Nomsters, I’ve decided to post location-focused roundups so I hope you guys find this helpful. To kick things off, here are 10 must try restaurants in Columbia, Maryland. It’s hard to limit myself to just 10, but I think it’s a good starting point. Now, like all my lists, this is UNRANKED – I’m just featuring some of my favorite places to go. SO, let’s get to it!
1. Dok Khao
Dok Khao’s arguably the best Thai spot in Columbia IMHO! They’re known for their fantastic food and gorgeous interior. As for eats, I highly recommend getting their curry puffs, drunken noodles, and spicy eggplant. Also, their cocktail presentation’s super instagram-worthy so consider treating yourself to a drink or two!
I also put together a full review of Dok Khao with everything I ordered, including the khao soi: Dok Khao Thai Columbia: A Merriweather Favorite.
2. Bon Fresco
I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love Bon Fresco. This shop’s easily in my top 3 for best sandwiches in the *entire* DMV area. Located in an unassuming shop in a strip mall, their London Broil will straight up blow you away. Their picante chicken’s a close second though. And make sure you stock up on fresh bread while you’re there – they bake theirs in house daily, and it’s nothing short of sublime. *perfection*
3. Peter Chang
If you’re craving Chinese food, you need to visit Peter Chang stat. The scallion bubble pancake is a must – LOVE the texture of this – and other favorites include their Yangtze river beef (super hot…temperature + spice wise, lol) and their dragon eggplant with spicy garlic sauce (the presentation’s so, SO beautiful). They’re also known for their peking duck(although I haven’t tried it yet), and they offer dim sum on weekends from 11-3pm + some pretty awesome happy hour deals on weekdays from 4:30-6:30pm.
4. DMV Taqueria
I wasn’t sure if I should include them because they’re a food truck that travels to different areas, BUT this particular food truck stays mainly in Columbia so I ultimately decided it was ok, lol. Honestly, some of the best birria tacos you’ll ever have. I was blown away, and I called my boyfriend IMMEDIATELY afterwards to make him jealous, lol. In addition to tacos, they also offer empanadas, quesadillas, loaded fries, and more. Their churros were bomb, too, so make sure you save room for dessert.
5. Sushi Sono
Located next to Lake Kittamaqundi, head to Sushi Sono for amazing views, amazing food and amazing service. This gem of a spot is perfect for date night, and it’s easy to see why they’ve gotten recognized by different publications. Their specialty rolls are delicious, and they have some of the freshest sashimi around! Not a fan of raw? There are plenty of cooked options to choose from as well – think udon, teriyaki, cooked rolls and more.
For a completely different kind of Japanese experience in Columbia, Gyusan at the Merriweather District is doing all-you-can-eat yakiniku and sushi, and it’s a great option for groups or a fun date night.
6. Eataliano
A cute fast casual spot with a small Italian deli with everything from pasta sauces to frozen foods. I loved their Eataliano rolls + sub, and they have a bunch of budget friendly deals available which I love. Get $ off pizza if you order on Mondays, and swing by during lunch times for specials (10-3pm, Monday through Friday). The half cold sub + pasta salad + drink for $12.99 is my jam! Note: they also hired a new chef so I need to go back to try their most recent menu offerings.
7. Cafe Mezcla
Known for their sweet and savory crepes, this place is definitely one of my go-tos in the area. It’s a small shop, and everything’s made fresh to order so there’s a wait if it’s busy. I don’t mind though – I usually go with friends so it’s nice to catch up while we wait for our noms! Portions are huge – so you’ll probably have food left over – so remember to save room for dessert. PS. they also offer waffles, but I’d say their crepes reign supreme!
8. Royal Taj
For amazing Indian food, head to Royal Taj! The noms are always on point, and the service is SO good. Everyone is very welcoming, to the point where you legitimately feel like you’re at a friend’s home. The interior’s stunning as well! They even have a gorgeous fireplace in one of the dining areas. Definitely make sure to hit them up! Note: they offer half portions for dine in, which I personally love because I’m all about having a spread of eats, lol. We all need options, right?
For another Indian spot in Columbia with a totally different vibe, Chutney specializes in Hyderabadi cuisine and spice-forward curries that are worth adding to your HoCo rotation. WHY: Same town (Columbia); anchor sits in the roundup’s Indian section.
9. 18th & 21st
Another fantastic date night spot! Located inside Cured, this prohibition era supper club is really quite special. And they have live jazz every evening, which I think is AWESOME! In addition to speakeasy inspired cocktails, they have an enticing food menu so make sure you go for dinner AND drinks.
10. Pho La Cay
Pho La Cay’s a really great place to grab a quick bite! There’s tons of parking available, and service is quick and attentive – they’ll check in several times to make sure all is well. Recommendations include their summer rolls (standard but yum), their grilled lemongrass chicken (I like this extra spicy), their stir fried noodles combo (add hot sauce on top if you want to kick things up a notch), and their bun bo hue.
Have you guys been to these spots yet? Where do you like to go in Columbia? Let me know by commenting below, Nomsters!