The Pembroke on Dupont Circle is an ethereal spot for brunch. {Photograph} courtesy of Pembroke.
Dupont Circle is considered one of DC’s finest neighborhoods for breakfast and brunch—native bakeries and occasional retailers mingle with quick-grab locations, leisurely cafes, and nice eating places. On Sundays, the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market—the most important in DC—sprawls out close to the circle with native stalls providing Zeke’s Espresso, Name Your Mom bagels, breakfast sandwiches, egg tacos, and extra.
Bakeries, Bagelries, and Espresso Retailers
Bagels And so on.
2122 P St., NW
Regulars swear this mom-and-pop bagel store makes a number of the finest, unfussy bagel sandwiches in DC—and there’s usually a line to show it. Carry money and put together to take your bacon-egg-and-cheese house (or to a close-by park); there are only some seats outdoors.
Dawson’s Market
2001 S St., NW
This regionally minded market, tucked away on a North Dupont aspect avenue, serves tasty biscuit sandwiches (grab-and-go on weekdays). There are additionally made-to-order brunch sandwiches on weekends, pizzas, a espresso bar (that additionally serves beer/wine), and a dog-friendly patio with picnic tables.
Dolcezza Gelato & Espresso
1704 Connecticut Ave., NW
Gelato for breakfast? Nobody’s judging, however this native chain additionally brews tasty espresso drinks, nitro chilly brews, and teas alongside candy and savory pastries from NoMa-based Bluebird Bakery.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe
1301 Connecticut Ave., NW; 1200 New Hampshire Ave., NW
The Mediterranean bakery/cafe chain out of Boston is taking up DC—and there are strains to show it. Go for croissants, the smoked-salmon/avocado tartine, feta-stuffed boureka (a savory pastry), and extra. Dupont’s location has a small seating space inside in addition to a patio.
Toastique
1899 N St., NW
The homegrown fancy toast and cold-pressed juice bar is an Insta-worthy cease. Fairly breads come loaded with combos like smashed avocado, marinated tomatoes, and microgreens, or pastrami smoked salmon with herbed cream cheese and greens. Additionally on faucet: fruit and acai bowls, and colourful smoothies.
Un Je Ne Sais Quoi…
1361 Connecticut Ave, NW
It’s straightforward to really feel transported to Paris at this small cafe and patisserie beneath Dupont Circle. Cafe au lait, ache au chocolate, pistachio croissants, and brioche breads are match for morning—although nobody’s judging if you happen to order one of many signature merveilleux desserts.
Cafes and Cheap Eating places
Chiko
2029 P St.. NW
Dim sum—however make it fast-casual. The Chinese language/Korean spot dishes up bites like cumin-lamb dumplings, spicy dan dan noodles, and kimchi pancakes on Saturdays and Sundays along with the common menu (obtainable for takeout in addition to restricted dine-in).
Colada Store Dupont Circle
1900 N St., NW
The native Cuban cafe lately opened its fifth DC-area location, beneath Dupont Circle. Count on a well-known lineup of Cuban sandwiches, calderos (sofrito-based egg skillets), do-it-yourself pastries and empanadas, espresso and espresso drinks, and engaging mojitos.
Emissary and Emissary Espresso Home
2032 P St., NW; 1726 twentieth St., NW
Two stylish, impartial cafes pour Counter Tradition espresso drinks—alongside beer, wine, and cocktails—morning by means of evening. The P Avenue location is bigger and serves all-day breakfast and brunch, together with lox bagels, avocado toast, and inexperienced smoothies— plus loads of vegetarian and vegan choices.
Keren
1780 Florida Ave., NW
At evening, you could discover a crowd at this comfortable Eritrean restaurant on the Dupont/Adams Morgan border. However mornings, beginning at 10 AM, are comparatively peaceable for snagging a window desk and comforting bowl of ful (mashed fava beans) topped with chopped tomato, jalapeno, yogurt, and scrambled eggs. We additionally like eggs silsi—scrambled with spicy Eritrean tomato sauce—and robust espresso. Excellent news: breakfast is served all day.
