Unconventional Diner
Order Unconventional Diner Takeout or Delivery
Unconventional Diner Photos
Business Info
Unconventional Diner Popular Dishes
UNCONVENTIONAL DINER ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Unconventional Diner
Recommended Reviews - Unconventional Diner
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Made reservation for a Saturday early dinner as reviews said to make one if not willing to wait. Got to the restaurant on time, seemed to be a slow Saturday early evening as I saw a lot of empty tables. Maybe they were all reserved? Not sure. We were greeted by the staffs and shown to the table. Smooth and fast. All the menu looked tempting so had hard time choosing which one to go with. Went with meatloaf and miso salmon. Meatloaf was really good! Flavorful with tender/juicy meat combined with onions, bell peppers etc. Miso salmon was also good! Okra and broccoli were adding more taste to the dish itself. No complaints at all! The prices were on the higher side though. Menu says each are $28. However, there was mandatory service charge of 20% and tax was calculated after the service charge, which end up being approximately $40 per menu item we got - miso salmon and meatloaf. Wish the menu price would just include service charges so prices would not be misleading with all the charges after. Not sure if this is because of World Cup 2026, but too bad they had to hit their customers with extra fees after enjoying the meals which could have ended happily rather than leaving a bad taste in the mouth.
I came here with friends to catch up. Location was great. Right on the side of the convention center. It was clean and a the energy was great there. Customer service was great. Our service was great and the server was great. Literally not one bite of any item we ate was nothing less than 5 stars. The buffalo cauliflower and sweet potato house rolls were amazing appetizers. My double cheeseburger and fries was one of the best burgers I have had in a long time. The meat was so rich in flavor. The fries were a perfect mix of outside crispiness and soft inside. My girlfriend got the pot roast rendang and the salted caramel ice cream. Both were so good. This is spot was amazing and I highly recommend this location and plan to stop here anytime I'm in the area visiting.
My forever go to for brunch went in the DC area. The staff was great. The food is great. The convenient location to the convention center made me a repeat patron! There is usually a line, but with seating inside, outside and at the bar, it is usually not a long wait. I opt to the sit at the bar since I was participating in a conference and needed a quick turnaround. Server acknowledged me right away as he was preparing drinks for another patron. I was extremely impressed with the menu offering which had traditional breakfast items mixed with fresh veggies, and spices from around the world. I ordered the Brussel sprouts with fried egg whites. It was delicious and extremely filling. I savored each and every bite. The only thing I would have preferred would have been more coffee offerings. The food here is truly king and I can work with that!
A group of four of us went here for dinner after searching for a while. We had a tough group to satisfy-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.
This place really hit the spot! We got the calamansi frizzante, piña colada latte, loaded breakfast biscuits, and French dip poutine. Every bite was delectable. The crispiness of the hash browns in the biscuits, and the biscuits themselves, were to die for. The beef in the poutine was perfectly tender. The drinks were so refreshing as well. The only thing I regret is that I didn't have room to finish it all! I can't remember our server's name, but I loved the social battery meter pin she had on her apron. It was hilarious! Girl, me too!!!
My husband brought me here during our DC visit. We had a hard time deciding what to pick (everything sounded amazing) so we decided to split the chicken sandwich and pancakes! Sweet and savory meal. Both were incredible and flavorful, I can see why this restaurant is so notable!! Highly recommend this restaurant for any meal. 10/10 - a must visit rating from me!!
The service was amazing. She was super friendly and always checked in. I came here with my girls and we had an absolutely wonderful time! The ambiance really adds to the cozy, lovely feel. It's like a cozy, modern, diner - bright but warm. Love the aesthetic and atmosphere. The drinks we ordered were fantastic!!! All the food we ordered to share and all of them were delicious. I really enjoyed my time here. My one comment is that we got a chocolate cake and it was kind of dry, I typically love a more moist cake, but it was still tasty nonetheless. I would come back in a heartbeat, I really love this place and can imagine coming back here on a date to have some drinks and bites.
