Unconventional Diner

During our visit to Unconventional Diner, we delighted in their loaded breakfast biscuit, complete with sausage, gravy, egg, hashbrowns, and a fluffy biscuit. Each component was cooked to perfection and packed with flavor, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. The trendy yet inviting atmosphere made it a perfect spot to start the day with a delicious breakfast.

Food was amazing and tasty, the service was pretty quick and decent, every casual. Serving sizes are big enough for 2.

I went during the week for breakfast and the food was delicious. It is exactly as the name says....unconventional. I got the chicken & waffles, which was a cheddar and cornbread waffle definitely not your typical waffle, and the chicken tenders were moist and drizzled with a honey sriracha sauce. I was told that the chicken is fried in a pressure cooker of some sort but it really helps to keep the breast meat from drying out. It comes with something called granny gravy on the side but I was not a fan but the habanero butter OMG! I need that by the batch. I also got a side of grits to taste and they were creamy and flavorful.

I was greeted by two hosts who were very nice, and they stored my backpack while I ate which I thought was very nice. I sat at one of the bar tables and Roberto the bar manager waited on me and he was awesome! Very easy to talk to, answered my questions, provided recommendations and checked on me frequently. Later another gentleman assisted and he was just as nice.

The decor is chic and the establishment is well lit. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. Abstract art added a nice touch to the decor.

They do offer breakfast every day until a little after 3PM and they have dinner options as well; full bar and desserts. I must say I saw plenty of the blueberry pancakes floating by and they look delicious so now I have a reason to come back.

My husband & I stopped in to Unconventional Diner while exploring DC one weekend. Very glad we did :)!

The restaurant was cute and semi casual. You could turn it into a nice date if you wanted to! The ambiance was cute for any occasion! The service was great, they recommended some amazing things that we ended up trying & loving!

We tried...

The cast iron brussels, I didn't know I needed these in my life! They were coated in a tiki masala, which may sound out there... but it worked beautifully! The perfect crunch & spice.

The mac & cheese was ridiculously delicious! I am usually really picky when it comes to mac... but they did it right! It was creamy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked!

The double cheese burger & fries, and it was a mouthful! A perfect medium cook & this tasty "sexy sauce" really set the burger apart from regular. Overall a great option you are looking for tad more upscale burger.

We finished with the Mango Passion Fruit sorbet, and it was the perfect closer! Creamy & the flavors were so sharp and fresh!

We would definitely go back... I have my eye on that brunch menu now!

Delicious Food! Awesome Drinks! & Great Vibes! Celebrated my bestie's birthday at Unconventional Diner at it was amazing from start to finish. Reservations honored on time; seated at a nice table and our server was so sweet and kind. She recommended entree's and cocktails to start the night and we were thrilled. We enjoyed the following:

1.) Cocktail: Stone Fruit Spritzer
2.) App's: Spreads & Breads
3.) Entree's: Chicken Parm Florentine and French Dip Pappardelle
4.) Dessert: Basque Cheesecake

Everything was superb!!! We couldn't have asked for a better night. Can't wait to return!!

Additional perks: Street parking available; or you can park in the Cambria Hotel lot and walk 2 blocks! Super convenient!

**A Night of Culinary Wonders at
Unconventional Diner**

My recent dining experience at Unconventional Diner, preceding the illustrious Visionary Awards at the Convention Center, was nothing short of spectacular. From the moment we stepped into the warmly lit ambience of the diner, the evening promised an array of delightful surprises. We were greeted with the utmost hospitality by friendly hostess who showed us to a beautifully reserved section. The attention to detail was immediately apparent, with elegantly set tables that subtly hinted at the culinary journey we were about to embark on. The menu, thoughtfully placed within the napkin folds, unveiled a pre-fixe selection that was both inviting and exciting.

The adventure began with a twist on a classic, the Old Fashioned. Unconventional Diner's rendition, the Cinnamon Toast Old Fashioned, was an exquisite blend of cinnamon maple rye, armagnac, and bitters. This innovative take on a beloved drink was a delightful prelude to the courses that followed.

**First Course: Cornbread Skillet** - The combination of habanero butter and honey crystals provided a perfect balance of heat and sweet, setting a high bar for what was to come.

**Second Course: Meatloaf** - This was not your ordinary meatloaf. The sriracha glaze, paired with creamy mashed potatoes and morel gravy, elevated this comfort food to a new level of sophistication.

**Third Course: A Duo of Desserts** - The decision to offer both desserts to our group was a testament to the diner's generosity. The Death by Chocolate, with its devil's food cake and warm fudge sauce, was a chocolate lover's dream come true. Equally impressive was the Basque Burnt Cheesecake, a masterful presentation of San Sebastian style that was as delicious as it was visually appealing.

The service provided by Mariah and Sammy was exemplary, adding a personal touch to an already extraordinary dining experience. Their attentiveness and professionalism exemplified the diner's commitment to excellence in customer service.

In conclusion, whether you're a local or visiting for a special occasion, or just grabbing a drink this diner is worth a visit.

Stopped in for dessert and sat at the bar. Great service.

One dessert was stellar - it looked like breakfast eggs and bacon and was full of flavor. The other dessert was a cheesecake that was good, yet very conventional and not that exciting.

This Diner eats other diners. Unconventional Diner was a fantastic breakfast find as we enjoyed our long weekend in Washington D.C.

Unconventional Diner is located near the D.C. Alley Museum and combines trendy style with delicious cuisine. Its seafoam-green booths, rigged wooden bar with circular overhead lamps, and chic artwork on the walls create the right mood for some good eats to start your day.

Sitting at a table in the back dining area, I downed some draft cold brew that helped perk me up, filling me with happiness. Known for approaching a lot of classic dishes with a unique twist, I ordered the Loaded Breakfast Biscuits, which were a delight. Served with housemade pork sausage, hash browns, caramelized onion, cheese, bacon jam, and fried eggs, the loaded breakfast biscuits certainly filled my appetite. The dish was savory and satisfying, elevated by the Applewood-smoked bacon side I ordered. The bacon strips were cooked to perfection that tantalized my senses.

When I return to D.C., no matter where I am staying, I'll book a reservation at Unconventional Diner to enjoy more of their brunch items.

Made reservations for Sunday at 12:30 and arrived a bit late at 12:45. They do hold reservations for 15 minutes so me and my boyfriend got lucky and didn't have to wait for our table. We did overhear another couple arrive 45min and they did have to wait a bit.

I got the French dip poutine and this dish was extremely flavorful, but maybe a bit too salty because near the end of the dish, I wasn't able to finish. But still, a really well done dish. The fries were soggy and plenty of beef in the dish.

My boyfriend got the corned beef hash and this was equally amazing, if not more so.

Both our dishes came out hot and quick. We were in and out in about an hour.

I can't speak much to the walk-ins but definitely recommend reservations since the place was full and still packed when we left. There's not a lot of street parking nearby but plenty of garages within a five minute walk.

I have circled back to Unconventional Diner from brunch and dinner on multiple occasions. Their food and drinks are a hit every time -- unique, flavorful, and vibrant.

I recently tried the Lebanese Fried Rice with a side of falafel and I was so pleasantly surprised by the myriad of flavors and textures that harmoniously came together in the dish. The freshness of the vegetables, a smokiness from the spices, a sweetness from the raisins, the crunch of the nuts and the light and fresh finish from the yogurt sauce.. doesn't compare to anything I've had.

The service is on point. I specifically sat at the bar because happy hour is only offered with bat seating. This space always feels bright and uplifting with plenty of seating.