There was a convention happening so I decided to stop by Unconventional Diner for some brunch. Walking in, it was busy mid afternoon on a Saturday. I didn't come here without a reservation ( in the future I'd book in advance ) so I ended up on the wait list. They mentioned it'd be an hour and a half wait, but realistically once more people left, we had a table ready within 20 minutes of waiting. Because it was brunch I got regular coffee, just black for me. I ended up getting the corned beef hash with eggs however you like. I personally like mine medium, slightly runny but not medium hard. The corned beef hash had beef chunks, home fries, celery, onions, gravy with two eggs on top. It was really delicious and it was comfort food that hit home. For the wait, I can see why people really love it. I personally don't know if I will go here by myself but it's a popular place. There's so many people waiting in line just to try this restaurant out and I can see why it deserved the michelin bib. read more

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I recently had brunch at Unconventional Diner in Washington, DC, and it was such a great experience! The place was absolutely bustling -- clearly a popular spot -- and the wait was over two hours. We opted to sit at the bar instead of waiting for a table, which actually worked out perfectly. We ordered the s'egg scrambled sandwich with fries, and it was delicious! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and hit the spot for brunch. Even with the crowd, the energy was lively and fun. This was my second time visiting, and it definitely lived up to the first experience -- I'll absolutely be back! read more

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Service great, food better. Never heard of a diner having a Michelin star but babyyyyy they absolutely deserve it. Ambiance of a typical diner but clientele was upscale. The mudslide was phenomenal! read more

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Every time I searched for ideas of where to eat while in DC this place popped up. So I decided I had to try it. I got there around 12:45 on a Sunday. It was packed. It was just me and I was told it would be a 2 hour wait or I could find a spot at the bar or high tops. Did a pass through of that area and there was nothing then as I walked back a single bar seat became available. It was kismet. I was handed a menu right away. I decided to order the s'eggsy sandwich with a side of grits and a mocha espresso martini. The sandwich was delicious, the grits were some of the best I'd had in a long time and the martini was perfection. I'm so glad yelp kept pushing this suggestion, and that I got a spot to eat on a busy Sunday afternoon. My only disappointment was that it was the brunch menu only because I had been hoping to try their chicken pot pie bites. Next time I got to DC I'll have to go back I guess. read more

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@unconventionaldiner: the best CHICKEN & WAFFLES in this city with Cheddar-Chive Cornbread Waffle | Habanero Butter | Granny Gravy | Honey Sriracha and an order of CRÈME BRÛLÉE FRENCH TOAST with Vanilla Cream | Brioche | Macerated Berries for the table ... among other delish things! unconventional diner is consistently great! read more

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

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This place has become a staple in my brunch rotation. We went here for Sunday brunch, and of course, this place did not disappoint. If you've ever been here for brunch, you know this place gets crowded really really quickly and the noise level can be a little loud, but that's what my expectation is for a Sunday brunch with the girls when you haven't seen them for a while and everyone's trying to catch up. To the food, I got the French dip, poutine, and my friend got the chicken and waffles. We got the buttermilk pancakes to share and for dessert, we split the Steffie Kay's chocolate cake. Every single time I get the French dip poutine, it is always the bomb dot com. It has all of the salty savory notes of a French dip sandwich without the bread. It's cheesy, the beef is tender, and the fries that are not under the sauce are crispy. It is good every time I get it and I will continue to get it when I come here. The chicken and waffles was also really good. I never thought that I would be a fan of a cornbread waffle, but in this dish, it was delicious in the perfect pairing to the chicken. The chicken tenders themselves were not dry at all and the honey Sriracha with the habanero butter, combined with all of this made for the perfect bite. The buttermilk pancakes were light and fluffy. The blueberry lavender sauce that came with it was not too sweet and the floral notes of the lavender really came through. Perfect sweet edition to complement the savory components of our meals. The chocolate cake was moist, fudgy, and the vanilla anglaise tasted just like you were eating vanilla ice cream. Perfect end to a perfect brunch. Service was amazing and our server was very attentive. I will definitely be back here again. Highly recommend getting reservations before you go because this place definitely gets packed. read more

