Charles Village is a vibrant neighborhood in North Baltimore and home to Johns Hopkins University. Known for its colorful rowhomes, student energy, and walkable streets, the area has developed a lively dining scene with casual cafés, international restaurants, and neighborhood hangouts.
Many restaurants in Charles Village are popular with students, locals, and visitors exploring the nearby Baltimore Museum of Art and the Johns Hopkins campus. Whether you’re grabbing coffee, meeting friends for lunch, or sitting down for dinner, there are plenty of great places to eat in the neighborhood.
Below are some of my favorite restaurants and spots in Charles Village Baltimore.
Best Restaurants in Charles Village Baltimore
If you’re exploring the neighborhood, these are a few standout places to start.
- Best Sichuan restaurant: Lao Sze Chuan – Known for bold Sichuan dishes like mapo tofu and dry chili chicken.
- Best museum restaurant: Gertrude’s – A popular restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art serving Chesapeake-inspired cuisine.
- Best ramen spot: Kajiken – A Japanese restaurant specializing in abura soba, a brothless ramen dish.
- Best café: Blueprint Cafe – A bright neighborhood café serving coffee and Asian inspired pastries.
Charles Village Restaurants
Kitsch
Cuisine: Diner / American
A neighborhood breakfast shop serving killer breakfast sandwiches and desserts. Also located in Remington.
What to order
– Breakfast Sandwich
– Coffee
Lao Sze Chuan
Cuisine: Chinese / Sichuan
A Chinese restaurant specializing in bold Sichuan cuisine, known for dishes like mapo tofu, dry chili chicken, and spicy noodles.
What to order:
– Wonton Soup
– Sichuan Popcorn Chicken
– Dan Dan Noodles
Gertrude’s
Cuisine: American / Chesapeake
A well-known restaurant located at the Baltimore Museum of Art serving Chesapeake-inspired American cuisine with seasonal ingredients.
What to order:
– Buffalo Cauliflower
– Salmon BLT
– Buttermilk Waffles
Kajiken
Cuisine: Japanese / Ramen
A Japanese restaurant specializing in abura soba, a brothless ramen dish served with house-made noodles and flavorful toppings.
What to order:
– Aburaasoba
– Karaage
– Gyoza
Bird in Hand
Cuisine: Café / American
A neighborhood café and restaurant offering coffee, breakfast, sandwiches, and seasonal dishes in a bright and welcoming space.
What to order:
– Coffee
– Pastries
Blueprint Cafe
Cuisine: Café / American
Coffeehouse and bakery serving pastries with Asian inspired flavors.
What to order:
– Coffee
– Pastries
THB – Towson Hot Bagels
Cuisine: Bagels / Breakfast
A popular breakfast and lunch spot known for fresh bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, and coffee. Also with locations in Locust Point and Canton.
What to order:
– Bacon Egg and Cheese
– Chicken Salad
More Baltimore Restaurant Guides
Looking for more places to eat in Baltimore? Check out my Baltimore restaurant guide, where I organize restaurants by neighborhood including Hampden, Bolton Hill, Remington, Federal Hill, and more.
Drooling for more? Follow me on Facebook and Instagram!
Map of the Best Baltimore Restaurants