Kneads

Discover Kneads Bakeshop & Café: Baltimore’s Local Gem for Freshly Baked Goods

For residents and visitors across the Maryland area, the name Kneads Bakeshop & Café has quickly become synonymous with high-quality, handcrafted baking. More than just a bakery, Kneads is an artisan bakeshop and café concept that specializes in products made from scratch in-house every day. The establishment has deep roots in the Baltimore community, as it was launched by the family-owned and Baltimore-based H&S Bakery, which has been a staple in the region since 1943. This heritage speaks to a commitment to time-honored baking traditions, combined with a modern café experience.

Kneads offers a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere that has cemented its place as a community hub in several Baltimore neighborhoods. It serves as an ideal spot for starting the day with a perfect cup of coffee, enjoying a cozy brunch, or picking up a fresh loaf of artisan bread for dinner. The menu is extensive, balancing classic bakery offerings with a full café experience, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every craving, no matter the time of day.

The focus is placed squarely on their signature product: handcrafted artisan breads and baked goods. Customers can find a delightful array of viennoiserie, bagels, doughnuts, and specialty pastries alongside their full café menu, which highlights their signature breads in gourmet sandwiches and other savory dishes. Whether you are looking for a quick grab-and-go pastry or a relaxed sit-down meal, Kneads Bakeshop & Café provides a compelling, locally-rooted option right here in Baltimore.

Location and Accessibility

Kneads Bakeshop & Café proudly operates several locations throughout Baltimore, making their fresh-baked goods accessible to a wide range of communities. While the specific address you mentioned (838 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230) may represent a central office or production facility, the main retail locations where Maryland users can experience their offerings are well-established in key neighborhoods.

The flagship location is situated in the vibrant

Harbor East

Harbor East Flagship Location:

Address:

Accessibility:

Other Satellite Locations:

• Canton:

  3601 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21224

• Cross Keys:

  6 Village Square, Baltimore, MD 21210 (This location is known for a clever feature called the “Chamber of Kneads,” inspired by historic Florentine wine windows, allowing customers to walk up and order items like wine).

The company also offers delivery services through popular third-party apps like UberEats, DoorDash, and Grubhub, alongside their own delivery route for wholesale and catering orders, which serves the entire state of Maryland and Washington D.C.

Services Offered

Kneads Bakeshop & Café offers an array of services that extend beyond simply being a traditional bakery, positioning it as a full-service culinary destination in Baltimore. These services are designed to meet the diverse "kneads" of the local community and surrounding Maryland area:

• Dine-In and Takeaway Cafe:

  Providing a full café menu for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, with comfortable seating options, including a spacious main floor and an intimate upper mezzanine lounge (at the Harbor East flagship).

• Artisan Bakery and Retail:

  Offering daily baked goods, including a large selection of fresh breads (House Sour Batard, Baguette, Focaccia, Multigrain), Viennoiserie (Croissants, Chocolate Croissants, Almond Croissants), Danish, Bagels, and Doughnuts.

• Full Coffee and Tea Menu:

  Serving a wide variety of coffee beverages (Lattes, Cold Brew, Cappuccino, Americano), specialty tea lattes (Matcha, Smoked Chai, London Fog), and other seasonal drinks, available hot or iced.

• Catering Services:

  A comprehensive catering menu is available, perfect for office gatherings, events, and special occasions. Options include Assorted Pastry Platters, Bagel Egg Sandwich Platters, Mini Croissant Sandwich Platters, Salad Bowls, Pizzas, and specialized platters. Orders are typically requested to be placed 48–72 hours in advance. Pickup and delivery are available for catering orders.

• Private Event Hosting:

  The Harbor East location features private spaces like the Bakelab Room and the Mezzanine Lounge, which can be reserved for special events, meetings, and private parties. The Bakelab room can be closed off and is equipped with built-in power sources for convenience.

• Baking Classes and Events:

  Kneads hosts engaging public events and classes at their Harbor East location, such as Croissant Classes, Sourdough Bread Baking Classes, Pizza Making Classes, and Royal Tea Parties, offering a hands-on experience for local baking enthusiasts.

• Kneads Market:

  The retail area features a curated selection of products, including their house-made breads, olive oils, packaged foods, and fun merchandise, often sourced from local vendors to support other Baltimore businesses.

• Wholesale Distribution:

  They operate their own delivery route for wholesale partners, serving fresh-baked products daily across the state of Maryland and Washington D.C.

