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Stuffed pork belly at Kuya Ja’s.
Kuya Ja’s/Facebook

Where to Eat and Drink in Rockville

Find everything from Filipino pork belly and gourmet pizzas to Peruvian stir-fry

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Stuffed pork belly at Kuya Ja’s.
| Kuya Ja’s/Facebook

This ever-changing Maryland suburb plays host to restaurants that bring the rest of the world home to local diners. The latest crop of new arrivals includes the recently relocated Italian dining mainstay Amici Miei, another outpost of Korean barbecue chain Honey Pig, and funky Asian food hall the Spot.

Here are 12 essential restaurants, both new and old, worth getting to know in Rockville.

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IL Pizzico

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This neighborhood restaurant features specialty pastas, seafood, and meats prepared in classic Italian fashion. Popular dishes include a mushroom ravioli, and tagliatelle with shrimp and scallops. The wine list favors imported Italian reds, but there’s also some refreshing whites as well as a few sparklers.

An octopus dish at Il Pizzico.
Evie B./Yelp

Urban Bar-B-Que (Multiple locations)

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In addition to serving all the barbecue standards (smoked meats, cornbread, mac and cheese), this homegrown chain puts its stamp on the genre with its chili and cheese-fueled “redneck fondue.” Buffalo-style pulled chicken tacos, and Fritos-filled chili bowls.

Saucy pork ribs at Urban Bar-B-Que.
Urban Bar-B-Que/Facebook

Peter Chang (Multiple locations)

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Cult Chinese chef Peter Chang prepares a variety of fan favorites at his Rockville restaurant, including the balloon-like scallion bubble pancakes, crispy pork belly, and skewers of savory lamb. Spice addicts know to go for dishes with the thrilling ma la seasoning.

Lamb kebabs at Peter Chang.
Quijana B./Yelp

La Limena

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This local favorite caters to fans of Peruvian cooking with dishes ranging from spice-crusted rotisserie chicken and steak-studded lomo saltado to stir-fried rice layered with shrimp, eggs, and scallions. The budding restaurant group recently added a companion grill just down the road.

A seafood dish at La Limena.
La Limena/Facebook

A&J (Multiple locations)

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This cherished dim sum destination tucked into a shopping center also serves terrific fried pork dishes, thousand-layer pancakes, and satisfying tofu creations. It’s also a great go-to spot for anyone looking for Christmas Day dining options.

Assorted offerings at A&J.
Mauricio Rivera/Facebook

Mykonos Grill

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This nearly 30-year-old restaurant sports the look and feel of the Mediterranean, surrounding diners with stark white walls and light blue accents reminiscent of the Greek islands. Featured offerings range from meat-filled grape leaves and grilled lamb chops to eggplant-laced moussaka smothered in creamy bechamel sauce.

Traditional Greek dishes at Mykonos Grill.
Mykonos Grill/Facebook

Pizza CS

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Some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the area might be hidden at this local charmer. Pizza CS prepares 11-inch, wood-fired pies suitable for one person — so those dining in a group should be prepared to share featured offerings including burrata-topped margherita or white pizzas coated in Parmesan cream. Save room for a Nutella pizza for dessert.

A wood-fired sausage pie at Pizza CS.
Pizza CS/Facebook

Matchbox (Multiple locations)

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Suburbanites can get a taste of the homegrown chain known for its fancy pizzas, gourmet sliders, and upscale cocktails right on Rockville Pike. Unlike in D.C, the power lunch crew here may have more strollers in tow.

A gourmet pie and cocktail at Matchbox.
Matchbox/Facebook

Akira Ramen & Izakaya

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This recent addition to the area serves traditional Japanese fare including ramen, udon, and buckwheat soba noodles. Locals love the okonomiyaki, a shrimp and bacon-laced pancake made with rice flour, eggs, and cabbage, and topped with a cream sauce.

Akira Ramen does more than serve soup.
Rita W./Yelp

Urban Hot Pot

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This all-you-can eat soup haven includes a choice of broth and ingredients; load up the bubbling vessels at each table with fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, and noodles. Orders are placed via iPad, the selected ingredients are presented to each customer at their dedicated burner, and then the stirring and slurping begins.

Customers tending to multiple bubbling broths at Urban Hot Pot.
Jenny Y./Yelp

Silver Diner (Multiple locations)

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This homegrown chain of throwback diners, which started in Rockville, keeps taking comfort food to new levels. The current menu focuses on food that’s locally sourced, kid-friendly, and increasingly vegetarian/gluten-free. Featured offerings range from avocado toast with eggs and miso-glazed meatless burgers to fully dressed turkey dinners and meatloaf with gravy.

