We asked, you answered.
In The Baltimore Sun’s Best: Readers’ Choice 2025 poll, our readers voted on what’s best in the region, from wedding venues and roofers to pediatricians and hair salons. This year’s winners highlight people and businesses recognized for outstanding service and customer satisfaction over the last year.
The poll includes more than 550 winners in nearly 200 categories in six areas — Arts & Entertainment, Home & Garden, Food & Drink, Lifestyles & Shopping, Personal Services and People & Media.
More than 47,000 ballots were cast, cultivating a list of your favorite museums, pizza joints, boutiques, TV anchors, radio hosts and so much more.
Best Bakery: Woodlea Bakery
4905 Belair Road, Baltimore. 410-488-7717. woodleabakery.com.
Eighty-three years ago, this shop sold its first doughnuts. The kitchen has been bustling ever since, baking buns, breads and birthday cakes from scratch for its devotees, some of whom have been coming almost from the start.
“Every year, we make a couple of birthday cakes for [centenarians],” said Charles Hergenroeder, whose family opened the bakery on this spot during World War II and has owned it for four generations (a second Woodlea opened in Bel Air in 2020). That the shop has indulged families for decades speaks to its constancy.
“People tell us, ‘I used to go to church down the road on Sundays and always came in here after for a doughnut,’ ” the owner said. “Or they’ll say, ‘We got every one of our kids’ birthday cakes here, and now we’re getting her wedding cake.’ It’s cool to have a following.”
What’s the draw? Strawberry shortcakes, chocolate honey-dipped doughnuts and tasty danish (apple, cheese and lemon). Customers swear by the peach cake; all fruit comes from local orchards. Some of the goodies don’t make it off the premises.
“I’ve seen guys eating cupcakes on their way out the door,” said Hergenroeder, 33.
Special orders test Woodlea’s mettle: Its staff of 38 has cranked out everything from two-foot sub rolls to a 10-tier wedding cake. Years ago, the director of a film being shot in Baltimore sought the bakery’s help: One scene called for an actor to eat a lump of coal, or facsimile thereof. Woodlea produced a yummy meringue cookie, colored black.
One perk of the job is dealing with an upbeat clientele, Hergenroeder said:
“The good thing about running a bakery is that people don’t come here because they need to. We’re not the dentist or the auto repair shop. People come because they’re happy and they want a treat. They’re in a good mood when they get here.”
And, presumably, when they leave.
Have a news tip? Contact Mike Klingaman at [email protected] and 410-332-6456.
Asian: Peter Chang Baltimore
Honorable mentions:
Spice and Dice
Azumi
Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro
Bakery: Woodlea Bakery
Honorable mentions:
Cake By Jason Hinsley
Towson Hot Bagel
Dangerously Delicious Pies
Barbecue: Andy Nelson’s
Honorable mentions:
Boog’s BBQ
Bar-B-Q Pit
KOHO
Bartender: Marty, Ryleigh’s Oyster
Honorable mentions:
Nikkea Turner, Rocksalt Grille
Carlos, Maximon
Rodney Henry, Dangerously Delicious HQ-Test Kitchen-BAR
Breakfast/brunch: Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Honorable mentions:
Blue Moon Cafe
Towson Hot Bagel (THB)
Easy Like Sunday
Brewery: Independent Brewing Co.
