In a place that was recently named the hardest-working city in America, few things feel more deserved than a leisurely daytime feast with a boozy beverage or two. Here are some tasty spots to put on your weekend to-do list that don’t involve Zoom calls, spreadsheets or TPS reports.
Ambar
Named one of the 100 Most Popular Brunch Spots in America in 2023 by online reservation website OpenTable, this Balkan-style eatery offers unlimited plates for $42.99, which means you can try a little bit of everything, from veal soup and beef prosciutto Benedict to cheese pie in crispy phyllo dough. For something sweet, dig into three types of waffles, fruit granola and cinnamon-sweet-truffle sourdough drizzled with Nutella or jam. Brunch beverages (99 cents each) are unlimited, too, and range from the traditional (mimosas, peach bellinis and bloody marys) to house specialties like red wine punch made with cabernet sauvignon, peach lemonade and mint-infused syrup. // 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Astro Beer Hall
If your idea of a perfect weekend hang includes beer, doughnuts, fried chicken and old-school arcade games like Space Invaders and Skee-Ball, this space-themed watering hole delivers. The brunch lineup includes savory dishes such as a steak and egg cheesesteak and a Buffalo chicken and waffle sandwich. Indulge your sweet tooth with hot doughnuts made-to-order by a robot—including the signature Shirlington Astronaut doughnut, glazed in Nutella and filled with a shot of espresso and steamed milk. Not a beer drinker? The brunch cocktails also include mimosas, bloody marys and Irish coffee. // 4001 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Busboys and Poets
Owner Andy Shallal’s cozy café—an homage to poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy at D.C.’s Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s—hosts community conversations and weekly poetry slams, and has a small bookstore tucked into the dining room by the front entrance. Grab a good read and an order of eggs Benedict (smoked salmon or classic), sweet potato pancakes or a plate of mekhleme, an Iraqi corned beef hash topped with organic free-range sunny side-up eggs. Mimosas and bloody marys are $6 on weekends and federal holidays. // 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Café Kindred
Brunch isn’t just for weekends at this coffeehouse/café helmed by two trained pastry chefs. The “everyday brunch” (7 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends) from husband-and-wife owners Jen Demetrio and Gary O’Hanlon includes Fruity Pebbles-studded pancakes and a Greek yogurt parfait layered with house-made granola and fresh blueberry compote. There’s hearty fare, too, such as made-from-scratch cheddar biscuits with pork sausage gravy. Poutine fans will rejoice in discovering an entire menu section devoted to Canada’s favorite gravy-smothered dish—with toppings ranging from curry sauce or chili to ranch-style sour cream. // 450 N. Washington St., Falls Church
Celebrity Delly
Omelets, pancakes and corned beef hash round out the weekend brunch menu at this long-running diner, but many devotees go for traditional Jewish-style eats, such as steaming bowls of matzoh ball soup, potato latkes served with sour cream and applesauce, potato knishes made with puff pastry, ricotta cheese-filled blintzes and bagels topped with Nova lox or whitefish salad. Breakfast and brunch items are available from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. // 7263A Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Circa
This popular DMV chainlet has something for everyone at the table, from grilled sirloin with eggs and home fries for steak and potato types, to vegetarian avocado toast topped with marinated tomatoes. A perennial fave is huevos rancheros featuring crunchy corn tortillas layered with black beans, queso fresco and sunny-side up eggs. // 3010 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 1675 Silver Hill Drive, Tysons (The Boro)
Coco B’s
Breathing new life into the former Whitlow’s space in Clarendon, this pretty-in-pink tropical oasis—which adjoins live-music-focused B Live—is a nod to co-owner Christal Bramson’s Caribbean heritage. Come the brunch hour, the party includes 25-cent bottomless mimosas, shareable plates of cinnamon rolls and coconut shrimp, and entrées such as oxtail hash and PB&J French toast. Sip on a Jerk Mary (garnished with a rim of jerk seasoning) or a Flamingo Lola (Lunazul tequila, grapefruit cordial, soda and Himalayan pineapple salt). // 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Cowboy Cafe
The interior of Cowboy Cafe looks untouched by time, with wooden booths and a Southwestern mural dating back to 1991. That down-home attitude makes it into brunch entrees like the chili and cheese omelet or gravy-covered country-fried steak. (Yes, you can get avocado toast here, too.) On a nice day, head outside to the art-muraled biergarten outfitted with umbrellas, heat lamps and big screen televisions, and enjoy your eggs al fresco. // 4792 Langston Blvd., Arlington
Detour Coffee
