There aren’t many things I love more than a good iced coffee. While Starbucks on campus is usually my go-to because of its convenience, something hits differently about going to a locally owned coffee shop. I am by no means a coffee connoisseur, but I can say that I have some experience with local Baltimore coffee shops. Here are some of my favorites!
- Artifact Coffee
This coffee shop is my go-to when I want to venture off campus to get some work done. The brick walls and the hanging lights inside create a really comforting vibe, and they have a really nice outdoor area with tables and umbrellas. Besides the overall vibe of this place being great, they have such good food and drinks. My go-to drink is an iced coffee with maple syrup and oat milk. The drink itself is absolutely delicious, but what really makes the drink for me is the pebble ice. I know it sounds weird, but the ice really levels up the drink. However, the highlight of Artifact Coffee is their food. They have arguably my favorite breakfast sandwich of all time: the Fallin’ For You sandwich. Served on a toasted baguette, this sandwich has kale, sweet potato hash, eggs, cheddar and pesto. I always dip it in the locally made hot sauce that they serve. It is truly the best!
- Bird in Hand
This local spot combines two of my favorite things: coffee and books. This coffee/bookshop is covered in both new releases and old classics for browsing and for purchase. I love getting a coffee or a pastry and looking through all of the books that they have. I have been here a couple of times, and every time I go, the workers are so friendly. They’re also always open to chatting about their favorite books, which is fun for book lovers like myself. Bird in Hand is located right by Johns Hopkins University, so there are always students coming in and out of this shop!
- Luna Garden
Located in the Fells Point neighborhood, this place is surrounded by local restaurants, cute boutique shops and cobblestone streets. It is connected to a locally owned record shop, which radiates 2014 Tumblr energy. I work at a local boutique across the street and I make sure the I give myself time to stop for a brown sugar oat milk latte before my shift starts. The workers at this spot are so friendly and they always play fun music. They also host live music and various events which is fun! Also, this might be a coincidence, but there are always dogs hanging out inside and outside Luna Garden which always brightens my day.
- Common Ground
What I love most about Common Ground (besides the coffee of course) is its location. This shop is located right off of W 36th St in the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore. This neighborhood is super cool and attracts a pretty hip crowd. This area is perfect for shoppers and foodies who want to explore local Baltimore businesses. Hampden also hosts some really fun events such as Hampdenfest, a street festival that features a ton of Baltimore businesses. This is the perfect place to pick up a coffee before a day of shopping and is also a great spot to stop for lunch when you need a bit of a break.
Baltimore is home to some of my favorite coffee shops, all of which have their own unique features. If you ever need an escape from campus, be sure to stop into one of these shops and treat yourself to a fun drink or a yummy pastry. Plus, it is always fun to support a local small business!