Local Restaurants

4600 Waverly Avenue (Garrett Park)

301-933-3000

$$

Go north on Connecticut Avenue to Kensington, turn left onto Strathmore and consult the map. At the Garrett Park train station, in the former town hall, post office still on the lower level. “Modern American” food. Cozy rooms, outdoor porch dining. Small bar, drinks, not really a kids’ place.  Open Wednesday-Sunday. Very popular place, reservations usually needed.

8301 Grubb Road

301-588-6300

$$

For 17 years it’s been serving “comfort food with a twist.” Eclectic menu includes pizza; fine for children.  Drinks. Covered outdoor dining in front.

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10301 Kensington Parkway

301-962-4046

$$

Variety of foods including excellent steak frites, burger, mussels and great salads. Drinks, kids’ menu, happy hour with bar bites. Indoor and outdoor seating where dogs are welcomed and water bowls provided. Free parking lot in front. Bonus: it’s almost next door to Old Town Market.

10417 Armory Avenue

301-832-1065

$$

Located behind the Safeway on Connecticut Avenue, opposite the entrance to the Safeway parking garage.  Excellent oak-fired brick oven pizza and very little else.  Beer and wine. Indoor and patio dining. Bonus: cupcake store next door. Open Wednesday-Sunday late afternoon-evenings.

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8540 Connecticut Avenue

301-951-1818

$$

Since 2007. Italian and Greek food in a modest environment. Lunch specials. Drinks. Open all day Monday-Sunday. Fine for kids, pizza available. Bonus: case with frozen entrees ready to take home.

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7021 Brookville Road

301-652-2441

$

It’s not a “café”; it’s a diner with counter seats, tables and booths, all with formica tops and paper napkins. Sort of a 70s vibe. The extensive menu is written on blackboards.  Modest prices, no drinks, fine for kids. Often busy at lunch, closes about 5:00 p.m., and closed Sundays.  A much-loved Chevy Chase Village institution. Free parking in front of, at the side of, and behind the small strip mall in which the Olympia is located.

8317 Grubb Road

301-587-1427

$

Another long-standing institution, since 1963.  Very much an NYC deli with a large menu with reasonable prices.  Dr. Brown’s anyone?  Beer and wine available, milkshakes and smoothies available, kids available.  Dining deck in rear.  Busy, but it moves quickly and does a big take-out business for called-in orders.  Bonus:  beer & wine to go, along with snacks and many pastries.

8542 Connecticut Avenue

301-986-5187

$

It’s a Starbucks, no further description needed.  Outdoor patio.

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10532 Connecticut Avenue

301-949-9797

$

Established in 1967, Continental Pizza is a community pizzeria, having been owned and operated by the same family for 55 years. You can eat in and join tables together or takeout. The menu is basically pizza and subs. Their pizza is distinctively rectangular!  Open Monday-Saturday. Bring cash—they don’t take credit cards.

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3750 Howard Avenue  (entrance around corner on Fawcett Avenue)

240-558-3489

$

New (2021) gourmet market selling sandwiches, soups, and coffees. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:30 – 6:00.  Some inside seating, nice covered outside seating in front. No drinks.

8540A Connecticut Avenue

301-656-0766

Ubiquitous chain with a wide selection of bagels, sandwiches and coffees.  Outdoor patio.  Closes after lunch.

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7101 Brookville Road

301-986-5255

$$$

Exceptional French restaurant, one of Washington’s best.  A “big splurge place,” though lunch is more affordable than dinner. Country farmhouse ambience bordering on elegant with a working fireplace, balcony seats and impeccable service. Not really a kids place. Drinks.  Covered dining porch. Large free parking lot. Tuesday-Sunday. Occasional live music. Reservations usually needed.

10251 Kensington Parkway

301-942-2294

$

Not so much a “market” as a source of an excellent array of take-away sandwiches, hot and cold. Also coffee and pastries. No seating. There is an extensive beer and wine selection which can be ordered on-line. Same parking as Dish & Dram next to Johnson’s Garden Center.

6 Post Office Road (Silver Spring)

301-588-0867

$$

Head out Jones Mill Road, turn right just before the Beltway and follow a map.  An Italian restaurant located in an old former general store/post office.  Good selection, large portions.  Drinks.  Fine for kids.  Lunch specials.  Open Tuesday-Sunday.  Nothing fancy, just traditional Italian food.  Parking in front of, behind and around the store. 

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8315 Grubb Road

301-608-2655

$$

Chinese/Japanese combination restaurant with a long cooked-food menu and many sushi/sashimi options as well.  Big portions.  There is a long hall for dining in but no one dines in.  It’s all take-out of standard Asian dishes.

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8401 Connecticut Avenue
301-652-8684

$$
In the basement of the Chevy Chase Lake Office Building.  Parking on the first floor or in the basement garage.  Present in this incarnation since 1999 (previously a British pub).  Portuguese-Mediterranean cuisine.  Fine dining with nice presentation and excellent service.  Drinks, bar.    Monday-Friday lunch; Monday-Sunday dinner.  Rare to see children there.  Reservations sometimes wise.