Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area by diners
Highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area by diners
Breakfast holds a special place in American culture, serving not only as a source of nourishment to start the day but an opportunity to create traditions. It's a daily ritual for more than 290 million Americans and is often regarded as the most important meal of the day, according to data from the Department of Agriculture.
While staples like eggs, bacon, and pancakes are common nationwide, regional preferences showcase America's culinary diversity. In the South, biscuits and gravy are a staple, while the East Coast is known for dishes like eggs Benedict and bagels with lox. The Midwest often favors hearty skillet breakfasts, while the Southwest's spicy breakfast burritos and huevos rancheros reflect the region's Mexican influence.
There are a wide variety of restaurants that serve breakfast today. Traditional diners often feature laminated menus filled with pages of combo meals pairing eggs with a breakfast meat of your choice served alongside hash browns, buttered toast, and endless coffee refills. Then there are modern breakfast spots that embrace innovation, adding global influences and creative twists to traditional dishes. Avocado toast, kimchi fried rice, and churro waffles are some of the more recent popular offerings that reflect how multicultural flavors have become part of contemporary breakfast traditions.
American breakfast culture has evolved significantly over the years. In the mid-20th century, diners and coffee shops dominated the morning meal landscape, catering to workers and families with fast, affordable options. Then, the rise of fast-food chains in the 1960s and 1970s shifted breakfast trends, introducing convenient grab-and-go items like McDonald's Egg McMuffin. By the early 2000s, the brunch boom transformed weekends into social events, with restaurants offering elaborate dishes, bottomless mimosas, craft Bloody Marys, and vibrant atmospheres that encourage extended Saturday and Sunday morning dining experiences.
Today, breakfast culture continues to balance nostalgia with innovation as classic comforts meet modern trends in both casual diners and brunch destinations, ensuring that morning meals remain a meaningful and celebrated part of life.
Curious about where to head near Washington, D.C. for your next breakfast or brunch? Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated breakfast restaurants in the Washington, D.C. area based on diners' reviews on Yelp as of March 2025. Restaurants with at least 20 reviews tagged as "breakfast & brunch" on Yelp that are open at 7 a.m. and are within a 10-kilometer radius of Washington, D.C. were included. Some restaurants featured may serve other food items besides breakfast food. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with more than 15 locations nationally, based on the Yelp data, were not included.
Keep reading to discover new inventive egg-centric dishes or time-honored classics for your next leisurely morning!
#19. St. Anselm
- Rating: 4.4/5 (1048 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1250 5th St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Steakhouses, New American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Laos In Town
- Rating: 4.4/5 (881 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 250 K St. Northeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Laotian, Breakfast & Brunch, Beer Gardens
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Unconventional Diner
- Rating: 4.4/5 (3022 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1207 9th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: New American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#16. City Place Cafe
- Rating: 4.4/5 (250 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1101 17th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Sandwiches, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Cracked Eggery
- Rating: 4.4/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1921 8th St. Northwest Ste 110 Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Paraiso Taqueria
- Rating: 4.4/5 (356 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1101 Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Mexican, Breakfast & Brunch, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#13. D Light Cafe & Bakery
- Rating: 4.4/5 (142 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2475 18th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Bakeries, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Greek Deli & Catering
- Rating: 4.4/5 (561 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1120 19th St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Delis, Greek, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#11. La Tejana
- Rating: 4.4/5 (135 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3211 Mt Pleasant St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Tex-Mex, Breakfast & Brunch, Coffee & Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#10. A Baked Joint
- Rating: 4.4/5 (2560 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 430 K St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#9. I Egg You
- Rating: 4.5/5 (185 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 517 8th St. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Lot 38 Espresso Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (300 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1001 2nd St. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Toastique
- Rating: 4.5/5 (372 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 764 Maine Ave. Southwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Juice Bars & Smoothies, Breakfast & Brunch, Acai Bowls
- Read more on Yelp
#6. The Best Sandwich Place
- Rating: 4.5/5 (379 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1300 I St. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches, Salad
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Sixty Vines
- Rating: 4.5/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2200 Pennsylvania Ave. Northwest Ste 300R Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Wine Bars, New American, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Mangialardo
- Rating: 4.6/5 (381 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1317 Pennsylvania Ave. Southeast Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Sandwiches, Italian, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Sharbat Bakery And Cafe
- Rating: 4.6/5 (116 reviews)
- Address: 2473 18th St. Nw Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Bakeries, Desserts, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Büna Coffeehouse
- Rating: 4.7/5 (165 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 4400 Georgia Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Heat Da Spot
- Rating: 4.8/5 (506 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3213 Georgia Ave. Northwest Washington, Washington, D.C.
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, Ethiopian
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Cynthia Rebolledo, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 293 metros.