Found this little gem for brunch while in DC and boy was it tough to chose what to order. Everything looked delicious. Ultimately we landed on the avocado toast and the blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon and calamansi frizzante to drink. Figured the avocado toast would be well, smashed avocado and toast, but the presentation was nicely surprising! Love that they bring out the toast and avocado separately so you get to decide how much or how little you want to pile on. Also made it easier for my bf and I to share. The flavors were great! There was a perfect amount of citrus and kick. The pancakes did not disappoint either! The blueberry lavender sauce was delicious and coated the pancakes perfectly. It's always nice to find that perfect sauce-to-butter-to-pancake ratio. You just dive into a fluffy sugary heaven. This place is definitely a favorite around the area. It was packed, but the service was still so quick. It's brightly lit, lots of fun colors, the perfect brunch vibe. Definitely would give dinner a shot next time we're in the area.
I didn't think it was that unconventional, but I would use terms like "interesting" or possibly "eclectic," also "delicious" and "enjoyable." We started with an appetizer of Buffalo cauliflower. This isn't your restaurant-chain cauliflower out of a bag and into the deep fryer, and the sauce was just as fresh. That was followed by Thai salads, heavy on the cabbage, crunch, and flavor, and just unique enough to make it ... well ... unconventional. Service was prompt, friendly, and professional, and everything we ordered came out fast. And that's the stuff about this place that I want to see stay conventional!
Delish! We didn't have reservations so we had to sit at the bar but that was ok! Service was fast and friendly! We started with drinks, a mimosa and the pina colda espresso martini, both were good! There are a few unique menu options which is cool! We stuck to a more traditional breakfast route and ordered the loaded breakfast biscuits and the crème brûlée French toast and omg they were so good! The savory option with the biscuits was so good and rich, and the sweet option with the French toast was delish as well! You get a lot of food too, we couldn't even finish! We will definitely come back.
Made a stop after attending a convention down the road. The restaurant was very well kept and beautiful inside. Tables were clean, organized, and well spaced for easy moving about. The staff were very friendly, always smiling and happy to help. Our drinks were next empty and the cocktails my group ordered were all delicious and refreshing. All food items ordered did not disappoint. Serving sizes were generous and well prepared. Pricing is a tad high for what you order but that's a byproduct of the capital region. The atmosphere was a cool mix of locals, businessmen, and fellow conference attendees. Music was soothing and hip, making the experience great and comfy. Only things I'd suggest for the Seggzy Sandwich would be to maybe change the fries to something more. Minor change at that. Highly recommend Unconventional Diner to anyone visiting the area. It's a great spot with excellent food and friendly staff.
Quite a delicious meal. Came here as a group and had both vegetarian and gluten free diners with us. We could definitely get something we each desired here and our server was fantastic. She handled all of our needs and then some. We were there early evening and there were few tables filled but when we left most tables were filled. We shared several appetizers, the skillet cornbread was delish and the habanero butter added a nice kick. Both the avocado tartare and fried cauliflower were great and the deviled crab egg looked good. I tried the Peruvian soup for my meal and it came in a huge bowl filled with meat, potatoes, cheese and a fried egg. I ate about half and brought the rest home. All of the others had great food and looked wonderful. We were all too full for dessert, though the dessert mention had some delicious things. Looking forward to coming here again in the future and I highly recommend that you give this place a try. read more
Came to DC this past summer to see the sights and eat the food. Several little birdies told me that this a must-see for lunch. It seemed quirky and delicious and it was in a convenient location, so I had to check it out. The ambiance was very interesting. It seemed like a post-modern hipster vibe, almost like I was in a Dr. Seuss novel. I liked it. We got seated, our server was very nice. And got to looking at the menu. I liked that the menu wasn't too big. It had a few items that they wanted to specialize in, and there were a variety of choices to satisfy everyone's food preferences. I ended up getting the Double Cheeseburger & Fries (Lettuce | Tomato | Caramelized Onion | Pickle | American Cheese | Sesame-Seed Bun | Sexy Sauce). Nice sized patties, very juicy and beefy. All the good veggies that accent a traditional burger. Loved the sesame seeds, not sure why, but you eat with your eyes first. Overall just really good. I also got to try the Fried Chicken Sandwich & Fries (Sweet & Spicy Slaw | Garlic Aioli | Sesame-Seed Bun). Dear Lord, this thing was a monster. Such a beautifully thicc chicken cutlet that was breaded to crispy perfection. The sweet, the spicy, the garlic, I think that this might be the best lunch item I tried the whole time I was in DC. A+ I'm not sure what I got for dessert, it's been so long, I'm so behind in my reviews, but I remember it was delicious. And look at that presentation. This place dresses their food up to the nines. Overall, big success, loved the vibes, loved the food. Would return. read more
