50 Best Cafes in Washington

“I love this place! The food is phenomenal! I can’t get over the tempeh burger!!!“

“We had the best time at KooKoo DC last night. They accommodated a table of 14 for my spouse's birthday and never let us feel like an imposition. The food was so fresh, authentic, and reasonably priced - I did a double take when we got the bill. I even felt like we went all-out with apps, drinks, and desserts! The owner was also so kind - we just felt so cared for the whole time and can't wait to visit again.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“We had a great lunch! Highly recommended! 😋😋😋“

“Washington rang me up and was so kind and you can tell he loves taking care of guests at Maman. The vanilla cloud cookie was so yummy along with Oprah’s fave - kitchen sink cookie. Such a treat if you’re looking for a mid-day lunch, coffee or a snack. They also have craft cocktails and a happy hour. Definitely check them out!“

“Delicious and super staff!“

“I just had an amazing breakfast here! The menu has a great selection of vegetarian options, healthy and so delicious.“

“Must have the Mochi fantastic“

“I love the atmosphere of this place. When you enter La Cosecha, you’re welcomed by a variety of restaurants and small local businesses — it feels vibrant and creative.
But I’m focusing on Café Unido, because this coffee comes from my home country, Panama. So every time I’m in Washington, I have to stop by.

The space is filled with beautiful natural light coming through the large windows facing the street — perfect for enjoying a slow moment with a cup of coffee. The aroma and flavor are exactly what I expect from good Panamanian coffee: rich, smooth, and full of character.

I believe they could take even more advantage of how special it is to have a Panamanian coffee franchise in Washington — it deserves to be highlighted and promoted more. I truly hope they open more locations around the city so more people can experience it.

I tried the Caramel Latte, and it was delicious. If you like my pictures, give a follow on IG: @framinizingdiary“

“My experience at maman’s was very amazing. I had the papas breakfast bowl after getting some recommendations from the worker Kevin. He was very respectful and Helpful and made my experience memorable. I’ll definitely be coming back — and hoping Kevin’s there next time.“

“I wish this was my neighborhood coffee. The staff are so lovely. One refilled my personal water bottle for me.

Also the food is delicious, there’s good variety and the seating is comfy. My only complaint is the water faucets were really hot last time I visited but maybe that was a fluke.

Ugh, I may need to move to Columbia Heights so I can visit more often.“

“As a Central Asian who grew up with a similar culture and cuisine, I can confidently say this is the best Middle Eastern restaurant I’ve ever visited.

We sat at the bar, where the two bartenders provided great service.

The dishes were creatively presented and rich in diverse flavors. The Pita with Mushrooms and Hummus was our favorite.

The Frozen Halva Bar is, without a doubt, the most unique and delicious dessert I’ve ever tried. The combination of chocolate ganache, sesame, and halva ice cream blended perfectly. Thank you, pastry Chef, Evyn.“

“It is a cool and nice lounge!“

“very nice 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 🥐🍇🍕🧁🍫“

“Great experience wonderful staff the kitties were a lot of fun!!“

“Our group was visiting from out of town and wanted to find a coffee shop within walking distance from our airbnb.
We saw the great reviews for Sylvan cafe and decided to stop in.
I got a Chai latte and veggie omelet which were affordable and very tasty! I’d highly recommend stopping in if you’re in the area“

“Everything is delicious! My personal favorite is their chicken on a pita bread, all mezeh (salads) are very yummy! Labneh and pita chips sooo addicting! Their tots omg is a must have every time I go there. Coffeeeeee yesss don’t forget to order it too! Try everything and you won’t be disappointed. Ooohh!! Pastriesssss! Yesss!!!“

“I stopped into this pie shop and walked out with an armful of treats, absolutely no regrets.

I tried the chocolate pecan pie first, and honestly, it should come with a warning label. Rich, gooey, perfectly nutty, and just dangerous enough to make you consider rearranging your entire diet around it.

The steak, mushroom, and cheese pie was pure comfort food magic. Flaky crust, savory filling, and that melty cheese situation? Trust me, it’s the kind of pie that makes you close your eyes for a second just to process the happiness.

And yes, I also grabbed some Berger cookies, because self-control is overrated. Thick icing, soft cookie, somehow both nostalgic and decadent at the same time.

