The 25 Best Restaurants in Frederick MD Right Now

You’ve probably landed on this page looking for the Best Restaurants in Frederick MD. You’re in luck! We are Frederick locals with extensive knowledge about the restaurants in Frederick, and in this article, we list our favorites.

The Frederick food scene is highly underrated and often overshadowed by its D.C. and Baltimore neighbors. But for a town its size, the diversity of places to eat in Frederick is tremendous, and new Frederick restaurants seem to always be popping up.

Celebrity chefs, such as the Bryan Voltaggio restaurants (Thacher and Rye and Showroom), contribute to Frederick’s culinary profile. But you can just as easily find great pizza or a delicious burger in Frederick.

Note that this list focuses on Downtown Frederick Restaurants (with a few outliers), and our rankings are based on what we think provides the best overall dining experience. This includes a combination of the restaurant’s vibe, decor, service, and, of course, the quality of the food.

(Did we miss a place? Did we rank something too high or low? Let us know in the comments.)

Downtown Frederick Restaurants Map

1. Thacher and Rye

Category: Modern

** Editors Note **: Thacher and Rye has closed as of June 2024! Read our review of the new restaurant in the same venue: The Ordinary Hen.

Why We Love It: Thacher and Rye is one of the aforementioned Bryan Voltaggio restaurants in Frederick, and it delivers a Top Chef experience. We refer to it as the most ‘big city’ restaurant in Frederick, as the menu, bar, and dining room deliver the type of elevated experience you normally have to drive to Washington D.C. or Baltimore to get.

Residents’ opinions about T&R will be mixed, especially those who frequented the venue under its previous incarnation (Volt). But make no mistake: This is a special occasion and impress-your-date type of restaurant without many equals in Frederick.

We recommend hitting up Thacher and Rye just for a drink at the bar, or better yet, have a meal sitting at a high top or the bar for a cool experience. Also, check out The Shed, the newer outdoor eatery at T&R.

2. Fifty Fifty Burger

Category: Burger

Why We Love It: It may be odd to have a burger joint at #2 on this list, especially one in the back of a brewery. But this is truly one of the best dining experiences in Frederick. Of the many places to get a burger in Frederick, Fifty Fifty is the best.

The fact that you can pair it with craft beer from Olde Mother Brewing (Fifty Fifty is in the back of this top-rated Frederick brewery) only makes it better. Fifty Fifty burgers get their name and their awesome deliciousness from the fact that their patties mix 50% beef with 50% bacon. Why it took someone so long to think of this, I’ll never know.

Fifty Fifty also has great chicken sandwiches, and a MUST order is the Old Bay Fries. Enjoy!

3. Up on Market Bistro

Category: French

Why We Love It: Up on Market has many things to love, especially if you like French or European-style bistros. It’s set in a historic building at the north end of Market Street and has been transformed into a bistro that looks very Parisian.

The menu has exquisite French classics like duck, bourguignon, and moules (mussels). It may also be the best place to get a steak in Frederick as the filet mignon with frites is divine.

The French-inspired wine list and unique offering of aperitifs and digestifs make it an even more enjoyable place to dine. It also has a fabulous brunch on the weekends.

Up on Market is jointly run with Inn on Market, a four-room inn that’s one of the best places to stay in Frederick.

4. White Rabbit Gastropub

Category: Gastropub

Why We Love It: The most difficult part of eating at White Rabbit is finding the place (it’s tucked away 1/2 block off Market Street) and getting a table (no reservations). But once you are there, dining at White Rabbit is one of the best experiences in Frederick.

White Rabbit accurately describes itself as a Gastropub. It definitely has a pub atmosphere, with an interesting beer list and killer cocktails. But it also serves restaurant-worthy food, including delicious appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.

As locals know, White Rabbit’s forte is pizza, and their Detroit-style pizza is some of the best pizza you can find in Frederick.

In fact, one of Nicole and I’s favorite things to do on a night out in Frederick is to secure two seats at the upstairs bar at White Rabbit (one of the best bars in Frederick). I usually indulge in some interesting craft beer while she has cocktails, but we both enjoy their fabulous Detroit-style pizza. It’s a must-do in Frederick!

