Highlands Cafe and Grill Menu (Update 2025)

Welcome to Highlands Cafe and Grill, a newly established gem nestled in the Penn Branch Shopping Center, Washington, DC. This café exudes a warm, neighborhood vibe that sets the stage for a delightful dining experience. The menu is meticulously crafted, blending traditional family recipes with modern twists, making it a haven for food enthusiasts.

  • Breakfast: Indulge in the famously fluffy french toast, and be sure to try the savory blackened salmon.
  • Lunch and Dinner: Experience soul-satisfying dishes like curry shrimp and oxtail, celebrated for their robust flavors.
  • Special Touch: The restaurant also supports a local nonprofit, adding a community-focused element to your meal.

With friendly service and ample parking, Highlands Cafe and Grill is not just a restaurant; it’s a passionate homage to delicious home-cooked meals. Whether dining in or taking out, it promises a memorable culinary journey.

Lunch Sandwiches

Tuna Salad

Tuna Salad, Lettuce, Tomato on Toasted Club Wheat Bread

US$10.00

Stallworth

Chicken Salad, Tarragon Mayo, Lettuce, Tomato on Toasted Brioche Bun

US$10.00

Metro Club

Smoked Turkey, Turkey Bacon, Swiss Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo on Toasted Club Wheat Bread

US$14.00

Big Time Burger

Choose your Toppings, Served on Brioche Bun

US$12.00

Turkey Burger

Caramelized Onions, Fresh Herbs Served on a Brioche Bun

US$12.00

Cubano

Spicy Pork Butt, Honey Ham, Queso Blanco, Mojo Sauce and Pickles on a Pressed French Baguette

US$12.00

Shrimp Po Boy

Fried Shrimps, Tartar Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo on a Frecnh Roll

US$15.00

Chicken Melt

Grilled Chicken Breast, Bacon, Provolone Cheese, Honey Mustard, Lettuce, and Tomato on Ciabatta

US$12.00

London Broiled

Grilled Thin Sliced Steak with Caramelized Onions, Provolone Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato and Mayo on French Roll

US$14.00

Vegan Gyro

Vegan Grain and Veggie Loaf, Cucumber Lemon Vegenaise, Grilled Carrots, Mushrooms and Onions, Fresh Spinach, Cucumbers and Tomatoes in a Fluffy Pita Wrap

US$12.00

Salmon Burger

Chopped Fresh Salmon, Minced Bell Peppers and Onions, Lettuce, Tomato and Siracha Mayo on Brioche Bun

US$15.00

Grilled Cheese

US$6.00

BLT

US$7.00

Crabcake Sadwich

US$24.00

Vegetable Soup

Homemade soups made daily - vegetables

US$8.00

Chicken Noodle

US$8.00

Seafood Soup

US$11.00

Fried Green Tomatoes

Southern Classic with Garlic Cream Sauce

US$9.00

Hot Spinach & Artichoke Dip

Cream Cheese, Parmesan, Cheddar, Swiss Spinach Dip Served with Hot Tortilla Chips

US$10.00

Juanita's Shrimp & Grits

Fried Shrimp and Cheesy Grits, Sweet Apple Cider Sauce

US$17.00

Highlands Wings

Fried Wings with Homemade Sweet Spicy Mango Sauce and Ranch Dressing on Side

US$14.00

House Salad

Mixed Greens with Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumbers, Feta Cheese and House Vinaigrette Dressing

US$8.00

Caesar Salad

Romaine Hearts, Caesar Dressing, Housemade Garlic Crutons, Parmesan Cheese

US$8.00

Chicken Empanada

Chicken with Queso Fresco,

US$4.00

Beef Empanada

Minced Ground Beef with Cheddar

US$4.00

Vegetarian Empanada

Savory Vegetarian

US$4.00

Beet Salad

Arugula and Frisee Greens, Green Apple, Carrots, Oranges, Apple Cider Vinaigrette

