Guidebook for Silver Spring
Drinks & Nightlife
Trendy/retro yet laid-back little restaurant, and attached bar known for quality mixology, chill vibe & free pool. Sidebar happy hour is from 5-7pm every day but Monday (closed), w/ all cocktails $6.
11 locals recommend
Jackie's Restaurant & Sidebar
8081 Georgia AvenueTrendy/retro yet laid-back little restaurant, and attached bar known for quality mixology, chill vibe & free pool. Sidebar happy hour is from 5-7pm every day but Monday (closed), w/ all cocktails $6.
Where the locals hang out. True dive bar. Insanely long beer list. Fried pickles. Don't dress up. Look for Bombay Gaylord; Quarry House is under it.
38 locals recommend
Quarry House Tavern
8401 Georgia AveWhere the locals hang out. True dive bar. Insanely long beer list. Fried pickles. Don't dress up. Look for Bombay Gaylord; Quarry House is under it.
Terrible food and drinks, but A+ for novelty! Arrrr you in the mood for some swashbuckling? Head on over!
Piratz Tavern
Terrible food and drinks, but A+ for novelty! Arrrr you in the mood for some swashbuckling? Head on over!
Food Scene
Yay for local businesses! Pass on Starbucks, and settle in at Zed's. Free wifi, and access to desktops and printer (for a small fee I believe) if needed. Comfy couches and chairs, light food.
17 locals recommend
Zed's Cafe
8225 Georgia AveYay for local businesses! Pass on Starbucks, and settle in at Zed's. Free wifi, and access to desktops and printer (for a small fee I believe) if needed. Comfy couches and chairs, light food.
Starbucks
2800 University Blvd WStarbucks. If you need it, it's there. Walking distance.
Starbucks
2800 University Blvd WYep, we have two Starbucks within a stone's throw of the house.
Cute little cafe run by two sisters. Stop in for a latte, bagel sandwich, or gelato.
12 locals recommend
Kefa Cafe
963 Bonifant StCute little cafe run by two sisters. Stop in for a latte, bagel sandwich, or gelato.
Quality food (new American), business casual bar scene. Dining room upstairs - nice for an upscale but not stuffy lunch or dinner date, or a couple drinks. Super close to Silver Spring metro.
24 locals recommend
8407 Kitchen Bar
8407 Ramsey AvenueQuality food (new American), business casual bar scene. Dining room upstairs - nice for an upscale but not stuffy lunch or dinner date, or a couple drinks. Super close to Silver Spring metro.
Great for a meal on the go, or to snag and bring home. Run by Mr. Santucci, who lives in the neighborhood, and local teens. Fantastic subs, made to order. Call ahead if you have a need for speed.
9 locals recommend
Carlo Santucci Deli
10107 Colesville RdGreat for a meal on the go, or to snag and bring home. Run by Mr. Santucci, who lives in the neighborhood, and local teens. Fantastic subs, made to order. Call ahead if you have a need for speed.
You'll want to take it to go, but the chicken here is phenomenal. Half a chicken, side of plantains and rice & beans, and you'll be a happy camper. They mostly speak Spanish.
Las Cusqueñitas Peruvian Chicken
10118 Colesville RdYou'll want to take it to go, but the chicken here is phenomenal. Half a chicken, side of plantains and rice & beans, and you'll be a happy camper. They mostly speak Spanish.
One of a few Ethiopian restaurants. If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a fun, unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
13 locals recommend
Addis Ababa Restaurant
8233 Fenton StOne of a few Ethiopian restaurants. If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a fun, unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
Pleasant atmosphere for dinner with the family or a date night of wine and brick-oven pizza. Outdoor seating available, weather permitting.
18 locals recommend
Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria
8113 Georgia AvePleasant atmosphere for dinner with the family or a date night of wine and brick-oven pizza. Outdoor seating available, weather permitting.
Burmese restaurant. Not so much atmosphere, but the cuisine is interesting and tasty.
24 locals recommend
Mandalay Restaurant & Cafe
930 Bonifant StBurmese restaurant. Not so much atmosphere, but the cuisine is interesting and tasty.
Roger Miller Restaurant
941 Bonifant StAfrican restaurant, off the beaten path
Brunch or happy hour! Happy hour in the wine cellar downstairs goes until 7 (M-F, I believe), and bottles of wine and apps are half-price.
15 locals recommend
Mrs. K's Toll House
9201 Colesville RdBrunch or happy hour! Happy hour in the wine cellar downstairs goes until 7 (M-F, I believe), and bottles of wine and apps are half-price.
Hidden gem. Very small, located in a hotel and lacking ambiance, but the food is really good, they have fresh pasta, prices are low, and the very old and very Italian Sergio himself will charm you.
Sergio Ristorante Italiano
8727 Colesville RdHidden gem. Very small, located in a hotel and lacking ambiance, but the food is really good, they have fresh pasta, prices are low, and the very old and very Italian Sergio himself will charm you.
Fun tex-mex atmosphere, kids love watching the tortilla machine up front, servers speak Spanish and English. All my high school girl friends and I used to hostess here back in the day.
8 locals recommend
Mi Rancho
8701 Ramsey AveFun tex-mex atmosphere, kids love watching the tortilla machine up front, servers speak Spanish and English. All my high school girl friends and I used to hostess here back in the day.
Delicious, authentic El Salvadoran food. People drive from VA for it. Love the mariscada (seafood soup) and the spinach burrito even though I'm not a vegetarian. Don't forget a pitcher of margaritas!
