More Maps

Where to Celebrate Cherry Blossom Season Around D.C.

Where to Find Passover Meals Around D.C.

Highly Recommended Patios for Outdoor Dining Around D.C.

More in Washington DC See more maps

Florida Avenue Grill

These D.C. Diners Are (Really, Truly) Actual Diners

Save the boozy milkshakes and small plates for another day.

by Tim Ebner Feb 16, 2016, 12:00pm EST

2 comments / new

View as Map

Florida Avenue Grill

| R. Lopez

by Tim Ebner Feb 16, 2016, 12:00pm EST

2 comments / new

The term "diner" gets thrown around a lot in D.C. It's a problem because real diners adhere to somewhat strict standards. First, the food has to be greasy, and the options should be nearly unlimited — usually about eight menu pages or more.

Then, there's the inexpensive price point. Diners are there for the working man, the retiree, the off-duty cop, and the 20-something who can barely afford rent. States like New Jersey and Pennsylvania have figured this out. Their diners are located on busy highways or in city centers and run on a 24-hour cycle.

Here's what a diner certainly is not: diners should not be "flexitarian" (sorry: Silver Diner). They don't serve boozy milkshakes and fancy Pop-Tarts (sorry: Ted's Bulletin). Usually, they also avoid food trends at all costs, as well as things like "small plates" (sorry: The Diner).

Now, back to the basics. A diner is a gathering place for the most important meal of the day — breakfast — and it's quick, convenient, cheap, and filling. So, in honor of Eater breakfast week, here are the D.C. diners that are truly diners.

Read More

American City Diner

In upper Northwest, the American City Diner offers blue plate specials and themed movie nights.

5532 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20015

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Barnside Diner

Look for the red roof off the Little River Turnpike. Barnside Diner serves diner staples and operates 24/7.

Open in Google Maps

6306 Little River Tpke, Alexandria, VA 22312

Bob & Edith's Diner

After decades of service, Virginians are still staunchly loyal to Bob & Edith’s. Order the 2-2-2 special— homemade biscuits, steak, and eggs.

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

Visit Website

Also featured in:

City Diner

City Diner offers breakfast around-the-clock. The portions are huge, and the menu skews Mediterranean for lunch and dinner.

Open in Google Maps

5616 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

Visit Website

College Park Diner

Another 24/7 spot is College Park Diner. It's a favorite for college students at nearby University of Maryland.

Open in Google Maps

9206 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Deli City

Don't be fooled by the name. Deli City is actually a diner-esque restaurant with some of the best scrapple in D.C. Also, be sure to pay your respects to Ms. Delores, a life-long employee who helps manage the restaurant.

2200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

Also featured in:

Florida Avenue Grill

The Florida Avenue Grill calls itself the "oldest soul food restaurant in the world." It’s also a greasy spoon where it's worth saddling up to the bar. It’s the kind of place where it's customary to order a half-smoke as a side.

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Jimmy T's Place

A favorite for Capitol Hill residents, Jimmy T’s is a cash-only, tightly packed diner that's known primarily for it’s reliable service and low prices.

501 E Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Also featured in:

Lincoln's Waffle Shop

The downtown area is mostly devoid of diners, which is why Lincoln’s Waffle Shop is so essential. It’s located across from Ford’s Theater and is known for dishes like home fries and waffles, of course.

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Metro 29 Diner

This Arlington diner has a distinctly New York vibe, but it definitely passes on pretentiousness. Instead you get breakfast all day, plus late-night hours.

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Nick's Diner

Nick’s Diner is family-owned and operated since it started serving breakfast more than 34 years ago. It has a historic status in Wheaton, and it’s a cash-only spot, open seven-days-a-week for breakfast and lunch.

Open in Google Maps

11199 Veirs Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen

This place doesn't have the look and feel of a classic diner, but it's a Tenleytown institution with cheap, late night dining.

