Luna Grill & Diner

Jim Rosenberg
Jim Rosenberg
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
4
Reviews
3
Photos
Editor Pick

Luna

  • December 5, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Taylor Shelby from Charleston, South Carolina
Luna

Luna was another place recommended by our glorious concierge and we actually ended up eating there three times during the trip: twice for breakfast and once for dinner. It was in easy walking distance from our hotel, it was small and filled with locals, and the prices were very reasonable. Plus, it just had personality, which I always like to see.

You may walk right past Luna without noticing it because it is very nondescript from the outside. It is just a simple storefront with some plants in the windows. Once you walk in, you see the walls covered with murals and paintings and artwork hanging on top of all that. There were Christmas lights strung all around the place when we were there, but I don't know if that was because it was around thanksgiving or if they are always like that. The restaurant is small, so if you go at a busy time, you may have to wait a bit. And they don't really have seating for large groups, so try to keep them small, folks.

Their breakfast was very extensive and excellent. It is also served all day for those people who wake up at 2:30 in the afternoon and just have to have a waffle (and don't think I am judging you; I am one of those people). The Belgian waffles were very good and very big. A waffle and two eggs will run you $6.95. They also had a make your own omelette section. Three toppings (from a rather extensive selection) is $7.95. And I had a fantastic bagel sandwich with eggs, cheese, and bacon served with a big pile of potatoes for $6.95. Wash it all down with delicious raspberry tea for $1.75.

For dinner they also had a huge menu and it was very hard for me to decide. There is something for everyone here. They had a huge selection of pastas, burgers, sandwiches and traditional home-style food like meatloaf. I finally settled on the Red, White, and Blue Burger ($8.95) which was a hamburger topped with crispy bacon and a heap of melty, creamy blue cheese. It was served with some of the best fries I have ever had. One of our number partook in the make your own pasta area where you could order from 4 different types of pastas in 5 different sauces ($8.95) then you could add toppings for a little bit extra. You could make some unusual combinations, that's for certain. The chili also got rave reviews (a big bowl was $5.95).

Luna is one of those places that you just wander up to and it turns out to be very memorable. The fact that we went there three times in four days should tell you how much we liked it. Hours are Sun-Thurs 8am-11pm and Fri and Sat 8am-12am.

From journal Four exhausted girls spend a weekend in DC

Editor Pick

Luna Grill & Diner

  • June 9, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by nicole_a_g from Los Angeles, California
Cafe Luna is an eclectic diner just on the outskirts of the bustling Dupont Circle area. The extensive menu features huge salads, wraps, pastas, and breakfast served all day.

The ambience is something between a comic book store and a retro diner. The walls are painted with outer space murals, and framed photos and art on the walls are for sale. The pale wait staff sports dark, spiky haircuts and tattoos. They're hip without being stand-offish, and the service was extremely friendly.

Luckily, we arrived a little before noon and nabbed a booth. The place quickly filled up with office workers and artist types. The lunch special of the day was the "confusion wrap." Our waitress excitedly explained that it was composed of Caesar salad and chicken salad, all wrapped up in a spinach flatbread... and it came with fries. She was so enthusiastic that Jim felt compelled to try it. I opted for the vegetarian chili (which seems to be ubiquitous on the East Coast now).

The service wasn't rushed; in fact, it was a little too leisurely. The kitchen seemed to be warming up slowly for the lunch rush. Jim's wrap was delicious, but alas, he did not find it as confusing as our waitress had hoped. It did not blow his mind. My veggie chili came in a small bread bowl, which was delightfully fresh, and at $5, is was the best bargain on the menu.

When we finally departed our small booth, there were plenty of eager people waiting to take our places. The place was buzzing with office gossip as we walked out into the sunshine. Cafe Luna's a great place to unwind and take your time. If you're going for lunch, try to get in early or wait until the off hours.

From journal Memorial Day in D.C.

Luna Grill & Diner

  • April 21, 2005
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Susie Go Go from Shreveport
We stumbled upon this restaurant at lunchtime one day while walking in the Dupont Circle area of D.C. The front window booth provided us with a nice spot for lunch and a place to rest our weary feet. The location is cozy, not big at all. The interior has a colorful eclectic vibe to it.

I ordered the Australian wrap. When it was brought to the table, I was shocked by the sheer size of it. It was huge! And there was quite a flavorful combination of ingredients - moist roast beef, blue cheese, roasted peppers, and onions with a cream-cheese spread. The wrap came with fries, but the server allowed me to substitute a salad - which was fresh and tasty. My girlfriends had the 8-ounce burger and the Monte Cristo sandwich. Both were large portions and received compliments.

From journal Washington, D.C. during Cherry-Blossom Time

Editor Pick

Luna Grill & Diner

  • October 5, 2003
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Jim Rosenberg from Wausau, Wisconsin
The Luna Grill & Diner is a great place to go when you tire of the fine (and pricey) DC dining scene and you're just looking for a down-to-earth, diner-style, meal. Open from a minimum of 8am until 10pm on their shortest day (Sunday), the Luna serves breakfast at any time of day (although they turn off the waffle iron in mid-afternoon). On weekends, there are some brunch selections added to the menu that begin at 10 a.m. The menu features hearty items like steak and eggs, meatloaf, burgers, fries and steak sandwiches. It's a "meat and potatoes place", if that's what you're looking for. Still, even a vegetarian can find plenty to select from in the way of fruits, salads and grilled vegetables. There is a special section of the menu with "light" dishes for those who don't want to overdo things with some of the more "stick-to-your-ribs" possibilities. In short, you should be able to please just about anyone in one way or another.

The interior has an interesting, artsy and almost funky decor, with a collection of black & white photography and some posters adorning the walls during our visit. It's not a big place. The small tables and a few prize window booths are close together; it's a good place for pairs and we found the servers to be personable, (though very busy!) We visited rather early in the morning, but for those who choose cocktails later on, there is a fully-stocked bar, too.

We can't tell you that what we had was anything other than straightforward and probably best described as "average", as these things go. But what makes this a great stop is it's very "genuine" feel and the good "buzz" of the place; joking, kidding, conversations and everyone having a good time in a cozy, unique, comfortable environment. The range of the clientele is decidedly mixed and the Luna seems to have found a winning formula for people of all ages and tastes. It's certainly worth a visit if it fits your plans and it's very easy on the budget, too.

From journal Washington DC - Five Hotels; Dining

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