Gardenia is just what I needed for a relaxing and filling breakfast. I showed up for the Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (and Chicken and Waffles), and was recommended to try their Pupusas. Everything was so fresh and delicious. Everyone greeted me with a kind and genuine smile. I could feel that everyone was proud to represent their amazing establishment, and cared immensely for the customer experience and quality of food. Also, the medium/dark coffee they served was outstanding and paired perfectly with both sweet and savory dishes. Thanks to everyone at Gardenia, I am excited to return again. read more

Note: They have (2) large communal tables for larger groups, so another suggestion for them would be to replace those with (4) X Four Tables which allows for more flexibility;) ADDITIONAL ITEMS TRIED: ** Lemon Bar = (4.15) Very tasty ** Breakfast Pizza = (4.15) Very good, although I had to use a knife & fork to eat it, so I would recommend half the amount of cheese. read more

This place is an absolute gem. It's a little privately owned cafe-style place that makes really delicious coffees with all the care in the world put into making your drink of choice look elegant and delicious in its kitschy little ceramic mugs and cups. No, onto the food. The omelettes are elegant and simple. All of the ingredients and eggs are very fresh. It's sort of an elevated version of a classic omelette with absolutely no prétention. That may seem pretty straight forward and that's because it is. It's not trying to be anything it's not or seem "fancy" for the sake of "fancy". This isn't your roadside diner menu items...it's given more care and attention than that (no shade to roadside diners because they are exactly what they need to be and that's perfect). Now...my personal favorite, which speaks volumes of you were to know me, is the Strawberry Shortcake pancakes. I like pancakes as much as the next person but I usually don't order them because it's usually too "heavy" for me because it sends me into a euphoric carb-induced coma that has me wanting a nap. However...these have become my standard order. It's pancakes with tiny bits of strawberry and "shortcake" in the batter which comes out in the most perfect fluffy, light, pillowy discs you Could ask for. Describing the "strawberry shortcake" aspect is difficult but the best way I can think of is to imagine the outside of a strawberry shortcake Good Humor bar, reducing its sweetness a bit and if it was put into pancake batter. It's absolutely incredible. I'd eat these perfect saucer-shaped pillows every weekend if I could (my pants would hate me if I did. They aren't overly sweet AT ALL and don't have added textures to them or seem like throwing candy in a batter. It's just perfect and the best iteration of these in the decades of breakfast eating. The service is very warm and friendly. Each person has the familiarity of a mom or grandmother making you breakfast. The dining room is smaller (about 6-8 tables) and it is always busy (for good reason) but not to a degree of compromising quality. In the half a dozen times I've gone, the most I've had to wait was maybe 5min at most. If you like breakfast/brunch and to Leave feeling happy, satisfied, caffeinated and a feeling of home, make this your destination. You won't regret it. read more

