3 Awesome New Eateries in the Merriweather District

If you’re planning an upcoming visit to the Merriweather District in Columbia, Maryland, or you’re a local looking for a great place to grab a bite, make sure to check out the variety of new restaurants that have opened in the area. Whether you’re in the mood for classic American barbecue or you’re looking for something light, you’ll be sure to find a great place to eat. Here’s a list of three awesome new eateries in the Merriweather District.

Clove & Cardamom

When you’re looking for fresh and authentic Indian, Italian, Asian, Greek, and Mediterranean dishes, stop by Clove & Cardamom, a restaurant where you’ll find captivating flavors and a wide selection of unique menu items. With a focus on providing visitors with fresh and healthy food, this is a great place to check out if you or your loved ones adhere to vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets. 

Their menu includes a variety of tantalizing small plates, like avocado and jalapeno fritters, paneer sizzlers, Tandoori wings, spicy crab cakes, and cauliflower bites. If you’re in the mood for something light, consider trying one of their soups, which includes spicy tamarind and tomato soup, lamb, onion, and cheese soup, and tofu know suey noodle soup. 

For a crispy entree, you can order one of their naan pizzas, including their Mediterranean naan pizza, topped with lamb, or their pesto naan pizza with vegetables. If you’re looking for a heartier meal, try one of their classic Indian entrees, like lamb saag, butter chicken, and tikka masala with chicken. You can also sample one of their global fusion dishes, like masala alfredo pesto chicken, the fajita lamb platter, or the garden pesto pasta salmon. Their menu also includes drier main courses, which are great if you’re not looking for a heavy sauce.

For dessert, try their mango lassi, mini lemon coconut cheesecake with raspberry sauce, or pistachio cake. Bring your little ones and they can choose from the kids’ section of the menu, which features popular items like mac and cheese and a cheese naan pizza. 

• Location: 6000 Merriweather Drive, Columbia, MD 21044
• Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m and 4:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday

Busboys and Poets

For a community-centered restaurant that serves classic American dishes, head to Busboys and Poets, an eatery committed to uplifting racial and cultural communications. This is not only a place to grab a delicious bite to eat, but also a space to share your ideas, listen to others, and engage in meaningful conversations. Stop by in the morning to order from their breakfast and brunch menu, which features a selection of benedicts, like the smoked salmon benedict, which features two poached eggs, avocado, and classic Hollandaise sauce.

If you’re looking for something on the sweeter side, opt for something from the pancakes and French toast section of their menu. Their breakfast specialties include sweet potato hash, which is made with roasted sweet potatoes, poached organic free-range eggs, and wild rice, as well as chicken chorizo hash made with potatoes, tomatoes, and two sunny-side up eggs. If you stop by for lunch or dinner, you can try one of their many hot plates, including vegan nachos, crispy Brussels sprouts, and vegan BBQ “chicken” bites made with soy protein, scallions, and spicy Korean BBQ sauce. 

Looking for something light? Try one of their salads, like the quinoa kale salad, made with goat cheese, red onion, dried cranberries, and white balsamic vinaigrette, or sample one of their seasonal soups. Their selection of sandwiches and paninis includes the fried chicken sandwich, made with cage-free, vegetarian-fed halal chicken, and the roasted vegetable panini, made with eggplant, roasted red peppers, goat cheese, arugula, and vegan pesto. Their dinner entrees include classics like shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and blackened salmon.

• Location: 6251 Mango Tree Road, Columbia, MD 21044
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Dok Khao

If you’re hungry for authentic Thai food in the Merriweather District of Columbia, make sure to visit Dok Khao. Here, you’ll find a large selection of dishes made with fresh ingredients that are sure to impress. You can begin your meal with one of their tasty appetizers, including their spring rolls made with bean noodles, cabbage, carrots, and celery, and their curry puff, which includes potato, carrot, sauteed minced chicken, and onion in yellow curry powder. For a spicy starter, try their som tum, made with green papaya and spicy lime juice.

Browse their soup menu and sample their veggie tofu soup, or their tom kha gai, which is vegetarian and gluten-free. They have a large selection of Thai street noodle dishes, including yentafo made with flat noodles, fried tofu, and shrimp. If you’re looking for a warm, spicy entree, make sure to try one of their four curry options. 

Other entrees include the garden delight, made with broccoli, sauteed cauliflower, bean sprouts, and carrots, or the pad ka pow, which has sauteed spicy basil, Thai chili, bell pepper, and garlic. Their specialties include dishes like crispy duck basi, which is battered fried duck made with bell peppers and spicy basil sauce, and sesame ginger beef, made with marinated flank steak and steamed vegetables.

• Location: 6000 Merriweather Drive, Suite B155, Columbia, MD 21044
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Well, there you have it, three awesome new eateries in the Merriweather District of Columbia, Maryland. The next time you’re in the area, stop by one of the restaurants on our list and let us know what you think. If you’re still looking for something to satisfy your cravings or you discovered another great new local spot, feel free to contact us, and we’ll be happy to update our recommendations so more Columbia residents and passersby can enjoy the delicious flavors this area has to offer. 

Image by amirali mirhashemian is licensed with Unsplash License

Tags: Merriweather District, Restaurants
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