A grain bowl topped with shrimp at Silver Diner.
Silver Diner/Facebook

Kuya Ja's

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No longer a pop-up, this Filipino restaurant now serves its roasted, stuffed pork belly full-time. Other traditional offerings include adobo chicken (wings or sandwiches), savory sissig, sweet longanisa sausage, and other Southeast Asian favorites.

Assorted offerings at fast-casual Filipino restaurant Kuya Ja’s.
Kuya Ja’s/Facebook

IL Pizzico

This neighborhood restaurant features specialty pastas, seafood, and meats prepared in classic Italian fashion. Popular dishes include a mushroom ravioli, and tagliatelle with shrimp and scallops. The wine list favors imported Italian reds, but there’s also some refreshing whites as well as a few sparklers.

An octopus dish at Il Pizzico.
Evie B./Yelp

Urban Bar-B-Que (Multiple locations)

In addition to serving all the barbecue standards (smoked meats, cornbread, mac and cheese), this homegrown chain puts its stamp on the genre with its chili and cheese-fueled “redneck fondue.” Buffalo-style pulled chicken tacos, and Fritos-filled chili bowls.

Saucy pork ribs at Urban Bar-B-Que.
Urban Bar-B-Que/Facebook

Peter Chang (Multiple locations)

Cult Chinese chef Peter Chang prepares a variety of fan favorites at his Rockville restaurant, including the balloon-like scallion bubble pancakes, crispy pork belly, and skewers of savory lamb. Spice addicts know to go for dishes with the thrilling ma la seasoning.

Lamb kebabs at Peter Chang.
Quijana B./Yelp

La Limena

This local favorite caters to fans of Peruvian cooking with dishes ranging from spice-crusted rotisserie chicken and steak-studded lomo saltado to stir-fried rice layered with shrimp, eggs, and scallions. The budding restaurant group recently added a companion grill just down the road.

A seafood dish at La Limena.
La Limena/Facebook

A&J (Multiple locations)

This cherished dim sum destination tucked into a shopping center also serves terrific fried pork dishes, thousand-layer pancakes, and satisfying tofu creations. It’s also a great go-to spot for anyone looking for Christmas Day dining options.

Assorted offerings at A&J.
Mauricio Rivera/Facebook

Mykonos Grill

This nearly 30-year-old restaurant sports the look and feel of the Mediterranean, surrounding diners with stark white walls and light blue accents reminiscent of the Greek islands. Featured offerings range from meat-filled grape leaves and grilled lamb chops to eggplant-laced moussaka smothered in creamy bechamel sauce.

Traditional Greek dishes at Mykonos Grill.
Mykonos Grill/Facebook

Pizza CS

Some of the best Neapolitan pizza in the area might be hidden at this local charmer. Pizza CS prepares 11-inch, wood-fired pies suitable for one person — so those dining in a group should be prepared to share featured offerings including burrata-topped margherita or white pizzas coated in Parmesan cream. Save room for a Nutella pizza for dessert.

A wood-fired sausage pie at Pizza CS.
Pizza CS/Facebook

Matchbox (Multiple locations)

Suburbanites can get a taste of the homegrown chain known for its fancy pizzas, gourmet sliders, and upscale cocktails right on Rockville Pike. Unlike in D.C, the power lunch crew here may have more strollers in tow.

A gourmet pie and cocktail at Matchbox.
Matchbox/Facebook

Akira Ramen & Izakaya

This recent addition to the area serves traditional Japanese fare including ramen, udon, and buckwheat soba noodles. Locals love the okonomiyaki, a shrimp and bacon-laced pancake made with rice flour, eggs, and cabbage, and topped with a cream sauce.

Akira Ramen does more than serve soup.
Rita W./Yelp

Urban Hot Pot

This all-you-can eat soup haven includes a choice of broth and ingredients; load up the bubbling vessels at each table with fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, and noodles. Orders are placed via iPad, the selected ingredients are presented to each customer at their dedicated burner, and then the stirring and slurping begins.

Customers tending to multiple bubbling broths at Urban Hot Pot.
Jenny Y./Yelp

Silver Diner (Multiple locations)

This homegrown chain of throwback diners, which started in Rockville, keeps taking comfort food to new levels. The current menu focuses on food that’s locally sourced, kid-friendly, and increasingly vegetarian/gluten-free. Featured offerings range from avocado toast with eggs and miso-glazed meatless burgers to fully dressed turkey dinners and meatloaf with gravy.

A grain bowl topped with shrimp at Silver Diner.
Silver Diner/Facebook

Kuya Ja's

No longer a pop-up, this Filipino restaurant now serves its roasted, stuffed pork belly full-time. Other traditional offerings include adobo chicken (wings or sandwiches), savory sissig, sweet longanisa sausage, and other Southeast Asian favorites.

Assorted offerings at fast-casual Filipino restaurant Kuya Ja’s.
Kuya Ja’s/Facebook

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