Phoenix Upper Main

Great crab cakes and crab quiche. Great beer cooler with local and global beers. Get you some quick!

This place is an Ellicott city institution, yet we haven’t been back there since Gordon Ramsay rolled through many years ago. We heard some not so great things about the revised menu and just avoided it. Today, my dining partner was hyped to try this place out, and I was pleasantly surprised. It looks pretty much the same as it always has, which is airy Bavarian cabin style. We ordered the fish and chips (my buddy Gordon’s recipe) as well as the Houston burger. I was curious about the red cabbage side, so I ordered one of those as well, and that was truly the best surprise of the meal. It’s a little bit like sauerkraut, sweet-and-sour. The fries on my fish and “chips” were standard pub fare, and the fish was fine. My dining made loved his burger. It was about what you would expect and a decent option for pub food if that’s what you would like while you’re down shopping in OEC.

Consistently one of our favorites for Friday dinner. We tend to go around 6pm and rarely have to wait to be seated. It's always packed by the time we leave. We especially love the crab dip and the fish & chips, and the cream of crab soup and the brussell sprouts appetizer (they have lots of great appetizers). My son recommends the burgers. Desserts are good, but I'm usually too full by that time. It's too hard to skip the appetizer to make room for dessert. Service is always friendly. Last Friday we had Sydney. She's great! She seems to have a sixth sense for knowing when to check in. Frankly, we've never had bad service at the Phoenix. Highly recommend - especially at the end of a long work week.

A classic Ellicott City pub both pre and post the flood...floods. Excellent food and awesome libations. Full bars on the first and second floors. Gordon Ramsey shot an episode here a few years back, so you know the food is on point. Service is spectacular as well as the friends and ambiance.

The food and service were good. I had a bacon and blue cheese burger, half a pound of beef, medium well, lettuce tomatoes, and onions with a dill pickle on the side. The fries came out cold but this was very quickly fixed with a new side of fries brought promptly. My wife had the chicken sandwich. The plates were reasonably priced at under$20. the service was good.

Very easy going spot with delicious American food. The service was very attentive and everything came out quick and fresh. They were very accommodating letting us sit down even before the restaurant was open. Would highly recommend for a good spot to sit down and have a good meal in old town.

Old Town Ellicott City is, without question, one of the gems in the USA. Phoenix Upper Main is a solid contributor to the great atmosphere of Old Town. Friendly service, great food, generous portions, economical pricing, plenty of screens to watch sports, and good drinks. Those of us who've been in Ellicott City for quite some time will remember this location formerly being Ellicott Mills Brewing Company, which was bought by Phoenix Emporium that used to be on Lower Main Street. It is wonderful to see the Phoenix continue it's business in beautiful Old Town. Phoenix Upper Main is one of our favorite spots. A great local business.

Food: Absolutely delicious I recommend the Hudson Burger. Service: Extremely friendly and attentive staff. Atmosphere: Old English style layout and very clean establishment.

summary: elevated American-style bar food located in Old Ellicott City's main street. One of the few establishments left in the town that still feels lively and my experience there was great. The service was great from the moment we walked in. We were greeted by hostesses and seated pretty immediately. They have two levels in their venue (we sat in the lower one that you walk into through the entrance). Our server was very attentive, kind, and personable. As far as the food goes, everything came out after about 15 minutes of placing the order. Everything was tasty and passed the "kids test." The Bear sandwich was also very tasty with lots of good flavor. My only nitpick would be that the bread wasn't quite toasted enough for my liking so the sauce made it kind of soggy (maybe it'll be better if you eat it faster). They have Happy Hour specials on drinks and some food items I believe on Weekdays only. As far as accessibility is concerned, their front/main entrance has like 3-4 steps that are relatively steep. However, they also have a entrance around back that has a ramp (you may need to talk to a staff member to get entry). All in all, a very pleasant experience located in the heart of OEC.

The Phoenix restaurant in historic Ellicott city is located on Main Street. On this particular weekday lunch, business was brisk and other patrons looked like they were enjoying their meals. My dining companion wanted to try the Italian beef sandwich. We requested it be split into two plates. What we did not expect was a double order of Housemade chips to go along with it. The portion size was excellent and certainly enough for two people. I ordered a cup of crab soup, which tasted like perfection. The soup was tomato based and had nice chunks of crab on top and was served with saltine crackers. Service was swift and they checked back with us. This is a great lunch option in Historic Ellicott City.

