The Market Lunch

Tucked inside the historic Eastern Market since 1978, The Market Lunch is a no-frills D.C. institution that wins over visitors with its filling, all-American comfort food. Celebrated for its legendary crab cakes—often named among the best in the city—it also serves up soft-shell crab, oysters, and regional seafood staples. Breakfast is equally famous, especially the blueberry buckwheat pancakes and the hefty “Brick” breakfast sandwich. With its long communal table and bustling counter-service vibe, it’s the kind of spot where you rub elbows with locals, regulars, and hungry tourists alike.