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Customers dining on the patio at Macon Bistro & Larder.
Photo: Macon Bistro & Larder

10 Essential Chevy Chase Restaurants

Eat everything from vegan sushi to fried chicken

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Customers dining on the patio at Macon Bistro & Larder.
| Photo: Macon Bistro & Larder

Neighboring Chevy Chase is home to a slew of restaurants tucked away in the rolling hills nestled between Silver Spring and Bethesda. Since Chevy Chase straddles the D.C. and Maryland border, residents will often specify whether they live in Chevy Chase Maryland or the Washington side.

The one thing everyone can agree on: There’s a world of dining opportunities around every corner.

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La Ferme

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This local charmer was named “most romantic restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine in 2016. Special touches include the country farmhouse decor, a large fireplace, and live piano music. Or sit outside in the covered patio — a lovely spot for fans of peace and quiet.

Fireside dining is part of the allure at La Ferme.
Photo: La Ferme

Blue 44 Restaurant and Bar

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This casual eatery is one of Chevy Chase’s more family-friendly dining options. If the name sounds familiar, it may be from the national headlines it generated after a regular left a $2,000 tip on a $93 tab a few years back. Or perhaps the weekly fried chicken deal that lures in folks from all over rings a bell.

A fried chicken dinner at Blue 44.
Photo: Blue 44

Macon Bistro & Larder

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Macon may have a tough time hanging onto its vintage butter plates and water jugs, but the restaurant has plenty of staying power in the neighborhood. While the restaurant is well known for its fresh biscuits, gourmet burgers, and regionally inspired offerings, the “larder” side supplies carry out-ready pickles, cookies, and pies.

Customers dining on the patio at Macon Bistro & Larder.
Photo: Macon Bistro & Larder

American City Diner

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Chevy Chase, like many other D.C. area neighborhoods, has its share of greasy spoons. This one serves a four-scoop, 24-ounce ice cream milkshake (think bigger than a Starbucks venti cup) and weekday blue plate specials. Dinner options include country fried chicken livers and chicken-fried steaks, so good luck eating light enough to polish off a full milkshake when finished.

The iconic American City Diner.
Photo: American City Diner

Olympia Cafe

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This may be Chevy Chase’s answer to Central Perk from Friends. Tucked in the middle of a residential neighborhood, this unassuming eatery offers salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Locals routinely file in for breakfast and coffee, but the bulgogi combo is such a hit that people from neighboring Bethesda often zip over for lunch.

The front counter at Olympia Cafe.
Photo by Cora C. / Yelp

Arucola

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This neighborhood Italian spot specializes in wood-fired pizza and assorted pastas. Locals know to save room for dessert, as both the creme brulee and bread pudding have long-standing reputations.

A straight-from-the-oven pizza at Arucola.
Photo: Arucola

Pumpernickel's Bagelry

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This homegrown eatery, now under new management, is working to get its most popular offering (bagels with nova lox are always a solid option) into the hands of more breakfast-loving locals. Reviewers rave about the vegan sandwich options, and lunch specials featuring pizza as well. And unlike neighboring Bethesda Bagels, Pumpernickel’s does offer some seating, albeit limited.

The entrance to Pumpernickel’s.
Photo by Charles S. / Yelp

Tavira Restaurant

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Watergate alum Duarte Rebolo introduced the area to his Mediterranean-themed, white tablecloth restaurant nearly 20 years ago. Fans of his native Portuguese cuisine are welcome to take advantage of a three-course tasting menu ($33 per person) featuring dishes such as braised pork shank, grilled Cornish hen, and flan.

The main dining room at Tavira.
Photo: Tavira Restaurant

Parthenon Restaurant

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This go-to spot for meat-filled gyros, stuffed grape leaves, and spinach-packed spanakopita has been catering to fans of Greek cooking for nearly 30 years. It’s even picked up a celebrity admirer along the way: Its crab cakes are rumored to be a favorite of Ben Olsen, head coach of the D.C. United soccer team.

