Reviews of Unconventional Diner. (Restaurant) in Washington (District of Columbia).

Unconventional Diner

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Restaurant

Restaurant

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States

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Information of Unconventional Diner, Restaurant in Washington (District of Columbia)

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Reviews of Unconventional Diner

Zeyu Hu

Went to Unconventional Diner for both brunch and dinner and let me tell you they didn’t disappoint at all. Brunch: Got three different items to share for brunch, and each was unique in its own way but complimented each other so well. The shrimp and grits were perfect. The BBQ shrimp had an amazing smokey smell which really made it stand out. The biscuits were also amazing, nice and crispy and the house made sausage was great. The blueberry pancakes were the fluffiest I’ve ever had, a great sweet treat to end the meal. Dinner: Came back for dinner a week later and it blew me out of the water again. As the name suggests, the menu has a large variety and when the waiter tells you you can’t go wrong with anything, they ain’t lying. We got such a variety of food - from French to southern, Chinese stir fry to Cuban. It just all works so well. Bottom line: A must visit if you are in DC. The best wait staff and service. But remember to book ahead!

Said Durrah

Nice cozy spot in DC if you want to try something different. I ordered the corn beef hash, chicken and waffles, and fries. This is like a founding farmers meets busboys and poets type of a spot. It's got great simple flavor to their meals. The brunch is affordable and flavorful with a lot of good options to choose from. Portion sizes are good.

Peter Loucks

Almost perfect. Great service, fantastic food. The sunny egg dessert is whimsical, light and very tasty. Fried chicken and gravy are great - super crispy but the breading is a little too salty. The biscuit is the love child of a biscuit and a croissant - an original for me. Dirty Caesar - wow!! The smoked tomatoes made this dish a standout and the falafels had amazing flavour. Would highly recommend for a fun experience. Oh and try the pot pie poppers.

Claire Mizutani

Went out to dinner with my family and a friend from school. Great food! I really enjoyed the mezze and the Mac n cheese. Speedy service and great labeling on the menu for those with dietary restrictions. I wish that the outdoor seating area had heaters but now that the weather is getting warmer that may be less of an issue

ricky fountain

Overall the food was very good and the outside dining area was great for a Sunday brunch in September. Service was very attentive and the food came fairly quickly. I had the chicken and waffles, a side of fries and a few mimosas. The highlight was definitely the fried chicken though. It was perfectly fried, flavorful and crispy. The fries were a close second and although I don't particularly care for cornbread batter waffles, they also we're good and paired well with the chicken. Mimosas were excellent!!!! Overall a very enjoyable experience as used expect from a place as this in brunch capitol, Washington DC.

Christopher Guarin

Was in town to check out the Cherry Blossom Festival. We made a point to stop in for some brunch before walking all over town. We were definitely not disappointed. Everything we tried was delicious! From the drinks, to the Everything Lox, and Chicken and Waffles....every bite was amazing. We will be back for more on our next trip!

Elizabeth Dou

This place has been on my list since I moved to the area and it didn’t disappoint. The atmosphere is bright and cheery. We ordered the fried chicken, salmon and the duck. Our server was great and all the food came out promptly. The fried chicken was delicious, crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside. It came with a side of gravy (just a little too salty) and a biscuit. I felt like the duck was goo, comes with a side of bao buns and hoisin sauce, but missing a little something. Salmon was very good too. Overall, the food was good and I would come back to try their brunch menu.

shriti jaiswal

Definitely a must go brunch place in the city. Pros: spacious and lively. Food is delicious and have decent options on the menu. Variety and interesting take on the drinks. Avocado toast, Lebanese rice, buttermilk pancake, bad girl (drink), cloud 9 (drink) are some of my favourites items from the menu. Cons: hard to find parking around. Service is a bit slow. Small plates

Jay Shen

Pretty good food options and overall a pleasant experience enjoying food and good conversations with friends. I got the Caribbean shrimp and grits and it was very good! I was dubious about pineapple-habanero sauce but it worked out very well. The chicken & waffles, according to both my friend and my spouse, was very good as well. The buttermilk pancakes supposedly should contain blueberry lavender but it was not really present taste-wise. We tried to taste both the pancakes and the side crumbs but neither tasted like it contained blueberry lavender. We also had to ask for a side of syrup. The Basque burnt cheesecake was something I had never seen before, but I definitely liked it. Overall if I have another chance I will visit again for sure, and order some more dishes to explore more.

Ellen

Delicious food and attentive service in a trendy atmosphere. The loaded breakfast biscuit was very good, especially the gravy. I've never had such quality gravy that was slightly spicy and bright with flavors. The Lebanese fried rice was also very good with different texture and flavors. The diplomat coffee was just mediocre but refills are on the house. Highly recommend to reserve beforehand or else walk-ins can sit at the bar or high stool table with other parties.

Briana “Bre” Williams

The word unconventional defines them to the tea. They have dishes that you're familiar with but they have added their own spin to it. I have what I thought was biscuits and gravy which is was but the gravy was interesting. They also put a hash brown on top of the biscuit. I wasn't a super fan the day of but I will say my leftovers were actually good. Most of the group enjoyed their food except the shrimp and grits person. She ate it but wasn't super happy. Overall, I will return. The ☕ and drinks we good.

Laura Rea

We are in Washington DC for our anniversary vacation, saw how beautiful the food was for unconventional diner, and decided we needed to give it a try. I am so glad we did. If you are unsure what to order, I would definitely get the Pot Pie Poppers and "Sunny Eggs" Dessert! Although everything we had was wonderful, those two were my top favorite dishes!! To me, service is just as important as the food, and the service here was definitely 5 stars! Everyone is was very attentive to us (shoutout to the managers Jason and Sandy for their exceptional service). Should we be back to DC, we will definitely be looking to book another reservation there!!

Queen Melissa

Wonderful for family outing , a date and friends brunch. Everything was outstanding. The cleanliness was good. The customer service and server was really nice. My kids loved everything and they are usually picky eaters. This was my first time eating shrimps and grits all I can say it was amazing. Overall,we were a satisfied family and will be back again.

Jasraj Singh

Brunch here all day. Very few spots in the city do brunch all day and are not trashy. This place is perfect for; family, friends, coworkers, and dates. Creative and lean menu makes it easy to order and you feel as if every dish is extremely unique. Atmosphere is upbeat, with a big open space and lots of seating (however it fills up here quickly). Food is filling and heavy, please go for a walk when you are done eating, don’t forget to make reservations!

Mary H

What an unexpected phenomenal meal. I didn't think I would get impressed with what I ordered but I was... impressed! Moroccan taquitos- crispy, tasty and flavorful. Chicken pot pie bites- don't add the sauce, takes away from it. Fried chicken- perfect breading, ask for honey... you won't regret it. Plus the biscuit is so buttery and crispy, I couldn't eat it in one sitting, felt more like a dessert. Double cheeseburger- so flavorful and the fries so crispy. Mac and cheese- flavorful and upper crust was perfect, yumm! Portions were generous and service was impeccable. I couldn't understand the previous review about service. We would definitely return!

Veena Vancha

Went in without a reservation on a Saturday for brunch and the wait time was an hr and 45 minutes. Our order was taken promptly after being seated and our food was on the tables within 5 minutes, rocket speed service! Loved the food and would definitely be back. The blueberry pancakes were light and fluffy. Caribbean shrimp and grits was flavorful.

Ben Multak

Unconventional diner dishes but delicious flavors. Everything I’ve tried here has hit and the restaurant itself is a well oiled machine. Highly recommend if you find yourself in the area. Really enjoyed the Crab Fritters and Fried Chicken

Wallace Wang

Yummy food in a very cool hip restaurant. We got the chicken and waffles, loaded biscuits, avocado toast and the match latte. Everything fits for Michelin rated quality brunch. We made reservations ahead of time and got seated promptly when we arrived. The service was outstanding- courteous and friendly. Patient and accommodated our stroller for our baby. We ate very gleefully with our baby. Patrons at restaurant also equally classy. The bathrooms were designed very well with quality sink fixtures, Dyson hand dryer, Duravit sink and even step near bottom of door to use feet to open. Would definitely this place recommend to anyone looking brunch in DC area

Sirius Fidelity

This was one of my favorite food places on my trip. The place was a pretty good size, clean, and bright. There also appeared to be outside dining as well. I ordered the kid size portion of the Blueberry Lavender Pancakes as pictured, and the Shrimp and Grits. Nothing short of amazing. Prices were reasonable and the portion sizes good. I highly recommend this place.

Christal Young

I love a place that has vegan as well as non-vegan options. This place was so good, I came back two days in a row. Their kale nachos were just superb and their cauliflower salad with falafel was also delicious and filling. The colors and ambiance are also nicely done. There are several dining spaces, including indoor and outside seating, each with its own vibe.

ReCreate Artworks

I found this gem about a 20 minute walk north of the mall. I cannot recommend it enough. There was plenty of seats, the staff was quick and efficient, and the restaurant itself was stunning. It makes you feel luxurious without having the price tag that usually comes with it. It’s very affordable but the quality of food is beyond the price. I got a double shot of espresso and the Brussel Sprouts with Fried Egg. 10/10.

Chunhee Hong

We had buttermilk pancake, corned beef hash, cappuccino and rise & shine. All delicious! The customer service and server were really nice. Overall,we were satisfied and will be back again to try other menu!

Håkon Kvalø Langtvedt

Very hip and cool place. Modern twist on the dishes. The Caesar salad is relatively distant from an ordinary salad and could basically be called something else. But an incredibly good and exciting twist, really recommended! Kale nachos were surprisingly good! The hamburger was also very tasty and juicy, recommended. We also tried the Mezze, Miso Salmon and the Fried Chicken, all tasted good. Service, cleanliness and bang for the buck are all top notch. Nothing to complain about. Visited the place on two occasions and was left with the same impression both times.

Stephanie Jackson

Reservations for brunch are a must! I was seated quickly, even though the rest of my party wasn't there yet. Great service, quick and attentive. Food was fantastic. That biscuit was amazing. Drinks were refreshing. Parking situation is iffy. Overall, this was definitely a treat!

Gui M.

Just amazing! The twist on diner food with different ingredients it’s genius. The kale nachos are to die for. The mini fried chicken pot pies? I could eat them all the time. Their meat loaf dish is a gift from the Lord itself, I love the sriracha on top. And the sunny side dessert, mimicking an egg bacon breakfast (but in reality being a coconut mousse with cookies and berries) is so intelligent and tasty. I will come back whenever I go DC.

Amy O

We had a fantastic dining experience from beginning to end. Our wine was excellent as were our entrees. The chicken Parm was exceptional, and the Basque burned cheesecake is absolutely worth every calorie. Our waiter was knowledgeable and engaging (we loved him!) and all the staff was attentive. We will be going back as soon as we can for more!

Nick Scirico

Went here for lunch after taking the train into the city for a long weekend. What a great find, awesome atmosphere, and so clean. The food was so good, I got the tip-top salad with shrimp and it was so delicious. Would love to come back and try out their brunch menu.

Alexis Colon

I went for brunch on a Thursday so the restaurant was pretty empty which was nice. I had the pancakes. Wasn't a huge fan but my friends food looked pretty good. Good service as well!

Vanessa L.

I had such a fantastic time here, I heard great things and had to see for myself. Dakota provided great cocktail recommendations, and Heath provided excellent customer service. Even the hostess was so accommodating when I asked to be seated at the bar rather than my table reservation. What positive energy they all exude! Makes you want to come back here daily. Not to mention excellent fresh and tasty dishes and stunning cocktails. This is an amazing spot I am so glad I discovered.

Tania Abraham

Admittedly I’ve been here before for the brunch, which I would certainly give 5 stars to. But judging off of the dinner menu, I’ve given it 4 stars. The food does come with a wide selection of options, but I struggled to really taste distinct flavours & the food was just an okay for me. It could have been what I ordered - but I would definitely come back, but only for the brunch. The cocktail didn’t bowl me over either; not bad-not great & also not memorable.

Tamim Khan

Heard great things about this place from different people. Have been really looking forward to visiting the place. It didn't disappoint as the food was excellent. I ordered the French Dip Pappardelle, and everything about the dish was so delicious. The restaurant is also very vibrant with lots of customers and the servers are always smiling and happy to answer any questions you might have on the menu.

anin ayulac

Not your ordinary diner. This place serves a diverse variety of food that pacts delicious flavors. It’s definitely a diner with a twist. This a great place to dine with family, friends, or simply just grab coffee and hangout. But why stop a coffee when they have a pretty yummy menu? From flavors to portion sizes, you definitely get a lot fit your buck. It also located in by a train stop (mount Vernon yellow/green) so in case you wanted to drink. lol.

Saminda Wijegunawardena

Super high quality joint. Expertly made cocktails and strong entrees and apps in a casual setting. I had the fried chicken sandwich and it was very tasty. A generous chicken breast with slaw and creamy sauce on a sesame seed bun, accompanied by perfectly crisp french fries. I enjoyed my meal with one of their Manhattans. They use a great vermouth, really great finish on this version.

Amani Davis

We had a reservation and half of our party was running late but thankfully they still allowed us to be seated. I would recommend making a reservation, especially for brunch. I ordered the sweet potato Shakshuka which was amazing! It was a good mix of sweet and spicy. It was also pretty filling which surprised me. Our waiter was a little inattentive but I’m assuming he was just a little busy. I will definitely be returning when I’m in the city again.

Rahoul Ahuja

Unique food items. Even their pancakes are exquisite with a good twist/style. Restaurant was absolutely packed. You need to make reservations for weekend brunches. Menu items are hard to choose b/c of so many good options. Recommend a few visits to try through all the meal items.

William Chu

One of my favorite places to eat when I’m in DC. The menu is amazing and the drinks are phenomenal. I had the shrimp and grits and it filled me up quick. Service is great and the layout is awesome.

Sarah Pawley

Good menu for a variety of breakfast options geared towards a more sophisticated palette. Prices are a bit high though. Coffee drinks were delightful. Three stars for having no kids menu and the server pushing two $10 “Hawaiian Punch” drinks on my kids as an alternative to OJ. Not appreciated.

Goose Prevot

Arrived to DC on Saturday and went to brunch on Sunday. Found this restaurant, while walking from the metro. Decided to pop in to eat. It's best to get a reservation if you want to eat here. We were lucky enough that we were able to get an outside table. The service was very good. Food was good as well.

Paul Hughes

A friend told me about this place and said I would not be disappointed. He was right... had a delicious brunch! The service was a bit slow and they didn't bring me my coffee until my food arrived. When I took my first bite I forgot all about that, the food was delicious! I ordered the chicken and waffle... highly recommend it!

India Ellsworth

First of all those crab fritters were absolutely to die for I love the dessert and all the appetizers. I ordered the boa duck it's a little spicy if you add the sauce on it but overall if you don't like spicy foods/ can't handle spice it's not for you. The salmon and the curry were really good. Our waitress was so nice. She had a cute little fro, if you go there go to her cause she was so nice and accommodating.

Felipe Tinoco Soares

Delicious food, great atmosphere! Very good place for a brunch with friends. They have outside sitting so you’re welcome to bring your pet as well. All plates were just the right portion and they were super tasty. We’ve ordered the chicken and waffles, Lebanese ride and falafels.

Adriana García Flandes

The pancakes were really good! Spongy and creamy, I totally recommend them. The fully loaded breakfast was really good and fulfilling. Only come here if you are really hungry! We had to wait around 10 minutes until we got served but I think it was just a misunderstanding and the stuff was really attentive and nice.

Triloka Shanbhag

Phenomenal food!! We tried 4 entress and 4 drinks and each one was exceptionally cooked, presented and each of them had complex blend of flavors. Highly recommend the fried chicken and Lebanese fried rice.

