The Ultimate Resy Guide to Brunch in D.C.

The pitch: Brunch classics get an Italian glow-up

Undoubtedly, you will crush on all the best Italian brunch items at L’Ardente, which range from sweet items like the tiramisu toast — an Italian-inspired French toast with coffee-infused maple syrup — to savory dishes such as the Benedict with pillowy poached eggs served on house focaccia, smothered with truffled leek fonduta and hollandaise. Pizzas and pastas are also available, if you prefer the lunch side of brunch fare. Pro tip: Order the Caprese Bloody Mary for the ultimate Italian version of the classic drink. It comes festooned with a caprese skewer and a balsamic salt rim.

The pitch: Mid-Atlantic, with a touch of California crunch

This charming bistro, sister restaurant to Nina May, hosts a two-course brunch that kicks off with a classic brunch cocktail — such as a mimosa or bloody Mary — then offers your choice of a brunch pastry or yogurt with fruit and granola, and concludes with an entrée. This brunch is for relaxing, indulging, and imbibing.

The pitch: Spero’s tapas mindset, with daytime panache

Brunch from chef Johnny Spero is the kind of weekend treat we’re very much here for. A $45 prix fixe (with items available individually as well) includes smoked labneh or a salad to start, followed by more substantial items like a French-style omelette or the much-loved burger  — or a Barcelona style bikini sandwich — and then dessert.

The pitch: The United Nations, but make it brunch

The best part of brunch at Chloe is the variety. Because the venue features global brunch small plates, you can sample a host of dishes, including scrambled eggs with wild mushrooms, scallion biscuits, churros, spiced French toast, crispy fingerling potatoes, banana bread, and warm honey toast.

The pitch: Indian chiles and curry heat (and pancakes)

While you may not think of Indian food when you are considering where to brunch, the brunch fare at Bindaas is so tasty it will become your go-to spot after you check it out. Recommendations include Amritsari chicken and waffles; a Bombay toastie; and coconut jaggery pancakes crowned with berries and whipped cream. Pro tip: Don’t miss the Bloody Maharani, Bindaas’ twist on the classic brunch drink.

The pitch: Afghan and brunch is the mashup you never knew you needed

Michelin-starred Lapis has a relaxed vibe, a series of tasty brunch cocktails (including the Afghan 75 with Cognac, homemade cardamom syrup, lemon, and Champagne), and a host of tempting dishes. Indulge in the karayee, featuring eggs served over sautéed tomatoes, potatoes, onions, and hot peppers; the Kabul frittata, where eggs are baked with leeks, cilantro, and potatoes; or the brunch bolani, a pan-seared crispy Afghan ­bread topped with pumpkin and a sunny-side up egg. Those with a sweet tooth should order the Lapis pancakes, rosewater-cardamom pancakes. Pro tip: A $37 brunch prix fixe is there for when you want to go big.

The pitch: Malaysians are secret brunch masters (it’s the kaya)

Everything at Makan is delicious, but stars of their brunch menu include the nasi ganja, their take on Malaysian fried chicken with sambal and okra; yellow daal curry; and biscuits with the coconut jam known as kaya. There’s also beef rendang if you want something duly hearty. And the cocktails have equal verve; Makan’s twist on an espresso martini is a sight to behold.

The pitch: A classic brunch among classics

Arguably D.C.’s most famous brunch, Blue Duck Tavern is where you go for the right amount of posh, for a special occasion, or when you just really need classic, hearty American brunch. The delicate BDT omelet comes stuffed with local vegetables and oozing with melted goat cheese, while the avocado toast is made with chewy sourdough bread and crowned with perfectly cooked poached eggs. Don’t skip the housemade pastries, the German chocolate cake French toast, or the sorbet mimosa, where effervescent crémant is poured over a scoop of seasonal sorbet made by pastry chef Colleen Murphy.

Call 202-419-6755 for reservations.

The pitch: There’s a reason New Orleans is a brunch town

The bottomless Creole punch will draw you in, but the food will make you stay. A prix-fixe package is how things roll here. Look for the seafood omelet, shrimp and grits, crab cake Benedict, and freshly shucked oysters. And there’s lobster and grits, too, if you’re feeling especially posh.

The pitch: There’s a reason they call it French toast

Brunch has lately become a newfangled favorite in Paris, and Primrose channels that energy perfectly. There is, of course, French toast, with thick slabs of brioche, maple syrup, and fruit, and a croque monsieur or madame. But also biscuits and gravy; pork hash; and a smash burger. That last is also lately a fave of Parisians, which is to say that Primrose has interpreted le brunch français with complete fidelity.

The pitch: The best meal of the day in El Salvador may be breakfast

And in D.C., that means brunch — hearty, tasty, and full of options. At El Tamarindo, you can order everything from a traditional Salvadoran breakfast, called desayuno de la casa. Choices span from two eggs, fried plantains, refried beans, and sour cream to huevos rancheros or — even better — the breakfast pupusa, stuffed with cheese and topped with refried beans and eggs. Pro tip: Vegan options are available during brunch, lunch, and dinner.

Call 202-328-3660 for reservations.

The pitch: Eggs are always better Mexican-style

Once you have brunch at Maiz64, you realize why south of the border is always a savvy brunch move. It features a three-course menu, with spectacular options for each course. Kick off your meal with dishes like potato and cheese quesadillas. Then move on to your entrée, which features chilaquiles with a tomatillo-poblano sauce; enchiladas suizas; and a Oaxacan Benedict, with poached eggs are served on an oyster mushroom tamale. Dessert includes seasonal fruit or a cocha with Mexican hot chocolate. And speaking of conchas, the range of Mexican breads and pastries on offer ties it all together perfectly.