Restaurants in Columbia
Loading...
Best Restaurants
“Absolutely amazing. A true fine dining 5* experience from the service to the food. Will return again and again.”
“Great experience. The food was incredible. The atmosphere is amazing. The service is on-point. LEO was awesome and super helpful. We would recommend this restaurant to anyone! 10/10.”
“Bar none the best sushi in Howard county. We’ve been steadies there for 15 plus years. Only wish we’d discovered it sooner. Highly recommend!!!”
“All around GREAT experience. The owner did it up 360 degrees…100%!”
Restaurants by Cuisine
Restaurants with Delivery
“Royal Taj is our go-to restaurant for special occasions, like our 20th Wedding Anniversary last week. It never fails to deliver excellence. Because it was a very special dinner, we decided to try something different. So my wife ordered the Lobster Malabar and I ordered the Grilled Halibut. Both were very good, especially the Halibut which was covered in an outstanding Corn Relish. To top off the evening our excellent server, Joshi, brought us a slice of very tasty cheesecake with a lit candle on top. As usual we cannot rave loud and often enough about Royal Taj and it is all due to the GM Binda, who is very friendly, charismatic and truly sets the tone of excellence at Royal Taj.”
“Huge Thank You to Bon Fresco - WLMS PTSA ordered 100 lunches for our staff this past Friday. The owner bent over backwards to accommodate us, the lunches were ready on time and delicious. If you haven’t tried it, check it out - my favorite is the London Broil sandwich. Delicious. #shoplocalhoco”
“Definitely recommend having reservations on the weekend as it was quiet crowded. We parked in the deck for free and walked over. We arrived about 10 min early and checked in and the hostess commented she was getting ready to call us. That was weird when we were early. The tables are closely packed. You are definitely sitting shoulder to shoulder with the table next to you. If you can, try and get a booth for more space. The food was excellent. We all tasted and loved the Peking duck. The shrimp and scallop in garlic was great. Mongolian beef was tasty. The combination fried rice was good. All 4 of us enjoyed our visit. We would 100% go back, but probably try a weeknight when it was less crowded.”
“Definitely recommend having reservations on the weekend as it was quiet crowded. We parked in the deck for free and walked over. We arrived about 10 min early and checked in and the hostess commented she was getting ready to call us. That was weird when we were early. The tables are closely packed. You are definitely sitting shoulder to shoulder with the table next to you. If you can, try and get a booth for more space. The food was excellent. We all tasted and loved the Peking duck. The shrimp and scallop in garlic was great. Mongolian beef was tasty. The combination fried rice was good. All 4 of us enjoyed our visit. We would 100% go back, but probably try a weeknight when it was less crowded.”
“The food was absolutely delicious, with flavors that left us wanting more. The service was incredibly fast and efficient.”
“We had a great time at the Donna Summer show. The reason I gave a 4 for atmosphere was because we were so crowded due to the construction. I was bumped numerous times by people getting up and down for their food. However, the show was phenomenal! The food was good, but I wish it would have been hotter.”
Online Reservation Available
“We had a great time at the Donna Summer show. The reason I gave a 4 for atmosphere was because we were so crowded due to the construction. I was bumped numerous times by people getting up and down for their food. However, the show was phenomenal! The food was good, but I wish it would have been hotter.”
“We were on our way back to MA from a week in NC and googled Italian restaurants near us- being outside of Boston, Italian food is a staple for us. The food here was amazing- the service was outstanding and the “first time” dessert delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for great food and service for a very reasonable price!”
“Update 8/2026 - I cannot post enough positive accolades about this place and it's staff. Steve, Rob, Janine and their team go above and beyond to offer a simple delicious relaxed meal in a space that can feel intimate. The goal is not necessarily to knock your socks off, but to deliver consistently delicious food and superb wine at approachable prices without pretense.
Easily one of the best dining experiences in Howard County. The food is consistently delicious and creative. The service is spot on. And the wine is amazing in both selection and food pairings. Dress up or dress down, but don't miss dining at IBWC.”