Keshia Wideman

First, time here to celebrate my sisters birthday. Food was absolutely delicious, and the server Anderson was beyond pleasant. I had corn beef, lavender pancakes, and a hibiscus lemonade. All, was tastefully good. Clean, settled atmosphere. I would definitely come back

Blake Arrington

Went for dinner and had a great time. Definitely worth a try We got the crab fritter and pot pie poppers for apps and they were both good. The pot pie poppers were my favorite though. We also got the Fried Chicken and the steak with fries. The steak was good but needed salt. The fried chicken was very good but the biscuit and gravy that came with it were Amazing! I would get just a bunch a biscuits if I come again We also got a order of brussel sprouts which were great Like the name this is an unconventional diner. Great diner food with new age flare. I would visit again Worth a visit and make sure to get the biscuits and gravy

Mike Steaks

During our week in DC, this was the clear favorite out of all the places we ate. Food was outstanding. I think the poutine changed my life. The only difficult part of the experience was deciding on what to order. Ordering one item meant missing out on another. Major food FOMO at this establishment. Water was better refilled here than at any restaurant I’ve ever been to. Superior service! It’s clear to my why this restaurant is on a Michelin list! Eat Michelin without the Michelin costs here!

Joy McNeil

I haven’t even left the restaurant yet but this was hands down the best eggs I’ve ever tasted. I got the s”eggs”y sandwich. I wanted to try their biscuits so I asked if I could sub the bun for a biscuit. My server asked a few people and confirmed that could be done for me. I was going to ask to sub the fries for hash browns but didn’t want to be a pain and I’m glad I didn’t. The fries are the right amount of crispy and well seasoned. I also got the Hawaiian Punch drink which was also good. I dined by myself and multiple employees checked on me to make sure I didn’t need anything. I’m already planning my next visit to try the chicken and waffles.

Katie Bogard

The scrambled eggs were mediocre, but the loaded biscuits and shrimp and grits were very good. We also tried the Desert Night and Blueberry Eyes which tasted great and had just the right amount of alcohol. Our server was great as well! Wish we would have caught his name. Can’t wait to go back and try more!

Badres Castillo

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. If you’re in town for just a few days you better make sure you come here. Everything was delicious, drinks could do no harm and the service was very friendly and attentive. You will be paying a premium for your time here but trust me when I say it’s worst every penny. Overall 9.6/10.

Robert Zilbauer

A very lively, very energetic place. Service is friendly and quick and the food is outstanding. The meatloaf is perfect and the Cubana is delicious. Best to make a reservation since it's a busy, busy spot. Highly recommended!

Aramis Penland

This was my 7th or 8th time eating here, so my view of this place shouldn't be very surprising. I. LOVE. UNCONVENTIONAL. DINER. I've tried most of the menu, and prior to this visit, my favorites would include A) Mocha Sundae B) Miso Salmon C) Caribbean Shrimp & Grits D) Meatloaf E) Lebanese Fried Rice F) Baked Brie G) Carrot Cake H) Kale Nachos. Not everything here is great, but most everything is at least good to very good, and for the volume of creative menu offerings Unconventional has, that is a HUGE achievement. Course ratings for my last visit below: 1) Shiitake Spring Rolls (3/5) - These taste fine, and I like that they are focusing on the shiitake as the main ingredient, but overall, I can't help but compare these to Vietnamese egg rolls, which taste better at a fraction of the cost. Unconventional should either bring the cost down ($13 is too much) on these, or give more, or do something off-the-wall unique, otherwise I would pass on this in the future. 2) Crab Linguini (5/5) - Add this to my favorites list above. In fact, it might even top that list! I don't even like squid ink pasta, but the squid ink taste in this wasn't overpowering (with the lemon nicely balancing it out), and allowed the loadsss of fresh crab to shine, and for the lovely crunchy contrast of fennel and celery to also get some much deserved attention. A REALLY REALLY amazing pasta. 3) Peking Duck Confit (3/5) - The main problem is this isn't as tasty as peking duck you will get at a Chinese restaurant, and doesn't otherwise do enough unique to differentiate itself. Perhaps if you have never had peking duck before, this will be worth it to try, but this wasn't special enough to me to warrant the cost ($28). 4) Sunny Eggs (5/5) - Just look at my pic! No, this isn't breakfast, and no, those aren't eggs and bacon. Instead, coconut mousse heaven + mango yolk tarty-ness + fresh berries to boot! Unconventional Diner is SO SO good at desserts. And this joins their pantheon of greats. 5) German Chocolate Cake (5/5) - It's just a german chocolate cake right? Yes... yes it is... though it just so happens to be possibly the best german chocolate cake I have ever had! And a huge portion at that! Whoever makes this needs to open a cake shop asap.

Stefan Tobler

Unique cocktails, nice atmosphere, new takes on dishes, what more could you want. Everything was flavorful and fun to eat, I would go back to try more items!

Xiao Meow

I recommend the baked Brie, Miso Salmon(I like the okra comes with it), and French dip Pappardelle. All very delicious and comes with big portion. The sunny egg dessert is cute. I definitely don’t mind going there again.

Jesus Popoca

Visited Unconventional Diner while on a trip to Washington DC and this is one of the best restaurants I’ve visited in my life. Went over for dinner and started off with drinks. I didn’t find one that wasn’t impressive, and I definitely tried. We asked our server, Ashley, for recommendations and she did not let us down. Shareables of brussel sprouts and pot pie poppers were great, but the double cheeseburger and Cubana were amazing. Obviously I couldn't leave without dessert and we grabbed the most popular one that you see all over, sunny eggs. So realistic, delicious and not overpoweringly sweet. I can’t wait to head there again when I’m back in DC.

Greg Young

We had a great brunch experience. The food quality was great, as was the service. Don’t come for the standard eggs and bacon breakfast, these were tasty interpretations of brunch standards.

Stephen R (เท่ห์)

We decided to eat here bc it was close to the hotel and it was Easter. Overall it was a good dining experience. Service was excellent from the host staff to our waiter. Food came out quickly and was hot. The pot pie poppers were interesting- it was literally eating pot pie in a small bite! I had the fried chicken and I was excited to try it but it was just ok. It was good but it wasnt anything I would particularly crave. Originally I was going to get this or the Lebanese fried rice (which our waiter recommended but I opted to go ‘safe’ plus I was in the mood for fried chicken). Next time I will def go for the Lebanese fried rice. Shout out to the Paloma Pop drink- very refreshing and good. My partner had the chicken parm and he loved it. I tasted it and was more wowed but the parm than the fried chicken. The food was filling and well worth it. Would def come back.

Patrick Surrett

The Unconventional Diner is fantastic. I've been there on several occasions. The food is always fantastic. The service is usually great, although last night was sub-par. That, however, is not normal. I definitely recommend checking this place out. With such an eclectic menu, you're bound to find something you love. If you're like me, you'll find a lot!

Fernanda Lanzagorta

Really good brunch options. It is a different menu from the typical brunch. All the food was delicious, the staff and service was really good. They did a couple of substitutions from the original dish which I always appreciate.

Ümair Umi Vaid

Phenomenal service! Our lovely sever and her bro were incredible! Delicious food (esp the sweet potato shakshuka & the bday chocolate cake!). And again, the staff here is so phenomenal and friendly! (They made my bday brunch so memorable). I will definitely return during a future visit to DC!

Anjali Patel

Food and Service were great! I found this spot on tik tok and we came here for lunch. Our server was so kind and friendly and the food was delicious!! We tried the chicken & waffles, which had a savory corn bread waffle and chicken with a little kick to it! The everything lox was great too!! It was a deconstructed lox bagel and the bagel was surprisingly good! I’m from NJ so finding a bagel outside of the state that tasted good was a great surprise. We also got a side of hashbrowns and biscuit which were also very tasty. The biscuit paired with the orange marmalade was such a tasty combo. Lastly the juice menu had so many great options but I highly recommend trying the Hawaiian Punch!

Caitlin Cordova

We dined in the outdoor tent area. The food was excellent. Most of my party got the double cheeseburger, which is a menu staple. After two appetizers, the sweet potato curry was more than enough; it was enough for two meals. Coffee and espresso drinks are available. 5 stars for main food. We tried the cheesecake and carrot cake for dessert. The carrot cake had an orange fondant topping, which was a bit odd for what would traditionally be cream cheese icing. Besides that, it was delicious. The wait staff handed us our check after we finished our main meals. We were hoping for dessert and coffee. It seemed like they were in a rush to wrap up our table. It was around 7:00 after a 5:30 reservation time. The dessert menu also wasn’t up to date; we received two different menus with items that were no longer served.

CB DCDiva

Very pleasantly surprised to see this restaurant at the convention center! The decor and seating was reminiscent of a 50s diner but in a late 20th century way. The food with familiar names seemed to be riffs on or interpretations of southern soul food classics. The cocktail menu was quirky, fun and offered quite unique and tasty options. Overall a great experience!

Cindy Yang

Great food. Good service. Impeccable coffee! Ordered dirty ceaser + smoked salmon: quite delicious and plenty of salmon added. Burger: good and cooked medium - juicy patty with charred flavor. Pancake: decent. Like the mascapone vanilla on top of it but the lemon flavor in the package itself is a bit overwhelming.

Asif Rehmani

Great experience and very tasty food. Service is top notch but still relaxed enough to make you feel comfortable. A good variety available on the menu. I had the steak but I have a feeling that if I had Salmon or Chicken or anything else, it would have been equally as impressive. Very much worth the trip.

The Truth

I have been meaning to leave a review here. This is some of the best food I have had in recent memory. Basically this restaurant takes conventional dishes and elevates them with new flavors. They put a lot of love into their food and it shows. I'll go over what I had/shared. The cornbread. I am from the south and I was skeptical ordering this up north (no offense). But it was spot on - and the butter/spread that comes with it is amazing. The caesar salad (no protein added). This might be the best caesar salad I've ever had. If I lived in DC, I would probably come here once a week for this salad. The meatloaf with sriracha glaze. Again, one of the best meatloafs I have ever tasted. A slight spice, and the flavor was outstanding and a must try if you like anything meatloaf. The table tried the gluten free chocolate cake and that was probably the only thing I would pass on the next time around. Looking forward to returning soon.

Ja'Nyla

My husband and I chose this spot for a last minute brunch before we hit the road back home. We were sat and served quickly! I appreciated the positive and welcoming service from my server and his trainee. The menu was very interesting! The name of the restaurant definitely fits its vibe. I loved it. Every menu option 'rang a bell' but sounded unusual (or such I say unconventional haha). The menu prices and food portions were reasonable. We ordered the Loaded Breakfast Biscuits and the Ana & Eve's French Toast. We both enjoyed the presentation and flavor of our food. My only complaint was that the french toast was a little soggy. The cocktail menu was colorful as well. I deeply enjoyed the 9th Street Clover Club-- the Limoncello foam was a nice touch! I honestly wish we had bigger stomachs to have been able to taste more of the menu before we left town. The whole atmosphere was very upbeat and pleasant. I would highly recommend. If we lived in DC, I could see us eating here frequently.

Anastasiia Kiseleva

One of our favorite places in DC. They are on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list. Good for brunch and dinner. Excellent service, delicious food, and a great atmosphere. We tried mezze, Peking duck confit, and sweet potato curry. Everything was great! Make sure to get a reservation beforehand. Highly recommended!

Corey R

The food here is absolutely delicious. The creativity and execution of the dishes are impeccable. This explains why they are a Michelin restaurant. The chicken and waffles with a side of grits were perfect. The drive to get here was 100% worth it.

Gee Sands

Visiting DC from NY, sightseeing and good food seeking! Please come Here! The food was delicious and the staff was super friendly! Family loved it! THE MEATLOAF THO…taste so good, make u wanna smack yo mama 😂😂 …

Alisa F

The perfect southern brunch spot. Chicken & waffles and shrimp & grits were *chef’s kiss*. The Georgian Peach French toast with vanilla ice cream was a perfect dessert to share if you’re feeling something sweet and decadent (if not, blueberry pancakes looked like a good option). Our table went back and forth on ordering the Brussels sprouts, but I’m glad we did. The masala sauce was pretty delicious and the dish made us feel healthy (even though they’re fried and crispy 😖).

Jay Belles

Very good breakfast/ brunch experience. Coffee options are also good. Service was very nice and attentive. Prices are pretty high ($10 juice) if you are looking for a cheaper meal. They also have a cool birthday sparkler! They have minimal kid options but the kids enjoyed the meal.

Terra Hollis

Prentice spot for breakfast. Ordered the avocado and toast which was great. Also got the blueberry pancakes. For me it was too much syrup but still good. The latte I received was cold. But very good service overall.

Christine Nunziato-Bonenfant

My notice introduced my to this place today. We ordered the eggs and biscuits and the French toast and split both entrees. Started with the eggs and finished off with the French toast. The waitress has no trouble accommodating our sequencing of the dishes and carefully checked with us before she put the French toast order in to be sure we were ready. Unlimited coffee readily offered. Excellent dishes as you can see from the photos.

Ashley Malone

Weary from early morning travels the Unconventional Diner came through for the food win! Plenty of indoor/outdoor seating available. Service was prompt and courteous. Park mobile covers on street parking in the area. Meters are available also. My meal was delicious and freshly squeezed orange juice was on point.

Al Most

We went here for brunch and I got to finally see what all the hype was about. The food was good—especially the shrimp & grits and loaded biscuits (pictured). I went with the Paloma Pop for a drink, and finished it before I remember to take a pic. This place is worth checking out, but make a reservation because otherwise the wait can be rather long. (Also pictured, the Caesar +chicken)

R. Tabel

A good and quirky restaurant in the heart of D.C. The staff were very nice and accommodating. The food options were very interesting but surprisingly delicious. Moroccan taquitos, pot pie poppers, and the corn bread muffin are a must try for appetizers, I had the sweet potato curry with chicken for my main meal. The vibes brings a casual form of dinning. The place does get crowded so I would book reservations in advance! Good food, good staff, good vibes, definitely your not so average unconventional diner!

Sade Dunnock

Love the uniqueness of the space. Came here for brunch and loved the shrimp and grits in the pineapple habanero sauce. The french toast was also delicious and satisfied my sweet tooth.

Iriana Cruz

Everything was delicious. The drinks a little too sweet for me but, still delicious. The chicken and waffles and the french fries ... divine!

Julie Cheng

Overall a good experience. Pro: Cute spot for brunch. Food was excellent. Bold flavors and unique combinations. Every food item we ordered was delicious. My favorite was the brussel sprouts. Must try! Con: we had a reservation and an odd number so we were crammed in a corner. We were also suggested a cocktail which had a foam on it. But it really resembled more like spit and something else. Do not recommend.

Celestina Agyekum

First time visiting this restaurant and it loved it. I got the grits and it did not disappoint. It was enough food for me and more. My friend got the cornbread waffle which was also good. The service was good and the vibe was calm still friendly. The place is big- has inside a big bar and outside seating. I would return for sure. Loved the experience

Levi Wasmundt

Great little diner with plenty of gluten free options available. The bloody marys were mediocre, but the food was absolutely phenomenal. This was my first time having shrimp and grits in years (since I've been stuck in the PNW) and it really hit the spot. My girlfriend got the French dip poutine. It was a unique dish and very tasty. It's a good brunch spot with lots of outdoor dining.

Christopher Lew

I'd give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up to 4. The food was good, if on the expensive side, but I'm bringing down the score because we found a clump of hair in our coffee! I wish I could've taken a photo of it, but the server was watching us pull it out, and asked if it was his. Honestly not sure how it got there, but he immediately replaced my coffee. We ordered the shakshuka and Caribbean Shrimp and Grits. The shakshuka was delicious, especially with the naan bread. Super creamy, the eggs were cooked perfectly. The Shrimp and Grits was just okay in my mind. I was hoping for more flavors, but it had a nice sweetness to it otherwise. The aesthetic of the diner is also very nice. Definitely feels like an upscale diner. Also they have single stall gender neutral and ada accessible restrooms!! Yay!

David Yip

With the number of 5 stars ratings and super positive reviews, I was not expecting cold, stale fries ($8) when the rest of our dishes were good and served hot. How can fries be done wrong? This was a disappointment to a otherwise positive experience. The desserts (chocolate cake and passionfruit/mango sorbet were forgettable too so skip them. Not sure if I will come back.

Ramona G.

Very cozy place, went there to have brunch with a couple of friends and liked it! We went for "shashuka" and "lebanese fried rice". The desserts looked so good and inviting, but unfortunately we were full. The service though is a little bit slow.

