Hampden is a neighborhood located in the center of Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1802, the community started out as a home for workers from Jones Fall Valley mills, eventually drawing immigrants from nearby farming counties and mines. Now, Hampden is known for its independently owned eateries, many of which offer season-conscious, healthy menus.
The Golden West Café is a casual, Southwestern restaurant offering a menu that changes depending on what local ingredients are in season. They are best known for their breakfast and brunch selections which are available all day, as well as their green and red chile sauces. All of their meats and eggs are organic and free range, and most menu items are made fresh daily. Though their menu is rooted in a Southwestern tradition, they also offer vegan and vegetarian options, as well as world cuisine. The Golden West Café features a smoke-free bar with a large beer selection.
Established in 2010, the Mill is the first steakhouse in the Hampden area. In addition to their specialties, steak and ribs, the restaurant features crab cakes, scallops, fish, a wide variety of soups and starters, sandwiches and wraps, salads, pasta, burgers and desserts.
The Dogwood features sustainable American cuisine, changing their menu with the seasons and sourcing from organic, sustainable local producers as much as possible. The entire staff, from the servers to the food runners and chefs, are trained or currently in training to become culinary and hospitality professionals. Since their menu and wine list changes with the seasons, diners are encouraged to check the current menu on their website before planning a visit.
Soup's On specializes in soups, salads and desserts, most of which change on a daily basis depending on the season. All soups and salads are made fresh and served with warm Bonaparte bread. Though most menu items change, their tuna sandwich, with avocado, jalapeno, arugula and mustard, is always available, as are cookies, cupcakes and cakes.
Alchemy is a modern American casual restaurant featuring sustainable, local produce, meat and seafood. They offer extensive brunch, lunch and dinner menus with a large selection of seafood items as well as a few creative vegetarian options. The restaurant serves wine and artisan beer, as well as Champagne.
