List of 100+ Restaurants That Opened in 2024

Below is a list of restaurants that opened in Montgomery County, MD in 2024:

168 Seasons Restaurant – Rockville
168 Seasons Restaurant, featuring cuisine from Hong Kong, opened at 316 N Washington St. in Rockville. The restaurant is located in the space that was previously home to Xi’An Gourmet/Hot Pot for approximately five years. Per the restaurant: “Welcome to 168 Seasons Restaurant H.K., where we bring the authentic flavors of Hong Kong’s tea restaurants to your table. Our journey began with a passion for sharing the unique culinary traditions of Hong Kong, a city known for its vibrant food scene and rich cultural heritage. At 168 Seasons, we are dedicated to preserving the essence of Hong Kong’s beloved tea restaurant culture. Our founders, inspired by the bustling streets and diverse flavors of Hong Kong, set out to create a dining experience that captures the heart and soul of this iconic cuisine.”

A Cantina Brazilian Pizzeria – Gaithersburg
A Cantina The Brazilian Pizzeria opened in November at 8359 Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg. Brazilian pizza is known for its unique toppings, such as Catupiry cheese, heart of palm, corn, and quail eggs, as well as sweet varieties featuring Nutella, strawberries, coconut, and condensed milk.

Pizzas on the menu include the Baiana (tomato sauce, ground Calabrian sausage, hard-boiled egg, chili sauce), Special Tuna (tomato sauce, mozzarella, tuna, sliced onion, catupiry), Portuguese (tomato sauce, ham, hard-boiled egg, sliced onion, green corn, mozzarella), and Beef Stroganoff.

 

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ala- Bethesda 
ala restaurant, known for its creative cooking, inspired by the colorful flavors of the Levantine region opened at 4948 Fairmont Avenue. Located in the former Positano restaurant space, the menu is similar to ala in Dupont, where the cuisine melds the flavors of Turkey, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and beyond (known as the Levant region), an area of the world that has both a long history and a colorful past.

Andrea’s Bakery Antojitos Lokos – Gaithersburg
Andrea’s Bakery Antojitos Lokos is now open at 7601 Airpark Rd Suite B in Gaithersburg, the former site of Fry Guy Southern Cuisine. Andrea’s offers items typically found at traditional panaderías (Spanish bakeries), such as semitas and conchas. “Antojitos Lokos,” which roughly translates to “crazy snacks,” includes items like nachos with ramen noodles, elote loco, mangonadas, and mini pancakes topped with chocolate and strawberries.

&Shawarma – Rockville
&Shawarma (AndShawarma) is open in the space that was recently home to Galito’s Flame-Grilled Chicken and previously home to Nirvana Reflexology Spa at 15918 Shady Grove Road in the Shady Grove Center (the shopping center that is home to The Melting Pot). The restaurant comes from the same people who own and operate Hummus Mediterranean Grill in Hagerstown- a restaurant that has been open since 2018 and has a 4.8/5 rating on Google with nearly 1,000 reviews. Below you’ll see photos of the restaurant and a bowl, courtesy of Afshan Mizrahi.

Aventino/AP Pizza Shop – Bethesda
Aventino and sister-restaurant AP Pizza Shop opened at 4747 Bethesda Ave. in January. Aventino features a vibrant and traditional Roman cuisine with a menu of antipasti, pasta and more by chef Mike Friedman, and classic cocktails like a selection of spritzes and negronis, in a warm and inviting setting that can hold over 100 guests. AP Pizza Shop is the Bethesda outpost of Friedman’s All-Purpose Pizzeria, which currently has two D.C. locations. AP Pizza Shop  offers “Jersey-style, deck-oven pies”, Italian coffee/pastries in the morning, and paninis, salads, and slicer for lunch, and a wider variety of pizzas available for dinner.

Authentic African Restaurant – Germantown
Authentic African Restaurant, a new restaurant that features cuisine from various parts of the continent of Africa with a focus on cuisine from Ghana, opened in June at 13075 Wisteria Dr in Germantown Plaza. Our very own “Mr. MoCo” Alex Tsironis stopped in to support the restaurant. Below you’ll see a video of the experience:

 

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Bai Kao Thai – Potomac
Bai Kao Thai opened at 12944-D Travilah Rd in the Potomac Oak Center (Potomac/Travilah). The restaurant is located in the space that was previously home to 98 Cafe and Shanghai Cafe. Menu items include Por Pia Todd (fried vegetable spring rolls), Tao Hoo Tod (fried tofu), Kanom Jeeb (steamed pork and shrimp dumplings), Pad Thai, Green or Yellow Curry, Drunken Noodles, and more.

