Cava Mezze Clarendon
The Clarendon outpost of this D.C.-area chainlet offers a $35 all-you-can-eat brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as à la carte dishes, all with a Greek/Mediterranean flavor profile. Try the spicy lamb Benedict or challah French toast with honey, berries and cream. Vegetarians will enjoy dishes such as chickpea hash with spicy dill vinaigrette, and the village fritatta made with spinach, feta, leeks and green onion. The restaurant takes reservations for space on its front and back patios (there’s seating for 50 guests). Brunch is also available for takeout (10% off all month with code CAVAMEZZE), including $5 booze pouches and mimosas to enjoy at home. //2940 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Circa Clarendon
Circa’s spacious patio is a coveted weekend spot, offering fresh air and prime people watching. Brunch specialties here include classic favorites like the American Bistro Breakfast (which includes cornflake-crusted French toast, eggs, bacon and home fries), as well as huevos rancheros served with avocado-corn salsa and pickled jalapeños; or bulgogi fried rice made with marinated short rib, peppers and pickled carrots. // 3010 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Founding Farmers
The Tysons eatery is offering a modified version of its $30 brunch buffet, but no a la carte dishes. Servers will load your plates with bacon lollipops, biscuits and pimento cheese, eggs Benedict Florentine, and an array of sweets, including mini doughnuts, fruit fritters and cheesecake bars. Founding Farmers offers reservations for seating on its massive patio. Alternately, order a “buffet to go” for two people ($50) for curbside pick-up. It includes a selection of breads, salads, carving table items, egg dishes, pastas, bread-pudding French toast and dessert. //1800 Tysons Blvd, McLean (Tysons)
Ambar
The Balkan restaurant is known for its bountiful feasts, and brunch is no exception. The unlimited small plates menu is available at the midday hour for $34, including brunch cocktails for a quarter. Ambar added patio space to its back parking lot and now offers more than 100 outside dining spaces. Alternately, a $22-per-person brunch deal to go includes your choice of one spread/dip, one soup and a trio of sliders (try the shredded zucchini)—plus potatoes and salad—to eat at home. //2901 Wilson Blvd. Arlington (Clarendon)
Dudley’s Sport & Ale
Grab a picnic table on the sports bar’s 2,900-square-foot rooftop deck and cure that hangover with a breakfast pizza (topped with sausage gravy, home fries, onions, bell peppers, bacon and egg), chicken and waffles, crab legs doused in Old Bay, or a “rise and shine” burger topped with bacon and a fried egg. Bottles of bubbly are $5, or you can get your daily dose of vitamin C with an orange crush. Brunch here starts at 10 a.m. and goes to 4 p.m. //2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Whitlow’s on Wilson
Editor’s Note: Whitlow’s closed its doors in June 2021 after more than 25 years in business.
The gigantic all-you-can-eat brunch buffet is on hold due to Covid-19, but Whitlow’s is slinging a slimmed down brunch menu on its rooftop tiki-bar deck and patio (no reservations, same as always) on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m. Try the fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy, a meaty breakfast sandwich on an English muffin, or a Belgian waffle with warm apple topping. You can also order food to go on their website. //2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)