6 MOCO Restaurants, Chef Nominated For 2024 RAMMY Awards

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Restaurants in Montgomery County and one world-famous chef are among the finalists for the 2024 RAMMYs, the regional restaurant and food service awards held by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

The annual awards honor the accomplishments of the DC region's restaurant and food service community.

These are the dining spots in Montgomery County nominated for awards:

Zinnia in Silver Spring: Nominated for Beer Program of the Year, based on the quality, diversity, clarity and value of its beer program. Brewery restaurants and brewpubs are eligible for this category and will be judged based on the diversity and quality of their craft beer.

Andy's Pizza, which has multiple locations, including Bethesda: Nominated for Favorite Fast Bites. This category includes places that are a delicatessen, quick-serve restaurant, bakery, mobile food vendor, or coffee shop (with food menu) that demonstrates a dedication to good food and good service in a fast-casual environment.

Roaming Rooster, which has locations including North Bethesda and Gaithersburg: Nominated for Hottest Sandwich Spot. This nominee is a casual restaurant, quick-serve, or mobile food vendor with a menu dedicated to creative and delicious sandwiches that demonstrate excellence and skill.

Taco Bamba, which has multiple locations, including Rockville and Gaithersburg: Nominated for Casual Restaurant of the Year: The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a dedication to dining excellence, service, and value in a casual environment.

Ala, with locations in Bethesda and D.C., is nominated for best brunch restaurant. The nominee is a restaurant that demonstrates a high standard of dining excellence and service for its brunch in a formal, upscale, or casual environment. Brunch may be offered as full-service, buffet, or prix fixe.

Colada Shop — with a cafe in Potomac, plus three locations in Washington, D.C., and two Northern Virginia sites —is nominated for hottest sandwich spot. This nominee is a casual restaurant, quick-serve, or mobile food vendor with a menu dedicated to creative and delicious sandwiches that demonstrate excellence and skill.

José Andrés, José Andrés Restaurants of DC, includes Spanish Diner in Bethesda, is nominated for Restaurateur of the Year. The nominee must be a working restaurateur or restaurant group who sets high standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for a minimum of 5 years in the Metropolitan Washington area.

Nearly half of the award categories will be open to a public vote. Voting ends at 5 p.m., on May 31, 2024.

Winners will be announced winners on July 21 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. See the full list of 2024 RAMMY award finalists here.