Baruch Café – Bethesda 
Baruch Café recently opened at 4800 Auburn Avenue in Bethesda, located on the ground floor of the Gallery Bethesda apartment complex. According to the cafe, Baruch is a boutique coffee shop that focuses on offering unique experiences through a variety of specialty coffees from different cultures, such as Hawaiian, Peruvian, and American styles. The menu includes affogato, fresh tiramisu, fresh orange juice, Bolivian salteñas, sandwiches, salads, keto desserts, healthy, and protein shakes. They will also feature coffee omakase, coffee flights, and English tea

BT’s – Bethesda
BT’s Bethesda, a new restaurant and bar owned by Brian “BT” Lacey, opened on Friday, December 13, at 4866 Cordell Ave., in the space formerly occupied by Zuma by Chef Ninja. Currently, the restaurant is be open for dinner service, with plans to introduce brunch and lunch service in the coming weeks. Lacey, a Bethesda native and Walt Whitman High School graduate, has deep roots in the local restaurant scene, having spent his career bartending and managing well-known establishments in the DC area like Durty Nelly’s, J Paul’s, DC Coast, and Old Ebbitt Grill, among others.

According to BT’s, the new venue aims to be a welcoming spot for families and friends to enjoy a great meal.

Courtesy @btsbethesda on Instagram

Carmen’s Italian Ice – Kensington
This Carmen’s location, opened by Kensington natives Brad Riddle and Jerry Walters, is located at 10309 and 10311 Kensington Parkway, in the former spaces of Parkway Barber Shop and Kensington Television Services.

About Carmen’s: It started with a simple idea. Introduce homemade gourmet Italian Ice to the Washington DC area. Jason Mandler – a native of Parsippany, New Jersey – opened Carmen’s Italian Ice & Cafe in Rockville, MD in 2001. Tracing its roots back to Philly and South Jersey where this dessert has been a mainstay for years, Carmen’s offers homemade, gourmet Italian Ice in over 60 flavors. It also now offers frozen custard, shakes, and a toppings bar.

Charleys Cheesesteaks – Germantown
Charleys Cheesesteaks & Wings opened its third Germantown location and sixth overall in Montgomery County at 9721 Frederick Rd. (formerly a standalone Verizon store) in the Fox Chapel shopping center. Last year Charleys opened Germantown locations at 19877 Century Blvd and inside Walmart at 20910 Frederick Rd, taking over the space formerly occupied by McDonald’s. Charley’s has additional locations in Aspen Hill, Bethesda (Montgomery Mall), Clarksburg (outlets), Gaithersburg, and Wheaton (Wheaton Mall).

Charleys is a Philly cheesesteak franchise that opened its first location across the campus of Ohio State University in 1986. While studying real estate at the school, Charley Shin worked in his mother’s Japanese/Korean restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. A wrong turn on a family trip to New York City resulted in Charley’s discovery of the Philly cheesesteak. Charley convinced his mother to sell her restaurant, and invest her life savings of $48,000 into Charley’s, a 450-square-foot restaurant across the street from Ohio State’s campus.

Chido’s Tex-Mex Grill – Silver Spring
Chido’s Tex-Mex Grill, located in the space that was recently home to The Eleanor at 931 Ellsworth Dr. in Downtown Silver Spring, opened in September. The restaurant opened its first location in Laurel (14600 Laurel Pl.) in 2016 and offers a standard Tex-Mex menu with their twist on a variety of familiar favorites.

“Welcome to Chido’s Tex-Mex Grill Restaurant. We pride ourselves as being an authentic Mexican restaurant with all our delicious, freshly and daily prepared appetizers, entrees, dishes, and drinks. We have a family atmosphere to surround your meals. Our staff is always attentive to all your needs. We follow our tradition of excellence in our service as well as in our culinary art.”

Chop Dash Fusion Eatery – Germantown
Chop Dash, a new fast-casual takeout concept operating at 19727 Frederick Rd, is now open in Germantown. Chop Dash is a fast-casual restaurant concept focused on takeout, featuring a mix of three cuisines—Korean BBQ, Japanese Hibachi Grill, and Cajun seafood. The restaurant operates through KPOT and is available across delivery platforms such as Door Dash and Uber Eats.

According to Chop Dash, “At Chop Dash, we prioritize fresh, high-quality ingredients, including meats, seafood, and vegetables, expertly seasoned to create distinct flavors. Our menu is uniquely tailored to reflect local dietary preferences, ensuring that each location resonates with its community. Menu at different locations may vary.”

The Clarks Lodge
The Clarks Lodge Bar & Grill at 12011 Snowden Farm Pkwy in Clarksburg opened in April. The restaurant is located in the space that was previously occupied by GrillMarx, which closed in June 2023. The Clarks Lodge is owned by the same restaurant group behind The Creek Lodge, which opened at 5566 Norbeck Rd in October 2022, as well as Vine Alley in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood.

Costa Grande – Rockville
Costa Grande Restaurant at 15883 Redland Rd in Derwood opened in May. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Juanita’s Restaurant in Redland Center.
The family-owned Mexican restaurant we will offer tacos, menudo, pozole sopes, and more.

D1 Seafood Buffet – Germantown
D1 Seafood Buffet & Bar (19961 Century Boulevard) has taken over the space previously home to Sushi Legend Cajun Seafood and Bar, and before that, The Greene Turtle in Germantown. Sushi Legend closed in December 2023 after being open for less than a year. In early 2022, signage for “Four Seas Restaurant” was installed on the building, but the restaurant never opened. The Greene Turtle closed in the summer of 2020.

