Clove and Cardamom
Merriweather District, Columbia
Restaurant in Columbia, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Clove and Cardamom is a practical Merriweather District pick for breakfast, brunch, or lunch when convenience matters more than ceremony. Treat it as an easy Columbia daytime option, not the automatic choice for a special-occasion dinner; cross-shop Smashing Grapes Columbia, The Food Market, or Sushi Sono when the meal needs a stronger occasion signal.
About Clove and Cardamom
Clove and Cardamom in Columbia is a casual venue with posted hours that include midday and evening periods Monday through Thursday, longer Friday and Saturday hours, and Sunday hours that run into the evening. Plan around those hours and the casual dress code, and check the venue directly for day-of changes or details that matter to your visit.
Better as a flexible casual pick than a special-occasion anchor
Clove and Cardamom is easiest to evaluate as a casual Columbia option. That does not make it a weak choice; it simply means the decision should be based on timing, fit, and whether its current offering matches your group's plan.
If you are comparing options for a more occasion-driven night, consider Smashing Grapes Columbia or The Food Market. If the group wants a more specific dining direction, Sushi Sono is another option to compare. Clove and Cardamom is the better read when convenience, casual dress, and the posted schedule matter most.
Where it fits in a Columbia food day
Columbia has enough dining options that the better question is not simply “is this worth trying?” but “what role should it play?” Use Clove and Cardamom when its hours fit your plan: Monday through Thursday it is posted for 11:30 AM–3 PM and 5–10 PM; Friday and Saturday for 8 AM–10:30 PM; and Sunday for 8 AM–10 PM.
Use Medium Rare Restaurant when the group wants to compare another option, use The Collective Offshore when you are weighing a different casual choice, and use Our full Columbia restaurants guide for broader planning across the city.
Planning details
- Location
- 6000 Merriweather Dr B115, Columbia, MD 21044
- Website
- clovencardamom.com
- Phone
- +14434253034
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Clove and Cardamom sits in a deliberately curated slice of Merriweather District and reads like a modern, refined offering that leans into bold global flavors. The copy emphasizes load-bearing spices—clove and cardamom—as central to the concept, so the kitchen’s flavor profile feels confident and deliberate rather than background. The restaurant presents itself as a polished, sophisticated neighborhood player: urbane enough to compete with nearby city scenes yet rooted in a newly assembled district that mixes hotels, venues, and street-level hospitality.
Best For
This is a dinner destination for locals and visitors who want a higher-tier evening without leaving the Merriweather area. The write-up explicitly links the restaurant to nearby hotel rooms and office space, so it suits travelers, business diners, and neighborhood residents who otherwise might commute to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. Its placement on a ground-floor commercial strip also makes it a convenient pre-show stop for patrons of the nearby music venues and Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Ordering Tips
The signature-dish list provides a clear roadmap: don’t miss the Naan Chicken Tikka Pizza and the Indian Lamb Fajitas for the fusion-driven mains, and order Tandoori Wings as a shareable starter. Vegetable-focused items like Eggplant and Potato Chaat and Roasted Cauliflower show the kitchen’s spice-forward approach, while Tikka Masala and Dal Makhani represent comforting, classic preparations. Use these highlights to sample the range of South Asian, Middle Eastern, and East African influences on the menu.
Venue details
Ambiance
Bright and welcoming with white marble tables, tastefully detailed interior, private banquettes on the side, and live acoustic music performances.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Accessibility
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
7 itemsKnow before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 6000 Merriweather Dr B115, Columbia, MD 21044
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Medium Rare Restaurant, Notable alternative
- Smashing Grapes Columbia, Notable alternative
- The Food Market, Notable alternative
- The Collective Offshore, Notable alternative
- Sushi Sono, Notable alternative
Restaurant context
Clove and Cardamom is the easiest recommendation for a flexible daytime meal near Merriweather, especially when the group wants convenience over a tightly defined dining format. Medium Rare Restaurant is a cleaner choice for diners who want predictability, while Sushi Sono is the better call when the cuisine choice itself is the point of the booking.
For a more occasion-led evening, start with Smashing Grapes Columbia or The Food Market. They read as stronger dinner-first alternatives, while Clove and Cardamom makes more sense when timing, location, and an easy group plan matter more than a high-commitment night out.
The Collective Offshore is the better cross-shop when ambiance is the deciding factor. Pick Clove and Cardamom for the lower-friction meal; pick The Collective Offshore when the setting needs to carry more of the experience.
Explore Columbia
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Clove and Cardamom guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Clove and Cardamom
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Clove and Cardamom | Columbia | No published awards |
| Medium Rare Restaurant | Columbia | No published awards |
| Smashing Grapes Columbia | Columbia | No published awards |
| The Food Market | Columbia | No published awards |
| The Collective Offshore | Columbia | No published awards |
| Sushi Sono | Columbia | No published awards |
How Clove and Cardamom Columbia compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is midday or evening better at Clove and Cardamom?
Clove and Cardamom works for both midday and evening planning on Monday through Thursday, when the venue is posted for 11:30 AM–3 PM and 5–10 PM. Friday and Saturday are posted for 8 AM–10:30 PM, and Sunday for 8 AM–10 PM. Choose the time that best fits your Columbia plan, and confirm current hours directly before going.
Is Clove and Cardamom good for a special occasion?
It is best framed as a casual Columbia option, with a casual dress code and posted hours. If details such as pricing, seating, chef information, or celebration setup matter, check directly with the venue before making it the anchor of a celebration.
Is Clove and Cardamom good for solo dining?
The casual dress code and broad posted hours may make it easy to work into a solo Columbia plan. Check directly if counter seating, bar seating, or a particular table setup matters to you.
What are alternatives to Clove and Cardamom in Columbia?
For comparisons, consider Medium Rare Restaurant, Smashing Grapes Columbia, Sushi Sono, The Collective Offshore, or The Food Market. Clove and Cardamom fits best when its casual dress code and posted Columbia hours match your plan.
