Comfort Food Restaurants near Bethesda, MD

“A friend highly recommended ZAO Stamina in Bethesda, and since it's so close to Rockville I had to check it out . Their branding and social media is definitely on point, plus they offer some unique weekend specialty ramen as well ! Zao prides itself with their handmade inhouse ramen noodles, skinny and curly varieties, and their authentic broths with modern spins. For the appetizers /drinks we got: Tori Kara-Age Mini Chashu Don Umeshu Japanese Plum Wine For the ramen we got: Gekikara Tonkotsu Old School Shoyu Mazesoba The Tori Kara-Age was some nice tender bites, and the chashu don rice bowl was savory and sweet ! The Gekikara Tonkotsu was the SECOND most spiciest ramen on the menu, and it was pretty intense , tasty broth but it had a BOLD spicy KICK . The Ramen broth in general is more on the oilier side, which if that's your preferred style, then it works well! My Old School Shoyu was tasty, but I think the broth could've had a bit more flavor/saltiness to it. Besides the basic toppings listed in the description, you can add extra toppings from their menu for additional costs, but this can make your ramen end up being pretty pricey. Definitely want to come back and check out their weekend specials, as well as their skinny ramen noodles.“

“True Food is a restaurant I have been looking for my entire life. Being a student athlete it’s hard to find places to satisfy my hunger and feel healthy after. All the meat based options are grass fed. The people here are super friendly. I recommend the Tru-Blue Burger. Best Berger I have ever had. You leave True Food energized and ready for the day!“

“This is a great place to eat!!! The food is delicious, the servings generous and the service phenomenal!! I had a bowl with noodles and purple rice, for protein I picked beef (bulgogi); for toppings: corn, cucumbers, kimchi, scallions, carrots and cilantro plus Cilantro-Ranch dressing; also sesame seeds and roasted garlic......I could say this is heaven! But it wouldn't do it justice. My favorite meal for now on“

“I love the ghost kitchen style. My burrito was a little expensive but I expect to pay more for quality ingredients. I wasn't let down I had yokey eggs, fresh vegetables, and everything was fresh and hot off the grill. I've eaten a lot of burritos and the real deal from Cali and Texas. Nothing will be that good but it is on top for an excellent quality burrito.“

“Great Happy Hour deals! Staff was super friendly and very accommodating of requests based on dietary restrictions (swapped out veggies for bread in pate appetizer). Burger was delicious. Can’t wait to go back!“

“It’s an outstanding establishment to eat & drink!!“

“Great food! I ate inside at a booth that was a bit crammed. I recommend sitting at the bar or outside.“

“I had Yasmine cater my son’s pre wedding party. I live 2 1/2 hours from DC so I depended on someone that could really tell me what I needed. Working with Yasmine was phenomenal! Most importantly, the food was out of this world. Even after the wedding, which was awesome, people were coming up to me talking about how good the food was. My only regret is that I didn’t take home any leftovers!!!! That just means, I’ll have to make a visit to DC to get some!!!! Thank you Caro, Jimmy and staff. You are much appreciated.“

“I recommend GCDC… for the Mac & Cheese! It’s creamy and delicious. The toastiness of the sourdough options are spot on - not too toasty. Food comes out quick and hot!“

“Embarrassed to say I tried gumbo for the first time ever, but I'm glad to say that it was at Puddin'. Very flavorful, very fresh and very filling. The service was immaculate. The server was able to make recommendations and easily talked me into trying the Brown Butter Bourbon Bread Pudding. It was so worth it!“

“We decided to do lunch at Ted’s Bulletin. The ambience of the restaurant was very nice and modern. The portion sizes are large, prices are reasonable and the food taste delicious.“

“My second time here and it didn’t disappont! Wife loved the food—“this is effing delicious!” That woman HATES food, so I was taken aback by her excitement.We made a second stop here after 10 to check out the bakery. Left with a bunch of baked goods. Fantastic spot!“

“Delicious gluten free food. Helpful friendly staff. You can get it spicy or mild. Happy to find it while staying in Arlington.“

“we went to the Vegas location and how Gordon Ramsay can put his name to the crap this place serves up is beyond belief. the batter is way to thick and over cooked and the highlight should not be the Dijon mayonnaise that comes with the food. terrible food and a waste of $39“

