Atwater’s
815 Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD, 21228
Atwater’s Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Catonsville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
815 Frederick Rd
Catonsville, MD, 21228 - Phone (410) 747-4120
- Website https://www.atwaters.biz
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 6:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Missy S.
Atwaters is our go-to place when the family is hungry. Their muffins, scones, cookies, and soups are delicious! I always appreciate the creativity that goes into their recipes and the plentiful vegetarian options. The tiffins are a fun option (soup, a piece of bread, and a small dessert). The only downside is that sometimes the cakes by the slice can be a little stale.
(4)Lindsay V.
I really appreciate the vegan options here - they always have a vegan soup option that is delicious. They also usually have a vegan dessert. But of course their bread is all made fresh and delicious. Great coffee.
(5)Felicia J.
Lavender latte is a must try. The staff is friendly and the food is delicious. They offer so many types of pastries and breads as wel as savory meal options. The wifi connection wasn't the best but was enough to get the job done.
(4)Xander S.
This is an up and coming shop and has been growing quite a bit. They've expanded to a few locations, but this one in particular is very cozy. From the secluded upstairs tables and ambiance to the window seats and community table. This has all the essentials to be one of the best shops. The staff is rather friendly, some are hit or miss. The ginger bites and macaroons are amazing. They serve quality coffee (counterculture) and mix the roasts up on a monthly basis as well as offering a weekend vs weekday roast. It's nice being able to try different roasts out. The shop does a lot with local artists and vendors. They do in-house baking and the bread is great. Sandwiches can be a little pricy, but they're good quality and have a good presentation. They have a wide selection of food items (jams, cheeses, salads, and milk). It's hard to explain over this review. It's worth checking out. A setback is the parking situation. There aren't many parking spots, so if you're a local I'd recommend riding a bike or walking. They do have WiFi and outlets, so it's a quiet place to get work done outside of lunch rush. Not quite the best shop, but still great quality.
(4)Heb Y.
Their mini lemon bites are scrumptious! They also have ginger bites and chocolate dipped macaroons that make a great addition to their coffee/latte selections. I was a bit disappointed that their breakfast menu ends at 11am, which is when they transition to lunch, and their latte was not great...I got the chocolate banana seasonal special, but there was some chocolate chunks on the bottom of the drink...but otherwise can't really complain. They have a wide selection of locally organic products including coffees, honey, tea, oil, maple syrups, etc. They also sell products from kinderhook (my fave!) and other local vendors. Very cute vibe, would definitely recommend.
(4)LD J.
The prices are a bit high and servings are a bit smaller compared to other cafes. I ordered 2 green salads with chicken salad on top and one small bag of chips and my total was just under $18. My small flavored latte was just under $5. The green salad was approximately a cup of romaine, 1 teaspoon sliced almonds and a tablespoon of dressing and approximately a 1/3 cup of chicken salad and a small slice of bread. It was served on a saucer. I was satisfied at the end of the meal but the servings were remarkably small. The side salad alone is $3 and some change and all you get is a cup of lettuce, a sprinkling of almonds and dressing. That mark-up is ridiculous! But everything is very tasty and the baked good selection mixes traditional and creative flavors. The desserts are all delicious! I've sampled the cakes, pies and cookies and all are wonderful. The flavors and atmosphere keep me coming back to this location and the Belvedere Square location. The lunch rush can get loud and crowded up stairs. But in the mid-afternoon, it can be a quiet place to study. The cost to serving ratio is the only reason for the 4 star rather than 5 star rating.
(4)Danielle L.
I really like this place, but I feel as though I can't go here anymore. The "lunch deal" of tiffin box consists of some of their soup, bread, and a small dessert. But the bread and dessert are unequivocally stale. The bread, which is normally so great, tastes day-old and the desserts vary wildly and you don't even get to pick. I think this is likely a way to get rid of old things and charge the same amount! They also have serious listening issues. I've ordered a wide variety of things, and somehow they always forget something or don't hear me as they're busy hovering over the computer. I hate repeating myself when I'm in a hurry, and it's annoying to request nonfat milk only to have it made with regular and then wait MORE for it come out! If you have time to sit and not care about time, it's a good place, but if you're in any sort of hurry you should pick somewhere else.
(4)Susan P.
This is a cozy place for a gluten-free snack or meal. My fave is their stacked soup for lunch, with soup on top, bread in the middle and dessert on the bottom. Both of my kids are fairly picky eaters but they liked the offerings here. I also tried a ginger bite....so very good. The current set up is not good if you have very young kids and/or a stroller because the main eating location is up a long narrow stair case...the staff are quite nice though and will often offer to help carry food up if you have this kind of extra load. I heard that they plan to move the bakery part out so their will be more room for sitting downstairs, which will make it even better. If you're looking for great bread, a cozy new spot, this should tick your boxes.
(4)Kimberly D.
Love the food, love the atmosphere, even love the employees. However, it's hard to stay for a long time due to the sole fact that if there is a bathroom I have not found it. If anyone knows, I'd love to know.
(4)Barry S.
Can't say enough great things about Atwaters (we've been to two locations now). Great food and great value ... along with great service. One of those places we wished we OWNED. :)
(5)Oinkzalot S.
Good food, a bit over priced with a friendly, positive atmosphere. Super 'homey' and nontraditional--you're not really waited on and have to bus your own table after you eat. Food is brought to you but, you have to go back down stairs for coffee refills. Comfortable view, clientele, lighting, etc. The food: I ordered an omelet with tomato, spinach and cheddar cheese. I tried a bite and added Sriracha, salt and pepper. Although short on tomato, the omelet had a lot of liquid when cut. Amazingly the egg was solid enough that the liquid did not to effect the taste too much. Good flavor with plenty of fresh spinach and cheese. The egg portion seemed like average fluffy eggs, though, not the rubbery hotel kind. This is the first time I've had flax toast. It was ok. Very crispy without being burned. A little too hard for my tastes, but ok. I tried a bite of olive bread that a friend had and that was really good! Great flavor, though a bit tough. The endless cup of coffee was nothing to write home about. I've had gas station coffee that is better (and worse); it was on the weak side. I had to go to the counter for refills--not ideal, but their idea of good service, I suppose. Good options on the coffee condiments (half and half, skim & whole milk; various sugars). Overall, a little overpriced, but great "welcome home" place. Atwater's would be excellent for homesick travelers. It has a good balance between Mom's kitchen and professional service. P.S. Shout out for the strawberry blonde lady working out front. She offered attentive, good service and a personality that really 'made' the atmosphere!
(4)Brandy G.
Great little cafe with an old town feel! Parking lot is behind the building with a short walk to through the courtyard. Lots of natural light upstairs. The lemon bites were yummy and the lavender vanilla latte was to die for.
(4)Eva L.
Got the chocolate coconut macaroons after seeing the reviews, and they were so overwhelmingly sweet that I could not finish it. The coffee is pretty run of the mill, but they do have free refills for the bottomless order so that's a plus. The space upstairs is quite spacious, but I was a bit apprehensive about walking up the steps with a cup of hot coffee in my hand.
(2)Caroline N.
Went to try it for the first time... Lots of traffic on the road, even on a weekday. I was lucky to find a spot as someone was leaving the parking lot (which only has like 7 or 8 spots marked for customers)... Otherwise, you gotta pay quarters for the meters (eh, don't think it's THAT amazing to pay for the parking)... Walked in, there was a very long line... I decided to just take my study-stuff (laptop) to the 2nd floor to check out the seating area. It was pretty loud with people talking.. The noise level kinda was "meh" too - so I decided to just walk out and come back maybe another time. I live 20 minutes away, so driving through tight/old roads, trying to find parking, getting in line, and sitting in a noisy area isn't worth it for me. I wanted it to work out, but maybe another day I'll go try brunch or lunch with a friend.
(3)Jackie A.
Quaint. There's too much for the eye to take in and the space is tiny. Make sure you see everything: the chalkboard to your right, denouncing all the specialty coffees and teas, another chalkboard above the counter, displaying the soups of the day, further, past the register and to your right, loaves of hearty breads, a shelving unit, to the left of the register, assorted gourmet jams, the case of home-baked sweets catches your eye, almost immediately: square, huge savory & sweet scones, muffins, pastries, cakes - there's more - homemade granola, cookies, already prepared pastas, soups, milks/creams. The space from all of this and the register, gets crowded quick. If you decided to dine in, there are stairs that take you to a room, surrounded with windows and galactic moons, painted on the tables. I kinda liked the feel of this eatery, with it's foodie nick knacks adorning the shelves and the attractive chalkboards. The food, though, was boring in it's presentation and nothing better than what I can do at home. My friend and I shared our omelets, which were accompanied by one of the smallest pieces of toast I've ever eaten. One omelet was filled with arugula and chevre and the other, avocado, bacon and cheese. The portion sizes were hearty and the ingredients fresh, though some were scarce to find. The chevre spilled out of my omelet, as I dug into it and the arugula, sat in one spot, like a clump of freshly mown lawn. If the roasted red pepper was there, it was a scant amount. It's hard to mess up on bacon, in my opinion - but the price tag was a bit steep, considering you can purchase a package of bacon for less. Tip on preparing bacon: coat your bacon w/ground pepper and brown sugar, then bake it. It'll be the best bacon you've ever eaten or season it and place it in a turkey fryer - YUM. Don't be a fool like I was, and spend too much on something you can do at home. On my way out, I sampled their soups of the day: gazpacho a roasted vegetable and a Greek chicken soup with feta and eggplant. Honest to GD, they all tasted the same; there was nothing distinguishing one from the other. I might give them another try, but next time; I'll go for lunch.
(3)Larissa J.
