Several Maryland restaurants have been honored by Wine Spectator for wine programs that stand out for selection, service and how well they pair with the food.
Wine Spectator recently released its 2026 Restaurant Awards, honoring 4,012 restaurants around the world for excellence in wine service.
The awards are given in three tiers: Award of Excellence, Best of Award of Excellence, and Grand Award. This year, Wine Spectator recognized 2,083 restaurants with the Award of Excellence, 1,830 with the Best of Award of Excellence, and 99 with the Grand Award.
Maryland restaurants receiving honors include the following:
This year's contenders came from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Talbot, Baltimore and Carroll counties.
This year's contenders for the award of excellence came from 10 counties across the Old Line State, including Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George's, and Talbot counties.
The region with the largest representation in the category was Baltimore City.
Wine Spectator said the program recognizes restaurants with thoughtful wine selections that complement the menu and appeal to a range of diners.
“The restaurant industry is rapidly transforming as diners become more selective about when, how and what they drink,” Marvin R. Shanken, chairman and CEO of Wine Spectator, said in the announcement. “As wine drinkers grow more mindful, restaurants are adapting with creative wine programs.”
The Grand Award, Wine Spectator’s highest honor, went this year to two additional restaurants: Caruso’s in Montecito, California, and Berria Wine Bar in Madrid, Spain.
Wine Spectator launched the Restaurant Awards in 1981. The full 2026 list includes restaurants in all 50 states and more than 80 countries and territories.
Diners can search winners by restaurant name, location, award level, cuisine, wine specialty and pricing here.
RELATED:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Across Maryland Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.