I still dream about the best burger I've ever had. We ate outside on a hot day so the pina colada was beyond refreshing (and needed). The staff was nice and attentive. I want to travel back to D.C just to eat here. read more

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Unconventional Diner came highly recommended so I was happy to finally make it there for brunch! I noticed the blueberry buttermilk pancakes at almost every table so I had to order it of course. It's a stack of 4 pancakes topped with blueberry lavender sauce and mascarpone cream. Delicious! It's a hearty serving so come hungry or maybe share it with someone. I also ordered the Hawaiian punch (non-alcoholic) and that was even better! Guava, pineapple, mango, and lime 10/10. Cool vibes inside and great service, definitely a solid choice for an upscale brunch. read more

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This is a great breakfast spot if you're in DC. It gets packed in the mornings, which definitely tells you they're doing something right. I highly recommend making a reservation to ensure you get a table. The interior has a modern American diner feel. As mentioned, it can get very crowded during breakfast, especially on weekends, so it may be a bit noisy and hard to hear your tablemates if you're dining in a group. The Cajun Shrimp & Grits was delicious, and the portion size was generous. I couldn't even finish the dish and ended up taking a to-go box. The shrimp were large, the grits were creamy, and the chicken sausage jambalaya sauce was flavorful without being spicy. I'll definitely be back for breakfast the next time I'm in DC. read more

Unconventional Diner - Cajun Shrimp and Grits. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

5/5 We traveled to DC for a day-trip and had the pleasure of dining at the Unconventional Diner. The food and service were amazing. The "unconventional" avocado toast was very fresh and delicious! It was one of the best I've ever had! The restaurant was very cutesy and clean. The food came out super fast and arrived hot your table. Everyone was thoroughly pleased with their selections! read more

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Amazing service! Food came very quickly and tasted amazing. Would definitely recommend. The only thing I didn't like was how close the tables are to each other, it's hard to have a private conversation. read more

Unconventional Diner - Buttermilk Pancakes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Unconventional Diner was a highly recommended breakfast spot I check out in DC. Crowded and a nice vibe when I checked in out. The food was overall pretty good. I'm big on breakfast, so I'll say it didn't disappoint. I had the Hash Browns, Caramel Apple French Toast and the Caribbean Shrimp & Grits (which could have used just a little bit more spice/flavor). read more

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This place has been on my list since they opened, and I finally had the chance to try it for brunch. The atmosphere and ambiance were fantastic beautiful décor and plenty of seating, though every table was filled, so reservations are definitely recommended. I loved being able to see into the kitchen while they prepped and cooked; the whole team worked in perfect unison, and everything flowed effortlessly. The service from our waiter was excellent, and the food was even better. I'm already looking forward to coming back for lunch or dinner. read more

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The aesthetic of the diner is very cute. Very on part with DC. Honestly, as a brunch spot I didn't think it was great, and none of my friends were super impressed. The dishes do try to be interesting, hint the unconventional. However, we found our deconstructed dishes were just a little bit odd, didn't offer the right proportions, and were confusing. My friend opted for the bagels and lox, this come with a small smear of cream cheese that was barely noticeable under a giant pile of locks and was served with cut up bagels on the side. It was really odd and not good. I opted for a curry Shashuka and it didn't even come with bread. I had to pay extra for none on the side. I've never had a shashuka without bread. Also throwing two eggs on top of sweet potato, chickpea curry does not make it shashuka. The Lebanese fried rice are good and surprisingly, so is the weird deconstructed avocado toast as well. I also got a cocktail. The Thai bloody Mary. It was like getting a shot of chunky hot sauce to the throat. Not good. When we went to close our tab, we were told to use a QR code to pay and to use the system that they used to pay their tabs. We had to pay a service app fee. Mine was $1.69 for a $80 tab. read more

Very eclectic menu and great service, period. It has an extensive menu, so you could get many different things. They have a comprehensive bar package, period. It's a very busy restaurant, so I wouldn't say it would be the perfect date night restaurant. If you're looking for a good experience and great food, this is the place to go for it. read more

