I had the best - bacalhau fish dish - not on the menu - love it. My partner had - orange rough - delicious fish dish also. Very Authentic - Portugese !!! Awesome service. Highly recommended ... read more

Nova Europa Restaurant - Sardines for appetizer!!! - Portuguese Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

We love this place. It's our favorite neighborhood date spot. Tonight, we met Manuel who emigrated from Portugal and started this restaurant 40 years ago. Great story, great people, great eats and drinks! read more

See all

This is truly a hidden gem in the Kemp Mill area of Silver Spring. We came on a date night and the food exceeded our expectations! They start you with warm complimentary bread. The fried calamari appetizer and the caldo verde soup was to die for. My husband ordered the mixed grill with veal and I had the Portuguese steak and both were amazing! If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful restaurant with European fare, check this place out! Our server, María, was super attentive and friendly. Lovely restaurant! read more

See all

The service was outstanding, the best that I have ever seen, experienced, and witnessed at any of the restaurants that I have ever been to. I felt like I was in my family's home. In all my good conscience I want the potential customers to know that I am giving Nova Europa Restaurant a TEN STAR rating, second to none. I and my family are looking forward to our next visit to NoVa Europa Restaurant!!!! read more

We were looking for authentic Italian food that was not just pizza and pasta (as most Italian restaurants in this part of Maryland are). Although not strictly Italian, Nova Europa had many delicious seafood, pasta, and veal dishes. My husband got the sardines and I asked for the grilled octopus as an appetizer. Both were amazing. Our entrees- cioppino and chicken parmigiana were also amazing. Our waiter, Manuel, who also used to be the head chef and is the uncle of the current owner, was very hospitable and we felt the family effect of the restaurant. We highly recommend for those looking for good food with warming service. The restaurant itself is old fashioned with a half moon bar, but it adds to the charm of the place. read more

SUCH GOOD FOOD. Six of us all had amazing meals: great choices, delicious food, excellent quality, everything hot and prepared just right. escargots were melt in your mouth to die for. all the seafood dishes were superb. great service, friendly people happy to please their customers. this place is a total gem! I hope it thrives so we can go back weekly, it's that good read more

I am so happy I found this place, and I can't stop bragging about it. I went to have dinner there on an early Sunday afternoon. I can't talk about this place without talking about Manuel, he greeted us and we told him about our service dog, he was kind and extremely accommodating, we decided to seat outside because the weather was beautiful. We order the cacerola Nova Europa, love the sauce so much that I order extra bread, my sister and husband order the sardines escabeche and it was exquisite. We order a pitcher of sangria and it was very good. I order a grilled chicken breast for my dog and my husband couldn't believe how tasty it was that he ate half of it. As main dish we order the rainbow trout in lemon sauce and mushrooms, red snapper with vegetables, we also order desserts and coffee, Manuel was always very attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, he took the time to answer my sister some tricks of the trade. He also served us Porto on the house I also would like to add that if you have someone vegetarian in your group and you checked the menu and thinks you can't go because there are not enough vegetarian options, do not let that fool you, Manuel can always prepared vegetarian dishes that are not on the menu read more

See all

Started off with the escargo and calamari. Both dishes were decent, what you would expect from them. Definitely the best things we ordered though. My mother ordered the seafood nova europa, my father got the Steak a Portuguesa, and I got chops off the specials menu. We all tried a bit of each other's dishes. The seafood nova europa is the only item I would consider ordering again, and it was average at best. the steak a portugesa was so salty that even I couldn't eat it, let alone my father... (keep in mind that I have high blood pressure bc I LOVE salty foods). As for my chops, the sauce was okay but the meat and breading was so mushy... Boooo The lighting is dark here, and it's kind of classy. So might be good for a date? However, the restaurant just consisted of all senior citizens... Staff was very friendly. read more

