Your Choice, Your Winners 2024

Montgomery Magazine’s 2024 Readers’ Choice award recipients are the local businesses that have earned your vote as the best at what they do in Montgomery County. We invite you to celebrate with your go-tos and try some soon-to-be favorites.

Congratulations to all our Readers’ Choice winners!

Food

Best Bagel
Winner: Bethesda Bagels, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Royal Bagel Bakery, Olney, MD

Best Bakery
Winner: Royal Bagel Bakery, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Sunflower Bakery, Rockville, MD

Best Bar Food
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Stained Glass Pub, multiple locations

Best Barbeque
Winner: Black Hog, multiple locations
Runner-up: Mackie’s Barbeque Co., multiple locations

Best Breakfast
Winner: Locals Farm Market, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: K2 Cafe Bethesda, Poolesville, MD

Best Burger
Winner: Ferry Store & Grill, Dickerson, MD
Runner-up: Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge, Rockville, MD

Best Chef
Winner: Chef Gregory Webb
Runner-up: Chef Geoff Tracy

Best Chinese Food
Winner: House of Poolesville, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Far East Restaurant, Rockville, MD

Best Crab Cake
Winner: O’Donnell’s Market, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Crisfield Seafood, Silver Spring, MD

Best Deli
Winner: Attman’s Deli, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Gemelli’s Italian Market, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Dessert
Winner: L’Auberge Chez Francois, Great Falls, VA
Runner-up: Summer House Santa Monica, North Bethesda, MD

Best Doughnuts
Winner: Royal Bagel Bakery, Olney, MD

Best Food Truck
Winner: Corned Beef King, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Tacos Don Perez, Silver Spring, MD

Best French food
Winner: L’Auberge Chez Francois, Great Falls, VA
Runner-up: Mon Ami Gabi, Bethesda, MD

Best Fries
Winner: Coastal Flats, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Mon Ami Gabi, Bethesda, MD

Best Ice Cream
Winner: Rocky Point Creamery, Tuscarora, MD
Runner-up: Bruster’s Ice Cream, multiple locations

Best Italian Food
Winner: Il Pizzico, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Gemelli’s Italian Market, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Coastal Flats, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Late Night Menu
Winner: Clyde’s Tower Oaks Lodge, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Quincy’s Bar and Grille, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Mediterranean
Winner: Vasili’s Kitchen, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: The Big Greek Cafe, multiple locations

Best Mexican Food
Winner: Mexican Grill, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Mi Rancho, multiple locations

Best New Restaurant
Winner: Locals Farm Market, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Salt & Vine, Olney, MD

Best Pan-Asian Cuisine
Winner: Asia Nine, multiple locations
Runner-up: Thai Cuisine Restaurant, Olney, MD

Best Pizza
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Gentleman Jim’s, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Restaurant
Winner: The Crossvines, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: The Capital Grille, Washington, D.C.

Best Sandwiches
Winner: White’s Ferry Store & Grill, Dickerson, MD
Runner-up: Gemelli’s Italian Market, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Sushi
Winner: Yoyogi Sushi, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Yuraku Japanese Restaurant, multiple locations

Best Tacos
Winner: Taco Bamba, multiple locations
Runner-up: Mi Rancho, multiple locations

Best Wait Staff
Winner: Gentleman Jim’s, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Ted’s Bulletin, multiple locations

Best Wings
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Gentleman Jim’s, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Vegetarian Food
Winner: True Food Kitchen, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Planta, Bethesda, MD

Drink

Best Bar Staff
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Outta the Way Cafe, Derwood, MD

Best Bartender
Winner: Daniel Glazier, Cuginis Restaurant & Bar

Best Beer Selection on Tap
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Brew Belly, Olney, MD

Best Cocktails
Winner: The Crossvines, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar, Washington, D.C.

Best Coffee Shop
Winner: K2 Cafe Bethesda, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: The Family Room, Laytonsville, MD

Best Happy Hour
Winner: Cuginis Restaurant & Bar, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Botanero Restaurant, Rockville, MD

Best Late Night Bar
Winner: Hunter’s Bar and Grill, Potomac, MD

Best Local Brewery
Winner: Lone Oak Brewery, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Waredaca Brewing Company, Laytonsville, MD

Best Local Liquor Store
Winner: Brew Belly, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Barrel & Vine, Owings Mills, MD

Best Local Wine Shop
Winner: Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Rodman’s Discount Store, multiple locations

Best Margarita
Winner: Uncle Julio’s, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Gringos & Mariachis, multiple locations

Best New Bar
Winner: Salt & Vine, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Colony Grill, Potomac, MD