I come to Atwater's a lot because It is close to my house, it's locally owned and it has great sitting for reading or doing work. Every time I come here I want to love it but to be honest there is always something off about the experience. All I can say is be ready to wait, this is not a fast food restaurant which you are probably aware of but it is also not quick in any respect. I come to the location at all times of day and the worst time is during off peak times because the staff is too busy doing other things. For instance, one time I arrived and there was a line of four people in front of me and the one person at the register had her head down and was updating the soup board...completely oblivious to the fact that there was a line. Every time I have ordered soup it's either taken too long to heat up or was barely warm. Even knowing all of this, I will continue to support them because they are a local establishment but I just want to impress upon you...plan to take your time here because they do!
(3)Heidi F.
I've only gotten beverages here and I must say it's neat having something so different so close! I hope to do breakfast or lunch sometime soon. The Rasberry Herbal Ice Tea was great! The Zesty Lemonaid maybe a little much but overall cool shop!
(4)Vicki E.
I've read some reviews about the pricing here, but I definitely think you get what you pay for. Everything is top notch quality. I get a very farmers market/farm to table feel from this place. Love their chai lattes, their iced tea and lemonade. Awesome selection of cheeses, artisanal olive oils, chocolates, meats, etc. If you want to dine in, they have a menu that changes with the seasons. In November, I'm a fan of their turkey cranberry sandwich. This summer I've been alternating between the Mediterranean and the turkey pesto. If you're stopping by in the morning, their croissants, cream cheese/carrot muffins, and scones are all terrific options. If you check out the table near the window by the stairs, they have a variety of cookies available. I have eaten an entire bag of their chocolate walnut cookies on more than one occasion. As a college student, it's tough to come here all the time, because it is on the high end, but it's worth it, and there's a nice upstairs area with wifi so you can get work done.
(5)Billy B.
After a long hike this weekend at Patapsco state park, which is located a couple miles down the road, I was starving. I stopped into Atwaters for a sandwich and ordered the Bhan mi. I then realized I didn't have my wallet and went to the truck to find it. Unfortunately I had left my wallet at home. I went back in to cancel my order but they had already made it. Instead of throwing the sandwich away or giving it to an employee, they gave it to me and told me to come back another day and pay for it. I'm not a regular and I've never even been in there before. Few places would do this for locals let alone someone passing through. Not only was the sandwich big, it was the best tofu I've ever had. Can't wait to go back, try something new and pay for it.
(5)Donna H.
If you are looking for a bakery this is not the place. They did have 3 cupcakes. We got the chocolate one and it not good.
(1)Jennifer K.
Not the best I've ever had but not the worst. The prices were a little high for the quality, but still pretty good for the area. I ordered a half sandwich (it was really 1/4 of most sandwiches you'd get at, say, Corner Bakery or Panera) and soup (Mushroom- really good). My boyfriend also ordered a full sandwich. You're not going to find another place that has this ambiance and style around here. I was pleasantly surprised that they had a cute upstairs lounge with ample seating and outlets. I just wish I found this place sooner.
(4)William C.
The cafe and the neighborhood are cute. Parking wasn't a problem seeing how I came on a Friday morning. My order: half of the Chicken Salad Sandwich and a cup of the Curry soup. The soup had a decent amount of kick to it and it wasn't flavorful (given, my nasal cavity was congested), but I appreciated it for the ingredients it consisted. As for the sandwich, everything in the sandwich worked very well. I didn't spot any cheese on the list of ingredients for the sandwich, but I think I got cheese in mine. My feelings were analogous to when an adolescents gets an onion ring in their order of fries. Yizzir - I was #winning As for the upstairs seating - I loved how there was a lot of natural light. Everything seemed cleaned less the few crumbs I had on my table. Seeing how the seating is upstairs, it could be annoying if there was no seating and you come to find out after ordering and taking your number upstairs. But I'm sure there is a system designed for that.
(4)Matt N.
In town visiting family and randomly discovered this place as I was heading out. Awesome. Great Bread. Great Coffee. Great Atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
(5)Emily K.
I'm always on the hunt for a new hangout spot where I can get some work done, because my local Starbucks is always packed. I recently came across this cafe, lined right along a bunch of other foodie places on Frederick. For parking, you have to feed meters, unless you happen to get lucky and find parking elsewhere. When you walk in, a wave of aroma hits you. It seriously smells so good in here, and that's coming from a girl who has a barely-working nose. I skimmed over the menu, and decided to go with a two-tier tiffin, that featured the vegan option of bread and soup of the day -- tomato bread. The employee behind the counter even went to the back and grabbed a tiffin to show me exactly what I'd be getting. Once I had ordered, and paid less than $7 for my bowl of soup and bread, they told me I could head on upstairs, where they have seating and the food would be brought to me shortly. By the time I had finished scoping out the place, and checking out the decorations, they delivered my tiffin to me upstairs. Although it's my first time here, I personally really like ambience setting, and could get used to this. Starbucks is the only other I cafe I usually go to, that has wifi and they're always way too crowded. There's at least 10-15 tables in the upstairs portion, plus a sofa and a few single standing rocking chairs. As a college student, I could easily see this becoming a new hotspot for myself to come get some work done in peace. Although I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of the soup, the bread is delicious and next time I'll just try ordering something else. The friendliness of the employees and ideal work place is enough to make me want to give them a second chance. Stop by here, and remember to bring your laptop.
(4)Kris L.
Great neighborhood bakery. Waitstaff is friendly and food is good... Although a little high for what it is. The atmosphere upstairs is worth the extra premium though. The egg sandwiches are good, but I really come here for the lattes. They are the best I've ever had- delicious. I wish they had a little more space up front because it gets a little cramped l. Overall, this is a great little place to stop or breakfast on Sunday mornings.
(5)Craig Likes Stea K.
I'm supposed to feel weird when a man older than my dad (spindly rocker dude with the bald/long hair combo and an English accent) and a woman younger than me (attractive, mini skirt/sweater combo, nose ring) are all over each other (mutual ass grabbing, making out, frequent eye contact with me in between with the intention of rubbing it in, arousing me, or making me uncomfortable - I ended up experiencing all three of those. It was a wild ride.) in front of me in the line to get coffee, right? That was a long sentence. Catonsville sure is odd. I guess we're all odd in some way. The 16 oz red eye rocks, by the way.
(5)Christine G.
Having eaten at two other Atwater restaurants, I expected more and better than we got. It was the first time I'd gone to the Catonsville location and the first time ever at an Atwaters for my friend. We had planned to go to another Catonsville restaurant, but I promised her she would love Atwaters. She didn't nor did I. I didn't realize that it wasn't a "full-service" place, so we waited in line, ordered, paid, and took our drinks upstairs. I'd read reviews and raves about the chicken salad, which we both ordered. It was OK. a scoop on bread, no lettuce or tomato offered, and some homemade pickles, which were so so. We were told that bread cannot be toasted because the place doesn't have "facilities" for toasting. Chips were extra. The table still had crumbs on it. I can live with that. If you want a glass of water, you have to go downstairs to get a glass of ice. The place was too too too laid back for the two of us. We are/were not its "target audience." The staff was pleasant. Customers clear their own tables. The prices?? We paid nearly $25 for one glass of iced tea and two chicken salad sandwiches and four small pickle slices. Way way overpriced for the quality and the entire do-it-yourself atmosphere. There is a tip jar on the counter and we both wondered what "one" would tip for.
(2)Tabitha B.
Atwater's is one of those places you find, visit, love, and then take people to because you know they will not only love it- but say to you "how do you always find these fantastic little places?" The cafe/counter service coffee house bakes the most amazing bread, churns out memorable & delicious jams/preserves, serves a mean soup-bread-sweet treat combo in an awesome "tiffin" box that is so adorable you will undoubtedly photograph it and exhibit it on Instagram/Facebook/whatever you do... Annnnd the coffee is PERFECT. I mean perfect. I like my coffee black and found this cup to be on key time and time again. (My aunt had recently been to Paris & London and when I took her here stated that Atwater's serves the best cup of Joe this side of the Atlantic) Atmosphere is lovely. Upstairs is so light filled and laid back... Big tables, skylight, huge picture window... All that rolled up with great service, locally sourced ingredients, and great service... By far one of my favorite go to spots! (Oh, and the area it is in is totally walkable and cute!)
(5)Patricia A.
Since I discovered Atwater's 3 years ago I have eaten here several times and have yet to taste anything I didn't like. Of course I do have my favorites - like the chicken salad sandwich, cheese biscuits, carrot cake, and every soup I have ever tried. Today I had a bowl of a spicy beef vegetable soup that was simply out of this world delicious. My friend and I always end our lunch with a creamy delicious latte. Besides the excellent food Atwater's specializes in friendly, helpful staff.
(5)Irma S.
Food is just ok. This place is unique to the area so I can understand why people like it very much. But place is too small and loud. Staff is not friendly for a local place.
(3)Crystal S.
Delicious real food! The salads are packed with flavor and the bread is crave-worthy. A nice, tart, iced lemonade to top it off is just perfect for a hot summer day. Thanks!
(4)Brooke T.
Look, work is stressful, and this is one of the best places to de stress during work hours, when I want to just woooossaaaahhh for a moment. It is on Frederick Ave, parking is on the street or there is a small parking lot behind the building. It is pretty chill on thie inside, seating is located up stairs. I LOVE the seating upstairs, because there are large windows and there is just so much natural light...yes! The staff are amazing and fun to talk to. The food is great as are the drinks. They alwyas have a speciality drink related to the season and what is available. For lunch they have this tiffin thing, where you can get a yummy soup, bread (which is ahmazballs) and a dessert. Can't be beat. I will always return here when I need a moment, or just because.
(4)Mæry S.
Nope. Not good, no atmosphere and really uninteresting.
(1)Eng P.
