This was a cute restaurant bookstore but food was overpriced and very bland. I ordered the Feddy Cheesesteak and it was almost flavorless. Would come for the bookstore vibes but not the food! read more

Kramers is a must stop every time I visit DC! I love the food I love the atmosphere and I love the book selections!

Quality and service has degraded in the new administration. Not the same it was. From a 3.5 now is less than 1.5. I have to say, not the best vibes! There is a hostile environment at the bar!!!Food is not the best but is not awful either. They need to figure out what experience/service the want to provide to their guests! One hour wait for food in an empty bar, not acceptable! I decide to get everything to go! I order chicken wings with a cheesecake and when I got home and checked they gave me a sandwich with fries! Like what??????? The fries tasted like 1 day old and and sandwich as well! I through it to the garbage! Almost 30 dollars wasted! They really don't care anymore! read more

Kramers - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Kramerbooks is a classic little bookstore, in a city that could use way more independent ones. It's in DuPont Circle, which makes it convenient to access on the metro via the red line, but also makes it a hotspot for tourists. They've packed a lot into the space they have, but the selection can feel limited if you're looking for something specific. I've also not found their staff to be particularly knowledgeable about literature -- I once went in looking for Feminism is for Everybody by bell hooks and the employee I spoke to had no clue who bell hooks was (and they didn't have the book). However, the staff are always very friendly. As for the cafe (Afterwords): I love when bookstores have cafés attaches, and you can drink coffee with your newfound reading. But I've never had great service here, and the menu isn't super special. Because the spot is somewhat touristy, it can get pretty cramped too. But it's better than going to the Starbucks next door, and they've got decent cold brew. read more

I love the concept of this place. Right in the heart of DuPont Circle inside a book store. As you walk inside, the bookstore offers a great selection of different books and gifts. It's always busy which means it's a good thing. But towards the back houses the restaurant. Second time here, once last year and then this time. We were seated upstairs which I didn't even know there was one. Honestly, I would have preferred the down stairs area instead as I know now. But anyhow, breakfast was good. Selections was good but limited. Had the crab omelette. It was really nice, with full chunks of crab meat. Served with house potatoes and wheat bread. Very flavorful and very impressed that there was actually chunks of crabs versus shredded pieces. Breakfast was ok, but I do like the dinner selections. Last year visit for dinner was amazing from what I remember. read more

Kramers - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great food - fun atmosphere good for groups. Enjoyed eating out on the patio. Lots of options for most everyone. Recommend reservations.

I'll be visiting Kramers again so I can update my review after sampling the food/drinks. But as far as bookstores go, Kramers feels pretty standard. I'm not sure if it's a problem with the layout of the space, the size of the space, or the quantity of books, but Kramers was wayyyy too crowded on a Sunday morning. It was difficult to navigate the narrow aisles, and there was little room to browse if you wanted to spend time in a section without feeling like a barrier to all the other patrons. For better vibes (though not nearby), I recommend Solid State Books on H Street. Super open space, friendly and welcoming staff, and a solid collection of books (and book clubs!). read more

Kramerbooks is a DC institution. It opened in 1976 and for more than 40 years have been providing Dupont Circle with one of the largest collections of books at an independent bookstore and a cafe that stays open past midnight every single night. The cafe itself isn't the best food in DC, but it's decent. It's standard American fare served in the back of the bookstore with two floors of seating and some patio seating. They close at 1AM every night except weekends when they close at 3AM. There's not too many places in the city that stays open that late! They also serve coffee, wine, and craft beer. The bookstore itself is GREAT! Outside of Politics and Prose in Cleveland Park, it has the largest collection of books at an independent bookstore in the city. That means each section is large and they proudly have the largest travel section in DC (any store that sells Kazakhstan guides is grand). If you're in the area, stop by, browse books, and sip on coffee at a DC legend. read more

Kramers - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A very well curated bookstore with a wine list & good eats? Attentive and knowledgeable staff, too (both booze & books). What's not to like?!? A great DC stop! read more

Fantastic food!!!!! Definitely definitely get the fettuccine new orleans, it's absolute bliss!!! Perfect creaminess for sauce (not too heavy), just right portion size, and fantastic shrimp and seafood with chicken and roasted red peppers and onions! Truly the best fettuccine I've had, and i'm a huge fettuccine fan :) My friends got the Chicken and waffles which were okay, not the best. the chicken is not as crunchy or tasty as other chicken and waffles i've had, and the waffle is not the best waffle i've had either. Another friend got the Kramers Breakfast which had two runny eggs. I didn't try it but it looked good and he said it was yummy. We also got lattes and cappuccinos. They were pretty standard. The ambiance and interior design is so so cute, and so unique given the bookstore elements. There is also a cafe and a bar attached. The place to go for sure read more

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Nice little bookstore. It was really crowded the Saturday morning we went. We got brunch in the restaurant in the back of the bookstore. I had the yogurt parfait and my partner had the Kramers breakfast. Both were mediocre and I felt too expensive for the quality and taste. Would have given it a 2 but extra star for being inside a bookstore I guess. read more

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Very cool bookstore and great restaurant. The ambiance and quality of service is very good and the food we had (lunch on a Sunday) was excellent. When we needed anything, service was attentive. The cafe area has plants growing in the ceiling and nice natural light. The portion sizes were generous. I had cinnamon french toast (I ordered a side of bacon too). My wife had the green goddess salad and said it was excellent. Others had a waffle, blackened salmon, and a crab cake sandwich and everyone was happy with their meals. My only problem was related to the desserts. We got key lime pie and carrot cake to go and ate them hours later. Both had significant amounts of caramel sauce on them. Some people like caramel sauce and others do not. They should ask before adding. What makes carrot cake so good is that it is not sickeningly sweet. Their carrot cake already has raisins and pineapple, so when you add caramel sauce it's like eating a bowl of sugar. It doesn't taste like carrot cake to me. My adult daughter loves key lime pie and was surprised to see caramel sauce on her pie when we got home. Good key lime pie does not need or go well with Carmel sauce. However, I recommend this place if you're at DuPont Circle. read more

The book selection is great but the staff don't seem to know much about their own inventory. They seem more preoccupied by how cool they are. There's a stark difference in the service you get depending on whether a staff member perceives you to be a part of their clique. For local business, it really doesn't have that neighborhood vibe in the bookstore. The bar has great cocktails and nice service. The restaurant is not a place I'd recommend, especially given all the other options in the area, but the service is decent. read more

Omg I loved this bookstore!! I could have spent the whole day browsing. The store was organized very well and it was easy to find everything I wanted to look at. It also seemed that more than half of the titles were by diverse authors and told diverse stories - super refreshing and had me picking up things I wouldn't normally gravitate to at the library. Finally, all the trinkets, mugs, toys, masks, etc were adorable little additions to the store. I didn't get anything from the cafe part of this store, but the book side is enough to warrant a whole five stars!! read more

Kramer's is a lovely spot to eat and work at. I ordered the Fettuccine New Orleans and it was flavorful and so light! The weather was nice today so I sat outside in the garden area and it was very calming. Service was phenomenal, initially I couldn't order an iced mocha because their coffee machine broke so my server gave me an iced coffee on the house until it was fixed! read more

Kramers - Fettuccine New Orleans - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Besides being a great book store. This place is a great brunch spot. I had the chicken and waffles. Very tasty and fresh. The chicken was very well breaded and fried to perfection. They have a lot of outside seating in the patio area. They have a tent outside that protects from the sun but still able to enjoy the nice weather on a nice day. Looking forward to visiting again soon! read more

Kramers - Chicken Waffles - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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according to a cattle rancher, Kramers has one of the best hamburgers in DC--and I concur

I was in here today (Friday, 3/1/24) for the first time in years, and it'll likely be my last. I purchased a book and the sales associate ringing me up never once asked if I needed a bag (which I very much did). Finally when I asked if i could have a bag, he reluctantly grabbed a paper bag and haphazardly (barely) placed my purchase inside it. Once he handed it over to me I had to properly open the bag and ensure the book was properly placed into it. There was no "did you find everything ok" or "did you need a bag" or "thank you" - nothing. Just a "there you go" once I was handed my purchase. The whole encounter was bizarre and cold. It pains me to say it but Barnes and Noble has far superior service to this. Thankfully their Georgetown store is reopening. read more

I absolutely love this book store/cafe. All the staff is just so friendly. Anytime I had questions, they are always eager to help. This place is super safe, they limit the number of people indoors. I grabbed one of the staff-recommended novels and I'm so excited to start reading it! Now, the cafe.. honestly all food choices are solid. I've had their burger, it's awesome. Fries are top notch! I love their outdoor patio, it has nice music playing and it's really good for both catching up with a friend and reading the books you just bought! read more

Kramers - Today's selections of books! - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Kramer's was such a cute idea; combining books and multiple food options! I enjoyed the bbq fries even though I'm not a bbq person, and the burger was fine. The garlic sauce was somewhat overpowering. The veggie lasagna my friend ordered looked good. read more

Kramers - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food and service was wonderful! It's easy to mess up poached eggs but they did a wonderful job and the breakfast potatoes had a little kick to them which I appreciated! Service was great and very attentive. The one downside was the smell of the place was a little overwhelming and not in a good way. But overall a great place for food! read more

Great place to eat! I've been here multiple times and the food is always fantastic! Service is pretty good, even when it's busy and the staff is always friendly. The restaurant has a really great brunch vibe and is a wonderful spot to grab a bite to eat. So far, I've had the smoked pork hash, French toast, and chicken and waffles and everything has always been delicious! read more

Kramers - Kramer's Kramers Breakfast and Smoked Pork Hash - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stopped by Kramers when I was in the area a week or so ago, and I really love the concept - bookstore/diner. I love bookstores, so a bookstore where you can get a coffee or a meal? Kind of my dream. However, I didn't realize just how small the actual bookstore portion of Kramers is. If I lived in DC, I'd definitely order books from them (because they're not very large and don't have a ton of books in stock) or browse for things, but it's not large enough to have everything you need without ordering. Despite what some other reviews say, I found the staff helpful and very knowledgeable about books. I was looking for something, and the bookseller I talked to knew the book I was referring to, thought it was out of stock but doublechecked to be sure. Fun concept (and we didn't stay to try out the café portion of Kramers), but definitely small, tight, and a bit crowded. Still, if it's in your area, check it out and order from them (most people don't think about ordering books from their smaller, local/neighborhood, independent bookstores - but you can! You don't have to order from Amazon if Kramers doesn't have something in stock)! read more

I had a relaxing brunch experience here. I had a 1:00 pm reservation and they seated me even though my friend hadn't showed up yet. I ordered a mocha and for $3.95 I got a huge glass of mocha in what looked like a beer glass with a coffee sleeve. It definitely fit the cool and casual vibe of the cafe. It was good and I thought my taste buds may be off but it had a slight minty finish or something I couldn't quite put my lips on. I would have enjoyed a smaller size that was more rich in the mocha flavor. For brunch, we both ordered the huevos rancheros with eggs prepared to our liking as well as some brunch cocktails. We got the rose colored glass and the cooler purple. The cooler purple is a good choice. It's not too strong or sweet despite having vodka and "butterfly pea flower," whatever that is :p. The huevos rancheros were awesome. It came with so many vegetables and was made in a way I never had before and I've ordered quite a bit of huevos rancheros from various restaurants I've been to. The soft toasted corn tortilla complemented the corn, broccoli rabe, peppers and salsa. It had a homemade taste to it that I really liked so I ate the whole thing without feeling bad in any way. This dish left me feeling satisfied but not uncomfortable in any way. It felt very healthy yet it was delicious at the same time. I'd like to come back to explore more of the bookstore. We stayed until the end of our waiter's shift because it had been a long time since I had seen my friend but our waiter kindly said we could stay there if we wanted to which was nice of him. Overall, it was a lot of fun. The tables are pretty close to each other and the bathroom is located on the second floor stair walk up so you may get a nice gluteal workout but the food is great. I'd recommend making a reservation because it was busy and there was a wait list for walk ins. Luckily you can peruse through books during your wait. read more

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It's a pretty decent place to grab a bite and catch up with a couple of friends. I recommend making a reservation if your party has more than 3 people. My friend and I walked in (just 2 people) and were seated almost immediately. The French toast was perfectly made and satisfied my sweet tooth. Their side of mac and cheese was also one of the best I've had in D.C. for a while. After brunch, we walked across the building to their connected bookstore (which is stocked with a variety of books, puzzles, and souvenirs). It's located in a pretty busy area right outside of Dupont Circle so we were able to stop by a bunch of other little shops and the farmers market across the block as well. read more

I LOVE this place! Any where that puts food, alcohol, and books together is a win for me. We had a noon brunch reservation, and as life (read: hangovers) happens, we were running a bit late. Luckily, they were cool about it and we were glad, seated quickly despite the crowd. Seating was not great. We're talking REAL intimate with the tables next to you, but it's not unbearable or anything. First, I ordered a yummy bellini. My friend got the cold brew and said it was good, worth the $5. To eat, she went basic and ordered sides of fruit, bacon, and biscuits with cinnamon butter. She gave me half of a biscuit and it was tasty! To eat, I indulged and got the croque madame which was pretty amazing. A little sweetness balanced the salty ham out nicely and the sunny side up egg added gooey and cheesiness which made it all the better. Definitely not a sandwich that you can pick up -- fork and knife recommended, and even then it's still gonna be messy. After we paid the tab (which was reasonable, although some menu items seemed a bit pricy, but nothing unexpected for D.C.) it was time to explore the bookstore section! Any bookstore is great by me but this one had a great selection and decent prices as well. Lots of little nooks so we didn't even have time to browse the whole store! TL;DR version: yummy brunch options, a cool space and atmosphere, and as one fellow book scavenger said, "a hip place to be." read more

Kramers - Croque Madame + Bellini + sides of bacon, fruit, & biscuits. All good bites! - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What I ate: Spring salad Visit date: October 6, 2019 First time? Yes. TBH it felt really stuffy in the café which made it seem not so clean, like the air was old. I ordered the spring salad which comes with fried chicken, charred corn, radish, bacon, smoked Parmesan, and a cilantro ranch dressing. The chicken was tough and didn't have much flavor; I opted out, but my friend liked it so she helped me not waste food. I did however like the salad part of the dish. The charred corn lived up to the char expectation, and I really liked the cilantro ranch dressing. Yes, it was over dressed, but I enjoy over dressed salads on occasion. read more

Kramers - Spring salad. - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Kramerbooks was a recommendation from the hotel staff. It was a short walk from the hotel and I thought it was a nice set-up. The bookstore is cute, but I came for the breakfast! As you make your way to the back of the bookstore - the cafe has two levels. The waitstaff were friendly and responsive to my groups needs (changes in orders, napkins and refills). I had the Omelette with Spinach and Bacon, the others in the group had the Corn Beef Hash Skillet and the Salmon dishes. The portions were good and we were all satisfied at the end of the meal. I recommend you give the food a try and if you are in the market for book - wander around - there appeared to be a nice variety. read more

Kramers - Early Breakfast - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

There's always a bit of a line so head up front and put your name down (smaller parties are much easier to seat than larger parties). Take spin and browse the books. It's DC - so you can find plenty of books about intrigue or politics (fact and fiction) and biographies galore. There's a little coffee section too if you want to get something to start you off. We enjoyed the crab omelette and the green and grains. I also indulged in the beignets too. Coffee was decent though refills were a little slow. read more

Delicious food and coffee! However the service was rough, we had to go to the hostess many times to get the things we needed. Wish the service matched the food and vibe! The bookstore vibe was such a fun atmosphere in the middle of DC! read more

I had such high hopes only to be totally disappointed. My partner and I came to try out kramer's for a late afternoon lunch. We asked to be seated outside and we're placed on the patio in a shaded area. We asked to be moved to a sunnier table but we're told we could not be moved because those tables were for 3-4 people. Of course we understand the need for the business... but the hostess proceeded to seat not one, but three other 2 persons parties. And I would understand if it was peak time... but we were eating at 3:30... Now on to the food. To set the mood, we bought a pot of tea that consisted of one packet of Bigelow chamomile tea. Not that most people come to a restaurant for their teas, but that tea was so very very watery. My partner tried the new tuna tartare which was a solid c. Don't expect sushi grade tuna. But my omelette was atrocious. It was essentially over cooked eggs that were topped with canned corn, a few bits of crab, and shredded cheese and then flipped upside down on the plate, not cooked nearly long enough for more than 20% of the cheese to actually be melted. The champagne dressing of the salad was tasty. And of course, 20 extra min for the check. Multiple parties had to come up to ask for it. Needless to say we won't be back. Sad because they are so incredibly busy all the time and I am shocked as to why. I know it's a hard time for restaurants in DC but this was just sad. read more

Kramerbooks is a pretty cool concept. Probably perfect for grad students. It has a bookstore up front, a small bar in the middle serving drinks and coffee and restaurant seating in the back. Theyre open late. Their full dining menu stops around 10:30 and they serve late bites until at least midnight. Staff is diverse and friendly. The food tho was just really average. I got the cajun fish with beans and corn and spinach. The first thing i notice was a thin sheet of oil resting atop the spinach corn beans mix. I think they could have cut back on the oil. The fish was well cooked. Overall the dish just really needed some salt and pepper. I also had a really nice mezcal drink that was super refreshing. The whole thing came up to $35 which was really nice. read more

Kramers - Cajun spiced salmon - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The woman working tonight on the floor was very rude and unhelpful to me. You should train your book sales associates to be a bit nicer. Like others I just wanted to sit down and lol at a book for a few minutes. I have severe sciatica and I asked the salesperson nicely if she had a hair, she barked a loud NO to me. I think they are just nice to some customers but not all of us. Maybe train your employees to be nice to all customers. Even the old ones who have a back issue? read more

Pleasantly surprised by the food; the real standouts being the tuna and toasted rice cake dish and the peanut butter chocolate pie. The drinks were tasty too, esp the beer tasting that was free. I think I'll roam around the book store next time to get the full experience. read more

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Fun bookstore with great food too! Their brunch is delicious (I enjoy their eggs Benedict) and their greenhouse style interior is very chic. I also think the bar is highly underrated. There's almost always available seating and it's perfect vibes for happy hour or a first date. Unfussy, good-quality cocktails with an impressive liquor selection. read more

Kramers - Bar area - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here a few times during DC visits. The food is good although it swiveled between fantastic and a ok. Staff is never fast but always pleasant. I most enjoyed the few times that we sat outside in pleasant summer nights. The stand out on the last visit was us killing their numbered bottle of Balvenie 12 (not the usual double wood). read more

I haven't been to Kramerbooks in years, and it is better than ever. The book store is amazing, and packed with thinkers. As I was walking up a group of Gen Z'ers were commenting about how "boring" book stores are, and said "they all look like professors!" I knew at that moment I had to walk in and be with my tribe. The selection of books are refreshing. The rainbows everywhere make queer folks feel welcome even though it is not really a queer book store. And then there is the food. The staff are some of the friendliest in the business. The food is great, and Uber quick. I had the duck confit salad with arugula, mango, and fennel. The drinks are pretty good as well. Overall, if you are in the area, stop in, you won't regret it. read more

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The crab cake sandwich was very good, lumpy crabs and not mashed. The fries were okay taste wise- not my favorite. It's hidden behind the bookstore (also a back entrance on a different street) but definitely a good place to decompress after a long hot day. read more

Kramers - Bookstores Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great place that can serve as: date spot, or dinner with friends, or simply grabbing a book to peruse. I've been here for breakfast years ago, but came here for dinner...it doesn't matter when you show up, you'll be happy you dined here. You can literally eat breakfast, lunch and dinner from the same place. The crab cake pasta, reminds me of a fresh bourgeois version of Ramen Noodle (minus the student loans), the after taste spice provided the perfect amount of kick in my opinion. The salad was fresh and had ample cider vinaigrette. Waitstaff I dealt with are younger, so be patient as they may not be as polished. The waiter, Lamont insisted that the ladies order their meals first, I appreciate the chivalrous tone set by him. Good: -Spinach & Arugula Chicken Salad (big enough to split between 2) -Pan-Seared Sea Scallops -Crab Cake Pasta!!!! Dive face first into it please. I beg you. -A Saturday night RSVP was honored without any issues by the hostess -Stone's throw walk from the Dupont Circle Red Line Metro Station -You can extend your date by browsing books with your date, and walking up or down Connecticut Ave. as it is a bustling area. Bad: -Depending where you're seated, it was tight quarters for a taller person such as myself, the food was worth it though. -Being picky but the hostess said she would let me know if she could seat me outside. It was busy and she may have forgotten to get back to me - wasn't a deal breaker as I was seated inside already. read more

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Have been here a few times (during the pandemic too) and had the most unappetizing meal ever today. Ordered the Butternut Squash soup (had the consistency and taste of jarred baby food and was cold in some parts) also had the avocado toast- , very "meh"- needed salt or something (only pepper grinders on the table).. My wife ordered a Bloody Mary with a celery slice that was obviously old (brown internally on one side and a weird white ((possibly mold)) on the other end )- This place has been good in the past- but todays experience has placed them on the "banned-list" Avoid or take your chances... read more