Vegan Baltimore and things to do while not eating
February 15, 2022 6:24 AM Subscribe
I have a 5 day work trip to Baltimore coming up in March. I'll be staying and working in the Inner Harbor area and will have plenty of free time. I won't have a car but will use taxis/ride share and love to walk. Looking for vegan food recommendations and tips on things to do.
I've looked at lists of vegan and vegan friendly restaurants, but would love personal recommendations. The restaurant doesn't have to be fully vegan so long as menu items are marked and delicious. All cuisines are cool, as are price point (from $ to $$$$). Vegan breakfast recs are especially welcome. And bonus points for suggestions of things to do (I've read all the lists of things to do, I'm looking for personal favorites). I'm already planning to go to the Visionary Art Museum and the Reginald Lewis Museum. I like museums (obvs), strolling interesting and safe neighborhoods, checking out parks, and visiting meaningful historical sites (especially pertaining to African-American and/or Native American history).
I've looked at lists of vegan and vegan friendly restaurants, but would love personal recommendations. The restaurant doesn't have to be fully vegan so long as menu items are marked and delicious. All cuisines are cool, as are price point (from $ to $$$$). Vegan breakfast recs are especially welcome. And bonus points for suggestions of things to do (I've read all the lists of things to do, I'm looking for personal favorites). I'm already planning to go to the Visionary Art Museum and the Reginald Lewis Museum. I like museums (obvs), strolling interesting and safe neighborhoods, checking out parks, and visiting meaningful historical sites (especially pertaining to African-American and/or Native American history).
Response by poster: Please assume that I've seen all the previous posts and that I am able to google. I am looking for 2022 personal recommendations.
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:47 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Sweet27 isn't totally vegan, but does have multiple well-marked vegan options. I've only had dinner there, so I can't speak to breakfast, but dinner was good. They may be working on a new vegan menu for March because that section just says coming soon.
I don't think Red Emma's will have reopened yet, which is a shame. There's no date, just spring 2022.
posted by Akhu at 7:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don't think Red Emma's will have reopened yet, which is a shame. There's no date, just spring 2022.
posted by Akhu at 7:37 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Land of Kush is freakin' delicious.
posted by missrachael at 8:18 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by missrachael at 8:18 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
You might also be interested in the history of the Lumbee tribe in Baltimore.
https://magazine.umbc.edu/a-quest-to-reconstruct-the-heritage-and-history-of-baltimores-american-indian-population/
posted by missrachael at 8:20 AM on February 15, 2022
https://magazine.umbc.edu/a-quest-to-reconstruct-the-heritage-and-history-of-baltimores-american-indian-population/
posted by missrachael at 8:20 AM on February 15, 2022
Best answer: Golden West Cafe is on the junk food side of "vegan" but they're good. They do serve breakfast (opens at 9 a.m. on weekends, 11 a.m. otherwise). All the vegan stuff is clearly labeled on the menu.
posted by edencosmic at 8:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by edencosmic at 8:22 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Helmand for Afghan cuisine, for sure (not a vegan restaurant but well-known to vegans).
I would be remiss not to encourage you to hop on MARC and go to DC for Fancy Radish, NuVegan, Ethiopean to your heart's content, etc.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 8:24 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
I would be remiss not to encourage you to hop on MARC and go to DC for Fancy Radish, NuVegan, Ethiopean to your heart's content, etc.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 8:24 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: I haven't been there, but a friend who is vegan swears by Harmony Bakery.
I have eaten and enjoyed vegan food at Cypriana, especially the vegan mousaka.
posted by cheapskatebay at 8:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
I have eaten and enjoyed vegan food at Cypriana, especially the vegan mousaka.
posted by cheapskatebay at 8:27 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
There's a ton of incredibly cool things to do in Baltimore and a lot of people will give you far more off-the-beaten-path and interesting options, but I will step up for my fishy friends and mention that the Baltimore Aquarium is one of the best in the country and you really shouldn't miss it.
posted by Mchelly at 8:38 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Mchelly at 8:38 AM on February 15, 2022 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Another vote for the Helmand and the Aquarium. The Zoo and the Botanical Garden are also nice.
The Baltimore Museum of Art is free, and is worth a visit. It's also located between two neighborhoods with various restaurants - (Charles Village and Hamden) and so can easily be paired with some sort of meal. Same goes for the Walters Art Museum (free and in Mount Vernon). Nearby the Walters is the main branch of the public library, which is a pretty cool old building (if you're into that kinda thing), and the Peabody Library, which is gorgeous but currently closed due to COVID, but worth checking to see if that status changes before you arrive.
Korean Town in Baltimore should have plenty of vegan options. I don't currently live in Baltimore, so it's been awhile since I've been there, but Nam Kang was my favorite.
The Creative Alliance has some events happening. If you like theater, there are a lot of good theaters in town - I've never been disappointed.
posted by coffeecat at 11:28 AM on February 15, 2022
The Baltimore Museum of Art is free, and is worth a visit. It's also located between two neighborhoods with various restaurants - (Charles Village and Hamden) and so can easily be paired with some sort of meal. Same goes for the Walters Art Museum (free and in Mount Vernon). Nearby the Walters is the main branch of the public library, which is a pretty cool old building (if you're into that kinda thing), and the Peabody Library, which is gorgeous but currently closed due to COVID, but worth checking to see if that status changes before you arrive.
Korean Town in Baltimore should have plenty of vegan options. I don't currently live in Baltimore, so it's been awhile since I've been there, but Nam Kang was my favorite.
The Creative Alliance has some events happening. If you like theater, there are a lot of good theaters in town - I've never been disappointed.
posted by coffeecat at 11:28 AM on February 15, 2022
Best answer: I can personally second the food at Helmand and Golden West.
When folks have visited me here, I bring them out to Hampden. Golden West has a good brunch and then you can visit good bookstores along that same street. The Bookstore Next Door has a quaint, piles-of-books-stacked-everywhere vibe. Atomic Books has a great selection of graphic novels and more art books than a store their size probably should have.
I don't know if this lines up with your visit, but in Charles Village The Book Thing might be open. They drastically cut hours due to the pandemic, but it's a free book store. They accept donated books and put them on shelves and people take them. I love that it exists, but haven't visited during the pandemic.
posted by crossswords at 3:50 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
When folks have visited me here, I bring them out to Hampden. Golden West has a good brunch and then you can visit good bookstores along that same street. The Bookstore Next Door has a quaint, piles-of-books-stacked-everywhere vibe. Atomic Books has a great selection of graphic novels and more art books than a store their size probably should have.
I don't know if this lines up with your visit, but in Charles Village The Book Thing might be open. They drastically cut hours due to the pandemic, but it's a free book store. They accept donated books and put them on shelves and people take them. I love that it exists, but haven't visited during the pandemic.
posted by crossswords at 3:50 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Paper Moon Diner is a fun place to visit for the decor!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:03 PM on February 15, 2022
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:03 PM on February 15, 2022
The American Visionary Art Museum is awesome and has a fantastic gift shop. You can walk there from the Inner Harbor, although it's a bit of a hike, or you can take the water taxi, which is super fun.
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:27 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mygothlaundry at 4:27 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thank you for these great recommendations. I've marked as best answers recommendations that are particularly interesting to me. I'll have good eats, gardens to stroll, museums to meander, books to browse, and maybe even attend Creative Alliance's Baltimore Old Time Music Festival. (I don't go to aquariums or zoos, because fishy friends and other animals ARE friends :-) )
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Pineapplicious at 6:36 PM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by needs more cowbell at 6:30 AM on February 15, 2022 [1 favorite]