Brunch in Washington, DC – Something for any Occasion

Brunchin’ in D.C.

I’ve uttered the phrase “Oh, I’ve been there for brunch!” more times than I’d like to admit.  Brunch in DC is huge, I’ve never been to a city that likes to brunch as much as us.  After we run a race, we brunch.  For someone’s birthday, we brunch.  When your parents come to town, you take them to brunch.  If you want to get rowdy, make regrettable decisions, and be asleep by 8pm, there’s a brunch for you.  Going on a date but want something more casual than dinner? Go to a calm brunch.  If you had too much to drink the night before and need some hair of the dog and endless bacon to cure you, go to bottomless brunch.  The possibilities are endless!

Below you’ll find my favorite brunches for any occasion:

If you’re just catching up with friends:

1. Bistro Bohem – A cozy cute cafe serving Central European food and run by a Czech couple located in Shaw.  My go to order is the chicken schnitzel with scrambled eggs and iced coffee.
2. Ambar – A Balkan restaurant located in Capitol Hill & Clarendon.  It’s $39 for bottomless food and drinks – my favorite items here are the prosciutto benedict and balkan burger.
3. El Rey – A unique bar on U St with amazing tacos and a cool atmosphere, constructed of conex boxes.  Their brunch menu is limited, but their drinks are great – I always go with the micheladas.
4. Fainting Goat – A great relaxing neighborhood spot located at the corner of bustling 14th St & U St.  The fondue and avocado toast here are bangin’!
5. Red Rocks – A fantastic pizza joint located on H Street & in Columbia Heights.  I’m a huge fan of any of their breakfast themed pizzas, and of course, a bloody mary.

If you’re going on a date:

1. Boundary Stone – A cozy, simple, neighborhood bar in Bloomingdale.  Try the honey hot wings, deviled eggs, and cold-brewed Irish coffee here!
2. Declaration Pizza – A pizza bistro in Shaw that has a pie created for each of the thirteen colonies.  Their breakfast pizzas and pumpkin waffles are amazing.
3. Barrel – An inviting whiskey bar with rustic food location in Capitol Hill.  Get the tagliatelle carbonara and the bottomless mimosas by the bottle.
4. Vinoteca – A romantic wine bistro located at 11th St & U St.  I love the steak & eggs poutine and the lox scramble at this joint!
5. Green Pig – A rustic French & American bistro in Clarendon.  The shrimp & grits and fried chicken & waffle are so delicious here.

If you’re starving and want to get your money’s worth (bottomless brunch):

1. Boqueria – This Spanish restaurant features one of my favorite bottomless brunches in DC, located in Dupont.  Get the bottomless brunch option and be sure to feast on the surtido de tapas, albondigas, and patatas bravas.
2. Agora – Delicious bottomless Mediterranean food and brunch beverages on 17th St.  Everything here is amazing, particularly the spreads and benedicts.
3. Lavagna – A farm to table Italian restaurant in Eastern Market with some of the best carbonara I’ve ever had.  Their omelets are also super delicious, and there are definitely no bottoms here!
4. Cava Mezze – Meditterannean small plates and bottomless brunch beverages in Eastern Market and Clarendon.  This is another mouth watering option, but my favorites here are the green eggs & ham and the nutella waffle.
5. El Centro – Famous Mexican food served in Georgetown and 14th St.  Tacos and carne asada quesidillas on the brunch menu?! Si, por favor.

If you’re trying to turn up:

1. Local 16 – Located at 16th & U St, this place is basically a brunch party on the weekends.  There are two levels and a rooftop, bottomless mimosas are served in massive mason jars, and delicious Afghan food is served..
2. Nellies – A sports bar that features Drag brunch and is located in Shaw – what could be better?!  The brunch food is a buffet, and I can’t even remember what’s on it, but the experience by itself is worth it.
3. La Boum – Recently moved to Capitale at 14th St & K St, La Boum is by far the most fun brunch I’ve ever been to! I highly recommend this at least once as a DC resident.  The food is just okay, you really just come here for the experience.
4. 801 – Rooftop bars seem to be taking over in DC, and 801 is in the heart of them all at 8th St & U St in Shaw.  Sit on the roof and order avocado toast and the surfer’s breakfast tacos to start your day off right.
5. Perry’s – Another fabulous Drag brunch in Adam’s Morgan that features a buffet.  This is similar to Nellies, and equally as fun!

If you’re taking your parents:

1. Zaytinya – An amazing Mediterranean restaurant by José Andrés in Chinatown.  I can’t even name what’s good here, because it would be the entire menu.
2. Duke’s Grocery – Feast on delicious cocktails and sandwiches at this London restaurant in Dupont.  Duke’s has incredible, juicy, flavorful burgers – I almost always get their brunch burger.  You also can’t go wrong with the avocado toast!
3. Lupo Verde – My favorite Italian restaurant in DC with delectable brunch drinks on 14th St.   This is a great brunch for groups – it’s $35 a person for one appetizer, one pasta dish, one entree dish, and a bottle of champagne or carafe of bloody marys – and then you can just share among yourselves.
4. The Royal – A cozy Latin cafe in Shaw.  The menu is limited here, but the coffee beverages are delicious.  If you’re going to get food, check out the guava pastry and chicken biscuit,
5. Ted’s Bulletin – A famous bakery and restaurant with out of this world poptarts and adult milkshakes, located on 14th St & Eastern Market.  Try the chicken biscuits, brussel sprouts, and biscuits & gravy.

 

There’s no wrong way to brunch in DC – and there are new restaurants popping up all the time!  If this doesn’t help you find what you’re looking for, check out the DC brunch experts at Bitches who Brunch.