3126 12th St NE

This is amazing spot in the neighborhood! Incredibly friendly servers, a dog-friendly patio, nice cocktails and good food. They have such a variety on the menu and rotating specials. There's something for everyone. I came on a Thursday and it was fairly busy and just kept getting busier, especially on the patio so keep that in mind if you plan to just roll up when the weather is nice. Loved the burger and fries. The Brussels sprout chips had good flavor, but I personally found them a little hard to eat and would just rather have fried half brussels so they're easier to dip. Will definitely be back!

I went with some friends for brunch and it was just ok. They have a healthy list of bloody Mary's on the menu, and yet, they were out of the mix, so no bloody Marys for anyone. The avocado toast had three thin slices of avocado and the potatoes accompanying the dish were soggy. My friend said the burger was good but the fries lacked crunch; and the egg Benedict were just ok. The staff seemed overwhelmed as we never had our waters refilled. Overall, it was just an ok experience.

5 Stars!...across the board & great customer service!! I was really impressed with the food here and the vibe of this seemingly popular neighborhood restaurant. From the moment you walk in, you can tell Brooklyn's Finest is a main stable for DC locals in the neighborhood. Lots of folks were greeting each other and seemed to know one another as they walked in. The menu was straightforward, the portions were very generous, and the food was fantastic--on point! There are lots of American fare and comfort food classics to choose from. Everything I tried from the Birria Tacos to the Catfish n'Grits was delicious. The Catfish n' Grits was a standout dish and I recommend. The catfish was crispy, cooked perfect and soooo seasoned.....along with a side of braised kale that was exceptional in flavor. The grits took me back to my hometown Savannah, GA where we like and make them "stiff"....while loaded with flavor and cheddar goodness to taste. I mean so stiff you can almost slice it like a cake. That's when you know you got some down- home grits and cooking. Brooklyn's Finest delivered on this dish...that's for sure! You can tell everything here is made to order, fresh and well made. The drinks and libation gets a thumbs up as well. The mixers are strong here and they have a nice variety of beer on tap as well. Talk about a "Win Win!"....good food & libation; along with great portions and price point....you can't beat that! I will definitely be back!

A group of friends came here for snacks, dessert and a cocktail! The cocktails were good - we tried the 12th Street Tempest (summery), the Langston (for those who like spirit forward drinks) and Spicy Situation 3.0 (actually had spice). We really enjoyed the Langston of the three. For food, the desserts were amazing and the snacks (onion rings and Brussel sprouts) were excellent. We may need to make another trip out here just to end our night! Service was attentive and helpful when describing drinks and food portions. It was easy to get here from downtown DC via metro, too! There is parking if you choose to drive.

Brooklands Finest is the perfect neighborhood spot with great food, great drinks, great service, and great vibes. Came on a Saturday for brunch around noon and we're seated immediately. We had a reservation but the restaurant was on the emptier side so it would have been easy to walk in. To eat I had their french toast breakfast sandwich which was filling and tasty. I was even able to swap out the bacon for chicken sausage which was just as delicious. The bread for the sandwich didn't quite have the french toast taste and was on the greasy side but I still enjoyed it and would get it again. The sleeper was the side salad that came which the sandwhich, it was amazing! I've never had a salad with granola but it really hit the spot. Don't skip on the side salads here, they're bomb! To drink I enjoyed a perfectly made aperol spritz, they have a great cocktail menu! Our server was friendly and attentive and the vibe was super casual and laid back. Great place for friends and friendly when you want something tasty in a relaxed setting. I'll be back!

A restaurant in the heart of a neighborhood that makes it Homie. It's really nice inside just a bit cold but it ended up warming up. The service was great and fast. I had ordered bubbly rosé which was really good deviled eggs, the mac & cheese with bacon, the onion rings, Oh my God we're so amazing. Definitely wanna try their brunch.

