Okay Nomsters, real talk: Elkridge might be one of the most slept-on food towns in all of Howard County. It’s this little pocket tucked between Baltimore and Columbia that you’d drive right past on 95, but the strip malls and Main Street here are quietly hiding some of my favorite gems, and I’ve been eating my way through all of them. So I finally pulled my go-to Elkridge restaurants together in one spot for you guys.
What I love about this town is the range. According to Visit Howard County, it’s one of the county’s older areas, and the food scene reflects that mix of old-school and new. You’ve got a whole little Indian pizza scene (yes, really), a German beer hall in a historic basement, made-fresh Palestinian mezze, a Mexican and Salvadoran food truck, beignets, cupcakes, and a cheesesteak I’m genuinely still dreaming about. Not bad for a spot most people only know as an exit off the highway, right?
As usual, these are in no particular order, they’re just the places I keep coming back to. Every single one has a full review on the blog if you want the deep dive, so let’s get into it!
1. El Sopon
If food trucks are your love language too, El Sopon is where I’d start. They’re parked in Elkridge doing Mexican and Salvadoran food, and I treated myself to lunch here on a whim and left a total convert. The horchata was really tasty and refreshing, and I couldn’t decide between the pupusas and the birria, so naturally I got both, lol.
The birria tacos were fantastic (that beef was so, SO tender), but you know what? The pupusas edged them out for me, that cheese one was pure gooey goodness, and the pickled slaw on the side cut right through the richness. It’s a 10/10 in my book and one of my favorite quick bites in town. Since it’s a truck, double-check where they’re parked before you head out, then go chase it down.
2. Cafe EZ 2
Craving a proper breakfast or brunch in Elkridge? Cafe EZ 2 is my answer, and it’s officially in my weekend rotation. It’s the roomier second location of Cafe EZ (the OG’s over in Ellicott City), it’s women-owned, and they’re known for their sweet and savory crepes, though the breakfast plates hold their own too.
The Cinnamon Roll French Toast is a straight-up 10/10, and that’s not a score I hand out lightly, so if you order one thing, make it that. The Havana Crepe is loaded and hearty (chicken, chorizo, cheese, egg, the works), and the Santa-Fe Omelet is a comforting, no-fuss pick if you want to keep it classic.
They do a big lineup of sweet crepes too (think Nutella and strawberry, banana foster, and s’mores), plus rice bowls, burgers, and sandwiches if breakfast isn’t your mood, and there’s a gluten-free crepe option. Prices stay easy on the wallet, which is exactly why it earned a permanent slot in my rotation. Heads up, it gets busy on weekends, so roll in early!
3. Kupcakes & Co
Sweet tooth Nomsters, this one’s for you. Kupcakes & Co is an adorable little Elkridge bakery known for their cupcakes and custom cakes, and I may or may not have grabbed a half dozen just for myself. The presentation is top-notch (that shark cupcake was too cute to eat, and it ended up being my favorite), with the Oreo Milkshake and Half Baked coming in as close seconds (other flavors in the box included Snickerdoodle, Birthday Cake, and Cookie Dough).
Now, they do run a little on the pricier side, from $3.50 for a signature cupcake up to $4.75 for the boutique ones, but they were worth every penny to me. The flavors rotate, so peek at their site before you go, and they’ve got gluten-free and vegan options too. Bonus points: they donate cupcakes to local food pantries and shelters weekly, which makes me want to support them even more.
4. Curry & Pie
Here’s where Elkridge gets fun: it’s quietly become a little Indian pizza hub, and Curry & Pie is the spot I got obsessed with first. It’s exactly what it sounds like, all your favorite Indian flavors loaded onto a pizza, for really reasonable prices (a 10-inch small starts around $11).
The chicken tikka masala ‘za is my favorite by a mile, but the lamb vindaloo is solid if that’s your mood. One warning: when they ask mild or spicy, know that their spicy is pretty dang spicy, so consider yourself warned! It’s mainly a takeout spot, and they’ve got a full menu of Indian dishes beyond the pizza if you want to branch out. If you didn’t know Elkridge had good Indian food, this is your gateway.
5. Touche Touchet Bakery
If you’ve got a soft spot for pillowy fried dough, Touche Touchet Bakery is my go-to for beignets out in the Maryland burbs. This popular local spot does breakfast and lunch, but let’s be real, the beignets are the whole show. The filled ones (three for $5.50) are absolute bangers, light, fluffy, and kind of magical, and you can mix and match flavors (the regular beignets are $3.50 if you want to keep it simple).
The banana beignets ($6.25) are a bit denser but still delish, especially with that caramel-ish dipping sauce on the side. It’s super casual, you order at the counter and grab a seat, and parking’s easy peasy, which is always a win. Fair warning, they’ve got a Columbia location too, but the beignets are an Elkridge-only thing, so this is the one you want.