See all

Nova Europa is a great family-owned restaurant. We went there for Valentine's Day dinner four years and have been going ever since. I have enjoyed take-away dinner from them twice since the shelter-in-place order took effect here in Maryland. My favorite appetizer is the escargot. They make a delicious veal marsala as well as seafood specials. Last time I had a wonderful filet of orange roughy cooked with capers, white wine, and tomatoes and before that I got a great crab-stuffed trout. My favorite take-out dessert is the Portuguese pasteis de nata, little pastry cups filled with sweet egg custard. Well, it's a tie between pasteis de nata and limoncello cake. Helpfully, each time I ordered take-out from them it was ready super fast - in less than 30 minutes! Highly recommend them. read more

Second time eating at this place. Wonderful service and food were delicious! Love my lamb chop on my first visit more though than my steak portugesa. read more

See all

Used to frequent this restaurant. Went there today & ordered L'escargot. It tasted like they used soy oil instead of butter. Also, there wasn't any garlic flavor. I'd never return there! read more

Wonderful meal this evening with family. Haven't been to this restaurant in over a decade, yet the food, service, and ambience are as good as always. You will not regret eating at this gem of a restaurant in a little neighborhood shopping center. The old world type service and food are disappearing everywhere. Very glad to see that they survived the pandemic and really hope they can continue to stay in business. The grilled Veal chop special was delightful as were the scallops and the Steak Portugese. They continue to offer a bread basket and salad before the meal. We paired our meals with a Bordeaux wine that was perfect. And who can resist the dessert tray? We of course had decaf coffee, espresso along with dessert. And the restaurant offered a free glass of Amaretto for each of us just to top off our amazing evening. If you are in the area, don't pass up a chance to eat at this neighborhood gem! We will return when we are in the area again visiting family. read more

Everything is delicious. You can't go wrong. The owner is very nice and I hope everyone will go support her and the staff.

Food was excellent service was good. We tried the hummus, the Mediterranean salad and the lentil soup.

What an extremely friendly service we had tonight at this authentic Portuguese place. Manuel helped us with delicious suggestions and some of those out of this world Pasteis de Nata ( the best I have ever had). A basket of warm bread welcomed us to a romantic dinner. Manuel suggested the vinho verde, a Portuguese wine that was amazing! I had the Frutos do Mar and my husband had the Veal. It was cooked to perfection. Everything is made in house, even the dough for the pasteis de nata. We will definitely come back to try the other dishes, specially the bacalhau ( cod fish). I give this place a 10 stars! read more

We just discovered this gem recently. We've lived here for a few years and saw the front of the restaurant, but never went in. And how sad, because we've been driving to Bethesda and Columbia to get a decent meal for years, when this amazing restaurant was just down the street. It does feel as though you are walking into a European setting. Loved everything about it...warm and engaging staff (but not too engaging), quiet and romantic, but also kind of social atmosphere, and absolutely delicious food. We also appreciated that during the 2 hours we were there (we stayed that long because we loved the atmosphere), we only saw one person fire up their cellphone to check texts/email. How refreshing to find this little oasis in the modern world. read more

It's been in business for 30 years or so, and for good reasons. Very good food, great service, very good prices. Plus all the trappings: tablecloths, real napkins and serveware, dressy waiters. And they have outdoor seating. We just finished a very pleasant evening dining here. Ate al fresco under the roof, had lamb chops and fruto di mare, 2 decanters of Portuguese red wine, dessert - all very nice, graciously served. The food is billed as European but leans toward Portuguese. Seafood offerings are excellent. AND- wines are reasonably priced too: $20- 40 bottle, $25 for decanters of house wines, which are very good. We came on a Friday evening to celebrate selling a house so appreciated being catered to while we congratulated ourselves over a leisurely unhurried 2 hours. A request: if you come and enjoy - overtip. We are lucky to have them here at all, nevermind that the food and service is great, not just average. Let 20% be your minimum in this pandemic. Not just here but anywhere you may eat out these days. Thank you. read more