Best Pet-Friendly Bar/Restaurant
Winner: Saints Row Brewing, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Mon Ami Gabi, Bethesda, MD

Best Rooftop Bar
Winner: Roof Terrace Restaurant at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: Hip Flask Rooftop Bar, Bethesda, MD

Best Sports Bar
Winner: The 4 Corners Pub, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Quincy’s Bar and Grille, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Trivia Night
Winner: Stained Glass Pub, multiple locations
Runner-up: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Bethesda, MD

Best Wine Selection
Winner: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, Gaithersburg, MD

Education & Camps

Best Camp – Day
Winner: Levine Music Camp, multiple locations
Runner-up: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD

Best Camp – Overnight
Winner: Calleva, Darnestown, MD
Runner-up: Capital Camps, Rockville, MD

Best Camp – Special Needs
Winner: Calleva, Darnestown, MD
Runner-up: VisArts, Rockville, MD

Best Preschool
Winner: Seneca Academy, Darnestown, MD
Runner-up: Little Learners Childcare, Poolesville, MD

Best Private School
Winner: Seneca Academy, Darnestown, MD
Runner-up: Washington Waldorf School, Bethesda, MD

Best Private School: Boys
Winner: Gonzaga College High School, Washington, D.C.

Best Private School: Co-ed
Winner: Seneca Academy, Darnestown, MD
Runner-up: Charles E Smith Jewish Day School, Rockville, MD

Best Private School: Girls
Winner: Holton-Arms, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, Washington, D.C.

Best Public School
Winner: Poolesville High School, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Parkland Magnet Middle School, Rockville, MD

Best Special Needs Programming
Winner: Sheppard Pratt School in Rockville, Rockville, MD

Family Favorites

Best Art Gallery
Winner: Glenstone, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Arts Barn, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Attraction
Winner: Great Falls National Park, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Strathmore, Bethesda, MD

Best Bowling Alley
Winner: Pinstripes, multiple locations
Runner-up: Bowlero, multiple locations

Best Community Center
Winner: Maryland SoccerPlex, Germantown, MD
Runner-up: Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Rockville, MD

Best Cultural Event
Winner: Montgomery County Fair, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Oktoberfest, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Daycare
Winner: Discovery Early Learning Center, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: B’nai Israel Congregation, Rockville, MD

Best Kids’ Programming
Winner: Fiber Art Studio, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD

Best Local Band
Winner: Hot Club de Swampoodle, Washington, D.C.

Best Movie Theater
Winner: AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Museum
Winner: Glenstone, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.

Best Place for Family Fun
Winner: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, Sandy Spring, MD
Runner-up: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD

Best Place for Kids to Play
Winner: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD
Runner-up: The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring, Sandy Spring, MD

Best Public Space
Winner: Whalen Commons, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MD

Best Sports Team
Winner: Washington Capitals, Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: Washington Nationals, Washington, D.C.

Best Park
Winner: Brookside Gardens, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds, MD

Best Performing Arts Theatre
Winner: Strathmore, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Olney Theatre Center, Olney, MD

Best Place to See Local Music
Winner: Strathmore, Bethesda, MD
Runners-up: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Vienna, VA
Hank Dietle’s Tavern, Rockville, MD

Best Visual Artist
Winner: Jaree Donnelly, Arts Entwine
Runners-up: Potomac Garden Center, North Potomac, MD
Rose Jaffe, Washington, D.C.

Health Care

Best Aesthetician
Winner: Rachel Aloupis, Aesthetic & Dermatology Center
Runner-up: Kristen Rogers, Skinsational LLC

Best Dentist
Winner: Dr. Clementina West, North Bethesda Dental Associates
Runner-up: Ronald Rosenberg, DDS, Goldbaum Rosenberg Dentistry

Best Dermatologist
Winner: Dr. Walter Giblin, Anne Arundel Dermatology
Runner-up: Dr. Amy Beth Cole, U.S. Dermatology Partners

Best Eye Doctor
Winner: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Maryland Eye Associates, Frederick, MD

Best Hospice Care
Winner: JSSA, multiple locations
Runner-up: Montgomery Hospice & Prince George’s Hospice, Rockville, MD

Best Hospital/ER
Winner: Suburban Hospital, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, Germantown, MD

Best Hospital to Have a Baby
Winner: Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, Germantown, MD
Runner-up: Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center, Rockville, MD

Best OBGYN
Winner: Dr. Cara Simmonds, Simmonds, Martin & Helmbrecht
Runner-up: Dr. Diane Snyder, Adventist Healthcare, Shady Grove Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Medicine-Sibley Memorial Hospital

