I've been hearing about The Bun Shop for a while now, and I'm glad business finally took me nearby so I had a chance to try it out. It's easy to find, located right next to the crazy intersection where MLK meets Howard. It's a great workspace environment, with tall ceilings and several long tables for laptops, as well as many smaller tables and lounges and couches just for hanging out on your phone. Despite the name, the emphasis is not really on buns. They offer several different savory and sweet options shown in a display case at the long counter, and they will quickly heat up whichever one you choose, but there is nothing to indicate that is where their focus lies. Fine, really, as my Apple and Gruyere bun was serviceable, and went just fine with my coffee. Coffee would be the true emphasis, and theirs is good, but again the real emphasis is on inviting you in to hang out on whichever device you bring with you (while you enjoy coffee and a bun.) This is a great place to linger, although some of that bohemian furniture is really falling apart and should be tossed. read more

Great cafe with a calm atmosphere and very unique deserts. The coffee is okay and the guava pastry is one of my favorite

Unique hangout with a chill vibe. Very conveniently located to the Midtown campus of University of Maryland. They have a unique selection of espresso drinks, as well as your standard options. One of my favorites is the chocolate Vietnamese! The "buns" are very tasty, with a mixture of sweet and savory options. Everyone has always been very friendly. They are open late, but I've never been there beyond 7pm. Definitely a cool place to check out! read more

When my work day starts with my supervisor telling me i need coffee it clearly isnt a good day.. I decided to try a new place and add to my search to find the perfect coffee shop. The bun shop is such a neat place! From the moment i walked in I felt a sense of community.. its the type of place that (I would think) has regulars and people that spend a good chunk of their afternoon "working" away. I ordered a coffee drink and I had to try one of the buns I have been hearing so much about. Both were awesome! i could really see myself coming here on a Saturday morning and "working" for a few hours.. On to the most important parts of my visit.. the coffee was great and the bun was awesome! both had a good amount of caffeine in them so i was basically bouncing off the walls for the rest of the day.. bet my supervisor regretted sending me out for coffee! :) read more

I went here for studying like any other visitors. The place was cozy and had long tables that I need to work, it also had enough electrical plugs to charge your laptop. I ordered an awesome almond meringue with Mexican chocolate drink. If you come during 10 am - 2 pm, there is a chance you will not have a seat. So if you come there to work, make sure you avoid that period. It is definitely one of my favorite coffee shops in Baltimore! read more

Friends, be ye not so foolish as I; wait not another moment to partake of the ethereal pleasure of The Bun Shop. My archaic lede proves that the excellence of these pastries transcends even the bounds of modern language! I stopped by to fortify myself at the beginning of a very long day. Vietnamese iced coffee: sweet, creamy brew with just enough of a bitter coffee bite at the back end to wake you up. Tiny pieces of crushed ice that melt right into a kind of caffeinated Slurpee. But the real stars here are the buns. (Yes, I've been waiting to say that.) Oh, my. I bought four to share with the group and was lucky to score a bite of each one before they disappeared: chopped spinach and spiced onions blended with salty feta; tender sliced ham and blistered Gruyere; creamy ricotta and vibrant guava jam, each half-buried under an undulating, flaky crust. The last one, called a Rotiboy, was very different: a round, puffy doughnut with a buttery, savory sauce inside. Sweet, salty, crispy, chewy goodness that should be mandatory with each visit. Besides that, the girls behind the counter were incredibly friendly and helpful, but not in-your-face chatty, and the interior has a cool East-Asian vibe that's very relaxing. I would be in here every day if I lived closer, but the distance is probably a good thing. :) read more

