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    Pete's Diner

    3.5 (406 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Pete's Diner Photos

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    PETE'S DINER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Pete's Diner

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    Sausage omlette
    Adam A.

    Ok diner. Nothing terribly special. Got an omlette - was ok. Bland potatoes. Grits very dry and needed a lot of butter to get them to a decent consistency. Go if you're in the area but don't make a special trip.

    Linda O.

    A modest diner, very near to the Capitol building, unfussy, a true throwback. The vibe is friendly. Staff works hard to get the orders out swiftly yet remain easy-going. There are several booths; a large picnic-like table in the center; and stools at a counter for seating. The food is respectable: the menu is traditional comfort fare, nothing exotic, only breakfast and lunch, not open for dinner. The prices are reasonable. My platter of scrambled eggs, home fries, generous amount of bacon and white bread toast was decent. Got a fruit plate; fresh. But I gotta say, the coffee is not to my liking, awfully strong. Xing-Xing, a large black cat and fixture, is doted on by many. Pete's is cherished and clearly supported by regulars. If you were to become one, everyone would know your name, so, yeah, it's a "Cheers" diner, if you will. Nothing wrong with that.

    Cat eating and drinking area in front of restaurant

    Pete's Diner has a certain worn-in appearance, doors open(50 degree day in early April)a super casual atmosphere.cats(see photo)wandering about. the food and standards didn't live up to expectations. Being served what tasted like day-old chili, topped with sour cream and accompanied by three saltines wrapped in plastic, was disappointing. There's a difference between unpretentious and neglected, and unfortunately this crossed that line. DC health department would have a field day here.

    Taylor L.

    One of my favorite breakfast spots in Capitol Hill. If you're lucky you'll see Pete walk by. Foods good and reasonable + they have outdoor seating.

    Western omelette, blueberry pancakes, fruit plate, and sausage egg and cheese sandwich
    Walter T.

    We've been coming here for years, and it is a solid classic diner. Tasty breakfast options, generally effective service, nice outdoor seating, and friendly well-fed resident black cat ShiShi (sp?) who is the beloved local celebrity. Prices are decent considering you're practically kitty-corner from the Library of Congress and just a block from the Capitol. The fruit plate provides an impressively quality selection of fresh hand-cut fruit for a reasonable $4. Filling food to power your day.

    Inside
    Oi W.

    4/11/24 Small diner, nothing fancy. Order, eat, and leave. Many people seem to be regulars. Eggs Bacon Ham Hash Toast Pancakes Coffee and Tea. It's just down the block from our hotel.

    Veggie combo
    Linnea E.

    I visited Pete's Diner with a colleague recently who introduced me to the veggie combo - it's not on the menu but it's delicious! He told me it changes daily or weekly and you never know what you're going to get but it's always good - and he was right! It was a hearty portion and super flavorful. I'm not vegetarian or even a big veggie lover but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked everything that came with my combo, especially the eggplant.

    My meal at the restaurant
    Hannah W.

    Went to breakfast here with the family. We were waved in by an older gentleman who didn't even work there, telling us how good the food was. Service was professional and quick, the staff being exceptionally kind and social. The food was simple, but still tasted very good! I myself ordered some pancakes, which were notably very good. The only complaint I have was the outdoor seating, the tables being a bit wobbly and made of metal (in the sun). Over all, the environment was great, the staff kind, and the service quick.

    a grilled cheese sandwich on a plate
    David M.

    This is a typical old style diner,just like back in the day. It's a small place with tables and counter service. There is a person working a large grill cooking up eggs bacon and other breakfast items. The rest of the kitchen is off to the side hidden behind a curtain. They have a large selection of lunch time food, it's a dinner they have just about everything. My wife got one of the specials, grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup. I just had the soup. I am pretty sure it was homemade. Lots and lots of veggies, noodles, and chunks of real chicken. The place was packed but the service was very good. If your up near the Hill give Pete's a try, you will be glad you did.

    Vegetarian Combo

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Some on the best fries I have ever had would very much recommend you must come eat Here if you come by

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    2 years ago

    I went here for breakfast on my high school graduation trip in 2019 and I ordered an omelette, and I loved it very much!!

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    3 years ago

    Excellent service and great food, quick and delicious. Ate here a few days in a row for breakfast, visiting family. 4 stars

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    2 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The food was quick and really good. The service was quick - not much of a talker but always present which was nice. It's a cozy little spot.

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    3 years ago

    Great food, great service, great ambiance. Waltzers we're respectful. Nice place to grab local diner food and it was tasty!

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Small family run diner, really hit the spot after touring the Library of Congress. Bacon and pancakes were delicious.