Went for the second time today, as I was meeting a colleague here for lunch. I'm not sure if their AC is broken or what, but it was pretty warm upstairs. On to the food and service. I ordered the Mediterranean salad with a scoop of their chicken salad and the lemon dill vinaigrette in place of the lemon Tahini dressing. The salad was really fresh, and their chicken salad is really good. The giant butter beans were an unusual but good addition to a "Greek" salad. Their food is good, but I'm not sure that salad was worth $9.50 without the protein. The scoop of chicken salad was $3.50 by itself. A bit pricey, I think. Again, don't get me wrong the food is fresh and good, but the prices are kinda extreme. The cashiers were really nice, so that's an added plus. The heat upstairs, the little wait for the food, and the price warrant a four star rating. I'll visit again, but not often. $13 for a salad definitely breaks the bank.
(4)Danny C.
The Owner of this establishment has sent me a message and though I can't describe everything she said, I truly appreciate the fast response, let alone a response period. This is what I call customer service, where they acknowledge the review and apologize on behalf of their business. I initially gave this place 2 stars but after the message I received, I'm giving this place 4 stars. Some of you may not agree but it's so rare to get a response from a review and even rarer a message from the Owner him/herself. This made my day. Thank you Casey.
(4)Kay M.
I still go here about 2 or 3 times a week. I also still love their coffee and scones, but I've also fallen in love with their almond milk lattes. Not everywhere has almond milk lattes (Stabucks, I'm looking at you), and Atwaters makes a good one. I also love that they now have breakfast and lunch items made-to-order. Although, I do miss the vegetarian bahn mi sandwiches. Can you bring it back for an encore someday soon? Overall, this is my dream coffee house...great friendly staff, great coffees and teas, delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, sides, and breads. I love that this place is just a few minutes from my house.
(5)Sephone K.
First time. Sunday afternoon. S/O and I got a tiffen and a Reuben to go. See below for highlights and lowlights. The good: Neat building. Kudos for repurposing historic architecture! The assortment of yummy things in the cold case to purchase was enticing. The upstairs seating area was cozy and I initially thought that I might like to visit it again. Tasty enough food, good snickerdoodle cookies in my tiffen. The bad: Small portions for the price. Not as much menu selection as we initially thought. Cramped waiting area for takeout. The ugly: Lackluster service from 3 wholly disinterested employees. Brought out the tiffen and promptly forgot about the Reuben, didn't think to ask why we were still waiting until my soup had gone almost cold. I was going to purchase some more things from the cold case but the employees' general attitudes made me feel that it had been a mistake for us to grace their doorstep on this particular day, so I decided otherwise. I'll add that we were the only customers downstairs for most of our visit. Perhaps another day with different employees would live up to the good reviews about this place I've seen.
(3)Amir M.
We visited this place today. The location is good, we had couple of comments We were 4 family members and looked for lunch. The debate was either Panera bread or this restaurant, since we like the coffee/soup/salad combination. We landed here and bought 3 sandwiches, a salad and a coffee. The sandwiches are samplers in size, really tiny, and it comes with nothing additional. My daughters asked me, is that all what you've got? For the same $9-11 a piece, we could get at the other place a much larger sandwich, with much more content, and the coffee , and an additional item (chips etc..) and the coffee is refillable. This is not a commercial in any way to any other restaurants, just our impression from the family lunch. It was OK on the lower side. Not sure about getting there next time. The issue in my kind is not much the pricing rather than what we've got for it.
(2)Leeann N.
I have to say, I don't really get the overwhelming love for this place. It's okay, not bad but not all that great. Nothing that we had stood out in any way, except for the price. We did see one funny thing though.. an older couple (70s?) was sitting at one of the tables by the window. There was a second table with a couple of older ladies (60s?) and then the last table was my friend and I (40s). We were all chatting away but then the oldest couple gets up to leave and shout at the middle table ladies that "they were too loud and they could hardly talk or even think!" At first I thought they were kidding but they weren't. The middle ladies were aghast and my friend and I started cracking up. Those middle ladies weren't being loud! Turns out this isn't the first time that old couple pitched a fit. I guess they want the place to themselves so take heed!
(3)Hope P.
I don't like absolute statements, but it may be the best damn espresso and coffee I ever had. Being 3.6 miles to my house, I am here more than I care to admit. They should really allow me to get reward points. Aside from coffee, their breads are amazing. Their scones are perfect (I'm not a scone person), and their other breakfast tasties are good and not too sweet. I've also sampled some of the jams and hot food. In October they made their own pumpkin spice syrup and it was awesome (I don't like Starbucks version). There is an adorable, inviting seating area upstairs that overlooks the street. Check it out. You won't find better coffee in the area.
(5)Yaka H.
Tried the baguette, chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon, and chocolate chip brownie. Everything was pretty good except for the brownie. I guess it had somesort of a weird textural chew (kinda like it had whole wheat flour in it or the flour was pretty coarse) and it was really dense (kinda dry too), so unfortunately this did not work well for SX and I. The baguette and macaroon were pretty standard fare. However the crust was a bit chewy (not entirely crisp that it should have; I'm going to blame it on the weather in this case), but otherwise, it was fine. I would be interested in trying the other country-style/rustic loaves and coffee here if I'm in the area (however, will skip out on the brownies). Also, this place has pre-set lunches (choice of 2 different lunches, consists of: soup, bread, and a sweet). If you're in the area and really like it, you can buy a tiffin (a steel 3-tier lunch box) for the pre-set lunches. I really like this green approach and also, it's just so adorable!
(3)Rob N.
My name is Rob and I have an Atwater's habit. Right now, on the counter there sits: * One loaf of sourdough bread with Kalamata olives * A bag of four mixed-berry scones * An apple crumb pound cake * Several brownies with chocolate chips and nuts * One loaf of pumpernickel raisin bread * A bag of raspberry jelly-topped almond cookies * and two bags of brownie edges (the crispy-chewy trimmings from the edge of the pan) The bakery, it will not release me.
(5)Katie K.
Really enjoyed the coffee, soup, and small treats! Very friendly service and a cute atmosphere!
(4)Stephanie H.
Great food and a nice environment! One of the nicest places to grab a bite in Catonsville. Their soups and breads are amazing!
(5)Crystal P.
We came here for a business meeting. Loved the atmosphere - we sat upstairs, which was quaint and is a nice place for lunch or for a meeting. I had the Tiffin box - which was this great lunch box type stack of metal canisters - one with soup, one with bread and one with sweets. The soup was amazing -italian pepper and tomato. Fantastic flavors and piping hot, which is how I like it. I switched the bread choice for a cheddar biscuit, which was my favorite part of the meal. We also bought an Asian tofu sandwich, which was really good and great flavors, but just a tad dry. The drink selections are fantastic (homemade pumpkin chai latte!) and the service was super friendly.
(4)Theresa N.
Great for breakfast or lunch. Sandwiches, salads and soups can accompany scones, muffins, cakes, cookies and pie. Locally sourced ingredients and the selection changes with the season. A great place to do like grocery shopping. Their refrigerated case has locally sourced milk, eggs, and cheese. They also carry local honey and they make several flavors of fruit spread. Counter service only. Tables and chairs are on the second floor and a light and airy space filled with an ever-changing display of art. Don't forget to grab a loaf or two of bread on your way out. Sliced upon request. Atwater's does a lot of its baking at this location. Frequently the aromas that waft out on the breeze are amazing.
(5)Emily L.
When Atwater's opened in Catonsville, to be honest, I was a little jealous. I had been saying for years that the downtown was badly in need of a takeout market that sold high-quality prepared foods: somewhere we could duck in on the way home from grocery shopping to grab lunch or dinner for not too high a price. I even had pipe dreams of embarking on this venture myself. So when I heard the venerable bakery chain was opening its doors here, I was a tiny bit disappointed. A tiny bit. Then I visited and realized this kind of thing is better left to the professionals. Because, listen -- this place is amazing. Besides my dream of a takeout market, they have given our community: 1) A sweet breakfast cafe that sells great coffee and heavenly pastries: their scones are not too sweet and not covered in icing, just pleasantly buttery and fruity and dense enough to hold you till lunch, and their muffins are light, spongy and flavorful. Apricot and gingerbread are my favorites. 2) A pleasantly-noisy lunch spot where you can buy prepared sandwiches and salads and piping hot soup. Every variety is excellently crafted: cheddar biscuits with smoked ham, spicy baked tofu with sprouts, mesclun with goat cheese, blueberries and sunflower seeds, chowders and bisques and curried broths with garnishes like roasted broccoli, all heavy on vegetable goodness. 3) A bakery with an incredible variety of artisan breads. Others have spoken about this enough that I feel I don't have to go into great detail, but any of the choices reflect the endless tinkering of Ned Atwater's chemical and artistic vision. (Full disclosure: I interviewed him for Catonsville Patch last year, so I know quite a bit about this process. Astounding.) 4) An advocate for local producers and sustainable business practices. This is perhaps the most important of all, though the excellent quality is undoubtedly what brings people back. Looking for a coffee stir? They offer uncooked fettuccine: same size and shape, but breaks down in a compost bin, unlike plastic and much faster than wood. They don't sell bottled water; instead they offer carafes of iced tap eater and real glasses. Their local milk comes in reusable glass bottles. The chefs can homemade jams and jellies from local fruit; they also sell cheese and granola made by other local artisans. Most importantly, the majority of their ingredients are locally sourced, especially during the growing season. I'm very passionate about this topic, so their ongoing efforts in this area mean a lot to me. Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox, but only if you promise to check out this place for yourself. If you want a server to take care of you, try the Kenilworth branch, but if you're a little more independent and want to stay a long time, stop by the Catonsville location and be prepared to lose as much of your morning as you can spare.
(4)Amanda M.
A friend and I popped into Atwater's on our way to dinner to get coffee beans. Atwater's has a decent selection of beans, which they will grind for you if needed. We also tried two of their little dessert/pastry selections (always best to eat dessert before dinner). My favorite was the Bright and Sunny, which looks like a teeny tiny upside-down muffin and gives you a bite (or two if you are sharing) of a cupcake/muffin type concoction drizzled with just the right amount of a sweet glaze to balance out the lemony, lemony goodness. We also tried the Chocolate-dipped Macaroon, full of coconut and a not overly-sweet chocolate. I'm looking forward to returning a few times and trying a tiffin, a sandwich, and some of Atwater's jams.
