I consider this place a gem! The good is fantastic! The shrimp and grits are to die for! I consider this place a great deal and an affordable place to eat! Food is always freshly prepared! It's located in a quaint neighborhood and has a diverse customer base! Great place for family, friends and couples to dine at. read more

Highlands - Shrimp and grits! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Can't judge a book by its cover. This little restaurant is inconspicuous on the outside, but serves great quality food on the inside London broil - tender meat . tasty buttery bread Shrimp and grits - pretty small plate. acts more like an appetizer Gulf Shrimp Linguine - the pasta was cooked perfectly al dente Great mural on the wall gives the little place big character. overall , an affordable place with food done well read more

Best turkey sandwich I've ever had! Mostly because they offer turkey bacon. This place is quite interesting, a hidden gem in the area with enough options for Non pork eaters and vegetarians. The service is OK but for the price, it's totally worth it! Finally, a brunch place with some edge in DC read more

So a girlfriend and I dropped by on a Saturday morning around 11:30. It was confusing because we did not know if we should wait, order at the register, or take a seat first. It was very busy and crowded. We had to ask a waitress passing by on what to do and she pointed to the only empty table and brought us menus. We thought she was going to take out order but she told us to order in line. I don't recommend this for a casual meet-up spot or a date. Confusing and LOUD! the tables were so close to eachother I felt like I was sitting with 2 other couples. I had the salmon cake which was good but the size of a jumbo grape. It came with eggs, grits, and toast. The menu does not have a list of drinks but if you ask they do have mimosas and Highland Punch! The food tasted average-good. I'm very impressed with one waitress who helped a man on an electronic wheelchair sift through his belongings looking for his jelly. She was helping him for a good 5-8 minutes. Sweet. I don't know if I would return unless I was already in the area... I would not go out of my way to have brunch here again. read more

I absolutely love this place. It's definitely my favorite place to go in the city. Their service is fast and their food consistent, shrimp and grits that will ruin all other shrimp and grits after it. The chicken and waffles meal comes with two Belgium waffles, tons of chicken (no bones) and eggs - $10! I also suggest any of their sandwiches. I'll be trying the short ribs next because this place is way more than just breakfast! read more

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Breakfast on a Saturday morning. The scrambled cheese eggs were so good. Decent amount of Bacon and it was crispy. Home fries are good. The staff was very friendly and professional. My food was ready in a very reasonable time.. pretty quick actually. I'll definitely return read more

My favorite Chicken and waffles spot I drives 25mins just for it and take it back home please don't forget the honey mustard lol

Breakfast is one meal where any proud cheapskate can find plenty of places that are good and affordable. The only thing you need to do is sniff out these good places that are too often buried under less enjoyable yet somehow better known establishments. Ms. Classy went into full research mode and discovered The Highlands on 14th St NW. One theme we saw throughout the online reviews was a lack of attention to detail and the staff consistently commits little blunders, but the food was really good and cheap. Well, to repeat everything we read, that pretty much summed up our experience. I will begin with saying that I loved the atmosphere. I liked the mural covering an entire wall of the dining area, the bar-style stools along a table against the front window, and just the overall feeling of the place. Since the eating area was small and customers seemed to be coming in at a regular pace, I staked our claim at a table while Ms. Classy and her parents went to the order counter and ordered our breakfast. Here is where we experienced our first staff mistake: they forgot to give me my coffee. I went to the register and explained and they quickly gave me my coffee without hassle. For our breakfasts, we ordered the Highlands Omelet and Brioche French Toast. Here is where we discovered a second mistake. According to the menu posted on their website and the one on the wall behind the ordering area, the Highlands Omelet comes with ham, creamy havarti cheese, and spinach. When we dug in, we discovered a switcharoo with the cheese. We were served cheddar. Was it good and did we eat it? Yes. However, if they were out of havarti, we should have been informed or it may have been a staff error when cooking the omelet. The ham was good and I love almost any dish that contains spinach so in the end I liked it. When I checked the downloadable menu, American cheese was listed, so who knows what is right or not, but it is a detail that needs attention. The Brioche French Toast as amazing. It comes with two eggs any style and we chose over medium. I usually prefer sunny side up because too many places have misinterpreted over medium with over hard. Not The Highlands, the yokes were the perfect amount of slightly firm outside with the rich, runny inside that slowly flowed out when cut. We were both pleased with this selection. If you're swinging by and only have a modest appetite and a handful of pocket change, the two eggs any style with toast is only $1.75. Throw in a small coffee for $1.60 and you have yourself a quick breakfast for the price most places charge for just the most basic of basic breakfast sandwiches. If the quality of their over medium eggs are always as good as we had, this is more than worth it. Now, back to another detail that needs attention: serving the orders. While we were eating, we (and patrons at the neighboring table) were approached by several servers with arms full of entrees, asking if we ordered anything they were carrying. Of course, I went to point to something that looked particularly appetizing when Ms. Classy anticipated my nefariousness and politely sent the servers searching for the proper customers. Very simple 'order number' style identification could easily take care of this detail. So was it good? Yes. I would rank my specific experience a three out of five. It was good and I liked the atmosphere of the place, but if I happened not to like American cheese at all, or if they gave me hassle about my coffee, or if some other customer was served our order and I had to wait for it to be made again, that ranking would have dropped significantly. If they found a way to organize themselves a little more, it would have been a four. -Someone of the male gender who does not like to spend a whole lot of money on things read more

I really like the food here, and I eat lunch and dinner semi-regularly. I've only been once or twice for brunch, but it is very good. I almost always chat with the staff, and on several occasions I've ended up talking to the person at the table next to me. It is a neighborhood vibe in the true sense of the word. The downside is that with all this socializing going on, it is not unusual for the staff to forget about you. I'm also completely baffled by their hours. We have shown up for dinner at 9:00 on a Saturday night and been turned away because they are closing. And though it is a great place to hang out for coffee in the afternoon, they close early. Hire some people who you trust, let them help keep you open longer, and you will expand your clientele. Plus, please please open up those huge front windows during the spring and fall. What's the point in having those nice stools by the window? I do like your new outdoor tables. read more

Highlands dishes are as good as their waitstaff is welcoming. With every visit, the atmosphere gets that much warmer. The employees treat their customers like guests and don't forget the friendly faces that they welcome inside. Quaint and tucked away, but with bold artwork and meals, Highlands is a place frequented often. As many reviews suggest, the shrimp and grits are a sure crowd pleaser. I know of many mouths that revel over the vegan gyro, and I love all the sweets. You can tell they take pride in the quality of their food and continue to create palate pleasing specials. read more

Expresso + Turkey Bacon + belgian waffle = no regrets! The expresso is well recommended by my fiancee. He can't stop talking about it :) I had the belgian waffle with scrumbled eggs and salsage. It was good! The place is nice, as you can seat outside. The staff is warm and friendly :) I recommend and want to come back soon read more

Delicious, CHEAP food, and great atmosphere! I had the chicken and waffles. The waffles were airy, a touch sweet, and absolutely perfect with the juicy chicken. It takes a deft touch to make white meat chicken juicy and not dry, and they succeeded beautifully! Don't miss this great addition to the neighborhood. read more

The best chicken and waffles I've ever had. Mind you in from Los Angeles and we have roscoes but this was way better than that. read more

Highlands - SO GOOD! This was delicious for such a great price. The waffle was so sweet that I really didn't even need butter. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I gave highlands on 14th st 4/5 stars because I've only went once. This quite little place im sure easily goes unnoticed daily. Highlands is a DC hidden gem. With the option of indoor or outdoor seating the vibe is so DC. Highlands is Such a soulful place and u can tell the food is cooked by someone who takes their craft serious. Someone who holds cooking and food prep to a high standard. The ppl are so nice and down to earth. When I went I had the fish and grits! Worth every penny. I cleaned my plate. Grits cooked to perfection. I always tell people if you don't like grits, then you haven't had them cooked correctly. If this is u, let Highlands turn you u out! If you're visiting DC this should be one of the restaurants that you check out read more

This was a bit of trip to get here if you're not in this area already. Take note that 54 and 52 bus comes up from downtown or even just Columbia Heights metro. Walked in and only police/fire dept and a few local teens were there. Later on others filtered in. I like the crowd -- families, locals, zero pretentiousness. I had waffles. Pretty good. I liked the fact that everything was hot. Great place. Keep it up read more

A great neighborhood spot. Highlands is one of my favorite places to eat. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn't matter cause everything is great. The shrimp and grits are a must and don't forget about the waffles. read more

Highlands - London Broil sandwich--can't loose. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love the food at Highlands. Went for lunch on 6/5/14 and saw it was crowded as it can tend to get, so figured I would sit outside since it was a great sunny day. I ordered what has become a fav of mine -- the chicken & waffles. Now I've had chicken & waffles at a few places and have even made them myself at home. They season their chicken just right and use boneless chicken breaded light and with a swig of sweetness that sets it off right! Service was dragging today, but it was crowded. Really didn't have the wait staff to work both inside and outside, so after eating, I brought my finished plate and utensils back in which the hostess appreciated. Being about 6 minutes from me, Highlands has convenience, affordability, and good taste. read more

The food here was REALLY good. The waffle breakfast and sliced steak sandwich is what I'd recommend trying. It isn't exactly the largest place so be prepared to have to look/"fight" for a table. I gave it 3 stars because the waitress was a bit rude when we asked questions or for something. It would be nice if she didn't just run off without us knowing if she even heard us, etc. read more

Literally an amazing "dive" in the NW DC area. Delicious food for ALL meals of the day and at a CANNOT BE BEAT price! You get such large portions, the food is fresh, the people are local, service is great, just all around awesome quick spot for food that's been in the area for years. For breakfast GET THE FRENCH TOAST YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED! For lunch, the turkey burger (dont sell yourself short on the toppings!) is always a great option. read more

This place is phenomenal!! Eggs are light and fluffy yet buttery and delicious. My mom and brother got the belgian waffles, which I was sad I didn't order because they were amazing! However, the brioche french toast was the winner. So light, with the honey butter it was perfect. The portions are considered "small" by some, but I left full and satisfied. Who wants to be over-stuffed anyway? If you're in the area, definitely stop by for breakfast. The atmosphere was friendly and neighborhood-esq. You order at the counter and then they bring your food to your table. The staff looked a little short handed, but she handled everything in a timely manner until help showed up. Patrons and service were friendly and sociable alike. Awesome place-wish I lived in the area so I could eat here every week!! read more

Great place to meet the neighbors and get the feel of a real local place. Everyone seems pleased with their meals, esp. brunch. Excellent place to meet for the first time doing business, such as writing a real estate contract. Owners are very patient & tolerant--they know we will all be back for a real meal once they get over the nervous stomach about buying or selling. And they just catered the big 16th Street Neighborhood fund raiser--absolutely delicious, and very generous spread! Much appreciated! read more

Delicious breakfast! Cuban sandwich was amazing! Service was good too. We'll def be back!

Highlands is a great brunch place. The front looked a bit run down, but it was no indicator of the hipster, neighborhood vibe that resided inside. I ordered a cafe au lait and a filling omelette. They give you the steaming milk in a cup, and on brunch times, you pour which coffee you want to combo with it. I tried the creme brûlée one and its sweetness wafted the room. My fluffy omelette was filled to bursting: cheddar cheese and fresh spinach. It came with potatoes and a sizable amount of buttered toast. I'd love to come back and try out their sandwiches! read more

I had the Cajun Mardi Gras which had a lot of flavor. Others got the shrimp and grits which looked really good; I wish I had ordered it for an appetizer. The mojito was made well too. read more

A genuine breakfast place that provides nice variety compared to the many, many DC brunch options. The food is great, my favorite dish is the seafood gumbo and everything is very reasonably priced- for example a large bowl of the gumbo is 8 dollars. Additionally, I really like that this place opens early. On weekends, almost everything else in the neighborhood opens at 11am, and I am quite hungry before then- the Highlands opens at 730! Also the chicken and waffles are really great. read more

Food is BOMB! Servers are so hospitable and ordering is simple...Order at the register, find a table/seat, and eat (wait time is 10 mins tops). Feels very at home. Good for breakfast lunch and dinner, anytime of day. read more

Highlands - Bomb - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Not a touristy place which was good. It was quiet and quaint. Service was excellent, food was superb!

Loved everything about this place. I'm so glad that this is a black owned business and has great food and service. The line was out of the door on each occasion. The people wait patiently and everyone has positive vibes in line conversations start and it's a family. The food has been consistent. The chicken & waffles are a hit. The salmon cakes were good. So far everything has been good on the menu. You can't go wrong. read more

Great Good good Staff kool Will return Bartender hooked up great strong drink Tasty and enjoyable read more

This place is so cozy and cute. The food was amazing. When I looked at the menu I didn't know what to order. Everything sounded so yummy. I ended up ordering the French toast. I loved it so much that even though I was full, I didn't want to leave one piece of food on my plate. Can't believe it took me so long to discover it. read more

Hubby and I headed here one night to explore. I had heard from word of mouth that Highlands was good, and I have to agree. We ordered tea, the London broil, and the clam chowder. I am super picky on clam chowder, and this got a thumbs up. The London broil? Fantastic. It was like a super-duper fancy steak and cheese. Well made! End cost? Less than $20 for the two of us. The inside of the restaurant was nice with the mural, and we both walked away very satisfied. There were a couple of glitches: The waiter though we ordered the NY Strip, and we didn't want that. The fries were also a little soggy, meaning the oil wasn't hot enough. Finally, we were really excited to try a dessert, but they were out. Overall, we were both impressed with variety of the menu, the ambiance, and the fact that we can both walk there once it's warm again. Oh, and the gates on the front are neat. read more

Quiet peaceful oasis in the middle of our city . A real gem ! I had the waffles ,eggs and bacon and it was yummy. The prices are great and you can select from numerous coffee types . All you can drink :-) read more

I love this quaint spot, with great inexpensive food. We ordered shrimp and grits and also Belgian waffles. We ended up getting stuffed and also having leftovers. read more

Highlands - Party in my tummy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is a little gem. The food is hot and made to order. I've ordered several items from the menu, and I've never been disappointed. My favorites are the shrimp and grits, chicken and waffle, and the egg white omelet. OMG this place is on the money!! Fast and courtesy service. It is a small location so be prepared for that. It's tight quarters in there but none the less a great dining experience! Delicious! read more

Food was delicious. Everything tasted fresh, and everything was full flavored without being greasy. We were a party of 6 on a Sunday morning, and the place was very busy. They sat us relatively quickly, because they added some tables outside. Service was slow due to the crowd, but very friendly nonetheless. I would definitely recommend visiting this locally owned diner! read more

I've had breakfast here multiple times and I've never left disappointed. Recommended Highlands to my Fiancé, Sisters, and cousins and they all agree that breakfast is awesome and affordable every time. I personally love the brioche French toast, my fiancé goes for the chicken & waffles. I hear the shrimp & grits are awesome too. Someday I'll make it into the lunch & dinner menu but for now, Highlands is my go-to breakfast spot. *Edit* Been going here for 4 years and they're still great! That's a testament to their consistency and quality. Still my favorite breakfast in DC. read more

Best chicken and waffles I've ever had. I mean it. Okay. I'm from New Orleans and wound up in Highlands not realizing they have a major Cajun influence. This place is legit. I've been in the neighborhood two days and come for dinner both days. Daytime service happens at the counter, in the evenings you can choose between counter or table service. Sangria is pretty tasty. read more

My friend and I had a taste for good brunch food. Yelpers recommended this place and it did not disappoint. It was clean, quaint and we arrived right before the crowd. OMG the food was amazing. Can you say Chicken and waffles!!! Waffle was light and fluffy and chicken' seasoning was so good. I ate every morsel on my plate. Will definitely be returning sometime soon. read more

Hard to believe this place is down the street from my neighborhood and I never visited. I had gumbo and my friend had a turkey burger. The gumbo was very good-almost as good as the gumbo I have had in NOLA, with the exception of cold french bread. I had to ask to have my french bread toasted or at least warmed. Not sure why i was given french bread with butter. Either way, the gumbo was great. I will have to come back for the chicken and waffles. read more

Highlands - Almost like NOLA. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Awesome neighborhood spot. Good food, good drink prices, friendly wait staff. It's everything you want out of a neighborhood restaurant.