From authentic family recipes and chef-driven neighborhood favorites to locally brewed beer, outdoor adventures and entertainment, Montgomery County offers plenty of reasons to get out and explore. Whether you're looking for your next dinner reservation, a laid-back brewery afternoon or something different to do this weekend, consider this your local list of places worth a visit.
EAT | GAITHERSBURG
Matthew’s Grill
Discover authentic Filipino cuisine at this family-owned favorite known for lumpia, sisig, crispy pata, pancit and shareable Filipino feasts.
213 Muddy Branch Road | 301-990-8858
matthewsgrill.com
Pho Nom Nom
Warm up with Vietnamese pho or stop in for banh mi, spring rolls, grilled dishes and other comforting favorites at this locally owned spot.
18509 N. Frederick Ave. | 240-243-6930
phonomnom.net
Andrea’s Taqueria
Tucked into the Airpark area, this neighborhood taqueria specializes in birria tacos, oversized California-style burritos, mulitas and Mexican street food.
7601 Airpark Road, Suite B | 240-477-4309
andreastaqueriamaryland.com
Lanzhou Hand Pull Noodle
Fresh noodles are hand-pulled to order and served in flavorful broths or stir-fried dishes alongside dumplings, buns and other Chinese favorites.
3 Grand Corner Ave. | 240-403-7486
lanzhouhandpullnoodle.com
Café Sophie
Located inside the Montgomery County Airpark, this hidden gem pairs breakfast and lunch with Scandinavian influences, plus views of planes taking off and landing.
7940 Airpark Road, Suite 201 | 240-261-4189
cafesophie.net
La Mexicana Bar & Grill
Scratch-made Mexican favorites, handmade tortillas, lava rock-grilled fajitas and margaritas make this family-owned restaurant an easy casual night out.
16143 Shady Grove Road | 301-869-1500
lamexbargrill.com
EAT | GERMANTOWN
Mamma Lena Trattoria Napoletana
Authenticity and family tradition define this intimate Italian restaurant, where the menu showcases handcrafted dishes and warm Italian hospitality.
13507 Clopper Road | 301-916-0002
mammalenatrattoria.com
La Mexicana Bar & Grill
The Germantown location of this family-owned favorite serves scratch-made Mexican dishes, sizzling fajitas, handmade tortillas and handcrafted margaritas.
13106 Middlebrook Road | 301-972-0500
lamexbargrill.com
Lancaster County Dutch Market
Part market and part foodie destination, this local favorite brings together vendors offering baked goods, fresh meats, prepared foods and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.
12613 Wisteria Drive
lancastercountydutchmarket.com
EAT | OLNEY
Scratch Kitchen & Bistro
This family-owned, farm-to-table breakfast and lunch destination emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, scratch-made dishes and plenty of brunch favorites.
18062 Georgia Ave. | 240-998-5365
scratcholney.com
Salt & Vine
Set inside a beautifully restored historic home, this chef-driven Italian trattoria pairs handcrafted pasta and seasonal dishes with an extensive wine and cocktail program.
3308 Olney-Sandy Spring Road | 301-570-3388
saltandvine.com
Olney Grille
A longtime neighborhood gathering place for casual American favorites, drinks and an easygoing lunch or dinner with family and friends.
3464 Olney-Laytonsville Road
olneygrille.com
Carmen’s Italian Ice
A sweet Olney stop for colorful Italian ice, custard and gelati, especially when you're looking for an after-dinner treat.
3414 Olney-Laytonsville Road
carmensitalianice.com
Royal Bagel Bakery
Start the morning with fresh bagels and baked goods or stop by for an easy breakfast or lunch.
3490 Olney-Laytonsville Road
royalbagelbakery.com
SIP | LOCAL BREWERIES
Montgomery County's craft beer scene offers another way to experience the area's agricultural roots and creative spirit. Local brewers are experimenting with everything from traditional styles and barrel aging to ingredients grown close to home, creating gathering places where the experience goes well beyond what's in the glass.
