The bar and grill. It’s a simple concept, but its importance cannot be overstated. It’s there for you when you need a cold beer and a burger after a long week. It’s there for you when you want to watch the game without the pretense of a sports bar. And it’s there for you when you finally give up on finding ‘authentic’ cuisine and just want something delicious.
Naughty Dogs Restaurant Pub and Grill
$ | (410) 734-7933 | WEBSITE
Do you prefer your wings with a KFC-type batter? Naughty Dogs does an excellent version. That said, their rock fish fingers are very respectable. These things are crispy without being greasy, and there’s a generous amount of delicious dipping sauce.
Black Forest Taphouse
$$ | (443) 299-6206 | WEBSITE
Black Forest Taphouse is the prime example of how to succeed at eating in Bel Air: don’t judge a restaurant by its rustic-looking exterior. We can’t vouch for their chicken and waffles or pierogies or kid-friendly menu, but we can vouch for their bratwurst. In fact, we’re crowning it the greatest bratwurst in Bel Air. What makes this thing #1 on our list?
Perfectly-grilled sausage which has been given a lot of love (AKA seasoning), a squishy roll, and the perfect bratwurst:sauerkraut:mustard:bread ratio. The end result is the platonic ideal of a classic German sausage.
Route 24 Ale House
$$ | (443) 922-7981 | WEBSITE
You can order a regular crab cake at the Route 24 Ale House. But you would be missing out on the real MVP here: The crab cake egg rolls. They’re crab cakes, with the addition of one game-changing ingredient: crispy egg roll wrappers. If you’re watching the game, stop here on the way to your seat, where you can happily devour them and hope that no one distracts you until you’re at least somewhat certain you’re not going to miss the next touchdown.
Lib’s Grill Perry Hall
$$ | (410) 513-7133 | WEBSITE
This is your standard bar & grill experience – there’s nothing too remarkable about it, and it’s a little too casual. But if you’re in the area and need to grab a reliable meal, it’s a solid, dependable choice with flexible options.
Dew Drop Bar & Grill
$ | (410) 538-3126 | WEBSITE
Dew Drop is the kind of all-purpose bar and grill that makes Bel Air more enjoyable – you can always count on it for a burger, or you can hit the onion rings, or you can get a bourbon boneless wing fix when you need it. Their live music won’t do you wrong, but it’s also not working miracles.
Gene’s Bar & Restaurant Incorporated
$ | (410) 692-2617 | WEBSITE
Yes, their name is straightforward, and you know what? It also happens to be accurate. This no-frills establishment in Bel Air serves great bar and grill classics, particularly the cheesesteaks. But we’re not here to talk about cheesesteaks. We’re here to talk about sandwiches. And Gene’s are really good. Our favorite is the pit beef – and we actually recommend it over the pit ham (the pit ham is perfectly good as well).
Be sure to ask for their great chili and settle yourself into some of the best laid-back diner atmosphere Bel Air has to offer.
Big Falls Inn
$ | (410) 256-2500 | WEBSITE
If you try to order the pit beef sandwich after the kitchen closes for the night, you’ll get a friendly but firm reminder from Angela at the bar that it’s time to switch to drinks only. But it’s worth planning your visit around that sandwich – this is a massive, juicy, deeply satisfying creation where every bite delivers. If you live nearby and haven’t discovered this place yet, we suggest you make it your regular hangout starting this weekend.