Visit MICA

Baltimore on a Budget: Food & Drink

Food and drinks roughly under $20/person

iBar (Old Goucher/Station North)
Named as some of the city’s best wings, come check out iBar, which claims to be home to Baltimore’s only Authentic Buffalo Wings made from the original recipe from the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY. And on top of that, the restaurant cultivated its own classic recipe, along with a devout fan following, called Chef Style Buffalo Wings.

Dooby’s (Mount Vernon)
Check out this Korean-inspired cafe in Mount Vernon—walkable from campus—that covers food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu items include more basic items like avocado toast or mac and cheese, to more exciting items like a Korean barbecue cheesesteak, multiple different ramen options, fried kimchi pork dumplings and more. Don’t forget to grab a sweet treat, like a scone, cookie or cake!

On the Hill (Bolton Hill)
Just around the corner from MICA’s campus, and featuring a newly-redesigned menu, On the Hill covers all of your Latin American food desires. Choose from options like tacos, burritos, arepas, bowls and more. Still looking for some of the old On the Hill favorites? They’re still offering coffee, tea, kombucha and more.

Never on Sunday (Mount Vernon)
Looking for a late night place to grab a slice of pizza, a gyro or some delicious sweet treat from a dessert case? Check out Never on Sunday, found in Mount Vernon, a neighborhood staple that’s open every day but Sunday, and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Zissimos (Hampden)
If you get the chance to explore Hampden’s main drag, known as the Avenue, stop into Zissimos Bar, which was established in 1930 and has been a neighborhood hangout ever since.

Mt Royal Tavern (Bolton Hill)
Another neighborhood bar staple tucked in between a handful of MICA buildings, Mt Royal Tavern is a beloved hangout for locals, students and everyone in between. The cash-only establishment, once named one of America's best bars by Esquire magazine, includes not only cheap drinks and a casual, fun atmosphere, but also a replica Sistine Chapel painting on the ceiling (which was painted by a MICA alum).

Joe Squared (Station North)
Joe Squared is a worker owned, Baltimore-bred restaurant and bar that features not only well-regarded coal-fired sourdough square crust pizza that’s been highlighted multiple times, including on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, but also space for community, art and musical performances. 

Local Ice Cream and Snowballs
Looking for a homemade sweet treat local to Baltimore? Check out one of our local ice cream shops, or grab a Baltimore-invented Snowball, but don’t forget to get marshmallow on top!

Pillion Tea (Mount Vernon/Midtown Belvedere)
Looking for a small, local shop perfect for grabbing a cup of tea, buying some loose leaf for later or picking a locally-made pastry? Check out Pillion Tea, which is just a short walk from MICA’s campus, and offers more than 60 types of teas, plus partners with local bakeries to bring in fun—and often vegan—treats.