21 Fantastic Restaurants For Brunch in D.C. — Resy | Right This Way
Updated: April 21, 2026
For many of us, brunch is a happily anticipated occasion — both a meal and social gathering, and a ritual that’s up there with Friday night drinks or snacking during game day. D.C. has plenty to offer on that front, with an array of standout dishes like L’Ardente’s tiramisu French toast, a Bombay toastie at Pappe, or the immediately iconic French dip at Minetta Tavern.
Whether you lean towards avocado or eggs, coffee or cocktails, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite restaurants to visit the next time the weekend rolls around — here’s our guide to the finest restaurants for brunch in the District.
Newly added: All-Purpose Pizza, Amparo Fondita, Dirty Habit, Doi Moi, El Mercat Bar de Tapas, Gatsby, Osteria Mozza, Pappe, Pascual, Mi Vida, River Club, Unconventional Diner, and Vagabond Bar and Kitchen. Prices are subject to change.
Chloe
- The United Nations, but make it brunch
- American
- $$
Minetta Tavern DC
- Pure indulgence and a touch of scene
- French - American
- $$
Primrose
- There's a reason we all want to move to Paris
- French
- $$$
Opal
- Mid-Atlantic, with a touch of California crunch
- New American
- $$
Vagabond
- The best bites from the places with the best waves
- International
- $$
MI VIDA Wharf
- A Mexican fiesta, any time of day
- Mexican
- $$
River Club
- Mediterranean flavor, flair, and flamboyance
- Mediterranean
- $
Amparo Fondita
- Mexican brunch beverages that steal the show
- Mexican
- $$
L'Ardente
- Brunch beverages get an Italian glow-up
- Italian
- $
Pappe
- When the spice is right
- Indian
- $$
Unconventional Diner
- Your favorite diner dishes, turned up
- American
- $
Osteria Mozza – DC
- La Dolce Vita in a light-filled dining room
- Italian
- $$
Dirty Habit
- When satisfying your sweet tooth is a Sunday ritual
- New American
- $
doi moi
- Bottomless brunch with Vietnamese desserts mean zero regrets
- Asian
- $
Amélie DC
- Soulful French cooking with a side of romance
- French
- $
Casa Teresa
- Spanish classics and a convivial atmosphere
- Spanish
- $$
Dauphine's
- Live music with gorgeous Cajun cooking
- Contemporary American
- $$
Pascual
- When you want to feel like you're in Mexico City
- Mexican
- $$
Gatsby
- A weekend brunch that everyone gets out of bed for
- American
- $
El Mercat Bar De Tapas
- Spanish small plates for the entire family
- Spanish
- $
All Purpose
- Brunch, the New Jersey pizzeria way
- Pizza
- $$
21 venues
1. All Around Recs
2. For Dining with a Crew
3. For the Drinks
4. For the Desserts
5. For Celebrating
6. For Young Diners
Essential Brunch Spots in Washington, D.C.
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\ \ ilili DC\ \ 4.9 ·\ \ Lebanese · $\ \ Washington D.C.](/content/cities/dc/ilili-dc/index.html) \ \ The Greenhouse\ \ 4.8 ·\ \ Contemporary American · $$\ \ Washington D.C.](/content/cities/dc/the-greenhouse-dc/index.html) \ \ Jyoti Indian Cuisine\ \ 4.8 ·\ \ Indian · $\ \ Washington D.C.](/content/cities/dc/jyoti-indian-cuisine/index.html) \ \ Dirty Habit\ \ 4.1 ·\ \ New American · $\ \ Penn Quarter Washington D.C.](/content/cities/dc/dirty-habit/index.html) \ \ Fish Shop\ \ 4.4 ·\ \ Seafood · $$\ \ Southwest Washington](/content/cities/dc/fish-shop/index.html) \ \ Urban Roast\ \ 3.7 ·\ \ Contemporary American · $$\ \ Penn Quarter](/content/cities/dc/urban-roast/index.html) \ \ The Occidental\ \ 4.8 ·\ \ American · $$\ \ Washington D.C.](/content/cities/dc/the-occidental/index.html)
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Our All-Around Picks
Photo courtesy of Chloe
Chloe
The United Nations, but make it brunch
The best part of brunch at Chloe is the variety. Because the venue features global brunch small plates, you can sample a host of dishes, including scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms, country-style biscuits, a breakfast hoagie with maple sausage, chocolate banana bread, and New Orleans-style beignets.
