I love this place more than anything, I'm shocked I haven't reviewed it before. There's truly nothing not to like: the food is all amazing, vibes immaculate (the community table!!), aesthetically pleasing (the mural is *chefs kiss*), everyone is so kind, and best of all, it's a collective of lovely women who are refugees, so you're supporting the best cause ever. And they include 20% tip for living wage purposes, love it. And the food. It tastes like eating your mom's food, if your mom was from all over the world. I love the chicken kebsa bowl, the chicken and rice are so flavorful, the skin is perfectly crispy, and the tangy sauce on the side is so good, I could swim in it. I alternate between this and the chicken tinga fries because they are both so damn good -- the fries are perfectly crispy, and the chicken is smoky and flavorful, and the melted cheese and salsa verde just pulls it all together. I recently got the fried cauliflower fritters, and I will definitely be continuing to get them, they were so good. This is a place I bring anyone who visits, and everyone can find something they love. It's nice to bring a group, because then you can get all the apps and sides and try everything. I wish I could give them more than 5 stars. The perfect neighborhood spot, I was so happy when they started a storefront. Spend your money here. read more

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I love this Mera kitchen collective. I've been here twice now and both times it was warm enough to sit outside. I would have loved to sit inside because I love the interior design but I wanted to take advantage of the weather before it did a 180. That means come back just to sit inside. I'd say they serve Greek food but with a flair. I've had the plaintain and avocado bowl which rice, falafel sandwich, the grilled chicken kebsa bowl, and their fries all which tasted fantastic. They also have a good selection of cocktails, wines, and drafts to choose from. I've tried their house made horchata and bissap which is hibiscus, pineapple, mint, and ginger.l wich I enjoyed. On top of everything else, there's happy hour from 3-7pm where it's 1-2$ off select drinks and appetizers so come hungry and thirsty. read more

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I must have come here on an off day for them because reviews are great and menu looked amazing however The Jus De Gingembre - too sweet , not enough ginger The Habanero Tamarin Burger - Amazing! The garlic fries - just ok The pumpkin pomegranate salad - just ok The pistachio Baklava - way too dry! - but I like that it wasn't overly sweet Their service however was fantastic and the decor and ambiance was wonderful I will definitely try them again and just chalk this up to a bad day since my friends who ate with me had been there before and said this day was not their best read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Jus de gingembre - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I came here with my manager the other day to get some work done and grab a bite to eat. The decor on the inside is really lovely - bright and cheery and overall just a place that makes you feel good. The menu is on the smaller side, but I was really impressed by the diversity of the food and drinks that were on it! We ended up ordering the stuffed grape leaves and spicy garlic fries to share. I had never tried stuffed grape leaves before and I was blown away by them! They reminded me of something yet they didn't taste like anything I've had before at the same time - they were just so flavorful and spicy/herby. I'm excited to try more! The fries were great as well. I could have used more sauce, but I am a sauce girl and I could use more sauce with just about anything. The fries on their own were great too, even after they got a little cold. As for our entrees, I ordered the tacos de carne asada and my manager ordered the burkinabe plantain and avocado bowl. Between the fries and grape leaves, I was only able to manage one taco, but it was really delicious. The meat wasn't dried out (which is a problem I feel like I run into a lot with tacos) and had a nice flavor. I also got some fantastic guacamole with them. It was really creamy and light, almost like it was whipped. So good! I was really blown away by everything we ate here. It was one of those moments where I truly felt so grateful to just be able to eat good food. Excited to come back and try more of the menu! read more

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A lovely space and solid food. Enjoyed the jus de gingembre which had a good ginger flavor, not too spicy or sweet. Chicken samosas were ok. Lentil soup was comforting and I'd order it again. You seat yourself, which took me a moment to realize. Staff were nice. Look forward to trying other items next time. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Delicious food! Went here with my dad and we attempted to eat the menu. The cauliflower was my favorite. The staff were super nice, the restaurant ambiance is lovely (plants scattered about, nice lighting, and enough seating), and there are no wrong turns on the menu! This space is perfect a date, meeting up with friends, and a family meal. read more

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The vibe is always immaculate at Mera. I've never had a bad meal, bad service or any thing negative. I always walk in having whatever day I was having and I walk out full and satisfied with life. They have happy hour and specials during the week. They have something for anybody. delicious juices and beautiful decor. the natural lighting makes dining during the evening so much better. I'd recommend with a group or solo. enjoy! read more

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I heart Mera!!! get the fries!! and the CHICKEN SKEWERS OMG my love for them is becoming a PROBLEM!!!