At this bar on Main Street, the evening unfolded with the slow inevitability of hunger meeting its temporary end. A burger, heavy with bacon and blue cheese crumbles, sat beside chips that served as both companion and afterthought--crispy, ephemeral reminders of mortality. The Nepenthe Space Jellyfish IPA glowed like a small captured sun in its glass, hazy and indifferent, a liquid galaxy contained by fragile transparency. Later, a Hendrick's martini arrived, garnished with cucumber slices that floated like pale moons in a clear sky, a drink both austere and quietly decadent. Service was attentive, almost conspiratorial, with Allie guiding each order as though the rituals of pouring and placing were tiny acts of salvation. Around, the room hummed with warm light, laughter, and the faint suspicion that time was passing quicker than the drinks could be finished. In such moments, one remembers that joy is brief, but so is despair, and both dissolve equally into the last sip. It is a rare gift when food, drink, and care align into something that feels, if not eternal, then at least enough for the night.

We've been here several times, and have tried several dishes. Coming from the Midwest & their fish fries, and specifically Chicago & their Italian Beef sandwiches... Phoenix's fish fry & Italian Beef sandwich are legit!! Our only "I wish" is that the Italian Beef's aus jus please cut back on the salt! Their fries are crisp & hot, and their soups and salads are also good. I always get their flights of craft beers on tap, while my wife gets no-booze cocktails, which have almost always been delicious! Note that for parking, recommend parking behind the restaurants across the street in the free parking lots. These lots do get full on weekends, so you may need to go to the next free lots another block down.

This is a really cool spot with lots of charm. You have lots of free parking. There's a bar area downstairs. Service was really good! I sat at the bar since I was solo. I had the fish and chips $19. It was a very huge serving, perfectly fried, crispy on the outside, and light and flaky on the inside. The french fries were seasoned very well, and I love that the server recommended some additional dipping sauces, which paired perfectly with the french fries. It was so good that I cleaned my plate. I also had the Port City Optimal Draft beer $7.50. It paired perfectly with the fish and chips. If you love dessert, you must try the smores cheesecake $8. SO GOOD!! That was the best cheesecake I've had in a long time. It was rich creamy and just a perfect treat for late evening. Overall, I would recommend this as a place to dine.

Food was excellent, service was efficient. The pumpkin cider was delicious. Will definitely be back. There is a basement, first level and upper level. We were on the upper level and it was nice. Date night was a success.

A Nostalgic Return to The Phoenix It had been a while since I visited The Phoenix, especially after their big move from the bottom of the street to Upper Main. I used to frequent the original spot for trivia nights and happy hour specials, so nostalgia brought me back to check out the new location. The atmosphere is fantastic--if anything, it's even better than before. The larger space offers more comfortable seating and expanded bar seating, creating an inviting and lively vibe. While a few nostalgic touches are missing--like the legendary beer card challenge and some happy hour staples like the tuna wrap and shrimp plate--the essence of The Phoenix is still very much alive. The beer selection remains impressive, with an extensive list on tap and an equally notable variety of cans and bottles that honor their roots. My Roasted Toasted Crab Dip Sandwich was a delicious nod to Maryland flavors and a satisfying reminder of what makes this place special. All in all, The Phoenix delivered a great experience, blending the best of its past with exciting new updates. I'll definitely be back--and more often this time.

They do trivia here on some weeknights and it is so fun! There are a lot of regulars so it can be tough to do well in trivia but nevertheless it is a good time. They have a great drink selection and the food was very delicious. We have always had good service here.

So overall, good experience. The service was top notch (prompt and very friendly). The margaritas were super tasty. The menu is very limited, however each thing we had was delicious with the exception of the kids pasta where the sauce was very bland. My burger, which I ordered medium rare was cooked to perfection and my wife's crab quiche was fantastic. We will definitely return.

