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This is amazing spot in the neighborhood! [[HIGHLIGHT]]Incredibly friendly servers, a dog-friendly patio, nice cocktails and good food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] They have such a variety on the menu and rotating specials. There's something for everyone. [[HIGHLIGHT]]I came on a Thursday and it was fairly busy and just kept getting busier, especially on the patio so keep that in mind if you plan to just roll up when the weather is nice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Loved the burger and fries. The Brussels sprout chips had good flavor, but I personally found them a little hard to eat and would just rather have fried half brussels so they're easier to dip. Will definitely be back!
5 Stars!...across the board & great customer service!! I was really impressed with the food here and the vibe of this seemingly popular neighborhood restaurant. From the moment you walk in, you can tell Brooklyn's Finest is a main stable for DC locals in the neighborhood. Lots of folks were greeting each other and seemed to know one another as they walked in. The menu was straightforward, the portions were very generous, and the food was fantastic--on point! There are lots of American fare and comfort food classics to choose from. Everything I tried from the Birria Tacos to the Catfish n'Grits was delicious. The Catfish n' Grits was a standout dish and I recommend. The catfish was crispy, cooked perfect and soooo seasoned.....along with a side of braised kale that was exceptional in flavor. The grits took me back to my hometown Savannah, GA where we like and make them "stiff"....while loaded with flavor and cheddar goodness to taste. I mean so stiff you can almost slice it like a cake. That's when you know you got some down- home grits and cooking. Brooklyn's Finest delivered on this dish...that's for sure! You can tell everything here is made to order, fresh and well made. The drinks and libation gets a thumbs up as well. The mixers are strong here and they have a nice variety of beer on tap as well. Talk about a "Win Win!"....good food & libation; along with great portions and price point....you can't beat that! I will definitely be back!
A group of friends came here for snacks, dessert and a cocktail! The cocktails were good - we tried the 12th Street Tempest (summery), the Langston (for those who like spirit forward drinks) and Spicy Situation 3.0 (actually had spice). We really enjoyed the Langston of the three. For food, the desserts were amazing and the snacks (onion rings and Brussel sprouts) were excellent. We may need to make another trip out here just to end our night! Service was attentive and helpful when describing drinks and food portions. It was easy to get here from downtown DC via metro, too! There is parking if you choose to drive.
I went with some friends for brunch and it was just ok. They have a healthy list of bloody Mary's on the menu, and yet, they were out of the mix, so no bloody Marys for anyone. The avocado toast had three thin slices of avocado and the potatoes accompanying the dish were soggy. My friend said the burger was good but the fries lacked crunch; and the egg Benedict were just ok. The staff seemed overwhelmed as we never had our waters refilled. Overall, it was just an ok experience.
We waiting an embarrassingly long time to try this place and we live in the neighborhood. This is downtown quality food in the heart of NE DC! The menu is elevated bar food with really creative twists. We had the Fried Green Tomato Napoleon, House Salad, Baltimore Style Pit Beef, and Beignets. I was most impressed with the salad. They clearly paid a lot of attention to combining fresh ingredients and flavor contrasts. Everything else we ordered was similarly high quality. The restaurant itself is surprisingly large once you get inside with a long bar and plenty of cozy tables. They have an expansive beer, wine, and cocktail list. Matt took great care of our party of 4. The only wrinkle was a seating delay. We'd made reservations for the deck on what ended up being a very rainy day, with no chance that it would be nice enough to sit inside. The host forgot to convert our reservation to an indoor table which led to a roughly 15 minute wait for a table.
[[HIGHLIGHT]]Nice neighborhood bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Service was quick and friendly. The star for me was the burger - just a tasty straightforward burger, meat cooked to temp, good bun, pickled onion and nice bacon. I got a side of the tempura onion rings which were decent, but the batter was very heavy and if they sit for a little the breading texture turns donut-ish. Also ordered mac and cheese which was ok, leans very smoky due to the bacon, sauce consistency wasn't quite there, could've been cheesier
Came for Sunday brunch and was pleasantly surprised. I want to start going to more off the beaten path restaurants and gland I stumbled upon Brookland's finest. I made a reservation and showed up 5 minutes early. I was seated right away. *the indoor seating filled up shortly after, so I would suggest a reservation. Our server was very friendly and gave us a rundown of his faves and what to try as a first timer. We had the Solly's prime rib and huevos ranchers with chorizo. So it's actually a steak rather than a hunk of prime rib. The steak was well seasoned and had a tasty hollandaise. The potatoes were seasoned. Not crispy which I liked but pan sautéed. The huevos rancheros is more of a tostada rather than a bowled rancheros dish. The it was a not heavy take on the traditional style rancheros. For to drink we had micheladas. Not many places in dc serve them so it's always nice to see on the menu. We'll be back to try their dinner!
