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Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait
Donburi is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

1. Donburi

2438 18th St NW (at Columbia Rd NW), Washington, D.C.
Japanese Restaurant · Adams Morgan · 69 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Parties of two usually wait about 15 mins, as people tend to eat quickly. But if you’re a party of four and want to sit together, it’s much trickier at up to two hours. Read more.

Daikaya is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

2. Daikaya

8.6
705 6th St NW, Washington, D.C.
Ramen Restaurant · Chinatown · 285 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Co-owner Daisuke Utagawa says it’s usually 45 minutes. Come after 9 p.m. and you likely won’t have a wait. On a recent Friday night at 7:45, the wait was 75 minutes. Read more.

Right Proper Brewing Company is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

3. Right Proper Brewing Company

8.4
624 T St NW (btwn Wiltberger & 7th St NW), Washington, D.C.
Brewery · U-Street · 95 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? More than two hours for a group of four on a recent Friday; 35 minutes for a party of three on a recent Thursday; and no wait for a party of two at 6:30 p.m. on a recent Tuesday. Read more.

Rose's Luxury is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

4. Rose's Luxury

9.3
717 8th St SE, Washington, D.C.
New American Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 134 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Pick a rainy Tuesday at 6 p.m. and you might grab the last two-top before the wait list kicks in; an hour later, 90 minutes. On a weekend, they quote up to three hours. Read more.

Toki Underground is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

5. Toki Underground

8.5
1234 H St NE (above The Pug), Washington, D.C.
Noodle Restaurant · Capitol Hill · 180 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? An hour or less during the week, but up to three hours during the weekend peak. You will receive a text message when your spot is ready. Read more.

Estadio is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

6. Estadio

1520 14th St NW (at Church St NW), Washington, D.C.
Spanish Restaurant · Logan Circle - Shaw · 159 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Less than 30 minutes during the week, but up to 45 minutes during the busiest time on weekends. Read more.

Etto is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

7. Etto

7.9
1541 14th St NW (at Q St NW), Washington, D.C.
Italian Restaurant · Logan Circle - Shaw · 43 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Walk-ins can usually find seating in 20 minutes or less early in the week. Prepare to wait 60 to 90 minutes or longer during prime weekend hours. Read more.

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

8. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

8.8
1612 14th St NW (at Corcoran St NW), Washington, D.C.
Seafood Restaurant · Logan Circle - Shaw · 125 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? Walk-ins can often be seated immediately during the week, but expect to wait 45 minutes or more on weekends. Read more.

Little Serow is one of Nine no-reservation restaurants worth the wait.

9. Little Serow

1511 17th St NW (at Church St NW), Washington, D.C.
Thai Restaurant · Northwest Washington · 58 tips and reviews

Washington PostWashington Post: How long is the wait? If you’re standing in line when the doors open at 5 p.m. you’re likely to make the first seating. Too early? Sixty to 90 minutes during the week; up to three hours on weekends. Read more.