6. Spice N Slice
Spice N Slice takes that Indian pizza idea and runs even further with it, and somehow, it works way better than you’d think. It’s run by Max, who also owns Spice N Curry right next door, so the curry game is legit, this isn’t a gimmick. They build everything on a NY-style crust, and the Butter Chicken Pizza is the one to order first (creamy butter chicken sauce, tandoori chicken, red onion, cilantro, basically everyone’s favorite curry in slice form).
The Chicken Tikka is a great pick if you want a bolder spice profile, and there’s a palak paneer for the veg crowd. Chasing heat? The chicken vindaloo is calling your name. A 12-inch runs $12.49, which is a great deal for how loaded these are, and the menu goes way past pizza too, with samosas, strombolis, kathi rolls, and even bubble tea. Between this and Curry & Pie, Elkridge is low-key an Indian pizza destination!
7. Spice N Curry
Sharing a plaza with Spice N Slice is Spice N Curry, and their daily thali might be the best lunch deal I’ve stumbled on in Howard County, period. It runs every day from 11:30 to 2:30, and your platter comes loaded with an appetizer, dal, two entrees, naan, rice, raita, and the dessert of the day, and the refills are UNLIMITED.
It’s $12.99 for the veg version on weekdays, just a dollar more for non-veg, which is honestly a little absurd for that much food. The mango lassi is so yum, don’t skip it, and if you’re not in a thali mood, the Hyderabadi dum biryani is their bestseller for a reason.
They also do South Indian dosas and idlis, which are pretty hard to find around here, plus Nepalese momos, and everything’s made in house right down to the breads and sauces. Oh, and it’s BYOB, so bring a bottle if you want to make lunch an occasion. Come hungry, that’s my only warning!
8. Cheesesteak & Co.
Okay, the cheesesteak I keep mentioning: Cheesesteak & Co. This little carryout on Washington Blvd is turning out ribeye subs on real Amoroso rolls with cooper sharp cheese, and their Original ($11.99) might actually be one of the best cheesesteaks I’ve ever had. Every bite was juicy, tender, and ridiculously hot off the flat-top, a straight-up 10/10 for me.
I also tried the Chicken Bacon Ranch ($14.99) on the cashier’s rec, and the flavors were spot on, though it falls apart a bit more, so grab extra napkins for that one. It’s a grab-and-go spot with barely any seating (two tiny tables), so plan to take it to the car, no shame in it. For $4.99 you can make it a meal with a drink and tots, and there’s even a vegan cheesesteak made with Impossible steak if you’ve got a plant-based eater in the crew. If you take your cheesesteaks seriously, get to Elkridge for this one!
9. Rathskeller
Now for something completely different: Rathskeller is Howard County’s German spot, tucked into the basement of a historic building on Main Street (there’s even an old jail cell out on the patio, lol). Minje and I came hungry and left completely stuffed, and we genuinely didn’t have a miss in the bunch.
The Cordon Bleu Schnitzel ($26) was the showstopper, a crispy cutlet under gooey gruyere, but that butter pretzel and the potato cakes ($6, an absolute steal) are right behind it. The schnitzel comes with two sides, and the spatzle n’ cheese (basically German mac and cheese) is a must-get. The wursts all come from Binkert’s, a longtime German meat market, so the sausages are the real deal.
Out back there’s a big, breezy biergarten with weekend live music, and they’re even dog-friendly on the patio. It’s hearty, homey, and really feels like a little trip without leaving the county. Whatever you do, don’t skip those potato cakes.
10. Zaman Grill
Rounding things out is Zaman Grill, and if you’re hunting for halal food in Elkridge, this is the move. It’s a Palestinian-owned, halal-certified spot, and their made-fresh hummus might be some of the best I’ve had, silky and rich, a world away from the gluey tub stuff.
Start with a couple of dips (the baba ghanush at $6.99 is so tasty, and the muhammara is worth grabbing too), then go for the Chicken Shawarma Platter ($14.99), where that garlicky toum takes it right over the top. If you’re feeding a crew, the Zaman Grill for 1 ($28.99) is a wildly generous platter, easily enough for two, loaded with kebabs, shawarma, rice, and salad.
The portions are HUGE, the meat melts in your mouth, and the team is so warm. It’s mostly carryout with a nice covered patio, and they even run a weekend breakfast menu with shakshuka. This one’s earned a permanent spot in my takeout rotation.
And that’s my Elkridge lineup, Nomsters! For such an easy-to-miss town, it packs a serious amount of flavor, from Indian pizza to German schnitzel to that cheesesteak I clearly can’t stop talking about. Whether you’re after a lazy brunch, a spicy takeout night, or a sweet little treat, there’s a spot on this list with your name on it.
Have you guys been to any of these Elkridge gems yet? Let me know your favorites in the comments, and if this put a craving in your head, save it and send it to your go-to eating buddy!