By Zakkary Parker
Montgomery County’s dining scene boasts a variety of options for all palates, including diverse international cuisine, locally owned bakeries and family-friendly restaurants. From zesty Baja-inspired dishes to freshly-brewed gourmet coffee and pastries, here’s your guide to seven new spots opening their doors and three that are shutting up shop.
Key takeaways
- The bigger picture: Montgomery County’s restaurant scene continues to grow, from expanding regional coffee chains and internationally inspired fast-casual concepts to intimate farm-to-table dining experiences.
- Zoom in: The list offers a wide range of cuisines and dining styles, from flame-grilled chicken at Guapo’s Taqueria and Charcoal Chicken to freshly-baked pastries and breads at Breads Unlimited and Pizza.
- Why this matters: Residents have a variety of local options beyond national chains, catering to all palates.
- How this helps: For diners, the list offers a quick reference to plan a meal by location and type of cuisine, whether you’re looking for a breakfast outing, an exclusive dining experience or bold international cuisine.
Openings
Guapo’s Taqueria and Charcoal Chicken
- The Shops of Potomac Valley, 12211 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg
Guapo’s Taqueria and Charcoal Chicken is preparing to open a new location at the Shops of Potomac Valley. The family-owned fast-casual restaurant is known for its flavorful flame-grilled chicken, pupusas and carnitas, as well as traditional side dishes like beans, rice and fried plantains. With three additional locations in Virginia, the opening will mark Guapos’ expansion into Gaithersburg.
Steeze Burger
- 12141 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg
Originating as a pop-up in 2022, Steeze Burger is set to open its brick-and-morter location in Gaithersburg in spring 2026. The restaurant offers farm-fresh beef patties and locally sourced ingredients in their smashed burgers, as well as specialty toppings like half-steamed onions and their signature Steeze Sauce.
Fish Taco
- The Shops of Potomac Valley, 12211 Darnestown Road, Gaithersburg
Expected to open its doors in spring 2026, Fish Taco is bringing bold, handcrafted meals to Gaithersburg. Inspired by the zesty, vibrant flavors of Baja, Mexico, this family-owned restaurant uses freshly-sourced ingredients in its menu, offering a variety of options like salads, taco platters, rice bowls, quesadillas and more.
Bread’s Unlimited and Pizza
- 10303 Kensington Parkway, Kensington
Bread’s Unlimited and Pizza opened a new location in Kensington on April 11. Originally founded in 1981, Breads Unlimited expanded in 2022, opening Edith’s Pizza. The restaurant will serve as both a bakery and a pizzeria, offering a wide range of options from pizza and baked goods like cakes, cookies, pies and donuts, as well as a selection of different breads like rolls, challah bread and sourdough.
PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans
- 18251 Flower Hill Way, Gaithersburg
PJ’s Coffee is expected to open the doors to its new location in Gaithersburg in spring 2026. Known for its New Orleans roots and heritage, the cafe boasts an extensive beverage menu, prioritizing slow-roasting methods and high-quality coffee beans. Their menu includes hot, frozen and iced coffee, caffeine-free drinks and teas, as well as food options like pastries, savory sandwiches, beignets and bagels.
Flavor Hive
- 5568 Randolph Road, North Bethesda
Originally gaining viral popularity from their “walking taco bag” where customers bring their own bag of chips and can choose halal proteins, sauce and toppings, Flavor Hive opened the doors to its brick-and-mortar location in North Bethesda in February. They offer a variety of menu options, including rice bowls, salads, falafel, quesadillas and their signature waffle cone cookies.
Burnt Hill Farm’s Chef’s Counter
- 25001 Burnt Hill Road, Clarksburg
For those looking for a more exclusive dining experience, Burnt Hill Farm launched its Chef’s Counter in April. Located in Clarksburg, diners sit directly in front of the kitchen, watching as chefs prepare a seasonal tasting menu that draws from Burnt Hill Farm and Chef-Partner Tae Strain’s take on Asian-American cuisine. With only 12 seats available, this intimate experience is limited, so reservations are required in advance.
Closures
Falafel Inc.
- 7101 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda
According to the MoCo Show, Falafel Inc., a fast-casual falafel franchise, has closed its location in the Westfield Montgomery shopping mall. Known for authentic vegetarian falafel, fresh bowls and sides like hummus and zaatar fries, Falafel Inc. partners with the World Food Program to help deliver food aid to refugees with every purchased meal. Although the Montgomery mall location is closed, the franchise still has a presence in the county and is even planning to expand with a new location in Silver Spring.
Baruch Café
- 4800 Auburn Ave., Bethesda
Baruch Cafe permanently closed its doors on March 29. The boutique coffee shop, which offered a variety of menu items like Hawaiian and Peruvian coffee, sandwiches and other specialty items like lox bagels, first opened its doors in December of 2024. A social media post announced the closure but did not explain why or disclose any future possibility of the cafe’s return.
Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles
- 389 E Gude Drive, Rockville
After over three years in business, Grandma’s Ice Cream and Waffles has temporarily closed. The dessert shop was known for its wide variety of handmade traditional and vegan ice cream options like sundaes, milkshakes and banana splits, as well as savory dishes like chicken and waffles and steak wraps. According to the MoCo show, the owner has announced plans to explore future possibilities for the ice creamery, potentially shifting towards a home-cooking menu.
