Kyle Green
Just north of the bustling city of Baltimore, Maryland, is Towson. This lively town is the perfect place to go when you want a city atmosphere but fewer people. Towson is known for its excellent university, culture, and great restaurants.
In my opinion, the restaurant scene is the most attractive aspect of any city, so if you feel the same way, you may be interested in what I’ve got for you.
I went around the city and found all of the top-rated places to eat so that I could rank them all on this list down below, so just keep on reading!
Whether you’re visiting Baltimore and want to escape the city or are traveling specifically to Towson, you’ll need to know where to eat.
Best Restaurants in Towson
- Cheezy’s Pizza & Subs
- 7 West Bistro Grille
- Towson Tavern
- Atwater’s Kenilworth
- The Melting Pot
- Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar
- Kyodai Rotating Sushi Bar
- Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
- Pasta Mista of Towson
- The Orient Restaurant
- Bonefish Grill
- World of Beer
- Nacho Mama’s Towson
- FALAFEL HOUSE TOWSON
- The Cheesecake Factory
- The Rec Room
- Towson Mediterranean Grill
Before you arrive, you may want to look into where you’ll want to dine. Check out the best restaurants in Towson.
Cheezy’s Pizza & Subs
1637 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21286
Phone: 410-337-4992
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Less than three miles from the Country Club of Maryland is Cheezy’s Pizza and Subs. This small pizza spot is an old-school pizza joint that is reminiscent of the days when you’d eat pizza with your friends on a Friday night before heading to the mall or movies. The atmosphere is casual, and you place your order at the counter.
Cheezy’s specializes in New York-style pizza, but they have deep-dish recipes, wings, and subs too. I saw several people eating the buffalo wings, so I ordered some.
They were the perfect heat level. For my pizza, I went with their supreme pizza. It had pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, and mushrooms. It didn’t disappoint.
7 West Bistro Grille
7 W Chesapeake Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-337-9378
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You’ll find 7 West Bistro Grille two minutes down the road from the Circle East Shopping Mall on West Chesapeake Avenue.
The restaurant is an upscale bistro with white linen tablecloths, dim lighting, and staff that treat you like the most important person in the room. If you’re looking for a place for fine dining, this is it.
7 West Bistro Grille serves the perfect combination of classic American and Mediterranean cuisine. They have plenty of tapas to enjoy with a cocktail and filling entrees.
I dined with friends, so we had some wine with the green butter beans and hot crab dip. For an entree, I can’t recommend their chicken kabobs enough.
Towson Tavern
516 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-337-7210
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Towson Tavern is right outside the Circle East Shopping Mall. It’s a great place to stop in for a bite to eat in between shopping or for dinner out with friends.
The interior features black floors, brick walls along the bar, and a casual yet upscale dining experience. The restaurant opened in 2012 and has since become a favorite amongst locals and visitors.
The cuisine at Towson Tavern features seasonal American dishes with internationally inspired courses that rotate throughout the year.
There’s a lot of seafood, steak, and vegetarian dishes. Some of their signature dishes include braised short ribs, cast iron chicken, and the Towson burger. You can’t go wrong with any of their dishes, though.
Atwater’s Kenilworth
798 Kenilworth Dr, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-938-8775
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Atwater’s Kenilworth is a minute down the road from Riderwood Hills Park. It’s a low-key eatery that has a welcoming and warm environment.
The interior combines dark brown and black accents with warm wood tones throughout. It’s the perfect restaurant to visit for breakfast or lunch when you want to catch up with friends.
The menu at Atwater’s includes soups, salads, pastries, and plenty of delicious coffee. They almost always have a sandwich of the month that’s unique and has a special price.
I popped in for lunch, and I chose to order their grilled chicken, bacon, and avocado sandwich with a side of their vegan split pea soup.
The Melting Pot
418 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-821-6358
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Near the Cinemark movie theater on York Road is The Melting Pot. This elegant yet casual restaurant is the perfect spot for meeting up with friends or taking someone special.