Nice neighborhood bar. Service was quick and friendly. The star for me was the burger - just a tasty straightforward burger, meat cooked to temp, good bun, pickled onion and nice bacon. I got a side of the tempura onion rings which were decent, but the batter was very heavy and if they sit for a little the breading texture turns donut-ish. Also ordered mac and cheese which was ok, leans very smoky due to the bacon, sauce consistency wasn't quite there, could've been cheesier

Forgot to do a review for this one, went awhile back because they were included in the Guide to Imbibe (buy one get one drinks), the deal was for the "Bustin' Loose cocktail and I love bourbon so I was a huge fan. It was a Friday night so we booked a reservation to be safe and was glad we did because it was pretty busy (in a good way). The service was quick and our waitress made sure to check in on us multiple times. The menu has changed a little since my visit but we got the Cuban and I'm pretty sure the Southern Style Chicken club. The onion rings were HUGE! We also got tacos as an app that I forgot to take a picture of but they were delicious! I don't venture over to this neighborhood that much but I really enjoyed the meal and the setting here!

This kids pasta was a large portion and was tasty. I enjoyed the cheddar biscuits but the gravy could've used a bit more seasoning.

Absolutely amazing! We were in Brookland, between Saturday activities. A quick yelp search showed this to be a decent restaurant that was nearby and we decided to give it a try. Turns out, the reviews understate how great this place is. For us, the winners were the Pretzel Bites and the Chicken and Waffles. Both the Pretzel Bites and Chicken are deep fried, maybe broasted. The result is more important than the method, which is, in both cases, a crispy but not greasy outside and a moist and tasty inside. The waffles that came with the chicken had a delightful, malty taste and were accompanied by strawberry sauce and maple syrup. We also enjoyed their huevos rancheros and a fancy seasonal salad with blackened chicken. Unfortunately, the salad isn't likely to be available when you get around to going. Anyway, those things were good, too, just not as good as the other stuff. The service was prompt, and the staff was pleasant and helpful. There is plenty of street parking nearby. The sad part of this story is that we're rarely in Brookland. The happy part is that the next time we're there, and we're working on contrived reasons at the moment, we have a sure bet for an outstanding meal.

This place was amazing! The food and the service! We were so happy we picked this place! Can't wait to go back when we visit DC again :) Oh the drinks were also wonderful :) You won't be disappointed!

Friendly neighborhood restaurant; busy atmosphere but not too noisy to hear conversation. Great for takeout too!

Absolutely amazing!!! Each visit to DC, I make sure to stop by Brookland's Finest! Nothing short of spectacular here, from the service, enthusiasm from the bartenders, food quality and the overall ambiance! The neighborhood is beautiful and entering into the restaurant is calming. I've visited Brookland's three times these past two weeks, coming in town to visit. The deviled eggs are great (quality of 4) and the bruschetta is tasty!! The fried catfish is filling and seasoned well; I wouldn't get the Mac & Cheese again but it was fine with the catfish. I had enough for leftovers. The staff here is always kind, helpful and willing to recommend something new on the menu!

Every four months, a friend of mine meets me here for dinner and a drink and I promise, the hours melt away! Their menu has options for everyone (I'm gluten-free) and their service is ALWAYS the friendliest. The atmosphere is cute and inviting without being cozy in the sense that it doesn't feel too small. They've got warm lighting and cute decor that's inviting, but their food is really what will keep you coming back.

Service was not the greatest. Forgot my drink and then we felt rushed. I have t been here in a while and it's changed, a lot. Not sure if I would return, as the food I had was very mediocre and didn't fit the description.

We waiting an embarrassingly long time to try this place and we live in the neighborhood. This is downtown quality food in the heart of NE DC! The menu is elevated bar food with really creative twists. We had the Fried Green Tomato Napoleon, House Salad, Baltimore Style Pit Beef, and Beignets. I was most impressed with the salad. They clearly paid a lot of attention to combining fresh ingredients and flavor contrasts. Everything else we ordered was similarly high quality. The restaurant itself is surprisingly large once you get inside with a long bar and plenty of cozy tables. They have an expansive beer, wine, and cocktail list. Matt took great care of our party of 4. The only wrinkle was a seating delay. We'd made reservations for the deck on what ended up being a very rainy day, with no chance that it would be nice enough to sit inside. The host forgot to convert our reservation to an indoor table which led to a roughly 15 minute wait for a table.