Forgot to do a review for this one, went awhile back because they were included in the Guide to Imbibe (buy one get one drinks), the deal was for the "Bustin' Loose cocktail and I love bourbon so I was a huge fan. It was a Friday night so we booked a reservation to be safe and was glad we did because it was pretty busy (in a good way). The service was quick and our waitress made sure to check in on us multiple times. The menu has changed a little since my visit but we got the Cuban and I'm pretty sure the Southern Style Chicken club. The onion rings were HUGE! We also got tacos as an app that I forgot to take a picture of but they were delicious! [[HIGHLIGHT]]I don't venture over to this neighborhood that much but I really enjoyed the meal and the setting here![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]
This kids pasta was a large portion and was tasty. I enjoyed the cheddar biscuits but the gravy could've used a bit more seasoning.
The weather was perfect--a cool breeze wafted through the window open for outside bar seating--kids were laughing the in back, birds were chirping, and then there was an immature adult who was sitting at the bar with a really well made cocktail, on challenge from friends that Brookland's has one of the best burgers in town. So I digress - yes, Brookland's burger is one of the best in town. With large face lettuce (the only kind that should be used on a burger), tomatoes, and pickles served on the side for you to build your own, the burger was perfectly cooked, and at a huge portion. A little expensive, but I thought worth it.
Absolutely amazing!!! Each visit to DC, I make sure to stop by Brookland's Finest! Nothing short of spectacular here, from the service, enthusiasm from the bartenders, food quality and the overall ambiance! The neighborhood is beautiful and entering into the restaurant is calming. I've visited Brookland's three times these past two weeks, coming in town to visit. The deviled eggs are great (quality of 4) and the bruschetta is tasty!! The fried catfish is filling and seasoned well; I wouldn't get the Mac & Cheese again but it was fine with the catfish. I had enough for leftovers. The staff here is always kind, helpful and willing to recommend something new on the menu!
Absolutely amazing! We were in Brookland, between Saturday activities. A quick yelp search showed this to be a decent restaurant that was nearby and we decided to give it a try. Turns out, the reviews understate how great this place is. For us, the winners were the Pretzel Bites and the Chicken and Waffles. Both the Pretzel Bites and Chicken are deep fried, maybe broasted. The result is more important than the method, which is, in both cases, a crispy but not greasy outside and a moist and tasty inside. The waffles that came with the chicken had a delightful, malty taste and were accompanied by strawberry sauce and maple syrup. We also enjoyed their huevos rancheros and a fancy seasonal salad with blackened chicken. Unfortunately, the salad isn't likely to be available when you get around to going. Anyway, those things were good, too, just not as good as the other stuff. The service was prompt, and the staff was pleasant and helpful. There is plenty of street parking nearby. The sad part of this story is that we're rarely in Brookland. The happy part is that the next time we're there, and we're working on contrived reasons at the moment, we have a sure bet for an outstanding meal.
[[HIGHLIGHT]]A restaurant in the heart of a neighborhood that makes it Homie.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's really nice inside just a bit cold but it ended up warming up.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] The service was great and fast. I had ordered bubbly rosé which was really good deviled eggs, the mac & cheese with bacon, the onion rings, Oh my God we're so amazing. Definitely wanna try their brunch.
