Maryland does brunch REALLY well, and after years of eating my way across the state, these are the brunch spots in Maryland I keep sending people to. This roundup pulls together ten of my favorites, from a Baltimore legend with a Cap’n Crunch French toast to waterfront biscuits in Annapolis and a scratch-made cafe tucked into historic Ellicott City. Whether you want crepes, a loaded breakfast burrito, breakfast right on the water, or a dog-friendly deck down the ocean, there’s something on this list for your whole crew.
A few of these get seriously packed on weekends, so I’ve flagged where you’ll want to arrive early or hop on a waitlist. They’re in no particular order (I love them all for different reasons), and most are super family-friendly if you’re bringing the whole gang.
You’ll find spots in Baltimore, Annapolis, Ellicott City, Catonsville, Takoma Park and all the way down to Ocean City, so wherever you are in the state, there’s probably a good brunch close by. So grab your brunch people, Nomsters, and let’s get into the best breakfast and brunch spots across Maryland.
1. Blue Moon Cafe
If we’re talking the best brunch in Maryland, Blue Moon Cafe in Baltimore’s Federal Hill is where I’d start. Their iconic Cap’n Crunch French Toast ($20) is hands down one of the best French toasts I’ve ever had, that golden cereal crunch is no joke, and you honestly don’t even need the syrup (try it without first).
The Spicy Crab, Tomatoes and Pepper Jack Omelette ($30) sounds pricey, but it’s STUFFED with jumbo lump crab and has a real kick that plays off the cheese so well. And whether you’re full or not, the Sin Roll ($7.50) is a must, it’s basically the size of a small child’s head, lol, all warm and loaded with cinnamony icing.
Just know it gets packed, so get here early on weekends or you’re looking at a one to two hour wait. There are two Baltimore locations, but the Fed Hill spot’s the one that stole my heart.
📍1024 Light St, Baltimore, MD
2. Cafe EZ 2
Cafe EZ 2 in Elkridge is a straight-up obsession of mine now, and it earns a spot for being that easy, budget-friendly brunch everyone needs in their back pocket. It’s the roomier second location of Cafe EZ (the original’s over in Ellicott City), it’s women-owned, and they’re famous for their sweet and savory crepes.
The Cinnamon Roll French Toast ($13) is a perfect 10/10 for me, and that’s not something I hand out lightly, so if you order one thing, make it that! The Havana Crepe ($15), stuffed with chicken, chorizo, cheese and egg then smothered in sour cream, avocado and chipotle, is every bit as hearty as it sounds.
It can get busy, but even with a packed house we only waited about 10 to 15 minutes, and the prices stay easy on the wallet. It’s a great call for families, groups, or a lazy weekend with a friend.
📍6060 Marshalee Dr, Elkridge, MD
3. Georgia Grace Cafe
Georgia Grace Cafe is a personal fave of mine right on historic Main Street in Old Ellicott City, and it’s the kind of cozy, everything-made-from-scratch spot you want to linger in. Owner Paula grew up in a Greek family where nothing was processed, so the salad dressings, the pita, even the gluten free cheesecake are all made in house, and you can genuinely taste that care.
They’re known for their crepes (the Lahaniko, $16, is a veggie-loaded gluten free one that’s super tasty), but do NOT leave without something warm from the pastry case. That blueberry coffee cake was the sleeper hit of my whole visit, my mom got up to inspect the display herself, lol.
The chicken souvlaki ($18) was tasty but not my top pick, so I’d steer first-timers to the crepes. You order at the counter, there’s no reservations, and it pairs perfectly with a slow wander through the Main Street shops afterward.
📍 8333 Main St, Ellicott City, MD
4. Doozy’s Diner
Doozy’s Diner in Catonsville cooks diner food with way more creativity than it has any right to, and I left already planning my next order. It’s a from-scratch, family-run spot with a sneaky New Mexican streak (chef Steve’s roots run to Albuquerque and Santa Fe), so real Hatch chiles turn up all over the menu.
The Green Chile Patty Melt ($14) is the one I’d order again in a heartbeat, a smashburger loaded with caramelized onion, bacon, hatch chile and avocado ranch on thick marble rye. The Bulgogi Cheesesteak ($16) is a generous, objectively solid sandwich, though real talk, the slaw ate more like regular coleslaw than something kimchi-forward and could’ve used more acidity.
Their rotating Flippity Flapjacks ($12, plus $3 for the special flavor) had an almost mochi-like texture I really dug. The service steers you toward the good stuff, those church-pew booths are cute, and it’s closed Tuesdays, so plan around that.
📍10 Mellor Ave, Catonsville, MD
5. San Pancho
San Pancho in Takoma Park makes some of the best burritos I’ve had in the whole DMV, and I’m already plotting my next visit. The concept is SF Mission-style burritos (their tagline is literally “Born in La Mission”), everything’s made from scratch, and get this, the Sonoran-style tortillas are actually imported from Mexico.
The Barbacoa Breakfast Burrito ($15) might be one of the best I’ve ever had, full stop, melty cheese and barbacoa de res with a house avocado salsa verde that’s next level, so if you catch the morning window, get it! The Super Burrito ($18 with shrimp) is the big, fully-loaded classic, come hungry or plan on happy leftovers.
