Best breakfast in Washington DC

24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Ted's Bulletin for breakfast and brunch, and a few say it serves breakfast all day. Some people single out the breakfast burrito, and a few others point to the cinnamon rolls and house-made tarts. One diner likes the pancakes. This is a local chain: people name its Capitol Hill, NoMa and Logan Circle spots, and the location listed here is the 14th Street one. One diner calls it good and consistent despite a touristy reputation, while one person says it has gone downhill and another disagrees.

21 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Most commenters recommend Heat Da Spot Cafe on Georgia Avenue, and many point to its Ethiopian breakfast, with a few naming the combo or platter. A couple of diners recommend the green sauce, and some find it budget-friendly. One diner was disappointed by the Ethiopian breakfast, another says service is slower than at a cafe by the Petworth Metro, and one commenter warns it is not very convenient to get to.

Georgia Ave

18 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Yellow, a cafe with several DC locations; people name the Georgetown and Union Market ones, and the location listed here is Georgetown. Several single out the Georgetown location for breakfast: one says its shakshuka is great alongside other breakfast items and pastries, and another calls it a must-visit on any trip to DC. One diner describes it as a casual, order-at-the-counter option for brunch.

Georgetown

15 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Most diners recommend La Tejana, and many praise its breakfast tacos, with one noting the homemade flour tortillas. Diners place it in Mount Pleasant, where one local reports no line on Wednesday mornings. One diner warns that La Tejana has lines.

Mt Pleasant

13 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many commenters recommend Murray & Paul's for breakfast. Two name it for pancakes, and one says the pancakes are huge. One commenter calls it an old-school greasy spoon, one says it has the full diner feel, and one calls it cheap. One commenter notes it is cash only, and two say it serves until 2pm. One diner praises the hash browns with onions but says a past order left out the pancakes.

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many commenters recommend Jimmy T's on Capitol Hill for breakfast. One commenter calls it a traditional breakfast pick, another likens its feel to Florida Ave Grill, and one says it has not been touched by time or gentrification. Two commenters say it takes only cash, and one notes it is a longer walk from the metro. One commenter calls it okay but would pick Tune Inn over it for a breakfast on the Hill.

Capitol Hill

11 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Market Lunch in Eastern Market, and several say it is a good pick for breakfast. A few name the blueberry buckwheat pancakes, and one diner calls the outing fun, with a line that moves quickly. One visitor suggests arriving early, and another says there is no line on weekdays. One diner says their blueberry buckwheat pancakes have shrunk to about half the size and thinks the recipe changed, and another agrees, adding that they taste off.

Eastern Market

11 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Many commenters point to The Diner in Adams Morgan for breakfast, one saying its breakfast menu is great and another that it is better than IHOP. A couple of commenters say it is budget-friendly, and one says it is open 24 hours on weekends. Two diners warn against it, one calling the food mid and the service slow.

Adams Morgan

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Diners recommend Busboys and Poets, which has multiple DC locations, for breakfast and brunch; one lists it among Chinatown and Penn Quarter options near the mall, and the location listed here is on K Street. Two diners single out the sweet potato pancakes as really good. A few suggest it for a brunch that suits vegan and non-vegan eaters, and another says it can handle big groups.

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many commenters recommend I Egg You for breakfast, a few naming the Barracks Row spot near Eastern Market. One diner praises its breakfast sandwiches, another rates the French toast options highly, and another calls the e+c with jalapenos fantastic. One diner calls it worth the trip, another feels it is overlooked at Eastern Market, and one wishes it opened before 8.

Eastern Market

10 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Many diners recommend Any Day Now for breakfast in Navy Yard, and several single out its scallion pancake breakfast sandwich, with a couple also mentioning the cake. A couple of diners rank it the top pick within Navy Yard proper. One diner found the coffee well below its other offerings, and another felt the food was too oily. A few diners were unimpressed, with one calling the sandwich overpriced and another wondering whether they caught an off day.

Navy Yard

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Unconventional Diner for breakfast, and one commenter notes it serves breakfast and brunch every day. One diner praises the lemon blueberry pancakes as amazing, another names its French toast as their pick, and a third calls it their go-to for treating out-of-town guests, saying the yellow line from DCA goes straight there. Two commenters are more measured: one calls it good but not a splurge, and the other says it is good enough but not a favorite.

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Most commenters recommend Florida Avenue Grill for diner-style breakfast, and one says breakfast runs into the afternoon. A couple of commenters call the food great or excellent, one diner likes the pancakes, and two recall the biscuits and gravy. A couple of commenters point to its long, storied history. One commenter has heard second-hand that the food was not great under new ownership and may still give it a try.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Tony's Breakfast, and a couple call it good. One diner calls the 14th and H NE spot a reasonable breakfast stop with counter service only, and one says it serves breakfast all day. Two people say there is no seating, and one feels that means it is not really a diner.

14th and H Ne

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend The Coupe, and one diner says its biscuits and gravy is the only version they would order out, and another agrees. At the Columbia Heights location, one visitor calls it a neighborhood gem with diner vibes, another believes it serves breakfast all day, and a third finds it decent. One visitor says the small tables and counter suit a solo brunch. One diner finds the fried chicken version very heavy, and another loves the hash browns but finds the flaky salt on top too much.

Columbia Heights

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Most people who weigh in recommend Lincoln's Waffle Shop, and many name it when asked for waffle or breakfast spots. One diner says it is not fancy but was always tasty on their visits, and another likes its scrapple. One diner notes it closes at 2pm and can get crowded, with a wait of about 20 minutes once.

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Silver Diner, a chain, and several name it as a breakfast pick; those who name an outlet mostly mean Navy Yard, which is the location listed here. One diner calls it the most well-rounded classic breakfast option in Navy Yard, another says it is a go-to for weekday brunch, and one more calls it fine.

Navy Yard

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Many people recommend Open City, and several name it for breakfast or brunch, one noting it is the sister restaurant of The Diner. One diner finds it cute but too small for a semi-serious conversation. One diner warns of very long waits for food and attention, and another says it is fine overall but the biscuits and gravy disappoint, while the chicken and waffles is better.

Woodley Park

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Diners recommend Cafe Riggs for breakfast and brunch. Two diners place it in Chinatown, close to the mall, and one suggests it as a heartier, sit-down option. One diner who has eaten there likes bringing visitors for a splurge, and one praises its central location and its setting in a former post office building.

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Several commenters name The Tune Inn as a breakfast pick, and one lists it among places serving breakfast until 2am. One commenter recalls a breakfast there under the animal heads, and notes it opens at 8am. One commenter would choose it over Jimmy T's for a breakfast on the Hill.

Capitol Hill

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Several diners speak well of Petite Cerise. One says its regular croissants are worth ordering over the social-media-famous version, another recommends its pastries and breakfast sandwiches but calls it pricey, one praises its very nice brunch menu, and one calls it delicious. It sits in Shaw, close to the convention center.

5 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Many commenters recommend Early Bird, and some single out its breakfast burritos. One commenter rates the side-door breakfast burrito as the city's best and notes that the window only serves breakfast before noon. Another says they simply love the burritos.

5 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Several commenters name Old Ebbitt Grill for breakfast, and a couple call it classic DC. Another suggests it for anyone wanting a very DC experience, and one says they bring visitors there. It is near the White House.

5 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Pete's Diner is on 2nd Street SE, and one visitor names it as a breakfast spot right by the Library of Congress. Many people recommend it, one diner enjoys the comfort food, and another calls it a long-running local favorite. Caveats: one visitor feels it was stronger in earlier decades, another likes it but finds it rather poor overall, and one says getting in can already be hard.