14 locals recommend
Samantha's Restaurant
631 University Blvd EDelicious, authentic El Salvadoran food. People drive from VA for it. Love the mariscada (seafood soup) and the spinach burrito even though I'm not a vegetarian. Don't forget a pitcher of margaritas!
I'd recommend Santucci's Deli instead (also in the Woodmoor Shopping Center), but if you're into Chipotle, it's here!
306 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
3113 14th St NWI'd recommend Santucci's Deli instead (also in the Woodmoor Shopping Center), but if you're into Chipotle, it's here!
Delicious crepes made to order! Very casual inside and the service is sometimes slow, but the crepes (sweet or savory) are great. Yummy Illy coffee, too.
11 locals recommend
Fenton Cafe
8311 Fenton StDelicious crepes made to order! Very casual inside and the service is sometimes slow, but the crepes (sweet or savory) are great. Yummy Illy coffee, too.
Casual but comfortable dinner spot. It is a chain, but the food's tasty. Known for their chicken, but solid options for vegetarians as well.
28 locals recommend
Nando's
924 Ellsworth DrCasual but comfortable dinner spot. It is a chain, but the food's tasty. Known for their chicken, but solid options for vegetarians as well.
A fun, festive dinner option. You can just do sushi, but if you sit at the hibachi grill you'll get a show from your chef!
10 locals recommend
Masa Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi
921 J Ellsworth DrA fun, festive dinner option. You can just do sushi, but if you sit at the hibachi grill you'll get a show from your chef!
Italian. Grown-ups letting their hair down (a little) in the dimly lit bar in the front room, dining room in back for a more romantic dinner. On Tuesdays, all martinis are $5!
21 locals recommend
Olazzo
8235 Georgia AveItalian. Grown-ups letting their hair down (a little) in the dimly lit bar in the front room, dining room in back for a more romantic dinner. On Tuesdays, all martinis are $5!
Delicious steakhouse by one of the area's favorite restaurateurs. (There's also Ray's The Steaks, and Retro Rays, in VA and DC respectively.)
6 locals recommend
The Classics Restaurant
8606 Colesville RoadDelicious steakhouse by one of the area's favorite restaurateurs. (There's also Ray's The Steaks, and Retro Rays, in VA and DC respectively.)
Awesome sandwiches (love the Duke Ellington) and other options in a comfortable, modern cafe setting. Also a wine shop, so you can pick a bottle to have there and/or one to take home.
15 locals recommend
Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe
8519 Fenton StreetAwesome sandwiches (love the Duke Ellington) and other options in a comfortable, modern cafe setting. Also a wine shop, so you can pick a bottle to have there and/or one to take home.
One of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
8 locals recommend
Bete Ethiopian Cuisine & Cafe
811 Roeder RdOne of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
One of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
Abol Ethiopian Cuisine
8626 Colesville RdOne of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
One of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
Abyssinia Restaurant
8221 Georgia AveOne of a few Ethiopian restaurants! If you haven't had Ethiopian, it's a unique experience in which you eat with your hands family style. Great for vegetarians but plenty of meat options as well.
If you're feeling under the weather (or if you're not), there's nothing like a hot bowl of pho! This is upstairs in the downtown Silver Spring outdoor complex.
Pho Hiep Hoa Restaurant
921 Ellsworth DrIf you're feeling under the weather (or if you're not), there's nothing like a hot bowl of pho! This is upstairs in the downtown Silver Spring outdoor complex.
Charm Thai Restaurant
8408 Georgia AveSolid, standard Thai food, and they deliver! (301-495-6308)
Kao Thai Restaurant
8650 Colesville RdSolid, standard Thai food.
Entertainment & Activities
Playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer field. Good place to walk a dog, if you have one.
Pine Crest Elementary School
201 Woodmoor DrPlayground, tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer field. Good place to walk a dog, if you have one.
Essentials
Trader Joe's
6831 Wisconsin AveGroceries! Cheaper than Safeway!
Safeway
11201 Georgia AveAbout a minute's drive away.
Arts & Culture
One of the DC area's best movie theatres, if not the best. Always showing quality indie films, documentaries, and unique productions. Often replace previews with very brief, informative lecture.
149 locals recommend
AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center
8633 Colesville RoadOne of the DC area's best movie theatres, if not the best. Always showing quality indie films, documentaries, and unique productions. Often replace previews with very brief, informative lecture.
Everything Else
CVS
3642 Georgia Ave NWForgot something that you can't find around the house? It's probably here.
Local bakery! Fresh pastries, pies, breads, etc. Favorites: raspberry danish, vienna bread, fresh donuts. Walking distance (in the Woodmoor Shopping Center). Closed Mondays.
Woodmoor Shopping Center
10141 Colesville RdLocal bakery! Fresh pastries, pies, breads, etc. Favorites: raspberry danish, vienna bread, fresh donuts. Walking distance (in the Woodmoor Shopping Center). Closed Mondays.
Here's your metro station! Quick and easy drive or bus ride away, takes you all over the DC area.
32 locals recommend
Silver Spring Metro Station
Here's your metro station! Quick and easy drive or bus ride away, takes you all over the DC area.
Delicious, creamy ice cream in fun flavors! Salted caramel, cinnamon cappucinno, praline, honey lavender, etc.
15 locals recommend
Moorenko's Ice Cream Café
8030 Georgia AveDelicious, creamy ice cream in fun flavors! Salted caramel, cinnamon cappucinno, praline, honey lavender, etc.