When Google launched the new Google Maps the search nearby functionality got harder to use. That has now changed, Google brought back the quick link to search nearby within Google Maps.
Now, when you browse or search Google Maps for a specific area, Google will return a link to "search nearby" and clicking it will give you the ability to search for a specific keyword nearby that location. So parking, pizza, gas and so on.
Here is a picture:
Google announced this on Google+ and said:
Looking for a bookstore by your work? You can now easily search for places nearby a location in a few ways using the new #GoogleMaps for desktop.
Forum discussion at Google+.