Review Insights
7 years ago
This is a great place to stop in and grab lunch. It has a great relaxed neighborhood bar atmosphere but also does a great job at keeping the sit down feel. My partner and I enjoyed their simple, yet varied menu. He got the chicken club sandwich and a side salad. I got the salmon BLT which was surprisingly delicious. My partners side salad was also very good! I was shocked, since normally when you sub out fries for a salad, most places shove iceberg lettuce and sad tomatoes on a plate. But this salad was a very tastefully done: greens, goat cheese and apple salad. Our server was attentive and friendly. the drinks were ok. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting to grab a drink and a good meal. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
Partner In Munch and I love this place as it has a neighborhood bar feel. We only stopped for a few beers and they were great, drink local and be impressed. Bar staff was knowledgeable about the suds and the whiskey selection is grand. We respectfully accept an invitation to Brooklands Finest. read more
9 years ago
The food was amazing. The customer services could have been better. Recommend: Tony's breakfast. Stuffed French toast yummmm read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
Amazing service and the food is good. Whether you're carrying out or dining in, the people at this place are some of the most kind, welcoming, and professional in DC. read more
9 years ago
My date and I stopped in for dinner around 7pm on a Saturday. The seating arrangements are a little tight, (wooden table and chairs) but the food was absolutely delicious. I ordered the salmon and grits and he ordered the short rib sandwich. Our server was pleasant and informative with us from start to finish. The ambiance was spot on with a rustic feel, African art and soulful music playing in the background. It was raining the day we came, but we will definitely be coming back to eat on the patio this summer. The second round of my cocktail was prepared better than the first, otherwise, excellent experience. read more
I stopped by this neighborhood gem for brunch on Sunday. I've eaten here on numerous occasions but never brunch. We stopped in and tried the special of the day which consisted of a blackened salmon on a hoagie roll with all the trimmings. It was paired with a potato hash. The sandwich was great. It was super filling and the salmon was cooked perfectly (medium as requested). We also ordered the country breakfast consisting of eggs your way (always with cheese for me), potato hash, bacon or sausage and a bowl of fruit. I typically think of the fruit at breakfast as an after thought but as you can see this was packed with bright and juicy pieces. It was a nice addition! Only downfall for me was the potato hash. Although it had a great smooth texture and well seasoned, there was either red pepper or an over abundance of black pepper that overpowered the dish. They were super accommodating when I notified our server and quickly swapped the out for fries. If your in Ward 5 Brookland area be sure to check them out! #savorysitesandbites #foodblog #dcdeetsandeats #salmon #breakfast #brunch #dcbrunch #brookland #ward5 #brooklandsfinest #brunchsohard #foodie #foodfinds read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
Was around Brookland for an appointment. 'Twas already dinner time by the time our appointment finished so checked yelp for restaurants nearby and found this! Im sooo glad we came here. Foods are great! We ordered Coronel Burger and Bacon Mac n' Cheese in a small plate. Summed up a good dinner! Desserts are to die for! Tried the Dark chocolate cake and the peach cobbler and both of them are really good!!! You should try it for yourself. read more
5 years ago
I decided to go to Brookland's Finest today during my lunch break. I had ordered food Togo from here before and enjoyed it so I decided to dine in this time. I had the deviled eggs which were delicious! For my main entree I ordered the small shrimp and grits (large is offered as well). Upon my food arriving I noticed there was a small strand of hair in my food. I immediately notified the server and she apologized and brought me out another shrimp and grits. My complaint, besides of course the hair being in my food was that the second time the shrimp and grits came out it looked completely different from the first serving. This place has an enjoyable happy hour but the food is never consistent. My server however was amazing and addressed my issue right away! read more
3 years ago
The food is so incredibly amazing here. I had the fried green tomato sandwich and chips and I had to stop myself from licking the seasoning off the plate. The fries were tasty as well with a good even seasoning of salt. The ambiance was casual and somewhat intimate. I was not able to get the full intimate vibe because the tables are packed so close together on the back wall. Maybe one less table on that back row would give customers a little more breathing room and increase that intimacy. Otherwise, I had a great time here. You can't beat amazing food and good service! read more
My friend and I decided we wanted to venture out of our area and head to NE to look for a yummy lunch. We came upon this place and we left wanting to come back more! The wait for 2 was literally like 2 mins, and once we got seated Sparkle came over and lit up our world. From the first moment to the last moment, you could feel that she cared and was so kind. I got the Salmon Patty Melt and I subbed Bloody Mary Mayo and it was yummy. I also think this shouldn't be a melt because melts have a ton of cheese and are usually pressed. So this Salmon Patty sandwich was yummy and delicious. My friend got that the fried green tomato eggs benny. Then as we were eating I saw on another persons table that they had bread pudding and I said, OH need that! And we got it and it was delicious!!!! We will be back to see Sparkle!! read more
