Welcome to Highlands Cafe and Grill
Highlands Cafe and Grill is a charming new eatery located in the heart of Penn Branch, Washington, DC. Nestled next to Planet Fitness, this cozy spot welcomes locals with a warm, neighborhood vibe. Rooted in family recipes, it offers a diverse menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring standout dishes like the blackened salmon and fluffy French toast. Customers rave about the attentive service and the welcoming atmosphere, perfect for families. With a full bar and a focus on community support, Highlands Cafe and Grill is a delightful addition to the dining scene, sure to satisfy both cravings and a sense of belonging.
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3200 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020, United States Hotline: +1 771-216-0943
Welcome to Highlands Cafe and Grill, a vibrant new addition to the Penn Branch neighborhood of Washington, DC. Nestled conveniently behind the familiar Planet Fitness in the Penn Branch Shopping Center, this cozy eatery is already making waves with its inviting atmosphere and robust menu. With a strong community feel, Highlands Cafe and Grill is more than just a place to grab a meal—it's becoming a beloved local gathering spot.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant showcases a delightful mix of family recipes and classic dishes, enhanced with modern twists. Patrons like Justin and Nichole rave about the generous portions and the unmistakable flavors that make each dish feel like a warm hug from home. Whether you're starting your day with their renowned blackened salmon breakfast or indulging in a hearty Chicken Breast Diane for dinner, every plate speaks volumes of culinary love and care.
The ambiance at Highlands Cafe and Grill is equally noteworthy. Sonya Z. Phillips underscores the great vibe, complemented by a dedicated team ensuring exceptional customer service. The restaurant's commitment to community extends further; they actively support nonprofit initiatives, reinforcing a sense of purpose alongside their culinary endeavors.
Furthermore, the establishment embraces inclusivity, with a menu that caters to all sorts of appetites. Families can comfortably dine together with specialized kids' options that make dining out enjoyable for young ones. Guests like Miranda Cherkas Sherrill appreciate thoughtful touches, such as special celebrations for children, adding that extra layer of warmth to the dining experience.
Of course, the heart of Highlands Cafe and Grill lies in its food. From the addictive French toast breakfast platter that Michaela Spriggs can’t seem to resist, to enticing entrees like curry shrimp and mouthwatering oxtail, there’s something for everyone. The chef’s dedication to quality is evident in every bite—from the fluffy french toast to the well-seasoned sides, the menu is inviting and diverse.
Visiting this restaurant provides not just a meal, but a culinary journey brimming with flavor and community spirit. If you haven’t yet experienced Highland Cafe and Grill, it's time to make your way to 3200 Pennsylvania Ave. SE for a taste that promises to delight your senses and leave you coming back for more.
Contact them today at: +1 771-216-0943
The Highlands Cafe and Grill is a brand new restaurant in the Penn Branch Shopping Center but behind it and next to the Planet Fitness. I went today for breakfast with the family, and it was a great experience. This place has a great neighborhood feel to it, which is good considering I live about a block from there. The service and food were great, as were the portions. You can tell the menu is rooted in family recipes and classic dishes, some with a modern twist to them. They do breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and they have a bar inside as well. About 40 people in all can enjoy themselves inside. Penn Branch needed a restaurant we can call our own, and Highlands Cafe and Grill delivers on that.
The vibe is great here. The food was good also. We did have to wait a little while but it was worth it. I love that they also support a nonprofit. The customer service was very good. It was cool to see people playing double dutch when we left.
Me and my friends absolutely LOVE this spot and it’s nestled in the Penn Branch neighborhood. This is a quaint eatery with friendly customer service, delicious food, and good drinks. I’m obsessed with the blackened salmon (it’s absolutely delicious) but I recently tried their breakfast which was a great choice and reasonably priced and also the Chicken Breast Diane and it was tasty.
Great customer service and delicious food in Hillcrest. Recommend the blackened salmon with lemon caper sauce, lamb chops, brussel sprouts with bacon and craisins, steak, and fries. Pricey, but not too bad for DC, with ample parking. Not a long wait around 5:30 pm on a Friday night, though they were busy. They quickly accommodated our party of six with two children by putting two tables together. They had two high seats available. The kids menu isn't written down but our server told us about grilled cheese, pasta, or chicken fingers with fries for them. For my pre-k aged child's birthday, the host brought a complimentary cheesecake and sang happy birthday, which made my child feel special. We liked that the restaurant was up front about its 20% service charge and that any tip would be "additional" because DC law eradicates the need for tips. Only areas for improvement were that we heard the phone go unanswered for a bit, and about a 5-minute wait between the first and last dishes to arrive. But we plan to go back!
Every entree is delicious! I order at least once a week and sometimes 3 times. The curry shrimp is my go to.
Warning: This place is seriously addictive! I blindly ordered their french toast breakfast platter one day at work .. tried it and i think i’ve ordered it pretty much every other day since, that was like 3 weeks ago. The bacon and sausage are good and not the cheap flimsy kind you get at alot of breakfast spots. The french toast is seriously like no other .. fluffy, flavorful and buttery. My SO tried my leftovers one day and he loved it too.. so much so that now when I order I order a meal to take home to him too. We’ve tried the catfish, the short rib, and the oxtail dinners.. all were outstanding. Like many others have mentioned though, I will say avoid to collards.. they are gritty.. other than that all other sides 10/10. You must give the creole creamed cabbage a try! I tried the other location and ehh .. it didn’t hit like this one. I can’t wait to actually dine in one day but until then delivery satisfies my cravings just fine. Update: Tried the Chicken Melt yesterday, add that to the list of things they put their foot in!
Finally a taste of Atlanta brought to DC! Food was great! Service was amazing! Full bar for the adult beverage lovers! It’s a whole vibe!! Chef Mo, Bertie and the entire staff will take care of you!
I loveeee Highlands! I use to go to the original location on 14th street over ten years ago. My last time visiting that location was 2 years ago and it was as good as I remembered. I just discovered this location on Pennsylvania Ave. I love that I can get breakfast anytime. The food is great and it is the closest I can get to a home cooked meal. I didn’t take a photo of the sweet potato square but please try it! It’s so good! Now that I know about this location I will go more often. Update: the lamb chops were okay, it had a sauce or glaze on them but it didn’t taste like anything.