US$10.00

Chicken And Waffle

Belgian Waffle with Tender Fried Chicken Breast and Scrambled Cheesy Eggs

US$17.00

Starters

Entrees

Highlands Fish Fry

Seasoned Local Catfish, Creamy Coleslaw, Tomato Tartar Sauce, and Hand-Cut Fries

US$16.00

Braised Beef Short Ribs

Short Ribs Braised Onion Demi Sauce, Mashed Potato and Southern Green Beans

US$26.00

Lamb Chops

Garlicky Dipping Sauce (Please choose 2 Sides)

US$26.00

Cajun Mardi Gras Pasta

Grilled Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Gulf Shrimp, Penne, Spinach and Peppers in a Spicy Smoked Tomato Cream Sauce

US$20.00

Blackened Salmon

Served with Jasmine Rice, Garlic Spinach and a Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

US$20.00

Gulf Shrimp Linguine

Gulf Shrimps Tossed in Linguine with Spinach, Parmesan Cheese and a Pesto Garlic Cream Sauce

US$18.00

Curry Shrimp

Served with Red Beans and Jasmine Rice, Collard Greens and Garnished with Fried Sweet Plantains

US$19.00

Curry Chicken

Served with Red Beans and Jasmine Rice, Collard Greens and Garnished with Fried Sweet Plantains

US$17.00

Oxtail

Sweet and Spicy Gravy, served with Red Beans and Jasmine Rice, Collard Greens and Garnished with Fried Sweet Plantains

US$25.00

Gumbo

House Special with Chicken, Andouille Sausage, Tasso Ham, Shrimp, Crawfish and Jasmine Rice

US$13.00

Ginger Shrimp Pasta

Asian Noodle Toss with Stir Fry Vegetables in a Sweet Chile Soy Sauce

US$20.00

Santa Ana

Three Chicken Enchiladas in a Red Rancheros Cheese Sauce, Refried Beans and Jasmine Rice

US$16.00

Fried Whole Branzino Fish

Whole Bronzini Fish Fried and Served with Red Beans and Jasmine Rice, Collards Greens and Garnished with Fried Sweet Plantains

US$26.00

Grilled French-Cut Pork Chop

Served with Whipped Mash Potatoes and a Corn Chile Demi Sauce

US$23.00

Chicken Breast Metropolitan

Vodka Mushroom Cream Sauced Served Over Fried Chicken with Mash Potatoes and Steamed Broccoli

US$20.00

New York Steak

Served Whipped Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, and a Roasted Garlic Butter

US$26.00

Chicken Basket

Fried Chicken Tenders and Fries

US$11.00

Shrimp Basket

Fried Shrimps and French Fries

US$15.00

Salmon Linguine

US$20.00

Chicken Linguine

Grilled Chicken Pesto Garlic Cream Sauce

US$14.00

Ginger Chicken Pasta

Grilled Chicken with rice Noodles, with Stir-Fry Vegetables Sweet Chile Soy Sauce.

US$17.00

Ginger Beef Pasta

Rice Noodles, with Stir-Fry Vegetables Sweet Chile Soy Sauce.

