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Columbia, MD

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The Turn House

3.6 (483 reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Services - The Turn House

Bartending services

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THE TURN HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - The Turn House

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Simone L.

Our first time dining here. It's right off the golf course. Nice views. The food was great. We have the brussel sprouts, crab stuffed trout and blackened catfish. Our waitress, Sunny, suggested getting less "blackened" on the catfish and it was perfect! We also had a few different drinks that were all excellent and both the apple and brownie desserts which were also yummy. After dinner, we moved to their firepit which was really nice and ordered hot toddies and cappuccinos. Would definitely return and Sunny was an awesome waitress!

Merlot
Jessica A.

This is such a lovely restaurant with beautiful views of their golf course! The views made for a great experience. They have a great wine selection, but I went with my favorite - merlot. We started with the focaccia, which I believe had garlic baked in it. The garlic was pretty strong, but overall, the bread was tasty, especially with the whipped butter. For my entree, I ordered the single crab cake, which came with fries and coleslaw. I really enjoyed this meal. Lastly, for dessert, I got the strawberry and rhubarb galette, which was topped with ice cream and caramel drizzle. I really loved it!

Full moon and fire pit. And they brought our food out to us even though they were very busy at the bar.

Updating my old review when things were not so good here. But What a great place to dine. Service is great. Food consistently solid and creative. Changing menus is great (even though I have to watch some favs disappear) Patrick at the bar is top shelf and consistently professional. They work hard and it shows. Still the best dining view around. The exterior heaters are the best (all other places got rid of theirs post covid). And you can catch the sunset at the fire pit.

Butter Poached Shrimp Salad
Kari H.

I went to house last Saturday for brunch. Overall, I enjoyed my experience there. The food and drinks were tasty and the restaurant had classic brunch staples. We started with the crispy shaved brussels sprouts appetizer. They were drizzled with a pomegranate balsamic glaze that was absolutely delicious. My boyfriend got the chicken and waffles and its served on a beautiful wooden platter with potatoes and fruit. It was a very popular dish as I saw a few other tables with the same. The waffles were fluffy and chicken was crispy and well seasoned. I got the stuffed French toast and unfortunately, I don't recommend it. The French toast was very thick and fried a bit too hard for my liking and overall it was pretty dry. It didn't seem stuffed with anything. I also got a side of scrambled eggs with cheddar and they were fluffy and very tasty. I imagine their omelettes must be tasty as well. In the future, I'd like to try the dinner menu, particularly in the warmer months. The rear of the restaurant has large windows and a beautiful patio that overlooks a golf course. I went on a chilly Saturday and sat indoors, but I could tell that the patio would make for scenic dining in summer. The restaurant seems to be attached to the golf course/country club, so there's ample parking available. We got in easily with no reservation.

Shrimp & Grits
Kymbaly W.

Mu family and I came here for my Aunts birthday. It was about 11 of us on a Saturday around noon. Our waitress was Nadya and she was so sweet and nice. She made sure to get everyone's orders written down correctly and was always pleasant! She checked on us and if there was an issue she did her best to find a solution as soon as possible. She needs a raise. Lol!! I ordered the shrimp and grits. I also ordered lemon hot tea. When the tea came out mine was not hot neither was my Aunts tea. Nadya was sure to take them back and when we received our next tea pots they were indeed hot. I will say that the food was just, okay! My shrimp and grits left a lot to be desired. The grit cake was not my favorite. We had to cut the grit cake open and then disperse the grits which were a little thick for my liking. The fried part of the grit cake I did not prefer. The shrimp were flavorful and the sauce was a little spicy which I liked as well. Overall, it wasn't bad but I wouldn't order it again. A few people ordered crab cakes and I was able to taste it as well. NO! It was not seasoned well and a little too wet, if that makes sense. Yes, it was lump crab meat but it's definitely not what a Md crab cake should be. My uncle got the old bay wings but they were not fried hard. He was really disappointed. My Aunt whose tea was not hot got the chicken and waffles. She was disappointed. The waffles were not hot and a little dry. My cousin also got chicken and waffles and his presentation was great. The potatoes were crispy but you need to add your own salt because if not, they are bland. His chicken was a little dry, also. Overall, our experience here with the staff was great but the food left a lot to be desired.

Seafood Omelette with Toast (2)
Christine R.