4700 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Pete's Diner

Politicians can’t agree on much, but they do agree Pete’s is the place for breakfast. The diner is a come-as-you-are favorite for Hill staffers. It also makes a mean bulgogi.

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543

Also featured in:

Plato's Diner

Another College Park favorite is Plato’s, a Greek diner that specializes in gyros and Greek omelets.

Open in Google Maps

7150 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Visit Website

Tastee Diner

Tastee Diner has two locations in Bethesda and Silver Spring. It’s open 24-hours a day, and each booth comes with its own jukebox. The hotcakes are the main attraction here.

Open in Google Maps

7731 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Visit Website

Loading comments...

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

American City Diner

5532 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20015

In upper Northwest, the American City Diner offers blue plate specials and themed movie nights.

5532 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20015

Visit Website

Barnside Diner

6306 Little River Tpke, Alexandria, VA 22312

Look for the red roof off the Little River Turnpike. Barnside Diner serves diner staples and operates 24/7.

Open in Google Maps

6306 Little River Tpke, Alexandria, VA 22312

Bob & Edith's Diner

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

After decades of service, Virginians are still staunchly loyal to Bob & Edith’s. Order the 2-2-2 special— homemade biscuits, steak, and eggs.

2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

Visit Website

City Diner

5616 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

City Diner offers breakfast around-the-clock. The portions are huge, and the menu skews Mediterranean for lunch and dinner.

Open in Google Maps

5616 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041

Visit Website

College Park Diner

9206 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Another 24/7 spot is College Park Diner. It's a favorite for college students at nearby University of Maryland.

Open in Google Maps

9206 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Deli City

2200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

Don't be fooled by the name. Deli City is actually a diner-esque restaurant with some of the best scrapple in D.C. Also, be sure to pay your respects to Ms. Delores, a life-long employee who helps manage the restaurant.

2200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20018

Florida Avenue Grill

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The Florida Avenue Grill calls itself the "oldest soul food restaurant in the world." It’s also a greasy spoon where it's worth saddling up to the bar. It’s the kind of place where it's customary to order a half-smoke as a side.

1100 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Jimmy T's Place

501 E Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

A favorite for Capitol Hill residents, Jimmy T’s is a cash-only, tightly packed diner that's known primarily for it’s reliable service and low prices.

501 E Capitol St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Lincoln's Waffle Shop

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The downtown area is mostly devoid of diners, which is why Lincoln’s Waffle Shop is so essential. It’s located across from Ford’s Theater and is known for dishes like home fries and waffles, of course.

504 10th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Visit Website

Metro 29 Diner

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

This Arlington diner has a distinctly New York vibe, but it definitely passes on pretentiousness. Instead you get breakfast all day, plus late-night hours.

4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, VA 22207

Visit Website

Nick's Diner

11199 Veirs Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Nick’s Diner is family-owned and operated since it started serving breakfast more than 34 years ago. It has a historic status in Wheaton, and it’s a cash-only spot, open seven-days-a-week for breakfast and lunch.

Open in Google Maps

11199 Veirs Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902

Osman & Joe's Steak 'n Egg Kitchen

4700 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

This place doesn't have the look and feel of a classic diner, but it's a Tenleytown institution with cheap, late night dining.

4700 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

Visit Website

Pete's Diner

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543

Politicians can’t agree on much, but they do agree Pete’s is the place for breakfast. The diner is a come-as-you-are favorite for Hill staffers. It also makes a mean bulgogi.

212 2nd St SE, Washington, D.C. 20543

Plato's Diner

7150 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Another College Park favorite is Plato’s, a Greek diner that specializes in gyros and Greek omelets.

Open in Google Maps

7150 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740

Visit Website

Tastee Diner

7731 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Tastee Diner has two locations in Bethesda and Silver Spring. It’s open 24-hours a day, and each booth comes with its own jukebox. The hotcakes are the main attraction here.

Open in Google Maps

7731 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814

Visit Website

Related Maps