Brunch. It’s a tough meal, but someone’s gotta eat it. Looking for a new place to hang on weekends? Next time you’re tapped with finding a prime spot for huevos rancheros, chocolate-chip pancakes, Bloody Marys or Bellinis, consider these local restaurants that opened within the last year.
Bar Ivy
Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
This West Coast-style cafe in Clarendon introduced brunch in October, and on warm days, its spacious patio is the place to be. The menu, from executive chef Jonathan Till (Evening Star) and chef/co-owner Nathan Beauchamp (Tiger Fork, The Fainting Goat), includes light options like a Greek yogurt parfait topped with house-made granola, and a little gem salad with lamb pancetta, egg and pecorino crisp. For something more filling, opt for eggs Benedict on house-made crumpets with pork belly or crab cakes, or treat your sweet tooth to French toast on skewers with banana and buttered-rum syrup. Thirsty? Try the Bruncharita (Casamigos Reposado tequila, calamansi, blood orange, lime) or I Dream of Bellini, a concoction with peach liqueur, lemon and prosecco. // 3033 Wilson Blvd. Suite 115R, Arlington (Clarendon)
Circa at The Boro
Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The newest of this DMV bistro’s four area locations opened at The Boro in Tysons in late 2022. Kick back with small plates such as tuna poke nachos, salads and flatbreads (lookin’ at you, wild mushroom with truffle oil), plus entrees that will give your fork a workout. Among the main events are huevos rancheros (black beans, queso fresco, avocado corn salsa) and grilled Atlantic salmon, served with scrambled eggs and garlic spinach. Pair your midday meal with a mimosa or blood orange Bellini (cava, peach schnapps, blood orange). // 1675 Silver Hill Drive, Tysons
Harvey’s
Saturday & Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
On weekends, pop in to chef Thomas Harvey‘s nearly year-old neighborhood joint for biscuits and gravy, shrimp and grits, or breakfast sandwich platters like The Little City, which features an egg-bacon-cheese sandwich with caramelized onion mayo, plus hash browns and fresh fruit. For a carb fix, dress up a stack of buttermilk pancakes with chocolate chips, blueberry, strawberry or banana. There’s lunch fare, too, including cedar-plank salmon, beer-cheese steaks, or the Dirty Bird—a fried chicken sandwich with pimiento cheese, fried green tomatoes, hot sauce and scallion ranch dressing. Feeling dehydrated? Reach for a mimosa or mango moscato. // 513 W. Broad St., Falls Church City
Junction
Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Junction’s Mosaic District location, which opened in September, celebrates film history with a mammoth mural of movie stars and a 20-foot-by-20-foot projection screen. The brunch menu has something for everyone, including vegetarian and gluten-free choices such as a veggie burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs, roasted mushrooms, scallions, black beans and avocado; and sweet potato “Disco” fries with Beyond sausage gravy and halloumi. Carnivore? Try a double-patty breakfast burger topped with American cheese, bacon and fried egg. Or the Morning After Bowl, which piles chicken tenders and sage-sausage gravy on top of cheesy grits. Wash it all down with a breakfast shooter such as Reese’s Puffs (featuring peanut-butter whiskey) or The Dude Abides—a mix of vodka, Don Ciccio & Figli Concerto, coconut milk, chocolate and vanilla. // 2985 District Ave., Suite 115, Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Rosa Mexicano
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
In late 2022, the lively fresh-Mex cantina that originated in New York opened an outpost at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City with a sizeable patio and bar, where 100-plus types of tequila and other spirits that find their way into frozen margaritas (try the signature pomegranate), sangria and a host of other brunchy cocktails. From the food menu, consider the chilaquiles divorciados—two eggs over chilaquiles with salsa roja and salsa verde, which are separated (get it?) by black beans and served with avocado, queso fresco, cilantro and crema. // 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (National Landing)
Seamore’s
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Known for serving only sustainable seafood from fish stocks that are healthy or growing, James Beard Smart Catch Leader Seamore’s opened its first Virginia location this fall in Clarendon. On weekends, brunch it up with fish tacos, East Coast oysters, lobster Benedict, avocado toast, smoked salmon over hash browns with a jammy egg, or a bowl of beer-steamed littleneck clams. For $28, the bottomless brunch includes a choice of six cocktails (mimosas, Bellinis, Bloody Marys, aperol spritzes, margs and screwdrivers) in endless supply for 90 minutes (whole table must participate). // 2815 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Silver Diner
Saturday & Sunday, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.Â
In December, the Arlington location of chef Ype Von Hengst’s homegrown diner relocated from Clarendon to Ballston, where it now boasts a patio, free two-hour parking, a full bar and all-day brunch. Go for a classic Lumberjack Breakfast (silver dollar pancakes, eggs, two meats, home fries) or pickle-brined fried chicken paired with pecan waffles and cherry-pepper honey. Vegans can dig into plant-based breakfast tacos stuffed with Just Egg, BBQ Beyond Meat, guacamole, black bean salsa, cilantro and pickled onions. For dessert masquerading as an entree, the apple pie-stuffed French toast features a cinnamon-sugar crust, vanilla creme and drizzles of salted caramel (or, try another variation with fresh berries and chocolate). From the cocktail list, sip on a Tequila Sunrise (El Jimador tequila, triple Sec, orange juice, grenadine) or an Atomic Bloody Mary with an Old Bay rim. // 4400 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
This post has been updated to clarify the details of Rosa Mexicano’s brunch offerings.