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    4 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Quick service. Good food and best prices in DC. Sidewalk seating. Near Library of Congress.

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    11 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Low quality food and service. Great location. We ate at a table on the street. They feed the birds right beside of you. I do not recommend.

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    3 years ago

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    Page 2 of 11

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    Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen - Genius level sweet potato bread pudding

    Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen

    3.9(481 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    10/10 no notes. Wings FIRE! Get the watermelon marg and the hibiscus ginger beer…read more Service was great and quick to the point where we were ahead of schedule to go to a show. Vibes for brunch were immaculate but not too noisy.

    First off, I absolutely loved the atmosphere in the Wharf area of Washington, DC. The entire area…read morehas such a beautiful, lively vibe, and this restaurant fit right in perfectly. For appetizers, I ordered the butter glazed biscuits, and they were AMAZING. They came with a dipping sauce that reminded me of peach cobbler, but without being overwhelmingly sweet, which I loved. The brown butter on the side was the perfect touch. I also tried the honey Old Bay wings and wow... they were sweet, juicy, crispy, and had just the right hint of spice from the Old Bay seasoning. The honey drizzle on top took them to another level, and the creamy green dipping sauce paired perfectly with the wings in my opinion. I also had the maple Caesar salad. It honestly wasn't my favorite item compared to everything else, but it was still good and fresh. I'm glad I gave it a try and got my vegetables in lol. I probably just wouldn't order it again next time because the other dishes stood out more to me. For my entrée, I ordered the MH Signature Ribeye Steak with baby potatoes, and it was seasoned to perfection. I personally like my steak well done, and they cooked it exactly how I wanted it. The sauce served with the potatoes was also so flavorful and complemented the meal perfectly. The service was top tier from start to finish. Everyone was attentive, welcoming, and made sure I was comfortable the entire time. Overall, I would absolutely give this place a 10/10 and will definitely be returning to try more items on the menu.

    Photos
    Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen - Interior/ Entrance

    Interior/ Entrance

    Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen - Chocolate cake

    Chocolate cake

    Milk & Honey Southern Inspired Kitchen - Cheesecake Pancakes

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    Cheesecake Pancakes

    Toastique - Avocado Smash Toast

    Toastique

    4.4(392 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    Absolutely fresh food! Quality ingredients. Gluten-free options! Warm wood paneling with plants and…read moreupbeat dance music for ambience. Friendly staff! We had the Spicy Crab and Burrata Tomato Gourmet Toasts. These were beautifully arranged on a bamboo board. (Spicy Crab was not very spicy after all.) The Purple Heart smoothie hit the perfect not-too-sweet note. Do be aware that when it's busy, the blenders are going non-stop, and it feels a bit like you're eating at home and someone's right there vacuuming. Nonetheless this place now pinned on my DC map!

    My friend and I stopped in here after hours of exploring Cherry Blossoms and Bloomaroo at the Wharf…read more- it was late afternoon on a very busy Saturday. We hoped to find a place that offered decaf coffee since it was late in the day, but really wanted something warm since it was a bit chilly outside. Unfortunately, this location of Toastique does not offer decaf - they only have a single hopper for their coffee, so it is not an offering. We were going to find another place, however, they said how about a hot chocolate or a tea. My friend is vegan and inquired if their hot cocoa was vegan, as most places have dairy in the chocolate. The cashier went to look at the chocolate syrup and also had another person look at it to verify it's vegan. My friend ordered a hot chocolate with oat milk. Even though it was busy, we only waited about 5 minutes for her drink. We appreciated the effort to double check it was vegan, though I do wish they had decaf options.

    Photos
    Toastique
    Toastique - Frosé

    Frosé

    Toastique - Side of Counter

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    Side of Counter

    Unconventional Diner - Tip-Top Chop

    Unconventional Diner

    4.4(3.4k reviews)
    1.7 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    Excellent and loved the sopa criolla! So many great brunch options. Clean, good service and good…read morelocation.

