Sophomore Coffee

Nice slightly hidden coffee shop but with great signage to guide you from the street. It’s a small space but they’ve maximized the area they have a with a small lit seating area in the back and the counter running through the center of the space. Got two ice coffees with oat milk and tried the cardamom and vanilla flavors. Both were great and I think this is one of my favorite balances of sweet and coffee flavor that I’ve had in Baltimore. Not too sweet, not too bitter, not too much flavoring (vanilla or cardamom). Definitely a “hidden” gem in the city for coffee!

If you enjoy quality coffee and vibes, walk down the stairs into the basement to find Sophomore Coffee. The space itself is tiny, but does have a few seats each with outlets easily accessible. The coffee menu is quality. I enjoyed the cardamom latte with house made syrup. My daughter enjoyed the hot chocolate after putting sugar in it. They also sell a few food and snack items.

The best coffee in the city so far. The cafe itself is small but I love the decorations! The staff is super welcoming and have great service. When I get coffee it always comes out perfect. I've been a little disappointed by the burnt beans some of the other cafes in the city give you but this place has it down to a science! I cannot recommend enough :) Thank you for being the best in the city 🫶🏼

Great little coffeeshop tucked away on the basement level of a row building. The service was great and the barista was clearly knowledgeable about coffee. I can't recall if they had wifi or not, but there wasn't too much seating available. I didn't quite like the seasonal specialty latte I got (the Smoke Signal) but I could tell it was quality. I really liked my partner's drink (the Yankee Candle). I'd wouldn't just stick to the basics here!

Cozy little coffee shop with quick service and great prices. They have a few seats inside as well as a couple tables outside. Also sell some t-shirts, coffee/tea accessories and their own branded blends. I really enjoyed my iced Americano! Definitely stopping by next time I'm in the neighborhood

This place is phenomenal - really cozy interior, friendly/fast staff, coffee tastes great. Didn't try the outdoor space but it looks comfortable as well. Affordable prices.

Kicked off the weekend with an amazing cortado. So good — Smooth, bold, and balanced.☕️

Great service and atmosphere! I had a lovely tea. Word on the street was that the donuts were amazing, but I didn't try one personally.

This place has made my life more difficult and expensive. I bought a couple of bags of beans for my home and have been drinking them for weeks. Now that I've run out, my husband, went to the store and got regular beans and they turned to ashes in my mouth. All coffee tastes bad except sophomore.

Perhaps one of the best coffee shops in Balitmore. It's a tiny little shop on the basement of the building where Fadensonnen and Angels and Lemons is. The cortado comes in the cutest to go little cup, and the staff is certainly an expert in all things coffee. Not everyone knows how to do a cortado well so I'm lucky this place exists. They also have chais here too. If I ever see sophomore, coffee being served at an event, I will try to make it!

I enjoyed visiting this coffee shop while I was in the area getting an oil change! I could tell that all of the drinks were high-quality and well crafted, but be aware that they are not Sweet! You definitely need to add sugar or ask them to add a couple pumps of different flavors to get a sweeter drink, but I think this is a really great spot for anyone who is a pure Matcha or coffee enthusiast! The staff are really friendly here and service was definitely quick and efficient! I really enjoyed the Stroop waffle as well, and that was really good to dip into the drink! It's a casual spot with a little bit of seating but overall I would say it's more of a grab and go kind of coffee shop.

If you enjoy quality coffee and vibes, walk down the stairs into the basement to find Sophomore Coffee. The space itself is tiny, but does have a few seats each with outlets easily accessible. The coffee menu is quality. I enjoyed the cardamom latte with house made syrup. My daughter enjoyed the hot chocolate after putting sugar in it. They also sell a few food and snack items.

Great little shop kinda underground...literally! Loved it and the coffee was delish. Both baristas were super welcoming and answered any questions I had. There's a few small tables inside and a couple outside. I'll be back.

Everything does it for me at Sophomore Coffee....Latte with the absolutely delicious house made vanilla syrup! Favorite coffee shop ever!

