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Carma's Cafe
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch Restaurants Sandwiches Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches [Edit]
3120 St Paul StBaltimore, MD 21264
Neighborhood: Charles Village
(410) 243-5200
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 7 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Breakfast
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
34 reviews for Carma's Cafe
Review Highlights
"They have delicious, delicious Icelandic yogurt."
(in 10 reviews)
"...and I always get a side of their cold sesame noodles."
(in 4 reviews)
"Save room for their fresh baked goods."
(in 6 reviews)
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34 reviews in English
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Review from Jenny H.
8/25/2011
This review is ONLY for their yogurt!!!!
They have delicious, delicious Icelandic yogurt!!!! I love it!! I also got their chocolate chip cookie which was pretty good. I wish they sold quarts of the yogurt, I would buy it in a heartbeat!Comment from Carma H. of Carma's Cafe 12/13/2011
Our yogurt IS available by the quart! More » -
Review from Michelle B.
Baltimore, MD
12/8/2011
I wanted to love Carmas. It's cute and inexpensive and just the right distance from work to make it the perfect lunchtime spot. Plus it's cozy and inviting and precisely the kind of local cafe I love to support. So what's not to like?
In short; the food. It's just not all that great. I had their potato soup, sesame noodles, and the chicken salad panini and it was all bland and lackluster. It's a bad sign when it takes a ton of salt to make your soup taste like anything.
The Icelandic yogurt is good but a little too sweet, especially with the fruit compote.
On the plus side everyone there is really nice and friendly. I haven't tried their coffee yet so maybe it'd be a nice spot to hang out with a friend but I probably won't be going back for lunch. -
Review from Jae J.
This review will be THE ONLY REVIEW YOU NEED FOR CARMAS!
Simply put, there are only THREE things I come here for. I've had pretty much everything here, and its a decent place, but there are THREE-- i repeat 3-- things to get here.
1. First if you're looking for a good bite, go with their breakfast sandwich with local eggs, cheddar, and local meat. I opt for the egg, cheese, and bacon sandwich. Now while the eggs and meat are both wonderful, what is the deal MAKER is the bread. Their special health bread, specifically used for this breakfast sandwich, is brought in fresh from [EDIT: Stonemill Bakery]. Usually they'll cut the crust, but ask them to leave it on. TRUST me. When i DO stop in for food, this is the only thing i will get.
2. Second, in terms of libations, i'm kind of a coffee snob, so i'm not a huge fan of their coffee. That being said, their chai is levels above anything else i've had around here. Their chai isn't all sugary and artificial tasting like Starbucks. They use actual black tea and spices. It's solid. Get their Vanilla Chai if you like vanilla.
3. Finally, if you're looking for dessert or something quick to have with your drink, they have this Pumpkin Oatmeal cookie that is pretty amazing. Seriously, i'm pretty particular about having anything "pumpkin" seasonally so i usually ONLY get these during the fall and winter, but they have them year round. Try them and you'll be hooked. It may seem a bit pricey at a dollar a cookie, but i mean that's what Starbucks will charge for a cookie they mass produce and it isn't nearly half as tasty.Comment from Carma H. of Carma's Cafe 12/13/2011
Just to give due credit our Health Bread (all of our bread)… More » -
Review from Michael L.
Lake Oswego, OR
7/17/2011
Their cold sesame noodles are the best!!!!! Always get them when you order their paninis. The noodles are really some of the best noodles that I've had. Also they have a very good vegetarian friendly menu which is always nice.
I'm also very partial to the lemonade that they make there. Strawberry is my favorite.
I have never been disappointed with carma's. they have great food and very friendly fast service. This was one of my favorite spots to go with friends for a quick bite to eat while sitting outside. Also one of the first places I took my girlfriend after we got together. All in all great memories here. -
Review from Ken M.
Astoria, NY
4/14/2011
Vegan friendly. Great eats. Great treats. Every time. Coffee is brewed with intention. Breakfast is great. Get Irish oatmeal and granola. Get a cookie. Get some chai. Soup! Really enjoyed Vegan selections. All three times.
Small. Not much seating. Gets slammed. No wonder. Go anyway. -
Review from Bonnie O.
