Florida Avenue Grill, open since 1944, bills itself as the world's oldest soul food restaurant. This counter-and-booth diner serves fried chicken, grits, chops, and cornbread with deep DC history. A genuine institution. Open daily, late on weekends.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon 8:00am-4:00pm Tue 8:00am-4:00pm Wed 8:00am-4:00pm Thu 8:00am-4:00pm Fri 8:00am-11:00pm Sat 8:00am-11:00pm Sun 8:00am-4:00pm |
|---|---|
| Price | $$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | U Street Metro (Green/Yellow), ~8 min walk; Shaw-Howard also nearby |
| Time needed | 45 min-1 hour |
| Best time to go | Weekday morning for breakfast and grits without a wait; weekend for the full diner buzz |
| Last verified | July 15, 2026 |
Friend Score
8.3/10- Value8.2
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.3
- excellence8.0
- Crowd level6.5
- Authenticity9.3
- Accessibility7.8
Frequently asked questions
- What are the hours?
- It opens at 8am daily. Sunday through Thursday it closes at 4pm, but Friday and Saturday it stays open until 11pm. If you want dinner, come on a weekend; otherwise it's a breakfast-and-lunch spot.
- What should I order?
- Classic soul food: fried chicken, pork chops, grits, eggs and half-smokes at breakfast, plus greens, mac and cheese, and cornbread. Breakfast is a local favorite. Come hungry; portions are hearty.
- Is it near U Street?
- Yes, it sits at 1100 Florida Avenue NW, a short walk from the U Street corridor and the U Street or Shaw-Howard Metro stations. Combine it with a U Street visit. Transit is the easy way in.
- Is it good for a solo traveler?
- Very. The counter seating and friendly, old-school service make it comfortable to eat alone, and the history gives you plenty to soak in. It's one of the more welcoming solo breakfasts in the city.
- Is Florida Avenue Grill really the oldest soul food restaurant?
- It bills itself as the world's oldest soul food restaurant, open since 1944 when Lacey and Bertha Wilson founded it. That longevity and its role in DC's Black history are genuine. It's a landmark, not a marketing gimmick.
- Is there a wait?
- Weekend breakfast and lunch can bring a wait since word is out, but weekday mornings are calm. Turnover is decent for a diner. Go early if you're on a schedule.
- How much does it cost?
- It's affordable diner pricing, mid-range at most, with generous portions that make it a good value. You can eat a full soul-food plate without spending much. Cash is always welcome.
- Is it a sit-down restaurant or a counter?
- Both: there's a classic diner counter with stools plus booths and tables. It has an old-school, no-frills diner feel that's part of the charm. Solo diners do well at the counter.
Nearby in Ask Washington DC
- U Street CorridorNeighborhood0.35 km · 4 min walk
- Ben's Chili BowlRestaurant0.37 km · 5 min walk
- Busboys and Poets (14th & V)Café0.48 km · 6 min walk
- The Wydown Coffee BarCafé0.64 km · 8 min walk
- Meridian Hill ParkPark0.75 km · 9 min walk
Where to stay near Florida Avenue Grill
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