My niece brought me here for a birthday lunch, and I really enjoyed it. Seating is in a small room right next to the bar, and though it was getting busy, we were sat right away and had menus brought to us. I had scoped out the menu online, and was surprised to find what I was there for - crab cakes - wasn't actually on the menu. Fortunately, it was a special of the day, so both my niece and I decided on that. I love that they have other options than just french fries for a side dish - I went with a side salad. We started with the Bavarian Pretzels, which came as an order of three, with homemade beer cheese and house made horseradish mustard. These pretzels were delicious! And clearly very popular, because we noticed them on every table around us. Nothing like a fresh hot pretzel. The crabcake came out shortly afterwards, and this also was excellent. Chock full of crabmeat and not filler. The side salad was just okay - I'm not a fan of arugala, so I didn't end up eating it. All in all, a wonderful lunch with a friendly efficient server and delicious food.

I stopped by Phoenix Upper Main for a quick lunch before my haircut appointment. I sat at the bar, and ordered a beer and some fish & chips. Fish was really good. Thin, crispy crust covering perfectly cooked piece of fish. Beer was great. Service was excellent. The bar area is a really nice space. The upstairs area is really nice too. Buy why do you start the tip suggestions at 20%??? I've always been a good tipper, but this tipping culture needs to change.

Do customers like soggy sandwiches? Just wondering. Because we dropped by earlier today and ordered a Reuben and 'The Bear'. Eventually received what we ordered and noticed the bottom parts wet, soggy. As in soaked. Could've drank the bread, and if that sounds gross...it is. I've had Reubens before, some of that is to be expected. But the same thing happened with 'the Bear'. Is it that difficult to make sandwiches which aren't soaking? I've been to other places where you can actually pick up sandwiches without the bread on the bottom dissolving in their hands. I know this is possible. Here, I wound up eating the Reuben with a fork. Suggestion: Whatever's being done, stop. At least put napkins underneath them so it'll be easier to pick up, maybe sop up the excess. I can't imagine people not noticing this unless they're drunk or something. Outside of this, the place was fine. Limited menu, no complaints there. The fries are awesome. A bit too much ice in the Cokes, but otherwise OK. Plenty of space, people can dine outside as well as indoors. Probably a great place to down some shots.

A nice little date spot if you're looking for a relaxed, casual atmosphere. Three floors but we stayed on the main level due to an event. The cocktail menu was decent- I stuck with blackberry brambles! My boyfriend got a beer made in house ! We didn't try the food but perhaps next time. Lots of free parking in lots around the establishment. Thanks!

Visited Phoenix Upper Main for the first time earlier this week, and it did not disappoint! This restaurant has 3 floors: top, middle and basement. We were seated on the top floor, which was great for a nice dinner with friends. Our server was very friendly, attentive and helped give us some recommendations! I had Black Raspberry Bramble to drink which very good. The table started off with Bavarian Pretzels, Jalapeño Mozzarella Sticks and a Cream of Crab soup. Everything was out quick and tasted delicious, but my favorite was the Jalapeño Mozzarella Sticks which came with ranch and marinara for dipping. For entrees, our table ordered the Mac & Cheese, Mussels and Fish & Chips. Again, everything was great here as well! Fish and fries crispy, macaroni was creamy and the mussels had a flavorful sauce. Only complaint is that I wish the fries for the mussels were separate just because some of them got very soggy in the sauce. We finished off the night with the Oreo Pie and the Peanut Butter Bomb, both tasty and a sweet way to end the night. Looks like we found another Howard County favorite to add to our restaurant rotation! Can't wait to be back!