Spanakopita at Parthenon.
Photo: Parthenon

Sushiko

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This venerable Japanese restaurant has taken on new life with the addition of embedded tasting  counter Kobo, an offshoot led by co-executive chefs and siblings Handry and Piter Tjan. Fans of traditional hand rolls and sashimi will find plenty to explore on the regular menu, while more adventurous diners can opt for the elaborate multicourse meals delivered at Kobo.

Sashimi at Sushiko.
Photo: Sushiko

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La Ferme

This local charmer was named “most romantic restaurant” by Bethesda Magazine in 2016. Special touches include the country farmhouse decor, a large fireplace, and live piano music. Or sit outside in the covered patio — a lovely spot for fans of peace and quiet.

Fireside dining is part of the allure at La Ferme.
Photo: La Ferme

Blue 44 Restaurant and Bar

This casual eatery is one of Chevy Chase’s more family-friendly dining options. If the name sounds familiar, it may be from the national headlines it generated after a regular left a $2,000 tip on a $93 tab a few years back. Or perhaps the weekly fried chicken deal that lures in folks from all over rings a bell.

A fried chicken dinner at Blue 44.
Photo: Blue 44

Macon Bistro & Larder

Macon may have a tough time hanging onto its vintage butter plates and water jugs, but the restaurant has plenty of staying power in the neighborhood. While the restaurant is well known for its fresh biscuits, gourmet burgers, and regionally inspired offerings, the “larder” side supplies carry out-ready pickles, cookies, and pies.

Customers dining on the patio at Macon Bistro & Larder.
Photo: Macon Bistro & Larder

American City Diner

Chevy Chase, like many other D.C. area neighborhoods, has its share of greasy spoons. This one serves a four-scoop, 24-ounce ice cream milkshake (think bigger than a Starbucks venti cup) and weekday blue plate specials. Dinner options include country fried chicken livers and chicken-fried steaks, so good luck eating light enough to polish off a full milkshake when finished.

The iconic American City Diner.
Photo: American City Diner

Olympia Cafe

This may be Chevy Chase’s answer to Central Perk from Friends. Tucked in the middle of a residential neighborhood, this unassuming eatery offers salads, wraps, and sandwiches. Locals routinely file in for breakfast and coffee, but the bulgogi combo is such a hit that people from neighboring Bethesda often zip over for lunch.

The front counter at Olympia Cafe.
Photo by Cora C. / Yelp

Arucola

This neighborhood Italian spot specializes in wood-fired pizza and assorted pastas. Locals know to save room for dessert, as both the creme brulee and bread pudding have long-standing reputations.

A straight-from-the-oven pizza at Arucola.
Photo: Arucola

Pumpernickel's Bagelry

This homegrown eatery, now under new management, is working to get its most popular offering (bagels with nova lox are always a solid option) into the hands of more breakfast-loving locals. Reviewers rave about the vegan sandwich options, and lunch specials featuring pizza as well. And unlike neighboring Bethesda Bagels, Pumpernickel’s does offer some seating, albeit limited.

The entrance to Pumpernickel’s.
Photo by Charles S. / Yelp

Tavira Restaurant

Watergate alum Duarte Rebolo introduced the area to his Mediterranean-themed, white tablecloth restaurant nearly 20 years ago. Fans of his native Portuguese cuisine are welcome to take advantage of a three-course tasting menu ($33 per person) featuring dishes such as braised pork shank, grilled Cornish hen, and flan.

The main dining room at Tavira.
Photo: Tavira Restaurant

Parthenon Restaurant

This go-to spot for meat-filled gyros, stuffed grape leaves, and spinach-packed spanakopita has been catering to fans of Greek cooking for nearly 30 years. It’s even picked up a celebrity admirer along the way: Its crab cakes are rumored to be a favorite of Ben Olsen, head coach of the D.C. United soccer team.

Spanakopita at Parthenon.
Photo: Parthenon

Sushiko

This venerable Japanese restaurant has taken on new life with the addition of embedded tasting  counter Kobo, an offshoot led by co-executive chefs and siblings Handry and Piter Tjan. Fans of traditional hand rolls and sashimi will find plenty to explore on the regular menu, while more adventurous diners can opt for the elaborate multicourse meals delivered at Kobo.

Sashimi at Sushiko.
Photo: Sushiko

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