smooth, and free of toenails (sorry again, but IYKYK) which made me wonder if it was housemade. I wouldn't be surprised if it was, and if not, def was local. (8.5/10)Needless to say, we will be back and soon! Bookmark this place now! Thanks Will, Meadow, and company!)"

Ann's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (35) • $

"Awesome hole in the wall in MoCo. Stopped here for a quick bite while my car was in the shop. I got a Bacon, Egg and Cheese breakfast sandwich and it was delicious. Perfectly cooked and fresh."

Spring Cafe

★★★★★ 4.9 (97)

"The food was delicious and the service was great we will return for another delicious meal in this quaint restauran."

J C Romero's Neighborhood Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (27) • $

"Tucked away in the residential area of Bayview is this Gem. The owner/operators are true gentlemen. As they prepped my food they explained to me the history of the neighborhood, they elaborated on the recent events in Baltimore, but most importantly they showed me a great deal of hospitality. Things to order...Reuben on Rye : Delicious, Succulent, and and tons of sauerkraut just the way I like it Cesar Panini - Loaded with sauteed peppers, ham, pastrami, and melted mozzarella (to die for) Sicilian Panini - Ham, lettuce, melted provolone, sundried tomatoes, roasted peppers, and topped with a pesto spread They also serve a variety of cold sandwiches, flavored coffees, and the Baltimore staple Sno Balls! The shop is located on the right hand corner of Cornwall & Bank"

Centrado Cafe Shop

★★★★☆ 4.3 (79) • $$

"Great spot for coffee and breakfast. Great service, food was very good. We got the Breakfast Tacos and a Huevos Picados breakfast bowl. Free Wifi if you want (or need) to work; didnt get the pastries (trying to be good) bjt they looked fabulous. Highly rec"

Lakeside Cafe & Deli

★★★★★ 4.9 (10)

"Cozy cafe nestled in a business center near Little Patuxent. The owners/employees are very friendly. The cafe is clean and organized with numerous places to sit. I walked over from The Met and was quickly greeted and helped. I ordered a fruit cup and a breakfast sandwich. The fruit was fresh and the sandwich exceeded expectations. The egg was fluffy and moist and the turkey bacon was cooked to crisp perfection. I will return often."

The Gateway Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.2 (81) • $

"Tucked away a bit right off Exit 18 on 270, this little spot is one of those hidden gems people love to find. Being in an industrial park it has limited hours but a great lunch spot. The steak and cheese is very good and just the right amount of food, so you don't feel like taking a nap afterward.Run by the friendliest family, you'll be greeted with an enthusiastic hello when you walk in the door. Highly recommended!"

Fat Boys Cafe

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (21) • $$

"I have eaten at Fat Boys a number of times since my former office building was conveniently located nearby. It is tucked back in an office park, but can be seen from the road. The place is nicely decorated and the layout is fairly decent. The owner is an ok guy who always treated me well. I like that they have catered to local healthcare workers around Thanksgiving time when they could simply shut down and go home.Food is okay. Some better than others. I tried a few sandwiches, such as the Corned Beef Reuben, Cheese steak, and cheese burger. The burgers were ok, but nothing special and the cheese steak was a bit over cooked. The sandwiches are pretty decent."

Milk and Honey Cafe College Park

★★★★☆ 3.8 (26)

"Update:Update: I am updating this post because Milk & Honey ultimately got it right and I appreciate it! My original visit was less than desirable but Em, the managing partner, took action and invited us back for a do over and we had an amazing time. Every dish was scrumptious! Plus the gumbo was more flavorful and we were served fresh ingredients and in a timely manner! Thanks to Em and the team for elevating our dining experience! That was an excellent way to respond! Original post:The atmosphere was nice but a few things were disappointing. 1. Bland gumbo. It was plain, the rice was soggy and it lacked a kick that well-made gumbo carries. Even after adding salt and pepper, I sent it back. 2. The name is Milk and Honey but real creme nor milk wasn't served with our coffee. We were brought the small flavored coffee creamers. Those creamers are filled with sugars and preservatives. Such a missed opportunity for a fresh and organic eating experience. 3. Servers really do need support. We waited so long for basic things like water, a spoon for the gumbo and the meal in general. We grew anxious during the experience considering how long we waited, and it was not due to overcrowding.I understand that the gumbo recipe was recently changed. I would encourage bringing back the original. Some classics are good as is. We left after returning the gumbo to the kitchen. Great brand, OK menu, but missed opportunity to drive home an all-around good meal and stellar dining experience."

Hull Street Blues Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (93) • $$

"Great service excellent food. Will hit this place up again . Had a great black and tan and the pork steak spec"

Evelyn's

★★★★☆ 4 (140) • $$

"If you haven't been to Evelyn's, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!These days we are all trying to eat healthier & be served fresher foods. Evelyn's knocks it out of the park with their "Field to Table" mentality. Every time I come the service & food has been WONDERFUL!...(11 yrs strong) and sourced from local farms. I have done a lot of traveling and next to being in Cuba, the only place I've been able to find a Cuban sandwich is Evelyn's."

Rell's Cafe

★★★★☆ 4 (4)

"Great vibes from the owner at this establishment. He really goes above and beyond to provide an enjoyable experience, leaving you no choice but to return and enjoy all over again. For being a one-man show, i'm astonished at how the quality is always on point. The food is always made with love. Support this small, locally-owned & operated business!"

