After living in the Bay Area for two years, I grew well accustomed to its endless options for cafes. Trying new cafes quickly became a habit of mine, as it was a fun way to fuel my coffee addiction and change up my study environment. Oftentimes, I found that when I went to the effort of venturing off campus to study at a cafe, I was extra motivated to focus and make the most of my time there.
Thus, after transferring to Hopkins last fall, I quickly set out to find my new go-to study spots. Through these explorations, I got to try and learn more about various nearby cafes throughout Baltimore. Here are some of my top finds, all of which feature Wi-Fi, outlets (a necessity for my laptop, whose battery pretty much requires life support) and a wide variety of caffeinated beverages.
KANOM Cafe
Starting off north of campus, there’s KANOM Cafe. This cozy study space has lots of pastries and brunch food options, such as the Lox Toast, a slice of sourdough topped with cream cheese, smoked salmon, dill and capers, or the Fresh Tomato Toast, topped with ricotta, tomato, salt and pepper. The smell of fresh, buttery baked goods while you study is an added plus.
Blueprint Cafe
Blueprint Cafe is another convenient option, as it’s right next to campus on St. Paul Street. This popular spot is great for studying around meal time, as it has lots of creative pastries, focaccia sandwiches and bowls. The menu frequently features new specials to try if you're feeling adventurous, as well as staples ready to become your go-to orders. In my opinion, Blueprint also has a really good iced americano. The cafe has both indoor seating and a small outdoor area with tables and chairs.
Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse
Another option that’s quite close to campus is Red Emma’s, located about a 10-minute walk away. This combined coffeehouse and bookstore has lots of flexibility schedule-wise — it’s open 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Sundays, and there’s almost always plenty of seating. The menu is completely plant-based and includes some great curly fries.
Coffee Olivia
While this spot is a little farther from campus, it’s easily accessible. To get there, just take the JHMI to Penn Station, where Coffee Olivia is just a few minutes away by walking. The menu offers a variety of different coffees and hand-crafted teas, and this aesthetic space has lots of natural light and seating by the windows.
The Bun Shop
Another cafe that’s easily accessible by the JHMI, The Bun Shop is about a 10-minute walk from the Peabody stop, though you can also take the Blue Jay Shuttle to or from the cafe after 6 p.m. This is a great spot for late-night studying, as it’s open every day until 3 a.m. There’s ample seating, including well-lit spaces by the windows toward the back of the cafe.
Ceremony Coffee Roasters at Mt. Vernon
Last but not least, there’s Ceremony Coffee Roasters, whose Mount Vernon location is also just a 10-minute walk from the Peabody JHMI stop. The menu includes breakfast items and lots of unique seasonal drinks, such as a matcha with oat milk and coconut pandan foam as well as an iced espresso with passion fruit tonic and vegan cold foam. This is another aesthetic space, with lots of seating by the windows, at tables or at high top tables with boxes of puzzles. Outside, there’s also a patio with plenty of seating.
By exploring Baltimore’s cafe scene, I’ve gotten to get off campus and learn more about what there is outside of Hopkins. Moreover, I’ve found that discovering a new go-to study spot is a great way to make a new environment feel more like home. Hopefully, this guide can be a good starting point to kick off your exploration of what the surrounding Baltimore area has to offer.
Annabelle Huang is a senior majoring in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Lexington, Mass. She is a Copy Editor for The News-Letter.
