We stopped by Mera Kitchen Collective for lunch on our drive to Philly, and I'm so glad we did. The food was fresh, flavorful, and they had plenty of great vegetarian options. We shared the cauliflower appetizer, which was delicious, and I ordered the falafel sandwich while my husband enjoyed the grilled chicken kebab. Everything was well-priced and came out quickly, even during the busy lunch rush. The staff were friendly, and I really loved the community-driven mission behind the restaurant, it made the whole experience feel even more special. Parking can be a little tricky, but it's manageable and well worth it. I'd definitely recommend stopping by if you're in Baltimore! read more

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I had read a bunch of excellent reviews for Mera but our visit was unfortunately disappointing. We tried the: - popular crispy cauliflower. It was fine but just very bland. Adding hot sauce helped. - plantain and avocado bowl: also so-so. Nothing terrible but nothing great. Somewhat bland as well. - goat barbacoa. Tough and dry. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing here that nobody had ordered in a while but the goat was supposed to be braised but was just very tough and very dry (and bland). We had a disappointing visit which seems to be an outlier given all the other reviews. read more

I had dinner with a friend at Mera Kitchen Collective a week or so ago and had a pretty nice meal. The cafe is beautiful - bright, colorful, with a front window filled with plants, and I love the international menu. According to their menu, "We are proudly building a worker-cooperative serving story-worthy food from around the world." There were certainly dishes from around the world, and the menu is very flexible for a variety of diners (dishes are marked as vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free). My friend and I shared the crispy cauliflower and tahini, which was well-fried and delicious. I also appreciated their drink offerings. My friend and I had and enjoyed a couple of glasses of Lebanese Sauvignon Blanc (from Mersel Wine). I had the Farmers Market Za'atar Salad (cucumber, shaved beet, fennel, pomegranate, pickled jalapeno, mint, fried pita, baby greens, and za'atar yogurt dressing), to which I added falafel. Unfortunately, I found the salad to be quite dry (not dressed enough and then the falafel and the pita crisps just compounded that) and served in a dish that made it quite hard to eat without spilling half the salad on the table. The service was friendly but perhaps not very attentive. I got up to ask our server for the check after waiting for a bit of time for her to make her way to us. I wasn't wowed by the food, but I love Mera's concept and their space. I'd be happy to give it another chance to wow me. I'd also be happy to return for mezze/small plates and wine. read more

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

Overall, we had a mediocre experience here. The service was not good. There appeared to be only two people handling the entire dining room and also making drinks, so it is possible that they were just very short handed. For instance, we had to ask for water three times and didn't get it until the meal was almost over and it took almost an hour for the food to come. The food was hit or miss. A cheese and bean dip starter and carne asada tacos lacked seasoning and general flavor, the Mexican salad and pickle plate were basic but tasty, and the horchata cheesecake was an interesting experience. The best thing we ate here were the french fries, which were crispy, salty, and perfect. We also had a chocolate covered date that was amazing. Given the great experiences my friends have had, it sounds like we visited on an off night. We're going try it again. read more

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Had such an incredible time at Mera Kitchen Collective! The staff was absolutely incredible! The atmosphere is so beautiful with the plants, lighting and art! It gave an upscale cozy vibe! My meal was delicious and drinks were so fun! I love all the details to their presentation! I'm so happy my first time there was through a fun yelp event too! The fact we got to enjoy yummy food and be creative with making collages was icing on the cake. Can't wait to go back! read more

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Service was incredible and flawless. Ambiance was casual yet romantic with the gorgeous healthy plants and soft lighting. We both agreed there's no better hummus, and it has ruined us for all other hummus (...hummi?) so go get some immediately!!!! Check my pics for the other delicious food - we are guaranteed to come back for drinks and apps and maybe we can leave room for dessert next time ;) read more

