Guide to Taste Of Bethesda

2012 Taste of Bethesda

With exceptionally good weather (86 degrees and mostly sunny) forecast for Saturday, you can expect a large crowd at this year’s Taste of Bethesda in Woodmont Triangle.

Here’s a handy guide on how to get there, where to park and a recap of what restaurants will participate and what’s on the menu:

Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: Woodmont Triangle with vendors and booths along Norfolk, Fairmont, St. Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray Avenues.

Street Closures: Avoid Woodmont Triangle, because almost the entire street grid will be closed off. Large sections of Norfolk, Fairmont, St Elmo, Cordell and Del Ray Avenues will be shut down and the annual “Come Back To Bethesda” fundraiser will mean closures on Cheltenham Drive, across Wisconsin Avenue.

Ugh…Parking?: The Bethesda Urban Partnership, which runs the event, recommends parking in the Woodmont-Rugby Garage (Garage 35, 8216 Woodmont Ave.) or the Auburn-Del Ray Garage (Garage 36, 4907 Del Ray Ave.). All public garages and lots will be free on Saturday.

There are plenty of spots in those facilities, but here’s another tip: Park farther away and walk.

In good-weather years, the Taste of Bethesda typically brings in upwards of 40,000 people. So it might be a good idea to avoid those two parking garages. Here’s the map of parking garages and lots in downtown Bethesda. All are within easy walking distance and most are near Bethesda Circulator stops. The free shuttle will take you right to the Taste.

**Extra special bonus tip**: Don’t park in the surface parking lot at the Connor Building (7720 Woodmont Ave.) It’s one of the most notorious spots in Bethesda for trespass tows and there’s a free county parking garage right across the street.

How Do I Get There From Metro?: Take the Circulator, which has a stop in the Bethesda Metro station bus bay and will drop you off at any number of spots in Woodmont Triangle. Or, once at street level, walk down the hill on Old Georgetown Road (away from Wisconsin Avenue) and two blocks to Woodmont Avenue. Hang a right on Woodmont Avenue and walk a block to the event entrance at the intersection of Woodmont and Norfolk Avenues. You’ll see a Starbucks one one corner and the Tastee Diner across the street.

How Much Does It Cost?: Admission is free. The food is not. Food tickets (sold at a number of BUP booths) will get you various servings of food from restaurants and vendors. The tickets come in bundles of four for $5. Food servings cost one to four tickets, with drinks usually running you one ticket and plates of two or three foods costing four tickets. Ticket sales end at 3:30 p.m.

What Restaurants Will Be There? Most of the ones in Bethesda actually. This year’s lineup features locally-owned ethnic eateries, fast casual favorites and even specialty chains (think Dunkin’ Donuts and Domino’s Pizza).

Here’s the updated list of restaurants and food from BUP.

More Questions? Check out the event website. Or leave a comment.

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