On Monday, August 31, 2015, I arrived into Mount Vernon and stopped at a cafe called the Bun Shop on 239 W. Read Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. I walked in the store and was waited on by someone that presented as a Caucasian-American male. He was taller than my 5".7' and he had blond hair. I asked him for an americano. I gave him $20.00. He gave me $17.50 cents (one of the one-dollar bills that he gave me was half torn). I placed the .50 cents in the tall white vase that sat on the side of the cafe's register. After we exchanged the money, his co-worker came out of what looked to be the kitchen area. She appeared as Caucasian-American and was shorter than my stature with dark hair. He asked her, "How do you make an americano?" Upon hearing this, I requested my money back and returned to him the $17.00 since the .50 cents was already sitting in the vase of the register. He took my 17.00 and gave me $2.50 cents. I asked him, "What is this?" He stated that he already gave me $17.00 and that I was trying to get over on him. I was in disbelief and explained to him what he did with the money. He responded that he had no knowledge of this occurrence. I pulled out my wallet and showed him that I did not have the money and wanted my $20.00 returned immediately. I asked could he bring his co-worker into our meeting. He responded, "Take your $2.50 and leave." He told me repeatedly to leave and go or he would call the police. I responded, "Please do. I am not leaving until I receive my $20.00." I had to walk around the counter where his female coworker was in the kitchen to ask for her help. She came out and heard my story. All the while, her coworker told her, "I remember hearing how people try to get over." She called the manager. She talked with him for a moment and gave her co-worker the phone. Finally, the manager arrived. He presented as an Asian male shorter than me and asked me what happened? I explained to him my story. He called the employee that I worked with, Ian, to explain. Ian said, "I gave him his $2.50. When I started this job I heard about people coming in here trying to get over." I responded, "You are stereotyping me." Ian responded, "No I am not." I asked the manager could he look at his register and, then, he would see that he would see $17.00 or $ 20.00 extra than his unit profit. The manager instead looked at his computer and did not proceed to look in his drawer. I spoke again and said, "Sir, I have been in here more than once. Half of those times, you have waited on me." The manager looked dumbfounded. I said, "This is because I am a Black male." The manager responded, "No, that is not true." The manager He gave me my $20.00 bill as he was about to say something, I took the money and responded, "You will never have to worry about me returning here and I will report this online." I left the store. read more

I wish they never got rid of their guava & cheese bun...this has affected my loyalty :-(

Dear Bun Shop, Please invest in more lamps and lighting. I can't see in here This is the only late night cafe in Baltimore. Help a sista out. Sincerely, Tired Eyes read more

Stopped in to this place the other day after my haircut next door. The spot id pretty big inside. Open and spacious. There were about a dozen buns to choose from and I got the low down on all of them from Andrew the owner. Picked up a pork bun and a gruyere and pear bun to take home. Both were excellent. Service was fast and fun. No prob. Dog Walk Tip: They put out a dog water bowl for those dog walkers who might be in the area. Baltimore sucks for dog water spots so keep this one in mind if you're in this part of Mt.V. read more

I was amazed on the different drinks and pastries they have to offer here. They offer different pastries everyday, so don't be disappointed if you wanted something you saw from the yelp pictures that is not available the day of. The menu is Asian influenced. They have pasties that are similar to the ones from Hong Kong and Malaysia. I was surprised they serve Vietnamese coffee and yuen yang which you wouldn't find it at a typical coffee shop. The veil smear coffee was really strong. I drank half a cup and was awake for over 20 hours. Maybe because I'm tiny but just wanted to warn you before you order it. read more

The Bun Shop - Thai iced tea $3 Vietnamese coffee $3.50 mushroom tart $2.95 - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I LOVE the Bun Shop. So much so that since someone introduced me to this cute café, I've brought others here to enjoy the splendor and rustic charm that lives at the Bun Shop. There are a bunch of nooks and crannies to sit down around here, but my favorite is the big table in the middle... mostly because it's perfect for games, which the Bun Shop has plenty to choose from. There are definitely quite a few students here, but at the same time many ongoing conversations. This is one of those places where both can happen simultaneously. It's kind of perfect. The variety of delicious buns most likely attracts the all of the customers who frequent here. That and the lavender tea - omg! Yum. I love it because it is so floral, calming, and flavorful. Can't wait to introduce more people to this great place! read more