7 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Celina, thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're…
I'd recommend setting a reservation because this diner can get quite busy with wait time up to 40 min. Tip: they can hang up your jackets/coats in the closet behind the check in station. I am to see how truly unconventional this place can be as I heard from a friend who got a lox bagel, that they were served mini bagel bites with a large piece of lox for him to assemble on his own Our friends ordered the taquito which tasted very much like skinny crunchy lumpia with pork inside. 7/10 The sauce it came with was SO good! We also ordered the pot pie poppers- 10/10 recommend it! It was SO TASTY & CRUNCH! I ordered the double burger, which was a huge portion but quite dry. I'd recommend asking for ketchup and mayo on the side. When you mix the sauces together, it tastes very similar to their "sexy sauce" which is about $3 if you order it on the side. I also ordered their Miami Vice- which was SO GOOD but ofc with dc price it was about $14, but it was GOOD GOOD, you'd def get your moneys worth. I tried some of my friends Moscow mule.. it was very citrusy.. as an avid Moscow mule drinker, I wouldn't recommend it. The last drink on the table has a foam on top, that tasted like caramelized sugar. I don't recall what it was called, but I can say with confidence my drink was the best :) Overall, the ambiance was cool dc vibes near the convention center, and although it was highly rated I'd say it was a one time dine and done for me. read more
I was super excited to go here yesterday but I was met with disappointment. Pretty sure the menu has changed since my last visit and the service was just ok. Our waiter took our order and never came back to say a word. Mind you there's an automatic 20% gratuity charge added to your bill. I got the breakfast sandwich and paired it with the hashbrowns, my sandwich was good but there was way too much eggs on it. My daughter got the same thing and agreed. It's very noisy in here and the wait for a table can be anywhere from 45mins to an hour so plan ahead. My experience was just rushed but my food came out very quickly. Also, parking is an absolute mess in this area so good luck with that lol. read more
1 year ago
Came for breakfast and it was amazing! I attached the photo of the chicken and waffle because it has a cornbread waffle! read more
My friends and I came here to celebrate a friend's birthday for brunch and it was a 10/10 experience!! We had a group of 10 and we were seated with plenty of space, the restaurant itself is pretty spacious, but I do recommend making a reservation here as it gets packed. For food, a lot of my friends got the shakshuka and enjoyed the flavors but the only part that they were missing was the bread as this dish is normally paired with a bread of some sort, but other than that my friend's enjoyed their dishes! The hash browns and the Brussels sprout dish were also a hit at the table. I got the buttermilk pancakes as it seemed like a popular dish and it was so delicious!! If you're hesitating about what to get, I highly recommend the pancakes!! The restaurant is located in walking distance to the metro and I don't know about parking as I took the metro. Since it was my friend's birthday they did bring out a dessert with a sparkler in it to celebrate her day which was so fun!! read more
I cannot believe I have overlooked this hidden gem for years now. The space is beautifully warm and welcoming, but the food variety & flavor are where this place shines!! We had easily the best French toast in the district... It was prepared perfectly, crispy on the outside, custardy the middle (not just undercooked like too many folks think)!!! The Lebanese fried rice delivers on flavor, texture, presentation, heartiness. The Shakshuka was such a vibrant, comforting way to start the day. The flavors were masterfully delivered, and the portion size was spot on. Falafel was soft and flavorful (I'll say, just a tad overcooked on the outside), but the texture and moisture balance were perfect so it was likely an oil issue and I will order again and again. I absolutely love the presentation of the butter and jam with the flaky, tender biscuit that had the perfect balance of moisture, not overly sweet and not a single dry spot. I feel like if they did hand-cut fries or roasted potatoes, the meal would've been super elevated, but they did everything else so well I can't complain. The waitstaff is kind, friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. Typically, I end up at Tatte (delicious, but diff vibe) or some fancy overpriced brunch spot, waiting in a long line and leaving not-so-full after having spent an insane amount of money. UnDi will absolutely be a go-to brunch from here on out. Food recommendations: French toast Falafel Sweet potato Shakshuka Lebanese fried rice Going back for: (all above) and the chicken & waffles read more
