Lani Furbank

The best Italian restaurants in DC, the best seafood restaurants in DC and the best Mexican restaurants in DC get all of the attention, but there is a strong Greek food culture in the capital as well—and you would be wise not to overlook it. From delicious tzatziki to exciting baklava and killer souvlaki, these eateries serve traditional Mediterranean food in both modern and classic settings. Check them all out as soon as possible.

Diners are a part of America’s heritage. Sure, the best French restaurants in Washington, DC and the best seafood restaurants in DC are always great dining destinations, but all Americans can conjure up childhood memories of sitting in a vinyl booth, putting too much syrup on pancakes while getting a brain freeze from a giant milkshake. And, as luck would have it, our town boasts a sizeable amount of luncheonettes and greasy spoons that serve the kind of comfort food (including some of the best burgers in DC) that you’re most likely always craving. Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack, the best diners in DC have got you covered.

When a vegan goes to a diner, what does he order? Sorry, no punchline here. Vegans and diners typically don’t mix, that is, until Fare Well entered the scene. Doron Petersan of Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats opened her newest spot to serve plant-based diner fare to all sorts of eaters, but especially for vegans. Find meat-, dairy- and egg-free versions of classics, like tofu scramble, seitan and waffles, pancakes, milkshakes and a mushroom-chickpea burger. Even carnivores won’t be disappointed by the hearty main courses on the dinner menu. Southern fried seitan stands in for chicken, mushroom scampi replaces shrimp and pierogis are stuffed with flavorful nut cheeses that don’t leave you craving the real thing. Since Petersan is the queen of vegan cupcakes, don’t skip dessert.

Walking into Jimmy T’s is like walking into a living room straight out of the 1970s. That’s because not much has changed since the diner opened in 1969. This true greasy spoon is a Capitol Hill favorite that serves up the basics, just like mom used to make. The prices can’t be beat, but fair warning: it’s cash only and it’s a small joint, so politicians and regular folks rub elbows over breakfast and lunch.

Since opening on Capitol Hill in 2010, Ted’s Bulletin now has a total of five locations across the DMV. The family-friendly favorite serves up nostalgic fare in a cozy, old-timey setting—complete with black and white movies and TV shows played on a projection screen. The one drawback? The eatery doesn’t take reservations, so be sure to get there early or swing by during an off-peak time, unless you want to get stuck waiting for hours for house-made pop tarts, stick-to-your-ribs breakfast fare and hearty suppers. For a little bit of everything, order the Big Mark Breakfast: three eggs, two strips of bacon, two sausages, hash browns, toast and a Ted’s tart. Or take it easy with Mark on an Off Day—just two eggs, meat, hash browns and toast. Breakfast is served all day, but there are also lunch and suppertime favorites like the grilled cheese and tomato soup or the buttermilk country fried steak—all to be washed down with an adult milkshake. 

The oldest of the lot, Tastee Diner has been around since 1935. There are now three locations in Maryland: Bethesda, Laurel and Silver Spring. Each has its own unique story and history, but Bethesda was the first of the trio. It was considered the Cadillac of dining cars in its day. The Silver Spring location was made a historic landmark in Montgomery County in 1994.  The menus vary slightly from location to location, but they all include the usual eggs, hot cakes, home fries and breakfast meats. Specials also vary by site, with highlights like meat loaf, chicken and dumplings, and cream of crab soup.

This is the sort of spot we imagine Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation would frequent. Breakfast is served all day long, so there’s no end to the waffle mania. Add chocolate chips to satisfy a sweet tooth, or get your waffle with chicken wings and call it lunch. For those less enthusiastic about waffles, there are plenty of other options to choose from—pancakes, French toast, eggs, sandwiches, country fried steak… you name it.

Originally a staple on Columbia Pike in Arlington, Bob and Edith’s Diner now has two additional locations in Northern Virginia. The no-frills spot stays true to the diner lineup. Build a breakfast of champions with eggs, any kind of meat, hot cakes, waffles and French toast. Or stop in for lunch or dinner and try a New York steak, homemade meat loaf, fried chicken, open-faced sandwiches, hefty burgers, subs and more. Don’t miss the milkshakes, which are made with real ice cream.

