Adee's Coffee & Bar — Restaurant in Baltimore

The graduate student hunched over her laptop near the window barely looked up when the espresso machine hissed to life. She was deep in statistical analysis, surrounded by the gentle chaos of Adee's Coffee Roasters—where Ethiopian coffee culture collides with Baltimore's academic anxiety in a former mattress store that now houses dreams both caffeinated and botanical.

The 2,770-square-foot space on Fleet Street feels designed for dissertation writing. Extension cords snake from nearly every table, the industrial-chic aesthetic—exposed black ceilings, Edison bulbs, teal accent chairs—creates what one regular describes as "chill yet full of flavor." It's where biostatistics homework coexists with fresh tulip arrangements from the attached flower shop, Adee's Tulips.

This pairing makes sense when you meet Ayda Abebe, who runs the coffee operation while her passions for flowers bloom next door. She and her husband Dee Alemu, both Ethiopian immigrants, spent two years perfecting roast profiles before opening in 2023. "Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee," Abebe says, stating what's obvious to her but revelatory to customers accustomed to coffee's Italian associations.

The coffee tells a story of direct trade relationships—beans sourced through personal contacts in Ethiopia, with "our farmer friends" properly compensated. Every first Saturday, the shop hosts a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony. The regular menu includes Ethiopia's greatest hits alongside American favorites, all roasted on-site in small batches on a Bellwether roaster that Alemu operates with precision.

For the Hopkins crowd that has colonized the tables, Adee's offers refuge from campus coffee shops. Here, the atmosphere skews older, more focused. "I go there every day that I am in town," one devotee reports, praising the practical consideration for the laptop class—a demographic often ignored by Instagram-optimized cafes.

The food menu reads like a grad student's aspirational grocery list: avocado toast ($8), smoked salmon, açai bowls. When delivery apps fumble orders, staff have personally delivered missing items—service that transforms customers into evangelists.

The drink menu spans continents. Ethiopian teas share space with pumpkin spice lattes; the Fells Tonic (espresso and tonic water) offers caffeinated courage for committee meetings. Prices stay mercifully modest, mostly under $10—crucial for customers whose income involves teaching undergraduates basic concepts repeatedly.

What makes Adee's remarkable isn't just coffee quality—though that's exceptional—or its study-friendly amenities. It's how naturally it bridges cultures and purposes. The morning crowd includes Ethiopian families conducting business in Amharic, Fells Point locals grabbing espressos, and Hopkins students settling in for eight-hour sessions. By afternoon, the flower shop traffic creates an unlikely symphony where dissertation defenses and wedding bouquets occupy the same emotional real estate.

The location, slightly removed from campus and tourist zones, works in its favor. It's just inconvenient enough to filter out casual visitors but accessible enough for converts. The 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. hours accommodate both early risers and deadline-pushers.

In a city where coffee shops often choose between authenticity and accessibility, Adee's refuses the choice. It's serious about coffee—Alemu's roasting dedication borders on obsessive—while remaining unpretentious. It's a third place that actually works, where laptop batteries and human connections both get recharged.

For Hopkins graduate students, Adee's has become an open secret—far enough from campus to avoid advisors, close enough to reality to remember why they're pursuing degrees. The fact that you might leave with both a finished chapter and a bouquet feels less like a business model than a philosophy: life's bitter moments deserve beautiful...

updated.

perhaps it was a one off fishy matcha. wont be returning.

matcha is poor quality and tastes like sea. couldn’t finish mine, response when reached out via social media was condescending and insulting. i drink matchas regularly and this was not good. the color and everything was off.

i saw matchas online that looked better, but mine was not good. i asked for more milk and sweetner but it didn’t help eliminate the fishy flavor.

the barista was very kind. whoever is running the social media wasn’t very kind. i simply asked for a refund, but was told to come in for another, which i don’t want. and this was after i was told that nothing was wrong with the drink, but it probably “wasnt sweet enough” for me. AFTER I WENT BACK AND GOT MORE VANILLA SYRUP.

there is a difference between ceremonial, culinary, and organic matcha. not all are good for drinking.

at my place of work, if someone hated something that bad, we would refund if that was truly what they wanted. my barista coworkers and i will not be getting matchas here. maybe coffee, but after being talked to like i know nothing about matcha rubbed me the wrong way.

i will not be updating this review any further, i paid full price for my brownish, fishy matcha. if you have any issues with your drinks, make sure you call or visit in the same day. unfortunately i had to work so i couldnt return, and that is why i was basically spoken down to and ignored.

hopefully i am truly the only one that has this experience, i wouldnt wish it on...

I recently visited the new Ethiopian coffee shop in Fells Point, and it's truly a gem! The aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans hits you as soon as you walk in, creating an inviting atmosphere. The decor reflects the rich Ethiopian culture, providing a unique and cozy setting.

The coffee here is exceptional—full-bodied and rich, with a delightful blend of traditional Ethiopian flavors. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share insights about the coffee and its origins. Whether you're a coffee enthusiast or just looking for a relaxing spot to unwind, this place has it all.

I appreciate the attention to detail in the presentation of the coffee, and they offer a variety of brewing methods to suit different preferences. The menu goes beyond coffee, featuring delicious snacks and pastries that complement the overall experience.

The location in Fells Point adds to the charm, making it a perfect spot to enjoy your coffee while exploring the neighborhood. I highly recommend this Ethiopian coffee shop it's a fantastic addition to Baltimore's diverse...