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Lively neighborhood haunt serving as a bookstore, coffee shop & restaurant focused on global fare.
From Google. Shown as written by the reviewers.
Santos Gomez
February 2026
First night in the city and I walked in 30min before closing. Service was impeccable. Wasn't planning on eating but I was encouraged by staff to sit and relax and enjoy. Got the salmon and it's probably the best I've had in a few years. The drinks were delicious. Definitely going to be my new favorite local spot.
M.A.J
January 2026
I’m so sick of this restaurant. Hair in batter at the Hyattsville location, then I order from GrubHub, a Cobb salad at the Brookland location, and they left the whole chicken breast off the top! They had the audacity to give me a partial refund. How in the world do you leave the chicken off and that’s the main component of your salad! Called and spoke to the manager, but before that the hostess swore up and down that chicken does not come with it, and I didn’t order it. The manager got on the phone and apologize for her not being aware! What the heck is going on in these restaurants. I’m done. And I definitely need to call a Health inspector because Hair inside of the batter on my cauliflower, is diabolical.
Kyle Smith
August 2025
I came for Happy Hour and a meal after. I really liked the food, the service was good and the atmosphere was pleasant. I ordered two "New Fashioned", which tasted fantastic drink by the way, but I felt like I got short-handed on the drinks. I've had plenty of Old Fashioneds before and I'm well aware it doesn't fill the cup up, but this was even low for that. Taking the ice and fruit out, it couldn't have been more than an oz and a half for the whole drink. Picture is the cup before I drank any. I'd have like to give 4 or 5 stars, but could not justify it. I hope next time is better.
aki okuda
November 2025
Busboys and Poets is a truly inspired Washington D.C. institution. More than a restaurant, it's a vital cultural hub—a successful collision of food, literature, and political discourse. By blending a full-service eatery, a bookstore, and an event space, it creates an essential, stylish gathering place for activists, artists, and thinkers. It embodies community, conscious cuisine, and meaningful dialogue.
Aldana M
July 2025
Popped in for lunch while visiting from Texas. There is no street parking but there’s a free public garage right across the street. We were greeted and quickly assigned our table. The waiter was nice just not super friendly (maybe I expected friendlier hospitality being from “The South”) —nonetheless, he took our order and checked on us once to refill our drinks. We were a party of 9 — we ordered the nachos which I wish had more meat, the fried chicken sandwich was delicious, juicy and crunchy. The Cubano sandwich was also piled high with ingredients and full of flavor. I snapped a few pics of the cozy bookstore at the entrance of the restaurant. Overall, I recommend Busboys and Poets for a nice meal and a cute tour of the library where you can snag a book or souvenir.
Washington, DC · 1.9 mi away
