Paris B.
Yelp
Finding a restaurant in the DMV with solid plant-based options for a toddler is no small feat, but Silver Diner has been our go-to after my son's basketball practice. The only issue? No plant-based options on the kids' menu--unless you count dessert. I'd love to pay kid prices for my kid's meal, but every time I try to order the oat milk protein pancakes from the kids' menu, it comes out wrong. So now? I just order from the regular menu and keep it moving.
Parking & Seating
Parking is super easy since it's located in a town center--no need to circle for a spot. The quoted wait time was 10-15 minutes, but we were seated closer to 10.
Service & Drinks
Our server greeted us and handed out menus, but when I initially asked for water, she only brought it for my partner and me--not my son. I assumed "water for the table" meant everyone, but lesson learned!
For drinks, we ordered:
* Watermelon Cucumber Lemonade - refreshing and flavorful!
* Mocha Cold Brew - smooth, but our receipt later revealed a billing issue (more on that below).
* Kids' Oat Milk - ordered after I realized my son's water never came.
Food Breakdown
* Apple Pie Stuffed French Toast (Bae's Order) - He enjoyed it but wished the apples were softer. He had to go get syrup himself since our server was by the expo window.
* Bacon Bleu Burger with Fries (My Order) - Decent, but nothing mind-blowing. The fries tasted fresh but weren't the warmest.
* Oat Milk Protein Pancakes with Just Egg (Kid's Order) - My toddler actually ate half of the pancakes and all his Just Egg, which is basically a win in toddler dining!
The Bill & Final Thoughts
Our subtotal was $71.23, but with taxes and tip, it came to $89.76. Later, I realized our server never removed the original coffee my boyfriend ordered before switching to a mocha cold brew. Not a dealbreaker, but definitely a note for next time.
Will I return? Yes. The food is solid, and finding something a toddler actually likes is a win. But service can be hit or miss depending on the server, so I go in with realistic expectations.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
* Great plant-based options (just not on the kids' menu)
* Easy parking & usually a short wait
* Service is inconsistent
* Warm, not hot, fries & billing mistake
Pro Tip: If you're ordering plant-based for a kid, just go straight to the regular menu and don't mention it's for a toddler. Trust me.