Formerly Stang of Siam, I always passed this place on Calvert, rushing to get home. No more! This time we were intrigued to peek inside the Mera Kitchen Collective's open air facade. But we did more than peek--we ordered! A varied and intriguing menu along with weekly specials. Opened sporadically since last October, MKC had been more "regular" since about March. Plenty of indoor and out seating in this busy place. We wanted some small plates to go, so we settled on (clockwise, from upper left corner of pic) grape leaves, stuffed zucchini (special), falafel salad bowl and chicken tamales. Not pictured: sweet iced house-made Horchata milk, cinnamon, rice, vanilla drink. Although only warm when we got home, a quick reheat of the food did the trick after opening the neatly packed food and compostable utensils. The food was great! Highly recommend it, especially eating in at this edge-of-town place near Preston. Note: When you pay, they tag on a 20% service charge/living wage fee (seeing this less and less but not totally), so adding additional % tip is out of further kindness on your part. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - To-go: ( fr. upper left) grape leaves, stuffed zucchs (special), falafel salad & chick tamales. Not shown: sweet iced Horchata drink. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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very quaint establishment with nice decor,service, mission, and food. everything was great from the appetizers to the entrees, and all of the staff was very nice. food was some of the best i've had in the DMV, with unique takes on classics. would recommend the cauliflower appetizer if they have it and this is a great place for a date or casual dinner! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - habanero poblano burger - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Food is amazing all around. Really good lighting and plants. Staff is kind. Hung out there while waiting for my train and it was the best stop on my trip 10/10 read more

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Recently picked up to go lunch. Tried the Tacos de Carne. Very tasty. Tacos are adequately packed. The onion, pico and radish topping was very fresh and deelish! Can't wait to sit down and grab another bite to eat from their eclectic menu. read more

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I have been coming here for a while now. I feel that every new visit I make, the service and food quality is declining. Today was it, the person taking the order was deer in the headlights and the order was directly from the menu. I ordered musakhan entree, spicy fries from the small plate entree and there hot sauce on the side - all to go. I arrive home with no hot sauce, fries portion was smaller than small from McDonald's and was plane as as they could, not even salt on them let alone spicy and moreover, the soggiest fries I have had in my entire life, likely because they were shoved into a tiny box, perhaps use a decent box for a small plate item. Mind you, it was just me and my friend at the restaurant, so not busy. I told them I was offered a refund for fries or remake the fries, I did not take any of that. In fact I left a tip even for a self take home order. I feel like they are declining in quality and service. Hopefully, this will be a learning experience for them. Not sure if I am returning again. read more

This place is a must-go. The entire vibe of the space and the people makes you exhale and release that tension in your shoulders as soon as you step foot in the place. Food was delicious and so were the drinks (I got the one that supports the Baltimore Beat). They also have a large group space upstairs which I didn't get to see because there were people up there. Will 1,000% be back! read more