I'm not gonna lie, I came here after a recent binge of Gordon Ramsay's 24-Hours to Hell and Back. I really hope that the show comes back and that you shouldn't have to watch this episode as it could trigger some PTSD. The last episode covers this place a basically the whole town, they preface the show with an announcement that it was taped prior to Covid taking over the world and effectively shutting it down. Walking in I was expecting some stellar service because of how the episode played out. This place looks amazing and upheld the look portrayed on the show. The staff were welcoming and I was greeted as soon as I walked in. I was ushered upstairs for a seat and let to my own devices while I looked over the menu. I was then greeted by my server shortly after and placed a drink order. By the time my server returned with my drink, I was ready to place my order. I was, in my mind, going to get a burger. But after peering the menu quickly, I switched my mind. I saw they had Fish and Chips, but not just any fish and chips, but Gordon Ramsay's Fish and Chips. Every time I see fish and chips on the menu, I always go for it. I was impressed with my server. I noticed that she didn't have a pen and paper to take orders, and it wasn't just with me, my order was simple, but the other tables around me she did the same. And she never missed a thing. My food arrived and I made quick work of the perfectly presented plate. This piece of fish was huge and the batter was some of the best that I ever had. Crunchy batter combined with flaky fish, add some of that tartar sauce and you have a masterful combination to hit your palate. In-house, fresh cut chips are the perfect pair for this dish. I left here happily full and it was the perfect cap for my time spent in the downtown area of Ellicot City.

Today was an opportunity to revisit historic Main Street Ellicott City to catch up with a family relative. One of our reliable go to choices is Phoenix Upper Main. The menu is uncomplicated but covers enough variety to easily find something you may want to eat. You are greeted immediately upon entering and the staff is very friendly. The server came almost immediately to my table and once I explained I was still waiting for my company I was offered a beverage choice then left politely alone until she arrived. I usually love their Fish and Chips that has the light and crispy batter wrapped around their fresh cod but we were both easily enticed to try the daily special of a crab cake sandwich. This was a 6oz full lump crab mixture that was broiled not fried. We would have preferred the crab to have been broiled a bit longer for those slight edges of more crispy bits of flavor but all in all it did not disappoint and we both completely finished our sandwich. The usual side of French fries could be exchanged with their braised fermented cabbage slaw, small house salad or some other choices I could not remember. Unfortunately, we wanted to dig into our sandwiches as soon as it came so I did not get a quick pic of the crab cake before I closed the sandwich. It was delicious! We also shared a Dark Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake which was not overly sweet and was a nice ending to an enjoyable meal. I will be coming back.

The food and service was excellent! We had the fish and chips, steak and cheese, mussels, and lots of other dishes. It's like bar/pub food but it has a twist in the flavors and it was delicious! Definitely would come back again!

Following a concert weekend in Baltimore, I had some time to kill before dropping off a friend at DCA. We wanted a light lunch, and at 1:30 PM, the place has quite a bit of business. Looks like the local hangout and has an upper floor open at night. My friend is from out of state and from a landlocked state, so she wanted seafood. She got the cream of crab soup bowl. There was lump crab on top of her soup and I am taking off one star because apparently there were some shell or inside cartilage attached to the pump crab. Not knowing how to eat it, she just stirred it and complained about "something chewy and pointy" in her soup. I got the Phoenix chili, zero complaints there. The chili smelled and tasted incredible with the accompanying chips. Reasonable prices for 2024. Service was nice and attentive.

Always my go to when I'm shopping on Main Street. One of the top spots in Historic Ellicott City. Very comfortable and welcoming space (I prefer upstairs) although the chairs could be a little better. Food is very good and consistently so. Excellent beer selection and great drinks. The best part is the outstanding staff who are so nice and do a great job all around.

Food is delicious and affordable. We ordered takeout for 5 people and all orders were correct.

Very cute restaurant in the heart of historic Elliott city. Has parking lot right behind and also offers outdoor sitting. It's clean and friendly staff is there for all your requests. Great customer service. 2 TVS for current sports events. Here is why only three stars In my opinion the food was just not that good at all. We ordered wedge salad with salmon. Bacon and burger. I asked Hir raspberry vinaigrette dressing It was so tasteless. I asked for vinegar. Which added a little zest to it Y was fresh. But a bit overbooked. Lots of seeds and little grape tomatoes lacked flavor Burger was overdone. Great generous portion But even fries were super hard. And overcooked. Bacon super dry. Honey mustard dressing was amazing Atmosphere nice quiet vibe. With music playing So. It's a nice place May be kitchen had an off day I ll try it again I saw people having nachos and plates looked amazing. I ll try again