If I could rate this restaurant higher than 5 stars, I would in a heartbeat. My parents first brought me here 20 years ago when I was just a baby and it's been a staple in my life ever since. The original chef, Manuel, has been providing exceptional service for my family ever since I can remember. I'm so happy to be able to bring my own family and friends here so they can experience the same level of exceptional food and service that I've come to know and love. It has never stopped being the most comfortable, beautiful, and classy restaurant choice for me, and I look forward to dining here long into the future! If you are on the fence about dining here, please let me be the one to pull you off and into an incredible dining experience. You will not be disappointed!!! read more

The three times I've been to this establishment was less than what I'm used to. The waiter was grumpy and didn't care if I ordered at all. HeI didn't seem happy with me being in his section. The food was so-so. I expected a splash like Brazilian steakhouses even though I knew this place served Portuguese fare I gave it a whirl. On my first visit I was joined by a roach at my table. I said nothing. My 2nd visit I looked out for my "friend(s). But the waiter "grumpy" made me forget my friend. read more

Awesome staff,food,ambiance !!!! Just great relaxing ambiance. Thanks to all for great food and service ! Gold stars all the way!!'

Terrific restaurant. Good food. Reasonable prices. Great service. Very quiet. Can hold a conversation. Nice menu. Good parking. A winner

This is a terrific neighborhood restaurant with a European flair that deserves to be better known. I have several favorites from their menu: rack of lamb (always perfectly cooked to my specifications), osso bucco (It's a special, not on their menu, but I had it last night and it was very tasty and so tender that I never used my knife.), filet of sole (not overcooked, fileted perfectly table-side). In the dessert department, the lemoncello cake is a perfect end to a meal, as is the pasteis de nata (Portuguese custard tart). The wait staff is professional, knowledgeable and attentive, but not intrusive. Manual knows food and wine (you should watch him filet a sole!), makes excellent suggestions, and ensures that his orders meet customer expectations. Marta returned my credit card to me when I left it on the table, before I even left the restaurant. Nova Europa is also quiet enough to carry on a conversation. And that's always a plus. read more

One of the best nights out we have had since the pandemic. Amazing food, great service, lovely evening for the whole family!

Nova Europa is an exceptional dining experience! My mother and I dined at this restaurant 35 years ago, remembered it fondly, and, it hasn't changed a bit. In the warmly lit room with decorative paintings, we enjoyed Escargot with garlic sauce, Veal Piccata, Rainbow Trout with lemon sauce and mushrooms, and, the simply fabulous and famous Portuguese Custard Tarts - Pasteis de Nata. We also enjoyed a lovely Portuguese white wine - Quinta de Gomariz/Alvarinho, which complemented our meal beautifully. Manuel, Chef and Maitre d' "extraordinaire", and, his able assistant, Marta, made the entire dining experience very memorable and we can't wait to return soon. Mary Beth B read more

This restaurant is such a pleasant surprise especially given the strip mall location (next to Kosher Mart!) You would never imagine such fine service to be found in some suburban neighborhood strip mall. I loved the ambience of this place and the servers- it reminded me of a few places I visited in Argentina- old school European vibes with older, seasoned male Portuguese servers. I liked the house cabernet sauvignon I ordered but did not care for the Portuguese red. The calamari I could have done without- it's actually a lot more affordable than many of the more hip, casual restaurants we go to but I didn't really care for their dipping sauce. The Steak Portuguese was excellent albeit it came off a little like gourmet salisbury steak due to the "steak in gravy" aspect. It was well cooked, very tender, and the sauce was very flavorful and rich. I was pleasantly surprised at how good my Veal Nova Europa was. It was delicate yet far from bland. I don't eat a lot of veal and don't care for it all too much but this was fantastic and really showcased veal for what it is. The server sent us off with amaretto shots "For the road" which was much appreciated. SO European. More restaurants need to do this (c'mon straight edge montgomery county!) No, this is not the fanciest, more dazzling restaurant you will go to, but I loved this place nevertheless. It's paradoxically unpretentious while being "old school formal" at the same time. The food is what it is- it's not fusion, it's not plated in some obnoxious fufu way, it's not someone's culinary school thesis. Reasonable prices, good food, good people, what's not to like?? read more