Best Orthodontist
Winner: Dr. Lara Minahan, Minahan Orthodontics

Best Orthopedic Practice
Winner: OrthoBethesda, Bethesda

Best Pediatrician
Winner: Potomac Pediatrics, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Dr. Leila Hall, Next Generation Pediatrics

Best Personal Trainer
Winner: John Kecman, Aspen Hill Club
Runner-up: Nina Hazir, Aspen Hill Club

Best Physical Therapy
Winner: Potomac Physical Therapy & Rehab, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Kaiser Permanente Kensington Medical Center, Kensington, MD

Best Physician
Winner: Dr. Jonathan Plotsky, Plotsky Medical Associates
Runner-up: Mary Ellen Ritchie, MD, Medstar Montgomery Medical Center

Best Plastic Surgeon
Winner: Dr. Michael Vincent, Cosmetic Surgery Care

Best Urgent Care
Winner: Patient First, Multiple Locations
Runner-up: MedStar, Multiple Locations

Services

Entertainment

Best Caterer
Winner: Simply Fresh Events, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Ridgewells Catering, Bethesda, MD

Best DJ
Winner: DJ Vargas, Germantown, MD
Runner-up: DJ Mike On The Mic, Pikesville, MD

Best Florist
Winner: Aspen Hill Florist, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Suburban Florist, Bethesda, MD

Best Party Planner
Winner: Talk of the Town Entertainment, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Innovative Party Planners, Owings Mills, MD

Best Photographer
Winner: Jen Tilley Photography, Walkersville, MD
Runner-up: Jason Weil Photography, Rockville, MD

Best Special Occasion Venue
Winner: Bretton Woods Recreation Center, Germantown, MD
Runner-up: VisArts, Rockville, MD

Home

Best Cleaning Service
Winner: Maid Brigade, multiple locations
Runner-up: Season Maids Inc., Rockville, MD

Best General Contractor
Winner: Power Home Remodeling, Silver Spring, MD

Best Heating & Air Company
Winner: Don Hoffacker’s Air Conditioning & Heating Inc., Germantown, MD
Runner-up: Davis & Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Kensington, MD

Best Landscaper/Lawn Care
Winner: J&G Landscape Design, Spencerville, MD

Best Plumber/Company
Winner: Mallick Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: W.A. Wagner & Sons, Kensington, MD

Best Roofing Company
Winner: Central Exteriors, North Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Seneca Creek Home Improvement, Gaithersburg, MD

Personal

Best Attorney (Criminal Defense)
Winner: Barry H. Helfand, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: David Martella, Rockville, MD

Best Auto Body Shop
Winner: Poolesville Auto Body, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Zamora’s Auto Body, Multiple Locations

Best Auto Service
Winner: Poolesville Tire & Auto, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Total Automotive & Diesel Services, Poolesville, MD

Best Barber Shop
Winner: Seven Locks Barber Shop, Rockville, MD

Best Car Wash
Winner: Flagship Carwash, multiple locations
Runner-up: Fletcher’s Service Center, Olney, MD

Best Financial Institution
Winner: Sandy Spring Bank, multiple locations
Runner-up: Capital One, multiple locations

Best Hair Salon
Winner: Progressions Salon Spa Store, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Salon Luna, North Bethesda, MD

Best Hair Stylist
Winner: Megan Stevens, Progressions Salon Spa Store
Runner-up: Alice Lok, Progressions Salon Spa Store

Best Law Firm
Winner: Camilla O. McRory, Attorney at Law, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Family Legal Advocacy Group, Columbia, MD

Best Massage Therapist
Winner: Trish Stonebanks, The Aspen Hill Club
Runner-up: Ohana Wellness, Bethesda, MD

Best Nail Salon
Winner: Elegance Nail Spa, multiple locations
Runner-up: Varnish Lane, multiple locations

Best Place to Buy A New Car
Winner: Fitzgerald, Multiple Locations
Runners-up: Lexus of Rockville, Rockville, MD
Sport Honda, Silver Spring, MD

Best Place to Buy A Used Car
Winner: Sport Honda, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Lexus of Rockville, Rockville, MD

Best Property Management Company
Winner: Cushman & Wakefield, Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: LINQ Services, Inc., Baltimore, MD

Best Realtor
Winner: Maureen Gilli, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Jim Brown, Poolesville, MD

Best Realty Company
Winner: Gail Lee Homes, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: Keller Williams, multiple locations

Best Spa
Winner: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD
Runner-up: Woodhouse Spa, multiple locations

Best Tattoo Studio
Winner: Kilo’s Private Tattoo Studio, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Bethesda Tattoo, Bethesda, MD