Minetta Tavern DC
Pure indulgence and a touch of scene
Keith McNally’s blockbuster hotspot is everything we expected from the NYC import and more, and we’re happy to report that the restaurant’s brunch is about as buzzy and memorable as we’d hoped. While there’s an abundance of scene to take in, the menu has more than enough to keep you distracted — the kitchen’s take on a French dip is plenty indulgent, and the restaurant’s famed burgers are available at brunch, too. For the truly chic, an omelette with chives and Gruyere cheese with a glass of wine is about as stylish as it gets — and makes becoming a regular one of our goals.
Primrose
There's a reason we all want to move to Paris
Brunch has become a newfangled favorite in Paris, and Primrose channels that energy perfectly. The fluffy, golden Dutch baby, served in a small cast iron dish and glowing with a gooey apple compote is the dish to get. But if savory dishes are calling your name, there’s biscuits and gravy, pork hash, and the smash burger —at the moment also a Parisian obsession, as it happens. If the weather is nice, ask for a table on the beautiful patio, so you can go full Parisian and people-watch as you enjoy your brunch.
Opal
Mid-Atlantic, with a touch of California crunch
This charming bistro — Nina May’s younger sister — hosts a three-course brunch that opens with a starter of your choice (we highly recommend the Yukon and sweet potato latkes, which arrive crowned with dollops of crème fraîche and apple butter), moves through a hearty entrée (leaning more lunch or brunch, you choose), and ends with one of their signature desserts. Simple, classic, and destined to become your go-to spot for the weekend. Pro tip: Absolutely get the bottomless drinks add-on, which covers everything from sangria to mimosas to margaritas.
For Groups
Photo courtesy of Vagabond
Vagabond
The best bites from the places with the best waves
Surf’s up – which is your cue to grab your friends, claim a table, and order like you mean it. The menu is an around-the-world tour of the best surfing destinations on the planet, so options include Portuguese baked eggs, San Diego’s famed breakfast burritos, and Mexican chilaquiles sospecial that you’ll be booking a ticket to Mexico before your meal is over. The theme extends from the food to the vibe — hang loose, and ride the wave.
MI VIDA Wharf
A Mexican fiesta, any time of day
With its soaring ceilings, gorgeous waterfront views, and vivacious energy, Mi Vida has exactly the brunch scene you and your friends have been looking for. Order the “un poco de todo” menu, which comes in sizes serving three, four, or five people. It includes all the brunch dishes you need in your life: huevos rellenos, corn croquetas, seafood empanadas, and more. Pitchers of margaritas provide the perfect pairing, obviously.
River Club
Mediterranean flavor, flair, and flamboyance
The ornate furniture, designed and made in Lebanon, and the toe-tapping beats curated by owner Farid Azouri — who doubles as a DJ and music producer — make for a meal you and your crew won’t forget anytime soon. The Lebanese parfait offers the fluffiest labneh you’ve possibly ever had, and we are obsessed with the creamy parmesan polenta in the gambas and grits. The Rossini is one of the prettiest brunch cocktails in town with its vibrant strawberry-pink hue, and it serves as the quintessential partner to the knafeh pancakes — a sweet and savory dish where kataifi dough is stuffed with cheese, baked, and adorned with a scoop of apple compote.
For Boozy Brunches
Photo courtesy of Amparo Fondita
Amparo Fondita
Mexican brunch beverages that steal the show
For a classic Mexican brunch done right — food and drinks both — Amparo Fondita has your name written all over it. There are chilaquiles smothered in a smoky guajillo salsa; huevos rancheros where eggs are served over black bean and Oaxacan cheese tortillas; and a breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, pinto beans, and a sweet-spicy carrot-habanero salsa. The beverages are equally worthy of the occasion. Our favorites are the Jugo Verde, Café de Ollabursting witharomatic cinnamon, and the Oaxacan hot chocolate that’s spicy, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying.
