Okay Nomsters, I need to talk about a tart. Not just any tart, the caramel chocolate tart at KANOM Cafe, a tiny Thai and Japanese inspired bakery tucked into the Tuscany-Canterbury neighborhood right by Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. I was honestly a little worried anything with caramel AND chocolate would be too sweet, but I walked out a full-on convert.
Everything I tried here was yum, but that tart genuinely blew my mind. KANOM’s one of those spots that does the little things right, from-scratch pastries and a case full of stuff that’s hard to choose between. If you’re near Homewood and you love a good bakery, this one’s a must! Here’s everything I got and exactly what you gotta order.
View this reel on Instagram
Why KANOM Cafe Stands Out Among Baltimore Bakeries
The name kanom is a Thai word for a sweet or snack made from flour, and that tells you the whole vibe. This is a bakery that pulls from Thai and Japanese flavors, then runs them through classic French pastry technique. It’s an Asian owned and woman owned small business, and everything’s made from scratch daily, which you can absolutely taste.
The case mixes burnt basque cheesecakes (matcha, Thai tea, blueberry) with croissants in flavors you don’t see everywhere, like coconut and cheesy mushroom, plus savory toasts and cakes. It’s small and easy to miss, sitting in a quiet residential pocket near campus, but that’s part of the charm. Baltimore’s got a real bakery-cafe streak going lately, from Fells Point spots like Pitango Bakery + Cafe to this little Hopkins gem, and KANOM more than earns its place.
What to Order at KANOM Cafe
Caramel Chocolate Tart ($9.50)
This is the one. 100/10, no notes. I was worried it’d be too sweet with the caramel, but the cashier told me they make it in house and it isn’t cloying, and they were right. The shell’s buttery yet crisp with a nice thickness to it, and the filling’s decadent, a proper balance between the chocolate and the caramel instead of a sugar bomb. Do yourself a favor and just order it! You can thank me later.
Matcha Basque Cheesecake ($7)
So, so pretty, and even better to eat. It’s creamy with a light, fluffy texture, and the matcha actually comes through instead of just tinting it green. If matcha’s not your jam, they do an original version too. Real talk, if the basque cheesecake gets its hooks in you, Edo Cheesecake is a whole Baltimore spot built around cheesecake and worth a look.
Almond Croissant ($6)
Flaky and oh so buttery, stuffed with a generous amount of almond filling. It was one of the better almond croissants I’ve had, and the cashier told me to try the coconut one next time, which I’m already planning on doing. A solid pick if you want something a little less dessert-y than the tart.
Yuzu Black ($6.50)
If you’ve been on an espresso soda kick like me, get this. It’s 100% yuzu juice, a shot of espresso, and sparkling water, and the yuzu’s super prominent (think lemon and orange with a little lime and grapefruit, lol). Just make sure you mix it well before you sip, or the first taste is all fizz. So delish and refreshing!
What Kind of Cafe is KANOM?
Sort of, and that’s what makes it fun. Kanom is a Thai word for sweets or snacks, and the owners lean on Thai and Japanese flavors like matcha, Thai tea, and yuzu. But the format is a classic bakery-cafe, with croissants, burnt basque cheesecakes, and savory toasts on sourdough, so it reads more like an Asian-influenced European bakery than a traditional Thai dessert shop.
It’s also Asian owned and woman owned, and it’s known around Hopkins as a welcoming, LGBTQ+ friendly spot. So you come for the pastries, but you’re supporting a genuinely good local business while you’re at it.
The Vibe and Experience
KANOM’s small, so set your expectations, this is a grab-a-pastry-and-a-drink kind of place more than a sprawling cafe. There’s some outdoor seating, free wifi, and a chill, low-key feel that fits the residential Tuscany-Canterbury block it sits on. The team’s friendly (shout out to the cashier who steered me right on that tart).
It’s easy takeout if you’re on the move, and a really nice little pit stop if you’re wandering the neighborhood. If you’re building a Baltimore cafe crawl, OneDo is another cozy coffee stop worth a bookmark.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 3811 Canterbury Rd, Store Unit 2, Baltimore, MD 21218 (Tuscany-Canterbury, right by the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus)
- Hours: 8am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays
- Prices: budget-friendly to moderate, most pastries run about $6 to $9.50
- Seating: small space with some outdoor seating and free wifi, great for a quick stop but not a long work session
- Parking: free street parking nearby
- Order style: dine-in or takeout, walk-in and no reservations needed
- Dietary: plant-based milk available, plus a rotating vegan option or two
- Menu and info: kanomcafe.net
Would I Go Back to KANOM Cafe?
YES, and I already know that tart’s pulling me back. KANOM’s the kind of neighborhood bakery I wish I lived closer to, affordable, from-scratch, and a little different from the usual croissant case. If you’re doing a Baltimore dessert crawl, put it near the top, and if you only get one thing, you already know it’s the caramel chocolate tart (the matcha basque cheesecake’s a very close second). It’s easily one of my favorite bakery finds in the city right now.
Have you guys been to KANOM yet? Let me know what you order in the comments, Nomsters, and if you try that coconut croissant before I do, I’m gonna need a full report. Save this for your next Hopkins-area food run.