Features / Highlights

Kneads Bakeshop & Café stands out in the competitive Maryland culinary scene due to several unique and appealing features. These highlights draw on their commitment to quality, community, and an exceptional customer experience:

• H&S Bakery Heritage:

  Founded by the family behind the famous H&S Bakery (a Baltimore institution since 1943), Kneads carries a legacy of quality and scale, specializing in handcrafted, in-house, from-scratch baked goods.

• Artisan Production Scale:

  The operation boasts a massive kitchen capable of baking a significant amount of dough daily, underpinning their commitment to fresh, high-volume artisan production.

• Extensive, Diverse Menu:

  The offerings go far beyond typical bakery fare. The menu includes a full range of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items, such as the

  Brioche French Toast

  ,

  Biscuits & Gravy

  , the

  Smoked Salmon Bagel

  , and specialty sandwiches like the

  Turkey & Bacon Ranch

  and

  Muffaletta

  .

• Commitment to Local Sourcing:

  The business places a strong emphasis on supporting local vendors and farms, sourcing most of their ingredients and the merchandise found in the Kneads Market from within the local community.

• Inviting and Modern Ambiance:

  The interior of the flagship Harbor East location is praised for its spacious, contemporary design, large windows, and a warm, energetic vibe that makes it perfect for both quick stops and extended visits for working or socializing.

• Unique Baltimore-Inspired Items:

  The menu features local flair, including the

  Chesapeake Hand Pie

  (blue crab, corn, herbs) and

  Kneads Cornbread with Whipped Old Bay Honey Hot Butter

  , connecting the artisan craft to Maryland’s distinct culinary identity.

• The Mezzanine and Bakelab:

  The availability of a quiet, upper-level mezzanine for remote work and the bookable Bakelab room for private events adds significant versatility for the local clientele.

Contact Information

To visit, call, or inquire about Kneads Bakeshop & Café's services, here is the public contact information for their main locations:

Harbor East (Flagship)

• Address:

  506 S. Central Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21202

• Phone:

  (410) 220-0907

Canton (Satellite)

• Address:

  3601 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD 21224

• Phone:

  (410) 415-5555

Cross Keys (Satellite)

• Address:

  6 Village Square, Baltimore, MD 21210

• Phone:

  (410) 220-0907

General / Catering Inquiries:

• Catering Email:

  catering@kneadsbakeshop.com

• General Email:

  hello@kneadsbakeshop.com

What is Worth Choosing

While Kneads Bakeshop & Café offers an expansive menu, certain items have garnered particular praise from local patrons. For those in the Maryland area looking to try the best of what Kneads has to offer, these selections are highly recommended and considered must-try items:

• The Signature Pastries (Viennoiserie):

  The

  Almond Croissant

  is a noted standout, praised for its flaky layers and rich filling. Other popular choices in this category include the

  Chocolate Croissant

  and unique seasonal varieties like the

  Pistachio Baklava Croissant

  or the

  Cardamom and Orange Kouign Amann

  .

• Artisan Breads:

  The foundation of the bakery is its bread. The

  House Sour (Batard)

  , a signature sourdough loaf, and the rustic

  Jalapeno Cheddar Loaf

  are excellent for bringing home. The classic

  Baguette

  is also a popular daily selection.

• Breakfast/Brunch Staples:

  The

  Cinnamon Roll

  consistently ranks as one of the most-liked items, perfect for a sweet start to the day. For savory options, the hearty

  Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel

  (featuring braised short rib) and the classic

  Egg & Cheese Biscuit

  are customer favorites. Their brunch is often lauded, with the

  Creme Brulee French Toast

  being a notable indulgence.

• Specialty Doughnuts:

  Kneads offers a rotating selection of creative doughnuts. The

  Creme Brulee Doughnut

  and

  Maple Bacon Doughnut

  are often highlighted as unique and delicious choices.

• Unique Coffee and Tea Lattes:

  Beyond excellent standard coffee, try a specialty drink. The

  Iced Vanilla Marshmallow Latte

  is a beloved option among patrons. For tea lovers, the

  Matcha Tea Latte

  and the

  Iced Blackberry Matcha

  are popular choices.

• Seasonal and Local Flavors:

  Look for their rotating seasonal offerings that showcase local ingredients, or try the Maryland-inspired favorites like the

  Chesapeake Hand Pie

  or the cornbread with

  Old Bay Honey Hot Butter

  for a true taste of Baltimore.

Kneads

838 E Fort Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230, USA