The owners of nightclub Darna near George Mason University’s Arlington campus added a ground floor coffee shop to keep students caffeinated all day long with beverages from local roaster Vigilante Coffee. The weekend brunch (available Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.) includes temptations such as citrus-vanilla-ricotta brioche French toast and breakfast sandwiches made with fried chicken and mumbo sauce on waffles instead of bread. A few of the menu items have a Middle Eastern flair showcasing the owners’ heritage, including beef shish kebabs and sunny-side up eggs on pita bread drizzled with harissa yogurt. // 946 N. Jackson St., Arlington (Virginia Square)
Dudley’s Sport & Ale
If having the game on during brunch is non-negotiable, Dudley’s gets you. The sprawling sports bar is equipped with more than 40 big screen TVs, and pops cheap bottles of bubbly on weekends. (Blame inflation for the recent price increase to $15 per bottle, but that’s still a deal when paired with $5 juice carafes for mimosas.) Pair your beverage of choice with dishes like chicken and waffles, breakfast tacos, avo toast, or a spin on breakfast pizza studded with veggies, eggs, sausage gravy and bacon. // 2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Founding Farmers
When this farm-to-table chain debuted its first DMV location, brunchers waited in long lines for dishes like Bananas Foster waffles. At the Tysons outpost, you needn’t limit yourself to just one choice: The buffet brunch invites you to make a plate (or two), choosing options like applewood smoked bacon, hash browns, fried chicken and buttermilk pancakes with strawberry syrup. A carving station serves up slices of molasses-glazed ham and roast beef drizzled with barbecue mustard and horseradish cream. Hit the buffet on Saturday, Sunday, and most holiday Mondays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. // 1800 Tysons Blvd., Tysons
Freddie’s Beach Bar
Orange and pineapple mimosas will set you back just $2 during brunch at this long-running LGBTQ+ and straight-friendly establishment on Crystal City’s Restaurant Row. That’s not the only deal at the playful, party-ready Freddie’s. An all-you-can-eat weekend brunch buffet lets you carbo load on bowls of cereal, bagels, doughnuts, muffins and Belgian waffles, as well as omelets and other eggy dishes. Most entrees are modestly priced around $10 or less. // 555 23rd St. S., Arlington (Crystal City)
Ellie Bird
Owners Yuan and Carey Tang earned a Michelin star for their first D.C.-area restaurant, Rooster & Owl. Now the culinary power couple (both of whom grew up in Falls Church) have returned to their hometown with a concept voted Best New Restaurant by Arlington Magazine readers, and named one of 2023’s best restaurants in America by The New York Times. Among chef Yuan’s playful brunchtime dishes are a “tornado” omelet with kimchi fried rice, Chinese sausage and Korean chili flakes; and a Halo Halo smoothie bowl—a riff on the popular Filipino dessert—layering avocado, granola, fruit, red beans and lime shaved ice. Drink your vitamins with a glass of fresh-pressed kale, celery or beet juice, or go harder with the White Lotus S2, a verdant blend of vodka, kiwi, salted cucumber cordial and lime. // 125 Founder’s Ave., Falls Church
Green Pig Bistro
Heading out with an NFL-size appetite? Sit down to the “Big Daddy” steak and eggs, a $40 combo that includes a 15-ounce (Travis Kelce-approved?) Kansas City steak, three eggs, sauteed mushrooms, a hash brown, toast and cheddar grits. Or, find your sweet spot in a waffle stuffed with apples and cream cheese, then topped with pecan streusel, cornflakes, apple-caramel sauce and whipped cream. The craft cocktails at this congenial Clarendon haunt include a Smokin’ Old Fashioned made with hickory-smoked Rittenhouse Rye, brown simple sugar, angostura and orange bitters, and orange peel. // 1025 N. Fillmore St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Han Palace
This newish spot in Tysons is a glitzy destination for dim sum. There are no roving carts, but you can order to your heart’s desire, choosing authentic Chinese small plates ranging from steamed chicken feet to sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves. Some of the more popular standbys include rice crepes topped with steamed beef or roasted pork; baked barbecue pork buns; and desserts such as pineapple buns, Portuguese custard tarts and an almond ball with a custard yolk heart. // 7900 Westpark Drive, Tysons
Harvey’s
For chef-driven comfort food in the heart of the Little City, Thomas Harvey’s homey kitchen delivers. Bring your appetite for dishes like chocolate-chip buttermilk pancakes or shrimp with pimento cheese grits smothered in smoked-tomato-brown-butter sauce. The all-day cafe is also known for its breakfast sandwiches, with add-ons such as thick-cut bacon, “IPA-ioli” and caramelized onion mayo. // 513 W. Broad St., Suite 130, Falls Church
Inca Social
Put a Peruvian twist on brunch with multiple varieties of ceviche, dulce de leche-stuffed French toast, Peruvian chicken and waffles or a Breakfast Saltado with eggs and home fries mixed into stir fry. In Rosslyn, the Instagrammable décor includes colorful murals and an indoor swings. Pisco Sours are the go-to cocktail, though brunch also brings $15 bottomless mimosas in flavors like passion fruit or chicha morada. // 1776 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn) and 2670 Avenir Place, Vienna (Dunn Loring)