What a unique place! I'm so glad I finally checked it out. The Bun Shop has a lovely setup. It's a cute looking coffee shop with mixed vintage looking furniture all around. There's enough space where you don't feel like you would be on top of your neighbors. Items I tried... Rotiboy- By far my favorite. This bun doesn't have any filling but the flavor was outstanding. It was very chewy and sweet. I bet it would be great with coffee! Ham & Gruyere- This was my husbands favorite. The ham and cheese were both great quality making the bun rich. The outside was very flaky. So delicious! Curry Puff- This was an Indian mixture boosting with flavor inside a fried shell. I can't wait to go back and try more! read more

Stopped in after viewing an apartment. While waiting at the counter for five minutes I see someone I know from work. We talked for a few minutes before she went back over to the group of friends she came with. In the meantime I'm waiting another 3 minutes. During this time some other guy approaches the counter while I head back over to view which other kind of pastries they had. Once the employee whose hair looked six months overdue for a wash finished making the drinks, he comes over, starts making cow eyes at the guy who walked up after me and takes his order. I then turn around and leave to go enjoy my Dirty Chai I had in my refrigerator. Screw The Bun Shop and your greasy blond-haired, hipster employee. read more

Nice spot to chill and is really to close to my job. These buns are do die for...light flaky and some are buttery. From the sweet to the savory, you will not go wrong. A must try is the cheese & onion arrow follow with coffee. Love to my mouth. My breaks will now be just a little longer. Open sitting and really nice decor. Bring a book, a laptop, or a craft (knitting) they have tables, single comfy chairs and big sofa. Why not the total 5 star? When I asked any question the staff member did not have any answer but to say "you can ask the owner but he still won't know the answer" WHAT? Then walks in more customers who offered some suggestions. Thankful I stayed will be back for sure. read more

I was looking through reviews and it appears that some patrons with some severe mental illness [that is yet to end up in the DSM] gave it poor reviews. I suspect one of the symptoms of said MADNESS is being a tragic killjoy who can't appreciate a place which serves delicious buns and is open 20 HOURS A DAY. 20 HOURS A DAY. TBS is outrageously spacious, has great seating and some really fab staff. But let's remember that it is open 20 HOURS A DAY. If this place doesn't do well, I'm rounding up a mob to hunt people down. SRSFACE. read more

A nice stop on our way home. Delicious buttery and flaky dough filled with a delicious mix of caramelized onions and cheese, gruyere and ham and.chicken tikka... $3-5 per. Not bad read more

The Bun Shop - Cheese and onion - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Boy what a nice place. A very chill atmosphere. Good buns and coffee at very reasonable prices. Free WiFi. I could live here. The selection of buns changes throughout the day. There are sweet buns and savory buns and meat buns and vegetarian buns. And all these different buns are delicious. The iced coffee is to die for. Espresso plus some drip coffee over ice with sweetened condensed milk. Want to get in the car and buy some just writing this review. I don't think anyone would not enjoy spending some time and eating here. read more

A soft moan escapes as I savor a mouthful of flaky pastry, crisp-smoky ham, and Gruyere cheese. Another parchment pouch holding its offering of feta and spinach awaits. Bite pastry, chew. Sip coffee, swallow. Bite pastry, chew. Repeat as necessary. Let tastiness ensue. read more

The Bun Shop - Second double espresso of the morning. Woefully undercaffeinated. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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My friend basically lives here... (you know who are!) and that's how I got introduced to this place. I love how spacious the bun shop is, and also how quiet. It is an actual study spot, not one where people congregate to "study" but end up just talking all night. Just a FYI- don't come hungry. They have a great but small selections of pastries. I highly recommend the artichoke and sundried tomato pastry. They warm it up for you which makes it OH SO GOOOD. I'll be back to get caffeinated! read more