6 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Monroe! We’re so glad you enjoyed our happy hour burger deal and…
1 year ago
A wonderful place with lovely atmosphere, super amazing food and even better staff running the place. An American diner concept that can do different cuisines from around the world and does it well is an excellent thing. Glad we were able to discover this place during our recent trip to DC . read more
After a long flight, I was looking forward to some southern comfort food. Near the hotel was Unconventional Diner, serving up traditional dishes with a twist. Arrived for dinner on a weeknight around 8pm, the place was semi packed but was seated immediately. Slight crowd noice and medium lighting. I ordered an Old Fashion to start with the Pot Pie Poppers, really good, bite sized deep fried pot pie, full of flavor. For the entree, the meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes and veggies, delicious. The meat was baked with the traditional tomato based sauce on top but also Included a brown spicy gravy sauce. Tasty and filling. read more
11 months ago
Host told us that tables were full and only the bar was available which was fine. I dont expect a lot for bar service but there was close to none. The bill comes, and tip is already added on 20%. They don't tell u tho, and try to make you double tip through the machine. Thru my time there , it was probably 6-8 tables that were unattended. Don't know why we weren't given the opportunity when half the restaurant was empty lol. They also ran out of napkins lol. read more
2 years ago
I was able to make a same day reservation for brunch at Unconventional Diner. I have been once before, but didn't realize how big the entire restaurant is! I was seated right away and received water almost immediately. A server came right over to greet us and check in. The food was great, service was great, and the space is clean, bright, and inviting. We got to sit near one of the kitchens and watch desserts being made through the glass. Parking is really tough in this area, but I will definitely return! read more
11 months ago
Unconventional Diner has quickly become one of my favorites! The food is some of the tastiest I've had in DC and the service was fabulous every time. It has a diner feel but it isn't overly posh, like some other places in DC. It's homey and upbeat. I'm very happy with this discovery and I will be back! The prices are pretty on par with what's around the area. read more
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Blake! We're thrilled to hear that Unconventional Diner has become…
This place is so poppin!!! I made a reservation in advance and thank goodness I did because the line was out the door to the outside - for Saturday brunch. The ambiance of the restaurant is super clean, cute, and stylish - definitely photo worthy. It's also a very large space with different styles of decor throughout which was fun to look at. Our service was great and fast (also probably because they needed to seat and feed all those people lol) - but our server was also really knowledgable and helpful about the gluten free life, which I need. Our food and drinks were also delicious!!! Would definitely recommend trying this place out and again, make a reservation :) read more
2 years ago
Came here for lunch during a holiday weekend. If you plan on coming here, I recommend a reservation. We had a reservation and were seated within 10 minutes, but heard the wait was going to be 2 hours for those without. Everything here moved quickly, once we placed our order we got our food in less than 15 minutes even with how busy it was. The service was efficient and there was always someone refilling our water. I got the s"eggs"y sandwich, which was good, pretty messy, and filling. My friend got the chicken and waffles, who said it was good but much sweeter than expected. I would come back here to try other things on the menu and had an overall good experience! read more
6 months ago
The Crème Brûlée French Toast and French Dip Poutine were probably the two best sweet and savory options on the menu. Or so I choose to believe so, since the flavor is so good I can't imagine anything better. Highly recommend. Boyfriend shared that he would fly out to DC for a weekend just to eat here for the whole weekend! It's just that good. read more
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Tina, thank you for the amazing review! We're so glad to hear…