Sophmore Coffee was delicious! I got the one and one which is a shot of espresso paired with a cortado. Simple and delicious. Very quiet and small shop. Not a lot of seating and they didn't seem to have wifi (though I didn't check). Very kind staff, worth a visit!

Inasmuch as I could have walked to Starbucks and saved 7 bucks, I'm definitely regretting my choice of Sophomore Coffee today. A cup of coffee and a piece of focaccia was 13 bucks and neither was worth the price. The coffee was too fruity tasting for me and the focaccia was decent, just not 5 dollars worth of decent. They have serious merchandising issues, as well. The focaccia was the only item to be found in terms of baked goods and aside from a few prepackaged things that weren't within eyesight, Sophomore Coffee was underwhelming, to say the least. With the death of Charmington's and nothing else of note nearby, it's back to Starbucks for me.

What a cute little local coffee shop. My homegirl and I needed some caffeine before driving back to Coastal Virginia, so we pulled out the ol Yelp account and found ourselves at Sophomore Coffee. It's located down in a basement where the décor is minimalistic yet trendy. The ladies working the counter were super friendly and helpful in answering all of our questions, and the honey and oat milk iced latte they suggested definitely hit! All in all, Sophomore has my recommendation for a good cup of coffee in Baltimore.

- parking can be tricky, this place is EASY to skip over its located in a basement and tucked away in a corner - hot chai latte 2.5/5 (needs more chai powder; tasted massively of milk) - iced matcha latte 3.75/5 (would be perfect w/ more matcha powder, similar issue where the ratio of milk/powder isn't ideal)

We got a macchiato (espresso with 4 oz milk) and an iced cappuccino (espresso with 8 oz milk) and absolutely loved both! The cafe is in an unassuming spot, located in the basement of a building. It looks very cute on the inside and the baristas were great! Overall we are definitely coming back!

This place is a hole in the wall, literally. I drove around the block a few times, looking for this place. I finally found it using my senses to smell the coffee's aroma. While I wasn't disappointed, I also wasn't impressed. I feel like this establishment has the potential to be more "hip" and welcoming to first-timers. Not to mention, I was required to wear a mask to purchase coffee. I am not an anti-vaxxer; I just found it to be strange. I would give this place another shot as one barista was friendly and conversational (she lived in the D.C. area for a few years), while the other was the opposite.

1st employee was not really nice, coffee was not great . "A male worker" 2nt employees was super friendly "female", she even had a positive energy. I'll be returning to give them a 2nt chance .

Very welcoming environment! The baristas were helpful and friendly. The coffee was phenomenal. We had two latte's (vanilla and cardamom) and loved both. I like to try various coffee shops and this is the best place I've gone to in Baltimore so far. Can't wait to return!

Love, love, love Sophomore! The best chai in town seriously. I buy it in bulk. The rest of the drink menu is also good. Service is always nice.

There's so much to like about Sophomore Coffee: it has great coffee; it is stylish AF; it is independent and locally and black-owned; and you can order online or in person. During COVID, it's to go only, but it's a tiny coffeeshop to begin with! I often stop by when I'm in the area. Going to Fadensonnen for an early afternoon drink? Coffee at Sophomore before. Walking to Penn Station to catch a train? Coffee at Sophomore on the way by! It is located under the Angel Ate Lemons wine shop - in the basement of the building - but you can't miss it (there's a lot of cool signage painted on the outside of the building)! Although it's on the tiny side (so not the best option if you're looking for a coffee shop to work from even in pre-COVID days), it's a great local spot for coffee. Check it out if you haven't!

It's local. We love local. Nothing special or stood out about the service. If you know me or follow my reviews. I'm a regular ole drip coffee gal. Sophomore coffee is okay but not okay to make me want another. You get me? Parking is tough. It's a basement storefront, you gotta know where you're going. My gps said I arrived but I passed it twice before I saw it. I parked without paying quickly (don't do that). Ordered a regular drip coffee with house made vanilla, light milk. The price was comparable. The coffee was hot, which I like but didn't hit on flavor. I'd recommend because it's local. One visit was all I needed.