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Mera is one of my favorite places in the city. I stopped by for lunch yesterday and loved seeing some exciting changes on the menu. To start, we shared the anafre hondureno - a cheesy refried bean dip topped with jalapenos. We also shared the falafels which I was excited to see were gluten free! We then dug into the plantain and avocado bowl which we topped with chicken tinga and got the plantains served on the side. The dip was super duper cheesy and filling with a great comforting flavor. The falafels were delicious and came with a great mint-ish sauce. I hadn't had a falafel in SO long and was reminded why I used to get them all the time before going gluten free. Grateful to have Mera marking allergens clearly and making yummy options accessible to more folks! The plantain bowl came with a generous and colorful serving of beautiful veggies - tri color pepper, carrots, onions, and cucumber. The yellow rice was absolutely perfect and the chicken tinga had their same great flavor. I loved getting the plantains on the side so they didn't get too soggy in all the sauce. The bowl is filling on it's own and I liked nibbling on the plantains separately. The inside is always so bright and cozy. The service, although slow at times, is friendly. Will definitely be returning to try more new menu items! read more

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

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This place is super cute. I believe it used to be an Indian restaurant back in the day and I'd only gone there at night. I didn't realize how light filled the space is during the day. And Mera takes advantage of it, putting plants everywhere. Their lush fullness definitely adds to the vibe and made me feel good. I was there after hours for a listening party. I scanned the QR code once I sat at the table and quickly ordered a burger and fries. The water already on the table was sufficient for me. A short while later a woman appeared with my food, placed it on the table, then disappeared. The burger was ok. It was a burger. And same for the fries. Neither bad, nor exceptional. When I went to pay, I saw there was a 20% tip already included which was ok, that is my standard. But there was a message highly encouraging patrons to give more tip...uhhhh, I BARELY INTERACTED WITH ANYONE WHO WORKS THERE. What am I tipping additional for??? I didn't get any customer service. Make it make sense. 20% was more than enough. Audacity. read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Burger and fries - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Well nearly a 4. But not quite. Went for Brunch during the insane Marathon weekend since driving anywhere is impossible this weekend. Anyways, nice selection of dietary restrictions food, nice to see things clearly identified. Food was good, if not a little boring. A little bland and simple. I kind of expected more based on the way the food was listed and the seeming fanciness of the decor and vibe. The big ding was the service. I get it is brunch, but it was obvious our young server was very green. Little eye contact, really soft spoken, seemed distracted. And he was the only person sitting people and serving them. Not a great position. The owner really should have supported him more. It didn't help that he forgot two parts of our order. He may end up being good, but being put in that situation is not fair to him or us. read more

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

Great vibes and food. The inside has lots of beautiful plants and mural paintings and light. The staff is super friendly, as is the owner. Food is a wide variety of Mediterranean food including apps, mains, and speciality drinks. Can't wait to come back! read more

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This restaurant was recommended to my by another yelper so it was on my must try list. The food did not disappoint! The lentil soup was very fresh and well seasoned. I also had the falafel sandwich was amazing. The sandwich came in a stuffed pita. They do not skimp on how much they put inside the pita. Also the tzatziki sauce is freshly made Service was nice, I came towards the end of brunch and the start of dinner service. The restaurant was pretty packed did not take long to find a table. There's indoor and outdoor seating. The decor is also pretty cute and trendy with alot of plants. read more

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

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Got the chance to try this on my last trip up to Baltimore. It was kind of an off time so we decided to split a bunch of things. I got one of the Bissap juices and it was very delicious and refreshing. My dining partner was gluten-free so we opted for some of the gluten-free options on the menu which were delicious. I especially liked the Anafre Hondureño dip with lamb and fresh tortilla chips which was yummy. We absolutely loved the falafel and their addicting sauce. My absolute favorite was the Plantain + Avocado Bowl (which I've been trying to make at home since I unfortunately don't live in Baltimore to be able to come by and eat this every single day). read more