Nova Europa Restaurant - Veal nova europa - Portuguese Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

See all

I went with my parents here for Father's Day and both my Dad and I were very impressed. Serving traditional dishes from France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, this restaurant specializes in seafood, while also serving pastas, steaks, chicken, and Veal. We started with a chorise flambé, which featured two lovely Portuguese sausages atop a flame. I had a Ceaser Salad with a fittingly garlicky dressing, while the parents had a house salad which they described as excellent with a homemade dressing. My Mother mentioned the small portions on the salads and it is worth mentioning to expect French serving sizes over Italian across the board. This is not a negative, as it is typical of French portions, but it is worth keeping in mind. My Father got the seafood pasta in a white wine sauce. He described the various seafoods as perfectly cooked, especially the fish. I had the daily special which was chicken cordon blue. This was also superbly cooked. It came with roasted potatoes(delicious) and ratatouille(well made but not a personal favorite of mine) Lastly my Mother got the steak in peppercorn sauce. She had no complaint about the steak but was disappointed in the sauce which lacked pieces of peppercorn. It should be noted that this dish was not listed as peppercorn steak, so it is again less of a negative and more just something to note if you like the crunch of the peppercorns embedded in your steak. I got the Limoncello Cake for dessert which was light, moist, and fabulous overall. My Father is not one for desserts so he skipped but my mother got the chocolate mousse which she very much enjoyed. Overall I thought the entire meal was delicious, featuring a wide variety of authentic European dishes and flavors all cooked to near perfection. read more

I was thrilled to find an authentic Portuguese restaurant so close to home. While it may not look like much from the outside, the experience surpassed my expectations. My husband and I were very open to the full "Portuguese" experience, and our server, Manual, did not disappoint. He listened to our preferences and made wonderful recommendations from the wine, to the appetizers, to the entrees and dessert. I am so happy we listened to his suggestions and thoroughly enjoyed everything! Manuel helped my husband navigate the de-boning of his (excellent) sardine appetizer and recommended a bottle of wine that wasn't yet on the menu. Service was exceptional, the food was delicious and fresh, and while the quaint atmosphere was a little more formal than I was expecting, it didn't feel stuffy. I'm already missing the pasteis de nata and can't wait to return. read more

This restaurant is definitely tucked away but it's well worth the effort. Don't be put off by the facade of the building because it's in an older style strip mall. The interior of the restaurant is small but really charming with the old style decor and classical style paintings on the walls. The service was a little slow but extremely friendly. They were packed with customers so I can't gripe too much. However, the most important part of a restaurant is the food, and the food here was exquisite. The sea food pot was so delicious and plentiful. I definitely got my money's worth. The duck special was so moist and delicious that it reminded me of France. We finished with a baked Alaskan cake for two. I wasn't too keen on the type of alcohol they used to light the cake (I think it was Ouzo)but the cake itself was very good. All and all, I will definitely dine here again real soon. read more

Excellent!!! Nothing but the very best we received! Fresh and very tasty seafood with great wait service! Wow! I didn't expect all this and it hit me in all the best ways! I highly recommend this place. I will integrate this place into my very special rotation of great spots I visit regularly! I can't wait to go back! read more

This restaurant has been around a long time & must have a loyal following that will not include my husband & me. To be fair, we went there with 2 other couples on New Year's Eve, so perhaps it's better on non holidays. Very popular on this night. Special 1 page menu. Waiter was incredibly rude, hardly giving me time to place my order, and certainly no time to ask questions about the menu. Split pea soup was a weird color...not green, but unappetizing brown. Everything on the seafood Provençal dish I ordered was over cooked. Fortunately, we went elsewhere for dessert. read more

