You know, every once in a while, a lady has to re-do her makeup. So it is with restaurants and, in this particular case, Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda MD has put on new makeup. Boy, does she look beautiful now!!! Last time I reviewed this restaurant, I was underwhelmed by the dining room. It was generic, dated and - my main memory - the floor was greasy and slippery. Now, the renovations show a beautiful new restaurant with high end finishes and fancy decor. Whoever redecorated this place did a fabulous job! So, I take back my old review and state very clearly that Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda is stunning, first rate and very high end looking. The food was very good. We started with escargot and mussels. The mussels were a bit bland in my opinion. Yes, there was garlic, yes, there was onion, yes there was wine but the overall flavor was just sort of mediocre. The escargot, on the other hand, were beautifully cooked, prepared and seasoned. The garlic and other seasonings turned what is really just a garden pest into delightful little bite of intense flavor. I loved them! For our main courses, 3 of us got beef. Of course, it was well prepared. The French fries were crisp, hot and lightly salted. I did not want to share them. My zero-proof drink was lovely! I had the grapefruit cooler and it was a perfect balance of tart, sweet and bubbly. This place paid a lot of attention to a non-alcoholic beverage. That says a lot to me!!! The service was not up to the beautiful appearance of the dining room. We had spotty attention and a lack of focus from our waiter. At the end of the evening, they really rushed us out. But, overall, I am impressed with what has happened at Mon Ami Gabi. Will I be back? Oh yes! Do I recommend it? Definitely! read more

- Sat at a booth with crumbs on the seat. No apology when we wiped it off ourselves. - Server made judgmental comments on the number of appetizers we ordered. - He proceeded to forget our drink orders and 15 minutes later (when someone else reminded him) he rushed to the bar (where they had been sitting) and brought them to us...they were watered down. - Appetizers took 30 minutes to arrive. - A different server had to take our entree orders. - Half way through eating apps...a MOUSE runs from inside the restaurant towards the booths we're sitting at. TWO MORE mice pop out of the booths next to where we are sitting...because there is food on the floor. - Several other tables saw the mice...staff tried to sweep them up with a broom. like wtf. - We get some half-baked "well the door is open a lot" Two stars cause they comped our whole meal...but that was our last visit for sure. Never again. read more

I hadn't been to Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda in over six years, and after their recent 10-month renovation, it truly feels like an entirely new restaurant. The transformation is stunning -- the space is absolutely gorgeous and feels like a chic Parisian brasserie meets a vibey lounge. Dim lighting, velvet-seated booths, and stylish tables surrounding the bar create an intimate, polished atmosphere that's perfect for both date night and lively gatherings. There was even a corporate happy hour happening in the back room, and the energy felt warm and sophisticated without being loud or overwhelming. We started the evening with escargot and drinks -- a Chardonnay and a perfectly chilled martini. The escargot didn't come in the traditional shells, but the flavor absolutely delivered. It was rich, buttery, and deeply garlicky, served with a generous piece of baguette that deserves its own mention: crisp and golden on the outside with a soft, airy interior that soaked up every bit of sauce. Next came the mussels, which were excellent. The broth was incredibly flavorful -- savory, aromatic, and balanced enough that you kept going back for another bite (and more bread for dipping). It's one of those dishes where the sauce is just as memorable as the seafood itself. For mains, I ordered the duck leg, which was beautifully prepared. The skin had a satisfying crispness while the meat underneath was tender, juicy, and deeply flavorful -- exactly what you want from a classic French duck confit-style dish. My husband ordered the chicken, served with creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed spinach. The chicken was perfectly cooked and comforting in the best way, while the mashed potatoes were smooth, buttery, and indulgent without feeling heavy. We also added a side of vegetables that were fresh, well-seasoned, and a nice balance to the richer dishes. We finished with crème brûlée, and it was the perfect ending -- a delicate custard with a silky texture and that signature crisp caramelized sugar top that cracks satisfyingly with each spoonful. Beyond the food, the service truly stood out. The staff were attentive, warm, and professional, and we genuinely felt taken care of throughout the entire evening without ever feeling rushed. Overall, Mon Ami Gabi's renovation has completely elevated the experience while keeping the classic French brasserie charm. Between the beautiful new atmosphere, deliciously executed dishes, and spectacular service, it made for such a memorable night. Definitely a place I'll be returning to much more often. read more

