Unconventional Diner

The story

Unconventional Diner Washington DC – Bib Gourmand Modern Comfort Food

Unconventional Diner in Washington DC

At Unconventional Diner on 9th Street NW, the name is a promise. This is modern comfort food that plays by its own rules, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand for its good quality, good value cooking. The menu, available from 7AM to 10PM daily, blurs the lines between brunch and dinner with a confident, creative hand.

What Makes It Unconventional

Start with brunch—served all day before 3:45PM—where classics get a twist. The Chicken & Waffles swaps a traditional waffle for cheddar-chive cornbread, finished with habanero butter and honey sriracha. The Crème Brûlée French Toast turns brioche into a vanilla-cream indulgence with macerated berries. For something savory, the Lebanese Fried Rice layers lentils, fried eggs, and yogurt with almonds.

Come evening, the dinner menu expands with starters like Pot Pie Poppers (chicken, peas, carrots in a crispy shell) and Avocado Tartare with confit egg yolk. Entrées range from a Philly French Double Dip with roast beef and horseradish cream to Peking Duck Confit with housemade hoisin and bao buns. The American cuisine here is anything but predictable.

A Space for Every Occasion

The dining room is airy and inviting, with outdoor seating for warmer months. Whether you're stopping in for a solo lunch, hosting a private party, or grabbing takeaway, the space adapts. The bar pours creative cocktails—try an Espresso Martini or a Calamansi Frizzante—and the kitchen stays open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With wheelchair access, valet parking, and Wi-Fi, it's built for real life, not just special occasions.

Unconventional Diner proves that comfort food doesn't have to be boring—and that a Bib Gourmand can live in a place where you'd happily eat every day.