Chiloh Shelton

Ambience was great, great service, selection varied, however I think some flavors didn't mesh well such as their carribean shrimp and grits...stick to Cajun or Sourthern...pineapples with grits ....nope. The blueberries in the lavender blueberry pancakes overpowered the lavender. Prices were a little high but it was worth a try.

Scott Laine

People go bananas for this joint and I held out for long enough and am starting to understand the appeal. For one the place is huge, if you can’t get a reservation you aren’t trying hard enough. On our recent visit we had several of the hits. The chicken Florentina is stuffed with a pesto and covered in gruyere cheese on top of a sweet tomato sauce with pasta. A classic matzo ball soup is a great delicious option. We parked it with the spicy kale chips and there was of course a classic burger on the table as well

Matthew Peterson

Delicious! I got the chicken sandwich with an egg and siracha honey on the side. It wasn't too spicy so I out it in top. Sexy sauce is exactly as I expected. I won't share the secret but it is AMAZING. Pancakes were a stack and amazing. Very good. Glad we went here for breakfast.

Adam Riemer

The food and service were perfect here. My espresso martini was so so but everything else made up for it. If you’re looking for a fun spin on your favorite foods, and everything packed with flavor, unconventional diner is for you. But don’t order the martini. The other drinks were a million times better.

Janice L

The food was delicious and filling! I'm not sure why it's called Unconventional Diner when the food just seemed like classic American food to me. I highly recommend making a reservation at least a week before otherwise you may be waiting and hr+ to be seated. I only have it 3 stars for the atmosphere because it is really loud inside since it has cement floors and walls so all the noise gets bounced around instead of being absorbed.

Joseph Kohan

Very good! Great coffee and the Chicken and Waffles was the best dish that we had. There were a few other things that we want to come back and try.

Shani

A week later and I’m still thinking about this food! We ordered the blueberry-lavender pancakes (very fluffy, not a strong lavender taste), the shrimp and grits (highly recommend these, the combo of flavors was definitely different in the best way possible + the plantains were a great add) and then the sweet potato shakshuka. We were so full after this meal, and although we had a hiccup with one of our plates the restaurant customer service was truly great, replaced the meal and took care of it on the bill for us. This place gets packed is the only heads up, so make a reservation ahead of time, but def worth checking out.

Alexander O'Neill

Such a creative menu! You really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Would recommend the duck.. and meatloaf! There’s usually plenty of seating but best get a reservation.

Diana Eide

I really enjoyed this restaurant. Food was excellent and not the same old boring choices. Drinks are fun. Staff was friendly and helpful, would definitely go back.

Sai Yik

The Michelin guide deservingly nominated this restaurant for their take on traditional brunch dishes added with a modern twist! A true culinary experience of something as simple as a lox bagel and as recognizable as a poutine and yet so refreshing the plating was and surprising the flavors!! Most definitely worth the trip and the experience for having fantastic food!

Isidro Rivera

Awesome. Located at the Washington Convention Center, the Unconventional Dinner offers a wonderful menu, some eclectic dishes that are skillfully prepared. I had a wonderful dinner, including a lovely dessert, a Basque cheesecake. My only complaint: the wait staff. We ordered appetizers that never came, and our waiter forgot our coffee twice. Granted, the place was crowded, but they could have been more delligent. I would recommend the food, but would probably be wary of the service. Worth the visit if you are willing to put up with incompetent waiters.

Heath

Great service at the bar. The Chicken and Waffles hit the spot. Tip: go for some extra hot sauce on the side. The Lox was good (great quality salmon) and an interesting deconstructed concept of an everything lox bagel.

N T-K

Best Diner ever! More fancy ish but so worth it. The food and prices are just right. The staff is so friendly too! Best place for brunch! The carrot cake 😍😍 …

Andrea Billadeau

This place is delicious! All of your favorite comfort foods, taken up a notch and extra flavorful. Portions are large as well. We had the Moroccan taquitos app and they were so crisp and the dipping sauce was exquisite. My boyfriend had the meatloaf, it was so tasty. The mashed potatoes that came with it were maybe the best I ever had (sorry mom!), We shared the Mac and cheese as a side and omg it was so rich and creamy. I had the French dip pasta and I requested without the horseradish cream, it was quite salty. Actually too salty for me to eat but the waitress took it off of our bill as I didn't eat it and I was so full on mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese that I didn't even need a replacement. Service is good. I can't wait to try their brunch!

Aditya Karandikar

Spacious digs with elevated diner food. We had an excellent brunch here on a weekday when it wasn’t too busy. Would hazard a guess that it’s much busier on the weekends, however. True to name, they have some unconventional takes on typical brunch food.

Jason Lewis

Unconventional Diner did not disappoint. Lavender blueberry pancakes, Caribbean Shrimp and Grits and a Kokomo, which is that beautiful drink made with roasted coconut, pineapple ice cream and mango and topped with cotton candy and a candy straw. 😋 It was all delicious! 10 out of 10 would recommend!

Krystal Styles

My husband and I LOVED this restaurant. It's so unique and the food is amazing! We ordered the Cornbread Muffins to share. The habanero butter was so different, unexpected, and delicious. For our entree, we both ordered the Fried Chicken. The chicken was seasoned well and extremely juicy. The portion was also large and neither of us finished it because we wanted to save room for dessert. For dessert, we shared the Mocha Sunday. It was to die for! I highly recommend giving this place a try. You won't regret it.

Joseph Santini

Enjoy classics with a nice spicy twist here at the Unconventional Diner. I cannot recommend the chicken and waffles enough. My friend swears by their avocado toast which has hints of light Hawaiian flavors to go on the perfectly toasted crostini. Service was fast and friendly.

Vanessa Eddleman

Recently moved from south Texas & this place is a must. The sweet potato curry with shrimp is so delicious. Mouth watery! If you want a delicious juicy burger a must try as well. Staff on point too. Definitely check it out!

Christopher Caligiuri

Wonderful chicken sandwich and shrimp and grits! Be sure to try the drinks--we loved the Kokomo because it reminded us of drinks we'd get while in Hawaii! The service was fast and friendly, as well. Would go back next time I am in DC!

Sharice M

Cute spot. My food was delicious!! The ginger beer was refreshing. I left feeling full but not stuffed. I had the loaded breakfast biscuits. My friend had the avocado toast. Grits and chicken sausage. I tried the grits they were pretty good, very creamy. The avocado toast was different, you dip the bread into a guacamole kind of. Overall she was happy and I definitely loved my food.

Archana Nair

Fun brunch spot! Really busy on weekends so definitely recommend booking a reservation. Server was really nice. We had the chicken &waffles and shrimp & grits. Both great but shrimp & grits was by far my favorite!

Julia

This place is a gem, especially for brunch lovers! The fries were so well seasoned, the blueberry drink was smooth and sweet, and the service was amazing. Our bartender/server checked on us frequently and was friendly. It's a cool spot and I'd go back in a heartbeat!

Cody Anderson

The food was incredible! Great drinks and a long brunch option! The chicken and waffles were fantastic! Reserve a spot before going to avoid waiting. It was the perfect place for the first meal of the new year!

Loreta Geneviciute

My husband and I went to this diner to celebrate my birthday during the weekend trip to DC. I am sooo impressed: everything from service to food and interior was spectacular ! Their hash browns are delicious and Tip-top-chop super healthy and delicious as well! My husband had shakshouka and was raving about it all day. I wish there was unconventional diner in NYC or in NJ so I could eat there every weekend ! Plus they served mango sorbet with a firework as a surprise for my birthday ! I highly highly recommend this place as a must go during your trip to DC, and I want to commend the staff for providing excellent service making dining experience there an absolute delight !

Sonya Hu

I was hunting for a new restaurant in downtown D.C. to try out one Saturday evening and stumbled upon Unconventional Diner, and I truly think that it might now be one of my favorite spots in the city! The service, atmosphere, and food were all absolutely incredible, and the restaurant certainly lives up to its name -- the food is certainly unconventional, but the twists they take on all-American classics are all intentional, well-balanced, and delicious. My friend and I dropped by for dinner on Saturday, and, since the weather was shockingly pleasant for July in D.C., we took a seat outside. Our server was incredibly attentive and kind, answering all of our questions with ease and grace, and just generally acting as a welcoming and friendly presence. The food itself was delicious, and I was especially impressed by the number of plant-based options. I tried out their mexi-cali chili with avocado, which was absolutely delicious. The chili was incredibly flavorful, and the butternut squash and kale helped to lighten up the dish a great deal. The pepperiness of the raw arugula and fresh squeeze of lime juice on top also cut through the fattiness of the avocado and heaviness of the beans. My friend tried out their miso salmon, which was served on a bed of roasted okra and broccolini and topped with fermented chili. It looked absolutely delicious, with the perfectly cooked salmon and the beautifully charred okra and broccolini. We ended the meal with a strawberry rhubarb tart, which was lovely. The strawberries were cooked down, but not mushy to the point of being a jam, which were a nice contrast against the rhubarb purree inside of the deliciously crumbly crust. It also wasn't too sweet, making it quite the refreshing way to end the meal. There were a bunch of other fun plant-based things on the menu that sounded delicious that I can't wait to come back to try, like the kale nachos, shiitake spring rolls, tip-top chop, and sweet potato curry. Whether you're plant-based on a carnivore, Unconventional Diner has plenty of delicious choices for you, paired with an incredible atmosphere and delightful service. I can't wait to make another trip over here!

Tay Jacobe

Came here for brunch on a Friday morning around 11am. No reservations, but we were able to get in without them. Nonetheless, it definitely got crowded by the time we left. Overall, the food was good. Portion sides were also pretty average!

Ugo Nwokolo

The food is great here. I tried their blueberry pancakes and it was like a party in my mouth. The SEggsy sandwich was delicious too. Even their check payment process was easy with toast

Matt Glazier

Had a great brunch experience!! Not only was the food fantastic but our waiter David was lively and made the experience a thousand times better by explaining his favorite menu options! Will definitely stop by again!

Bill Zhang

Delicious takes on traditional diner food (as the name suggests). Some might find it heavy and salty, but that's exactly what we were looking for. Didn't feel hungry for a long time.

Paige Soucie

Absolutely loved everything we had. Unique takes on traditional brunch items. We had the shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, a child portion of the pancakes because we couldn’t pass them up and a really delicious juice. Highly recommend!

CJ McKinney

Great place to eat, everything tasted wonderful and they had great staff. The food is a unique take on a lot of American foods and drinks.

docob5

The food is good. Lots of spice and enjoyable. Atmosphere is nice. However , the service was weak. Our server didn’t check on us once we received our food at all. After we asked for recommendations, the server gave an excuse of “ we have a new menu,” and was unable to help. Further, when we asked to substitute mashed potatoes for French fries, we received the single word response of “no.” I then had to order a side of mashed potatoes, which was irritating. Lastly, they brought a few pieces of bread for the avocado toast appetizer. The bread was finished before 1/2 the avocado was completed and they said it was $3 for more bread. Since it was only a few pieces, we passed on paying $3 for literally $0.15 in bread.

Kerri Dalton

The hostess was able to get us a seat very quickly even without a reservation. We waited an hour for our meal but in all honesty it was such great service I really can’t complain! Jalal constantly checked in on us and apologized for the wait. He brought us some corn bread muffins and all the servers made certain our drinks were filled. Once the food arrived it was delicious and very filling. We will definitely visit if we are in D.C. again.

Claudia Gonzalez

Had an amazing brunch at Unconventional Diner! All of the food was incredible. The dirty caesar salad with smoked salmon was out of this world, and I also loved the Killing Me Softly cocktail. Our server Idis was so nice, and our food came out very quickly. Great ambiance and experience.

FatherDavid Gagliano

Outstanding Breakfast! I had the blueberry pancakes - which were awesome - with chicken sausages as a side. With so many great choices, I'll be coming back to try more things!

Da-Wang Wu

We came here for some drinks, snacks and desserts. The cocktails were pretty good. We enjoyed the one with lychee flavor and another one with the cotton candy. The food was nice. However, the ice cream was weirdly thick (not the thickness similar to gelato), and the chocolate cake was a bit too sweet for me. The ambience and the vibe here were pretty chill and nice. Overall, I would recommend the drinks and food, but probably not the desserts. (Follow me on IG ➡️ miss_dawang)

Sabrina H

Fried chicken sandwich was a little dry. Overall I thought the place was a bit overpriced, especially since most of the dishes had extra add-ons if you wanted protein.

A-Sun Truth

Wow...my wife and I are sitting here now, enjoying our second visit this week. We live here in DC and highly recommend this fine establishment to locals and visitors alike! If you’re looking for something unconventional, this is the place! The service is excellent, the food is exquisite, and the decour is highly engaging.

Emily Jones

We couldn't decide so we tried a little of everything- the chicken pot pie poppers, the spring rolls, the cornbread with the amazing habanero butter with honey crystals, and my husband had the "french dip" pasta (I cannot remember the actual name) and literally everything was AMAZING!

Tia C

Very interesting menu was nervous to try at first but the waitress was very patient and helpful with picking out options. This is the Brussels and Fried Egg & the shrimp and grits! Absolutely delicious and the tastes complimented each other so well!

Elisabeth Degnbol

Really good food for a reasonable price. Great service and really nice waiters. It was a bit loud inside, which made it hard to hear each other at the table. But I would still recommend!

Karina Evora

I was able to secure a same day reservation for brunch at 3:30pm, even though brunch ended at 4pm. The hostess was warm and very accommodating. Once we sat down, we immediately reviewed the menu to choose our orders because we knew that the brunch menu was ending soon so we wanted to be ready to order everything once our server greeted us. However we did have to wait quite a few minutes for our server. When he did greet us, he was friendly and patient. We decided to order the seegsy sandwich, the buttermilk pancakes, and the chicken and waffles to share and two sides of bacon, because of course. We did ask our server specifically for the vanilla Mascarpone pancakes because none of us wanted the blueberry lavender. He nodded in agreement and repeated our request of "vanilla marscapone" so we thought we were all set. We also ordered our drinks of espresso martini, spicy margarita and guava fruit punch which we all enjoyed. Food came out shortly after that. Unfortunately, when we got the pancakes we noticed it looked like they had the blueberry lavender topping. I asked the runner about it, I told him we ordered the vanilla mascarpone and he said that what he brought out was what we ordered. We were confused because we specifically ordered the vanilla marscapone. We dug into everything to try and it was soooo good! The cornbread waffles on the chicken and waffles must have been my favorite thing but I was very disappointed because the portion of the waffle was so small. Especially when compared to the ratio of chicken provided (which definitely had some spice to it when dipping it in the accompanying red sauce). In addition to the small portion, the texture of the waffle could use improvement too. The waffle basically disintegrated at each poke of the fork so it was nearly impossible to get a solid bite of the chicken and waffle together. But once you did get the bite of the chicken, Waffle and gravy, it was amazing! Whatever gravy they had on the side was delicious. The seegsy sandwich was delicious but those pancakes were NOT. We each tried just a small bite and immediatey realized there was definitely blueberry lavender. When we finally flagged down our server to address it, he finally explained to us that the pancakes were not either blueberry lavender or vanilla marscapone, but BOTH of those. We asked to send this back and to get another order of the sandwich but it was exactly 4 on the dot so when he asked the kitchen manager, they closed the kitchen for brunch so we couldn't reorder. Then we asked for the dinner menu because we still wanted another entree to share and he understood that we asked for the dessert menu so he brought us that instead. We had to be more intentional to clearly ask him again for the dinner menu which he then happily brought over when he understood what we were asking for. We then ordered another side of fries and seggsy sauce and the truffle Mac and cheese. The truffle Mac and cheese was creamy but a bit soupy in texture. However it tasted so good! I ordered a Paloma pop, which was about 6/10 and my sister got another espresso martini. Overall, the quality of food was really good but the service has room for improvement. I understand that brunch ends at 4, but if that is the case, the restaurant shouldn't allow brunch reservations to start at 3:30 because we felt a bit rushed by the server and the whole experience. Additionally, there was a lot of miscommunication from the server and the runners of the restaurant. If I'm being honest, there was an evident language barrier there. This created an issue both when we asked about the pancakes and when we asked for a dinner menu but he brought a dessert menu. I am definitely open to visiting again but now I know how to tamper my expectations....which isn't ideal considering that I'm paying for the experience. But the food that I ate, and ordered, was so good that I'm willing to give it another shot. In short: Food: 8/10 Service: 7/10 Aesthetic/ambiance: 9/10 (warm, youthful/energetic, bright)

Bobbie Kennedy

Rating a restaurant like Unconventional Diner is always a challenge. On the one hand, the food is incredible and staff friendly, so it definitely deserves the top rating. But, it’s already popular enough, so it’s hard to encourage more people to come here to enjoy the food and service. Everything from the cornbread muffins, and the Mexican-Cali Chili (v) to the carrot cake and coffee! Delicious!