Baltimore, MD
10/16/2011
Carma's is one of my favorite spots in Charles Village. It is cozy and subterranean, and has magazines to chill out with. The coffee is good and cheap - I'm not a fan of all those flavored syrups for coffee and tea but if you are, Carma's has them by the dozen. Lunch is where they shine though - the powerhouse sandwich is amazing, and I could eat their sesame noodles by the gallon.
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Review from Jenny A.
Towson, MD
10/28/2011
I pretty much love to go here all the time. It's the best coffee that's within walking distance of the whole little area. The breakfast sandwich is the only food I've had other than the desserts - and it's really terrific. Someone below said the bread is great - and it really is. Also all of the desserts are great. The little coconut things are awesome and the pumpkin cookie is just ridiculous. Also, once I came in here when it was really crowded and I accidentally knocked a can of Coke off the counter and it exploded on everyone in the cafe. It was one of the most mortifying moments of my whole life. Everyone in there, including the staff, was very nice about the whole thing. I still go in there about three times a week so that should say something about how much I like this place.
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Review from Not A.
Baltimore, MD
10/10/2011
My dog and I like to walk to Carma's for a fritatta and a bowl of yogurt - the food is for me, the dog friendly staff's attention is for him. The yogurt is just amazing, especially with some of their granola on the side. The food is vegetarian and vegan friendly, although the sparse menu gets sparser for each dietary restriction you add in. The location is beautifully shady and just off the main drag, for a great watching the world go by feeling. I love everything about this little cafe.
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Review from Cindy Z.
Baltimore, MD
2/17/2011
Came here for lunch a couple days ago with a group of friends. My boss had told me good things about their soups so I came to check it out. I didn't get soup though :\ Looking back, I probably should have.
Carma's is very cute inside, and their counter of baked goods looks delicious. To start things off, I ordered a honey cappuccino and got some yogurt to go (because Yelp seems to love that stuff). The cappuccino was delicious! I think I have to start taking all my coffee with honey from now on.
To eat, I had the TCB (turkey cranberry brie) sandwich with the cold sesame noodles on the side. The noodles were also very delicious and the perfect sort of Asian fusion. Didn't love the sandwich at all though. Perhaps the flavor combination is just not for me, but I felt like the cranberry and brie were not well spread and there was too much of it in some places and not enough in others.
But oh, the yogurt! Perfectly sweet and creamy, with more than enough granola to go with it. If I come back, it will be for the yogurt. Maybe this time I'd try the soup.Listed in: Charles Village
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Review from Lana T.
1/9/2011
I used to come here almost everyday for lunch when I was in college. I always got a cup of soup, a sandwich with a side salad, and cookies. The soups here are always delicious as are the sandwiches. My favorite was the portabello panini which always came out warm with deliciously crunchy bread. The daily specials are also always worth a try. However, the highlight for me was definitely the cookies. I loved the chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, molasses (which are seasonal), white chocolate chip.. Mm. You'll definitely buy her cookies in bags. When I think back to college I definitely think of Carma's. Although the space is small, if you can get a seat, it's a nice place to study.
One quip is that once when I ordered the Icelandic yogurt I found a hair in it! Oh well, I guess it happens...Listed in: Best Brunch in Baltimore
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Review from Jonathan G.
Nottingham, MD
6/6/2011
Well, sir, where do I begin?
I've tried their coffee a few times. Nothing about it sets it apart from Seattle's Best (the worst commercial coffee I can think of). It is scalding hot, though. That's a thing.
Their bagels are on par with the store-bought brands that come in bags, 8 in a package. They'd make good dog toys.
The other pastries I've tried, seem decent enough, but again, nothing that seems superior to anything Dunkin Donuts can offer.
The staff seem friendly enough, provided you give them a 10-second buffer to respond to your orders and questions - being high does that, I suppose.
The shop itself reminded me of a Dungeons & Dragons player's basement dwelling, with a few drips from the ceiling, stains on the floor, and an overall humid, damp feeling. But there was an industrial fan to keep air moving through, and provided a wonderful industrial ambiance to the restaurant.
The woman who owns the place, who I assume must be Carma herself, could care less if you enjoy your stay, it seems. I'd tend to think that if I owned a restaurant, and I make an appearance, I should put on my best front. But then, I guess Daniel Snyder has never hidden the fact that he tries to gouge Redskins fans, so, if they're already in the store, why bother?