I loved this place and we plan on coming back more often!! It's located next to Convention Center downtown. This place was phenomenal!! I've never had pot pie nugget bites... OMGGG . Their Lebanese fried rice with chicken was extraordinary!! We also had the. And their double cheeseburger, which go them a Michelin nod was exceptional. The mocha chocolate cake was a large slice for us 3 to share. I heard they change their menu up often. Also, they serve brunch!! Our waitress Natalia was fabulous! Request for her if you can. We came for dinner and easily got a reservation. We will be back very soon!! This place was fantastic - 5 Stars all the way!! read more

Whatever you order from this place, it won't disappoint you. My friend and I tried variety of food after our pleasant hike in DC. It was a great way to finish beautiful Saturday! The place is always busy so be patient. You can grab a seat at a bar, too! read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken & Waffles. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Honestly, I think this was one of the worst dining experiences. I have had in DC the salmon and poached egg tasted like salmon and they poached eggs, which was honestly the best thing that could be said for the entire meal. For what I got, the place was overpriced. The building itself was loud and echoing. I would definitely not come back read more

Tried this restaurant while I was in DC. Not your average diner! This DC spot puts a modern twist on classic dishes and I'm obsessed. The French dip poutine was recommended by my server who was very helpful. It was delicious: cheesy, melty, just goodness. Brunch here is a must, but don't forget to RSVP. It gets super busy here. But if not, hope you can snag a seat at the bar! read more

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I was a bit nervous about the menu as it was all over the place but the chicken and waffles really delivered. The waffle held its own flavor and wasn't dried. The tenders were battered to a T and the butter on the side was delicious. I didn't use the gravy and I didn't need it. They brought out a birthday slice which was cute and I enjoyed the shared champagne read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken & Waffles. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This restaurant had been on our list for some time. We finally made it there, and it did not disappoint. First, you must be prepared for an unconventional breakfast/diner menu. My husband had the biscuit, egg, and gravy dish. It was delicious, and it did not fall apart. I had the buttermilk pancakes, and they were melt-in-your-mouth good. I asked that they put the berries and cream on the side, which they did. I would suggest that anyone ordering the pancakes do the same because the condiments are a lot. The service was very accommodating. Definitely going back when in the area to try some of their other dishes. read more

Unconventional Diner - Biscuit and gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Ube pancakes, chicken & waffles, and matcha are all delicious! This place is a DC staple! Our server was very kind and helpful. They have a little birthday celebration- but heads up it is just a piece of chocolate! If you want something else for dessert, you should order it. Interior is cute as well! read more

Unconventional Diner - birthday dessert - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great solo dinner! Needed a place to dine that was within walking distance of my hotel so I decided on Unconventional Diner. I dined at the bar, as it serves a full menu. I started with an espresso martini and for meal, I went with the Cajun Shrimp and Grits. It was amazing. Who would have thought to put pickled okra in it?!?! So much flavor. Service was pretty good too. It was a busy night at the restaurant but I was still able to enjoy a quiet meal alone. I would love to come back and try more menu options. Definitely 10/10 read more

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This is truly a great place for brunch. We went on a Saturday right at 9:00am when they opened. I had made a reservation because I heard how popular this place is. It probably wasn't necessary for right at 9:00am but if you go anytime after 9:30 or so, it might be a good idea to get a reservation just in case. The place was filling up with a constant stream of diners. The food was delicious! I had the Cajun shrimp and grits, and the grits were very creamy and rich. The shrimp was plentiful and flavorful. It had a kick to it but it wasn't too spicy. It's a casual place, and we had excellent service. read more

Unconventional Diner - Cajun Shrimp & Grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had lunch here while in DC for business. The place was crowded and noisy; I sat at the bar because tables didn't open up for another half hour. As a first timer, I didn't realize that I needed a reservation or how popular this restaurant is. I ordered a spicy egg dish with garlicy pita bread on the side. The food was good, very filling, but expensive. read more

We walked in on a Sunday around 1:00PM without a reservation. We were told it would be about 1.5 hours to sit inside and an hour to sit outside. We went online and immediately saw they had a reservation for 1:45PM on the same day which we booked. We were sat around our reservation time. The best way to describe the decor of the restaurant was "unconventional." Dominque greeted us at the table. The service initially was prompt but as the dining room cleared out, service was slower. Hence the one star deduction. We ordered the buttermilk pancakes. Which was AMAZING. It had floral notes and the pancake was light and fluffy. The French dip poutine had the right flavors and wasn't too salty. The loaded breakfast biscuit had a lot of flavors that worked well together. read more