Cane here for a Bumble dating event. The buffet food was super good, absolutely phenomenal chicken strips which was unexpected. Beer selection is pretty decent as well and staff is friendly. Seems like a nice neighborhood spot.

Came for Sunday brunch and was pleasantly surprised. I want to start going to more off the beaten path restaurants and gland I stumbled upon Brookland's finest. I made a reservation and showed up 5 minutes early. I was seated right away. *the indoor seating filled up shortly after, so I would suggest a reservation. Our server was very friendly and gave us a rundown of his faves and what to try as a first timer. We had the Solly's prime rib and huevos ranchers with chorizo. So it's actually a steak rather than a hunk of prime rib. The steak was well seasoned and had a tasty hollandaise. The potatoes were seasoned. Not crispy which I liked but pan sautéed. The huevos rancheros is more of a tostada rather than a bowled rancheros dish. The it was a not heavy take on the traditional style rancheros. For to drink we had micheladas. Not many places in dc serve them so it's always nice to see on the menu. We'll be back to try their dinner!

Was visiting a friend in DC. She brought us to Brookland's Finest, and the name is fitting! Great service, chill atmosphere, and the food was outstanding! After we shared apps, I had the salmon BLT and salad. Great kids menu, good drinks, service with a smile. While I don't have much for reference points in DC, it lives up to the name!

The weather was perfect--a cool breeze wafted through the window open for outside bar seating--kids were laughing the in back, birds were chirping, and then there was an immature adult who was sitting at the bar with a really well made cocktail, on challenge from friends that Brookland's has one of the best burgers in town. So I digress - yes, Brookland's burger is one of the best in town. With large face lettuce (the only kind that should be used on a burger), tomatoes, and pickles served on the side for you to build your own, the burger was perfectly cooked, and at a huge portion. A little expensive, but I thought worth it.

Food was really bland. Was not impressed at all. Service was nice and good, but the food was at best average.

My favorite neighborhood spot!! Perfect atmosphere and the food is always great! Bartenders can make everything; hint: ask for recommendations. The staff are also great on customer service; something you just don't get anymore.

Whew this place is poppin! I caught up with my best friend and his family as a part as a congratulations on my new job. I didn't even realize, but a good friend of mine from high school, Antoine, works in this establishment! I had no idea, but shout out to him and glad to see a familiar face. Anyways, I had trouble deciding what to get, but I got the spring gnocchi and that was a great move. It was the perfect fusion of a pasta and salad dish. With things in it such as peppers, peas, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms, it was super flavorful! Oh, I cannot forget the vodka tomato sauce, YUM! I also had a couple rum punches that were really good. Shout out to the efficiency of the staff despite the place being completely packed!

Food here is top tier. From a burger to their salmon. Service is always helpful and friendly and it's a clean space with a cute outdoor portion of the bar with a small seating area outside. Very cute

The breakfast burrito I had here was divine. Perfectly seasoned and flavorful. Our waiter was good despite us being in the midst of a busy brunch rush. The restaurant is cute but casual with local artwork on the walls. I'd definitely come back.

I've never said, "WOW"about collard greens before. These were so perfect with an amazing spice to them. The potato salad was also perfect. I say this because too many times I've had potato salad with too much mayonnaise or no discernable potato in it. The BBQ chicken was great but I would go for something else next time. Maybe the grilled salmon. The vegan curry was spectacular. Who would've thought that a place serving grilled salmon, crispy brussel sprouts and burgers could have a super yummy vegan curry too? The crispy brussel sprouts were so good we had to get two orders. Only complaint: two ply toilet paper. I need triple ply! Only the softest!

Great neighborhood spot. It's a great location for us since we're lucky enough to be within walking distance. Went on a Wednesday about 5:30pm and there were plenty of open tables. Staff is always friendly and welcoming. We've eaten here at least a dozen times and the food is always great. Pub atmosphere and while it's a fairly small place they do also have outdoor seating which is awesome when the weather is nice. Everything we've ever ordered has been great and they have a nice variety of food on the menu and some nice beers too. Check out happy hour for some good prices on drinks. As far as I'm concerned you can't go wrong visiting Brookland's Finest!

