With exciting new restaurants popping up on a regular basis and longstanding favorites continuing to shine, there’s never been a better time to be a food lover in Howard County.More than 2,000 people voted in Howard Magazine’s Best Restaurants readers’ poll, selecting their favorites in 45 categories. Below, we present the eateries that earned top votes, and we share a little about what makes some of the county’s best spots oh-so-special.Editor’s note: Winners and honorable mentions were determined by popular vote. Readers were invited to vote online in June and July.Ambience: Iron Bridge Wine Co.Honorable mentions:Hudson CoastalTersiguel’sVictoria Gastro PubBakery: Kupcakes & Co.Honorable mentions:Touche TouchetWegmansGreat Harvest Bread Co.Bar food: The Ale House ColumbiaHonorable mentions:River Hill GrillKelsey’s Restaurant & Irish PubBare Bones Grill & BreweryBartender: Sam Waller, White Oak TavernHonorable mentions:Steven Wecker, Iron Bridge Wine Co.Luke Shagogue, Aida BistroJeremy Reed, RanazulBarbecue: Mission BBQHonorable mentions:Kloby’s SmokehouseBare Bones Grill & BreweryThe CanopyBreakfast: EggspectationHonorable mentions:Double T DinerThe White Oak TavernBob EvansBrunch: EggspectationHonorable mentions:Victoria Gastro PubThe White Oak TavernHudson CoastalBurger: Victoria Gastro PubHonorable mentions:The White Oak TavernThe Ale House ColumbiaBGR The Burger JointChef: Christopher Lewis, formerly of Cured Table & Tap/18th & 21stHonorable mentions:Thomas Zippelli, The Turn HouseGreg Mason, The White Oak TavernFabio Mura, Grille 620Chinese: Hunan ManorHonorable mentions:Jesse Wong’s Asean BistroP.F. Chang’sHunan LegendCocktail: Iron Bridge Wine Co.Honorable mentions:AnandaThe White Oak TavernTino’s Italian BistroCoffee: Bean Hollow (closed)Honorable mentions:Mad City CoffeeStarbucksLittle French MarketCrab cake: Hudson CoastalHonorable mentions:Clyde’s of ColumbiaThe Corner StableVictoria Gastro PubDeli: Boarman’s Old Fashioned Meat Market13402 Clarksville Pike, Highland. 301-854-2883. facebook.com/boarmansmeatmarketWhen Boarman’s Old Fashioned Meat Market opened in Highland in 1955, the market and deli had already been in business for over 15 years. The Boarman family, which has owned the market for four generations, takes pride in its longevity and in their dedication to making things from scratch.From country sausage made from a family recipe to ham salad and deviled eggs, the Boarmans make as much as they can in-house, and the community loves it. Over Easter weekend alone, Boarman’s sold about 2,000 homemade deviled eggs.Homemade salads and sausages “are things people don’t take the time to do anymore,” says Georgie Boarman, son of market owner George Boarman.The Boarmans also work to make the market accessible to everyone in the community. “We don’t want to be the high-end, high-priced store that only a certain group of people can shop at. We want everyone to feel like they can come in and buy a good steak and fresh produce,” says Georgie Boarman.Honorable mentions:Jason’s DeliBon FrescoCharter DeliDessert: Iron Bridge Wine Co.Honorable mentions:Hudson CoastalAidaThe White Oak TavernFine dining: Stanford GrillHonorable mentions:Terisguel’sKings ContrivanceGrille 620Food truck: T&J WafflesHonorable mentions:Greek on the StreetThe Jolly PigJurassic PorkGluten-free options: Great SageHonorable mentions:Tino’s Italian BistroOne Dish CuisineThe White Oak TavernHappy Hour: The Phoenix Emporium8049 Main St., Ellicott City. 410-465-5665. phoenixemporium.netIt’s been a challenging few years for The Phoenix Emporium, the popular, beer-centric bar and restaurant that has been part of the Ellicott City community for four decades. Located at the bottom of the hill on historic Main Street, The Phoenix Emporium was forced to close following floods in 2016 and 2018.But like its name suggests, The Phoenix Emporium rose from metaphorical ashes, reopening after both floods; this year, its reopening day was in late August.Despite the closures, the bar retained a steady crew of happy hour regulars, who visit for the dedicated and friendly staff, the charm of the cozy space and for the menu and terrific daily deals.The bar does not have a draught system, but it does boast a huge selection of beers: about 210 available on any given day. Happy hour, which runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every weekday, includes $3 domestic beers, rail drinks and glasses of wine, and $5 deals on most appetizers.Honorable mentions:The Ale House ColumbiaVictoria Gastro PubBare Bones Grill & BreweryHealthful menu: Great SageHonorable mentions:David’s Natural MarketBon FrescoNora’s KabobHouse-brewed beer: Jailbreak Brewing Co.Honorable mentions:Ellicott Mills Brewing Co.The Ale House ColumbiaFrisco Tap HouseIce cream/frozen yogurt: Soft StuffHonorable mentions:Rita’sCindy’s Soft ServeMeadows Frozen CustardIndian: Royal TajHonorable mentions:AnandaHouse of IndiaMango GroveItalian: Tino’s Italian BistroHonorable mentions:FacciAida BistroMaggiano’sJapanese: Sushi SonoHonorable mentions:SakuraSushi KingYama SushiKorean: Honey Pig Korean BBQ10045 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City. 410-696-2426. honeypigbbq.comIn recent years, Howard County’s Korean food scene has gained national fame. A trip to the Ellicott City location of Honey Pig BBQ, the local outpost representing the small chain of restaurants owned by Micky Kim, makes it easy to understand why.