OpenTable has highlighted 10 restaurants in its “Diners’ Choice: Best Overall Restaurants in Maryland – DC Suburbs” list, including six in Montgomery County, three in Frederick County, and one in St. Mary’s County.
The Diners’ Choice rankings are based on reviews submitted by diners who have made reservations through OpenTable. According to the reservation platform, nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the previous four months are analyzed each month, with results organized by location and category. “Looking for the best overall restaurants in Maryland – DC Suburbs? You’re in the right place,” OpenTable states. “It’s a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen…and deliver the results for all to benefit.”
The 10 restaurants featured in the Best Overall category are listed below, along with their locations and cuisine types:
Bouboulina (North Bethesda): Located at 921 Meeting Street in Pike & Rose, Bouboulina is a Greek and Mediterranean-inspired restaurant offering a dining experience centered around steaks and other upscale dishes. The restaurant falls within OpenTable’s $31 to $50 price category and has received more than 600 diner reviews.
Cava Mezze (Olney): Located at 3122 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Cava Mezze serves Greek and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, including a variety of shareable small plates. The Olney restaurant opened in late 2015 and is part of the locally founded restaurant group that also operates the original Cava Mezze in Rockville. OpenTable lists the restaurant in its $30 and under price category, with more than 1,300 reviews.
Cava Mezze (Rockville): Located at 9713 Traville Gateway Drive, the original Cava Mezze opened in 2006 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The restaurant is known for its Greek-inspired small plates and Mediterranean flavors. OpenTable places it in the $30 and under price category, with more than 880 reviews.
Cuba de Ayer (Burtonsville): Located at 15446 Old Columbia Pike, Cuba de Ayer is a Cuban restaurant serving traditional Cuban dishes in Burtonsville. OpenTable categorizes the restaurant under Latin/Spanish cuisine and lists it in the $30 and under price category. It has received more than 1,400 reviews.
Delhi Spice (Bethesda): Located at 4925 Bethesda Avenue, Delhi Spice serves Indian cuisine in downtown Bethesda. The restaurant is listed in OpenTable’s $30 and under price category and has received nearly 100 reviews on the platform.
Il Piccolo Morso (Leonardtown): Located at 22845 Washington Street in Leonardtown, Il Piccolo Morso is an Italian restaurant in St. Mary’s County. OpenTable places the restaurant in the $30 and under price category, with more than 600 diner reviews.
Julii (North Bethesda): Located at 11915 Grand Park Avenue in Pike & Rose, Julii offers Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with French influences. The restaurant is listed in OpenTable’s $31 to $50 price category and has received more than 2,900 reviews.
Manalu Italian Restaurant (Frederick): Located at 5227 Presidents Court in Frederick, Manalu Italian Restaurant serves Italian cuisine. OpenTable lists the restaurant in its $30 and under price category, with more than 1,500 diner reviews.
Monocacy Crossing (Frederick): Located at 4424A Urbana Pike in Frederick, Monocacy Crossing serves contemporary American cuisine. The restaurant falls within OpenTable’s $31 to $50 price category and has accumulated more than 3,600 reviews.
The Tasting Room (Frederick): Located at 101 North Market Street in downtown Frederick, The Tasting Room serves contemporary American cuisine. OpenTable places the restaurant in its $31 to $50 price category, with more than 3,100 diner reviews.
Notably, four of the 10 restaurants on the list come from the same locally founded restaurant group. Bouboulina and Julii at Pike & Rose, along with Cava Mezze’s Rockville and Olney locations, are all concepts from the team of Ted Xenohristos, Dimitri Moshovitis, and Ike Grigoropoulos. The three longtime friends also co-founded the nationally expanding CAVA fast-casual chain and operate Melina at Pike & Rose.
Unlike rankings determined by a panel of judges or food critics, OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice selections are based on diner feedback. The platform updates its results monthly using reviews from the preceding four months, meaning the restaurants featured can change over time.