Based off the ratings, my partner and I were looking forward to try this restaurant. We are always trying to find new places to eat. Mind you we live in Frederick. Anyways, we get there and no one was at the front to seat us when we walked in. Once we did get seated, it was at least 10 minutes until we were greeted and asked what we wanted to order. The prices are decent, but tbh the food is bland and really has no flavor. We had the Caesar salad and potatoe soup to start. I got the seafood dish with linguine and my partner got the surf and turf. Both dishes had lobster, but it was only half a tail and was over cooked. The sauce was good with the seafood dish and there was a decent amount of seafood. The steak was tasteless. They also seemed understaffed and were flustered whenever they did come to our table. I won't be going back again. read more

Great experience. Great food and drink. Great service. Thanks Andrew. So much more pleasant than the chain restaurants and the new so called trendy places. An old school feel with a really pleasant dining experience, the way is used to be and should be everywhere. Highly recommended!! read more

Where do I start? My husband and I had our first real date there 37 years ago. We still eat there with friends. You feel like you have been transported to another country. The food is the best you will find in this area. The service is delightful. Very sweet waiters. A treat ever time. read more

We stopped in to the Nova Europa last evening for dinner and were pleased with every aspect of the meal and the experience. They get high marks not just as a neighborhood gem, but as a serious contender for great food anywhere in the Washington, DC market. We started with drinks and my martini was outstanding. Our appetizers consisted of mixed salads with their house dressing and an order of escargot. I honestly feel that this may be the best version of escargot that I've ever had outside of France. The snails were small but extremely tasty and the garlic butter was amazing. They were served in the shell, as they should be and were well presented. My main course consisted of Seafood Nova Europa, which was a huge plate of mixed shellfish and chunks of salmon and another white fish. Also on the plate, mussels, clams, squid, scallops, shrimp and a half lobster tail, all excellent prepared and served over a linguine with a light pink sauce. This was quite a large portion and I was extremely satisfied. My wife had the Veal Nova Europa and my daughter enjoyed shrimp scampi. All the main courses were amazing. The service was impeccable and very attentive without being overbearing. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough and we'll be visiting the Nova Europa much more regularly in the future. read more

A New Year's resolution was to try new to us restaurants in Wheaton, and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. So we decided to change our plan and to support one of our favorite restaurants, Nova Europa, with regular carry-out dinners. Trust me, this is no sacrifice! We have been enjoying nicely packaged delicious favorites and the opportunity to try some new choices. Each entree comes with a salad and two crusty rolls. We have found that the portions are so generous that for us one entree and an appetizer feeds the two of us for dinner, usually with enough leftovers for lunch the next day. One of our current favorite appetizers is the mussels in a garlicky tomato sauce that begs to be sopped up with a piece of that crusty roll. It would be hard to pick a favorite entree, though chicken Parmesan would be right up there. The hours are now dinner only starting at 4:00 p.m. and they have recently offered delivery available through Doordash. I certainly hope this and many other restaurants and small businesses can survive during these strange and scary days. read more

This is an old world European resto. Great food, with ample amounts of servings. Tried the escargot but it was not as fresh as I expected. The seafood pasta was the best. 5 starts for service and good entrees. read more

Nova Europa Restaurant - Portuguese Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Loved it. Great food, service and my fav vihno verde!! Perfect for a quiet date. Loved it! read more

See all

There's not many restaurants like this left. The wait staff is attentive. The cocktails are strong and well made. The rack of lamb is outstanding. read more

Food was ok, Service was horrendous and took almost 2 hours to get out food. Waiters were also very impolite. Restaurant was very hot and very cramped. read more

Such a hidden gem! Well priced, super kind and friendly staff and delicious food. I have been there couple of times now, and specials are a MUST!! It's an art the way the server deboned the fish, truly an European experience! Must visit! read more