Dave’s Hot Chicken – White Oak 
Dave’s Hot Chicken, the hot chicken restaurant chain based in California, opened its first location in Montgomery County at the upcoming White Oak Town Center (12345 Columbia Pike). The hot chicken chain that includes celebrity investors like Drake and Samuel L. Jackson, will be one of the tenants at the upcoming White Oak Town Center development- joining First Watch, European Wax Center, Jersey Mike’s, Inspire Nail Bar, Starbucks, Oak Barrel & Vine, and a grocery store (likely to be Amazon Fresh). Some of the businesses have already opened while others are expected to open soon.

DIG – Bethesda
DIG opened its first location in Maryland at 4733 Elm St in the space that was most recently home to Mexicue until 2022 and previously home to Gusto Farm to Street until 2020 and Kraze Burger until 2014. DIG is an upscale fast-casual brand serving seasonal comfort food. With over 30 restaurants across the Northeast and plans for expansion, DIG’s menu offers veg-forward seasonal comfort food, including plates, bowls, salads, plus desserts made from scratch. Each restaurant is run by a chef and an entire culinary team, all dedicated to cooking from scratch all day.

Dimmples Kettles – Silver Spring
Dimmples Kettles is open at 8073 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Lotus Cafe, which closed in July 2023 after 15 years in business.  According to the restaurant’s Instagram page, Dimmples Kettles serves Afro/International cuisine, including authentic Cameroonian food. Popular Cameroonian dishes include jollof rice, fufu, and ndolé.

DMV Empanadas – Gaithersburg 
DMV Empanadas at 560 N. Frederick Ave. in the Gaithersburg Square shopping center opened in July. DMV Empanadas was previously located at 113 E Diamond Ave in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. The restaurant features over 25 flavors of empanadas, including bacon & cheese, cheeseburger, and Old Bay shrimp. The restaurant also serves Chicken Milanese, and Broaster Chicken, and Lomo Saltado.

Dumpling for Life – Bethesda
Dumpling for Life is now open in the Montgomery Mall Food Terrace. The restaurant is located in the space that was previously occupied by Malia’s Kitchen and Lazzaro’s, next to McDonald’s. Menu items at Dumpling for Life include steamed or pan fried dumplings, pork buns, and noodles.

Eat A Lao – Rockville
Eat A Lao, a new restaurant serving Laotian, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine, is now open at 1327 Rockville Pike, Units I, J, and K. It has taken over the space that was recently home to Sadaf Halal Restaurant, which closed at the start of 2024. 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.

Eggmania – Gaithersburg
EggMania opened its first Maryland location at 385 Muddy Branch Rd, in the space formerly occupied by Curry Place, next to Indian Bazaar in the Festival at Muddy Branch shopping center. The menu consists of egg-centric Indian street food, including a masala omelet, egg curry, and Goti Fry (sliced boiled eggs cooked with ginger, garlic and chili and topped with American cheese and onion-tomato based gravy). Eggmania currently has franchises in several states and is opening new locations throughout the U.S.

Elana James – Chevy Chase
Elena James, located at 8551 Connecticut Ave in the Chevy Chase Lake neighborhood, is set to opened on December 6. Created by Colin McClimans and Danilo Simic, the founders of D.C.’s New American restaurant Nina May, Elena James is a new all-day concept featuring seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The 5,000-square-foot space includes a café offering breakfast and lunch counter service, as well as a dining area with a bar and open kitchen serving American-inspired dishes and cocktails for dinner. Menu highlights include cacio e pepe, flank steak, and pan-roasted trout. Initially, the restaurant will open for dinner only, with the café scheduled to open in mid-December.

Elias Taqueria – Gaithersburg 
Elias Taqueria is a food truck/stand located at 9426 Stewartown Rd in Gaithersburg and its menu includes Birria, Steak, Chorizo, Chicken, and Al Pastor Tacos and Gorditas.

El Jefe Wood-Fired Pizza – Silver Spring
El Jefe Wood-Fired Pizza, a locally owned food truck that serves across Montgomery County, has opened a stall inside the Solaire Social Food Hall (8200 Dixon Ave) in Silver Spring. Pizza options include the Jeferoni (pepperoni), Don Queso (cheese), Margherita, and Speedy Gonzalez (white pizza). Solaire Social is a 13,000 square-foot “culinary collective,” curated by chef and restaurateur, Akhtar Nawab.

El Maguey – Rockville
El Maguey Restaurant is now open at 1203 Taft St in Rockville, located in the space previously occupied by Coldrip Organic. The restaurant opened on December 1 and features Salvadorian/Mexican cuisine, featuring menu items such as carne asada, pupusas, tacos, tamales, and an array of breakfast options.

Empress Coffee – Gaithersburg
Empress Coffee & Cocktails is now open at 325 Main St. The coffee shop has taken over the space that was most recently home to Brew House Kentlands, which closed after being open for a little over a year. The space was also the previous home of Clear Skies Meadery, which opened its new meadery at 15201 Display Ct in Rockville. Empress serves coffee, breakfast sandwiches, pastries, sandwiches, Persian pizza, beer, and wine.

