A guide to D.C.'s most underrated brunches
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Bistro du Jour breakfast platter. Photo: Rey Lopez
Not everyone is into lining up outside Call Your Mother for bagel sandwiches or queuing at La Tejana in Mt. Pleasant for breakfast tacos on a busy weekend (though yes, they're both worth it).
- If you're looking for underrated breakfast or brunch spots, here are some of my favorites, and readers' too:
Rakuya
1900 Q St. NW
Maybe people don't think of sushi and brunch, but you can often snag a table (even outside) at this Japanese restaurant in Dupont Circle.
- The reward: generous, affordably priced "teishoku" sets with a diner's choice of cooked and raw dishes, plus bottomless mimosas if you're in the indulgent mood.
Keren
1780 Florida Ave. NW
There's sometimes a line for dinner tables at this wallet-friendly Eritrean restaurant on the Dupont Circle/Adams Morgan border, but breakfast (especially weekdays) is laid back and served all day.
- My go-to is eggs with ful (mashed fava beans topped with veggies and yogurt), plus Eritrean hot sauce.
Bagels Etc.
2122 P St. NW
The Dupont Circle shop has its diehard fans, but I'd argue the mom-and-pop is underrated compared to some fancier bagel places (there's limited seating and it's cash-only).
- It's hard to go wrong with bacon, egg, and cheese on one of their homemade bagels, which you can take to a park nearby.
Here are some of Axios D.C. readers' favorites:
Bistro du Jour at The Wharf: "They have a great pastry selection, solid egg dishes, and everything has a French flair to it. It's also not overly crowded and very easy to get a reservation the day before." — Brooke D.
Metro 29 in Arlington: "Hands down the best diner in NoVa." — Rebecca B.
Union Street Public House in Alexandria: "Great vegetable omelet, $5 mimosas, decent shrimp and grits, reasonably priced." — Ron P.
Ruthie's All Day in South Arlington: "Chef Matt [Hill] and the amazing staff serve brunch from 9am to 2pm for upwards of 650 people and then have a fantastic midday and evening menu. Great place!" — Ellen F.
Timber Pizza in Petworth: "Delicious egg/cheese and seasonal vegetable empanadas cooked in the wood-fired oven, served with hot honey (since before it was en vogue). For the kids, it's bagels with cream cheese and special pastries. We've wondered if they're the same [owners] as Call Your Mother. It seems even better to us." — David B.
Thought bubble: Timber and CYM do have the same owners! And great call — Timber is definitely more low-key at breakfast than the bagel delis (and just as delicious).