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January Maryland Coffee Shop Recap
January Coffee Shop Recap
As we kick off the new year, I’m excited to share my January coffee shop adventures around Maryland! From cozy spots with unique drinks to charming atmospheres that make you want to settle in for hours, this month was filled with great finds. Whether it was indulging in a Butterscotch Latte at a fan-favorite or discovering a new local gem with a mural that speaks to every coffee lover, each stop had something special. Here’s a look at some of the best coffee moments I had this month—if you’re a coffee enthusiast or just looking for your next favorite hangout, you won’t want to miss these spots!
Coffee Shops Visited:
Rise Up– After receiving multiple requests on my TikTok, I finally had to head back to this Eastern Shore staple! I always enjoy visiting Rise Up because there’s such a variety of options, and each location has its own unique vibe.
On this visit, I stopped by their Severna Park location. This one is connected to Homestead Gardens, so you can sip your coffee and shop all in one trip! Homestead Gardens has everything from plants and garden supplies to clothes and locally made gifts. I love strolling through the shop, and I highly recommend it if you haven’t been yet! The Rise Up here also has plenty of seating and a convenient drive-thru.
We started with a Mocha Coffee Smoothie and tried their winter special—the Snowman drink, a sweet blend of white chocolate and peppermint. On the day I visited, they had Carlson’s Donuts in the bakery case, so I couldn’t resist ordering one. I went with the Chocolate Frosted. We also grabbed a Bacon, Egg, and Cheese sandwich to round out the meal.
The coffee and food were both fantastic. The Mocha Coffee Smoothie is one of their fan favorites, though it’s not usually my go-to. But if you’re in the mood for something sweet, it’s perfect, and you can customize it with any flavor you want! One thing I really appreciate about Rise Up is that their coffee is both organic and fair trade. They also sell a variety of coffee beans you can take home to brew yourself.
I always have a great experience at Rise Up and will definitely be back soon!
Winter special Snowman and Mocha Coffee Smoothie
French Twist Café– Although The French Twist is known for their delicious crepes, I’ve always thought their coffee is top-notch too. This breakfast spot in Historic Sykesville has been my go-to for almost 10 years, and they never disappoint!
I’m a huge fan of butterscotch lattes, and when I saw that butterscotch was one of their flavor options, I couldn’t believe I’d never tried it before. Needless to say, it was absolutely delicious. And of course, I always look forward to their latte art—it’s such a nice touch!
There’s a decent-sized parking lot right behind The French Twist, but if you’re planning to visit on the weekend, definitely get there early. It fills up fast! They have plenty of seating, but it can get crowded, especially on busy days. Fortunately, the outdoor porch is heated, so we didn’t mind sitting there, even in the chilly weather.
Of course, the crepes are outstanding. We ordered The French (egg, ham, and Swiss cheese) and their January special, the Cannoli Crepe. I usually go for the classic Banana Nutella Crepe, but I honestly couldn’t get enough of the Cannoli Crepe this time—it’s that good.
The shop also has a collection of cute items for sale, like dish towels, umbrellas, and fun little gum tins with quirky sayings on them.
And seriously—don’t sleep on the coffee here! It’s the perfect complement to your crepe, and I’m always impressed by how good it is. If you’re in the Historic Sykesville area, make sure to check them out—you won’t regret it!
Butterscotch Latte
Sacré Sucré– For the second month in a row, I stopped by Sacré Sucré in Fells Point. A friend of mine wanted to check it out after seeing my post last month, and they were having a pop-up with Cultivated Design Studio that I was excited to check out!
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a huge fan of Butterscotch Lattes, and Sacré Sucré’s version is definitely a standout. It’s topped with a luscious butterscotch cold foam that makes it absolutely irresistible. Honestly, I can’t get enough of it—it’s the perfect combination of sweet and creamy.
On top of the drinks, there was a fantastic selection of pastries the day we visited. We went for the Vanilla Bean Pastry, which featured a flaky puff pastry, a rich vanilla bean cream topping, and delicate cream puffs that reminded us of crème brûlée. It was the perfect shareable treat and absolutely delicious.
The vibes inside Sacré Sucré are always on point, but be prepared—it can get pretty busy, especially on weekends. We were lucky enough to snag the last available table, but if you’re planning to visit during peak hours, I’d recommend getting there early. There’s street parking out front, but you’ll probably end up parking in the garage if you’re coming on a weekend.
The coffee here is consistently amazing, and I think the Iced Butterscotch Latte has to be the best thing on the menu. If you’re in Fells Point, don’t miss out on Sacré Sucré!
Iced Butterscotch Lattes
Morning Mugs– When a coffee shop is ranked the Best Coffee Shop in Baltimore for three years in a row, you know I had to check it out!
I had an awesome experience at Morning Mugs in Baltimore. We found street parking with no trouble on a Sunday morning, and as soon as we walked in, the shop’s cozy vibe immediately stood out. The decor was super cute, with charming lights, a TV, and a giant stuffed bear perched on top of a fridge—it definitely gave off a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere.
Morning Mugs also has a fun little game where you guess the color of the coffee sleeve they’re giving you. If you guess right, you get 10% off your next order! Our group of 5 somehow only got one right at first, but they let us have another round of guesses. After the second try, 4 out of 5 of us scored the discount!
I ordered their special Lamarvelous Mocha, named after the legendary Lamar Jackson. It’s an iced mocha topped with blackberry cold foam—and let me tell you, it was delicious. The flavor combo was out of this world. They also had a bunch of fun winter specials that looked amazing, including a matcha topped with peppermint cold foam, which I’ll definitely be trying next time.
The quality of their coffee, paired with the creative drinks they serve, absolutely deserves the title of Best Coffee Shop in Baltimore. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in the area!
Lamarvelous Mocha
Ceremony Coffee– One afternoon, while walking around Federal Hill, I spotted a mural on the side of a building that read, “Coffee should be something special.” That immediately caught my attention, so I had to check out the coffee shop behind it. Turns out, this slogan belongs to Ceremony Coffee, and I couldn’t agree more!
After doing a little research, I found out that Ceremony has several locations, so I made my way to their Annapolis spot, located in the Festival at Riva shopping center. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the shop itself was clean, bright, and well-decorated—it definitely had a great atmosphere for working or just enjoying your coffee. They also had some adorable merch on display if you’re into that!
I decided to try something from their winter specials menu and went for the Sugar + Spice Latte, which features a snickerdoodle syrup. I was honestly impressed with the coffee— the syrup was the perfect balance of sweetness and warmth, giving off major cozy vibes. Plus, the cup had their slogan printed on it, which I thought was a nice touch.
I’m definitely looking forward to visiting their other Annapolis location next time— it looks spacious and even has a cool outdoor area. If you’ve never been to a Ceremony Coffee, I highly recommend checking out one of their locations. You won’t be disappointed!
Winter special Sugar + Spice Latte
Final Ranking
- Sacré Sucré
- French Twist Café
- Morning Mugs
- Ceremony Coffee
- Rise Up
It was definitely a tough decision to rank these spots, as I truly enjoyed every coffee shop I visited this month. Each place brought its own unique charm, flavor, and vibe, making it hard to pick a clear favorite. However, for the second month in a row, Sacré Sucré took the top spot. From their creative drinks (hello, Butterscotch Latte!) to their cozy atmosphere and fun pop-up events, they continue to impress. That said, every single coffee shop on this list deserves a visit, and I highly recommend checking them out for your next coffee adventure. I’m already looking forward to discovering even more hidden gems in February!