McLean Family Restaurant
The vibe at this long-running diner is down-home, with chocolate chip and blueberry pancakes that follow owner George Kapetanakis’s family recipe. But don’t be surprised if you see some major politicos and D.C. bigwigs digging into omelets, eggs Benedict, cheese blintzes, oatmeal and veggie skillets. Joe Biden was once spotted here, and the diner is a draw for workers at the nearby CIA headquarters, as well as elected officials who call McLean home. // 1321 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
Lazy Mike’s
Dessert for breakfast? Hey, why not. Perhaps best known for its ice cream—it started in 1996 as the Lazy Sundae ice cream parlor—this come-as-you-are deli, a sister to Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, has the kind of homespun vibe you’d find on a college campus or at the beach. Throw on some flip-flops and bring the whole family for all-day options like French toast, breakfast sandwiches and build-your-own omelets, plus a wide selection of creative subs and sandwiches. Hankering for something plant-based? Options abound, including the Gainesville Green, a sammy that packs lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, green pepper, sprouts, avocado, dill Havarti cheese, mustard and mayo between slices of wheat bread. // 7049 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Lyon Hall
Midday repasts take an elegant turn at this chatty brasserie, where the brunch fare includes filet mignon Benedict, a lobster omelet, mussels in white wine sauce and fluffy, house-made beignets. Bring on the bubbly with a mimosa kit that includes a bottle of French sparkling wine and your choice of juice—or go salty and savory with a tequila-based Bloody Maria. To wake up and relax at the same time, L’Espresso Martini blends D.C.-based Counter Culture espresso with Van Gogh Espresso/Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua and simple syrup. Sister restaurant The Liberty Tavern also does a proper brunch (which you can order a la carte, or in the form of unlimited small plates) with temptations such as chicken and biscuits, smoked brisket and spiked strawberry lemonade. // 3100 N. Washington Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Maison Cheryl
Francophiles will find their happy place in chef Robert Maher’s French-inspired brunch menu, which features decadent options such as creme brulee French toast; foie gras and bacon eggs Benedict; and a Wagyu burger with brie cheese on brioche. For folks craving something more American, the options also include Southern-style shrimp and grits with Cajun red pepper sauce; and Nutella toast with honey, granola, peanut butter, cinnamon, marshmallow and berries. From the bar, enjoy $20 bottles of sparkling wine with your choice of juice, or a classic French 75 with gin, prosecco and lemon. // 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Makers Union
This newcomer to Amazon’s Metropolitan Park offers both a la carte fare and a family-style unlimited brunch ($32 per person; $13.95 for kids under 10). Fill your belly with the Makers Scramble, a mash-up of four scrambled eggs, applewood smoked bacon, pork chorizo, breakfast potatoes, veggies and garlic bread. For something sweet, try the cornflake-crusted French toast served with maple-pecan praline syrup and fresh berries. Mimosas (classic, peach, watermelon or strawberry) come with $1 refills—or get your blood flowing with a drink called Wake Up Arlington, made with cold brew moonshine and iced coffee. // 1450 S. Eads St., Arlington (National Landing)
Mattie & Eddie’s
The brunch menu at Mattie & Eddie’s is concise—and exactly what you’d expect from a classic Irish pub helmed by Dublin native Cathal Armstrong, formerly of Old Town’s beloved Restaurant Eve. Here, the kitchen serves up several variations of Benedicts (featuring corned beef hash, bacon or smoked salmon), as well as a proper Irish breakfast (served all day, every day) featuring eggs, pork bangers, rashers, black and white pudding and baked beans. The taps, of course, are always flowing with plenty of Guinness. //1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Nue
Brunchy cocktails at this elegant Vietnamese destination in Founders Row include carafes of mimosas and a bloody mary dressed up with Sungold tomato, kimchi, yuzu, lemon, pepper, dill and fish sauce. The food at this floral-adorned gem by Happy Endings Hospitality is just as inspired. Try soft-scrambled eggs with snow crab (to which you can add caviar or truffles) and sourdough bread with honey butter. Or a traditional Viet breakfast with beef ribeye tips or sausage, cage-free eggs, paté toast and grape tomatoes. // 944 W. Broad St., Falls Church (Founders Row)
Palette 22
Can’t decide what kind of cuisine you’re craving for a midday outing? Head to this artsy Shirlington café for all manner of globally inspired small plates. The all-you-can-eat bottomless brunch ($32.22 per person) includes goodies from chef-attended taco and waffle bars, plus whatever else your taste buds wish to sample from the kitchen. Dig into monkey bread with pecans, raisins and salted caramel; dan dan noodles with house-made bulgogi sausage, Szechuan pepper, spinach, five spices and peanuts; or churro-like French toast sticks made with brioche, frosted cornflakes and spiked chocolate sauce. Stop in for brunch on Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m.-9 p.m. // 4053 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington)
