Our Washingtonian Recommends lists bring you the best places to eat, drink, and be entertained—all selected by Washingtonian editors.
There’s many a lazy-day brunch option in this neighborhood—including English brekkies, Maine-style lobster rolls, all-you-can-eat tapas, and bottomless bloodies.
1. Hank’s Oyster Bar
Jamie Leeds’s wainscoted seafood place brings a dash of New England to Dupont. At brunch, you’ll find dinner standards like the lobster roll supplemented with morning fare like the hangtown fry—a mess of fried oysters, bacon, and tartar sauce.
What to get: Shrimp n’ grits; popcorn shrimp and calamari; crispy shrimp po’boy.
2. GBD
You should factor a nap into your schedule if you plan on hitting this hangout, which specializes in two things: massive doughnuts and fried chicken. Have them separately, or get the Luther, a towering fried-chicken-and-bacon sandwich served on a glazed doughnut. $15 buys you bottomless mimosas or brunch punches.
What to get: Chicken and waffles; fried chicken tendies; creme fraiche biscuits.
3. DGS Delicatessen
One of our favorite brunch deals in town can be found at this bright, modern Jewish deli. For $27, you get an entree and appetizer or dessert, plus unlimited bloody marys, mimosas, or screwdrivers.
What to get: Matzo-ball soup; chopped liver with red-onion marmalade; latkes with apple preserves; Benedictberg, with poached eggs, smoked salmon, and sumac hollandaise; shakshouka.
4. Boqueria
This sleek, Spanish-themed tapas house practically invites you to camp out all afternoon with its $39 all-you-can-eat (and drink) menu. There’s an a la carte option too.
What to get: Patatas bravas; green salad with citrus vinaigrette; hanger steak with mojo sauce; tomato bread; white and rose sangrias.
5. Duke’s Grocery
This brick-walled, Brit-inspired East Dupont destination for oversized sandwiches and strong cocktails draws daytime diners with a chalkboard brunch menu. Our favorite hangover cure: the English brekkie, a strapping plate that includes bacon, braised mushrooms, runny eggs, toast, and roasted tomato.
What to get: Avocado toast with eggs and breakfast radish; burger with gouda, arugula, and sweet chili sauce.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
