Hubs and I stopped for breakfast but as soon as I requested an Iced Latte, I was told they don't have an espresso machine. I was immediately turned off as I had to wait to get my coffee from another spot. I even ordered a Matcha which I had to return as it was extremely bitter. With that said, I ordered the Buttermilk Pancakes which came with a blueberry and lavender sauce on each stack. The pancakes were delicious but extremely heavy (kudos to any one person who can finish this dish all in one sitting). Hubs had to help me finish. He had the Lebanese Fried Rice and only had good things to say about his dish. I wish I included some protein in my entree. I just did not want to order so many dishes knowing how many stacks come in my dish. I wasn't in love... so I consider this a pass. read more

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

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This was really tasty. We all tasted everything on the table. I got the mac and cheese and the cornbread. My husband and dad shared the meatloaf and chicken sandwich. Son got the Peking duck. Mom got the chicken parm. We also got the pot pie poppers and banana cream cake. The mac and cheese was great. Very flavorful and creamy. I loved the cornbread as well. Had a nice sweet crust on the outside. The meatloaf was also good and stuffed with cheese. Chicken sandwich was pretty average. Peking duck was interesting. It was one drumstick? With a basket of plain bao buns. Chicken parm was probably my favorite except the spaghetti is came with was very basic. Not a flavorful sauce. Banana cream cake was disappointing. It look so mouthwatering but actually was pretty dry. Banana flavor was subtle. Marshmallow topping was something else? Frosting? The tea was delicious. Service was friendly. We came at 4 on a Wednesday and weee seated right away no problem. read more

We came here for brunch and absolutely loved it! The food was fun and delicious. My son said his Chicken and Waffles were the best he's ever had, and he's probably tried chicken and waffles at about a dozen restaurants. I had the Greek-full Dead salad and would also put this up there with my favorite salads I've ordered. I also had a Thai Bloody Mary which was like nothing I've had, in a good way. We also had the pancakes and French Toast Crème Brûlée. Both hands down amazing! But, we ordered the French Toast Crème Brûlée to share, which was the right call. It's really more of a dessert. read more

Unconventional Diner - Greek-Full Dead Salad - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My friend and fellow foodie invited me to attend DC Summer Restaurant Week. It's been double-digit years since I've participated in any local Restaurant Week so I was eager to check it out. Maaaan, I haven't had food this good in a while. I was pleased with everything from start to finish. Here's what I had: Dine in: -- BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER -- SEARED SALMON -- STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE (Delicious! Vanilla ice cream would've really set this dish off.) To go: -- (another) BUFFALO CAULIFLOWER -- CHICKEN PARM "FLORENTINE" Our server (Larry) was very knowledgeable of the menu, which was helpful for me as a first time diner like me. The ambiance is cool inside and out. The perfect setting for a solo dining experience, date, or a group outing. I'll definitely be back soon...and I already know what I'm getting. They're going to see me a lot since I'm only 8 minutes away. Hopefully the weather will be nice enough to dine outdoors. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish read more

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Quick seating with reservation, food was excellent. Wife got the blueberry lavender pancakes and I got chicken and waffles. Sunday morning was beautiful so we should have sat outside but inside was good. read more

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

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Seems wild but I hadn't ever been to Unconventional Diner before this outing. We had family visiting him from out of town and we needed a place to accommodate 10 people. Definitely do not walk in on a Sunday expecting to be sat anywhere other than the bar. Have reservations or else expect a long wait for a table. Also if your reservation is for 12:30, show up at 12pm in the area because trying to find parking in the area is a side quest in itself. When we had half the party show up, they seated us. Once everyone got there, they were very quick to take everyone's order and food did not take more than 10 to 15 minutes to arrive. The popular item at most of the tables seemed to be the chicken and waffles, and I was peer pressured into it and do not regret it. The cornbread waffle was fluffy and paired well the with the sriracha honey drizzle on the tenders. Everyone enjoyed the items they got ranging from the salad, to the chicken sandwich to the sweet potato shakshuka. They are well regarded in the DC dining scene and affordable good food and reasonable prices. Would absolutely come back. read more