Rize + Rest Cafe

★★★★★ 4.6 (62) • $$

"So happy to have this full service restaurant and cafe in my neighborhood. The Rize and Rest opening was long-awaited, but surely worth it. The end unit rowhome has been transformed from a grubby corner store into a gorgeous, welcoming restaurant with a cozy ambience. The devil is in the details and R+R got them right. By day, grab your coffee, do a little work and try nana's biscuits-you can't go wrong with the eggs or the chicken. When the evening comes, a cocktail or glass of wine is a lovely start, and my favorite accompaniments are the oyster or broccoli Caesar apps. The focaccia is also delicious! Check out this neighborhood gem-you don't want to miss it!"

My Kabul Restaurant and Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 (47)

"I came here because of the WaPo article, and I wanted to investigate for myself. Outside is a busy street and a congested parking lot, but inside, you can enjoy a wonderful ambiance, smiling hosts, and soft Afghan music. I asked the wiater for his recommendation as to their signature dishes. I got the (I don't have the real names) dumplings, garlic naan, lamb with rice & carrots, and a "pudding dessert". The dumplings were excellent. Great sauces and the beef filling was very tasty. The garlic naan is flavorful, but unlike the Indian naan I am used to, this one is very stiff. I would enjoy the option to have both versions, as a suggestion. The lamb with rice & carrots really surprised me. I've never had such silky and seasoned rice before. It needed nothing else it was so good! However, the lamb was tender, spiced well, and really complemented the dish. Insight recommend it. Finally, I tried the Afghan dessert, which was a new one for me. I love pistachios and the taste is not overly sweet. However, the texture was a total surprise! It's hard to describe but the top layer is slightly firm while underneath it's almost a yogurt consistency. I enjoyed it because it was something new and unique."

Terra Cafe

★★★★☆ 3.7 (235) • $$

"This post is long, but I will delete it after a few days, So 4 dudes can stand on the corner of a major intersection like 25th & St. Paul and hurl a series of bricks through a 70'x70' plate glass window of a black business and the overhead city surveillance drone didn't detect a thing? Well, they need to get more of them or send that one back to Amazon or wherever they got it. Or could it be that because it was a black-owned business it's just not on their list of priorities? cuz You can believe that had this been fed Hill, Canton, or Upper Charles Village they would have signaled the calvery and within 30 seconds every Black person within 5 miles would have been stopped and questioned. The owner of this business is one of the nicest cats you've ever want to meet and it seems to me there should be a way for us to pull together some dough and gift this guy some of those pull-down metal gates or perhaps hire the security guard from Safeway to patrol this area a few hours a night, and the reason I'm suggesting him is because he is extremely well-liked, he knows everybody and everybody knows him, check out how he gets ppl to move outta that fire lane, his technique is masterful, so maybe his presence would make a difference. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that we can't afford to lose this business, especially since Busboys & Poets got ran't out of Charles Village, and you can be sure that the next business that goes there such as a Poke bowl or something with the word "Wok" in it will be given the benefit of armored plated vehicles stationed curbside, military-style aircraft-cover overhead, and 3 or 4 different brands of security agencies surrounding the perimeter and there will be lines around the block of people waiting to get in and all of it will be celebrated as the way minorities should behave. Well, what they don't understand on this 60th anniversary of the march on Washington and the murder of Emmitt Till, is that if it were not for the so-called misbehavior of Dr.King and John Lewis and so many others willing to walk smackdab into BillyClubs, firehoses, and German Shepherds then these tik-tok places would not exist because nothing would have ever changed. So let's do what we can to help this Brother, if they want to put a jar on the counter and label it security fund or something like that then I'm all in with a recurring donation until whatever goal they set is achieved. Otherwise, all of the other groups will continue to build their version of the American Dream off the backs of our American nightmare!"

Swill By Blacksmiths

★★★★☆ 4.1 (31) • $$

"Fell in love with this beautiful black woman owned cafe! In the heart of Pigtown! It's such a welcoming atmosphere. The service was fantastic. My family and I felt cared for by the owner and servers! That's the kind of place I'd keep coming back to, especially because the food was fantastic!! I forgot to take pics our food was so delicious. Had the breakfast sandwich and the shrimp and fried grits. I've never had fried grits before but these were delicious! The flavors were on point for everything! I look forward to returning! They are BYOB for now and have happy hour. I think some Sundays they have a DJ."

The Grazing Room at Boards by Dana

★★★★★ 4.9 (9)

"Visited here for a yelp event and I LEARNED A SKILL. It's not every day that you go to a place for the first time, no understanding as to what to expect, and come away with a skill.We were there for a class, and the entire time I was thinking how fun it would be to have a date night here. My paramour was with me at this event, so take my recommendation with some confidence. We had a great time.Dana and her mom are AMAZING. They are fun and attentive and encouraging. Dana does a great job of teaching how to make staircases out of cheese, and salami flowers. At this point I feel like most of us have gone to Aldi and bought all the ingredients to make a decent charcuterie board, but you will totally learn how to take your boards to the next level, by paying attention to color and where the product was made, with one of these classes.The space is great, too. You can also get wine and sandwiches and cheeses, etc in the store - because it's important to know your ingredients before you introduce them to others. Two spacious, gender neutral bathrooms made me ever-so-happy. More than enough room to fit my entire chair into the space, including my careperson.Love this. Go check them out."

Black Acres Roastery - Lexington Market

★★★★★ 4.9 (11)

"Probably my favorite coffee shop in the city - their seasonal specials are always delicious. I love popping in here whenever I'm nearby."