This guide is sponsored by Matchbox. We are grateful for their partnership which allows us to continue to bring resources like this to DC area families!
Brunch can be a missed past time now that we have kids in tow, but it doesn’t have to be! We have gathered our very favorite places to enjoy brunch with kids in the Washington, DC area. We have broken the locations into DC, MD, and VA with multiple locations listed at the bottom. All have been mom and kid tested and approved in our thorough round-up. If there are any that you think we have missed, please leave them in the comments below. Enjoy a family brunch soon!
Matchbox
Matchbox’s brunchbox offers an extensive menu of small plates. With something on the menu to satisfy any mood, such as the classic avocado toast or the must-have breakfast pizza, Matchbox is the perfect brunch spot for any occasion! Brunchbox runs every Saturday + Sunday 10 am to 3 pm. Pricing starts at $31.50 for adults, children 6-12 eat for $12.95 and children five and under eat for free.
1901 14th Street 14th Street, NW DC
521 8th Street, SE Capitol Hill, DC
750 E Street, NW Penn Quarter, DC
1699 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD
919 Ellsworth Drive Silver Spring, MD
2911 District Ave., Suite 120 Merrifield, VA
44720 Thorndike St. One Loudoun, VA
1100 S Hayes St. Pentagon City, VA
14th Street, NW DC | (202) 328-0369
Capitol Hill, DC | (202) 548-0369
Penn Quarter, DC | (202) 289-4441
Rockville, MD | (301) 816-0369
Silver Spring, MD | (240) 247-8969
Merrifield, VA | (571) 395-4869
One Loudoun, VA | (571) 918-8024
Pentagon City, VA | (703) 340-3884
Best Family-Friendly Brunch Spots in DC
Lincoln
1110 Vermont Ave. NW
From the pennies on the bar AND the floor (glued obviously) to the comfortable outdoor seating along Vermont Avenue, this restaurant is great for bringing out-of-town guests in addition to kids. Recommend their build-a-biscuit brunch entrée.
Bar Pilar
1833 14th Street, NW
A great spot along the very vibrant 14th Street neighborhood. Upstairs seating is better. Check out the “buttermilk fried chicken pancake” or the “hangover cure”.
Commissary
1443 P Street, NW
A perfect mix of a coffee shop and happy hour vibe. They open every day at 8 am for “real breakfast” in addition to brunch on the weekends. Patio seating is best. The smoothies are always a hit with the kids, and they have excellent huevos rancheros!
Open City
2331 Calvert Street, NW
Open City is very laid back and family-friendly. They open at 7 am every day of the week and serve breakfast all day long. If you have an early riser, this is the place for you. They have gobs of brunch items to choose from.
Brookland Pint
716 Monroe Street, NE
Metro-friendly (red line) and lots of nearby space for the kids to run. You can eat at the bar, the family-style tables outside, or at one of their regular booths. (It’s also A great place for large groups or private parties!) Recommend the chicken and waffle, both for adults and children. The kids will enjoy the Brookland Themed coloring mat while you try one of their signature drinks.
Brookland’s Finest
3126 12th Street, NE
The most traditional brunch menu in a very kid-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant keeps a nice stock of coloring and activity books for the little ones, and some will also be entertained by the different sports playing on their TVs. A very popular spot that does not take reservations, so come early or be open for a wait. The kid’s menu has very generous portions with fresh and delicious food. Always ask for their specials.
Primrose
3000 12th Street, NE
A taste of Paris in Brookland. Brunch in style at the most elegant, kid Friendly restaurant you will ever visit. The pink level chandeliers will make you forget that you brought your children. A combination of indoor and outdoor seating will ease the anxiety of bringing your little ones to a fancy place. The owners are parents as well, so they have made sure to create a space that is extremely tolerant event for the craziest little one. A simple brunch menu has something to appeal to everyone, and they offer their amazing French Onion Soup. Although they don’t have a specific kid’s menu, they will work with the chef to adjust your needs.
Joselito
660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE
A little on the unusual spots, Joselito comes on the fancier side of the brunching arena. Get transported to a Spaniard cafe while drinking some real coffee. You might feel intimidated by their crowd, but the Torrijas and other menu items will change your mind. Metro friendly and with lots of places to take a Sunday family walk.
Union Market
1309 5th Street, NE
This place has options for everyone and a great outdoor seating area, plus a parking lot. Swing by Buffalo Bergen for some of the best bagel sandwiches in the city. They even have one that is a Bloody Mary garnish!
