50 Best Delis near Kensington

“Delicious sandwiches and I love the basil lemonade too! I had the tuna with capers and cream cheese today on ciabatta.“

“The new Kensington location of Marathon Deli is the exact addition this neighborhood needed. Run by a local family who has lived in the area for decades, this is truly a family-owned business at its heart. From the moment you walk through the door, they are warm, welcoming, and genuinely joyful to have your business. You instantly feel like you are being welcomed into someone’s home.

The vibe is incredible. Everyone is visibly happy to be there, and the energy is contagious. They stay open late, which fills a massive late-night dining void in Kensington. When we went, they had fantastic live Greek music (a bit loud for quiet conversation, but full of life), followed by a great mix of music that kept the room buzzing. We ran into so many people from the local Greek community (I'm not Greek but know a few, HEY YALL), which tells you everything you need to know about the food's authenticity. We loved the experience so much that we somehow ended up coming back again the night after. The owner and his family are full of life and really just want their customers to have a good experience. The menu hits every mark:

Avgolemono Soup: My absolute favorite. Rich, comforting, perfectly balanced with lemon, and made with so much care.

Authentic Gyros: Out of this world. In an area where dining out can get expensive fast, finding a massive, delicious gyro or sandwich for around $12 is practically unheard of.Calamari Platter: Tender, crispy, and easily rivals high-end Mediterranean spots.

Wings: Crisp, sauced, and flavorful enough to give any dedicated wing place a run for their money.The Fries: Generous portions and packed with flavor.

Pro tip: whatever you take home (fries especially!) heats up beautifully crisp in an air fryer the next day.

They also offer a wine list that is thoughtful, accessible, and refreshingly affordable.

Marathon Deli is already proving to be one of the best new casual dining spots in Kensington, whether you want an authentic Greek dinner, late-night bites, or just great hospitality.“

“One of MD best dinners. This place would go head to head with any of NJ establishments.“

“they give you more than ypu need. fulfillment!!“

“From delicious fresh cold cuts & cheeses, home-made entrees, fresh sausages, Italian Staples and condiments to the friendliest best service in town. Makes great sandwiches, subs, fresh breads and cookies. Now full of holiday treats. Can’t wait to order a special platter for the holidays! A unique shopping experience - slow down and enjoy yourself!💖🇮🇹😋“

“Great turkey and pavilion sandwich, on soft sub bread. made fresh and melts in your mouth. Tiny but quaint place to eat. if choosing to dine in“

“Brought back so many memories of my grandmother’s cooking. The polish sampler reminded me of Christmas eve dinner. The polish Reuben was also delish! I also loved grabbing a few more polish treats and Oplatki for when I see my polish cousins at our family Christmas party tomorrow. The Oplatki was a tradition we did every Christmas Eve growing up. So glad I found this cute place!“

“Order at counter - they bring it out. Amazing sandwiches at a reasonable price. Drink cooler also has great selection/reasonable prices. Friendly staff. Minimal seating - but OK for quick lunch. Awesome find near our hotel in DC when we were a hungry group!“

“We thoroughly enjoyed the best bagels and coffee at this place! We had two different bagel sandwiches and both were delicious!“

“Johnny is a saint. An artist. A master of his trade. His sandwiches are soul-restoring. He assembles each one with great care, producing flavorful works of art. The quantity of meat is tremendous.

This place makes Compliments Only across the street look like Subway. And Subway look like straight hog slop. There’s no better way to fuel your day than with a sandwich from Johnny’s. I salute you, sir.“

“WHAT?! I'm from northern Jersey/NY area where pizza is a religion. I stumbled upon this absolute gem entirely accidentally and have not stopped talking about it. This place serves DELICIOUS pizza. Beautiful crust that stands up (minimal flop), delicious sauce, cheese is spot on. It's the little things that count and this place does some serious pizza. Highly recommended.“

“Best bagel I ever had! Great customer service! I love this place! Hilltop!“

“Hidden little gem. Great service very friendly staff. Great food, fresh and was delicious. Reasonable $.“

“Finally found a Mom and Pop shop close to home. We tried breakfast. The scrapple, egg, and cheese sandwich was amazing! simple and flavorful! The side of grits were on point! LOTS of butter and enough salt packets to balance the flavor! Service was very good! We will be coming here lots more!! Thank you!!“

“A go-to spot near the office for fresh sandwiches. Friendly staff and consistently great food.“

“The food is amazing, if you want the best here is the place. Scott“

“Cornucopia in Bethesda, Maryland is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, you’re surrounded by delightful pastries, perfectly seasoned chips, rich oils, and food essentials that bring flavors from across the globe. Every shelf feels like a passport stamp from another country.

