Top Best American Restaurants in Columbia

"Spike and Amy Gjerde’s Woodberry Kitchen may not be the oldest restaurant in Baltimore, but it’s probably made the biggest impact on the local restaurant community. Open since 2007, Woodberry Kitchen has earned its reputation through passionate support of the Chesapeake region’s best farmers, watermen and producers. The menu is an unabashed local lovefest — Maryland farmstead cheeses, regionally grown greenery, Tilghman Island crab pots — and the kitchen's knack for elevating native ingredients goes a long way in boosting the state's overlooked cooking heritage."

"Located inside a converted flour mill near Hampden, Woodberry Kitchen is no longer the newest restaurant in town, but it remains one of its very best. Led by the city’s first James Beard-winning chef, Spike Gjerde, the menu reflects his nearly obsessive approach to sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers and watermen. It was an unusual concept at its opening in 2007—but the inventive concoctions and hyper-local sustainability still feel fresh today."

"Located inside a converted flour mill near Hampden, Woodberry Kitchen is no longer the newest restaurant in town, but it remains one of its very best. Led by the city’s first James Beard-winning chef, Spike Gjerde, the menu reflects his nearly obsessive approach to sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farmers and watermen. It was an unusual concept at its opening in 2007—but the inventive concoctions and hyper-local sustainability still feel fresh today."

"Whenever someone asks me to recommend a brunch spot, my go-to is consistently Miss Shirley’s Café. With three locations in Roland Park, downtown Baltimore, and Annapolis, Miss Shirley’s has become a Baltimore staple since its opening in 2005. Miss Shirley’s is well-known for their amazing service, beautiful presentation, and award-winning dishes."

"Topping the list is the Inner Harbor's Miss Shirley's Cafe, situated at 750 E. Pratt St. With four stars out of 2,480 reviews on Yelp, the cafe, breakfast, brunch and traditional American spot has proven to be a local favorite."

"The first meal of the day should be fun as well as nourishing. After a night out in Baltimore, Maryland, you should get a table at Miss Shirley’s Cafe. There’s hardly a better spot in town for breakfast or brunch."

"Located right in the middle of Hampden’s option-filled “Avenue” (36th Street), Chef Chad Gauss’ electric Food Market can be a tough reservation — but the wait is worth it. Lighthearted in approach, but serious in execution, the menu sprints all over the map, culling classic and contemporary influences into dishes that are boisterous and big on flavor. The hearty, high-low approach — Fried Oysters “Carbonara,” Crispy Lobster Fingers with truffled honey mustard, and a hulking double bison burger with blue cheese and braised onions — covers everyone, so all you really need to bring is an appetite."

"My routine during quarantine has been for every 2-3 dinners that I cook, I grab carryout from one of my favorite spots, and that includes, of course, The Food Market. Their menu has been changing almost daily, but I can always expect to see some of my favorite dishes including the Amish Soft Pretzels, Roasted Beef Short Ribs, and Buffalo Pickles. Chef Chad and the team have also been throwing in some surprises with the occasional dinner special (last week there was a $20 crab cake)."

"We've eaten here so many times over the years and I've never had a bad experience. Whether takeout or dining in, the Food Market ALWAYS nails it so I was…”more"

"Gertrude’s Chesapeake Kitchen, within the Baltimore Museum of Art, hosts a Patio Party happy hour each Wednesday from 5–9 pm during summer months. Visitors can sip canned wine from Old Westminster Winery while strolling through parts of the sculpture garden. Other patio events include Lobsterama, fall harvest dinners and the upcoming 20th anniversary party on October 1."

"A post shared by Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen (@gertrudesck) on May 18, 2019 at 4:00am PDT. Brunch is made extra special by French toast served here at Gertrude’s Restaurant."

"You wouldn't believe it, but before Thames Street came along, in 2011, there was no place to send someone for decent seafood near the waterfront in Fells Point, which was a crying shame because everyone comes there expecting to see crabs and lobsters dancing on the cobblestone streets. So Thames Street, to its everlasting credit, filled that niche. Its best dishes traffic in fish such as hake and fluke, that are better known in New England than here in Maryland."

