Konoko Jamaican Restaurant

Category: Best All-Around Restaurant | Location: 8153 Honeygo Blvd., Suite A, Nottingham, MD 21236 | Link: www.expkonoko.com

Konoko brings the color, rhythm, and soul of Jamaica to Maryland with bold Caribbean flavor and a polished dining experience. From island-inspired plates to an atmosphere full of warmth and hospitality, this is a destination for anyone craving food with culture, spice, and celebration.

Print note: Verify final hours and preferred website before print.

The Avenue Bakery

Category: Best Bakery | Location: 2229 Pennsylvania Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 | Link: www.theavenuebakery.com

The Avenue Bakery is more than a bakery; it is a sweet stop on historic Pennsylvania Avenue where food, memory, and Black Baltimore history meet. Come for the famous Poppay’s Rolls, cakes, pies, and pastries, and stay for a place that tells the story of The Avenue with every visit.

Mama Koko’s

Category: Best Brunch Spot | Location: 100 E. 23rd St., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: www.mamakokos.com

Mama Koko’s moves beautifully from coffee cafe by day to intimate cocktail lounge by night, offering a community-driven space with art, music, flavor, and family energy. It is the kind of place where brunch becomes a vibe, conversation lingers, and every guest feels like part of the gathering.

Chef Mo

Category: Best Catering | Location: Confirm before print - catering/mobile service | Link: Confirm before print

Chef Mo should be positioned as a culinary experience built for gatherings, celebrations, and memorable moments around the table. Because multiple “Chef Mo” businesses appear in public search results, the Times should confirm the exact business identity, preferred web link, and service location before publication.

Print note: High priority: exact legal/business name, website/social link, and service area.

Our Time Kitchen

Category: Best Commissary Kitchen | Location: 117 W. 24th St., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: www.ourtimekitchen.com

Our Time Kitchen is where good food and community power come together, giving emerging food entrepreneurs the space, support, and tools to grow. With pop-ups, classes, member businesses, and a mission rooted in access, this kitchen is helping shape the next generation of Baltimore food culture.

Chef Bobby D’s Restaurant & Catering

Category: Best Cultural Cuisine | Location: 4032 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211 | Link: chefbobbyd.com

Chef Bobby D’s delivers the comfort, spice, and personality of cultural cuisine with a menu built for both everyday dining and catered celebrations. Whether guests are stopping in for a meal or planning an event, this Falls Road favorite brings flavor with heart.

Sistahs’ Sweets

Category: Best Dessert | Location: 2507 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: www.sistahsweets.com

Sistahs’ Sweets is a dessert lover’s stop for cupcakes, sweet treats, and baked goods that feel joyful from the first bite. It is the kind of neighborhood bakery that turns a simple craving into a reason to celebrate.

Taharka Brothers Ice Cream - R. House

Category: Best Frozen Dessert | Location: 301 W. 29th St., Baltimore, MD 21211 | Link: taharkabrothers.com

Taharka Brothers has become one of Baltimore’s signature ice cream names, known for creative small-batch flavors and homegrown pride. A scoop here is both a sweet treat and a taste of a brand deeply rooted in Baltimore flavor, community, and imagination.

The Urban Oyster

Category: Best Seafood Restaurant | Location: 914 W. 36th St., Baltimore, MD 21211 | Link: www.theurbanoyster.com

The Urban Oyster brings seafood, style, and history together as a pioneering Black woman-owned oyster bar with a fresh, vibrant dining experience. From chargrilled oysters to creative seafood plates, this is a must-visit for anyone ready to taste Baltimore’s coastal culture through a bold new lens.

Cuples Tea House

Category: Best Tea or Coffee Spot | Location: 301 Light St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | Link: cuplesteahouse.com

Cuples Tea House invites guests to slow down, sip intentionally, and experience premium loose-leaf tea in a warm, culture-centered setting. Founded by a husband-and-wife team, Cuples turns tea into wellness, connection, and a fresh alternative to the ordinary beverage stop.

Print note: Confirm if 409 N. Howard St. should also be referenced.

BLK Swan

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 1302 Fleet St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | Link: www.eatatblkswan.com

BLK Swan brings an upscale, high-energy dining experience to Harbor East with New American cuisine, signature cocktails, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. For readers looking for dinner with style, music, and celebration, this is one of Baltimore’s modern Black dining destinations.

Yeiboh Kitchen

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 2219 Maryland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: www.yeibohkitchen.com

Yeiboh Kitchen blends Southern influence, American comfort, Caribbean flavor, and Asian fusion into a fresh Baltimore dining experience. Its intimate setting and creative plates make it a perfect stop for adventurous eaters who want food that feels both familiar and exciting.