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I've been to this place twice and I love it . The hash browns are so crunchy and delicious. You absolutely have to have there blueberry lavender pancake they are rich , fluffy, made with Madagascar vanilla omg amazing. It's very rich so if you have a sweet tooth it will absolutely give you what you're looking for yummmyyyy and delicious. The service was excellent our waiter kept checking on us providing good suggestions for a drink we both a mule loved it. Very polite and respectful making sure our needs were met. The breakfast sandwich looked amazing made with those same yummy has browns with sausage, egg , cheese, and topped with gravy . Though I didn't have that it looked really good. Would absolutely go back again for the pancakes alone. Next time I think I'll try to shrimp and grits . I did order a side of shrimp that were great size it came with about 5 . read more

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This place was very accommodating to my friend with celiac disease and they truly make sure you will be fed. The food was delicious and the matcha was perfect, had enough matcha powder in it. The service was absolutely impeccable. read more

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Fantastic experience at Unconventional Diner! Sat at the bar area and had great service from Juan and Juan. Chicken and waffles were DELICIOUS and presented perfectly. Flavors were off the charts, perfect balance of sweet, hot, and savory. read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken & Waffles. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Unconventional Diner is a DC staple especially when it comes to brunch! They have everything you'd need from brunch essentials to espresso martinis and a dozen other cocktails. Fair warning this place gets BUSY on the weekends and you should expect to wait at least 30+ min without a reservation. It's a lively spot and definitely great vibes throughout. read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken & Waffles. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The fried chicken platter is the way to go - it's easily big enough to share between two people. The dish had good flavor and variety with the biscuit, gravy, hot sauce and coleslaw. The pancakes on the other hand were a bit dry and underwhelming. We made a reservation on a Thursday at 5PM. There were less than 6 other tables occupied and they sat us directly behind the kitchen line and next to the walkway where servers run the food, which was loud and distracting. A 20% service charge is automatically added to your bill, which could be the reason why the service was slow - a tip is already built into the experience. Place was good, not great, but maybe I have high standards after living in NJ and experiencing their diners. read more

Unconventional Diner - Buttermilk Pancakes - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Unconventional Diner hit the spot on this rainy day. its proximity to the convention was perfect as i wanted something with flavor and they definitely hit the mark. the spot is an absolute vibe with great music and wall art for you to explore. the staff is diverse and super attentive. the food was hands down the star of the show. this shakshouka was loaded with sweet potatoes, radishes, and spices. once i cracked the yoke and mixed it all in it took the dish to another level. highly recommend this spot as they have plenty of brunch options outside of the traditional sweet stuff. read more

Unconventional Diner - Brussel Sprouts & Fried Eggs - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great food, great service. They seated me within 2 mins and it was pretty packed. I came during a convention weekend during lunch. I got the Lebanese fried rice with shrimp. I always forget to take picture BEFORE I eat but this was sooooo dang good. It was light, yet filling. The almonds and lentils added a great touch! Would definitely recommend. The watermelon basil sparkler was also very tasty and refreshing. read more

Unconventional Diner - Half eaten Lebanese Fried Rice with a side of shrimp - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The meatloaf is a must try -- the mushroom sauce pairs well with the meatloaf! Kids menu is very kids friendly, which is almost an adult size of meal. The burger patty is quite juicy! read more

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Sooooo amazing!! Of the dishes we got, my least favorite was the Brussels Sprouts and Fried Egg. I felt like it needed more to it than the brussels sprouts being the main ingredient. I think maybe if this was over some sort of rice or something I would have liked it better. I love tikka masala, so I thought I would love this, but it wasn't hitting it for me. The Lebanese Fried Rice, however, was never on my radar, but I am so glad we got it. It was so flavorful, and the presentation was beautiful. Actually, the presentation of all the food was picture worthy! Hence, why I took a photo of everything. I don't eat meat, but I tried a bit of the waffle from the chicken and waffle's dish and it was the best waffle I've ever had. I don't like waffles, but I love cornbread. That with the habanero butter would have been the perfect side dish! Lastly, we all shared the creme brulee french toast and I don't even know how they made it just like a creme brulee! The top was perfectly caramelized with the hard shell top like a normal creme brulee, and the bread was the perfect fluffy consistency. We almost didn't order this from all the food we ordered, but I am so glad we did. Definitely a top brunch spot in DC; it's so unique! read more