La Bicicletta
2029 P St., NW Suite 100
This sunny, European-style neighborhood cafe and bar from the Emissary staff simply made its all-day debut. Brioche egg sandwiches begin at 8 AM with robust espresso—or strive a stronger combo cope with a pint of beer—alongside salads and lunchtime sandwiches/paninis.
Mikko
1636 R St., NW
The comfortable Nordic cafe is a captivating place for quiches, pastries, and Danish-style open-faced sandwiches. A prolonged weekend brunch (9 AM to 4 PM) consists of dishes like Swedish pancakes, lingonberry bread pudding, sausage and egg platters, and wallet-friendly ($6) mimosas. A patio and streetery double the comfortable cafe’s dimension in good climate.
Sincerely Breakfast
1506 nineteenth St., NW
Early risers can snag a satisfying breakfast beginning at 8:30 AM from this ghost kitchen—a part of Dupont Circle’s Underground Meals Court docket (there may be restricted patio seating, not like most takeout/supply ideas). Dishes are amped-up variations of morning classics—harissa chicken-and-egg burritos, fried rooster biscuits with bacon and spicy honey, or strawberry-cheesecake French toast.
Teaism
2009 R St., NW
Whether or not you want a fast pick-me-up or want to linger, this longtime pan-Asian cafe and tea home is a welcome respite. The all-day breakfast choices embrace egg sandwiches with Asian slaw, okonomiyaki pancakes, and egg scrambles. Teas are available in each energy and taste, plus boba.
Reasonably Priced Eating places
All Day by Kramers
1517 Connecticut Ave., NW
Dupont Circle’s revamped Kramerbooks & Afterwards Cafe is a superb weekend cease for books and all-day breakfast. Brunch runs lengthy—from 8 AM to 4 PM—with a various menu: egg dishes, lunch salads, vegan choices, barbecue sandwiches, and extra.
Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse
Bistro du Coin
1738 Connecticut Ave., NW
For over 20 years, Yannis Felix and Michel Verdon have run this jovial French eating room—a north Dupont staple. Brunch is an upbeat affair with omelets, Benedicts, and French specialties like oeufs brouillés (scrambled eggs) in puff pastry with greens.
Duke’s Grocery (briefly closed for rennovations)
1513 seventeenth St., NW
The place are you able to get a correct English breakfast—each meaty and veggie? Duke’s gastropub, which opens for brunch on the early-ish aspect (10 AM) on weekends. Bottomless drinks (mimosas, bloodies, beers) are $26.
Floriana
1602 seventeenth St., NW
Take a cue from Madam Vice President and cease by this 40-plus year-old Italian restaurant, outfitted with crimson-hued rooms and a entrance streetery. Time-tested signatures like hearty lasagna be part of a brunch menu of wallet-friendly (for a white-tablecloth spot) dishes like New York strip and eggs ($17) or a smoked salmon Benedict. Go bottomless for $17.
Lauriol Plaza
835 18th St., NW
There are flashier Mexican eating places in Dupont (Mi Casa), and boozier ones (Mission and its bottomless margaritas). However we all the time come again to this longtime Tex-Mex spot for frozen swirl margaritas, crispy (free!) chips, and a number of the finest scorching fajitas on the town. One other plus: the place isn’t phased by large-party reservations or walk-ins—youngsters and strollers included—although patio social gathering sizes are extra restricted.
Pizzeria Paradiso
2003 P St., NW
Lengthy earlier than the DC pizza growth, Ruth Gresser opened her smash hit wood-fired pizzeria in Dupont. Its moved and expanded because the early ’90s, however the high quality and do-it-yourself elements—from the sauces to the sausage—hasn’t modified. Although there’s not a “brunch” providing, per se, we nonetheless love dropping by on weekends for an egg-topped bottarga pie, brick-oven wings, or tangy escarole salad.
Vagabond
1836 18th St., NW
This coastal newcomer close to the intersection of Dupont and Adams Morgan dishes up beach-y vibes, tropical drinks, and surf-inspired eats like chilaquiles, Portuguese baked eggs, and wholesome poke or Acai bowls. Diners can go for a bottomless drink deal that features a alternative of entree ($40). There’s additionally out of doors and rooftop seating on good days.