Print note: Confirm spelling preference: Yeiboh Kitchen vs. Yebo Kitchen if brand styling differs.

Capital Lounge & Restaurant

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 1531 Pennsylvania Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 | Link: www.capitalloungebaltimore.com

Capital Lounge & Restaurant sits in the heart of Baltimore’s historic Black arts and entertainment district on Pennsylvania Avenue, offering a lounge, restaurant, kitchen, and neighborhood gathering space. With music, food, drinks, and deep Avenue roots, it gives AFRAM readers another reason to visit and support one of Baltimore’s most important cultural corridors.

Print note: Added as the separate Pennsylvania Avenue establishment the team identified as Avenue Lounge.

Taste This

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 102 E. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: www.tastethisbaltimore.com

Taste This serves Baltimore soul food with the comfort, portions, and flavor that make people come back hungry and leave satisfied. From carryout to dine-in to catering, this Black-owned favorite is built for anyone craving Southern cooking with local love.

The Chill Spot @ Notre Maison

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 36 W. 25th St., Baltimore, MD 21218 | Link: No official website confirmed

The Chill Spot @ Notre Maison offers a joyful pause in the city with Italian ice, shaved ice, herbal teas, handcrafted sodas, hot drinks, and community-centered energy. It is a welcoming place to cool down, connect, and enjoy a sweet Baltimore neighborhood experience.

Print note: Confirm preferred website or social media link before print.

Creole Soul Kitchen & Bar

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 514 S. Broadway, Baltimore, MD 21231 | Link: creolesoulrestaurant.com

Creole Soul brings New Orleans flavor and Southern hospitality to Baltimore with gumbo, catfish, seafood, beignets, and bold Creole-inspired plates. For readers looking for spice, soul, and a table full of comfort, this is a flavorful stop to add to the route.

Print note: Public listings also show prior/alternate R. House association; confirm current address.

Colin’s Seafood & Grill

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 1728 E. Northern Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21239 | Link: colinsseafoodandgrill.com

Colin’s Seafood & Grill gives Baltimore seafood lovers a flavorful place to gather over crab cakes, seafood platters, shrimp, fish, and comfort-food favorites. With Cajun, seafood, and steakhouse influences, it is a strong stop for readers looking for a relaxed Black-owned dining experience with plenty of local flavor.

Print note: User supplied “Collins Seafood”; confirm print styling as Colin’s Seafood & Grill.

Arts & Culture Editorial Entries

The Black Genius Art Show

Category: Best Art Gallery | Location: 106 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Link: theblackgeniusartshow.com

The Black Genius Art Show is a downtown creative space where art, fashion, culture, and Black imagination take center stage. It is a gallery experience with attitude and energy, inviting visitors to see, wear, and celebrate genius in real time.

Albert Phillips Jr.

Category: Best Author | Location: Baltimore-based; no public storefront found | Link: www.albertphillipsjr.com

Albert Phillips Jr. writes with a Baltimore-rooted voice that explores Black life, memory, identity, and place with depth and honesty. Readers looking for storytelling that feels local, layered, and alive should follow his work and discover a writer carrying Baltimore stories forward.

Dynamic Force Dance Company

Category: Best Dance Group/Ensemble | Location: 3618 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21211 | Link: No official website confirmed

Dynamic Force Dance Company gives movement, discipline, and expression a powerful stage for dancers of different ages and skill levels. This ensemble represents the kind of creative energy that keeps Baltimore’s performance culture moving with pride and purpose.

Print note: Confirm active address and preferred web/social link before print.

Chardee Scott / Pinch Design Co.

Category: Best Graphic Designer | Location: Online/service-based; no public storefront found | Link: www.pinchdesignco.com

Chardee Scott, owner of Pinch Design Co., brings bold visual storytelling to brands, authors, artists, and entrepreneurs who want to be seen with clarity and style. Her design work is a reminder that a strong brand is not just a logo; it is a first impression that speaks before you do.

National Great Blacks In Wax Museum

Category: Best Museum | Location: 1601-03 E. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21213 | Link: www.greatblacksinwax.org

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum is one of Baltimore’s essential cultural landmarks, using life-sized figures and powerful exhibits to tell the global Black experience. It is a must-visit destination for families, students, history lovers, and anyone seeking truth, memory, and inspiration.

