Okay so honestly this place was pretty bomb. The gumbo HIT! It was sooo good. Nice and hot (both spicy and steamy). It was annoying tho -- only had a single piece of shrimp! I think there was crawfish meat or some other type of seafood though so I guess that made up for it. I honestly was not a fan of the shrimp po boy but maybe that's because I've had Po Boy Jim and nothing will ever be better than that. It just didn't have as many shrimp as I wanted. Ok so the mardi gras penne -- FIRE! My favorite item I got. Just absolutely amazing -- so creamy and well spiced. I actually got the burger for my dog, lol! But I took a few bites and it was super yummy. The dog enjoyed it as well :) I will definitely be ordering again! read more

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Only had breakfast here, but a fave local spot nontheless. Hidden gem. Recommend waffles and eggs

What a great stop for coffee, breakfast or any meal. Great service. Delicious sandwiches. Mouthwatering entrées. Highlands always has a special place in my heart. read more

We decided to stop here on our way out of D.C. for lunch and were extremely satisfied. The staff was friendly, wore masks, and took our order in a timely manner. In total we ordered three items off the breakfast menu: Juanita's Breakfast ($12), Brioche French Toast ($12), and Chicken and Waffles ($13). Everything was delicious and hot when it came out. I will definitely come here again. Juanita's: This breakfast was spectacular. I asked for over medium eggs with this dish and over easy with another and there was a real difference between the jamminess of the yolk--something that takes a very skilled cook. The chorizo was sautéed with onions and bell peppers to lighten the flavor, and the tortillas were expertly warmed. French Toast: The brioche was toasted before cooked in egg wash and gave the edges a satisfying crunch. Nothing else stood out, just like a standard french toast. Chicken and Waffles: On the west coast, we fry our chicken breast as is, but at Highlands the meat was flattened and tenderized before frying. I really enjoyed this technique and it made eating the dish that much easier. read more

I stopped here before hula hoop class a few doors down the street. I didn't know what to expect. The cafe has bars on the door and windows. However, it's very nice inside with an expansive menu and pastries on the counter. I just got some hot tea to go, so I can't say anything about the food. read more

One of my favorite tiny (max. occupancy 20) neighborhood spots. The food is consistently good, prices are great, and service is fast. It's particularly good for breakfast/brunch, but there's non-breakfast (curry chicken, oxtails, etc.) choices, too. Plus: Highlands serves alcohol (if you are so inclined). The waffles are divine: crunchy on the outside, pillowy soft on the inside and truly delicious. The bacon is scrumptious. Pickup your beverage of choice from the cooler at the counter. Don't pass up the chicken and waffles. You'll be sorry. read more

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I ordered the lamb chop they were ok but they needed more seasoning I thought they would be good considering all the food I ever get from highland is always good read more

Highlands - Grilled Lamb Chops - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

On a sunny Sundsy, the place was bustling. I had put in an online order but for some reason, the host wasn't able to find it when I arrived to pick it up. He kindly put in my order as a rush, said it would be 10 minutes and said he'd bring it out to my car when it was ready. I went back in after 40 minutes, and asked another staff person if my food was ready. It apparently had been sitting on the counter for a while. The host came up to me and said he'd forgotten. I guess it was unreasonable to expect him to remember his offer on a busy day. In any case, my fried green tomatoes were slimy and inedible. The rest of my breakfast had similarly suffered from the wait. The final insult was when the restaurant called and hassled me about not picking up my online order. read more

I'm a big fan of Highlands. It never seems to be too crowded and the price points are so extremely reasonable. Not only are the prices great, but the portion sizes are completely generous. The colorful mural brightens up the place and actually reminds me a bit of the Caribbean or Latin American inspired artwork. The chicken caesar salad here is huge and unlike many other restaurants with the same offering, the chicken is actually seasoned and full of flavor. It's one of the few salads I've had in awhile that left me feeling full. I've never had issues finding parking and the staff here is typically quick with getting you in and out. (Especially when they know I only have a dime for the meter!) Plus, the bathrooms are clean - so feel free to pop a squat (and wash your hands!) read more