I enjoyed this place. I had no idea it was here and it was nestled in a residential neighborhood on a golf course. The inside is a little classic but bright look. There is a lobby/sitting area, main dining area and then a room used for events, and possibly other spaces but that's all I saw. There was a baby shower happening in the event space while we had lunch. We were a party of 6 adults and 1 infant. I can only speak for my food and shared appetizers, but I know everyone enjoyed their meals and we left stuffed. The portions were hearty, especially the chicken and waffles. I had crab dip, tuna tartare, and a Caesar salad. The crab dip had lots of real crab and was seasoned well. I also really liked my other dishes- the Caesar was perfect. I also had one of the mocktails but can't quite recall what it was called. It was refreshing. I will be back to try more!

Lobster roll
Monae S.

My dad treated me to the turn house for lunch to celebrate my birthday. We had a great time! They initially seated us outside with the headlamps. The view of the golf course was beautiful, but I was cold. We had to head back in which surprisingly the staff accommodated us no problem. The menu looked great. To be honest, I wanted everything. I settled on the risotto which was delicious. My dad got the lobster roll which was I happily ate along with my risotto. I know my dad was still hungry, but hey it was my birthday. Anyway, the lobster roll was warm and delicious. I could eat ten of them. Between the view, the food and the service, I was very pleased. I will definitely be going back.

This is what to expect, could be SO SO much more
Kenneth N.

Please see previous info: Had an anniversary reservation that only thing seemed to reserve for us was a bad time, or possibly a waste of time. Never got to try the food, couldn't hear my anniversary partner regardless with all the loud people and kids everywhere. Very poor over all

Chicken and waffles. Check out the plate!
Candace M.

I heard about this brunch spot on social media and had to try it out. It's located on a golf course so the exterior is already beautiful! Plenty of parking near the front door so that was convenient. The restaurant itself was cozy with an older, more classic decor. Our server was Natasha. She was super sweet and gave us some excellent menu recommendations. I couldn't make up my mind what large plate I wanted so I made a meal out of side dishes. The potatoes were my favorite! TOP TIER!! The waffles were fluffy and sweet but a little cold by the time it got to my table. But that was okay. My girlfriends both ordered the chicken and waffles and one of them cleaned her plate. Like nothing left!! The other one asked for a box to take it home. Needless to say they enjoyed it. I think you'll like this spot. It's not exactly designed for a younger crowd but it's quiet, easy to find, serves a tasty meal.

Fritto Misto
Michael S.

Beautiful restaurant with a great outside area that overlooks the golf course. The food: It was really good! The salmon was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside with a very tender middle. The sauce was a great compliment to the salmon and mashed potatoes. I'm not a fan of buffalo wings; I like other flavors, but they were super crispy (as advertised) and packed with flavor. The kids grilled cheese was on homemade bread. That means they take great care in their bread! A lot of restaurants outsource their bread but not here. They make everything in house and it shows. The frito misto was fine. Nothing to write home about. The service: we sat down at 5:40. We weren't done with dinner until 8:30. That's a really long dinner for Americans. There was some hiccups but I have a feeling they will get it together soon. The food was five stars and the service was more like 3 stars. So I would give this place a chance because the food was great and the happy hour menu is throughout the whole restaurant. Yep that's a game changer!!!!

Mixed Berry Crostada
Becca S.

Starting with the good. The food was delicious. We ordered probably half the menu. Appetizers for happy hour, dinner, and desserts. My personal favorites were the salmon dinner (not pictured) and the watermelon salad. I would go back every time for the food. Unfortunately, the service was non-existent. We could not get the waitress other than once every half hour... our needs were not met. We had to get up from the table multiple times to request things like spoons, waters for our kids, and dinner (not lunch) menus. We had a 5:30 reservation and 2.5 hours later I'm still here. As in, I'm writing this, waiting for my bill, and might go ask for it up front. If the service were better, this would be a 5 star hands down.

Maggie's Crab Dip
Abby S.

Came to the Turn house for happy hour on a weekday. There were lots of seats at the bar, as well as indoor and outdoor seating options. I liked the peaceful atmosphere and the views of the golf course. They offer modern American foods with a French flair. We ordered the crab dip and it was quite tasty and came out hot and fast. Their happy hour offers $7 drinks and the bartenders made sure our glasses were always full! The bartenders were all attentive and could make anything you want as they have a full bar. The bathrooms were clean and well kept. We will be back!

meatball app
El P.

summary: went for a Happy Hour to celebrate our anniversary and enjoyed the experience from top to bottom. The service was welcoming and friendly and frequently checked in on us throughout the meal to make sure we didn't need anything. There were a decent number of patrons present too, so it was nice not having to worry about tracking down our server. The happy hour is pretty awesome here. There are a ton of drink specials for all palettes (wine, beer, mixed drinks) and a large selection of apps. It was great to have a chance of trying all sorts of small plates and getting kind of a tapas situation while enjoying drinks. The vibe is on the slightly elevated-casual to formal end of things making it perfect for a date night. The restaurant itself sits within a golf course, so you get a nice view of the greens as you dine. There's also TVs set up to have a sports bar type of atmosphere in the main room. Overall, a great experience getting to celebrate our anniversary and will be back!

