OMG! What an awesome place. I will go back again and again! Food - Great! Book selection- Amazing Vibe - Laid back, personally I would suggest a date night read more

Stopped in for lunch during a day trip to DC. I always try to visit Busboys & Poets whenever I'm in DC and glad I got a chance to. The service is always great, the food never disappoints and the vibe is always prefect. I ordered the catfish, which came w/ jalapeño cheddar grits and collard greens and for my drink I had the sangria. We even had the mini apple pie which came with ice cream. Everything was absolutely delicious. read more

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So in love with this location! The decor included all my faves - art throughout in various forms, bookshelves with every genre and coffee! The restaurant offered a full menu of items and also had a full bar. I had passed the establishment the evening prior and was intrigued. My purpose during this visit was to get some mid day coffee. I was able to get a flavorful cup with the assistance of the amazing bartender. He was extremely personable and shared information on his favorites. I was impressed with the merchandise including shirts, bookmarks and other themed items. Unfortunately the T-shirt I wanted was not available in my size, and I was told to order from the website. Happy to learn about that option. Customer service was great from everyone I encountered. There were several spaces on the main level including bar seating, couches and high top tables and lower level tables. As previously mentioned, there was artwork throughout and this included this area. The space is conducive for the many events I saw advertised and look forward to visiting again. read more

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My daughter and I were visiting DC and looking for a nice place to eat when we stumbled upon Busboys and Poets. I ordered the chicken with a sweet potato pancake, home fries, and a pomegranate lemonade. Everything was absolutely delicious. The chicken was seasoned perfectly, and it was my first time trying a sweet potato pancake it definitely won't be my last! It was amazing. The pomegranate lemonade was refreshing and paired perfectly with the meal. One of my favorite things about the restaurant was the ambiance. I loved being surrounded by books it felt like walking into a library, creating such a warm, cozy, and unique atmosphere. Our server, JoJo, was friendly, attentive, and made sure we had everything we needed throughout our meal. I especially appreciated that she repeated our order back to us to make sure everything was correct. That attention to detail showed she truly cared about providing excellent service. If you're looking for delicious food, outstanding service, and a relaxing atmosphere, I highly recommend Busboys and Poets. My daughter and I had a wonderful experience, and we'll definitely be back the next time we're in town! read more

Busboys and Poets is a restaurant, bookstore, and cultural hub billed as "Conscious. Intentional. Uplifting." I would add delicious to the list. The food was wonderful and the service impeccable. We started with the Brussels sprouts in a chili peanut sauce. I order Brussels sprouts whenever I can and these are among the best I've tried. My companion raved about her sweet potato hash. I tied something new to me, the Mekhleme. The Iraqi dish has a base of seasoned ground beef and potatoes. I would definitely order it again The menu boasts of many gluten-free and halal dishes. read more

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I stopped by for dessert with a friend and had a great time! We spent a while looking at the little bookstore in the front. They have a great selection with local authors and authors with different backgrounds. We sat at the front which had comfy couches and a laid back vibe. The server was very nice and patient and recommended the pecan pie, which was a great choice! It was so pretty and was balanced- not too sweet. It's a great place to stop by if you need to kill some time. read more

Busboys and Poets - Mini Pecan Pie w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food here was good, but what was even better was the service and the ambiance. The interior was creatively decorated with a myriad of books and artwork on the shelves, walls, and in every corner of the store! Absolutely loved it. This is a great place to eat if you are in the nation's capital! read more

Busboys and Poets - Not every palate suits your canvas.. pun intended - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love the name of this place and the vibe of the restaurant/book store is super fun. The food was also really good! I really enjoyed the quinoa kale salad - very fresh and flavorful! The rest of the group enjoyed their items too! read more

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I love the vibe here. Everyone is so nice and the menu has a lot of variety for anyone looking to dine here. We dined here for breakfast. I had the mekhleme which is an Iraqi style breakfast skillet. It was absolutely delicious, with lots of seasoned ground beef, potatoes, tomato, various herbs and spices with a perfectly cooked egg on top. It was a hearty meal for sure. Service was friendly and attentive. I'd definitely go back here next time I'm in the area. read more