The last time I passed through here, this spot had become quite popular. On this visit, it was no different, but I was willing to wait, plus I heard they had a new order kiosk and wanted to check it out. I lucked out when I arrived as I was able to get a table within 5 to 10 minutes after arriving. They have 8 tables total: 3 two-seaters; 2 four-seaters; 2 six-seaters, all indoors and 1 three-seater with high stools, outdoors. Before putting in my order, I grabbed a menu by the register as the kiosk was down at the time. In a few minutes, I figured out what I wanted and within that time, the kiosk was up again - it just needed paper. It was easy to use. The screen starts off with 2 choices: "for here" or "to go" and it states it will only accept Card payments. It then shows sections on the left of the screen, and they are in alphabetical order, for example: Bagels and Biscuits, Bakery, Brunch, Salads & Entrees, to name a few. As you click on each section, it then shows the choices within. You get to see the name of the item, a picture and the price. I forgot to check if a description is provided as well. I ordered from the Brunch menu and got the Belgian Berry Waffle, described as homemade Belgian waffle, with organic fresh blueberries & strawberries, whipped topping & organic strawberry sauce. I also ordered a Sip-N-Green Smoothie described as having spinach, granny smith, lime, avocado, chia seeds, plantain, and cane sugar. At the bottom of the screen it shows the quantity you have in your cart in addition to a subtotal amount. Once you have checked out, you get to enter your name and are then prompted to pay using the little device on the side. As soon as I made payment, I instantly got a receipt which also had a number on it and my name below. As I saw others who used the kiosk as well, I was unsure if the number was going to be called or the name (from my receipt), to let me know when my order was ready. I later discovered it was neither - don't know if that is something they will change in the future. I eventually got my order - the smoothie came later as I was reminded that they make it from scratch. All was worth the wait. I am one that likes to drown waffles or pancakes in syrup before I can eat them. It is not often that a spot can get me to eat these items without it that way. Well, I can add Gardenia's to my list (there is only one other on the list: "Zoe's Pancakes" from Hootch and Banter in Frederick). The Belgian Berry Waffle, has no syrup, but not to worry, the way how these waffles are made and how they are served, makes me not want to need syrup. The berries were sweet, but not overly sweet. I had a wallop of whipped cream, and the organic strawberry sauce was just enough to spread across the plate. For each bite I took, I made sure to have a little of everything on my plate - a piece of a waffle, with some of the berries, a little of the sauce and whipped cream. Yum. Yum. The Smoothie was great. I had it once before and it continues to be delicious. I grabbed a Tres Leches Cake but didn't need it, as I was fully satisfied with what I had. Glad I revisited them and it was great to see the "Mom" again. She continues to be wonderful. read more

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Time for an updated review. On this occasion, I stopped in with my sister. Service was exceptional as always. This is a quaint little place great for dining in our carry-out. I ordered a simple grilled chicken sandwich but the chicken was cooked to perfection. My sister ordered a falafel wrap and she ate every bite of it. Everything was just wonderful. read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Grilled chicken sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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They are getting too big for their britches.... We went in and ordered at register and then friend went to New kiosk.....they didn't have a system for the kiosk cuz they kept bringing food to different tables, not knowing who it belonged to. Friend's drink was not correct and corned beef hash was not as before. The tiramisu was dry and other worker said it was supposed to be that way. A very big disappointment. So sorry they are falling. Sad actually. Miss the ambiance. read more

Whew!! the 5 star reviews are true...the food here is absolutely delicious!! I finally made my way here after spontaneously wanting to try a different brunch place. I pulled up my trusty yelp, and my yelp buddy Gail's reviews convinced me that this was the place to try out. When walked in, I was warmly greeted and promptly recommended a variety of items to try out since this was my first visit. I opted for the breakfast sandwich (sub sourdough biscuit) which comes with egg and melted provolone cheese, and choice of protein (I opted for bacon). omg!!! this was theee best bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit I have ever had. So good that I forgot to take a yelp pic :) Of course, I had to order another brunch item on the menu, and I was told to try out the steak and egg benedict. Prime ribeye on a sourdough bread served with egg and fried potato cake. Very delicious as well. They also offer an assortment of desserts, that include gluten free and vegan items. And outside of brunch, they offer a variety of lunch and dinner dishes, coffee/lattes, and fresh fruit/veggies smoothie and juice options. This is a great place for vegetarians and anyone with dietary sensitivities, such as diary and gluten). I ordered my food to go, but as I waited for my order, I noticed this place is relatively small and quaint, but everything feels like one big family gathering. Parking is readily available right out front, but the parking lot gets packed. And the customer service is kind and inviting. Overall, I will definitely return, and I highly recommend!! read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Ribeye Benedict - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

this is a very small little spot that we stopped by after a day of berry picking so we were tired and hungry. this is a very popular spot so it got packed pretty quickly so expect to arrive earlier and maybe share a table. we shared a table and had such good conversations with the other family there. all the food was really satisfying and we took home some key lime pies and pastries. would love to come back! read more

The food here is so good the staff here is so nice they know so much about eating clean and healthy I love that they're so passionate about it I love it here highly recommend (: read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Grilled chicken sandwhich with potato wedges - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