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

I was treated to dinner as a welcome into a new fellowship and I was excited because I hadn't had the opportunity to try out Mera's at this point. The food was fresh and tasty. I'm always excited for a well seasoned dish. The service was quick and the drinks complement the food, which is something that is hard to do in some establishments in the city. I was also excited to know that this location was a part of an actual collective which I love to support in our city. The space is beautiful with bright lights and the perfect ambience for a solo date or celebration. read more

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One of my absolute favorite places to dine. I walked there right after the snow storm because I, a) needed to get out of the house, b) was craving delicious fries and hummus and c) needed some human contact ‍ It's always delightful and always tasty. read more

I have been wanting to drop by here for a while, and finally made it. They had a collage making night, which also provided an activity to draw me in! The space is very intimate, with small side tables and a large community table filling the middle of the restaurant. They also have an upstairs that I didn't get to see. The community table was perfect for collage making, eating, and drinking (they had 50% off wine bottles that night). On to the food--The hummus was delicious and on the happy hour menu from 3-6pm during the week. And the Burkinabe was delectable and fresh!! I only wish it were a little cheaper. I look forward to coming back and trying some other menu items! read more

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I walked into another house y'all but the set up was great. So many nooks and crannies of places to chill eat and vibe. Definitely a neighborhood hot spot. Jealous of all the folks in the surrounding area that are in walking distance. The servers were great and brought all the food out merry little hearts could order. The highlight for me was the chips and guac!!! It was delectable. The hummus was ok but it didn't have anything on the guac. The lamb empanada flavor wise was just ok, but it was not too greasy and super fresh. The chicken quesadilla was a little too saucy but I would love to try the chicken in one of the bowls they have. I would definitely go again. The vibes were great and the food was fresh. I want those chips and guac again ASAP! read more

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This is my go to restaurant. Staff is so friendly and attentive and it's like your favorite neighborhood restaurant. Without fail, I always order the summer in Damascus. It's refreshing and moderately strong. I've also gotten the guava hard seltzer on tap, I love it. As well as the mera mezcalita. All the drinks are good but I prefer summer in Damascus. No fish options but the vegetarian dishes are great. I typically enjoy the lentil soup alongside the crispy cauliflower, which is some of the best I've had out. The tahini is creamy and also vegan. I have also tried the plantain bowl, which is pretty good. The ambiance is colorful fun with lots of plants. Definitely a great spot for dates or group dinners. There's a long table which allows for communal eating. read more

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**Pros: so flavorful!! **Cons: gets pretty noisy I came for an early dinner on a weekday and was seated very quickly. The staff is very friendly and attentive! It was quite busy, and all the seats are VERY close together. Therefore, it was a little hard to hear my friend from across me. As for the food, it is so flavorful and beautiful! I got a tahini cauliflower appetizer and it was one of the best I've had. The breading/batter was so crispy and did not feel too heavy/oily. My friend had the habanero burger which was so delicious. The sauce on that was incredible. I got a Hand-cut fries with chicken (I forget the exact dish name), and I was not as impressed. The fries were too soggy from being in the sauce, and it just felt like a messy dish. Next time, I'll try something else. I like the variety in this menu too; happy to see that they have multiple cultural influences in the dishes. I'll definitely be back! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Hand cut fries - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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The cooking was extremely clean, as in low in oils and with a fresh feel. The clerk, while a little put on the spot by me, gave me great suggestions in tandem with his co worker. The mocktails were the highlight, along with the home made tamale recipe. read more

First time visiting Mera and definitely won't be the last. Had a great time! We came at 6 on a Friday evening and it was busy but we were able to get a table. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout our visit. The crispy cauliflower was excellent, particularly when paired with the aioli on top. Not pictured is the excellent house-made drink called Bissap, which had hibiscus, pineapple, mint, and ginger. The chicken schwarma, which is a special, was nice and crisp. The chicken was flavorful, and everything in the sandwich was well-balanced. Each half was big enough that I only ate one that night and had the other half for lunch the next day. Looking forward to returning and trying some of their other styles of cuisine. read more

