Sanctuary Cafe & Market (Formerly Uptown Cafe)

6720-A, Rockledge Dr, Bethesda, MD 20817, United States
+1 301-530-3205
$$$ Cafe , Deli , Restaurant
(86 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Sanctuary Cafe & Market, located on Rockledge Drive in Bethesda, offers a comfortable and practical spot for breakfast and lunch, especially if you work nearby and want to avoid the busier food court scene at the mall. Formerly known as Uptown Cafe, it has transitioned smoothly into a place that balances a deli-style menu with thoughtful hot and cold options, catering well to office crowds and locals on the go.

The atmosphere here tends to be straightforward and welcoming rather than trendy or polished. It’s the kind of spot where regulars are quickly recognized and the staff consistently replenishes the salad and hot bars to keep everything fresh and inviting throughout the day. This attention to detail makes it a dependable stop, particularly for anyone needing a quick but satisfying meal during a work break.

The menu reflects a classic deli and cafe blend, with solid choices like the Egg & Cheese sandwich with your choice of meat, hearty omelets (California, Greek, Western among them), and a variety of grilled cheese options. Sandwiches such as the pastrami and the Italian cold cut are crowd-pleasers, offering generous portions without fuss. The breakfast burrito and quesadilla lean towards a casual, filling start to the day, while the salad and hot bars extend the appeal into lunch hours.

Best times to visit are weekday mornings and early afternoons when office workers in nearby buildings stop by for breakfast or a quick lunch. The cafe accommodates busy schedules by keeping the food hot and well-stocked, so even if you're in a rush, you’re likely to find something fresh and ready. While it’s primarily a midday and morning stop for many, it maintains a relaxed vibe where brief pauses from the workday feel easy rather than rushed.

For anyone living or working in Bethesda looking for reliable, no-nonsense breakfast and lunch with friendly service and a neighborhood deli atmosphere, Sanctuary Cafe & Market fits the bill. It’s less about dining out and more about a familiar place to grab substantial food that suits a range of tastes without the wait or the noise of larger cafes or food courts.

Highlights
Great coffee
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
What they serve
Coffee
Comfort food
Quick bite
Vegetarian options
Best for
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

08:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 03:30 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

86 Reviews
John Gross

05 Dec 2025

Great place for a lunch from the office. They are just as kind and accommodating for regulars as first timers. The grill is just as good as the hot bar too!

Shu Chen

05 Nov 2025

Great staff and prices. Hot breakfasts and lunches (including a salad and hot bar). They are very accommodating and replenish the salad and hot bar on a regular basis so if you are in a hurry food is pretty fresh and hot. Nothing really sits for long! Sandwiches and daily specials are also great!

Sam Hitchcock

25 Oct 2025

Outstanding food, great selection at reasonable price

Tanmit Singh

17 Oct 2025

If you work nearby and don't feel like dealing with the food court at the Mall, then this is the spot for you! I usually eat here once a week, and the sandwiches are delicious. They have all types of sandwiches, a hot bar, a salad bar, and tons of beverages. Everything you would want from a deli/cafe. More importantly, the staff is friendly and helpful. 10/10 recommend. p.s. i picked up this oat milk coffee from there, and it tastes amazing!

Roger Fox

08 Oct 2025

I left a review a while back when it was still Uptown Cafe but wanted to update it now that it has fully transitioned into Sanctuary Cafe. I work in one of the buildings across the street with no cafeteria of our own and am thrilled to have this breakfast and lunch option nearby. I would even make the journey here even on days when I'm not in the office. The atmosphere is great with really nice seating areas on both sides of the entrance plus a nice, shaded patio underneath the overhang overlooking the lake. They have so many different deli, grill, and hot food options plus smoothies and other beverages. Service is very friendly, as well. They now have a website with online ordering and a more complete breakfast menu, which I plan on taking full advantage of!

Garry Jenkins

03 Oct 2025

They have quality food that's cooked in front of you. They also have a hot bar with a fruit and salad section. I heard their coffee is good, too. There's plenty of seating, inside and out. I'm bad with names, but the staff there is awesome, kind, and welcoming.

Chanpen Tee

03 Oct 2025

There are a lot of food options here such as hot bar, grilled,wrap. The service is fast. Staff is friendly. The price is reasonable. I ordered grilled cheese and it is good.

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