Crabcake

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Reviews are mixed. Many highlight the golf course views, welcoming ambiance, and happy hour specials.

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Page 1 of 13

The Turn House Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Turn House

Can you smoke cigars?

No, unfortunately not, it is a Columbia Association property and they do not allow smoking anywhere.… 

Are dogs allowed on the patio!?

Well behaved pups on leaches are welcome on the patio. There was a large fellow next to my table just last week.

Are there heaters on the patio?

There's a fire pit.

Is there a kids menu?

Yes.

Is there bottomless bloody mary brunch?

I'm positive there is bottomless mimosa for $20pp, not sure about bm's

Is there happy hour?

Yes, The Turn House happy hour is Tuesday through Friday from 4-7pm. Deals include $5 select draft beers, $5 rail drinks, $8 glasses of house wine, and $10 bar bites.

View All 10 Questions

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Claret Hall - Claret Hall

Claret Hall

4.0(12 reviews)
2.2 mi

We recently held a Celebration of Life Service at Claret Hall for a wonderful woman who sadly…read morepassed last year. We started working with the team at Claret Hall, Renee, Jennifer, Hope and Eudene back in January. In our planning and requests, Claret Hall did a wonderful job in working with us on our different requests. The service was everything we had hoped it to be. Everyone was comfortable and all of our asks and needs were met. I highly recommend Claret Hall for any occasion, you won't be disappointed.

I came on board as the event planner for a H.S. graduation party after this venue had already been…read morebooked. If I had been involved from the beginning, I would not have chosen Claret Hall. While we were able to pull off a beautiful event, it was in spite of the venue -- not because of it. Dated Look & Layout Challenges Claret Hall's interior leans towards modest and practical. The mirrored walls in the main hall add a dated look, along with the wood floors, and a layout that's more "community center". Despite this, the staff carries themselves as if this is some grand, modern ballroom with marble floors and crystal chandeliers. Let's be clear -- it's not. The lobby has several design limitations: a brown beat up leather sofa that can't be removed because they "have nowhere to store it," and a built-in desk with a counter that takes up valuable space. There's a fireplace in the lobby with exit doors on both sides, and nothing is allowed near or in front of them (something we were reminded of multiple times), including while inflating balloons. If you're hoping to create a dramatic or welcoming entry moment, prepare to work around all of this. The catering/banquet room also had scuffed walls in clear need of a paint refresh. The main event room layout wasn't very functional either, because my design included a large balloon display and DJ booth, I had to carefully measure and adjust to avoid blocking yet another fire exit door. Inflexible Rules & Overbearing Oversight We had planned a mocktail bar setup for the grad on the outdoor patio. However, we were later told that we'd have to go through an entirely separate entity (and pay additional fees) just to use the patio for a "bar" that was NON-ALCOHOLIC, because it's technically not owned by Claret Hall. We ended up relocating the mocktail bar indoors. Additionally, we were told that we could not use any of their high top 32" round tables on the patio. During one of the walkthroughs, their staff member with the British accent, Ms. Eudene, used a very no nonsense tone, was borderline rude and not collaborative. The morning after our final walk-through, I called to ask for the fireplace measurements I had forgotten to take. The woman on the phone said a church event was happening and someone would have to call me back the next day. When I asked, "Isn't there a yellow measuring tape right there on the desk?" she paused, begrudgingly put me on hold, and minutes later returned with the measurements--but with an annoyed tone. It was unnecessarily difficult and honestly, lazy. If you're sitting right there, how does a church service stop you from walking four feet to measure a fireplace? She wasn't involved in the service! On the event day, all my vendors and helpers arrived on time! Granted, we were 30 minutes early, but the building was completely empty -- no church service or event in progress as we had been told there would be. Still, the staffer on duty would not let anyone in even 15 minutes early, citing liability and the contract terms. While I understand the policy, it was frustrating in the moment, especially with no one else in the building, balloon vendors outside with balloons, furniture vendors standing outside waiting, and a tight setup schedule. To top it off, as we were packing up at the end of the night; already actively cleaning and breaking down, the same staffer came over to me with a printed checklist, pointing out everything that needed to be done. I was beyond annoyed. Not exactly the energy you want at the end of a very long day. Final Thoughts Claret Hall is fine for modest events with low design needs. It is not ideal for creative designers who need a blank slate, creative freedom, or flexibility. Be prepared to design around fire exits, some immovable furniture, and strict staff oversight. It is also worth noting that a church regularly holds its services at Claret Hall, which can impact availability. I wouldn't personally book it again.