Absolutely Wonderful! Immediately walked in and was greeted with such care and consideration. Called in earlier to place an order ahead of time just to make sure the food was secured before the kitchen closed. Shortly after we arrived we were guided to our seats after asking if we could sit in and eat despite it being a mobile order, (Southwest Chicken Salad, Jerk Chicken Sandwich, Bowl of Maryland Crab Soup, Mussels, and Blackened Salmon Sandwich) The food was given to us in minutes!! Before I even get to the taste and quality.. let me say the food package is a prime example of hospitality! Every item that I ordered that hand meat was carefully placed in a tin foil to prevent the burger or salad from getting soggy. The food was so good and filling! The waiting staff was so sweet, open and willing to help anyway she could! I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a late night excursion! The environment has a comfortable and open vibe with a calm background noise and music.

I enjoyed that they were open until 12 .... The server was very attentive to us and our food came out fast. It wasn't crowded at all but good know this is here. And my quesadillas were delicious.

Upon hearing this place from Gordon Ramsay's 24 hours to Hell Back, I came on a Friday late evening, and got the fish and chips and a house salad with raspberry vinaigrette. Like the taste of the dressing that stood out from the salad. I tasted the fish and chips from Gordon Ramsay's recipe, even when the dish looks good; it was ok. I do, however, enjoyed the amount of french fries. The female bartender did an amazing job juggling around the bar with the amount of customers present that night. I loved how the building was decorated doing this holiday season. I suggest, though if going to that place, to try a different dish.

In the area with a friend and we made this our last stop. Got here before 9PM on a Wednesday. The main Parking Lot D is diagonally across the street, which is free. Place was beautiful. We only sat at the bar but it looked clean. The bartendar was SUPER nice! There is an upstairs, that also looks to have TV's and a brewery you can see. I only had a non-alchol beer so I can't rate anything with the food or mixed drinks. I would love to visit during the summer!

Last time I've been here was during the pre-Gordon Ramsay era, and I'm glad that I came back. At first I was a little iffy going back as the menu had changed from the last time I've been there but one of my friends recommended it so we all decided to check it out. We went for lunch on a Tuesday so it was not surprising that it wasn't busy. You get the choice of either having a physical menu or scanning a QR code for your menu. The food took awhile to came out (around 20-30 minutes) and we spent that time swatting the flies that kept flying around the area. Although it didn't bother us, I thought it would be good to mention as some people may not like that. When the food came out, we were amazed by the portion to price ratio. You get a lot of food for the amount you pay for. The burger was cooked to my liking and tasted great and my friend said that the fish and chips were also amazing. If I want a burger anytime soon, I will definitely be at this spot.

I haven't been to Ellicott City since Covid and I wasn't familiar with the previous location of Tbe Phoenix prior to the 2018 flood so I can't speak to having any before/after perspective; but after having a stroll through this lovely, rejuvenated historic town, this seemed like it could be a good option for lunch. My wife and I generally prefer to sit at the bar rather than a table. It was fairly busy and the bartender seemed like his hands were full but he greeted us quickly and wiped down the bar counter for us immediately. Draft beer selection wasn't huge but was varied enough to give a number of options for taste. I had a German style Pilsner which was crisp and tasty. For food, my wife had the crab cake sandwich and I had the "Roasted Toasted" which was roast beef and crab dip on a sub roll. Both sandwiches came with fries. Her crab cake was utterly fantastic, especially for the price point ($18). Plump and lots and lots of crab. My sandwich was also very good, and the roll was toasted perfectly. Fries were crisp and flavorful. Relaxed, friendly and open vibe. Would return in a heartbeat and look forward to trying other menu options.

We were there for the fish and chips which we saw was highly rated in past posts. A little disappointed. Too much batter for our taste. Would prefer a lighter crust. Also ordered the fish tacos. These were supposed to be to be soft tacos but they were hard. I guess so they would hold their shape when you ate them?! Service was friendly and efficient. Did not particularly enjoy the house IPA. Good ambiance.