i love brunch food so i naturally had to try this place out. Loved it so much I actually came back the week after. Blueberry pancakes are a must as they're so flavorful and the perfect sweetness. The poutine is really good too and the shouka is to die for. Service is really quick and readily available. Restaurant is always so busy especially on weekends so i recommend to make a reservation before coming! read more
2 years ago
We have driven past here for years. We finally stop here today for brunch. The restaurant has been here for years but still look fresh inside. The menu was not overwhelming; first sign that this was the right choice. The waitress, Erin, went through different menu item in details. Second sign we made the right choice. I settled for the Apple French Toast and chicken sausage and my wife ordered the chicken waffle. The meal was scrumptious. We will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Who knows I may just order the same meal. That is how good it was...ummmm. I am hungry for more already. read more
3 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi William, thank you for the fantastic review! We're so glad to hear…
3 years ago
I'd really say my experience at Unconventional Diner was more 3.5 stars, but I'm giving them the full 4. Part of my reason for doing this is that I came for brunch with my book club, and I'm not much of a brunch fan. If you are a brunch fan, you will likely enjoy this restaurant. The menu is diverse, with options to accommodate different nutritional sensitivities. As a vegetarian it would be nice if there was a vegetarian breakfast sandwich option, but I decided against asking for a modification, and just went with the safety of Avocado Toast, since those have been well reviewed. What I got looked nothing like the photos of the past servings of this entree, which I actually didn't mind - the deconstructed avocado toast model doesn't appeal to me. Nothing to write home about, but the bread was good, the avocado fresh and the deviled egg salad delicious (I can take or leave microgreens). However, I will note that the previous iteration of the entree looked like a fairly generous serving, and that was not the case with what I got - the portion was barely what most people would consider a full meal. As for my the dining experience of my fellow book club members, one didn't finish her Lebanese Fried Rice, but I think she liked it, so that may have been more filling. Another person cleared her plate of the Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberry-Lavender sauce, so that also seemed to be a winner on taste. I would understand the change on the Avocado Toast if they'd adjusted the price to reflect the shrinking of the quantity (my understanding is that this was not the case). The priciness of DC brunch in general, and the fact of Unconventional Diner's location adjacent to the Convention Center, are definitely factors. Unconventional Diner is definitely reliable for a tasty, albeit unremarkable, meal, and it's a convenient location. I also want to mention the quality of the service, which was excellent- we had a very attentive server, our orders were served quite quickly, especially on a busy brunch Sunday, and splitting the check 4 ways was super easy. If you're a DC brunch fan, you can may be able to get a better value elsewhere, but overall Unconventional Diner is a solid choice. read more
2 years ago
Arrived around 10:50am on a Sunday without a reservation we were able to get seated. I don't recommend ordering the hash browns for $4. Although it's crispy to the bite but conventional. As an extra protein, for the Brussel sprouts & Fried Egg, I ordered the miso salmon. It was served on the side. The Tikka Masala sauce was bold on the entree. The miso flavor in the salmon was very faint. Bonsai Broccoli was a broccoli salad. For $16 was mostly mixed greens. I don't recommend that or getting the extra $10 miso salmon. The food de service is prompt.The buttermilk pancakes with lavender blueberry and mascarpone cream was delicious! $17. The mascarpone cream cuts down the sweetness of the sauce. Getting them on the side allows us to control how much to put on the pancakes. It was a good recommendation from the server. Service charge of 20% is added to the bill. read more
7 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Ward, thank you for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear…
1 year ago
3 months ago
Very good brunch spot in DC. This had been on my list for awhile, so when a friend recommended we eat here, I was sold. They made the reservation, so I can't comment on how easy it was or wasn't to make a reservation but I can say we were seated right on time for our reservation. The staff was friendly and attentive. I ordered the cold coffee - yum and the Lebanese fried rice. I saw someone at another table eating it and didn't even need to look at the menu, I knew what I was getting. It was spiced wonderfully and tasted so good. They have gender neutral bathrooms (pro!) but only one has a baby changing table. Which was unfortunate when someone was...relaxing in that bathroom and my friend needed to change the baby. Other than that it was a very nice brunch and would gladly return. read more
7 months ago
Business owner information
Manager S.