See all

Always very good. Love the newly updated atmosphere. So very good, so very consistent. Great for special events, biz dinners and even just a quick drink n' nosh after a movie. I'm happy this restaurant is close to us. read more

Great food and good service in a nice decorated Parisian themed bistro. Lots of customers in an upscale location. read more

See all

1.10.26 French restaurant that was closed in May 2024 for an extensive renovation and reopened in March 2025. It was my first time dining here. The main dining and bar area is elegant with black and white tiles and an ornate chandelier. I like that they have a place for umbrellas in the entryway. My friend and I were seated in the back room. Unfortunately tables that had a padded booth seats against the wall were in very tight quarters. That happened to be where we were seated. And we were also seated by the POS system (servers place orders and process payment) so there was a lot of foot traffic. My poor friend sat on the outside and got bumped frequently. I ordered the steak and frites, medium rare, with bernaise sauce. My friend ordered the escargots and sea scallops. We enjoyed our entrees although I prefer a different cut of steak. I found the steak to be chewy. My favorite part of dinner was the profiteroles which my friend and I shared. It reminded me of a cream puff, but with vanilla ice cream instead of custard, topped with chocolate. Simply divine. Highly recommend it!! Helpful note: The Capital Crescent Garage is likely the closest garage a block away. It is huge and it took me ten minutes trying to figure out how to get out. Wish there were more exit signs throughout the garage. read more

See all

I'll start with the best... the decor and ambiance. If you've been to bistros in Paris you'll feel like you're back again. Very nice and a great first impression had me hoping for a great lunch. The service was French, and I say that meaning very good. I had a cheeseburger and fries for $27. The burger and pickles were lackluster, meat had almost no flavor, very disappointing. The cheese (not a popular French cheese, but a very good one) almost saved the burger but alas, the meat was just too eh. I've had flavorless burgers before and this one ranks up there. The fries on the other hand were fantastic. Needed nothing sprinkled or dipped into. If my burger was similar to meat entrees I can see why this restaurant is only rated 3.8 despite being ranked 5th for Bethesda restaurants by Yelp! Better restaurants north (Rockville) and south (DC). read more

Mon Ami Gabi - burger looks better than it tasted - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Mon Ami Gabi's renovation is a success, blending classic Parisian charm with a stylish, updated look. The bar area, featuring stunning artwork and design, is a clear highlight, creating a chic and vibrant atmosphere. We began with our flawless classics, the seasoned mussels and the incredibly rich chicken liver mousse pâté. For the main, I skipped my usual Filet Mignon for the seafood - the expertly seared scallops with a side of buttery pomme purée were a fantastic, decadent choice. The drink menu received the best upgrade; the Belle de Jour (a zesty, tequila-forward Collins) was a favorite. This refresh is a total success - Mon Ami Gabi is a must-visit. Our Order: * Mussels * Chicken Liver Mousse Pâté * Scallops * Pomme Purée * Belle de Jour Cocktail read more

See all

This is one my favorite lunch and brunch place to go. Love the newly renovated atmosphere, kept its classiness and uniquenss. Service was exceptional as usual. Quality and taste of the dishes are delicious as always. Great touch to have more than enough coats hanging spaces, especially on a busy weekend. Price is on the high-end side, as expected. You get what you pay for. You are paying for the high quality food+ingredients+service. Parking garages nearby, convenient. Close to shops and more. Highly recommend. read more