MJ Kwon (이서)

Great food , we had chicken with waffle and biscuit with hash brown, both menus were tasty and portion was enough for us. Friendly server, great interior, and clean restroom :)

L Smith

Listennn I had kind of given up on eating grits out; it’s typically a very subpar experience but this diner knows what they’re doing! I tried the Caribbean Shrimp and Grits and it’s truly phenomenal! Banana peppers really set the ish off! Like some other reviewers have noted, the service is really top notch. I sat at the bar and my lovely server explained how the different alt milks will taste with matcha, a level of service everyone needs! If I lived here, I would be here all the time! The girl sitting next me said that’s what she does ✨

Javier Estrada Tobar

The food is of very good quality, the attention is friendly and the place is quite nice. I ordered the shakshuka eggs and I loved them; It's like having a traditional curry for breakfast.

Jeremy Wolfe

On a visit to DC with family, this was one of several places that we dined during our trip. Unconventional Diner turned out to be our favorite of all of the places that we visited. I had the meatloaf, my son had the miso salmon, my other son had the fried chicken, and my wife had the chicken parm. Oh yeah, we also had the chocolate cake and cheesecake for dessert. Both were very good. I should have asked for a little caramel sauce for the cheesecake, but that's just personal preference. Everyone was very happy with their own selection and I was able to sample some of almost everyone's meal, with the exception of the salmon... it was gone before I had a chance. If you are in the DC area, take a walk or Metro to Unconventional Diner. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Michelle Lao

Brunch is good but it’s the vibes and plating and unique items that make this place worth going! Make sure to get a reservation it was so busy! The avacodo toast is set up like tartare, the French toast was delicious, and the ceaser salad was one of the best I’ve had.

Amber H

Old Havana Retro style diner. Food and drinks were amazing. Great service. Went for mid week brunch to celebrate a birthday.

Natalie Caldwell

What a great brunch spot! A Michelin contributor (not star) - you can tell by the quality of their food. More expensive than it should have been, but hoping that was more from COVID than anything. The sweet potato shakshuka was fantastic (really pleasantly surprised by this). This Indian inspired stew-like dish packed a great kick which was great. The added falafel was meh, so you could go without (outside, fried coating was too thick with how small they were). The fried chicken sandwich was a massive piece and very crispy. Could have had more sauce, but overall solid.

Shelby Guercio

Really awesome spot. Yes a little pricey (maybe not for DC, but I was just visiting!) but the food is delicious and the portions are totally fair. Bar tenders are sweethearts as well. Will definitely make it a point to stop here during any conventions I attend. The chicken taqueria with harissa seasoning are delicious, and the mocha sundae is indulgent. Also their ice cubes are the good cubes that are small and easy to crunch. Extra bonus is gender neutral restroom.

Rosie C

They might have the best fried chicken I've had in my life... And I've tried a lot. I had the half chicken with extra biscuits and coleslaw. Chicken is crisp and falls off the bone...but the gravy? The gravy has the spice of life I've been looking for! The biscuits are soft inside and have a nice crunch on the outside. Flavorful and they pair well with the gravy! The coleslaw is unique with a great citrus flavor and jalapeno slices. Will be marking this as one of my favorite DC restaurants!

David Tao

Wow, went in not knowing much about what to expect but I was very pleasantly surprised. The best way I can describe it is as down to earth fancy (or bougie as some people say). This place is very popular for brunch but due to my schedule could only come in for dinner. The place was crowded, they have outdoor seating but all the seats were filling up fast at 6:30! Ate at the bar (first come first serve, has full dinner menu available) ordering the pot pie poppers and chicken Parm Florentine with the port city optimal Wit beer to wash it all down. First, the pot pie poppers. Now I love chicken pot pies but this was mind blowingly amazing. Bite sized, fried with amazing breading, every single morsel had the full taste and flavors of a chicken pot pie. My goodness. I could have just eaten this for my whole meal. But thankfully I didn't, because the chicken Parm Florentine was just as surprising and good. The chicken Parm has a gooey middle! Cutting into it all that goodness started oozing out. Was very tasty between the sauce, gooey middle, with perfectly fried breading. The pasta wasn't slouching either, it was cooked a really nice al dente with solid bite and flavors. All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, the experience, and would want to go back again to try some of the other popular dishes (and more of the pot pie poppers). If dinner was this enjoyable, I can only imagine the brunch (that fried chicken sandwich especially) being just as spectacular. Oh, and the service is FAST. Was given the time I needed to decide what to order, and after ordering got my dishes before I knew it. Experience may vary with large groups, but everything went as well as could be expected.

Hannah Mulato

Amazing place! Food is delicious and service is impeccable even on a busy Sunday brunch schedule. I had the vanilla mascarpone pancakes and they were divine! The fluffiness of the pancake and the flavor it had by itself was enhanced by the vanilla mascarpone cream, blueberries, and crunchy sugar bits on top. I could've eaten two plates and not have had enough! The fried chicken sandwich was crispy and the sauce matched it well while the burger was flavorful and cooked to a perfect medium. The drinks were good too, I thought they would be too sour but the hibiscus lemonade and açai, pineapple, mango, berry shake was blended to perfection. I would go here again for brunch but would recommend a reservation as the wait time can be too long.

Anna Sumner

A very good friend had a Birthday brunch here and we were able to secure a table for 8. It was peak time so our server was pretty occupied at first. Once she was able to take our orders, the food and drinks came out surprisingly fast. Despite the speed and size of our table no one experienced any food quality issues. We did have a couple missed requests for a drink here and an extra plate there, but once again it was completely understandable. Our section was completely full and there was another party of at least 10 next to us. My go-to is the blueberry lavender pancakes. So delicious!

Joel Roberts

The best brunch I’ve had…..dare I say it….ever?! It was fantastic. The food, drinks, and service were all beyond my expectations. I can’t wait to return - especially for that bacon jam!

Moayad Hakeem

Wonderful try all just on spot the service the food the place. I tried waffle with fry chicken and sun shine eggs, pan cake with lavender and blue berry, Brussels egg they all were tasty highly recommended for break fast wow good Job UD 👍

Pankaj Verma

One of the best brunch places. Super crowded during weekends so make reservations in advance, maybe a week ago just to be safe.

D Hom

Very busy place. Make sure you get reservations. Food is excellent and service is superb. Our waiter had excellent suggestions. Will be back.

Elenor Edwards

I visited Unconventional Diner for the first time, and I was not disappointed. I ordered the carribean shrimp and grits, and I loved it! In each bite, there is a unique blend of flavors. I'll definitely order this again next time I'm in DC.

Katsiaryna Lapayeva

Amazing place! We were in DC for 2 days and our morning started at Unconventional Diner. We got to try the corn beef hash, pancakes, s”eggs”y sandwich, fried chicken sandwich (honey-sriracha sauce is unreal!), and loaded breakfast biscuits. Let me tell, everything was delicious! The decor inside of the restaurant was pretty cool too. The overall experience was just great.

David Hosey

Had the opportunity before flying out from DC to try this highly rated diner. Really enjoyed the food and experience for brunch

Allgood Computer Services

Unique an excellent tasting food. Great service; fast. Had the hash and loaded biscuits. Great juices too.

Rebecca Jackson

I would have given them a five but one of the hostess' was rude to my daughter and me. We did not have reservations, but thought we would see if by chance we could be seated. The first hostess was rude to us because we did not have reservations. We asked what the wait would be and apparently this was not a question that the first hostess appreciated us asking and spoke very rudely to us. The second hostess came over and said she would take care of us. She told us, in a very kind manner that we could either sit at the bar or the high top chairs. Why the first one couldn't do that I don't know. We chose the bar and had a very nice and efficient server who was the best. I got the Miso Salmon, which was very good. My daughter got the double cheeseburger which she said was very good also. This was the first time that I have been to this restaurant. However, my daughter and her friends have gone on several occasions for breakfast. I will have to try their breakfast, with a reservation, of course.

Elisa Klaassen

We ordered fried chicken and macaroni and cheese from the Unconventional Diner. The chicken was incredibly tender, and they gave us so much food! It was delicious.

Mahdi Shirvin

They made sure to keep feeling of a dinner. Quick service, just above average food, poor presentation and garnish. I would like to go back there if it wasn't that expensive or had a huge line. Just one of those places I don't get why became famous. Lastly, I am bot sure what happend, but judging by older google photos I can tell they had a much nicher dishes and much better presentation, which was the original reason I tred this place but it wasn't like that any more. Sometimes has changed.

Andjela Pejovic

Really good experience. Our waiter was super kind and with good knowledge of the menu he was able to give us some really good suggestions. The food is overall good l would give it 3/5 but the service was amazing! Good cozy place to try if you are passing by!

Bryce Garner

Went here for a quick nightcap and dessert at the bar. The negroni was good, though it is hard to mess that up. The Basque burnt cheesecake was very good. I would like to go back for a full meal.

Alexis Newman

The food was good but the service was extremely slow and the outdoor seating is frigid. There are no heaters or any sort of wind protection if sitting out in the patio. It took until after we got our food to get even a glass of water. I ordered the shakahuka and while it was good, it was more of an Indian curry than anything related to shakshuka.

Aiman Al-Ghazali

The pancakes and chicken and waffles were amazing Everything lox had bit too much salmon, but was good as well

Liam Hudson

The menu is approachable and sophisticated. Everything was presented thoughtfully and the ingredients were crisp and fresh. The flavors and menu offerings are unique spins on conventional options.

Derick Coutinho

Food was good. Ordered Cubana and STEAK FRITITO dish from the entree section. And SHIITAKE SPRING ROLLS from snacks section. Everything were good. Little pricy. Ordered beer. Overall it was good. Definitely $20-$30 per person for dinner food. Total bill was around $93 with tip. Ambience was good. Lots of noise and chatter.

Calvin Kwon

Everything was solid, with the exception of the pancakes. I got the kids size, not sure if that matters. Lebanese fried rice is delicious and the falafels are juicy and nicely fried. One of the best hash browns I’ve ever had. Light, crispy, and a slight dusting of seasoning (old bay?).

Amie Lenhart

Food was absolutely amazing! We came on a Wednesday night and were seated immediately. The hostess was super friendly and personable. We ordered the shitake mushroom spring rolls (4 came in an order) for an appetizer and they were very tasty. For dinner I had the salmon which was perfectly cooked and seasons very well. My husband ordered the shrimp and grits which was also very flavorful. My daughter ordered the chili which she said was the best ever. Everything looked so good as it came from the kitchen. Our meals came out very fast. They didn't have a kids menu but made spaghetti and a single burger. Our server was very knowledgeable about the menu and made great suggestions. Overall a great experience and would come back over and over again if we were in town.

Christopher Koya

Lovely ambiance and a very attentive manager. The menu items are very tasty, with somewhat small portion sizes though.

Frankie

Went out for a day to tour the district and stumbled upon this gem. Great food, service and atmosphere! Would definitely come back for more !

Sophia Azizi

Great place, great service and excellent food. We had the brussel sprouts and eggs with falafel. The falafel's were very good, some of the best I've had in the entire DMV area. I will definitely be back for more. The French toast was also very good, the combination of apple and toast and granola gave it a great texture and it wasn't too sweet. The sauce that comes with the French fries were also very good and they give generous portions so you're not running out of sauce as you finish your fries.

Krista Nix-Buckner

Great service, very good food, very sweet chai latte. I had the French dip poutine and it was amazeballs! The gravy was soooo good! It didn't really need the egg that came with it, but that was tasty too. The mushrooms were cooked perfectly too! Minor quibble is that the chai latte was crazy sweet. Our server was professional and attentive, really did a great job!

Pedrom Rejai

Phenomenal food!! Best we've had in DC. I got the shakshuka and my wife got the biscuits. Very good vegetarian options here too. You can't go wrong!!

jack dulude

Great experience, this was my first time at any Michelin star Diner and the food was unbelievable. For starters, pot pie poppers were literally unlike anything I’ve ever had. Although I was hesitant about ordering the confit (duck), myself weighing 220 lbs, this entree was plenty of food! Trust me on this one, the bao buns were the PERFECT duo to pair with the duck for tacos! Probably the only place I would order duck again. Sammy was a GREAT server with a knowledgeable background of each food we had ordered. AND THE SUNNY EGGS FOR DESSERT WAS UNPARALLELED. The number 1 dessert I’ve had anywhere. Hands down.

Karina Thomas

We try different snacks from the snacks, the Moroccan taquitos, spring rolls and crab fritters. They all good I really enjoyed the spring rolls. Our main dish was the cubana which is pork shoulder, unfortunately I was not happy because it was really salty. Overall good food but maybe trying different dish not the pork.

Rai Sampson

Amazing brunch spot! Can’t wait to go back to get the chicken and waffles! First time I’ve had a savory version and it was amazing. Also ordered a peach Bellini.

byron subero

Was looking for a place to watch game and eat some wings and found this gem. So much I wanted to try on this menu beside wings..... So I did. Food, service, atmosphere and drinks was on point. I got my chicken sandwich on a croissant.... yesssssss

Arun Vishwanathan

Nice diner frequented by the local We had the Lebanese rice with raddish, falafels, hummus, almonds and yogurt - and it was amazing. We also had some hash browns, which looked and tasted like it was frozen/store bought. Our waiter never got the coffee my daughter ordered. Hence the 4 star and not 5. I told him to remove the coffee from the check before he brought it to us, and he just agreed. He could have asked us to wait while he remedied the situation. Not only did he lose the coffee revenue, but I had an upset college student to deal with :-) I guess they don’t care, since the wait line was crazy.

Adam Eltarhoni

Great place to go in the city and especially if you are near the convention center. We went for brunch and had the shrimp and grits and the Lebanese fried rice (pictured). Both were great with the grits being creamy and cheesy and the rice had a great mix of spices. Would definitely recommend eating here and looking forward to going back.

bubmaria

Oh my!! Every staff member that I interacted with were all so friendly and had such an incredibly refreshing energy! Thank you so much for everything, I really enjoyed the food, drinks and my time at Unconventional Diner!

Scott Matus

Always have a good meal here, brunch or dinner. Lots of outdoor and indoor seating, but it fills up so reservations are best. Love the creative cocktails, especially during the happy hour that ends at 7pm. Definitely would recommend the burger and fries with their “sexy sauce”. Basically a larger Shake Shack burger and truly delicious. Chicken parm is also a must try—unique and delicious. Also highly recommend the blueberry pancakes for brunch, even just to share for the table.

Arielle H

Steps away from the convention center 📍👣, @unconventionaldiner is a great eatery to stop & chow down on some of your favorites. Their twist on everyday items we all grew up on is very interesting & the flavors are just as bold 🍴🍳! We ordered the corn beef hash, avocado toast and cauliflower & falafel. & what’s brunch without a little day drinking? My friend loved their spicy Bloody Mary and I opted for a Manhattan transfer which was equally delicious and strong 🥃👌🏽. Food: 10/10 Staff: 10/10 Bathroom: 9/10 Follow my food blog on ig for more visuals and good eats in the dmv area @fabfoodieinthecity

Ursula Clausing

Pros: Delicious food Top tier cocktails Great service Large portions Extensive menu Good for picky eaters (there’s something for everyone) Cons: Huge, crowded dining room Loud (to the point of being difficult to hear across a two person table) Both a pro and a con: Not very different from a good home cooked meal We ordered the kale nachos and fries to start, with our drinks (the “wake up lil susie” and the “cloud 9”). For our mains we got the french dip pappardelle and two sides: the mac n cheese and the tikka masala brussels sprouts. Everything was quite good, but not super “unconventional”— the starters and sides tasted like how I make food at home. Might have to order differently next time! Lastly, we ordered more than enough food, we both arrived super hungry and left satisfied with boxes to go. Great portion sizes!