"1728 Thames St, Baltimore, MD 21231-3416Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Accepts Credit CardsAmerican, Seafood, Soups, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free OptionsLunch, Dinner, Drinks, Brunch+1 443-449-7726"

"There’s a reason it’s nearly impossible to get a seat at this Fell’s Point hot spot without a reservation. Thames Street offers freshly shucked oysters, award-winning lobster rolls and a robust menu of local seafood dishes."

"They took great care of us, even coming out to wipe down our baby chair before putting her in. Clean restaurant and tas..."

"Take advantage of the waterfront’s bounty and indulge in a Seafood pizza or a Shrimp Chai Diablo. 2723 Lighthouse Point E Baltimore, MD 21224 | Website"

"A trendy industrial warehouse-style structure with a brick patio, Langermann’s offers a chic twist on Southern food. Serving low country cuisine, the restaurant offers cooking that is traditionally linked to the South Carolina coastal plain, from Charleston to Savannah. For a unique Baltimore twist on a classic brunch food, try the shrimp and grits or heirloom tomatoes stacked with goat cheese, crumbled bacon, vinaigrette, and field greens; for the more adventurous, they also offer fried green tomatoes and she-crab soup."

"Hear me out– I know some of you may be hungry and looking for food take-out options, but have you thought about where you’re gonna get that delicious cocktail to pair with your yummy take-out/delivery?. (See example of Hilo Poké with two slapping drinks) Dutch Courage had their official opening not long before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began, but it definitely left a mark in my memory and on my tastebuds. Even in the world of limited-menus and no-contact, their cocktail selection is IMPRESSIVE."

"This gin bar’s plant-filled patio became a drinkers’ refuge during the pandemic, and guests now have the option of sitting inside a beautifully restored home. Vintage finds like an old cash register add to the space’s personality. Food options like a beet poke bowl and an Italian cold cut banh mi measure up to the cocktails."

"They have the only outdoor courtyard in the downtown area facing the water, with a new outdoor bar (with oyster shucking!) and a cozy vibe. Â Imagine bottomless mimosas, bloodys or natty bohs (iconic Bmore brew) while sitting outside with the harbor breeze keeping you cool in the summer heat – yeah that’s brunch at FPT. Oh and don’t forget the Chicken & Waffles, Lamb Hash or the Greek Breakfast Parfait – my top three favorite brunch items to enjoy!"

"Located within the American Visionary Art Museum (which is a fantastic museum), Encantada focuses on sustainable food and has a way with making vegetables exciting. Just like the space, which is fun, colorful, and filled with art, the food is visually stimulating, tasty, and creative. It’s not exclusively vegetarian, but their vegetarian dishes are standouts."

"Whether you know it or not, the great Bambino was in fact born in Baltimore. Babe Ruth’s childhood home is in the city of Baltimore, the greatest the game has ever seen grew up playing on the streets where the Baltimore Orioles’ Camden Yards Stadium is now located. The Sultan of Swat’s birthplace now houses an unequaled collection of memorabilia."

"Like going to Orioles Park, visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum can be fun for baseball fanatics and the unconverted. After all, what would baseball or America be without “the Great Bambino”?. Here, you can see where the baby born George Herman Ruth Jr. got his start and changed the face of sports as we know it."

"Before the eat-a-thon or if it starts to downpour or broil, do something fun that invites conversation!. Those with a quirky personality, love of trivia and history will be amazed at the weird and exotic exhibits. While not totally about Baltimore, some locally themed items give this museum (a franchise) a unique feeling."

"Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s Odditorium includes 10 galleries. Don’t miss the Marvelous Mirror Maze, 2,000 square feet of endless passages. Also onsite is Ripley’s 4D moving Theater, which offers a movie-going experience complete with digital effects, motion seats and 4-D real effects."

"With Maryland locations in the Inner Harbor and Ocean City, this place is off the hook. It is really very funny and quirky and everything you would expect it to be. It is also super fun and would make a great filler activity if you are hanging out in Baltimore."

"You can leave a tip for your delivery person to show your appreciation for their service. How much you tip is up to you to decide."