New Allergy-Conscious Restaurant Opens in Bel Air

Burtons Grill and Bar brings its focus on food allergies and gluten-free options to Maryland

Mar. 21, 2026 at 5:28am

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Burtons Grill and Bar, a restaurant chain known for its allergy-conscious menu and protocols, is opening a new location in Bel Air, Maryland. The 7,046-square-foot eatery will offer an all-day menu with options for those with dietary restrictions, including gluten-free and allergy-friendly choices. The restaurant will also feature a 1,194-square-foot covered outdoor patio area.

Why it matters

Food allergies and dietary restrictions are a growing concern, and this new restaurant aims to provide a safe and accommodating dining experience for those with specific dietary needs. Bel Air residents will now have a dedicated allergy-conscious option for dining out.

The details

Burtons Grill and Bar uses color-coded kitchen tools and rigorous staff training to help avoid cross-contamination and ensure the safety of customers with food allergies. The restaurant's menu includes seafood dishes, steak, salads, and other entrees that can be customized to be gluten-free or allergy-friendly. The new Bel Air location will seat up to 218 guests inside, with an additional 58 seats on the covered outdoor patio.

  • Burtons Grill and Bar will open in Bel Air in mid-April 2026.
  • The restaurant first opened in the New England region 20 years ago.

The players

Burtons Grill and Bar

An allergy-conscious restaurant chain that specializes in providing accommodating dining options for those with food allergies and dietary restrictions.

John Haggai

The president and CEO of Burtons Grill and Bar, who is thrilled to be opening the new location in Bel Air, an area he is familiar with from previously living in the greater Baltimore market.

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What they’re saying

“This location will be the best place to enjoy lunch, dinner, or seasonal outdoor dining in Bel Air. Join us for a delicious meal in our comfortable dining room or order takeout or delivery to enjoy at home.”

— Burtons Grill and Bar

“Protocols and the awareness on the training is pretty rigorous. You have to go through rigorous training and allergy training, allergy certifications. And depending on the level of severity of the allergy, obviously we take that into consideration. Protocols in the back are going to be much different. There's different food stations and colored cutting boards and tongs and equipment to make sure that cross-contamination does not exist in that environment because it's very important; if someone has a dairy allergy, you don't want to contaminate that with something else on a cheeseburger or a hamburger on the grill.”

— John Haggai, President and CEO, Burtons Grill and Bar

“Having previously lived in the area, I am very familiar with the greater Baltimore market and thrilled to be joining it again.”

— John Haggai, President and CEO, Burtons Grill and Bar

What’s next

The new Burtons Grill and Bar location in Bel Air is scheduled to open in mid-April 2026.

The takeaway

This new allergy-conscious restaurant in Bel Air provides a much-needed dining option for those with food allergies and dietary restrictions, demonstrating a commitment to safety and inclusivity in the local community.