(4)Linn G.
This is a really cute and quaint establishment in Catonsville that offers an eclectic variety of breads, pastries and soup! I love the smell of fresh baked bread and this place makes me feel warm and cozy inside! The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. My first time there I ordered a veggie soup with a side of bread and it was very good! My soup was perfectly seasoned with just the perfect blend of veggies! I do plan to go back and buy a loaf of bread and try their dessert!! Only gripe I have is the small area to place your order which was a bit crowded when I went....Other than that I WILL be back!
(3)Mark M.
Sandwiches are very good here--the bread is real, fresh, and substantial. Good coffee. Wi-fi is a little spotty.
(4)Eric L.
Me and my girlfriend love the Belvedere square Atwaters. However our breakfast at the Catonsville location was very disappointing. The breakfast sandwich and omelette we ordered were sub-par and overpriced for the quality. The bread was good and the service was excellent but the actual food was average at best- poor if you include price. Stick to the baked goods or try the other locations for a good breakfast. Maybe the lunch or dinner there is better. I hope so.
(2)K Sera S.
Amazing bread selection (Struan! Spelt! I don't even know what you are, but I love you!). Strong, pulse-pounding espresso. Dense, chewy snickerdoodles. And the chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons....they're toasty, tasty crack. I'm actually kind of glad it's not more convenient for me...I can't imagine how carbed-up I'd be....
(4)Fatima H.
Probably the best mocha. Ever. I could actually taste my espresso! Got the mixed fruit scone to go along with my coffee, and let me tell you.. I've never had a scone that wasn't dry, so this literally made my day. Next time, will definitely try the tiffin and sit upstairs to get that experience. Loved the staff! So friendly and efficient - all while playing April Fools jokes on the regulars :)
(4)Brooke H.
Atwaters is a big part of the reason that I wanted to move to Catonsville from downtown Baltimore! I have now lived here for a year and have certainly not been disappointed! The best soup that I have ever had in my life came from here-delicious; as is everything! The baristas are always very inviting and friendly.
(5)Yoo-Jin K.
Cozy atmosphere, very good pumpkin chai, and an incredibly sugary sweet coconut macaroon. Overall Atwater's is a nice, local bakery in Catonsville- I'll have to visit again to try some of their baked breads and other goods!
(3)Tina S.
I've been to this place several times. I have just coffee mostly, because I've been very disappointed in the baked goods. everything I've had has been over baked, breads seemed over worked, tough, too chewy and make bad sandwiches and toast. The scones were so hard on the outside it hurt my teeth, and dried fruit fillling in muffins and scones are rock hard. I know there's a lot of good reviews, but my experience has been consistently poor with the baked goods. I don't get the obsession people have with Counter Culture coffee. It's good, but there are so many good roasters around here, whose coffees I enjoy more. Isn't it "greener" to buy local? Espresso drinks are OK, regular coffee is bland. I have always had very good service, I must say. the staff is great and helpful. I just hope one day the baked goods will taste as good as they look.
(2)Ed B.
Pretty tasty! Prices were kinda high (that's why only 3 stars instead of 4). Food was really good and fresh although the selection was quite limited. Coffee was delicious and not too overwhelming. Would deffinately go back!
(3)Colette W.
Positives: I love this place! Being from Germany, I've missed the excellent breads you can get there - NO LONGER!! Now that I've found Atwater's my cravings have been satisfied. My partner and I go every Saturday morning to get some tea and a treat (they always have something different) and then sit upstairs to look out of the window, read, and have a great little breakfast. They're friendly and the stuff they offer is great. Negatives: As mentioned by others, their entrance/ordering area gets VERY crowded to the point where people can't come inside. Also, because the upstairs seating area has high ceilings, it can get pretty loud sometimes. Overall, though: YAY! Great place!!
(4)Sam O.
This place is an awesome location to relax and have a coffee. I love the 2nd floor sitting area where you can do your work or read. This is the perfect example of a coffee shop. Love the environment.
(4)Vanessa L.
I love the poppyseed muffins. upstairs seating is always friendly and comfortable
(5)Tanuj K.
Nowhere near as good as the locations at Belvedere Square and Falls Road. Even if this is primarily a bakehouse I'd expect the staff to be pleasant which isn't always the case.
(2)JO' G.
How did I live before weekly fresh struan (i.e., chewy Celtic harvest bread goodness)? To be true, I was already a huge fan of the Belvedere Square Atwaters, a perfect place for a huge bowl of soup and a hunk of delicious bread on a cold day. And I discovered the wonders of the Kenilworth branch's drive-through coffee while I was on maternity leave (you can't leave a baby in the car, duh). But, now that Atwaters has a Catonsville shop (right near my work!!), I'm there all the time. The food is great: the stacked tiffin boxes, in particular, give you a clever take on the economical meal (one level = soup, one = bread, one = treat). And, it's always nice to get a cup of coffee in an actual cup, you know? It just tastes better. Heck, I'm scheduling meetings there, it's that good. You know why? With its bright, window-y, artsy, and so-far-still-fairly-undiscovered upstairs seating area, we can eat and think and brainstorm the way you're meant to brainstorm. And when we're done, I get a struan to go. Now that's productivity!
(5)Megan S.
We're really fond of the Catonsville Atwaters. We like swinging in for a loaf of bread and a strong cup of coffee. The upstairs seating is really lovely: reclaimed wood tables, tall ceilings, and lots of natural light. It's everything a neighborhood coffee shop should be. Also, as a long-time vegan and avid baker, I feel qualified to say that Atwaters has the BEST vegan brownies in Maryland (sorry, but that includes some of the sweet little all-vegan bakeries that have popped up.) They're not labeled "vegan" so ask the staff. Atwaters, if you're listening: please offer more vegan food options. Sometimes the soups are vegan, but it's not consistent so I rarely stop for lunch.
(4)Brent D.
My fiancée and I went to Atwaters to taste some of their pies for our upcoming wedding. Until Saturday we had never heard of Atwaters, now I wish we lived closer! Their customer service (Dona you're awesome!) is amazing and their pies.... oh my gosh the pies are probably the best tasting pies I've ever had. The crusts are light and fluffy (and buttery), the filling is perfectly mixed and has awesome complementing flavors.... get the Lemon Butter cream Tart. Trust me you'll love it - it's not tart at all and full of lemon flavor. Oh and to top it off... all their pies/breads/etc are made with local ingredients and they are proud of that. Great shop, again I wish we lived closer - I'd be there every day.
(5)Marcin S.
Atwater's surprised me. Not just a little coffee and bread place. The upstairs is pretty cool. Plenty of room to drink your coffee plug in your iPad and chill. Chill is what I did when I had no AC with the monster storms that came in. Place was open and the staff was great.
(3)Kelric G.
Great place, healthy food and drink. Also buy your milk here...yum...
(5)Phil V.
Yes, they clearly offer very nice baked goods, as other people will attest, but I'm here to tell you it'll be difficult for you to find a better coffee service than here. I'm just a visitor to Baltimore so I'm not sure the next time I'll be back, but just walking up I could tell it would be good, by the sign outside indicating their use of Counter Culture coffee. One of the great coffee roasters in the USA. Stepping inside, the small yet cozy shop clearly the displayed their La Marzocco Linea espresso machine. Hard to beat a LM for quality and consistency. A Mazzer grinder complemented the set the stage for truly high quality java. At least the potential is there. I've been to enough cafes that have a similar setup, however, but fail miserably from there on. Still, the Counter Culture had my hopes up. I ordered my typical machiatto. No questions about size ("you want a small medium or large?") is another good indicator. Then I hear the grinder run. Good. They grind to order, not letting anything get stale waiting for the next customer. I hear the chirping sizzling frothing of the milk. Just the right way for perfect machiatto milk. Not cappuccino milk. Not latte milk. Machiatto milk. There's a difference. Call me a coffee snob, go ahead. But I can tell you the result was outstanding. I love finding great places like this. Not overbearing. Not grungy. Not pretentious. Just a wall of bread, a display of muffins and scones, a few soups, and coffee that delivers the knowledge that this place is dedicated to quality. I'm jealous of the locals who get this whenever they wish.
(5)Jenn M.
I have a hard time finding a good hot spiced apple cider (since I'm not a coffee drinker) and Atwater's does it well! I also had one of their scones - the cherry almond - and it was very tasty! A lot of scones end up being overly dry but theirs was perfect. I can't wait to try some of their fresh baked breads.
(4)Linda L.
They make great coffee and pastries but I'm gonna have to go against the crowd here and say that their bread is just not that great. Maybe I picked the wrong loaf, but I tried the struan that everyone gets so excited about and it was incredibly hard and bitter, not in the good way that whole grain breads usually are. There was no chewiness whatsoever, and the crust was burnt-tasting. Other than the struan, I also bought an apricot almond scone, which was just the right amount of sweetness since they don't glaze their scones with frosting (thank god). They also had samples that day of their chocolate cake, which was intensely chocolate-y and not too sweet either. I don't think I could have handled a whole serving of the cake, but the sample was well appreciated.
(3)Sam E.
The place where all the locals go. Everyone loves Atwaters here. This is the best location, as there's a nice charming area up top with a big window where you can look at the people walking by. The baked goods are absolutely all delicious, the soup is superb (if super-overpriced), they have THE BEST, freshest, most local milk (in glass bottles!!!), it's just a great spot. If you're just in catonsville for a few days, this is a must-eat place. The best!
(5)Brian M.
Atwater's soups are Seinfeld Soup Nazi Good. Their Caribbean Shrimp Soup is so tasty, I hunched over the bowl, breathed in the aroma, and refused to talk to anyone while I enjoyed every last molecule. Even soups I didn't think I'd like such as vegetarian offerings are wonderful.