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Stopped in for dinner on a Wednesday night before heading to the Hippodrome for a show (about a ten minute walk away so it timed perfectly!) They have outdoor tables in good weather, but we chose to eat inside. Very charming and inviting decor! The service was great and everyone was attentive. We ordered the muhamara as an appetizer and it came with an amazing bread. For our entrees we had the chicken kebab (portion slightly on the smaller size but delicious) and the plantain bowl with chicken, which was an outstanding combination of flavors and very hearty. They have a nice selection of wines too, which I would love to go back and sample more extensively. Please do visit if you are in the neighborhood! read more

Great! I was at the most recent installment of Voyages at the aquarium and they happened to have something GF for me in the form of a chicken tamale. I am not a big fan of chicken, but by the end of the event it was my only choice. It turned out to be quite lovely. It was a decent size and it came with veggies, pickled veggies and salsa verde. Delicious read more

not far from Balt pen station. A worker co op is something that I think their time is now. Food quite good. Service good answered my questions re worker co ops that the workers own the profits and the headaches and a business equally. Healthy food. Looked like a group of professors at a nearby table.Recommended read more

food was ok. Really pricey, only 3 dishes and water were 74 including the tip. They don't even give you a receipt and when the server comes he just says "20% is ok?". Definitely not coming back. read more

Went on a Tuesday for a work dinner and it was slammed! Luckily were able to get a table for 4 quickly. We had several apps including the hummus, falafel, and mango wings. I enjoyed them all. I had the chicken and rice dish which was good but I needed more sauce-ended up dumping some of the leftover hummus into the dish which was actually super flavorful. I think the rice dish would really sing if there was also the garlic sauce served with the falafel on the side in addition to the pico and red sauce. I also had a egg white cocktail (can't recall the name) and it was nice and mellow. I'd come back! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Chicken and rice - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Mera Kitchen Collective is a very cute space in Baltimore. They serve pretty good food. I and service came very quickly. They have a lot of plants inside, which makes the vibe super relaxing. The Big Mera Fries were pretty good - they were in a large bowl and is very filling for one person - can easily be shared between two people. A nice place to grab a midday lunch or spend an evening. read more

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A very intimate and cozy restaurant with very beautiful lighting. It does get busy quickly in the times I have visited, but I still haven't really had to wait to be seated or had it take a long time to get my food after ordering. The menu is very cohesive while still covering a wide range of options. We usually start with the spicy garlic fries, which come covered in a garlicky sauce and are addictively delicious. I've really enjoyed the shawarmas offered, including both the mushroom and chicken ones. The mushroom one is a very flavorful, tangy, umami-packed option excellent for vegetarians! The chicken tinga quesadilla was also excellent with deep and rich flavors. The beverage options are also fantastic--I've personally really enjoyed both the Summer in Damascus cocktail and the Not for Mia. I find the menu to be pretty reasonably priced, but this is especially true during happy hour where several small bites are discounted along with some drinks as well. Easily would recommend to anyone looking for somewhere new to try! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - Spicy Garlic Fries! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

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Great service. The 20% tip was included, but it was well deserved. I ordered the Kofta Burger with delicious shatta mayo, and the fries were perfectly seasoned. I didn't get pictures of the drinks, but we ordered juices that were both healthy and tasty. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and both are great options. Inside is nicely decorated, while the outdoor area provides a calm, chill vibe. read more

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We came here for the first time with friends and we were absolutely blown away by the service, the ambiance, and the food! First of all, Mera'a mission is so incredibly impressive. They are building a worker collective, including refugee chefs who influence the menu based on their favorite cultural dishes and what they want to put on people's plates. You absolutely feel the devotion and love of the chefs in their food. We opted for a mezze dinner with lots of small plates to share and we were stuffed by the time we left. The dips - hummus and babaganoush - were so freshly made and perfect for the pita and carrots. The falafel was personally my favorite, I could have eaten just falafel that night and been happy! I also loved the classic stuffed grape leaves, a classic recipe. Overall, it was a great night of food, fun, and conversation and we will absolutely be back! read more

