Tony was great and attentive. Food came out quickly and was delicious. Restaurant wasn't too crowded and service overall was warm.

We had an amazing experience. Our server Jacob was very attentive and answered all our questions. We also loved our entrees! I had the beet salad with blackened salmon and it was delicious. Definitely recommend! read more

love this place! The food was really good and my drink was great. Jacob is the absolute best server and I love him. He was so on top of everything and checking in on us. read more

Easily one of my favorite local restaurant chains in the DMV. It truly is a must to stop by when I'm in town. The fried chicken with greens and mashed potatoes. The shrimp and chicken chorizo pasta. The shrimp and grits(pro tip: swap the grits for mashed potatoes). They're all my favs! My only slight negative is that some items can be a little inconsistent. Also can't forget to get a DC tap water. Although I tried the island wave this time around and it might be fighting for the top spot. The book store portion always has an amazing selection for all ages and interests. They also host weekly open mics and other events. It truly is a great community spot. read more

See all

I was looking forward to our dinner here. It's been over 10 years since I ate here. Unfortunately, we didn't enjoy our dishes. The shrimp in shrimp and grits was tough and way overcooked. The sauce and dish was tasty though. The blackened Mahi Mahi was overcooked as well. We should have mentioned something at the time but had a show to go to and didn't want to delay. Our waitress was friendly and we did mention it to her when we got our check. read more

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

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

See all

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

Food and service. They could not have been nicer about a booby trapped pepper shaker that could have easily ruined our vacation.

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

See all

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

See all

This is my go to take out spot. Great vibe, good food, and some vegan options. I hope they add more vegan items in the future!

I went to Busboys and Poets already hungry, so I was probably a little too excited to eat . The vibe was really chill and the place had a nice atmosphere. The food came out looking good and definitely hit the spot. I was so ready to eat I barely gave myself time to take a picture before digging in. Overall, I had a good experience, the food was solid, and I'd definitely come back and try something different next time. read more

Food was delicious. Tony C was extra friendly and prompt with the service! I will definitely be back! I actually eat here 4 times a week! If you are new to this restaurant, everything is good! read more

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

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

Great meal and great service tonight. Happy hour deals are always excellent and they start at 3pm and is Monday through Friday. We love the bookstore as well. Jacob did an excellent job taking care of us for dinner tonight! read more

Thank Goodness the food was amazing because the service was meh. I ordered the vegan quinoa/kale salad and Brussel sprouts and they were beyond my expectations. DELICIOUS!! Sadly, the service was not responsive at all. The young man who served us got our water and food but we never really saw him again until the end. This is a first. Normally everyone is suer responsive. Hoping next time I get someone better. read more

Oh my goodness...our server's name was Jacob and he was fantastic! He welcomed us to the table, checked on us a lot and food was brought out quickly! He was very attentive and did well. read more

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

See all

The food was delicious and Jacob was attentive and quick and accurate with my order. Thanks for making my night at the theater a success!

The ambiance here is awesome. I will definitely be coming back. Our server Jacob was very attenentive and took great care of us. The food was delicious. I love the different rooms! read more

I always enjoy dining at Busboys and Poets (Shirlington). I dined in this evening because I had a birthday reward and Jacob served my table. He was polite, professional, attentive without being intrusive and he had THE kindest smile and the most humble spirit. I really appreciate the food consistency at this location, the clean restaurant and the happy vibes. read more

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

See all

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

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

See all

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

Halal chicken & beef & lamb! The food was great, the coffee was good. Jacob was our server and his service was excellent- super sweet and welcoming. Cute restaurant with great ambiance. read more

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

We got the Omelette for brunch this afternoon. Great food and great service, wonderful service from our server Jacob!

