The Best Brunch Restaurants in Washington DC

A Georgetown institution, Peacock Cafe has been in operation since 1991. If diners are looking for a restaurant that not only knows their name, but also remembers their last order, then the Peacock Cafe is the spot for the best brunch in DC. Chef Maziar Farivar has cooked at the James Beard Foundation Dinner, and was also highlighted for his work in the kitchen by the U.S. State Department as "setting the table for diplomacy." On the brunch menu, look for a host of sandwiches named after movie stars of the 1940s and '50s such as the James Dean (chicken breast, muenster cheese, honey mustard) or the Marilyn Monroe (turkey, ham, swiss, cole slaw, dijonnaisse.) Their Peacock Cafe juice bar also lets guests custom-blend fruits and vegetables with no added sugar to kickstart a healthy weekend.

Stylish yet unpretentious, Le Chat Noir will transport you to Paris's Left Bank neighborhood with its French fare and outstanding wine selection. If guests prefer to begin "Sunday Funday" with a glass of champagne, Le Chat Noir serves a sparkling glass along with simple and refined French classics like quiches, salad de Lyonnaise, Pate Maison, and crepes.

Know nothing about Belgian cuisine? Belga Cafe looks to change that by transporting diners' taste buds to Brussels. Dine on their sidewalk cafe and peruse the brunch menu created by chef/owner Bart Vandaele, a native of Belgium. Of course, there are traditional Belgian waffles, but there are several varieties on the menu that cover both sweet and savory territories. Their substantial brunch menu, which also has mussel pots, a variety of eggs dishes, and real Belgian hot chocolate, will require a series of tasty weekend visits in order to conquer all of its authentic offerings.

As one of the U.S.'s top-rated luxury hotels, The Jefferson certainly sets the standard for elegance and refinement. The Greenhouse at The Jefferson serves one of the best breakfasts in DC under their historic skylight, uncovered during a recent renovation. The Greenhouse's brunch menu changes to reflect seasonal ingredients, but offers some decadent standards such as an Osetra caviar parfait, lobster eggs Benedict, and bagels and lox. Accompanied by housemade smoothies and a brunch cocktail selection, the morning will feel as cool and collected as the sophisticated surroundings.

Fixin' to get a taste of the South in your mouth? Due South aims to fill diners' bellies with comfort food classics for the best DC brunch. When you see a menu section devoted to "biscuit snacks," it's clear this isn't low-cal fare. It's okay to wear sweats to lunch when a little extra stomach space is needed. Brunswick stew, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and sausage gravy all share the brunch menu with punches and potions designed to make sure guests definitely spend the rest of the day relaxing on the couch.

Missing a touch of West Coast flavor? Summer House in Bethesda, Maryland offers some California sunshine to dreary East Coast days. The California-inspired menu has a wide range of offerings from baked goods, to egg sandwiches and omelets, to wood-grilled chicken sandwiches that all have small West Coast touches in their ingredients and presentation. For example, traditional hash browns take a Californian spin with Oaxacan cheese, cilantro, avocado, and charred tomato salsa for a taste of Mexico via California — delivered in D.C.

Modeled after a Parisian brasserie, the casual Le Diplomate aims to serve classic French-inspired dishes in a laid-back environment. Located in the 14th Street Corridor, Le Diplomate's brunch menu has a solid offering of seafood selections such as Alaskan king crab legs, shrimp cocktail, and assorted fresh clams and oysters. If guests have a taste for oufs, the restaurant has a wide variety of egg preparations. Want something more substantial? Look for larger brunch entrees like moules frites, trout amandine, or beef bourguignon to stay full for the rest of the day.

Modeled after a French bistro and serving simple French comfort food is the Bethesda, Maryland outpost of Mon Ami Gabi. The classic onion soup au gratin, finished with Gruyere cheese, is a great pair with smaller hors d'oeuvres such as chicken liver mousse pate and wild escargots de Bourgogne for a decadent weekend treat. Mon Ami Gabi also serves the French classic steak frites, but with an upgraded twist — all the beef is Prime certified.

Fun, fresh, and vibrant all describe the brunch scene at Sette Osteria on 14th Street. Order plates like a brunch tart, Nutella flatbread, smoked salmon platter to split and snack amongst the table, or nosh on specialty omelets loaded with fresh ingredients. Wait, did someone say "Nutella flatbread"? That plate would probably NOT be shared... even with friends!