Cool, hipster spot I found looking on Google for a good latte in the area while I visited. I saw the good reviews and I believe mentions of it being black owned so I took a trip to this quaint location. Its small and a to go style of environment with a straight forward menu. The barista was friendly and so were the fellow customers. I asked for a latte on the sweeter side and the barista was very helpful explaining the options. Good latte and good experience would go back.

Great hipster coffee establishment. The selections were on point, as was their selections of non-dairy milk. We goofed and entered without a mask, and they were polite enough to give us one. The cortado was delicious, so was the cappuccino. The staff was also helpful at directing my wife and I to a place nearby for a hot breakfast. Go.

Coffee is a great! Food coices are slim, but you must try their morning bun!!! It is flakey, doughy, with a great spice mix.

The coffee here is smooth, strong and has a unique taste to it. I feel the service is always great anytime I come in. I usually stop by this location twice a week, they usually know what I want. I like the vibe of the place. I highly recommend coming here if youre ever in the area!

Wow! It feels like finding a secret coffee mecca in the middle of the city. there's no sign and no fanfare, just good coffee. The word coffee, painted in bright blue, is all that alerts the passerby that down the stairs in a coffee shop full of wonderful smells and tastes. I found the shop in an article about Baltimore's best coffee shops and it didn't disappoint. We were greeted by the owner, Kris, and he made us some delicious iced chocolate drinks. The oat milk he used was a treat, I had never tried it before. I highly recommend this to all coffee lovers and I know I'll be back for more!

Spent the day in Baltimore and came across this adorable coffee shop when I was craving a latte. The staff is super friendly and I could sense the smiles behind the mask :) I couldn't tell how big the shop was since it was closed off due to Covid but I was able to order an iced latte with their homemade vanilla syrup. It was delicious. They also have a courtyard in the back that would be perfect to spent some time sipping some coffee with a friend. I will definitely be back when I am in the area! Check it out!

A cute neighborhood coffee shop. Customer service is great and helpful! The esthetics of the shop is super cute and most importantly the coffee is DELICIOUS!

Consistency is key. And they are just that. Good coffee, good tea and dassit! My personal recommendation is the shaker Ayo with chocolate *chefkiss*

A really cute little coffee shop. The coffee was very smooth. It is above average both in quality and price. They currently have no inside seating. Masks are required, but don't worry if you forgot yours they provide some. Street parking only.

I went here pre-COVID and it was a cute shop (and that tonic and espresso is good). It's right next to the bike lane so I pass it a lot. But I go to coffeeshops for the ambience and to get something in a real mug, not to get it in a disposable cup to go or have to shiver outside. I don't know why on earth in 2023 this place still hasn't reopened to indoor seating and is still requiring masks, but maybe serving the public and hospitality aren't the fields the owners are suited for. Y'all gonna do that forever?

If you're a fan of small, intimate coffeeshops- look no further than Sophomore Coffee. Though easy to miss, this street-corner coffeeshop has plenty of soul, and are an amazing place to get a delicious hand-crafted espresso beverage on a Sunday morning.

Got introduced to Sophomore Coffee by a colleague who suggested the shop for a quick meeting. While it is a hole in the wall, literally below street level, it was quick and easy to find with the large "COFFEE" and directional arrow painted on the wall outside. The shop is very cute with hues of light pink and white with brown wood throughout. The menu itself is written on brown parchment paper. Vibes, for sure. As a non-coffee drinker, I was happy to see that they had a winter tea menu that featured choices like "Monkey Picked The Guan Yin" oolong and "Long Jing Dragonwell" green. I was expecting a cup with a tea bag steeped and handed over like I've experienced many a times at other coffee shops in the city, but it came in a cute pot with enough pours for two. Since Sophomore is on the smaller side, I don't think it makes for a good biz meeting location, even if casual, because the conversation carries and I like to be mindful of those doing work. When others aren't, I can see how it could be too loud for those seeking a quiet sanctuary.

