10 Best Delis in Bethesda

“I got the royal palm, nitro cold brew and a cookie. The sandwich was pretty good, and there was a reasonable amount of salmon on it. The sides/drinks were good. My bagel honestly wasn't great which was surprising coming from a place that sells a lot of bagels. While I would probably go back and/or try some of the other sandwiches, I'm not sure what would bring me here over some of the other bagel places around Bethesda.

Parking: Difficult to find a spot, especially during prime time.“

“We walked into this charming Italian grocery slash pizza spot and were pleasantly surprised. The pizza was excellent—fresh, flavorful, and seemingly authentic. Beyond the pizza, they offer a great selection of frozen pasta, sauces, olives, and all sorts of Italian specialties. It really feels like a little slice of Italy.“

“Amazing deli. Wonderful and friendly staff with tasty food. For lunch I recommend the Chevy Chase. They also have a great breakfast selection. The staff is always happy and greets you at the door. They know their customers and remember your order. 10/10 recommend!“

“I have been coming to Cornucopia for 10+ years. Unfortunately I only come when visiting family since it is several hours away from my home. Every time I come the selection of items is outstanding & almost every single thing is imported from Italy. The best thing about this place by far is the desserts & the sandwiches. Ebo makes the bread fresh daily & it is absolutely phenomenal. I usually end up bringing multiple sandwich’s back home with me due to how amazing they are. The veggies & meats are so fresh & so flavorful it is truly unlike any other sandwich shop. If you’re in the area, this is a must try. Truly a hidden gem of Bethesda.“

“This is an unassuming deli with a wide variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan ones. I got the Caprese panini and it was perfect. The taste, size and ingredient proportions, and presentation were great. The two ladies I met who worked there were welcoming, friendly, courteous and kind. This is my new go-to sandwich place in Bethesda.“

“Jean’s Deli is the kind of place I’d frequent almost daily if I worked in the area. For its modest size, the restaurant boasts an extensive menu of hearty fare (hot/cold sandwiches, burgers, breakfast items), as well as fresh salads, a fruit bar, and other lighter options. Everything we’ve tried is seasoned just right with generous portions, and the produce they use is unfailingly fresh. The deli’s been run by the same owners for the past 35 years, a couple with the kindest demeanor who put meticulous care into everything they make and serve. If you work nearby or are simply passing through, bookmark this spot and give it a visit.“

“I was in Maryland for a few days, and i was having trouble to find a good place to have breakfast at a reasonable price and I found this place. It made it easy for myself and my family to get a good breakfast. I ate there at least once a day everyday I was there. The owner was very nice and they were very clean when getting my food done, I also liked how food wasn’t all greasy. I recommend this place I would definitely go back in the future if I go back to Maryland :)“

“Over the past four years, I was a regular at Rock Cafe while working near by - going three to four times a week when working there. Across four years, this adds up to well over one hundred orders. Here is my thorough review on everything!

Service - a lot of us regulars would refer to the Cafe as 'Frank's', after the owner who is there with his team every day. Frank is a great man, who I have had the pleasure of getting to know very well. I would often times go over and he would immediately know my orders depending on the day of the week. Despite being a lean team they are fast and efficient, and if they do forget something are quick to fix it apologetically. During the school year they have dozens of students come between the hours of 11:15 and 11:45, but even then you'll get you food fast enough.

Ambiance - while a simple interior, there is still places to sit both inside and outside. I typically take the food back to my office space, but on a nice day there are worst corporate parks to sit at.

Food - as past reviewers have stated, there are lots of different specials depending on the day of the week. My go-to favorites are the following:

- Chana Masala on Mondays - an appropriate level of spice with tons of flavor. Comes with rice, naan and raita.
- Italian Coldcut on Tuesdays, which come with a side of chips. In general, I his sandwiches were my go-to when I couldn't make a decision
- Chicken Burrito Bowls on Wednesday - a much better value than places nearby and always filled me up. Probably my personal favorite. I would typically add hot sauce too.
- Butter Chicken w/ Naan and Rice on Thursdays - similar to the Chana in that it was very flavorful with a touch of spice, but nothing that should deter away those that aren't completely averse to it. Super popular - they typically sell out before one.
- For breakfast, his sandwiches are the best deal in the area! Fresh bagels and egg with your choice of meat and cheese. Highly, highly recommend!

In general, I also liked the paninis and his chicken quesadilla. I would occasionally get salads, although these were typically my least preferred option.

Overall - for great service and good food at some of the best prices in Montgomery County, you can't go wrong with Rock Cafe! I know they'll also take larger orders if you call ahead of time, so great for work/team events too.

Wheelchair accessibility: Wheelchair acessable, on ground floor with openable doors.“

“This place is terrible! I went there on a whim but was shocked when I realized they copied jeans deli. If your near Nabi’s, just go to jeans. For the price I expect 20x better than jeans. Edit: After switching my lunch to more Nabis than Jeans, I have to revoke everything I said about them. Nabis is a wonderful place to have a nice lunch and converse with some strangers. W Nabis“