Great breakfast and lunch. Great vegan and veegetsrian options. Try the shakshukah and Lebanese fried rice. It's very hearty and not traditional Great service and prices. read more

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stumbled upon Unconventional Diner and was immediately drawn in by the vibe. The space is ridiculously chill - think industrial-chic meets cozy coffee shop. It's the perfect spot to grab a bite and catch up with friends or get some work done. For me, the real draw is the atmosphere. The staff is friendly and laid-back, and there's always something interesting to look at, whether it's the eclectic decor or the lively crowd. If you're in the area and looking for a relaxed spot to hang out, Unconventional Diner is definitely worth checking out read more

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

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Chicken and waffles was delicious - perfect blend of spicy and sweet sauce on the chicken. The chicken was fried nicely so that it had a good fried texture and still not overcooked on the inside. The waffle is actually a cornbread that is goes perfectly with the chicken. I didn't use the gravy at all since it wasn't needed. The chicken sandwich had the same chicken but the coleslaw in the sandwich gives it a great tangy flavor instead that makes it also a great pick if u prefer a sandwich. And my drink was refreshing and not too sweet. Service was prompt and ambience is casual nice and family friendly. Highly recommend!!! read more

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Second time back and I'm so glad I've returned. Ordered the chicken and waffles. Best chicken and waffles I've ever had. Chicken was juicy, a lil crispy, and had seasoning which I liked. The cornbread waffle was next level, just wish they gave me more than one!! Please add another waffle!!!! Gravy was solid too. My wife's sweet potato shakshouka was delicious as well. Very flavorful and saucy, so we got a naan (bread) to soak up that goodness. Def get it with chicken, can't go wrong with extra protein. The inside is still cozy and nice, just as it was when I first visited in 2019. Food took about 30 mins to come out, since it was a full house. Servers were on point so can't complain. Def check em out. read more

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Spacious place. It's a comfortable place to have breakfast or brunch (that's what we went for). The offering was more or less standard brunch fair with some twist of modern flavors. T e service was quick but not as attentive as no one checked if we would like refills of juice or coffee or what. Portions are generous for sure. read more

Stylish space, creative menu--but not for everyone I know Unconventional Diner is super popular, and I can see why--the space is modern and inviting, and the cocktails were genuinely good. That said, the food just wasn't my cup of tea. Out of four of us, only one really enjoyed their meal. The dishes lean heavily into the "unconventional" side of things, which some diners might love, but for me it felt a bit too experimental. I appreciate creativity in a menu, but I found myself wishing for more familiar flavors. While I won't be back, I'd still recommend it to adventurous eaters who enjoy bold twists on classic comfort food. read more

Came to Unconventional Diner with some friends and wow it was amazing! As an appetizer I tried their kale chips. They were so light and airy, which was so great to enjoy all other meals. For the entrees me and my friends shared the duck where we could make out own buns. It came with fresh vegetables and a delicious sauce! The duck was cooked perfectly. We also shared the chicken parm with spaghetti. This was my favorite!! It was soooo good I highly recommended it. The noodles are cooked so good, the texture is unlike other pasta. The parm was stuffed with cheese, I loved it. For dessert we ordered their chocolate cake. Although this was the last day of the chocolate cake, they were going to change up the menu the next day and put something else. But it was soo rich and delicious. For drinks I ordered the hot cider/bourbon drink. This really packed a good punch. And my friends ordered a side car and espresso martini. Service was amazing! Everyone who came to our table was so sweet. Highlyyyyyyy recommend!! read more

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Although I'm not here as often as I would like because it's a bit far, this continues to be one of my favorite spots. On this occasion I was meeting up with a friend who was in town for business. We met for a late lunch / early dinner. The best PART... Is that they serve brunch everyday until 3:45! Yay!!!! I absolutely love their shrimp and grits so that is what I got on this visit. My friend was seated before me and had her eye on the pancakes at the next table. She ordered a stack and I had some myself. OMG they were perfect! The blueberry sauce or whatever it was added to moistness (for lack of a better term). They were topped with big ole, plump blueberries. We both got a side of bacon and their bacon is divine! It's crispy and juicy at the same time. I don't know how they do it. Of course, what's brunch without a mimosa! Ha! Let me tell you, that Mimosa was stout if you know what I'm saying. It was perfect. If you have yet to try this place out, I promise you won't regret it. Come by. read more

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Awesome brunch/lunch spot near the convention center! Everything on the menu looked great. We loved the Lebanese fried rice and the fried chicken sandwich - great slaw on the sandwich! The service was great too. Everyone was super nice and we even got free coffee. read more

