Share Naan and Curry With Friends at Chutney Indian Restaurant

At Chutney Indian Restaurant in Columbia, the fragrant smells of warm curry, jasmine rice, and fresh baked naan fill the air all day long. This authentic Indian eatery’s convenient location makes it a good choice when you’re on a lunch break or running errands in the area.

Their lunch buffet boasts all of your favorite meat and vegetarian dishes, from chicken tikka masala to chana masala, as well as tasty sides like rice, samosas, and mango chutneys. For dinner, you’ll find entrees with heaping portions of biryanis, tandoori platters, and various curries, each served with so many sides that you’ll likely end up with leftovers. The takeout options are just as popular as the restaurant’s dine-in service, and if you’re busy, you can even order delivery to anywhere in the immediate Columbia area.

Chutney Indian Restaurant
9400 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-3600
www.chutneymd.com
www.yelp.com/biz/chutney-indian-restaurant-columbia-2

Soups and Sandwiches Are On the Menu at Bon Fresco

When it’s almost lunchtime and you’re searching for somewhere good to eat, Bon Fresco offers both flavorful fare and one of the most convenient locations in the Columbia area. This casual cafe has a distinctly European charm combined with American dishes like homemade potato salad and pork loin sandwiches, creating a unique dining experience that’s perfect for your midday break.

Bon Fresco is decorated with a warm, relaxing color palette, comfortable cafe tables and glass display cases filled with mouthwatering baked goods to take back to the office with you. Choose from the large selection of hearty sandwiches made on fresh baked ciabatta breads, seasonal soups and cous cous salads topped with flavorful hummus. Whether you enjoy your lunch in the cafe or bag it up to go, you won’t find many better lunch options than Bon Fresco.

Bon Fresco
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434
www.facebook.com/BonFrescoSandwichBakery
www.yelp.com/biz/bon-fresco-columbia

Luna Bella Ristorante: Where Pizza, Pasta and Good Conversation Meet

When you’re looking for an upscale yet comfortable dinner spot in Columbia, Luna Bella Ristorante is a great choice that the locals love. This old-school Italian eatery serves heaping helpings of fresh pastas, lunchtime sandwiches, and homemade pizzas with your choice of toppings. There are shareable appetizers perfect for starting off the meal, as well as a large wine list with reasonably priced reds and whites.

Inside, Luna Bella is homey and comfortable, with a vaulted ceiling covered in string lights, antique furnishings and lush, green plants throughout. Spacious booths are large enough for the whole family, but you’ll also find more intimate tables perfect for date night. Visit Luna Bella Ristorante and you can get dinner for two, appetizers, wine and dessert all for less than $100!

Reservations are recommended during peak hours.

Luna Bella Ristorante
6420 Freetown Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 531-0250
www.facebook.com/Luna-Bella-Ristorante-114793508570369/timeline/

Do Something Good With Your Dinner Dollars at Mission BBQ

Mission BBQ debuted on September 11, 2011, and the date was no coincidence. Ten years after the United States suffered one of the greatest tragedies in its history, the founders of Mission BBQ wanted to give back to the heroes who sprang into action when the twin towers fell. That's why the Columbia restaurant regularly gives back to veterans, firefighters, police, and first responders, supporting charities such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

So if this cause is close to your heart, too, you can feel good about eating at Mission BBQ—not that you wouldn't otherwise. After all, the carefully crafted barbecue is tasty regardless of the philosophy behind selling it. Don't miss the brisket, which earns raves from Yelp reviewers. Pulled pork, turkey, chicken, and sausage round out the list of platters, but you can also get most of the meats in sandwich form.

Mission BBQ
6270 Columbia Crossing Circle
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 832-6180
mission-bbq.com
www.yelp.com/biz/mission-bbq-columbia

Snag a Specialty Sammy at Bon Fresco

London broil isn't just for special occasions at Bon Fresco. The staff serves it every day in sandwich form, and regular customers gush about it. Paired with vibrant greens, fresh bread, and a signature sauce, the tender London broil makes for a hearty and filling lunch or dinner. It's just one example of the many carefully crafted sandwiches that draw customers to Bon Fresco.

For something lighter, order the hummus sammy with artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and a healthy serving of hummus on focaccia bread. The grilled veggie sandwich offers another healthy option, a baguette stuffed to nearly bursting with grilled zucchini and eggplant, roasted peppers, and olive tapenade. If you're a fan of poultry, try the chicken breast sandwich or roasted turkey on whole wheat bread. Prosciutto, mortadella, and Genoa salami star in some of the other specialty sandwiches at Bon Fresco, which share menu space with crisp, colorful salads.