I walked into this joint expecting some full on Braveheart Scotland action. Imagine my surprise when everyone and everything in the place screams Guatemala. :) The Highlands is NOT a bad lil comfort food spot at all. I would actually give the place 3.5 stars if I could based on cuteness but...welp...I couldn't justify a round up on this time around. The food is pretty good. Some elements were awesome. The shrimp & grits were FIGHT YO MAMA good! I mean chase her down the street, and Figure Four chokehold her tail, good. Buuuuut the chicken and waffles...see, the chicken was SO moist and juicy and flavorful...mmmm, and the eggs were fluffy and seasoned well....ahhh and then the damn waffle was brick COLD. BRUH!!! SMH...this is why I have trust issues. Siggggghhh. The butter wouldn't even melt. So yeahhhh that was a turn off. I wasn't in the mood to wait for another one and I just charged it to the game. If you've never eaten there before like I hadn't it was a bit off putting because some ppl were at the counter, some were sitting at tables, no one at tables had menus and no one said anything when I walked in so I didn't know if was supposed to order at the counter or Debo a menu and the first table I see or what? In the end, I ordered at the counter then sat down, but then the one of two women behind the counter actually sat a couple of tables after me so Im not sure what to say about that except uhhh...just go to the counter, I suppose. You see the confusion in my text? Yeah...that's where that other star and a half went...along with that cold waffle. Anyhoo...it aint bad. The food is pretty good, lattes are ok, ambience is quaint and the music is bomb.com. :) I would definitely return to try some other things and/or to at least get my boogie on while I sip my coffee. Thanks a latte! Get it? No? Fine. LOL 3.5/5 tummy rubs. read more

Highlands - Juanitas shrimp & grits - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I am going to preface this with saying that my review is rather mixed and based on the food not so much the service for brunch. In term of service, they were excellent. The staff was incredibly attentive and brought our food in a very timely fashion. The ambiance was wonderful and it's a gorgeous quaint place. Also the prices are very reasonable with the average brunch plate at about $10-12, which is incredibly cheap for DC. I am not at huge breakfast and brunch person I truly only enjoy Eggs Benedict or Shrimp & Grits, so I've become quite a connoisseur of these two dishes. I decided to order Shrimp & Grits and it was incredibly mediocre. The grits were cooked well, but lacked any kind of flavor. I had to add a decent amount of salt and pepper to get any real taste, on top of that the portions were rather small. The fried shrimp was very good and large, which helped a bit. My friends ordered the Chicken & Waffles which offered much more food for the price. They enjoyed their dish very much and thought it was absolutely delicious. The waffle was freshly made and the fried chicken was crispy and juicy. Another friend ordered the Caribbean pork chops and also raved about her dish. Overall, it was a good experience and I would be open to returning and trying a different dish. read more

Highlands - Chicken & Waffles - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I walked in while holding my dogs leashes so I couldn't move far from the door. I wanted to grab a table outside. Four different times a waitress passed me, looked directly at me when I said "miss," and completely ignored me. I waved my arms to get the attention of the people at the counter. They looked at me. They also ignored me. Finally I literally yelled and this got their attention. The whole restaurant looked at me like I was crazy. I asked if it was ok to grab a table outside. They said yes. Nobody ever came to my table. Just absolutely horrendous service. How they have four stars is beyond me. read more

I finally made it to the Highlands. The menu is a lot more flexible than it seemed. I didn't want eggs nor meat with my Brioche French Toast. It was very filling and tasty. On the side I got homefries was found them to also be tasty. I am hard on places when it comes to homefries and these were done right, and not cold. There is self-serve water which is cool. It cuts down on the workload of the hardworking staff. It is a smaller space but I saw them accommodate a group like it was nothing. Hay también 3 meses en frente if you want to eat outside. Not far from Rock Creek if you would like to get your food para llevar. read more