Unconventional Diner - French Dip Poutine, Chicken & Waffles, Buttermilk Pancakes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Oh! I get it. It's a restaurant near the convention center. Despite the name, the food was average. I can't actually remember what I ordered--and I have a picture! I think it was a spicy chicken sandwich. read more

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

Such a unique french toast! Our server was attentive, and we were able to walk in without a reservation on a Friday. They were also attentive towards food allergies. There's plenty of space inside, but it does get quite busy and loud giving it the diner ambiance. read more

Unconventional Diner - Crème Brûlée French Toast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

In January 2026 I visited for the second time and what a success! I held out on writing a review after my first visit in December 2025 because I only had coffee and dessert, but after having had dinner there now, I feel I'm able to provide a well-rounded review. Let's talk about my first visit: late evening in following dinner at another restaurant. We wanted something savory so we stopped in for coffee and had a slice of their carrot cake. Holy moly! Several layers, rich and decadent. All of the things. It was so good that we said to ourselves, "We have to come back to try the food." The opportunity presented itself the following month and we decided to bring friends with us. For dinner, I had the Lebanese Fried Rice and added a side of chicken, which came out grilled and cubed as a side dish. The rice was very flavorful and had lentils, raisins, yogurt, and almonds. It also came with pickled radishes. Overall, super flavorful! Our friends got a variety of tortilla soup (it was cold outside) and we had two orders of the meatloaf. Personally, meatloaf is not my thing but the one made at Unconventional Diner may have converted me. Excellent flavor and the consistency was more like a bake than the typical meatloaf consistency. Our server, Mauricio, was very friendly and explained to us how we could go about splitting the check using a QR code provided. He also gave us excellent recommendations and checked in on us during the meal. Unconditional Diner was very busy but lively around dinner time, so consider making a reservation if you can. The menu has something for everyone, so it's a great place for different palettes. I'll definitely be back! read more

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

When you're traveling for beer tourism, having a good breakfast spot close by is essential. For that purpose, the everyday brunch at Unconventional Diner was sheer perfection, but I also enjoyed it for its cool art, culturally mixed menu, and awesome service. This diner is unconventional because it has culturally savvy dishes and a huge indoor-outdoor dining space that goes beyond that of a typical diner while holding onto many of the good traditions of a conventional diner. For brunch, you'll find the typical things like chicken & waffles, avocado toast, and buttermilk pancakes, alongside diverse offerings like Lebanese fried rice, Peruvian soup, and French dip poutine. You can even get some garlic naan with your side of bacon! and that extends to the non-brunch menu with items like Peking duck confit and pot roast rendang. While I loved the vast amount of table arrangements that they had the offer, our impending ventures necessitated chilling dining at the bar by the cool mural that reminded me of Kyle Confehr's art (https://www.kyleconfehr.art/). And while we didn't imbibe pre-beer tourism, I was definitely impressed by their selection of spirits and beers on tap while enjoying their bottomless coffee. The S"EGGS"y sandwich that I ordered on the first day might have just been the best breakfast sandwich that I ever had, thanks to its sesame seed bun and sexy sauce. But the absolute best bite that I had from here was the Lebanese fried rice with its glorious amounts of lentils, fried egg, yogurt, and almonds. With things like this, we're talking unconcentional at its absolute best! read more

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Service was Terrible! Probably because they add a 20% tip regardless of the worst service ever. Food and coffee was low quality. The servers don't care about the customers. Basic staples like syrup and butter for pancakes and salt and pepper for our eggs were never brought to our table. Good luck finding someone to check on you. They are all in the back visiting and feel their only job is to take your otder and plop it in front of you. Staff could care less . The server never came out to check on us. Finally we were able to flag down a server to have our server bring our check. The server bragged about how a 20% tip was automatically added to our check and they shared their tip with their co-workers. Need I say more..... read more

Unconventional Diner continues to be one of my go-to neighborhood spots, and this visit was another reminder of why I keep coming back. I stopped in for a late lunch with my planning team while we were preparing to host a group of 10 and needed a reliable place to meet, eat well, and keep things moving. It was the perfect choice. I ordered the Adult Happy Meal -- burger, fries, and a cocktail for $22, which honestly can't be beat. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and exactly what I needed. One of my colleagues ordered the shrimp and grits, and it looked incredible -- definitely going on my list for next time. Service here is always fast, friendly, and efficient, and the food is consistently delicious. Because it's my neighborhood restaurant, I'm here often -- bringing friends, meeting teams, or just stopping in because I know I'll have a good experience. Thank you to the Unconventional Diner team for continuing to make the neighborhood a great place to dine. It's places like this that keep the community vibrant and well-fed. read more