The lighting is dim, prompting intimate conversation, plus you get to cook your meal in front of you since it’s a fondue restaurant.
My favorite part about dining at The Melting Pot is that you have plenty of choices. You don’t just get cheddar cheese for your appetizer fondue.
There is pepper jack, Colby, and other options. I’d do the whole experience with cheese, the main course, and dessert fondue if I were you.
I went with the Wisconsin cheddar, the land and sea, which has steak, shrimp, and chicken, and then the yin and yang chocolate fondue.
Bread & Circuses Bistro & Bar
401 Delaware Ave, Towson, MD 21286
Phone: 410-337-5282
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Two minutes from Towson Manor Park is Bread and Circuses Bistro and Bar. This contemporary bistro features wooden furniture, white linen tablecloths, and a friendly atmosphere.
It’s the perfect place to take yourself on a date, hang out with friends, or when dining with family. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu, which helps when making decisions.
Bread and Circuses serve contemporary American cuisine and feature a fully stocked bar. They have everything from truffle fries to seafood dishes.
I stopped in for lunch with friends and started with their onion and leek soup. It was tasty and the perfect appetizer. For my entree, their jumbo crab cake was divine.
Kyodai Rotating Sushi Bar
1 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-339-7500
You’ll find Kyodai Rotating Sushi Bar on Pennsylvania Avenue next to several other restaurants. When you walk in, you’re greeted by a relatively large conveyor belt, and seating throughout that’s in reach of the food.
The atmosphere is very casual, and there is plenty of traditional Japanese decor throughout.
The best part about Kyodai is that you can choose some fresh sushi off the conveyor belt or order something off their menu.
They have classic and specialty rolls on the belt, and I decided to have a California and salmon roll. I also ordered a side of stir-fried veggies to pair with the several sushi rolls I ate.
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
825 Dulaney Valley Rd #1157, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-583-5250
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Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill is next to the Crate and Barrel on Dulaney Valley Road. This chain restaurant feels like you’ve walked into a mountain lodge.
The atmosphere is warm, there are stone and wood accents everywhere, and it’s a comfortable place to gather with friends and family.
This is a fine dining restaurant, and the dishes are classic steakhouse fare. They have plenty of steak options, seafood, chicken, and vegetarian dishes for you to choose from.
The wedge salad is the perfect appetizer for any entree. Some of their most popular entree options include the coffee-cured filet mignon and meatloaf.
Pasta Mista of Towson
822 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-321-8855
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Pasta Mista is across the street from the mall on Dulaney Valley Road. It’s one of the best casual Italian joints in town and worth stopping into if you can.
The walls are red, the environment is lively, and the food is delicious. It’s an excellent spot for a quick bite to eat before hitting the mall or after.
The menu at Pasta Mista features New York-style pizza, subs, and more. You can’t go wrong with a classic pizza, but my favorite unique recipe that they have is their chicken Ceasar pizza.
They also have pasta dishes like baked ziti, stuffed shells, and lasagna. If you want a sub, you can’t go wrong with their cheesesteak.
The Orient Restaurant
416 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-296-9000
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If you’re looking for one of the best Asian restaurants in Towson, Maryland, The Orient Restaurant is the place to be. The restaurant is on York Road, across the street from an LA Fitness.
The outside of the restaurant is unassuming, but don’t let that deter you. The inside is beautiful with dark wood, black features, and traditional Chinese decor.
The Orient Restaurant serves traditional Chinese and Japanese cuisine. They have everything from fresh sushi to orange chicken to fried rice.
I tried their shredded chicken in garlic sauce and fried tofu. My friend said that their shrimp egg foo young was to die for.
Bonefish Grill
127 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21288
Phone: 410-832-2519
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You’ll find Bonefish Grill on East Joppa Road outside of the central shopping mall in town. This popular seafood chain restaurant is warm, affordable, and an excellent spot for lunch or dinner.
The servers wear all black, the tables have white linen tablecloths, and the lighting is perfect for a great meal.
