Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
✨ Vibe
An iconic Dupont Circle landmark that seamlessly blends the intellectual charm of a legendary independent bookstore with the high-energy pulse of a modern, all-day bistro and cocktail bar.
🍸 Best For
Literary-themed dates, late-night cocktails, weekend brunch, and browsing for books with a drink in hand.
🔥 Highlights
- A Culturally Storied Setting: Browse a curated collection in a venue that has served as a DC institution for over 40 years, famously hosting luminaries like Maya Angelou and Andy Warhol.
- Elevated All-Day Dining: From "the best waffles in DC" and signature Soho omelettes to a "Super Fun High Tea," the kitchen delivers top-tier comfort food that pairs perfectly with their famous pumpkin spice lattes.
- Revamped Bar Program: Sip on creative, pre-batched cocktails at the modernized 26-seat bar, featuring standout drinks like the Cold Brew Martini and spicy Margaritas infused with local hot honey.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- A true late-night destination, the venue stays open until 3:00 AM on Friday and Saturday nights for night owls and book lovers alike.
- While the bookstore is a staple, the All Day by Kramers restaurant accepts reservations, which are highly recommended for their popular Sunday brunch.
🔄 Weekly Events
Book Lover's Tea Time 🫖
Partnered with DC's Pearl Fine Teas, enjoy bespoke brewed teas paired with a selection of light bites from the kitchen. Available for dine-in only.
Pizza Time 🍕
Serving New Haven Style apizza in four flavors, including fall specials like Pumpkin & Gorgonzola and Mushroom Gaucho. Available for dine-in and takeout.
Happy Hour
Weekday Happy Hour featuring $10 apizza, $3 off starters, $5 beers, $7 wines, and $9 cocktails.
📰 In the News
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Washington DC - Bookstore and cafe
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe in Dupont Circle is an independent bookstore featuring an integrated café, bar, and restaurant. The venue is celebrated for its diverse book collection, exceptional dessert selection, and its status as a late-night destination that remains open until 03:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
After 40 years, Kramerbooks gets a (young) new owner
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe is a landmark Dupont Circle institution that has served as a cultural hub in Washington, D.C. for over 40 years. The venue, known for its eclectic bookstore and integrated cafe, has hosted a wide array of famous visitors ranging from Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison to Andy Warhol.
Creating a Bar Destination Within an Iconic Washington, D.C. Bookstore
Kramers features a revamped 26-seat bar and a modernized beverage program that complements its iconic Dupont Circle bookstore and restaurant. Beverage director Larry Weaver utilizes efficient pre-batching techniques to serve creative cocktails like a Cold Brew Martini and spicy Margaritas infused with local hot honey.
The Pandemic-Inspired Reinvention of One of DC's Most Beloved Bookshops
Kramers in Dupont Circle has evolved beyond its bookstore roots to feature an all-day cafe, All Day by Kramers, offering a diverse menu of breakfast staples and sandwiches designed by Chef Vincent Griffith. The iconic venue continues to serve as a literary landmark while integrating new lifestyle elements like a barbershop and a plant shop.
Kramerbooks Will Stay In Dupont For Now, But You Might Not Recognize It
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe rebranded as "Kramers" and "All Day by Kramers" while confirming its stay in Dupont Circle through at least 2026. The venue is undergoing renovations to integrate a new restaurant, flower shop, and barber shop into its iconic bookstore space.
Recent Reviews from Google
I had a fantastic brunch at Kramerbooks & Afterwords! The menu had a broad range of brunch options, plenty to choose from without being overwhelming. The drink list included seasonal specialties, and...
We ate here 6 times in the week we spent in DC. They should name a wing after us. Best waffles I've ever had. So light and crispy! Also liked the Papas Bravas. My wife says it's the best avocado...
Super Fun High Tea! Enrique was out attentive server who made it even more special. Plenty of food - we even needed a take home box. One thing to note - the tea is served in the restaurant and not...
I enjoyed Kramers. Fun concept, a bookshop with a top tier kitchen catches onto a fun vibe that is quintessential DC. Good and service was great here. I tried the roasted pork hash and it was...
Randomly got lunch on a Sunday mid afternoon. I was with my toddler and I was disappointed by how this restaurant was not so small kid friendly. But the overall experience was okay and food was...
