Germantown Gains Two Indian Eateries as Library Faces Pressure Over Hindu Group Books

Germantown's South Asian community is seeing its dining options grow with two Indian restaurant developments announced within months of each other, even as a separate controversy has the local public library in the spotlight. Activists have called on the Germantown Library to remove books linked to a Hindu organisation they describe as controversial, raising questions about the line between religious outreach and community collections. Together, the three stories reflect the deepening footprint and the occasional tensions that accompany a growing Desi presence in Montgomery County.

Curry Z Opens on Clopper Road, Bringing Indian and Himalayan Flavours to Germantown

A new family-owned restaurant, Curry Z, has officially opened at 13525 Clopper Road in Germantown, Maryland, occupying the space previously held by Bitez, a halal eatery that closed in January 2026. The restaurant bills itself as a fusion of traditional Indian cooking and Himalayan regional cuisine, with an additional strand of Indo-Chinese specialties. The menu includes classic curries, tandoori preparations, handmade momos, street food dishes, and a build-your-own bowl option available exclusively at the counter for lunch. The Himalayan emphasis sets Curry Z apart from the majority of Indian restaurants in Montgomery County, which typically focus on Punjabi or South Indian styles. The restaurant is located in the same shopping centre as Mamma Lena and Rio Grande Bar and Grill. Its opening was welcomed by local residents who have long asked for greater variety in the area's South Asian food offerings, and early visitors noted the handmade momos as a standout item. [1]

Biryani Grill Heading to Germantown Commons with Virginia Chain's Expanding Menu

Biryani Grill, a well-regarded Indian restaurant group with established locations in Aldie, Ashburn and Chantilly in Virginia, has announced plans to open a Germantown outpost in the Germantown Commons shopping centre, taking over the former Cafe Hong Kong space at 13038 Middlebrook Road. The restaurant specialises in traditional Indian cuisine anchored by a range of signature biryanis, including mutton, chicken dum and paneer varieties, all slow-cooked with basmati rice and a blend of whole spices. Tandoor items such as paneer tikka, fish tikka and hariyali chicken complement the biryani selection, while curries including chicken tikka masala, goat curry and paneer lababdar round out the menu. The arrival of Biryani Grill in Germantown means the area will soon have two new Indian restaurants within short driving distance of each other, reflecting a measurable growth in the local South Asian dining market. No opening date has been officially confirmed yet, but the space transfer is in progress. [3]

Activists Ask Germantown Library to Pull Books Linked to Controversial Hindu Organisation

Community activists have urged the Germantown Library, part of the Montgomery County Public Libraries system, to review and remove books that they say are linked to a Hindu organisation described as controversial. The activists, according to a report in The Baltimore Banner, raised concerns about the nature of the group and the appropriateness of materials associated with it being available on public library shelves. The case touches on broader debates familiar to many public library systems about the line between making diverse religious and cultural perspectives accessible and giving shelf space to organisations whose activities or ideology others find problematic. Library systems across the country have increasingly faced pressure from multiple directions on collection decisions. Montgomery County has a significant South Asian population, and any library policy decision relating to Hindu religious material is likely to be watched closely by a community with varied views on the organisations in question. No decision from library officials had been publicly announced at the time of reporting. [2]

Sources: [1] The MoCo Show - · [3] The MoCo Show - · [2] The Baltimore Banner