My favorite indulgence is the Caprese with Mozzarella di Bufala sandwich—complete with balsamic, virgin olive oil, and fresh bread. It’s simple, authentic, and bursting with freshness. Each bite feels like a quick trip to Italy.

Cornucopia is more than a market; it’s a sensory experience that makes you slow down, savor, and appreciate the beauty of real food. A true Bethesda treasure.“

“Every time I go to Maryland to visit family, this is my favorite stop! The quality is great, and this Pole isn't bluffing. My son knows how much I love it, that for Christmas I received 2 boxes of my favorite things from the store. I've got to lock my freezer now as other family members threaten to steal the kielbasa and pierogi.“

“Deli City Restaurant — Reuben is a Super Showstopper.

An exquisite, overstuffed Reuben with extremely tender corned beef and perfectly balanced seasoning — not salty.

Toasted rye adds crisp contrast, tangy sauce and sauerkraut brighten the richness, and a subtle buttery finish makes each bite decadently messy.

Massive and shareable; don't forget the extra napkins, a fork and knife, and be prepared to split it — easily serves two.

Hearty, perfectly balanced, and utterly indulgent — an award‑winning Reuben that demands a second visit.“

“I’m from Houston, Texas, and I’ve been struggling to find a good deli since coming to the Bethesda area. Woodmont Deli absolutely delivered!

I ordered the #16 Italian Cut, and the quality of the sandwich was amazing. The ingredients tasted fresh, the sandwich was packed with flavor, and it was exactly the kind of deli sandwich I’ve been looking for.

I’m honestly impressed and will definitely be coming back. If you’re in Bethesda and looking for a legit, quality deli sandwich, I highly recommend giving Woodmont Deli a try!“

“Absolute Perfection, excellent food, service, and shop.“

“I love City Place Cafe and the staff is amazing🥰“

“authentic, Authentic, AUTHENTIC Italian deli and grocery. Old school, greaseball type place. Fresh pizza and deli counter food, refrigerated and/or frozen store-made pasta dishes, meats and deserts, plus lots of imported Italian canned stuff. Looks like a set from a Brian DePalma or Francis Ford Coppola film. This place would look completely at home on the corner of Mulberry and Hester Streets in lower Manhattan. If you what that means, then this is the place for you.“

“Classic old school spot with inexpensive food. Love that places like this still exist, the owners are so lovely and work fast. Have gone in multiple times and even when they are busy the food comes out quick. Good portions, great price, and good food!“

“If you want a great breakfast, with homemade home fries and great pancakes, go to Madison deli. They also have terrific sandwiches salads and soups. During non-Covid times, they make the best Korean bulgogi around. I highly recommend it!“

“Firehouse Deli, as the name suggests, is 🔥🔥. Large vegan selection and portions, but they also have plenty of meat options. Pictured are the vegan corned beef Reuben and the vegan thai chicken wrap. My goal is to try everything on the vegan menu at some point! They also have a breakfast menu from 8am-11am. Finally, I want to point out when you order something vegan, they circle the V. I really appreciate that because I'm sure it helps to avoid mix ups in the kitchen. Glad this deli exists since many other delis have limited vegan game.“

“At Xiomara suggestion, I ordered El Granseza sandwich for the first time , the very melted mozzarella cheese is super delicious and the red chilly has a great flavor touch.the service is awesome.Definitely I’ll comeback and also recommend it to my friends thanks Xiomara.“

“This is a solid breakfast and lunch spot very close to downtown Silver Spring. This is a local mom-and-pop shop that is run by the cutest older couple. I have had breakfast sandwiches, omelets, their breakfast burrito, and I haven't been disappointed with the food yet. While they do have chairs inside, it is really a take-out spot.

This a solid place for your essential breakfast and lunch. I try to always support local and small businesses.“

“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!“

“Great little restaurant. We came here looking for donuts, no donuts but they had delicious ice cream. We decided to come back and get some food. Everyone was extremely nice and helpful with service. Portions are great and we will come back for more.“

“We found this place after going on the US Capitol tour, it was about a 10-minute walk and it was awesome! The Blue Pastrami was phenomenal, and my father enjoyed the Gourmet Italian. Perfect deli spot for lunch, and the prices were fantastic (most sandwiches were under $12.99). I highly recommend!“

“Greatest food place in Maryland with the best vibes!! George & Maria, you are the greatest! Keep up the good work!“

“Fantastic breakfast sandwiches in the area. Bagels are soft and seasoned well. You get a generous portion of bacon/sausage, egg and cheese. It's definitely worth the money. They have a lot of seating available if you eat there and there staff is very nice. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!“

“Twinbrook Deli has been a place that my family and I have loved since we were young. They have some of the best and most delicious subs in this area, and honestly, I don’t think there is another deli around here that can compare. The employees are also generally very friendly and welcoming.