    A group of four of us went here for dinner after searching for a while. We had a tough group to…read moresatisfy-a picky eater whose isn't adventurous and just wants Taco Bell all the time, a self proclaimed foodie who likes to seek out the Michelin star restaurants but actually isn't as adventurous in trying new foods as he thinks he is (hopefully he doesn't see this post haha), another who is willing to try most things but is also happy just eating low key and doesn't like to spend money, and then there's me who wants to try new things, willing to spend a little to try it and is happy going with the flow too. Thankfully we ended up at the Unconventional Diner and it was perfect for satisfying everyone in the group!! We were all able to get tasty drinks- from n/a Hibiscus Citrus lemonade, white wine, a cinnamon toast old fashioned (what? A cereal inspired old fashioned, yes please and it was fantastic!), and a Bourbon basil smash. Then the crew settled on some food-the waiter was patient with the questions and contemplation from the table (thank you!). We started with the SKILLET CORNBREAD with Habanero Honey Butter | Sea Salt (v) And that was melt in your mouth cornbread. Damn. Real cornbread seems hard to come by any more and this is the real deal. And the honey butter and flake sea salt-can't go wrong. I'm a spice weeny-for reals-and this was incredible. It's a MUST get. Across the table we had two of the double cheese burgers (I warned, we have a lack of adventurous eaters) -and they both said the burgers were the best they've had. I had the Philly French double dip, with horseradish cream and caramelized onions-so fantastic-the roast beef was melt in your mouth and the broth was the perfect saltiness. Our fourth got the fried chicken sandwich and really loved the dill pickle slaw that came with it, and the chicken was not over cooked and not raw-perfect! We all had fries with our meals, the thinner kind with light seasoning and none of us could stop eating them, even when we were clearly full, the fries just kept disappearing.

    Photos
    Unconventional Diner - Space is large, bright, and contemporary.  Reservations recommended.

    Space is large, bright, and contemporary. Reservations recommended.

    Unconventional Diner - Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

    Caribbean Shrimp & Grits

    Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice

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    Lebanese Fried Rice

    I Egg You - Full breakfast

    I Egg You

    4.5(259 reviews)
    0.5 miCapitol Hill
    $$

    Solid brunch spot on Capitol Hill, and better than the average DC brunch option by a meaningful…read moremargin. We split the DL's Egg Drop (the bulgogi breakfast sandwich) and the Hatch Green Chili sandwich. Both were well executed. The bulgogi brought some real depth to what could have easily been a gimmick, and the hatch green chili edged it out for me personally. The heat was there without being obnoxious, and everything held together the way a good sandwich should. Friends went with the shrimp and grits and had nothing but good things to say. The team behind this place (Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, also of Anju and ChiKo) knows what they're doing, and it shows. The sourcing is thoughtful, the execution is consistent, and the menu has enough going on to warrant repeat visits without feeling like it's trying too hard. Would come back, and would tell others to do the same.

    This rate is3 star based on the server who is absolutely amazing and friendly very patient with…read moredipping my first time, but unfortunately, the restaurant did not meet the expectations I had for this place. I ordered the shrimp and grits. My friend ordered the breakfast plate. Each came out to the table and I was honestly disappointed. I didn't know what to expect with the flavors. And the number one thing that ruined, the shrimp and grits for me was the amount of Parmesan it overloaded the plate that the smell was disturbing and made the texture of grits not to my liking. There were also only three shrimps in the entire dish just very underwhelming. Also, I was not happy with the freshly squeeze orange juice. It's not good at all. In my opinion overall, I will rate them at five out of 10.

    Photos
    I Egg You - Chef Egghead + Egghead guests

    Chef Egghead + Egghead guests

    I Egg You - Phenomenal Chicken fried Sausage

    Phenomenal Chicken fried Sausage

    I Egg You - Basic Potatoes + Egg

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    Basic Potatoes + Egg

    Chopsmith - Chopsmith Salad

    Chopsmith

    4.2(190 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Yum!! I placed an order with Chopsmith via DoorDash and I am so, so glad I did…read more Either I beat the lunch crowd or they are efficient because my food arrived in 25 minutes and was so very fresh. I ordered the chimichurri steak plate and really enjoyed it. Funnily enough, the chimichurri itself was the least enjoyable item. I didn't love the texture of it (much too coarse) but, fortunately, it was packaged in a small container separate instead of on the steak itself. The salad probably had a bit too much dressing but I had the option to order that on the side so that's on me. Nonetheless, the steak, potatoes, salad, corn, avocado were all excellent. I also added chips, a lemon zest cookie, and a blueberry breeze handcrafted drink. The cookie is big and chewy, unlike others I have had. It's definitely not something to eat in one sitting. The drink was a little blah and nothing I would order again. All in all, very good!

    The food was very fresh and tasty. Servers behind the counter was friendly and hardworking…read more Ordered a tropical chicken and southwest steak. The tropical chicken was very good. The only complaint I have for the southwest beef was that it was cold. The description did not show that it would be cold. I removed a star for the cleanliness of the place. It was not super busy but the booths and tables had a lot of crumbs. The staff was super busy and focused on serving food behind the counter and no one was taking care of the seating area.

    Photos
    Chopsmith - Dining area

    Dining area

    Chopsmith - The Chopsmith .... Delicious

    The Chopsmith .... Delicious

    Chopsmith

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    Pete's Diner - diners - Updated June 2026

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