Best Trainer
Winner: John Kecman, The Aspen Hill Club
Runner-up: Elliott Datlow, The Aspen Hill Club

Pets

Best Doggie Day Care
Winner: Pet Dominion, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Dog’s Day Farm, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Pet Groomer
Winner: Burnin’ Daylight Kennels, Dickerson, MD
Runner-up: Groomingville, Rockville, MD

Best Pet Trainer
Winner: The K9 Class, Kensington, MD
Runner-up: Your Dog’s Friend, North Bethesda, MD

Best Veterinarian
Winner: Poolesville Veterinary Clinic, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: Peachtree Veterinary Clinic, Beallsville, MD

Seniors

Best Homecare Services
Winner: JSSA, Multiple Locations
Runner-up: Family & Nursing Care, Silver Spring

Best Senior 55+ Community
Winner: Asbury Methodist Village, Frederick, MD
Runner-up: The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Senior Assisted Living
Winner: Ingleside at King Farm, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Seneca Rockville, Rockville, MD

Best Senior Center
Winner: Bender JCC of Greater Washington, Rockville, MD
Runner-up: Holiday Park Senior Center, Silver Spring, MD

Best Senior Independent Living
Winner: Riderwood Senior Living Community, Beltsville, MD
Runner-up: Charles E. Smith Life Communities, North Bethesda, MD

Shopping

Best Accessories Store
Winner: The Sweet Lemon, Poolesville, MD

Best Bookstore
Winner: Second Story Books, multiple locations
Runner-up: The Family Room, Laytonsville, MD

Best Boutique
Winner: The Sweet Lemon, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: The Family Room, Laytonsville, MD

Best Furniture Store
Winner: Arhaus, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Little Homestead Furniture, Rockville, MD

Best Garden Store/Nursery
Winner: The Backyard Naturalist, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Potomac Garden Center, North Potomac, MD

Best Gift Store
Winner: The Sweet Lemon, Poolesville, MD
Runner-up: The Backyard Naturalist, Olney, MD

Best Grocery Store
Winner: Trader Joe’s, multiple locations
Runner-up: Wegmans, multiple locations

Best Home Accessories Store
Winner: HomeGoods, Multiple Locations
Runners-up: Appalachian Spring, Rockville, MD
The Family Room, Laytonsville, MD

Best Jewelry Store
Winner: J&R Jewelers, Gaithersburg, MD
Runner-up: Nest, Clarksville, MD

Best Mall/Shopping Center
Winner: Westfield Montgomery, Bethesda, MD
Runner-up: Clarksburg Premium Outlets, Clarksburg, MD

Best Men’s Clothing Store
Winner: Nordstrom, multiple locations
Runner-up: Men’s Wearhouse, Rockville, MD

Best Music Store
Winner: Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center, Wheaton, MD
Runner-up: Victor Litz Music Center, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Pet Store
Winner: Unleashed by Petco, Olney, MD
Runner-up: Chewy, online only

Best Shoe Store
Winner: Designer Shoe Warehouse, multiple locations
Runner-up: Nordstrom, multiple locations

Best Thrift Shop
Winner: Unique, multiple locations
Runner-up: Humane Together Thrift and Gift, Rockville, MD

Best Tire Store
Winner: Wilson Tire & Auto, multiple locations
Runner-up: ATCO Tire Company, multiple locations

Best Toy Store
Winner: Child’s Play Toys & Books, Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: The Sweet Lemon, Poolesville, MD

Best Women’s Clothing Store
Winner: Nordstrom, multiple locations
Runner-up: Talbots, multiple locations

Other

Best Apartment Community
Winner: The Leggett, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Leisure World, Silver Spring, MD

Best Dance Club
Winner: Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom, Glen Echo, MD
Runner-up: Rendezvous, Rockville, MD

Best Exercise Studio
Winner: RTR Pilates, Potomac, MD
Runner-up: PULSE FITNESS, Bethesda, MD

Best Gym/Health Club
Winner: The Aspen Hill Club, Aspen Hill, MD
Runner-up: Life Time, Columbia, MD

Best Hotel
Winner: Marriott, multiple locations
Runner-up: Canopy by Hilton, multiple locations

Best Nonprofit
Winner: A Wider Circle, Silver Spring, MD
Runner-up: Comfort Cases, Gaithersburg, MD

Best Place to Work
Winner: Seneca Academy, Darnestown, MD
Runners-up: JSSA, multiple locations
Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD

Best Radio Station
Winner: WTOP-FM, Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: WAMU, Washington, D.C.

Best TV Station
Winner: WRC-TV (NBC 4), Washington, D.C.
Runner-up: WUSA Channel 9, Washington, D.C.