L'Ardente
Brunch beverages get an Italian glow-up
Undoubtedly, you will crush on all the delectable Italian brunch items at L’Ardente, which range from sweet items like the French Riviera toast with cinnamon brioche and vanilla custard, to savory dishes such as the Benedict with pillowy poached eggs with prosciutto cotto and hollandaise. But what will really take your breath away are the cocktails. The Caprese Bloody Mary is the ultimate Italian version of the classic drink and comes festooned with a caprese skewer and a balsamic salt rim — and the Sorbetto Spritz is made with a dollop of melon basil sorbet doused in bubbles.
Pappe
When the spice is right
Named after the Punjabi word for “brother,” Pappe wears its soul on its sleeve — and its spice on everything else. Its street market decor is the perfect backdrop for chef Sanjay Mandhaiya’s Indian fare, which represents different culinary traditions around the Indian sub-continent. At brunch, highlights are the Bombay toast — India’s savory take on French toast — which offers bold flavors through green chiles, tomato chile jam, and gunpowder-dusted fries;and the wild mushroom omelet served with maska pav, a buttery bun sold by Mumbai street food vendors. The brunch thali, a silver platter with a series of small plates, is the move if you want to try a little of everything, and you probably do. On the drinks front, the Pili Marg, made with Tequila, ancho peppers, mango, and pineapple; as well as the Curry & Co, with rum, coconut, orange, ras el hanout, and kummel (a cumin and caraway seed liquor), prove that Indian spices have always belonged in a cocktail glass.
For Sweets
Photo courtesy of Unconventional Diner
Unconventional Diner
Your favorite diner dishes, turned up
The bright blue booths and signature red bar stools are nostalgic of classic American diners, but the food here is far from tired old diner fare. The sweet potato shakshuka is creamy and fragrant; chicken and waffles feature a cheddar-and-chive cornbread and a drizzle of honey sriracha; and Lebanese fried rice is topped with two glistening fried eggs. Somehow, the desserts are even more extraordinary, with modern interpretations of the throwback diner sweets of the 1950s. The cheesecake is of the Basque variety and so velvety it melts on your tongue. A peanut butter sundae is topped with the silkiest peanut-butter butterscotch, and the mile–high lemon pie is the ultimate showstopper, with a whipped and bruleed méringue topping.
Osteria Mozza – DC
La Dolce Vita in a light-filled dining room
The brunch at this Georgetown destination is a relaxed, casually fabulous affair, with an irresistible lineup of baked treats including banana bread, coffee cake, glazed cinnamon rolls, citrus-scented brioche, and biscuits served with a seasonal jam. Savory options include a sprawling spread of Nancy Silverton’s signature pizzas and pastas, but there is, of course, classic brunch fare, and that includes eggs in purgatory and a gruyere-laden frittata. Save room for their famous desserts — your meal will not be complete without the butterscotch budino or the coconut stracciatella gelato pie. The light-filled solarium is an ideal place to enjoy all these goods, but really, there isn’t a bad table in the house.
Dirty Habit
When satisfying your sweet tooth is a Sunday ritual
It’s chic, modern, and elegant, with sweet dishes that will knock your socks offto boot. Start off with an order of churros, cinnamon rolls, or raspberry croissants. Next, there’s a dense, baked French toast with vanilla custard, and waffles smothered in not one, not two, but three sauces: dulce de leche, bourbon maple syrup, and lavender mango compote. If you need to throw in something savory, sample the breakfast wrap, with creamy scrambled eggs, melted queso, and a spicy salsa verde.And to stay committed to your sweet tooth, there is dessert, too, including an ice cream sundae topped with red velvet cookies.
doi moi
Bottomless brunch with Vietnamese desserts mean zero regrets
The bottomless brunch option is the only way to go at Doi Moi. Each small plate is more tempting than the last, and this way you get to sample both savory dishes and everything from the sweet treats section of the menu. Kick things off with potato dumplings, crispy tofu, and egg–and–cheese bao buns, and then launch into the sweet side of things. Their neon-green pandan waffle smothered in a lavender butterfly-pea coconut syrup is possibly the most eye-catching waffle in the District. Coconut beignets are chewy clouds, and the mango sticky rice brings a tropical note.