Honorable mentions:
Union Brewery
Heavy Seas
Peabody Heights
Burger: Kooper’s Tavern
Honorable mentions:
Abbey Burger
Clark Burger
Fuzzies Burgers
Caterer: Liberatore’s Bel Air
Honorable mentions:
Nick’s Fish House
Beefalo Bob’s
Michael’s Cafe, White Marsh
Chef: Tony Minadakis, Jimmy’s Famous Seafood
Honorable mentions:
Julian Marucci, Tagliata
Zuri Coles, Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Andy Thomas, Schola
Robert K. Hamilton / Baltimore Sun
Royal Farms was voted the best chicken box. (Staff file)
Chicken box: Royal Farms
Honorable mentions:
Park’s Fried Chicken
The Original Chicken Box
Chinese: Joey Chu
Honorable mentions:
Chopstix Gourmet
Red Pepper Sichuan Bistro
Luk Fu
Cocktails: Nick’s Fish House
Honorable mentions:
Bluebird Cocktail Room
WC Harlan
Thames Street Oyster House (tie)
The Elk Room (tie)
Coffee: Zeke’s Coffee
Honorable mentions:
Coffee Coffee
Cafe De Leon
Pitango
Crabcake: Pappas Restaurant & Sports Bar
Honorable mentions:
Koco’s Pub
G & M Restaurant
Box Hill Pizzeria and Crab Cakes
Deli: Attman’s Delicatessen
Honorable mentions:
Lenny’s Delicatessen
Ravage Deli
Harbor East Delicatessen & Pizzeria
Dessert: Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry
Honorable mentions:
Baltimore Bomb, Dangerously Delicious
Tagliata
Diner: Double T Diner
Honorable mentions:
Pete’s Grille
Citron
Nostalgia Diner
Ethiopian: Dukem Ethiopian Restaurant
Honorable mention:
Tabor Ethiopian Restaurant
Farmers’ market: Pennsylvania Dutch Market
Honorable mentions:
32nd Street Farmers Market
Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market
Farmers’ market stand: George’s Farm Market
Honorable mention:
Zook’s Family Pretzels
Food hall: R House
Honorable mentions:
Cross Street Market
Belvedere Square
Food truck: Mr. Souvlaki Food Truck
Honorable mentions:
Fuzzies Burgers
Kooper’s Chowhound
Top Nach
Gluten-free: Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Honorable mentions:
Sweet 27
Alexander’s
Happy hour: Claddagh Pub
Honorable mentions:
Birroteca
Tagliata
Michael’s Cafe, White Marsh
Ice cream: Taharka Brothers
Honorable mentions:
Prigel Family Creamery
Bmore Licks
Cold Stone Creamery
Indian: Harbor Tandoor
Honorable mentions:
Namaste
Mint Leaf
Italian: Liberatore’s Bel Air
Honorable mentions:
Amicci’s of Little Italy
Tagliata
Vinny’s Italian Cafe
Japanese: Azumi
Honorable mentions:
Sushi Hana
Arigato Hibachi
Umai Sushi House
Latin: Taco Love Grill
Honorable mentions:
El Gran Pollo
Maximón
JesseJay’s Latin Inspired Kitchen
Lunch: Frank’s Pizza & Pasta
Honorable mentions:
Kooper’s Tavern
Koco’s Pub
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Mediterranean: Cava
Honorable mentions:
Ouzo Bay
Yasou Greek Bistro
Estiatorio Plaka
Sun photo by Elizabeth Malby
Nick’s Fish House near the Hanover Street Bridge. (Staff file)
Outdoor dining: Nick’s Fish House
Honorable mentions:
The Oregon Grille
The Choptank
Miss Shirley’s Cafe
Pizza: Frank’s Pizza and Pasta
Honorable mentions:
Ledo Pizza
Underground Pizza Co.
Maria’s
Raw bar: Nick’s Fish House and Ryleigh’s Oyster (tie)
Honorable mentions:
Lib’s Grill Perry Hall
Thames Street Oyster House
Soul food: Granny’s
Honorable mention:
The Reserve Restaurant
Soup: Soup’s On
Honorable mention:
Monarque
Staff photo by Jen Rynda, Baltimore Sun Media Group
Crabs in the back of Conrad’s Seafood Restaurant in Perry Hall. (Staff file)
Steamed crabs: Conrad’s Seafood
Honorable mentions:
Nick’s Fish House
Ocean Pride
LP Steamers
Taco: Taco Love Grill
Honorable mentions:
La Tolteca
Clavel
Papi’s Tacos
Tea house: Emma’s Tea Spot
Honorable mentions:
Baltimore Tea and Coffee
Cuples Tea House
Vegan: Land of Kush
Honorable mention:
Hue Cafe & Apothecary
View: Nick’s Fish House
Honorable mentions:
Bygone
Barcocina
McFaul’s Ironhorse Tavern
Wedding cake: Sugar Bakers
Honorable mention:
Graul’s Market
Wine list: The Prime Rib
Honorable mention:
Tagliata
Wings: Kislings Tavern
Honorable mentions:
iBar
State Fare
The Local Fry
Honorable mentions
Caribbean: Chef Bobby D’s Restaurant
Distillery: Baltimore Spirits Co.
Korean: Motte Restaurant
Ramen: Toki Underground
Snowball: Icy Delights
Thai: Spice and Dice
Editor’s note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to nominate and vote online from April to May. The ballot and results are generated solely by readers’ votes. The Baltimore Sun does not take responsibility for the services offered or advertised by those listed.
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