“A Korean meal is an experience,” says Honey Pig’s marketing director Hanna Kuark. Meals start with banchan, or small dishes, like kimchi and tofu, designed to whet the appetite. Main courses are grilled by diners, at the table. It’s a fun, interactive way to dine that’s inspired by Korean family meal traditions.Honey Pig’s most popular dishes include beef bulgogi, beef kalbi and spicy pork belly. “We are focused on making the best possible sauces, and it’s something we work on constantly,” says Kuark. “We work hard to create the environment and taste of what a Korean meal would be like in Seoul.”She suggests that Honey Pig first-timers let the staff know they’re new to the restaurant; they’ll create a tasting menu as an introduction to the flavors of Korea.Honorable mentions:Bon ChonShin ChonRainpiaLive entertainment: Toby’s Dinner TheatreHonorable mentions:Union Jack’sThe Judge’s BenchBare Bones Grill & BreweryMexican: La Palapa Grill & CantinaHonorable mentions:El AztecaErnesto’sXitomateNew restaurant: Lupa10215 Wincopin Circle, Columbia. 410-964-9999. lupacolumbia.com Since its splashy opening in February, Lupa has quickly become a favorite among diners of every age. Located on Columbia’s Lake Kittamaqundi waterfront in the former home of Petit Louis Bistro, the Italian restaurant is sophisticated enough for an elegant evening out, but also kid-friendly and approachable enough for a casual lunch.The menu includes pizza and pasta, as well as more intricate entrees, all inspired by the cuisine of Rome and its surrounding region. An attached gelateria makes the Roman experience that much more true to life.“We want to prepare things in honest and authentic ways and translate real Italian food,” says Tony Foreman, who co-owns Lupa and several other restaurants with his business partner Cindy Wolf.So far, customers are going crazy for Lupa’s gnocchi, lamb meatballs and the buttery, pan-seared bronzino, which comes with roasted vegetables and fennel pollen pesto.“We try to do really honest food, and from the ground up,” says Foreman. “The pasta is made every day. The pizza dough is made every day. All ingredients are from the best sources we can find, locally when available.”Honorable mentions:Lib’s GrillCured Table & Tap/18th & 21stMad Chef Kitchen & BarOutdoor dining: Clyde’s of ColumbiaHonorable mentions:The Turn HouseThe White Oak TavernTino’s Italian BistroBest overall: Hudson CoastalHonorable mentions:Iron Bridge Wine Co.Tino’s Italian BistroThe White Oak TavernPizza: Coal Fire PizzaHonorable mentions:Ledo PizzaRiver House Pizza Co.Tino’s Italian BistroPlace to take the kids: Double T DinerHonorable mentions:EggspectationTino’s Italian BistroHudson CoastalPlace to take out-of-towners: Iron Bridge Wine Co.Honorable mentions:Victoria Gastro PubThe White Oak TavernTino’s Italian BistroSeafood: Hudson CoastalHonorable mentions:Grille 620Sushi SonoAida BistroServer: Charlie Risselada, Tersiguel’sHonorable mentions:Boris Bobrov, Aida Bistro & Wine BarMarisa Jenks, White Oak TavernRoy Cheeks, Victoria’s Gastro PubBest service: Hudson CoastalHonorable mentions:Iron Bridge Wine Co.Tersiguel’sThe Ale House ColumbiaBest Snowball: The Snowball Stand1970 Woodstock Road, Woodstock. 443-405-2557. facebook.com/thesnowballstand For 44 years, people from Howard County and beyond have traveled to the rolling fields of Woodstock in search of a classic Baltimore snowball at The Snowball Stand. What they find is more than just one of the region’s best snowballs: The Snowball Stand is also a place where memories are made.Michele “Miki” Hill, who owns the stand with her husband, Tim, says people of all ages stop by to share stories about childhood memories made at the stand, from first kisses to sports team celebrations.The Hills have run the stand for 12 years; they credit the two previous owners with creating a business that was beloved by the community. “We tried to stand on their shoulders,” says Miki Hill.Present-day visits are made more fun thanks to the engaging staff of young adults.“Our employees are hands-down the best. We’ve tried to pull together a team of kids who are polite, happy, friendly and conversational,” says Hill. “The kids get along really well and that spills over to how they treat the customers.”Of course, the snowballs themselves are also a huge draw. “Every one of our flavors are homemade, and that’s a big difference. We don’t use fructose – it’s actual sugar – and they taste really good,” she says.Honorable mentions:Cindy’s Soft ServeTropical Waters Snowball StandPete’s SnowballsSports bar: Looney’s PubHonorable mentions:The Ale House ColumbiaRiver Hill GrillThe Greene TurtleSteak: Stanford GrillHonorable mentions:Iron Bridge Wine Co.White Oak TavernVictoria Gastro PubSushi: Sushi SonoHonorable mentions:Sushi KingKatana SushiEast Moon Asian BistroBest value: Double T DinerHonorable mentions:Maiwand KabobKelsey’s Restaurant and Irish PubBare Bones Grill & BreweryVegetarian options: Great SageHonorable mentions:Royal TajMango GroveBon FrescoView: Clyde’s of ColumbiaHonorable mentions:The TurnhouseElkridge Furnace InnSushi SonoWine list: Iron Bridge Wine Co.Honorable mentions:Aida Bistro (tie)Pure Wine Cafe (tie)Tino’s Italian BistroVotes tallied by Brad Mutchnik.