There are plenty of seafood dishes on the menu, salads, soups, steak, and other grill items. If you’ve ever been to Bonefish Grill before, you know you can’t start your meal with anything other than their bang bang shrimp. My favorite entree is their fontina pork chop, but their filet and lobster are fantastic too.
World of Beer
125 E Joppa Rd, Towson, MD 21286,
Phone: 410-825-0020
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Right next to the Bonefish Grill on Joppa Road is World of Beer. The beer lovers will love dining here and even those who aren’t the biggest fans of beer.
This gastropub is ideal for watching any sporting event, grabbing a quick bite with friends, or hanging out for a while and enjoying a great meal and drink.
There are dozens of local and national beers on tap at World of Beer that are worth trying. As for their food, it’s elevated bar food.
I love their parmesan garlic wings, their beer cheese tater tots, and they have fantastic burgers. The best part is that you can see what type of beer pairs best with the dish on their menu.
Nacho Mama’s Towson
2 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-673-0069
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Nacho Mama’s Towson is across the street from Stumpy’s Hatchet Recreation center on West Pennsylvania Avenue. This stunning Mexican restaurant is chic and casual.
A large bar offers plenty of seating, neutral colors throughout the restaurant, and a lively atmosphere that can put a smile on your face.
Nacho Mama’s serves Mexican cuisine and some traditional American food. The menu is filled with tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, and more.
I love their chicken tacos that come with chips, beans, and rice. If you love seafood, you have to try their steamed beer mussels. Oh, and don’t forget to grab a margarita to wash it all down.
FALAFEL HOUSE TOWSON
20 Allegheny Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-337-5225
You’ll find Falafel House minutes down the road from Towson Town Center on Allegheny Avenue.
This incredibly casual Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cafe is the perfect low-key place to eat lunch or dinner.
They serve their food on red trays and styrofoam plates. You can come as you are and will always be welcomed.
Falafel House serves traditional Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. The best thing you can order is their plates.
It comes with your choice of entree and then a side salad and hummus. I loved their lamb shawarma plate, but everything on the menu looked delicious.
The Cheesecake Factory
825 Dulaney Valley Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-337-7411
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You’ll find The Cheesecake Factory next to Stoney River Steakhouse on Dulaney Valley Road. When you walk into the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by elegantly dressed servers, dim lighting, and plenty of seating options. It’s a little upscale but still very welcoming and perfect for a casual or fancy dinner.
The Cheesecake Factory features an extensive menu of classic American dishes. They also have pasta dishes and, of course, their dozens of signature cheesecake recipes.
Their char-grilled steaks, fresh seafood, and pasta Pomodoro are popular. Whether you eat it at the restaurant or at home, you can’t leave without a slice of cheesecake.
The Rec Room
514 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-337-7178
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The Rec Room is two minutes away from Towson Manor Park. This classic American bar features a large wooden door and a warm atmosphere when you walk in.
The space is pretty large, with black accents throughout the building. There are plenty of TVs for you to watch any game that happens to be on.
The menu at this restaurant features burgers, sandwiches, salads, and other upscale bar food. I asked my server what their most popular appetizers were, and they told me the meatballs and crab dip.
I loved the crab dip, and for my entree, I ordered the jerk chicken BLT. They have some delicious signature drinks too.
Towson Mediterranean Grill
305 W Chesapeake Ave, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: 410-296-7903
Towson Mediterranean Grill is minutes from the courthouse on West Chesapeake Avenue. It’s a low-key space for delicious and authentic Mediterranean food.
The owners are passionate about their recipes, and the options and daily specials are displayed proudly on chalkboards throughout the restaurant.
Some of the delicious recipes on the menu include shawarma, chicken, steak, and plenty of veggies.
I loved their Greek salad and the buffalo chicken wrap. Regardless of what you choose to eat here, their potato and pasta salads are the perfect side dishes.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re in the mood for classic American, Mediterranean, Mexican, or any other type of cuisine, you’ll find a place to enjoy in Towson, Maryland. You can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants for lunch, dinner, or anytime.
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
