The 10 Best Places to Eat and Do in Silver Spring
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The best places to eat and do in Silver Spring, according to the experts: Washingtonian, The Washington Post, and James Beard Awards have all weighed in, and their honors are what rank this list. Beteseb comes out on top.
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J. Hollinger's Waterman's Chophouse and Taqueria Sabor Mixteco hold the next two places. The Washington Post shows up on more of this list than any other guide, with Washingtonian close behind.
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Rank 1. Beteseb
Ethiopian
A sunny Ethiopian cafe in Silver Spring where you pick your injera before anything else, choosing between imported (extra tangy) and local, both soft enough to do the job properly. The menu is vibrant and the cooking runs from a bubbling chickpea stew to crispy beef tibs to collards that hold their own. Show up early and order the wheat flatbread fried in butter and drizzled with honey. A James Beard semifinalist chef runs the kitchen.
The awards
- Washingtonian Washingtonian: #46 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
- The Washington Post The Washington Post: The 8 best Ethiopian restaurants in and around D.C.
- James Beard Awards James Beard Awards: 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Darmyelesh Alemu
- Washingtonian #46 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
- The Washington Post The 8 best Ethiopian restaurants in and around D.C.
- James Beard Awards 2026 · Semifinalist · Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic · Darmyelesh Alemu
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Rank 2. J. Hollinger's Waterman's Chophouse
American Steakhouse
An Art Deco chophouse and raw bar in downtown Silver Spring, J. Hollinger's splits its loyalties between land and sea: prime steaks anchor the menu, but the kitchen lets you pile on butter-poached crab or fried oysters if you're feeling ambitious. The duck confit and homemade ricotta ravioli give non-carnivores a reason to show up too. Happy hour runs most of the week, and the dollar oysters keep things from getting too serious.
The awards
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Rank 3. Taqueria Sabor Mixteco
Taqueria
The tlayuda, a large tortilla charred and spread with herby black beans, is a good reason to learn where Ennalls Avenue is. This casual Silver Spring taco shop draws on Oaxacan tradition, so expect moles with real depth alongside the alambres, where grilled meat and melted cheese arrive ready to be scooped into tortillas. The Washington Post and Washingtonian both count it among the D.C. area's top tables, which the no-frills room does nothing to advertise.
The awards
- The Washington Post The Washington Post: The 40 Best Restaurants In and Around D.C.
- Washingtonian Washingtonian: #90 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
- The Washington Post The 40 Best Restaurants In and Around D.C.
- Washingtonian #90 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
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Rank 4. Zinnia
Seasonal American
Garden vegetables grown on the property turn up in dishes that change with the seasons at this full-service American restaurant in Silver Spring. The building has been around forever, and the vaulted ceilings and outdoor garden, complete with private nooks, give the space a slightly romantic, old-estate feel that the cocktail list works hard to keep casual. House-made desserts close things out.
The awards
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The awards
- AAA AAA: Approved
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The awards
- Washingtonian Washingtonian: Best Coffee Shops in DC
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The awards
- Washingtonian Fried Tamal de Elote · Our Favorite Dishes of the Year in the DC Area
- Washingtonian #99 · 100 Very Best Restaurants
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The awards
- The Washington Post The Washington Post: The 40 Best Restaurants In and Around D.C.
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The awards
- The Washington Post The Washington Post: #2 · The Best Bagels in D.C.
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Rank 9. Shalla Restaurant & Bar
Ethiopian
The awards
- The Washington Post The Washington Post: The 8 best Ethiopian restaurants in and around D.C.