5. the Wine Kitchen on the Creek

Category: Modern

Why We Love It: This is another of Frederick’s special occasion restaurants. The Wine Kitchen on the Creek benefits from a stellar location right on Carroll Creek, and its menu is a wine-oriented fine dining creation with lots of creative flair.

There’s a variety of steak dishes and other appetizers and entrees that complement the wine (dishes like duck, paella, and gnocchi). Of course, wine lovers will enjoy the internationally focused wine list, and the wines are organized to encourage ordering ‘flights’ (sets of 3-4 tastes of wine).

We love the Wine Kitchen because it’s an upscale place in Frederick and often lively (a great bar for drinks in Frederick). Plus, it’s so centrally located that you can stroll Carroll Creek before or after your meal or hit up another Frederick hot spot for another drink (try out the McClintock Back Bar!).

Watch Nicole and Glenn's Date Night at The Wine Kitchen on the Creek!

6. Il Porto

Category: Italian

Why We Love It: Frederick residents and visitors can get a taste of Little Italy without going all the way to Baltimore at Il Porto, the town’s best Italian restaurant. Il Porto serves up traditional Italian in a casual environment on the south side of downtown.

This place is packed on weekends, with diners enjoying pasta, specials like Rockfish and Ossobucco, and lots of red Italian wine. The classics like lasagna and eggplant parm are fabulous. It’s a ‘can’t miss’ menu, and you can return for many meals without ordering the same thing.

Save room for dessert – fabulous tiramisu and cannoli!

7. Hooch and Banter

Category: Gastropub

Why We Love It: As a Frederick resident, the problem with building a list like this is that you have so many favorite places. For example, Hootch and Banter could easily be my favorite place in Frederick to go for a drink and a meal.

H&B is small but packs a large punch. The menu includes some of the best sandwiches in town (try The Banter 2.0 – corned beef), but also has elevated pub entrees. It has one of my favorite bars in town (but small, fight for a seat), serving up creative cocktails and many local beers.

Because it is small, centrally located, and doesn’t take reservations, getting a table or seat at the bar at H&B makes any day feel like a special day.

8. Dutch's Daughter

Category: Steak

Why We Love It: This is another Frederick restaurant that could be much higher on the list. Dutch’s Daughter is probably the most popular restaurant in Frederick, and if you’ve been there for a steak dinner, you know why.

Dutch’s has a 40-year history in the area and has built its reputation by serving signature steaks, crab cakes, and everything else that makes a steakhouse great. The Dutch’s Daughter menu also includes a great wine list and some delectable desserts.

Dutch’s Daughter is a big restaurant with multiple dining rooms. For the best vibe, we recommend you try it in the basement bar area called Dutch’s Dungeon. You definitely want to make a reservation (by phone only).

9. Bentztown

Category: Gastropub

Why We Love It: Bentztown is a new restaurant in Frederick and is already one of our favorites. It’s a creation from the owners of Monocacy Brewing and Brewer’s Alley and has a Nashville / Music City theme that combines a great bar, upscale southern food, and live performances.

(Watch our Recent Saturday Night Out at Bentztown in Frederick!)

There are delicious modern Southern appetizers and entrees, but the sandwiches seem the most popular, and for good reason. Handhelds like the smoked BBQ brisket, nasty hot chicken, and smash burger are the stars of this gastropub.

A plethora of cocktails, whiskeys, draft beers, and even bourbon flights make this a great drinks venue. Check out the events schedule and possibly visit on an afternoon or evening when a local band is playing.

10. The Tasting Room

Category: Modern

Why We Love It: We consider The Tasting Room one of the anchor restaurants in downtown Frederick. It’s located right in the heart, at the corner of Market and Church Street, and is one of the best fine-dining restaurants in Frederick.

It’s been around since 2000 and is only rivaled by a few places in Fredrick, such as Thatcher and Rye and The Wine Kitchen, regarding the sophistication of the food and wine menu. The bar and cocktails list alone are worth visiting, and while somewhat small, it’s one of the best places to get a cocktail in downtown Frederick.

After some remodeling about 1 year ago, the dining room is also more modern and stylish than ever. The giant windows looking out into downtown Frederick make it one of Frederick’s best places for fine dining.