We were driving around the area and saw this place was opened early Sunday so decided to just pop in. At first we noticed a lot of people so we were intrigued and wanted to have coffee and brunch here. You order at the counter first and then you sit down and everyone here is so nice and friendly. I felt like I went back home to see my parents. They said almost everything they serve is made in house including the bread and the bread made a huge difference! It was soft and supple. Definitely elevated the dishes like the avocado toast and the Cobb salad. The dressing for the Cobb salad had signs it was made in house as it was bubbly and had signs it was just made and emulsified. The inside had plants and decor and it was bright. It's not a very large place, but it was busy from a lot of repeat customers. This is a good sign that a place is good. I recommend this place and will likely come back again. read more

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Still amazing food and a wonderful place to enjoy the made from scratch food. Note to the owner, it isn't right that you are passing the credit card fee to your customers, I understand times are tough, but that is the cost of doing business. Most of your food is at a premium cost, a family of five is over $100. Over some time hope you reconsider passing this fee to your customers. read more

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Two women introduced themselves and went over the specials. Both were very friendly! The second woman (Mom) told me that 90% of their menu is house made including the sour dough bread, mayo, ketchup, etc. The coffee is organic and self serve. They have a Central American and a Cuban roast today. The first sip of the Cuban roast was like a I got a defib to my body! You order and pay at the counter whether you're dining in or taking out. The business is Latina owned and run. Daughter is the baker, mom is the life of the party. Food was delicious and pastries are as yummy as they look! Benedicts are a special on the weekends. The english muffin that lines the benedict is made from the house-made sourdough I mentioned earlier. On top of the friendly, helpful staff and the delicious food I wanted to highlight that I just felt good being there. My whole experience was just a feel good experience. I live across the street so I will make it a goal of mine to go more often and bring friends! read more

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Amazing! How have I not stumbled on this place before!? We stopped in for lunch on the Friday after Christmas. It was just my mom and me. We were greeted by the nicest women who explained everything. My mom chose the vegan omelette and I had a breakfast sandwich on the homemade sourdough. We ordered coffee, so we selected cute mugs from the wall. While we waited, one of the women gave us a complimentary pastry, since it was our first time. It was almond pastry heaven. Everything was so good that I called my husband who was out and about with my girls and ordered them lunch to go. They chose the brunch burger, chicken and waffles, chicken Caesar salad, key lime pie and a chocolate chip cookie. It took a little while for the food, but glad I waited. My daughter said it was the best Caesar salad she's had. My other one compared the burger to another one she has recently and said this was much better! Her hands were messy from the juicy burger with a little runny egg, but in the best way. The only thing I didn't love was the key lime pie whipped cream had I think lavender in it. I wasn't a fan of that, but everything else was off the charts. read more

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(5/5) Gardenia is one of those places that just feels warm and inviting the moment you walk in. Whether you're stopping by for a morning coffee, a fresh pastry, or a light meal, everything is made with care and tastes fantastic. Their baked goods are always fresh--flaky, buttery, and perfect with a cup of their rich coffee or tea. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the cozy atmosphere makes it a great spot to relax or catch up with friends. I always leave satisfied and look forward to my next visit. If you haven't been yet, definitely check out Gardenia for a little everyday indulgence that feels special. read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

And in conclusion........ The food here is fantastic! The veggie burgers were so good, and so was the side. I don't remember the side, just that we loved everything. read more

Delicious food. Great service. Cozy cafe ambiance. Love the rosemary lamb burger- well seasoned and cooked perfectly. Highly recommend.

Wonderful and friendly staff. Great food, good portions. Little place with not many tables, but well worth it!

Service was great. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Food was fresh and delicious.