Saints Row Brewing | Gaithersburg
Founded in 2017 by Tony Prebula, Saints Row helped establish Gaithersburg's craft brewing scene. What began with a passion for English-style bitters and cask ales has grown into a rotating selection that includes hazy IPAs, lagers and other creative releases. Community remains central to the experience, with collaborations and local events helping make the taproom a neighborhood gathering place.
saintsrowbeer.com
Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co. | Gaithersburg
Set on a 17-acre family-owned farm, Elder Pine combines small-batch brewing with barrel aging and wild fermentation. Co-founders George Lin, Paul Davidson and brothers Andrew and David Young use whiskey, wine and tequila barrels to develop distinctive saisons, sours, lagers and other releases. Live music, art and the wooded setting add to the experience.
4200 Sundown Road
elderpine.com
Waredaca Brewing Company | Laytonsville
Waredaca takes "farm-to-glass" seriously. Located on a 220-acre property with roots dating to 1932, the farm brewery incorporates locally sourced and farm-grown ingredients while finding new uses for brewing byproducts, including feeding spent grain to livestock. Seasonal beers inspired by Maryland's harvests make each visit a celebration of the land as much as the beer.
4017 Damascus Road
waredacabrewing.com
DRINK & UNWIND
rio | Gaithersburg
Dinner with a view? This lakefront destination brings restaurants, entertainment and shopping together around a walkable waterfront that's especially inviting on a crisp fall evening.
9811 Washingtonian Blvd.
riowashingtonian.com
PLAY | GAITHERSBURG
rio
Go beyond dinner with a walk around the lake, shopping, entertainment and seasonal happenings at one of Gaithersburg's best-known gathering places.
9811 Washingtonian Blvd.
riowashingtonian.com
Lucky Strike Gaithersburg
Bowling, games, food and drinks make this an easy choice for date night, group outings or a little friendly competition.
1101 Clopper Road
luckystrikeent.com
Red Door Escape Room
Grab your crew and race against the clock through immersive challenges that put your puzzle-solving and teamwork skills to the test.
125 Boardwalk Place
reddoorescape.com
Gaithersburg Community Museum
Explore the city's history inside the historic railroad complex, where exhibits and rail cars tell the story of Gaithersburg's past.
9 S. Summit Ave.
gaithersburgmd.gov
Main Street Farmers Market
Browse locally grown produce, baked goods, prepared foods and artisan products while supporting regional farmers, makers and small businesses.
Main Street Pavilion
gaithersburgmd.gov
PLAY | GERMANTOWN
Topgolf Germantown
You don't have to be a golfer to have fun here. Climate-controlled hitting bays, games, food and drinks make it ideal for groups, families and date nights.
20101 Century Blvd.
topgolf.com
Butler’s Orchard
Pick-your-own produce, seasonal festivals, a farm market and family activities have made this Germantown-area farm a Montgomery County tradition.
22222 Davis Mill Road
butlersorchard.com
South Germantown Recreation Park
Make a day of it with trails, playgrounds, sports facilities and plenty of outdoor space to explore.
18041 Central Park Circle
montgomeryparks.org
Lancaster County Dutch Market
Come hungry and leave time to browse the specialty groceries, baked goods, prepared foods and unique finds throughout the market.
12613 Wisteria Drive
lancastercountydutchmarket.com
EXPERIENCE | OLNEY & BEYOND
Olney Theatre Center
Turn dinner into a full date night with a professional live theater production at this longtime Montgomery County arts destination.
2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Road
olneytheatre.org
The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Head into the trees for an outdoor adventure featuring aerial ropes courses, climbing challenges and zip lines designed for a range of ages and abilities.
16701 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring
sandyspringadventurepark.org
Whether you're planning date night, meeting friends for dinner, entertaining the kids or simply looking for somewhere new to explore, some of Montgomery County's best experiences may be closer than you think.