11. The Garage

Category: Pizza / Burger

Why We Love It: The Garage is one of those off-the-beaten-path places that you find and make your hometown amazing. It’s located in an industrial area near the airport, close to Dragon Distillery, and not in a place that gets a lot of traffic from people looking for pizza or beer.

But once discovered, it’s immediately on your rotation or in regular restaurants. Their specialty is pizza, which they cook in their wood-fired oven, producing many interesting creations (such as the Farrell – white sauce, caramelized onions, mushrooms, and truffle oil).

But our recommended Epic Meal is the burger. In fact, the Garage may have the best burger in Frederick, and when paired with a craft beer and their Old Bay Fries, you have just discovered one of the best eating experiences in Frederick.

12. Showroom

Category: Brunch / Modern

Why We Love It: Showroom is another special place in Frederick. A versatile restaurant, it’s a premier spot for brunch in Frederick and excellent for lunch or dinner as well. Showroom is another Bryan Voltaggio creation (Thacher and Rye), and the theme is ‘modern American’. It’s undergone a few name changes; some residents probably remember it as Family Meal until it was rebranded in 2021.

Showroom is set up like a diner. In fact, our favorite way to enjoy it is at the counter. The food is upscale Southern diner food. There are some killer appetizers like deviled eggs and cheddar chive biscuits, and entrees like fried half chicken, and meatloaf.

Showroom has one of the best brunch menus in town. The chicken & waffles and biscuits with sausage gravy are fantastic. Oh…Showroom serves alcohol, including ‘adult milkshakes‘!

13. Pistarro's

Category: Italian / Pizza

Why We Love It: Pistarro’s is another of our go-to Italian restaurants in Frederick. In fact, on weekend nights, we will often try to get seats at the bar, order Italian wine, and enjoy the wide variety of appetizers, anti-pastas, pizzas, pastas, and desserts that Pistarro’s serves up.

Pistarro’s has a family restaurant vibe, often packed with parents and kids enjoying classic Italian food. But it’s also nice enough to be a date-night ristorante, especially if it’s warm enough to sit outside on the patio.

The pizza and pasta are both excellent. I’ve also enjoyed the chicken parmesan, and honestly, it’s hard to find anything on the Pistarro’s menu that isn’t good. Save room for dessert!

14. Cucina Massi

Category: Italian

Why We Love It: The back terrace! Cucina Massi is another excellent Italian restaurant in Frederick that reminds you of Little Italy in Baltimore. It serves all the classics with a slight bit of Maryland influence (Linguini with Crab Meat).

But what we love most about this place is the back terrace. In nice weather, you can opt to dine in the very back of the restaurant, outside on this lovely terrace, tucked away in the middle of downtown Frederick. It has a great vibe and is one of the best dining experiences in town.

But don’t sleep on the food at Cucina Massi. I’ve had the lasagna, eggplant parm, and margherita pizza. They are all fabulous, and there’s a great list of Italian wines to enjoy with it.

15. Tsunami Ramen

Category: Asian

Why We Love It: Ramen is mostly associated with cheap food college kids eat, and really good gourmet ramen is hard to find. But you can find delicious and creative ramen at Tsunami Ramen right in downtown Frederick.

It’s an eclectic place with colorful Asian decor and an interesting menu, including Asian-themed appetizers and creative cocktails that use things like Sochu (a Japanese spirit). The ramen is the star of the show, and they have plenty of favorable ramen dishes incorporating chicken, pork, or veggies. There are classic Japanese-style flavors as well as several spicy curry ramen.

We don’t get takeout very often, but when we do, we often get Tsunami ramen takeout to eat at home.

16. Maxwell's Burgers & Shakes

Category: Burgers

Why We Love It: Frederick is lucky to have several great burger joints in town, and one of the best is Maxwell’s. Located on Patrick St a few blocks from Market, Maxwell’s does burgers, fries, shakes, and adult beverages right. It’s one of our ‘go to’ places for a no-decision-making meal in Frederick.

