Top 5 Washington, D.C. Brunches
The District of Columbia is home to well over 400 restaurants, so finding a cuisine you want to try is easily accomplished. Eating out in DC is serious business, and you can certainly consider it a hobby (we do!). With Washingtonian’s Annual 100 Best-Restaurants List, and Washington Post’s Dining Guides, eating out becomes some what of a challenge: Can one get to all of the restaurants listed before a new list gets published?!
A great way to suss out a new restaurant is by trying their weekend brunch. We tend to gravitate towards boozy brunches (who doesn’t like unlimited mimosas or bloody mary’s) to help de-stress after an intense week at work or driving in beltway traffic! No one takes brunch as seriously as the East Coasters do – there have been times when we planned our brunches weeks in advance in order to get a reservation!
As a vegetarian (ok, pescatarian), dining out around the globe can sometimes be a challenge. Thankfully, restaurants in DC, do a great job at providing vegetarian/vegan options. All the restaurants I’ve mentioned below have numerous vegetarian brunch options, so you won’t leave brunch hungry. 😉
Table of Contents
1) Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant
Shaine knows this: this is my favorite DC spot! Awkward first dates, waiting 2 hours for a table, no space at the bar: nothing can taint Barcelona for me! The food is delicious, and the drinks are creative. While they don’t have a brunch special, their brunch menu is affordable and tapas style makes it perfect for sharing.
My must try items include: Patatas bravas (get two plates, seriously, they’re THAT good!), Spicy Eggplant Caponata, Mushrooms & Herbed Goat Cheese, and the Shaved Fennel & Mushroom Salad
Address: Barcelona Wine Bar, 1622 14th Street NW, Washington, DC
2) Agora DC
Every time I was craving a taste of the Middle East, I’d come to Agora! Their food is on point, and a great way to taste their menu items is at brunch. For $32.00 per person, you get a bottomless brunch. The alcohol choices are certainly the most diverse (mimosa, bloody mary, champagne, house vodka/gin/rum/tequila/whiskey) compared to other restaurants.
My must try items include: baba ghanouj, htipiti (a red pepper dip – delicious!), dolmades, and their manchego omelettte.
Address: Agora, 1527 17th St NW, Washington, D.C.
3) Cava Mezze
Everything I’ve tried on their brunch menu has been excellent! They have locations all throughout the DMV, but I’ve only ever been to the 8th street/Barracks Row location. For $30 per person and 1c you get a truly delicious bottomless brunch.
A word of advice: go hungry, because trust me you are going to eat!
My must try items include: french toast, cava home fries, and the salmon bennie
Address:Â Cava Mezze, 527 8th St. S.E., Washington, D.C.
4) Le Diplomate
Do want to feel like you’re in a Parisian brasserie without leaving DC? Head to Le Dip! Reservations are generally hard to come by, but certainly worth it! The breakfast is delicious. And, I always, always make room for dessert. I don’t believe I’ve had a better creme brûlée before in my life, and I’m not afraid to devour one all by myself.
My must try items include: breakfast pastries, Gruyère omelet, Egg Boudin noir and the creme brûlée (of course!)
Address: Le Diplomate, 1601 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
5) Busboys & Poets
Busyboys is a must visit: their food is amazing, and the atmosphere can’t be beat! They host regular poetry slams, and various community events for artists, activists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers, It was one of the first restaurants I ate at when I first moved to the District, and is on my list of favs! They have multiple locations in the DMV, but their first spot is located on U Street, and one I would recommend.
My must try items include: vegan egg scramble, florentine benedict, home fries and side of vegan bacon (it’s delicious!).
Address: Busboys & Poets, 2021 14th St, NW, Washington, D.C.
If you live in D.C., you know how incredibly hard it was for me to pick just five brunch spots! But, these are definitely my favs that I’ve brunched at numerous times, and would keep going back to!
What are some of your top Washington DC brunch spots?
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