Highlands - Brioche French Toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Decided to grab brunch here with my fiancé. Loved the ambiance and they had good customer service. However, the food was a bit basic and bland. Def needed more seasoning and our appetizer wings were cooked too hard. Chose this place after seeing the reviews but maybe we should've went with the lunch menu. Brunch wasn't too impressive. read more

I went here for a chill Sunday afternoon brunch. You order from the cashier then choose your seating. At 2 pm, there was no wait, easy street parking, and the Skins game was playing on the TV - which put a smile on my face. The chicken and waffles was exactly what I wanted. The chicken was crispy on the outside, moist and tender on the inside. The eggs were fluffy and just the right amount of cheesy. The waffles were crispy, light and fluffy. The shrimp and grits was a smaller portion size but very satisfying. There were only 4 shrimp in the dish but they were all pretty big. The coating on the shrimp was delicious - a crunchy flavorful buttermilk outside which was both savory and sweet. The grits paired well with the shrimp. The cheese added a nice flavor, but I think it could have used a little more seasoning. All in all, I was very happy, especially with it being only $10/dish. read more

Highlands - Chicken and waffles! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I always love coming here. I usually order the Chicken & waffles (I substitute hash browns for the eggs), shrimp & grits and the mints Cristina sandwich. A+ grade every time I come here. Highly recommend this spot. read more

Order the shrimp & grits. Repeat. ORDER THE SHRIMP AND GRITS. Then prepare to die and go to heaven. Their artery-clogging cheesy buttery grits will make you cry, and they have the nerve to season and deep fry four huge shrimp and throw them on top. I love this place. As others have said, it's a quaint, friendly spot that serves amazing food and unpretentious locals. I'd gladly give them a 5th star if they could get their coffee game up. They have cappuccinos and lattes on the menu, but i haven't had a decent one yet. :( read more

Great value! Food is fresh and wholesome plus a fair price. Go can do breakfast or soulful foods just like home.

If there's one thing that cramming on Civil War history to apply for a job recently has taught me it's that in a battle, you always want the high ground. So there's no better place if you're an independent coffee shop to set up on 14th Street than where one can hear the buses shift gears and fight to climb. From there, they can fend off a possible Starbucks invasion from the already gentified part of Columbia Heights. I first made my up to this coffee shop/upscale diner to use their recent dinner Groupon. And while the service was very unimpressive, their fake barbeque sandwich made me an instant fan. The sauce was so rich that I forgot how far north I was in the city. I though I was in Virginia at least. Except there, they eat vegans, not make delicious sandwiches for them. After that, I had to come back and try their breakfasts. It's what they're famous for after all. I found it very unfortunate how small the portions were (I stared down at my toast and eggs and asked, mentally, "is that all you can muster?"). And on their brioche french toast, it didn't feel nearly as decadent as I would have hoped. I had to slather it in butter before it really lived up to its name. At least it's a relatively inexpensive choice. The staff is very friendly to the regulars on the breakfast shift, but even on my third time there, I felt like an outsider since they barely acknowledged me. But the wi-fi is free. The coffee or water does flow (when the counter staff decides to look). And it's got the vibe that it's a neighborhood gathering place for the surrounding neighborhood. And they even encourage the postings of fliers for local activities. This place will hopefully remain a rallying point for local pride and will survive any Starbucks placed in its immediate vicinity. They might need to fortify their service though. read more

Highlands - Just a plain great vegan sandwich. With poor service. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ordered eggs Benedict with fried green tomatoes, side order of turkey bacon, and chicken and waffles. The total was less than $30 and the food was flavorful and delicious. The place has a nice neighborhood vibe. I would definitely come back. read more

Highlands - (1) Eggs Benedict w/fried green tomatoes and a side order of turkey bacon. (2) Chicken and waffles. Total $30 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Thats right I am The Duke of Highlands. Breakfast, lunch or dinner you can always expect a great meal. Lunch - Grilled chicken sandwich Dinner -- Shrimp Pasta Breakfast-- Waffe with eggs and pork sausage with a side of homefries read more

