Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
American
Pizza
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Breakfast
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. Operates multiple indy bookstore cafes with a progressive mindset that promotes local businesses. This one est. 2007. Menu marks the vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free food options. Vegan choices include breakfast wrap and scramble, vegan sausage and bacon, burger and sandwich, mac n cheese, salad, soup, and pizza. Open Mon-Thu 9:00am-10:00pm, Fri-Sat 9:00am-11:00pm, Sun 9:00am-10:00pm.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
-
Loading...
-
- Accepts credit cards
- Free Wi-Fi
-
-
Last update on 27 Dec 2019 by Guest
Update business info -
Are you the owner?
Claim this business -
Added by webmaster on 13 Mar 2013
-
-
50 Reviews
First Review by childchr
FairfaxVeganFam
Points +518
Go to for family outings - Edit
We love it here. They can accommodate a vegan grilled cheese kids meal and who doesn’t love vegan nachos?! I always have trouble picking what to eat here because all of the vegan options are great.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Kind and patient staff , Bookstore
Guest
EmilyOh
Points +1116
Worth 5 stars - Edit
This place is amazing! So many delicious food options, all which were huge shareable portions and delicious. The atmosphere was cool and welcoming. Workers were friendly… bathrooms smelled great and were clean.
Read more⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pros: Great vegan options, Welcoming atmosphere , All good feels
Guest
Mma13
Points +1636
Really nice busboys and poets - Edit
This location is very nice and clean but very busy. I had the tempeh sandwich and LOVED it. Tempeh was so flavorful
Read moreGuest
DianaJVegan
Points +69
Great vegan options - Edit
I come to visit my sister who lives nearby a few times a year. Going to Busboys and Poets is always on our agenda. They have a wide range of vegan and gluten-free options including a huge and delicious plate of vegan nachos. The ingredients are fresh and servings are large.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Good value, Good service
Cons: Can get very crowded and noisy
Guest
VeganAndrew
Points +20
Great Stuff! - Edit
Unfortunately, it wasn’t fully vegan by any means, but they had around 30 vegan options including the sides!! Incredible food, good outdoor seating, friendly workers, and cool library!
Read morePros: Great food, Nice people, Good atmosphere
Cons: Not fully vegan
Guest
graceemily
Points +189
I really wanted to like this place - Edit
Well, first off our waitress was very nice but not good at her job. We waited a very long time for water, much after the food came.
Read moreWe had to ask multiple people. My vegan wrap was good, way too spicy, but not bad.
My boyfriend who isn't vegan got the chicken panini, which was pink and undercooked. The matcha latte, was half filled. When we brought it to the attention of the waitress, they just added more milk as a solution. Making it a cup of hot milk, with a little matcha. The manager stated that they would take the sandwich off the check, they didn't. Also, the cups were dirty.
Pros: Friendly staff, Vegan options , Halal options
Cons: Dirty cups, Poor food quality , Undercooked food
Guest
Herbal_Empress_Nee
Points +79
Vegan Nachos OMG - Edit
So one of my fav comfort foods before transitioning to veganism was nachos. The vegan nachos are my favorite item on the menu and I order them every-time I'm in Arlington. I've also tried the vegan tuna sandwich and it's so awesome. Plus the store has books and tarot cards to browse before or after your meal. A must stop.
Read morePros: Many vegan options and other healthy choices , Quick to go service
Cons: Small location so dining in may be challenging
Guest
f.ascioti
Points +46
Great spot in a really cool downtown area! - Edit
Would visit here again in a heartbeat. Books, (clearly) marked vegan food, fast service. It was the perfect stop before flying out of DC. I only wish a place like this existed near me!
Read moreHad the Korean "chicken" bites which were great but very obviously Gardein chicken (non issue just observation!). Also had the falafel salad and it was delicious. Wicked heavy on the dressing. If I were to have it again I'd ask for it on the side, but that's just my preference.
Would come here again for sure!
Pros: Clearly marked vegan options , Cool store!!! , Forward leaning staff (welcoming)
Guest
KiVegan
Points +199
Vegan pasta converts non-vegan - Edit
My partner isn’t vegan and a finicky eater but he swore the vegan pasta dish was the best pasta he’d ever had. I’d have to agree.
Read morePros: Right spice combination, Great for groups
Guest
emilys020
Points +30
Lots of options! - Edit
Tons of clearly labeled vegan options. We had the vegan bbq beef sandwich and vegan chicken sandwich and they were both delicious.
Read morePros: Lots of options, Clear menu labeling , Cool atmosphere
Guest
ViennaVegan
Points +1694
The tempeh panino is my go-to here -- highly recommend - Edit
Tempeh Panino -- Tempeh, sauteed onion, arugula, vegan harissa, roasted red pepper, French loaf.
Read moreThis is perhaps my favorite sandwich at ANY restaurant.
Lots of vegan options well marked on the menu, including desserts like vegan cheesecake from Vegan Treats.
Guest
LJVegan
Points +2983
It’s aight. - Edit
Atmosphere is the best part. Many clearly labeled vegan options.
Read moreGuest
lilypadhai
Points +181
Yummy breakfast. Vegan “egg” wrap was delicious! - Edit
My hotel in Arlington, Virginia has zero vegan options for food. I found this place which had a vegan breakfast option, and I am so glad that I did. The vegan “egg“ wrap, absolutely divine. Sadly, the driver did not bring my oat, milk, dirty, chai, but I’m sure it would’ve been delicious too. There is an upcharge on alternative milk, but I think in this part of metro, DC, that’s going to be common. if you were stuck in Arlington, Virginia, needing a breakfast, I highly recommend this one.