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Super busy for Sunday brunch but we were able to slide in at the bar and had an amazing lunch! read more

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Ambiance is nice, feels a little upscale but you wouldn't be out of place dressed casual. Plenty of group seating. Service was very pleasant but once we put in our order we never saw her again. We had to chase down some of the bussers to ask for our check. We wanted to order dessert but since it took so long to find her we just paid. Food has some highs and lows. The Fruit Loop really was reminiscent of the cereal. Very sweet and chilled. Crabby Deviled Eggs were delicious. The meatloaf was kinda dry and flavorless, so was the burger. But they weren't bad by any means, just needed some seasoning and less time cooking. The service was unfortunately what stood out the most, especially when we were only one of two tables on that entire side of the restaurant. If we try again, it'll be at the bar or for an event. read more

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Pretty solid brunch. The shrimp and grits were savory with little spice, while the pancakes were perfectly sweet. A delicious combination! read more

Unconventional Diner - Buttermilk Pancakes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My husband has been talking this place up for years and I finally made it. It is Michelin rated so why not. There were other places I wanted to try as well but every time we visit DC, I have passed this place up. I definitely made it a point to visit here because it was really cold out and there was snow/ice everywhere-we walked. Upon arriving, we were greeted immediately at the host stand. We quickly decided to sit at the bar since it was almost empty. We sat and were not greeted for a bit. The staff did not appear too busy but who knows. Finally, a bartender came by, greeted us, and provided us with menus. He then walked away and we waited a while before he came back so we could order. Once we had him, we ordered our drinks and food. I ordered the double cheeseburger and hubs ordered the fried chicken sandwich. Hubs ordered a beer and I ordered a glass of Rosé. The food arrived very quickly was really good but not memorable. Even though hubs has been here several times, he agreed his sandwich was good but not the most delicious item he has here. We decided to pay our check and head back to our hotel for drinks. We were again greeted by the staff at the host stand and told to have a great night. I might visit here again but maybe we will sit at a table in order to experience better service. read more

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Arrived by foot from the hotel. I did not have a reservation and recommend that you do get a reservation. We were told 1.5-2 hour wait unless we ate at the bar. The bar it is! The rest is very bright. The bar had space between customers that you were not sitting on top of each other. The staff is busy yet attentive. 20% tip is included and I appreciate the staff telling you this upfront when they bring the credit card terminal as a kind reminder. Great staff! Food: ordered the fried chicken sandwich with a side salad. I asked and no problem. An extra 50 cent up charge that is so worth it because the salad is very generous and very high quality salad with a unique mustardy vinegar dressing that nicely coated the salad. The chicken sandwich was crunchy fried chicken. It was fried perfectly and the chicken was juicy. The bun had nice texture from the sesame seeds and then the bread was the perfect ratio and you had with so much texture and crunch from the coleslaw, the jalapeño, the crunchy yellow peppers and the sauce. Everything was a perfect balance. Best fried chicken sandwich ever! Restaurant cleanliness: above average read more

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Best meal I've had in a while. Went with a colleague while in town for a conference. She got the shrimp and grits which she said were phenomenal. I got the sweet potato shakshuka with a side of falafel, also amazing. We split the tikka masala Brussels sprouts, also incredible. She got a drink, not sure which one. For dessert we split the strawberry tres léchés and lemon meringue pie. read more