My wife and I had an extremely disappointing experience at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington during what was supposed to be a date night for dinner and the 8 p.m. Tu Rae comedy show. We arrived around 7:30 knowing that seating was first come, first served, so we understood that we might not get great seats. There were a few single seats at occupied tables, which would have required us to split up. We were directed to two seats near the kitchen entrance, with one having a significantly obstructed view because of a folding divider. Not ideal, but we accepted it. We arrived later than others, and that was on us. Lesson learned: arrive earlier next time. The seating, however, wasn't what ultimately ruined the experience. After sitting for approximately 10 minutes, not a single Busboys and Poets staff member acknowledged us. No hello, no drink order, no food order or anything. My wife eventually spoke with the comedy event staff, who were understanding and genuinely tried to help even though they were not Busboys and Poets employees. They told us they had spoken with the restaurant manager Phill Blair, and that he would come over to speak with us. He never did. We watched Mr. Blair walk past us several times without acknowledging us. Just before the show started, we decided to leave. We were then told that a table was going to be set up for us, so we waited. After another seven minutes with no apparent movement or communication from the restaurant staff, we finally gave up. My wife approached Mr. Blair as we were leaving, and I came back inside to express my frustration. I explained that we had paid for tickets, planned to have dinner and drinks, yet had been seated in an area where no one even acknowledged us. His response, accompanied by a shrug, was essentially, "I didn't know." No apology. No acknowledgment of the inconvenience. No attempt to make the situation right. I asked whether he thought placing those two isolated seats near the kitchen, with an obstructed view and apparently no server assigned to them, was a good idea. He simply answered, "No." So I asked who had set up the room that way. His answer: "I did." That exchange summed up the entire experience. Mistakes happen. Restaurants get busy. Event seating can be challenging. We weren't looking for special treatment, compensation, or even perfect seats. A simple "I'm sorry, we dropped the ball" would have gone a long way. Instead, Phill Blair's attitude came across as dismissive and unconcerned. That's particularly disappointing because I've patronized Busboys and Poets approximately 8-10 times a year. I realize my individual business is less than a drop in the bucket, but after this experience and especially the way management handled it I won't be returning. Busboys and Poets, you can do better! read more

Food was great as always, wonderful new patio chairs and tables, really like the umbrellas - kept bird poop away (which was sometimes a problem before). Tony was excellent and attentive. read more

Love this spot for drinks, fries, and dessert on a weeknight. Great service from Tony.

My server, Tony, was an attentive professional. He informed me of the happy hour specials and other items of interest on the menu. My glass of water was never empty for long! The food was delicious, but his service made the experience exceptional. read more

Every time we're in Arlington,VA! Located in the Shirlington shopping strip off of Campbell Avenue. Service is always acceptable. Depends on what time of the day you go. Can be extremely busy during lunch and on weekends. Different take on a diner look, books, small stage in the back area, poetry is recited on special occasions. We usually go for breakfast, sweet potato pancakes a must, western omelet with a side of jalapeño cheesy grits 24/7/365 and twice on Sunday! Highly recommend if in the area. read more

Busboys and Poets - Sweet potato Pancakes and western omelette. Jalapeño cheesy grits. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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

Great service, sat right away. Once at table server greeted us with a smile and quickly got our drinks. Relaxed vibe with a book theme. Main dining area has a stage for live music/open mic poetry/author discussions. I will come back for one! Located along the main strip in Shirlington across from Harris Tetter (easy parking there) Food was tasty and came out hot and fast! Tons of vegan and vegetarian options. read more

See all

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

Tony is awesome, wonderful happy hour and great atmosphere. Very clean. Food came out hot and fresh. Highly recommend for a great halal spot. Will be back and request Tony as our server. read more

Busboys and Poets - Chili sauce wings, mini nachos, Brussel sprouts - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

See all

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

This is my second time visiting BBP, and my first time at this location. I knew it was going to be good (hence my return visit). We arrived for brunch at a perfect time....no wait! I did take a few moments to enjoy the bookstore selections and beautiful artwork throughout the restaurant. Once seated, I had a cup of hot Earl Gray tea (delicious brand selection)? For brunch, I had Chicken and Buttermilk Pancakes. It was so good! No room for dessert. Other table dishes: Chicken wand Sweet Potato Pancakes Smoked Salmon Benedict Chicken Chorizo Hash 5 STARS! There's no doubt this establishment will stay on my short list for brunch! read more

See all

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