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

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The blueberry pancakes were unbelievably fluffy with a sort of bounce to them & had the perfect berry glaze compote with a nice hint of lemon to cut through the sweetened as well as brown sugar crumbs for texture. I also got the loaded breakfast biscuits to try & they didn't feel too heavy despite how many hearty ingredients there are. It blended very well. I asked for a side of hot sauce to pour on them because they did need a little heat to cut through the savory flavors. Also, the home made biscuit with jam was unreal. The servers were kind & quick to refill my water. Ambiance is lovely and not too loud at all. Spacious and trendy decour. Absolutely recommend read more

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The service was great! Our waiter was very fast and constantly refilled our drinks without us having to ask! Our waiter was also so wonderful despite the place being PACKED. Definitely make sure you make a reservation before hand as the wait time was almost an hour and a half from what I overheard. There was also a volley ball tournament at the convention center next door so that also probably contributed to the restaurant being super packed. As for the food, the food came out super quick. The French dip poutine was wonderful! The loaded biscuits were good but I'll pass on those next time. The match latte (not pictured) was divine. Soooo good! It's definitely a strong matcha with an earthy taste but so good. The ambiance of the restaurant was really nice. It definitely felt like an elevated take on breakfast. I will definitely be coming back again to try the dinner menu! read more

Unconventional Diner - Loaded breakfast biscuits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Loved the flavors of the food served at this restaurant! Shakshuka had a sweet and acidic taste that paired perfectly with the naan (additional charge). I also really enjoyed the poutine despite it being really oily. The flavors were great but the fries at the bottom were drenched in oil so we were unable to finish it. Service was fast and everyone was very friendly! read more

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The location is near the convention center and very convenient. Plenty of space to eat and talk as it was not as busy. The service with Jessie was incredible. I'm happy to have tried their Restaurant Week menu. I also got the Chicken Sandwich with a side of their sexy sauce. The sandwich unfortunately was dry and I didn't know why. The reason which I found out later was the chili sauce which goes on the sandwich was on the side. The other second course Beef Kofta Kebab was delicious and would truly recommend. The starter Burrata Caprese was fresh and amazing. However the third course, Strawberry Peach Crumble was lacking. I had high hopes. Most of their other dishes on the menu are typically tasteful and you cannot go wrong. I'll surely be back. Maybe for happy hour or something though which is only at the bar. read more

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Great service as soon as I entered the restaurant, three hosts attempted to greet and help me immediately. I was seated quickly and ordered the Brussels sprouts and eggs w/miso salmon. The food was extremely delicious! I will definitely be going back to try other dishes. The place was nice and orderly however, don't sit too close to the door when it's cold. It was very cold when guests entered and exited. Definitely worth checking out, bon appetite! read more

Unconventional Diner - Miso Salmon- very good and moist - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This place is a whole experience!! From the food to the drinks to the atmosphere and wonderful wait staff! Highly recommend!!

This spot had been on my to try list for a long time and I finally stopped by for lunch recently! I ordered the Lebanese fried rice which was delicious. Definitely an unconventional diner item, but I still felt like it fit! You get diner vibes and diner food here still, but in a cool new way. read more

Unconventional Diner - Lebanese Fried Rice. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It's a STRONG yes!! I am so glad I added this spot to my list of places to check out while visiting the city. Lucky for me- I was staying at a hotel within walking distance! My Neice and I arrived mid day and were able to walk in and be seated immediately. After being seated we were immediately greeted by our wait staff. The waiter was very nice and knowledgeable. He gave us multiple recommendations and also let us sample a drink to see if we wanted to order it. I ordered the sweet potato shakshuka and a matcha latte. My niece ordered the chicken and waffles. My meal was amazing! The shakshuka curry flavor was delightful. I honestly was thinking about this meal days later. My nieces chicken and waffles were so unique. The waffles were cornbread instead of a sweet desert consistency. Honestly- best chicken and waffles I have ever had! I see why this spot has a Bib Gourmand with The Michelin guide! Overall this dinner is a must try while in the city! -- highly recommend! read more

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Food was really good. We were checked on several times to make sure we had ordered. Only thing holding it back from 5 was there were several tables that needed to be bussed, it was the 4th so that may be why. Would definitely try it again to get that 5th star. read more

I had the very best salad with a side of salmon here. It was so yummy and I felt good about having a salad for lunch. Couldn't tell you what the name of it was (kale and couscous???) but it was huge and delicuous, so much that I ate the leftovers for dinner that night! The service was pretty quick even though I was there for a big conference at the convention center. We were seated almost immediately and the food came out quick too. I am kicking myself for not going back during my work trip but it was a busy week. This place also works for the Resy credit if you have that Amex benefit. read more

