Baby's On Fire — Restaurant in Baltimore

I think the concept of this coffee shop that also has a modest record collection for sale is so cool, but I'm not a record collector so I just checked out the cafe side, which is inspired enough to stand on its own without the bonus record shop. The vibe was chill with a little bit of an "underground" look but the people were very welcoming, and the food menu has interesting choices for vegans and vegetarians as well as meat eaters, and lots of items are gluten free. Full coffee and tea bar with nondairy milks, no decaf espresso though. I had the Baby's On Fire panini, a brownie (vegan and gf) , and an iced chai latte. The panini was soo good! The pickled peppers with the seitan sausage patty and was such a good combination - I love the savoury and spicy flavours with just a little bit of sweet. The sandwiches come with a bag of Miss Vickie's chips in your choice of flavour, but I found my sandwich was plenty satiating on its own so I saved the chips for later. The brownie was cakey for my taste and a little dry, especially on the edge, but it kind of grew on me as I ate it because the dark chocolate and sea salt flavour was nice. I've definitely had better vegan and gf brownies, though. Chai latte was good, nothing particularly notable but that's fine. It was nice that they sprinkled cinnamon on top. Everything is very fairly priced. One small detail that would have improved the experience for me would be if they had house glasses/mugs and plates for customers eating in rather than packaging everything to go. Otherwise I'm very enthusiastic about the place and would encourage anyone to check them out for a very cool and unique coffee...

I really wanted to like this place. The decor is nice, I love that they sell records, and their drinks are usually pretty solid. I was hoping it would become one of my regular spots.

But I had an experience that I just can’t overlook. I ordered a large espresso drink, but when it came out, it tasted like warm milk with almost no coffee flavor. I politely mentioned this and asked if they could add an extra shot of espresso. The barista explained that they use the same amount of espresso regardless of the drink size and that I’d need to pay for an extra shot if I wanted it stronger. I was fine with paying more, but I suggested they might want to let customers know that ordering a larger size just means more milk, not more coffee.

She brushed off the feedback, simply saying, “That’s just how we make it.” Hoping for a more receptive ear, I mentioned the same thing to another staff member, but she too was dismissive and even caught an attitude, telling me it was “only 50 cents” for the extra shot. However, when I went to pay, I was charged $1.47. When I pointed this out, she snapped back, saying, “No, you’re wrong,” and proceeded to glare at me for the rest of my visit.

It’s not about the extra dollar—it’s the dismissive attitude and unwillingness to take feedback that really ruined the experience for me. I won’t...

Baby’s on Fire is an absolute gem! This coffee shop never misses, and their seasonal drinks? Bombastic. Perfectly balanced, never too sweet, just pure perfection in a cup. Every new creation they come up with is exciting, and I can't wait to keep trying whatever they come up with next.

But it’s not just the drinks—the pastries here are next level. The feta and spinach pastry is buttery, flaky, and packed with flavor, while the blueberry pastry is an absolute dream. Even their food options go above and beyond—case in point: the vegan mac and cheese. Creamy, rich, and delicious, it proves that comfort food can be plant-based and still insanely good.

The space itself is just as impressive as the menu. The chic and stylish seating area makes for the perfect spot to relax, whether you're catching up with a friend or getting some work done. And the vinyl record collection? Such a cool touch! It gives the whole place an effortlessly cool, music-loving vibe that makes you want to hang out for hours.

Huge shoutout to the baristas who keep this place running so smoothly—you guys are amazing! From the perfectly crafted drinks to the warm and welcoming atmosphere, everything about Baby’s on Fire makes it a place worth coming back to again and again. If you haven’t been yet, go. now. You...