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Nice bright open and cheery restaurant that's a popular spot for brunch. Staff were very friendly and fairly efficient. We order the crème brûlée French toast to share, and it was delicious. The custard was light and not overly sweet, the toast was soft and fluffy on the inside and the lightly sweet and tartness of the raspberry compote tied it all together. It was the highlight of the 3 dishes we tried. My friend had the house made corned beef hash which they said was good, and I ordered the biscuits hash breakfast plate which was underwhelming. I had asked for the caramelized onions to be removed and my order came with them on it. The amount of gravy on the biscuits was very conservative, and the house made sausage was good but I felt like it overwhelmed the rest of the elements so I ate it separately. Overall I would go again to try out some of their other dishes, but wouldn't order the biscuit hash plate again. The pricing was consistent to the area with prices starting around $18/plate. read more

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ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Definitely book a reservation beforehand as it gets packed on the weekends. Even with it so packed, our food came out within 10 minutes. We got the buttermilk pancakes, the Lebanese fried rice, and the sweet potato shakshuka. The pancakes were super fluffy, although I wasn't a fan of the blueberry/lavender/lemon. Would get the pancakes plain with the toppings on the side! The fried rice and shakshuka were to die for!!! Every bite was amazing, especially paired with the zaatar pita. 100% coming back! read more

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The food was way too salty, and the service was terrible. It absolutely didn't deserve a 20% service charge. To make things worse, they charged my card twice at checkout, and I can't even get through to the restaurant's phone. Horrible experience all around. read more

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Definitely one of my all-time favorites in DC! Last time I came we did brunch, and this time we did dinner. We started at the bar where my parents got a dirty martini and "an incredible" Manhattan. For appetizers at our table we got the brussels and taquitos, and I got a glass of rose. Both apps were yummy, I wasn't crazy about the taquitos but my family really enjoyed. I thought the brussels were fantastic. For entree, I ordered the tip top salad with shrimp and shared my mom's friends that came with her chicken sandwich. My brother got the meatloaf and dad got the chicken parm. All of us LOVED our meals and were tasting a little of everyone's. The chicken parm was delicious and my dad was in awe of the spaghetti that came with it. I loved the meatloaf. The fries were crisped and salted to perfection. This was my second time getting this salad and it's one of the best salads I've ever had. We got the carrot cake to go because a nice man at the bar told us it was a must. I'm more of a chocolate dessert girl myself, but it was great! Overall, Unconventional Diner continues to be consistent and incredible. read more

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Been here a few times but never in the evening. Came here after an event up the street. My friend and I got the brussel sprouts to share. The sauce on them was absolutely divine! I took some to go lol. Then the fried chicken was flavorful and the portion was huge. I got 4 pieces of chicken so I had some of that to go as well. It came with gravy and a biscuit which I could not finish either. Overall great service tonight and great food. read more

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Very good, be sure to make a reservation so you don't have to wait. Plenty of food for cost. read more

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

This place is super cute inside! Love the Haring, Basquiat and Warhol art references around on the walls, cute decor with retro/mod couches - even the dinnerware is lovely! When we checked in (we were a few minutes behind our reservation when we arrived), the hostess said it's only an hour limit at the table and we said ok. Our immediate waiter was tall and dressed casual- super attentive and speedy with the service. However a different waitress brought out our coffees & took our order. I tried ordering the brussel sprout with fried egg plate and a side of lox- there is a picture posted of exactly what I wanted on Yelp and I showed the waitress. She said they can't do it even though the pic was posted not long ago - and they have lox on the menu! I was forced to order the cooked miso salmon which was good, but I'd prefer smoked salmon in the morning instead. We ate and spoke for what seemed like an extended time - the waitress was not coming back at all. We were trying to even, politely, flag someone down to pay and no one was coming. It got to a point where we needed to leave to make an event, and brought the check to the front. It was so awkward the same waitress finally came with the portable check out device for us to pay. Gratuity is included as a heads up! Besides the weird ordering experience and long delay in paying - the bathroom was multi-sex, super small and not the most pleasant. However the food itself was delicious though and the atmosphere/dinnerware is lovely! I would just say go on a day you feel unconventionally leisure. read more

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

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I would want to come back here until I'd tried every item on the menu but it would be so hard not to re-order the meatloaf and Lebanese fried rice because they were so good. Everything we ordered was flavor with a twist. The only thing I would have done different is not to add a protein to our fried rice because it came by itself on a separate plate and felt out of place. The miso salmon was just... salmon. read more

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We were so lucky to have stayed so close to here. We came unexpectedly at 8am on a Saturday. Even then, there were people here eating breakfast. We split the blueberry pancakes and the loaded breakfast biscuits with a side of grits. The loaded biscuits and side of grits may be the best brunch food I've had in a long time. The service was also super friendly. I wish I ate here every morning when I was here! read more

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

Food and service from waitstaff is always exceptional which is why we keep returning. However the host stand is always incredibly rude. Insisting the wait is an hour and a half even though there are plenty of open reservations on open table. Often don't even greet you upon walking in, just look up at you as if you're disturbing them. We have dined here several times and every single time we enter our meal with a bad taste in our mouth due to the host staff. More than once.I have attempted to dine and the host tells me there is no current waitlist , and that the only availability is at the bar; and then the next party in line behind us, suddenly there is availability and they can join the wait list. It's unfortunate because the food and service is great every time but because of the hosts I don't think we'll be returning. read more

I'm joining the hordes of people singing the praises of the food here - it was phenomenal. The rest of it? Not AS phenomenal, but it was a high bar to start with. My top-tier chum who literally went to the school of hospitality and I came here for lunch on the Sunday of inauguration weekend, so it was cold, rainy and insane. The first lesson we learned was not to get an Uber in the middle of DC that day - two different times, roads along our route unexpectedly closed to allow someone presumably more important than me to travel around, so it took much longer to get here from the museum area than it normally would. We chose to walk to our next destination, which was...also not the best idea. So it goes. True to its name, Unconventional Diner feels a lot like a diner. We're both Jersey natives so it wasn't QUITE the dictionary definition of a diner from our perspective, but it was close enough, especially given that it's also a large establishment catering to a lot of tourists. Doesn't have that hometown feel, so to speak. The wait for an actual table was close to two hours but there was seating at the bar immediately so we opted for that even though we were strictly there for food/coffee. It is wild to me how long people will wait for a table instead of a bar stool when they don't have to. Feels like the restaurant equivalent of Darwinism in some ways. Right from the get go, this place lost some points in that aforementioned bar area. One of the reasons we'll usually opt for this seating (even when we aren't forced to) is the service tends to be better. Not this time. The guy near us was apparently just in charge of the basics - he was cleaning the bar, providing waters, menus, silverware, etc. But after 10 minutes or so, he wasn't returning to specifically ask for our orders, which seemed odd. When we finally hailed him down, it turned out the one person who COULD take our order was just lingering in one small section of the bar chatting with one or two customers. He was alerted and came over promptly, but that was a definite management issue; if you're the only one in charge of food orders, make the rounds. I noticed a few other dining parties nearby noticeably impatient too; something to be acutely aware of from the business' perspective when the number of people bussing and providing waters is much higher than that of the waitstaff. It was really busy too, so all the more incentive to get the orders moving. The primary reason I picked this place was that there WAS a unique spin to a lot of the menu items (you might say they were unconventional), with a lot of edgy brunch items. Ideal for the weather that day. I went with the Blueberry Lavender Buttermilk Pancakes, which were fantastic. The flavor was awesome, and the pancakes were cooked perfectly. Would recommend that to anyone in a heartbeat. This was my own fault, but for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to continue carbing up and getting a Buttermilk Biscuit w/ Strawberry Jam side. No reason to, and I finished about half of it. I can definitely see why people choose to overlook some questionable service issues when these types of dishes are showing up. The bathroom situation was a little odd but honestly riled up my chum more than me. She went to use the facilities and took a while (no judgment). It turned out that it took so long because there were two other open bathrooms right there but no one realized it because they had no signs on the door. Huge unforced error. I used the bathroom as well and thought there was enough context to figure it out, but that's such an easy fix I don't know why it wouldn't have been done already. Pretty strong recommendation but if I have the ability, I'm probably coming at a less chaotic/busy time to negate some of the service issues and overall chaotic environment. read more

