Whether comfort to you means a crispy fried chicken sandwich or slow braised short ribs with mashed potatoes, these DMV area restaurants and eateries are sure to blow your mind. Craving a taste of home? Visit these local spots and you’ll be transported back to your favorite childhood comfort dishes.
The Best Winter Comfort Foods in Maryland
Maryland offers residents and visitors alike a diverse selection of area restaurants. These local joints have your favorite comfort dishes, such as chicken soup, hearty chili, risotto, and even a melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork sandwich!
Rustic Chicken Soup for the Soul from Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill
Where? 6501 America Boulevard, Hyattsville
Get ready to take your tastebuds on an amazing journey through the South at the Carolina Kitchen Bar & Grill. The menu includes a range of apps, like Carolina fried oysters, crab bites, mini cheeseburgers, and sweet potato fries, as well as soups and salads like the Carolina fried chicken salad and the Rustic Chicken Soup for the Soul that can be ordered in a cup or bowl. The soup combines chicken, onions, peppers, tomatoes, cabbage, corn, black-eyed peas, collard greens and potatoes. You can also order the Country Combo with Thai chili wings, jerk wings, lobster tail, and crab bites or the Carolina BBQ pulled pork sandwich with cajun fries. Other classic comfort foods on the menu include the grilled baby back ribs, the cajun chicken and shrimp, and one of the delicious warm cobblers (apple, peach, or blackberry).
Julep Chili from Julep Kitchen & Bar
Where? 2207 Forest Drive, Annapolis
Julep Kitchen & Bar is Annapolis’ premier spot for BBQ and creative southern comfort cuisine, as well as homemade desserts and an extensive bourbon list and bar program. The menu has all things comforting, classic, and delicious — including the award-winning wings rubbed with special seasonings and smoked over pecan wood for three hours before being flash-fried! The Julep chili is made with 22 ingredients, featuring 7 chiles, red beans, brisket, and a smoky tomato sauce. The chili is served with cornbread, making it the perfect hearty dish for a cold winter day in Maryland! Other entree options include the smoked fried chicken, the shrimp and grits, the chicken fried steak, the meatloaf, and the Texas brisket! Whatever your comfort food of choice, you’re likely to find it at Julep! Don’t skip over the cocktail selection and order a smoked old fashioned or a mint julep to warm you up after a day spent out in the snow.
Fried Chicken Sandwich from Cafe Nola
Where? 4 East Patrick Street, Frederick
Cafe Nola is serving up fare using organic ingredients, vegetarian options, and creative cocktails. The menu features breakfast favorites such as French toast, smoked hash, steak and eggs, and even a vegan breakfast sandwich. Patrons can enjoy bagels, southwest egg rolls, and even cheese curds and wings at Cafe Nola or get straight into the “Between the Breads” section of the menu, where you’ll find the Nola burger, the BLT, the Falafel Wrap, and the Fried Chicken Sandwich with buttermilk fried chicken breast, pickles, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, and a brioche bun. The menu also includes a wide selection of coffee, espresso, and brunch cocktails like Irish coffees, mimosas, and the Nola Bloody Mary. Happy hour at Cafe Nola runs from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, so take advantage of $5 featured cocktails, $2 off wine, and a $4 draft countdown.
Scallop Risotto from The Front Porch
Where? 22770 Washington Street, Leonardtown
The Front Porch serves Southern fare, clever cocktails, and craft beer — all served in a cozy historical house with porch seats. The restaurant is serving up all your favorite comfort items, such as chicken and waffles with a honey sriracha drizzle, shrimp and grits sautéed with veggies, and house-smoked pork belly in a cajun white wine cream sauce served over a bed of white cheddar grits and the cajun jambalaya pasta with spicy andouille sausage and chicken. The scallop risotto features seared jumbo scallops served over creamy jalapeño bacon barley risotto topped with bacon and green onion. If your idea of a comfort dish features greenery, you can enjoy the maple salmon salad or the sriracha shrimp salad. The Front Porch doesn’t skimp on the sides, either, with cinnamon sugar sweet potatoes, sautéed green beans, and crispy garlic parmesan potatoes all rounding out the menu offering.