Falafel Inc – Bethesda
Falafel Inc opened its first Montgomery County location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The DC-based quick-service chain offers falafel, hummus, bowls, and sides like Zaatar fries and Tabouli salad. It occupies the space recently vacated by Butter Chicken House, next to Chick-Fil-A.

Fallen Oak Distilling – Olney
MoCo’s newest “speakeasy”, the Whispering Spirit, is now open at Fallen Oak Distilling– located at Lone Oak in Olney. A video of the experience can be seen below. The owners of Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company have expanded Lone Oak’s legacy with the opening of Fallen Oak Distilling on the existing brewery property (5000 Olney Laytonsville Road). This includes The Whispering Spirit– a speakeasy style bar/restaurant that will “transport you to the 1920s.”

 

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Fantasticks – Silver Spring
Fantasticks opened a new location at 915 Ellsworth Dr. that was previously home to Starbucks until the end of March. They have an additional MoCo location at Rio Lakefront location that opened in 2021 and previously had another Maryland location within Manhattan Pizza in Frederick that closed. They also have two Virginia locations at One Loudoun and Clarendon. Fantasticks allows customers to choose their toppings, cover their ice cream bar in chocolate, then add a drizzle. You can also order gelato in a cup and customize it with your choice of toppings.

Firehouse Subs – Wheaton
Firehouse Subs opened in the Wheaton Mall food court at 11160 Veirs Mill Rd. Firehouse Subs was founded by two former firefighting brothers in Jacksonville, Florida in 1994. Firehouse Subs is all about hearty portions, premium ingredients, and delicious recipes, with a commitment to saving lives through raising funds to support local public safety organizations. To date, more than $80 million has been awarded to first responders and public safety organizations in the U.S. and Canada. The chain has additional MoCo locations in Germantown (19851 Century Blvd) and Rockville (28 Upper Rock Circle).

First Watch – White Oak
First Watch opened its third Montgomery County location at 12255 Prosperity Dr. in the new White Oak Town Center development. “First Watch, the Florida-based Daytime Dining restaurant serving breakfast, brunch and lunch, has opened a new restaurant in White Oak. The restaurant, located at 12255 Prosperity Drive, brings a chef-inspired menu and rotating seasonal offerings to a 4,000-squarefoot space that seats 130 people and serves house-made juices at an indoor and outdoor bar. First Watch’s menu takes an elevated approach to traditional breakfast, brunch and lunch offerings. All dishes are made to order using fresh ingredients in a kitchen without heat lamps, microwaves or deep fryers. Fan favorites include Avocado Toast, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Million Dollar Bacon.”

French Press – Bethesda
French Press is now open on the ground floor of Bainbridge Bethesda (4918 St. Elmo Ave.) The menu will consist of a variety of coffee, breakfast items, sandwiches, and other beverages.


Gregorio’s Trattoria – Potomac
Gregorio’s Trattoria opened its third MoCo location, and fourth overall, at 12505 Park Potomac Ave Suite 110- taking over the space that was previously home to Sugo. Sugo closed its doors permanently last in the summer of 2021. Gregorio’s started out in Reston in 2008 and opened a second location in what’s now Cabin John Village in Potomac. The restaurant opened its second MoCo location in November 2020 at the Shops at Sumner Place in Bethesda, in the spot that was home to China Pavilion for over two decades until it closed almost three years ago. The full menu is available here.

Häagen-Dazs – Rockville
Haagen Dazs opened its second Montgomery County location at 1516 Rockville Pike- the former home of the recently closed Mr. Wish. Haagen Dazs stores offer “irresistible creations made with Haagen-Dazs super-premium ice cream and sorbet.” Haagen Dazs currently has an additional location on the lower level of Montgomery Mall and one opening soon in Gaithersburg. The brand closed its Bethesda Row store in the summer of 2021 after about a decade of business at the location.

Han Spot – Rio
Han Spot, the latest restaurant from restaurateur Chris Zhu, (Han Palace Georgetown, Woodley Park, Tysons Corner & Barracks Row, Live K, Ginza BBQ Lounge and Karaoke Spot and China Garden), opened in the former Union Jack’s space in the Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg (9811 Washingtonian Center). Menu items include Cantonese Dim Sum, Peking Duck other popular dishes from Han Palace & China Garden.

Hangry Joe’s – Germantown
Hangry Joe’s opened it;s latest MoCo location at 19730 Germantown Rd. The restaurant is located on the strip next to the Safeway, in the space that was previously home to Center Cleaners, between Acqua Nails and Thrive Pet Healthcare. The chain is know for its hot chicken sandwiches, known as the “Chicken Sando”, and allows guests to choose the spice level of the fried chicken (Plain<Mild<Medium<Hot<Angry Hot). In additional to the chicken sandwich, the menu also consists of chicken fingers, chicken & waffles, wraps, nuggets, loaded fries, and salads. Sides include cider slaw, waffle fries, and fried okra. Hangry Joe’s has additional Montgomery County locations in Wheaton (2533 Ennals Ave), Rockville (718-B Rockville Pike and 10050 Darnestown Rd.), and Montgomery Village (19290 Montgomery Village Ave).

