Okay, so if you’re in the mood for a burger, The White Oak Tavern in Ellicott City needs to be on your list, and yeah, I think it might have the best one in HoCo. (I’ve still got a few spots to try, so TBD, lol, but it’s way up there.)
This Ellicott City gastropub does comfort food done right, a huge craft beer list, daily brunch, and a dog-friendly patio, but that award-winning White Oak Burger’s the thing you came for. My friend and I rolled in for lunch and basically ordered our way across the fall menu, and honestly, everything was so good! If you’re anywhere near Howard County and you want a burger that actually lives up to the hype, this is the move. Here’s everything we got.
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What Makes The White Oak Tavern Special?
So what sets this place apart in a town packed with good food? The burger’s got the receipts. The White Oak Burger took home Best Burger (and Best Bar Food) at Howard Magazine’s 2023 Best Restaurants awards, and Visit Howard County straight up calls it the best burger in the county.
That’s exactly the kind of thing I had to taste for myself. Beyond the burger, it’s a proper gastropub: comfort food made with local ingredients, 38-plus rotating craft beers on tap, a free mug club, and a big, airy space with lots of dark wood, a wraparound bar, and a patio. If you’re on a HoCo burger hunt, Roaming Burger‘s food truck is another Ellicott City spot worth a stop, but White Oak’s the sit-down, order-a-beer version.
What to Order at The White Oak Tavern
We came hungry and ordered across the menu. Here’s what to get.
The White Oak Burger ($18.25)
This is the one. It’s an 8oz brisket-and-chuck blend, and it’s ridiculously juicy, topped with porter-glazed caramelized onions, the white oak special sauce, arugula, and aged white cheddar on a buttery brioche bun. You pick fries or a salad, and obviously I went fries. The house made ketchup is really delish too, with a little kick I was into. Heads up, the price has crept up to around $19 since my visit, but it’s worth every penny. If you order one thing here, make it this!
Brussels Sprouts ($12)
Don’t skip the Brussels sprouts to start. They’re roasted with roasted apples, candied pecans, and a balsamic reduction, so you get that sweet-savory fall thing going on, and they were really yum. SO tasty, and a great way to kick things off!
Fall Salad ($16)
If you want some greens, the Fall Salad’s a HUGE portion and genuinely loaded: mixed greens, roasted sweet potatoes, toasted pumpkin seeds, candied pecans, and fried brussels sprout leaves with a cranberry vinaigrette. We added herb grilled chicken for an extra $7 to make it a full meal, and it was super yummy. Highly recommend this one if you want to balance out that burger.
Beyond what we got, the menu runs deep with gastropub comfort food. There’s brisket stroganoff, chicken schnitzel, a fall risotto, mushroom gnocchi, and a fun soup flight built around their pumpkin bisque. Save room for the espresso creme brulee if they have it, because we wanted it and they’d sold out, so now I have to go back, lol.
Does The White Oak Tavern Serve Brunch?
Yep, and it’s daily. Brunch runs 11:30am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 3pm on Sundays, with a menu of French toast, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, and smoked steak and eggs. Go on a Sunday if you can, since you can add bottomless mimosas, sangria, or Bloody Marys for $15 with a food order. They also pour Zeke’s Coffee with free refills, which is a nice touch when you need the caffeine.
The Dog-Friendly Patio (Yes, There’s a Dog Menu)
If you’ve got a pup, this might become your spot. The patio’s spacious and dog-friendly, and they’ve got an actual dog menu with a burger patty, grilled chicken, and even a Puppuccino. I didn’t bring my dog Daisy this time, but you can bet she’s coming with me next visit, especially with how gorgeous the weather’s been for patio season. It’s rare to find a place that treats the four-legged guests this well.
The Vibe and Experience
The White Oak Tavern’s got a surprisingly airy, roomy feel, with lots of dark wood, a wraparound bar, and that big patio. It leans gastropub, so it works for a casual lunch, a date night, or posting up at the bar with one of their 38-plus craft taps. The happy hour deals are legit too, running Monday through Friday from 3 to 6, with extras like Tuesday wings and Thursday burger specials during the week. For more Howard County bar food, Pub Dog in Columbia is another late-night go-to.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 10030 Baltimore National Pike, Suite D240, Ellicott City, MD (in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center)
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 11:30am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 11pm, Sunday 10am to 10pm. The kitchen closes about an hour before.
- Brunch: daily, 11:30am to 3pm on weekdays and 10am to 3pm Sundays, with bottomless drinks on Sundays.
- Happy hour: Monday through Friday, 3 to 6pm, at the bar, dining room, and patio.
- Prices: moderate. The White Oak Burger runs around $18 to $19.
- Parking: free lot in the shopping center.
- Reservations: encouraged and bookable on OpenTable, or you can walk in.
- Dietary: there are vegetarian and gluten-free options marked on the menu, plus a veggie burger and dedicated gluten-free fryers.
- Dog friendly: spacious patio with its own dog menu.
- Ordering and info: check the full menu on their site, thewhiteoaktavern.com.
Would I Recommend The White Oak Tavern?
Absolutely, and I already want that espresso creme brulee I missed. The White Oak Burger lives up to the hype, the fall menu was on point, and between daily brunch, happy hour, and a dog-friendly patio, there’s a reason to swing by no matter the day. If you love a good burger and a solid beer list, it’s a must. And if you’re making a day of it, I’ve got a whole roundup of Ellicott City spots worth hitting while you’re in town.
Nomsters, what’s your favorite burger in the area? Drop it in the comments, because I’m on a mission to find the best one in HoCo and I need your recs. And if you’ve got a friend who’s always down for a good burger and a beer, send this their way.