Pulled Pork Sandwich from Mission BBQ
Where? 885 Rockville Pike, Rockville
Mission BBQ is proud to prepare great food and provide great service. When you’re looking for a cozy place to hide out on a cold winter day in Maryland, enjoy Smokehouse Signatures like the baby back ribs and the smoked cheeseburger, or inquire about the Black Plate Special. Sandwiches include brisket, turkey, pulled chicken, and pulled pork served either traditional or NC style. Make it a combo and add a side and a fountain drink. Sides include Maggie’s mac-n-cheese, baked beans, fresh-cut fries, and baked cheesy potatoes. If you want to pick up a comfort meal to go, grab one of the “Pick Up Packs” that serve 5 or more people. Choose your smoked meats, sides, bakery items, and homemade sauces to treat your family to a delicious and hearty meal this winter.
Shrimp Scampi Gnocchi from Heritage 485
Where? 485 Main Street, Prince Frederick
Heritage 485 is historic down to its bones! This 1732 Calvert County courthouse now serves as a culinary wonderland that’s waiting for you to explore the menu. Start your experience with appetizers like crab dip, rotisserie wings, French onion meatballs, and the shrimp cargot baked in a lemon, garlic, and herb butter sauce and topped with gruyere. The risotto balls are also a fan favorite and are served with marinara sauce. Entrees include a traditional bolognese with aged parmesan, heritage crab cakes with collards, the filet mignon with parmesan roasted potatoes and country green beans, and shrimp scampi gnocchi with a garlic cream sauce. Happy hour bites are served at the bar only from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, such as deviled eggs, cream of crab soup, chicken tenders, and a shrimp cocktail!
The Best Winter Comfort Foods in Washington D.C.
Craving comfort on a plate in DC? You’re in luck! The capital city knows a thing or two about southern comfort cooking, from the country-fried steak at Georgia Brown’s to the oxtail dinner at Miss Toya’s!
Meatloaf from Unconventional Diner
Where? 1207 9th Street NW
Unconventional Diner is open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, serving brunch daily until 3:45 PM. Dinner begins after 4:00 PM, with a range of traditional staples like fried chicken, chicken noodle soup, double cheeseburger and fries, and cajun shrimp and grits. If you want to throw it back to one of your mother’s go-to dinner recipes, meatloaf, then the diner has it covered. The meatloaf dinner combines veal, pork, and beef, and the loaf is topped with a sriracha glaze and served over morel gravy and alongside mashed potatoes.
Oxtail Dinner at Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen
Where? 3216 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Miss Toya’s is serving up comfort food in a casual setting. The menu has all of the Southern staples, such as deviled eggs, stuffed shrimp, fried green tomatoes, and plenty of gumbo to go around. The entrees include Miss Toya’s Famous Fried Chicken with a southern seasoning blend, served with mac and cheese and sweet potatoes, and the loaded seafood pasta with shrimp, crab meat, and a crab leg. The oxtail dinner delights diners with southern-style stewed oxtails served with collard greens and white rice. Whether you’re in search of a hearty serving of grits, gumbo, or a chicken waffle — Miss Toya’s will have you coming back for more.
Country Fried Steak from Georgia Brown’s
Where? 950 15th Street NW
Georgia Brown’s is an elegant restaurant serving upscale twists on your favorite classics from the southern coast. The country fried steak is mouthwatering and you’re likely to find yourself reminiscing about it long after you’ve cleared your plate. The ribeye is served with jalapeño cream corn, garlic mashed potatoes, and a spicy southern gravy. Diners will also be enticed by the grilled lamb chops and the roasted chicken served with fingerling potatoes and sautéed green beans. Georgia Brown’s also serves Carolina gumbo, creole blackened salmon, and “Devil” shrimp stuffed with crab and served alongside sautéed spinach, macaroni and cheese, smoked pepper, and a butter sauce.