Health Pack Meals – Gaithersburg
Health Pack Meals opened at 340 Main St. in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. Health Pack Meals founder Levon Meliksetyan, or Lev, is a personal trainer in Montgomery County who decided to create a way to make healthy meal options easily accessible. In 2018 he founded Health Pack Meals with the simple idea that “healthy eating should be easy, accessible, convenient, and delicious.”

The storefront allows customers to walk in and customize a meal from the grab & go menu, one-time orders to pick up their meals at the store, and existing clients wishing to avoid delivery fees on standard subscription to pick up orders. Customers will be able to come to the store, see the available options and have their choice of protein, carbs, vegetables, salads, toppings, and sauces. Customers will also have the option for daily chef’s specials. These are dishes curated by Health Pack Meal chefs, which will “showcase their creativity and talent, all while providing delicious and nutritious meals to customers.”

Java Fresh Cafe – Wheaton
Java Fresh Café opened this summer in the Westfield Wheaton Mall food court. The kiosk serves hot and cold coffee, bubble tea, ice cream, frozen yogurt, pastries and smoothies. According to Westfield: “We are excited to welcome Java Fresh Café to our food court! Java Fresh brews up a wide range of cold and hot coffee drinks with a smooth finish. Pair your beverage with something from the bakery rack or even a scoop..or 2 of ice cream to complement the bold rich flavor of their fresh coffee. If you’re looking for a sweet treat that’s bursting with flavor and nutritional value you can order up a fruit bowl or smoothie to satiate your sweet tooth.”

Java Nation – Silver Spring
Java Nation, the cafe known for its house-roasted coffees, diverse food menu, and wide variety of local craft beers, wines and cocktails, opened a new location at 1010 Wayne Ave. in Silver Spring. Java Nation opened its first location at 10526 Connecticut Ave in Kensington back in 2012. Since then, the cafe has expanded to include locations in North Bethesda, at 11120 Rockville Pike, and Kentlands (Gaithersburg) at 121 Market Street.

Jiang Court Asian Cuisine – Olney
Jiang Court Asian Cuisine opened at 18200 Georgia Avenue in Olney in August. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by The Olney Tavern and most recently by Olney Crab House.

Johnny Ray’s – Silver Spring
Virginia based Johnny Ray’s Sultry Soul Food opened in Downtown Silver Spring in May. The restaurant is located at 923 Sligo Ave, in the space previously occupied by Sligo Cafe. Menu items include fried fish, chicken and waffles, wings, and sides such as mac & cheese, collard greens, and candied yams.

According to its website, “Johnny Ray’s has been catering in the DMV area since 2011. Armed with ambition, old family recipes, and culinary passion, Johnny devotes serious effort to serve real comfort food that soothes the soul. From fried fish and chicken to sweet-potato pie and peach cobbler your taste buds are tantalized with delicious flavorful food. As satisfied customers made more and more requests for Johnny Ray’s home-style cooking, he provided short-order delivery service to meet the needs of the people who love his food. Johnny Ray works hard to showcase genuine charisma, kindness, and authenticity in his craft. He has received rave reviews and accolades from admirers and food fanatics which is a true testament of his focus on 100% fresh ingredients, quality service, and good honest food.”

Kafean Coffee – Bethesda
Kafean Koffee is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The coffee shop is located on the lower level of the mall, in the kiosk that was previously home to Moorenko’s. KaFean specializes in espresso drinks and pastries.

Kajiken – Rockville 
Kajiken, located at 1701 Rockville Pike A7 in the Shoppes at Congressional Village, opened in July. Kajiken offers mazesoba, or abura soba, which is a brothless ramen that allows you to choose your own flavor add-ons and sauce combinations. Customers can choose from classic ramen with a broth base, abura soba, and donburi, which is a small portion of meat of your choice served over a bowl of rice. You can go with traditional Japanese flavors or even carbonara for your ramen.

Kapow Buddy – Bethesda 
Kapow Buddy ‘Thai Street Bowls’ opened at Montgomery Mall in October. The restaurant has taken over the space that was recently home to Butter Me Up at the Old Navy Wing on the lower level of the mall. Menu offerings include “Thai Street Bowls” (priced starting at $11.50 on the Kapow Buddy website), and other Thai “street snacks” that range in price from $8-$12.

About Kapow Buddy: “KAPOW BUDDY brings the beloved Pad Ka-Prow to customers in a convenient “Bowl Style.” We offer a variety of choices for customers to customize their meals, allowing them to enjoy the flavors of a classic Thai Street Bowl according to their own preferences. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch on the go or sitting down for a relaxed dinner, KAPOW BUDDY caters to all dining occasions. We aim to provide a versatile and satisfying dining option that meets the diverse needs of our customers, offering a delicious and convenient alternative to their dietary choices in town.”

