Below is a list of restaurants that will be coming soon to Rockville, MD:
Aloha Poke: Signage that reads “MoCo is finally getting out [sic] own… Aloha Poke Co” is up at 800 Pleasant Dr. #100 in Rockville’s King Farm neighborhood. This will be the Chicago-based poke restaurant’s first Maryland 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 DC location at 1333 19th St in NW, Washington, DC.
Although the signage was installed in the spring, the restaurant’s buildout seems to be in its early stages.
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: 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. The restaurant will offer “new Sichuan cuisine.” More here.
Dirty Dough: Dirty Dough is coming to 36B Maryland Ave in Rockville Town Square. The cookie shop will be taking over the location that was the longtime home of Berry Cup. More here.
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.
“Established over 7 years ago, we are a Korean fried chicken franchise made with only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Whether you eat in, get it to go, or get delivery, Don Chicken will make sure to satisfy your taste buds. It is our great pleasure to serve you with the highest quality food and excellent service at the best prices. Next time you’re craving chicken, come by our NJ, NY, MD, TX locations. We look forward to seeing you!”
Eat a Lao: Eat a Lao, a new restaurant serving Lao, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine, is coming soon to 1327 Rockville Pike, Units I, J, and K. It will be taking over the space that was recently home to Sadaf Halal Restaurant, which closed at the start of 2024. The restaurant has its heating with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) on June 20th. The menu contains cleverly named items such as Lend Me an Ear (cold pig ear), Ribs in Peace (chargrilled pork ribs), No Guts No Glory (chicken gizzard), Have Some Neck (grilled marinated pork shoulder), Crying Out Lao (Lay-style steak), and more.
Per the restaurant’s website, “Fueled with an unyielding determination to share this cultural delicacies from a far-off land, we eagerly invite you to embark on a quest to discover us.
“Sabai dee” is uttered in greeting to welcome our guests to begin the story. With its cozy atmosphere and a menu bursting with exotic dishes. Eat A Lao Restaurant offers an iconic menu with a relaxing setting with diversified favors, delectable and accessible to palates from across the globe. Come as you are and get acquainted with Eat A Lao.”
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. Fruit N Boba appears to be in the early stages of construction and no opening date has been announced.
Jinlan Dumplings: Jinlan Dumplings is coming to 11620-A Rockville Pike, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the White Flint Station shopping center.
Jinlan Dumplings, founded by owner Jennifer Wenhua, currently sells authentic handmade Chinese dumplings at Farmers Markets throughout the DC region. The upcoming restaurant had its liquor license hearing with the Montgomery County ABS in June and is expected to open by the end of the summer. The restaurant had its liquor license hearing with the Montgomery County ABS in June and is expected to open by the end of summer.
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.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar: Kura Revolving Sushi continues to work towards opening at 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza later this year, taking over part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s and previously home to Ruby Tuesday. Permanent signage is now up (photo by @YaoFomo on instagram) and the full menu is available below. Torchy’s Tacos will be taking over the other part of the space.
The Lady Vintner: The Lady Vintner is coming to the lower level of the BLVD Forty Four high-rise apartment tower located at 42 Maryland Ave in Rockville. It will be taking over the space previously occupied by Pour Vino N Hops. The bar plans to offer high-end wine and beer and will feature an in-house sommelier.
Mia Cane Juicery and Açaí Bar: Mia Cane Juicery and Açaí is coming soon to 785-I Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. Menu items include Acai bowls, cold-pressed sugar cane juice, Vietnamese iced coffee, and croffles (waffle-croissant hybrid.) Mia Cane opened its first location last year in Worcester, Massachusetts. According to the store, “Welcome to Mia Cane Juicery, your destination for naturally refreshing treats! Dive into our world of fresh, Asian-inspired flavors featuring our specialty: pure, cold-pressed sugarcane juice with no added sugar. Check out our nutritious Acai bowls, which are customizable and have a variety of unlimited toppings. Taste the freshness at Mia Cane!” The news of Mia Cane’s upcoming Rockville location was first reported by Robert Dyer.
Mui (North Betheda): 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.”
Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse: Terra Gaucha, an authentic Churrascaria or Brazilian Steakhouse, is coming to Twinbrook Quarter in Rockville– the new development that will be home to Rockville’s Wegmans next year. Terra Gaucha will be located on the corner of Festival St. and Chapman Ave., off of Rockville Pike, behind the Wegmans that is currently undergoing construction on the interior fitout of the grocery store. The restaurant has locations in Tampa and Jacksonville in Florida and recently opened a Connecticut restaurant in Stamford. An Indianapolis location is also coming soon.
Per the restaurant, “Terra Gaucha “gaucho chefs” are experts in the art of fire-roasting meats. They hand select, butcher, and season each fire-roasted skewer that is served, elevating this centuries-old cooking technique. At Terra Gaucha a red carpet cultural experience is rolled out for diners with delectable meat and seafood brought on long skewers and expertly carved, tableside. Part of the fun is watching servers slicing meat right into your dish instead of having it plated it in the kitchen. To add to the experience, each guest receives a card, one side is red and says “No Thanks” and the other side is green and says “Yes Please.” This ensures you will always get the juiciest meats cooked to your liking with the added benefit of pacing yourself by indicating when you are ready to eat and when you want to stop. This signature experience is the price-fixed all-you-can-eat “Rodizio” consisting of unlimited trips to the gourmet salad bar and unlimited tableside service of fire-roasted meats and seafood. The waiters keep bringing meat until you tell them to stop.”
The meat offerings include churrasco and items like bacon wrapped chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks marinated in bourbon and beer, grilled salmon, grilled shrimp with a passion fruit and mango glaze, lamb in a special mint marinade and lightly wine-marinated pork are also part of the meat parade. Mainstays of the extensive salad bar include smoked salmon, lobster bisque, shrimp salad, and much more. Traditional dessert like a Brazilian Flan or something decadent like a Petite Gateau-Molten Lava cake.
An opening date is not yet available, but it is the first to sign on the restaurant/retail side of things aside from Wegmans at Twinbrook Quarter. Featured photo courtesy of Terra Gaucha on Facebook.
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 told us earlier this summer that it was just waiting on final inspections and will be opening soon.
Torchy Tacos: Torchy’s Tacos has installed permanent signage at its first DMV restaurant, which will be located at 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza. The restaurant is taking over part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s and previously home to Ruby Tuesday. The restaurant had its hearing for its alcohol license back on Thursday, February 1st at 11:30am, so that hurdle has been cleared. In March, a $500K permit was pulled for construction and work continues in the interior (photo below). The exterior signage is now up, and the restaurant tells us that the “schedule is on track to open this fall.”
