I've had this review in DRAFT for a while, to allow time for rumination as to the final rating... On the one hand, there are some very positive aspects to Beth's, situated in downtown about a 10 min walk from the Bethesda Metro Station. Turn off Old Georgetown Road onto Fairmont Ave, and the first thing you encounter is a beautiful outdoor patio for al fresco dining and a large bar. The colors are vibrant with a focus on Southwestern earth tones; very reminiscent of a cafe you'd find in Sedona. It was still on the chilly side when my dinner group gathered, so we opted to sit indoors. There is a small waiting area in the foyer, and then a moderately sized bar, which leads into the main dining room. TBH, the design asthetic of the space is a bit of a "mishmash." Is it supposed to be European inspired? A continuation of the Southwestern motif? It's all a bit odd... We had about eight in the party, so staff pushed together two tables for us. We were greeted promptly and were told that the restaurant could accomodate individual checks, as ordering is done with handheld devices. My other observation about Beth's is, I'm not quite sure what "story," the place is trying to tell. The menu focuses on "Bites," which could be interpreted as "appetizers" and only has four "plates," aka "entrees." Our server mentioned while awaiting our orders that Beth's wants diners to share the "Bites" with a spotlight on their cocktail selections. So is Beth's trying to be a tapas bar then? I opted for the recommended Purple Rain which consists of Gin, lavender, lime; mostly because I LOVE a nice herbal Gin. The distinctive flavor of juniper berries from the gin was present, while the floral notes from the lavendar and citrus of the lime balanced out the drink. I was pleasantly surprised. Food started arriving after about 20 min, and visually the barley risotto was quite appealing. Instead of short or medium grain rice, Beth's uses the ancient cereal grain barley. It is slow cooked in stock to produce that slightly chewy, yet not undercooked mouth feel. USDA choice braised beef short ribs was stewed until fork tender, and the dish was finished off with Parmigiano Reggiano, and butter. For $24, the plate was a good portion size and very tasty. I dunno. I sampled some of the small plates such as the Brussel Sprouts, crunchy ravioli, crispy spring roll...and everything was fine. Not outstanding...not terrible...but just fine. The kitchen seems to be competent, so it would be interesting to see a menu where more main dishes were offered for diners who want a more substantial meal. The other thing I'll note is, due to the extremely high ceilings, the main dining space is a deafening echo chamber. I was hoarse by evening's end, since I was literally yelling over not just the background music, but the other nearby diners. Just keep this in mind that if you're seeking a quiet and cozy spot, either dine outdoors or come early. After some reflection, I settle on 4 stars. Service was good with water glasses constantly refilled, dirty dishes removed, to-go boxes offered, and the ability for separate billing. Price wise, for one alcoholic beverage, and one entree my tab with tax and tip came to a bit over $50. Automatic gratuity was added for the table since we had over 5 people. I appreciate the server informing us so we didn't "double tip." read more

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I finally made it to Beth's and honestly had mixed feelings about the experience. The food was good enough that I really wanted to love the restaurant overall. The egg rolls were perfectly fried and delicious with the homemade sauce, and the fries were crispy on the outside while still moist inside. Trey was also a great server and definitely one of the highlights of the visit. The restaurant itself is beautiful, especially the outdoor seating area. The patio is bright, inviting, and honestly a much better atmosphere than the inside dining space. Unfortunately, the music inside completely took away from the experience for me. The restaurant has a dark/lounge-style vibe indoors, so the music really matters. Something more universal and upbeat like Motown, 80's pop, or feel-good music would match the space so much better. Instead, the playlist was loud, distracting, and honestly made me ready to eat and leave. I was also surprised that there was no happy hour offered, especially with such a great outdoor setup that seems perfect for after-work drinks and appetizers. Overall, the food and service (thank you Trey) were solid, but the atmosphere inside and lack of happy hour would probably keep me from returning regularly. read more