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Came for Sunday brunch and we were seated right away with no reservation. I like Busboys because they have a good mix of vegan and vegetarian options and the menu clearly indicates which items contain meat. Our waiter and host were both friendly and attentive. This is one of those places that you have to bring family or friends visiting DC because it's truly a DC gem and everyone's dietary needs can be met! The pescatarian had the catfish and grits and absolutely loved it. The vegan had the tofu scramble and enjoyed it, but was disappointed that there wasn't a vegan grits option on the menu. We had leftovers and made grits to go along with our food the next morning. Prices are fair for the large portions you get. I usually browse the books but have never purchased anything other than food. The ambience is cool with lots of historical black figures and facts up on the wall, along with DC history. Parking is probably a nightmare based on the location but ubering was easy enough for us. read more

Busboys and Poets - Tofu scramble (vegan) - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We came here for an early dinner. We are seated promptly and our server was very welcoming. We enjoyed a few jokes as we were wearing our college team shirts and our server liked the team we just defeated. He made some menu recommendations and offered the drink specials. Their old fashioned was great. The ticket times were good and the food was tasty. The atmosphere is great as they have a lot of books to peruse there. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the food and drinks. We will come back again for sure. read more

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First visit to this location, its name is an ode to Langston Hughes, the famous Black Poet who once worked as a bus boy, ample patio seating in front of restaurant, paid street parking, entrance nestled by bookshelves, large interior with several dining sections, and a bar. Offers food, books, and culture for its creative community. Beautiful artwork for sale graces the walls. Friendly service, clean, wonderful welcoming atmosphere. Enjoyed a turkey burger and fruit. 1/2 price burgers on Monday. read more

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Really good happy hour. Prices are very decent and under $10 for food and drinks. I had the chicken which was not that good. I've had the nachos before and always enjoy those. The drinks were good and strong. The service was nice. The space is pretty big with lots of seating. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The place is a bookstore and a restaurant which is very cool! Service is slow Mimosas are offered but no other flavors such as Bellinis I had the jumbo shrimp with crab grits. The flavor was great. I am not someone who eats grits often. I did get a bit sick after as did the rest of my party who ordered grits. Not sure why. read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This location is so charming and our server, Coolie, was amazing! He was so attentive and patient while we took forever to decide what to get since the menu has so many great options! I got a lavender latte and my partner got a sweet and spicy latte. For food i had the vegan hash and my partner had the vegetable quinoa bowl. We inhaled them! We will absolutely be back!! read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I always passed this place, but never felt compelled to visit until recently for a Sunday brunch. Food - for $14, I thought my meal was just alright. I did appreciate the little stuff like fruit and syrup, but I thought the pancakes themselves were just alright. My other friends got other brunch items and did not praise their respective dishes (classic omelette and chorizo). Service/vibes - I liked the concept how you can also shop for books within the space, but perhaps it's still the summer time, but flies and mosquitos flocked around us while we dined. Wish there was some air circulation that kept the flies away. The service was pretty typical for a place like this. I would probably recommend folks to try this place if they're nearby, but I would probably won't be coming back anytime soon. read more

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10/10! The food was amazing and very fresh. The crabcakes was very good and seasoned perfectly. Ya know the ceaser salads that are tossed too much and the lettuce is too wet and just slimy? Not this salad, it was tossed well AND had the perfect amount of mini croutons. The smoked salmon was typical but good and the Prosecco they had was on point! DC never disappoints! My mom has been coming here since before I was born so I'm glad I was able to try this place. read more

Busboys and Poets - Prosecco - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Busboys and poets used to be a favorite but it's appears that the service and quality of food has gone down. The ambiance of a restaurant within a bookstore still provides a pleasant vibe. Also when our waiter was available he was personable but hard to track down. We ordered the turning violet latte and cappuccino for beverages. The cappuccino in particular was like an americano with little foam. We could not drive it. The violet latte had floral notes although on the sweeter side. We ended up swapping out the espresso drinks for an Arnold Palmer, something was just a miss with the machine I guess. On to the food we ordered the fried catfish and smoke salmon Benedict with sweet potato fries. The catfish was on the dry side but overall a thoughtful balanced dish. The Benedict on the other hand the smoked salmon was of poor quality the poached eggs were over cooked. Given the latte/cappuccino issues I didn't want to complain again but we were unfortunately underwhelmed by an establishment that used to be a favorite. read more

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Went for happy hour. I got wine and my friend got a cocktail. She stated that both were really sweet and tasted more like the syrups it was made with. This place is very cozy, however where we were seated caused bad posture and back strain. On the happy hour menu we got the shrimp (5/5), the lamb meatballs (3/5) and the chicken sliders (4/5). Our server was knowledgeable and recommended great dishes. The food also came from out fairly quick read more

