6 Hidden-Gem Steakhouses In Maryland’s Small Towns Worth Visiting

Maryland’s culinary scene offers far more than the famous crab shacks and bustling seafood houses that dominate the coastline.

Venture inland along the back roads of the Old Line State, and you’ll uncover a different kind of treasure—steakhouses that locals guard like well-kept secrets. Over the years, I’ve sought out these hidden gems, often stumbling upon them in the most unassuming towns.

What I found were cozy dining rooms filled with loyal regulars, sizzling plates of perfectly seared beef, and a kind of warm, small-town hospitality that big-city restaurants rarely deliver. These spots prove Maryland’s flavor goes well beyond seafood.

1. The Oaks – La Plata

My first visit to The Oaks happened during a summer thunderstorm that had me ducking into this historic mansion-turned-steakhouse purely by chance. Lucky accident! The 200-year-old oak floors creaked pleasantly beneath my feet as I settled in.

Family-owned since 1983, their prime rib practically melts on your fork. The staff remembers regulars’ names and preferred doneness levels – a touch you won’t find at chain restaurants.

What keeps me coming back isn’t just the perfectly aged beef but the fireplace that crackles welcomingly in winter months. Their secret house seasoning blend remains a closely guarded family recipe worth driving 45 minutes from DC to experience.

2. Old South Mountain Inn – Boonsboro

Perched along the Appalachian Trail, this pre-Revolutionary War stone building has served everyone from George Washington to hungry hikers like me. I stumbled upon it after a grueling day of trail walking, following my nose to what became the best post-hike meal ever.

Stone walls three feet thick keep the dining room cool in summer and cozy in winter. Their signature mountain-cut ribeye arrives with a spectacular crust that locks in juices like nowhere else.

Ghost stories swirl about former patrons who never left – though I’m convinced they simply couldn’t bear to leave the food behind! For history buffs and meat lovers alike, this 1732 establishment delivers steaks with stories almost as rich as their decadent house butter.

3. Sunset Restaurant – Glen Burnie

“Don’t judge a book by its cover” became my mantra after discovering Sunset Restaurant. From the unassuming strip mall exterior, I nearly drove past what locals have treasured for three generations.

Greek family ownership brings unexpected Mediterranean flair to traditional steakhouse fare. Their surf-and-turf combo featuring local Chesapeake blue crab alongside perfectly aged New York strip creates flavor marriages that shouldn’t work but absolutely sing on the palate.

Saturday nights feature live piano music while Sunday evenings offer their legendary prime rib special that sells out weekly. The vintage 1970s décor hasn’t changed in decades – and frankly, I hope it never does. This time-capsule steakhouse preserves both flavor traditions and community connections.

4. The Milton Inn – Sparks

Housed in what was once a coaching inn and schoolhouse from 1740, The Milton Inn captivated me before I even tasted a morsel. The stone building stands proudly among rolling countryside hills, practically demanding you slow down and savor life.

My server, Martin, had worked there 32 years and guided me to their dry-aged porterhouse that ruined me for all other steaks. The meat program here focuses on local farms within 50 miles, creating unmatched freshness and flavor.

Seasonal vegetable sides change weekly based on what local farmers bring to their kitchen door. The wine cellar, housed in the original fieldstone foundation, stores over 200 varieties in perfect temperature. Every meal feels like dining in a history book that happens to serve exceptional beef.

5. Schula’s Grill & Crab House – Hagerstown

Rumors of a steak so good it made a vegetarian reconsider led me to Schula’s on a frosty January evening. The cheerful yellow clapboard house doesn’t scream “steakhouse” from the outside – and that’s exactly why I love it.

Originally a crab shack that expanded its menu after the owner won a regional grilling competition, Schula’s serves the most flavorful hanger steak I’ve encountered anywhere. Their signature smoking process uses local fruit woods that perfume the meat with subtle sweetness.

Mismatched chairs and tables create a homey atmosphere where conversations flow easily between neighboring diners. Don’t miss their homemade steak sauce featuring black cherries from nearby orchards. The recipe came from the owner’s grandmother who insisted good food needs no pretension – just honest ingredients and careful hands.

6. 1836 Kitchen & Taproom – Westminster

Carroll County’s best-kept secret sits in plain sight on Westminster’s historic main street. Named for the year the building was constructed, 1836 Kitchen welcomed me with the intoxicating scent of beef sizzling over open flame.

The chef, a culinary school dropout turned self-taught meat maestro, prepares each cut to order on a custom-built wood-fired grill visible from most tables. Their signature 1836 Tomahawk arrives at the table still smoking from hickory embers.

Exposed brick walls display black and white photos of local cattle farms that supply their meat. The bar features 24 rotating taps of Maryland craft beers that pair perfectly with their peppercorn-crusted filet. After one visit, I understood why locals seem simultaneously eager to share their favorite spot and protective of their hidden treasure.