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Momiji Sushi & Izakaya Opens in Silver Spring

The new Japanese restaurant has begun its soft opening at 1201 Fidler Lane.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Japanese Food

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a bamboo sushi mat, chef knife, and soy sauce bowl, representing a new Japanese restaurant.
Momiji Sushi & Izakaya has opened in downtown Silver Spring, taking over the space previously occupied by Cubano's Restaurant on Fidler Lane. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Momiji Sushi & Izakaya has launched its soft opening in downtown Silver Spring. The restaurant occupies the former space of Cubano's Restaurant.

Why it matters

The opening marks a new tenant in the 4,632-square-foot building that previously housed a long-standing local eatery.

The restaurant building was constructed in 1942 and spans 4,632 square feet. The business operates under a $14,000 monthly triple-net lease.

The players

Momiji Sushi & Izakaya

This is a new Japanese dining establishment located at 1201 Fidler Lane in Silver Spring.

Cubano's Restaurant

This former business occupied the 1201 Fidler Lane location before closing in 2024.

The details

The establishment utilizes a sushi chef with over 10 years of experience. It filed for its use and occupancy permit in mid-August 2026 following a liquor license approval in fall 2025.

Timeline

  1. The restaurant building was constructed in 1942.

  2. Cubano's Restaurant closed its operations in 2024.

  3. The restaurant received liquor license approval in fall 2025.

  4. The restaurant filed for a use and occupancy permit in mid-August 2026.

Culture Shift

The opening follows the post-2024 adaptive reuse of commercial real estate in downtown Silver Spring, reflecting a broader trend of transitioning legacy storefronts to new dining concepts. This repurposing of older building stock highlights the evolving commercial landscape in the area.

Residents can now visit the new restaurant at 1201 Fidler Lane for dining options. The arrival of the business brings a new establishment to a building that has been a long-time fixture in the downtown area.

The takeaway

The opening breathes new life into a historic property originally built in 1942. Local diners can benefit from the expertise of a veteran sushi chef as the restaurant transitions into its full operational phase.

Further reading

Learn more about the local dining scene on our Japanese Food page.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Source of the Spring.

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Do you feel the opening of new independent restaurants improves your local community's dining scene?