What a great experience! Once my group settled into the corner booth on the upper floor, we didn't want to leave! Despite being very busy, our server was attentive and friendly, drinks and food were fast and so tasty. If I named a cocktail they hadn't heard of, they looked it up and brought it out. When we ordered food, we thought it was going to be standard pub fare, but what we got was really top notch, to the point we had to force ourselves to stop ordering more! Since they're partnered with the brewing company next door, the beer selection was extensive. Of the half dozen we tried, we couldn't find a bad one among them. Highly recommend the blueberry IPA. A perfect spot for a night out with friends to catch up or hang out. It's no wonder the Phoenix Upper main is an institution in Ellicott City.

went to this place on Thursday night, pretty packed around 6pm reserved by my brothers wife in law family we went down to the basement we're given the menus that we picked from four choices The braised ribs were the way to go you will not regret the amount of meat and the fat you get on the plate it is this it is something that you will taste in your mouth and you can feel the beauty of what meat can bring you inside your body

Came here with 2 friends after going to the Christmas fair/market, and while it was ok, I wouldn't say Phoenix Upper Main was anything to write home about. We got: - gruyere Mac and cheese with bacon, which was 9/10, creamy with a good amount of cheese and bacon, and the pasta itself was cooked just the right amount - pan roasted mussels, this was a crowd favorite, the lemon aioli was on point and the mussels were good but could have been a little bit more buttery..? the fries were fine, they were supposedly truffle fries but I couldn't really tell that they were, which is unfortunate because truffle fries are possibly my favorite food, 7/10 - jalapeño poppers... these could've been from the frozen section of whatever grocery store tickles your fancy, pretty bottom of the barrel jalapeño poppers in my opinion 2/10 - finally some beers, which were standard! Can't complain here!

Stopped by for drinks with friends. Easy parking- lots of indoor seating options (upstairs & downstairs). Our super friendly waitress was very accommodating when we requested a spot by the tvs for the boys to watch football. She let me sample a few brews before committing- we stuck to drinks so I can't give detailed feedback on the food, but our friends ordered the pretzels and they were massive, smelled delicious, and had so much oozy cheese- would order them for myself in the future! Great spot to hangout with friends-definitely going again.

This has got to be one of the best restaurants in Ellicott city. The beer cheese pretzels were amazing! Also the best crab cake burger i've had in MD, and a great price. Service was good, and atmosphere was great on the outside patio.

Food: I'm feeling conflicted with this review. I am writing this after two visits. My first time there I had a great time. I ordered the cream of crab soup and the rueben as my entree. The soup was so amazing I was really really impressed. Same thing with the Ruben. I loved the fries and the sandwich was stacked. However, the second time I went, I ordered the soup again. It had so many shells in it. Every single spoon full had a piece of shell in it, which made it quite hard to eat. For my entree the 2nd time I got the burger which was fine but it wasn't out of this world. Overall I just wasn't as happy with the soup the second time around. It's still a great place to eat I just wish there was some more consistency. Service: the first time I ate at "The Phoenix" our server was AMAZING. He was on it and I don't have any issues. The 2nd time I came the waitress wasn't bad but she wasn't as great as the first server I had. She forgot my friends drinks and brought out the wrong fries. Overall I just wish it was more of a consistent experience.

I had the Gordon Ramsey (battered) fish & chips. It did not disappoint. Be prepared and come here hungry as the portions can easily feed 2-3 people per single entry. Service was great, friendly and quick. Highly recommend.

Restaurant nice and service was great! Did not like the food. Fish and chips is one large piece of cod and fries and tarter sauce. The crust on the fish was extremely salty. Tarter sauce not good. Fries were perfect and had vinegar on the table to fix them up. Also got a burger which was just OK. Got the wings, half buffalo and half old bay. They were super spicy so that your lips hurt. Crab dip did not have much flavor.

We stopped in here looking for somewhere with a spacious outdoor seating set up and they did not disappoint. I had not stopped in here since before it changed over to the new management. I can honestly say the food was far better than it had been before, when it was not very good at all. The fish and chips were crispy and served in a good sized portion, and my husband's burger was juicy and flavorful. They had a pretty decent selection of beers, the primary thing I would add is that it is not clear on the the menu what is on draft and what is can/bottle - I vastly prefer draft beer and was a little disappointed when we were served cans as there was no mention on the menu. Service was friendly and very good. I would definitely stop back in and try this place again if I was in the area.