So this past weekend we decided to meander around Mt. Vernon and check out a couple of places. The one place I wanted to stop was here. I have heard good things about it and wanted to give it a shot. The interior of the space is cool and the layout was nice. I went with an iced coffee and the apple gruyere bun. The coffee contained a lot more ice then I like and the coffee was ok. The bun itself was very lackluster. There was hardly any apple in there and the cheese was laid on top and crisped up. You could barely taste the apples and the cheese did not come through at all. I did not like it. If you look in my photo you can see that the ends of the bun were pretty badly burnt and it left a terrible taste in my mouth. The service was friendly and totally fine but the buns were very pedestrian. I am not sure what everyone is raving about? Maybe I ordered the wrong bun? read more

The Bun Shop - Apple an Gruyere - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Dark and dank and not very clean. Not a good selection at all. I was very disappointed to see no Cinnamon rolls. Meh. read more

I love the bun shop. They have these puffy Roti boys with crispy edges that taste just like snickerdoodles. Coffee is decent but go for the pastries, and chicken pasty! I forsake all fear of gluten for these flaky, warm bites. The décor is my moody, pixie dream girl fantasy and I don't even mind the old, unsanitary couches in all their faded grandeur. + + + For having two fiddleleaf fig trees that are happy and healthy. Might be time to re-pot the one by the front door (just sayin). I hope they open a third location in Pigtown so I can walk over instead of drive. The Bun Shop. Come to me! read more

This is the type of warm fuzzy coffee shop were you can pleasantly fade into the background for a few hours. The Bun Shop is open until 3am! I was searching for a non-bar area to hang with a friend in the city after a late book reading event downtown. The Bun Shop is tranquil and simple. Perfect for reading a book or typing an essay. There were some medical students studying and quizzing each other for finals when I came; I learned (by proximity) about anatomy and physiology LOL. I spied patrons typing up papers and others just chatting or playing chess (board and pieces provided in store). The hot cocoa was tasty but didn't blow my mind. That's what I get for picking the most basic thing on an interesting drink menu. The attendant chatted with me for a while about Watchmen, which I bought into the shop. Employees were very friendly. There are tables (large/long and small) as well as a few couches and benches scattered throughout that have seen better days. The place is very cozy and has some ambient lighting and music. Super great find for someone who wants to be out late but not deal with drunk obnoxious downtown crowds. read more

Extremely unprofessional staff. Several of the workers I tried to get a normal iced coffee from didn't know how to do it and instead offered me their Vietnamese Coffee option instead at the price of the iced coffee. The problem with this is that the business lost money and the employee was not up to par. It is literally black coffee....and ice. Their manager seems to not be involved with helping one bit here. He is seen talking to customers and hanging out with his friends that come in instead of being a professional who runs his business. It is embarrassing and I hope he realizes that too. Their buns are way too small for the price they post. You waste your money with the portion they give you. The profit they are making is ridiculous and kind of sly. Some changes to this establishment would be greatly appreciated. read more

The food and coffee were wonderful and the ambiance was perfect! I loved stopping here on my trip to Baltimore today. I'd definitely come back if I come to town again. read more

The Bun Shop - Veggie pillow and Vietnamese coffee - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Very weird vibe. I'm pretty sure the girl serving us was high....which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but in this case I wanted coffee and she seemed genuinely surprised that I was talking to her. I asked about the food options and she seemed alarmed that I knew they served food and gave me very few details. I ended up buying cheap but adequate coffee and sitting quietly while the rest of the place studied. read more

Came for the first time for the About/Face concert. The show itself was diverse and eclectic and i was very impressed by the decor and ambiance by that i mean the comfy couches, gilded mirrors and industrial framework. The buns i had was hot and tasty read more

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I swear if I lived closer, I would never leave the place! I'm always on the hunt for cute coffee shops where I can study, and I promise this is the perfect place! Its spacious, with cute decor, tons of tables to sit at to get some work done and some quirky sofas that I honestly want to have a photoshoot on. I ordered the spinach + feta which was apparently one of the specials of the day and I think I inhaled it in .2 seconds. I just wish it was bigger. I also wish they had more meat-less options, but maybe it was just their menu for that day! The employees were super nice too. read more