Zorba’s Cafe
1612 twentieth St., NW
This family-run, counter-order Greek place is a neighborhood favourite for over 35 years. Diners pack the small patio in good climate for homestyle plates (all the time verify the specials board), gyros, and Greek salads served with do-it-yourself olive rolls.
Reasonable to Costly Spots
Anju
1805 18th St., NW
Dupont’s hit Korean restaurant is as vibrant at brunch as it’s at dinner. Guide a desk—inside or on the patio—or stomach as much as the bar for grilled galbi steak-and-eggs, hangover-curing soups and stews (seafood ramyun, braised brief rib rice porridge), and towering milk bread-French toast platters. Enjoyable day drinks embrace recent juices like strawberry-lychee lemonade that may be spiked with booze.
Boqueria Dupont
1837 M St., NW
On the lookout for a free-flowing brunch that isn’t all the time packed (or loud)? This Spanish restaurant—a Manhattan export with greater than a decade underneath its belt—is a superb alternative, particularly in patio climate. A prolonged a la carte tapas menu is accompanied by brunch specials like egg-topped paella or Spanish tortilla platters—all with the choice of bottomless sangria and mimosas ($29) or an improve that provides Estrella beers, bloodies, and cava to the combination ($45 per particular person).
Hank’s Oyster Bar
1624 Q St., NW
Channel summers in Maine on Hank’s tree-shaded patio, the place you may order oysters a myriad of the way, plus a scrumptious lobster roll and chilly beer (or bottomless mimosas for $25). You’ll additionally discover a uncommon San Francisco specialty:the hangtown fry (bacon, oysters, and eggs). If fish doesn’t catch your eye, a brunch menu provides specials like a breakfast burger.
Iron Gate
1734 N St., NW
We regularly discover ourselves recommending this Mediterranean charmer for brunch, with its pretty wisteria-lined patio and wood-burning grill. Chef Anthony Chittum’s menu isn’t super-fancy—suppose olive oil-fried eggs, oak-roasted shrimp saganaki, and bread pudding French toast—however it feels refined, particularly when matched with chilled Greek wines.
Lyle
1731 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Celebration brunches are again—and people seeking to dip their toes with out going full-La Boum can try this weekend DJ brunch on the Lyle resort. Music and bottomless bevvies ($28) make it upbeat, whereas the swank environment hold issues comparatively tame. The meals is sweet, too—suppose honey-ham Benedicts on do-it-yourself cornbread or brief rib hash over grits.
The Pembroke
1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW
You’ll pay resort breakfast (and brunch) costs on the Doyle’s restaurant on Dupont Circle—however you’ll additionally get an airy-chic setting, pretty patio, and a traveler-friendly lineup that runs the gamut from lobster Benedicts to superfood salads and pork-belly steam buns. The general public—and their furry mates—may also cease by the Doyle & Co. espresso bar and pastry store which sells artisanal canine treats like Corgi cannolis and Samoyed s’mores ($1.50 to $3.50 per cookie).
Rakuya
1900 Q St., NW
Certain, you may splurge on an omakase or sashimi platter—however don’t sleep on Rakuya’s lunch and brunch offers, supplied indoors and on a giant patio. Teishoku units are a scrumptious, filling steal ($16 to $22) that every one include shrimp and vegetable tempura, soup, rice, a bunch of small treats (salads, chawanmushi egg custard, recent fruit) and your alternative of a important like sashimi or fried rooster kara-age. There are additionally lesser-seen dishes like omu hayashi rice, crowd-pleasers like bubble waffles, and $15 bottomless mimosas.
Residents Cafe & Bar
1306 18th St., NW
The fashionable Dupont Circle hangout is understood for its enjoyable patio decor—beachy in summer season, lodge-like in winter—Insta-ready cocktails, and a flavorful Mediterranean menu. Brunch brings share plates like French toast bites, Turkish eggs on grilled pita, and fancy toasts/tartines. Cocktails are available in group-friendly bottles with sangria, caffeinated espresso martinis, or zero-proof choices.
Meals Editor
Anna Spiegel covers the eating and consuming scene in her native DC. Previous to becoming a member of Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia College’s MFA program in New York, and held varied cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
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