Below is a list of restaurants that will be coming soon to Rockville, MD:
Aloha Poke
Aloha Poke, a Chicago-based poke restaurant chain, will open its first Maryland location in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood. Aloha Poke Co. previously announced that it will be opening a Gaithersburg location sometime in 2023, but did not mention a specific location. It is unclear at this time if the King Farm location in Rockville is taking the place of the planned Gaithersburg location. Aloha Poke is a fast-casual style restaurant that serves “fresh-packed and tasty bowls filled with sushi-grade fish and Hawaiian-inspired raw ingredients.” Aloha currently has a a DC location at 1333 19th St in NW, Washington, DC.
Buena Onda Baja Taqueria
Buena Onda Baja Taqueria is coming to 12107 Rockville Pike, the former home of Avail Vape/Kure CBD & Vape, in the Pike Center shopping center (home to TGI Friday’s), according to Kimco. The restaurant is a José Garces creation. Garces is an Ecuadorian-American chef, born in Chicago to Ecuadorian parents. He won in the second season of The Next Iron Chef and also defeated Bobby Flay in Iron Chef America.
According to the restaurant website, Buena Onda, celebrity chef Jose Garces’ Baja-inspired taqueria is more than a fast casual taqueria, it’s a mindset. In Spanish, Buena Onda means “Good Vibes”. In a world full of fast casual options, Buena Onda offers a unique, casual Baja taqueria experience for guests with an appealing menu, friendly service, and laid-back beach bum decor. Renowned Latin-American chef Jose Garces translates his rich cultural traditions and culinary vision into personal dining experiences. Taking a heartfelt and creative approach to time-honored recipes and dishes, Buena Onda brings these recipes together for a unique taqueria experience. An opening timeframe is not yet available for the restaurant.
Chef Wang’s Kitchen
According to a listing by Urban Edge Properties, Chef Wang’s Kitchen is coming to 199 E Montgomery Ave in Rockville, the former location of California Tortilla. California Kitchen closed its Rockville location on February 1, 2024 after 25 years in business. We will provide an update when we learn additional information about Chef Wang’s.
Don Chicken
Don Chicken, a Korean fried chicken restaurant, is opening its first Montgomery County location at 404 King Farm Blvd Ste. 7130 in King Farm. The restaurant chain, which was established seven years ago, will be taking over the space previously occupied by Mahshad Modern Persian Kitchen. The menu consists of a variety of fried chicken options and can be seen here. Don Chicken also has a nearby location in the H-Mart food court in Frederick. The restaurant is expected to open sometime in 2024.
Fruit N Boba
Fruit N Boba Tea, a shop that specializes in making fruit tea with fresh fruit, bubble tea with imported ingredients from Taiwan, smoothies made with fresh fruit and all natural sweeteners, as well as non-dairy frozen yogurt, is coming to King Farm. It will be taking over the vacant space located next to Montgomery County’s last remaining Baja Fresh, at 302 King Farm Blvd. Ste. 130.
Kanpai (Southeast Asian BBQ and Shabu Shabu Buffet)
Kanpai BBQ and Shabu Shabu Buffet is coming soon to the Shops at Congressional Village in Rockville. Kanpai, which offers southeast Asian bbq at your table and Shabu Shabu buffet, is coming soon to the Shops at Congressional Village shopping center in Rockville. With Shabu Shabu, you’ll be given plates of meat, vegetables and other items (dumplings and udon, for example) to cook in the broth rather than a pre-loaded broth.
Kung Fu Kitchen
Peter Chang, located at 20-A Maryland Ave in Rockville, has undergone a rebranding and is now known as Kung Fu Kitchen. According to a representative at Kung Fu Kitchen, renovations on the interior of the restaurant, which are expected to take approximately a month, will begin around May 12th. The restaurant will remain open for carryout and delivery services during this period. We’re told the restaurant will retain the same head chef and keep the majority of the Peter Chang menu.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Kura Revolving Sushi is coming to 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza, taking over the other -part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s and previously home to Ruby Tuesday. Kura Revolving Sushi Bar is the “ultimate eater-tainment” dining experience serving up authentic Japanese cuisine through an engaging conveyor belt system packed with prizes, drink delivery robots and more. The dining experience features a revolving sushi bar that snakes through the dining area with a wide variety of sushi plates for patrons to select from as they circulate and an express belt positioned above the main belt that delivers orders tableside placed via the ordering tablet from the 140+ menu inclusive of sushi, udon, ramen, hot and cold sides, and desserts. Guests can also look forward to receiving fun prizes for every 15 sushi plates and soft beverages delivered by Kur-B the KuraBot.
Kusshi Sushi is be taking over the space that was previously home to popular sushi restaurant Sushi Damo at 36G Maryland Ave in Rockville Town Square for over 15 years. Sushi Damo, one of the first tenants of Rockville Town Square, closed permanently on October 1st.Kusshi Sushi, which has additional MoCo locations in Pike & Rose and Downtown Silver Spring (along with an Arlington Pentagon Row and Tysons Pike 7 Plaza in Northern VA), will be renovating the restaurant and has already submitted drawings to the landlord for approval. Kusshi is working on keeping the Sushi Damo sushi chef at the restaurant and has also made offers for Sushi Damo servers to join the new restaurant once it opens.
