This past summer we let you know that El Mercat Bar De Tapas will be taking over the spot that was most recently home to Gumbo Ya Ya, at 101 Gibbs Street Unit C in Rockville Town Square.

Now we know the restaurant will hold a special friends & family dinner where guests can purchase $75 tickets to the event.


Update: Pupuseria Mama Emilia is now open 

Pupuseria Mama Emilia at 785-H Rockville Pike in the Ritchie Center is now open. The new restaurant takes over the location that was formerly home to Dokiya Ramen and Pho 95. Pupuseria Mama Emilia comes to you from the owners of Pupuseria La Familiar, which has locations in Beltsville, College Park, Falls Church (Virginia), and Wheaton in MoCo and boast of Mama Emilia’s family recipe. The menu at the existing restaurants consists of a variety of beverages, Pupusas, soups, and a multitude of Salvadoran dishes.


12/19 Update: We were told by a klnb representative that Boston Market is no longer opened in Towne Plaza.

Boston Market will be opening a new Rockville Pike location, according to signage that has been put up at the old Katsu Go location in Towne Plaza (the shopping center that’s home to Navy Federal Credit Union and Bambu). The address is 12238 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852. Boston Market previously had a location just a couple miles away– on Randolph Road in Loehmann’s Plaza. That location closed back in February of 2019 and has since been replaced by Toosso.


The lights are off, doors are locked, and phones are ringing unanswered at Taylor Gourmet in Pike & Rose. Google lists the restaurant as “permanently closed” and employees at two DC locations confirmed the closing.

Taylor Gourmet returned to Pike & Rose in October of 2019, a little over a year after the brand announced it would be closing all 17 of its stores in the DC area.


Back on April 1st, we let you know that Bethesda Bagels would be coming to 14929-D Shady Grove Rd in Rockville, the former site of GameStop, in Fallsgrove (the GameStop location closed in January of this year).

This morning we spoke with an employee from the Wildwood location who told us that the location is hoping to open in the first or second week of January.


The founder of Sweet Frog, Derek Cha, is bringing his take on the Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich to MoCo.

The restaurant will be located in the Travilah Square Shopping Center (the shopping center is anchored by Trader Joe’s) in Rockville, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe, in the 1,600 sf location that was home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, per H&R Retail.


Below you’ll find a list of restaurants that are expected to be open on Christmas Day, 2021. We suggest making a reservation or calling the business before you arrive, as many restaurants will be operating with abbreviated hours.

Did we miss a restaurant? Let us know in the comments so we can add it to the list!


Zinnia, the restaurant and beer/wine garden that took over the Mrs. K’s location in Silver Spring, has announced that it will be closed until Wednesday, December 29th, after an employee tested positive for Covid-19.

Per Zinni’a Instagram:


One of the most asked questions in recent weeks has been outdoor seating at MoCo restaurants. We have started to compile a list to provide our readers with as many options as possible.

Please comment below with any restaurants that currently have outdoor seating that are not yet on our list:


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