Hi Dahlia! Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're…
We stumbled in at 9am on thursday morning for some breakfast before our flight back home. This meal almost put us to sleep it was so good. I got the blueberry lavender pancakes, OJ, Cold brew, and the seggsy sandwich. Dont worry the seggsy sandwich is so good it makes up for the humiliation of having to utter it's stupid name when ordering. The pancakes were also phenomenal. They made sure to layer the syrup in every single cake so that it doesnt get all soaked up on the top layer and a dry stack of leftover cakes. Very thoughtful! I will 100% be back for dinner read more
Cute restaurant near the convention center. Spacious interior with bar seating and large tables for bigger groups. My dining experience here was simple, but pleasant. Ordered the Paloma Pop cocktail to start things off which was good. Also tried the Cornbread Skillet which tasted phenomenal with the sweet butter which had a hint of jalapeño taste to it. My main was the double cheeseburger which filled me up! Delicious burger but the fries could've been a bit fresher... Service was pretty slow, but I was not in a rush for any reason and could tell our server was running a bunch of tables, especially ones with bigger groups. This gave me more time to peek at what other tables got to order and honestly you can't miss with a lot of the items here. Would love to come back here and try for brunch of maybe an earlier dinner. But overall, a good experience! read more
2 years ago
Wonderful breakfast place when in DC! We were on our way to the Capital One Area and it was right on the way. Food was delicious, filling, and flavorful! Staff was great and answered questions about the menu. Lots of seating for larger parties as well. Great for a brunch spot with friends! read more
1 year ago
We stopped by here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Luckily, we were able to find street parking a block away. For our dishes, we ordered: - dirty Caesar with Squid-Ink Bread Crumbs, Soft Egg Tomato, Aged Gouda. I really enjoyed this salad. The squid ink bread crumbs were a nice touch - French Dip Pappardelle with Angus Beef , Mushrooms, Garlic Chips, Kale, Housemade Pasta, Horseradish Cream. I loved this dish! The flavor of the sauce with the horseradish cream mixed in and the way they cooked the beef and mushrooms was perfect! - meatloaf with Veal, Pork & Beef, Sriracha Glaze, Mashed Potatoes, Morel Gravy, Charred Scallion. This dish was amazing too! The gravy was good and the meatloaf was seasoned well. Paired really nicely with the mashed potatoes We really enjoyed the dishes we had here and would love to visit again to try more read more
Love the name but missing the mark for me. Food was hit or miss. Way too noisy! Morning is not the time to be shouting across the table. By the time the food came, which was rather quickly I must admit, I was ready to RUN out of there. Yeah, not my thing. Cement floors jam packed with hungry caffeinated humans makes for total eardrum-ache and annoyance! Service was good but we had to get up and ask for condiments after the food runner never came back with it. Food was good. Chicken and waffles was interesting with the corn cake type waffle. Cheeseburger was great. My pancakes were cold and crumbly and the cold syrup made it more unpleasant. Hash browns were very good. They were like the McDonald's style but better of course. Eggs Benedict was good. I would probably skip this place for breakfast. Maybe I'd try it for a late lunch one day when it's less crowded. read more
1 year ago
Absolutely Top Notch! Stopped by for brunch on a Thursday afternoon and only waited about 20 minutes for a table. The service was amazing--prompt and attentive. The menu offers a great variety, and the food arrived quickly. Both the presentation and taste were outstanding. The shrimp stood out as the star of the meal--perfectly cooked and served without the tail. 10/10, I would absolutely come back again and again! read more
3 years ago
Weekday brunch, yes please! Honestly this is my favorite place of all time to get brunch food!!! When you walk into the restaurant the space is open, clean, and bright! A fun and energetic place to get your hands on some amazing dishes! Service was on point too! For drinks our table had coffee and I had a Hawaiian Punch juice which had mango, guava, pineapple, and lime juice. I love when there are other options besides coffee and brunch cocktails. Especially when partaking in dry January! The food is amazing and I don't think I've ever eaten a bad meal here. This time I had the chicken and waffles and it was incredible. I wasn't convinced at first that I'd like the granny gravy but I sure did change my mind once I tasted it!! I loved it!! The chicken was incredible, juicy on the inside and crisp on the outside with a delectable honey sriracha sauce drizzled on top. Not too spicy for those who shy away from heat! The cheddar chive cornbread waffle was a nice touch. Portions are just right to leave you feeling full!! Other honorable mentions are the buttermilk pancakes with the blueberry lavender sauce (I got this last time and my mom got it this time!), the avocado toast (which is not your average toast!!!), and the brussel sprouts and fried eggs. My entire family enjoyed their meals!! Not a single complaint! You already know I'll be back again!!! read more