Kanpai Southeast Asian Buffet/BBQ/Hot – Rockville 
Kanpai Southeast Asian BBQ and Shabu Shabu Buffet is now open at 1701 Rockville Pike STE A10 in Rockville and our very own Mr. MoCo stopped by to support the restaurant and provide a “first look” (video below). The restaurant offers Southeast Asian BBQ at your table and a Shabu Shabu buffet, where 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. Additionally they have a a buffet that consists of a variety of dishes from across Southeast Asia.

 

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Kelly’s Cajun Grill – Bethesda
Kelly’s Cajun Grill returned to Montgomery County with a location in the Montgomery Mall Food Terrace.  The restaurant is known for its “world famous” bourbon chicken, blackened fish, and Cajun shrimp. Kelly’s was previously located at Lakeforst Mall in Gaithersburg and was one of the last remaining tenants at the time of the mall’s closure.

According to its website, “In 1991, Kelly’s Cajun Grill became the home of the World Famous Bourbon Chicken when it opened its first restaurant in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. The delicious food and innovative concept fueled the company’s rapid expansion, even surpassing all of IRMG’s other concepts combined. Kelly’s Cajun Grill is a proven concept with an excellent track record. The operations are very streamlined and the restaurants are capable of producing very high sales volumes with a very limited amount of space. Our world famous Bourbon Chicken is a delicious yet healthy dish made with fresh grilled chicken and our own special blend of sauces and seasonings. Other favorites include Blackened Chicken, Blackened Fish, Shrimp Etouffee, Cajun Spicy Chicken, as well as a variety of delicious side dishes.”

Kokee Tea – Bethesda 
Kokee Tea Cafe opened at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, bringing its bubble tea offerings to a new kiosk on the lower level near Macy’s. The menu features a variety of milk teas, fruit teas, and “cold clouds” made with cold brew coffee. This new location will join existing nearby cafes in Wheaton and Urbana.

“Kokee Tea fosters a sense of positivity by crafting delicious tea and creating a vibrant, welcoming café experience. We’re dedicated to building a strong community with our customers and partners, spreading a wave of happiness with each cup,” the company shared.

Kung Fu 12 Szechuan – Rockville
Kung Fu 12 Szechuanat has taken over the space formerly occupied by Taipei Tokyo 14921 Shady Grove Rd D at the Fallgrove Village Center in Rockville. Menu highlights include Beijing Duck, Salted Egg Yolk with Tofu, Griddled Pork Rib, and Whole Sea Bass. According to its website, Kung Fu 12 was established with a simple goal in mind – to provide our customers with the best Chinese food at the best price. Our chefs are passionate about cooking and use only the freshest ingredients to create authentic Chinese dishes that are sure to satisfy. We believe that good food should be accessible to everyone, which is why we keep our prices affordable without compromising on quality.

Kura Revolving Sushi – Rockville
Kura is now open at 12266 Rockville Pike in Federal Plaza (Rockville), making the 3,325 square-foot restaurant its first location in Maryland. The conveyer belt, revolving sushi spot has taken over part of the space that was recently home to Chuy’s and previously home to Ruby Tuesday next to the recently opened Torchy’s Tacos. Our very own Mr. MoCo stopped by to support the restaurant (video below).

 

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Kung Fu Kitchen – Rockville
In May, we reported that Peter Chang at 20-A Maryland Ave in Rockville Town Square was recently sold and rebranding to Kung Fu Kitchen. The restaurant features a new menu by Chef MingYang Fang that offers a range of Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan, Hunan, Huaiyang, and Cantonese dishes.

Kusshi Sushi – Rockville 
Kusshi Sushi opened its newest location at 36G Maryland Ave in Rockville Town Square, taking over the space that was home to popular restaurant Sushi Damo. Sushi Damo, one of the first tenants of Rockville Town Square, closed permanently on October 1st. A few weeks later, Kusshi Sushi signed on to take the vacated spot and began renovations almost immediately. Kusshi Sushi has additional MoCo locations in Pike & Rose (its flagship location) and Downtown Silver Spring. It has additional DMV locations in Arlington Pentagon Row, Tysons Pike 7 Plaza in Northern VA, and DC Glover Park.

Irene’s Pupusas – Gaithersburg
Irene’s Pupusas opened in the space that was recently occupied by Macondo Food Express, a Columbian restaurant that opened in September 2022. There are additional Irene’s Pupusa locations at 12391 Georgia Ave in Glenmont and in Hyattsville (Prince George’s County). Menu items include baleadas, fajitas, pupusas, tamales, soups, tacos,  yuca con chicharron, and more.

La Caleta Peruvian Restaurant – Gaithersburg
La Caleta Peruvian Restaurant is now open at 9627 Lost Knife Rd in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by El Carbonazo. Menu items include ceviche and lomo saltado.

Lil Sumthin’ Sweet – Silver Spring
Lil Sumthin’ Sweet opened at 8563 Fenton St, the former home of Smoothie King, in July. The dessert spot offers “ice creams, cakes, pies, coffee, and more, there’s something for everyone!”, according to a post on its Facebook page.

