Takoma Park Travel Guide

Browse the specialty stores: vintage clothing, Mission-style home decor, fine handcrafts (e.g., pottery), Tibetan furnishings, a truly wonderful independent book and toy store (Chuck & Dave's), and more! A really eclectic mix.

Owned and run by a Palestinian family from Ramallah, this place is right in the center of oldtown, next to Marks Kitchen. It used to be just a grocery store, but has expanded into being a proper restaurant. Nice, friendly staff. Good service, and serves all your favorite Levantine dishes (falafel, shwarma, hummous, baba ghanouj, etc.).

Favorite Dish: Once I went in with a friend and we were both starved. The waitress recommended the mezze (a sampling of a whole bunch of appetizers like hummous, etc.), and it was both filling and tasty and cost about $6 apiece.

One part of the mezze which I haven't had elsewhere is an olive-chickpea spread which is really really good.

Favorite thing: Attend the renowned Folk Festival held annually in September. There's folk, but there's also gospel, jazz, a cappella, and international sounds (Thai, West African, etc.). There's international food, too, and there are usually kid-friendly activities.