This place! I'm so glad it exists. It is open until 3AM! 3AM!!! And BYOB? And they have coffee?? And I can bring a laptop??? Why didn't this exist before? I wandered in here once while needing some coffee after getting a hair cut at Beatnik Barbershop. I'm so glad I did! I love the industrial decor. Also, in the picture of nude people on wall, the guy is super cute. The hot coffee is of high quality, though I didn't find the iced coffee that good. I'm not sure how many outlets there are. I didn't see many, but I didn't have a laptop with me at the time. The cheese and guava bun is good. The apple and cheese one is less so (not bad, but guava is better!) I will be back sometime with a bottle of wine and some friends. Probably at like 1am. read more

On most days, I enjoy having the option to sit at either a table or a couch. The Bun Shop affords me that option. It has an ambience perfect for reading, writing, or simply chatting with the occasional stranger. I have been here twice and would rate it 12/10 on both occasions. Also can't beat that 3 AM closing time . read more

Foo Foo garbage . Coffee was good but buns left me wondering if the people who eat these overpriced buns have a clue. Baltimore lacks on so many levels that I can imagine that the local s think that this place represents well, It does not and is way overpriced. Buns looks like nice place but thats as far as it goes. Save your money it was lacking big time. read more

I reaaaaally love this place. See? I care enough to actually write a review. And I reaaaaally want to give it 5 stars, BUT I can't, this is why: The decor is amazing, the ambience is chill, and the crowd is diverse and interesting. However, the quality of food and drinks is totally inconsistent. I used to love the Beef Pasty, but the taste of the filling changes slightly everytime I have it. Somehow they eased on the Rosemary? The crispiness of the shell is inconsistent too. Difference in shape and look of a pastry is understandable. Oh, the worse is the Pasty wasn't even warmed up enough this time. Sigh. And I love their Chai latte, but the one I'm having right now is simply too bland, compared to those I had in the past. Mind you, it's 10am on Saturday, it's not super crowded and there was only one guy in front of me. Seriously, this is a joke. Service? Unimaginably cold. I'm often left standing at the cashier for minutes just waiting to even be acknowledged. It will be a bonus if I ever get a "give me a minute" or "I'll be right with you". When drinks are done, the "barista" would kinda say what the drink is and put it on the collection counter, without looking around for whoever ordered it? Can he/she be heard? Absolutely not. Therefore, no one can blame me for not tipping here. I used to be a "mystery shopper" back in my college days, where I judged the service quality of cafeterias. Currently, The Bun Shop does not perform well at all. I still love this place and I will always visit, but if they don't improve on the core factors of a coffee shop (i.e. food and service), then it's just disappointment for the customers. I have faith in The Bun Shop and I want to witness it become better and better. I will wait for the awesome Beef Pasty to return and for the day when I tip willingly and generously. read more

I will preface this review with the following: I am giving this place 4-stars for the OVERALL experience. I would NOT give 4-stars to just their food or just their coffee. I think coffeeshops are all about experience and atmosphere and this place delivered. So I gave it 4-stars... If you are looking for something other than your average morning bagel with cream cheese or your lunchtime panini, The Bun Shop offers some refreshing, unique, and overall delightful options. Its puff-pastry creations are borderline decadent and immensely satisfying when paired with a latte, specialty tea (or tea latte), or vietnamese (iced or hot) coffee. Their puff-pastry, or what they generally call "buns," vary from day-to-day but are always split between sweet and savory. During my first visit, I indulged in the ham and gruyere bun and the Dirtyboy. I did not bother taking pics since this yelp page certainly isn't lacking in that department. The ham and gruyere creation was of an oblong and semi-twisted shape. There was a good balance between pastry and filling. It was warm and tasty. The Dirtyboy can best best described as a large cinnamon roll but with chocolate replacing the cinnamon swirls. It was also good, though I was more in a savory mood so I much preferred the ham and gruyere cheese twist. Also among my options were a berry cream-cheese twist, the Roti boy (espresso and sweet cream based), a mushroom tart, chicken pasty, and a spinach feta twist. They all looked delectable. For a sample of their coffee options, I ordered a regular latte to get an idea of their espresso quality and vietnamese iced coffee. The latte was unremarkable. Nothing great about it, nothing bad about it. I would say the vietnamese iced coffee was overly sweet, even for a vietnamese coffee (I think the sweetened condensed milk to coffee ratio was off), but I enjoyed pairing it with my savory ham and gruyere twist. The atmosphere of this place is a welcomed change of pace. 100% casual and relaxing. Background music is perfect for banging out some work. Vast array of furniture options from which to choose. I opted for one of the long, Medieval-styled tables with bench seating so I could really sprawl out. As already noted, this place is uber "hipster." You can play settlers of Caton here. Enough said. Addressing the staff comments made by other Yelp reviewers, there was a staff member who was a little standoffish. But I still got my coffee and pastries within a timely manner, which is all I ask of a place I plan on posting up at for hours. Wireless internet was solid and an adequate number of power outlets were available for use. This place definitely crowds up as the day progresses, so come early for your furniture preference! I would not recommend this place solely for its pastry creations or for its coffee (for coffee, opt for nearby Dooby's). However, I would recommend it to someone who is looking for a different and well-rounded experience, be it meeting up with a friend, reading a book, or doing some work in a relaxing environment in the company of good pastries and coffee.You can stay here as long as you like without pressure to leave. Plus, they are open from 7am-3am? Unheard of in Baltimore. I may very well make this my new study locale. Cheers! read more

