The 15 best brunch spots in Washington, D.C.

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You'd be hard-pressed to find a better and more seasonal menu than what's on offer at Nina May. The vibes, food, and drinks at this Shaw eatery are immaculate at dinner—but they're especially great on a weekend morning. Its intimate, cozy dining room and locally-sourced American dishes made from impeccably fresh ingredients are Nina May's signatures, which shine at brunch. This is the perfect spot to gather your friends for a celebration large or small.

The menu includes lots of cocktails and wines, plus shareable plates like nutmeg and vanilla french toast slathered with citrus butter and bourbon stewed peaches, and an omelette topped crowned with salad, whipped ricotta, and parmigiano reggiano cheese. Get your fill of classic brunch cocktails done very well like Bloody Marys or espresso martinis, and mimosas with a rotating seasonal fruit puree. 

Time Out tip: Nina May's Chef's Choice tasting menus are one of the better deals around town, and the same is true for brunch. Get four dishes, which rotate seasonally, for just $39 per person. 

Keep in mind that at least two people have to participate and that this ends up being a lot of food, which includes several proteins like Lemon + Thyme Pennsylvania Roasted Chicken and Yukon Gold Hash Browns and Smoked Salmon.

The lively patio at this beloved Mount Pleasant institution is just as jumping at brunch as it is during happy hour. Purple Patch's homemade Filipino dishes hit the spot at any time of day, but chef and owner Patrice Cleary works particular magic in the morning.

Traditional brunch fare gets delicious twists here on both the sweet and savory side; ube pancakes are smothered in rich coconut syrup and breakfast sandwiches come brimming with scrambled eggs, Filipino coleslaw, American cheese and longanisa (Filipino sausage) or pork belly. 

Brunch is a major event at Anju, an excellent Korean restaurant serving Korean comfort food on 18th Street in Dupont. Situated inside a cozy and inviting rowhouse, the neighborhood watering hole's brunch menu is filled with tasty takes on brunch classics that infuse classic Korean flavors and ingredients. 

Try the KFC & Waffles, which means a sweet potato waffle topped with fried chicken soaked in sticky gochujang glaze, sesame butter, and maple syrup; other standouts include the Gilgeori toast, milk bread topped with a vegetable omelette and American cheese, and Shrimp Juk, cheddar rice porridge with scallion chimichurri and sautteed shrimp. 

Time Out tip: Anju serves excellent cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks, so be sure to order one. For brunch, try the various flavored lemonades and add a bit of soju or vodka if you're up for it. Get your sugar/caffeine fix with Anju's iced instant coffee, the Korean MAXXX, too.  

Perry's has been a neighborhood staple in Adams Morgan since 1984. The multi-level space on Columbia Rd. NW serves delicious Japanese food and is known primarily for three things: inexpensive but tasty sushi rolls, a vibey and large rooftop, and its drag brunch every Sunday.

For brunch, a fixed price of $39.99 per person get you access to an all-you-can-eat buffet with dishes like salads, muffins and assorted bread, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruits and pastries (drinks are purchased seperately from the bar). But we all know why you came: to feast your eyes on the fabulously dressed dancers who will entertain you to no end. Make sure you let them know if there’s a birthday in the house so they can pay you extra special attention.

Jump on reservations for drag brunch quickly because it often sells out, especially around holidays when the brunches usually have themes and special guests. 

Time Out tip: If you're going with a group, make sure to arrive together or at least in close succession. If you have stragglers who don't make it 15 minutes before showtime, Perry's may cancel the whole group's reservation.

This isn't your classic diner. Yes, Unconventional Diner's dishes are as comforting and inviting as the plates you'd find at any greasy spoon and the portions are huge—but they're leagues more interesting and satisfying. Each dish that leaves the kitchen includes fresh ingredients and surprising flavors, which elevate each one to heavenly heights.

Nosh on Caribbean Shrimp and Grits, breakfast biscuits loaded with housemade sausage, bacon jam, fried eggs and hashbrowns or fried eggs with brussels sprouts and tikka masala. For sweets, try the delicious buttermilk pancakes, which come doused in blackberry lavender sauce and marscarpone cream. This is one of the top brunch restaurants in the city, so try your best to reserve ahead of time so you're guaranteed a table. 