Highlands - Shrimp pasta for the Duke - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I really wanted to like this place since it has such good reviews on yelp. I got the French toast with ham and eggs. The French roast was decent, nothing special. They had syrup, but it wasn't warm or hot. The ham had a weird spice on it and it tasted like sausage, not ham. The eggs were really good but you had to pay extra if you wanted cheese. All in all, not as good as I had hoped and I have no desire to return. read more

Highlands - French toast with ham and eggs - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Superior food and service at great prices. Love the salmon, gumbo, chicken and waffles, pasta and sandwiches. Thank you Mo and Audrey and families for your contributions to our community over many years. read more

3.5 stars After a big night of drinking, HIghlands provided a great hangover breakfast. The location itself is not that much, but when you walk in, Highlands is very homey and cozy place. The murals on the walls add a warm touch to the place. It was super packed when we walked in but that ok, that just means the food is good right. My favorite part was the food was priced so reasonably. It was a nice change from the overpriced DC food. We ordered a vegetarian deviation of the highlands omelet, chicken n' waffles special, and Heights 14th St. breakfast. The food was brought out at a decent time considering the crowd and was satisfying. We watched a FIFA match while we were munching too. I docked a star and a half because the service was not as great as the food. The cashier seem flustered and did not understand the Yelp check-in deal which we received. It took her 15 minutes to understand and at first she wasn't going to award us the check-in deal just because she never heard of it before. She even went to the kitchen to see if they knew about it...weird. Management really needs to keep the cashier informed and remind them they need to remain calm even in the busiest of times. If you have a Yelp sticker on the front door, make sure you understand the deals you make with Yelp and its reviewers. read more

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I stopped in with the family for Sunday brunch today and was surprised by how small this place is. We headed straight to the counter to order. ($8 for a waffle, bacon and home fries; chicken and waffles with home fries (subbed home fries for eggs) for $10. Drinks are bottled and they have a large selection, including juices, pop, and sparkling water. We were given a number and waited about 20 minutes for a table to open up. Shortly after being seated our food came out. Everything was delicious. Unfortunately due to our proximity to the door we were pretty cold the entire time. I'll definitely return when the weather warms unless they get some heaters for the front of the restaurant. The staff was friendly and courteous and made us feel like our business was appreciated. Oh, and I really loved the mural on the wall. read more

Highlands - Counter area. Menu on back wall. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Disappointed with what I had. Had higher expectations after reading reviews. My coworker and I ordered on a Saturday morning due to growling tummies and an 8 hr shift ahead of us. I ordered brioche French toast (pretty good but no vanilla or sweetness) that came with home fries (bland) sautéed with onions and peppers. They were soggy but I believe it was Bc of my 15 min drive. I definitely had to add (S,P,K) to the potatoes and scrambled eggs w cheese. The eggs were fresh and fluffy but not one grain of salt or pepper was added during the cooking process. I can make better at home. Not terrible, just not special in any way. Coworker ordered beef short ribs which were very good but for $19 there was very little meat in the portion. She substituted the sweet potatoes for home fries which she also had to add (S,P,K) to. She said the green beans were good. Nothing out of this world. All in all I might try the chicken & waffles if I happen to be on the area and I'm hungry and there is nothing else open but I'm not going with much expectation. read more

The drinks and the food are great! The prices are reasonable and the staff is friendly and efficient. What more could you ask! Check them out! read more

The spot here is small but it was easy to get seated even during a busy period. The whole operation is a family affair and you can tell it's a local spot with the staff conversing with obvious regulars and other regular speaking with each other. I got the chicken and waffles which were solid. The waffle was slightly sweet, the chicken light, not quite as stick to your ribs but tasty. A great spot for breakfast or brunch. read more

Highlands - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm giving This review 5 stars because every experience I've ever had deserved more than 5 stars EXCEPT FOR TODAY... I eat their frequently and always get the blackened salmon, FRIED. Today was the first time it was too salty. My father goes frequently too, and his short ribs were too salty. Typically, Highlands never disappoints but today it was just too salty for our liking. Maybe it was just a different cook in the kitchen . Anywho, Go. You won't be disappointed. read more

I tried the chicken and waffles with scrambled egg sand it was great! Everything was made fresh and the chicken was seasoned just right. I will def return to try other dishes on the menu. read more

Great food and service! I'm always recommending this restaurant to friends and family who are in the area.