Anthony A. Marian

Amazing brunch spot in DC! I had the best shrimp and grits. Service was excellent from beginning to end, Angel took great care of us. Highly recommend going!

Millennial Max

The portions made me happy ☺️ Loaded Breakfast Biscuits and The Corned Beef Hash we're both yummy!.. drinks a lil small tho 😂

Andre Urquiza

Stopped by for quick lunch, recommended by hotel host. Nice ambiance, sat at the bar and was suggested a few options, including the Poutine. It was absolutely delicious! Wish my stay had been longer so I could go back for another meal. 10/10

Tan Sav

UPDATE_ Recently came here after a few years. I enjoyed the experience the service was good. The waffles are a cornbread mix so a little dry. My friend didn't like her drink so they replaced it with no charge. I will definitely come here agai and try some other items. **Came here and sat in the bar section since table service had such a long wait. Service was good. The bartender was friendly and knowledgeable.

Scott L

Absolutely delicious. I had the fried bird with biscuit, gravy, and slaw. The gravy is quite remarkable; the slaw was unique, flavorful, with a wonderful brightness and acidity to contrast with the gravy. The chicken was delicious. The biscuit was enough to make me get a second to go - flaky and buttery - it had a shortbread flavor with the fluffiness and layers of a pastry dough. The service was excellent - the staff were kind, helpful, and engaged. A lovely dinner experience, I highly recommend it!

Shawn King

I had the pancakes with a side of bacon and eggs. I could have eaten everything on the brunch. It all looks so good. The pancakes were bomb! 🤗

Monica Rivera

Delicious brunch! Loved the eggs with biscuits and the shakshuka with naan bread. Nice cocktails too, I recommend the hot cider. A must in Washington.

Fiorella C

Went to eat here while on a business trip in DC and it was amazing! The food was delicious, the service was impeccable and the ambiance was uplifting. Highly recommend!! I hope to be back 👍🏼 the picture was one of our desserts- how cool!!

Nicholas Thomas

Great service and food tucked into an intimate space, the staff brings a relaxed atmosphere that fills it. We sat at the bar and did the tasting menu experience with the servers and loved it. Highly recommend!!

Tiffany Díaz

Delicious meal! Great service! We ordered Blueberry Pancakes, Chicken and Waffles (the waffle is a cornbread waffle, OMGee!! Be sure to try the side sauce for a beautiful slight kick!!) and Lebanese Fried Rice! Wow, all of the dishes tasted delightful. Everyone was pleased (including a 3 y.o and picky 5 y.o). Give this place a try!

Alisa K.

Our Christmas brunch on 26th was great. Try sunny eggs dessert! ;)

Linda Oh

The Loaded Biscuits were our favorite!! Want to come back to try the Brussels sprout + fried egg next!

Andres Rhodes

Great options and good atmosphere. We hardly waited for food. The chicken and waffles were great. My friend got the Pozole and it looked solid.

Candace Silver

The blueberry lavender pancakes were amazing! I went back again on Saturday and had the chicken & waffles.

Eric Smith

Delicious breakfast, fresh ingredients, great coffee. Seating outside was great! Awesome experience!

Oil Suebsiri T.

Several unique and creative menus here. Food experience is good but quite salty. Service is above average.

William Foster

Great food, cool atmosphere. The dishes were really well thought out & prepared. Presentation was great too. Service was decent but not great to be honest. But the food actually made up for the lack of stellar service. I’ve been there 4 or 5 times & enjoyed the food each time just as much as before! I definitely recommend this place

kat Lo

I can’t say enough about the blueberry pancakes. They are incredible! This was all some of the best bacon I have ever had. I got the daiquiri to drink as well. Definitely going back one day!!

Jamila Jenkins

We enjoyed many different items from the menu such as the shitaki spring rolls, brussel sprouts, crab fritters, and fries as an appetizer. All very tasty with a Lebanese and Moroccan spice and flavor. The pink panther cocktail is okay but very watery while the sweet bitter love was much better, sweet and tart. We tried the Lebanese fried rice and shrimp & grits for our dinner. Very filling and portions were great! I give this place a 3 star rating bc the service is just okay. We waited almost 20mins for someone to come and receive our order. Always had to look around for the waiter to see where he was for help. Felt forgotten about and the restaurant wasn’t even that busy. The waiter even missed ordered something to our table and rather than saying it was okay to keep after the food sat on our table for 10 mins he wanted to remove it from the table and then charge us for his mistake. My boyfriend and I love a good diner so hope to try again for brunch. I am sure the food will be good but hope the service is better.

Josh Bittinger

We've eaten here a couple of times under very different circumstances. Neither time left us particularly impressed with the food, especially given all the accolades and praise the restaurant has received. That's not to say the food is bad. Our first experience with Unconventional Diner was takeout during the first year of the pandemic. I mostly wrote off that experience and chalked it up to the restaurant trying to figure out how to scale a takeaway option for their menu. I also met a colleague here for breakfast one morning, and we sat outside. It was a Friday morning and not all that busy. However, service was still pretty slow for our table (others around us were receiving faster service), and I ran out of coffee and water multiple times. I ordered the loaded breakfast biscuits, which were surprisingly dry. Growing up in the South, I was excited to try their spin on biscuits and gravy, but this interpretation left me wanting the "real thing" more than anything. I haven't completely given up hope on the restaurant and will probably give it one more try when we are in need of a breakfast or dinner spot in the area.

Chris Seams

Delicious lunch at UD today! Double cheeseburger was cooked to order and top tier! Dirty Caesar salad was special too!

Luxury Material

Fresh Food, Nice Atmosphere, Outstanding Service. So Tasty And Delicious! I Enjoyed My Visit.

Brandyn

I came here about a 2 weeks ago for the first, but magically have come back here 3 more times. I loved my meal and all the meals I sampled from my friends.

S Linn

Very cute venue with pleasant staff however the food overall is just "okay". The pancakes, delicantly prepared, is extremely sweet and verg dessert like. The hasn browns are seasoned very well. The burger is food. The food does come is large enough portions for you to feel satisfied after eating. The service is quick

Anthony Stewart

Had a great brunch there and enjoyed the extra space on a Thursday morning. I’m sure Sundays must be a nightmare, as this place is fantastic! The buttermilk pancakes with strawberries and some type of mascarpone cheese and graham crumbles was splendid! I also had scrambled eggs with cheese. They were okay, but lacked salt. I’m supposing they moved the shakers due to COVID-19, but I would appreciate them bringing salt-n-pepper packets to the table along with the order, but other than that, I’m pretty much sold!

Focus

Great food, legendary service, great curated drink menu. Fabulous afternoon!

Nicholas Sammons

Interesting place. Menu has lots of international options but no real theme. I guess that's what makes it unconventional. Patronage also seems to span the gamut. Every age group and ethnicity. It's a nice ambience. I was a little underwhelmed by the food. Everything was good, and was presented well. That said, nothing that I think I'd be eager to try again. I think the main issue was lack of flavor. Not quite bland, but definitely heading in that direction. If Unconventional Diner kicked their flavor profile up a notch with a few more herbs and spices they could be really great.

Andy Turner

Second visit in a week while on vacation, amazing tastes of the breakfast dishes. French toast, pancake stack and Brussels Sprouts with fried egg, go figure, between my other half and I over our 2 visits all uniformly hit the mark. Service polite and attentive and always busy surely the sign of quality? Recommended.

Courtni Guevara

Food was good, our server was very friendly and helpful, but this is not the place you want to come for brunch if you’re trying to sit back and relax and have a nice chat with a friend you haven’t seen in a while! Our food came within 5 minutes of placing the order, which is too quick for my liking, and the manager asked us to leave within an hour of our arrival so that they could “fulfill the next reservation” LOL! The food wasn’t impressive enough to make up for the early dismissal so I likely won’t return.

Danielle Hall

Nice brunch spot, make sure to make a reservation! Food was good & decent portion sizes

Alexandra Segal

Delicious brunch and friendly service! Came here on Sunday afternoon - had the shakshuka, fried chicken sandwich, Brussel sprouts and eggs, and the loaded biscuits. The place was pretty busy so service was not the fastest, but our waitress was very nice so we didn’t mind the wait. Everything tasted fresh and home made - highly recommend!

Sven Waweru

The food here is amazing! We had the Double Cheeseburger and the Loaded Breakfast Biscuits and both were top notch. They were very flavorful, well prepared and care was taken into their presentation despite being dishes that you can imagine would easily become messy. Our waitress Jackie was super amazing and patient making great recommendations for food. The Cinnamon Toast Old Fashioned was also really great. I definitely recommend visitong!

Petena T.

OMG!!! Where do I start. From the moment we were seated to the last bite our server James was AMAZING!!! He made us feel extremely welcomed from the moment we sat down. He was very attentive and knowledgeable about everything offered at the establishment. I will be coming back simply because he was the experience I hope for at every restaurant . The manager did the nicest gesture of serving pancakes on the house for my unborn baby. From the mocktails to the food choices, everything was spot on!. Look nowhere else for brunch, you won’t regret it!

Richard Nelson

I have been twice now. Both times got seated quickly. The waiters were prompt with water refills. The food range from very good to good. The name is the menu. Somethings are weird combinations that I haven't had before and taste really good other things I could go without the fancyness. For anyone not wanting to branch out. The egg sandwich was very good. The potatoes we're also very good. The french toast was kinda like strange alright good. Like its hard to mess up french toast this just wasn't my favorite. My friend loved the pancakes. The price is high to for my liking, but that could just be because I am not use to dc prices.

Nancy Cosner

Gave this place a try just on a whim. Absolutely delicious. Used delivery service. Next time will go in person. Did not disappoint for sure.

Amina Taslim

The menu was unique and interesting, the food was amazing (and came out in a timely manner even though it was a full house), was reasonably priced, and the service was genuinely nice. The assistant manager even went out of their way to return my ID that I lost in the restaurant afterword's, truly deserving of being michelin recommended in every way that matters. Hope to come back soon!

Tanium T

This place has a great menu and you can't go wrong. Everything is spectacular. It's one of my favorite restaurants

Troy Witt

If you're anywhere near the Convention Center, this is a great place! I'm bummed that we didn't come earlier in our trip as I'd really like to return and try their brunch (we went for dinner). Prices were great for this town, portions were hearty, and food was EXCELLENT. Our service was really really good and friendly, even when we had a little miscommunication. Probably one of the top 5 fried chickens I've ever had. At dinner, be sure to plan on getting the "sunny eggs" dessert.

Dan Eggenschwiler

Went recently with a small group, and all of the food was fantastic. Realistically, I’d probably rate it a 4.5, but half points aren’t an option, and the experience was good enough to get the nod to a five. We started with the cornbread muffins, which were so good (but sadly small) that we needed another order. I ordered the double cheeseburger. I’m a bit of a burger connoisseur, and I honestly wasn’t expecting much based on the rather vague description. Rather than bore with too many details, I’ll just say that overall, it was one of the best burgers I’ve had in a couple years. Everyone loved their food, the drinks were solid (perhaps not quite as good as the food), and we had a great time. I would highly recommend checking out this great spot.

Kristen Manzo

This was the most amazing brunch we have ever found! Perfect start to our anniversary, my husband and I will be back tomorrow!! Thank you for the craft that is your incredible food.

Krishna B Kidambi

We went for breakfast on a sat mrng. We went early and did not have reservation and we were seated early. The staff were very friendly, polite and the service was great. Great team job. Coming to the food we got 1. Fried chicken and waffle - The chicken was crunchy and the waffle was on the sweeter end ( not a traditional waffle though), there was sriracha honey drizzled which gave the kick and the chicken gravy complemented very well. One of the best chicken and waffles I had. It was presented very well. 2. Buttermilk Pancakes (5/5) They were super fluffy, with strawberries and creams with a tiny bit of sourness as well. There was little granola as well which gave the crunch. The coffee was good and they provided fresh cream as well. There is street parking and outdoor seating available. If you want to get a good breakfast just go here.

Sita Sita

Excellent Excellent customer service and excellent food. I had the shakshuka, and it was absolutely delicious 😋

David Couch

Excellent Service and the entries were very tasty. A bit pricy if you’re on a budget. I recommend the meatloaf, the chicken parmigiana, or the fried chicken entries; They are the favorites from what I understand. The meatloaf was most satisfying and my associate chose the chicken parmigiana which I was envious over. Most impressed. Highly recommend if you’re not too much of miser.

Andreas Weber

Good fresh food, broad selection, from veggie to meat lovers. Slightly mediterran touch. Had the sweet potato shakshouka, was great.

Anthony Pennella

Good meal, ambiance is nice…come early mornings as the place gets packed. Make reservation in advance. They didn’t do anything special for my friends Birthday, even though they “asked” if it was her birthday…would have liked for them to bring out a sparkler or candle of some sort like they did for the table adjacent to us. I’d come back as the food was very tasty. Our waiter may have had a bad day because he was a bit off his game I’d say. But food and seating made up for it.

Ken Walsh

Food was great! My wife had Chicken and Waffles. Had a nice spice and was "incredible". Best chicken and Waffles. I had the Loaded Breakfast Biscuits. They were great. Great tasting and very filling. Server was friendly but not very attentive after our food was served.

Brittney Dimond

Solid spot. All the food is great - chicken and waffles were a stand out for sure. Quick and friendly service. Great ambiance and overall outstanding experience.

Edward Parsons

Absolutely wonderful. I had driven by the spot many times, but decided to give them a try. I was not disappointed. There were no issues with getting the reservation that I wanted. When we arrived, the staff was incredibly pleasant. The restaurant clearly had their social distancing procedures on point. My wife and I felt that we were the only customers in the place. The waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and all of his recommendations were delicious. The Unconventional Diner is an emerging go to spot in DC for anyone wanting an elevated soul food meal. A must visit!

Jessica McNulty

I got the tip top chop and it was delicious. The rest of my family got the Brussels sprouts and sweet potato and loved it. Definitely recommend trying the “egg” dessert too. Service was fast, and staff was super friendly. Loved the ambiance. 10/10 recommend

Fener Bahce

Few friends recommended this place to us so we went in for brunch...simply put this place is amazing. Recommend the shakshuka dish with naan, has a great blend of flavors and spice that I was not expecting. The chicken and waffles was also amazing and comes with a very flavorful gravy sauce on the side. Will definitely be back to try other dishes. Portions are massive and will fill you up.

E Hay (ehay2k)

Dropped in with my kids, both foodies, and this place did not disappoint! Loaded biscuits were truly that. Chicken and cornmeal waffles (!!) also very good. I had the shrimp and grits which has chicken sausage and grilled pineapple. Perfect balance of sweet and salt. I ate every bite. Service was excellent. Food came out very quickly. Despite only listing a few cocktails on their menu, they appear to have a full bar and their Bloody Marys (not on the menu) were very good. The atmosphere is very good with a buzzy, fun vibe, but too loud for me to give 5 stars. Perhaps it was just where we were sitting. Despite the noise, I heartily recommend this place. Be prepared to spend time finding a parking space. It would probably help their staff if they used something that lets you pay at the table. Scan and pay barcodes are perhaps an option. On what appeared to be an unusually busy Friday brunch time, the staff had to make 2 round trips to bring the check and then process your payment. It took a while to get our check picked up.

Brian Robeson

If you’re looking to try a unique breakfast dishes this is the place to check out. The staff was very friendly and attentive. Overall, it was a good experience.

James Bey

This is my second time coming to the Unconventional Diner! I had to come back to try their Strawberry & Cream Buttermilk Pancakes. I am so happy that I did. The two-stack of pancakes were delightfully fluffy while the strawberries and cream added a wonderful burst of sweet decadence. This brunch option left me completley satisfied.