(5)Vanessa L.
I love the poppyseed muffins. upstairs seating is always friendly and comfortable
(5)Tanuj K.
Nowhere near as good as the locations at Belvedere Square and Falls Road. Even if this is primarily a bakehouse I'd expect the staff to be pleasant which isn't always the case.
(2)JO' G.
How did I live before weekly fresh struan (i.e., chewy Celtic harvest bread goodness)? To be true, I was already a huge fan of the Belvedere Square Atwaters, a perfect place for a huge bowl of soup and a hunk of delicious bread on a cold day. And I discovered the wonders of the Kenilworth branch's drive-through coffee while I was on maternity leave (you can't leave a baby in the car, duh). But, now that Atwaters has a Catonsville shop (right near my work!!), I'm there all the time. The food is great: the stacked tiffin boxes, in particular, give you a clever take on the economical meal (one level = soup, one = bread, one = treat). And, it's always nice to get a cup of coffee in an actual cup, you know? It just tastes better. Heck, I'm scheduling meetings there, it's that good. You know why? With its bright, window-y, artsy, and so-far-still-fairly-undiscovered upstairs seating area, we can eat and think and brainstorm the way you're meant to brainstorm. And when we're done, I get a struan to go. Now that's productivity!
(5)Megan S.
We're really fond of the Catonsville Atwaters. We like swinging in for a loaf of bread and a strong cup of coffee. The upstairs seating is really lovely: reclaimed wood tables, tall ceilings, and lots of natural light. It's everything a neighborhood coffee shop should be. Also, as a long-time vegan and avid baker, I feel qualified to say that Atwaters has the BEST vegan brownies in Maryland (sorry, but that includes some of the sweet little all-vegan bakeries that have popped up.) They're not labeled "vegan" so ask the staff. Atwaters, if you're listening: please offer more vegan food options. Sometimes the soups are vegan, but it's not consistent so I rarely stop for lunch.
(4)Oinkzalot S.
Good food, a bit over priced with a friendly, positive atmosphere. Super 'homey' and nontraditional--you're not really waited on and have to bus your own table after you eat. Food is brought to you but, you have to go back down stairs for coffee refills. Comfortable view, clientele, lighting, etc. The food: I ordered an omelet with tomato, spinach and cheddar cheese. I tried a bite and added Sriracha, salt and pepper. Although short on tomato, the omelet had a lot of liquid when cut. Amazingly the egg was solid enough that the liquid did not to effect the taste too much. Good flavor with plenty of fresh spinach and cheese. The egg portion seemed like average fluffy eggs, though, not the rubbery hotel kind. This is the first time I've had flax toast. It was ok. Very crispy without being burned. A little too hard for my tastes, but ok. I tried a bite of olive bread that a friend had and that was really good! Great flavor, though a bit tough. The endless cup of coffee was nothing to write home about. I've had gas station coffee that is better (and worse); it was on the weak side. I had to go to the counter for refills--not ideal, but their idea of good service, I suppose. Good options on the coffee condiments (half and half, skim & whole milk; various sugars). Overall, a little overpriced, but great "welcome home" place. Atwater's would be excellent for homesick travelers. It has a good balance between Mom's kitchen and professional service. P.S. Shout out for the strawberry blonde lady working out front. She offered attentive, good service and a personality that really 'made' the atmosphere!
(4)Brandy G.
Great little cafe with an old town feel! Parking lot is behind the building with a short walk to through the courtyard. Lots of natural light upstairs. The lemon bites were yummy and the lavender vanilla latte was to die for.
(4)Danny C.
The Owner of this establishment has sent me a message and though I can't describe everything she said, I truly appreciate the fast response, let alone a response period. This is what I call customer service, where they acknowledge the review and apologize on behalf of their business. I initially gave this place 2 stars but after the message I received, I'm giving this place 4 stars. Some of you may not agree but it's so rare to get a response from a review and even rarer a message from the Owner him/herself. This made my day. Thank you Casey.
(4)Kay M.
I still go here about 2 or 3 times a week. I also still love their coffee and scones, but I've also fallen in love with their almond milk lattes. Not everywhere has almond milk lattes (Stabucks, I'm looking at you), and Atwaters makes a good one. I also love that they now have breakfast and lunch items made-to-order. Although, I do miss the vegetarian bahn mi sandwiches. Can you bring it back for an encore someday soon? Overall, this is my dream coffee house...great friendly staff, great coffees and teas, delicious sandwiches, soups, salads, sides, and breads. I love that this place is just a few minutes from my house.
(5)Eva L.
Got the chocolate coconut macaroons after seeing the reviews, and they were so overwhelmingly sweet that I could not finish it. The coffee is pretty run of the mill, but they do have free refills for the bottomless order so that's a plus. The space upstairs is quite spacious, but I was a bit apprehensive about walking up the steps with a cup of hot coffee in my hand.
(2)Caroline N.
Went to try it for the first time... Lots of traffic on the road, even on a weekday. I was lucky to find a spot as someone was leaving the parking lot (which only has like 7 or 8 spots marked for customers)... Otherwise, you gotta pay quarters for the meters (eh, don't think it's THAT amazing to pay for the parking)... Walked in, there was a very long line... I decided to just take my study-stuff (laptop) to the 2nd floor to check out the seating area. It was pretty loud with people talking.. The noise level kinda was "meh" too - so I decided to just walk out and come back maybe another time. I live 20 minutes away, so driving through tight/old roads, trying to find parking, getting in line, and sitting in a noisy area isn't worth it for me. I wanted it to work out, but maybe another day I'll go try brunch or lunch with a friend.
(3)Craig Likes Stea K.
I'm supposed to feel weird when a man older than my dad (spindly rocker dude with the bald/long hair combo and an English accent) and a woman younger than me (attractive, mini skirt/sweater combo, nose ring) are all over each other (mutual ass grabbing, making out, frequent eye contact with me in between with the intention of rubbing it in, arousing me, or making me uncomfortable - I ended up experiencing all three of those. It was a wild ride.) in front of me in the line to get coffee, right? That was a long sentence. Catonsville sure is odd. I guess we're all odd in some way. The 16 oz red eye rocks, by the way.
(5)Christine G.
Having eaten at two other Atwater restaurants, I expected more and better than we got. It was the first time I'd gone to the Catonsville location and the first time ever at an Atwaters for my friend. We had planned to go to another Catonsville restaurant, but I promised her she would love Atwaters. She didn't nor did I. I didn't realize that it wasn't a "full-service" place, so we waited in line, ordered, paid, and took our drinks upstairs. I'd read reviews and raves about the chicken salad, which we both ordered. It was OK. a scoop on bread, no lettuce or tomato offered, and some homemade pickles, which were so so. We were told that bread cannot be toasted because the place doesn't have "facilities" for toasting. Chips were extra. The table still had crumbs on it. I can live with that. If you want a glass of water, you have to go downstairs to get a glass of ice. The place was too too too laid back for the two of us. We are/were not its "target audience." The staff was pleasant. Customers clear their own tables. The prices?? We paid nearly $25 for one glass of iced tea and two chicken salad sandwiches and four small pickle slices. Way way overpriced for the quality and the entire do-it-yourself atmosphere. There is a tip jar on the counter and we both wondered what "one" would tip for.
(2)Tabitha B.
Atwater's is one of those places you find, visit, love, and then take people to because you know they will not only love it- but say to you "how do you always find these fantastic little places?" The cafe/counter service coffee house bakes the most amazing bread, churns out memorable & delicious jams/preserves, serves a mean soup-bread-sweet treat combo in an awesome "tiffin" box that is so adorable you will undoubtedly photograph it and exhibit it on Instagram/Facebook/whatever you do... Annnnd the coffee is PERFECT. I mean perfect. I like my coffee black and found this cup to be on key time and time again. (My aunt had recently been to Paris & London and when I took her here stated that Atwater's serves the best cup of Joe this side of the Atlantic) Atmosphere is lovely. Upstairs is so light filled and laid back... Big tables, skylight, huge picture window... All that rolled up with great service, locally sourced ingredients, and great service... By far one of my favorite go to spots! (Oh, and the area it is in is totally walkable and cute!)
(5)Patricia A.
Since I discovered Atwater's 3 years ago I have eaten here several times and have yet to taste anything I didn't like. Of course I do have my favorites - like the chicken salad sandwich, cheese biscuits, carrot cake, and every soup I have ever tried. Today I had a bowl of a spicy beef vegetable soup that was simply out of this world delicious. My friend and I always end our lunch with a creamy delicious latte. Besides the excellent food Atwater's specializes in friendly, helpful staff.
(5)Irma S.
Food is just ok. This place is unique to the area so I can understand why people like it very much. But place is too small and loud. Staff is not friendly for a local place.
(3)Crystal S.
Delicious real food! The salads are packed with flavor and the bread is crave-worthy. A nice, tart, iced lemonade to top it off is just perfect for a hot summer day. Thanks!
(4)Brooke T.
Look, work is stressful, and this is one of the best places to de stress during work hours, when I want to just woooossaaaahhh for a moment. It is on Frederick Ave, parking is on the street or there is a small parking lot behind the building. It is pretty chill on thie inside, seating is located up stairs. I LOVE the seating upstairs, because there are large windows and there is just so much natural light...yes! The staff are amazing and fun to talk to. The food is great as are the drinks. They alwyas have a speciality drink related to the season and what is available. For lunch they have this tiffin thing, where you can get a yummy soup, bread (which is ahmazballs) and a dessert. Can't be beat. I will always return here when I need a moment, or just because.
(4)Mæry S.
Nope. Not good, no atmosphere and really uninteresting.
(1)Eng P.