We came into Beth's this past Sunday for a brunch before the snow storm. It was our first time here and here so here's a quick first impression based on our brunch. The atmosphere is fun and creative and probably ideal for a date or a group of adults. It might not be the greatest atmosphere for smaller kids or a family on a time budget. Inside is dimly lit with upscale decor including a paneled pop out faux cafe front, maybe French quarter-ish style, wall on one side. On the other is a mural. (I think it was a tree and mountains hidden behind some panels.) If I were to describe it, I would use the words, New Orleans meets modern art. They also have an outdoor space, where the faux cafe wall extends. This would be an ideal place to have an outdoor brunch any day, but this day of course. The menu does say new American, but I think that means that they have a little bit of everything plus steaks and burgers. To start the meal, they dropped an assortment of baked goods for the table, including a biscuit, a mini fruit tart and something that tasted like a blintz. It was carbohydrate heaven. We added a shared a baked brie appetizer that was excellent as well. For the main course we shared a Turkish breakfast plate, as well as some steak and eggs. I washed things down with a Bloody Mary from their brunch drink menu. My steak and eggs were cooked to perfection and the Turkish breakfast was very flavorful. The baked Brie was excellent for sharing and I really liked my bloody Mary. Overall, we enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. A good part of that was the excellent service provided by the staff from start to finish. I think it's a terrific brunch spot and somewhere I would recommend for some fun bites and a couple of drinks. read more

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So it was a little weird walking up to an empty bar and seating area in front but after finding the door to the interior it was warm and inviting. We chose to eat outside and it was a fun experience. We don't do fancy dinners often but this was a good time. And the food was a lot of fun. It's not a big menu but filling and a lot of stuff you wouldn't think would work together but it just does. Friend spring rolls with duck procuitto on toast? Yep. Fried ravioli and risooto with short ribs? Yep. Very fun! read more

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Beth's is a very nice place to visit. If you're looking for a relaxing place to visit for food and drinks at the cocktail bar or lounge area. Oh wait I almost forgot about coffee and tea options which is a thumbs up for me. There is plenty of seating available for you outside as well. I like the music in the background playing a nice selections of songs. Service is great and this is my first time here and it won't be the last, lol. read more

Beth's - The outside of Beth's is nice too. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

Enjoyed the vibe and experience at Beth's. The restaurant has a relaxed, contemporary atmosphere that's perfect for casual dinners or drinks with friends. The drinks were good, with a nice variety of cocktails, wines, and craft beers, and the service was friendly, attentive, and prompt. The food was good too, with each dish fresh, well-seasoned, and satisfying. The portion sizes were generous, which makes it great for sharing or leaving the table feeling full. That said, the menu felt a bit confusing and lacked a clear identity. While the website mentions "classic American flavors with a contemporary twist," dishes like crunchy Ravioli, Risotto, Charred Octopus, and Truffle Potato Croquettes didn't quite feel American to me--but then again, what is American, haha? Overall, Beth's has a great ambiance, solid service, and tasty food. read more

Beth's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

The food here was delicious, i really liked the sauce they put on the chicken and waffles and the hummus was top notch read more

Beth's - Chicken and waffles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

I was able to give Beth's another try last night and I'm so glad I did. The service was absolutely amazing this time - attentive without being overbearing and they checked on us just enough to make sure we had everything we needed without interrupting our conversation. My dinner companion loved the cozy ambiance and couldn't stop commenting on how thoughtfully the menu and cocktails were put together, in addition to the decor. We tried a few different cocktails and these ones were great. He loved every dish he ordered, especially the plating and the subtle details that added to the flavor profiles. We dine out a lot and some menu items are so unique - I couldn't stop raving about the Baked Brie again and the Balloon Tostado is so unique and fun to eat. We've also never had duck prosciutto before and he loved the Barley Risotto - using barley to make a risotto gave it a unique texture and bite he really enjoyed. It felt like such a well-rounded and genuine experience, and I really appreciated the extra care that went into making the evening special. Fernando was amazing! We already can't wait to go back again! read more

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As I walked up, I was like "omg, this is so cute." It's totally a photographer's fun space! My friend and I sat at the bar to take advantage of happy hour! I loved my purple rain!! It was delicious and nicely balanced. My friend had wine. She enjoyed a few appetizers from the happy hour menu. The parmesan fries were lovely with the garlic aïoli, which is homemade. She also enjoyed the spring rolls-- they come in four. I ordered the brussels sprouts and they were delicious. Even my friend tried them and she doesn't even like brussels sprouts and said they were good. I took advantage of the restaurant week menu which was one appetizer one entrée and one dessert for $40. I ordered the Brussels sprouts, the steak frites and the fudge brownie. The steak frites was very nicely cooked. Nice taste. Did not enjoy the brownie at all, it was incredibly dry, I prefer my brownies to be soft and gooey, something to sink your teeth into... Our bartender was super sweet and took it back and had us try the pastel de Nata! Now, that is totally worth getting. Light and flaky and delicious! We had a lovely experience here! Hope they add more main dishes in the future. read more

