Neighboring Silver Spring, Maryland is home to locals who want a taste of the suburbs but crave that immediate proximity to the District. While the downtown marketplace remains the central hub for entertainment, there are several culinary gems dotted around the perimeter, from old-guard restaurants to family-friendly modern chains. The best part about coming to visit? Once the exploratory eating’s done, stick around to shop for a new outfit or catch a movie — all within a one-mile radius of the bustling city center.
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Where to Eat and Drink in Silver Spring
Spend some time in the suburbs

The Vegetable Garden
This vegan and vegetarian friendly outpost serves several mock versions of dishes like veggie beef with broccoli, sweet and sour veggie chicken, and Kung Pao veggie chicken. It also serves sushi, veggie burgers, hot pot, and features a gluten-free menu that includes tofu steak and pineapple fried rice.
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Masa Hibachi Steak House & Sushi
This traditional Japanese steakhouse cooks up food hibachi-style, and also features sushi including the Out of Control Roll (tuna, salmon, avocado, and yellowtail topped with black roe), Sea Breeze Roll (lime, striped bass, chili sauce), and Lion King Roll (spicy tuna, spicy mayo, tempura salmon/shrimp, topped with fish egg).
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Hen Quarter (Multiple locations)
This restaurant fully embraces the bird; case in point: transforming the classic BLT into something like a southern-style club sandwich. There’s also short rib and catfish “frites,” chicken-fried pork chops, as well as an on-trend hot chicken sandwich. Want to go easy on the poultry? Try the fried green tomatoes or the hot pimento cheese skillet, served with warm naan.
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Eggspectation (Multiple locations)
This popular chain serves breakfast all day long. Go easy with a freshly blended beverage from the juice bar or a berry-filled breakfast parfait. Carbo-load with pancakes, waffles or French toast. Meanwhile, eggs are served poached, grilled, scrambled, sunny side up, topped with hollandaise, just the whites, tucked in a burrito, on a bagel, with a crepe (or IN a crepe).
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Burgerfi (Multiple locations)
Burgerfi focuses on gourmet burgers, fries, shakes, and beer.The C.E.O. Burger sports truffle aioli, candied bacon-tomato jam, and a patty blended with Wagyu beef and brisket, while the Conflicted Burger pokes fun at itself, waffling between the veggie and the meat world with its two types of patties. There’s also a strictly vegetarian option, two styles of hot dog, onion rings and crispy fries.
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Mandalay Restaurant
At this Burmese restaurant, flavors of curry, ginger, and cilantro dominate. kayann thee gyaw (eggplant fritters), let thoke sone (mixed noodles), and thinn bawthee thoke (green papaya salad) are just some of the delectable options offered. Close things out with brown sugar and coconut sticky rice, or coconut ice cream — served in a coconut shell, no less.
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Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa has been in the neighborhood for more than 35 years, reliably serving great vegetarian dishes, meaty platters of doro wat, and fresh spongy, injera bread. Open until 11 p.m. during the week and midnight on weekends, the restaurant also offers a traditional, hand-prepped Ethiopian coffee service (a 20-plus minute affair).
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Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria
This family-owned restaurant turns out Italian favorites including calzones, signature white- and red-sauced pizza, house-made meatballs, and more. Order several dishes, such as the Napoli pizza (anchovies, black olives, and basil), Quattro Stagioni pizza (four-in-one pie featuring mozzarella, salami and ham, mushrooms and tomatoes) and a Calabrese (salami and sausage) calzone for the table. Not to be missed is the dessert menu, which includes chocolate profiteroles, limoncello shortcake, and Nutella pizza.
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Bump 'N Grind
In addition to offering a full range of coffee options (pour-over, French press, Americano), this music-minded spot hosts live acts, DJs and sells records in the shop. It also collaborated with gluten-free producer Bjørn's Bakes on a key lime and coconut cookie called the Kokomo, named in honor of the iconic Beach Boys song.
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