However, unfortunately, there is something I feel I need to bring to the owner’s attention.
I have tried several times to find the owner at the deli because I wanted to speak with him directly about this issue. Unfortunately, I don’t know when he is usually at the store, so I decided to bring this to his attention through this review.

This is not the first time I have experienced this problem.

I am a person with a disability. A few days ago, I came to the deli in the evening to purchase a sub and a six-pack. As I was attempting to park in the parking space directly in front of the deli, I noticed a woman see me trying to park there. She then came over, parked her vehicle in that space, and went inside the deli.

Because of this, I had no choice but to park farther down in the lower parking area and walk back to the deli.

When I entered the deli, I saw the same woman sitting at the cashier area. I politely explained to her that what she had done was inappropriate because I am a person with a disability, and I was trying to park close to the entrance for that reason.

Unfortunately, instead of understanding the situation, she spoke to me in a very disrespectful manner and insisted that the parking space was her personal parking space and that she was the only person who was allowed to park there.

I honestly do not know whether this woman is an employee of the deli or has some other connection to the business. However, I have seen her there several times. On days when the tall white man with long hair and a beard is working at the cashier, I have noticed her coming into the deli, sitting behind the cashier area, and using her phone.

This is also not the first time she has yelled at me inside the deli.

I am bringing this up because, regardless of who she is or whether she works there, the way she speaks to customers is not appropriate and reflects poorly on the business. Customers, especially people with disabilities, should be treated with basic respect and consideration.

I genuinely like Twinbrook Deli and have been coming here for many years. That is why I would much rather see this issue addressed than simply ignore it.

I hope the owner will look into this situation and speak with the individual involved. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue visiting a place I have enjoyed for so many years without having to deal with this kind of treatment.

I will include a photo of the woman below so that the owner can identify who I am referring to.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for addressing my concern.“

“Yum! Good quick breakfast and not expensive. Huge menu, too.“

“Wonderful deli food, great service. Salami and eggs were done perfectly and Matzo Ball Soup was to die for!“

“Love this place. Walk in the door and immediately to the right is Lawd Shawarma! A wonderfully warm meal of fish & eggs with vegan bread and Christmas-spiced Sorrel / Hibiscus drink. No matter what they call the next respiratory illness, no matter if you need to starve a flu or feed a cold. Problem solved for me. Lawd! I thank you.“

“The food, coffee and service was excellent as usual !“

“Been eating at this place for the past two years since my job is close by and I've always had a great experience with delicious and hot food. Great selection of sandwiches, salads, drinks, and chips with rotating soup selections throughout the week. Cheap, fast and consistent great quality!“

“Jack's isn't the biggest place. But it's earned its name, Jacks Famous Deli. It's truly withstood the test of time. The food comes out fast enough where you're not waiting to long. And anything you get from the deli line is prepared fresh. So if you're ordering wings, you'll need to get there and wait a little because they'll be cooking them in the kitchen fresh!!“

“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.“

“This Chinese takeout joint has been in the neighborhood since 1996-1997. It’s awesome because everybody seems to know everybody, the Chinese owners speak fluent Spanish, and on the menu there are more Latin American foods than Chinese food. All good!“

“So I’m originally from northeast DC and back in the day, late 1990s early 2000s, DC had black stores that the community knew like family. Now, when I tell you Trinity Grill gives off that type of aura, they not only embody it, they emphasize it. Besides having great food Chicken Cheese Steak and today the Jerk Chicken sandwich on coco bread😩🤤. They have game nights with throwbacks like Jenga Pictionary, they also sell frozen margaritas, they even have Sports betting machines, When I tell you they have every convenience imaginable. Special shout out to the manager and the cooks they’re awesome“

“The beef bulgogi was absolutely delicious! I really enjoyed the fresh lunch, and the two ladies working there were so kind, friendly, and helpful. I’m so glad I stopped by Research Ct Deli today. Great food, great service, and a wonderful experience. I’ll definitely be back!“

“Chicken madness is an amazing sandwich“

“Great place to grab lunch around the area. They’re very quick with orders. One time I had to wait a couple of minutes after ordering ahead and they gave me free chips. They really care about their customers and it’s something that I really appreciate. Will come back here a lot“

“The place is so neat and the staff are very welcoming and polite. I got exactly what I ordered and I recommend their steak and cheese. It’s so delicious and they pay attention to the toppings I request.
Try it for yourself and thank me later!?“

“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.“

“I grabbed lunch at 14th Snack Bar and ordered a turkey and cheese sandwich with chips. The sandwich was fresh, with a good amount of turkey and a toasted roll. We also tried the chicken salad, which was simple and well seasoned. The portions were enough for a filling lunch, and the food was ready fairly quickly. It’s a convenient deli option for a quick meal in the area.“

“Best bagel I ever had! Great customer service! I love this place! Hilltop!“