- Top Rated Bakery in Baltimore
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Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse
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Vegan
Vegan
American
Beer/Wine
Delivery
Take-out
Bakery
Catering
Worker-owned bookstore and coffeehouse reopened here winter 2018 after move from 30 W North Ave. Added a full bar at this space. Find panini sandwiches, soups, salads, and vegan baked goods including doughnuts by Donut Alliance. Bar is open until midnight Fri-Sat. No longer using dairy as of Feb 2021. Relocated from 1225 Cathedral St. Open Tue-Sat 9:00am-9:00pm, Sun 10:00am-4:00pm. Bookstore open 12-7pm Wed-Fri, 11-4 Sat-Sun. Bar stays open until midnight.
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 14 Oct 2024 by ahs_boy
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Added by kwanza on 31 May 2011
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43 Reviews
First Review by kwanza
SeitanicJax
Points +254
Awesome food, staff, books, zines and more! - Edit
We got the falafel wrap, mac & cheese, spanakopita, egg mcbluffin, and they were all fantastic! While we were waiting, we took a look at their book shop & zine rack, finding some pretty stellar reads for our trip back home. The folks running the place were all kind, knowledgeable, and really seemed like a crew that care about the community with all of their hearts. We'll definitely be back next time that we're in Baltimore 🌱🍉🌱
Read morePros: The food & bookstore, The art and all the support for a free Palestine, The staff
Cons: We don't live in Baltimore, That we didn't get more food for the road, Really no cons to this place
Guest
T.Jacobs108
Points +224
Great cheesesteak and Mac - Edit
The cheese steak was delicious and the Mac and cheese was 10 out of 10! All of their food look good on the menu. I would love to go back and try more. 
Read moreGuest
Melisjoanne
Points +138
Great Sandwiches, Location - Edit
Loved everything about this worker-owned spot. The food, the sense of community, the spacious and welcoming spot. We had the Bahn Mi, TLT and coffee and the tempeh was particularly on point.
Read moreGuest
LizTheWicked
Points +131
Delightful Breakfast Spot - Edit
Went here for breakfast while on a short trip to Baltimore. The food was delicious, as was the coffee. The atmosphere was incredible with lots of posters and things supporting some very important causes. The staff was kind and patient even though they were completely swamped. Would absolutely visit again.
Read morePros: Delicious, Atmosphere, Great staff
Cons: Very crowded
Guest
bernbern
Points +374
No donuts - Edit
Happy Cow said they have vegan donuts. They don't sell vegan donuts. Food was fine. The sign in the restaurant saying no shouting, no fighting, etc. was a turn-off.
Read morePros: Food is fine
Cons: No donuts, Out of chocolate croissants
emilopia
Hi! Donut Alliance closed a long time ago but when the Happy Cow description was written, the two businesses did have a partnership! It’s not Red Emma’s fault that the description is out of date. Send Happy Cow an update so they can fix it!
Read moreAs for the “no shouting, no fighting, etc,” Red Emma’s is a third space, meaning that anyone can go there and exist and experience safety without having to pay. The sign is to help set a precedent for respecting each other and the space. Red Emma’s will also not call the cops on anyone, so it’s on them to set clear expectations in the space.
Guest
miguy2
Points +47
Great food great books - Edit
Its the perfect combination of restaurant, coffee, book store, and event space. It's essentially my go to in Baltimore
Read morePros: Fallafel
Guest
Dev_
Points +174
A Safe Haven - Edit
An incredible atmosphere with wonderful food! Order up at the counter and pick any table, food will be brought out to you.
Read morePros: Staff still masking, Community events hosted here
Guest
Rcritser
Points +72
An Oasis - Edit
In the area for only a few days. Not a lot of options! Especially on a Monday. Found this place on a Tuesday. 🙏 So good! Their burger really is THE BEST. Great vibe. Will be back! 👏👏❤️
Read morePros: Burger (all food), Vibe, Allows laptops
Cons: Not open on Mondays 😞
Guest
Nineveh
Points +81
Best Vegan Cafe in Maryland - Edit
The food is amazing. Chik’n tenders tasted great. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is super cozy. Prices are also affordable. Love this place.
Read morePros: Great food, Amazing staff, Cozy atmosphere
Guest
ratnipulated
Points +36
Amazing - Edit
The desserts were so lovely. The atmosphere was perfect. Food and books=heaven.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-12-28
Guest
FragranceOfDarkCoffee
Points +35
Phenomenal Everything - Edit
An excellent selection of drinks, sandwiches and pastries at very reasonable prices attached to a wonderful book store.
Read morePros: Good, cheap drip coffee , Nice bookstore, Great sandwiches
Guest
Trashlord666
Points +604
baby, i’m an anarchist - Edit
their delicious food and dangerous leftist ideologies (i.e. all sentient beings should be treated with respect and dignity; food is a right; no human is illegal; cops only exist to protect property; capitalism is a death cult) transformed me into a radical anarchist!
Read morePros: worker owned vegan bookstore , amazing atmosphere , BLM ACAB 161
Guest
Batgir1
Points +36
Veg gourmet and comfort food - Edit
I have been eating here for more than fifteen years. The food is always fabulous, and they have great lectures on various topics. Some of their food is priced lower than other veg places but the quality is still great.
Read morePros: Friendly staff, Prices are good , Lectures are great!
