New Year’s Day Brunch Guide: Where to Eat and Drink in D.C. to Kick Off 2018

A boozy brunch on Monday, January 1, is the last time to indulge before trying to beat the bulge and buckle down in the new year. As a result, lots of restaurants are going all out for the national holiday and inviting patrons to ditch last night’s sparkles for some flannel or straight-up pajamas. Some are even offering giveaways during the meal, like a free SoulCycle packet at Espita Mezcaleria to help feed new year’s resolutions.

Alta Strada

465 K Street NW

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., indulgent brunch dishes parading out of the kitchen include Eggs Benedetto with duck ragout and blood orange hollandaise or French toast with apples and maple cream. The restaurant’s talked-about “Everything Bagel Spice” pizza is also at the ready. Add bottomless mimosas for $22 a person.

Ambar

Multiple locations

The original Ambar’s prix fixe brunch ($39 per person, excluding tax and gratuity) of unlimited small plates and free-flowing cocktails will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Clarendon outlet will offer its fixed price brunch of unlimited small plates from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at $34 per person. Tack on one of seven featured cocktails for 25 cents apiece.

The Bird

1337 11th Street NW

The Bird’s brunch runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on New Year's Day, with an array of fowl-focused brunch dishes from new chef Ryan Hackney.

Blue Duck Tavern

1201 24th Street NW

The Michelin-starred Park Hyatt restaurant will serve its weekend a la carte brunch from 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Bourbon

2321 18th Street NW

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., feast on a breakfast Sammy featuring scrambled eggs, cheddar, ’Nduja, arugula and house vin on brioche; toast with spicy harissa and poached egg; and loaded brunch tots. Tack on bottomless mimosas for $16 (two-hour limit) or sip special bourbon bloody marys at $8 each.

Brookland’s Finest

3126 12th Street NE

Brunch kicks off at 11 a.m. with classics like the Jersey Benedict (a grilled Taylor pork roll, with chipotle hollandaise, and poached egg on an English muffin) along with Tony’s Breakfast Club (French toast stuffed with Applewood bacon, Taylor pork roll, cheddar eggs, dijon maple syrup) and Solly’s Prime Rib (10-ounce steak, fried eggs, horseradish hollandaise, potato hash). There’s also an extensive mix-and-match Bloody Mary bar (view here).

Commissary

1443 P Street NW

Bottomless Monday at Commissary means brunch (starting early at 8 a.m.) can be accompanied by $15 bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Espita Mezcaleria

1250 Ninth Street NW

A three-course brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mexican eatery costs $22 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and includes a first course, second course, and dessert off the pre-selected menu. A la carte options are also available. One brunch-goer will receive a three-pack of SoulCycle classes (guests must fill out a comment card to enter the drawing). There’s also optional unlimited brunch cocktail selection for an additional $16 per person.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

2007 18 Street NW

A “Barrely 2018 Hogover Roast” on the rooftop terrace starts on the late side (3 p.m. to 10 p.m.) and calls for hangover-friendly pork and Southern sides (whole roasted pig, black-eyed pea salad, collard greens and homemade buttermilk biscuits) for $15. There’s also a special menu of rare barrel-aged beers and whiskeys.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group

The burgeoning family of eateries will be open with the following hours: Iron Gate (until 6 p.m.); Vermilion (all day); Columbia Firehouse (until 2:30 p.m.); Evening Star (until 2:30 p.m.); Red Apron Union Market (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.); Red Apron Mosaic and B-Side (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.); Red Apron D Street (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.); Hazel (Dim Sunday brunch from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.); Bluejacket and The Arsenal (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Owen’s Ordinary (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Birch & Barley (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); Rustico (Ballston and Alexandria) (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.); and the Sovereign (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.).

Philos Mezze + Wine Bar

401 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Philos’ first annual “Pajama Party” brunch (12 p.m. to 4 p.m.) includes a bottomless brunch with hair of the dog options like sangria, mimosas, bloody marys, red or white wine, along with egg dishes, pancakes, and a variety of mezze choices, for $35.

Pennsylvania 6

1350 Eye Street NW

Guests can recover from the night before at a downtown “Flannel & French Toast” brunch, complete with a half-off bottomless champagne bar ($9.25) and a la carte dish specials. Throughout brunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., any table dressed in flannel will receive a free appetizer.

The Pig

1320 14th Street NW

Brunch at the Logan Circle spot goes from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a few newbies on the menu like Pennsylvania-style scrapple with crispy French toast, pork scrapple, sunny egg, and crispy potato wedges.

Sixth Engine

438 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Substantial dishes to soak up New Year’s Eve festivities include fried chicken loco moco with seasoned sushi rice, mushroom gravy, fried egg and togarashi to chorizo and egg tostadas. Pair any entrée with a Brunch Punch (Macchu pisco, grapefruit cordial, Aperol, lime and fizz) or the warming Firehouse Toddy, made with Sixth Engine’s house Woodford, honey liqueur, lemon and allspice-honey syrup.

Slate

2404 Wisconsin Avenue NW

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., head to Glover Park for fresh homemade donut holes, vanilla bean brioche French toast topped with cinnamon and served with bacon or sausage, and bistro eggs benedict served with home fries.

Summer House Santa Monica

11825 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda

A first annual New Year’s Day pajama brunch (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) means guests who dine in their nightwear get a gift card equal to the price of the meal (minus tax and gratuity) to use for a future visit. View menu here.

Tico

1926 14th Street NW

A “disco pajama” bottomless mimosa and Bloody Mary brunch for $35, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., comes with hangover helpers like a Cubano Sandwich with pork confit, ham, and pickled jalapeños, as well as mustard and grilled cheese with prosciutto cotto (see full menu here). Disco tunes will also be in the air.