In DC, brunch is not simply the most important meal of the day — it is a way of life. Although there are many excellent choices that this city has to offer, we’ve limited the list to 10 so that you can try them all. Consider this your new go-to DC brunch bucket list.
1. Founding Farmers
Photo courtesy of @district_foodies on Instagram
Located in Foggy Bottom, Founding Farmers is a farm-to-table restaurant that is famous for their brunch, and lines are often out the door. They serve everything from eggs benedict to carrot cake pancakes to bananas foster stuffed french toast.
However, the Founding Farmers breakfast is the best deal on the menu: for $9, you get 2 eggs any style, with your choice of meat, bread, and a side. Pro tip: the leek hash browns will change your life.
Must haves: peanut butter banana toast, Uncle Buck’s beignets, Founding Farmers Breakfast, stuffed french toast with fresh strawberries and cream
2. Farmers Fishers Bakers
Photo courtesy of @farmfishbakedc on Instagram
Located on the Georgetown waterfront, Farmers Fishers Bakers is another farm-to-table restaurant that has the best buffet brunch in the city. For $30, you can pick all of your favorites from their menu, including their honey pot fried chicken, guacamole, and bruleed pink grapefruit.
They also have traveling trays of sushi, pizza, and and eggs Benedict that you must try when they pass your table. Is your mouth watering yet?
Must haves: honey pot fried chicken, bruleed pink grapefruit, guacamole, cinnamon rolls
3. Blue Duck Tavern
Photo courtesy of @district_foodies on Instagram
This is one of our personal favorites for brunch, and the best pancakes in the city can be found at Blue Duck Tavern. Their pumpkin pancakes with coffee cream, coffee crumble, and warm spice will satisfy your inner white girl cravings and tastes exactly like fall.
Must haves: pumpkin pancakes, pecan sticky buns, baked kale gratin, chicken biscuit
4. Le Diplomate
Photo courtesy of @district_foodies on Instagram
Upon walking into Le Diplomate, it will feel like you are walking into a French bistro in Paris. Naturally, one must order a classic french dish: croque madame, with grilled ham, fried egg, and a mornay sauce or their onion soup gratinee will do. Come here and feel like you are escaping the district for an hour or two.
Must haves: steak frites, moules frites, french toast, croque madame
5. Medium Rare
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If you’re a steak and fries kind of person, Medium Rare is for you. After sitting down at the table, they only ask you what you want to drink and how you like your steak. For brunch, you can get their signature steak frites, even adding eggs if you would prefer. There’s also french toast and the famous eggs Benedict, with of course, steak. Once you come here for brunch, you’ll definitely return for dinner.
Must haves: steak frites, steak and eggs
6. Peacock Cafe
Photo courtesy of @spoon_gw on Instagram
Peacock Cafe is famous for their eggs Benedict: poached eggs over grilled ham or smoked salmon topped with Hollandaise sauce and their beyond delicious fries. If you love eggs Benedict, add this brunch spot to your list.
Must haves: Peacock eggs Benedict, french toast
7. Ted’s Bulletin
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Who wouldn’t want to come to a restaurant that offers a “cinnamon roll as big as ya head”? We’re not kidding. They have all-day breakfast, even during dinner time, so this constitutes as brunch whenever you want. Ted’s Bulletin is famous for their poptarts, so make sure to grab some of those on your way out (or eat them before you eat brunch, we won’t judge).
Must haves: cinnamon roll as big as ya head, Ted’s famous grilled cheese & tomato soup
8. Silver
Photo courtesy of @district_foodies on Instagram
The only thing better than brunch? All day brunch. Silver is famous for their banana french toast, topped with vanilla créme, chocolate chips, salted caramel, and vanilla. The menu also includes nutritional information below every menu item, and they mark vegetarian, vegan, low cholesterol, and gluten-free options. Next time you’re in Bethesda, make sure to stop here.
Must haves: banana french toast, roasted veggie huevos rancheros, Chesapeake Bay certified crab cakes, goat cheese bruschetta
9. Cafe Dupont
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Four words: cookies and cream waffle. Does it get any better than that? Cafe Dupont also has create-your-own smoothies for $10, where you can choose 4 items to put in your smoothie from a variety of fruits and vegetables (if you are looking for a lighter brunch).
Must haves: cookies and cream waffle, waffle fried banana
10. DGS Delicatessen
Photo courtesy of @dgsdelicatessen on Instagram
DGS Delicatessen is Jewish comfort food at its finest, and it’s one of the best brunch deals in the city. For $27, you can choose between an appetizer or dessert plus a main dish and bottomless drinks. If you’re looking for someplace different and unique with amazing food, DGS Delicatessen is sure to step up to the plate.
Must haves: Benedictberg, challah french toast, breakfast club, potato latkes