Millie’s Spring Valley
4866 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC
With amazing curb appeal and the welcoming, floor-to-ceiling windows, this restaurant will keep kids entertained with the seaside decor alone. Food highlights are the brioche French toast and the Lobb Salad.
Best Family-Friendly Brunch Spots in Virginia
Vola’s Dockside Grill
101 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA
This restaurant is in the heart of the Old Town Alexandria waterfront. Every table offers a view of the river, especially if you can snag a patio spot! (HINT: go right at opening). Their monkey bread is always a hit with the kids, and they have several options for non-seafood lovers.
Tupelo Honey
1616 N Troy Street, Arlington, VA
One of the best brunches in Arlington near Courthouse metro. Reservations are highly recommended, as is their Queen Mary Bloody Mary. The menu offers a great selection of southern brunch entrees, sandwiches, and salads, including the Shoo Mercy Omelet.
Bakers Crust
19890 Belmont Chase #135 Ashburn, VA
A newer kid on the block to NOVA, but several locations from here to Virginia Beach. Kids are very welcome here! Food highlights are the swanky eggs Benedict (fried chicken, bacon, arugula, and sweet potato biscuit) and the crab/grilled avocado bowl.
SER
1110 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA
Founding Farmers Tysons
1800 Tyson’s Blvd. Tysons, VA
This specific location offers an amazing buffet brunch for $33 a person, and kids under 6 eat free! Go very hungry and make reservations, or you will wait hours. Great spot for all things southern cuisine.
Best Family-Friendly Brunch Spots in Maryland
Nada
11886 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda, MD
Tucked away in Pike and Rose shopping center, this modern Mexican restaurant is a North Bethesda brunch gem. Don’t miss the Kale and Bacon Hash!
Pacci’s Trattoria
6 Post Office Road, Silver Spring, MD
Pacci’s offers a beautiful brunch on Sundays from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. You don’t want to miss the omelet or Belgium Waffle station.
Stella Barra
11825 Grand Park Ave., North Bethesda, MD
Enjoy this new brunch location on the weekends with family. Did we mention that kids 10 and under eat the buffet for free? That is amazing!
Owen’s Ordinary
11820 Trade Street, North Bethesda, MD
The reasonably priced brunch menu is great for families. The fun and friendly atmosphere welcome families well since it’s a neighborhood restaurant.
Several Locations
Ted’s Bulletin
14th Street, Capitol Hill, Gaithersburg, Mosiac District, Reston, Ballston
Walk back into the last century into this kid-friendly art deco restaurant open at 7 am for breakfast every day. The oversized booths are great for the little ones, and the vintage movies showing on the screen are a great distraction for everyone. The adult milkshakes are a must, and their pop-tarts that please both kids and parents are infamous in the DC area. Recommend the Crab or Smashed Avocado Benedict!
Busboys and Poets
Hyattsville, Brookland, 14th Street, Mount Vernon Triangle, Takoma, Shirlington, Anacostia
Such a fun eclectic spot, especially for out-of-town guests and purchasing kids’ birthday gifts in their bookstore. They offer several vegan options and one of the best shrimp and grits dishes in all of the DC area!
Matchbox
DC: Capitol Hill, 14th Street, Penn Quarter, MD: Silver Spring and Rockville, VA: Pentagon Row, Mosaic District, One Loudoun, Merrifield
It has been fun to watch this restaurant grow into multiple locations from its original one in Chinatown. This restaurant truly has something for everyone! Several of their wood-fired pizzas are available during brunch, including two breakfast-themed ones.
Silver Diner
Rockville, Greenbelt, Waldorf, Springfield, Arlington, Merrifield, Tyson’s, Reston, Fair Oaks
Expanded from their original Rockville location, this is a local favorite. They are very proud of using local ingredients and providing a delicious, diverse menu for dietary restrictions/allergies. Check out the avocado toast (Gluten-free available) and eggs plus smoked salmon.
Top Golf
Alexandria, Ashburn, Germantown, National Habor
What’s better to keep kids entertained during brunch than hitting golf balls? And in any kind of weather! Check out the Chicken and Waffles and Smoked Salmon Everything Bagel Flatbread. They have gluten-free and dairy-free options too.
Pinstripes
Bethesda, MD, and Georgetown, DC
Enjoy the fun environment of Pinstripes over Sunday brunch with your family. Get your savory and sweet fix during brunch here!
This guide was written collectively by Adrienne Barge from Brunching with Kids,
Tatiana LaBorde from The Story of My Table, and Courtney Whittington.