Went for the second time today, as I was meeting a colleague here for lunch. I'm not sure if their AC is broken or what, but it was pretty warm upstairs. On to the food and service. I ordered the Mediterranean salad with a scoop of their chicken salad and the lemon dill vinaigrette in place of the lemon Tahini dressing. The salad was really fresh, and their chicken salad is really good. The giant butter beans were an unusual but good addition to a "Greek" salad. Their food is good, but I'm not sure that salad was worth $9.50 without the protein. The scoop of chicken salad was $3.50 by itself. A bit pricey, I think. Again, don't get me wrong the food is fresh and good, but the prices are kinda extreme. The cashiers were really nice, so that's an added plus. The heat upstairs, the little wait for the food, and the price warrant a four star rating. I'll visit again, but not often. $13 for a salad definitely breaks the bank.
(4)Leeann N.
I have to say, I don't really get the overwhelming love for this place. It's okay, not bad but not all that great. Nothing that we had stood out in any way, except for the price. We did see one funny thing though.. an older couple (70s?) was sitting at one of the tables by the window. There was a second table with a couple of older ladies (60s?) and then the last table was my friend and I (40s). We were all chatting away but then the oldest couple gets up to leave and shout at the middle table ladies that "they were too loud and they could hardly talk or even think!" At first I thought they were kidding but they weren't. The middle ladies were aghast and my friend and I started cracking up. Those middle ladies weren't being loud! Turns out this isn't the first time that old couple pitched a fit. I guess they want the place to themselves so take heed!
(3)LD J.
The prices are a bit high and servings are a bit smaller compared to other cafes. I ordered 2 green salads with chicken salad on top and one small bag of chips and my total was just under $18. My small flavored latte was just under $5. The green salad was approximately a cup of romaine, 1 teaspoon sliced almonds and a tablespoon of dressing and approximately a 1/3 cup of chicken salad and a small slice of bread. It was served on a saucer. I was satisfied at the end of the meal but the servings were remarkably small. The side salad alone is $3 and some change and all you get is a cup of lettuce, a sprinkling of almonds and dressing. That mark-up is ridiculous! But everything is very tasty and the baked good selection mixes traditional and creative flavors. The desserts are all delicious! I've sampled the cakes, pies and cookies and all are wonderful. The flavors and atmosphere keep me coming back to this location and the Belvedere Square location. The lunch rush can get loud and crowded up stairs. But in the mid-afternoon, it can be a quiet place to study. The cost to serving ratio is the only reason for the 4 star rather than 5 star rating.
(4)Lindsay V.
I really appreciate the vegan options here - they always have a vegan soup option that is delicious. They also usually have a vegan dessert. But of course their bread is all made fresh and delicious. Great coffee.
(5)Felicia J.
Lavender latte is a must try. The staff is friendly and the food is delicious. They offer so many types of pastries and breads as wel as savory meal options. The wifi connection wasn't the best but was enough to get the job done.
(4)Jackie A.
Quaint. There's too much for the eye to take in and the space is tiny. Make sure you see everything: the chalkboard to your right, denouncing all the specialty coffees and teas, another chalkboard above the counter, displaying the soups of the day, further, past the register and to your right, loaves of hearty breads, a shelving unit, to the left of the register, assorted gourmet jams, the case of home-baked sweets catches your eye, almost immediately: square, huge savory & sweet scones, muffins, pastries, cakes - there's more - homemade granola, cookies, already prepared pastas, soups, milks/creams. The space from all of this and the register, gets crowded quick. If you decided to dine in, there are stairs that take you to a room, surrounded with windows and galactic moons, painted on the tables. I kinda liked the feel of this eatery, with it's foodie nick knacks adorning the shelves and the attractive chalkboards. The food, though, was boring in it's presentation and nothing better than what I can do at home. My friend and I shared our omelets, which were accompanied by one of the smallest pieces of toast I've ever eaten. One omelet was filled with arugula and chevre and the other, avocado, bacon and cheese. The portion sizes were hearty and the ingredients fresh, though some were scarce to find. The chevre spilled out of my omelet, as I dug into it and the arugula, sat in one spot, like a clump of freshly mown lawn. If the roasted red pepper was there, it was a scant amount. It's hard to mess up on bacon, in my opinion - but the price tag was a bit steep, considering you can purchase a package of bacon for less. Tip on preparing bacon: coat your bacon w/ground pepper and brown sugar, then bake it. It'll be the best bacon you've ever eaten or season it and place it in a turkey fryer - YUM. Don't be a fool like I was, and spend too much on something you can do at home. On my way out, I sampled their soups of the day: gazpacho a roasted vegetable and a Greek chicken soup with feta and eggplant. Honest to GD, they all tasted the same; there was nothing distinguishing one from the other. I might give them another try, but next time; I'll go for lunch.
(3)Larissa J.
I come to Atwater's a lot because It is close to my house, it's locally owned and it has great sitting for reading or doing work. Every time I come here I want to love it but to be honest there is always something off about the experience. All I can say is be ready to wait, this is not a fast food restaurant which you are probably aware of but it is also not quick in any respect. I come to the location at all times of day and the worst time is during off peak times because the staff is too busy doing other things. For instance, one time I arrived and there was a line of four people in front of me and the one person at the register had her head down and was updating the soup board...completely oblivious to the fact that there was a line. Every time I have ordered soup it's either taken too long to heat up or was barely warm. Even knowing all of this, I will continue to support them because they are a local establishment but I just want to impress upon you...plan to take your time here because they do!
(3)Heidi F.
I've only gotten beverages here and I must say it's neat having something so different so close! I hope to do breakfast or lunch sometime soon. The Rasberry Herbal Ice Tea was great! The Zesty Lemonaid maybe a little much but overall cool shop!
(4)Xander S.
This is an up and coming shop and has been growing quite a bit. They've expanded to a few locations, but this one in particular is very cozy. From the secluded upstairs tables and ambiance to the window seats and community table. This has all the essentials to be one of the best shops. The staff is rather friendly, some are hit or miss. The ginger bites and macaroons are amazing. They serve quality coffee (counterculture) and mix the roasts up on a monthly basis as well as offering a weekend vs weekday roast. It's nice being able to try different roasts out. The shop does a lot with local artists and vendors. They do in-house baking and the bread is great. Sandwiches can be a little pricy, but they're good quality and have a good presentation. They have a wide selection of food items (jams, cheeses, salads, and milk). It's hard to explain over this review. It's worth checking out. A setback is the parking situation. There aren't many parking spots, so if you're a local I'd recommend riding a bike or walking. They do have WiFi and outlets, so it's a quiet place to get work done outside of lunch rush. Not quite the best shop, but still great quality.
(4)Heb Y.
Their mini lemon bites are scrumptious! They also have ginger bites and chocolate dipped macaroons that make a great addition to their coffee/latte selections. I was a bit disappointed that their breakfast menu ends at 11am, which is when they transition to lunch, and their latte was not great...I got the chocolate banana seasonal special, but there was some chocolate chunks on the bottom of the drink...but otherwise can't really complain. They have a wide selection of locally organic products including coffees, honey, tea, oil, maple syrups, etc. They also sell products from kinderhook (my fave!) and other local vendors. Very cute vibe, would definitely recommend.
(4)Vicki E.
I've read some reviews about the pricing here, but I definitely think you get what you pay for. Everything is top notch quality. I get a very farmers market/farm to table feel from this place. Love their chai lattes, their iced tea and lemonade. Awesome selection of cheeses, artisanal olive oils, chocolates, meats, etc. If you want to dine in, they have a menu that changes with the seasons. In November, I'm a fan of their turkey cranberry sandwich. This summer I've been alternating between the Mediterranean and the turkey pesto. If you're stopping by in the morning, their croissants, cream cheese/carrot muffins, and scones are all terrific options. If you check out the table near the window by the stairs, they have a variety of cookies available. I have eaten an entire bag of their chocolate walnut cookies on more than one occasion. As a college student, it's tough to come here all the time, because it is on the high end, but it's worth it, and there's a nice upstairs area with wifi so you can get work done.
(5)Billy B.
After a long hike this weekend at Patapsco state park, which is located a couple miles down the road, I was starving. I stopped into Atwaters for a sandwich and ordered the Bhan mi. I then realized I didn't have my wallet and went to the truck to find it. Unfortunately I had left my wallet at home. I went back in to cancel my order but they had already made it. Instead of throwing the sandwich away or giving it to an employee, they gave it to me and told me to come back another day and pay for it. I'm not a regular and I've never even been in there before. Few places would do this for locals let alone someone passing through. Not only was the sandwich big, it was the best tofu I've ever had. Can't wait to go back, try something new and pay for it.
(5)Donna H.
If you are looking for a bakery this is not the place. They did have 3 cupcakes. We got the chocolate one and it not good.
(1)Jennifer K.
Not the best I've ever had but not the worst. The prices were a little high for the quality, but still pretty good for the area. I ordered a half sandwich (it was really 1/4 of most sandwiches you'd get at, say, Corner Bakery or Panera) and soup (Mushroom- really good). My boyfriend also ordered a full sandwich. You're not going to find another place that has this ambiance and style around here. I was pleasantly surprised that they had a cute upstairs lounge with ample seating and outlets. I just wish I found this place sooner.
(4)William C.
The cafe and the neighborhood are cute. Parking wasn't a problem seeing how I came on a Friday morning. My order: half of the Chicken Salad Sandwich and a cup of the Curry soup. The soup had a decent amount of kick to it and it wasn't flavorful (given, my nasal cavity was congested), but I appreciated it for the ingredients it consisted. As for the sandwich, everything in the sandwich worked very well. I didn't spot any cheese on the list of ingredients for the sandwich, but I think I got cheese in mine. My feelings were analogous to when an adolescents gets an onion ring in their order of fries. Yizzir - I was #winning As for the upstairs seating - I loved how there was a lot of natural light. Everything seemed cleaned less the few crumbs I had on my table. Seeing how the seating is upstairs, it could be annoying if there was no seating and you come to find out after ordering and taking your number upstairs. But I'm sure there is a system designed for that.