Love this neighborhood spot, especially for brunch. They have a lovely patio on a shady street surrounded by trees. The staff is absolutely wonderful and have a great sense of humor. Plus, parking is super easy in the neighborhood. They have creative yet accessible menu that will find something for everyone. The Pretzel Bites are a MUST! They are fried and served with a mustard mayo dipping sauce that is to die for. The fries served with many entrees are hand cut and delicious (ask for more of that mustard mayo to dip in!). Our party had the Tony's Breakfast Club (served on French toast - yum!) and the Breakfast Burger. Both folks loved their sandwiches and were large portions that will easily scare off even the gnarliest of hangovers. I had the Huevos Rancheros which were very tasty. They were a bit watery, which I sopped up with a napkin, but I removed it before it got the tortillas soggy. They also offer a full bar full of local options. So grab a chair, order a cold one, and enjoy!

I would prefer to only write good reviews for neighborhood establishments, but this place is way too expensive for what it is. E.g., August 2024, $27 for spaghetti & meatballs? It tasted just fine, but it was not especially memorable. The whole concept seems like elevated bar fare - good! - with four- or five-star menu prices. I can't justify going back, would take the same money & go somewhere else for a better overall experience.

Food was not great. I got the breakfast burrito it just tasted like the cooking oil/product they use to cook. Same with the other brunch entree ordered. Brunch drinks were poorly made. Service could have been more attentive. Sat at bar and even then felt the need to get attention of a server/bartender every time something was needed. Ambiance was kinda cold and not very welcoming. I've been here a few times but think this is the last time since it seems to be declining a bit.

My wife and I were waiting for a friend to be ready before we stopped by for a visit, so we wanted to grab some food first. Now, I know what you're thinking, it's covid, so you should be avoiding crowds. Way ahead of you :) . There was a... let's just call it a peaceful prot... nvm I'll just say it. There was a Trump rally in DC so we wanted to stay farrrrrrrrrr away from downtown. Lot's of people with no masks on, etc... so we found a place further on the outskirts of town that wasn't as crowded and away from the craziness. Hence how we came across this spot. It was perfect. The weather was mild for a December in DC so it wasn't too bad to sit outside. There were gas heaters on their patio and only about 3 or so group of people eating outside, so it felt safe to eat and remain socially distant. This place was on top of keeping everyone safe. I ended up ordering the Colonel Burger. I wasn't too sure about it based on the way it looked. On the surface, it didn't look like a gourmet burger at all. But, all the reviews we're favorable so I went for it. I was shocked by how good it was! Now don't get me wrong, I don't think it was the best burger ever, ,however, it was a simple burger done right! Not over the top, but they got the bun, patty, and toppings just right. The flavor was on point. Didn't seem to salty or too messy. It was just a great burger. Sometimes, gourmet burgers can be done over the top and miss the mark. But this right here... it was just simple and good. I like that. Oh and the fries were on point too!

Yum, such a great meal. All my favorite comfort foods and sweet specialty cocktails to pair. I really like the vibe of this place. Feels like your favorite local haunt where everyone is happy to see you and knows what you want. I am definitely going to be a regular in 2024.

Looks like a neighborhood bar from the outside but the food is ridiculously good and high end! Our server Trevor was so genuine and nice - he recommended the pretzel bites, beet salad and bacon Mac and cheese to start. Even after all that we devoured the salmon with grits and the spaghetti and meatballs. We had a flourless chocolate cake for dessert (which is honestly more like a pudding). So so so good. Can't wait to return. Great outdoor seating and easy street parking.

