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. At Maggie McFly’s in Springfield, brunch includes dishes like sautéed crab hash with egg and a mini brunch option for the kiddos. 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 put their own spin on crab for breakfast.

 

Mid-County


The central 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. Urbano in Fairfax contrasts that with a Spanish accent, serving up brunch fajitas and chilaquiles. Enjoy the brunch bundle at Matchbox, which includes your choice of a brunch favorite paired with a boozy cocktail. Travel down to South America, to try Inca Social's Chicharron Benedict and the Lima Omelette. In Vienna, Maple Ave Restaurant ups the ante with a three-course, prix-fixe French meal including pistachio salad and an almond ricotta pancake. If you're heading to Clifton, try the amazing Breakfast Lasagna at Trattoria Villagio. Also, the newly introduced brunch menu at Trummer's is creating quite a buzz, and for good reason (wait till you see their menu offerings). Other notable brunches in this area of the county include 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 a hearty Shakshouka and an array of shareable beignets. Craft your own brunch cocktail with Neutral Ground Bar + Kitchen's Brunch-Tails and don't miss out on trying the GW Gristmill "Cast Iron" Cornbread. Moving on to Reston, you can pretty much find brunch everywhere, especially in Reston Town Center. We recommend Sixty Vines for their Sixty Brunch pizza. At Pisco y Nazca, each brunch dish celebrates the vibrant flavors of Peruvian cuisine. If you're torn between choosing a sweet or savory brunch, their prix fixe brunch menu will solve all your problems. Nothing says savory brunch than the Cholo Benedicto and then end on a high note with their Alfajor Pancakes.

 

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. Another noteworthy spot in Tysons is Agora, which offers a bottomless brunch, allowing guests to enjoy dishes like Kavurmali Fried Eggs and French Toast drizzled with Baklava Syrup. In the mood for unlimited breakfast plates, but tapas style? Joon gives guests the special treatment on weekends with unlimited small plates. Cannot recommend enough the Persian Cheese “Omelette” or the Toshka. Makers Union in Reston has 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 several 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. 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. A new staple nearby, Carnegie Diner & Cafe's all-day brunch menu has been a big hit - their pancakes are certainly the star of the show. Speaking of all-day brunch, First Watch is a national chain with locations in Bailey’s Crossroads and Fairfax - plus one arriving soon in Reston.  

 

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 gravy and homemade Ted’s Tarts are available all day every day. Not to complicate things even further, but Tatte Bakery in Reston is another fantastic option for all-day breakfast, featuring rich, buttery quiches and flavorful Shakshuka. If you are out that way, you may also want to try Amphora’s Diner Deluxe, Desi Breakfast Club, and Virginia Kitchen in Herndon. 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.