La Fonda Paisa is a hidden gem in Gaithersburg, MD, offering an authentic taste of Colombian cuisine. Tucked away on Muddy Branch Road, this cozy restaurant has quickly captured the hearts of its patrons. Customers rave about the friendly and accommodating staff, who go above and beyond, even bridging language gaps. The "Colombian breakfast" is a standout, featuring hearty and traditional fare that leaves you feeling satisfied and eager for more.
Among the highlights is the freshly squeezed orange juice, praised for its freshness and flavor. The meat empanadas are frequently mentioned as some of the best in the area, with many guests returning for their delicious, authentic taste. Moe Taylor attests to the excellence of the tamales, stating they were tasty enough to enjoy over two days. Meanwhile, Mike Mondy shares his delight in discovering hard-to-find dishes like "arepas de choclo con queso" and "arepas de huevo," making La Fonda Paisa a must-visit for Colombian food enthusiasts.
The addition of a mini grocery store within the restaurant offers a unique shopping experience, allowing guests to bring a piece of Colombia home with them. With consistently positive feedback, La Fonda Paisa is more than just a restaurant; it's a culinary experience that celebrates the richness of Colombian culture.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Good for groups
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For La Fonda Paisa
Celestina Agyekum
Jun 30,2025
Stumbled on this place by mistake and glad I did. The service was great as the lady who only spoke Spanish ran to get the only who was bilingual. When the other lady came she was patient and answered all my questions and helped me order some typical Colombian breakfast/food. Because I barely come to that side of Gaithersburg, I got more than enough. Photos below. I also got the strawberry and mango yogurt and they were both so so good! And the other best part os the freshly squeezed orange juice. They have the machine and I saw with my own eyes them squeezing the juice from the oranges. Tasted so so good! What I ordered is called Colombian breakfast on the menu. Oh and they have a mini grocery store inside the restaurant too! How neat! I will return!
Krishnaswamy S
Jun 26,2025
Nice small place. It has a dining area and a small shopping area. Tasty food. Nice friendly people.
David Hajjar
Jun 9,2025
Almost always excellent. Some of the best meat empanadas in the area. Very friendly and helpful staff ... and a great market as well. Not disappointed!
Moe Taylor
May 27,2025
Authentic Colombian food with excellent flavor. I ate the tamale for 2 days it was so good, the adjacent store has several items from home. Love it! Seating, ehh but It’s not them rather the people that come, eat and get out. It’s not a sit for hours type restaurant
Mike Mondy - Keller Williams Realty
May 21,2025
Wish we had taken some pictures of the food but the merchandise is what got the camera's attention! We stopped in for "arepas de choclo con queso" and "arepas de huevo", which are two things you'd have to search far and wide for pretty much anywhere in the DMV. It was well, well worth the visit!
Nathalye
Apr 27,2025
I would eat here everyday if I could, their empanadas and pan de bonos are amazing. The ladies are always so sweet and welcoming, they give you recommendations as well. It never disappoints!
Mario Pataquiva
Apr 15,2025
Often visit to get the taste of Colombian food. Last time we got Fresh fry fish !!! Pretty close....... Thanks for the effort to provide those dishes here. Also ROSCON con arequipe (manjar blanco y dulce de guayaba). !!!! Superrrr
Morgan Lopez
Mar 6,2025
Placed an order for pickup this morning and it was ready before the timeframe they gave. Everything was still hot and fresh the time I got home. We ordered the Colombian breakfast and a few baked items and everything was absolutely delicious. Will definitely be ordering from here again.
Reviews For La Fonda Paisa