1. Eastern Market’s Market Lunch
225 Seventh St., SE
Tuesday through Friday 7:30 AM, Saturday 8 AM, Sunday 9 AM
If your client can wait to eat till the market opens at 7:30, the famous crabcake and eggs makes for an unexpected business breakfast. Weekend-only blueberry buckwheat pancakes draw a crowd.
2. Ben’s Chili Bowl
1213 U St., NW
Monday through Friday 6 am, Saturday 7 AM, Sunday 11 AM
“Peaches” Halton, who has made the landmark’s chili for more than 30 years, cooks break-fast, too: eggs how you want ’em, grits, salmon cakes, Ben’s half-smoke sausage—with funk on the jukebox.
3. District Doughnut and Coffee
749 Eighth St., SE
Wednesday through Friday 7 AM, Saturday and Sunday 8 AM
The coveted dulce de leche doughnuts often sell out during morning rush—by design, because District doesn’t want them getting stale. (Insider tip: Preorder your favorites up to 24 hours in advance.)
4. Bullfrog Bagels
1341 H St., NE
Tuesday through Sunday 7 AM
Settling into a shared space with the Star & Shamrock pub, the bagelry is as popular as it was as a pop-up. Skip the lines and try Little Red Fox (5035 Connecticut Ave., NW; Tuesday through Sunday 7:30 am), which carries Bullfrog’s bagels.
Go Back to Our Waking Up Early Guide ››
This article appears in the December 2014 issue of Washingtonian.