I finally got to check out the new Phoenix! I haven't been here since they were down at the bottom of main street, so I was excited to finally dine in at their new location. Full transparency, my family and I ordered take out from here last summer and we were not that impressed. However, I know the pandemic has made things difficult for many restaurant businesses so I gave them the benefit of the doubt and wanted to try again. So glad I did! The space itself looks so so good! The renovations have completely transformed what the brewing company used to look like, and in a good way. It's a very modern but still cozy feel. They have an extensive beer list with so many options from all over the place, as well as a wine and cocktail menu! My friend and I ordered crab dip to start, which was served with kettle chips. We loved it! Both were perfectly seasoned and the crab dip was creamy but you could still taste the crab. I ordered the buffalo chicken wrap as my main entree and that was also delicious! The portions are huge so i was able to pack the rest of mine for lunch the next day (and it was still just as good!) i decided to get the truffle fries for $2 more, and they were delicious. So glad I decided to give this place another chance and I'm looking forward to coming again and trying more items from their menu!

Exploring Ellicott City a bit more and was intrigued with Gordan Ramsay's redo of this restaurant. Pro's: -small but powerful menu -outdoor seating available with heaters for winter days -two open floors of indoor seating -decent sized bar area -large beer and cocktail selections; slim on wines -COVID safe: clean restaurants ( I could smell the cleaner), tables spread very far apart, staff constantly cleaning, face masks etc. -friendly service -food was delicious! hubs got the braised short ribs. He said the meat just melted in your mouth. I got the toasted crab dib sandwich with Old Bay fries. Roll was nicely toasted, soft, but crunchy. Crab dip wasn't caked on heavily. Great balance between the dip, tomatoes, onions, and roast beef. I ate the whole thing! French fries were so crispy and not overly powered with Old Bay. I didn't want to share my fries with hubs. Con's: -I honestly can't think of anything.. except street parking stinks? Would definitely visit Phoenix Upper Main again!

Great gentle social scene. Good for drinks and light chatter with friends. In a lovely and walkable area. 3 stars rather thank 4 bc I'm biased towards food. Food is just ok, and enough to keep your belly satisfied. Service is also typical and decent.

It's not what it could be. I miss the beer, the best wings, fries, burgers and the basement atmosphere.

My brother and I took a trip out to Old Town Ellicott City and stopped by Phoenix Upper Main. I just love the old town vibe of the exterior and even inside. Its a modern take on old taverns. I only went to the first and second floors and both had bar with ample seating! They have a lower level but I hadn't had the pleasure to check it out. You go in and seat yourself, pull up the menu with the QR code, and someone comes to your table immediately. I ordered the Ciderboys First Press which was on draft. It was sweeter than most ciders but crisp and refreshing. We ordered the Buffalo chicken wrap, pan cooked mussels, and mozzarella sticks. The portions were decievingly large, which for my brother and myself was not an issue! The lemon aoli was a nice touch for the mussels and the fries. I didn't hear any complaints about the Buffalo chicken wrap from my brother because every time I looked up his mouth was full with another bite. The waitress was swift, efficient, and attentive. Our waitress was really helpful in assisting us to pick out a dessert. We got three orders of the Banana Xango to go. The cheesecake was very rich and thick. It wasn't for me but it was good. Overall the experience was cool especially because we rolled in there super late and was one of the few places that still were open at 12am.

Everything is so good, the staff is friendly, the vibe is lively (even with good covid practices and social distancing!) It's clean inside and out, and they offer heated and covered outdoor seating. The burger is amazing, and we love their mussels and fries! The soft pretzels are so good and we're definitely getting more than 1 order of those next time. Prices are great, and we've never had a wait. They are very accommodating with allergies and dietary restrictions. This is definitely one of our favorite places now!

This is one of Gordon Ramseys redo- In the door and we sat outside. We found the servers and staff to be very friendly and attentive. Nice small menu with nice choices. I had the Deviled Egg appetizer and The Braised Short Ribs for dinner. The Deviled Eggs topped with Bacon and pickled onions and Arugala, they were good but no biggie. The Ribs were plentyfull and tasty served with mushrooms, carrots and mashed Parsnips which just plain OMG good. Definitely reccomend you making the trip to eat here.