Jason Kyzer

Came In for breakfast on a Monday on the suggestion of a friend. Everything may be unconventional, but the three dishes we had were absolutely amazing and full of flavor. Buttermilk pancakes with lavender blueberries and vanilla mascarpone , Caribbean shrimp & grits, and Lebanese fried rice were all a hit.

Afia Tyus

Food is great! But the server knowledge does struggle a bit. We also had 3 servers over the course of our meal with no warning during each switch. I definitely recommend reading reviews and checking out photos before hand if you’re looking for menu recommendations.

Veronnica

Fantastic staff, beautiful atmosphere, and really have a safe space for socially distancing. 100% would recommend dining in here, they also have a large patio if you’re more comfortable with that. Food was delicious, great elevated plays on comfort food; cocktails were innovative and fun. We had the pot pie poppers (so fun), crab hush puppies, miso salmon, and cheese burger. Something for everyone! We got the carrot cake to-go and it was fantastic and they even put a note on it for our celebration! Very thoughtful.

Paul Bowen

OMG! I love Caesar salads, however the “Dirty” Caesar was a real delight. The tomatoes were delicious, the eggs uniquely prepared, and croutons were blackened by squid ink, and the chicken was grilled and diced. It was so good, I forgot to take a photo. Well worth the price of a killer salad.

Nicholas Johnson

Definitely unconventional...and it's great! Fresh takes on all kinds of food...and fantastic, truly cheerful service! What more could you want? It's no wonder it's one of my boyfriend's favorite places to go.

Linnea B

I really do love trying different foods. My friend suggested we go this restaurant based off a video he saw on Tik Tok. Didn't know how good it was going to be but we figured why not? If it's on Tik Tok something must be good about it. I am so glad we went because everything we ordered was delicious. It's nice to get an "unconventional" meal to remind us of the days before Covid. Go out and support your local restaurants and tip your waiters. You can stop here for indoor or outdoor dining and just sit back and enjoy the many foodgasm their delectable dishes provide.

Alexandra K

Review on Second Visit: 3/5 I was a little disappointed on my second visit. The French dip tasted quite different. It wasn't as rich as before. The baked brie comes in a very shallow dish, so you don't get that much. The duck is a generous portion! I'd recommend it. Review on First Visit: 5/5 Very impressive -- Michilin Star restaurant. I got a $14 mezcal drink and $28 french dip. Most expensive thing on the menu. It was SO rich and delicious. Excellent service. My friend got the taquiotos. They were good, but I probably wouldn't get them again. They also got the brownie. Fantastic.

T

Most of us really enjoyed breakfast here. Dishes were very adventurous. Ingredients were top quality. Great flavors. One person in our party prefers more "conventional" foods but found limited options. They we're disappointed when they tried the waffles and chicken. The waffle was more like cornbread, and the chicken was just a chicken finger. The sauce provided wasn't syrup, but more like a creamy balsamic dressing. The loaded biscuits and corned beef hash meals were very good.

K Mo

It's easy to see why this place attracted the attention of Michelin AND was voted best brunch in DC. Our Lyft driver told us about this place, and I'm so glad he did! We walked from our hotel to grab some brunch, and this place wow'd us from the very beginning! It was a nice day so we almost sat on the patio, but I'm glad we ate indoors so we could see just how pretty the decor and bar is! Funky and fun inside, with great waitstaff and delish food. I ordered the blueberry pancakes and hubby ordered the chicken and waffles which is so unique, you'd just have to try it! But it's flavorful and different. The waffle is a cornbread batter so don't expect ordinary! Both dishes were just excellent. As well as the coffee--I even asked our waiter what brand of coffee it was. It's a company we don't have back home, so we definitely savored it while we were there. Our waiter was very kind to offer us to-go cups as well so we could enjoy it a bit longer. Impressive from beginning to end and we will most definitely be back! It was great. You won't regret a trip for brunch.

Ali Chuntz

Unique and delicious! We are from the west coast and this was a fun experience in food!!

Erik Collett-Stone

It was good! The blueberry "chutney" for their pancakes is wonderful. And the presentation is very nice. The pancakes are made from yellow cake mix, generally good, but a tad underwhelming for the price and setting. The rest of the menu looks fantastic.

Gerald Brown

Inventive, fairly eclectic menu well executed. Good service.

Alejandro Barreda

Great food, friendly service, and nice atmosphere. Cocktails could be a little more stronger.

Jacqueline C

I’ve been here for business dinners, brunch with friends, and lunch with family— it’s been great each time. There’s a great mix of vegan/vegetarian options, the place feels nice but not fussy-nice, the cocktails are on-point, and everyone I’ve eaten with has enjoyed their food, even one coworker who cautioned me that he was selective about what he ate and rarely ordered at restaurants. I always make reservations, and I’d definitely recommend doing so.

Hanna Mo

Was a little skeptical about coming here for breakfast (mostly because the menu was overwhelming at first), but once I was seated and saw what people were eating, I knew this was a great spot. The food is so unique and flavorful. The jambalaya made me feel like I was bad in NOLA, so good! And the chicken and waffles with almost a peppercorn gravy was mouth-watering. Last but definitely not the least, the fries are a must! Check this place out for sure if you can, have not come across cuisine & vibes like this before.

Mika H

GREAT! The brunch is very delicious and really the name: unconventional! The courses may seem to be traditional, but the flavor are not, love it! Very popular, we didn’t make reservations in advance, so tables are full. But seat at the bar is first come first served policy. So, yeah~ Highly recommend, and for do remember to make reservations in advance.

Ah Jones

Everything was okay. The best thing we ordered was the punch. I think the corned beef hash would have been better if they used fresh potatoes. Nothing was bad. The customer service was good. If we're in the neighborhood we may go again.

William

Blown away by the selection of the food and the deliciousness of everything!! The chicken was deliciously moist, while the waffle was a crispy cornmeal variety. Everyone else’s plates looked amazing, even something as simple as the side of bacon was awesome and the biscuits were fall apart tasty. The blueberry pancakes looked kinda gross, but tasted phenomenal, highly recommended. 9/20/2019 update: the avocado toast is definitely not traditional but just as delicious. The chicken sandwich was fried deliciousness, with perfect fries.

Augusto Cangahuala

Wow. We enjoyed this place so much on a lovely Friday night. The service is great and the food was delicious. We ordered a variety of dishes and I think everyone in our large party was very happy with their food. We started with some Moroccan taquitos, kale nachos and crab fritters. Then we got the peruvian sopa criolla, fried chicken, Lebanese fried rice, and the Caribbean shrimp and grits. Everything was good and the food came very quickly.

Dan Giampetroni

Cool place. Great alternative menu. Little loud.

Kyle Broadnax

Ordered online a while ago and finally made it in. Super impressed! The kitchen (visible from indoor seating) is a pristine, we'll oiled machine churning out deliciousness! Great bloody Marys too!

Chrisssy

A bit expensive, the 20%tip was automatically added to the bill with brunch. The food is a bit salty, but overall the food is not bad. The attitude of the waitress is not too good when we try to tell her the latte was too sweet.

Amanda Prewitt

Great food! I had the loaded biscuits and brussel sprouts, they were delicious!

cook hee Lee

Delicious, reasonable price, generous coffee refill, good service.

Kike Miralles

Excellent food. Corned beef, lebanese rice, tip-top salad were all great. My wife loved the shakshuka, but I didn't care much for it. The pancakes were good, but mostly because of the vanilla mascarpone; they were kind of bland without it.

O G

Michelin effect. Service is lacking and rude and dismissive, and the food feels complacent. The chicken and waffles is good, but felt silly to pay $20 for literally half a waffle plus some basic chicken tenders that weren’t even that crispy. This is all compared to last time I went, which was a noticeably different experience. Also, ate brunch there today 2/12 and whoever the hostess/maitre d was (anyone who ate brunch today will know who I’m talking about) was AWFUL- just incredibly rude. You just can’t treat people like that. I don’t care what kind of positive media recognition you guys have gotten- you don’t get to act like it is our privilege to be graced by what you have to, and therefore feel entitled to treat people like garbage. Do better, please.

Perks Advisor

Credit due to unconventional diner to living up to its name. I ordered the roast beef French dip and it came out as a layered bowl of French fries, roast beef, mushrooms and a heavy gravy touched off with a fried egg which is a theme for many dishes. Surprisingly, it did taste like a French dip. The restaurant is quite spacious and is accessible though its own door by part of the Convention Center or related buildings. My French dip meal was filling if not heavy with the gravy. The theme here seems to be a continuous brunch. Staff were friendly and helpful. A good brunch option and they serve booze so you can enjoy that that.

Dieter Hase

Food was very good. Creative renditions of breakfast staples. But the experience felt rushed. Food came too quickly. Loud, hard to actually talk. Staff was friendly and responsive. Just to rushed for Sunday brunch...

Rebecca Generally

Oh my goodness it has been sooo long since we've had REALLY GREAT food delivered! Missing items, wrong items, cold food, bland food, etc. have been the norm lately so it was so refreshing to get DELICIOUS quality food - taste, portions, and presentation!! We got a cheeseburger, chicken and waffles, pancakes, chocolate cake and carrot cake (don't judge!) lol and its all fantastic!!...We will be repeat customers for sure!!

Andrew Lopez

One of the best brunch places I’ve ever been to! The chicken and waffles and blueberry pancakes were to die for. A little pricey but I’m not used to DC prices. Highly recommend!

Dondré

The unconventional diner is a hit, I've only been for brunch so far and the brunch was fantastic. My food was excellent and so was the service. The hosts are very accommodating. The open ambiance, with all the glass pouring in natural light makes this a great place to spend a nice morning.

Gaelle Claude

One of the best brunch places I’ve been to in DC! I went on a Monday so the ambiance was a bit calm but I highly recommend it for a date or an intimate outing. I had their egg sandwich which was very tasty and let’s not forget about the mimosas! *chef’s kiss*

Sirantou Coulibaly

I went there for a business dinner with four others. I knew it was going to be special because the locals raved about it. When you walk in, you sense the buzz. When the menu opens, the choices are wild and imaginative. I think I liked the Moroccan Taquitos and the Caribe Grits the best.

ea h

This place was amazing! Definitely talk with your server about the menu because Betty was able to help us each narrow down our choices and all of us were happy. The table favorites were the pot pie poppers & baked brie for appetizers. The shrimp & grits had a wonderful kick to them and were delicious. We will be coming back.

David Belmonte

A very pleasant DC surprise. Its been around for a good while now, so I kick myself for not dining here much sooner. There are many DC dining staples and this is now one of mine. Excellent service and a very clever menu. We were impressed with every served to us. Every plate was clearly carefully considered for mini experiences in themselves. Best dinner of my recent DC trip.

Tracy V

We were a large party that came in very late and they were able to accommodate us and did it graciously. I had a side of truffle Mac and cheese and brussel sprouts, soooo good. One of the better Mac and cheeses I've had in a very long time.

Raul Gutierrez

Lovely place. The food was lacking a little bit of salt but overall was decent. Had the steak and fries. Was very busy on Saturday night. Would recommend reservation.

Mariam Agha

Great place to visit! I highly recommend if you're in Washington DC! I went there with my family and had a great time. The customer service was very good and the food was even better!!! I really liked the interior and the atmosphere at the unconventional diner! Again, the staff was very friendly and professional!

Alex Krietemeyer

The Georgia Peaches French Toast was decadent and delightful. Delicious does not do justice to define the delicacy. Definitely recommend making a trip here. I was lucky enough to sit by the kitchen window and it was amazing to see the perfect consistency with the preparation of every meal.

Gloria Cavanaugh

We thoroughly enjoyed our brunch. The staff was exceptionally kind and professional. The food was delicious. Thanks to Mia and Mike for your great service allowing us to have a wonderful time.

Shelbi Svoboda

Unconventional Diner was a blast! We did a team event and ordered the salmon (definitely recommend), the meat loaf, and the burger (amazing). We also had the kale nachos and cauliflower salad starters which were overpriced for their size. The cocktails had fun flavor combinations. Finish with individual scoops of ice cream for sure - we loveeeed the brown butter and the avocado white chocolate.

Michael L

Favorite brunch spot. Love the French toast and loaded biscuits. Amazing dirty caesar salad and avocado toast too. Good pancakes and chicken/waffles as well. Great service.

Marshall May

It was okay, the food was great at first but the last few bits were lacking. This was mainly an issue of not enough sauce for the entire dish. The grits tasted weird, like someone mixed some peanut butter into them. It wasn't cheap, but I wasn't expecting it to be. If anything, I expected it to be more expensive.

Shreejit Gangadharan

Super tasty spicy diner food. Didn't expect food at diner to be spicy but the cauliflower as well as the brussel sprouts with fried eggs had za'tar and tikka masala which created an explosion on my unsuspecting taste buds! Very tasty and filling. Service was great too.

philippe meyersohn

The food at this restaurant is very very heavy to the point that could not finish half of my plate. I had the tagliatelle and my friends had the grits. Both dishes were too heavy with the need to provide something to balance the richness of the dish. The salmon was a better choice in that respect. Be in the back room as the front room is very noisy.

Irene Sudorgin

Very unique version of diner food. We tried several apps (TipTop Chop & Taquitos were good) and 5 mains ... really liked the Peking Duck Confit & Lebonese Rice and Fried Chicken, the Burger was ok ... Chicken Soup was very salty (would not order again). Fun vibe. Service was a bit rushed. Would recommend.

Morgan Lang

Don’t skip this spot, massive place with fantastic house made lemonade and fresh tasting food. Tortilla soup was delicious! Deserts are amazing too.

Kumaar U.

I enjoyed the service from this restaurant. The cocktails were pricey but they were delicious and very strong. I enjoyed the mezze plate and Mac n cheese the most. The salmon was perfectly cooked and was paired well with a lemon sauce. I didn't like the desserts here.

Brandon Sieben

Such an amazing breakfast. The Prosciutto was fresh, clean, and tasted amazing with the fig jelly. Highly recommended. Food came out fast and service was amazing. Go here.

Anna O

The food here was great. I ordered the meatloaf and it came piping hot with a decent portion of mashed potatoes (that was delicious when combined with the gravy on the plate). The brownie sundae dessert was alright, with the brownie itself seeming to be microwaved. Nonetheless, with all ingredients combined, it was a delightful treat. I will say that the espresso was a little too bitter and fruity for my liking. Appreciated the COVID-19 procedures that they had in place, including 1) glassed divisions between tables and 2) one door entry and exit. I have taken a star off, however, since our waiter was not particularly engaging. Also, we were seated right near the exit door that people were constantly exiting through. This, combined with a cold rainy night made it very uncomfortable and cold to sit there. Felt like they could’ve had the door on the other side of the restaurant as the exit door since no one was sitting near there.

Azadeh

I had the avocado toast and I loved it! So tasty.

TheFadedSilhouette

I have mixed feelings about this restaurant. The majority of the food bought was delicious. I found myself enjoying the appetizers and most of the entrees but some of the food was lacking. The brussel sprouts were a bit too charred for my liking and the fries were a bit basic for the price. The Hazelnut dessert was the favorite of the night and I thoroughly recommend it if you make the trip out. The menu for me was a little smaller then I would like, granted they did have lovely vegan and vegetarian options. They really are the 'Unconventional Diner,' just make sure you are prepared for the different twists that they'll add to those basic meals lol, I'm not sure if I was ready for it at the time but it was a great experience none the less. Definitely be prepared to spend more then you would expect from a 'diner' setting. This is more of cloth napkin restaurant, than a diner.

J.S. Kim

My go-to stop when taking out-of-town guests for breakfast/brunch that’s homey and familiar enough (chicken and waffles, biscuits) but wow, they elevate the food to another level and it’s deeelicious and reasonably priced for DC too! The space is also huge so they can often take large groups without reservations. Its chic interior makes you feel like you’re getting a treat, but you can still walk in with comfy clothes. Actually, you’ll see a lot of guests from convention center events like the anime convention so it can be fun to people watch. Hard to find free/cheap parking nearby though. Public transit is best.

