Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
All-day Dupont Circle spot, no pretension.
Kramers is a Dupont Circle all-day institution that earns its place through accessibility and longevity rather than culinary ambition. Easy to book, casual in service, and priced well below D.C.'s destination dining options. Best for solo diners, neighborhood regulars, and anyone who wants a reliable late-night option without a reservation battle.
Kramers works leading for Dupont Circle locals who want a reliable all-day spot — breakfast through late night — without the formality or price commitment of D.C.'s destination dining circuit. If you've been once and found the vibe low-key and the service warm, it's worth returning for the same reasons: accessible pricing, a relaxed room, and hours that outlast most neighbors on Connecticut Ave.
The physical setup at 1517 Connecticut Ave NW is part bookshop, part café, part bar , a layout that rewards different visits depending on when you arrive. The seating spans multiple zones, which means solo diners, couples, and small groups can all find a configuration that works. The room doesn't aim for drama. It's comfortable in the way a well-used neighborhood spot should be: worn in, not dressed up. That spatial informality is either an asset or a drawback depending on what you're after. For a first date or a power lunch, look elsewhere. For a long weekend brunch or a late drink with a book, it fits.
Kramers has operated in Dupont Circle long enough to have a regulars culture, and the service reflects that. Staff tend toward the familiar rather than the polished , which works well at the price point but may read as inattentive if you're calibrated to more structured restaurants. This is not a destination where service earns a premium. It's a neighborhood institution where the lack of ceremony is the point. If you're comparing it to [Rooster & Owl](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/rooster-owl) or [Rose's Luxury](https://www.joinpearl.co/restaurants/roses-luxury), the service gap is real , but so is the price gap, and Kramers isn't competing on that axis.
| Venue | Price Tier | Booking Difficulty | Leading For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kramers | $$ | Easy | All-day casual dining, solo, groups |
| Rooster & Owl | $$$ | Moderate | Creative tasting-style dinners |
| Oyster Oyster | $$$ | Moderate | Sustainable-focused New American |
| Rose's Luxury | $$$$ | Hard | Special occasion, New American |
| Albi | $$$$ | Moderate | Middle Eastern, destination dinner |
Booking at Kramers is easy , walk-ins are generally fine, and if you're planning ahead, same-week reservations are typically available. There's no dress code to think about. For more D.C. options across all categories, see our full Washington, D.C. restaurants guide, bars guide, and hotels guide.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kramers | — | ||
| Oyster Oyster | Michelin 1 Star | $$$ | — |
| Albi | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
| Causa | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
| Rooster & Owl | Michelin 1 Star | $$$ | — |
| Rose’s Luxury | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
Kramers is one of the better solo options in Dupont Circle. The bookshop layout means you can pull something off a shelf, settle in, and not feel conspicuous eating alone. The bar seating at 1517 Connecticut Ave NW suits single diners well across breakfast, lunch, or a late-night drink.
If you want more culinary ambition, Rooster & Owl and Rose's Luxury both offer stronger food programs at a higher price point. Causa is the call for standout cooking with a distinct point of view. Kramers wins on accessibility and hours — it covers the all-day, drop-in slot that none of those restaurants fill.
Kramers operates as an all-day café and bar with a broad, accessible menu, which typically means reasonable flexibility on dietary needs. No specific dietary accommodations are confirmed in available data, so check the venue's official channels at 1517 Connecticut Ave NW or check current menus before visiting if restrictions are non-negotiable.
Yes. Bar seating is part of how Kramers works — it's set up for the kind of visit where you want a drink and something to eat without committing to a full table. This makes it a practical choice for early evenings or late-night stops in Dupont Circle.
Not the right fit for a celebration dinner. Kramers is a relaxed, all-day bookshop-bar-café — the format works against the kind of focus a special occasion usually calls for. For that, Rose's Luxury or Albi will serve the moment better. Kramers is the spot for a low-key birthday brunch or a casual catch-up, not an anniversary.
Specific menu items aren't confirmed in current data, and Kramers' menu shifts across its all-day format from breakfast through late night. The practical move is to treat it as a café-bar visit rather than arriving with a specific dish in mind — the flexibility of the format is the point.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
