Lumiere’s Chimney Cake, a renowned international dessert franchise known for its viral popularity, has been a hit since it opened its first U.S. location at The Wharf in Washington DC a couple months back. The company has ambitious plans to expand further into Virginia’s Mosaic District and Maryland’s Silver Spring, according to DC Spot (video below), although specific addresses for these new locations have yet to be announced.
Mezcal Cantina is now open at 8777 1st Ave. in Silver Spring. The new restaurant, a rebranding of the former Tacos Way Mexican Grill, brings an expanded menu and a fresh twist on traditional Mexican dishes.
A new Japanese restaurant, Momiji Sushi Izakaya & Japanese Eatery, is set to open in Silver Spring, taking over the space that was the longtime home of Cubano’s.
The Big Greek Café has announced the return of its 2nd Annual Big Greek Gyro Eating Contest, set to take place at 5pm on Saturday, September 6th, 2025, at the Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Festival (721 Norwood Rd.) in Cloverly/Silver Spring and will be hosted by our very own Mr. MoCo.
ISAAC’s Poultry Market, already recognized by the Restaurant Association of Maryland in 2023 for having the best sandwich, has now received another top honor. Chowhound recently named its Honey Butter Chicken Sandwich the best chicken sandwich in Maryland. (more…)
Below is a list of restaurants and businesses that are coming soon or recently opened in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront:
Simona Café is opening at 4520 East-West Highway in Bethesda, taking over the former Starbucks location at the Bethesda Office Center. (more…)
Idiom Brewing Co. in Frederick, MD (340 E. Patrick St. #104) has been listed for sale. The announcement was made by founder Michael Clements, who shared a heartfelt message with the community explaining his decision to move on.
Halloween enthusiasts in Gaithersburg can rejoice as Spirit Halloween is set to return to the Rio Lakefront. The seasonal retailer will once again be taking over the former Pier 1 Imports space at 30 Grand Corner Avenue, bringing its vast selection of costumes, decorations, and spooky animatronics back to the popular destination.
In a major win for the local food scene, Maryland’s 2Fifty Texas BBQ has taken home the prestigious “Casual Restaurant of the Year” award at the 2025 RAMMY Awards. The victory marks a significant achievement for the Riverdale Park-based restaurant (Prince George’s County), which has become a beloved destination for authentic, slow-smoked barbecue with a unique Latin American flair.
Pandora is now open in Suite 804 at the Clarksburg Premium Outlets, on Low Street across from Levi’s.