Maxwell’s is a creation of Wine Kitchen on the Creek (the same owners). The Steakhouse Burgers and Waygu Burger are tremendous, and when paired with Maxwell’s fries or tater tots and a shake, it’s a slam-dunk meal. Maxwell’s also serves wine and beer, including local favorite Attaboy beer.

Don’t sleep on the Chicken Sandwich or WK Fish O Filet. Vegans will appreciate that all burgers can be made Impossible.

A must-visit place in Frederick!

17. Lazy Fish

Category: Asian

Why We Love It: Every decent food town needs a good sushi restaurant, and Lazy Fish is that restaurant in Frederick. Another restaurant in the Patrick Street cluster, it’s jointly run by the owners of Sumittra Thai.

Lazy Fish is a modern Asian bistro offering creative sushi rolls, lots of yummy Asian appetizers, and a great drink menu. In fact, you can have a super delicious meal without even ordering sushi. The hot Asian Wings are particularly good.

But if you are like Nicole and me, sushi is on your regular restaurant rotation, so when at Lazy Fish, we are eating sushi. The nigiri and sashimi are always fresh, and there’s always a new creative roll to try. The Lady Spider (soft shell crab tempura) continues to be my favorite.

18. Cafe Nola

Category: Brunch

Why We Love It: I heard about Cafe Nola before I moved to Frederick. A top-notch Brunch place always seems to get noticed. Cafe Nola is one of Frederick’s best breakfast/brunch/lunch spots. The long wait on weekends is the first tell.

The brunch menu is full of hits with items like Lox Benedict, Steak and Eggs, and my favorite – Migas. The sandwiches and salads are excellent as well.

But don’t just visit for lunch. Cafe Nola has full bar service, a great cocktail menu, and happy hour every 4-7 p.m.

19. Cugino Forno

Category: Pizza

Why We Love It: Cugino Forno burst on the scene in 2022 and now serves some of the best pizza in Frederick. The North Carolina chain set up shop in Frederick in an ideal spot on the north side of downtown on Market Street near the intersection of Schifferstadt.

Their specialty is Neapolitan Pizza, which is hard not to love. Fresh ingredients and a homemade tomato sauce result in creations like the Margarita and Americano (pepperoni, buffalo cheese, basil, garlic). Pair it with an Italian red wine or Peroni beer and one of their great salads for a delightful pizza outing.

The outdoor terrace is a lovely place to eat despite being on a slightly busier stretch of Market Street. In fact, it’s hard to drive by Cugino Forno and not immediately get a craving for a pizza.

20. Cacique

Category: Latin / Mexican

Why We Love It: Cacique is a bright, colorful restaurant focusing on Spanish and Mexican food. It’s a popular place in downtown Frederick, partly because it has a beautiful, recently renovated bar and is a fun place to get a drink in downtown Frederick.

While the Mexican food is fine, we recommend skipping it and heading straight to Spain. The house special is the Paella, which usually comes served for two. You can get the traditional Paella Valencia (seafood + chicken) or the Paella Marisco (all seafood). Both are fabulous.

There are a number of other unique Spanish dishes (roasted duck, bistec realeza). If you really want to go Mexican, the fajitas are a hit. As mentioned, the bar is super fun, and the drink menu features several margaritas and sangrias.

21. Bloom Asian Haus

Category: Asian

Why We Love It: The hottest restaurant in Frederick right now is Bloom Asian Haus. Since replacing Mirage Hookah Lounge in early 2024, this bright, flowering Asian restaurant has been the new place to try in downtown Frederick.

Bloom is a fusion restaurant that serves a combination of Chinese, Thai, and other Asian cuisines. The menu has an interesting structure. There are a plethora of appetizers, including specialties like dumplings and bao buns. The list of Asian Tapas includes things like squid leg karaage and Hokkaido scallop ceviche. The entrees are a similar varied (and somewhat strange) mix of Asian dishes with Maryland influence.

The thing you’ll probably notice most about Bloom is the decor. The flowering walls, ceiling, and light fixtures are almost as beautiful as the dishes. They still don’t take reservations except by phone, and you’ll want one on weekends.

