Red Emma’s Cafe: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse is one of the most distinctive fully vegan spots in the mid-Atlantic: a worker-owned cooperative that’s equal parts cafe, bar, bookstore, and community events space, all under one roof in Baltimore’s Waverly neighborhood. The entire menu went dairy-free in February 2021, making every dish and baked good 100% plant-based. If you’re looking for a vegan-friendly place to eat, work, or hang out for a few hours in Baltimore, this is it.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at Red Emma’s

Everything on the menu is fully vegan. There are no exceptions, no “can you hold the cheese” conversations, and no dairy products anywhere in the kitchen. The shift happened in early 2021, and the current menu at Red Emma’s is built entirely around plant-based ingredients. You’ll also find a wide range of gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free options if you have additional dietary needs. The coffee drinks, baked goods, and cocktails at the bar are all vegan too.

Signature dishes to order

The falafel pita is a go-to, and reviewers consistently single it out. The kofta smashburger comes on a sesame barbari bun with harissa tahina, tzatziki, and a cuke mint salad, served with fries and olives. The Egg McBluffin shows up in nearly every positive review. Mac and cheese, vegan grilled cheez (soy-free), spanakopita, and a rotating selection of house-baked goods round out the menu. Donut Alliance supplies the doughnuts. For drinks, the lavender latte and iced coffee are popular choices, and the full bar stocks craft beer, cider, and wine.

How to order

You can order in person or ahead of time via their Toast online ordering page. Delivery is available through DoorDash. Red Emma’s is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9am to 8pm, and Sunday, 10am to 4pm. They’re closed on Mondays. The space is wheelchair accessible, with an entrance via Brentwood Alley. No reservations are taken, so plan to walk in. Heads up: Red Emma’s has a no-tipping policy because worker-owners are paid a living wage built into pricing.

What to watch out for

The menu changes seasonally and some items rotate, so what you saw on a past visit may not be available. The Waverly location at 3128 Greenmount Ave is the permanent home as of late 2022, after Red Emma’s moved several times since founding in 2004 (from Mount Vernon to Station North to Midtown to Waverly). If you’re navigating to the old Cathedral Street address, that’s no longer their spot. The bookstore has its own separate hours (Wednesday through Friday noon to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm), which differ from the cafe hours.

Is Red Emma’s worth it?

Yes, especially if you want more than just a meal. Red Emma’s has been a Baltimore institution since 2004, and the Waverly space gives the cooperative room to do what it does best: serve solid fully vegan food, host free community events, and stock a well-curated radical bookstore alongside your latte. The Google rating sits at 4.5 stars across more than 1,500 reviews, and USA TODAY named it one of the top 10 independent bookstores in the country in 2025. You’re paying $10 to $20 per person for food that comes out of a kitchen where nothing on the menu will catch you off guard as a vegetarian or vegan. That’s a rare thing, and it’s worth the trip to Waverly.