Washingtonian Magazine has released its 2025 list of “100 Very Best Restaurants” and Maryland restaurants made the list. The full list includes “restaurants in DC, Maryland, and Virginia that wowed us with food but also with grace notes.” Below you’ll see the Maryland restaurants that were included:
98. Motorkat (6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park, MD): Motorkat opened in the spring of 2023. The restaurant is brought to you by restaurateur Chris Brown (Zinnia, Soko & Takoma Bev Co) and Executive Chef Danny Wells (Republic, Zinnia and Takoma Bev Co.). Motorkat offers a wide selection of appetizing raw bar choices like the chilled Gulf Shrimp with citrus and avocado in addition to a variety of Chesapeake Bay, New England and Pacific oysters on the half-shell. The menu also spans into a variety of small plates ranging from specialty breads like Sourdough Toast topped with lemon ricotta, roasted beets, grapefruit and honey roasted almonds, to delightful vegetable and grain preparations such as Sunchokes with crispy guanciale and buttermilk-miso ranch, to wood grilled elegance like tiger prawns, fatty tuna skewers and citrus brined cabbage steaks. Guests can round off the experience with lavish desserts, like the Calico Creme Brulée.
94.Melina (905 Rose Ave., North Bethesda): The inspiration behind Melina was the desire to share traditional Greek recipes and techniques, but with a creative spin. Chef Dimitri Moshovitis explained that after years in the restaurant industry, he has seen how Greek cooking has evolved and he wanted a new opportunity to showcase modern Greek cuisine. The time to start a new venture felt right when he met Chef Aris Tsekouras, owner of Microwheat Bakery. Dimitri felt inspired by Aris’ ideas and thought that they could create wonderful things together. The restaurant has been open since late 2021. Visit the restaurant website here.
92. Amber Spice (13524 Baltimore Ave. Laurel, MD): Amber Spice promises a “culinary journey across India for the most authentic homemade Indian food. A true taste of home.” The restaurant’s chefs are brothers Saravan “Sam” and Venkatesan “John” Krishnan started their culinary journey as servers at the vegetarian Udupi Palace in Takoma Park and previously worked together at the now-closed Curry Leaf, also in Laurel. Visit the restaurant website here.
88. Beteseb (8201 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, MD): Silver Spring boasts a wealth of excellent Ethiopian cuisine, but Washingtonian believes Beteseb stands out with dishes that are rich in flavor and spice. Their injera is crafted exclusively from teff grain, setting it apart from many American versions that mix in wheat flour. Check out the veggie combo that contains a combination of misir wot, kik alicha, atakilt wot, ye gomen wot and shiro wot. Visit the restaurant website here.
60. A&J Restaurant (1319 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD): A&J has served Northern Chinese fare on Rockville Pike for over 25 years. The restaurant is part of a family-owned chain that started when Alex Chang opened the first location in Taipei in the 1970s. A version of it was brought to Los Angeles, and in 1996 Elaine Tang, who is Chang’s niece, and her family opened the Rockville location. The restaurant has an additional location in Annadale, VA. Check out the Peking Beef Wrap. Visit the restaurant website here.
58. Northwest Chinese Food (#E, 7313 Baltimore Ave. College Park, MD): Northwest Chinese Food is more than an eatery located by the UMD campus. Its menu consists of “inventive and traditional-Chinese fare” has earned the restaurant a 4.5 star Google rating with over 400 reviews. Visit the restaurant website here.
50. Aventino (4747 Bethesda Ave. Bethesda, MD): Aventino opened in January and has created a buzz with its vibrant and traditional Roman cuisine. The Cappalletti was named our very own Mr. MoCo’s “favorite dish in MoCo” last May. The menu consists of antipasti, pasta and more by chef Mike Friedman (Olney, MD resident), and classic cocktails like a selection of spritzes and negronis, in a warm and inviting setting that can hold over 100 guests. Visit the restaurant website here.
41. Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana (12207 Darnestown Rd. Gaithersburg, MD): Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana has been open in Gaithersburg for approximately nine years, and there is still a line into the parking lot full of eager diners hoping to get a table before the dough ran out for the night– something that’s a common occurrence for Inferno. For those unfamiliar with the restaurant, it was opened by Chef Tony Conte in October 2015 after he spent nine years in DC’s Oval Room. Inferno specializes in pizza, but regulars will tell you that the appetizers are often just as much of a draw. Visit the restaurant website here.
29. Caruso’s Grocery (11820 Trade St. North Bethesda, MD): Caruso’s opened its first location at The Roost food hall in Capitol Hill DC back in May 2021. The Montgomery County restaurant is located in Pike & Rose– in the dining room space that was previously home to Owen’s Ordinary and currently home to the rebranded Owen’s Tavern and Beer Garden. Menu items include Chicken Parmesan, Penne alla Vodka, Mozzarella en Carozza, Sole Francaise, Garlic Bread with Four Cheese Sauce, and more old school hits. Visit the restaurant website here.
11. 2Fifty Texas BBQ (4700 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park): 2Fifty refers to itself as simple, affordable, and memorable. Per the restaurant, “2fifty BBQ, a celebrated barbecue joint, is renowned for its unique approach to traditional American barbecue. Their style is deeply rooted in the Texas barbecue tradition, known for its emphasis on smoking meats over low heat for extended periods.” Visit the restaurant website here.