Peeps, get thyself down to Highlands Cafe across the street from the big Metro garage in Petworth on 14th NW. Holy Kool-Aid dude, the chef knows how to rock it out, the food is amazing. OH YEAH! It's my new favorite discovery. I drive past all the time and it is easy to miss, nestled in between an Ethiopian chotchkies shop and the fast food Chinese on the corner, but it is soooooo worth the stop. The place appears family run, which is cute because the waitress looked like someone's 14 year old niece. The interior itself is pleasant, a mix between a cute cafe and a humble attempt at an upscale deli, but the food is 100% gourmet. I asked for a side ceasar and I got a very healthy-sized portion that would've passed for a full size elsewhere. Crisp and perfect, btw. But the holy grail was the catch of the day salmon with jasmine rice smothered with lemon butter capers sauce. I've lived in Oregon where you'd have to slap the salmon in the face if it was any fresher and I tell you this - the fish at Highlands was asking for it! The sauce was light but heavenly creamy. Perfect meal, just perfect. I complimented the chef afterward and he told me he always gets the catch of the day fish at the market so he only keeps it real. Oh, and I forgot to mention, the salmon dinner special was only $12. $12 frigging dollars, yo. I tell you, I will be there at least once a week. They also have coffee and pastries in the morning...maybe I'll try tomorrow and report back. 10-04 Yelpers - You have your marching orders. P.S. Wifi too! Life is good. read more

Highlands - Inside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is my new favorite brunch spot!!! Everything was delish!! This was our first time and we brought our family from out of town here for brunch. We didn't know the lay of the land so a word to the wise, go to the counter, place your order and pay and then find a seat. The atmosphere was very nice, the prices great and the food... All I can say is YUM!!!! We WILL return! read more

Highlands - Satisfied after Sunday Brunch! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I don't like to give negative reviews to small, local businesses, but Highlands has some major kinks it needs to work out. We recently moved right around the corner from Highlands and had high hopes for this to become our new favorite neighborhood spot. I still pop in a couple times a week for coffee, and truth be told, drinks are decent and priced fairly. But besides the coffee and breakfast items (waffles and French toast are pretty solid), it isn't likely we'll order anything else here. What's good: coffee and breakfast menu, the neighborhoody feel, the great prices, the generous portions. What needs improvement: Lunch and dinner menu items are just.not.good. When we were hosting 7 people for Thanksgiving in our new really-needs-to-be-renovated home, we did take-out food for most nights. One night we chose Highlands for price and convenience sake. Between all of us we ordered all different entrees or sandwiches from the menu...and not one person liked their meal. My husband's ginger shrimp pasta dish was declared "inedible" (several of us tried it and we ended up tossing it), the salmon did not taste fresh, the sandwiches were sad. Not only that - but out of our orders - they messed up half of them! We ended up getting two salmon dishes instead of one salmon and one shrimp linguine, my sandwich was completely the wrong one, and we got one wrong salad. We should've checked the food before bringing it home --- if you are doing carry-out, make sure your food is correct before you leave. Also, the first time we came for breakfast (which was great - brioche french toast is very good!), we were given not one, not two, but THREE wrong plates before we got the correct food. Also, we ordered coffee with our breakfast (one plain drip and one latte), and neither were ready by the time we finished our food. I had to wait at the bar an additional 5+ minutes to get our (now to-go) drinks. It was a weekday morning and the place was busy, but I don't see how that explains taking 30+ minutes to make two coffees. So, service is slow and error-prone. Lastly, the pastries available at the bar are not good. I've tried a few - muffins and croissants - and haven't found them to be worth it (better for my waistline and wallet, I suppose). Way too dry and bland. I hate being a Debbie Downer on Highlands because there is SOOOO much potential here, and so much I WANT to love. But for the time being, we are sticking to just the breakfast and coffee. read more