Luna HallLuna Hall has signed on to move into one of the vacant spaces in the Pike Center (the shopping center that’s the longtime home of TGI Friday’s and the recently opened Golfdom), according to Kimco. The location is listed as taking is the former CiCi’s Pizza spot. The food hall recently opened its first location in DC’s Chinatown (625 H St NW). Offerings at the Chinatown location include Kung Fu Tea, TKK Fried Chicken, Dumpling District, Pollo Aria, and Luna Bar. There is no word on possible stalls at the Rockville location and Luna has told us things are in the works and that they’ll provide us with updates once they are available. The featured photo shows the Chinatown location.
Mui
Federal Realty has announced that IVEA Restaurant Group will open Mui, a modern Japanese-inspired restaurant at North Bethesda’s Pike & Rose. The 8,506 square foot restaurant is scheduled to open in Winter 2024 and will be located at 967 Rose Avenue, next to West Elm. It will be taking over the space that was recently home to The Block food hall from 2019 until last month.
Per Federal Realty, “The expansive menu will feature non-traditional Japanese dishes as well as traditional kaiseki, sushi, omakase from Japan. Also complimented by an agave, scotch and sake menu curated by a highly trained mixologist along with an impeccable list of champagne, wine and cocktails. The highlight of Mui will be omakase, a dining experience where guests have direct interaction with the chef. Translated as, “I leave it up to you,” Omakase allows the chef to present curated, innovative sushi specialties. Additional menu items include seafood and meat cooked on a Robata grill. “We warmly welcome Mui to Pike & Rose,” said Stuart Biel, Senior Vice President, Federal. “Our highly amenitized neighborhood is a popular destination for foodies and shoppers from North Bethesda and the greater community, and we are thrilled to share this new dining experience.”
Okaeri Japanese Cafe
Okaeri Japanese Cafe, which means “Welcome Home” in Japanese, is coming soon to the Shops at Congressional Village in Rockville.Okaeri will be taking the space that was previously home to Eerkins Uygher Cuisine at 1701 Rockville Pike # B1. Eerkins closed following a kitchen fire in May 2022 and reopened in a different Rockville location in March 2023.
Okaeri Japanese Cafe has an existing location in Centreville. The cafe offers traditional Japanese bites and desserts, from fruit sandwiches to Onigiri to Dorayaki (Japanese sweet-filled pancakes) and more. An opening date is not available, but signage is up in the windows that states the restaurant is “opening soon.”
Torchy Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos is also coming to 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza, taking over the other part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s. Torchy’s Tacos, featuring “the most unique tacos, coveted queso and refreshing margaritas in the game, and the rotating Taco of the Month,” will open its first location in the DMV in 2024. The 3,961 square-foot restaurant will be located at 12266 Rockville Pike. With more than 115 locations across 14 states, Torchy’s Tacos serves tacos, sides, and drinks from scratch, made-to-order.
Tequila Modern Mexican
Tequila Modern Mexican is coming to 11 N Washington Street in Rockville Town Center, the former location of Trapezaria. Tequila Modern Restaurant has additional location in Harrisonburg, VA and upcoming locations in Kansas and North Carolina. The restaurant tells us it is just waiting on final inspections and will be open soon.
Uzu Revolving Sushi
Signage is up in the window for Uzu Revolving Sushi at The Shops at Congressional Village on Rockville Pike. This will be the second revolving sushi restaurant that’s making its way to Rockville, as we previously reported Kura revolving sushi will be headed to nearby Federal Plaza. There is currently not much information for Uzu, but revolving sushi is usually placed on some type of conveyor belt that serves sushi by rotating it through the restaurant, allowing customers to make their selection as the sushi moves past every table. An opening date is not yet available.
Yummy Bowl Mongolian Stir-fry and Sushi
Coming soon signage is up for Yummy Bowl Mongolian Stir-fry and Sushi at 2010 Veirs Mill Rd in Rockville. The restaurant will be located in the space previously occupied by Bamboo Buffet in the Twinbrook Center. The news comes just a couple days after an article “remembering” BD’s Mongolian Grill in Bethesda. Yummy Bowl Mongolian Stir-Fry & Sushi currently has locations in Alabama, Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina and Virginia. Menu items include Steak Bowl, Eel Cucumber Roll, Rainbow Roll, and Chicken Ramen (full menu below).
According to its website, “Welcome to Yummy Bowl, where Asian culinary traditions converge to create a feast for the whole family! From Mongolian Stirfry to authentic Japanese Ramen, Premium Sushi, and Korean Fried Chicken, our diverse menu offers something for every taste. Join us and embark on a culinary journey through Asia, where every meal is a celebration of flavor, culture, and community.”
Coming in 2025: Wegmans
Wegmans is coming to Twinbrook Quarter, in the area of Halpine Rd and Rockville Pike. According to signage put up at the construction site this summer, Wegmans is now expected to open in 2025. Previously, a more general “Late 2024 or 2025” was the expected opening date of the grocery store. In addition to the grocery store, the upcoming neighborhood has approval for 480,000 SF of retail (which includes the 80,000 SF Wegmans and an additional 25,000 SF of additional retail/restaurants in the first phase. Twinbrook Quarter will also consist of 450 apartment homes (The Milton) and 248,000 SF of trophy office above. It will also include over 1,500 parking spaces with electric vehicle charging stations.
