I find it special that beyond the monuments and marble, Washington, D.C.’s breakfast and brunch scene blends global influences with local charm. I love how this city starts the day with crab cake Benedicts, bottomless brunches, and cafés buzzing with conversation and character. I look forward to mornings that begin with a pastry in Dupont Circle and end with rooftop dining in The Wharf.
Unique Washington D.C. Breakfast Spots:
1. Old Ebbitt Grill
Old Ebbitt Grill is an iconic tavern in downtown Washington that has been serving award-winning cuisine for more than 160 years. Established in 1856 and just steps from The White House and the city’s famous museums, the restaurant has always been a favorite haunt of celebrities, theater-goers, journalists, and political insiders, as well as Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt. Set in a beautiful building with a Beaux-Arts façade, brass and beveled glass windows, cozy mahogany, and velvet booths and marble bars, the Victorian-style eatery serves upscale American saloon food with an emphasis on fresh and seasonal ingredients and accompanied by fine wines, artisan beers, and signature spirits. Four full service bars offer Clyde's Classic Cocktails, and an impressive selection of wines by the glass, all of which is served by friendly, professional wait staff in a convivial, relaxed atmosphere.
675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, Phone: 202-347-4800
2. Farmers Fishers Bakers
Located on the banks of the Potomac River, in Georgetown’s lively Washington Harbour area, Farmers Fishers Bakers is a farmer-owned eco-chic restaurant with spectacular river views that serves farm-to-table American fare, fresh sushi and signature cocktails in an unpretentious, relaxed setting. The urban farmhouse serves a seasonal menu of made-from-scratch fare using locally sourced ingredients and products with a focus on environmental sustainability. Farmers Fishers Bakers are open for lunch, dinner, and an ever-popular weekend brunch, which features a variety of tables laden with different fare from Butchers and Carver’s Tables heaving with meats, to aGardener’s Table packed with salads and vegetables, and a Dessert Table boasting sweet treats.
3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007, Phone: 202-298-8783
3. Founding Farmers & Distillers
Founding Farmers & Distillers is a restaurant, bar, and distillery run by the Founding Farmers team that offers a creative menu of globally-inspired fare and a variety of beverages mixed with house-made spirits. Owned and operated by restaurateurs, Mike Vucurevich and Dan Simons, whose aim is to transform the American dining experience by focusing on taking diners back to their roots when it comes to food, Founding Farmers & Distillers serves made-from-scratch fare prepared using ingredients and produce sourced from the 47,000 farmers that make up the North Dakota Farmer’s Union. Signature dishes include Dan’s Mum’s Eggs and Soldiers with soft boiled eggs on brioche toast; Cacio E Pepe with scrambled eggs, pecorino cheese, roasted tomatoes, and cracked black pepper; Egg Foo Yong with broccolini, carrots, mushrooms and a hoisin ginger sauce; and Chef Joe’s Scramble with hash browns, potatoes, mortadella, and spinach.
600 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, Phone: 202-464-3001
Date Ideas:
4. Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets is a community gathering place that was founded in 2005 by Iraqi-American artist, activist, and restaurateur, Anas ‘Andy’ Shallal. Embraced the surrounding progressive community, especially activists opposed to the Iraq War, Busboys and Poets is now located in six distinctive neighborhoods in the Washington Metropolitan area and is a popular community resource for artists, activists, dreamers, thinkers, and writers. The café is open all day and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch, along with decadent desserts, a kid’s menu and a special menu for catering and events.
2021 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009, Phone: 202-387-7638
5. Belga Cafe
Belga Cafe is a charming Belgian-inspired bistro that serves an array of authentic European fare such as mussels and frites, along with an extensive list of Belgian ales. The bistro is a favorite haunt for Sunday brunch, which features a menu of classic and creative dishes such as oven-grilled mussels on the half-shell with garlic butter, Belgian onion soup with Gruyère cheese and croutons, and Chesapeake Smokehouse salmon with pickled cucumber, dill crème Fraiche, and baby crêpes. Hearty entrées include Flemish beef stew with Leffe Brown sauce, Belgian frites, mayonnaise, and an endive salad, grilled West African sea bass with melted spinach, mushrooms, and lemon mosto oil, and Belgian steak tartare with fried onions, cornichons, capers, fried quail eggs, and Belgian frites.
514 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003, Phone: 202-544-0100
📔 I get asked this a lot so I decided to include it:
- Q: What makes Washington, DC a unique travel destination?
- A: Washington, DC is unique and filled with history, offering many great things to see and do with the whole family, including some fantastic restaurants.
- Q: Why is breakfast considered the best meal of the day in DC?
- A: Sizzling eggs, the aroma of bacon, and steaming hot, freshly brewed coffee make breakfast arguably the best meal of the day in DC.
- Q: Does Washington, DC have good breakfast spots?
- A: Yes, DC has a plethora of fantastic spots for morning bites, offering a variety of delicious breakfast options.
- Q: What can visitors expect from breakfast in DC?
- A: Visitors can expect delicious flavors, fresh ingredients, and a range of morning delights from traditional diners to trendy cafés.
- Q: Are there family-friendly breakfast options in DC?
- A: Absolutely! Many breakfast spots in Washington, DC cater to families, offering a welcoming atmosphere and kid-friendly menu options.
Map:
Plan Your Trip