“I don’t typically write reviews, good or bad, however our experience at Xenia on Oct 12th has changed my mind. We were in the area from Boston just for the night and learned of Xenia through our hotels concierge. It was amazing and probably one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food was outstanding and prepared beautifully. We had the Spanikopita, Greek salads, shrimp saganaki, and lamb riblets. All very tasty and expertly prepared. What really did it though was the on point service offered by Mary (Maris). Her efficiency, attention to details, thoughtful presentation of the menu, was a 15 out of 10! She is a super star! We were delightfully surprised by the restaurant’s generous hospitality when they sent us a dessert sampler compliments of the house because we were out of state first timers. I only wish weren’t 5+ hours away, as we would be fast regulars for sure!”
“7 different people and 7 different plates- all absolutely delicious 😉including 3 different desserts ❤️”
“Here's to the highest stars available (20), and then some. Today, I introduced my son to Mango Lassie, Chicken Tika Masala, Nan. He was hesitant to come at first and now he is so impressed with the food and service. Thanks so much. I hope your restaurant grows and grows.”
“We were on our way back to MA from a week in NC and googled Italian restaurants near us- being outside of Boston, Italian food is a staple for us. The food here was amazing- the service was outstanding and the “first time” dessert delicious! I highly recommend this restaurant if you’re looking for great food and service for a very reasonable price!”
Takeout Restaurants
“DMV Taqueria food truck is highly recommended! It’s smart to call in your order as they’ve grown in popularity as the word’s gotten out. My neighbor loves their chicken quesadillas. My favorite is the shrimp quesadillas, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the menu items. I understand the churros are a favorite too, though I’ve not personally tried them. The drive home is brutal. The food smells so amazing, I can’t park the car fast enough. 5⭐️”
“Here's to the highest stars available (20), and then some. Today, I introduced my son to Mango Lassie, Chicken Tika Masala, Nan. He was hesitant to come at first and now he is so impressed with the food and service. Thanks so much. I hope your restaurant grows and grows.”
“We recently celebrated my parents' 70th anniversary at Kings Contrivance Restaurant, and I can't express enough how wonderful the experience was. The entire evening was perfect, from the warm and inviting atmosphere to the impeccable service. Richard, in particular, was outstanding—he answered all of my questions and ensured that everything was just right for our family gathering. The food was outstanding—every dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, making our celebration even more special. My parents were thrilled to have the entire family together for this milestone event, and they couldn’t stop raving about how wonderful the restaurant was. If you're looking for a place to host a special occasion, I highly recommend Kings Contrivance Restaurant. It was the perfect setting for a memorable night that our family will cherish forever.”
“The fish was amazing and the jazz room is the perfect vibe for a first date or a cocktail with best friend! Absolutely loved it”
“everything was perfect. chicken and lamb tikka masala superb, naan bread great, and family service is incredible”
Drive-Thru Restaurants
“Absolutely true to its name. House of India is the place to be if you appreciate authentic Indian cuisine and excellent service. It’s not only having a dinner , it’s having a memorable experience. Loved everything about it. The food is exceptionally great, the service is outstanding. The owners under new management goes above and beyond to make every guests feel welcome. Highly recommend this place.”
“We came in on a whim & so glad we did. We were seated immediately & greeted warmly by an amazing waitress. Food was brought out quickly & was such a good serving size. Delicious eggs Benedict & the hollindaise was amazing! My fiancé had the biscuits & gravy & was so happy with his food. Excellent portions & such a wonderful place. Can’t wait to come back again!! Highly recommend!!”
“I’ve dined in this location many, many times, it’s one of our favorites. I’ve had many different servers. But tonight we came with a party of 8 for the first time as a big group for my daughter’s birthday & we were served by London. I could tell she was very busy but she stayed with smile and positive attitude the entire time & everything was perfect. I didn’t have a chance to tell her in person that she did fantastic so hopefully she will get to see this. I know the rest of my family has no sense of urgency when ordering food but she stayed patient & kind the entire time. Shout out to London & every other fantastic server we’ve had at this location.”
“Found this place and decided to try them out as an healthy option for my meal. Helped me find a healthy option. You can get your choice of smoothie with less sugary option and add boosters. They also have really good juice. Price was a bit much but definitely worth it. Better than eating greasy burgers and fries.”