(4)Matt N.
In town visiting family and randomly discovered this place as I was heading out. Awesome. Great Bread. Great Coffee. Great Atmosphere. Will definitely be back.
(5)Emily K.
I'm always on the hunt for a new hangout spot where I can get some work done, because my local Starbucks is always packed. I recently came across this cafe, lined right along a bunch of other foodie places on Frederick. For parking, you have to feed meters, unless you happen to get lucky and find parking elsewhere. When you walk in, a wave of aroma hits you. It seriously smells so good in here, and that's coming from a girl who has a barely-working nose. I skimmed over the menu, and decided to go with a two-tier tiffin, that featured the vegan option of bread and soup of the day -- tomato bread. The employee behind the counter even went to the back and grabbed a tiffin to show me exactly what I'd be getting. Once I had ordered, and paid less than $7 for my bowl of soup and bread, they told me I could head on upstairs, where they have seating and the food would be brought to me shortly. By the time I had finished scoping out the place, and checking out the decorations, they delivered my tiffin to me upstairs. Although it's my first time here, I personally really like ambience setting, and could get used to this. Starbucks is the only other I cafe I usually go to, that has wifi and they're always way too crowded. There's at least 10-15 tables in the upstairs portion, plus a sofa and a few single standing rocking chairs. As a college student, I could easily see this becoming a new hotspot for myself to come get some work done in peace. Although I have to say, I'm not a huge fan of the soup, the bread is delicious and next time I'll just try ordering something else. The friendliness of the employees and ideal work place is enough to make me want to give them a second chance. Stop by here, and remember to bring your laptop.
(4)Kris L.
Great neighborhood bakery. Waitstaff is friendly and food is good... Although a little high for what it is. The atmosphere upstairs is worth the extra premium though. The egg sandwiches are good, but I really come here for the lattes. They are the best I've ever had- delicious. I wish they had a little more space up front because it gets a little cramped l. Overall, this is a great little place to stop or breakfast on Sunday mornings.
(5)Sephone K.
First time. Sunday afternoon. S/O and I got a tiffen and a Reuben to go. See below for highlights and lowlights. The good: Neat building. Kudos for repurposing historic architecture! The assortment of yummy things in the cold case to purchase was enticing. The upstairs seating area was cozy and I initially thought that I might like to visit it again. Tasty enough food, good snickerdoodle cookies in my tiffen. The bad: Small portions for the price. Not as much menu selection as we initially thought. Cramped waiting area for takeout. The ugly: Lackluster service from 3 wholly disinterested employees. Brought out the tiffen and promptly forgot about the Reuben, didn't think to ask why we were still waiting until my soup had gone almost cold. I was going to purchase some more things from the cold case but the employees' general attitudes made me feel that it had been a mistake for us to grace their doorstep on this particular day, so I decided otherwise. I'll add that we were the only customers downstairs for most of our visit. Perhaps another day with different employees would live up to the good reviews about this place I've seen.
(3)Amir M.
We visited this place today. The location is good, we had couple of comments We were 4 family members and looked for lunch. The debate was either Panera bread or this restaurant, since we like the coffee/soup/salad combination. We landed here and bought 3 sandwiches, a salad and a coffee. The sandwiches are samplers in size, really tiny, and it comes with nothing additional. My daughters asked me, is that all what you've got? For the same $9-11 a piece, we could get at the other place a much larger sandwich, with much more content, and the coffee , and an additional item (chips etc..) and the coffee is refillable. This is not a commercial in any way to any other restaurants, just our impression from the family lunch. It was OK on the lower side. Not sure about getting there next time. The issue in my kind is not much the pricing rather than what we've got for it.
(2)Missy S.
Atwaters is our go-to place when the family is hungry. Their muffins, scones, cookies, and soups are delicious! I always appreciate the creativity that goes into their recipes and the plentiful vegetarian options. The tiffins are a fun option (soup, a piece of bread, and a small dessert). The only downside is that sometimes the cakes by the slice can be a little stale.
(4)Danielle L.
I really like this place, but I feel as though I can't go here anymore. The "lunch deal" of tiffin box consists of some of their soup, bread, and a small dessert. But the bread and dessert are unequivocally stale. The bread, which is normally so great, tastes day-old and the desserts vary wildly and you don't even get to pick. I think this is likely a way to get rid of old things and charge the same amount! They also have serious listening issues. I've ordered a wide variety of things, and somehow they always forget something or don't hear me as they're busy hovering over the computer. I hate repeating myself when I'm in a hurry, and it's annoying to request nonfat milk only to have it made with regular and then wait MORE for it come out! If you have time to sit and not care about time, it's a good place, but if you're in any sort of hurry you should pick somewhere else.
(4)Susan P.
This is a cozy place for a gluten-free snack or meal. My fave is their stacked soup for lunch, with soup on top, bread in the middle and dessert on the bottom. Both of my kids are fairly picky eaters but they liked the offerings here. I also tried a ginger bite....so very good. The current set up is not good if you have very young kids and/or a stroller because the main eating location is up a long narrow stair case...the staff are quite nice though and will often offer to help carry food up if you have this kind of extra load. I heard that they plan to move the bakery part out so their will be more room for sitting downstairs, which will make it even better. If you're looking for great bread, a cozy new spot, this should tick your boxes.
(4)Kimberly D.
Love the food, love the atmosphere, even love the employees. However, it's hard to stay for a long time due to the sole fact that if there is a bathroom I have not found it. If anyone knows, I'd love to know.
(4)Barry S.
Can't say enough great things about Atwaters (we've been to two locations now). Great food and great value ... along with great service. One of those places we wished we OWNED. :)
(5)Hope P.
I don't like absolute statements, but it may be the best damn espresso and coffee I ever had. Being 3.6 miles to my house, I am here more than I care to admit. They should really allow me to get reward points. Aside from coffee, their breads are amazing. Their scones are perfect (I'm not a scone person), and their other breakfast tasties are good and not too sweet. I've also sampled some of the jams and hot food. In October they made their own pumpkin spice syrup and it was awesome (I don't like Starbucks version). There is an adorable, inviting seating area upstairs that overlooks the street. Check it out. You won't find better coffee in the area.
(5)Theresa N.
Great for breakfast or lunch. Sandwiches, salads and soups can accompany scones, muffins, cakes, cookies and pie. Locally sourced ingredients and the selection changes with the season. A great place to do like grocery shopping. Their refrigerated case has locally sourced milk, eggs, and cheese. They also carry local honey and they make several flavors of fruit spread. Counter service only. Tables and chairs are on the second floor and a light and airy space filled with an ever-changing display of art. Don't forget to grab a loaf or two of bread on your way out. Sliced upon request. Atwater's does a lot of its baking at this location. Frequently the aromas that waft out on the breeze are amazing.
(5)Yaka H.
Tried the baguette, chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon, and chocolate chip brownie. Everything was pretty good except for the brownie. I guess it had somesort of a weird textural chew (kinda like it had whole wheat flour in it or the flour was pretty coarse) and it was really dense (kinda dry too), so unfortunately this did not work well for SX and I. The baguette and macaroon were pretty standard fare. However the crust was a bit chewy (not entirely crisp that it should have; I'm going to blame it on the weather in this case), but otherwise, it was fine. I would be interested in trying the other country-style/rustic loaves and coffee here if I'm in the area (however, will skip out on the brownies). Also, this place has pre-set lunches (choice of 2 different lunches, consists of: soup, bread, and a sweet). If you're in the area and really like it, you can buy a tiffin (a steel 3-tier lunch box) for the pre-set lunches. I really like this green approach and also, it's just so adorable!
(3)Rob N.
My name is Rob and I have an Atwater's habit. Right now, on the counter there sits: * One loaf of sourdough bread with Kalamata olives * A bag of four mixed-berry scones * An apple crumb pound cake * Several brownies with chocolate chips and nuts * One loaf of pumpernickel raisin bread * A bag of raspberry jelly-topped almond cookies * and two bags of brownie edges (the crispy-chewy trimmings from the edge of the pan) The bakery, it will not release me.
(5)Katie K.
Really enjoyed the coffee, soup, and small treats! Very friendly service and a cute atmosphere!
(4)Stephanie H.
Great food and a nice environment! One of the nicest places to grab a bite in Catonsville. Their soups and breads are amazing!
(5)Linn G.
This is a really cute and quaint establishment in Catonsville that offers an eclectic variety of breads, pastries and soup! I love the smell of fresh baked bread and this place makes me feel warm and cozy inside! The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. My first time there I ordered a veggie soup with a side of bread and it was very good! My soup was perfectly seasoned with just the perfect blend of veggies! I do plan to go back and buy a loaf of bread and try their dessert!! Only gripe I have is the small area to place your order which was a bit crowded when I went....Other than that I WILL be back!
(3)Mark M.
Sandwiches are very good here--the bread is real, fresh, and substantial. Good coffee. Wi-fi is a little spotty.
(4)Emily L.