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Claret Hall - Main entrance to Claret Hall

Main entrance to Claret Hall

Claret Hall
Claret Hall - Claret Hall Garden off of the Banquet Room

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Claret Hall Garden off of the Banquet Room

The Meeting House

The Meeting House

3.8(6 reviews)
3.1 mi

Seems like a very useful space to have for a conference. Parking can be an issue though if the…read moreevent is large as the parking lot did not have enough spaces and we had to circle around a bit.

Receptionist - one who attempts to provide service to customers seeking out information. Typically…read morehas a friendly and helpful disposition. This is my understanding, broadly, of a receptionist or administrative assistant's duties and responsibilities if they frequently interface with the public, (though I know they have infinitely more tasks to accomplish than just greeting guests). This has never been my experience at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center - The Meeting House. I have interacted with the young lady sitting at the desk no less than 6 times, maybe as many as 10 in the past 4 years or so and her disposition 99.98% of the time has been really nasty. I do my best to be sympathetic, understanding or give people the benefit of the doubt, if I meet them for the first time and they seem grumpy, but if I speak with you upwards of 6 times over 4 years, different seasons, rain or shine and you are always pissed, perhaps you've sought out a career in the wrong lane. The attitude some businesses have toward customer service, perhaps, has evolved over the years, but I would still think there is modicum of courtesy that is expected of staff when they meet people who potentially may be interested in doing business with their establishment. I don't know what the protocol is when you see the receptionist, but, typically, I don't like to just interrupt them and tell them what I want, or why I'm there because they're usually typing something that I'm assuming they need a reasonable degree of focus on, and I don't want to break their concentration. I could tell this receptionist was pissed, per her usual, so I just started talking as soon as I got to the desk. The space I was interested in was not available for the date I wanted which was no problem. I asked if I could look at one of the other rooms I could see from her desk. (I wasn't sure if it was being used). She said "Yes". When I walked over, I saw a room to the left of that room, which I couldn't see when I asked to see the first room, so I invited myself to look at that room to (there was no one in it). When I turned back around the corner, the receptionist shot me a look that could cut through a thousand tons of Philadelphia street on the coldest of December nights. She was in the middle of eating her lunch, and stopped, mid-chew, to try and stare me down as if I was trying to usurp her authority. I ignored the vibe and just asked if the 2 rooms were available to which she immediately retorted "I said no"....First of all, she didn't. Second of all, she needs to park all that attitude at the curb before she enters her place of business. I understand being a receptionist may not always be the greatest position because you have to deal with whatever walks through your door, but if you can't be friendly, at least be professional. I understand that the objective of this house of worship is, by no means, solely to make money, but I would think, even a billionaire wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth if it took little to no effort to get it. Anywho, there is another lovely place where, if you're looking to hold a smaller event, that could probably accommodate your needs. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Church is also located in Howard County. As I recall, they do rent by the hour and I don't think it's more than $70/h. Seeing as I'm looking for a new venue to hold my event, I thought others may be to. I tried to include pictures of this venue below.

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The Meeting House
The Meeting House
The Meeting House

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Historic Oakland Manor

Historic Oakland Manor

4.3(12 reviews)
2.4 mi

I recently attended a wedding (and post-wedding dinner and dance) here. It was a splendid occasion,…read moreand the historic house certainly added to its memorableness. It's a beautiful and well maintained house.

