The National Diner

The impression I get from other reviews is that this place is open to the public. In a way, then, I kind of understand where the negativity comes from — to walk in to what looks like a pretty cool diner and find a Holiday Inn menu set before you would be a source of frustration. (Unless they offer different menus to people who aren’t staying at the hotel? I’m not sure.)
As a Holiday Inn Guest, though, I have to say this place was a breath of fresh air in terms of hotel breakfast options. So often as of late all I’ve been offered for breakfast is the usual run of bland continental spread options. So sure, Holiday Inns have standard breakfast menus, but those menus are far more exciting than the usual breakfast options I’ve had while traveling this year, especially since H.I. is more likely to include seasonal ingredients or one special recipe.
Personally I thought the service here was super quick and I loved the décor of clocks, posters and other random decorative items — it’s very unique and eclectic. The place was clean and bright, too. Breakfast itself was a lovely cheese, avocado and bacon omelet (because everything has avocado right now!), which I split with a family member. It was super simple but very tasty — both of us enjoyed it immensely and left the place ready to enjoy the rest of the day.
Eating here was definitely a great way to start a day in D.C., and I’d also keep it in mind as a pro when picking a hotel to stay at in the future.

This is a fun little café the food is fine and the staff is good. For what you get and the prices are not bad. If you’re in the area give it a shot.

Just ok… nothing to write home about. Four of us went in for breakfast and were immediately disappointed at the nondescript décor, very rudimentary. The food, which is the important part… was just ok. The eggs were decently prepared, the bacon way overcooked (just about burnt), the coffee tasted old. The service was so-​so, not very friendly. Not a place that we will be revisiting.

What I expected. OK breakfast, diner décor, and friendly staff. It’s attached to the Holiday Inn so convenient for guests. After getting an omelette that was iffy, I stuck with over easy eggs, bacon and home fries which was tasty and simple!

The food was ok and the staff was friendly. Something about the atmosphere at this place that brings it down. They might want to play some 50’s music or something to get the diner back on track.

This hotel is attached to a holiday inn. I came in for breakfast only. Usually all HI have a standard breakfast menu so I can only write about that. Service was consistent and food was the same as all HI breakfast choices. Staff didn’t seem motivated to be working but wasn’t expecting much from a diner.

I try to reserve the one star category for the truly horrible. This place easily fits into worst bucket with ease. The menu is limited and cookie cutter, the dining room is visibly dirty, and the food is terrible! If you enjoy good food, in nice places, with good service stay away… Stay away!
By the way, as rude and uncaring as the staff is they won’t miss you anyway.

Not impressed. Pancakes flat and hard, sausage burned, etc. not likely to do this again.

Not sure how they think they qualify as the best of America, it was far from that quality. I knew I was in trouble when I showed up for dinner after traveling, and there was no breakfast on the menu. How do you even call yourself a diner, if you don’t serve breakfast all day?
I ate breakfast here every day, becaue of breakfast coupons from the attached Holiday Inn. My options were the breakfast bar, which was completely substandard, even for hotel breakfast bar.
I ate dinner one night, had a chicken wrap, completely average. Nothing to recommend to this place, unless you are staying at the Holiday Inn.
Service was okay. One annoying item, they had a guy bussing tables who was way too efficient. You had hardly finished eating before he wanted your tableware. Maybe they only have a limited number. I half expected him to take the cup out of my hands.

A fair review of of fair place: National Diner. Hey, it’s a diner. If you want breakfast and this is the only place that is close, then by all means, go. But, caveat emptor, it’s a bit pricey for what you are getting (nearly $ 7 for a waffle? really?!). As in other reviews, I agree that this place is mostly for the patrons of the hotel above it (they serve them their continental breakfast from here). That being said, they have a decent number of items on the menu, the food is tasty and we had very good service.

I almost did not eat here because of the bad reviews posted. I guess a few years makes a difference because this was the best food and service I received in a long time! I came down about 2 pm (well after breakfast time). I asked if they would please make me pancakes and they did! the waitress was so friendly and the food delicious!
It is a diner so expect a little yelling but the food is worth it!

Good christ, this place is attrocious. I had me some quesadillas of which were Good, and my friend had some cheese sticks, But, the place was DEAD empty and it took them 30+ minutes to make our food. Really? Seriously? On top of that my check ended up to being 16 dollars for my Quesadillias and Strawberry Milk shake which was TINY. Our server was crap, she dissapeared 1000x and ignored us and glared at us quite abit. I gave a shitty tip for shitty service, they ended up ADDING EXTRA to our bill. kthnx 16 dollar check turned into 18 dollar check.
AVOID THIS PLACE.

It take a lot to call your self a diner. There has to be a feel in the place you call diner. There has to be some love in the food you serve at a diner.
To call your self a diner you have to be a DINER!
Remember to eat well and live well and please no chains!

This place exists solely for the patrons of the Holiday Inn, since they share the same building. We usually go to the Deluxe Diner (now Cesar’s Diner???) on 23^rd but we thought we’d give this one a try, just to make sure we weren’t missing anything fabulous. We weren’t.
Unlike the diner on 23^rd which serves breakfast/​lunch/​dinner all day long, this place was only serving breakfast. So I was bummed because I felt like having a grilled cheese for breakfast (there is never a bad time for grilled cheese). But I sucked it up and ordered their french toast instead. It was pretty good, even better than Cracker Barrel, but probably not good enough to make go back.
Service is kind of weird… I’m not sure what the various levels of english comprehension among the staff is but I don’t think it’s very high. Our server was fine but the table next to us seemed to be having a lot of trouble with their order. I also heard one lady blow up about how she waited for someone to seat her for 20 minutes.

Absolutely the worst experience I’ve ever had at a diner. Not only is their service terrible but they only have 5 items on their breakfast menu, 3 of which are fruit cups with either yogurt, plain or granola. When I went they were out of mostly everything listed on their menu. As tempted as I was to leave I decided to give them a chance and regret it. I ordered a tuna salad sandwich, they could not make a tuna melt sandwich (don’t ask why), and it came with about 5 tablespoons of mayo along with the tuna salad. My friend ordered eggs, which were not cooked at all. Stay away, just a suggestion