Every weekend, one dish slides onto pretty much every brunch menu in the National Capital Region. It’s kind of a thing in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia). It can go by many names, but typically you’ll see it called Chesapeake Benedict or Crab Cake Benedict. Imagine eggs benedict but replace the ham with crab cakes. It’s worth waiting all week for.


From brunch places with a special menu on weekends to all-day breakfast places ready to serve eggs at 3am, you’ll find great brunching in Fairfax County. Keep reading for a few of our favorites.

 

Weekend Brunch Menus.

Fairfax County is a large county, so we’ll separate the brunches into three locations: Potomac Banks (Alexandria, Springfield, and Lorton), Mid-County (Fairfax, Clifton, Vienna), and West County (Reston, Tysons, Herndon). Many change up their menus from week to week, so the dishes mentioned here are just an example. And you can expect fancy libations to accompany all your brunch selections, though not specifically called out here. Ready to brunch?


Potomac Banks


In 2022, Della J’s Delectables moved their restaurant from Springfield to Alexandria and they brought their homestyle southern brunches with them. This is where you go for chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, and some pretty tasty collards. Osteria Marzano in Alexandria specializes in Italian fare and their brunch menu features candied bacon mac and cheese and French toast. Further south, the Hometown Grill and Bar in Lorton serves up wonderful brunch fare, from fried green tomatoes to a blueberry lemon souffle amidst their staple burgers, salads, and wings. All three have their version of crabcakes benedict.

 

Mid-County


The middle section of the county has a diverse set of brunches available for your weekend pleasure. At the Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar in Fairfax and Chantilly, you can get comforting classics in a fun atmosphere, like quiche and chilaquiles. Parc de Ville in Fairfax contrasts that with a French accent, serving up escargot and crepes for brunch. Maple Ave Restaurant ups the ante with a three-course, prix-fixe French meal including pistachio salad and an almond ricotta pancake. Other notable brunches in this area of the county include Trattoria Villagio on historic Main Street in Clifton, Open Road Grill in Falls Church, and Sedona Taphouse in Chantilly.

 

West County


In the west end of the county, you’ll find many of the region’s most popular brunch spots. At Earls Kitchen + Bar in Tysons, a delicious lobster and shrimp benedict graces the menu along with other breakfast fare. Also in Tysons, ENTYSE at The Ritz-Carlton offers raisin brioche French toast and hazelnut beignets. Moving on to Reston, you can pretty much find brunch everywhere, especially in Reston Town Center. We recommend Little Beast Café & Bistro for their Butterkuchen (a German brioche cake pastry) and Duck confit brunch bowl. At Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant you’ll find a tapas-based menu with many delights to share.

 

 

Brunch Buffets


Some of the best brunches in the region are the buffets. You pay one price and then eat until your sides burst. In Alexandria, La Fiamma Italian Kitchen has a bountiful display with four stations and dozens of goodies to choose from. PJ Skidoos is a Fairfax institution with a generous brunch spread every weekend.  Reston (and Tysons) offers the uber-popular Founding Farmers buffet brunch with all-you-can-eat glazed bacon lollipops and carving station meats. Also in Reston is the inclusive Makers Union with both a brunch menu and a buffet featuring scotch eggs and cornflake-crusted French toast. On Sundays at J Gilbert’s in McLean, you’ll find an upscale brunch featuring hand-carved prime rib and a waffle bar.

 

 

All-Day, Everyday Brunch

Everyone knows Denny’s, IHOP, Silver Diner and La Madelaine serve up breakfast anytime. But what if you don’t want a national chain? What if you want a local diner? An all-day breakfast at a favorite restaurant? Or maybe you want to try one of these newfangled all-day brunch places? Fairfax County has got you covered! (Check the hours before you visit as some of these places are not open during dinner hours.)


Potomac Banks


This region is the king of the all-day breakfast. You’ll find the beloved local 24-hour diner chain, Bob & Edith’s in Alexandria and Springfield. Breakfast here is as much a tourist destination as any of our sites and attractions. Alexandria is also home to four other heavy hitters in the all-day breakfast world. The Beeliner Diner, Barnside Diner, and Van Dorn Diner are all classic diners the locals adore.  And rounding out Alexandria breakfasts, try Milk & Honey Café, an all-day carryout brunch place featuring my favorite, fried salmon hash. In Springfield, Moe’s Peyton Place is an old-fashioned local diner with all-day breakfast. And while we don’t have enough time to go down the bakery rabbit hole, there is one bakery that can’t be ignored – The Swiss Bakery in Springfield.

 

Mid-County


A couple of really interesting choices are located in the county’s center. The Virginian Restaurant in Vienna is a mainstay with diner options. And Eggspectation in Chantilly celebrates all things egg (including a large selection of benedicts) on their all-day brunch menu. Speaking of all-day brunch, First Watch is a national chain with locations in Bailey’s Crossroads and Fairfax.  And somewhere around year’s end, a Fairfax institution is set to reopen after a kitchen fire shuttered its doors. The Rt. 29 Diner has been serving the region 24/7 since 1947!

 

West County


There may be some who have read this far and wondered why we haven’t mentioned the iconic and popular Ted’s Bulletin in Reston and Merrifield yet. That is because their yummy sausage and gravy and homemade Ted’s Tarts are available all day every day. If you are out that way, you may also want to try Amphora’s Diner Deluxe and Virginia Kitchen in Herndon. Both are local favorites. And here’s another bakery with all sorts of breakfast treats—the Amphora Bakery in Herndon.

 


From waffles to Chesapeake Benedict, some of the day’s best food can be found at brunch in Fairfax County, VA. Let us know what you think of our suggestions in the comments or on social media at @VisitFairfax or #FXVA and tip us off to where you brunched when you were in town! For even more dining in Fairfax County, check out our full Food & Drink section.