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My girlfriend and I had already been excited about Mera Kitchen Collective before we went, and it did not disappoint. We couldn't figure out what we wanted, so we ended up ordering far more than we could eat, with plans to take some of the food home. The entire team there was super welcoming, and the decor was cute. It felt like what every little neighborhood spot aspires to be. It was sadly a little too early in the day for cocktails, but the house made juices were honestly so good we didn't care. The Bissap and Jus De Gingembre were both complex, refreshing, and just super, super tasty. The Bissap had a great balance of sweetness and tang, while the Jus De Gingembre brought some lovely subtle heat. The hummus arrived next, and was similarly delicious. The flavor was deep, a bit roasty, and went perfectly with the thick, almost slightly chewy, bread that it was served with. The serving size was also pretty generous, and the hummus alone could have been a nice snack if you're looking for a light lunch. The chicken tamale was rich, savory, and super well seasoned. Honestly, it might have been our favorite dish in a meal full of great food. The filling to masa ration was on point, the chicken itself was delicious, and the salsa verde on the side provided a perfect bit of heat and freshness. When (not if) we go back, we're definitely getting this again. Continuing a run of great food, the yassa chicken wings were great. Savory, and with a bit of sour to balance them from the peppers, we finished the generously portioned plate in a heartbeat. The wings came with some ranch on the side, but honestly they were so well seasoned and sauced that dipping was completely unneeded. I was a little selfish and ordered the Za'atar flatbread largely for myself, as I know my girlfriend doesn't usually like the sourness of Za'atar, but I'm so glad I did. I don't know how else to describe this than perfectly balanced. The sour Za'atar complimented the slight bitterness of the arugula, and both together somehow made the tomatoes taste sweeter and the cucumbers more refreshing. Add to that genuine fun of tearing the really tasty flatbread to use to grab the vegetables, and you have what was probably my favorite dish of the meal. This is sitting near the top of my "things I want to eat outside on a hot summer day" list. Having hoarded the flatbread, I was too full to eat much of the fries, but what I did have was great. The fries were solid, the carne asada was wonderfully savory, and the tomatoes and salsa verde on top provided enough freshness to prevent it from being too heavy. My girlfriend, who is a bit of a french fry obsessive, said that they were really good, and she doesn't give out fry compliments lightly. By the end of the meal we were stuffed and happy, our plan to take leftovers home completely forgotten (or more accurately, ignored). The food is amazing, the space is lovely, the team there is super nice, and just to add icing to the cake the fact that its a worker's collective makes you feel good about eating there. We're planning to go back to Mera Kitchen Collective when we're in Baltimore again, and you should go too. read more

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Straight forward, wonderfully executed casual dishes that feel likes like good home cooking, using fresh ingredients. The lentil soup is flavourful and just the right thickness. Would have been nice to have a little piece of crisp tortilla on the side just so I could get all off the tasty soup. Also had the chicken tamale, which was perfect. The place is bright and while small doesn't feel crowded at all. They have a long community table and two and four top tables. Also, a couple of seats at the bar. So they can accommodate most group sizes. read more

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This spot is an underrated hero! Mera is a cute little spot with a co-op vibe and some delicious eats. The servers here are always a joy to be around, and the actual space itself is very relaxing. I normally get the lentil soup and some sort of chicken based dish, but you can't really go wrong with much here! This place is very allergen-free friendly and has vegan and dairy free options, which is always something to keep me coming back! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Came back to Mera Kitchen on a Tuesday evening but this time to try the Winter Restaurant Week Specials! For $35 per person before tax and service charge, we were able to get a three course meal. For a starter, the person I went with and I both got the Pumpkin Pomegranate Arugula Salad which was extremely refreshing. I have always wanted to try the salad but usually am not a huge fan of arugula. For the second course, we got one of each of the entrees offered- peanut stew and roasted chicken- both of which were DIVINE. We both wished that these items were offered on their regular menu because they were THAT good. To finish off, we ordered one of each of the desserts. I ordered the flan and my friend ordered a millet pudding, both were good ways to end off the meal, but they were not the show stopper of the meal. I was a little disappointed that they did not have the Blood orange cake that they had initially advertised on their restaurant week menu, but maybe they will have it as a special offering sometime in the future. Overall I was extremely satisfied with this dinner from Mera kitchen, and it rightfully remains one of my favorite spots in the city! I was very glad that I was able to take advantage of the Restaurant Week Deal while also supporting one of my favorite businesses. Will definitely be back again soon! P.S. Be sure to get the orange blossom mint lemonade, it is life-changing! read more

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One of my favorite local restaurants. I ALWAYS get the cauliflower bites as a part of my meal. The staff is always kind and the atmosphere is pretty chill. Definitely a place you can come in for a relaxing afternoon meal and/or drink or enjoy an evening out with a group of friends or family. read more

Mera is a go-to. Such a vibe every time I've dined here. I appreciate the quality dishes. The avocado bowl is great. The steak quesadillas are yummy and filling, the cauliflower appetizer is great! I was disappointed with the baklava but only because it was prepared differently than what I'm accustomed to and that it was served chilled. Service is always pleasant the two times that I've dined here. I also love that the non-alcoholic drink menu is full of exciting ingredients. read more

