For an escape from campus and a low – pressure family meal, try some of these top D.C. breakfast restaurants. The locations may be a little farther than some of the on-campus options, but the menu selections will be well worth the trip. Whether it’s an authentic cup of tea or a plate of pecan waffles that gets your mornings moving, check out these breakfast bang-outs for some early a.m. grub and some quality family times.

Dos Gringos

3116 Mt. Pleasant St. N.W. – 202-462-1159 – www.dosgringoscafe.com

Housed in an early 1900s townhouse in Mount Pleasant, Dos Gringos is the place to go if you’re looking to escape the loud sounds of a college cafeteria. Plan to stay for a long relaxing breakfast on the porch in nice weather or by the fireplace in the colder months. Weekend brunchers tend to stake out tables early though, so Dos Gringos owner and GW graduate Alex Kramer recommends rolling out of bed a little bit early, especially if you want to try their best-selling cilantro egg wrap for $4. Kramer warns that if you don’t make it there before 11 a.m. rush, you may miss out on the cilantro wraps. Good back-up options are the Belgian waffles for $4 or the salmon bagel sandwich for $5.50. Also available are breakfast sandwiches filled with your choice of veggie sausage or fried kosher salami, in addition to other more conventional add-ons like melted cheese or flavored cream cheese. Healthier options include the Dos Gringos homemade low-fat muffins or the carrot breakfast bread, both priced at $2.

Mocha Hut

1301 U St. N.W. – 202-667-0616 – www.mochahut.com

For a jolt of early morning gourmet coffee, make your way down to Mocha Hut, located on U Street. Mocha Hut features all of the staples of a coffeehouse including cappuccinos and lattes starting at $2.55 plus a wide selection of daily newspapers and free Wi-Fi access. With a four-star approval rating from AOL’s D.C. City Guide, you can be sure that this all-day breakfast menu will satisfy your morning cravings starting at 7 a.m. and going until 9 at night. For a full plate, order the Florida Avenue for $5.95, but don’t be embarrassed if you can’t clear the turkey sausage, three eggs, grits and rye toast that comes with your order – it’s a lot to handle. If you’re in the mood for a lighter egg sandwich, try the Shaw panini with smoked ham, scrambled eggs and Gruyére cheese for $5.25. In addition to several other egg dishes, Mocha Hut also offers unique waffles with pecans or bananas starting at $4.75. To satisfy your sweet tooth, order the chocolate croissant for $1.35.

The Diner

2453 18th St. N.W. – 202-232-8800 – www.trystdc.com/diner

Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, The Diner is your breakfast get away, no matter the time of day. For a laid-back restaurant with cheap breakfasts and a young crowd, this Adams Morgan hot spot is your best bet. The Diner has a very wide breakfast menu that will never leave you bored. Ordering an egg dish here like the burger patty served with two eggs, home fries or grits and toast, is not recommended for the light-of-stomach. For an even bigger plate, order the “royale deluxe,” which features three eggs any style, French toast or two pancakes, toast, your choice of breakfast meats and coffee. The Diner’s Croque Madame, a French breakfast egg sandwich is one of the restaurant’s specialty items. Although The Diner does get a packed house during brunch hours, they also stay pretty busy late into the night when other bars in the area begin to close and hungry night owls start scrounging for a late-night breakfast bite.

Teaism

800 Connecticut Ave. N.W. – 202-835-2233 – www.teaism.com

Don’t be fooled by Teasim’s reputation for remarkable teas. This D.C. favorite also offers a unique breakfast served Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For a twist on the standard yogurt and granola, order the birchermuesli with Teasim’s homemade yogurt for $4.50. The Irish oatmeal with apricots and raisins for $4.50 is another option for anyone trying to broaden their usual breakfast horizons. True to its reputation for top-of-the line teas, Teasim also offers breakfast dishes with tea ingredients including the tea-cured salmon, naan and raita for $8.25. For a more traditional breakfast, order the French toast for $4.75 or the homemade granola with milk for $4.50. Be sure to place your order with a cup of one of Teaism’s genuine teas. According to their Web site, Teasim is “a response to the corruption of tea, the style above substance and the use of tea bags in American offerings.” Served in individual pots, Teasim offers its customers a tremendous variety of teas including various flavors of black teas, green teas, white teas, tisanes and oolong teas starting at $2.25. For true cup of chai, cooked on the stove with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, milk and sugar, order the Teasim Chai for $2.50.

Luna Grill + Diner

1301 Connecticut Ave., N.W. – 202-835-2280 – www.lunagrillanddiner.com

This Dupont breakfast treasure is no secret amongst cheap food connoisseurs and with an all-day breakfast menu, Luna Grill + Diner can satisfy your early morning craving anytime. With breakfast dishes starting at $2.95, it’s no wonder that this this family owned restaurant has been around since 1970. Some of Luna’s more unique plates include the ranchero breakfast burrito for $7.95 and the eggs benedict with blackened chicken for $8.95. In a section of their menu called “sweet awakenings,” Luna offers sugar coated breakfasts like pecan waffles for $6.95 or cinnamon raisin French toast for $4.95.