The Best Winter Comfort Foods in Northern Virginia
Northern Virginia has a range of offerings for those in search of comfort dishes, from southern-inspired biscuits and gravy at Ruthie’s All-Day to New Orleans Shrimp and Creamy Grit Cakes from Carlyle, you’ll feel right at home when you take your first bite!
Biscuits and Gravy from Ruthie’s All-Day
Where? 3411 5th Street South, Arlington
Ruthie’s All-Day is a family-friendly neighborhood eatery and bar, with a custom-built wood-burning hearth that’s perfectly suited for cold winter days! The restaurant is open for coffee/breakfast counter service, full-service lunch and dinner, and a brunch on the weekends. There are few things more comforting than an order of biscuits and gravy, complete with pork shoulder sausage and sage and two fried eggs! Ruthie’s has you covered on their weekend brunch menu, along with other comforting southern staples like the brisket bennie with a black pepper hollandaise and a hearty serving of grits with pulled pork. You can even order a breakfast cocktail to keep the good vibes rolling, such as an Irish coffee with Jameson or a Bloody Mary with Tito’s, tomato juice, house spices, pickled okra, and a pimento garnish.
New Orleans Shrimp & Creamy Grit Cakes from Carlyle
Where? 4000 Campbell Avenue, Arlington
Carlyle is known for serving fresh takes on New American bistro fare, all in a vibrant and cozy dining room with a lively bar — perfect for date night! Diners always enjoy the freshly baked bread and the pastries sourced from next door’s Best Buns Bakery and Burgers. The full menu offering spans sandwiches such as the Lobster Roll and the Cheddar Cheeseburger to beef & rib options such as BBQ Baby Back Ribs and the 5 Star Reserve Ribeye. On the fresh seafood, chicken, and pasta section of the menu, hungry diners will be enticed by the Crispy Fish Tacos, the Jambalaya Pasta, and the New Orleans Shrimp & Creamy Grit Cakes with sautéed shrimp, Smithfield ham, roasted veggies, and a Cajun cream. It doesn’t get more comforting than that on a frigid day! As far as sweets go, save some room for the Deep-Dish Apple Pecan Pie or the Warm White Chocolate Bread Pudding with a bourbon custard sauce.
Short Ribs from Virtue Feed & Grain
Where? 106 South Union Street
Virtue Feed & Grain features a modern American tavern menu, made with fresh, local flavors and ingredients and a seasonal perspective. Each day, the culinary team skillfully works from scratch to deliver an authentic and delicious offering to patrons. The short ribs are braised in red wine and served with sautéed mushrooms, garlic mashed potatoes, and the vegetable of the day for a true stick-to-your-bones meal that will keep you full and warm on a cold winter day in Northern Virginia. Other entree favorites include the steak & duck fat fries, the grilled Australian lamb chops, and the bacon-wrapped scallops. Diners will want to save room for dessert, such as the center-cut donuts or the rich flourless chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis.
Whole Milk Ricotta Cavatelli from Evelyn Rose
Where? 111 Church Street NW, Vienna
The menu at Evelyn Rose evolves with the seasons, as the restaurant sources ingredients close to home so the dishes are always fresh, surprising, and sustainable. The dinner menu features appetizers like the crispy honey patch squash tamale with spiced mushrooms and toasted pepitas, the French onion rings with red wine braised short rib, and the Pennsylvania veal sweetbreads with roasted parsnip, apple puree, and a smoked aji dulce. The whole milk ricotta cavatelli is the pasta of your dreams, featuring braised brisket and pork shoulder, a tomato gravy, and Chef Nick’s meatballs — all topped with 24-month-old parmesan. Entree options include the grilled marinated heritage pork chop with fingerling sweet potatoes and the caramelized day boat scallops with spaghetti squash, sun-dried tomatoes, and ginger confit.
Enjoy Your Favorite Winter Comfort Dishes around the DMV!
The DMV region doesn’t lack high-quality restaurants serving up delicious entrees, such as comfort classics like fried chicken, chili, and chicken noodle soup! Whatever dish makes you feel right at home during the winter, you’re sure to find it somewhere in Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia.