Most Marylanders Have Never Tried Lemon Stick, But These 6 Spots Serve It

Picture a lemon cut in half with a peppermint stick poked right into the middle, and you have one of Baltimore’s oddest and oldest spring treats. You suck the juice up through the candy like a straw, and the sweet and sour mix is hard to forget.

Plenty of people who grew up in Maryland have never heard of it, let alone tasted one. Here are six places where you can still find the lemon stick, or a clever twist on it.

1. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD

If the lemon stick has a home base, it is here. Spring’s Flower Mart has been held at Mount Vernon Place since 1911, and the festival is famous for this curious treat.

The setup is simple. A peppermint stick goes into a halved lemon, and the candy works like a sweet straw for the tart juice.

The four park squares surround Baltimore’s Washington Monument, which gives the festival a striking backdrop. Even outside of Flower Mart season, the squares make a good spot for a picnic, and both kids and dogs are welcome.

I would plan a visit around the Flower Mart if you want the lemon stick in its most traditional setting. The site lists hours of 10 AM to 5 PM Wednesday through Sunday, and Saturday afternoons tend to be the busiest time.

2. Hon Style Sweets, Pasadena, MD

Fudge fans in Anne Arundel County, meet your new favorite flavor. Hon Style Sweets in Pasadena turns the lemon stick into peppermint lemon stick fudge.

The shop describes itself as a place for chocolate and fudge with a Maryland flair, and the lineup backs that up. You will find a big range of interesting flavors next to all the classics, including a chocolate peanut butter swirl.

So many choices make it easy to grab a mix for different people at home. It is a takeout shop with no dine-in, so plan on a quick stop.

Hours are a little specific. The shop is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Thursday and Friday from 11 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, closed Sunday and Monday.

3. The Charmery Hampden, Baltimore, MD

Old Bay in ice cream? Hampden’s own Charmery has made a name on flavors like that, and lemon stick fits right into the lineup.

This quirky, family-owned shop on The Avenue rotates its locally made flavors often. Lemon Stick shows up alongside picks like Old Bay Caramel, Maryland Mud, and Malty Vanilla Chip.

The lemon stick scoop is known for tasting a lot like the real treat on a hot summer day. That makes it a fun way to try the Baltimore tradition without hunting down a festival.

The shop stays open late, until 11 PM most nights and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday evenings get crowded, so a weekday afternoon is the easier time to stop in.

4. The Charmery Towson, Baltimore, MD

North of the city line, York Road has its own scoop of Baltimore nostalgia. The Charmery’s Towson-area shop serves Lemon Stick ice cream, a nod to the peppermint stick pushed into half a lemon.

The mood here is laid-back, with indoor and outdoor seating. Along with ice cream, the menu includes sorbet and shakes.

Caramel Old Bay is another popular pick, and there is a rewards program for regulars. It is an easy place for families or groups who want to sit a while.

Hours run from noon to 10 PM Monday through Thursday and until 11 PM Friday through Sunday. Parking is paid street parking, so bring a way to pay the meter.

5. The Charmery Columbia, Columbia, MD

Howard County folks do not have to drive into Baltimore for a taste of lemon stick. The Charmery’s Columbia shop has featured a mint peppermint lemon flavor as one of its seasonal hits.

New flavors roll in every week, so it pays to check before you go. Old Bay caramel is a steady favorite here too.

The shop is small, and you order outside and pick up inside. There is a nice outdoor space, plus non-dairy options for anyone skipping milk.

Parking is simple, with free garage, lot, and street options nearby. Open until 11 PM most nights and midnight on weekends, it works well as a late dessert stop.

6. Loch Bar – Baltimore, Baltimore, MD

Here is the fanciest way to meet the lemon stick. Loch Bar, inside the Four Seasons in Harbor East, puts a Baltimore lemon stick on the menu among its local specialties.

The restaurant is an upscale seafood spot with water views and outdoor seating. Menu highlights include Oysters Rockefeller, the Maryland Crab Cake, Moules Frites, and a lobster roll.

Live music adds to the evening, and Sunday brunch is a draw as well. Expect to spend about $30 to $90 per person.

Reservations are recommended for dinner and brunch. Valet and garage parking are both available, which helps in a busy part of town.

From a festival treat to a waterfront dessert, the lemon stick proves Baltimore’s quirkiest flavor is still going strong. Save this list and share it with the friend who has never tried one.