Read morePros: One great vegan option, Vegan breakfast
Cons: Upcharge for alt milk, Not a ton of vegan options
Guest
MaraK
Points +360
Consistently really good - Edit
I love Busboys and Poets and have eaten at all or most of their locations. Today, I had a really excellent appetizer — crispy cauliflower. And a vegan chicken sandwich.
Read moreGuest
MattSedlak
Points +20
Bad Experience - Edit
PSA: Vegan nachos come with yellow corn chips. If they send out vegan nachos with blue corn chips, ask them to double check.
Read moreI went here with my parents. Between the three of us, we each ordered something on the menu that they were out of. When we were ordering drinks, one of us asked for a drink that wasn't sweet and what came out tasted like fruit juice concentrate. The mezcal drink had so much other stuff in it, you'd never know it had mezcal.
We ordered vegan nachos, but halfway through realized that the cheese looked really authentic and then saw that the chips for the vegan nachos were supposed to be yellow. After checking with the kitchen they confirmed they were not vegan. They were very apologetic, and mistakes happen, but it was disappointing given that vegan food appears to be a priority for them. The nachos also didn't come as described on the menu (no black bean salsa) and the non vegans said they were subpar.
The 2 vegan dishes we ordered were the bbq "beef" sandwich and the vegan tuna salad. They were both good, but neither was great. The vegan tuna didn't have a lot of texture, or enough nori, and the beef was tasty, but oddly soft. On the bright side, after the nachos, there was no doubt the entrees were fake meat.
There were a lot of options here, and I'd give them another try, but this was not a good first impression.
Guest
kelseyfayep
Points +437
Such a favorite - Edit
This is where we always bring guests. So many options for vegans and non vegans alike
Read moreGuest
pheasance
Points +295
Great food and vibes - Edit
Love this place. Tons of vegan options, full bar, desserts, coffee, and an amazing progressive bookstore, too! Plan some time to browse before or after you eat. I stumbled into brunch this time and so tried it for the first time. Yummy "egg" wrap and hash browns. I've enjoyed the chickpea salad sandwich and sliders in the past. Also a nice place to try a local brew. Staff are terrific.
Read morePros: Clearly labeled vegan options, Full bar, Progressive bookstore
Cons: Parking, Can be noisy
Guest
BestL
Points +277
So many vegan choices! - Edit
Amazing! We had the cauliflower bites, asparagus, cauliflower tacos, vegan chorizo pasta, and the chickpea tuna sandwich. I loved everything! I want to go back again and order the rest of the vegan items on the menu.
Read moreGuest
laurentravels
Points +432
Sunday Brunch - Edit
I cannot rave about this place enough!
Read moreThey have so many vegan options its crazy! Plus they arent crappy vegan options, they have tempeh bacon... that says it all.
RESERVATIONS:
My family and I came in for Sunday brunch and left happy and full! We made a reservation via yelp after I had called the day before and they recommended us to come early. We arrived at 10 am and there were people there but it wasn't overly busy we got sat right away. If we would have showed around 11-1 we would have had a slight wait time since it did start to pick up.
They only accept reservations via yelp or its first come first serve.
I really hope a manager sees this post because our server was probably one of the best servers I have ever had. Her name was Bina. Thank you! She was busy and still made time to chat with us, make sure our drinks were never empty, and attended to whatever we needed. Plus! she made the bloody Mary's herself. She was great and made our whole experience so much better.
If you are vegetarian I highly recommend their sweet potato pancakes, my mom is veg so I tried some of hers and they were so good!
You really can't go wrong with any of their food.
Pros: Lots of Vegan Options
Guest
honeybee_0021
Points +186
Great! - Edit
The app would only let me give 4 stars because it’s not a fully vegan place. The vegan food we ate was 5 star quality. We got the vegan scramble omelet wrap with home fries and avocado toast. Everything was delicious!
Read moreGuest
KelseyCoulter
Points +154
Delicious! - Edit
I love the atmosphere and food at this restaurant. The staff is always very friendly and there are plenty of vegan options.
Read moreGuest
KatherineCole
Points +246
Favorite brunch spot - Edit
Great brunch with lots of options. Easy, free parking across the street in the garage. Lunch/dinner is good too!
Read morePros: Has brunch!
Cons: $5 per mimosa
Guest
Brusswole_Sprouts
Points +557
Great place at all locations. - Edit
Love busboys and poets. Their food is good at all their locations. I would note that their lunch/dinner menu is much more vegan friendly than their brunch option. They serve their brunch menu until 5pm on weekends.
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Cool vibes, BOOKS
Cons: Brunch menu not great for vegans
Guest
Alenka
Points +69
Wonderful Atmosphere - Edit
To start with, they are open until 11pm Sunday through Thursday, until midnight Friday and Saturday and also have happy hours (sorry, don’t know when exactly). If you haven’t been there yet and have a location near you, please go and enjoy! They have separate vegan menu as well as lots of vegetarian options, and their dishes are huge, especially vegan nachos!
Read morePros: Delicious Vegan Menu, Big Portions (you’ll need a box if ordered 2))
Guest
plantmeplease
Points +372
Good vegan food and vibes - Edit
One of my favorite restaurants. The food is great and a good variety of vegan options.
Read moreGuest
MeganCrooker
Points +72
So great! - Edit
I loved my experience at Busboys and Poets. The waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly and there are tons of options for vegans. Will DEFINITELY go back for more!
Read moreGuest
Adrie_H
Points +1087
Great Selection - Edit
Great selection of food and beverages! The Avocado Panini with Sweet Potato Fries were delicious. Artful decor. Fast and friendly service.
Read moreGuest
For Members
Why was my review removed? Guidelines for writing a review View our privacy policyFor Business Owners
Claim this business See inaccurate information? Submit an update here Link to this page from your site See an unfair review? View full terms & conditionsThis page has been viewed 10569 times.