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

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I've been here 3+ times for brunch since moving to DC. I've taken numerous friends and family members here and every time we have a great experience and a delicious breakfast. This place is always busy and you need to make a reservation if you come on the weekend. It has a fun modern diner feel and is busy. The service is hit or miss. They take the order and bring the meal out quickly but expect you to pay using the QR code. Not much service other than that. The food is great! The buttermilk pancakes are a must order. My husband loves the corn beef hash as it's huge chunks of corn beef and perfectly fried potatoes. My friend got the French toast and had a creamy creme brûlée center. Stop by for breakfast you won't be disappointed! read more

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

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I love unconventional diner. I went there recently and got the chance to try a bunch of different items on the menu. The showstopper in my mind that stood out was the miso soup butter, and sweet potato roll. Their chocolate cake is probably the best chocolate cake in the city if I have to be honest. Service was great and I look forward to going back. read more

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It's fine. Just leaves much to be desired every time for me. I've visited several times. The cider is nice in the fall. The highlight explains my overall sentiments. Take it or leave it? I'd leave it. read more

The first time I tried to dine here, it was early afternoon, but the place was packed and the wait would have been almost an hour. I ended up leaving. This time, I made a reservation on Resy, but the place was near empty upon arrival. Regardless, I'm glad I finally got to check this place out! I'm normally a big corned beef hash kind of guy, but upon the servers recommendation, I decided to go with the award winning double cheeseburger and fries. Of course, I added a sunny egg, because everything tastes better with eggs. Apparently, the Washington Post once rated UD's cheeseburger as #4 for best burgers in the DC area! I'm so glad I got this because it was totally scrumptious! A must try for sure!!! To drink, I had the hot coffee, which was refilled several times by my friendly server. Don't wait and go get your eat on here! read more

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Seriously, this is one of the best brunch spots in DC. TiP: Make a reservation way ahead of time. read more

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I've had this on the list of places I need to try... and I finally got to come and try it! The food was amazing! There is a distinct use of spices that gives every dish its own punch! There is nothing subtle or delicate in any of the dishes. My wife absolutely loved every dish... though it wasn't in my preferred palate... I greatly appreciated the thoughtful execution of every common dish done in an interesting way... The chicken and waffle contained waffles made with corn bread, cheddar and chives... such an unexpected flavor. The syrup had both sweetness and spice. The loaded breakfast biscuit was savory and every element had an interesting spice element! The burger was perfectly cooked and the meat was tender and delicious! The only reason I dropped a star was that their recommended dish chicken and waffles had dry tenders. Come and check it out! I'll definitely back to try the other items and maybe update my review to 5 stars. read more

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A friend was in town visiting from Florida on Monday, just for the day, so after picking him up from DCA we headed straight to Unconventional Diner for brunch. This place has easily become one of my go-to restaurants in the city, so it's no surprise to see it recognized by the Michelin Guide. I ordered the blueberry-lavender buttermilk pancakes along with an espresso martini made with reposado Don Julio--honestly, the perfect way to kick off an adventurous day. My friend went with the loaded biscuits. He's a bit of a picky eater, but the bartender was incredibly helpful--answering questions and accommodating substitutions that made the dish exactly right for him. As always, the service was welcoming and attentive, and the overall vibe was warm and inviting. Unconventional Diner continues to deliver every time. read more

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I appreciate the courage to try something new, and that's what they did with their shrimp and grits, but it was a big miss for me. I also got the blueberry pancakes and those were good. It was nothing to write home about overall, but considering their willingness to explore, I bet something on the menu is really good. I wouldn't be in a rush to go back. read more

I went to Unconventional Diner before an event at the Convention Center and had an excellent brunch! The restaurant was busy; however, we still had excellent service our waiter was attentive and was able to recommend things on the menu to us since some of us were unsure what we wanted. I got the chicken and waffles and I appreciated the blend of sweet and savory that some chicken and waffles recipe lack. The chicken and waffles was also served with gravy which was a nice savory alternative to syrup. The restaurant might have "diner" in the name but it is much more upscale than a typical diner and the ambiance is more like a nice breakfast restaurant. Overall I would come back to Unconventional Diner and try some other things on the menu. read more