We have been coming to this place for the last 6 years and it continues to always be a staple for us. We take friends that are in town for the weekend here and have gotten to know some of the staff. Everyone is so kind and the food is delicious! My favorite items to get are the crab dip for an appetizer and for my meal the pear chicken salad, or the crab burger. I highly recommend this place!

Tucked away in Old Ellicott City, this bar/restaurant is perfectly fitted for the old town environment. The staff was extremely helpful in getting us an outdoor table, on a busy, sunny evening and were incredibly nice the whole time. We only waited for 10-15 min for a table which was just enough time to walk around and look at some of the cute shops in the area. Starting off with the drinks, the beer menu here is extremely underrated! My favorite, on a sunny day, is the mango sour which honestly blurs the line between beer and cider (something I like). The food here is all delicious and very bar-centered (think appetizers and sandwiches). The crab dip is delicious and tasted fresh but maybe a little salty (the chips may be to blame here). The jalapeño poppers were surprisingly tasty! It's hard to cook jalapeño poppers where you're able to bite down and not get the whole pepper to slide away from the breading. Phoenix did it perfectly and the cheese inside was also perfect to tame the heat of the jalapeño. Would definitely come back and maybe bring some more people to try out some of the other food here! Thanks Phoenix!

Anyone else miss Phoenix Emporium back when it was at the end of Main Street?! Ah, I can only remember some really great nights there. THANK GOODNESS, the owners did not give up forever but moved to become the Upper Main. So first off, if you didn't watch Chef Gordon Ramsey work his magic here... watch it! It's so heartwarming to see this beloved town, esp. Phoenix come back from all the hardships they have faced. I wondered if this could be as good as the original & my goodness.. it sure is!!!! The mussels & fries were my absolute favorite thing here. 10/10 would recommend. Everything we ordered was really good!!! The service is so warm and sweet here too. We always had our beverages refilled as soon as it was about finished! We loved our waitress.

Everything was VERY GOOD! Loved everything! We went to Manor Hill Tavern first, but we waited 10 minutes at the front for the Hostesses to acknowledge us, they acknowledged every person that walked in after us for 10 minutes. We finally got seated at Manor Hill Tavern and the menu was terrible, no great food options. So we got up and went to Phoenix Upper Main instead. We were seated IMMEDIATELY at Phoenix Upper Main. The food was FANTASTIC! We had crab dip, cream of crab soup, wings, and Chicken Caesar Salad wrap. Everything was GREAT! I don't think you can miss with whatever you order here.

An upscale pub for great food and drinks. Phoenix Upper Main is your ideal location for enjoying a hearty (and greasy) meal paired with a good drink. A deceptively large establishment with normal indoor seating, bar seating, an upper floor for seating, and an entire parking lot converted into outdoor seating (with heaters). Tables are large, making it safer to enjoy drinking with small groups of four while social distancing. For food, I've sampled their pear and blue cheese salad, old-bay chicken wings, and creamy crab soup. The crab soup was one of the best seafood soups I've ever had. The crab flavor was incredibly pronounced and the cream sauce enveloping each crabby bite made this the perfect meal starter. The pear and blue cheese salad was refreshing and flavorful, with just the right amount of spicy vinaigrette set aside to pour on my salad. I also added chicken to my salad, and I definitely got what I paid for as the chicken was piled high. The old-bay chicken wings were good, but nothing too noteworthy. They were of average size, if not a tad on the smaller end, and had good seasoning coverage. Old-bay wings are a staple in Maryland, and these were tasty, but didn't feel particularly noteworthy. Phoenix hosts a large selection of alcoholic beverages including multiple seasonal selections. If you enjoy trying new and interesting beer flavors, Phoenix has you covered. Phoenix, as of writing, offers a small variety of heated mixed drinks, perfect for the cold winter days. These heated drinks are absolutely perfect while drinking them in Phoenix's outdoor area. Service is surprisingly attentive considering how much ground each server has to cover. My one complaint is that the price of food and drinks at the Phoenix is on the high end, which is what stops this place from becoming my regular drinking establishment. If you're looking to treat yourself at the pub, then Phoenix will give you top quality food and beer to satisfy.