Jenny Smolinsky

I wish I hadn't waited so long to try this place! The staff were all super friendly and attentive and the food was amazing. The French Dip Pappardelle was savory, rich and comforting, and in a way reminded me of lard na - yum! The Mocha Sundae was like a chocolate lava cake in the best way. They had precautions in place for COVID (plexiglass between booths, no menus) and everyone is required to wear masks unless eating/drinking. Everything was very clean. I can't wait to come back!

Nicole M

Very good little place, bigger than I thought with friendly service and great food!

Maggie Rouse

The raspberry cake was AMAZING! I am still thinking about it - you should get it. The grits are great, the meatloaf is great, the parpardelle is too, so is the Hawaiian punch!

P Ak

Pretty good food but the service ranged from bad to professional. Enjoyed the lox and the grits with lamb sausage. update they should call this place salt attack. We had our second brunch and everything we had was too salty. The burger had a good quality patty but had too much salt to enjoy. The dirty caesar was interesting and tasty but spicy. If they cut down on the salt and worked on the sound proofing it would improve the experience big time.

Vikas

Where do I even begin! This place is one of the gems of Washington D.C. the food is so good. We had the Brussels sprouts and fried egg and both then shared the blueberry pancakes and shrimp/grits! The flavor is unbelievable in all the dishes and the pancakes were the best I ever had. Our waitress Ashley was very sweet. They did a very good job in covid-19 precautions for indoor dining with shields separating tables and the bathroom actually had a new attachment to open it with your feet! No surprise they are a Michelin star place but with affordable prices. Best brunch ever, everyone should try this place.

Sharon Sanders

Bottom line is that the food was wonderfully, exceptionally well-prepared in a place that features a modern take on diner ambience, with very good service. My party ordered the Miso salmon and the Lebanese fried rice w/ hummus and falafel entrees and a side of macaroni and cheese. Everything was beautifully plated and complexly flavored. The rice dish was layered with the flavors of middle eastern herbs and spices, enhanced with the textures of toasted almonds, raisins, creamy house made hummus and crispy-crusted falafel. The Miso salmon was perfectly cooked, pink inside, enhanced with a sweet/salty glaze and a creamy lemony sauce. It was served alongside a bed of creatively arranged tender/crisp zucchini slices, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and a spice/herb mixture. The macaroni and cheese was exceptional. Cheese flavors really came through, rather than the bland flavor of bechamel. The textures of the al dente pasta, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy topping were enticing - and I don't usually love mac and cheese. We also ordered two desserts: the apple cobbler (which was really an apple crisp) and the sunny eggs. The apple cobbler was good, though my favorite comfort food version is still Ted Montana's, seasonal. The sunny eggs were a playful and delicious arrangement of jelled mango (two yolks) atop creamy coconut custard (whites) served with two crispy cookies (bacon slices), and accompanied with fresh berries.

Pallavi Misra

I am a tourist in DC. And I was really looking forward to trying this place after reading the rave reviews. And my friend and I were really hungry... So we did get through about 1/3 of the meal before we made a comment and we really should have sent it back when we took the first bite. I was sooo disappointed. The food was incredibly salty. I know I don't eat a lot of salt... But this was so next level! We both said it at like the first / second bite that it was salty... But we both were famished... So ended up eating a fair bit. Dessert was the burnt Basque cheesecake and that was great! And mind you these are large portions... Even for 1 (maybe not in the US)... So share. And the hot cider was delicious! And the service and atmosphere really great! When we finally did say something, the manager came over to what we'd like...etc ... All in all really great service. A shame about the food though.

Matt

Service was pretty rushed and curt - I think the server said maybe 10 words to us the whole dinner - and the food was ok and fresh but not particularly memorable. Good portion sizes though and a pleasant dining environment.

Natalie Phillips

Came for brunch with friends and all the food was absolutely fantastic! My friend had the blueberry pancakes and they were outstanding. 5 stars for the quality of food and good prices. The only reason I’m not giving 5 stars is the fact it took well over a half hour after our reservation time before we could be seated and then our server was not very attentive and we had to repeat quite a few of our requests.

Niki Capehart

The venue is super cute and modern. The brunch menu has A LOT of variety. There are dishes for every food preference and flavor. I had the double cheeseburger. The meat wasn't seasoned very well, but the fries were delicious. I tasted the Carribean shrimp and grits, and boy were they tasty!

Paul Cage

French toast... I love French toast! Really good. My first time eating here. Was able to get seated without a reservation. My waiter, Rayes, very good and attentive. Will definitely be back! Oh, and the mimosas... FABULOUS!!!!

Thomas G

DO get an entrée, any entrée. They are phenomenal. DON'T get a side, or anything off of the main menu. The kitchen attention goes into the main courses, not the sides of pre-frozen, purchased-in-bulk hashbrowns. Among the main food options you could choose at random and you would do just as well as if you labored over selecting the best option. A reservation will make your life a lot easier.

Ariana

Great vegan dinner date scene. There are several vegan options-enough to warrant a return trip to try them all. Our waiter was informed about ingredients and able to help us make modifications. The food was tasty and filling. We were served almost immediately even though it was busy. Blagden alley is right across the st for after dinner drinks. We sat in the back dining area and were a little confused by the atmosphere. It felt a bit like we were dining in a university library-muted colors, brass fixtures, concrete floor, not quite enough lighting, and a bit low energy. It is spacious though for large groups. The space would benefit from better lighting or even some live music. The front area is much more lively. It seems like the better place to sit if you want more energy however if you’re looking for space or dining with children the back area is more accessible. We would definitely return for another round of dinner but wish more items on the menu were vegan. The dessert menu has sorbet but more options would be more enticing

Nana Apenem Hanson-Hall

Calm, bright restaurant with a flair for creative food combinations and drinks. Some of my faves over a number of visits: cornbread muffins, miso salmon, baked brie, biscuits and jam, tres leches, crab fritters, Caribbean shrimp & grits.

AKC 96

Very conventional indeed and overpacked with tables leaving very little privacy and space. The Loaded biscuits were good but the Seggsy sandwich was meh. Service was acceptable.

T H

Stopped in for dinner with some colleagues while in town for a conference. This is a delicious restaurant. The only reason this isn't a 5-star rating is because of the service from our waitress. It took her quite a while to even serve the table when we first got there and when she finally did she was a bit short with us and not very friendly. She did finally become a little friendly towards the end of the night but that didn't make up for the rest of the night. That being said, the food here is diverse and delicious. All dietary restrictions can be met here and not just with modifications to the menu as many dishes are made with people's needs in mind and clearly marked on the menu. You won't regret making a reservation and enjoying the food here from start to finish. It's a casual and cool vide.

Rachel

I ordered the kale salad and dined indoors. The space is beautiful and the service is excellent. The flavors of the dish were good. However, I found some pieces of plastic mixed in. The staff remade the salad and graciously offered me a free dessert. Unfortunately, the remake also had the same issue...I was told it might be from the pre-portioned containers that fracture easily when frozen. That might also explain why the cucumbers and quinoa were a bit mushy. I understand this is a tough time for restaurants, but I don’t go out and pay a premium to eat pre-frozen food. Maybe my experience was an outlier and I happened to pick a low-priority dish. But I’m of the opinion that if you can’t make a dish well, take it off the menu. Again, the service and space were top-notch, but I can’t give it a higher rating without good quality control and freshness.

Jason Tussing

The food tasted great, except the fried potatoes were way too salty, but the service was subpar. We had to ask for every little thing. They did not ask of we needed anything or anticipated our needs. We had to ask for straws for the water and my meal came with french fries but I had to ask for ketchup. When ordering I asked if I could substitute grits for the fries but he said I would be charged full price for the grits. We were also here for lunch during a work day but the staff was not very quick. The food came out fast but everything else took a long time. Just don't expect to be in and out for a quick lunch.

Leo Segovia

Place has a nice atmosphere and the food was well seasoned. Definitely a great brunch place in D.C. but I recommend making a reservation because they get very busy on weekends

Arlene Klauber

The food was great. Pairings lives up to its name, "Unconventional". Staff very attractive. Noise level a little over my liking but not a detractor. Would recommend.

Ricardo Rezk

Waiters worked earnestly but the place was clearly understaffed during brunch. From nearby tables I heard disgruntled clients complain about delays in their orders. But I didn’t wait long before my order was taken and my food arrived. Burger and fries were done as requested. I’d go back when I’m not in a rush.

Wind Walker

This was an undiner, with comfort food that rocked. The appetizers were good. We had fish sticks. I ordered the fried chicken. A half chicken arrived at the table perfectly cooked accompanied with cheesy biscuit and gravy! Chicken was fried perfectly. The dessert was also very good. A must stop in my opinion.

Junaid O

Food was awesome. Went on Thursday for a Birthday Brunch and our server was patient and attentive. Highly recommended!

Jonathan

Service at the bar was exceptional. The coffee is fantastic and the food was very good. High quality, and relatively quick. There is plenty of outdoor seating If you’re looking to enjoy the weather. LGBTQ friendly

Hanna Ozbeki

we really enjoy the fried chicken and waffles and loaded biscuit! the servings were more than needed too. the service was great and they really respected covid guidelines which we were thankful for. definitely a great place for brunch!!

Chongyan Chen

A little bit disappointed. The "French Dip" Pappardelle is too salty. The fried chicken is a little bit dry. The pancake is small but taste great.

Joanne Steele

The first time I went it was unconventional in the best way. The pumpkin chai was amazing. The "dirty" Ceasar Salad was delightful with a soft egg on top that was perfect. The fried chicken sandwich was pedestrian, but a solid entry. Candied ginger on the carrot cake...nice touch. Good enough that I went again with friends...and just like that, the place went from the unconventional diner to the unremarkable diner. The pumpkin chai was messy and nothing like the previous version. The salad came with no egg and the eggs atop the Lebanese Fried Rice were horribly over-cooked. All I can say is try your luck on a Wednesday and not on a Thursday. Pictures are from my first visit.

Amy Chan

We came here for breakfast and it was exquisite. It’s nice that the menu is designed to make breakfast an interesting food experience - something that’s normally only reserved for lunch and dinner. My friend ordered brussel sprouts that were perfectly seared and topped with a friend egg. I ordered the avocado & egg on toast and was presented with a delightful deconstruction of the classic.

Sarah M

Here you will find an amazing brunch spread, and truly a unique and "unconventional" spin on so many classic dishes! I would highly recommend the pancakes, or the chicken and waffles. The biscuit with bacon jam was also good, however the balance of how salty the dish was, I found a bit underwhelming. They could have done better. I would also highly recommend their espresso, chai tea lattes are amazing, and the matcha was also impressive. I really appreciate the variety of drinks and customizations, including a variety of non dairy milks to choose from.

Tonja Horton

The food is extra, different but awesome!!! My daughter had to make reservations way ahead of time. The atmosphere and customer service was perfect!!! Don't miss out on this place!!!!!!

Ralph turloff

We came here for happy hour under a recommendation from a friend. We found their happy hour cocktails to be delicious but would’ve been nice to have more options. Also the food was delicious and I would certainly come here again to have dinner. The staff all looked after us very well.

Molly Fratianne

I went for restaurant week and we ate exclusively off of that menu. everything we had was so fun- exactly as they describe it- sounds like it wouldn’t be anything special then you taste it and it blows your mind. The chocolate raspberry cake was so good we ordered 2 to take home and eat the next day.

Joe Mele

I'm a foodie at heart and can say after trying dozens of spots all along the East Coast, this is now one of my favorites. Nothing more to say, food tastes even better than it looks.

Bryant Hamlor (Bryant H.)

Everything about UD was outstanding. Drinks, food and service were top notch.

Yun Fei Sng

Popular basic brunch dishes prepared with a slight twist and elevation. Everything was delicious; no complaints. Also, you'd probably have to pay 50% more for the same dishes in New York. I would have finished trying everything on the menu within a month if I lived in DC. Just the truth. 1. Chickpea Shakshuka (Red Curry, Coconut Milk, Sorrel, Watermelon Radishes, Two Sunny Eggs) $15 2. Chicken & Waffles (Chicken Breast, Cornbread Waffle, Habanero Butter, Granny Gravy) $18 3. French Dip Poutine (Angus Beef, Mushroom, Cheese Curds, Roasted Onions, Sunny Egg) $19 4. Biscuit & Jame"edict" (Two Poached Eggs, Bacon Jam, Creme Fraiche, Breakfast Potatoes) $14 5. Blueberry Pancakes (Vanilla Mascarpone, Lavender, Candied Ginger) $12

A Smith

I'm not sure how you could write anything negative about this place. Our waiter was impressive... memorizing without needing to write it down lol. We were seated right away although the wait for outdoor seating was an hour long. The food was phenomenal. I'd put this spot at the top of my list for DC restaurants. And I'd put it in my top 5 in the US. For those who say it's pricey, I have to disagree. The dishes are unique and the quality is up there. You get what you pay for. The corn muffins are a must. The dirty caesar salad was amazing. I'm picky when it comes to mac and cheese but that was great as well. My friend and the meatloaf and said it was the best meatloaf he ever had. We're African American and have had some damn good meatloaf but I have to agree this one takes the cake. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert but I'll be back for sure!

Mark Cruz

Tried them for an early evening cocktail (strawberry Negroni) and snack (shiitake spring rolls) and can’t wait to go back. They even let me taste the kale nachos which were delicious.

Tucker Petersen

I’ve been here before and it was much better the first time. I think I just ordered a dish that wasn’t doing it for me (the chicken parm florentine). Service was good as I’d expect. Just okay this time.

AJ Dronkers

Leaving this review specifically for an exceptional delivery experience. We ordered brunch and the food not only tasted terrific but arrived quickly - still warm and thoughtfully packaged. Delivery of food is challenging and they really aced how it was packed up as to be enjoyed perfectly at home. I've also eaten here in person (pre-COVID) and had good experiences but the was really wow'd by the recent delivery. Kudos. (Pic of chicken and waffles the sauces were packed separately)

Claire Stoddart

Great place! So surprised that somewhere that calls itself a diner is this refined. Don’t be fooled by the name. I had breakfast here, the avocado toast is amazing! And then came back for dinner. Miso Salmon was perfectly cooked and the flavours worked so well together. I ordered the eggs and bacon dessert. One because I was intrigued by the name and two because my waitress said it had won them an award recently. Ingenious dessert! Looks like bacon and eggs, tastes like heaven! How they came up with such an idea is beyond me but I’m not surprise they won an award with this... they also had a white Malbec on the menu, another thing I was curious about as an avid (red) Malbec drinker and it didn’t disappoint. So creamy and something I will definitely go looking for again. Apart from the food, the staff are super friendly and take their time to explain the menu. I will definitely be back next time I’m in DC.

Gary Danoff

Each plate was its own island of tastes!

Brandy Delque

Amazing food and great service! a great twist on conventional diner food. and the cocktails are worth a try too.

Aaron Diaz

his is one of the best down home restaurant I've ever eaten. The service was excellent the waiter provided us with great recommendations and cocktails for our dinner. I highly recommend making a reservation and checking this place out.

Peter Ildefonso

Really an all-around awesome experience. We started with the kale nachos which were incredible (I'm not normally one for such things and still enjoyed them). I had the Ropa Vieja with peppers and green olives, which was very well spiced. My fiancee got the Miso Salmon with zucchini. She loved the sauce and said the fish was good with a really great lemon sauce/curd. The Cinderella story for me was the Collard Greens. I spent years in the South and they were better than I've even had down there. Gotta try them! I wasn't a big fan of the carrot cake, it probably could have sat a bit longer, but my fiancee liked it. The Brown Butter ice cream was close second favorite of mine.

Blinky Catt

Came for restaurant week. Really enjoyed the Florentine Parm and Everything Lox, and the salmon salad was great. We felt the Mediterranean fried rice was very underwhelming, however. Service was excellent, the decor was cool and fun, a good place to have a good time.

