The 10 Best Lunch Spots in Maryland! By Bethany Quinn Finding the perfect counter café or waterfront restaurant overlooking the Chesapeake can turn a regular lunch date into an experience. Whether you are looking for the ideal Saturday spot or somewhere to pop in on a break from work, our 10 favorite lunch spots will fill you up all while being a great way to spend an hour or two.

1. Maiwand Kabob, Baltimore, MD Afghan kabobs make for a fantastically flavorful lunch in a hurry. The portions are large and the food is affordable, fresh, and delicious. Who doesn’t love meat on a stick? The food is amazing and visiting Maiwand Kabob means you will probably find a new favorite lunch item.

2. Chick and Ruth’s Delly, Annapolis, MD A local favorite that is known throughout the state, Chick and Ruth’s Delly is a must-stop for anyone visiting the State House during the legislative session. It is also a hot spot for locals looking for classic deli food, a huge and juicy hamburger, or breakfast. The flavors pop but the food is classic so there is something for everyone here.

3. Nalley Fresh, Columbia, MD This Maryland restaurant chain features fresh salads, wraps, and bowls. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and this makes the food amazing, even though it is mostly low calorie and healthy. In other words, you don’t have to choose between flavor and low-fat options. You can have both. Plus, you get to customize your meal by selecting the protein and toppings you want.

4. South County Café, Deale, MD A local favorite, the South County Café serves up lunch classics like cobb salad and a Maryland crab cake sandwich. This quant destination is comfortable, friendly, and if you visit more than twice, they will probably know your name. Just remember to save room for dessert because they have the best pie for miles.

5. Ekiben, Baltimore, MD An Asian Fusion restaurant that is often at the farmers’ market and local events, they serve up full-flavored, tasty food in a casual setting. It is easy to grab something totally unique like Taiwanese curry fried chicken or something to pop in your mouth like hot sticky buns. On break from work or walking around Fells Point on the weekend, this is the place to stop by for lunch.

6. Boatyard Bar and Grill, Annapolis, MD Classic spot for burgers and beer, this is where you meet friends for a late lunch and stay through happy hour. Happy hour starts at 3 p.m. so it’s hard not to stay, especially when enjoying an appetizer or two with lunch. They are known for fresh fish and their raw bar, along with crab cakes and classic Maryland sandwiches. This is an Eastport hotspot where you will find people on break from work, locals hanging out and families on the weekend. They have a good wine selection too so come for the raw bar, stay for a glass of wine and unwind.

7. Victoria Gastro Pub, Columbia, MD This is classic pub fare but with a twist since they try to source local and do farm to table whenever possible. The owners have also launched a brewery so you can expect to try fantastic local beers while trying a new lunch recipe. Try their Cajun flatbread as an appetizer, a wild boar grilled cheese, and a fabulous piece of cake for dessert.

8. The Reluctant Navigator Restaurant at Tall Timbers Marina, Tall Timbers, MD This is classic Maryland at its best—on the water dining in a local establishment with fresh and tasty food. Driving to St. Mary’s County can take time so this is a good weekend lunch spot. Ideally, you want to take your boat out and wind up here, then pretend to get lost and stay awhile. Clearly, you want to try the fish.

9. Jerry’s Place, Prince Frederick, MD A destination for seafood lovers, Jerry’s Place is family friendly and laidback while serving up tasty shrimp, crab and so much more. They claim to have the finest seafood around and most locals would agree. This is a family spot where generations work together and locals have been coming for over 35 years. Stop by and try any of their seafood items to discover why.