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Busboys and Poets offers much more than just a meal, it's a space that brings together great food, community, and culture. The diverse menu has something for everyone, with flavorful dishes that range from comfort food favorites to healthier options. The bookstore and artistic atmosphere create a unique experience that encourages conversation and connection. Whether you're stopping in for brunch, dinner, or coffee, Busboys and Poets remains one of D.C.'s most distinctive and welcoming destinations. read more

I recently had the chance to try Busboys and Poets while in DC, and I was excited to finally experience it! I ordered a couple of items: the Egg & Cheddar Brisket Burger with Brussels Sprouts, and a Turkey Burger with Sweet Potato Fries. I placed my order through DoorDash, and while I want to be understanding and give some grace, my egg and cheddar burger looked fantastic. Unfortunately, it was cold, which made it hard to really evaluate. It was a large burger but lacked any seasoning. The presentation was excellent, but it ended up being dry and flavorless. My wife's turkey burger, on the other hand, was good along with her sweet potato fries. Nothing particularly stood out on either of those. The Brussels Sprouts, however, were perfect--well-seasoned, moist, soft, and bursting with flavor. Overall, I think my next visit to Busboys and Poets will be in person. I'm hopeful that the food experience will be better then and look forward to trying it fresh out of the kitchen. read more

Vegan nachos were great, and HUGE! I also enjoyed a pot of tea. They have a nice selection of vegan options. The atmosphere is nice and unique with a book store right in the restaurant. Service was very good and quick. read more

Busboys and Poets - Vegan Nachos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great experience overall! When we arrived, the greeter wasn't too alert--we had to ask to be seated. But once we were at our table, the service was amazing and professional. The food came out hot and fresh, and the service throughout the meal was outstanding. Definitely recommend! read more

Busboys and Poets is such a great DC spot. The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, with a unique mix of restaurant, bookstore, and creative space that makes it feel really special. The food was delicious and the overall vibe encourages great conversation and community. Perfect place to meet friends, grab a meal, and enjoy the energy of the city. I'll definitely be back. read more

Great service, Jojo. Great food inclusing many vegan options. Just the right atmosphere. And book store too. Such a unique business with the feeling they curated. read more

I usually love Busboys and Poets, especially for breakfasts. I had never been to this location and I have never been to any location for dinner. The quality of the food was what I expected and love from the Busboys and Poets chain. The service was what left something to be desired. We arrived for a dinner without a reservation at 7:10pm on a Tuesday. We were immediately seated as there weren't many others in the restaurant at that point beyond a small cocktail table event in their private room. My party of 3 ordered quickly: the beet salad with a side of fruit, the chicken panini with a side of sweet potato fries, and the falafel salad with a side of sweet potato fries. Over the course of the next hour, we saw several other parties, one quite large, come in, get seated, and get served. During this time, the waitress only stopped by to fill our water once. We inquired after our food and the waitress gave us a dirty look and said "as you can see, we are busy." The food finally came out at 8:15pm. When the same waitress came by for a water refill, she spilled a bunch on the table and a bit on the chicken panini. She did not even notice she was paying so little attention. The food was delicious. I would feel comfortable going to another location for dinner another time. I also appreciate the reasonable prices. When it came time to pay, the waitress came over to us with the payment machine and, because the glass was a bit broken, she asked us not to hold the machine or answer any of the additional questions associated with the service. I still chose to hold the machine because the automatic tip is 20% and I should be able to change it if I see fit. I also answered the service questions because her care for our table was barely in existence. Will not return to this location. Glad this was a meal with my family and not a business meeting with a time limit. read more

Busboys and Poets - Falafel Salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Uh, oh...a pure food excellence coupled with an amazing vibe. The service was fast and friendly with amazing energy. 10/10 read more

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I've been to Busboys and Poets a few times, and while the food is consistently tasty, the customer service leaves a lot to be desired. There's a noticeable lack of attention to detail--on one visit, I asked for a new glass because the one I received was filthy, and they brought me one that was even dirtier. It often takes a while just to get our order taken, though once it's in, the food usually comes out in a reasonable amount of time. On the plus side, the location is fairly accessible. Just a heads-up: the entrance can feel a bit tight because of the bookstore area, especially if you're navigating with mobility aids. Overall, it's a place I return to for the food and atmosphere, but I always brace myself for a less-than-smooth service experience. read more

I lived in DC for 16 years and it took a trip with 17 middle schools for me to eat at a Busboys and Poets! Staff was gracious to accommodate our large group on an hour's notice. Our server Molly was incredible. Food was lighting fast and absolutely delicious. read more

The food is always amazing! They have great vegetarian and vegan options. The "tuna" salad was so flavorful. The dressing in the salad was a bit tart, but still enjoyed my food. The place IS cultural, and history, from the books to the art on the wall, some by local artists. The service is professional and friendly. There are no reservations, and outdoor seating is available. It's my favorite place to dine every time I come to the city. read more

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Service with Jarif was great. He is friendly and super happy to serve you. Food was good. I love the ambiance of the place. It's bigger than it looks. We will definitely be back! Thank you Jarif! read more

Busboys and Poets - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

jarea, she is da BOMB! matter of fact she is a nuke! greatest experience with her! You need to give her an upgrade a pay boost whatever the case may be. Truly a great time with my lady and as jarea as our host! read more

Went for breakfast on vacation in DC, there was a super cute vibe and atmosphere. Small but great selection of books I'd love to spend hours exploring, but I was unfortunately leaving DC that day. Pancakes and French toast were about average, we didn't explore the food items unique to the restaurant. Latte and cappuccino were amazing! Great quality espresso. Staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. Will definitely be going in the evening next time I visit to experience more the place has to offer. read more

Busboys and Poets - Section of one of the dining areas - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was our first time at Busboys and Poets, and Chyna made the experience truly special. From the moment we were seated, she was warm, welcoming, and incredibly attentive. She's very knowledgeable about the menu and gave great recommendations, which we appreciated as first-time visitors. Her energy was calm and grounding -- the kind of presence that makes you want to relax, enjoy your food, and stay a little longer. The service felt genuine, not forced, and she created such a comfortable atmosphere for us. Because of Chyna, we'll absolutely be coming back. If you're visiting, definitely ask for her -- you won't be disappointed. She's a gem! read more

Food was delicious! Drinks were in point. Everything we ordered was delicious.. My fav was the smoked salmon eggs Benedict. Service was amazing.. read more

Service was very accommodating to our larger party. I ordered classic eggs Benedict and the hollandaise sauce was probably the best I've ever had. Only reason it was not 5 stars is because our server forgot my coffee and the kitchen did not sub something correctly but she was very quick to fix any issues we had!! Very kind staff. Mistakes happen but this staff still served up an amazing experience for our group!! read more

Busboys and Poets - Classic Benedict* - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stopped by Busboys and Poets while in DC for a work conference after my godmother and a colleague insisted that I had to try it. I am so glad I listened because they were absolutely right. The food, the service, and the atmosphere were all fantastic. Our server Brandon took great care of us and had some really good suggestions. Coolie helped out as well and made sure we had everything we needed. The service alone made us feel right at home. Now let me talk about those greens. They tasted like somebody's grandmother was back in the kitchen watching the pot and seasoning with love. Perrie brought the manager Jon over to our table because we could not stop talking about them. Jon was professional, kind, and clearly proud of the team. The food was so good that my colleague literally kissed the cook. Yes, actually kissed the cook. His name was Jose, I believe, and he absolutely deserved the appreciation. Whenever I find myself back in DC, Busboys and Poets will definitely be on my list again. Amazing food, wonderful people, and a great experience all around. read more

Worth the wait in DC! Went for lunch and I'm never disappointed. The food is always good! My burger was cooked to perfection! The ambience is a bookstore vibe. You can eat and shop! We love to buy lapel pins from them! You can never go wrong with added a new book to your shelf! read more

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AMAZING service from Yarif at the bar. Personally my favorite location. Salmon was tasty. Love the books and book shelf's they have. Very clean inside. read more

Busboys and Poets - Bar Area - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very friendly staff and very fast service. The weather was beautiful so we say outside. We both got our bloody mary drinks, they were okay. They had old bay seasoning around the rim which wasn't our favorite as we thought it was tajin at first. The food was great!! The salmon benedict was super rich and filling so definitely recommend. My friend got a burrito, I believe chicken chorizo wrap, and it was super tasty as well. Great space very cute and artsy inside with their book store. Love! read more

Busboys and Poets - Smoked Salmon Benedict* - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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