A local fixture since 1968, the eatery serves an expansive diner-style menu with Greek and Italian specialties. Choose from options ranging from burgers and deli sandwiches to pizza, calzones and dinner entrées.

For more than 80 years, this crowd-pleasing if slightly sagging spot has served up everything from breakfast to burgers to blue-plate specials like steak and crab cakes. Open 24 hours.

A 1930s-era lowbrow classic open 24 hours and featuring friendly service and typical diner food.

First Maryland location of the modern diner chainlet from the folks at Matchbox Food Group. Boozy milkshakes, homemade pop tarts and the Cinnamon Roll As Big As Ya Head (served weekends only) are among the specialties.

First Maryland location of billionaire and bison rancher Ted Turner's restaurant chain, which uses bison as the showpiece in a humongous selection of dishes, including burgers, meatloaf, nachos and chili. Soups, salads, American classics and spiked milkshakes also available at this saloon-style eatery

Authentic Thai food laced with lots of chilies and garlic as hot as you like. Try one of the Thai street food dishes, such as roasted pork with Thai herbed sweet sauce and noodle soups.

This local chain focuses on family-style portions of classic Neapolitan dishes like lasagna and chicken parmesan, in a more elegant setting than might be expected. Good for groups and large families.

A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant and bar with dishes such as crab pasta, poutine, burgers and baby back ribs. Fun décor includes classic posters and a giant magnetic scrabble board.

A neighborhood favorite serving seasonally inspired, locally sourced comfort food. Full-service catering, too.

The owners of The Daily Dish in Silver Spring serve comfort food made with local ingredients in a 2,800-square-foot space in Kensington. Maryland crab soup, steak frites, burgers and house-made desserts are on the menu. Children's menu, L, D, $$

This Chesapeake-style seafood eatery relocated from Potomac’s Cabin John Village to the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. You’ll find salads, lobster pasta, a poke bowl, a burger and mussels. The sampler of grilled oysters—with ingredients such as spinach and bourbon—showcases the namesake item.

With fare the restaurant describes as “modern Irish Americana cuisine,” you’ll find a few Irish classics alongside Grilled Baby Gem Caesar Salad and a mushroom and black bean veggie burger at this dark and cozy spot at the Collection at Chevy Chase. End a meal with sticky toffee pudding.

There's nothing like dipping bits of bread, vegetables and apples into a communal pot of hot cheese to get a date or a party started. The Melting Pot chain also offers wine, oil or broth to cook meat tableside and chocolate fondue for dessert.

Along with the classic flapjacks on this chain's menu, you'll find flavor-packed items such as apple pancakes with a cinnamon sugar glaze. And it's not just pancakes to pick from: The restaurant serves a variety of waffles, crepes, eggs and omelets.

Along with the classic flapjacks on this chain's menu, you'll find flavor-packed items such as apple pancakes with a cinnamon sugar glaze. And it's not just pancakes to pick from: The restaurant serves a variety of waffles, crepes, eggs and omelets. This location stays open until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Loud and large, this Tex-Mex eatery packs in families and revelers fueling up on fajitas, tacos and more. Kids love to watch the tortilla machine. Voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2020 and “Most Kid-Friendly Restaurant” in 2021.

Loud and large, this Tex-Mex eatery packs in families and revelers fueling up on fajitas, tacos and more. Kids love to watch the tortilla machine.

Tan and brown décor lends a cozy vibe to this 4,700-square-foot Kentlands restaurant. The owners ran the popular Vasili's Mediterranean Grill in another Kentlands location for more than a decade before closing it to focus on Vasili's Kitchen. The Mediterranean menu is heavy on seafood dishes.

A family-friendly neighborhood restaurant from Persimmon owners Damian and Stephanie Salvatore, serving salads, sandwiches and pizza. Voted “Best Neighborhood Restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine readers in 2021.

m. Though the original location of the venerable Silver Spring eatery and caterer that dished up matzo ball soup from 1947 to 2019 closed, this location is still open. Choose from a wide selection of sandwiches, burgers and entrees. There's also a pickle bar.