This 24-hour family-run diner never closes—not for blizzards, not for holidays, not for anything. So, Northern Virginia residents can always rely on Amphora Restaurant in Vienna or Amphora Diner Deluxe in Herndon for a hot meal, any day of the week. There are over 350 items to choose from, so it’ll take you a while to get through the textbook-like menu, which is broken up into nine categories, with tabs to help diners navigate through it: beverages, breakfast, appetizers, soup and salad, sandwiches, burgers, lighter side, grand plates, desserts and a kids menu. The Amphora Group was founded by Greek immigrants Louis Cholakis and George Bilidas, so expect plenty of Greek staples, like spanakopita and moussaka. The patriarchs opened the Vienna location in 1977 and now their children run the show. Maria Cholakis says some of the most popular offerings today are the gyros, the (seven) eggs Benedict, the meat loaf and the French toast, made with fresh brioche from the Amphora Bakery.

When Paul Ruppert (the man behind Room 11, Petworth Citizen and more) saw the building that housed the Petworth pharmacy in the 1890s, he said it called out to be a diner because of the big, open windows and the central location. Slim’s Diner couldn’t be more at home in the space, which still boasts the original checkerboard tile flooring and exposed brick, along with new red vinyl booths, chrome diner stools and geometric wall tile. The diner’s namesake is James “Slim” Crawford, a carpenter and painter who has worked on all of Ruppert’s businesses. The number one sellers at Slim’s are the pancakes and burgers, but diners also appreciate the contemporary feel of the menu, which includes a tofu scramble and gluten-free options. The baking program sets Slim’s apart, with pies, cakes and donuts made fresh on the premise.

Restaurateur Mark Bucher (founder of BGR and Medium Rare) doesn’t see Community as a diner, but as a restaurant and lounge where the people of Bethesda can come together. Bucher is a resident of the neighborhood that noticed a need for this sort of gathering place. The resulting space is what he describes as The Brady Bunch meets Frank Lloyd Wright. It’s reminiscent of classic diners in Palm Springs and Miami, and the menu is all about American comfort food. Given Bucher’s love for beef, it’s no surprise that burgers are a top seller here—including “parody” offerings like the Trumpster, with American cheese, Russian dressing and a very small pickle. Expect plenty of other diner fare, like breakfast all day, fried chicken and stacked sandwiches. The drinks menu focuses on traditional cocktails from the ‘40s and ‘50s, plus alcoholic slurpees (called Slurpdees) and adult milkshakes.

The original Ari’s Diner, which was restaurateur Ari Gejdensen’s first foray into the world of hospitality, is located in Florence, where it’s still serving American diner fare to Italian patrons. Gejdensen opened the spot while he was playing pro soccer overseas and looking for late-night establishments with food that reminded him of home. Now that he’s back stateside with a sizable portfolio of restaurants under the Mindful Restaurant Group umbrella, Gejdensen decided to recreate his original diner concept in Ivy City’s Hecht Warehouse. The space is modeled after a GMC Streamliner, with chrome as far as the eye can see. The menu includes well-executed versions of the classics—plenty of breakfast options (don’t miss the pancakes), organic burgers and milkshakes (boozy or regular). There’s also a section that pays homage to the first Ari’s Diner, with trattoria dinner specials like chicken parmesan and rigatoni al ragu.

Zaytinya, chef José Andrés’ Mediterranean concept, has been a favorite in the city since its 2002 opening, and it recently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award. The mezze-focused menu includes small plates inspired by Greek cuisine, like the octopus Santorini with marinated onions, capers and split pea purée; the taramosalata; and the spanakopita. The wine list exclusively features Mediterranean wines, with many bottles originating in Greece’s numerous wine regions.

Now spread as far north as New Jersey, Silver Diner has roots in Rockville, Maryland. It was founded as a single American diner by Chef Ype Von Hengst and Bob Giaimo in 1989, but it has since become a household name in the region. The menu has a featured chef-driven flexitarian section, which includes a local kale and blue cheese salad and wild-caught Carolina fried shrimp. They also boast locally-sourced ingredients. Of course, the basics are covered with breakfast fare, burgers and milkshakes. The vast selection should satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.