The food was spectacular, the environment and ambiance perfect for a warm day! We ordered some fries and eggplant side dish with pita. There was a bit of a communication issues as the waiter was really quiet and hard to hear. Regardless the meal was wonderful for our time out. I was a little shocked when they preapplied a service fee /gratuity without mentioning it at the beginning. Not a terribly big deal but would have appreciated the heads up. read more

This menu doesn't make any sense. Eclectic and random...but delicious. We had mescal, grape leaves, yassa wings, friend cauliflower and empanadas and loved all of it! read more

I really liked this place! The food was truly refreshing and did not disappoint. I ordered the falafel with baklava and both were really tasty and light - nothing too heavy at all. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Outdoor seating area. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Food was wonderful! We ordered fried cauliflower with a cilantro tahini sauce. Yum! My sister had the pumpkin pomegranate salad and I had the chicken shawarma. All delicious. read more

The crispy cauliflower appetizer was amazing. I'd come back just to eat that again. The other food and drinks were great too--but I'll be dreaming about that cauliflower dish! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Run, don't walk! Mera kitchen never misses. The vibe is chill yet sophisticated, and it feels like you're at a large dinner party in your warmest friend's home. Service there is lovely- you're always greeted with a smile and staff that are really happy you came. I also love that they take care of their staff here. I had my graduation lunch in the upstairs part of the restaurant. We didn't have a reservation, but they were so kind to host a large group up there. I've also done take out a ton of times. The food is always a hit. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and my favorite items are the stuffed grape leaves, the burkinabe bowl, and the carne asada fries. All of the juices are also delicious- sometimes I stop in just for the juice, and they're also the only thing I want when I'm sick. Mera is definitely worth the visit! read more

The food here was amazing!! Such a cute place with good choice of food and drinks. They have really good options for their happy hour (I got wings, garlic fries, and the eggplant hummus). The falafel sandwich was soooo good and filling. It was really worth. I am excited to go again to try all the other entrees they have! I would also get the mutubal (eggplant hummus) again-- I am not a big fan of eggplant, but it turned out to be really good (it has a smoky hummus flavor). Their non alcoholic beverages are really good as well! I give it a 4 star because of their dessert haha. It was a little too cold and was crumbly (decided to go it and heat it up at home). read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Falafel sandwich, mutubal, garlic fries - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

One of my favorite places to eat in Baltimore! The food is creative and flavorful. They have to an eclectic selection of food from all over the world, including Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. They use fresh ingredients and the dishes are presented beautifully. There are lots of creative drink options and they also have a full bar and make really great cocktails. The ambience is light and airy and the serving stuff is super friendly. read more

Excellent service and food! Stumbled upon this gem while driving home and came back for a quick bite. My husband and I I were graciously greeted by Emily and took a seat outside. I loved the casual feel and warm welcome. Realizing that we wanted everything on the menu, we decided to come every Week and try something different. We had the steak fries and wow were they delicious. Great portion and flavorful. We will be back and can't wait to make this a part of our weekly routine. Thank you to the team who works so hard to create the menu and space for this beautiful spot. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

We stopped in for a date night. Such a cute spot. The service is WONDERFUL. We had quite a spread. Apps: both habanero and yassa wings, cauliflower Mains: plaintain bowl and chicken bowl Drinks: mezcalita and old fashioned Wings were great. My favorite were the yassa with the peppers that taste pickled. There were also green olives. Cauliflower was good but would not order again. We like our veggies steamed, sautéed not fried. If you like the crispy Cauliflower you should order. Again very good, not oily, nicely seasoned but I'd rather not have my Cauliflower fried. Plaintain bowl is a good idea for vegetarians. Just not for me as I need more protein. The chicken bowl was a quarter dark served atop rice with a side of tomato salad. I chose this as I count macros and I can control the carbs. I reserved my carbs for the mezcalita which was delish. I'm on a mezcal kick. Love smokie sweet cocktails. My husband was pretty impressed with the old fashioned. I tried it and it was tasty Overall yes we will return. I could totally see couples night or small group of friends hanging out having a meal. read more

Fantastic food, generous portions and fairly priced, served by happy warm-hearted people in an inviting space. What more can you hope for?