Great atmosphere and service. The salmon and grits were very good - would recommend specifying the cook on the salmon to be more medium well done. Definitely will be back

I'm very disappointed. I was hopeful that this place would become a regular spot for me and my wife. Unfortunately I will never come here again. The chef seems like maybe at a time he was great at cooking, but they've lost their passion. I ordered a half chicken and when I received it, it was flavorless. What's worse is that it was bloody. I don't send food back, but this time I had no choice. I don't want to get sick. I told the waitress who was very efficient at her job. She took it back. I waited about 20 mins before it came back to my table. It was the same chicken just fried to make sure it wasn't undercooked. My wife had the spaghetti and meatballs. It tasted like chef boyardee. I shrugged off everything until the check came. $63! For a chicken dish and spaghetti! That was a slap to the face. I could've went to Chick-fil-A or bought a NorthFace jacket. Terrible experience.

The cheese grits were the best I've ever had in my life! Service was great. Good food. Cheap drinks. Glad we went!

Nice neighborhood bar. Thinks too much of itself (reservations? Please dear, it is a bar!). Service could be better, so don't expect much from that. Food is usual pub fare, and the beer selection is good, although it's getting harder to find pints as (like others) they are shrinking the glass sizes (but not the prices).

BLUF: get. The. Whole. Fish. I really enjoyed the grilled whole fish, which was a branzino. It had crispy skin while still retaining its moisture on the inside. It came with Brussels sprouts soaked in chili oil, which gave the side dish the perfect amount of heat. The other dishes were good: fish tacos (could have used more flavor but nothing a little hot sauce can't fix) and poutine, which had crispy cheese curds (though the pulled pork was on the dry side). The server was great and very attentive. Overall it was a good experience. I would go back!

Brunch Review only. Sooooo, I love this place overall but if I'm honest brunch is pretty vanilla to me. I think it's due to there being limited options and feeling like it's all over that place in options. Recently came for brunch and quickly opted to get a la cart items of just eggs and salad. Nothing in the menu appealed to me. But there happened to be a special wing appetizer for the Super Bowl that was decently tasty. Recommend that you come here for lunch and dinner.

Yikes! This place is bad. I've lived in the area for many years and have never experienced anything like this. The vibe felt off. I'm not sure how they're still open. The manager just sits at the bar and doesn't interact w guests. I wasnt even greeted when I walked in. Never again.

If you live in the Brookland, NE DC area come give this place a visit. It has been one of the staples in the neighborhood for a homey meal or a cold beer.

Came here with some friends and we wanted to try so many items, we opted to go family style. We tried the shishito peppers, onion rings, poutine, quesadilla special, Mac and cheese, beet salad, and drinks. The beet salad was delicious. Highly recommend. The quesadilla was okay, the meat was a little overly fatty for my liking. The mac and cheese was delish, a hit for the whole group. The poutine was a little disappointing. The flavors were good but it came out with three (yes just three) pieces of fried cheese curds. The cheese curds were half the length of my thumb. Disappointing. We ended up mixing the poutine with the mac and cheese because poutine should have cheese on it! The shishito peppers were good, I got a couple spicy ones! And the onion rings were loved by the friends, I thought they were just okay. The service left things to be desired. She forgot to tell us about the special until we were mid order, she also forgot to tell us what they were out of until we were mid order (of course they were out of something we wanted), and she also forgot to tell us what time the kitchen would be closing. We wanted to order more food and tried to place our order and were told the kitchen had closed at 8:00PM. It was now 8:45. For a group doing family style, the time the kitchen is closing is important information. For any group really. The food was good enough that I would return and hope the service was better.

Before Covid19 this was my favorite lunch spot. During the week I would go 2 to 3 times...always enjoying the crispy brussel sprout chips or a medium salmon kale salad or the Beet salad. I loved the food. During covid they changed the menu. It was limited and none of the salads or brussel sprouts were on the menu. A manager said it was their distributors. Hmm. Then they changed their hours. This really sucks. I can no longer get lunch because they open at 4pm. Now today a Sunday I took a chance. My salad is on the menu and so is the brussel sprouts.....I arrive at 130pm only to be told "we are only serving brunch". Which means my salad is not an option. I'm over it. It's ashame things have changed and not for the better. I also want to note the staff prior to covid were really nice. The staff and some of the managers have been awful.

