K2 Cafe is expanding. The popular Poolesville-based cafe will open a second location at the Clarksburg Market, located at 23335 Frederick Road in Clarksburg, bringing its Himalayan-inspired bowls, wraps, and specialty drinks to another Montgomery County community. A video of the K2 Cafe experience can be seen below.
The new location is especially meaningful for co-owner Nichole Hodges-Abbasi, who currently teaches at Hallie Wells Middle School in Clarksburg. Nichole said she is excited to open K2 Cafe in a community she already knows and loves, both as an educator and a resident who spends much of her time in the area.
K2 Cafe was founded by Nichole and her husband, Ashar Abbasi, and first opened in Poolesville in 2021. The cafe quickly gained a loyal following, with long lunch lines becoming a regular sight and students, cyclists, and locals flocking to the space for favorites like tandoori chicken bowls, Himalayan chai, and house-made cookies. Despite being just blocks from national fast-food chains, K2 carved out its own niche with fresh ingredients and a menu that blends American comfort food with Himalayan flavors.
The couple’s journey into business began with limited resources, launching the cafe with little more than pandemic stimulus funding and a shared belief in their concept. Since then, K2 Cafe has grown into a community hub, known for its welcoming atmosphere and food that reflects Ashar and Nichole’s cultural backgrounds.
As part of the expansion, the owners want customers to know that the Clarksburg location will continue to focus on fresh halal ingredients and the same menu philosophy that made the Poolesville cafe a success. They hope to open in early 2026.