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Excellent food, ambiance and service. We stopped in for dinner before a show at the Symphony theater. The entire experience was wonderful. Thank you read more

Delicious food and friendly service! I recommend the crispy cauliflower and the pumpkin pomegranate salad! My companion enjoyed the chicken shawarma wrap read more

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Genuinely good. The crispy cauliflower (recommended by the reviews I saw) didn't disappoint, and thanks to my air fryer made for some good leftovers. The duck tacos were tasty. Service was attentive. Bright and not too loud inside. The value was reasonable. I'll be back. read more

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

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Soooo many wonderful things to say about Mera Kitchen Collective!!! The food is top notch (fresh, flavorful, delicious) - I highly recommend the Mexican Steak Salad. Love the drinks as well, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic! Back to the salad, I think about it often lol. The ambiance is super cute (very photo worthy). And importantly, I love the various missions of this restaurant. They celebrate food from around the world, hire chefs who are seeking refuge, support local businesses, and automatically tip their staff 20% for a living wage (so you don't need to add more unless you are feeling extra generous). read more

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This was a great experience! Everything is fresh, seasonal, and really well prepared. I wish I could order every one of their salads: they are so chock full of "stuff" and all sound so delicious! We grabbed a handful of apps to share, cocktails/beers, and everyone enjoyed their meals. Though I think my favorite across our table was the Mexican Steak Salad! It can be loud on the main floor, but they do have another small little table area upstairs in the back that's quieter. I recommend if you're in the area, but you'll want to make reservations on the weekend - this is a known, popular spot! read more

My partner and I met up with two friends on a random Tuesday night for dinner. Mera is best for groups of four or less. The vibe is pretty casual. I ordered the falafel sandwich and it was layered with flavor! It was also really fresh. The crispy cauliflower is a must try. read more

it's literally always a pleasure at mera's. the food is always so fresh and full of culture. the ambience is always so sultry and cozy. they really care about your experience too! I frequent the cauliflower, their kofta burger is also delicious and that farmers market zatar salad is SO fresh. just yes! read more

Mera Kitchen Collective - VERY fresh farmers market zatar salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

This place is so cute, and on top of that the mission behind the business is laudable and on top of THAT the food and drinks are delicious. I've tried a little bit of everything on the menu and everything was so tasty. The space is beautiful especially at night. Honestly no notes for Mera, just go and eat here read more

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Ate here right after arriving to Baltimore from the west coast. Very kind and quick service. The restaurant is super cozy and the food is satisfying. My favorite was the plantain bowl with the habenaro sauce. So good! Thanks for a wonderful intro to Baltimore. read more

saw that this place had great reviews and couldn't help but to check it out! I dined in on a thurs night in a party of 4 and luckily was seated fairly quickly! there were many guests already inside so I was a bit worried there'd be a long wait. the place is v cute inside and has cozy/homey vibes. it does get v loud in there as everyone is seated in one smallish room, and my friends and I had to almost yell to talk to each other. as the night went on, more people left so it wasn't a huge issue. the staff was lovely and v personable! we asked for recs and had questions about certain dishes which they seemed happy to answer! the drinks were phenomenal! i ordered the jus de gingembre which I normally wouldn't go for but thought I should give it a try and LOVED it. I couldn't get enough and tried to savor every last drop! while my friends and I were skeptical about the menu at first since this place served Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, everything we ordered was amazing! we started off w falafels and mutubal (smoked eggplant dip), which were super tasty! the waitress even commented that the falafels were a good choice! 2 of us ordered quesadillas and the other 2 ordered burritos (from the weekly specials menu) and had no complaints! they were well packed w meat and had lots of flavor! overall, a 10/10 experience and I'm so glad I got to try this amazing gem of a place! read more

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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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