“Ambiance: (5/5) Great decor, but this isn't a sit down restaurant, so there are only 3 seats. Price: (3/5) To me it was like a Korean chipotle, so I thought for that it was a little bit over priced. Food: (4/5) I got a premade spicy pork bowl and made a sauce alternation which was great. The kimchi was flavorful and I liked the other toppings too. I might have liked it better if I got white rice rather than the noodles. Service: (5/5) Food is assembled in front of you so it is quick. The staff is very nice.“

“Something about this small cafe feels right. It's comfy and cozy. The service is straightforward and welcoming without being solicitous or phoney. The caramel machiato was good. Balanced. My veggie dumplings were fresh tasting and yummy. I will probably be back soon to read and of course, drink coffee. I love all the books and laid back vibes. Good experience.“

“Great place!“

“We fell across this place accidentally. The food was well presented and well cooked. The place is clean and quiet--a family run place, good for a family outing.“

“We enjoyed the lamb with 6 vegetables platter with injera. Everything was delicious and authentic. The owner/cook/server was as gracious as can be. Note that the parking is a little hard to find. We thought google maps had made a mistake but it correctly directed us around back through an alley to the right spot.Dietary restrictions: 100% gluten free naturally“

“It was a a nice neighborhood gem for an impromptu lunch meeting! The lamb burger was a great choice...very flavorful and juicy! The field green side salad was tasty, but I was a little disappointed by the avocado vinaigrette dressing. It tasted more like avocado dip. Another nice dish option to consider trying is the fish tacos with corn salad. It was fresh and light! So overall the food was good, the price was fair and we were able to get in and out!“

“My first taste of East coast soul food and I must say it was delicious. Family business and I have been adopted into the family. I feel safe my baby bison has Uncle James, Mama Charlene and Aunty Nikki across the street from the School of Business at Howard University.“

“Great Spot. Friendly staff and regulars“

“I visited Miss Toya"s Creole on Saturday September 30th. I took my oldest son for his birthday ?. My waitress Hope gave excellent customer service. The food was awesome as always. The manager Imai came to our table numerous times to make sure everything was good. Please go to Miss Toyas in Silver Springs Md the food and customer service will not disappoint you.“

“So fresh and delicious! Will definitely be back !“

“True Food Kitchen offers a refreshing dining experience that blends delicious flavors with a focus on health and wellness. From the vibrant atmosphere to the diverse menu featuring organic, seasonal ingredients, each dish reflects a commitment to quality and sustainability. Each visit to True Food Kitchen has been a delightful experience for me.“

“I absolutely enjoyed the atmosphere. We went in on a Saturday evening looking for something to eat late. While it was crowded and we didn't have a reservation, we were still accommodated and the food was excellent. We had the crab Fried Rice, Oysters and some other appetizers and cocktails and it was all excellent including the service. The atmosphere is a total Vibe. The music was great. We enjoyed it so much we went back the next day for brunch. The brunch menu was a tad bit different but great options. I had the crab cake Benedict and we had a peach cobbler bread pudding it was SO Good. The chef is superb?? his name was Sam I believe, he even came out and greeted us the night before. It was Sunday, Mimosas, a live DJ the music was my kind of flow, good food and again good vibes. If I could give this place 10 stars I would. If you are in DC, this is definitely a spot to check out. It is black owned, and I know it will be my spot every time I visit.Vegetarian options: The vegan egg rolls were delicious they had several other options as well I didn't feel left out.Dietary restrictions: My friend has a cheese allergy is sprinkled on the Oysters but it wasn't indicated on the menu. Things like fish, dairy etc common food allergies should be listed on menu items. But the menu is great I must addParking: We walked from our hotel. There is an Omni Hotel right across the street. All I saw was street parking which was full not sure if it offers any other parking accommodations“

“This lovely and comfortable restaurant is very vegetarian/vegan restaurant but it does serve meat and fish so please don't be dissuaded by the labels. Large, airy restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Went with friends - waiter was so friendly. In fact, all the staff were. Food was delicious. All healthy and freshly prepared. Highly recommend.“