When Atwater's opened in Catonsville, to be honest, I was a little jealous. I had been saying for years that the downtown was badly in need of a takeout market that sold high-quality prepared foods: somewhere we could duck in on the way home from grocery shopping to grab lunch or dinner for not too high a price. I even had pipe dreams of embarking on this venture myself. So when I heard the venerable bakery chain was opening its doors here, I was a tiny bit disappointed. A tiny bit. Then I visited and realized this kind of thing is better left to the professionals. Because, listen -- this place is amazing. Besides my dream of a takeout market, they have given our community: 1) A sweet breakfast cafe that sells great coffee and heavenly pastries: their scones are not too sweet and not covered in icing, just pleasantly buttery and fruity and dense enough to hold you till lunch, and their muffins are light, spongy and flavorful. Apricot and gingerbread are my favorites. 2) A pleasantly-noisy lunch spot where you can buy prepared sandwiches and salads and piping hot soup. Every variety is excellently crafted: cheddar biscuits with smoked ham, spicy baked tofu with sprouts, mesclun with goat cheese, blueberries and sunflower seeds, chowders and bisques and curried broths with garnishes like roasted broccoli, all heavy on vegetable goodness. 3) A bakery with an incredible variety of artisan breads. Others have spoken about this enough that I feel I don't have to go into great detail, but any of the choices reflect the endless tinkering of Ned Atwater's chemical and artistic vision. (Full disclosure: I interviewed him for Catonsville Patch last year, so I know quite a bit about this process. Astounding.) 4) An advocate for local producers and sustainable business practices. This is perhaps the most important of all, though the excellent quality is undoubtedly what brings people back. Looking for a coffee stir? They offer uncooked fettuccine: same size and shape, but breaks down in a compost bin, unlike plastic and much faster than wood. They don't sell bottled water; instead they offer carafes of iced tap eater and real glasses. Their local milk comes in reusable glass bottles. The chefs can homemade jams and jellies from local fruit; they also sell cheese and granola made by other local artisans. Most importantly, the majority of their ingredients are locally sourced, especially during the growing season. I'm very passionate about this topic, so their ongoing efforts in this area mean a lot to me. Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox, but only if you promise to check out this place for yourself. If you want a server to take care of you, try the Kenilworth branch, but if you're a little more independent and want to stay a long time, stop by the Catonsville location and be prepared to lose as much of your morning as you can spare.
(4)Eric L.
Me and my girlfriend love the Belvedere square Atwaters. However our breakfast at the Catonsville location was very disappointing. The breakfast sandwich and omelette we ordered were sub-par and overpriced for the quality. The bread was good and the service was excellent but the actual food was average at best- poor if you include price. Stick to the baked goods or try the other locations for a good breakfast. Maybe the lunch or dinner there is better. I hope so.
(2)K Sera S.
Amazing bread selection (Struan! Spelt! I don't even know what you are, but I love you!). Strong, pulse-pounding espresso. Dense, chewy snickerdoodles. And the chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons....they're toasty, tasty crack. I'm actually kind of glad it's not more convenient for me...I can't imagine how carbed-up I'd be....
(4)Fatima H.
Probably the best mocha. Ever. I could actually taste my espresso! Got the mixed fruit scone to go along with my coffee, and let me tell you.. I've never had a scone that wasn't dry, so this literally made my day. Next time, will definitely try the tiffin and sit upstairs to get that experience. Loved the staff! So friendly and efficient - all while playing April Fools jokes on the regulars :)
(4)Amanda M.
A friend and I popped into Atwater's on our way to dinner to get coffee beans. Atwater's has a decent selection of beans, which they will grind for you if needed. We also tried two of their little dessert/pastry selections (always best to eat dessert before dinner). My favorite was the Bright and Sunny, which looks like a teeny tiny upside-down muffin and gives you a bite (or two if you are sharing) of a cupcake/muffin type concoction drizzled with just the right amount of a sweet glaze to balance out the lemony, lemony goodness. We also tried the Chocolate-dipped Macaroon, full of coconut and a not overly-sweet chocolate. I'm looking forward to returning a few times and trying a tiffin, a sandwich, and some of Atwater's jams.
(4)Brent D.
My fiancée and I went to Atwaters to taste some of their pies for our upcoming wedding. Until Saturday we had never heard of Atwaters, now I wish we lived closer! Their customer service (Dona you're awesome!) is amazing and their pies.... oh my gosh the pies are probably the best tasting pies I've ever had. The crusts are light and fluffy (and buttery), the filling is perfectly mixed and has awesome complementing flavors.... get the Lemon Butter cream Tart. Trust me you'll love it - it's not tart at all and full of lemon flavor. Oh and to top it off... all their pies/breads/etc are made with local ingredients and they are proud of that. Great shop, again I wish we lived closer - I'd be there every day.
(5)Marcin S.
Atwater's surprised me. Not just a little coffee and bread place. The upstairs is pretty cool. Plenty of room to drink your coffee plug in your iPad and chill. Chill is what I did when I had no AC with the monster storms that came in. Place was open and the staff was great.
(3)Kelric G.
Great place, healthy food and drink. Also buy your milk here...yum...
(5)Brooke H.
Atwaters is a big part of the reason that I wanted to move to Catonsville from downtown Baltimore! I have now lived here for a year and have certainly not been disappointed! The best soup that I have ever had in my life came from here-delicious; as is everything! The baristas are always very inviting and friendly.
(5)Yoo-Jin K.
Cozy atmosphere, very good pumpkin chai, and an incredibly sugary sweet coconut macaroon. Overall Atwater's is a nice, local bakery in Catonsville- I'll have to visit again to try some of their baked breads and other goods!
(3)Crystal P.
We came here for a business meeting. Loved the atmosphere - we sat upstairs, which was quaint and is a nice place for lunch or for a meeting. I had the Tiffin box - which was this great lunch box type stack of metal canisters - one with soup, one with bread and one with sweets. The soup was amazing -italian pepper and tomato. Fantastic flavors and piping hot, which is how I like it. I switched the bread choice for a cheddar biscuit, which was my favorite part of the meal. We also bought an Asian tofu sandwich, which was really good and great flavors, but just a tad dry. The drink selections are fantastic (homemade pumpkin chai latte!) and the service was super friendly.
(4)Tina S.
I've been to this place several times. I have just coffee mostly, because I've been very disappointed in the baked goods. everything I've had has been over baked, breads seemed over worked, tough, too chewy and make bad sandwiches and toast. The scones were so hard on the outside it hurt my teeth, and dried fruit fillling in muffins and scones are rock hard. I know there's a lot of good reviews, but my experience has been consistently poor with the baked goods. I don't get the obsession people have with Counter Culture coffee. It's good, but there are so many good roasters around here, whose coffees I enjoy more. Isn't it "greener" to buy local? Espresso drinks are OK, regular coffee is bland. I have always had very good service, I must say. the staff is great and helpful. I just hope one day the baked goods will taste as good as they look.
(2)Ed B.
Pretty tasty! Prices were kinda high (that's why only 3 stars instead of 4). Food was really good and fresh although the selection was quite limited. Coffee was delicious and not too overwhelming. Would deffinately go back!
(3)Colette W.
Positives: I love this place! Being from Germany, I've missed the excellent breads you can get there - NO LONGER!! Now that I've found Atwater's my cravings have been satisfied. My partner and I go every Saturday morning to get some tea and a treat (they always have something different) and then sit upstairs to look out of the window, read, and have a great little breakfast. They're friendly and the stuff they offer is great. Negatives: As mentioned by others, their entrance/ordering area gets VERY crowded to the point where people can't come inside. Also, because the upstairs seating area has high ceilings, it can get pretty loud sometimes. Overall, though: YAY! Great place!!
(4)Sam O.
This place is an awesome location to relax and have a coffee. I love the 2nd floor sitting area where you can do your work or read. This is the perfect example of a coffee shop. Love the environment.
(4)Phil V.
Yes, they clearly offer very nice baked goods, as other people will attest, but I'm here to tell you it'll be difficult for you to find a better coffee service than here. I'm just a visitor to Baltimore so I'm not sure the next time I'll be back, but just walking up I could tell it would be good, by the sign outside indicating their use of Counter Culture coffee. One of the great coffee roasters in the USA. Stepping inside, the small yet cozy shop clearly the displayed their La Marzocco Linea espresso machine. Hard to beat a LM for quality and consistency. A Mazzer grinder complemented the set the stage for truly high quality java. At least the potential is there. I've been to enough cafes that have a similar setup, however, but fail miserably from there on. Still, the Counter Culture had my hopes up. I ordered my typical machiatto. No questions about size ("you want a small medium or large?") is another good indicator. Then I hear the grinder run. Good. They grind to order, not letting anything get stale waiting for the next customer. I hear the chirping sizzling frothing of the milk. Just the right way for perfect machiatto milk. Not cappuccino milk. Not latte milk. Machiatto milk. There's a difference. Call me a coffee snob, go ahead. But I can tell you the result was outstanding. I love finding great places like this. Not overbearing. Not grungy. Not pretentious. Just a wall of bread, a display of muffins and scones, a few soups, and coffee that delivers the knowledge that this place is dedicated to quality. I'm jealous of the locals who get this whenever they wish.
(5)Jenn M.
I have a hard time finding a good hot spiced apple cider (since I'm not a coffee drinker) and Atwater's does it well! I also had one of their scones - the cherry almond - and it was very tasty! A lot of scones end up being overly dry but theirs was perfect. I can't wait to try some of their fresh baked breads.
(4)Linda L.
They make great coffee and pastries but I'm gonna have to go against the crowd here and say that their bread is just not that great. Maybe I picked the wrong loaf, but I tried the struan that everyone gets so excited about and it was incredibly hard and bitter, not in the good way that whole grain breads usually are. There was no chewiness whatsoever, and the crust was burnt-tasting. Other than the struan, I also bought an apricot almond scone, which was just the right amount of sweetness since they don't glaze their scones with frosting (thank god). They also had samples that day of their chocolate cake, which was intensely chocolate-y and not too sweet either. I don't think I could have handled a whole serving of the cake, but the sample was well appreciated.
(3)Sam E.
The place where all the locals go. Everyone loves Atwaters here. This is the best location, as there's a nice charming area up top with a big window where you can look at the people walking by. The baked goods are absolutely all delicious, the soup is superb (if super-overpriced), they have THE BEST, freshest, most local milk (in glass bottles!!!), it's just a great spot. If you're just in catonsville for a few days, this is a must-eat place. The best!
(5)Brian M.
Atwater's soups are Seinfeld Soup Nazi Good. Their Caribbean Shrimp Soup is so tasty, I hunched over the bowl, breathed in the aroma, and refused to talk to anyone while I enjoyed every last molecule. Even soups I didn't think I'd like such as vegetarian offerings are wonderful.
(5)