Murphy's, originally a wine-and-cheese shop that evolved into a restaurant and bakery, today comprises a cozy warren of rooms and is one of the most popular places for brunch. Its interior is charming and inn-like, with the French doors flung open and the area cooled by ceiling fans in nice weather. Up front is the bakery/wine shop, with glass display cases overflowing with pastries, crusty fresh-baked breads, and luscious desserts. Murphy's is a popular destination for the surrounding neighborhood, which is full of young professionals who like casual dining. This is a good stop if you're exploring the Virginia-Highland area; if there's a wait, you can kill some time in the nearby shops.

At dinner, you'll find a variety of entrees, such as sautéed rainbow trout with mashed potatoes, spinach, and garlic-butter sauce. The hefty sandwiches are always winners, and there's a selection of pastas and salads. Brunch includes egg dishes, breads, waffles, pancakes, salads, and sandwiches.

If you've eaten elsewhere, Murphy's is a perfect destination for dessert and coffee, which for some reason is otherwise hard to find in this area.