Kaptured by Kasper

Category: Best Photographer | Location: Service-area business; Baltimore/DC area | Link: kapturedbykasper.com

Kaptured by Kasper specializes in preserving weddings, events, portraits, and personal milestones with emotion and polish. For moments that deserve to be remembered beautifully, this photography brand turns memories into lasting visual keepsakes.

Print note: No storefront confirmed; publish as service-area/online brand unless owner requests otherwise.

Arena Players Incorporated

Category: Best Theatre Company | Location: 801 McCulloh St., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Link: www.arenaplayersinc.com

Arena Players is a Baltimore treasure and one of the nation’s historic anchors of Black community theater. Since 1953, its stage has carried stories, performances, and cultural legacy that continue to make live theater feel urgent, intimate, and necessary.

Larry “Poncho” Brown / The Art of Poncho

Category: Best Visual Artist | Location: 1100 Wicomico St., Studio 316, Baltimore, MD 21230 | Link: www.larryponchobrown.net

Larry “Poncho” Brown’s art is instantly recognizable for its rhythm, color, spirituality, and celebration of Black life. Collectors and culture lovers can explore a body of work that has helped define contemporary African American visual expression for decades.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | Link: www.rflewismuseum.org

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum is one of Maryland’s premier institutions for African American art, history, culture, and public memory. Located near the Inner Harbor, it gives visitors a powerful way to experience 400 years of Black Maryland stories, achievement, struggle, and triumph.

Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 1829 Pennsylvania Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 | Link: www.pa-mainstreet.com

Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street is helping renew one of Baltimore’s most important Black cultural corridors through business support, preservation, events, and neighborhood revitalization. For AFRAM readers, Pennsylvania Avenue is not just a destination; it is a living legacy of music, commerce, civil rights, and Black Baltimore excellence.

Print note: Confirm preferred office address; some public directories list 1700 Pennsylvania Ave., Unit 400.

Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center

Category: Featured Addition | Location: 847 N. Howard St., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Link: www.eubieblake.org

The Eubie Blake Center celebrates Baltimore’s deep Black arts legacy through jazz, visual art, performance, cultural education, and community programming. Named for one of Baltimore’s great musical giants, it is a must-visit cultural anchor for anyone who wants to feel the rhythm of the city’s creative history.

Shopping Editorial Entries

Burnt Leaf Cigar Shop / Burnt Leaf Cigars

Category: Best Cigar Shop | Location: 9900 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133 | Link: www.burnt-leaf-cigars.com

Burnt Leaf Cigar Lounge offers a polished cigar experience built around relaxation, conversation, and community. Whether guests are seasoned cigar lovers or just curious, this Randallstown destination provides a welcoming place to unwind in style.

DIFFERENTREGARD

Category: Best Men’s Clothing | Location: 825 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Link: differentregard.com

DIFFERENTREGARD is a fashion destination for people who appreciate custom clothing, tailoring, suiting, ready-to-wear style, and sustainable design. With a Mount Vernon storefront and a sharp design point of view, this brand helps Baltimore dress with confidence and individuality.

From Baltimore With Love

Category: Best Online Retail Site | Location: Online retailer; public listings vary | Link: frombaltimorewithlove.com

From Baltimore With Love turns hometown pride into wearable culture, offering apparel and products that celebrate the spirit of the city. It is a perfect stop for Baltimoreans, former Baltimoreans, and visitors who want to carry Charm City with them.

Print note: Confirm whether to list a physical address or publish as online-only.

Everyone’s Place African Cultural Center

Category: Best Place to Buy a Unique Gift | Location: 1356 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 | Link: No official website confirmed

Everyone’s Place is a Baltimore institution for African-centered books, gifts, cultural resources, and meaningful finds that speak to heritage and identity. For readers and shoppers seeking something with purpose, history, and soul, this West North Avenue destination belongs on the list.

Print note: Confirm preferred website or social media link before print.

BLK ASS FLEA MKT

Category: Best Pop-Up Market | Location: Pop-up/event-based; no permanent storefront found | Link: blkassfleamkt.com

BLK ASS FLEA MKT is a marketplace movement built around Black creativity, entrepreneurship, joy, music, culture, and community connection. Readers should follow the schedule, show up ready to shop, and help keep the coin circulating among Black-owned businesses.

Yele Stitches / Yelé

Category: Best Women’s Fashion Designer | Location: 120 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21201 | Link: yelestitches.com

Yele Stitches blends African heritage, hand-drawn prints, luxury fashion, hairwear, accessories, and lifestyle design into a Baltimore-born Afro-luxury brand. For shoppers who want wearable art with culture, elegance, and intention, Yele offers fashion that feels both ancestral and modern.