My wife and I have now had two amazing brunches here. When we pulled up both times, there was a parking spot right in front of BF on the street. I considered that a good sign. We parked and went inside, and as with other places that serve brunch in DC, it was pretty packed and lively inside. We decided to sidle up to the bar and eat there. Normally I don't like high top tables, or eating at the bar, but it was fine here. Maybe I'm getting less picky in my old age. The first time we came, I couldn't decide on what to order, so I asked if they had any specials. Chicken and Waffles you say? DONE. The chicken was tender, moist and fried perfectly. The waffles were fluffy and light and the berries were so fresh. If they are on special, definitely get them (assuming you like yummy food). For a beverage, I got the Ruth Bader Gin-sburg, which was gin, ginger, tabasco hot sauce and maybe something else, but it was AMAZING. Kudos to the mixologist that came up with that cocktail. My wife ordered the fried green tomatoes benedict. And that was also great. I was surprised the she didn't lick the plate after all the food was gone. We came back here on Easter, and sat at the "swim up bar" on the patio. I was hot and my wife was cold, which is about par for us. I got the special, which was the lamb chops benedict. It was equally as delectable as any other thing I've had to eat here. I will definitely come back here.

I try to go to this place whenever I am in Brookland, because their food, drinks, and service are just simply that good. Feels very much like a neighborhood bar and restaurant, doesn't have the touristy feel like a lot of other places. I recommend the poutine, brunch or regular, it is so delicious and you won't regret it!!

Good Food. We read about this place which happens to be in my old neighborhood and one of my fav places in the city for finding "hidden" gems that many of the tourist and even real Washingtonians miss. Brookland's Finest I a not so hidden gem that has good service and good food. My ranking would easily be a four BUT I ordered a Birger Medium Well and half of it was just that the other half was Medium Rare. I don't know what happened but my disappointment is the Burger was so GOOD but I couldn't eat half of it. So that's a disappointment. Next time I'll just go well done and maybe I'll get medium well. Besides that the fires were awesome, chicken fingers were good, and the seafood stew was decent but I wouldn't recommend it. Would I go back...yes. I would just order different.

They took a little long to get out drinks to us. Overall the food was decent. Had a tasty burger. Had to get the drinks adjusted because it didn't taste quite right. They said the bar tender was new. Wouldn't have super high expectations here but it's a cool neighborhood spot and the food is pretty good. I'd come back here again.

Nice! What a cute little neighborhood restaurant. They actually open late, 10 a.m. I thought that was odd but maybe it works for them. The menu was a brunch menu given the hour they open. The place filled up faster than fast. I got the special. The pancakes are thinner than what you'd get at your IHOP or the ones mama makes. The bacon was decent. The biscuits and gravy were Everything!!! I'd come back for that for sure. The diversity was there. You can tell that this place is packed with locals from the community. Don't count on the food items from Yelps pics to be on the menu, I'm told some of those were just specials. I really wanted chicken and waffles. Also, you can't just ask for a plain waffle. Menu is limited which was weird for me, you'd think the chefs could make a plain waffle? shrugs Nevertheless, really good! The fresh oj was okay but compared to other places it was just "ok".

Lets start 2019 off right with a review on New Years Day!!! :) I like Brookland's Finest! I'm all in on restaurants that are in the middle of your every day neighborhood and that's what Brookland's Finest is. I don't live in the Brookland area but luckily I have friends that do. Brookland's Finest is a no frills restaurant with a medium sized bar and a modest sized dining area. Since its inception, this place has been super popular and I'm glad to report, it remains a hotspot for locals and visitors like me :)!! The menu is small but everything I've had I would HIGHLY recommend! The lamb shank is delicious, the whole grilled fish is a must have and the salmon BLT is AWESOME! You can't go wrong with the brussel sprout chips and deviled eggs as starters!! I won't go overboard with this review so I'll cap it off with this. Brookland's Finest is what you need when you need it. A solid friend that's close, dependable, that leaves you full and satisfied. Who could ask for anything more!!!