In Bethesda, we help retailers and restaurants weigh Bethesda Row against Woodmont Triangle, sort out what each space needs to build out, and negotiate the lease. Our work also covers the rest of Montgomery County, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.
Bethesda Row or Woodmont Triangle?
Downtown Bethesda has two main retail districts a few blocks apart.
- Bethesda Row (Bethesda Avenue, Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street) is the tighter, pricier market. Montgomery Planning staff have told the county's Bethesda advisory committee that the Bethesda Row area is among the strongest retail areas in the region, with rents above $100 per square foot, and that smaller spaces for quick-serve restaurants are in high demand.
- Woodmont Triangle (Norfolk, Fairmont, Cordell and St. Elmo avenues) has drawn a run of independent restaurants. The same briefing described parts of the Triangle as "in limbo" because of older buildings and land assembly, so building condition varies a lot from block to block.
Source: Montgomery Planning, Bethesda Implementation Advisory Committee minutes, Nov. 7, 2025.
Where People Go in Bethesda
- The Food Market (4720 Hampden Lane): chef Chad Gauss's restaurant recently opened its Bethesda location.
- Sushi Masato (4914 Hampden Lane): chef Raymond Yu's sushi and omakase spot, recently opened.
- Six Ways to Sunday (8003 Norfolk Avenue) and Call Your Mother (4828 St. Elmo Avenue, recently opened) in Woodmont Triangle.
- Agora (One Bethesda Metro Center): the Mediterranean restaurant's first Maryland location, recently opened.
- Green & Bean (4600 East-West Highway): an independent gift, home goods and flower-bar shop.
Sources: Washingtonian, Bethesda neighborhood guide, Oct. 12, 2026; MoCo Show on The Food Market; MoCo Show on Call Your Mother.
Coming to Bethesda
- Prato, the Michelin-listed Italian restaurant from Winter Park, Florida, is coming soon to 7278 Woodmont Avenue.
- Ted's Bulletin: Steve Salis bought the building at 7715 Woodmont Avenue for $7 million and plans a Ted's Bulletin there.
- No Regrets Pizza is coming soon to 4925 Fairmont Avenue in Woodmont Triangle.
Sources: Washingtonian (Prato, Ted's Bulletin); Michelin Guide, Prato; Hoodline on No Regrets Pizza.
Montgomery County Retail by the Numbers
Montgomery Planning's latest Countywide Retail Market Assessment reports:
- About 37.7 million SF of retail countywide, supporting nearly 70,000 jobs.
- 6.0% retail vacancy as reported by CoStar. The report notes that this counts only space actively on the market.
- More than 2,000 restaurants, nearly a quarter of all retail businesses in the county.
- Retail in mixed-use buildings is under 5% of the county's retail space but nearly a quarter of the retail space built in the past decade. In Bethesda, that means many newer storefronts sit at the base of apartment or office buildings, alongside older standalone storefronts.
Source: Montgomery Planning, 2026 Countywide Retail Market Assessment (PDF), Oct. 2026 and summary.
Our Bethesda and Montgomery County Work
- Takumi Japanese Bistro & Bar, 4929 Bethesda Avenue, 2,850 SF, steps from Bethesda Row (tenant rep)
Nearby, we lease Rockville Town Center and centers in Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village and Germantown. See Maryland retail space.
Bethesda Permits and Licenses
Bethesda isn't a city. It's an unincorporated part of Montgomery County, so building permits go through the county's Department of Permitting Services, and food-service licenses and inspections go through the county's Department of Health and Human Services. Liquor licenses go through Montgomery County's Alcohol Beverage Services and its Board of License Commissioners. Plan for inspections between finishing construction and opening day.
Questions About Bethesda Retail Space
Is Bethesda Row or Woodmont Triangle better for a restaurant? It depends on your concept and budget. Prime space around Bethesda Row can rent for $100 per square foot or more. Woodmont Triangle has drawn many of the newer independent restaurants, but some older buildings there need more work. We'll tour both with you.
Do you have Bethesda listings? Call us for current availability. We can compare spaces around Bethesda Row and Woodmont Triangle against your size, budget and buildout needs. See Tenant Representation.
Who handles permits for a Bethesda restaurant? Montgomery County. Bethesda is unincorporated, so building permits, health inspections and liquor licensing all run through county agencies.
Who do I call about Bethesda retail space? Call Andrew Poncher, SVP and Director of Leasing, at (571) 765-4430, or John Marigliano, Senior Vice President, at (571) 765-4423.
Regions we serve: Maryland, Washington, DC and Northern Virginia.