Most Unique

Elegant and salad-like, the Avocado Sencha Toast at Lavande Patisserie layers smashed avocados, clover sprouts soaked in Sencha tea dressing, halved cherry tomatoes, lemon-Dijon-dressed arugula and puffed quinoa on toasted sourdough. A drizzle of basil oil and a dusting of thyme and dried cornflower petals garnish the white space on the plate.

275 N. Washington St., Rockville; 301-424-6100

Best Bread

With some avocado toast, the bread seems like an afterthought, and it can get mushy under the moist mash. Not so at Barking Mad Cafe, which wisely chose a sturdy four-seeded pain pavé from local Fresh Baguette. The toasted slices, rimmed with sesame, poppy, flax and millet seeds, add further interest to the restaurant’s jazzy coverlet of avocado spread, feta, roasted peppers and micro cilantro. It’s served at brunch, with two poached eggs on the side.

239 Spectrum Ave., Gaithersburg; 240-297-6230; barkingmadcafe.com  

Most Versatile

On top of the four slices of avocado toast at Le Pain Quotidien, you can add sliced organic hard-boiled egg; smoked salmon; half egg, half salmon; both; or just order it plain. Or, get the eggs scrambled or sunny-side up. Whichever combo you choose, citrus cumin salt, chia seeds and olive oil add a flavorful finish.

Restaurants in Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Spring Valley; lepainquotidien.com