Time Out tip: Brunch isn't only a weekend affair here; get your brunch fix daily until 3:45pm.

The fantastic French fare explains why political royalty such as Michelle Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris and the Biden family have dined here. Many news and market altering happenings have surely been discussed in Le Diplomate's wood-paneled dining room and at its well-stocked bar.  

Dinner and bar seats are highly coveted, but coming here for brunch is really the move—you'll get full run of the menu's most coveted dishes (the burger, escargot, warm shrimp salad and the opulent seafood tower), plus a great version of French cafe fare like Croque Madame and flaky pastries with enough butter to kill a horse. Try to nab a seat on the outdoor patio for that extra Parisian flair.

Time Out tip: If you collect matchbooks, don't forget to ask the host for one at the host stand. Le Diplomate is a sceney spot, so you may want to call ahead to check if they have any or plan brunch on the earlier side to snag one (or three).

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Spend your weekend morning in Lapis, an Adams Morgan gem serving homestyle Afghan food. Its menu is filled with juicy halal meats, handmade dumplings and rice dishes studded with nuts, meat and vegetables, many of which are available for brunch. Alongside this main menu is a smaller selection of brunch dishes.

Try the bolani, or stuffed flatbreads, and rosewater cardamom pancakes. All your classic espresso drinks are here, plus some delicately flavored lattes like lavender, taro and beetroot and golden ginger turmeric. The incredibly vibey dining room—which is filled with ornate rugs, big windows, and plenty of lanterns—is just a bonus.

Chef Matt Adler's Cucina Morini is an ode to Southern Italy's vibrant coast, and that extends to its brunch offerings. The Mount Vernon restaurant transforms every weekend into Caffé Morini, a relaxed brunch spot that's a nod to Adler's favorite Italian pastry shops and cafés. Omelettes, sandwiches and toasts come with fresh ingredients you'd find on the Italian coast, like fresh cold cuts, mozarella, basil, and tomato.

There are strong coffee drinks and cocktails on offer, too. Cucina Morini is known for its $7 martinis, so try their breakfast versions, which include an espresso martini and one made with pesto and fermented green tomato juice. If your tastes lean sweet, don't miss the cornettos, which are baked in-house and hand-filled with vanilla, pistachio, tiramisu or chocolate pastry cream. Heads up that Caffé Morini is walk-in only and doesn't accept reservations. 

Time Out tip: Don't have time to sit for a full brunch? Caffé Morini has a deal on weekends that gets you a cappuccino and cornetto for just $10. The only catch is that it's to-go only—an authentically Italian way to have your morning coffee and pastry. 

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Brunch is a major event at this French-inspired wine bar in Brookland. Known for its dreamy interior complete with feathered chandeliers and massive glass windows that make the patio look like a jewelry box when the sun shines, Primrose is your spot for comfort food in an incredibly chic setting. 

As for what to order? The menu includes an extensive list of French wines, plus flutes of French 75. The burger—which comes with charred onion, Dijonaise, Gruyere and fries—is delicious, as are the quiches, bread puddings, omelettes, and pastries. 

Time Out tip: For many people, Primrose is better suited to a special occasion than casual brunch. Portions are smaller and on the more expensive side compared to the other spots on this list.

Recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2022 and 2023, ala serves Levantine cuisine at its two locations in Dupont Circle and Bethesda, Md. Unlike other bottomless options, ala's offerings stand on their own—this is food you'd order anyway, even if it wasn't included in the bottomless deal.

A la carte brunch isn't available at ala, so if you're going, you're doing bottomless, which runs $48 per person and carries a two hour limit. The price gets you all the drinks you want, shareable starters for the table, and one main and one dessert per person. Starters include puffy bread that's just begging to be dipped in baba ghanoush, labneh, and hummus. For mains, take your pick from a selection that includes shakshuka, rolled tempura pancakes, a pie filled with kashkaval cheese and minced beef, and a sandwich made with Turkish sausage, eggs, and cheese. 

