Whether you wake up with the roosters or like to sleep in, you’re going to want to start your day with a tasty breakfast. Luckily, we know just the spot for the best breakfast in Baltimore.
A combination of a modern urban seaport and historical landmarks, downtown Baltimore has everything you could think of – including the best breakfast spots.
A good breakfast can make or break your day and Charm City has its fair share of gourmet bistros, artisanal bakeries, and greasy spoon diners to choose from for your breakfast and brunch options.
We’ve rounded up the best of the best for the most important meal of the day, serving everything from chia seed pudding and sweet potato blueberry muffins to smoked duck sausage sandwiches and vanilla custard French toast for your Baltimore breakfast.
Whatever your preference, Bmore’s got you covered.
Pete’s Grille
- Address: 3130 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Website
This award-winning Baltimore landmark is famed for its breakfasts because one, the meals are delicious, and two, the portions are huge.
The family owned and operated establishment has been around for over 30 years and has been recognized as serving ‘Baltimore’s Best Breakfast’ several times. The traditional southern fare has everything from waffles and hot cakes to creamed chipped beef and biscuits and gravy.
You’ll get a delicious breakfast at a great price, but it’s the super-friendly staff that makes the experience really stand out.
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
- Address: two locations
- Roland Park: 513 W Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore, MD 21210
- Inner Harbor: The Charm’tastic Mile, 750 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Website
Featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives, Miss Shirley’s is one of those family-friendly cafes that locals and visitors flock to every morning.
I lean toward more savory breakfast dishes and recommend the Chicken ‘n Cheddar Green Onion Waffles, but if you have a sweet tooth, try the Peach and Brown Sugar Donuts or Key Lime Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast.
It’s Baltimore, hon, so you may want to opt for the Crab Happy Chesapeake Chicken Sammy with jumbo lump crab cake, Chesapeake chicken sausage, a fried egg, cheddar cheese, & fried pickles on English muffins.
They have an entirely separate vegan menu and tons of gluten-free options for those who prefer it.
Blue Moon Cafe
- Address: 1621 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231
- Website
You might have to wait in line to get seated for breakfast here (especially on a weekend), but believe me, it’s worth it for this solid breakfast place.
The Fells Point dive isn’t a fancy spot; the walls are lined with funky artwork and an assortment of bric-a-brac that add a lot of charm. But what you really want are the massive portions of comfort food like the jumbo-lump crab eggs Benedict or their famous Captain Crunch French toast.
Get a homemade cinnamon roll on the side – your stomach will thank you for it!
The Papermoon Diner
- Address: 227 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Website
Whimsical and filled to the brim with funky trinkets, The Papermoon Diner’s menu is as crazy as all the ornaments that fill the place.
Bacon milkshakes, alfredo scramble, bacon and cheddar pancakes, and vanilla custard French toast are just a few of the delicious culinary concoctions you can feast on.
The eccentric eatery has lots of vegetarian and vegan fare too like the avocado toast and the tofu scramble with mushrooms, spinach, and lemon herb.
Spoons
- Address: 24 E Cross St, Baltimore, MD 21230
- Website
Put yourself into a food coma at Spoons; this is probably the best restaurant to bring your vegan sister, your gluten-intolerant mom, and your meat-loving dad. You can choose from hearty, meat-filled dishes like the breakfast burrito, and gluten-free goodies and several vegan and vegetarian options with farm fresh ingredients. Go for the Fancy AF Breakfast Sandwiches filled with fried eggs, bacon, Swiss cheese, and cilantro aioli, or start a little lighter with the chia seed pudding made with almond and coconut milk, bananas, and bee pollen.
Ground & Griddled (permanently closed)
- Address: R. House, 301 W 29th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Website
If you’re looking for a breakfast-on-the-go spot, one of the best places is Ground & Griddled.
They have several different freshly baked pastries every morning, but they sell out quickly so get there before the crowds; the almond shortbread cookie with the yummy fruit jam center is ah-ma-zing!
Specials like the Pato Loco Sammie (smoked duck sausage and spinach pesto) and the Big Bird Burrito (ground turkey sausage and white rice) are also crowd favorites.
Teavolve
- Address: 1401 Aliceanna St, Baltimore, MD 21231
- Website
In the decade it has been there, Teavolve has become one of Baltimore’s favorite neighborhood cafes. As the name suggests, they are renowned for their locally-roasted coffee and espresso beans, boba, and over thirty varieties of loose-leaf teas.
The menu is always changing to make the most of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, but some loved constants are the smoked salmon omelet and the sauteed cinnamon apples – a delicious treat that goes great with everything.
Chuck’s Trading Post
- Address: 1506 W 36th St, Baltimore, MD 21211
- Website
The old west meets coastal cool at Chuck’s Trading Post in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood. Their Breakfast Bunz are out of this world – imagine a bagel stuffed with prosciutto, fried eggs, arugula, cream cheese, and tomatoes (the Run of the Mill).
If you’re really hungry, build your own skillet with your choice of protein, cheese, and vegetables; I always go for the steak, pepper jack, mushroom, spinach, and corn combo.
Charmed
- Address: 824 N Calvert St, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Website
Charmed has perfected the art of breakfast through generations of passed-down techniques to make amazing food from scratch. The mouth-watering aromas hit you as soon as you walk in the little breakfast joint and the flavorful food that follows will not disappoint.
While you can’t go wrong with the incredible Breakfast Platter, it’s the signature Bmore Omelet that you want which does, in fact, have Old Bay seasoning on it.
Dovecote Cafe (temporarily closed)
- Address: 2501 Madison Ave #1f, Baltimore, MD 21217
- Website
Dovecote Cafe is one of those spots in the community that you know of but never make the effort to go to – but once you do, you become a regular for life and won’t go anywhere else for your breakfast.
Or that was my experience anyway.
You’ll find freshly-brewed coffee, perfectly-baked pastries, and comfort food that will make your stomach and soul happy. There’s a lot you’re going to want to try once you see the menu; sticky peach buns, sweet potato blueberry muffins, spinach pie, and the salmon cake and egg are always crowd-pleasers.
