Finely shaved ice soaked in flavoured syrup and often crowned with marshmallow, the egg-custard flavour being the Baltimore default. It is the city's summer treat, sold from corner stands.

The Baltimore snowball dates to the 19th century, when ice shaved from blocks was sold cheap to working families through the summer. Unlike a coarse snow cone, the ice is shaved fine enough to drink with a spoon, then drenched in syrup. Egg custard, a vanilla-yellow flavour, is the local signature, frequently topped with a layer of marshmallow. Seasonal stands, some over a century old, still run from spring through summer across the neighbourhoods.

1 editor pick for Snowball in Baltimore, ranked by editorial score. All Baltimore signature dishes · Snowball across every city.

Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide

Snowball makes more sense with someone from Baltimore explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.

Book food experiences in Baltimore

See all 55 bookable experiences in Baltimore