Housed in an old General Post Office, the decidedly modern Dirty Habit also boasts an expansive atrium and massive patio that encompasses an entire city block. Sweets calling on a day off? At one of the best breakfasts in DC, house-made donuts are available after 10 a.m. Diners can also try a trio of creme brulees to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Washington, D.C. is a city where no matter how many times people seen a famous building, seeing it from a different angle or view is awe-inspiring all over again. The Lafayette Restaurant, located inside the Hay-Adams Hotel, directly overlooks Lafayette Square and the White House. With such a prime location, please note that this is not the type of brunch where one can roll up in sweats and messy bun. Regarded as one of the swankiest brunch spots in town, save this excursion for a special occasion, or at least one where a good hair day is mandatory.

The nation's 26th president and outdoors enthusiast, Teddy Roosevelt, is the inspiration behind Teddy and the Bully Bar. Using Roosevelt's love of fresh produce and simple, well-prepared food, the restaurant follows his quote of "do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Having connections with local farmers allows the brunch menu to offer fresh salads, seasonal scrambles, and desserts that highlight what's currently fresh at the market.

Modern French/Mediterranean cuisine is Matisse's specialty, and their brunch menu allows diners to sample this flavor fusion. Duck confit hash takes a traditional French preparation and gives it a mid-day twist by shredding the fat-cured duck and cooking it with potatoes and two farm-fresh eggs. Moroccan eggs mix spicy Merguez sausage with a tomato base for a unique brunch dish not seen on most menus.

Not sure what cuisine should be the focus on a brunch outing? Check out BlackSalt Fish Market and Restaurant to sample a variety of cuisines, and a rarely seen kids menu to keep your little diners happy. Want some Southern spice? A fried oyster po' boy sandwich or eggs Ponchatrain are both nods to classic New Orleans fare. Huevos rancheros will scratch that Tex-Mex itch, while duck confit hash alludes to its French origins with fat-poached game.

Connecting Georgia, France, and Washington, D.C. on a map would require a long ruler and a good sense of geography. Macon Bistro and Larder aims to make this connection a little easier by presenting Southern-inspired French food located in the Chevy Chase Arcade building. Not sure what this looks like on a plate? How about a traditional Croque Madame made with sweet Southern ham, or the "Macon Benny," using French hollandaise sauce to cover southern-style biscuits with thick bacon. Even though the locations on the map are far apart, Macon Bistro and Larder closes the gap with their creative brunch combos.

Located in Penn Quarter, The Smith is the D.C. offshoot of this popular NYC-based restaurant. A unique feature of The Smith is their brunch raw bar, shucking and serving a rotating cast of oysters and clams, as well as lobster and shrimp. If guests still have room after this seafood starter, go for one of their signature "big salads." This is not a small, peckish affair — their big salads have enough oomph to fuel the entire day. Wash this all down with a barnstormer cocktail and get ready to face weekend projects with ease.

Chef/owner Robert Wiedmaier's Wildwood Kitchen uses Mediterranean and French influences on the Bethesda, Maryland restaurant's menu. The Middle Eastern spice za'atar makes an appearance in a dish called "Israeli Breakfast," which pairs the smoky flavor with grilled pita bread, poached eggs, chickpeas, and hummus. Carmelized Challah French toast isn't only for holiday eating — diners can treat themselves with this thick, rich bread studded with apples and candied hazelnuts. The restaurant's lunch menu is also available during brunch service, which means diners can also sample Portuguese octopus or a crispy falafel salad to see Chef Wiedmaier's vision for fine Mediterranean cuisine in D.C.

Welcome to Oaxaca, Mexico! Even at their three locations in Washington, it feels like dining a thousand miles away at El Centro D.F. Start with a michelada, a beer rimmed with lime and spices, for a refreshing beginning to brunch adventures. Feeling a little tired from the previous evening's activities? A serving of chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, or a hearty torta will fill the tank again for the upcoming day. Save room for some churros, served with cajeta, a traditional Mexican caramel sauce.

When celebrity chefs attach their name to new concepts, it's clear that they have had a great deal of personal input on the restaurant's concept, design, and menu. The Source by Wolfgang Puck is no exception, located inside the endlessly fascinating Newseum. Playing off the restaurant's Asian-inspired menu, Saturday brunch includes a dim sum tasting menu that begins at 11:30 a.m. Dumplings, pot stickers, bao buns, spring rolls, fried rice, and wontons are just some of the dishes for sampling and sharing among friends. If diners want a truly unique Saturday brunch experience, order the whole duckling for two, roasted to crispy, crackling perfection.