“This used to be my favorite. I came in last Friday bought a 32 oz smoothie. I do love the smoothies and chocolate covered almonds. They no longer have styrofoam cups which is a great disappointment. B4 you even get 20 mins away anything is melted in those plastic cups. I even tried to refreeze it like I always do. But it was mostly sweet juice by the time I got home. Which means I wasted my money. I need a cup that works please smoothie king! I still recommend because this bothers me and may not bother others.”
“Our waitress, Francesca, was exceptional. She was incredibly funny, personable, friendly, attentive, and made the best drinks! She was also very knowledgeable about the menu. The sushi was fresh, and my food was absolutely delicious. I will be back. When you go ask for Francesca !”
“Update 8/2026 - I cannot post enough positive accolades about this place and it's staff. Steve, Rob, Janine and their team go above and beyond to offer a simple delicious relaxed meal in a space that can feel intimate. The goal is not necessarily to knock your socks off, but to deliver consistently delicious food and superb wine at approachable prices without pretense.
Easily one of the best dining experiences in Howard County. The food is consistently delicious and creative. The service is spot on. And the wine is amazing in both selection and food pairings. Dress up or dress down, but don't miss dining at IBWC.”
“I don’t typically write reviews, good or bad, however our experience at Xenia on Oct 12th has changed my mind. We were in the area from Boston just for the night and learned of Xenia through our hotels concierge. It was amazing and probably one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The food was outstanding and prepared beautifully. We had the Spanikopita, Greek salads, shrimp saganaki, and lamb riblets. All very tasty and expertly prepared. What really did it though was the on point service offered by Mary (Maris). Her efficiency, attention to details, thoughtful presentation of the menu, was a 15 out of 10! She is a super star! We were delightfully surprised by the restaurant’s generous hospitality when they sent us a dessert sampler compliments of the house because we were out of state first timers. I only wish weren’t 5+ hours away, as we would be fast regulars for sure!”
Cheap Eats
“Tried Upper Crust for the first time today. It’s now my new go to pizza place. We’ve lived in Elkridge on the east end of HoCo for 25 years and our local joints have just fallen off lately so i went in search of a new place to get good pizza. I love good pizza. This place has great crust, it’s crispy and chewy just like it’s supposed to be. The ratio of sauce and cheese and toppings was just right too. If you’re looking for good pizza in central or eastern HoCo this is the place. It’s right near Howard High. Thank you Upper Crust for being there for me and having great pizza.”
“I have been eating here since about 2006 at BWI Baltimore location. The food is still wonderful and the online ordering has been a game changer, thanks for the person who suggested that. I will be ordering more often with this feature. I love that they make all the food fresh and don't mind the wait. There wasn't many restaurants in the area especially back than, and found it on a fluke. Thanks for all you do for the community!”
“God, the fries were fantastic! But the serving size was so small. The burgers were small, but delicious… And I got a bacon cheeseburger for my non-vegetarian husband and he enjoyed it. I’d go back, but it’s pretty pricey. Updated from previous review on 2026-10-17”
“Absolutely fantastic steak and cheese sub with fries. Good price for value in these inflation times. Good ratio of bread to meat/fillings with delicious sauce. For me it's just right with not being too saucy and able to taste the meat which should be the main event.
Fries were crispy and good amount of salt.
Fantastic staff and friendly.
Clean tables and clean area. Coming here more often.”
“I come here very often I’m disabled I have IDD I also have physical disabilities and the lady here I don’t know her name and want to respect her privacy but she was angry at me when I explained multiple times to her my order she messed it up gave me the wrong breadsticks when I specifically asked for 2 orders of 5 cheesy breadsticks. She specially gave me a messed up order. I’m friends with the owner he’s very sweet and I also have multiple chronic illnesses and have been in a flareup recently. I want to ask the kind owner to please take action.
I called today and the manager gave me free cheesy breadsticks just like I wanted here is the photo. I confused him for the owner but I just wanted to thank Mr. Alex and change my review since I never leave bad reviews 😊. Thank you so much Mr. Alex! 🙏🏼 I also got a free Mountain Dew!”
