Black Market Bistro

Black Market Bistro

4600 Waverly Ave, Garrett Park, MD 20896, United States

+1 301-933-3000

American restaurant, Brunch restaurant
(754)
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About This Place

Nestled in the charming Garrett Park neighborhood of Maryland, Black Market Bistro is a standout American and brunch restaurant that masterfully blends historic ambiance with contemporary culinary flair. Housed in a beautiful, old-fashioned building complete with shaded outdoor seating on a quiet, tree-lined street, this bistro creates an inviting atmosphere that feels both intimate and vibrant—a perfect refuge for locals and visitors alike.

The menu at Black Market Bistro is a celebration of bold, soulful flavors elevated with fresh, seasonal ingredients. Guests rave about the iconic Shrimp and Grits, where tender, juicy shrimp mingle with creamy, hearty grits, evoking the rich traditions of Southern comfort food with a polished twist. The New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp & Grits bursts with smoky, tangy goodness, while the Pan Seared Mountain Trout and Addie's Style Prince Edward Island Mussels showcase the kitchen’s commitment to sourcing and skillful preparation.

Start your meal with a warming bowl of the Soup of the Day or savor the crisp, refreshing Black Market Salad—mixed greens dressed in a champagne citrus vinaigrette punctuated with bright oranges and the subtle creaminess of goat cheese. For a touch of indulgence, the Cornmeal Crusted Oysters or Hardwood Grilled Squid bring exciting textures and deep, savory flavors that tease the palate.

Dessert at Black Market Bistro is nothing short of divine. From the silky, caramelized Crème Brûlée to the rich, flourless Chocolate Boca Negra Cake, each sweet dish offers a perfect balance of decadence and comfort. The Apple Crisp, with its oat topping and velvety vanilla bean ice cream, captures the essence of a classic homemade treat, making it an irresistible finale.

The dining experience here is consistently praised for its warm, attentive service and wonderfully charming setting. Patrons describe the space as both historic and full of character, yet refreshingly modern in its culinary offerings. Whether you're stopping by for a leisurely brunch or a delightful dinner, the ambiance paired with thoughtfully crafted dishes creates a memorable outing. Many have found Black Market Bistro to be a hidden gem—a place where the neighborhood's beauty and the restaurant’s reasonable prices combine to offer an exceptional and welcoming destination.

Whether you're catching a bite after a ride along Rock Creek Trail or discovering a serene brunch spot in an idyllic setting, Black Market Bistro offers more than a meal—it offers a heartfelt invitation to savor tradition and innovation in every bite.

From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Outdoor seating Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Fast service Great beer selection Great cocktails Great coffee Great dessert Great tea selection Great wine list Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch Dinner Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Coffee Comfort food Healthy options Organic dishes Private dining room Small plates Vegan options Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Brunch Lunch Dinner Counter service Dessert Seating Table service
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy Historic Romantic Trendy Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly Groups
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended Lunch reservations recommended Dinner reservations recommended Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
Changing table(s) High chairs Kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot On-site parking Parking

Opening Hours

  • Monday
    Closed
  • Tuesday
    11:30 AM - 08:30 PM
  • Wednesday
    11:30 AM - 08:30 PM
  • Thursday
    11:30 AM - 08:30 PM
  • Friday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Saturday
    11:30 AM - 09:00 PM
  • Sunday
    10:30 AM - 02:00 PM 04:00 PM - 07:30 PM

Map & Directions

Visitor Reviews

  • John S
    4 week ago

    It was a very charming setting with excellent service and incredibly good food. We all had something different for dinner, and everyone was very pleased. I visit near there frequently and will be a repeat customer.

  • Steve Goldberg
    1 month ago

    We have a wonderful lunch here. It's a great place to ride your bike to, just off of Rockcreek Trail.

  • Dan
    2 month ago

    When I first walked in I saw a bunch of old white people and I thought to myself oh boy… but the food pleasantly surprised me. The ambiance was amazing and the neighborhood beautiful. For such a pretty place the prices are reasonable. Definitely a gem of a place.

  • Maria Hidalgo Dolan
    3 month ago

    What an idyllic magical hidden place to have a relaxing brunch. Hidden in a residential area next to a park and the Garrett Park train station, it's incredibly charming and historic. The basement of the old house holds the post office. The upstairs has the great restaurant with fabulous food. The street in front is closed off for outside seating with plenty of shaded seating. We had a wonderful time with amazing french food. The name has market in it, but there is no market, just a great restaurant. Lots of inside seating in the in old house also. Lovely!

  • Josh F
    3 month ago

    Beautiful historic place with good food and atmosphere. Friendly service, too. The fried oysters were an enjoyable way to start, and I really enjoyed the shrimp and grits as an entree. The dining room had charm and character, but the menu kept the experience tied to the 21st century.

  • Renan de Campos
    4 month ago

    This place is very good and I recommend trying it. We might come back to try another dish. For starters I like where this place is located in the actual atmosphere. It's a very rustic and romantic feeling. The hostess at the front was friendly and seated us quickly. Our waitresses was friendly and generally efficient with the service. We both at the shrimp and grits and liked it. My one suggestion for that plate is that the grits are extremely heavy- I assume a LOT of saturated fat- cream, butter, cheese.. and where I like the flavor, it was overwhelming. I eat shrimp and grits a lot and this one was good. The desert was okay. There was a nice crisp to the creme brulee. The cream was a bit thicker than I would have liked. One thing to notice is that this place does not serve liquor they only have beer and wine. Overall this place was very good and we would return if you have not been here I would suggest it for a romantic evening out or to try for lunch.

  • George V
    4 month ago

    Black market bistro is such a pleasant surprise out there in Garett Park next to the Marc train station very charming nice service good selection of food dishes, decent wines has it all and all with local area parking in you know quiet spaces. Shrimp and grits seems to be one of their home runs very cheesy and the lobster risotto not the best I've ever had but decent - the oysters were nice. Apple crisp high on the crisp low on the apple but overall:Very good. Nice date place. Recommended.

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