See all

This is by far one of my favorite French places to eat. The ambience is always nice. The staff is always polite.. We had a wonderful waiter. The lighting though I'm not too much of a fan, having the lights dim so low it makes it hard sometimes to read the menu properly. Apart from that, let's talk about the food. I have the steak and fries Béarnaise. The meat was cooked amazingly just like how I asked it the sauce, complements it and surprisingly it goes extremely well with the fries also. My son had tried the duck for the first time, not only did he finish the whole plate, but it was so well done that my 10-year-old said it's by far his favorite dish he's ever eaten at that place. It says a lot for a 10-year-old who's trying to expand his pallet on foods. All my kids loved the food. It was cooked exactly how we asked it.. We came here to celebrate my daughter's 14th birthday. She chose the location because it's one of her favorite place to eat.. The price is a bit expensive but you pay for the quality and the quality is there. I always recommend this place when people ask me about a good French place to eat at. read more

See all

Needed a cozy place to meet up with a friend and this place had all the good vibes! We had a cozy two top table with an extremely attentive host. The food was OMG! The Brie appetizer was simply heaven! The steak for dinner was thin, cooked to perfection, and flavors just bursting! I cannot wait to come back with my hubby! And we literally sat at the table for 4 hours catching up and the host was so wonderful. She was super in tune and did an excellent job pacing the food throughout the entire evening. bravo! read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Dinner entree - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Mon Ami Gabi is a great location for some good French style food that is convenient and close to Rockville or the DC line. Having dined at Michelin restaurants in Paris, it is up there in food quality and ambience, just hard to compare to the distinct French restaurants I have been too. Food was on point and presentation was good. The service was superb and food was coming out fast too. The Steak with bone in Ribeye was my favorite, the second best to me was the Duck Confit hors d' oeuvres which was quite hearty. Wish there were more choices of oysters, and will have to try some other entrees next time. I will be back and will update this review with a follow up soon! read more

See all

I went here with my team weeks ago for dinner we had the Mac N Cheese, Crispy Goat Croquettes, and Deviled Eggs for the table. I had the Classique Steak Frites for my main course, Chocolate Mousse for Dessert, and Hugo 75 Spritz as a drink. Everything was delicious! The staff were amazing and the ambiance was definitely upscale French Bistro. Loved it all! read more

See all

I came here for a private party and it was a great spot that I hadn't previously tried. We had passed appetizers, an oyster and shrimp table and a dessert table. The staff were wonderful and the space was fairly large. I only wish there were a few more chairs out as the event was long. Otherwise, I recommend specifically for a private event. read more

My family and I had a very nice experience here. We stopped by Friday night at 6 and were seated immediately. Service was very attentive and nice here and answered all of our questions about the menu. For the food itself, we ordered the Au Poivre and Bernaise Steak frites as well as the Roast Chicken a la grand mere and escargot. The best item of the entire table was the escargot, which had a good texture and flavor. The roast chicken was very moist and delicious. However both steak frites felt a little underwhelming - the plates were largely fries and the meat texture was tougher than expected. Overall dinner was very good and would recommend to anyone in the area. read more

See all

Delicious. What a high end chain should be. Some of my favorite fries in the world. Reasonable prices. Good staff and well designed.

I am never disappointed by Mon Ami. This has basically become a weekly staple for my friends and I-- my favorite day of the week. I came recently to celebrate my birthday with my parents and was blown away as per usual. We got some of our favorites-- the escargot (which I never pass up), petite greens salad, and the warm baguette. The filet au poivre was INSANE. It was cooked to literal medium rare perfection and the fries soaked in the sauce were chef's kiss. My mom got the trout almondine, which was okay. I liked the green beans but I thought the trout could have been seasoned a tad more... it was really juicy though. The mushrooms were fantastic-- seasoned well and so umami. The sea scallops were the only slight miss for me, but it may be personal preference. I usually like scallops with a harder sear, so it was just a different preparation than I'm used to. The service is always fantastic and our waiter brought us a dessert for my birthday which was so sweet. I also love coming here because it's always busy, yet they never rush you through your meal. I think we were there for around 3 hours and it was nice and leisurely. Love as always. read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Sea Scallop "St. Jaques" (half eaten, oops) - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