US$18.00

Chicken And Waffle

Belgian Waffle with Tender Fried Chicken Breast and Scrambled Cheesy Eggs

US$17.00

Blackened Tilapia

US$18.00

French Fries

US$5.00

Mashed Potatoes

US$5.00

Garlic Spinach

US$6.00

Collard Greens

US$6.00

Steamed Broccoli

US$6.00

Creole Creamed Cabbage

US$6.00

Sweet Potato Square

US$6.00

Red Beans

US$5.00

Jasmine Rice

US$5.00

Green Beans

US$6.00

Plantains

US$5.00

Crispy Brussel Sprouts

US$6.00

4 Shrimp

4 Fried or Grilled Shrimps

US$8.00

Salmon Only

US$12.00

Chicken Only

Fried or Grilled Chicken Breast

US$7.00

Catfish Only

US$9.00

Small Caesar Salad

US$5.00

Small House Salad

US$5.00

Garlic Bread

US$4.00

1 Shrimp

1 Shrimp Only

US$2.25

Lamb Meat Only

US$18.00

Whole Fish Only

US$16.00

Coleslaw

US$6.00

Oxtail Only

US$16.00

Short Ribs Only

US$16.00

New York Steak Only

US$16.00

Pork Chop Only

US$15.00

Linguine Only

US$10.00

Crispy Brussels Sprout NO BACON

US$6.00

Sides

Desserts and Pastries

Bread Pudding

White Chocolate Mousse, Rum Banana Sauce

US$7.00

Walnut Coffee Cake

US$3.50

Chocolate Lava Cake

Served warm with Vanilla Ice Cream

US$7.00

NY Cheesecake

US$7.00

Chocolate Cake

US$7.00

Ice Cream

US$3.00

Chocolate Muffin

US$3.75

Honey Mustard

US$0.75

Lemon Butter Caper Sauce

US$1.00

Mushroom Cream Sauce

US$1.00

Curry Sauce

US$0.75

Lamb Sauce

US$0.75

Garlic Sour Cream Sauce

US$0.75

Caesar Dressing

US$0.75

House Dressing

US$0.75

Pesto Cream Sauce

US$1.00

Blue Cheese

US$0.65

Syrup

US$0.75

Sirracha Mayo

US$0.65

Rach Sauce

US$0.75

Vegan Sauce

US$0.75

Extra Sauces

Bag

Bag

US$0.05

Big Waffle Breakfast

Belgian Waffle, Two Eggs any Style and a choice of Breakfast Meat

US$14.00

Penn-Branch Breakfast

Two Eggs any Style, Home Fries or Grits,Choice of Breakfast Meat and Toast

US$14.00

Salmon Cake Breakfast

Salmon Cake, Eggs any Style with Grits and Toast

US$17.00

Highlands Omelet

Three Egg Omelet Filled with Ham, Spinach, and Cheddar Cheese, Served with Homefries and Toast

US$15.00

Brioche French Toast

Brioche French Toast with Two Eggs any Style and a choice of Breakfast Meat

US$16.00

Chicken And Waffle

Belgian Waffle with Tender Fried Chicken Breast and Scrambled Cheesy Eggs

US$17.00

Juanita's Breakfast

Two Eggs any Style, Refried Beans, Chorizo, Queso Fresco, Avocado and Corn Tortillas

US$16.00

Morning Glory Omelet

Egg-White Omelet Filled with Spinach, Mushrooms, Tomatoes and Feta Cheese, Served with Home Fries and Toast

US$15.00

Open Face Fried Shrimp Omelet

Open Omelet with Bell Peppers and Onions, Cheddar Cheese and Topped with Fried Shrimps, Served with Homefries and Toast

US$15.00

Breakfast Sandwich On Toast

US$7.00

Breakfast Sandwich On Bagel

US$8.00

Breakfast Sandwich On Croissant

US$10.00

Chicken And French Toast

US$17.00

Fruit Plate

US$7.00

Eggs Benedict - Fried Green Tomatoes

English Muffin, Poach Eggs, Hollandaise sauce.

US$10.00

Eggs Benedict - Canadian Bacon

English Muffin, Poach Eggs, Hollandaise sauce.

US$12.00

Eggs Benedict - Smoked Salmon

English Muffin, Poach Eggs, Hollandaise sauce.

US$14.00

Juanita’s Shrimp & Grits

US$17.00

Breakfast

Breakfast a la Carte

Belgian Waffle

US$7.00

Brioche French Toast

US$7.00

Oatmeal

US$6.00

Salmon Cake

US$9.00

Morning Potatoes

US$5.00

Grits

US$5.00

Cheese Grits

US$6.00

Bacon

US$6.00

Turkey Bacon

US$6.00

Pork Sausage

US$6.00

Turkey Sausage

US$6.00

Eggs Any Style With Toast

US$7.00

Chorizo

US$6.00

Ham

US$5.00

Smoked Salmon

US$6.00

Avocado

US$2.50

Bagel With Cream Cheese

US$4.00

Tortillas

US$2.50

Toast

US$1.50

Large Homefries

US$6.00