Great for weddings (indoors and out), receptions and large meetings…read more The mansion is like stepping back in time to a fine country estate. After climbing a full set of stairs (handicap accessible only on the first floor thru a side ramp), you enter a grand foyer lit by brass chandeliers with a dramatic staircase on each side. Entering thru double doors, you are in the main ballroom that has two fireplaces and crystal chandeliers. The main ballroom leads to an enclosed Veranda that offers great views of a wooded back yard and grounds. There is a small exhibit room up stairs and a parlor where we all gather for a family member's wedding ceremony and big reception afterwards, outside. All was great on the location and venue choice tip. My only gripe with this venue, was the poor planning for a large wedding party. My cousin had her wedding here in August (dog days of summer) and the venue provided a really nice tent set up for an outdoor reception. It really fit the bill until you walked inside and realized it felt like a greenhouse! The outdoor AC units were running on high and useless. The venue management should have planned better given the weather and knowing it's the dead middle of the summer in MD....which is always HOT! The tent was apparently setup shortly, hours before their wedding and the AC units did not have time to cool the place. Instead, they should have been running overnight because it was extremely uncomfortable and everyone was sweating bullets in the place--drenched. lol. It definitely dampened the occasion for such a nice venue. Other than this, I have nothing but good things to share about this venue. The staff were friendly, helpful and guest felt at home....despite the AC issue. If you are looking for a place that feels inviting, relaxed and a bit like home for your next engagement, I would suggest this place as a "potential" option....just make sure it is not in the dead heat of the summer.

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Historic Oakland Manor - They claimed that we damaged their outdoor steps

They claimed that we damaged their outdoor steps

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Historic Oakland Manor - Broken tables

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Broken tables

Slayton House

Slayton House

4.0(4 reviews)
1.5 mi

while visiting my folks for the holidays, we attended a local dance studio's production of the…read morenutcracker at this venue. i will say, this venue was hard to find, as we arrived a bit early, but ended up circling around this area for a while since there was construction on some of the side streets and our gps had a hard time locating the exact building despite having the correct address. the fact that the performance was held in the evening didn't help, since it was already dark outside. after calling the venue, and having someone guide us to the appropriate parking area, we were able to go on foot and locate this venue, which had a sign in front, but it wasn't very large or high off the ground, so hard to spot when driving. as far as the interior goes, this was a small-ish venue, with restrooms/dressing rooms to the right, a foyer/waiting area to the left, and a theatre/stage to the back. the stage was a medium-sized stage, and the room seated 300-400 guests (my approximation based on the layout). it definitely felt small and snug since most of the seats were filled with parents, siblings, relatives, and friends, excited to see their little princesses dance on the stage. nice venue, but needs some better markers to locate

Great venue! My son's preschool graduation was held here and it was nothing short of fabulous. The…read moretheatre and reception area are both very high end with all updated media for use. Parking could be better of course with the adjoining pool next door but other than that logistical issue, I would host a nice birthday party here or even a wedding event.

Howard County Conservancy - The Conservancy's summer camp gets kids outside, their hands dirty and their feet wet!

Howard County Conservancy

4.8(12 reviews)
6.4 mi

The kind of place I wish I had nearby growing up! Bring your family, your date, or the people you…read morewant to introduce to nature or local history. And especially bird&insect photographers. It's free! You might know it only as an event venue, but there's: * Nice walking trails and farm country views. * A few segments would count as hiking if you want to introduce somebody! * Creekside access in the woods. Fiddling around a natural creek is a formative experience * A selection of beautiful older trees that survived from colonial times * Including a massive ancient white oak, Maryland's state tree and quite rare now. If you've never seen a "big tree" in person this is a must-see. It has presence. * Restored buildings and history displays * A resident ambassador owl. Go closer to dusk to see him active * Restored natural meadows (great macro photography) * Examples of bee keeping, different types of gardening, etc. Lots to play / do / learn, or for us older folks, walking around and taking photos. A couple of notes: * hours on maps are for the venue, the grounds are actually open dawn-to-dusk * the hiking is pretty mild but there's a lot to see. * alltrails isn't accurate for many of the paths, but everything is really well signed (or grab the map from their own website) * if you're doing the full circuit of trails, wear those ankle-support shoes/boots - it might seem silly for the easy terrain, but the angle of the farm trails is "hard" in sneakers, and you'll appreciate that support. Enjoy it! Another Howard County gem.

Such a wonderful place that I never knew existed until this weekend when We attended a wedding…read morehere. Actually, I officiated. So, I got to check out the grounds around the main building before the bride and groom arrived for rehearsal. They have a wonderful wandering Garden with Fountains and water features. I could sit by a loud water feature for hours. The wedding was in the garden, but the facility had prepared the Veranda in case the rain didn't clear up. In addition to the new main structure, they have Historical buildings and Summer camps.

Photos
Howard County Conservancy
Howard County Conservancy - A summer wedding in front of our 1700s barn. 
Photo by Classic Photographers

A summer wedding in front of our 1700s barn. Photo by Classic Photographers

Howard County Conservancy

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The Turn House - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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