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

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This place was absolutely packed when I came in on a Sunday for brunch. Thankfully I made reservation weeks in advance to avoid any wait. My food was very tasty and came out quickly. Service was okay, and it was quite busy inside. Their menu is really creative and has a lot of good options on it. read more

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

Amazing food! The service was fast, but enjoyable. Also very insta worthy. Dessert looks great but was "ehh". read more

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I'm absolutely coming back! I sat at the bar because I didn't want to wait but I was in and out an a hour. Service is great and the people are really nice. I ordered the Cinnamon Toast Old Fashion with the Loaded Breakfast Biscuit , chicken sausage instead of pork sausage and it was a hit! The sausage has a bit of a kick but aid do it again. Once , I tasted the caramelized onion sauce and I was sold and forgot to grab a photo. But definitely spot in if you're in town , it's a must! read more

Well this place was worth the hype! Vibey and trendy spot that actually has really great food. Thai salad was delicious, but the matzo ball soup was amazing! Great place for a date or dinner with friends. read more

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Unconventional Diner is one of those places that completely lives up to its name, in the best possible way. If you're expecting a typical diner, think again. This spot takes classic comfort food and gives it a creative, chef-driven twist that somehow feels both playful and seriously refined. We stopped in during a busy stretch and the energy in the room was incredible. The place was buzzing but still felt welcoming and relaxed. If there's a wait, it's worth it--but grabbing a seat at the bar is also a great move if you want to dive in faster. The menu is packed with things that make you pause because everything sounds good. We started with the Sweet Potato Parker House Rolls, and honestly... I'd come back just for those. Soft, warm, slightly sweet, and served with butter that melts right in--absolute perfection. For mains, the meatloaf completely stole the show. I know meatloaf sounds basic, but this version is anything but. The sriracha glaze and mushroom gravy take it to another level--rich, comforting, and somehow nostalgic while still feeling elevated. We also tried a scrambled egg sandwich with fries and a Thai-style salad with grilled shrimp, and both were fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully put together. Drinks were excellent too. The cocktail list is creative without being gimmicky, and everything felt well-balanced and intentional. Dessert sealed the deal with the mile-high lemon meringue pie--bright, fluffy, and the perfect way to end the meal. The whole experience felt fun, a little unexpected, and really satisfying. It's the kind of place where you leave already planning what you want to try next time. And after a full meal like that, we kept the night going at home with a delivery from Pressure Deliveries, a premium same-day cannabis delivery service--honestly a perfect way to wind down after an indulgent dinner. If you're in DC and looking for something that blends comfort food with serious culinary creativity, Unconventional Diner absolutely delivers. Definitely a spot worth putting on your list. read more

Ordered the French dip poutine for delivery. It was flavorful and filling but a little salty for my personal taste. Overall not bad but I would probably try something different next time. read more

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

Reason for updating my review and rating: Been to unconventional diner a few times, and the night of 4/16 I had one of the most uncomfortable dining experiences ever. The hostess asked if we preferred a server that speaks English or Spanish. Not quite sure why she asked, I had only exchanged a sentence with her communicating we had a reservation for 8pm under my husband's name, which might or may not be Spanish. Even if the intention was to be inclusive, it had the complete opposite effect and made us feel discriminated and wondering why she had asked, I gave her no indication whatsoever that I had any struggles communicating in English. Anyhow, I would stay away from asking anybody this question in the future, I don't think most diners go out expecting their server to speak their native language. read more

