Since I live in Woodley Park, Open City Diner is a Washington, D.C. staple for me. I go there to work from home, grab lunch with friends, or to have a coffee when my Mom is visiting. It’s a perfect spot to go to any time of day – but it’s the busiest for brunch on weekends, so watch out for that.
I love the feel of Open City Diner. The servers are always welcoming, and the menu changes with the seasons. There’s always a local beer on tap, and they usually have daily specials, like half-priced wine bottles if you order one of their homemade pizzas or $5 nachos. People go there to watch sports games, refuel after a protest or catch up with family.
Their coffee is well-known locally as the one served with animal crackers on the side. Oh, and for serving breakfast all day! They’re owned by the Tryst Trading Company, a local DC food group that owns several other neighborhood restaurants and cafes nearby. Restaurants seem to open and close weekly in Woodley Park, and Open City is one of the longstanding spots in the area.