AMAZING STAFF! We came here for a quick little coffee break together. But why the 3/5? LETS GET TO IT! Staff: AMMMAZING STAFF! They are the sweetest and most welcoming staff when it comes to service. I came with my boyfriend and the tables were all full. They asked if we want to share a table which were two girls. BUT it was uncomfortable how the lady was like "of course! Why wouldn't you guys not want to sit next to two beautiful ladies" It was kind of strange, because 1. I am with my boyfriend and even my boyfriend was like huh? Does it seem like I care if there's beautiful girls on my table. 2. Are you saying that I'm not beautiful? 3. The girls giggled and kept staring at my man ignoring I was even there? When we sat down the two girls kept checking out my boyfriend and kept looking at him NON STOP in front of me too. It was plain rude to check out another man in front of their gf. I understand, when I see somebody hot or gorgeous, I would take a look. But these girls kept staring at him with flirty eyes and STARING often every few minutes. It was a compliment that he's hot BUT why u staring like u want to take him lol. We both noticed and he said let's just go drink elsewhere. He didn't feel comfortable and when we left. He said he didn't like how the staff handled that by saying that comment. He also said, is this a club or something? I'm confused why the girls think this is a place to flirt or get a man's attention lol. Which made my day to see that's how I felt too Food: we were just here for drinks and desserts for a small little break. Coffee was great, maple cinnamon latte was plain and it cost $1 for oat milk. The crème brûlée was nice and light, I would get this again but the cookie was dry and generic. Nothing special. I would come back here for the crème brûlée! Price: a bit pricy for a small local business Interior: the walls are cute but it's nothing too crazy. Summary: staff is wonderful, but please keep in mind of what was said here from one of your staff and how it can turn out bad if it's sitting with the wrong "set of woman whose thirsty" Sorry, not sorry read more

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Wow! Wow! Wow! Great place. Family run and staffed, wonderful creative menu, lots of gluten free and vegan options.

This place was a fun surprise. We had papusas, which were really great, home made chicken pot pie, and they gifted us a chocolate muffin which was amazing! They don't have regular or diet soda. All their drinks are made on the premises. The food was really good. Can't wait to go back! read more

Best food!! Fresh healthy quick awesome! Could not be happier. What a lucky find!! Coffee bar is so sweet special and delicious read more

First time here. The place is very vibrant, clean and the staff is extremely friendly. This garlic turkey burger is JUICY. They give you a great slice of avocado, onion, tomato and pickles with it along with a creamy sauce. Hands down the best turkey burger I have tried (why are they always so dry elsewhere?!) This was one is a standout for sure!The platanos y crema were a beautiful color and caramelized perfectly. I heavily enjoyed my experience and will be coming back. read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Garlic Turkey Burger with a side of Platanos y Crema :) - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

One of my favorite local spots - everything I have gotten here is delicious and made with love. The service is top notch and I love the ambiance. Get hear early on the weekends if you want to dine in read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Homemade strawberry juice - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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These are lovely welcoming people I stopped there for a quick snack yesterday afternoon It was a very pleasant enjoyable atmosphere My food was great and absolutely freshly made read more

What a perfect little brunch spot! Stopped in spontaneously today and everything was so good! Everything cooked to order and homemade (including their sourdough), everything tasted so fresh and delicious. Their chicken and waffles were perfection and the berry Belgian waffles were SO good. Attentive service and the cutest little spot! Highly highly recommend. We will be back! read more

One of my fave brunch places! The staff here are so kind. In your first visit they'll usually give you a little freebie, and I love that it feels like a home away from home. Always people here because you really get a sense of local community. read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Tex Mex Quesadilla - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Went here for the first time with my wife and son. They were busy but still very attentive. The food was really good. Good portions. They gave us an item on the house which was really nice. The food is made to order and healthy not cooked in excessive oil or butter. I got the corned beef hash. My son got the strawberry pancakes which were so good too. 10/10! read more