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1000x yes to this place! I tried it on a night where I was in the mood for something new and it didn't disappoint. Everything from the location, to the ambiance, to the service, to the food, I was pleased with it all. For the food specifically, I loved how they elevated and added a creative twist to traditional dishes. All plates have great portions and are beautifully presented. The restaurant is conveniently located next to Ala (another great spot) and in between the two restaurants is an outdoor bar area that looks like a staple for the spring/summer! I can't wait to go back read more

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Stopped by here for drinks earlier this week. Thought about doing dinner but the dinner menu is quite limited so we stuck to drinks. Drinks were good and the ambiance was better but not a place I'm rushing back to. If you're in the area and want a quiet and romantic place to have a drink and a few appetizers then it's worth swinging by. read more

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Beth's has a lot going for it, with a few things that kept the experience from being a standout. The Manhattans were solid -- bonus points for using Antica Formula vermouth. Pretzel sticks were good, and the chicken burger definitely did its job. The vibe was one of my favorite parts: it felt like being on the set of a play, in a fun, slightly theatrical way. Big shoutout to our waiter, Lorenzo. He was fantastic -- attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well supplied with French fries, which is always appreciated. One minor (very personal) drawback: the name kept reminding me of a truly horrible monstrosity in my industry known as "Big Beth," which didn't help my mindset going in. Add in some teenage table energy that was... less than enthusiastic, and it knocked the experience down a notch. Still, good food, great service, and a cool atmosphere make this a place I'd consider coming back to. read more

Tried Beth's last night and the food wasn't that great. We had the steak frites and the caesar salad. The salad was a bit heavy on the dressing and the steak was a poor cut of flank steak which was a bit undercooked and pretty tough to chew through. I was hoping for a better experience. read more

Yikes! We live next door and really wanted to like this restaurant, but alas. We went soon after it first opened with a menu of part Mediterranean food and part Mexican food, like they couldn't figure out what they wanted to be. We were unimpressedS. Fast forward to this past Saturday when we decided to give it another try. Both hubby & I ordered the charred octopus. Only one was brought to our table. Server apologized and said he "would do something for us". He brought us hummus & crackers ( I'm gluten sensitive) which we did not want. Would've been nice if he'd have let us actually choose something. Anyway, I ate my dinner while hubby watched, & I watched while he ate his. Not good. Besides, the octopus was over cooked and chewy. Sorry to say, not recommended. read more

4 Stars based on quality of meal and effort of the staff. I'd like to share my experience. I got to sit out side and enjoy fresh air without sitting the middle of a sidewalk. That was fabulous. My server was quite knowledgeable, that too was fabulous. My meal was Better than average, but not perfect. Caesar salad was one of the best I've had in Bethesda, a very generous portion. Food arrived within 15 minutes all at once. NOrmally I would have suggested the main course get remade and served at the end of the salad. I accepted it and ate the main course cold.... Might have been staffing or training. The Big zinger to me that will cause me not to return was the martini. They use 5oz martini glasses. The drink came and the glass was less than half full. Likely less than 2oz. I suggested to the server that was not quite right. I ordered another that was properly filled, cold, and delivered with care. I'd suggest that if a drink is $20 (pretty normal) it should be a perfect drink! I paid for 2 martini. read more

1. Great, fast service; 2. Pretty cool and upscale yet different atmosphere and aesthetic; 3. Creative drink menu; 4. Very good food (B to B+) with good portions, hefty, flavors, and quantity; 5. Very walkable area. Whether intending to come here or trawling through the neighborhood, definitely consider stopping by. I recommend such. The warm brie, duck prosciutto occasionally, and fried chicken burger were all delightful for me.  Also, they are on InKind (if you know, you know; and if not, message me) as well as Resy. Likewise, they have an all day Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday. read more