WOW! We visited the newly reopened Mon Ami Gabi the Saturday of Mother's Day weekend (5/10/25). The newly refurbished space is gorgeous and the food is exceptional! We had an early afternoon brunch reservation and the place was packed when we arrived -- that's what you get on Mother's Day weekend! I'm never a fan of those tables along a banquet that feel too close together and I'm sure the crowded nature of the space was due to the holiday. There was also a private party in the back room that was closed off for most of the time we were there. Volume was energetic and I had to speak in a raised voice to talk to my mother across the table. The food was excellent. And the presentation even better than before. We had the Croque Monsieur, French Onion Soup (ask for the small size that's not on the menu!), and the Steak Frites. We finished off with three profiteroles for dessert, which are perfect for sharing. The remodel includes an inside/outside bar perfect for sunny spring days, luxurious emerald green velvet drapes, classic black and white tile, and single stalled unisex bathrooms that are generously sized. I can't wait to go back on a not-so-popular weekend for another meal! read more

See all

This restaurant has been closed for many months and was excited they finally reopened in March 2025. They did extensive renovations, and I like what they did to the place. There is a large bar area now upfront and a small bar in the back. It seems they added more tables/seats. I wish they would turn up the light a little, as it was pretty dark in there. Of course, with the renovations done, the prices have increased notably, but I am happy to say the quality of the food is still great. Their French bread isn't free anymore, and it comes with shredded celery slaw now instead of carrot slaw. For appetizers, the French onion soup and 1/2 order of mussels is still great albeit more expensive. These had to be the largest mussels I've even eaten. For main courses, I usually stick with the steak frites. It's priced at $36.95 now, but the steak is so tender, and the fries are great, although the steak wasn't served hot, just warm- maybe it was sitting out for too long. Will definitely be back. Also, their happy hour menu looks pretty decent, so will have to check that out as well. read more

See all

Here we go on a Friday evening! The place is packed and we get a great table up front. We order some cocktails...dirty martini and champagne. Then a bottle of Chateau Haut Selve Graves 2020. It has a nice bite so we let it breathe I order the onion soup and chicken liver mousse pate. Both delicious. The pate especially smooth with sweeten beet jam. I also get the sea scallops "St Jacques!" Coquilles Saint-Jacques, a classic French dish featuring sea scallops in a creamy, savory sauce, with mushrooms and shallots, topped with breadcrumbs and cheese, then broiled until golden and bubbly. Presented in a huge scallop shell! Perfect. M got the chicken Caesar salad. T got the "famous" Poulette a la gran mere. He says yes amazing. Grandma would be delighted! This is quite the experience! We blew it taking pictures! Too busy eating. Btw our waiter Braulio, from Peru, gets a special recognition, and is absolutely wonderful! Not sure about dessert. Stay tuned Ok we order the French vanilla ice cream and crème brûlée! Perfect ending to a fabulous dinner! read more

Mon Ami Gabi - The place is full of excited and delighted guests - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

See all

We had a lovely time at Mon Ami Gabi for Passover dinner. I have a family of mixed religions and we love to celebrate all of the holidays together, especially those centered around family gatherings and food. It's been getting harder to find Passover dinners in the area so we were happy to see the newly renovated Mon Ami Gabi offer a Passover pre fixe menu this year. First impression as that the renovations to the restaurant are amazing. You are transported to a Parisian cafe the moment you arrive all through the door. And the new layout makes so much more sense. Especially the long bar for walk ins and single diners. As Passover meals go, the chefs did a really excellent job with the menu. Every course was tasty with a focus on typical staples but made more flavorful. Can't wait to come back for the regular menu. read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Passover Brisket - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Service is always top notch here at Mon Ami Gabi. The venue is a bit of old time city Italian feel to it (tho it's french cuisine). The food is good - for smoked salmon Benedict and burger. Fries (lots of them) tasted saltier than what I'm used to. Overall it's nice place to relax and enjoy a meal with friends and family. read more

