We were greeted and seated right away . Our server was very courteous. We ordered couple of appetizers and drinks from the Happy hour menus which was great. We also ordered an entree and a sandwich and they were delicious as well. The owner has kept the prices very reasonable compared to other restaurants in the area and we really appreciate that. The restaurant is very inviting and has a great vibe with the set up , the vibrant colors , the murals and pictures and of course the unique bookstore. read more

Was craving some gluten free pancakes and Busboys popped up on my search. I'm glad it did. Nestled in the walkable Shirlington development, which feels like a mini Reston Town Center, lies a gem in Busboys and Poets. I thought it would be a small coffee shop but it is much more. Ample seating inside with some outdoor seating, it is a fun atmosphere with a mini bookstore as you walk in and the main restaurant in the other half. There's a small stage for when they have different events. It is a positive and fun environment. I ordered the Turning Violet Latte. I am a big fan of lavender flavor and this latte hit the spot. For my food, I ordered the gluten free pancakes and bacon. You never know what you're going to get with gluten free pancakes and these were some of the good ones. They were fluffy with some fresh fruit sprinkled on top. The syrup was the perfect amount needed for these hot cakes. The bacon was crisp and a great add on. They have a robust menu so you can get a lot of great options here. The service was good and overall I had a great time. read more

Busboys and Poets - Turning Violet Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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JR and Emilio are awesome!!! They went above and beyond and made sure that our dining experience was nothing short of amazing. They are so personable and you can see that they take pride in their work. Food was amazing and came out so fast even with the restaurant being busy. 100/10 read more

The happy hour chickens sliders, happy hour mojito, and side of sweet potato fries were so yummy. I'm especially impressed by the side salad. Also our server Kris was so kind. I will definitely be coming back. read more

Busboys and Poets - Chicken sliders, sweet potato fries, mojito - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I had breakfast with a client and the food was delicious! Our server Lula was amazing!!! read more

Bogi, We had amazing service at Busboys and Poets... quality time with my sisters. Great service and food

I wanted to share with you my recent visit to Busboys and Poets, which was my first time dining there, and I must say it was a fantastic experience. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was inviting and vibrant. The food was absolutely delicious --each dish was prepared with great care and full of flavor. I was genuinely impressed by the quality and taste. What made the experience even more memorable was the outstanding service we received. Ms. Bogi, our server, went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. Her attentiveness and friendly attitude made us feel really special and taken care of. It's rare to find service that truly enhances the dining experience like that! Overall, I highly recommend trying out Busboys and Poets if you haven't already. I'm definitely planning to go back soon! read more

Had a lovely meal before going to the theater. Tony did a great job serving us. The Cubano Panini was very tasty and saucy. Tropical Breeze is light and refreshing read more

Thank you Bogi for great service and a great meal! Chicken, blackened salmon and carrot cake made for a lovely date night !!

Tony C was an awesome server and the food was delicious as always. Thanks for the pleasant experience!

Bogi was fantastic!! She explained the menu well and was friendly. She gave us time to choose our meal and checked in often. read more

Leidy was amazing. I came in for quick dinner and she made it very enjoyable! Definitely will be back.

Alexa was very friendly, nice and helpful! Great server, can't wait to come back for those cauliflower bites too :)

Kris is so awesome! She was attentive, friendly and helpful. The food was delicious! read more

I met up with a college friend for Happy Hour on a Monday night. I was fortunate to find an empty parking space across the street. Once inside, I was taken aback by the bookstore and also the size of the restaurant. It was packed, and after initially only being offered bar seating, I pointed out a couple of empty tables I noticed. After a brief wait, we were seated at a booth I didn't even notice was open. Happy Hour is from 3-7, which is an ideal time in my opinion. Unlike a lot of other places I've been to, the prices truly reflect a discount from normal times. I ordered the sangria, and my friend ordered the DC Tapwater. The sangria was delicious and a little on the strong side, due to the cab, chardonnay, bourbon, and rum. She said the DC Tapwater was like a juice that may or may not sneak up on you later. I enjoyed the firecracker shrimp for the spice and crispness. The heat from the fried chicken sliders caught my friend off guard, but she liked them. The braised short ribs dinner was only 1 rib, but it was a thick piece and very tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes were filling, and the carrots and broccoli were cooked very well. read more

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We had a great experience at Bus Boys this evening. A few coworkers got together for a special outing. The food was fab , but the service was exceptional! Kristian was the best! Her customer service and smile was electric! read more

A friend suggested Busboys and Poets for brunch & I intentionally didn't eat beforehand in order to have plenty of room in my tummy to chow down. It was my first time dining here & all I've thought since taking both my first & last bites is "Wow, what in the lamb meatballs & falafel salad took me so long?!!!" The vibe was phenomenal; behind the host station, there was a small bookstore filled with socially-conscious literature, staff was friendly, there was ample seating & most importantly, the food was out of this world. I'm actually mad that I couldn't just get a fork & sample everything in the kitchen...especially because I came prepared wearing baggy pants with an elastic waistband. Get it together before my next visit, people ;) We ordered hummus to share & I thoroughly appreciated the hearty, perfectly seasoned portion with the incredible pita bread! Seriously, I'd like the recipe for both please...OR just an increase in my credit line so I can order an exorbitant amount & fill my freezer. My friend had the Chicken Chorizo Egg Wrap with sweet potato fries & I got the Chicken and Pancakes. As anyone with at least one functioning taste bud knows, pancakes can be a hit or miss...many are often bland rounds of rubbery, refined carbs that end up getting mercilessly drenched in syrup just to make them remotely palatable. These, however, were exceptional & I'm pretty certain they were made with a hint of vanilla. Coupled with just the right amount of sugar, they had the perfect ratio of density to fluffiness. Texture matters! And ZOMG (not to be confused with its predecessor "OMG"), I almost forgot about the chicken! Kudos to the person who seasoned & tenderized that bird...it was juicy & crispy beyond belief. And in classic Southern tradition, I drizzled the maple syrup over both the pancakes & the chicken. Heaven CAN be a place on earth, cluck cluck. My only complaint is that the mango mimosa wasn't served chilled. I didn't bother reordering because I was enjoying the atmosphere, conversation & meal but it's worth noting that a room temperature mimosa is strange. read more