Did I come here for breakfast three mornings in a row? Yes. Did every meal I have get better each time? Yes! Food is delicious and varies in flavors of sweet and savory. I had the poutine fries (so delicious and fatty with huge chunks of meat, but ask for less salt), the sweet potato shashuka (very yummy and felt healthy with lots of fiber), and the creme brulee french toast (very decadent). I also tried their falafel which was very good. The feta croutons on the greek-full salad were delicious chunks of cheese. Only downside was the matcha latte which was disgusting/ sour ... They quickly replaced my drink with a latte, so be warned! Staff is friendly and this place is huge; they offer an express pay QR code which charges a processing fee but you can easily wave down staff to pay. There's also an included 20% service charge which is essentially tip. Definitely recommend this place for brunch read more

Seated quickly for lunch on a weekday, excellent service. Overall the food was okay but I think I went in with higher expectations, would not recommend the shrimp and grits (if you're from Louisiana like us). The chicken and waffles had interesting flavor. My favorite was probably the sweet potato shakshuka just because it was the most flavorful, however you should order it with the garlic naan so you have something to dip in there (recommended by our waiter). The Lebanese fried rice had a nice crunch. Would consider going back to try dinner (we only had the brunch menu). read more

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What a fantastic restaurant! This diner is just a few blocks from the convention center and the metro. Service was friendly and fast! The ambiance is like an upscale diner with nice lighting. We started with the corn bread with habanero honey butter. For my main, I had the chicken parm florentine, and my husband had the pot roast. Everything was absolutely delicious! The chicken parm was breaded, topped with melted cheese and on top of a spinach puree AND pasta sauce. The pasta was coated in like a bechamel sauce. Soo rich and creamy and scrumptious. My husband absolutely loved the pot roast. I had a bite and it was slightly too spicy for me, but he gobbled it all up. The richness of the braised beef was cut by the pickled red onion and jalapeno. Can't wait to come back! read more

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

Really great food and the menu is diverse so everyone can find something. The restaurant is conveniently located right by the convention center. I have a group of friends, and we always do lunch or dinner when we have industry events at the convention center. Staff is friendly. I've never had a bad experience there. read more

First time visitor to Unconventional Diner. I enjoyed the fried chicken sandwich and added bacon. It was delicious as well as the seasoned french fries Service was quick and friendly. The space is open, airy and has a cool mural. read more

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Bright and modern restaurant with friendly service and a unique take on breakfast classics. We were in town for a short visit and started off our morning with breakfast at Unconventional Diner. We ordered shrimp and grits and Brussels sprouts with fried eggs. The Caribbean shrimp and grits is well portioned and an unusual take on the classic shrimp and grits. Besides having the same ingredients as the classic, it in fact tastes like sweet and sour chicken with the fresh and punchy pineapple habanero sauce. Each bite reveals a slightly different taste - bite of egg with shrimp, grits with sausage etc. The Brussels sprouts and fried eggs is heavy on the curry sauce. Very well flavored but I wish there was a sour element on the dish - maybe pickled red cabbage to add a refreshing element. Food is an elevated take on classics and is a fantastic place for breakfast/brunch as it offers plenty of vegetarian/healthier options that are well thought out. read more

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

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Good service correct portions, quick in quick out, simple menu options; just what I needed for the evening read more

Unconventional Diner - Mango sorbet - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The cornbread was amazing, but it was mid at best from there. Started the service with our server asking if we had dietary restrictions. We told him we were pescatarian and then he proceeded to give us recommendations of the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Meatloaf..... like, what? The starter and mains all came out at the same time. Why is it called a starter if it came out at the same time as the mains? The naan was covered in dry allspice and was quite frankly inedible without a glass of water. Speak of water, we had to actively seek someone out to refill the water TWICE. Got the salmon and the fried rice, both were just that. Nothing too special. Ambiance was interesting, unconventional for sure but again nothing special. I would pass on this place. read more

Unconventional Diner - Miso Salmon - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I didn't quite know what to expect trying shakshuka for the first time, but one bite was all it took. The eggs were perfectly set in a rich, warmly spiced tomato and pepper sauce that was deeply comforting without feeling heavy. Scooping it up with the warm, pillowy naan made every bite even better. Without question, it was the best bite we had in DC, unsurprising coming from a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand-recognized kitchen. Brunch is lively and energetic, definitely busy and a bit loud, but not uncomfortable. It feels vibrant rather than chaotic. The service kept pace with the crowd and never felt rushed. read more

Unconventional Diner - Sweet Potato Shakshuka. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Creative menu, tasty food, extremely fast and kind service, and modern/bright ambiance. Plenty of reservations for a Saturday brunch were available when we booked ~4 days in advance. Will definitely come again to try more dishes! read more

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The food here TOP TIER! Every time I come, I am so pleasantly surprised. The service is also very quick and overall this is a great spot for brunch or dinner! read more

