Taste the World in Rockville, Maryland
This Washington, D.C. suburb’s restaurant scene has notably diverse dining options
The Greek tapas plates at Rockville’s Cava Mezze are small but full of flavor. Photo credit: Cava Mezze
Years ago, Rockville restaurants lived in the shadow of the nation’s capital and its trendy Montgomery County neighbor to the south, Bethesda. But the town’s chefs are wooing critics and diners with a diverse culinary landscape, offering Greek, Latin, Korean and Ethiopian fare that stands all on its own. Many of its establishments have earned a spot on D.C. media’s best dining lists while Livability.com ranked the town as one of the 10 Best Foodie Cities, citing the use of fresh ingredients and chefs’ willingness to experiment. Let’s go on a world culinary tour in Rockville.
Lebanese Taverna Café
The cafe counterpart of this kid-friendly regional restaurant group doesn’t skimp on selections, with plenty of options for gluten-free and vegetarian diners at its two Rockville locations. Order sandwiches with chicken shawarma ($7.95) or falafel ($7.50) and get a side of rice, hummus, fries or roasted potatoes for an extra $3. Another sure bet for vegetarians is the shakshouky, with roasted eggplant, tomatoes and pomegranate extract ($5.95).
The Big Greek Café
Don’t let the small, unassuming interior fool you. This local favorite serves immense flavors, as the name and the crowded parking lot would imply. Greek hits include moussaka with eggplant and béchamel ($14.50) and the gyro, offered for $5 on Wednesdays ($7.50 other days). Few can resist the crispy Greek fries, served piping hot and topped with feta, oregano and other herbs ($4).
Cava Mezze
The popular Greek chain in the DMV—D.C., Maryland and Virginia—satisfies diners with an assortment of small plates. Try the spicy lamb sliders with tzatziki, harissa, arugula, tomato and onions ($12) or lollipop chicken with honey, Greek yogurt and walnuts ($11). Vegetable lovers will enjoy the roasted cauliflower with crispy chickpeas and goat cheese ($11) and an assortment of dips, including hummus and whipped feta ($8 to $9 each).
Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant
The nation’s capital is legendary for its selection of restaurants serving injera, a large sour pancake used to soak up spicy chicken stew, or doro wot. But diners don’t need to leave Rockville to devour these specialties. Customers who want variety can order the vegan sampler ($13.95), which includes cabbage and key misir, or the beef or chicken sampler ($15.95).
Peter Chang
Try dry-fried eggplant at the popular Sichuan restaurant Peter Chang. Photo credit: @dodiningadventures
Chinese Embassy Chef Peter Chang, who was featured in the Washington Post fall dining guide, leads this venture, which is widely considered among the best Chinese restaurants in the area. Some of the standouts on the extensive menu include the dry-fried eggplant ($10) and boneless whole fish with pine nuts ($18).
Botanero
Located in the King Farm Village Center, this seasonal Spanish tapas restaurant and sleek wine bar is perfect for date night or happy hour drinks. Yelp users even named it the best happy hour in the state, with $5 wines, sangrias and small plates, including bacon-wrapped dates. One of the most popular dishes, the flaming shrimp ($11), is prepared with garlic, olive oil and paprika and does, in fact, arrive aflame.
La Limena Restaurant
Peruvian fare, such as traditional lomo saltado, attracts diners to La Limena. Photo credit: @lislis
The Latin American restaurant at this unassuming strip mall offers some of the area’s best Peruvian fare, according to the Washington Post’s $20 Diner. The shrimp in garlic sauce ($11.95) is a favorite, but Washingtonian, which included it in its 100 Very Best Restaurants 2017 list, praises the traditional Peruvian dish lomo saltado, or beef with tomatoes and rice ($16.95).
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