First of all let me tell you everyone here is so sweet and they LOVE what they do!!! Service is soooo sincere and real!!! I already love them like family and only my first visit! I will be coming back and I drive 45 minutes to come! read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Special - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Upon walking in, I wasn't expecting much because of its modest interior with bright colorful walls. I'm a fan of the smiley face mugs hung on the wall. I came here with two friends two Saturdays ago because this is a fan favorite in Gaithersburg. The menu has a pretty extensive brunch selection, ranging from sweet to savory options (waffles, sandwiches, toasts, omelettes, benedicts), variety of coffee and drinks as well as baked goods and desserts -- some options with a Latin twist. BELGIAN BERRY WAFFLE - 13 Not too sweet! The presentation was lovely with strawberry sauce on the side, a good amount of berries and some fresh whipped cream. The waffles themselves were fluffy and delicious on its own, and only enhanced wonderfully by all the toppings. If you have a sweet craving, we'd recommend this. CORNED BEEF HASH - 14 This was definitely my favorite. The potatoes were perfectly seasoned and crispy. The corned beef was nicely fatty and juicy -- lots of flavor. The two scrambled eggs on top were cooked perfectly. The toast on the side was great. Nothing to complain about. Would highly recommend. MAMA'S PASTELES - 14 Each order comes with three sizable empanadas and homemade tomato dipping sauce. The empanada shell/crust was so crispy and crunchy, filled with warm and fresh ground beef and potatoes. The seasoning added a lot of depth to the flavor, and initially, I didn't think I could finish one empanada since I was quite full, but because it was so good, I ate the whole thing without hesitation. For a more Latin option, we'd highly recommend this entree. Honestly, we liked everything we ordered and we don't think you can really go wrong here. Because it was the first time for two of us, they gave us a complimentary muffin that we all enjoyed. The service was nice and wonderful, and we'd highly recommend stopping by this wonderful cafe. read more

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Looking to get out of the cookie cutter, merry-go-round of restaurants? Try Gardenia's cafe in Gaithersburg. Happened to stop by on a whim, and left fully satisfied with wonderful tastes and textures. There is a wonderfully warm, welcoming family vibe as you enter. Cozy and bright, Gardenia's features all day favorites like omelettes but also inventive sandwiches like the Farmhouse - egg, turkey sausage, cheese, onion all on homemade sourdough bread. Don't forget to leave room for dessert from an epic array of baked goods like key lime tart. We were barely able to finish a chocolate soufflé after our main courses. A great Central American vibe with the friendliest of staff. Note the hours are daily 9-5, but worth your planning. read more

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I am not exaggerating when I say Gardenia's truly has THEE absolute baked goods in Montgomery County. I came into Gardenia's initially just to get a coffee and do some work, but decided to try out some of the food on the menu because it looked so good I was not disappointed in the slightest; WOW their sourdough bread is absolutely amazing!! Aside from the amazing food, the owner/people that work there are so incredibly kind and welcoming. Some of the most attentive, caring, and home-y service I have yet to encounter. I told the owner how impressed I was with their sourdough bread, and she very kindly gave me a free sourdough bread pudding pastry :') this stuff absolutely MELTS in your mouth. She said her daughter is the baker, and makes everything from scratch Rave reviews from me. I will absolutely be back! read more

I stopped here for the second time on a Saturday morning and were greeted by every employee within sight. They are very friendly and accommodating. Love to chat and make the experience a great one for customers. We grabbed a comfty table by the door and ended up getting a bran muffin on the house. It was delicious!! I ordered the eggs Benedict and the poached egg was perfectly cooked. The hollandaise was creamy with a slight tang and I loved it. I can see why this place is top 10 in Yelp burbs. They deserve it! Keep up the great business and experience you give to customers read more

