Best Breakfast in Washington

Their motto "Serving early birds, night owls and everyone in between" is a good fit for the eatery which stays open 24/7. Breakfast favorites include buttermilk pancakes, southwest frittata, and bread pudding with French toast. Patrons can also sample one of several omelet and egg dishes. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available and marked on the menu. Lunch and dinner options include salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees like grilled salmon, Greek pasta and bacon wrapped meatloaf. Whatever your stomach is craving, The Diner is sure to have it. Be sure to check out their happy hour events which run Sunday through Thursday. METRO: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams-Morgan

This community gathering place, which provides an artistic outlet for poetry, art and books, is also a great spot to grab some breakfast which is served daily until 11 a.m. Chow down on some oatmeal, a bagel with lox, organic granola or a western omelette. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available. Brunch is quite popular here and is served from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Beef chili, Neptune Benedict and sweet potato pancakes are ones to sample. Be sure to check out the food events menu to find out what meal packages are being offered at the time.

What happens when you mix a coffeehouse, a bar/lounge and an American diner? The answer is Open City which can appeal to early risers but also night owls. Breakfast is served all day and features a number of dishes for those with dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. Be sure to ask the server about the possibility of changing a meal to vegan or gluten-free. Try breakfast favorites including the brioche toast, buttermilk pancakes and chai waffle. If it's not too early for you, check out the 'Breakfast is bloody awesome' menu featuring the OC Bloody Mary, mimosa and bellini blanc. METRO: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams-Morgan

GBD, which is kitchen speak for golden, brown, delicious, is the rare triple threat — a restaurant that can appease the breakfast, lunch and dinner crowd. Fresh homemade donuts will help you start your day. Choose from traditional favorites like hot vanilla glazed and funfetti or gourmet flavors such as maple bacon bourbon and butterscotch bismark. Besides its donuts, the GBD is also known for its chicken dishes which vary depending on when you come in. Late night offerings include fried chicken by the piece or by the bucket. METRO: Dupont Circle

Dubbing itself a European-style oasis on American soil, this venue offers both a charming place to sleep and a restaurant featuring a seasonal dish menu which changes every day and inspired by local, fresh offerings. A sample breakfast menu could include brioche French toast, a variety of different egg dishes including omelets or huevos rancheros, cereals and breads including a toasted house-made bagel or hot porridge. Save room for the possible breakfast side orders including applewood smoked bacon or sausage, homemade plain yogurt and home fries. If you enjoy breakfast, come back for dinner when live jazz music is played at the bar and lounge every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night. METRO: Dupont Circle

Opening at 5:30 a.m. every day, this restaurant is perfect for those who love to get an early start to the day. Grab a seat at the counter and get ready to make your stomach happy. This venue offers a breakfast menu all day and when you get a taste of some of the items you will understand why. The combo of chicken wings and waffles is a popular favorite among regulars. Be sure to try the pancakes and take your choice of banana, blueberry or chocolate chip. The venue, which has been serving Washingtonians for more than 20 years, also has a lunch and sandwich menu that is worth a return visit. METRO: Metro Center

The product of celebrity chef/owner Art Smith and executive chef Wes Morton, Art and Soul serves up Southern comfort dishes with style. Nosh on buttermilk lemon pancakes or a three egg omelet off the breakfast menu. Lunch favorites include free range fried chicken and the 12 hour smoked pork sandwich. Dinner offerings will have you wishing for a bigger stomach with selections such as beef, cheese and sweet potato fritters, shrimp and grits, pork belly confit and sausage braised lamb shank. The restaurant partners with regional farmers to bring fresh ingredients straight to the table. METRO: Judiciary Square

Stuffed French toast, buttermilk pancakes and poached egg hashes are just a small sample of some of the breakfast menu items at Founding Farmers. With a focus on quality and natural ingredients, the restaurant prepares dishes with sustainably farmed, grown and harvested American foods. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are available. For those who come to lunch or dinner, a bevy of classic cocktails are available plus a plentiful wine selection. Make sure to try one of their made from scratch sodas including the delicious New York egg cream featuring chocolate syrup, milk and soda. If you still have room, the dessert menu offers blue ribbon apple pie, red velvet cake and house churned fresh ice cream. METRO: Farragut West

This classic American diner with a 1920s/1930s vibe offers patrons multiple comfort food dishes to chose from all day long. Buttermilk chicken fried steak, the walk of shame breakfast burrito, the Ty Cobb salad and Ted's famous grilled cheese and tomato soup are among the favorites. They even make their own pop tarts! You will want to save room for their milkshake offerings including standard favorites (vanilla, chocolate) and more daring choices (PBJ or s'mores anyone?). They also have an adult milkshake menu featuring white Russian and key lime pie. METRO: Eastern Market or U Street.

You may ask why a place that has 'Lunch' in its name would be chosen for the best breakfast list. One stop here during the early morning hours will make you understand why we included this eatery. Located at the Eastern Market, Market Lunch regularly has a long line of people waiting to get inside. Don't be deterred! The line moves pretty fast as food comes out quickly. You should not leave here without trying the buckwheat blueberry pancakes. Patrons order at the counter and then find an open seat at a communal table. Be sure to come back for lunch too — their crab cake sandwich is a must! METRO: Eastern Market