Silver Diner
Kids will love sliding into a retro booth and monkeying around with the tabletop jukebox at this local chain, where the fun also includes cartoon cups, silver dollar pancakes and mini chocolate shakes. Grownups will appreciate an all-day brunch menu that includes healthful fare (think egg white omelets) mingling with indulgent dishes like pickle-brined fried chicken and waffles. // 4400 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston); 8150 Porter Road, Falls Church (Merrifield); 8101 Fletcher St., McLean (Tysons)
Ragtime
If you can’t be in New Orleans, this Courthouse eatery will happily bring a taste of the Big Easy to you. The Full Bourbon Street Breakfast comes with three eggs, grilled andouille sausage, applewood-smoked bacon, red beans, herb-roasted tomatoes and mushrooms, home fries and toast. Alternately, tuck into a beignet waffle with house-made butterscotch, or a po’boy sandwich stuffed with flash-fried rock shrimp or cornmeal-crusted oysters. Build your own spicy concoction at the bloody mary bar or lift your spirits with a glass of Giggle Water made with prosecco, muddled raspberries, cranberry juice and simple syrup. // 1345 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse)
Ruthie’s All-Day
Arlington resident and chef Matt Hill goes big for brunch. At Ruthie’s, his award-winning restaurant and bar, the weekend menu includes rib-stickers such as the Brisket Bennie, a take on eggs Benedict that swaps out the English muffins for biscuits; and a pulled pork bowl with grits and grilled peppers, topped with a fried egg. If you’re extra famished, go for the Ruthie’s Big Plate, which dishes up two eggs, house bacon, beef sausage, roasted potatoes and biscuits. Brunch sandwiches include the PSB, a pimento cheese scramble with bacon, arugula, milk bread and a side of fruit. Cocktails that pair well with daytime hours include the on-tap Sharp Sunrise with Don Julio silver tequila, raspberry shrub and lime; and Tee Time, made with Beefeater gin, Earl Grey tea and lemon. // 3411 Fifth St. South, Arlington
The Salt Line
Who ever said happy hour was only for weekdays? The weekend “Happy Brunch” at this Ballston Quarter hot spot brings specials on oysters, oyster shooters, beer, wine, mimosas, bloody marys and the bar’s signature Cape Codder gin and tonics. For sustenance, go for comforting seafood options like stuffies (baked top-neck clams with smoked sausage), a crab omelet with bacon, or a satisfying bowl of clam chowder. The star of the brunchtime hour is The Perfect Storm ($30), a double bloody mary garnished with a lobster claw, cocktail shrimp, a dressed oyster, fried coddie and accoutrements. It’s basically a meal in a glass. // 4040 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Smokecraft Modern Barbecue
Every dish at this upscale barbecue joint has a hint of smoke—even the avocado toast and the pumpkin pancakes with candied pecans and bourbon maple syrup. Brunch brings eight kinds of Benedicts—with toppers like Duroc pork belly or smoked crab cakes—and omelets such as a Texas-style number packed with brisket, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, spicy barbecue sauce and cheddar and jack cheeses. The bottomless brunch option includes discounts on carafes or flights of mimosas (classic or cranberry) and Bellinis (grilled watermelon, smoked berry or grilled pineapple). // 1051 N. Highland St., Arlington (Clarendon)
Surreal
Argentinian chef Enrique Limardo’s fanciful, greenery-filled eatery in National Landing puts creative spins on traditional diner fare. Try the swirl pancakes made with house-infused maple syrup and seasonal marmalade; shakshuka with queso fundido (a Mexican riff on the traditional North African egg and tomato dish); or avocado bocconcini toast made with egg yolk cream, “chile cascabel” tatemada sauce (a kind of salsa), radishes and fresh herbs. For a breakfast-y version of a boozy old-fashioned, a cocktail called the Time Traveler’s Tipple features Legent bourbon infused with cornflakes, oats, apricots, dates, raisins and caraway, with aromatic bitters. // 2117 Crystal Drive, Arlington (National Landing)
Whino
Why chew your cereal when you can shoot it? The “liquid diet” section of this street-art-themed watering hole in Ballston includes shooters in fun flavors like Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cocoa Puffs, as well as mimosa-coladas, build-your-own bloody marys and curated cocktails such as Royal Perks, a quaff made with Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey, Swing’s Cold Brew Coffee, Baileys Irish Cream and simple syrup. There’s food, too. Think chicken and waffles, porchetta and egg open-face sandwiches, yogurt parfaits and gravy tots—fried polenta tots with melted pecorino cheese, house-made chorizo and a fried egg. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)