Cons: Parking is not always easy
Guest
jmead
Points +30
Best Vegan Food - Edit
I get the Egg McBluffin every time I come here. Best Vegan place in the city.
Read morePros: Egg McBluffin, Book store is great. , Worker Owned and great community.
Cons: I miss the Italian Panini
Guest
Knoxland
Points +597
Koolness of Gritty with Purpose - Edit
Favorite RE for years when the area regardless of location. Wifi available. TLT the shiznit on sourdough. On bus line and parking good in the age of Covid. Lots of space here and customer friendly.
Read moreGuest
coachmac45
Points +165
Not a bad choice - Edit
I heard alot about Red Emma so I really wanted to try there food. It was good not great! The menu didn't have a lot of options on the day I went. I had the our fave burger. Not bad but I had better
Read moreGuest
jpmpbaby
Points +127
BLT minus the T add A!!! - Edit
The food is amazing. Love the friendly atmosphere. I haven't tried everything on the menu yet but I can say the chicken Cesar pita and the BLT are amazing. #beingveganistheshit
Read morePros: Fast friendly service. Reasonably priced food.
Cons: Sometimes items aren't available.
Guest
sydneydenae
Points +25
Egg McBluffin is fire!! - Edit
Best vegan breakfast sandwich i've ever had, if you go you HAVE to try it! Also, they have cool prices.
Read moreGuest
NatalieLana
Points +39
simply lovely - Edit
Red Emma's has amazing vegetarian and vegan options, and they have an amazing collection of art in their cafe, and a lovely book store in the basement. Going to Red Emma's is a fully enriching and nourishing experience for the mind, body, and soul!
Read morePros: vegan options, vegetarian options, books!
Guest
lileezoo
Points +116
Good vibes - Edit
I had the breakfast bowl with avocado. It was well flavored with tofu scramble, home fries, and shiitake bacon- a great combo of flavors. The portions were rather small but it was good nonetheless. I couldn’t visit the bookstore since it was closed at the time
Read morePros: Lots of seating and open space
Guest
JaneWiggin
Points +252
Unique Place, Laid Back - Edit
You can just come in, grab a spot, and do some work here. Much better than Starbucks in that regard. Very good atmosphere. Tried a mac and cheese with ham, chicken bacon sandwich, some drinks and chili cheese fries - it was all vegan and pretty good.
Read moreOrder at the bar, seat yourself and they bring out your food, no tips since fair wages for the employees are Incorporated into the prices, and the unique bookstore downstairs is totally worth checking out. I intend to go back and would recommend it.
Guest
Nunzi
Points +164
Empowered, fair and delicious - Edit
Employee owned, gratuity not accepted, fair wage and lgbt friendly environment with a cool book store below!
Read moreIt’s mostly vegan with a few options for dairy products. Been there a few times and with a couple minor hiccups with their ordering app, things have been decent, but the salad I got was just sad..
Pros: Fair prices, inclusive environment, employee ran, Different choices ranging from burgers to Asian , Good coffee, tea, and vegan donuts etc
Cons: Salad was really lackluster in quality, Why aren’t you just fully vegan? It’s silly
Guest
bknamaste
Points +845
Decent breakfast and donuts - Edit
I came here once. I enjoyed my meal but the service was slow and only part of the order came out forgotten until we mentioned the other half to the server several minutes later. The vegan donut was pretty good, and they have a decent cocktail list. I haven't been back since. It just doesn't scream out to me when I'm thinking about where I want to go.
Read morePros: All vegan
Cons: Service slow
Guest
Numners
Points +41
Essentially vegan - Edit
I haven’t tried anything yet as I stumbled upon it having eaten. I had a kombucha they had on tap though, it was good. Basically, all their menu items are vegan, including some delicious-sounding desserts. They do however offer dairy milk in coffee upon request, though they are likely to transition to fully vegan. I will review more as I try out the menu!
Read morePros: All vegan menu, Friendly staff
Guest
plantbasedceline
Points +48
Great food and atmosphere! - Edit
The food is always delicious, comforting, and mostly vegan. Practically everything can be made vegan if it isn’t already! The space is gorgeous and perfect for socializing or studying, and the coffee drinks are to die for. Try the Mac and cheese or cheesesteak(when they bring it back)
Read morePros: So much good vegan food!, Gorgeous space, Amazing service
Cons: Parking is a challenge
Guest
Kelcy
Points +263
Radical organization and delicious vegan food - Edit
Red Emma's is a bookstore and restaurant that is owned by it's workers. As an entirely vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options in Baltimore my wife and I go often. I've tried nearly every vegan option on their menu and like them all with the exception of the mac and cheese (which my wife loves).
Read moreThe only complaint about Red Emma's is the confusion about how to pick up orders that nearly everyone undergoes the first time they go there. If you are confused, ask the person at the register to be more specific.
Red Emma's has a great program where you can choose to purchase a drink or food item for a person in need when you make your own order. You need to know to ask to do so though because they will not ask you to do it.
Pros: Great vegan food options
Cons: confusing experience the first time you visit
Guest
MariaGarzaJonas
Points +20
Delicious - Edit
Went for Sunday brunch and had the vegan benny. The tofu scrabble had amazing flavors and the hollandaise sauce was light and tasty. Everything that was coming out of the kitchen while I was there looked great I can’t wait to go back for more.
Read moreGuest
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