9 years ago
GET THE PRETZEL BITES! Those were some of the yummiest things I've eaten. They're perfectly crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. And it's accompanying sauce is a nice complement. The food is overall great. The burger was super tasty and comes with large onion rings (which make for an Instagram worthy shot). The biscuit and gravy was also good with a decadent gravy, but the biscuit was a little dry. The huevos rancheros came with well cooked beans, but I wish it came with a little more flavor. read more
5 years ago
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7 years ago
Good food. Good service. We ate outside and the flies apparently love the food too. Can't really complain about flies since we were outside. We will definitely go back again...probably sit inside. This is a nice little spot in a cute neighborhood. read more
5 years ago
6 years ago
This place is great. Stopped in for lunch. I had the special that day with beef brisket sandwich. Excellent sandwiches. Lots of meat. Also at the table was another special sweet potato ravioli. Mom said it was really good. My brother had the pulled pork. Another happy customer. The fries were hot and on the mark. Had chocolate pecan pie with ice cream to top off the meal. Delicious. Our server was very nice. This place is near my first home which we left the area about 50!years ago. When back to check it out. If you are in the area try this place you wound be disappointed. read more
This place is the epitome of the hip neighborhood spot you want to bring your friends to. Whenever I come in here, whether for a beer or to grab some food, I'm not disappointed. The menu is pretty diverse - normally I am drawn to the Brussel Sprout appetizer - if you like crunchy greens with a savory sauce it will be in your grid of food options. This particular time I went for brunch. The food options are still widespread and par for the course there's a completely different menu. I went with the sweet potato pancakes. These were dope - hint of the sweetness from the potatoes, still fluffy and the bourbon syrup was a hit. The beer selection isn't huge but they have a lot of local, indie stuff which is all I ask. I haven't tried any of the cocktails but they look intriguing. All in - this place is a great local spot and 100% worth a visit if in NE. read more
My friend and I stopped by Brookland's for a weekday brunch and I was pleasantly surprised by the overall experience that we had here. I ordered the fried Maryland catfish, and my friend ordered the blackened chicken sandwich. Fried catfish is one of my favorite dishes and Brookland's did not disappoint. The catfish was tender on the inside and the breading was crispy and not too thick. The sides that came with the fried catfish were spicy greens and roasted corn polenta. I enjoyed the spicy greens but I wasn't a fan of the polenta since it was let to cool and solidify. My friend also enjoyed her dish and neither of us finished our meals because the portion sizes were so generous. Brookland's is a bit further out from Union Station but it's definitely worth a visit, either on a weekday or on the weekend. read more
Brookland's Finest. You know, that's not actually saying a lot because the Brookland section of the city typically has had a limited number of food options. Nonetheless, this place has garnered quite a bit of hype lately. Although I've long been bored with the underwhelming choices in DC, I still had this place on my radar. The restaurant is surprisingly small. The decor and vibe are both reminicent of a neighborhood watering hole/gathering spot. The service is pretty good. The wait staff has a friendly and casual approach towards making sure customers are taken care of. I tried the Bay Shrimp & Grits, House Salad, Baltimore Pit Beef Sandwich, Wild Mushroom Risotto, Peach Cobbler and Double Chocolate Cake. The Bay Shrimp and Grits is beautifully presented. The shrimp was perfectly prepared. The grits were creamy, but perhaps a little thinner than I normally like. Tasty dish though. The House Salad consists of mixed greens, apples, marcona almonds, gorgonzola cheese, and honey balsamic vinaigrette. How often does someone say a salad was addicting? Yea, it kinda was. I think there was a lot of good things going on with sweetness, tang, salt, crunch, etc. Definitely a palate pleaser. Baltimore Pit Beef Sandwich is Brookland's version of a Charm City classic. It's made up of certified angus beef, tiger sauce, and pickled onions served on a brioche bun. The sandwich is also served with hand cut fries. Overall, the sandwich was slightly above average. Bmore pit beef sandwiches are no joke and this version won't stop me from driving 45 minutes or so to get the real deal. However, Brookland's take served a pleasant purpose, although a little more seasoning on the beef would go a long way. The Wild Mushroom Risotto comes with black truffle mushrooms, mascarpone cheese, english peas, and cherry tomatoes. Definitely a rich dish. The mascarpone cheese really makes the dish by providing a cheesy tangy flavor. The only thing is it wasn't particularly filling. The portion size was moderate, so perhaps an option for a larger size would help. Both the Peach Cobbler and Double Chocolate Cake were below average. In particular, the double chocolate cake was basically a glorified lava cake that had no balance. The prices here are ok considering the going rate in DC. It's on the same spectrum of perhaps Busboys and Poets, where a full meal will likely run $20 - $25 per person. Well, I'm glad I got to check out the finest Brookland has to offer. Would I be running to return? Not necessarily, but at least the residents that neighborhood can enjoy some decent eats in a cool atmosphere. Cheers! read more