22. Black Hog BBQ

Category: BBQ

Why We Love It: Black Hog BBQ Frederick is part of a local chain with restaurants in Middletown, Urbana, Ashburn, VA, and Downtown Frederick. They also have a food truck that is often seen around town. Of course, the common thread is real BBQ, and all the sides you love to go with it.

The Frederick location recently reopened after being closed for renovations since August 2023. The renovations included major upgrades to the kitchen, bar, and, most notably, the rooftop. The rooftop now has a bar and dining area, which is definitely worth a visit. In fact, we think the rooftop at Black Hog BBQ is one of the coolest places to eat in downtown Frederick.

Add in the fact that it has free parking and great BBQ, makes it a must visit in Frederick.

23. Sumittra Thai

Category: Asian

Why We Love It: Just like sushi, pizza, Mexican, and BBQ, Thai food is in our regular rotation. In downtown Frederick, that means Sumittra Thai, downtown’s best local Thai restaurant.

Sumittra is run by the same owners as Lazy Fish upstairs and has been serving up Thai noodle and curry dishes since 2011. If you like Thai food, you’ll find all the hits on the menu: Sa-Tay, Tom Yum Soup, Ka-Prao, Pad Thai, Drunken Noodle, and much more.

Sumittra is in the Patrick Street restaurant cluster, and doesn’t take reservations so it gets crowded on weekends. The dining room has a great vibe, and check out the Thai cocktails and beers!

24. Sabor de Cuba

Category: Latin

Why We Love It: Another Patrick Street winner, Sabor de Cuba, is a cozy place serving the big flavors of Cuba. Frederick residents rave about this place.

The entrees are typical Cuban (Arroz con Pollo, Bistec Enchilado), but what they do best are the sandwiches. The Cubano (a classic Cuban sandwich with pork and ham) is excellent and best paired with Maduros or Tostones (plantains).

Save room for the Cuban desserts!

25. The Orchard

Category: Fusion

Why We Love It: The Orchard is (almost) iconic in downtown Frederick, with its bright yellow awning and prominent location at the corner of Market and Church Street. And if you like fresh and organic, this is the place for lunch or dinner.

The Orchard prides itself on fresh ingredients. It uses organic products when possible, buys most of its produce from local sources, and makes everything homemade (including the bread). It’s a great place for sandwiches and salads, and don’t sleep on the entrees (Grilled Chicken with Pesto).

It’s also a great place for gluten-free and vegan diners.

Read Our Detail Reviews of The Best Restaurants in Frederick MD!

Now that you’ve seen our rankings, check out our detailed reviews of some of the Best Restaurants in Frederick, MD!

The Best Steakhouse in Frederick, MD

The Wine Kitchen on the Creek: Frederick’s Perfect Date Night Restaurant

September 9, 2024

The Best Steakhouse in Frederick MD

August 23, 2024

New Rooftop Takes Black Hog BBQ Frederick to Another Level

July 19, 2024

The Ordinary Hen Brings Appalachian Cuisine to Downtown Frederick

July 15, 2024

Bentztown Frederick: A New Restaurant for Bourbon, Music, and Upscale Southern Food

June 3, 2024

Up On Market Bistro Brings Paris to Downtown Frederick

May 29, 2024

The Garage: A Somewhat Hidden Frederick Food Joint That’s Worth Discovering

May 20, 2024

Bloom Asian Haus Flowers in Downtown Frederick

April 11, 2024

Maxwell’s Burgers in Frederick (+ Fries, Beers, and Shakes)

March 27, 2024

Cacique in Frederick: Skip Mexico and Head to Spain

February 27, 2024

We (Finally) Made It to Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick

February 21, 2024

Get Your Curry Fix at Sumittra Thai in Frederick

February 6, 2024

Tsunami Ramen: A Tidal Wave of Flavors in Downtown Frederick

January 16, 2024

Wilcom’s Inn Near Frederick: Its What’s Inside That Matters

January 6, 2024

Why We Love Showroom Frederick So Much

December 26, 2023

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One Response

Travis Vaughan says:

June 21, 2024 at 5:29 pm

So many good restaurants to choose from in Frederick but to leave out Isabellas which has been the best specialty restaurant 23 years in a row, it is comical they are not in top 25.

Reply

The 25 Best Restaurants in Frederick MD Right Now