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We decided to try Beth's during DC Restaurant Week. It's in downtown Bethesda so parking is on the street or in a garage. There is a municipal garage around the corner. When we walked up, we were a bit confused-there is an outdoor area but we didn't see a staff member or an obvious door to go inside. The door that is there is frosted so we slowly opened it and were greeted and given the choice of any number of two-person tables. We chose one with a chair and a little white fabric bench. It's a bit low so my husband offered to sit there. It was very dark so we had to use the flashlights on our phones to read the menu. A staff member came by and said she would come back to light the candle on our table but never did. For restaurant week, you can choose any appetizer, entree and dessert on their menu so we got the shrimp skewer and baked Brie. We asked for no walnuts due to my husband's nut allergy. It came out with the walnuts so we had to send it back. Meanwhile, we ate the shrimp, which consisted of just four of them in a chimichurri sauce. I felt four shrimp was rather skimpy but we ate two each and waited for the Brie. The Brie finally came out - at the same time as our entrees, which were steak frites. Not optimal but the Brie was delicious with a wonderful fig jam, served with everything flat breads. I'd come back just for that alone! The steak was perfectly grilled, served with a flavorless Demi glaze but they heaped on some herb butter. I ate every morsel. Very well done. The fries were plentiful and covered in powdered Parmesan. My husband didn't like that but I did. Again, really good. One word about the drink I ordered-I had wanted an IPA but they brought out a red lager instead. It turned out to be a good mistake because I loved it. Dessert was unremarkable. My brownie came warm with a few slices of strawberries. I thought it was supposed to come with ice cream but they put it down with my husband's custards dessert and he thought that was the custard and ate most of it! Even with the many missteps, I thought the food was very good and might check Beth's out again. read more

My group's experience at Beth's was a huge letdown and left us feeling a bit duped, like are we on an episode of MTV Pranked? This place is a half-hearted rebrand from the Italian restaurant that previously occupied the space. The decor consisted of numerous pieces of plywood, raw and unpainted, partially covering painted Italian countryside scenes -- truly bizarre. It felt like we walked in in the middle of a renovation that was not completed. We saw visible signs of lack of cleanliness: a dirty plate given to us, and bugs flying around our food the whole meal. We expected cool cocktails and good food, but after trying almost every small plate on the menu, we all felt it was extremely underwhelming. For example, the beet "salad" was on a large bed of parsley, instead of actual lettuce - why? The baked brie came with 4 stale crackers - why not just provide enough crackers for the amount of brie? The fried ravioli and sauce could have easily come straight from the grocery store. The cocktails were lackluster and overpriced. The service was okay, but the server forgot several of our drink orders, and forgot to give us silverware unless we asked for it. Overall, our experience was so poor that it compelled me to resurrect my Yelp account and write this review. This restaurant does not come close to meeting Bethesda restaurant standards, especially for the prices it charges. read more

Beth's - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

I came here for drinks and although it was my first time here, I am already a huge fan of the The Maltfather. I love a good bourbon, and this one REALLY hit the spot for me. My party wasn't that hungry, so we just ordered the fries to have something to nibble on. The sauce is just straight mayo so nothing special. But I enjoyed the thickness and texture of the fries. They were crisp and not soggy, and it worked out to be a solid side for drinks and chatter. Although we stood around a little bit when no one came to greet us, we finally just sat ourselves at the bar with a bartender who was swift with the drinks and checked on us a few times. I'll definitely be back to return for my Maltfather and to check out some of the other bites. read more

Ambiance is top notch, looks like an opened garage, but Beth's is quite inviting. I visited upon an invite from the elite squad, but soon found that I was alone. I Sat, savored the experience, and it was worth the trip. read more

Beth's - Outside dining area - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

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I have a different take than some of the reviewers here. Beth's clearly pays homage to the history of the building, and its original occupant, Posatino. I enjoyed that Beth's kept some of the original murals, and created a modern lounge that had snippets of Old Bethesda trivia. The name is super clever, too. They also had a live jazz band for their soft opening. I don't know if they still have that, but I hope they do. The decor and the extensive cocktail menu make for a good get together in downtown Bethesda, AND they have an all-day HH menu. read more