See all

What an incredible restaurant! While waiting for a car repair we popped in brunch, without a reservation. We were seated immediately and had a delicious brunch!! We were sitting around the bar area and our server was also the bartender, but that didn't deter her from taking care of us. We are already planning a trip for dinner! read more

Had a wonderful time at Mon Ami Gabi celebrating a friend's birthday. The atmosphere was cozy, the service was top-notch, and the food was absolutely delicious. I've been here a dozen times and never had a bad meal. Their French onion soup, escargot, mussels and steak are so so good Highly recommend this spot for a special occasion or simply a great meal. It's easily one of my favorite French restaurants! read more

Mon Ami Gabi - French bread - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

See all

Maybe I hyped this place up too much in my head but I was kinda disappointed. First the good: service was excellent, very attentive and explained everything. Made the dinner very special for us. It was beautifully decorated inside, we went around Christmas time so they had some festive decor. The food was ok but way overpriced for the taste and quality. The best thing was the scallop appetizer but very small portion for the price. read more

See all

Always great. Amazing ambiance, yummy food. Great service from our server Jaden. She was completely adorable and great at anticipating our needs. Love the service there in general. We were the last patrons in the restaurant on Friday night and nobody ever rushed us with the "are you still working on that?" Routine. They were classy and let us enjoy our food and conversation til we were ready to leave. read more

The service was great. Probably to make up for the food, which was very overpriced for what it is. To call yourself a French bistro, I'd hope you'd get your steak frites right. It was terrible. The menu specifically calls this out as "prime mid-west grain fed" beef as if this is something to brag about??? This is what factory farmed is who are fed GMO corn. The cut of steak was thin and tasteless and probably wouldn't have been able to tell the difference between this and Tad's Steakhouse. No I will not come back again. read more

Love the new renovations! And the escargot was delish with a huge baguette. Other food items good just service was a bit lacking. Two people at our table only got their drinks after the starter and had to ask for them. Non alcohol beverages shouldn't be hard. It was my daughters birthday and they brought her a little dessert with candle and made sure to add it to our bill I think if you going to ask about an occasion and choose to do something for the guest, choose something you willing to cover the cost of. Anyway, we still enjoyed ourselves and will be back. It's pricey but currently portions are fair and it's a treat to go there. Enjoy! read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Newest snail offering with baguette - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

On paper this place has everything going for it: French bistro, great ambiance, top location in Bethesda Row. The martinis are without question excellent. And that's where I'd stop with the superlatives. Never before have I seen a higher end restaurant more in need of a floor manager. The service is mixed to awful: for every person doing a good job there are three more either berating their subordinate staff, wishing out loud they were somewhere else, or wearing a permanent scowl. It's the kind of behavior you expect from a Barnes & Noble staffed by teenagers, not a $100/pp restaurant. The food is similarly a mixed bag. Steaks are generally flavorful, but the soup is lukewarm, the pomme puree tastes artificial and the creamed spinach tastes and looks like frozen Sysco chopped spinach held together by the bare minimum cream legally required to be called "creamed spinach". This restaurant seems always busy so there's probably little incentive for management to change, so for the Yelpers out there I'd caution: come for the martinis, eat elsewhere. read more

Went here for New Year's Eve dinner and luckily got a high top table for two without a reservation. The cocktails were very good! We both got the steak and frites. The peppercorn sauce with the steak was delicious! However, the fries were extremely mid. Very dry and bland, like they had been sitting under the heater too long. Perhaps if there was sauce from the steak on the fries, I would've eaten them. read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Fries - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

This is the 2d time that Bethesda MAG manager tried to get us to sit in far back near toilets. My female friend declined today and I remembered avoiding same tactic a few months ago. Restaurant was not overbooked with plenty of empty booths. I also had made a reservation earlier asking for a nice table. We doubt that the very effeminate manager (not that there's anything wrong with that) would treat male patrons that way. Prices have signiificantly gone up. Baguette w butter is extra. Not the French way, for sure. Too bad MAG is nickel and diming Bethesda patrons. Can no longer recommend restaurant. Dr. B. read more

I had an excellent lunch here, actually the second excellent lunch in the course of a year. Lovely place and not too crowded.

