Whenever I eat out for breakfast or brunch, I am always faced with a major dilemma – should I get something savory or sweet? More often than not, my sweet tooth trumps my craving for bacon and eggs. Once I have made that difficult decision, the dish I should get is a no brainer: French toast.

Over the years, I’ve tried many of DC’s French toast offerings. In honor of National French Toast Day, I have compiled BTR’s Guide to the Best (and Worst) French Toast in DC. Here we rank our top 3 favorite French toast dishes in DC, and reveal the worst French toast we’ve had in the District.

Keep reading to find out about some of DC’s most unconventional French toast dishes, as well as the French toast we’ve reviewed in Philly and Chicago.

BTR’s Guide to the Best (and Worst) French Toast in DC

The Best French Toast in DC

#3: The Coupe’s French Toast with Blueberry Compote, Lemon Curd and Whipped Mascarpone

The Coupe excels at preparing comfort food favorites with a twist. Their French Toast ($8.25) is no exception. This dish is served with sophisticated blueberry compote, lemon curd and whipped mascarpone. The toast itself is cooked with just the right amount of sweetness. The combination of the saccharine compote, zesty curd and buttery mascarpone is playful, yet balanced. While some renditions of French toast can be quite heavy, the Coupe’s is light and leaves you with enough room to even help out with a friend’s savory breakfast dish.

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The Coupe

3415 11th St NW (Columbia Heights)

Washington, DC 20010

(202) 290-3342



#2: Founding Farmers’ Bananas Foster French Toast

While the Coupe’s French toast is on the light side, Founding Farmers’ Bananas Foster French Toast ($10) is a challenge to conquer. What you get are three pieces of French toast stuffed with custard, topped with caramelized bananas and served on a puddle of caramel. This dish is so decadent that it should be illegal to be on the breakfast menu instead of the dessert menu. In order to avoid bananas foster overload, I recommend splitting a savory entree with a friend before sharing the Bananas Foster French Toast.

Founding Farmers

1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (Foggy Bottom)

Washington, D.C. 20006

(202) 822-8783



#1: Bread and Chocolate’s Chocolate Banana French Toast

Bread & Chocolate’s Chocolate Banana French Toast ($9) wins the title of best French toast in DC because it is consistently delicious. The bread is cut thick and toasted to perfection, until it forms a slightly crunchy outer layer, while preserving the softness within. The toast has a wonderfully cinammony flavor that enhances the overall flavor of the dish when you take a bite out of all of the components. I always ask for extra chocolate and Bavarian cream. I love dipping the warm French toast in the cool Bavarian cream, which is basically a light vanilla pudding. Unlike our runner up, this French toast isn’t overwhelmingly heavy, so you feel satiated, rather than nauseated if you finish the dish.

TIP: On one occasion, Bread & Chocolate was out of bananas, so I was able to get the dish topped with strawberry slices. I also recommend this off-the-menu version of the dish.

Bread & Chocolate

301 M St NW (West End)

Washington, DC 20037

(202) 833-8360



The Worst French Toast in DC

Ted’s Bulletin’s Thick Cut French Toast

There is a reason that Ted’s Bulletin is known for their homemade Pop Tarts and not their Thick-Cut French Toast ($9.29). Texturally, the French toast is great; it is perfectly light and fluffy. However, this French toast lacks in where it matters most: flavor. Ted’s French toast tastes exactly like the frozen French toast sticks they would heat up and serve in my high school cafeteria on “breakfast for lunch” day. Ted’s Bulletin should stop imitating toaster-ready packaged breakfast foods.

Ted’s Thick-Cut French Toast is served with eggs and hash browns. While I like being able to get both sweet and savory items on my plate, the plate is as bland as its pallor. The French toast could really benefit from some fruit topping to break up the monotony of the flavor.

Untraditional French Toast in DC

French toast can be found in creative, untraditional varieties all around Washington. We’ve highlighted unique French toast dishes worth checking out from our past reviews. Click on the titles and photos below to be read more about each dish.

And if you’re in Philly or Chicago, check out…