Survivability Rankings for Cafe in Baltimore
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Baltimore to open a Cafe, from Curtis Bay (81% survival) to Broadway East (76%).
By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: September 2026 | Methodology
Quick Summary
- Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
- #1 Neighborhood: Curtis Bay: 81% average survivability for Cafe
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 60 of 60 analyzed
- City-wide average: 78% for Cafes
- Most challenging area: Broadway East at 76%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~8.2% more expected revenue in Curtis Bay
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Cafe Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Cafe Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Cafe a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
Opening a Cafe in Baltimore? Our 2026 analysis identifies Curtis Bay as the top location with 81% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 84% and the most challenging locations in Curtis Bay at 77%. The worst neighborhoods include Broadway East with 76% average chance. Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Baltimore to Open a Cafe?
Curtis Bay ranks #1 of 60 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Baltimore for Cafe survivability, with a 81% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
| Rank | Neighborhood | At a good address | Average Locations | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Curtis Bay | 83.1% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 82.0% to 84.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% |
| 2 | Cheswolde | 82.7% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 82.0% to 84.0% | 74.0% to 75.0% |
| 3 | North Roland Park Poplar Hill | 82.2% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 4 | Franklintown | 82.2% | 78.0% to 80.0% | 83.0% to 84.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 5 | North Harford Road | 81.8% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 79.0% to 81.0% |
| 6 | Westfield | 81.8% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 78.0% to 80.0% |
| 7 | Mount Washington | 81.8% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 82.0% to 84.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 8 | Brooklyn | 81.8% | 78.0% to 81.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 9 | Canton | 81.8% | 78.0% to 80.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 77.0% to 79.0% |
| 10 | Frankford | 81.8% | 78.0% to 80.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 73.0% to 75.0% |
StreetSpring's Survivability Scores are updated regularly, so the most accurate prediction for your exact storefront is always available in the live tool. The live platform incorporates the most recent competitor, vacancy, and spending data for your exact address.
Survivability ranges reflect best and worst storefront conditions within each neighborhood. See our full methodology →
Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.
Where in or Around Baltimore Would a Cafe Make the Most Money?
In Curtis Bay, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~8.2% more than the average location in or around Baltimore.
On the other hand, in Broadway East, the worst possible location could result in making ~3.6% less than the average location in the city.
Your choice of location is one of the few business decisions you can test against data before you commit. Opening a Cafe in Baltimore requires careful location choice. Across 60 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Cafe is 78% for lasting more than 2 years, due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. Our models show that the optimal location profile varies dramatically from one business category to the next.
What Should I Consider When Opening a Cafe in or Around Baltimore?
When selecting a location for a Cafe in or around Baltimore, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. Among all factors in our model, Revenue Capture Score carries the most weight in determining long-term survivability. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. We apply advanced machine learning to massive commercial real estate datasets to build accurate models. Neighborhoods with a mix of similar businesses frequently outperform isolated locations. Our prediction system is built from scratch using proprietary data pipelines and validated against actual business lifecycles. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.
This can be summarized as:
Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business
Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.
Where in or Around Baltimore Should I Start a Cafe?
For this business type, the highest-ranked neighborhoods are Curtis Bay, Cheswolde, and North Roland Park Poplar Hill, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Broadway East, Coldspring, and Woodberry. Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median. StreetSpring refreshes survivability data continuously: check the tool for the most current score at any address.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Baltimore
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Baltimore
- National City Survivability: Cafe
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Cafe
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Baltimore to Open a Cafe?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Cafe in Baltimore is Curtis Bay with 81% average survivability, followed by Cheswolde and North Roland Park Poplar Hill. 60 of 60 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
New competitor openings and closures happen weekly: the live tool ensures you see the latest picture.
Can a Cafe Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Baltimore?
Yes, neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. Neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation: always check your specific address. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Cafe Rankings in Baltimore Updated?
StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Baltimore.
Is a Cafe a Good Tenant for Baltimore Landlords?
In Curtis Bay, StreetSpring forecasts a 80.0% to 82.0% average chance for a new Cafe to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Cafe in Baltimore
For landlords evaluating tenant applications, StreetSpring's data provides a clear comparison across the top neighborhoods. In Curtis Bay, a Cafe has a 80.0% to 82.0% average chance of surviving more than 2 years. In Cheswolde, the range shifts to 79.0% to 81.0%, and in North Roland Park Poplar Hill, it is 79.0% to 81.0%. Our tool shows the survivability outlook for any business type at your exact address, updated weekly.
StreetSpring provides highly detailed forecasts: revealing how long hundreds of business types are likely to last at a specific address.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Baltimore for My Business Overall?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Baltimore to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Baltimore.
Related Resources
- Business Survivability Rankings: Baltimore: See how Cafe compares to all other business types in Baltimore
- Best Cities to Open a Cafe in the US: National city-level survivability rankings for Cafe
- Business Survivability in Curtis Bay, Baltimore: All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Cheswolde, Baltimore: All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in North Roland Park Poplar Hill, Baltimore: All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Baltimore are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Baltimore
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.