The Bun Shop - Vietnamese iced coffee (also captures this place's calm, dim lighting) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

I was so excited about this place when I got into Baltimore and sadly, I think my expectations were a bit too high. The space was funky and had lots of interesting pieces of decor but overall the space was very dark to get work done. Barista was very helpful and my honey macchiato was delicious and came in a very nice china cup. I was a little disappointing in their bun selection. From the website it looks like you'll have about 20 options to choose from but when we arrived, there were about four. We had the Guava and cheese flute and the apple and Gruyere. The Guava was far superior and was our favorite choice. Overall I'd say it was an interesting experience but I don't think I would go back. read more

I don't know how I ever did law school without a coffee shop that is open until 3 AM. This place has a fairly limited menu. Drinks are simple, so if you really like Starbucks-esque drinks with 3 different kinds of syrup, look elsewhere (but hey, no judgment here, they're delicious). This place is pretty dimly-lit inside, to the point where it would be easy to think it's closed when you drive by it. The ham and gruyere pastry is my favorite. It's flaky and delicious. The place has a pretty hipster-ish ambiance, which isn't usually my scene, but hey, IT'S OPEN UNTIL 3 AM. Did I mention that? I honestly thought it was a typo when I saw it on here. Turns out it's totally legit. It also has some pretty cool vintage furniture, so it has that going for it which is nice. read more

I love the bun shop. Been here a few times and the love is real. There's no other way to say epic with out saying the bun shop

Am I the only one that sings "Bun bun bun buuun bun buuun bun buns" to the tune of "Crossroads" by Bone Thugs in their head while in the Bun Shop? Or to the tune of the "Thong Song"? No, it's just me? Oh well. PS: This place is as good as they say. read more

Veggie friendly with a delicious spinach and feta bun as well as a mushroom tart that is tasty! They can warm the buns for you. Also loved the slightly sweet iced chai here! read more

My wife and I loved, loved, loved The Bun Shop. First, the staff was exceedingly pleasant and patient. We both loved the decor and the vibe, but as you can see, everyone agrees on that point! My wife and I ordered four buns to get a wide variety of the flavors they offer: The Pork Bun, the RotiBoy, the Mushroom/Feta bun and the Gruyere/Ham offering. They were fresh, and delicious. They were seasoned well, with a few surprising twists that were delicious, warm and definitely on the right side of comfort food. The winner for me was the Pork Bun. I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent balance of flavors. I'm a bit annoyed when people over use Hoisin sauce, but the balance was perfect and enhanced the flavorful, savory pork without overpowering it. Kudos! I am not, however, a fan of their coffee. But that's a very minor criticism when everything else was so delicious. We'll definitely be back . . perhaps even tonight! read more