It seems like it took just a Main Street minute to find two new downtown venues to get a snack, grab a drink or go relax.  Both are hip, fun and, of course, delicious in food and surroundings.

Cup Tea Bar and Café is a darling new restaurant, conveniently located at 7 East Main Street. It is owned and managed by Lora Andrews, who learned the great art of tea making from her mother, Gypsy (Jo) Fleck of Gypsy’s Tea Room. 

Cup’s atmosphere is quaint and the tea is absolutely delicious. Orange oolong is the tea bar’s best seller, and arrives in an individual teapot with a satisfying flavor that is both tangy and soothing.  The café has both bar seating and tables for cozy conversation over light fare such as sandwiches and salads.

You can even hear local musicians play live every Saturday from 11:30am to 1:30pm. “Musicians are providing live music of all genres in an ‘unplugged’ format,” says Andrew. The café’s winter hours are 9am to 5pm weekdays, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays. For more information, visit www.cupteabar.com.

Just down the road, J Café opened in the fall at the corner of Center and Main Streets in the former Fat Cat and Rooney’s location. Julie Goge is the café’s fashionable owner, and she had me at “hello” when I spotted the bakery case filled with scrumptious cupcakes. And, unfortunately for waistlines everywhere in town, they taste as delicious as they look. 

Of course, you should eat them after a meal so don’t forget to partake of Julie’s wonderful salads, soups and sandwiches that are made fresh daily. J's changes its menu seasonally – for example, the delectably rich pumpkin soup was phased out to make room for a savory winter salad that deliciously includes turkey, candied pecans, feta cheese and craisins.

J’s Café is becoming known in town for those cupcakes, with the red wine cupcake version especially intriguing. “They are made with either merlot or pinot noir actually in the batter,” says Goge.

Take your meal of breakfast or lunch in either of the Café’s beautifully appointed apple green dining rooms. Sink into a banquette lined with comfy pillows or host a meeting at the table near the fireplace. J’s is open daily from 8am – 2:30 weekdays and 8am – 2pm on weekends.  For more information, call 443-821-3295.

So take a break and grab a cup – either filled with tea or cake, it’s not to be missed! Got any other downtown dish to share? Comment below, email me at mkw1498@aol.com or post on the Downtown Westminster facebook page. See you around downtown!