Delicious food, super friendly staff, and cozy atmosphere. My lentil soup was tasty and the garlic fries were excellent. My friend enjoyed her salad (something with pomegranate seeds) and commented that the ratio of greens to toppings was just right. Everything looked and tasted fresh and house made. Tall ceilings, big windows, and warm butterscotch walls made the small space feel invitingly just right. Reasonable prices and good playlist, too. We'll be back! read more

Atmosphere is bustling at times but very cheerful and inviting and you're still able to have conversation despite the crowd. We love the food. One of my favorite restaurants. read more

Beautiful environment. My friend took me to this restaurant I ordered their falafel salad bowl and I loved the food so I went again because I wanted to try the plantain dish they have and I really loved it. Service was fast and friendly. Highly recommended;) read more

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As retirees, we eat out a lot. Getting tired of eating at the same restaurants, we always looked forward to the vast selection available during Baltimore's Restaurant Week. We were pleasantly surprised to have found this place on this year's listing for we have never heard of or seen this restaurant before. Upon entering, we loved the vibe immediately, my wife said it reminded her of being in NYC. The staff and the clients there were diverse, happy, and all were smiling. Great signs! The menu spans from different geographic areas like Greek, Lebanese, and Mexican food all together on the curated menu. All the food tasted fresh, bright, and with hints of care on every dish. From the fried cauliflower to the addictive pistachio rose water baklava, everything was so fresh that it gave the feeling you are eating healthy food and is good for you. Maybe it is? Oh, great cocktails and many Vegan offerings are on the menu too! Run, don't walk to this restaurant. Try them now before the words get out! A great find and we are going back soon. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I've been wanting to check out this place ever since they got a brick and mortar location and I finally made it here, boy was it worth the wait! We had a group of four and we're able to seat ourselves immediately on a Saturday afternoon. All of our meals were delicious! I am very picky about my falafel and most of the time don't even bother ordering it, but we took a chance here and they were excellent! We tried their alcohol free options and the lemonade and horchata were delicious! I will definitely be coming back for their happy hour because the boozy drinks all sounded so yummy! We also had a very friendly waiter and the decor is super cute, love the open seating concept and space! Their origin story is pretty cool and any place that pays their waitstaff a livable wage is a place that I will frequent. Just know that 20% is automatically added to your bill! read more

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The five star reviews are true! Meras atmosphere was sophisticated and beautiful. The food was great and the service was friendly. The kitchen hit a blip and the staff apologized and made up for it!! Happy hour deals are good and we will be back. read more

Comparatively to Baltimore standards, this is definitely one of the better food locations. The aesthetic of the place is quaint and homely. The food is also very delicious and not too spicy. The lemonade was good as it was not too sour. The tamale could have also been more authentic /!: flavorful. The roasted cauliflowers was delectable and had a good crunch and flavor profile. read more

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A long awaited first meal at this on the rise spot in the heart of downtown Baltimore! I will preface that this would have been a 5 star review if not for a few mishaps with my takeout order. Occupying the block corner, this spot is warm and inviting with the right amount of front seating to create a cozy and intimate environment. The restaurant was getting hit with quite a few orders, with the staff and front of house were dashing around, but my order was on time for pick up. I ordered the vegetable quesadilla and fattoush salad with an order of hummus and pita. The veggie quesadilla couldn't have tasted more fresh and flavorful with a deliciously thin flour tortilla with just the right amount of chew enveloping a mixed veggie filling with Oaxaca queso. My order didn't come with the salsa and sour cream sides, and the filling was missing a few of the advertised veggies, but it was delicious nonetheless. The salad was bright and citrus forward, serving as a perfect complement to creamy, decadent, tahini packed hummus. And the pita! Warm, fresh and pillowy soft--one of the best I've had in the city. Despite the order mishaps, it was a great first meal and I look forward to my next one Mera team! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Vegetarian Quesadilla - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Great place near the University of Baltimore. Fresh tasty food with middle eastern and Mexican influences. Likely part of the cooperative result. They also have very cool cocktails and a list of three very local beers including Suspended and Wet City. I have had falafel, a great rice bowl, crispy cauliflower with tahini, and everything was good. A really great staff too! read more