Warm up this winter by exploring Montgomery County, Maryland’s coziest restaurants and indulging in hearty, flavorful dishes that are perfect for the season. From sipping handcrafted cocktails and small plates atop Bethesda’s intimate Hip Flask, to enjoying a cozy meal overlooking Sugarloaf Mountain at The Comus Inn, we’ve gathered a list of must-try eateries and signature dishes to keep you warm this season.

1: Reserve a warm wood-burning fire pit or gas fire pit at Windridge Vineyards while grabbing a bite to eat from their kitchen. Try specialty cheese paired with wines or small bites. The Windridge Kitchen has seasonal dishes like their Argentinian flatbread, featuring a flank steak, caramelized onions, mozzarella paired with chimchurri, or the Twin Savory Sausage and Mushroom Crepes, served during brunch hours. Of course, you can’t skip the wine. Sip on a glass of 2023 perit verdot full-bodied with an aroma of black cherry, dark plum, spices, smoky tobacco, and more.

2: Try a different winter experience at Lone Oak Farm Brewing Company with their tent rentals, along with their smokeless fire pits. While you can’t roast anything over the fire, you can take in the warmth from the pint of Kodiak or Honey Bear. Grab a pulled chicken slider, marinated in BBQ sauce and topped with coleslaw. Or, walk over to Fallen Oak Distilling, into the Whispering Speakeasy for an Smoked Maple old fashion cocktail and Rustic Roasted Chicken served with a hot honey BBQ sauce, mashed potatoes, and honey-glazed carrots. Waredaca Brewing Company offers the same experience with a warming fire pit and a coinciding warming pint of Geedie with notes of clove and coriander.

3. Explore Zinnia housed in the historic Mrs. K’s Toll House. Try dishes in different parts of the restaurants, including the Blackened Catfish served with a crawfish etouffee sauce, buttered rice, and scallions, or their slow-braised beef short rib, with fried grits, collard greens, and chicory coffe jus. Try their signature Brie & Prosciutto sandwich with Fig Jam and baby arugula served on ciabatta bread. Café with a bowl of BBQ Gulf Shrimp & Grits or Mediterranean Bowl.

4. Take in the crisp air and city skyline at Hip Flask, the only rooftop bar in Bethesda. It’s located at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown, right beside the international headquarters for Marriott. Rent a heated igloo and sit right under the stars with Shrimp Tacos served with Grilled Shrimp, Taco Slaw, Pico de Gallo, and Cilnatro. Pair your taco with a signature Skyline glow cocktail with Tito’s, Aperol, Orange Juice, Lemon Juice, and Sparkling Brut 

5: Visit The Grove Bar & Grill located in Potomac. Sit down to their French Dip sandwich with horseradish aioli and shoestring fries or Jambalaya Pasta with a toasted baguette. Try the Razz Blackberry Fizz with Crown Royal Blackberry, champagne, amaretto, lemon, and black raspberry, or the Vanilla Espresso Martini with Tito’s Vodka, coffee liquor, and their house made vanilla syrup. For a non-alcoholic option, sip on their strawberry Fields Forever garden spirit with strawberry puree, simple syrup and lemonade.

6: Tatte Bakery & Cafe is a bakery known for its freshly made baked goods and scratch kitchen with dishes made to order. They have two locations in the Bethesda area and one location in North Bethesda. We recommend trying the Roasted Salmon Winter Vegetable Rice bowl with acorn squash, marinated charred kale, caramelized red onions, and mint that’s sauteed with jasmine rice and Aleppo chili oil. For something sweet, grab a slice of the double-crusted traditional Apple Pie made with Granny Smith Apples and an Iced Tahini Pumpkin Oatmilk Latte with housemade spiced pumpkin and tahini syrup.

7:Head to rio Lakefront and get a chance to eat at Copper Canyon Gaithersburg. Order a plate of the Eastern Shore Style Crabcakes with their Iron Skillet Cornbread. Try their specialty slow cooked BBQ ribs or Meatloaf, with ground chuck, spicy pork sausage, and smoked cheddar. Sip on a light Cucumber Gimlet with Hendricks Gin, elderflower, cucumber, and lime. If you can brave the cold, sit out at The Lake House and order from a special Barge menu. To stay extra toasty, request a table by the fireplace.

8. Step into a refined experience at Clyde’s Chevy Chase & Tower Oaks Lodge in Rockville. Get a plate of Rigatoni Bolognese with beef and pork ragu, topped with grana Padano cheese. Enjoy fresh oysters on the half shell or stop by during daily Oyster Happy Hour for a taste of the raw bar. At Tower Oaks Lodge, savor the Baked Cod with green bean almondine, fried capers, buttered peewee potatoes and lemon-herb beurre blanc. 

9: Located in Damascus, Stone Silo Brewery offers a rustic brewery feel to guests who come to enjoy beer with character. Try their Copper Cowbell with a complex blend of malts with notes of toasted cracker and sweet caramel. To get into the holiday spirit, try their Oatmeal Stout, blending earthy, nutty flavors with a touch of balanced sweetness. If you’re feeling hungry, savor something from The Silo Kitchen food truck on property. 

10: Eat dinner with a view of Sugarloaf Mountain at The Comus Inn. This historic farm serves farm-to-table dishes like their Allen Brothers Dry Aged Steak served with a brandied peppercorn sauce and French fries. Guests wanting something on the lighter side can order the Butter Lettuce salad, made with pear, red oak, pecans, stilton, and cider vinaigrette, and more. After dinner, get a drink at Comus Beer Garden. Try a Sandbar IPA with cashmere and sabro or a MoCo Light, a light American pilsner.

12: Everything served at Founding Farmers is made from scratch in the restaurant. Even the bartenders are chefs too. Get an order of the Chicken Fried Steak and Waffle with a seven-cheese macaroni and green beans. Or, try the Blackened Chesapeake Wild Blue Catfish with parmesan grits, green beans, and mango Pico de Gallo. Sip on a cocktail made from their farmer-owned distillery with Vodka, Rum, Tequila, and more.

13: All Set Restaurant & Bar’s influence is on seafood and American cuisine inspired by the traditions of New England. Try their pan-Seared Miso Glazed Salmon, with Cherry Tomatoes, Fingerling Potatoes, and Asparagus.For gluten-free eaters, you can’t go wrong with a Bleu Cheese House salad or Roasted Cauliflower with Cotija Cheese, Scallions, and Chipotle Aioli. 

14: Experience a café and restaurant all in one at Java Nation. Find locations in North Bethesda, Kentlands, Silver Spring, and Kensington. To get started, try a Beef Empanada with green tomatillo sauce or Hot baked Crab Dip with a toasted baguette and side vegetables. Get a jumpstart with their Java Glazed Ribs featuring bold Java-infused BBQ Sauce. Grab the customer-loved Margarita Flight or Bramble with Beefeter, St. Germain, Chambord, Cranberry & Raspberry foam. 

15: True Food Kitchen location in Gaithersburg partners with each of the local growers in the county, so every ingredient you get is true. Try the Teriyaki Quinoa Bowl with regenerative quinoa brown rice blend, broccoli, rainbow carrots, bok choy, snap peas, pickled shitakes, and sesame seeds or savor the Lasangne Al Pesto with Diestel farms turkey sausage bolognese, pistachio pesto, organic spinach, ricotta, fresh mozzarella, and basil.  

Find more fun by reading our Top Places to Ice Skate in Montgomery County, and Free & Affordable Things to Do this Winter.