“Before the Eckers Hollow Development was built, we used to frequent Pete’s old digs aka “Crazy Ape Snowballs”. I’m thrilled that in my 40s I can take my kids here and have the same experience. I hope this stays a perennial attraction in the best place in Columbia.”
“I had an awesome lunch there today 3/8. Loved everything. Thank you.”
“This is the first for bad cooked food at Famous Dave's and this is a Friday night. I do Uber Eats here a lot and the food has always been good. Maybe there a change in staff. Very disappointing to say the least.”
“I was looking for a great Cuban sandwich and ended up driving an hour to get here. Well worth the drive. The food and service were excellent! I'll be back.”
“if Mack takes care of you be grateful. He recommends excellent items. introduced me to a previously untried stout which matched perfectly with my sandwich.
Friendly and Proffesional service. I look forward to my next visit to the area.”
“We recently celebrated my parents' 70th anniversary at Kings Contrivance Restaurant, and I can't express enough how wonderful the experience was. The entire evening was perfect, from the warm and inviting atmosphere to the impeccable service. Richard, in particular, was outstanding—he answered all of my questions and ensured that everything was just right for our family gathering. The food was outstanding—every dish was prepared with care and attention to detail, making our celebration even more special. My parents were thrilled to have the entire family together for this milestone event, and they couldn’t stop raving about how wonderful the restaurant was. If you're looking for a place to host a special occasion, I highly recommend Kings Contrivance Restaurant. It was the perfect setting for a memorable night that our family will cherish forever.”
“Super-friendly guy behind the counter (the owner, maybe?) who asked questions about what I like and provided informed recommendations that were exactly right! Delicious teriyaki vegan “chicken”!”
Latest Reviews
“Every time I go to this Location my food is always hot in the manager name Latone is always friendly in always on her stuff it’s always clean in there in this location keep decorating every holiday I like to see the decorations make u feel at home 1255 keep up the go work”
“Royal Taj is our go-to restaurant for special occasions, like our 20th Wedding Anniversary last week. It never fails to deliver excellence. Because it was a very special dinner, we decided to try something different. So my wife ordered the Lobster Malabar and I ordered the Grilled Halibut. Both were very good, especially the Halibut which was covered in an outstanding Corn Relish. To top off the evening our excellent server, Joshi, brought us a slice of very tasty cheesecake with a lit candle on top. As usual we cannot rave loud and often enough about Royal Taj and it is all due to the GM Binda, who is very friendly, charismatic and truly sets the tone of excellence at Royal Taj.”
“I have a standing order with this restaurant for their Ribs. But I also like their Pizza and Subs. I always talk to John when placing my order. He is so professional, helpful and polite and kind. This is one of my favorite places to order food from. I give them 5 Stars!”
“Someone need to give that man Thaddeus a job and pay him what he deserves as kind a respectful as that young man is it a shame to see him being mistreated and underpaid if anyone is looking for a amazing worker who is always respectful go here and find Thaddeus and offer that man a better job”
“DMV Taqueria food truck is highly recommended! It’s smart to call in your order as they’ve grown in popularity as the word’s gotten out. My neighbor loves their chicken quesadillas. My favorite is the shrimp quesadillas, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of the menu items. I understand the churros are a favorite too, though I’ve not personally tried them. The drive home is brutal. The food smells so amazing, I can’t park the car fast enough. 5⭐️”
Most Popular Restaurants
“We enjoyed a lovely evening with friends at The Turn House! The food was delicious, and Sunny, our waiter, was high energy, knowledgeable and fun.
Due to food allergies, we had lots of questions. Sunny was great about providing answers and offering suggestions for modifying menu items to keep everyone safe and feeling well cared for.”
“Mofe was such a great server. We had a lot of asks and Mofe was a patient young man. We hadn’t been to the restaurant in well over a decade and the food was great. The 3 courses for $30 was clutch, so my guests got that. I ordered chicken and broccoli off the menu and it was delicious. We will be going back soon.”