5 years ago
10 years ago
I met my cussin' quota for the week. So Jesus Mary & Joseph sugar honey iced tea...this is the best muthaflippin' plate of food I've had in a long time since dining at Proof in Chinatown. Maybe this reaction comes from my being caught off guard. Really I didn't expect a lil' restaurant located near the corner of residential homes to be so damn...I mean dang good. Maaaan...feel the emphasis on my saying man here. Presentation was like art on the plate. Yum to The lamb shank with Brussels sprouts and cauliflower mash. Love places where I can eat good, fancy and low carb at the same damn time. Oh wait I did have carbs. But no regrets AT ALL on the white truffle oil pretzel bites. My extra time on the treadmill totally worth it. Friend ordered the salmon and grits. Cooked perfectly. Only negatives. Waiter had to be reminded to refill water and the serving plates had not been heated. read more
Great little spot with a great atmosphere. Many locals come here to eat and they all look like they are enjoy their food. It's a packed Sunday and the service was fast. My meal had a great combination of flavors and the Benedict was different. It was a good different. The waiters was tentative to my needs and was pleasant. I dislike the Irish coffee. Beside that, I would return. read more
5 years ago
You might have noticed by now that I am a Brunch Lover! I've been on a brunchin' for the past weeks! Who doesn't love Brunch, anyways? So, this is what I was up to this weekend. I hadn't seen my girl Kia (who was also my Maid of Honor) in a long time. We usually try to catch up whenever she's in town from Ohio, pursuing her medical endeavors, over good drinks and food. She'd heard good things about BROOKLAND'S FINEST BAR & KITCHEN but had never been. Perfect for us to discover! Cute little spot in one of the nation's capital neighborhood, Brookland. We were kind of lost when we walked in. The hostess stand/table was empty and wondered if we were to seat ourselves or wait on someone. Then we noticed someone heading towards us, who took us to our table. The restaurant was PACKED! Good sign. Brunch for me = combo of sweet and savory foods. Same for Kia. While browsing the menu, we placed our drink orders: Mimosas, please! The menu was mouth-watering. Peaches and Cream Pancakes. Colonel Shrimp and Grits. (you should know by now that this is one of my favorite things to eat). Jersey Benedict. Just to name a few. Still searching for that sweet/savory combo, Kia stumbled on Tony's Breakfast Club which was French Toast stuffed with applewood bacon, taylor pork roll, cheddar eggs, dijon maple syrup with mixed greens. Perfect choice! French Toast for sweetness. Applewood bacon, Taylor pork roll and cheddar eggs for that savory aspect. One of the ladies seating at the table next to us is served her Colonel Shrimp and Grits. LAWD. It looked so delicious, again mouth-watering. I could taste it. Or maybe, I was just TOO HUNGRY LOL! Here came our plates. I had a dumbfounded look on my face as I didn't realize that the elements of this dish where stuffed in the French Toast. Or maybe I forgot or did not pay close attention to the description under Tony's Breakfast Club? Well... That quickly changed after I drizzled that Maple Syrup on the French Toast and took a bite! D Y N O M I T E ! It was UNEXPECTEDLY delicious. That applewood bacon, you can NEVER go wrong with BACON! All of the dish's components + maple syrup in one bite was AMAZING. I also loved the dressing on the mixed greens. Service was OK. Nothing spectacular. That shouldn't stop you from checking them out! What we had was GREAT and I think you'll love it too. read more
10 years ago
So brunch is not at all what I expected.. I'm somewhat disappointed. I typically go for lunch however a co worker gave kudos for their brunch menu, so I decided to try it out. First off, it seemed like the tables were pushed too close together along the wall, making it uncomfortable to converse at my table. We ordered the Tony Breakfast Club, which was delicious but it would have been good to let me know the salad had walnuts in it ( which was not listed on the menu), which I am not a fan of and glad I'm not allergic to. We also ordered the breakfast burrito, which seemed to consist of more potatoes than anything; it even came with potatoes on the side. All in all, I don't think I will go back for Brunch. I will stick to Brookland's Finest for lunch. read more
8 years ago
OMG!!! The Brussels Sprouts are the BEST!!! I also ordered the Catfish with sweet potato mash and kale!!! Lawd ..Lawd ...its delicious This is my second visit and I love this place. The atmosphere is chill and relaxing. If you want some great food at an amazing price..This is your spot...The best part of my visit....THEY'RE GIVING FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES A DOSCOUNT ON DRINKS .... read more
More info about Brookland's Finest
3126 12th St NE
Washington, DC 20017
Brookland
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(202) 636-0050
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http://www.brooklandsfinest.com/
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Ask the Community - Brookland's Finest
Are all seating areas (inside and patio) wheelchair accessible or navigate able with crutches (no stairs)?
Unfortunately not -- I was with a party and we had to carry a baby stroller up the steps to get to the place. Sorry!
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Brookland's Finest - newamerican - Updated August 2026
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