Explore 50+ global cuisines, support local nonprofits, and win prizes by dining out in Rockville
This June, Rockville is inviting everyone to the table. From June 1 – 30, 2026, Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is bringing back Explore Rockville: Global Bites, a month-long celebration of food, culture, and community. The campaign encourages diners to explore Rockville restaurants, and submit receipts to support local nonprofits and earn chances to win prizes.
A culinary tour of the world in Rockville
Rockville, Maryland is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with that diversity represented by more than 50 global cuisines on offer across the city. Global Bites turns Rockville’s diversity into a city-wide dining tour, encouraging residents and visitors to explore beyond their usual spots and discover the range of flavors available within Rockville’s city limits.
There are no special menus to order from, no discounts to chase, and no app to download. Diners simply eat at Rockville restaurants (excluding national chains) during June and upload a photo of their receipt through the Global Bites form.
Every receipt gives back
During June 2026, REDI will donate 25% of the value of receipts uploaded to a participating local nonprofit chosen by the diner. Receipts submitted without a selected beneficiary are pooled and split evenly among all participating organizations.
This year’s participating nonprofits are:
- Friends of the Library, Montgomery County
- HaitiBrigade, Inc.
- Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation
- Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation
- Rockville Housing Enterprises Foundation
- Rockville Bike Hub
- Rockville Concert Band
- Stepping Stones Shelter
- Twinbrook Elementary School PTA
The campaign will direct up to $10,000 to these organizations, funded entirely by REDI as part of the Global Bites program.
Two ways to participate
Global Bites 2026 offers diners two paths to join in.
The first is open to everyone: dine at any qualifying Rockville restaurant, submit your receipt, and earn entries into VISA gift card drawings based on the number of unique restaurants visited during June 2026. Visit two restaurants and you’re entered to win a $50 gift card, four restaurants for a $100 gift card, and six or more for a $200 gift card.
The second path is built for families. A limited number of restaurants across Rockville’s neighborhoods are designated Bite Sites, where diners collect stickers for their Global Bites dining passport. Dining passports with stickers from four Bite Sites are entered into drawings for family prizes, including cooking kits and more.
Building on a growing tradition
Rockville’s Global Bites continues to grow year over year. The 2025 campaign drove sales across more than 50 Rockville restaurants and generated significant visibility for the city’s dining scene, reaching tens of thousands of people through social media and media partnerships.
The 2026 campaign expands on that momentum with a full month of programming, an added passport experience, and an increased commitment to local nonprofits.
For Rockville’s restaurants, Global Bites offers exposure with no cost or obligation. Every non-chain restaurant within city limits is automatically eligible and benefits from the campaign’s marketing reach across Montgomery County and the greater Washington, D.C. region.
Join the tour!
Explore Rockville: Global Bites runs June 1 through 30, 2026. To learn more, find participating restaurants, and submit receipts, visit explorerockville.org/global-bites.
About Explore Rockville
Explore Rockville promotes Rockville, Maryland’s vibrant culture and community. From a city-wide events calendar to directories of local restaurants, retail, and recreation, Explore Rockville is the guide to everything the city offers, including the distinct neighborhoods that make Rockville one of the most diverse communities in the nation. Learn more: explorerockville.org
About Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI)
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is a public-private partnership that helps businesses launch, locate, and expand in the City of Rockville, Maryland. Committed to economic development, REDI is proactive in its efforts to support existing industry and attract new businesses with tools to get started in Rockville, and resources and guidance for existing businesses in the city. Learn more: rockvilleredi.org