I leave nearby and I will orders a few pies for the holiday ❤️😋😋“

“Excellent food and the best chai!“

“My caramel macchiato was delicious 😋“

“Decadent. My first pavlova ever and it was pretty good. Cookie sandwich is very dark chocolate with pecans and a nice contrast to sweetness of pavlova. Was skeptical that the gluten free part of the other pastry would be good but it was fine :)“

“Yerevan Café is one of those rare places that feels both home-cooked and special at the same time. Everything we tried was beautifully prepared and genuinely delicious.
The food was outstanding.
The stuffed flatbread was warm, soft, and perfectly charred, served with creamy yogurt and tender grape leaves that tasted incredibly fresh. The lahmajun was flavorful and comforting — exactly what you want from Armenian-style flatbread. We also loved the red pepper spread they serve on the side, which added the perfect brightness and spice.
The desserts are a must.
The honey cake was the star — light, tender layers with just the right amount of sweetness. Their dessert case is full of classics (baklava, gatta, Napoleon, and more), and everything looked handmade and generous.
Great wine and even better atmosphere.
The glass of red wine paired perfectly with the dishes. The café itself has a warm, authentic vibe, and you can see the care they put into everything, even from the kitchen area and pastry counter.
If you’re looking for a cozy spot with truly delicious Armenian food and amazing desserts, Yerevan Café is absolutely worth it. I’d come back just for the honey cake.“

“Everything about this place feels magical and beautiful. The staff are kind, welcoming, and create such a positive atmosphere. The drinks are absolutely delicious, making the whole experience a joy from start to finish. It’s also deeply encouraging to see a business that openly stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against genocide. Places like this give so much hope. 🇵🇸🫶🏻“

“Today I had the best fried chicken sandwich since Kevin Tien’s Perfect seasoning—a little heat but not too much, smashed avocado, coleslaw, and chicken that had just the right amount of crispy covering that kept the chicken moist. I can’t wait to return for another.“

“My family and I ordered couple of bagels, and breakfast plates. I personally ordered the western omelet, my older son got the breakfast plate, and my wife and other son got 2 bagels with cream cheese. Taste wise, everything is good, we enjoyed our meal, what really stood out was the price. The previous day, we had Star Bucks, 4 drinks and 2 croissant which came out to around $60. Here, we had breakfast for around $30 and 2 of the plates are fresh cooked meals and tasted great. The food tasted so good, I only remember to take a picture of it 1/2 way done.

While the place was small, there were at least 3 tables to sit larger family of 4 to 6.“

“Absolutely love this place. Neighborhood institution. No one else in the area does breakfast diner food in the area, and they do it perfectly. Pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, everything. And then its great Caribbean cuisine all day long. Can't recommend it enough.“

“Great food and drinks! Lovely atmosphere! My favorite are the Belarusian and Ukrainian dishes like borscht and bliny. Also, love the light desserts.“

“Just went here for the first time after F45. Service was fantastic and the man who helped us was kind enough to split our bagel without asking.

Small gestures go a long way and will definitely be going back. On top of that , great coffee and a great lox bagel.“

“Simona Cafe in NoMa is a gem. Keith and Corey delivered standout hospitality, welcoming, attentive, and genuinely personable from the moment I walked in. The coffee is high quality and tastes as good as it smells because I’m picky like every other human with opinions lol

I ordered the Nova and it was the perfect breakfast bite: fresh, flavorful, satisfying, and exactly what I wanted without feeling heavy. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, the kind of place you actually want to sit for a bit instead of sprinting out with your cup.