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

The food was fairly good. It was busy, but we didn't book a reservation. We ended up eating outside but it was a nice day thankfully and the outdoor dinning area is outside. The service is a bit slow, but kind. The chicken and waffles were basic and the flavor seemed off. I didn't love the waffle personally. I would give that a 6/10. The portion was small and the chicken looked like frozen tenders. The pancakes were AMAZINGG it was such a fluffy and juicy pancake. The blueberry sauce was not overly sweet and the crumbles added an extra touch. I would highly recommend the pancake and I'm a savory person more so than sweet person for brunch/breakfast. The mocktails were actually good! Overall, I'd give it another shot and try something else. The menu is fairly big, perhaps the chicken and waffles isn't their strength. read more

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The food is very good---they've taken the traditional and made it better. It is a diner, however---which means heavy food. After finishing brunch at 2pm, no need to eat for the rest of the day! The loaded breakfast biscuits were great-- everything is together-- every heavy tasty item--biscuit, sausage, hash brown and eggs! The avocado toast, came out with the smashed avocado, and one tiny egg on top. With a side basket of a third of a baguette. So my friend needed more---so we had the most amazing dessert---the fluffiest, buttermilk pancakes! The berry sauce was not too sweet, and the crispy brown sugar on top was very nice. The Bloody Mary was excellent. I had it the regular spicy but they ask you if you wanted more spicy. Next time I will do more spicy! I will definitely go again ---though I am still full and it's 9 PM! read more

Unconventional Diner - FLUFFIEST pancakes and espresso mocha martini - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The ambience here is modern and vibey. Menu options are a fusion and fun to try the various flavors! We liked all the dishes we tried. Service was fine. Would come back to try other dishes. read more

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What a busy diner, I am glad we made a reservation. It was packed so I knew that was a great thing. I ordered the fried chicken sandwich with fries. The sandwich came with dill pickle slaw and hot cherry pepper sauce which made the sandwich soggy. Next time I will ask for that on the side, no one likes a soggy sandwich. For my drink I ordered the pear sidecar because it sounded good, I wasn't impressed but it was tasty and you could definitely taste the pear flavor. The wait staff was doing a great job with handling the crowd. Not your typical diner food but we enjoyed our choices. read more

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

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This place is sooooo good. Was recently here for a convention. I got the Greek salad with chicken. The croutons, little squares of amazing goodness, are actually fried feta. We came back three times in three days. Huge portions, great goodness, excellent wait staff.if you can't get a table sit at the bar. Still will get excellent service. Happy hour specials, entree, fries and adult drink under $25. Only negative at all was the hosting a little surly. read more

Unconventional Diner - Those amazing feta croutons, Greek salad and shrimp. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I get the hype of this place now. The blueberry pancakes are truly the best in the city. I'm a sucker for blueberry ricotta pancakes and the crumbled topping took them over the edge. My Lebanese fried rice was exceptional--unique flavor combination and a sizable portion. Even though we sat outside under the covered patio in the rain, the server checked on us a lot and was very attentive. read more

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I came to unconventional diner on a Thursday night with a friend and had a fine time. We shared the pot pie poppers then my friend ordered the fried chicken plate and i had the burger and added an egg. It is SO much food. Genuinely, I don't think there's a way anyone could finish it in one sitting. The food was good. The poppers were really flavorful and the burger was pretty good. It wasn't the most amazing meal but I enjoyed it. I can't wait to come back to try the brunch! read more

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

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This is restaurant is a previous Michelin star restaurant and proudly displays its recognition near the entrance. If you want to eat here it is highly recommended you make reservations here since it gets full quickly during popular hours. Hostess was kind and attentive. All the restaurant staff were great! Food was savory, fresh , and delicious! That corn bread is a must! Place is good for families, friends or a date night. Noise level is moderate. Recommend you try this restaurant if you have the chance. read more