“I took my dad tonight for Father’s Day and it was very busy. We were told an hour and half wait so we waited. From the crew at the reservation desk to the lady who took is us to our table and Evan our waiter everything was awesome. Even with being crazy busy service was great and food was great. I highly recommended Texas Roadhouse Columbia”
“Some of the most amazing and accommodating staff in the Columbia area. The staff here at Uncle Julio’s go above and beyond when it comes to your evening out and family’s needs. I personally highly recommend dining here. Beautiful and quiet patio area for you to sit. Indoor seating is just as authentic as well. All food is made from scratch, fresh daily. Table-side guacamole is an experience you must indulge in especially for you avocado lovers! Not to mention their chocolate piñata that is perfect for any occasions! So interactive and delicious. 10/10! Don’t just take my word for it but go try it out for yourself, you won’t be disappointed. Last but not least you can set up rewards with them and earn so many things through their points system! 😊”
“We came in on a whim & so glad we did. We were seated immediately & greeted warmly by an amazing waitress. Food was brought out quickly & was such a good serving size. Delicious eggs Benedict & the hollindaise was amazing! My fiancé had the biscuits & gravy & was so happy with his food. Excellent portions & such a wonderful place. Can’t wait to come back again!! Highly recommend!!”
“I had such an amazing experience at Olive Garden! From the moment I walked in, the service was excellent.
Naya was a wonderful hostess! She made sure I was seated promptly and accommodated my request for a booth. She was very professional, welcoming, and had the cutest hairstyle too!
Adam was my server, and he was absolutely great. He had such positive energy and was helpful, kind, and attentive throughout my entire meal. I ordered the Never-Ending Pasta Bowl, and when I say he kept it coming, he KEPT IT COMING! 😂 I never had to worry about anything and genuinely felt like I was in good hands. His customer service really helped make the experience as enjoyable as it was.
The food was spot on too! The breadsticks came out well seasoned, and the Pasta e Fagioli soup was so good. I also tried the new Spicy Fettuccine Alfredo, which was definitely interesting in a good way. It reminded me of spicy queso over noodles or almost like a creamy, spicy mac and cheese. Definitely a different spin on Alfredo and something worth trying!
Elmer was great as well! He had such good energy and was very helpful and kind whenever he assisted me.
And Lauren’s managerial skills were on point! You can tell when a restaurant has good leadership because it reflects in the atmosphere and the way the team interacts with guests.
Overall, this was an excellent experience from beginning to end. Naya, Adam, Elmer, and Lauren all deserve recognition for the great service they provided. I’ll definitely be back!”
“We received exceptional service! We were greeted and seated immediately upon arrival. Our server, Will, arrived at the table to introduce himself right after we sat down.
We were surprised how quickly the appetizer came out and almost as soon as we finished eating it, our food was being served. Will made sure our drinks were full and that the food was to our liking...it was. The manager stopped by to ask about our food and experience. The service here was top-notch! The food was delicious, too.
At a time when providing great customer service doesn't seem to be a priority, Red Robin in Columbia, MD has exceeded all expectations. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for a wonderful experience!”
New Restaurants
“We had the carne asada platter and everything was enjoyed, the rice and beans were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The tortillas were fresh and homemade and the steak was delicious. The carnitas tacos were missing a little salt but overall they were good. Finally the drinks were the perfect touch, the horchata and pineapple juice were sweet and refreshing”
“We have been searching for a restaurant that has great healthy options. So glad we decided to try this place! Ordered the Homemade delicious pizza crust no preservatives, with flour imported from Italy. Toped with smoked provolone cheese and meat balls made it outstanding. The side salad was tasty. Rachel our server could not have been more accommodating?and friendly, giving us fantastic service. She has a wonderful personality. It is always a pleasure to meet a Glenelg High graduate. We are looking forward to our next dinning experience at Pupatella. Hopefully the weather will stay nice so we can sit outside!”
“Royal Taj is our go-to restaurant for special occasions, like our 20th Wedding Anniversary last week. It never fails to deliver excellence. Because it was a very special dinner, we decided to try something different. So my wife ordered the Lobster Malabar and I ordered the Grilled Halibut. Both were very good, especially the Halibut which was covered in an outstanding Corn Relish. To top off the evening our excellent server, Joshi, brought us a slice of very tasty cheesecake with a lit candle on top. As usual we cannot rave loud and often enough about Royal Taj and it is all due to the GM Binda, who is very friendly, charismatic and truly sets the tone of excellence at Royal Taj.”