Unconventional Diner - Sopa Criolla. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I decided to try out unconventional diner for my anniversary but the visit started off kinda awkward. It seems that every time I go to an upscale restaurant in DC, the hostesses are unwelcoming and unapproachable. This hostess (short tan woman with blonde highlights, wearing a blazer) just stared at us with a rude look and didn't even smile. The other hostesses didn't even greet us or say happy anniversary. Not the best first impression. Luckily, our waiter was nice and on top of things. My boyfriend and I got buttermilk pancakes, a cheeseburger with fries, and truffle mac and cheese. The burger was amazing! It was juicy, flavorful, and the fries were perfectly crispy. The mac and cheese were decent but a little grainy, and the pancakes, while fluffy, didn't really hit the spot. We also tried the Basque cheesecake but the mocha flavor was way too overpowering for us. I would def come back for the burger and fries but could use friendlier people at the front. read more

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Food was delicious and food was served very fast. I definitely recommend this place it is amazing.

Came in here on a weeknight with some co-workers. We weren't sure what time we would be able to make it, and there were PLENTY of availability on their reservation page, so we took a chance and walked in with no reservations. That was a mistake. They didn't have any availability despite what the page said, but right as we were about to walk out, someone called to cancel and we were able to get a table. Props to them for letting us know instead of just taking the relief. It was also our servers literal first night on her own. She was awesome and an all star. Interior decor was nice diner style. Noise level was lively but overly loud. For food I got the Peking duck confit and it was all sorts of delicious. IT definitely was not anywhere near authentic, but you could tell what it was trying to do and it tasted great. The buns were soft, duck was closer to a rotisserie chicken than hong kong bbq, but still juicy and the skin was really flavorful. The hoisin was probably the weirdest thing, but added good sweetness. And the peppers were unexpectedly hot but also great. I hope to make it back and this place was amazing to try more of their menu, but will definitely be making a reservation. read more

Unconventional is a good word for it, but also unique, inventive, creative. Very interesting takes on classic dishes. Some of the best meatloaf in the world, creative cocktails, and they nail the best part of a diner-the versatile menu! read more

Best meal in DC. Came here with a huge group of friends around 1pm, and we were sat right away. I was so excited to come here because of the reviews. The servers were really fast and patient with our big group. Food came out quite quickly which was great. I ordered the poutine and it was so so flavorful. It was such a huge portion that I wasn't prepared for, so I couldn't finish it, but it was delicious. My bf ordered the chicken and waffles and he demolished it. This place has such a good vibe and so many good things on the menu that I'm looking forward to coming back and trying something new. read more

Stopped in for the happy meal & it was great! Quiet around 3 and a good deal; 22$ for their Caesar salad, fries & a cocktail (they let me sub cold brew). read more

Unconventional Diner - The "Dirty" Caesar happy meal - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Vibe: 7.3/10 Service: 7.5/10 Value: 7.5/10 French dip poutine: 8/10 Greek-full dead salad with chicken: 8.25/10 - the feta croutons are sooo good! Hashbrowns: 9/10 Overall: 7.93/10 (3.96/5) [To clarify our review system: 10 = we'll never have anything else as good as this in our lives (we use 10 very sparingly!) 9 = extraordinary 8 = great 7 = above average 6 = average Anything below 6 is being critical] read more

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I really loved the menu here, it really lived up to its name. Everything was super unique and really unlike anything I have seen before. I recommend making reservations here bc they get booked up. I got the poutine, it was really flavorful. It was a bit salty though. My friend got the burger and she said it tasted really good. Her fries were salty and crispy. The service was good and the food came out quickly. read more

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

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All I can say is YUM! We had brunch today and were well pleased. The chicken and waffles served here is one of my favorite dishes. The pancakes were absolutely scrumptious. Our server, Zack, was kind and attentive. We sat outside on the patio. Nice vibe but very warm outside that day. The restaurant kept the ice cold water flowing so we were OK. I will definitely be back on future trips to DC. read more

Unconventional Diner - Chicken and waffles - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was my first time at the Unconventional Diner. I went on a Saturday afternoon just to grab some drinks at the bar. The bar was pretty empty. There were only 3 other guests seated at the bar in addition to myself. The college basketball game was playing and it wasn't too busy. The restaurant is massive with lots of seats available. It was interesting that despite the low foot traffic, it took a while for the bartender to approach me with water and menus adn also a while before he came back to take my order. He spent a lot of time at the end of the bar talking which was a bit frustrating. When he did finally make his way over, he was friendly and polite. He made 2 rally good drinks: cinnamon toast old fahsioned and the passiont fruit julep. They have an extensive brunch menu and I will mostly likely be back to try out some of the menu items. read more

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