Time Out tip: There's a small, but surprisingly well-stocked, mini Turkish market around the side entrance that carries individual portions of desserts like baklava and imported goods you'd find in a Turkish kitchen like ground coffee, cous cous, and more. 

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Weekend brunch can be a soft landing after a tough week or the beginning of an active weekend. Local chain Milk & Honey is the ideal venue for both vibes; it serves delicious Southern comfort foods at 13 locations in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. proper. The kitchen takes its inspiration from New Orleans, and the menu is filled with dishes that feel like a warm hug—Southern Louisiana style. 

Portions here are generous. One dish that's famous among D.C. brunchers is Chef Sammy's Award-Winning Shrimp & Grits is a big bowl of cheese grits and Cajun cream sauce crowned with turkey sausage and jumbo shrimp (it's just as luscious as it sounds). Not your vibe? Don't worry, because the menu has many permutations of eggs, toasts, sandwiches, waffles, French toast and more. Don't skip the Smothered Chicken and Biscuits and the Berries & Cream French Toast, or the RumChata French Toast. There are plenty of a la carte sides and coffee drinks, too.

Time Out tip: If your ideal brunch setting is your own dining room, know that Milk & Honey offers brunch carryout at all its locations. 

The Riggs in Washington D.C. is kind of a foodie haven—it houses one of the city's best cocktail bars, Silver Lyan, and one of its best brunch spots, Café Riggs. This American brasserie is a great place to do it big; think lots of drinks, buttery pastries, and filling main plates. Everything about brunch here feels grand, including the sky-high coffered ceilings and marble columns in the dining room and the champagne cart that rolls by to dispense your brunch bubbly.

The menu includes all your French-inspired brunch classics in maximum and miniature size; lighter fare includes avocado toast, overnight oats, and a granola parfait, while the more filling dishes include a breakfast sandwich, shakshuka, and steak royale. Drinks on offer include cold-pressed juices, coffees, cocktails, teas, and hot chocolate.

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If you've ever had brunch in D.C., I'm positive you've considered going to Ambar, which is famous in the District for its bottomless food and drink deals. This essential brunch spot has three locations in the DMV, and the restaurant's Balkan brunch is booze-filled and comes with numerous delicious dips and spreads to soak it all up. Dishes include lots of grilled vegetables and meats, plus comforting bakes like a cheese pie and flatbread. For $36.99 per person, your whole table can partake for two hours. Pay an additional $12.99 to add unlimited drinks, which includes all the mimosas and bellinis you can manage.

Time Out tip: The brunch here really is bottomless—be warned that you'll be literally turning away food because you'll be so full over the course of your meal here. Pace yourself to maximize your experience and leave without a stomach ache by taking small bites and breaks when needed, and sipping water.

Makan is known for the symphony of flavors its kitchen unleashes via its noodle dishes, but this Malaysian eatery in Columbia Heights extends that ability to its eclectic brunch offerings. The dishes here activate pretty much every category of taste—sour, sweet, spicy, bitter, and umami–sometimes in the same bite. Find Malaysian twists on brunch favorites, and some dishes like noodles that may not immediately seem like morning food, but are if you want them to be (and we do).

Munch on flaky flatbread and creamy pandan custard, or eggs kissed with spicy sambal chili. For more savory, try the Spicebird, a roast chicken flavored with rub made of 15 spices, or the Nasi Gorgeng, which is fried rice made with Chinese sausage, egg, shrimp and chili. 

dLeña is your place for wood-fired Mexican cuisine, but it should be one of your go-to's for brunch, as well. Order rich Mexican food and drinks a la carte, or score unlimited food and drinks for $69 per person or bottomless food for $45 per person. 

Take your pick from dishes likes braised adobo mushrooms, huevos rancheros or enfrijochiladas, scrambled eggs and pork chorizo smothered in black bean sauce, cotija cheese, gujillo crema and pico de gallo. Sip margaritas, micheladas and mimosas to wash it all down.