Let me put you on to one of my favorite restaurants in Silver Spring: Lime and Cilantro. Chef Danny Chavez is doing some seriously special modern Latin food over on Seminary Road, and if you haven’t been yet, you gotta go. My pescatarian friend and I leaned into the veggie-heavy side of the menu, and everything from the charred cabbage to the tacos was on point.
It’s the kind of place where a $12 vegetable dish can steal the whole meal. Full transparency, chef Danny and the team generously comped our lunch, and the food absolutely backs up why this is one of my favorites. If you love Latin food with real technique behind it, this Silver Spring gem’s a must, Nomsters.
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What Makes Lime and Cilantro a Standout Latin Restaurant in Silver Spring
Lime and Cilantro opened in 2024 in the former Armand’s space on Seminary Road, and it quickly became one of the more talked-about Latin restaurants in the DMV (the Washington Post even gave it a glowing review). The concept is modern Latin, meaning classic Latin flavors run through a fine-dining lens, plated with care and built on what’s in season. The menu shifts through the year, so you can go back and find something new each time. What really sets it apart is the technique. Dishes that sound simple, like a plate of charred cabbage or roasted cauliflower, come out layered with three or four components that all work together. It’s approachable food with serious cooking behind it, and that combo is exactly why it’s worth the trip to Silver Spring.
What to Order at Lime and Cilantro
Charred Cabbage ($12)
Do not sleep on the vegetables here. The charred cabbage comes with romesco, crispy shallots, cilantro, and cilantro oil, and it’s really fantastic. You get smoky char on the cabbage, the nutty roasted-pepper romesco underneath, and crunch from the shallots on top. It’s proof that a $12 veggie plate can be one of the best things on the table. If you’re only ordering one vegetable dish, I’d start right here.
Pan-Seared Spanish Octopus ($14)
This was the most tender octopus I’ve had, no exaggeration. It’s served over a garbanzo salad with salsa macha, cilantro yogurt, and micro cilantro. The octopus is the star, and the salsa macha (a toasty, nutty Mexican chili oil) brings extra depth to the whole plate. At $14, you’re getting octopus done at a really high level. Get it.
The Tacos ($4.75 to $5.50)
You can’t skip the tacos. We got three: the Al Pastor ($5.50) with adobo-marinated pork, house-made pineapple kimchi, and gochujang aioli; the Crispy Fish ($5.50) with shaved pickled cabbage, pickled red onions, spicy aioli, and cilantro; and the Charred Broccolini and Mushroom ($4.75) with refried bean, goat cheese, and radish.
All three were delish, but the crispy fish was my fave (SO good), with the mushroom a close second. That pineapple kimchi and gochujang aioli in the al pastor are a creative combo that makes this taco stand out. At under $6 each, they’re an easy way to try a few different things. If you’re chasing tacos around the area, my Maryland burbs taco roundup has more spots, but these hold their own with anybody’s.
A few more things worth knowing when you go:
- Beyond what we ordered, the menu runs to empanadas, corn hummus, short rib, and more tacos like carne asada and chicken mole.
- On weekends they do brunch, with dishes like pupusas Benedict and horchata-glazed cinnamon rolls.
- For dessert, there’s a rotating lineup with things like tres leches bread pudding and mango flan.
Who Is the Chef at Lime and Cilantro?
The heart of Lime and Cilantro is chef Danny Chavez. Originally from El Salvador, he worked his way up through DC kitchens, including a run as executive chef at Art and Soul on Capitol Hill and time in Michelin-recognized spots like Plume and Gravitas. That fine-dining background shows up on every plate here, but the food stays personal and rooted in the Latin flavors he grew up with. When I say he’s making some serious magic over there, this is what I mean: precise, thoughtful cooking with a lot of heart.
The Vibe and Experience
Lime and Cilantro is a full-service spot with a relaxed, date-night-friendly feel. It works for a lot of occasions, whether that’s a nice weekday lunch, weekend brunch, or a low-key dinner out. Silver Spring’s got a deep food scene, and if you’re spot-hopping, Kook Kai’s Thai down the way is another local favorite worth a stop.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 1909 Seminary Rd, Silver Spring, MD, in the North Woodside area.
- Hours: closed Monday. Tuesday through Friday 11AM to 9PM. Weekends they open at 10AM for brunch, running until 9PM Saturday and 8PM Sunday.
- Reservations: full-service, and they take reservations through their website. Walk-ins are welcome too.
- Seating: indoor dining plus a dog-friendly patio with its own menu.
- Parking: free at Montgomery County Public Parking Lot 12 across the street on weekends, plus metered street parking on weekdays.
- Dietary: lots of vegetarian and pescatarian options (clearly labeled), which is why it worked so well for us.
- Price: mid-range. Small plates and tacos are budget-friendly (tacos under $6), with larger entrees priced up from there.
Is Lime and Cilantro Worth It?
200% yes. Lime and Cilantro is one of my favorite Latin spots in the DMV right now, and it earns it with genuinely creative, well-made food at prices that don’t scare you off. The charred cabbage and that crispy fish taco alone are worth the drive to Silver Spring. It’s a great pick for a date, a group dinner, or putting someone on to modern Latin food for the first time. If you’re making a whole day of the area, Takoma Park’s food scene is a short hop away and worth exploring too.
Have you guys been to Lime and Cilantro yet, or is there a Silver Spring spot you think I need to try next? Let me know in the comments, Nomsters, and save this one for your next taco craving. Big thanks again to chef Danny and the team for having us.