The drinks were good and the service is good. However the food menu is confusing and lacks a clear identity, making it hard to tell what kind of cuisine or vibe the restaurant is going for. Everything we ordered felt a bit off. The ravioli was just okay, nothing memorable. The croquettes had a strange aftertaste that was off-putting. The worst part of the experience was dining inside -- we were constantly swatting away fruit flies, and they kept landing in our food. It got so bad that we couldn't finish our chicken sandwich or fries. It was really unpleasant and unsanitary. read more

I went to Beth's in Bethesda last week. Really nice place! The decoration is very cool -- they use recycled stuff, like old wood and metal. Beautiful design. Everything inside has a creative and eco feeling. I ate almost all the menu item! Everything was super tasty and fresh. And wow, big portions! I couldn't finish all. Meatballs, brussel sprouts, beets salad, potatoes, burger, hummus, and Bavarian sticks -- all so delicious! People working there are very kind and friendly. They smile and help with the menu. I like the vibe. Thanks God it's very close location. I want go again soon. If you like good food, nice people and cool decoration -- you should try Beth's! read more

We were here with a group of four on a weekday and tried too many item from the menu.Each food was very flavorful and tasty! They hired a very talented new chef and he came to visit us and asked how everything was,it was a nice gesture! Beautiful dating spot as well,will be back with my sweetheart for sure! :) read more

Really enjoyed my visit here. Cocktails are cool and food is affordable (you know, for Bethesda). Love that it is the sister restaurant to Ala! read more

We had such a wonderful experience at Beth's! The staff were attentive, friendly and welcoming. Great food and cocktails. Good addition to the neighborhood! read more

Aesthetically, pleasing outside and in ! Food Taste great Try the crunchy raviolis 10/10 read more

Beth's - Parmesan fries, balloon tortillas, and crunchy ravioli... Great portions, Good Eats - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

gnats/ bugs everywhere-- gnats in our drinks, food, and landing on our faces--- very disappointing and unappetizing.

Beth's is such a great addition to downtown Bethesda! The vibe is warm and inviting, the food is fresh and tasty, and the drinks are creative and fun. Amazing happy hour deals at the bar! I loved the meatballs and Purple Rain cocktail. Perfect spot for a casual dinner or drinks with friends. Will definitely be back! read more

Great Tapas. Had the beet salad, brie&fig, and Brussels sprouts. All excellent. Not many customers on a Sunday night, I hope more people discover this little gem. read more

Brian the bartender was absolutely great! Very good ambiance and happy hour drinks. A must if you're around Bethesda

Place is definitely outstanding for Bethesda, very cool atmosphere as well as the music.....remind me of a cool Berlin lounge . Service was great as well as the food....we will come back. read more

The food was amazing, the service is really fast and kind, Stefanny is lovely, the place is pretty and have a really good ambiance.

Great food, service and Ambience. Definitely coming back! The meatballs are flavorful and the Brie is very uniquely presented. read more

Beth's - Happy hour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

We enjoyed our time on Valentine's Day. The menu is limited, but the service was great. I think they can work on getting a better version of the mac & cheese. read more

Unfortunately the food was not good. The atmosphere was great and love what they did with the place but the food didn't live up to the expectation. Ordered the crispy chicken flat bread white was essentially stale store bought flatbread, cheese and a singular piece of breaded chicken tender. I also got the beat salad which sadly was not a salad at all. No lettuce. All it was whole herbs (sprigs of whole parsley, mint and cilantro). We ordered the baked brie for an appetizer which came with four very small stale crackers. Unfortunately will not be returning read more

We initially went to dine at ALA but without a reservation they suggested their sister restaurant next door. We were greeted with the friendliest staff! Our food was good and served quickly. I especially appreciated when the staff came back from ALA to check on us again apologizing for not being able to accommodate us, but also to make sure we had a pleasant experience at the sister restaurant. Definitely check them out! read more

Great food and service! The place is beautiful inside. Looking forward to warmer days to seat on the patio. The place is perfect for a relaxed dinner. read more

The food and service was amazing! the best shirley temple i've ever had! The food was great and I wouod highly recommend to anyone looking for a casual fun spot for dinner in Bethesda. read more

Food, Service, Ambiance, everything was good. We loved Mediterranean flatbread and sweet and spicy chicken burger!