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Very cool spot for any meal of the day. A superb breakfast menu with many hits (biscuits /waffles), but my absolute favorite is the meatloaf. Boring, I know--NOT! The sriracha glaze and mushroom gravy elevates this in ways your kid-self could never imagine. read more

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

Very good food, reasonably priced considering the upscale environment of this restaurant, and it was a good diner atmosphere with energy and life, and quick easy service read more

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

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Fireeee brunch here! My matcha was actually really great. Split the French toast which was seriously amazing. I don't often get a sweet breakfast but this was unlike anything I've had and I had to stop myself from eating the whole thing so I could save room for my actual entree. I got the egg sandwich and subbed hash browns for the fries. The sandwich had the tastiest sauce, the eggs were super fluffy, the bread was great. No notes. The hash browns kinda gave McDonald's vibes which is a good thing. My bf loved his chicken and waffles. We got a side of fruit which was probs not worth it but kudos to them for actually having berries. Our waitress was sweet and attentive enough - it was pretty busy! read more

Had a fantastic experience here with friends. The ambience is spacious but cozy, clean, and fresh. The service was excellent and everyone who took care of us was so so attentive. The menu had a variety of options for all palates and each dish from the blueberry pancakes to the sweet potato shakshuka was perfectly seasoned, well balanced, beautifully plated and so satisfying. High recommend a visit to this place when in DC, it won't disappoint! read more

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I just got in to Washington DC and was looking for a quick lunch and came across this restaurant which is down the street from the convention center. What a great fine. My shakshuka was fantastic. It was very flavorful with just the right amount of heat for me. The restaurant itself was decorated casually and noise level was low. My waiter came back regularly, along with the manager, to check on me. Just FYI, a 20% service charge is automatically included in the final bill. read more

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

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I came by myself and sat at the bar. I was promptly served, and my order came out super fast. I ordered the miso salmon with okra and broccoli. It was cooked to perfection and super delicious. Yummy sauce and slightly blackened. I wish it was on a bed of rice that would've hit the spot, but it was still very good. The Atmosphere is very busy and loud so just know that in case you are looking for something a little bit more quiet. read more

Unconventional Diner - Miso salmon with broccolini and okra - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Went specifically to try the blueberry and lavender pancakes to end our fast for Lent and none of the dishes disappointed. The hash browns were crispy, the pancakes moist and thick, the chicken sausage flavorful, and the fruit punch was sweet and tangy. The portion sizes were just right and we ended up taking food home. The pancakes come in a stack of 4! My friends enjoyed their dishes as well. And the waitress quickly switched out our utensils when we noticed some stains. The space was cozy and packed as I would expect for Easter Sunday. Also note that there is an automatic 20% service fee that is charged to every check. Would definitely come back to try other dishes. read more

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I can't believe I haven't been here before today, everyone seems to love this place and I understand why, the food was fantastic! Everything had so much flavor and the restaurant takes a unique spin on classic favorites. I had the shrimp and grits that were very rich, creamy and cheesy. The shrimp was smoky and grilled perfectly. The cheese eggs were also very creamy and fluffy. I absolutely loved the lavender froze. Can't wait to come back and try the rest of the menu. read more

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Unconventional Diner was a good option for a casual meal in Shaw. I ordered the chicken and waffles with a side of greens, while my husband had the cheeseburger and fries. The chicken was crispy, and the waffles had a light sweetness that worked well with the savory chicken. His burger was juicy with fresh toppings, and the fries were crisp. read more

Made a reservation the night before coming here on a Sunday morning. The interior was fun and clean. The colorful walls were balanced by black and white motifs on some. Service was good. 20% service charge is already included in the final bill. Calamansi frizzante was refreshing - calamansi citrus, mint with soda and hint of ginger. Reminded me of calamansi soda in the Philippines. The French dip poutine was salty for me. It was served with an egg and angus beef. I liked the Lebanese fried rice. You have a choice of falafel, chicken, shrimp, salmon, and naan. The falafel went well with it. This meal was light and flavorful. For dessert, the creme brulee french toast was very good. The brioche came with vanilla creme and berries. read more

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omg this place was a TREAT. we came for breakfast and we were both so happy with what we ordered. we had the chicken and waffles and the poutine dish. SO YUMMY and such a good deal for the price. we wanted to come back everyday while we stayed in DC. read more

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