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Good Food, great selection and attentive service. The Restaurant is cute, artsy and clean. We love the little Bookstore and usually do Breakfast and a book. read more

Tony was the best server. Food was seasoned well. Service was quick and polite. Friendly atmosphere.

I had a great time at Busboys and Poets today. I ordered the Blackened Salmon and an Agua Fresca. My waitress, Kristian, was extremely prompt and very courteous throughout my meal. I will visit again and bring my family the next time. I hope I get Kristian again. read more

The food is always amazing here and our dogs love the attention they get from the staff. Kris was a fantastic server! Very attentive and friendly, and patient with us while we were chatting and not looking at our menus read more

The nachos at Busboys and Poets are so good! They're loaded with fresh toppings, full of flavor, and the portion is perfect for sharing--or keeping all to yourself! Every bite is delicious, making them one of my favorite appetizers whenever I visit. If you're stopping by, the nachos are definitely worth ordering. read more

I LOVE Busboys! You can't go wrong. Every time I come to this location, I ask for Kris. She is the best! So attentive, kind, and thoughtful. Definitely recommend checking them out and ask for Kris! read more

Went for breakfast on a Sunday morning. Great food and service. Our server Bogi was wonderful!

Gio was our server. Very attentive service with a smile! The hummus and shrimp fritters were delicious. Thank you

Nice place. Food a little off beat and very tasty. Good service. Cappuccino was wonderful.

We love this place. it has a very combination of great food at a great price! Our waitress Bogi is always so nice warm and welcoming. Highly recommend sitting in her section if you frequent the Shirlington location. read more

Awful service have been trying to get a copy of receipt for weeks now, no one responds called the branch too

Craving a late night burger, Busboys and Poets was still open and seemed to fit the bill. And they offered sweet potato fries with their burger? Sold. I placed the order through DoorDash, and even with a 15min drive the food was still very warm and the ice cream for the mini pecan pie hadn't melted. Unfortunately the drink I ordered wasn't included, even though it was on the receipt. Since it was towards the end of the night, I'll give them benefit of the doubt and hope it was a one time miss. The burger was perfectly grilled, and the bacon was the right balance of crispy but not burnt. The sauce that comes with the burger had a nice kick to it too. The sweet potato fries were plentiful and delicious. The side asparagus was cooked well, but the amount you get for the cost will have me side stepping it in the future. The mini pecan pie was adorable and tasty. Don't let the size fool you, it's got quite the sugary kick to it and the ice cream does help to balance it. I recommend heating it for a 30 seconds - 1 min, and then let that ice cream melt on top of it. Will definitely reorder the burger! read more

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Place of welcoming and good food....this is a spot to put on the radar. Busboys and Poets' mission is to be a community gathering place that fosters dialogue on social and political issues while celebrating art, culture, and cuisine. It aims to be a space where people can connect, be inspired, and create social change. The name itself pays homage to poet Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy. I have been to this location several times and I have nothing but positive things to say. The service is attentive and pleasant. The food is excellent and exactly what I order. The drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are on point. The book store is a nice addition as the normally have it. Make sure to look at the event nights as well so you can enjoy some of the events they host that are all inclusive. All in all this is a great location that offers amazing options and is in the center of plenty to do. read more

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Let me start off that METI provided exceptional service to our table. This will bring me back in again. Their hot chocolate was super tasty and the berry with strawberry salad freshly made. Such good vibes in this restaurant. I shall return and hopefully our table can get service from Meti. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Tony was da bomb.com. Brought us food quickly and refilled our drinks before we asked. We'll be back.

The food was amazing. Fast a tasty Toney our waiter was attentive and the location and ambiance great as well.

Kris was an AMAZING waitress! From the moment I sat down she was so intentitive and kind to my family and I. The Shrimp & Grits was AMAZING too! I definitely would recommend this spot and waitress :) read more

Brought my family here for a late breakfast. It strikes me as a very eclectic place with solid food offings. My omelette was well made and the breakfast potatoes were on point. Our server was very personable and was great with my kids. Don't miss the fresh squeezed orange juice. read more

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The food was good and Kris was awesome. Nice atmosphere as well. This was my first time at Busboys but I will be back.

Absolutely amazing setting, super attentive staff (like SO fast and on top of everything), and the food was really, really good all around, and so were the cafe drinks. Honestly just wish I had one out in Loudoun County because I would go all the time! read more

Love this location, feels like home, food is always so fresh and delicious, love that they practice conscious cuisine, have plenty of vegan and halal options. New BBQ salmon salad is a must try! Ask for Tony, he always takes great care of us! read more

Kris was the best waiter period! She was soo sweet and nice. She checked in periodically to make sure we had everything we need! She didn't complain when we asked for multiple things after she already brought one. She is the best! read more

I ordered the cat fish which was seasoned well and delicious! The collard greens were also very flavorful ! The waitress was very polite and offered great suggestions! I will be returning ! read more