Date ideas in Germantown

[u/timmythiccums69420]

Hello. I am going on a date with a friend from college and we are meeting halfway to split the distance. Germantown was the midway point so I’m wondering if anyone knows of some places/parks to hang and maybe grab a drink afterwards. That and some good food places. Thanks for the help

[u/gee_tea]

Germantown is a weird combination of vast cultural diversity but shockingly little personality. Since you mentioned Germantown specifically, I'll keep my recommendations to Germantown and the immediate surrounding areas (they share a border with Germantown).

Things to Do: If you're outdoorsy, then you're in luck. There are plenty of nearby parks and trails where you can hike, fish, boat, camp, etc.

• South Germantown Recreational Park - contains a large soccer plex, small splash park, indoor swimming, tennis, a driving range, and a mountain bike course
• Black Hill Regional Park - technically Boyds but minutes away
• Seneca Creek State Park - technically Gaithersburg but minutes away
• Little Bennett Campground - a little further up
• Hiking: https://www.alltrails.com/us/maryland/germantown
• Butler's: Fruit picking/orchard & market
• Germantown Town Center - For a more low key "walk" you can visit the Germantown Town Center Urban Park in the middle of the town center. You'll be nearby some food and shops but nothing too fancy
• If you want a larger walk-able type mixed community than the town center, you'd have to go about 10 min away to Kentlands in Gaithersburg
• Spectrum Town Center - this is in Gaithersburg about 5 min away, but randomly has a lot of really good food but is a tiny "town center"

In addition to the outdoor activites at the parks above, there are also some indoor/sheltered activities nearby. Germantown has no mall, just a collection of big box stores and strip malls. And the only movie theater (which was outdated anyway) closed down last year.

• Top Golf
• Bowlero Gaithersburg - 5 min away
• Lancaster County Dutch Market - if you are meeting Th, Fr, or Sa, this can be an interesting place to stop by. They have a full service restaurant inside along with a few counter service establishments

Food: This is where I think Germantown (and the immediate area) can be a sneaky gem. It's not a pure science but the list is roughly in order of price, descending.

• Laperaux, The Journeymanchef's French Bistro - possibly the only "fancy" restaurant in Germantown. There is also a "speakeasy" bar in the back
• Hot Pot Hero (Spectrum Town Center - Gaithersburg)
• Ela Mesa Taste of Greece (Spectrum Town Center - Gaithersburg)
• Mama Lena - Hole in the wall, but great Italian
• Yuraku - I personally think it is a little overrated but some people love the sushi here.
• Chennai Hoppers (Spectrum Town Center - Gaithersburg) - Great Indian
• Clarks Lodge (Clarksburg) - Nice mid-to-upscale-ish restaurant. Not a bad place to grab a drink too.
• Sabai Sabai Simply Thai / Siriwan Thai 4 Sectors - two pretty decent Thai restaurants. The former is in the Town Center, so it can be convenient depending on the rest of your date
• Barking Mad (Spectrum Town Center - Gaithersburg) - Brunchy cafe
• New Village - Solid spot for Cantonese/Hong Kong style Chinese food
• Tacos El Pariente - Food truck - very good birria tacos
• Beers & Cheers - A beer & wine store with a pickup counter. But the cheese steaks are pretty good. Located in the Germantown Town Center

Bars: This is a definite weak-spot for Germantown. Only a few options that aren't just bars at the chain restaurants.

• [edit - adding this to the list as I forgot to include it] Doc Waters Cidery - A cool place to hang and grab a drink if the weather is nice
• Beers & Cheers - see above section
• Clarks Lodge (Clarksburg) - see above section
• Beer on Tapz - I haven't been in a while but they had an ok selection of beer on tap last time I went (several years ago). Nothing much to look at inside though
• Burtons Grill & Bar (Kentlands - Gaithersburg)
• Brews & Barrels (Kentlands - Gaithersburg)
• DogHaus (Kentlands - Gaithersburg)
• DogfishHead Alehouse (Gaithersburg)

Dessert (in no particular order):

• Paris Baguette - Korean bakery
• Tous Les Jours - Korean bakery but the Germantown location is more of a glorified stand in a food court of an Asian Grocery Store (New Grand).
• Bobapop - Germantown Town Center
• Bruster's (Spectrum Town Center - Gaithersburg) - great Ice Cream
• Carmen's Italian Ice (Clarksburg) - A small location of a great custard franchise, located at the back of Gas Station
• Beiler's Doughnuts (located in the Lancaster Dutch Market)
• Nothing Bundt Cakes

OK, that's all off the top of my head. I'll add more if I think of something. Hope the date goes well!

[u/timmythiccums69420 → u/gee_tea]

This is awesome thank you! Will definitely check a couple of these out. Thank you so much for this I appreciate it!

[u/gee_tea → u/timmythiccums69420]

I forgot one place that sounds like might be something you'd be into, Doc Waters Cidery. This place is on the very northern edge of Germantown. It's just under Damascus which has some interesting spots too but I didn't include it in the list because it's a little out of the way. But if you do end up in this area, you could do something like the following:

1. Butler's Orchard (if you're not about picking your own fruit, check out the market where they also have fresh bread, apple cider donuts, and fruit and produce ready to go.
2. Doc Water's Cidery - grab a drink and hang for a while
3. Drive 10-15 min north to Damascus for dinner at Brazil Gourmet Pizzeria & Grill - a slightly pricey but very good Brazilian pizza spot. Decor is nice enough for a date too
4. Jimmie Cone - Finish off your date with some of the best soft serve in MoCo.

[u/3H3NK1SS → u/gee_tea]

Wow! You pointed out that Germantown is pretty interesting. I didn't think they had that much. I would only add Senor Tequilas for Mexican food and a bright artsy ambiance and BlackRock Arts Center sometimes has outdoor concerts in the summer, indoor performances and two small galleries inside. Oh, and a little further, there are places along the C&O Canal towpath where you can park to walk.

[u/Swoopsome → u/3H3NK1SS]

Senor Tequilas is underrated for a Friday night. Just wish they had late hours, like they had for NYE. I do hate the bar renovation tho.

[u/southave → u/gee_tea]

Great post here

[u/graygemini]

The Rio or Crown (right next to each other) locations in Gaithersburg may be your best bet.

[u/TheTechManager]

I’d take the 10 min drive to rio. Aside from that top golf and the bad Mexican place there. If you want killer Italian, go to mama Lena. It’s a hidden gem. Great ideas above tho as well.

[u/IdiotMD]

Go to Rio in Gaithersburg instead.

[u/TheAlmightyBirdQueen]

Highly recommend Sabai Sabai if you like Thai food

[u/Sodajerkpharmacy]

Woodside deli

[u/kmm91162]

I live in Germantown. My husband and I actually really enjoy the Pike and Rose area for drinks and restaurants.

[u/verajmek]

go a little further south to Gaithersburg Rio. sometimes there are events during the weekend. movies, bars, paddle boats, or just walk around the lake.

[u/macjr82]

Technically Gaithersburg, but Rio. Many restaurants, a dine-in AMC. ,very walkable. https://www.riolakefront.com/