For Special Occasions
Photo courtesy of Amélie DC
Amélie DC
Soulful French cooking with a side of romance
There’s no better way to commemorate a special occasion than by taking a trip to Paris. But if that isn’t in the cards, we have the next best thing — brunch at Amélie. The neighborhood bistro vibe will bring out the romantic in you, and the food and drinks will only add to that. There are zero duds on the menu — steak frites with eggs, crêpes au chocolate, and truffle frites. There’s a bottomless drinks option, if you really want to celebrate.
Casa Teresa
Spanish classics and a convivial atmosphere
An oak and charcoal grill forms the heart of Rubén García’s upscale Spanish restaurant, but contrary to the chef’s high-end credentials (El Bulli, Minibar), much of the menu here focuses on familiar fare taken up several notches. Sitting down for a late brunch at this downtown hotspot is a convivial and chic affair, and alongside oysters, bubbles, and excellent Spanish cooking (the flavors of that open hearth allowing each ingredient to shine), there’s a strong list of vermouths, Spanish wines and cocktails, whether you want to start early or keep the party going.
Dauphine's
Live music with gorgeous Cajun cooking
This downtown institution is known for serious Cajun cooking during the week, but the restaurant relaxes for a celebratory jazz brunch each Sunday with cocktails, live music, and plenty of New Orleans-inspired fare. The beignets, signature oysters Dauphine, and spicy chicken and waffles are a must, while the crab cake and blackened catfish with heirloom grits also comes highly commended — if you have room to spare, that is.
Pascual
When you want to feel like you're in Mexico City
D.C. residents rejoice: Pascual, our collective favorite upscale Mexican spot,just launched brunch, and it’s even better than we all imagined. Huevos fritos with arroz are doused in a smoky, nutty salsa matcha; Mexican shrimp cocktail is as bold as it sounds; and the omelet, stuffed with poblano and mushrooms, is earthy and meaty. There’s also a fried quesadilla served with tangy salsa verde, just to make it nearly impossible for you to choose what to order. For cocktails, must-tries include the Mole Old Fashioned and seasonal agua fresca with rhubarb and pomelo. Celebrate a birthday, anniversary or the fact that it’s the weekend — just find any excuse to make a brunch reservation here immediately.
For Kids
Photo courtesy of Gatsby
Gatsby
A weekend brunch that everyone gets out of bed for
Perched alongside the Anacostia River, Navy Yard is a great family-friendly spot for exploring. When it’s time for sustenance, head straight to 1920’s-themed Gatsby. The venue offers the special “taste of Gatsby” for groups up to seven, with family-style sharing of dishes like scrambled eggs, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and cinnamon swirl French toast. And no matter how old you are, everyone needs one of their creamy milkshakes to pair it all with.
El Mercat Bar De Tapas
Spanish small plates for the entire family
It’s lively, it’s crowded, and the menu has something for everyone, from Spanish tapas to more traditional brunch dishes like steak and eggs, but you can also get an entire pan of paella to share with the table. We recommend adults dive into the Manchego-stuffed omelet with a glass of the house sangria. And for the kids, there’s ham croquettes, crab dip, and torrija, Spain’s irresistible version of French toast.
All Purpose
Brunch, the New Jersey pizzeria way
It will be hard to stray from All-Purpose’s famous pizzas, but their brunch offerings are also worthy of your attention. We are obsessed with the Italian egg soufflé that’s doused in a black truffle sauce, the smeared-with-sour-cream double fried hash browns, and the bottomless bellinis. If the kids aren’t feeling adventurous that day, the tomato pie, called “the standard,” models simple perfection, and they will love the baked-to-order chocolate chip cookies for dessert (well, so will you).
Priya Konings is a food and travel writer and photographer residing in the Washington, D.C. area. Her passions include writing and photography, traveling the world, and eating delicious vegetarian fare both locally and globally. Her work has been published in Resy, Northern Virginia Magazine, Washington City Paper, The Dining Traveler, District Fray, and Brightest Young Things in addition to other publications. You can follow her on Instagram . Follow Resy, too.
L'Ardente
4.7 · Italian · $
East End
Pappe
4.6 · Indian · $$
Logan Circle
Minetta Tavern DC
4.6 · French - American · $$
Union Market
Nina May
4.7 · American · $$
Shaw
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