Readers’ pick: The DINER’s buttermilk pancakes
Located in the lively streets of Adams Morgan, The DINER is a go-to for the morning-after crowd looking to recover from a night spent bar hopping just steps away.
Among its sprawling menu of classic comfort food staples, one dish consistently rises above the rest: the buttermilk pancakes. Equal parts indulgent and restorative, they make a strong case for being the best hangover cure in the District.
Upon entering, The DINER’s atmosphere strikes a careful balance that feels especially welcoming on slow mornings. It’s lively, with trendy, upbeat pop music that makes the space vibrant but not overwhelming. The restaurant tends to be crowded in the morning but not uncomfortably so. There’s a steady buzz of conversation that adds to the space’s energetic feel while not making it too hard to hear the person sitting across from you. The friendly staff only enhances the welcoming atmosphere with their attentive and efficient service that makes settling in easy, even if you’re still a little bit drunk from the night before.
At first glance, the pancakes arrive exactly as you’d hope: a stack of four buttermilk flapjacks served with butter and maple syrup on the side and a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. There’s no unnecessary embellishment, and that simplicity is exactly what makes it work. When you’re hungover, a dish that’s overly rich and complicated is the last thing you need. Instead, you need something that’s warm and easy to eat, which is exactly what The DINER’s buttermilk pancakes offer.
Each pancake is fluffy without being dense or overly cakey, with a texture that is light enough to manage the whole stack but enough to satisfy your hunger. Flavor-wise, the balance is just right. The sweetness is present but not overpowering, balanced out by the slight tang of the buttermilk. The butter and syrup provide just enough richness without overwhelming the flavor of the pancakes themselves. It’s a combination of sweetness, subtle tang and fluffiness that keeps the dish from feeling too heavy, even as you make your way through the full stack.
I sat toward the front of the restaurant, right by the large floor-to-ceiling windows at the entrance. The space felt bright and open, with natural light pouring in, making it easy to settle in. While bright light can make a hangover worse, the sun was only peeking through, providing just the right amount of illumination to ease me into the new day.
Inside, the decorations are minimal but not in a sterile way. Colorful murals of iconic D.C. symbols stretch across some of the bigger wall spaces, adding a touch of the District to the space. The retro 1950s feel of the furniture makes up for the lack of wall decorations. Red vinyl booths line the walls, wooden chairs fill in the tables in the center of the restaurant, and several metallic stools with polyester cushions run along the bar. The DINER feels intentionally designed for both late-night crowds and slow-morning patrons.
In a city filled with brunch spots that lean toward the trendy or experimental, these pancakes stand out by doing the basics exceptionally well. They don’t try to dazzle you, rather, they deliver the warmth and satisfaction your hungover body needs during a sluggish morning.
