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
$10 pizza, $3 off starters, $5 beers, $7 wines, and $9 cocktails
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...
