The best restaurants in Howard County

Casual counter-serve chain for build-your-own sandwiches & salads, with health-conscious options.

Counter-serve Mexican eatery dishing up a variety of tacos in a casual, colorful space.

When you want more than basic rolls this week, Sushi Call Japanese Restaurant covers the bases with crisp tempura, comforting ramen, sizzling hibachi, and plenty of classic sushi and sashimi. Fresh ingredients, minimalist vibes, and a big menu mean everyone at the table actually gets what they want.

From the Columbia newsletter, August 3, 2026

Ananda is serving elevated Indian cuisine with a hyper-local twist, thanks to a farm just footsteps from the restaurant. Seasonal plates powered by free-range, organic eggs and produce, plus a clever loop where leftovers feed the flock, make this the week to taste the difference.

From the Bowie newsletter, August 5, 2026

The Iron Bridge Wine Company keeps things cozy with a constantly rotating, handpicked lineup of small production wines from around the world, a modest 300-bottle stash to explore, and a seasonal Modern American menu that plays perfectly with it. Ideal for date night, friend catch-ups, or solo victory laps.

From the Columbia newsletter, August 7, 2026

Casual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.

Upmarket American cuisine served in a stylish bistro & a sophisticated lounge that share an address.

Cafe chain for health-minded breakfast, brunch & lunch options such as omelets, salads & soups.

Laid-back venue fixing up meat dishes, seafood, burgers & desserts, plus cocktails & weekend brunch.

Lively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.

Outlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.

Green, white & red fills the casual dining room at this Italian option for pizza & pasta dishes.

Dimly lit nook featuring Turkish food & weekend belly dancers.

Relaxed restaurant in the Clarksville Commons Shopping Center showcasing Chesapeake Bay cuisine.

Burger and hot-wing joint dishing up classic meals including cheesesteaks, steakburgers and fries.

Lively neighborhood haunt serving as a bookstore, coffee shop & restaurant focused on global fare.

Serving classic family recipes & an extensive wine list in casual strip-mall digs with bar & patio.

Casual, family-friendly operation with a patio serving breakfast, burgers, and other comfort food.

A menu of elevated Indian dishes served in a polished restaurant that has a bar.

New American eatery & beer garden offering many craft brews on tap, plus locally sourced pub grub.

Informal venue for pizza, subs, Italian dishes, sandwiches and pasta made with fresh ingredients.

New York-style pies & slices, plus Italian mains doled out in this colorful & roomy pizzeria.

Casual, family-friendly operation for hibachi grill dishes & sushi, plus beer, sake & cocktails.

The plant-based fare at this bright organic outpost includes wheat-, soy- & nut-free options.

NYC-style pizza, subs & other Italian-American staples are offered at this counter-service chain.

Modern bistro inside the Columbia Mall showcasing meticulously prepared sushi, plus a bar.

Craving that crackly baguette magic? Anh-mazing Banh Mi stacks classic Vietnamese sandwiches with pickled zing and herbs, plus legit rice noodle bowls and comforting soups, then fuels it all with Vietnamese coffee. Put it in your weekday rotation this week.

From the Columbia newsletter, August 22, 2026

Relaxed spot for build-your-own tacos and margaritas, plus a bar with creative cocktails.

Straightforward fixture for ramen with housemade noodles, plus sake, green teas and desserts.

Sleek eatery & lounge offering an eclectic menu of international small plates, wines & cocktails.

Polished restaurant with a terrace serving pasta, meat dishes & seafood, plus cocktails & wine.

Stylish, eco-minded chain serving beef burgers, plus hot dogs, craft beer & wine.

Mexican-Latin food truck known for birria tacos, loaded fries and chicken quesadillas, plus friendly staff.

Many varieties of pizzas, subs & wings are on offer at this casual, counter-service operation.

Casual option for large bowls of pho, with a lengthy menu of other Vietnamese dishes & a full bar.

Eatery & bar serving American fare & British pub grub & beers, with DJs & live music on weekends.

Family-friendly chain outpost pairs familiar pub fare with an extensive list of house brews.

Local watering hole with a long bar & dining area serving up microbrews & hearty American eats.

Strip-mall stop for Vietnamese pho & Korean fusion fare plus beer & wine in simple surroundings.

Informal pizzeria with boat-shaped pies, buffalo wings and other classics, plus vegan options and craft beers.

GrillMarx Columbia Steakhouse & Raw Bar nails the weeknight treat with hickory grilled, hand-cut steaks, a legit raw bar with daily Bluepoints and featured selections, plus crafted cocktails. Weekend brunch brings live music and a menu that makes you linger... your Columbia reset button.

From the Columbia newsletter, August 18, 2026

Located in the Atholton Shopping Center, this casual eatery serves pizza, subs, and breakfast.

This sprawling watering hole offers dozens of craft brews on tap & a wide-ranging American menu.

Stylish chain serving a lengthy egg-focused breakfast menu, plus American lunch & dinner fare.

Inventive rolls are the specialty of this Japanese kitchen with sashimi, cooked fare, beer & sake.

Mexican comfort food, traditional dishes & signature margaritas in a relaxed strip-mall cantina.

Easygoing operation specializing in personal gourmet pizzas & house-brewed ales.

Smashing Grapes Columbia leans into global flavors with a pairing-first menu and an extensive wine list curated to play nice with every bite. Sunday Brunch, live music, and a wine club keep things fun, so make it your next easy win for date night or catching up with friends.

From the Columbia newsletter, August 11, 2026

Modern, roomy restaurant with fireplaces serving innovative seasonal fare, plus golf course views.

Casual chain featuring egg dishes & other breakfast items, plus brunch sandwiches.

If you want a spot that treats Baltimore like family, The Elkridge Furnace Inn serves thoughtful New American in a restored 18th-century manor, drawing from its organic gardens, foraged finds, and even an on-site mushroom house... plus housemade sausages and charcuterie worth lingering over.

From the Baltimore newsletter, September 4, 2026

Relaxed, family-oriented, pizza joint serving up pies, wings and sandwiches, plus Indian dishes.

A variety of hot bowls of noodles and soup bases served in a restaurant equipped with clean seating for groups.

Chain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.

Casually stylish restaurant with a patio featuring contemporary fare along with live jazz.

Popular & unpretentious Japanese restaurant featuring sushi shuttled by servers in traditional garb.

Casual Mexican restaurant specializing in fajitas, tacos and steaks and served by friendly staff.

Popular neighborhood eatery for breakfast, lunch, and brunch dishes including waffles, eggs, pancakes and mimosas.

Semi-upscale chain for classic Italian fare served family-style in a relaxed, polished space.

Long-standing chain serving a wide variety of pancakes & other American breakfast & diner fare.

Casual spot for fried chicken sandwiches, tenders and burgers at varying spice levels.

Casual eatery featuring traditional Thai dishes as well as beer and wine.

Chain for gourmet burgers & other American comfort fare.

Local favorite since 1955 for pies with a unique flaky, rectangular crust & Italian standards.

Relaxed eatery whipping up a prix fixe menu of steak and fries plus a brunch menu.

Comfortable restaurant serving Mexican food such as street tacos and ceviche, plus margaritas.

Chef-crafted classic American burgers in a Whole Foods Market outpost with vegan and vegetarian options.

Casual pizzeria serving standard & deep-dish pies, plus pastas, subs & burgers in a simple setting.

Rustic, throwback watering hole featuring a full bar & American dishes, plus occasional live music.