D.C.'s a town where brunch is king: new restaurants scramble to offer brunch as quickly as possible, and there are tons of standout stellar options for those who don't need to hit the hottest place in town.
But breakfast can be a little trickier. It's tougher to find places offering morning meals beyond the weekend, as well as breakfast sandwiches or standout food options to go with their coffee and tea menus. The past month or two, though, has brought a few interesting choices to the scene. Here's the rundown:
Bullfrog Bagels, Capitol Hill
317 7th St. SE
The deal: New, good bagels are always worthy of headlines in Washington. Bullfrog's already been a favorite around town due to its presence in such places as Star & Shamrock on H Street. Now, this latest location offers an expanded menu with dishes like "Jewish ramen" and pastrami soup dumplings to come. Find bagel sandwiches, bialys, and more. Things get started at 7 a.m. here.
Smoked & Stacked
1239 9th St. NW
The deal: Speaking of pastrami, Marjorie Meek-Bradley's take on the meat is taking D.C. by storm in its first weeks of business. Here, find breakfast sandwiches filled with pastrami and fried egg, cured salmon with avocado, and more. There are even gluten-free bread options. Doors open at 8 a.m. on weekdays.
Modern Market
4930 Elm Street, Bethesda, Md.
The deal: This breakfast and lunch chain has its sights set on the market, with more locations to come in Rockville and D.C. Find breakfast plates with combinations like prosciutto and egg, breakfast sandwiches in flavors like chipotle egg, and a mix of scrambles and waffles. The location opens up at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. for the weekends, so it's perfect for Bethesda breakfast business meetings.
Taco Bamba Vienna
164 Maple Ave. West, Vienna, Va.
The deal: Breakfast tacos have arrived in Vienna. This is the second location of Victor Albisu's popular taqueria, which also serves dishes like chilaques and enchiladas in the morning. Breakfast hours start this Sunday at 8:30 a.m.
Colada Shop
21430 Epicerie Plaza, Sterling, Va.
The deal: Cuban pastries and coffee have arrived in Virginia (with a D.C. location to follow later this fall). This Miami-inspired cafe has an all-day menu with a few extra additions during breakfast hours, including two Spanish-influenced tortillas, tostadas, and granola and yogurt. They open at 9 a.m.
Junction Bakery & Bistro
1508 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria, Va.
The deal: Del Ray's new all-day spot has been generating buzz for its breakfast sandwiches, but there are also several toasts, pastries (all made in-house), and less conventional choices like chicken liver and porridge. A mini kids menu helps make things family-friendly. They serve sparking wine during weekday breakfast, too, so diners can treat themselves any day of the week. Opening is at 7 a.m.