Lime & Cilantro – Silver Spring
Lime & Cilantro opened at 1909 Seminary Rd. in Silver Spring this past spring in the space that was most recently home to Crown Fried Chicken and previously occupied by Krazy Steve’s and Armand’s Pizza. The restaurant refers to itself as a “modern Latin casual restaurant focusing on new twists on familiar Latin favorites” and has quickly become a neighborhood favorite, often positively reviewed in local Facebook groups.

Little Miner Tacos – Rockville 
Little Miner Tacos opened at 39 Maryland Ave Ste A in Rockville Town Square. The restaurant’s menu consists of Mexican street food, but they’re perhaps best known for their Birria De Res Queso tacos, which consist of braised beef and plenty of cheese, along with a consome for dipping. In an interview with, Streetcar Suburbs News, Owner Kathy Voss said that “the key to the homemade flavors at Little Miner is the fresh ingredients and especially the from-scratch cooking of their experienced culinary team, led by executive chef Joel Sánchez.” In regards to their food, she said “How do we come up with great Mexican cuisine? We hired great Mexican chefs.”

Little Miner has additional locations in Brentwood (Prince George’s County), NoMa (DC), as well as a food truck with a changing schedule. Little Miner previously had a location inside The Block at Pike & Rose.

Mayan Monkey Brewing Co. – Gaithersburg 
Mayan Monkey Brewing Co. has opened at 227 E. Diamond Ave, in the former location of Growlers and Summit Station Brewery. While the brewery awaits its state license to brew on-site, it is offering a selection of beers from Flying Dog, Modelo, and Pacifico. The new concept comes from the team behind local favorites Taco Bar El Guero (Rio area), Ixtapalapa (Gaithersburg), and La Gula Mexicana (Germantown). Mayan Monkey Brewing Co. features a menu blending Mexican and American flavors, with options like cheese curds, pretzels, burgers, wings, and tacos. The space also offers live music in the upstairs area and full-service dining downstairs.

“At Mayan Monkey Brewing Co., we’re passionate about bringing you the freshest food and the finest brews. Our menu is a vibrant celebration of Mexican flavors, made from scratch with love and tradition. From our zesty tacos to our refreshing house-brewed beers, every bite and sip is a journey south of the border.”

Mezeh – Aspen Hill
Mezeh Mediterranean Grill opened at 13645 Connecticut Ave in April. Mezeh is a fast-casual eatery with a buffet-style of offerings that include rice and salad bowls, wraps and a variety of sauces and toppings that are very similar to national chain Cava.

Mia Cane Juicery and Açaí – Rockville 
Mia Cane Juicery and Açaí opened in September at 785-I Rockville Pike at the Ritchie Center in Rockville. The menu features açaí bowls and cold-pressed sugar cane juice, and Vietnamese iced coffee. 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!”

Mimi’s Handmade – Clarksburg
Mimi’s Handmade ice cream is now open at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets, taking over the space that was recently home to Melt Cafe and Gelato Bar next to Starbucks. This is Mimi’s Handmade’s fifth location overall and third in Montgomery County with current locations in Rockville’s Federal Plaza and inside The Heights Food Hall in Chevy Chase. Mimi’s is named for one of owner Rollin Amore’s two daughters. He credits his extensive travels over the last 30 years for the unique flavors like roasted banana nut, olive OYL, butterfly pea, maple cashew, and more, offered at the ice cream shop. The shop offers a wide variety of other flavors, including more traditional options. The first Mimi’s Handmade location opened in Arlington in the summer of 2021.

Moby Dick – Burtonsville
Moby Dick House of Kabob opened at Burtonsville Crossing shopping center (15783 Old Columbia Pike) in June. This was the Persian kabob restaurant chain’s 27th restaurant overall and 8th in Montgomery County, where it all started in 1989 with its Bethesda location. Moby Dick’s 7th MoCo location is coming soon to North Bethesda. The restaurant offers “authentic Persian food with a Mediterranean flair.”

Mojitos Bar & Grill – Gaithersburg
Mojitos Bar & Grill opened its doors at 8035-D Snouffer School Rd in Gaithersburg, occupying the space formerly home to Moonlight Sports Bar and Buffalo Wings & Beer. The restaurant offers daily happy hour from 12-7 p.m. and plans to feature live music and dancing in the evenings.

According to its website, “Mojitos Bar and Grill is your go-to destination for vibrant flavors, refreshing drinks, and unforgettable experiences. We specialize in crafting signature Mojitos, mouthwatering Margaritas, and a variety of popular cocktails, perfectly paired with our delicious and diverse menu options. Our inviting atmosphere and top-notch service make every visit memorable, whether you’re celebrating with friends or enjoying a casual night out. Come and discover the perfect blend of great taste and good times at Mojitos Bar and Grill!”

Monster Jar Milkshakes – Clarksburg
Monster Milkshake is now open at Clarksburg Premium Outlets, located between Kay Jewelers and Beautiful U threading salon near the food court. The $14 milkshakes include options like the “Peanut Butter Pleasure,” made with peanut butter ice cream, chocolate cake, chocolate sprinkles, and whipped cream.