Maybe it's just me. A lot of folks in the area really enjoy Carma's. Maybe I caught the hemp-smoking cashier after a bad batch. Perhaps that wasn't Carma, but her evil twin sister, Zarma, who attempts to shoo away potential customers with looks of disdain and bumping into customers.
I have little incentive to try again, but who knows what the future may bring. Carma's funny that way.
I mean karma. -
Review from Justin L.
Baltimore, MD
10/1/2010 4 Check-ins Here
Oh, Carma's...I have a love/hate relationship with you.
There are some things I truly enjoy about it...the locally sourced foods, daily specials...their hot chai, which is a unique recipe (not made from canned powder or mass manufactured syrup) is delicious on a cold day, or when you need a pick-me-up. The pumpkin raisin cookies are wonderful, especially with said chai.
The other food items are generally very good. The veggie meatball rocket has the best veggie meatballs that I have tasted, and the other sandwiches that I have tried (a special with spicy Italian sausage, and the Muffuletta) were both very good.
My main issue is with the inconsistent service/quality of the coffee, and the uncomfortable environment Carma herself purports. I have gotten several lattes with very poor shots (specifically early in the morning). Carma is condescending to her employees; the majority of the time her baristas look absolutely miserable when she is around. The older gentleman that is sometimes here, usually working on his laptop, is equally as intense and bears down on the employees in front of customers. The unhappiness that's fairly plain on the staff's faces whenever those two are around generally makes me not want to stay or even visit.
It would be an exceptional place to go (especially considering the convenient location) if they could tighten up the act and have a less oppressive environment. -
Review from Maria P.
Mount Rainier, MD
12/12/2007
Tempting though it may be to wander into the shiny new Starbucks on St. Paul (or the one in the Barnes & Noble *across the street*), skip the chains and go to Carma's. The coffee is great, the breakfasts are yummy (Icelandic yogurt is the way to go) and the lunch options are all fabulous (my favorite is the tarragon chicken salad). They make all their baked goods on the premises, and the soups are homemade, too.
I worked in a basement and I still came here for lunch all the time even though it's also in a basement. That should tell you something. -
Review from Rebecca L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/27/2009
A latte is only 2.25??
Really?????
What.
(brooklyn price adjustment:$3.75).
And the Icelandic yogurt with granola was damn good.
I usually by the skyr from whole foods, but this was a whopping portion, sweeter but not artificially so, and a little more liquidy.
The chicken salad was pretty great too.
The head honcho here was a little intense though. I think he should relax a bit so his waitstaff won't look so miserable.
...just sayin'.Listed in: Baltimore
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Review from Alicia L.
Ithaca, NY
5/18/2011
I ate at this cafe while on business in the Baltimore area. I chose it based on the reviews that mentioned the vegan-friendly menu. I have to say that I have never made such an effort to get to such mediocre food.
Sometimes mediocre food is overshadowed by great customer service and a nice atmosphere. However, I found neither good service nor a nice atmosphere at Carma's Cafe.
The place seems a bit dingy. The staff ranged from apathetic to just plain disdainful of their jobs. The women, who I assume is Carma, is a bit terse and the older gentleman is even less congenial.
I'm not sure if the lack of customer service is a common issue here, but there do seem to be several other reviews mentioning either poor service or bad employee and owner attitudes.
I put myself through school in a service industry and it's just common sense and basic knowledge that the customer should never know if you're having a bad day or even if you're just a miserable person -- the customer should always be treated well and made to feel welcome. Even that basic step would build loyalty without even having the best food on the block.
There are just too many options out there to go back to a place that clearly does not appreciate my business. -
Review from Sarah R.
Washington, DC
2/17/2009
Carma's is one of my favorite places to grab a coffee and lunch around campus. Trying to sit inside (or outside in nice weather) during peak hours can be a little stressful, but if you're there on a slow afternoon... enjoy it.
The homemade Icelandic yogurt is jaw dropping good (although I'd hate to see a nutritional write up). The cookies are definitely worth it as well. When I go for lunch I'll generally pick something from the daily specials (written on plates to the right of the counter) and I've never been disappointed.
Carma is generally very accommodating (as long as you aren't lingering too long at a table during a crowded lunch). She let me interview her for an "interview an entrepreneur" assignment for an intro to business class I was in a few years ago and generally goes the extra mile when it comes to being connected to the Baltimore community. I've actually gone to a graduation party here before. My friend rented out the restaurant (not generally open for dinner) and Carma provided the food. It turned out really well.