1 year ago
Washington | A beautiful meal that is so delicious that I will repurchase it countless times! Unconventional Diner read more
Out of all places we tried in DC, this was the only one that felt "overhyped". The reviews are fantastic. All of the food photos drew us in and we stayed very close to the restaurant so we were excited to check it out. We came on a Monday morning during the work week, so it wasn't busy and we were able to sit down right away. They have tons of seating, both indoor and outdoor. Service was mediocre. Our server basically just came over to take our order and then to bring us our check. We were able to ask passing bussers for water, so it was fine, but service just didn't live up to the expectations of a nice brunch spot. Food-wise, everything we ordered was good, but not great. My husband and I shared the poutine and the shrimp and grits. We did like that they both had some unique ingredients, but neither dish blew us away. Aside from the presentations, which were gorgeous, taste was just average. In a city full of delicious food, we just didn't feel like our experience here quite hit the mark. read more
More info about Unconventional Diner
1207 9th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
Shaw, Downtown
Directions
(202) 847-0122
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
http://unconventionaldiner.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Unconventional Diner Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Unconventional Diner
Can you order brunch all day long and if not what time does it stop?
Believe it stops at 4
Is there parking nearby for brunch?
Eh. There is street parking (if you're lucky to find). However, the Mt. Vernon/Convention Metro Center is less than a block away from the restaurant.
Where can I make a reservation? The website doesn't let me?
Pretty sure it's Upper Right Corner. Resy.
Is this a safe option for someone with soy, tree nut, gluten, and peanut allergies? To be clear, true food allergies-epi pen and all. Just trying to locate safe restaurants.
Hi Jennifer! I also have a severe nut and soy allergy, Epi pen and all. The menu shifts regularly,…
Is there a dress code for this location?
Hi Linda, Thank you very much for the question! We do not have a dress code for Unconventional…
My wife is on a walker so, what are the handicapped parking options?
Street parking. They don't have a parking lot.
Is the outdoor seating heated in the winter?
They have heat lamps but it's still going to be chilly
Do you all do bottomless brunch on weekends?
I have gone for brunch. It was not bottomless. But it was good.
Is the chicken with the chicken and waffles boneless or bone in?
Mine was boneless.
Is this place still open? Called Sunday and straight to voicemail
Hi Dan, we are open. If your call went straight to voicemail, I am sure it was because all of our lines were occupied at the same time.…
Do they accept walk-ins?
They do, but this place is usually busy, so you might have to wait.
Hi! Is there a kid's menu?
There isn't a kid's menu per se, but I'm sure kids would still enjoy the food at unconventional diner. Lol.
Do they do bottomless brunch or any sort of brunch drink specials?
They don't do bottomless but they have fantastic drink options.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
148 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
3 years ago
8 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
6 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
1 year ago
5 months ago
Unconventional Diner - breakfast_brunch - Updated July 2026
Best of Washington, DC
People found Unconventional Diner by searching for…
Cool Restaurants for Teens in Washington, DC
Weekday Brunch in Washington, DC
Vegan Brunch in Washington, DC
Large Group Brunch in Washington, DC
Friday Brunch in Washington, DC
Casual Lunch in Washington, DC
Hidden Gem Restaurant in Washington, DC
Vegetarian Brunch in Washington, DC
Restaurants With Free Parking in Washington, DC
Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Weekday in Washington, DC
Keto Restaurants in Washington, DC
Retro Diners in Washington, DC
Vegan Pancakes in Washington, DC
Restaurants Open July 4th in Washington, DC
Quiet Brunch in Washington, DC
Memorial Day Brunch in Washington, DC
Weird Restaurants in Washington, DC
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes in Washington, DC
Andrew Zimmern in Washington, DC
Browse Nearby
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Restaurants near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Coffee near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Desserts near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Things to Do near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Parking near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Lunch near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Cocktail Bars near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Shopping near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Pancakes near Unconventional Diner
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Thrift Stores near Unconventional Diner
