Want to take mom out for a special Mother’s Day brunch, but still don’t have a reservation? Try one of these restaurants—all great brunch spots picked from the top fifty of our 2017 100 Very Best Restaurants list. As of now, each place below is still showing availability on Sunday, May 14 via online reservations (with the exception of Etto and 2 Amys, which are first-come, first-serve, and Estadio, which keeps significant space for walk-ins). Hurry, tables are going fast.
-
| WebsiteMany tasting rooms bill themselves as culinary “journeys,” but the experience is a literal one at this country destination.
-
| WebsiteRasika has long been cherished by Washington food lovers as our treasure.
-
| WebsiteThe crew from the Red Hen gets us excited about pizza again.
-
| WebsiteDon’t let the minimalist space fool you: There’s a lot going on at Maketto.
-
| WebsiteChef/owner Rob Weland spoils guests with hyper-seasonal, soul-warming fare that combines local ingredients in marvelous ways.
-
| WebsiteCentral classics such as decadent burgers and steak frites still hit all the right spots, though it’s worth welcoming newcomers.
-
| WebsiteCedric Maupillier was born in France, but few chefs revel in lowbrow American cuisine as joyfully as he does.
-
| WebsiteThough most dishes are billed as tapas, they actually range from tiny snacks to entrée-size meats with sides.
-
| WebsiteThe lineup at this Indian street-food place is so tightly tuned that you can order with abandon.
-
| WebsiteJust say yes to creamy Belon oysters and caviar, lobster ravioli garnished with a half tail and a claw, and pine-smoked duck with seared foie gras.
-
| WebsiteAs its name suggests, this casual Annapolis joint specializes in all things fermented and jarred.
-
| WebsiteMike Isabella’s affinity for Greek cooking is beautifully expressed at this trio of restaurants.
-
| WebsiteIt’s barely two years old, but somehow the Riggsby fills us with nostalgia.
-
| WebsiteThis is hearty, family-style fare you’ll want to tear into.
-
| WebsiteThe craftsmanlike Italian spot specializes in procuring top-quality ingredients and serving them with minimal fuss
-
| WebsiteImagine a nightly party starring all your favorite Italian salumi, fried little bites, pizzas, and wines.
-
| WebsiteEvery neighborhood should have an Italian joint like Morini.
-
| WebsiteWe’re wild about the Cajun-spiced hard-shell crab with lemony butter and some of the best, olive taramasalata we’ve ever tasted.
-
| WebsiteJosé Andrés’s flagship Spanish spot since 1993 still holds its own.
-
| WebsiteThe fireplace-accented dining room and garden veranda of this palatial Indian restaurant are pleasant reminders that grandeur isn’t dead.
-
| WebsiteKabul-born chef Shamim Popal and her family are all about breaking stereotypes at their modern-Afghan restaurant.
-
| WebsiteIt embraces the influence of Chinese and Japanese immigrants on Peruvian cuisine—all with José Andrés’s modern flair.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
