The Fall 2026 edition of Eater DC’s “38 Best Restaurants Around DC” list features six dining destinations located in Maryland, with five of them situated specifically in Montgomery County. These establishments span a variety of culinary styles, neighborhoods, and concepts.
The included Maryland restaurants are:
– 2Fifty Texas BBQ (Riverdale Park): Located in Prince George’s County, this establishment focuses on traditional American barbecue utilizing the Texas style, which emphasizes smoking meats over low heat for extended periods.
– Aventino (Bethesda): Opened in January 2024 by chef Mike Friedman, this restaurant features vibrant, traditional Roman cuisine. Its menu highlights antipasti, pasta dishes like the cappaletti, and classic cocktails including spritzes and negronis in a welcoming atmosphere.
– Cielo Rojo (Takoma Park): Opened in 2019 by owners David Perez and Carolina McCandless, the restaurant serves California-inspired traditional Mexican cuisine. The menu offers tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, small plates, and large entrees.
– J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse (Silver Spring): Established in 2022 by local restaurateur Jerry Hollinger, this chef-driven spot features fresh seafood and chophouse classics. It also serves a Sunday brunch buffet featuring house-made items such as slow-roasted ribeye, hot honey fried chicken, house-cured gravlax, crab-stuffed deviled eggs, and brioche French toast.
– Ruta (Bethesda): Serving as the restaurant’s second location following its initial debut on Capitol Hill, the Bethesda outpost brings traditional Ukrainian dishes with modern twists to Montgomery County. The menu features borscht, chicken Kyiv, meat-filled cabbage, and varenyky with various sweet and savory fillings, served alongside hearty entrees and sauerkraut.
– Motorkat (Takoma Park): Led by chef Danny Wells, this award-winning neighborhood restaurant and raw bar is known for happy hours, fresh local oysters, and cocktails. The diverse menu includes seafood, sandwiches, pasta, wood-grilled steaks, a catfish po’boy, a mojo-braised pork Cubano, and seasonal items like house-made potato gnocchi.