We revisited after its extensive renovation for Easter brunch. It's a stunner of an upgrade. Definitely has the Parisian vibe. Superb food , drinks and service. So glad there's a worthy French restaurant closer to home than having to trek to DC. We ordered a Brut Champaign, a celery grapefruit swizzle, a quiche Lorraine, an avocado tartin, cappuccinos, escargo. Everything tastes fantastic. The escargot came with a large softly warmed French banquette. The quiche at the recommendation of the waiter was terrific and the size of it can comfortably be shared. The non alcoholic drink was just the right amount of sweetness and fizzz. The place was packed with the Easter crowd. I would definitely go back to try their dinner options. You too should go visit. It's worth your while. read more

See all

Great service and delicious food. The renovated space is an improvement over the old space. While the space is larger, the decor makes the space feel more intimate. The presentation of the warmed baguette in a specially designed paper sleeve is a really nice touch, and the portion sizes are generous. Its location next to the Bethesda Row Cinema is a plus. It can get busy here, especially on weekend evenings. If reservations aren't an option, try to connect over dinner prior to the 1730/1800 hour to maximize the chances that you'll be seated upon arrival. read more

Mon Ami Gabi - Au Poivre* - steak frites w/ brandy peppercorn sauce - French Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

See all

We came in for brunch this weekend to check out the new renovations. The bar is much bigger in the front and there's a second small bar in the back. We started with French onion soup - they offered to do two small French onion soups instead of sharing a large which was perfect. Baguette is always amazing! My sister loved the escargot and the butter they are sitting in is perfection. I had the croque madam with the egg - so rich (definitely heavy) but delicious. My fellow patrons also loved the quiche and steak frites. The show stopper was the crème brûlée - so creamy and delicious. One of the best I've had! read more

See all

We went here for brunch on Sunday and were able to be seated right away. It was decorated nicely inside though the tables are a little small. The food came out quick and the server was very friendly. The food was pretty good and our group enjoyed the meal and experience. read more

See all

Trendy Parisian bistro with a cozy, elegant vibe. The atmosphere feels warm and inviting, the staff is genuinely friendly, and the food is absolutely delicious. read more

We had the best time at Mon Ami Gabi. Not only was the food outstanding, the server, Ishmael was so kind, helpful and explained how some of the different dishes are prepared. My first time there but not my last! read more

The place is huge and the night we were there (Friday) it was packed! Service was attentive, food portions were amole and delicious. The baguette was perfect. read more

Despite absolutely loving French cuisine, I was never a fan of these manufactured "French Bistro" like Mon Ami Gabi or La Grand Boucherie, it always seemed like eating in Disney World to replicate Paris. It always seemed so pretentious but if the food was great - it was worth closing your eyes to the pretentious interior. This WAS the case at MonAmi Gabi- but since the very extensive and expensive makover, the basic Steak Frites has gotten so thin and insignificant - even if it's a good piece of meat (you really can't tell because it's not significant) you can not really taste it. I cringe taking guests there for Steak Frites, it's more like "Frites and a little bit of steak on the side". The french onion soup's broth was watery and because this is obviously "good enough" for most of Bethesda/Potomac suburbanites who can't bother driving to DC, the wait staff is so busy that you get snappy service as they need to move on to the next table. For the price - which has gotten understandably higher - the food really doesn't justify. It's expensive for offering above average Disneyland French food. It's overall a good experience but it's overpriced and great drinking environment which is needed to mute the impact of the bill! read more