Baltimore Visitor Guide Fall 2022/Winter 2023 | Page 28
Café Dear Leon
5 ] Since opening its doors in August 2020 , Café Dear Leon , named after co-owner Min Kim ’ s son , has amassed a cult following . The cafe takes fresh-baked to a whole new level by only releasing goods at one of four times throughout the morning : breakfast debuts at 6 a . m ., pastries at 7:30 , croissants at 9 and lunch items at 11 . By noon , they ’ re almost always sold out — a testament to just how tasty their treats are . You ’ ll have to arrive way before those time stamps if you want to snag something , but we promise the flakey , warm pastries , buns , quiches and scones are worth the wait . 2929 O ’ Donnell St .
Maillard Pastries
7 ] One of the newest players in Baltimore ’ s baking scene , Maillard is already a hit in Hampden . Owner Caitlin Kiehl is a pastry professional with over 15 years of experience in the industry , having worked at some of Baltimore ’ s most luxurious eateries including The Ritz Carlton , Woodberry Kitchen and Charleston . Maillard ’ s menu changes all the time to reflect seasonal ingredients , but it always includes unexpected riffs on classic recipes . Think Old Bay buttermilk biscuits , everything croissants and upside-down plum almond cake . 3528 Chestnut Ave .
Aunt Kelly ’ s Cookies
6 ] Growing up in Baltimore , Kelly Simmons spent any spare change she had on butter crunch cookies . Eventually , with the help of her grandma , she perfected her own recipe and opened Aunt Kelly ’ s Cookies to share her love for baking with her hometown . Located on the historic Antique Row of Mount Vernon , this Black-owned business is the only local bakery offering the famous butter crunch cookie , among other flavors , baked fresh daily . 857 N . Howard St .