Hungry for something new? Uncover the local restaurants serving up unforgettable flavors, lively atmospheres and plenty of reasons to return.
People Love: We’ve scoured online reviews and taste-tested all over town to uncover the dishes people love.
Meat Lovers
Middle Eastern
Persian
Quick Bite
Persian, Iranian and Middle Eastern favorites are showcased at this local market, which also offers prepared foods and made-to-order kabobs, bowls, stews, veggie platters, sandwiches and Persian desserts. There’s always a great selection of breads, spreads, yogurt drinks, coffee, tea, spices, herbs, nuts, seeds, pomegranate, sweet lemon and rock candy.
People Love: Chenjeh Kabob, Joojeh Kabob, Koobideh Kabob
Italian
Pizza
Family-owned Rockville restaurant serving traditional Neapolitan-style pizza with a soft, blistered crust — plus classic Italian favorites like bolognese, cioppino, calamari, gnocci, melanzana and gelato.
People Love: Burrata Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Nutella Pizza Dessert
Happy Hour
This craft beer and wine shop offers complimentary tastings on some Thursdays and almost every Friday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reds, whites, fine wines, kosher wines — they’re all here, organized by grape varietals and then region/sub-region.
Mexican
Seafood
Tacos
Inspired by the bold and vibrant flavors of Baja Mexico, this local fast-casual chain is known for its signature beer-battered fish tacos — plus shrimp, chicken, steak, rice bowls, quesadillas, burritos and salads. Lively dining area at the Wildwood Shops with great food, fast service and signature margaritas.
People Love: Baja Fish Taco, Bang Bang Shrimp Taco, Fish Taco Platter
American
Burgers
Date Night
Happy Hour
The Potomac outpost of D.C.’s British-inspired pub chain is known for hearty sandwiches, burgers, comfort dishes and cocktails. Anchored by a welcoming bar, Duke’s feels like a true neighborhood hangout.
People Love: Fish & Chips, Pickle-Dilly Martini, Proper Burger
Italian
Pizza
This neighborhood Italian restaurant offers shareable small plates and pizzas in a family-friendly, indoor/outdoor setting with affordable bottles of wine. The pastas are hand-made, and the Neapolitan-style pies are made with imported Italian flour and baked in a traditional brick oven.
People Love: Burrata Appetizer, Short Rib Ravioli, Truffle Pizza
Date Night
Happy Hour
Latin
Peruvian
This longtime local Peruvian restaurant offers a polished menu of classics like ceviche, lomo saltado and aji de gallina – plus a strong dessert lineup and great cocktails. (Don’t miss the pisco sour.) La Limeña has a lovely upscale dining room plus patio seating.
People Love: Arroz con Pato (duck special), Ceviche Mixto, Lucuma Ice Cream
Asian
Date Night
Thai
This Potomac favorite offers indoor and patio dining with classic Thai dishes and street food options — all in a charming and Instagrammable setting. There’s also a creative dessert menu with cakes, crepes and Thai-inspired sweets, plus cocktails, fruit drinks and specialty lattes.
People Love: Crab Fried Rice, Crying Tiger Beef, Drunken Noodles
Date Night
Happy Hour
Italian
Mediterranean
Pizza
Vibrant Mediterranean flavors, warm hospitality, and an inviting atmosphere come together at Ayse Meze Lounge. Enjoy beautifully crafted meze, fresh ingredients, and unforgettable dishes perfect for sharing with friends and family. Elegant dining room with a large bar, plus patio seating and rooms for private events.
People Love: Bianca Pizza, Pistachio Pizza, Turkish Breakfast Spread
Coffee
Ice Cream
Sweet Treats
Matcha-forward dessert and drink spot offering lattes, slushes, soft-serve ice cream and a variety of specialty cakes. At The Square, Kyo Matcha adjoins with BoBaPop Tea Bar for additional options.
People Love: Matcha Latte, Matcha Parfaits, Matcha Soft Serve
Chicken-Centric
Latin
Peruvian
Quick Bite
Fast-casual Latin restaurant serving Peruvian-style chicken and sides, lomo saltado and arroz chaufa — plus empanadas, burritos, quesadillas and salads.
People Love: Brussel Sprouts & Carrots, Lomo Saltado, Roasted Chicken
Argentine
Latin
Meat Lovers
Steak
The newest location of a longtime family-owned Argentine restaurant, El Patio is known for its grilled meats, empanadas and pastries in a festive dining room. There’s also an adjoining bakery and Latin market.
People Love: Skirt Steak with Chimichurri, Sweet Beef Empanadas
Breakfast
Coffee
Quick Bite
This local coffee roaster and cafe, which traces its roots to the original founders of Starbucks, offers freshly roasted Arabica coffees sourced from around the world. Along with a menu of espresso drinks and light breakfast items, Quartermaine also sells whole-bean coffee and offers online ordering, home delivery and coffee subscriptions.
Asian
Chinese
Dumplings
This cozy restaurant began as a small business selling handmade dumplings at local farm markets. Beyond dumplings, the menu also includes potstickers, spring rolls, scallion pancakes, tempura, wontons, buns, rice dishes and stir-fries.
People Love: Chicken & Basil Dumplings, Mango Sticky Rice, Pork Soup Dumplings
Date Night
Happy Hour
Italian
Pizza
Scratch-made pizza kitchen just off Rockville Pike, turning out both Neapolitan-style pies and rectangular Roman-style pizza in a laid-back room that still cleans up nice. The menu runs past pizza into fresh pastas, Italian street sandwiches, and cocktails, all built from scratch the same way, from the dough to the sauce.
People Love: Pepperoni Hot Honey Pizza, Pistachio Orecchiette, Vodka Sauce Pizza
Italian
Pizza
At this family-owned local favorite, the owners often stop by to check on tables themselves. The menu features Italian classics, fresh fish specials, pastas, pizzas, salads, meats and comfort dishes. Two locations in Potomac, two others in Reston and Bethesda.
People Love: Chicken Parm, Lobster Ravioli, Penne Vodka
Asian
Chinese
Korean
Meat Lovers
Eccentric Asian BBQ spot with a lively bar and karaoke rooms. The menu combines northeastern Chinese grilling with Korean-influenced cooking and hints of Russian cuisine.
American
Vegetarian
Veggie-Forward
Vietnamese
Tasty vegetarian menu with Vietnamese-influenced dishes (pho, banh mi, summer rolls) alongside comfort-food staples like the VegLoaf and shredded tofu bowls. Even non-vegetarians will find something to like at this local spot.
People Love: Cauliflower Wings, Vegan Cheesesteaks, Vegan Fried Chicken Sandwiches
Bakery
Sandwiches
Sweet Treats
The Potomac location of this D.C. French bakery offers terrific sandwiches, salads, quiche, omelettes, crepes, fresh-baked breads, croissants and award-winning baguettes. Finish your meal with coffee and French pastries, or take them to go. Fresh challah on Fridays and Saturdays. Indoor and patio seating at Cabin John Village.
People Love: Almond Croissants, Baguette Sandwiches, Raspberry Macarons
Asian
Pho
Vietnamese
Longtime local favorite Pho Nom Nom has a cozy feel and a menu that keeps both purists and adventurous eaters happy. Besides the pho, the restaurant serves banh mi, noodles, grilled dishes, spring rolls and more.
People Love: Garlic Noodles, Pork Banh Mi, Short Rib Pho