Very very friendly and personable and my latte was superb. It is a small spot tho but it is a perfect local gem. I go on my off days as I live 25 minutes away.

Ok normally coffee places can do no wrong in my book. If you have good coffee, great seating and nice staff then your a win in my book. Well, sophomore coffee has all of that! I have been on a black coffee kick so when I tried their iced coffee for the first time I tried it black and if i like your coffee black then no need to even explore fancy drinks. I could seriously drink it and nothing else! I also had one of their tasty pastries and while i must admit it was a bit overpriced for what it was I still fully enjoyed it. I can see myself coming back when I am looking for a quiet place to work and have good coffee, or if im just looking for a good coffee place near work!

LOVING loving loving that this place is now open and in one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city to grab food and drink in. I'll start by saying there is a bunch of street parking around and very easy to grab a spot on one of the nearby streets and then walk over. You'll see a cool little "COFFEE" mural/painting on the side that points you to the entrance. I love all the coffee/tea options as well as some of the baked goods you can find at the counter. The interior and decor is comfortable and cozy, the space is definitely easy to relax in and just enjoy your beverage. They also have Oat Milk here as well, which is tough to find sometimes so always a plus when I find it. Looking forward to spending more time working and editing photos here.

This is my favorite coffee shop in the city. I love stopping by, catching up with friends and getting work done. Outside of the traditional drinks, they offer amazing seasonal specials. Summer '19 brought their Cold Chocolate and it's delicious! I cannot wait to go back! I do wish they were open a little later, maybe in the future!

Roasted: found this on yelp with a 5 star rating and had to check this coffee shop out. It didn't disappoint and I clearly see why everyone else gave it a 5 star. It's a basement setting and easy to miss for sure but it's a bright and lively atmosphere once you walk in. Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We got our lattes for here in some pretty cool mugs. Latte was delicious and had some really nice latte art. Can't really find something that I don't like here. Totally recommend and would come back again. Unroasted: coffee shop in a basement unit is different but it works. I loved how they used every inch of this tiny shop. The barista greeted everyone as they walked in and made a really good latte. This is truly a great unique coffee shop. I recommend this a must if you're in the Baltimore area. Ps no sugar added

Coffee is good, not wowing but worth the price. Baristas are nice and there are locations to study. Music and vibes are calm, great to relax. Lots of parking compared to other city based cafes!

I was so excited to try this place on my way to work! It did not disappoint! Everything we ordered was perfect! I'm definitely adding this to my rotation. Next time I'll aim to hang out and work a little. Atmosphere and great coffee - yummy!

LOVE the ambiance of this coffee shop. The exterior does not do this place justice. It is decorated perfectly ! The ambiance is hip and cool with plenty of seating and excellent utilization of the space. There are wall outlets if you need to get some work done and a few windows for outside light to peak through. The bathroom is adorable, a nice yellow, and even a discreet cup of tampons for the ladies in a jam. This is a lovely touch. In regards to the drinks, the chocolate cold drink (seasonal) is delightful. I have only also tried the chai which for me was very underwhelming:/ I love the cups and products sold in the store. Please offer a matcha latte ! Chai needs some work, but overall, lovely pleasant staff, and a conducive environment that breeds tranquility and productivity. Cheers!

I love this newish coffee shop in the heart of Baltimore. My boyfriend and I have made it a thing to come here Sunday mornings after a stop through the JFX Farmers' Market. It is super unassuming, on the corner of 23rd and Baltimore. A small sign painted on the side of the wall that says "coffee." It is a small, basement coffee shop. Always plenty of street parking outside. The baristas are always super friendly. The menu is simple, but just the right amount of variety. The coffee quality is out of this world. They always have a few seasonal specials and pastries from other local shops that are delicious. The inside is clean, with a few tables and benches. Bar style seating at the front window. If you need extra room, they share an outdoor patio space with Fadensonnen around the corner. Don't worry about taking your cups and mugs there either, they are OK with that! Their condiments are amazing as well! Free creamer, milk, oat milk, simple syrup, an assortment of sweeteners, etc! Even the bathroom is cute and always clean. This is definitely by far my favorite coffee shop in Baltimore, and Baltimore's newest gem!