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Delicious food with AMAZING service!! I didn't catch the name of our server (it was a young man) but he was so sweet and provided great service. Food was all delicious however everything we ordered ended up being so heavy. So a heads up to those who order to be mindful of the combination of entrees you choose read more

Unconventional Diner - Buttermilk Pancakes, Caribbean Shrimp & Grits, Corned Beef Hash, French Dip Poutine, Biscuit & Gravy - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing dinner experience. The service was attentive and informative. The food came out so fast after we ordered it and everything tasted amazing. The miso butter that came with the rolls was so soft and tasted amazing I would happily eat it every day. The Mac n cheese was creamy and perfectly toasty on top. The Thai salad had a diversity of texture and flavor that was refreshing and light, and the cast iron Brussels sprouts had a surprising Indian twist that just WORKED. I split everything with a friend and afterwards we absolutely had to get the basque cheesecake for dessert. The texture was perfect and splitting it was smart because a whole one would have been too rich. I loved this entire meal and I loved the gourmet twist on classic diner faves. Plus the cozy green booths and funky artwork on the walls really elevated the ambiance while still referencing a casual diner environment. read more

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

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The food is pretty good but wish it was less crowded on the weekends for brunch. I would say it's a cute place for brunch but expect it to be packed and kind of loud so the ambiance might not be the best if you're looking for something more chill. read more

The food quality is 99/100. Things are prepared and served in a way that reflects unsaid high standards. The menu items almost seem deliberately understated -- "buttermilk pancakes" ended up being a deliciously fluffy flapjack stack with exquisite mascarpone and blueberry-lavender sauce with just-the-amount of sweetness. I'm winding down for the day and still thinking of this breakfast, which was, "unconventionally," amazing. read more

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Came here for my partner's birthday as I had this spot saved for some time since moving to the DMV in 2023. Saw the pics and thought, thats cute. Let's just go. Honestly SUCH a great decision. Everything we tried was great (although the blueberry pancakes my daughter had could have held off a bit with the sweetness) she still loved them! I was recommended the Poutine after trying to decide between 2 and again, best decision. The flavors were so potent even my partner wanted more than just his usual bite. Our server was incredibly friendly and gave us recommendations for after lunch. I definitely saw some other food options and drinks I would love to try from the menu so I will be back & recommend anyone who hasn't come to pop in one day. Thank you for a great birthday lunch for my beau. read more

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Food and service was great. I had the Chicken Parm and my wife had the dirty Ceasar salad with shrimp. Highly recommend! read more

Michelin award winning - BELIEVABLE. I had the shakshuka- gluten free and SO MUCH FLAVOR. Textured, subtle and powerful- loved every bite. My husband had the biscuit breakfast sandwich- said it was perfect. Sat outside with neighborhood charm. Looking forward to trying again! read more

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

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This spot had been on our list for a while, but we are seldom in that part of DC. We ventured in during the Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. convention. The food was exceptional! We described it to a friend as elevated diner food. The Moroccan taquitos had all of the flavors of authentic Moroccan food. The Buffalo Cauliflower was addictive!! The Dirty Caesar was sooo good and the smoked tomatoes added just the right sweet pop. And the meatloaf tasted like something Grandma would make!! Simple and delicious! And our server, Elle, was outstanding! The restaurant was slammed and Elle's section was packed! She was gracious, patient, attentive, and although I'm sure she was stressed, she never let it show! Excellent food and excellent service! We will definitely be back! One suggestion--- make the wine pours heavier. I felt like I was paying full price for half a glass. read more

