Where to Brunch and Lunch on MLK Day

Benedict for brunch at Brookland’s Finest.

By Susan Able, Edible DC

Monday is coming right up, and for most Washingtonians, it is a federal holiday. So what to do, what to eat? Luckily, many of DC’s favorite places are open this Monday and here for you with special brunch and lunch options.

Le Diplomate will host a special Monday brunch on January 20th for MLK Day. Think stacks of Buttermilk Pancakes with maple syrup, Duck Sarladaise with duck confit, egg sunny side-up, and roasted potatoes, and Lobster Omelettes with sauce mornay, fines herbes, add shaved Perignod truffle for $16. Le Diplomate will be open for brunch service from 9:30am-3pm, midday and dinner service.

Reservations can be made here. Le Diplomate is located at 1604 14th St. NW, Washington D.C., 20009. For more information, visit: lediplomatedc.com or call (202) 332-3333.

St. Anselm will be open for brunch on Monday, so celebrate the three-day weekend with a St. Anselm brunch. Menu items like “S.O.S.” made with Reading Terminal Market chipped beef on toasted white bread, and Eggs in Purgatory, spicy tomato stew with a duck egg in a hole. Try a Cinnamon Roll Monkey with cream cheese frosting. St. Anselm will be open for brunch service from 11am-3pm and regular dinner service on 1/20.

Reservations can be made here. St. Anselm is located at 1250 5th St. NE, Washington, DC 20002. For more information, visit stanselmdc.com or call (202) 864-2199.

Brookland’s Finest is partnering with Denizens Brewing Company for a special tap-takeover brunch on Monday, January 20th. Brunch highlights from chef and co-owner Shannan Troncoso’s menu include Tony’s Breakfast Club, a French toast sandwich stuffed with Applewood bacon, pork roll, cheddar eggs and Dijon maple syrup ($15) and the Fried Green Tomato Benedict with Pecorino Romano cheese, hollandaise, English muffin, poached eggs and mixed green salad ($15). Brunch will be served from 11am-3pm, but the tap-takeover and special giveaways from Denizens will last until close. All photos are courtesy of Scott Suchman. As an additional offering, raffle tickets for a group Denizens Brewery tour and tasting along with a gift card to Brookland’s Finest, will be sold throughout the day with proceeds going to a racial justice organization, ONE DC.  

For more information, visit Brookland’s Finest, located at 3126 12th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017.

Franklin Hall will be opening early on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at noon and will be serving breakfast tacos until 4pm in addition to their regular menu.

Franklin Hall is located at 1348 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

Khabizgina, a breakfast khachapuri stuffed with potatoes & cheese topped with fried eggs. Photo credit: Reema Desai.

Supra, is a unique DC restaurant that offers diners the opportunity to immerse themselves in the food, wine and culture of the Republic of Georgia. Supra will be offering brunch on Monday from 11:30 am to 3 pm. Some of their most popular offerings will be on the menu including Khabizgina, a breakfast khachapuri stuffed with potatoes & cheese topped with fried eggs, the Roasted Lamb Sandwich on a khachapuri-dough flatbread with roasted fennel and pepper salad, and Supra’s Georgian take on Eggs Benedict. Special $6 mimosas and other specialty brunch cocktails will be available for purchase.

Supra is located at 1205 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Jaleo, DC’s long-standing tapas concept from José Andrés, will offer brunch on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, January 20th. Each Jaleo location will feature brunch items a la carte, including signature dishes like Arroz a la Cubana with sautéed rice, tomato, bacon and a fried egg. Jaleo will also offer their traditional brunch tasting menu taking guests on a tour of Spain with Jaleo’s traditional and modern brunch tapas, including a selection of dishes to share and twists on modern brunch classics. The entire brunch menu can be found by clicking here and reservations can be made on Jaleo’s website.

Jaleo, @JaleobyJose, at the Washington, D.C., Bethesda and Crystal City locations

Shrimp and grits, photo credit: Scott Suchman.

Succotash will serve brunch until 4 pm on Monday, January 20th for the MLK Day holiday. Succotash will feature their regular brunch menu with dishes like their Hangover Special, with fried eggs, pulled pork, warm potato salad, red-eye gravy and buttermilk biscuit; or the Shrimp & Grits, featuring Royal Red shrimp, andouille sausage, Cajun holy trinity, and jalapeño oil. Happy hour will be offered from 4 pm-8 pm, with dinner service beginning at 4pm.

At both Succotash locations, Penn Quarter, Washington, DC and National Harbor, MD. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (202) 849-6933 or via OpenTable.

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana will be open for MLK day brunch. Drop by on Monday, January 20th, from 11 am to 2:30 pm, and enjoy brunch items that are typically only served on weekends. Oyamel offers an array of authentic Mexican breakfast dishes such as the Huevo Enfrijolada Oaxaqueño with fried organic eggs served with a tortilla, Oaxacan-style black bean purée, house-made chorizo, and queso fresco, and the Platano con Crema with fried plantain filled with sweet cream, Mexican crema, and sesame seeds. Authentic Mexican tacos, ceviches, soups, and salads can also be found on the menu.

Oyamel is located at 401 7th Street NW. Reservations can be made on the Oyamel website or by calling the restaurant at (202) 628-1005. @oyameldc

Photo credit: KNEAD Hospitality.

Mi Vida at The Wharf will offer brunch until 3 pm on Monday, January 20th along with the regular lunch and dinner menus, which will be available all day. Brunch items include dishes like Huevos Rancheros with sunny side-up eggs, crispy tostada, black beans, ranchera salsa, crispy plantains, smoked ham, asparagus, cotija, and epazote and Pan Frances, a banana custard French toast, whipped cream, piloncillo syrup, and sugared pecans. Happy hour (3 pm – 6 pm) will be honored at the bar.

Mi Vida is located at The Wharf, 98 District Square SW. Reservations can be made by calling the restaurant at (202)-516-4656 or via OpenTable.

Want to get out of the house before Monday? Combine shopping and brunching! Don’t forget some of the best brunch items can be found at the DMV’s Winter Farm Markets, check out our Winter Issue story here for our picks of the best at Arlington, Betheda and Silver Spring Markets! Photo credit: Linda Wang.

Also, on Saturday—feel like getting design-ish? A flower arranging class at The Lemon Collective, $75. Also an air plant in a hanging globe class at American Plant, $40. Contact American Plant for more information.