Muoi Tieu – Takoma Park
Popular Takoma Park Vietnamese food truck, Muoi Tieu (pronounced “mooey tew”), opened its first brick-and-mortar location at 7006 Carroll Ave. Muoi Tieu (which means “salt and pepper” in Vietnamese) offers banh mi, summer rolls, rice noodle bowls, banh xeo (sizzling crepes), bot chien (fried rice cakes) and more along with beer and wine.

Naz’s Halal – Gaithersburg 
Naz’s Halal opened its fifth MoCo location at 522 N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg. The restaurant is located in the space of the Halal Guys in the Gaithersburg Square shopping. Naz’s Halal offers sandwiches, gyros, wings, salads, burgers, rice platters, and more. The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The restaurant has since opened additional locations in Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park, and White Oak.

Neko Nook – Gaithersburg
Neko Nook opened in the space previously occupied by FD Book Cafe at 422 Main St in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. The new cafe touts “comfort meets creativity” and the menu features Japanese-style sandwiches known as “sando.” A first-look video is available below by @tastemoco.

The menu includes unique flavors like the Strawberry Sando (Homemade cream, strawberry, shokupan), OG Tamago Sando (Japanese egg salad, shokupan, sweet mayo), Hambagu Sando (Japanese hambagu patties available in beef & pork, egg, cheese, cabbage, shokupan, homemade spicy mayo), Matcha or Ube Strawberry Sando (Homemade matcha or Ube cream, strawberry, shokupan), a variety of coffee and tea, and more.

 

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New Paul Kee – Wheaton
Paul Kee Restaurant, a Wheaton staple offering Hong Kong and Cantonese cuisine, closed temporarily and reopened as “New Paul Kee” at 11305 Georgia Ave., Suite B.

No Regrets Pizza Co. – Rockville 
No Regrets Pizza Co. at 5454 Nicholson Lane, on the lower level of the Harwood Flats apartment building in North Bethesda, opened in May. According to the restaurant, “No Regrets Pizza Company is a “chef-driven” pizzeria, café and cocktail bar. Our ingredients are locally sourced, with an emphasis on ethical farming and organically grown food whenever possible.” The restaurant will offer Roman and an Artisanal New York style pizzas, both using a 72-hour cold fermentation to enhance digestibility and flavor. Featured pizzas include cup and char New York style pepperoni and chorizo, a mashed potato pizza with asiago cheese, bacon, scallions, and fresh cracked black pepper, and a white pizza featuring fresh-sliced pears, blue cheese crumbles, baby arugula and balsamic glaze.

Nothing Bundt Cakes – Germantown
Nothing Bundt Cakes is now open at 20650 Seneca Meadows Pkwy in Germantown. The bakery is located in the space previously occupied by Sally Beauty, next to Crumbl Cookies in the Shops at Seneca Meadows shopping center. Bundt cake flavors include Andes Peppermint Chocolate Chip, Red Velvet, White Chocolate Raspberry, Snickerdoodle, Confetti, and Snickerdoodle. Nothing Bundt Cakes got its start in Las Vegas in 1997 and currently has over 500 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including Montgomery County locations in Bethesda, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring.

Okaeri Japanese Cafe – Rockville
Okaeri Japanese Cafe, which means “Welcome Home” in Japanese, opened in the space that was previously home to Eerkins Uygher Cuisine at 1701 Rockville Pike # B1 at Shops at Congressional Village in Rockville. The cafe offers traditional Japanese bites and desserts, from fruit sandwiches to Onigiri to Dorayaki (Japanese sweet-filled pancakes) and more.

On St. Elmo – Bethesda
On St. Elmo, a new restaurant, bar, lounge, and performing arts venue, is open at 4915 St. Elmo Ave in Bethesda According to its website, On St. Elmo is the combined vision of Sarah Rehman, Michael Romeo, and Chef George Hackey, each bringing unique talents to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Owner Sarah Rehman, a wellness entrepreneur and founder of Flying Buddha Studio, is passionate about creating joyful, shared spaces, and her vision for On St. Elmo is a vibrant blend of dining, entertainment, and connection. Michael Romeo, a seasoned hospitality consultant with deep roots in Montgomery County, designed the space to be more than just a restaurant, but a hub for community and celebration. Chef George, also a Montgomery County native, leads the kitchen with his distinctive culinary style, blending Southern, New Orleans, and Mediterranean influences to serve dishes that foster connection through warmth and flavor.

Osaka Ramen & Sushi – Gaithersburg
Osaka Ramen & Sushi opened at 12146 Darnestown Rd in the Potomac Valley Shopping Center, which is located across from Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg. The restaurant is located in the space previously occupied by Kara Hibachi & Sushi, which opened in 2020. Menu items include bento boxes, ramen, rolls, sushi & sashimi, and sushi burritos.

Our Neighborhood Deli
Our Neighborhood Deli opened in October at 240 Main St. in Gaithersburg. Our very own Mr. MoCo stopped by to support and has created a ‘first look’ video to show you what the deli, which is promising to bring authentic flavors of a classic New York deli, has to offer (video below).