Washingtonian’s 100 “Very Best Restaurants” List Contains Five MoCo Restaurants

Washingtonian Magazine released its list of its 100 “very best restaurants” in the D.C. Metro area, the first since early 2020. The list contains a few restaurants right here in Montgomery County. Below, you’ll see the Montgomery County restaurants listed without having to sift through the ones that may be a little out of the way. On the Washingtonian’s list, the first 25 are ranked and the next 75 are listed alphabetically. Looking for other great local restaurants that may not have made this list? Our very own, Taste MoCo, had hundreds of dishes from MoCo restaurants if you’re interested in “seeing the dish.” See below:

6. Inferno Pizzeria (12207 Darnestown Rd., Gaithersburg, MD): Inferno was opened at 12207 Darnestown Rd. by Chef Tony Conte back in 2015. Last summer, USA Today published a ‘Top 50 Pizzerias in the US’ list, “as ranked by Italian pizza experts.” The list was created by 50 Top Pizza, a pizza evaluation site in Paestum, Italy, not far from Naples. New York City reigns supreme with 9 pizzerias on the list, but Montgomery County contributed with the 25th ranked pizzeria in the country– Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, located in Darnestown/Gaithersburg.

17. Caruso’s Grocery (11820 Trade St., North Bethesda, MD): The restaurant is located in the dining room space that was home to Owen’s Ordinary and currently home to the recently rebranded Owen’s Tavern and Beer Garden. According to its website, “Caruso’s Grocery is modeled after the classic, Italian-American ‘red sauce joint. You know the one: red banquettes, a killer chicken Parm, Sinatra pouring through the speakers. If you’re looking for modern interpretations of a chef’s take on the classics, you won’t find them here.

Top 100. A&J (1319-C 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 it was brought to Los Angeles, and in 1996 Elaine Tang, who is Chang’s niece, and her family opened the Rockville location. The family opened the Annandale location in 2000.

Top 100. Melina (905 Rose Ave., North Bethesda, MD): From the team responsible for Cava, Cava Mezze, and Julii. According to Dimitri “Chef D” Moshovitis, the inspiration behind Melina is the desire to share traditional Greek recipes and techniques, but with a creative spin.  Moshovitis also 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.

Top 100. Silver and Sons Barbecue, food truck (various areas across Montgomery County and beyond): Jarrad Silver grew up watching his father cook in their Bethesda home. Now Silver and Sons BBQ truck can be found in the DC suburbs for nightly Mediterranean barbecue, nearby breweries and wineries, as well as booking private events and catering.