Baltimore is more than just a tourist city known for its sweet charm. It’s a city full of historical monuments, live showcases, and curated cafes that cater to the community’s cultural art scene in the city’s thriving neighborhoods. Brunch is no different.
Whether you’re in the mood for classic southern cuisine, seafood dishes or Captain Crunch French Toast, there’s something for everyone.
Next time you’re in Baltimore, stop by one of these popular brunch spots to taste what the city has to offer.
Ida B’s Table
Enjoy breakfast cobblers, buttermilk biscuits, and sophisticated cocktails named after late writers like Toni Morrison and Terry McMillan, while admiring a portrait of the 19th-century journalist and activist Ida B. Wells hangs on the wall. Chef David Thomas put a contemporary twist on soul food with African and Asian American influences to create dishes like Fried Blue Catfish, the Ida Burger, and other gluten-friendly/vegetarian dishes.
The Urban Oyster
Chef Jasmine Norton is bringing drag to brunch every fourth Saturday of the month with live music, delicious food, $25 mimosa carafes, and some of Baltimore’s most popular drag queens. The Urban Oyster is the first female, black-owned oyster bar in Maryland. Stop by anytime for $1 oysters or a sold-out live performance. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
Land of Kush
Not the kush you’re thinking, but locals in Seton Hill neighborhood say the food is just as good. Start your #MeatlessMondays at this family-owned vegan soul food restaurant. Their goal is to introduce African American and Latino communities to the vegan lifestyle recreating food in a healthy, yet inexpensive way. Locals praise their kush BBQ rIbs, eggplant parmesan, vegan mac and cheese, and their award-winning vegan crab cakes, pictured below.
Dovecote Café
Community first, cafe second is the motto at Dovecote Café, where guests are welcomed to come and stay for New Orleans style étouffée and R&B sing-alongs. A communal space for us and by us in Baltimore’s Reservoir Hill, decorated with artwork and paintings from local artists. Aside from their eclectic brunch menu, locals come back during the week for homemade zeppoles, live showcases, fashion pop-ups and free produce on Thursdays, as a part of their food rescue program. So bring a bag and your appetite, you’ll be here for a while.
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Established in 2005, Miss Shirley’s Café was created in honor of the late Miss Shirley McDowell, a local famed food professional remembered for her joyful charm, southern style cooking, and love of Maryland tomatoes and other fresh ingredients. The cafe won French Toast of the Month for their Gingerbread Cookie Stuffed French at all three locations-two in Baltimore and another in Annapolis.
Cava Mezze
Bring a group of friends and indulge in a mix of Mediterranean and Greek-inspired dishes at Cava Mezze. Enjoy shared plates of chicken sausage, Nutella waffles, green eggs & ham, crispy brussel sprouts over poached eggs, and stacks on stacks of Spanakopita. Check out their $35 all-you-can-eat brunch on weekends and $25 3 course dinners on Monday nights.
Blue Moon Cafe
Vegetarian Potato Pancakes and Captain Crunch French Toast are regularly requested at this rock n roll inspired diner. Owner Sarah Simington traveled the world perfecting her cooking skills before opening the cafe with her mother Sherri in 1996. Since then, it has become a local hangout spot in Baltimore, especially on weekends when they are open 24 hours a day. Besides breakfast is great at any time of the day.
Next Phaze Café
If you’re looking for southern cuisine and live jazz sessions at the same time, look no further than Next Phaze Café on East Lexington Street. Cajun salmon, jumbo lump crab cakes sandwich, and fries made with their homemade remoulade sauce and buttery cornbread are some of their most memorable meals.
Terra Cafe
Serving the community for over 10 years, Terra Cafe makes all of their meals from scratch. This cozy cafe in Charles Village offers a mixture of artful conversation and community over corned beef omelets, Belgian waffles, and Cajun Shrimp w/ Portabella Mushroom Salad to get your morning started. It’s a family-run business, so you’ll most likely see Chef Terrence Dickerson, his sons, and family members in the kitchen.