Highly recommend Simona Cafe. I’ll be back, and I’d absolutely point friends to this spot!“

“Amazing cafe reccomend to all people Spanish, American , Black , dont matter anyone here is welcome love the food love the smoothies are amazing just wish the place had a better schedule and was open everyday possibly? and close at 8PM or something or maybe close at 6pm i am a teenager and i give this a perfect review!“

“I stopped in with friends before a event Sunday evening. The staff was warm and welcoming. I had the lentil sambusas and a peanut-infused coffee at the staff’s recommendation. The food was fast and delicious- the sambusas were warm and spicy, and the peanut coffee was delicious! In a kind gesture, the chef sent over a sampling of sushi to our table. Fresh and refreshing, the sushi was a nice complement to my sambusas and hot beverage. I’m not on this side of town often, but now I have a reason to come back.“

“I almost don't want to review it for fear of this hidden gem being overtaken by hype and becoming packed. However, it would be a disservice to not support the good people at Amen Cafe, so I will. This quaint, lowkey spot, tucked in the corner of Georgia Avenue and easy to walk by, is a MUST visit. The hospitality is unlike most cafes. They're attentive, kind, and make you feel secure in a home away from home feel. The Ethiopian coffee is some of the richest and boldest in the city, and if you want a huge wake up, get the ginger coffee. The fresh juice is refreshing and revitalizing, and always hits the spot. The pastries and sandwiches are solid as well, but by far if you're going to visit, get the Ful or Ful special, its a beautiful, rich spread that is my personal go to. I didn't even know I liked ful and now I'm hooked. I tried other cafes, no one in the city makes better ful than here. So yeah, I love my cafe, I hope it never leaves. Ameseghnalew“

“This place was an absolute gem during our week-long stay in DC. We visited it a whopping five times! We had such a great time, especially when we made a funny joke about breakfast for the next morning. 😂 Because we had already eaten it .“

“Outstanding service, flavor, and value… plus an outdoor rooftop space! Couldn’t have asked for more.“

“I love City Place Cafe and the staff is amazing🥰“

“The high quality ingredients make for the best espresso drinks I have ever had! Delicious iced tea in the summer too.“

“Every time I come to Washington DC I always make sure to stop here at this coffee shop. They have amazing espresso and coffee drinks. Today I had an iced Americano and also this little pastry treat with almonds on it. That was delicious. I think this is one of the best coffee shops in the whole area.“

“Blue Bottle Malibu is one of my favorite spots to meet clients and friends. The coffee is always excellent, the patio is relaxed, and the location makes it easy to stop by between appointments. Even though Blue Bottle has shops everywhere, the Malibu one has its own unique coastal vibe — bright, airy, and a great place to take a breather during a busy day. Always consistent and always a favorite.“

“Great and Delicious food! So glad I found it :)“

“Great bakery with alot of options! The turkey avocado sandwich was yummy! Also got an iced matcha latte, it wasn't bad but wasn't expecting full Unsweetened. The pistachio croissant had a good flavor but would've been way better warmed up!“

“Best coffee value in Downtown. Baristas are pros“

“I LOVE this place. Im a regular and come every week, Diego and Glenda are the best, they remember my order everytime and are super friendly!! Theyre the reason I keep coming. The iced latte with almond milk is one of my favorites in DC, and their breakfast sandwhiches are also super good.“

“Great spot for a quick bite and/or coffee! They have plenty of food options on the menu with typical breakfast & lunch offerings. I ordered the breakfast burrito which was pretty solid and sufficiently cheesy. I would've liked to see some hot sauce offered but not a big deal. I also really liked sitting at the window for some quality people watching while I enjoyed my coffee.“

“This location is very nice. Especially the outdoor seating facing the street. The staff here is excellent, nice and helpful. My chai was pretty good and it's cool that they have a few drinks on draft. I haven't seen that in many coffee shops definitely a neat feature. I didn't try any food so my review is only regarding service and drinks.“

“Amazing organization...staffed by amazing people...all doing amazing work in the world!“

“I stopped by this cafeteria for a quick solo lunch and was impressed by the clean space and efficient setup.
There was a good variety of food, and I liked being able to choose only what I wanted and pay accordingly.
The staff were kind and professional, which made the experience even better.
I’m looking forward to trying their made-to-order sandwiches next time!“

“Food place to get work done!“

“My experience was great, the staff was very attentive, the atmosphere was clean and pleasant, with music by Jezz, and the prices were very affordable. I ordered the Green Macha, and the sandwich is made to order, just the way you like it. They also have lunch, which is VERY GOOD!“

“something quick, delicious and friendly staff.“

“Consistent well done soul food. Henry's is my go to place for when I need go bring my own food (think summer outdoor events). The portions are good, the food will leave you satisfied and full. My favs are the fried chicken and when they have them the ribs.“