Bon Fresco
6945 Oakland Mills Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 290-3434
www.facebook.com/BonFrescoSandwichBakery
www.yelp.com/biz/bon-fresco-columbia

Zapata’s: A Shoe In

There are tons of restaurant choices in the Columbia area, but locals who crave excellent Mexican cuisine flock to Zapata’s. When you get to Zapata's, do yourself a favor and order a margarita – or a pitcher of them. They draw raves from regulars for their tangy, not-to-sweet flavor, and they sure pack a punch. Once you’re ready to eat, the menu offers a fine selection of classic Mexican food. Some favorites include the pork enchiladas served with a salsa verde that is thin but flavorful, as well as the exceptional empanadas. Zapata’s isn’t like a fast-food place that just puts ingredients into tortillas and calls it a day – the entrees here are carefully-composed with bold, powerful flavors. Tacos al pastor are a great choice if you’re looking to relax at the bar and have a snack that won’t make you too full, with meat prepared to perfection. Service is friendly and the place is usually not terribly crowded, so it’s easy to get a table.

Zapata’s
5485 Harpers Farm Road
Columbia, MD 21044
(410) 715-6929
http://www.yelp.com/biz/zapatas-restaurant-columbia

Sink Your Teeth Into Juicy Rotisserie Chicken at Stanford Grill

At Stanford Grill, chefs have full reign of their kitchen. They personally select the freshest fruits and veggies available to transform into upscale American dishes at the popular Columbia eatery. According to a slew of mostly positive Yelp reviews—more than 300 of them—the chefs' attention to detail pays off.

The rotisserie chicken, in particular, earns raves from happy customers. One of the house's specialties, the rotisserie chicken slow-roasts until it's juicy and tender, then chefs plate it with a side of green beans and redskin mashed potatoes. Eastern shore crabcakes, short-smoked Atlantic salmon, and hickory-grilled tenderloin filet are among your other options. If you're craving something slightly lighter, opt for a burger or sandwich instead. Match your chosen dish with a glass of wine from Stanford Grill's impressive list.

You can also come by for Sunday brunch and dig into one of Stanford Grill's signature Benedicts with filet mignon or crab. Omelets fill plates at brunch, too, and contain ingredients such as goat cheese and tomato or chorizo and black beans.

Stanford Grill
8900 Stanford Boulevard
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 312-0445
www.thestanfordgrill.com
www.yelp.com/biz/stanford-grill-columbia

Victoria Gastro Pub: Don’t Miss the Lobster Grilled Cheese

Inspired by the gastropubs that dot London's busy city streets, Victoria Gastro Pub is named for one of the very busiest transportation hubs: Victoria Station. Plus, the owners of Victoria Gastro Pub happen to have a daughter named Victoria. With such a meaningful name, it makes sense that Victoria Gastro Pub contains both the cosmopolitan vibes of a city and the warmth of a family dining room.

Locals flock here for an upscale meal of American and international fare, all infused with the chef's own unique flair. Try the duck fat fries, a local favorite, or the poutine (fries with cheese curds) to kick off your meal. They both boast a slew of glowing Yelp reviews. So does the lobster grilled cheese, which takes a childhood classic and transforms it into a sophisticated dish. Enjoy the grilled cheese, a steak, or fresh seafood with a draft beer from Victoria Gastro Pub's ever-popular list.

Victoria Gastro Pub
8201 Snowden River Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 750-1880
victoriagastropub.com
www.yelp.com/biz/victoria-gastro-pub-columbia

The Second Chance Saloon: A Hometown Bar

There’s something about an old-school neighborhood bar that no other kind of business can capture. It has to be hospitable, it has to be cheap and the food has to be good. The Second Chance Saloon ably handles all three. Advertised as the “Home of 100 Beers,” the Second Chance opened in late 2008 and has become a watering hole for a diverse blend of locals. With a dozen constantly changing beers on tap bolstered by 88 bottle beers, this is a destination for the brew lover. If you’re not into beer, the talented bartenders can put together just about any cocktail you desire. The food here is also excellent, with a robust menu of high-quality pub grub. Some favorites include the exceptional crabcake sliders, served with amazing home-made potato chips, as well as spicy Old Bay chicken wings. Each night of the week brings different activities as well, with Monday’s trivia night drawing huge, rowdy crowds.

The Second Chance Saloon
5888 Robert Oliver Place
Columbia, MD 21045
(443) 545-5844
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-second-chance-saloon-columbia

Oh What a Cake: Cupcakes on the Go

Local cupcake aficionados call Oh What a Cake a hidden gem. The Columbia eatery sells cupcakes individually or by the dozen. Oh What a Cake sells four sizes of cupcakes, as well as cookies, brownies and other treats. You can also order your custom-designed wedding or birthday cakes – Oh What a Cake’s celebration cakes are extremely popular. Most Yelp reviewers venture here for the cupcakes, which they say are some of the most reasonably-priced in the greater Washington D.C. area. Try the red velvet, almond, lemon, or vanilla cupcakes. When it comes to frosting, regulars rave about the cream cheese icing.

This establishment offers more than just baked goods, though. Oh What a Cake hosts birthday parties, cake decorating classes, and trivia contests.

Oh What a Cake
6656 Dobbin Road
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 381-3131
www.ohwhatacake.com
www.yelp.com/biz/oh-what-a-cake-columbia

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