Netta Rapuano

Love everyday brunch! Ate family style where we shared several bunch items including desserts. Service was excellent! Love the Bloody Marys! 🤌🤌

Jeffrey Zheng

Great atmosphere at the restaurant and delicious food. I really liked the bright, upbeat interior. The service was great. The food was really good. We had the poutine and the blueberry pancakes. The poutine was delicious (full disclosure I've never had poutine in Canada) but it was a tad too salty for me. Which kinda worked out because it balanced very well with the pancakes. These were the best blueberry pancakes I've ever had and I dont even like blueberry pancakes that much. They were perfectly fluffy and the blueberry sauce + the whipped cream was just amazing. Definitely recommend checking this restaurant out and be sure to bring your appetite!

Rachel Nettles

This place is amazing! It has fantastic food and a chic atmosphere. The only reason this lost a star was because of the chicken parm. The noodles were cold and the sauce was forgettable. On the end of the spectrum wee the pot pie poppers. These literally popped in my mouth and gushed delicious chicken pot pie filling. I highly recommend this place (just don't get the chicken parm).

Lara Bryant

I’ve been here three time now, including for restaurant week. My favorite dish is the chicken parmigiana. I’ve enjoyed every cocktail I ever tried. I think for restaurant week you end up spending about the same as an average evening. But this place is a must for foodies. Caesar salad from restaurant week pictured- it was a little strong flavored for me.

Charles Lowery

Went there on a very busy Saturday but the hostess was so kind and helpful that she found seating for our party of 3 (even though Ididn't have a reservation)!!! The blueberry pancakes were fantastic and the service was excellent!!

Shamar Williams

Every menu item I’ve tasted so far has been awesome. They have very flavorful vegetarian options as well.

Debra Quigley

Both brunch and dinner were amazing. We had brunch there a few weeks ago, and were looking forward to trying the dinner menu. Both were delicious, and service was superb each visit. Looking forward to returning.

Jack Briner

Enjoyed dinner two nights in a row. Both nights were totally different. The first night I had Peruvian soup that seemed authentic and the best crab cake that I have ever had. The second night I had a Cajun version of shrimp and grits with plantains and pineapple. Good desserts both nights. Good wait staff, same both nights.

Andrenna Henry

Our experience was top notch! Our waiter David was excellent! Our wait time was short, waiter very knowledgeable about entire menu. Would highly Recommend

Olivier Js

Upscale diner. The bowled cubana was excellent.

Kara Terrell

Consistently good food with unexpected surprises and fresh / delicious flavors. I ordered the grits which came with lamb sausage, broccolini, poached eggs and pickled veggies. Our party ordered the fries and sexy sauce - way too many fries for one person or even three, they were delicious but we couldn’t finish them.

Justin H

Wow! Just wow! Interesting mix of flavors with non standard dishes. The Moroccan taquitos were killer a long with the Dirty Caesar. That might have been the best salad of my life. Don’t miss it. Great spin on diner classics that won’t disappoint. It was also easy to get a reservation last minute on a Saturday night.

Tom Walsh

Great dinner with both conventional and unconventional dishes. From vegetarian options to chicken and waffles. Fast lunch service too.

Marx Craven

Unconventional" but very good. If you can make it to a desert, the pistachio ice cream is incredible and unlike any I have had before.

Kira W

As the name implies, not your average breakfast. It was very busy, I got a seat on a Saturday morning only because I was dining alone. The pancakes were good but upscale (which isn't a bad thing if that's what you're looking for). Price was a little high. The place itself is nice. Bar staff were attentive and friendly

Joseph Moran

Best breakfast of my life, An out of body experience.

Shannon Williams

If you're looking for a break from the norm, you should check this place out! The Chicken Parm Florentine, Crab Linguini, Corn Bread Muffins with Habanero Butter, Pot Pie Poppers, Cast Iron Brussel Sprouts, Apple Cobbler, and the Mocha Sundae were all amazing! Definitely looking forward to going back and trying some more treats!

Chi Kang

Make sure to make reservations, super easy on Open Table. Went for Sunday brunch, super fun menu, quality, and atmosphere was enough for us to want to come back and try the dinner menu.

Nassiba

Slow service. Waited over 10 minutes once seated and the waiter didn’t stop by so had to flag him. Same thing when we finished. He disappeared so we had to ask another staff member to bring the check. Disappointing service but food was ok.

Gray Beard

Visited here a couple times. UD is a good brunch spot for 2 or a group of people. The menu has a good selection of food at a decent price. Food comes out quickly, but service is lacking.

d adams

Very unconventional, not huge variety but enough to keep things interesting. A special restaurant for its uniqueness. Good service and clean environment. The shake is delicious but pricey for size.

Emily C.

I was very happy with the range and quality of food for dinner here. We had to wait a few minutes past our reservation time, but there's a huge bar with attentive bartenders to hang out at while you wait. There are many vegetarian options and a range of classic dishes with a modern, new American spin. I recommend the cornbread (which was fluffy and sweet), and the Lebanese fried rice. The decor inside the restaurant is gorgeous – super minimalistic, black and white but with oversized, colorful graffiti canvass art. Very cool vibe.

Garrett Steffen

Came in for brunch and I'm dying to go back again to try some of the other meals we saw being served at other tables. Real really good food and super nice staff were accommodating. I recommend making a reservation ahead of time.

Joshua Hearst

The food and drinks were amazing. The staff and views of the city were also amazing. Lots to do in this area.

Jeremy Krishnan

Excellent and very friendly service, super delicious and innovative vegetarian options. We loved everything we tried from the Kale Nachos, Corn Muffins with Cashew Butter, Brussel Sprouts with flair of Indian spices, Okra Broccollini asian style, and last but not least the Sweet Potato Curry with a hint of masala. ended the night with the chocolate in a coffee mug (forget name) but it was devine...and with a sparkler candle to celebrate a birthday! Definitely in the rotation for dining again.

Hava Haischer-Rollo

In DC for NYE and needed a place for breakfast. This place did not disappoint! Best corn beef hash and best breakfast sandwich I have had! Add in cool vibe, friendly staff and delish mimosas and this place is a must!!

Mindy Pollack-Fusi

Well...the famous blueberry pancakes are terrific.. if you want what tastes like blueberry sauce, 3-layer bday cake (thick sweet pancakes)...w a few sweetened, jumbo blueberries, a gob of yummy vanilla marscapone and dots of crunchy cinnamon sugar on top...just in case you haven't had enough sugar (I had enough in 4th bite but ate 2/3 anyway...). Despite my personal opinion, my review might have been a 5 if the "cake" was at least hot ...or warm.... bacon was tepid too. Drink was delish...with no sugar added...thank goodness because it tasted like a melted pineapple lollipop... I wont be back... but most reading this will race there asap!

Juyoon Sun

One of my favorite restaurants in DC. A Michelin bib gourmand. Love the dinner menu with more options and variety than the lunch one. The portions are not large, so it is great to order a couple of dishes per person and do a family style dining of sharing.

Catherine Edwards

The food and servers were great. The hostess however, was very rude. It's such a shame cause I really liked the food but I expected a better attitude from the hostess.

Francesca Rizzo

Had a wonderful time visiting for restaurant week! I was very pleased to see dishes that had gotten rave reviews on the restaurant week menu. The Everything Lox was so inventive, the presentation was gorgeous and the poached egg was such a fun addition to a classic pairing. The chicken parm was absolutely delicious - the stuffing in the chicken really took it up a notch and the homemade pasta was perfectly cooked. I had the Chocolate Fudge cake for dessert and was expecting something wildly different but it was SO GOOD! The cake was light and fluffy but super rich and chocolatey and the raspberries on top were perfectly sweet. There were only two things that made it not a 100% perfect night - the sangria is nothing special even though the menu makes it sound super different and interesting, and the service was slow at times. It took us almost 10 minutes to get our check at the bar and then another 10 minutes before we finally got someone to cash us out so we could go to our table for dinner. Despite that the staff was all so nice and friendly and the ambiance was very cool and different from a lot of the places again. I’ll definitely be going back again soon!

Sherry Siller

As far as fancy Cesar salads go, it was a good one. We sat at the bar because it was so crowded. Still, many of the brunch items while good, were overpriced.

Neil Mastin

One wouldn't normally think a restaurant built in to the side of a giant convention center would be worth one's time... One would be wrong. Consistently great execution of variations of American classics really sets this place apart

Kendra Driggins

Took a good friend here this morning for a belated birthday breakfast and Unconventional Diner didn't disappoint. The food was tasty, atmosphere was lively/energetic, and our server and service was spectacular! Milton, server, went out of his way to make sure we had everything we needed. Dining post COVID-19 can be hit or miss but Milton (server) delivered impeccable service and was genuine in his approach. Will definitely be back and hope he's working when I do

Erika Kao

Just phenomenal. Try the mex-cali chili. And get the fries with sexy sauce. My emotions are so happy after this experience.

Max Wenneker

Loved this restaurant. Appetizers were all amazing. Must order the corn muffins. Chicken parmesan was just ok, recommend ordering a different dish for dinner.

Paul Hudson

Great food and service, definitely recommend if you are looking for a diner that is a bit unconventional but delicious!!

Mr. Thomas

Stop here just randomly before checking into hotel and I don't regret it at all the best shrimp and grits I've ever had service was cool I would definitely go back

R A

Food was definitely unconventional. Good portions, looked and tasted fresh and yummy. Good service as well.

Andrew Davis

The cornbread was amazing, the moistest I've ever had. The sweet potato curry and the Lebanese fried rice were just okay.

Michelle Keller

Creative Mediterranean-inspired dishes, excellent for lunch. The outdoor space is great and I appreciate that they had a tent to cover us from the sun. I had the Tip Top kale salad with smoked salmon one time, which was good, but way too salty (and I generally like salty food). The dressing was way over salted. Second time I came, I had the Lebanese rice and lentils with fried rice. This dish was excellent - perfectly seasoned. Service was superb both times.

R. Michael Burns

The menu is a twist on a lot of standard fare like fried chicken and chicken noodle soup, but -- as the name suggests -- in an unconventional way. I had the meatloaf with Sriracha sauce and mashed potatoes, and it was fantastic. Probably the best I've ever had. Great beef, awesome juice, and that sauce was like catsup's olde, more sophisticated sibling. And those mashed potatoes -- SOOOOO creamy and delicious. DC has a lot of top-notch restaurants, and based on this experience, I'd say Unconventional Diner is right in the mix.

Ryne Peterson

Really great spin on traditional meals. The “French Dip” Pappardelle was great. Image I’m including is the raspberry cheesecake.

Cam

The Unconventional Diner tastes just as amazing as the food looks. They have an extensive menu of well-thought plates that won’t disappoint. The service was probably a 4/5, but overall the experience was amazing.

Vicky Gaston

Everything we had tasted great. Deducted a star because food wasn't as hot as I like it served. Recommend and will return.

Ruey Chyi TAN

My husband and I visited twice during our trip in Washington DC. On our last night in DC we decided to have our dinner one more time at Unconventional Diner. Our server Ashley was amazing and friendly! I would say is one of the best server we ever encountered. Price are reasonable and food was super tasty! Love to visit this restaurant again when we come back to DC next time!

ayesha sobnom

The food we ordered was Lebanese fried rice with smoked cold salmon. It was too tasty. A whole kind of different taste of the fried rice. It was so unique and tasty that I was wondering if I ever tried such good fried rice anywhere else! Salmon was also very unique way of cooking and tasty. Customer service was really nice. We enjoyed a lot! seriously must try place for food and get together. 😍

Jeff “IrishRedd”

Wow this was a Great choice. Definitely a unconventional dinner. All the appetizers where a hit. A lot of menu choices and I don't think you can go wrong with any. The Cubano absolutely delicious.

perle75nyc

Food was great and the fresh juice was also very good. A host was kind of unfriendly but our server was very friendly.

Lance Stanley

Had a fantastic experience here! I got a seat very quickly and the staff were rather friendly. I don't eat grits much so I thought I'd mix it up with a shrimp and grits dish and it didn't disappoint. Every bite seemed to be packed with different combination of delicious flavors. Despite seeing what I was putting in my mouth, I never knew quite what I would be tasting and I absolutely loved the flavorful adventure. Topped it off with a delightful scoop of horchata ice cream. I hope I get another chance to go there while I'm in town.

Adam Bear

A late change to plans that was incredibly worth it. My wife and I are visiting DC for a few days, staying near the Metro Center. We had originally planned to have dinner somewhere else tonight, about a half mile further than here. But, we got up at 3a CT for our flight and had a long rainy cold day of walking all over the Mall and were pretty tired, so we were looking for a change of plans. I started checking various review apps and saw Unconventional Diner. It's super rare to see a place that Google, Y, and TA all think are great. The menu also seemed really interesting and good, so we headed over there. Our poor server was running like crazy, trying to handle an entire section, including a couple of large groups, but had help from a very attentive helper who kept our water filled and took good care of us. We ordered cornbread muffins, which were great (although my wife thought the habanero butter was too spicy - I liked it!). She got the chicken parm, which was a unique cross between chicken parm and chicken Florentine. I got the half fried chicken. Both were so very, very good! I didn't know that fried chicken could be so good outside of the South.

Judy Mays

All I can say is that this place is everything! My husband and I were visiting DC from Atlanta this past week. We had breakfast lunch and dinner here. The food at this restaurant IS not only unconventional, its refreshing and exciting. Everything I ate was beyond delish!!! When I return to DC (hopefully soon) I will definitely make sure I get my fill. The staff is also amazing!! Great job management/owners.

Roz Strategy.Design

Happened across this place looking for breakfast after 11am. When we walked in I saw the Michelin star buy the door and wondered if I was walking in to some overly fancy place where I was gonna spend $200 for my wife and I just to eat breakfast. This place is AMAZING! and very well priced for the neighborhood. They made breakfast upscale without making it overly fancy (and often times just plain silly). We ended up going back a 2nd time. Its breakfast for foodies, not breakfast for snobs. <3 How they can make chicken sausage taste like the best fried chicken you ever had is beyond me.

Joquetta D Paige

So happy I found this place. The menu has such great choices, it was hard to decide. I had the Brussel sprouts and fried egg and my friend had the Lebanese fried rice. Both dishes were delicious. The service was friendly and fast (on a break at a conference). Don't miss a chance to stop by.

T Salar

Good service, great food. The loaded breakfast was awesome. The pancakes amazing.

Renee Allard

7/3/2021 - I've dined here a few times pre-pandemic. My first visit post-pandemic (7/2) had reserved outdoor seating and walk-in indoor seating when we arrived around 7p for a walk-in dinner. There was some spread between tables but nothing dramatic re: COVID precautions. Patrons had masks off, servers and staff had masks on. Hand sanitizer dispensers were added to walls and in bathrooms. There was a blob of food on my chair upon arrival and my water glass had some residue from the staff's glove but minor human error and nothing intentional or rude. It seemed more of a strain from less staff than pre-pandemic? One server was managing the entire wing of the restaurant during dinner hours on a weekend. Food was great, service was good. Their cheesecake is light and very creamy. Direct contrast with a cheesecake factory dessert, this was light and airy but still coated the tongue with cream. Not too sweet and almost savory from the torched top.

Gabriela Frank

Loved this place and plan on going back for dinner! They had a decent sized menu with options for everyone. Their drink menu had plenty of options too. Both food and drinks tasted really good and were big portions.

Brian Cole

Everything on the menu looked great. Shrimp and Grits, Chicken and Waffles were excellent.

J Bruck

Made reservations online for a party of 5. Everyone enjoyed their cocktail and entree. The table tried the shakshuka, Lebanese fried rice, French dip poutine, Pazole and double cheese burger with an egg added. Every dish was devoured. Would certainly recommend this restaurant and entrees to others.

Reece Flexner

Really tasty offbeat food and friendly wait staff. Lots of interesting twists on diner classics. Very versatile menu for carnivores, vegans, and gluten free alike. Good cocktails as well.

Drew Morris

Was much more into this than I expected to be. The burger and fries were so good, almost reminiscent of In N Out, but way more expensive due to touristy DC prices of course. Great spot for casual dinners. The mocha sundae was the real star though, a brownie and mocha cream, with chocolate espresso beans, in a little cappuccino cup. So fun and tasty!

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