Maryland Restaurant Earns Spot on Eater DC’s Best New Restaurants List for July 2026

A newly opened restaurant in Silver Spring has earned a place among the region’s top dining destinations after being featured on Eater DC’s Best New Restaurants Around D.C. list for July 2026. Notably, it is the only Maryland restaurant included in this month’s roundup, which highlights standout restaurants that have opened across the Washington area within the last six months.

Emma’s Torch officially welcomed customers to its new home at 1200 East-West Highway in Silver Spring on June 12, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held the previous day. The move marks a significant expansion for the nonprofit organization, which relocated from its former Washington, D.C. location.

The new 4,500-square-foot space serves as Emma’s Torch’s regional flagship and is more than four times larger than its previous café. With the additional room, the organization expects to train over 185 students each year while providing seating for around 60 guests. The expanded facility also includes space for private events and a larger catering operation.

Founded in 2016 by CNN Hero Kerry Brodie, Emma’s Torch combines a public café with a culinary training program that helps refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking build careers in the hospitality industry. Since launching, the nonprofit has enrolled more than 700 students from over 75 countries and says its graduates have collectively seen more than $34 million in increased wages.

Guests can visit the café from Tuesday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a menu featuring breakfast, lunch, pastries, specialty coffee, and weekend brunch. Popular offerings include house-made biscuits, avocado toast, crispy chicken sandwiches, brown butter pancakes, vegan shakshuka, and a selection of coffee and tea drinks.

Looking ahead, Emma’s Torch plans to enhance the Silver Spring location with outdoor seating and an expanded beverage program that will include beer, wine, and cocktails.

The recognition from Eater DC comes just weeks after the restaurant’s debut, adding to the momentum for the nonprofit’s newest location as it continues its mission of creating career opportunities through culinary training while serving the local community.