Our Story
Started in October 2020, Kitsch serves iconic breakfast and lunch sandwiches with Caffe Umbria coffee. Our original location on West University is our pride and joy: 400-square-feet, vibrantly colorful, minimal seating and parking. If you’re looking for a hole-in-the-wall experience, this little gem is sure to top the list of charming places. Our tiny cafe is the heart of our community and serves as a fantastic meeting place for young and old alike.
Recently opened in July 2024, our newest Kitsch location is serving the vibes in R. House Food Hall. Boasting ample seating, tons of parking and free WiFi, it’s a great option for cracking open that laptop or meeting up with friends. Need space to party? Work with Kitsch to schedule your next happy hour in the food hall or private event in The Garage. Click here to check out the menu!
Last but certainly not least, visit our newest addition: Kitschenette by Kitsch Cafe. Located in Gilman Hall on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood campus, this micro-cafe has a 200-square-foot footprint and serves an abbreviated food menu with our full Caffe Umbria and in-house beverage program. With ample seating in the connected atrium, reading rooms and lounge, there’s plenty of room to get your study on between classes.
Who are we?
Kitsch was founded by Jacqueline Mearman, a food industry veteran who just wants to keep making good food at affordable prices. Her team of absolute rockstars show up every day to spread love in the community, one sandwich at a time. We will learn your name. We will learn your coffee preference.
Why Kitsch? A bit of a double meaning. Cute and short for kitchen? Check. Ironically remarking on our product being for the popular palette and not anything like our former lives of plate wipes and sauce swipes? Also, check. Though Kitsch can mean lowbrow, we love the aesthetic. Loud colors, cat clocks and ridiculous art, we wanted to go just the edge of being over the top without going too far. Plus, where better to be Kitsch than Baltimore? We love the knick-knacks in this city. Our cafes are meant to brighten your day and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling like your grandmother’s house. We dare you to leave without smiling. It’s nearly impossible.