Try it! -
Review from Eric P.
Baltimore, MD
7/30/2005
Cute, small, coffee shop tucked into a the basement of an apartment building in Charles Village. They offer a variety of choices for breakfast and lunch, from bagels, to sandwiches and soups. The full assortment of drinks, from smoothies to coffee, and baked goods, to tempt the eye.
The staff are incredibly friendly, making Carma's an enjoyable place to go eat, and read the provided news papers and magazines they provide near the door. -
Review from Susan M.
Baltimore, MD
10/13/2010
I'm a neighborhood grown-up.
I love Carma's as a locally owned and operated place in my hood with an organic and local-foods speciality.
I usually have breakfast. The Icelandic-style yogurt is sensational. I have a colleague who will only agree to an early morning meeting if I agree to bring her some. It is unique and delicious.
I also recommend the egg dishes. Always good!
The baked goods are excellent. I cannot buy one snicker-doodle--I usually buy a whole bag. They are that good.
When I do have lunch I love the sirloin panino with a well-dressed house salad.
OK, so I'm a creature of habit, and I always get the same things that I love . . . got no dissent.
On a personal note:
Lighten up. I don't get the hating on Carma. She is there working--damn hard work--all the time. -
Review from C R.
Baltimore, MD
10/6/2009
A perfect little coffee shop right near JHU campus where you can see the owner running around. The cafe creme is soooo good at only $2.25. The icelandic yogurt is out of this world ($3.95). It tastes surprisingly like sweetened sour cream and can't be healthy for you. Decent sandwiches are more expensive at $8, but are from local farmers and comes with a side. Carma's cafe also hosts Hopkins Monday grad coffee happy hour and their cookies (esp. snickerdoodle) and non-coffee drinks are very tasty. I'm not too big a fan of the normal/iced coffee which has a bitter taste.
Cons: No wifi -
Review from Sophia T.
Cupertino, CA
7/31/2009
I've been here several times, and I usually walk out happy. The food's good. I really like the Icelandic yogurt with fruit and granola. The portobello sandwich is excellent, and I always get a side of their cold sesame noodles. I don't drink coffee, but my friends are a fan of the coffee here. The chai is especially good.
My only hangup is that the service is either hit or miss, mostly because of just one rude fellow - it might be the owner, because he is usually sitting there with his laptop. I was mistaken and didn't know they didn't allow outside food in there (it's a cafe and there's no waiter service, so I just assumed it'd be ok). Instead of just letting me know nicely, I was told in a stern voice to "never bring outside food in here ever again." I was a bit taken aback. I would have happily obliged, had he put it more tactly. He might've been having a bad day, but there were a couple of other questionable instances on separate occasions.
The other people who work here are super friendly, though. -
Review from Lisa K.
Clarksburg, MD
4/26/2011
Food is tasty, great for vegetarians or vegans. Coffee is bold and rich. The desserts are good. My biggest qualm would be the price. For what you get, it really is overpriced. The small hole in the wall feel and relatively easy foods to make (meaning cheap foods to prepare), are priced beyond what they should be. Usually end up spending $15-18 for myself, when i expect to spend 10. Still kept me coming for times I felt like splurging a little, but not sure if decor and "intention" is enough to warrant 9 dollar meatball subs/chicken salad sandwiches. Still, worth checking out if you are in Baltimore.
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Review from Jon L.
Baltimore, MD
6/19/2008
I like Carma's coffee and atmosphere a lot more than the two Starbucks in the area. When it's not cold, raining, or ungodly hot, the outdoor seating is very pleasant. Unfortunately, the spotty vegetarian options keep me from coming in more than a few times a month.
A few months back they extended their hours into the evening (7 or 9?), however, they're still not open on Sundays. -
Review from Hetty W.
1/17/2011
Carma's is now open Sundays! What a great way to expand; now we can get Sunday breakfast at a great neighborhood spot. My favorite is the homemade Icelandic yogurt with granola. The yogurt is creamy, sweet, and pairs perfectly with the chewy granola. Breakfast here is my favorite, and all their baked goods--which rotate daily--have been great, especially when eaten with their house coffee. I haven't tried the frittatas, though, and have heard mixed reviews about those.
