By Zakkary Parker
The dining scene in Montgomery County is constantly shifting as longtime favorites say goodbye and new restaurants plan their debut. From highly anticipated steakhouses to the closure of a staple in local Mexican cuisine, here are five new spots to check out, and five that are closing their doors.
Saying hello!
Bartaco
- 950 Rose Ave., North Bethesda
Bartaco has officially arrived in North Bethesda, marking the chain’s first location in Maryland. The restaurant, which began its soft-launch in January but has now fully ramped up service, is primarily known for its street food, like rice and poke bowls, tacos and tamales, alongside its fresh cocktails and beer. The concept draws heavily on coastal communities and cultures in Brazil, Uruguay and Southern California.
Char’d
- 11881 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda
Originally a food truck in Northern Virginia, Char’d opened its brick-and-mortar location in North Bethesda on March 5, 2026. The restaurant specializes in halal, smash-style burgers made from grass-fed beef, paired with toppings like cheese, pickles and the restaurant’s signature Chard sauce. The menu also includes sides like duck-fat fries, grilled cheese, chicken filets and hand-spun shakes.
Marathon Deli and Grill
- 10619 Connecticut Ave., Kensington
Marathon Deli and Grill is preparing to open its first Montgomery County location at the Crossroads at Kensington Shopping Center. A longtime established spot in College Park, the family-run restaurant has been serving authentic Greek cuisine since 1972. Known for their specialty items like gyros, baklava and pastichio, as well as other items like subs, pizza and burgers, the deli’s upcoming opening will mark Marathon’s first expansion outside of their College Park location and is expected to open later this year.
Emma’s Torch
- 1200 East-West Highway, Silver Spring
Inspired by 19th-century refugee advocate Emma Lazarus, the nonprofit social enterprise Emma’s Torch is set to open a new cafe and culinary training center this year. The group works to provide culinary and career training to refugees, asylum seekers and survivors of human trafficking through education and hands-on experience. The new location in downtown Silver Spring will serve as the organization’s regional hub and feature a cafe offering a variety of breakfast, lunch and drink options like coffee, pastries and wraps, all prepared by program participants. The cafe is set to open later this year.
Terra Guacha Brazilian Steakhouse
- 651 Chapman Ave., Rockville
The Terra Guacha Brazilian Steakhouse opened its doors in late December of 2025, bringing an authentic churrasco dining experience to Rockville. The restaurant offers rodízio-style dining, allowing restaurant-goers to enjoy a variety of wood-fired meats, pork and seafood. It even boasts a gourmet hot and cold table with fresh vegetables, cured meats and cheeses and traditional Brazilian dishes. The Rockville location marks the brand’s first expansion into Maryland.
Closing the chapter
Tia Queta
- Bethesda
Tia Queta, a long-time staple in local Mexican cuisine, has closed its doors after over 40 years in business. The family-run restaurant was known for its colorful, inviting atmosphere and traditional Mexican dishes such as tacos, enchiladas and margaritas. Tia Queta had been part of the restaurant scene since 1981, and remained a favorite of Bethesda diners before its closure on Jan. 31, 2026.
YAAR Spice
- Rockville
Yaar Spice, an Indian restaurant located at the Traville Village Shopping Center, has quietly closed its doors after less than two years in business. The eatery was known for its tangy street food and slow-cooked curries.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
- Bethesda
After nearly three decades as a downtown Bethesda staple, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery permanently closed its doors in late April 2025. The longtime brewpub had served house-made beers, burgers and classic pub fare in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood for about 29 years before quietly shutting down, leaving behind a note thanking the community for its support. The closure marks the loss of the only brewery in downtown Bethesda and the end of a popular gathering spot that had been part of the area’s dining scene since the 1990s.
BurgerFi
- North Bethesda
The BurgerFi location at the Pike & Rose shopping mall in North Bethesda permanently closed in December 2025. The fast-casual chain, known for its Angus beef burgers, fries and frozen custard shakes, remained for six years after first opening the location in 2019. While other BurgerFi locations remain open, the Pike & Rose location has already been taken over by Char’d, which is currently expanding.
Roy Rogers
- Rockville
The Roy Rogers location at 718 Rockville Pike permanently closed in mid-December of 2025, ending decades of local history for the classic fast-food brand that once had dozens of locations across Montgomery County. The restaurant, known for its roast beef sandwiches, fried chicken and signature Fixins Bar, was removed from the company’s official location list following the closure.
