Since 2020, many DC Metro brunch restaurants said their goodbyes. But some have weathered the storms and withstood the test of time. Which ones?
All 30 of the ones below that I enjoyed.
All were memorable (company more than food), but one Michelin-star restaurant in the Park Hyatt in Georgetown stood out.
My DC Metro brunch group made brunch a weekend event for almost a decade and this one was a highlight (although most of the food served and service was great!).
Growing up in the area, Georgetown was an area full of bars, and you maybe remember… “The Brat Pack” movies. A scene from St. Elmo’s Fire was from a restaurant group that I worked for in the way-back machine, mentioned further below.
Let me back up a little and fill in some details…
From 2010 to 2020, I was booking groups in my foodie restaurants where I managed parties and events (one location mentioned below).
And, on my free weekends and with my DC metro brunch group of friends, we were trying out brunch-friendly neighborhood restaurants. These are some of our favorite tasting place finds I’m sharing with you… that are still around!
(Even the ones that weren’t historical are now captured in history.)
1. Blue Duck Tavern (L’Enfant) – 1201 24th St NW, Washington DC, 20037
2. Le Diplomate – 1601 14th St NW, Washington DC, 20009
3. DBGB (City Center) – retired but you can still dig into the to-die-for Baked Alaska in the Big Apple.
4. Bastille (Parker Gray) – 606 N Fayette St, Alexandria, VA 22314
5. Founding Farmers & Distillers DC – 600 Mass Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001
For a buffet, I was impressed with the spread. I’m not a buffet fan as I don’t think they’re all that hygienic (pre-pandemic included), but this one was one I would recommend. They even had classy bruleed grapefruit halves. The other Founding Farmers have a mix of buffet or plated options.
6. Medium Rare – Capitol Hill/Barracks Row location closed, but Arlington is open – 3601 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201
Unforgettable steak frites (…need I say more!)
7. Virtue Feed and Grain – Alexandria on the Potomac River – 106 S Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
The view of the Potomac River is worth the visit! If you book an event, upstairs is the way to go!
8. Oyamel -401 Seventh St NW, Washington, DC 20004
More mole? This is a Tex-Mex institution. And it’s one of a few Chef Andres’ famous restaurants in the exciting Chinatown/Gallery Place block. It’s just around the corner from the Theater District (think DC’s version of Time Square).
8. China Chilcano – 418 7th St NW, Washington DC, DC 20004
This Jose Andres’ newest restaurant addition, that’s just as the exotic name implies… it’s a mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Peruvian cuisines. It’s a great place to stop in before a concert across the street at the Capitol One Arena. You can choose from ceviches, dim sum, and noodles. Yes, please!
9. Tabard Inn – 1739 N Street, Washington, DC 20036 (Dupont Circle)
This is the oldest running hotel. You’ll feel it when you realize you’re sitting on modern antique furniture and floors. Don’t let that intimidate you as they serve traditional DC metro brunch foods like their version of chicken and waffles and Eggs Benedict.
10. Birch & Barley – 1337 14th St NW, 2nd Floor, Washington DC, DC 20005 (Logan Circle)
11. Columbia Firehouse – 109 S Saint Asaph St, Alexandria, VA 22314
12. Hen Quarter (Old Town) – 801 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
13. Del Ray Cafe – 205 E Howell Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301 (Del Ray in between Alexandria and Arlington)
14. Vermillion – 1120 King Street, Alexandria, VA
15. Blackwell Hitch – 5 Cameron St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Your choice of sitting outside or inside makes this a great DC metro brunch place.
16. Rosa Mexicano – National Harbor location is the busiest- 153 Waterfront St, National Harbor, MD 20745 – fresh guacamole made tableside
17. Fiola – 601 Pennsylvania Ave. DC 20004
Best restaurant week experience and Italian food 🇮🇹
18. Officina – 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington DC, DC 20024-2417
When I was a kid, this used to be where we bought live crabs. This under developed area is now the popular Wharf area with concerts, restaurants, and the outdoor seafood-fish market spruced up.
19. Sequoia – 3000 K Street, Washington DC 20007 (Georgetown Harbor waterfront)
20. Mia’s – 100 King St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Busy corner of south King Street (Old Town Alexandria) where Mia’s sits (formerly Carluccio’s)
21. Al Dente – Chef Roberto Donna used to run this restaurant. He was the one who put foodie restaurants on the map.
22. Chop Shop Taco – 1008 Madison St, Alexandria, VA 22314 – tex mex
23. Clyde’s Gallery Place/– 707 7th St NW – related to the bar from the St. Elmo’s Fire movie reference I made above, Clyde’s is a DC metro eating institution. Old Ebbitt Grill is one of their well-known restaurants in the country just a few steps from the White House. If you don’t know what to order, you can’t go wrong with the fresh crabcakes or Eggs Benedict.
24. Aqua al 2 – 212 Seventh St SE, Washington, DC 20003
25. Lebanese Taverna (Westover location) – 5900 Washington Blvd., Arlington – this one is neighborhood-friendly. The other locations you can find in big shopping areas like Tysons II Galleria, Adams Morgan, and Pentagon Row. So this quieter neighborhood location (you’ll probably never heard of unless you’ve lived in the area) is a great place to start a meal.
Of course I’m a ‘lil biased because I planned all the parties for these restaurants for a few years when I wasn’t brunching. I don’t mind the adventurous eating once in a while when I’ve tried everything else…
Westover Lebanese Taverna
26. Nat’l Press Club/Fourth Estate Restaurant – 529 14th St. NW, 13th Fl., Washington, DC 20045
This was a fun DC metro brunch place to find once you’re in the building. But after sat, we’re happy and see that they do serve good food!
27. Compass Rose – 1346 T Street, Washington, DC 20009 (U Street Corridor)
28. Commissary DC – 1443 P Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
29. Carlyle Grand Cafe – 4000 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206 – this is a well-known DC metro brunch in Shiriington Village, a quaint shopping center. You’ll also find some boutique-y places like Cheesetique that has its own brunch menu with charcuterie and mac-n-cheese.
30. Brabo – 1600 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – inside the Lorien Hotel and Spa in the north end of Old Town’s King Street
If you’re coming to town for leisure, brunch or a convention, the best time to come is fall when you can appreciate the fall leaves or spring when you catch the cherry blossom display.