Food: OK, so this restaurant wasn't like any other food experience that I've had before. I was visiting DC for a work conference and this location was less than a five minute walk from our hotel upon looking at the reviews. It was highly recommended so we went. I ordered the shrimp grits, with a side of scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns . The grits were really creamy the shrimp with seasoned well I wasn't a fan of the peppers and red sauce however, I still enjoy my food. My friends ordered the chicken and waffle and miso salmon. The waffle is made with cornbread, so it was a different spin on a waffle. My friend enjoyed her food. The chicken was seasoned and fried to perfection. I did not try the miso salmon, but my friend also enjoyed the miso salmon. She did say that it had an earthy taste ( if you know what that means) Service: Service was amazing from the time we walked in and was seated. The waiter gave excellent suggestions and gave great detail and the different food items on the menu to provide you insight on what you were ordering. You do have the option to pay with your card at the table. And they do split checks. Ambiance: The vibe in here was really laid-back and friendly. Music was cool energy was good. Everybody was super friendly from the time we walked into the time we left and I will definitely go back. Overall: This was a really cool spot in DC. I would recommend you trying it out if you're looking for a different food experience or just to try something new. read more

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Mauricio, our waiter was fantastic! He would get 10 stars, thank you! Food was excellent as well. What took the star away was the very confusing way to pay the bill via scanned QR code on sunday platform. And on top of being confusing a charge is added for using that platform! Also did not know that tips are taxed and that is added to the bill too. We will be back and pay cash :-) read more

Been to the restaurant a few times. Ordered through Uber Eats a few times as well. I am rarely disappointed. Their new crème brûlée French toast is life. Rich, but sooooooo good. I regularly get the breakfast sandwich with an extra side of the sauce. I've taken a few out of towners here and everyone enjoyed the experience and their meal. Recommend this place to those curious to try out. Service has always been great. read more

Still one of my favorite restaurants in DC. The food always slaps. If you don't come here you're missing out! read more

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Probably shouldn't have come here for Sunday brunch. Despite having a reservation, it took over half an hour to be seated. The hostess was rude and dismissive, didn't even look up at us. Once we were seated, it took a long time to take our order. The only saving grace was the food was decent. Not spectacular, but solid. At this point, we were running late for our next appointment, so we asked for the check, and we were told to just scan the QR code on the table and pay that way. They neglected to tell us there is a 2% fee to use that service. They also include a 20% service fee to all orders. No wonder the staff sucks, they aren't working for their tips. read more

Fresh off an airplane and checked into hotel, I wanted some good comfort food. The high Yelp rating and location peaked my interest. The waiter said the cheese burger is a crowd favorite. I ordered it without the sauce and with mustard on the side. It was the best burger I've had on the east coast! It had juicy patties, soft buns, fresh veggies and gooey cheese. The hype was real. This will be my go-to order anytime I'm in DC. read more

This Diner eats other diners. Unconventional Diner was a fantastic breakfast find as we enjoyed our long weekend in Washington D.C. Unconventional Diner is located near the D.C. Alley Museum and combines trendy style with delicious cuisine. Its seafoam-green booths, rigged wooden bar with circular overhead lamps, and chic artwork on the walls create the right mood for some good eats to start your day. Sitting at a table in the back dining area, I downed some draft cold brew that helped perk me up, filling me with happiness. Known for approaching a lot of classic dishes with a unique twist, I ordered the Loaded Breakfast Biscuits, which were a delight. Served with housemade pork sausage, hash browns, caramelized onion, cheese, bacon jam, and fried eggs, the loaded breakfast biscuits certainly filled my appetite. The dish was savory and satisfying, elevated by the Applewood-smoked bacon side I ordered. The bacon strips were cooked to perfection that tantalized my senses. When I return to D.C., no matter where I am staying, I'll book a reservation at Unconventional Diner to enjoy more of their brunch items. read more

Didn't realize this was a michelin bib gourmand restaurant or what that meant until trying this place out! It's basically recognized for good quality at a great price and I definitely agree! I thought all the dishes were so unique and cooked with skill. Especially the chicken pot pie poppers!I could have had 3 more orders of it! It's chicken pot pie filling encased in a light crunchy batter. Once you bite into it that comforting flavor justs bursts. Sooooo good! We also ordered the Sweet Potato Curry, French Dip Pappardelle, Le Mac and Cheese, Strawberry Tres Leches, Fruit Punch Mocktail, Iced Coffee which were all good. read more

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