Although Washington, DC, has a bustling dining scene with celebrity chefs and glitzy restaurants, locals know the DC metro area, known as the DMV, is where you can get some of the best global dining on the East Coast. Yes, I said it. As you guys know, I don’t use the word “best” loosely. For example, Prince George’s County, right across Washington, DC border, is home to plenty of international and independently owned restaurants.
When I lived with NE Washington, DC, we used to drive 20 minutes and treat ourselves to our favorite international eats. Bonus: it’s affordable and has plenty of (free) parking. Last month, I returned to the area and went on a virtual global trip through food. From Nigeria Jollof rice to Colombian empanadas, here are eight places to eat in Prince Georges County:
Ritchies Colombian Restaurant: an authentic Colombian restaurant in College Park, Maryland
Our first stop: Ritchie’s Colombian Restaurant in College Park. The dining room is lively, playing Colombian vallenato music and a wide selection of Colombian classics on the menu. We began with Colombian empanadas, made with corn meal filled with savory cheese and meat and fried into an irresistible crispy treat. After, we shared a bandeja paisa, a traditional dish of grilled steak and pork, rice and beans, sausage, plantains, and avocado. The bandeja is a big helping, so I suggest ordering one to share because you will need room for the passion fruit flan! We also loved the friendly service. Even though we arrived during a lunch rush, the food arrived quickly.
Ritchies Colombian Restaurant, 7313 Baltimore Ave suite H, College Park, MD
Main Street Coffee and Treats: a cozy black-owned cafe in Upper Marlboro, Maryland
If you’re looking for a cozy neighborhood cafe, check out Main Street Coffee and Treats in the picturesque main street of Upper Marlboro. The space is small yet quaint, with friendly staff. Aside from coffee sourced from local roasters, the cafe has a tempting selection of baked treats, and I ordered a scrumptious lemon glazed doughnut to go with my latte. They also offer breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Main Street Coffee and Treats, 14708 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD
Jollof Etcetera: Nigerian restaurant in Landover Hills, Maryland
If you’re looking for West African cuisine, Prince George’s County is the place to go in the DC metro area. Several Nigerian and Ghanaian restaurants in the area range from family to lively restaurants that morph into dance clubs. We dined at Jollof Etcetera in Hyattsville, a casual Nigerian restaurant on a small strip mall. It was my friend’s first time eating Nigerian food, and our server was kind enough to walk her through the menu and give her suggestions. We ended up with the classics such as beef suya, spicy beef tips with onion, meat pie with a buttery, flaky crust, and ended with the classic Nigerian dish, jollof rice. Everything was yummy and freshly made. Side note: I loved the music at Jollof Etcetera, some great afrobeat tunes to sway to while dining.
Jollof Etcetera, 7463 Annapolis Rd, Landover Hills, MD
Dutch Village Farmers Market
If you haven’t been to Dutch Village Farmer’s Market in Prince George’s County and you live in the area, shame on you! As a person obsessed with food markets, this unique one delivers. This Amish Market in Upper Marlboro is a bustling market serving fresh baked goods, meats, cheeses, and hand-crafted goods. I recommend you start with a warm pretzel out of the oven and work around the market. For the carb lovers (like me), you will find every type of bread, cake, and doughnut imaginable, so I recommend pacing yourself! I also enjoyed shopping at the dry goods stall for popping corn, grits, and spices. Tip: the red popping corn is a must-buy!
Wine Stop: Romano’s Winery
When looking for where to eat in Prince George’s County, don’t rule out the wineries! Romano’s Winery, a family-owned winery, is a fun stop in Prince Georges’s County. Technically, not a place to eat, BUT you can buy snacks at Dutch Village Farmer’s Market and pair donuts with wine! If you forget to bring your snacks, they offer a small selection of cheeses, crackers, and charcuterie. There’s a selection of whites and reds; you can do a tasting, flights, or by bottle. In addition to the tasting room, there’s a charming outdoor area with a beautiful view of the vineyard. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to enjoy it because it was freezing outside, but I’ll need to go back in the fall. I bet it looks lovely that time of the year.
Romanon’s Winery, 15715 Bald Eagle School Rd, Brandywine, MD
Local Gathering Spot: Denizens Brewing Co
Besides where to eat in Prince George’s County, there are plenty of places to drink craft beer, and one of the most popular is Denizens Brewing Co. This local-owned brewery is a popular hangout in Riverdale Park, making their brews in-house and a yummy pub menu. There are around a dozen beers on tap, from a rich, chocolaty stout to a hoppy German ale. We had the oatmeal stout with cheese fries for happy hour to start our Friday night.
Denizens Brewing Co, 4550 Van Buren St, Riverdale Park, MD
Korean BBQ at Iron Pig
Are you looking for Korean BBQ? Iron Pig, a fun spot in Berwyn Heights, has an amazing all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ for $36.99 per person. The neon decor and large screen TVs playing Kpop hits to give it a clubby vibe, which sets the tone for our Friday night. Order one of their colorful mocktails and pace yourself with grilled pork belly, bulgogi, and my favorite of the evening, the baby octopus. Along with the BBQ, you get plenty of banchan and a side of cheese corn and tofu soup.
Iron Pig, 6107 Greenbelt Rd, Berwyn Heights, MD
La Placita for Tacos
For delicious tacos, check out La Placita in Hyattsville. This authentic Mexican restaurant is one of the best-known tacos in Prince George’s County. Get there early, especially on the weekends, as it gets busy with a mix of Mexican and Central American families, construction workers, and people from DC searching for authentic tacos that are hard to find in the DC proper. Grab a hibiscus agua fresca and a chicharrón taco, thank me later!
Where to Eat in Prince George’s County: The Verdict
Whether you live in the DC area or visit the region, travel to the suburbs for a taste of the world. There are plenty of places in Prince George’s County highlighting the diversity the area is known for.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Experience Prince George’s County. As always, opinions are my own, and I personally picked the places featured on this post with no influence from my sponsors.