Friendliest service you can get. Limited seating. Parking very easy all around. I would go back. I could see it being a very long wait on a weekend though

There is no indoor seating but Sophomore Coffee has an outdoor courtyard that's sheltered and nice to work in. I didn't enjoy the drip coffee flavor but I did like the taste of the decaf latte with oat milk I got. However, my friend found her latte with oat milk lacking in foam and more like a flat white. Be aware that you have to be masked to enter and need to wait until you're outside to lower your mask to drink; if you don't have a mask, they provide some at the front. The staff will help you decide on a drink if you're not a coffee connoisseur (which I confidently am not). If you're walking here, also be aware that you'll pass through some sketchy neighborhoods.

Wanted to stop by to Sophomore's Yelp to let everyone know how pleasant this shop is. Not only is Chris a really sweet owner, the staff cool and helpful, but the coffee is legitimately the best I've come into contact within the city. I appreciate when a business is exactly what you expect. Local, honest, community-oriented AND tasty. The flowers are provided by a lovely woman, Casey of Petit Floral, and some goodies, like delicious croissants, from Bramble Baking Co.

My recommendation: get a coffee to go from here and enjoy it on a walk around Charles Village. Here's why: Sophomore Coffee has all the featurees of an amazing to-go coffee shop: uncomplicated (but versitile) menu, knowledgeable staff, and oh so tasty coffee. So the product is good. But if you're looking for a place to meet a group of friends, there's only seating for about 12 people total in the whole place(and most of it not so comfy). And if you're thinking it's be a good place to stay a few hours and do some work - even if you get a seat, it tends to be very loud. So while I have no complaints about the coffee or the service, my recommendation is to grab that to-go cup and hope that Sophomore graduates to a larger space soon.

What a small little gem open right at 8am even with Covid support your local businesses. Fast and supper friendly and fresh made pastries.

Sometimes I wish I lived on this side of the city so I could have sophomore be my normal go to coffee stop. I literally can't say one bad thing about sophomore. Honestly, why are you still reading this!!? Just go there already!

This is a cute coffee shop with mixed modern and rustic feels. It is lower than street level which helps keep it nice and cool offering a much needed respite from the intense summer heat. But at the same time there is plenty of natural light from street level windows and the interior designs keeps it bright and airy, which differentiates itself from other similar coffee shops than can sometimes feel more dungeon-like. The music had a great upbeat retro vibes--think '60s/'70s Minnie Riperton, Eddie Kendrick, and the Marvelettes. Their Summer 2019 menu looked really exciting. I tried the unsweetened iced rosello hibiscus, lemon grass, licorice root tea, which had a visually appealing ruby color and a surprising prickly spice. I also had the risotto cornbread which was savory and scrumptious. Other positives that would make me come back here easy street parking and reliable free WFi.

Great find in Baltimore. Excellent espresso.... the crema is on point. I search everytime I was in Baltimore for a great espresso.... my search has ended! I'll be back on every trip!

Great new coffee (& tea!) shop in Baltimore! Literally underground, so it's a bit hard to find except for their bright blue door. The mugs used are very nice (I think made by a local crafter). They also use some very great quality sugar (also local, I think!). On this Sunday afternoon it's totally filled up, so it seems to be catching on quick, rightfully so!

100000% the best coffee in Baltimore with the kindest staff. Why go anywhere else. 11/10

Great coffee! Dog friendly! People friendly! The perfect coffee shop for the neighborhood! I love seeing my neighbors (and their dogs) each day at this great coffee shop. I deeply appreciate that oat milk is alongside the dairy milk options and the variety of sweetness offered: simple syrup, honey, and sugar. The iced tea is refreshing and the coffee is strong. The Bramble Bakes pastry selection is always enticing. Also, everyone is nice, best team ever!