Their sandwiches are great as well, and come with a side salad or my favorite, cold sesame noodles.
It's a great neighborhood spot to study, too. The only downside is that I've gotten rude stares from one of the managers--the guy with the beard--when I'm still sitting there sipping my coffee and reading when someone is waiting for my spot. If you're busy, dont' be passive agressive or rude about it, you could ask someone to make room for incoming guests. -
Review from Sly C.
Emeryville, CA
7/20/2008
It took me a while to warm up to Carma's. It's not the all-around best cafe in the world, but it's definitely the best in the neighborhood. And it totally excels at two things: 1. the Icelandic-style yogurt! I ordered it after reading everybody's rave reviews about it here, and it is indeed amazing. You can get it with fruit and granola, but be forewarned that by fruit they mean like, jam. 2. the iced coffee! They use their "low pH" coffee to make the iced coffee, by which I believe they mean high pH, and is I think made by cold-brewing. In any case, it's smooth, different, and delicious.
Listed in: Charles Village
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Review from Rus G.
Raleigh, NC
8/27/2010
Carma's Cafe is awesome!!! Great coffee and food, and even better energy! In the long shadow of corporate giant coffee brewers where they sell shrink-wrapped food stands Carma's Cafe. Carma's is locally owned and sells wonderful food made with organic and locally grown produce! Save room for their fresh baked goods! I recommend the blueberry muffins.
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Review from Sharas R.
New York, NY
12/17/2009
After reading good reviews about this place I went to check it out. It's very disappointing to experience their poor service. I ordered a Frittata and waited for 45 min. When I asked the waitress she said it must have slipped and walked away. After waiting for another 15 min she comes back with a Togo bag. The food was not that great either.
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Review from Shawn F.
Washington, DC
9/19/2007
Carma's Cafe is a great place for a pleasant lunch or an afternoon of reading while sipping cafe-type drinks. I came here for lunch and had an excellent muffuletta special. I've heard that they make great smoothies as well. The prices are a little steep, but then again it's right in the middle of Charles Village.
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Review from Kimberly C.
Baltimore, MD
Updated - 7/23/2010
Five stars for Carma's having the best iced coffee ever. Smooth and delicious. A+
Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/29/2009
An old friend from high school recommended this place to me. The vegetarian meatball rocket was not… Read more »
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Review from Joe T.
Baltimore, MD
1/4/2010
The sandwiches are decent. The drinks are great, however, with their spicy apple cider being one of my favorites. If you're choosing a side, definitely choose the sesame noodles.
Don't order the frittata. Might just be my experience, but it tasted bland and has the consistency of soft plastic. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/19/2008
My very first trip to Baltimore (other than the airport), and I hit on the best breakfast option possible. Thanks, Yelp! My friend and I had the Icelandic yogurt with granola and both of us devotees of yogurt proclaimed it magical and delicious, and speculated that maybe everything in Iceland just tastes a little bit better. I had the low pH coffee - a bit smoother and mellower than your average cup of joe, which was just what I was looking for. Service was a little fumbly, but I think we had a new guy, so I won't fault them for that at all. Looking forward to going back the next time I'm in town!
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Review from Nicole M.
Asheville, NC
6/3/2007
Seriously the best coffee shop in Baltimore. When I lived in Charles Village, I ate breakfast here daily. Definitely check out the Icelandic yogurt. Top it with granola and honey. The oatmeal's delish, too.
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Review from jen t.
Chicago, IL
7/23/2008
I've only been here for coffee (and it was good coffee!), and a chocolate chip cookie (and it was an EXCELLENT chocolate chip cookie). I fully appreciate them being open until 9:00, as a lot of coffee shops in the city that aren't Starbucks seem to fail in that department.
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Review from Smellis S.
Washington, DC
8/28/2009
one word:
SESAME NOODLES.
they're soooo good.
I ate health toast with veggie cream cheese, sesame noodles and a coffee pretty much every day for at least 2 years.
I am still asking Carma when she is bringing back the African Peanut Soup.
Delicious! -
Review from Joey H.
Baltimore, MD
2/14/2009
My coffee was bitter and had an oily film on top of it. The chocolate chip cookies had nuts in them, but they were still pretty good. Nice prices though, and good space to sit outside.