And do not sleep on the $5 drinks, the cold brew and horchata and the tamarindo-chia were both SO good. It’s a tiny counter spot where food comes out in under 10 minutes, which makes it a perfect quick, casual brunch, just know seating fills up in the evening.
📍7056 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park, MD
6. Bayside Skillet
If you’re spending a morning down the ocean, Bayside Skillet is the breakfast you make a point of getting. It sits right on the bay at 77th Street, it’s been family-owned since 1977, and it leans all the way into crepes, omelettes and loaded potato skillets, no pancakes or waffles here, and I kind of love that they just commit to their lane.
My favorite was the Hotlanta Chicken and Crepes ($17.95), hand-breaded tenders wrapped in warm crepes with a house strawberry jalapeno jam that’s genuinely brilliant, an honest 11/10! The Special Omelette ($15.25) is a huge one, and most of their omelettes even come with a warm crepe on the side, so you basically get a little dessert built into your savory plate.
Wondering where to get breakfast on the water with your pup? This is it. Their heated covered deck has 14-plus pet-friendly seats, with 150-plus more when the big sun deck opens. It’s walk-in only, 7:30am to 2pm daily, so get there early on summer mornings.
📍7701 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD
7. The Trolley Stop
The Trolley Stop has been standing since 1833, which still blows my mind. It sits in Oella right on the edge of Old Ellicott City, and walking in feels like stepping into a time capsule, old stone walls and historic photos everywhere.
Real talk, I wouldn’t call it my number-one breakfast in OEC, but it was a solid meal in a setting you truly can’t find anywhere else, and that history alone makes it worth a visit. I tried scrapple for the first time here (SUPER yummy, part of the 3 Large Eggs plate at $15.95), the vegetable omelet ($13.95) is a lighter pick, and the shareable blueberry pancake ($4.50) ended up being my favorite of the three.
It’s actually known for its dinner menu and Maryland crab cakes, so I’m already planning a return. There’s happy hour Tuesday through Friday plus karaoke and open mic nights, which makes it a fun one if you love a spot with real history baked into the walls.
📍6 Oella Ave, Ellicott City, MD
8. Bread and Butter Kitchen
I’m still dreaming about a single biscuit, and it’s entirely Bread and Butter Kitchen’s fault. This woman and veteran owned cafe sits right on the water in the Eastport neighborhood of Annapolis, and it’s exactly the warm, from-scratch spot you wish was your neighborhood regular.
The buttermilk Biscuit and Jam ($4) with local pineapple jam is the thing I can’t stop thinking about, and at four bucks it’s a total no-brainer add-on. The Veggie Omelette ($12.29) is a solid, veggie-loaded way to start the day, and their scones are apparently legendary with flavors that rotate daily (that’s what I’m going back for).
Looking for breakfast on the water in Annapolis? You can eat it with an actual waterfront view, dogs are welcome on the patio, and you can even pull up by boat and tie off at the dock. Between the from-scratch everything and how genuinely warm the whole place feels, it was a 10/10 for me!
📍303 Second St A, Annapolis, MD
9. JAM Eateries
JAM Eateries is, in my opinion, one of the best breakfast spots in all of Howard County, so breakfast people, this one’s for you. The whole concept is creative spins on breakfast classics, so you get things like Fruity Pebble pancakes and a Crab Cake Benedict with Old Bay and fried green tomatoes right next to hearty savory plates.
The Veggies Omelet ($17) loaded with avocado was my mom’s pick and she was obsessed, my Corned Beef Hash ($18) is super hearty (get your eggs runny so they sauce everything underneath), and the JAMmin’ Berry Pancakes ($17) have the perfect tart-sweet balance.
They run a serious drinks program too, homemade Bloody Marys and seasonal mimosa flights, which makes it a fun celebration brunch. It gets busy, but you can hop on their online waitlist before you go, which is clutch on weekends. The best way to do JAM is to roll in with a group and share a bunch of plates!
📍6010 University Blvd, Ellicott City, MD
10. Miss Shirley’s
Miss Shirley’s is a well-known Maryland brunch name, and the great part is you’ve got choices since they have multiple locations, so you can pick whichever one’s most convenient. I’ve been to the Annapolis location and really enjoyed it, and it’s an easy one to fold into a day around the water.
Because they’re a bigger, multi-location spot, they’re a reliable pick when the group’s split on what they want or you just need a dependable sit-down breakfast close to wherever you happen to be. Must try dishes include their fried green tomatoes, chicken ‘n cheddar green onion waffles (YUM), and their shrimp & grits!
📍750 E Pratt St, Baltimore, MD
That’s my current lineup of the best brunch spots in Maryland, and it’s always growing, there are way too many good ones in this state to stop here. Whether you’re a sweet-crepe person, a savory-skillet person, or strictly here for the biscuits, I hope this hands you your next weekend plan. Have you guys been to any of these yet, or is there a Maryland brunch spot I’m sleeping on? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and send this to whoever you’d happily drag out of bed for brunch this weekend. Save it for your next lazy Sunday!