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Sunday 1/21/2024 I had first tried this place back in early 2023 only for their bakery items. I got a black bottom muffin and their bread pudding. The black bottom muffin was very but the bread pudding was terrible and extremely disappointing. I decided to come back to try some of the ACTUAL food they make and I'm glad I did. The service was great and very friendly (like the last time I went). This time around I called in my order and they were very patient with me. Once I picked up my order they were very pleasant and welcoming which goes to show how much they care about their customers and their business. I got the chicken and waffles $14, Cajun chicken pasta $15, and a vegan/ gluten free choclate chip cookie $3. The chicken and waffles were pretty mediocre: the waffle had no consistency, kept falling apart, and it was dryer than you would expected. The chicken tenders were alright but nothing special or unique. Also 14$ for that is overpriced but that's just me. The vegan/gluten free chocolate chip cookie was a miss for me, I didn't like it at all but maybe its just not for me. Now we are saving the best for last with the Cajun chicken pasta which was delicious and looked amazing (presentation wise). The pasta would've been perfect for me IF the pasta had been cooked through a bit more so that it was softer but nonetheless this item was a HIT. Overall, I'm happy to say my opinion has changed for the better on gardenia cafe. Based on what I had it seems like they really go all in on lunch/dinner dishes more so than the breakfast dishes. I would definitely recommend and return. read more

Friendly cafe with pleasant staff, family members proud of their "90 percent" prepared fresh food. They gave us a strawberry-filled corn muffin for free because "we were first-time customers" although sorry to say it's unlikely we are going to be back in this area so fellow Yelpers if you live in this area, support this business. On their recommendation, my companion ordered the enchilada burger with yucca fries. I chose the Tex-Mex quesadilla with (made from scratch, not-canned, 3-hour) black beans and rice. Instead of a bun, the enchilada burger is sandwiched between two thick homemade corn tortillas which were wonderful and crispy and the yucca fries were amazing, crispy and starchy. My Tex-Mex quesadilla had chunks of ground beef and cheese covered with cooked onions and peppers and grilled/toasted to a crispy brown. The rice/beans tasted fresh and well-seasoned and this was accompanied with a generous scoop of guacamole. They also suggested (but we didn't order) the Chile relleno which was large and vertical and looked very tempting. This was a small but very popular cafe, located in a strip mall next to other Mexican restaurants. The friendly ambience, proud (and justifiably so) proprietor, and delicious entrees, nice selection of baked goods and juices make this a very solid choice. read more

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Fluffy hotcakes and crispy bacon - my grandson's favorite "breakfast for dinner" meal! I ordered the lamb burger and it was delicious and perfectly cooked. The family owned restaurant is one of my daughter's family favorites. They usually do take away, but this was a Mimi - Josh night while the rest were ice skating, so we ate in. read more

Phenomenal food and service. I went for the first time today with my wife and was blown away!

Been craving real & healthy food & focusing on the what nutrients i need to improve my intake. Came across this place on apple maps & came to check it out. Tiny bit expensive but affordable & worth it considering the quality, love, and attention put into each dish and customer. Staff is super friendly‍ Had a good lunch date w Jesus ;) Cute lil place & the colors are welcoming read more

What a fantastic find. We were visiting Gaithersburg for the first time and woke up ready to find breakfast/lunch. Went to Yelp as we always do when we are traveling to look for those little hidden treasures -- and this one was such a great find. The cafe is owned and operated by a delightful family. They are so enthusiastic about their bakery, the fact that everything is made from scratch and they use the highest quality oils and foods to cook up their deliciousness. We had their huevos rancheros, served on their homemade corn tortillas and they were fantastic. Also ordered their vegan omelet made with chickpeas and it was exceptional. The flavors were unique and left me wanting more. Then we finished up with their bread pudding, made with their home made sour dough bread and in all of my years of sampling bread pudding, this one gets all five stars. It was delectable. Definitely will visit them again and hope you will give them a try. It is definitely worth the wait if you arrive when they are busy. The staff were so friendly. read more

I finally had the chance to come try this place. I'm so glad I did. From the moment I walked in with my friends, the customer service was so welcoming and helpful. Aside from that, the food tasted soooo delicious and healthy! The place is cozy. I highly recommend this place to anyone that wants to have a delicious homemade breakfast and experience excellent hospitality by all staff. read more

Gardenia's Cafe - Caramel macchiato (top left), Fruit Fusion smoothie (top right), and Salvadoreño Tipico (bottom). - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland