D.C.’s Best Pizza Brunches
by Dannah Strauss
We know you have friends who wake up and can instantly jump straight into a full dinner spread. We do too. But before you let your friends open the fridge and start gnawing on cold leftover pizza, consider this: the perfect pizza brunch with fun drinks, sharable pies, and light sides. We can’t think of anything more desirable to do over the weekend, can you?
Etto
Sure, you have your favorite homestyle pizza spots. But do they even mill? In-house grain milling is the future – and present – of excellent pizza. Restaurants are going back to the roots of the ingredients they use to develop their own special flavor. Etto is one of these places. The restaurant mills its own flour to create a perfect crust supporting some incredible pizza and all of its bread accompaniments. Brunch here is beautiful. Whether you’re on the enclosed patio or in the well-lit, modern interior, just make sure pizza is ordered.
Etto, 1541 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
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Little Beast
If the characters of Monsters Inc. started a pizza shop and an Italian café, it would look something like Little Beast. The family-style Italian joint is none of the new-American pizza nonsense, but it is all of the Neapolitan pizzas and Italian dishes we grew up loving. Their weekend brunch is the perfect setting to enjoy a casual mid-morning pizza with excellent coffees and sides.
Little Beast, 5600 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20015
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Pluma by Bluebird
Pluma seems like just a café with killer gourmet sandwiches and salads, but the pizzas are somewhat of a secret weapon. Their house-made sourdough becomes the crust of your crispiest dreams. Always experimenting with fresh produce and unique flavors, Pluma’s pizza is a different type a pizza than what you’d find at your standard Italian restaurant in that it embodies pastry perfection.
Pluma by Bluebird, 391 Morse St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Ghibbelina
Ghibbelina is a 14th St space of worship for happy hours. Their delicious pizzas and fancy Italian small plates are served during brunch and definitely worth your Saturday brunch date, party, or milestone celebration- as if pizza itself isn’t a reason to celebrate. The pizzas come with scissors to playfully tear through the masterpiece with precision.
Ghibbelina, 1610 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
2Amy’s
We want 2Amy’s to be our neighborhood pizza spot, but the reality is that it’s too good, too cool, and too on-trend right now to be only “our neighborhood spot.” We love 2Amy’s for its simplicity, but the emphasis on the perfect, true Italian flavor composition between acid, fats, and carbohydrates keeps us coming back for more. 2Amy’s hones in on Neapolitan technique and is open seven days a week, so do yourself a favor and make yourself a regular.
2Amy’s, 3715 Macomb St NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
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Little Coco’s
At first glance, you can tell Little Coco’s is a menu and price point that’s difficult to beat. The options speak to us – with chocolate chip pancakes, traditional omelets, subs, and of course, pizza. The bottomless deal is $25.99 and probably has the largest array of brunch beverages including boozy coffees, spritzes, and of course, mimosas.
Little Coco’s, 3907 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20011
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Timber Pizza Company
Timber has risen to fame after being recognized on Bon Appetit’s list of the top 50 best new restaurants in America. The wood-fired oven pizza joint was so successful, they opened up a bagel place, called “Call Your Mother.” But, before you go racing to the phone, there’s something you need to know: Timber is open at 8 a.m. on the weekends, which is the perfect time to snag a pie for your morning meal. They may not have any “breakfast pizzas,” but grab a glass of orange juice and we’ll just call it breakfast.
Timber Pizza Company, 809 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
Nicoletta Italian Kitchen
The team behind Nicoletta Italian Kitchen has been serving up Italian food all over the country through their various restaurant concepts. They offer personal and large pies for the taking during brunch, including a lox and egg rendition. Their brunch special includes two brunch cocktails and an appetizer, so you can have your pizza and some brunch bonuses. The Calabrese pizza is a thin crust pizza that is absolutely something to write home about. The large pie has a sweeter red sauce and heavy deep-dish style toppings but without all that dough.
Nicoletta Italian Kitchen, 901 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
