East Riverdale - Riverdale, MD Area Guide

The Riverdale area emerged in the late 19th century along the streetcar lines entering Prince George’s County from Washington. East Riverdale distinguishes itself from neighboring Riverdale Park by its extremely modest single-family homes with small yards and several apartment complexes.

East Riverdale does not have any museums, artistic venues or theaters. However, area residents can easily take advantage of the cultural opportunities in Washington. The Smithsonian Institution and Washington's renowned theaters, such as the National and Shakespeare Theaters, sit just over 10 miles away.

The majority of the restaurants in East Riverdale and the surrounding areas fall into the fast food category. Despite the lack of more upscale establishments, East Riverdale has many outstanding casual dining options.

An area with a large Hispanic population, the Riverdale area houses a number of small, family-run restaurants that serve exceptional Mexican and Central American food. Two that stand out are Riverdale Park’s Pollo Fiesta and Taqueria Tres Reyes.

Pollo Fiesta specializes in tender, well-seasoned, char-grilled chicken. Its large portions and fantastic specials make Pollo Fiesta a local hotspot. Go for breakfast and enjoy huevos rancheros or the special Fiesta breakfast of eggs with black beans, rice, fried plantains and grilled sausage.

Locals rave about the unbelievable tacos at Taqueria Tres Reyes. You can find any Mexican dish your heart desires on the menu, from gorditas, quesadillas and burritos to soups and Mexican sandwiches. Try the amazing Torta Mexicana, followed by the Tres Leches cake.

If you’re in the mood for pizza, visit the Pizza Oven. Serving slices since 1957, the Pizza Oven puts out amazing thin-crust pizza with a variety of toppings, including some that may seem a bit unusual, like barbecue ribs and chicken curry. To locals, the Pizza Oven represents more than just great pizza. It’s a unique destination with unforgettable decor, including thousands of ties, baseball caps and various sports paraphernalia on display. Forgoing traditional placemats, the Pizza Oven laminates the newspaper every day so you can read while you eat.

The nightlife in East Riverdale gravitates towards bars attached to chain restaurants. Be sure to visit Rinaldi’s, a family-owned bowling alley with an attached bar and grill.

East Riverdale sits between two major commuter thoroughfares into Washington, D.C. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295) runs along East Riverdale’s eastern edge and leads drivers south into Washington and north to Baltimore. Kenilworth Avenue on the western border also provides convenient access to Washington. Exits leading onto the Beltway (Route 495) sit less than 4 miles away.

Public transportation makes traveling around the East Riverdale area relatively easy. Numerous buses canvas the area, with some lines leading to the Metro. Two Metro stations lie within 2 miles of East Riverdale, College Park on the Green Line and Landover on the Orange. Riverdale also has a station on the MARC railway that transports commuters between Washington and Baltimore.

While you can stroll through the residential part of East Riverdale, the area does not lend itself to walking as a form of transportation. Similarly, biking can be dangerous as the area does not have dedicated bike lanes.

You cannot hail a cab on the streets of East Riverdale, but numerous cab companies service the area via telephone order, and driving services such as Uber are reasonable options. In this suburban community with plentiful spaces at no cost, locals do not need to worry about parking.

East Riverdale has many options for outdoor fun. The Riverdale Recreation Center houses a large park with athletic fields, tennis and basketball courts and a playground. Outdoor enthusiasts love the Anacostia Tributary Trail System. With a portion running just west of East Riverdale through Riverdale Park, it provides miles of trails that follow along the tributaries of the Anacostia River leading from the Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Hiking, biking, fishing and bird-watching represent just a few of the activities available on the trails.

On the north edge of East Riverdale, the National Park Service’s Greenbelt Park awaits. Hikers, campers and picnicking families enjoy Greenbelt Park’s more than 1,100 beautiful acres. Both Greenbelt park and the Anacostia Tributary Trail System are free and welcome leashed pets.

The area does not have any outdoor movies or festivals, but residents can easily access events in the nearby communities of Hyattsville or Greenbelt. Locals can rent plots in the Sheridan Street Community Garden for a minimal annual fee.

The cost of living in East Riverdale lies considerably lower than living in nearby Washington or elsewhere in Maryland, but the cost remains higher than the national average. You can rent a one-bedroom apartment in this area for about $950 per month.

Depending on which of the two nearby Metro stations you choose, commuters reach downtown Washington on the Metro for $3.95 to $4 during peak hours and $3.10 to $3.15 off-peak. Gas prices in East Riverdale sit about 9 percent higher than the national average. Enjoy a beer at TGI Fridays during Happy Hour for $3 or at Busboys and Poets for $6.

As a mostly residential area, East Riverdale does not have many shopping options. Nearby communities, however, have a great selection of discount shopping, including WalMart, Costco and Dollar Tree. Less than three miles from East Riverdale, the Mall at Prince Georges has a vast assortment of stores, including Macy’s and Target.

If you’re looking for a special gift or just want to treat yourself, visit Nisey’s Boutique in Mount Rainier. Nisey’s carries unique international products such as clothes and jewelry, as well as natural Afrocentric beauty supplies.

You will be amazed by the selection of craft beers at Town Center Market in Riverdale Park. In addition to gourmet treats and staple groceries, the Market carries an enormous selection of craft beers. The Market even has a milkshake machine. Grab a cup of Zeke’s coffee and chat with your neighbors on the Market’s patio.

Peruse the incredible inventory at Franklins General Store in Hyattsville after dinner and maybe a few of their house-brewed beers at the adjoining restaurant. In addition to a huge selection of toys, the store also sells novelty gadgets, jewelry, beer, and wine and an endless selection of clever and interesting whatnots.

For groceries, residents of East Riverdale have numerous options. The neighborhood has several small Hispanic grocery stores, such as La Grande Supermarket, which stocks amazing produce in addition to Hispanic foods often unavailable in other markets. Stock up on general groceries at Giant Food in Greenbelt Plaza or Safeway in Greenway Plaza. For those with higher-end grocery needs, visit Wegman’s in nearby Lanham.

For fresh produce and local wares, try out the Riverdale Park Farmers Market, open seasonally on Thursday evenings. The Paint Branch Farmers Market opens on Saturdays in season.