Highlands - French toast and bacon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Loved this little gem. You wouldn't know about this place unless someone recommends it to you. It's great. Cute little place that doesn't seat too many; maybe about 15 at a time. It seems as though most people order to go. There isn't a lot of parking around, so Id suggest you uber. But the food was great. I got the shrimp and grits and though different, it was good. My friend got the jambalaya and he loved it. All of the food looks good and they also make specialty coffee drinks. read more

Love this place! Food is delicious. Staff is friendly and helpful. Clean but small eating area (post COVID) you have to wait. DC parking rules apply (feed that meter!) all in all we love this spot! read more

This quaint restaurant that probably seats 35 was a pleasant surprise for brunch today I ordered the chicken and waffles and what I loved about the chicken and waffles is the chicken was Friday but there was no bones to have to cut around or maneuver around! (I hate that) The waffles topped with a pat of butter and were coated in a light confectioners' sugar. I was pleasantly surprised when the dish arrived at the table with a side of scrambled eggs with cheese. I ordered a soy mocha as well that was super delish! For all you newbies (like I was) when you arrive at the restaurant on the weekend because it's so busy you'll have to go directly to the counter to order your food and then grab a table. The place is too busy and too small for the waiters and waitresses to make their way around the restaurant to take orders. So make sure you make a beeline to the register to order first! You won't be sorry you tried his spot. read more

Highlands - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

FANFREAKINTASTICAL!!!!!! This place is a diamond!!!! PaPa Jay met us at the door and served us continually. We ordered the SHRIMP AND GRITS, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and CRAB CAKES. Absolutely the best I have had outside my Grandma's kitchen. My absolute most favorite restaurant in the DC area. read more

The food is good despite the fact that instead of being able to eat my shrimp and grits when it came out I had to clean my shrimp also. I didn't come to the restaurant to have to clean my own shrimp. I mean seriously they cleaned most of the shell off the back of the shrimp but y'all leave the damn feet on the shrimp! I chalked it up to it being an accident the first time and went back a different day and it happened again. I was being patient because the server seemed uninterested in answering our questions and failed to mention that when you get the shrimp and grits there are different preparations to the shrimp so at first they came fried. I was going off of my cousin and I visiting and her ordering it and seeing grilled shrimp.....I digress. I told my sister I was just a little upset and wanted to complain. The waiter never came back to check up on us after serving us our drinks and bringing the food. She told me not to so I called a few hours after we left. I spoke to an employee and they said literally "what do you want me to do?". So I asked to speak to a manager and supposedly the owner/chef got on the phone. I explained what happened, multiple times and how if they're going to clean the shrimp, clean it all the way. He told me my opinion didn't matter because he serves high quality ingredients and finding shrimp not cleaned all the way is not going to disrupt his business! He told me he cooks all the food and I said listen I have cataract surgery in both eyes and your trying to tell me you didn't see those little feet on those 4 piece of shrimp you give?!! I said that is rude as hell and bad business practice, I didn't ask for a shrimp boil wheee I know I have to clean my own shrimp. I asked for shrimp and grits and nothing butter tail part is supposed to be still in there! I won't be back, y'all's portions sizes suck also, never serve grits on a plate! read more

Finally, a place in DC that feels like a part of the community. Probably because it's been there for over ten years! A friend and I stopped in for breakfast and were very pleased. I ended up eating the club sandwich because I'm a sucker for a good turkey club. This one was delicious. A lot of bread but the fillings were great. It came with a bag of Lays or the option to upgrade to french fries at a small cost. My friend had the salmon cake breakfast which he thoroughly enjoyed. The cakes were apparently a bit on the dry side but enjoyable. I also had an iced caramel macchiato and it was delicious. My meal was $13 which is insanely cheap for the city. PS they take cards now (but tipping in cash is the way to go!) We WILL be back. read more