Unconventional Diner - Strawberry Tres Leches. Lemon Meringue Pie - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What was once a Michelin rated restaurant still continues to uphold their standards with great service, innovative dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere to encompass an enriching dining experience. With that, however, does come with a sense of being pretentious as they seem to expect reservations to be made. They are not required and we were able to get seated despite not having one for a medium sized party (5 people), but the host at the front did come off as if they were appalled by the fact that we did not make reservations. They also did seem to have an outdoor seating area. Fortunately, the floor manager at the time waved us in as there was an opening for us. As we were seated in the colorful and naturally lit dining room, we were greeted by the staff and offered drinks to start off. With a round of waters, we perused the menu of breakfast and brunch specials. With brunch classics, sides, drinks, and desserts, there were plenty of options! Our attention quickly went to our personal favorites - they had something for everyone's preference! It didn't take too long for the food to start coming out and they were as nicely presented as they tasted. Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes - huge stack of fluffy pancakes topped with butter, blueberry lavender sauce, and fresh blueberries. Definitely shareable. French Dip Poutine - flavorful and succulent shreds of angus beef smothered in caramelized onion sauce topping a batch of fresh fries. There's a good amount of salt in this dish so would recommend sharing and pairing with a refreshment. Cajun Shrimp and Grits - hearty bowl of grits packed with big pieces of shrimp and chicken sausage topped with sunny side eggs. This gooey and creamy meal will fill you up and with each bite, you'll get a nice combination of textures with the different proteins swimming in the mix. Lebanese Fried Rice - fragrant stir fry of a plentiful mix of vegetables and bits of your choice of protein topped with eggs. Hearty dish! Corned Beef Hash - a classic done right with good proportions of each topping. I'd prefer bigger pieces of potatoes but the size of each morsel made it easy to get a good combination of ingredients with each bite. Overall, Unconventional Diner takes on its namesake as aiming high in quality and creativity through their diner-themed restaurant yet hosts a menu full of familiar comfort foods. Many classic dishes have a slight twist with spices and different components, keeping it fresh for newcomers and accessible to those with gluten allergies. The place gets crowded and although it's probably recommended to make reservations, they're not necessary if you come early enough. The prices are reasonable, given that you're in the heart of the city, where parking can be kind of tough by the way, and the portions are very reasonable. I would not consider this place to be a must-go, but if you're in the area and looking for a brunch spot with unconventional flavors, Unconventional Diner can be your unconventional choice! read more

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Service was great. No reservation but they got us seated right away. This place was busy so I recommend a reservation. We just got lucky. I ordered the chicken parm floretine and it is great! Very filling. If two people aren't very hungry I think it could be shared. I was pleased with the flavor and the portion. I have a sweet tooth and the table next to me were devouring the brownie so I had to try it first myself. Soooo good! Recommend. I ordered a non-alcoholic beverage but I cannot recall what and I forgot to take a photo but it was good. Noise level was mid. You can have a conversation in here without having to shout or feeling like you have to whisper. read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken Parm "Florentine" - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Reservations recommended... At least on a Saturday morning. Good (and popular) spot, for solid reason. On our last morning in DC we chose to brunch here. Enjoyed the food. The homemade Hawaiian Punch was super sweet. We ended up adding water to it. But we are certainly glad we went. Large venue as well, so it has plenty of tables. Enjoy! read more

Perfection on a late night! A friend of mine said this spot was all the rave in DC, and after hunting for food after an event in NW, we landed on this spot. The Kale Nachos were quite delish. Since I have a nut allergy, I was a bit skeptical of the nacho cheese derivative, but it worked out! All the flavors came together, and it seems to be a fan fave. Worried about late night carb-ing? Order the Miso Salmon and you won't be disappointed. The salmon tasted like it was taken out the pan at the perfect time, and placed on a bed of chargrilled okra. Now okra is NOT my fave, and the server let me know they couldn't change out the veggie, so I took a chance. I was content, but it's honestly a texture thing for me with okra. For the time we arrived, the ambiance was pretty busy, especially when it was set to close within the hour. Overall, I'd visit again, definitely for brunch! read more

Unconventional Diner - Kale Nachos - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Dined here again for the first time in 3 years and everything is still phenomenal! Chicken and waffles, biscuits, everything's great. And our server, I can't recall his name but he worked the morning shift 11/1, was soo great! Friendly attentive and also fully transparent about the automatic gratuity charge. Highly recommend this establishment! read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken & Waffles. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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