“The food was just okay but also over cooked fried food. The mac & cheese bites were very dry with really no flavor since they were overcooked. The chicken Parmesan was OK. The chicken was a little overcooked on the outside.The service was mediocre we had to ask a couple times just to get our tea to drink. The Atmosphere was fine and cozy inside.“

“edemame dumplings weren't as good as the last times I've had them but True Food is still my favourite restaurant.the flourless cake was good, as always, and I highly recommend the matcha horchata. during the winter, the butternut squash pizza is #1 (and I think it is even better with the gluten free crust).“

“Sometimes the best meals can be found in an industrial park in Beltsville. I also learned that this restaurant offers a Nigerian twist on shawarma. This meal consisted of the mouthwatering supreme shawarma with a side of fried sweet potatoes“

“Excellent food. Great service. Friendly atmosphere.“

“I went here twice since it was super close to where I was staying for my work trip. I ordered for pick-up, and the staff has been really kind both times. I ordered the bowl both times but tried the bulgogi and spicy pork. Both of these options were delicious and well seasoned. I'm not used to a Korean dish prepared like a poke bowl, but it was the best I had in the area. I'm giving it a 4 just because it doesn't fully match up to my favorite Korean spots, but it's a decent spot for grabbing Korean food on the go!“

“Best pasta ever, anywhere!“

“Great cuisine, my risotto was just loaded with black truffle. The menu evolves with the season, and the staff is super friendly. Few places around Olney that I'm impressed by, and I can't wait to go back.“

“Beautiful place, excellent food!“

“Dropped by for dinner, and it was just a short walk from the Ritz. The food was ok, and the service was spotty. The place was pretty busy with hotel guests. The decor was nice and the lounge was posh. Good to see people out enjoying themselves.“

“Great potential for the falafel platter, with some missteps that keep it from being five stars.First, the good:- sauces were excellent (toum, shut)- dips were great (hummus, labneh, and a chickpea stew)- bread (shrak) was great- fries were great (served with cilantro)- onion/parsley garnish was very good but needed to be more of it- falafel was good- salata was pretty goodHere’s what can be improved:- the Persian style grilled tomato and grilled onion make no sense as a side for a falafel platter… it should either be served with tabbouleh or chopped raw tomatoes and onion, either of which add freshness and cut through the heavy sauces- speaking of tabbouleh, it was supposed to come with some but didn’t- the fries, falafel and chickpea stew were a little too salty- personal preference: I don’t like pickled beets in general very much, I didn’t like these pickled beets in particular very much, and I strongly feel that pickled cucumbers are superior on a falafelThe good parts about the platter were great. But, the actual falafel wrap was a little off, because it lacked fresh veggies. The sauce, the bread will keep me coming back, but I hope the owners take note of this feedbackVegetarian options: Falafel platter seems to be vegetarian friendly“

“Loved this place. The atmosphere, food and most of the drinks were great. Victoria, the barista, knew her coffee and it showed in the drinks. Great place to hangout, chill or go out on a date.“

“Just a donut review. Lots of unique varieties to choose from. All but one seemed fresh and delicious-could they actually be a day old? The cherry blossom was excellent and fresh. Service friendly but there's not much to taking an order and handing it over . Small place by Whole Foods- plenty of parking. They have breakfast sandwiches and fried chicken- have to try that at some point. $24/6 donuts. Mostly worth it for a special occasion!“

“Looking for an Asian restaurant close by our hotel (The Westin Washington DC) and we were pleasantly surprised to find a Filipino restaurant only 3 mins walking distance. We had shrimp palabok, lumpia Shanghai, and lechon kawali. Everything was delicious and at a good price! Mom says we don’t have to find Jollibee in the area, Pogiboy is so much better!“

“I cannot say enough positive things about Firefly! Lois was fantastic from the first time I reached out to plan our intimate family wedding and demonstrated excellence, friendliness, and care through our tour and final stages of planning. Omar and the whole team were also fabulous during the tour and then on the day of our event. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being such a wonderful part of our big day!Parking: Depending on day of week & time of day, can be really difficult but still worthwhile.Kid-friendliness: We were able to have a menu for the children in our wedding reception. The team also did a great job including other considerations for children - menu selection, seating, and even TV entertainment before the official start.“