50 Best Cafes in Washington

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

“Must have the Mochi fantastic“

“great food and service nice spot“

“Excellent food and the best chai!“

“Visited the café today! Loved the delectable and creative menu, the warm service, and the beautiful, cozy interior. We enjoyed the inasal, tocino, and ube latte (complete with delicate latte art) courtesy of Sun and Stars Coffee. Our kid was thrilled she could enjoy an ube steamer, too-- and didn't want to stir her drink because she found the art (Hiraya's logo in this instance) so beautiful. If you want reimagined, creative, and elevated Filipino cuisine where the flavors simultaneously bring back sensory memories of the comfort food of your childhood, this is the place for you. Can't wait to return!“

“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 .“

“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.“

“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!“

“This was my first time dining at Milk & Honey. If I lived in the area, I would be there weekly. Or...maybe get a job there. Dee was amazing!!! Seriously, ask for her when you go. She offered suggestions about the menu, checked on me regularly, and made me feel like a guest and not a customer. Next time I'm back in DC, I will be dining there again.“

“Delicious and super staff!“

“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“

“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!“

“One of my favorite coffee shops in DC!! Tucked away in the outskirts of Adams Morgan, Yerevan may not look like much from the outside, but this hidden gem is an absolute delight. The staff is all super friendly, and they have the most incredible selection of pastries, coffee, and tea. I have probably tried half of their pastry case, and I continue to be impressed with each and every item. I absolutely adore their homestyle baklava -- the phyllo dough is perfectly crispy and soaks up the honey and nut mixture beautifully, and the dessert is simultaneously decadent and not overly sweet. The honey nugget is a great little sweet bite, and is the perfect gluten-free treat or small pick-me-up, and the honey cake is absolutely incredible. It's a smidge overly sweet (as the main flavor is, as the name implies, honey), but it still manages to be amazing.

Beyond their lovely sweets, their drinks are incredible. They have one of my favorite matcha lattes in DC, as well as a matcha rose latte that is perfect when you're looking for a hint of spring. Their coffee is also wonderful, with a great nutty aroma and deep, robust flavor. It's also served in the cutest little Armenian mugs, which really adds to the overall experience.

The space is shockingly large, with 4-5 larger tables and a couple 2-person tables, all beautifully arranged with cute little flower pots and throw pillows. They even have a small stack of books and board games if you get bored of yapping and need something else to keep you entertained. It's the perfect, cozy little spot to either read, work, or catch up with friends.“

“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!!!“

“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 :)“

“I DREAM about the blueberry pancake pie. I went to a show at Pie Shop last night (love the venue upstairs!) and got a slice of the bb pancake and- I have rarely been so happy.
Great staff, great rooftop and GREAT PIE!! Worth every penny of the $9 per sweet slice.“

“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!“

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

“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.“

“Perfectly spacious and fun urban spot, great coffee, lovely blueberry cake, super friendly staff, opens early, a great and relaxed spot for a couple of hours of work on your computer“

“Great place: friendly staff, good drinks, and excellent service.

I loved the vibe in this café. It’s the kind of spot where you can read a book, work on your laptop, or meet up with friends.

Jesse had a great attitude and made a perfect matcha. Thank you!

The music selection was good, and the volume was just right. I usually leave cafés if the music is too distracting, but that definitely wasn’t the case here.

This one’s officially on my list of favorite cafés and recommendations 🤍“

“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.“

“I tried something new from their summer menu and it was so good! Strawberry French toast really hit the spot for me on this gloomy day. Great atmosphere and place to work in AdMo, I’d highly recommend stopping by!“

“Passo spesso da Boulangerie Christophe per colazione, uso i buoni pasto Coverflex e mi chiedevo se li accettate anche qui. Non vi trovo nell’app, sarebbe comodo poterli usare per un cornetto al volo!“

“One of my favorite DC cafes! The breakfast sandwich and burrito are delicious, the coffee is great (+ they free refills), and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. I’ve come here after morning workouts with big groups and they are so accommodating. They have great indoor and outdoor space and it’s the perfect place to hang out or get some work done. Highly recommend!“

“Woah....this place is no joke! I am from the NYC area and was passing through D.C... I ate here 2 nights in a row...the best calzone, lasagna, chicken wings, pizza, cheesecake and baklava I have ever eaten, and my family and I often have Italian food. The people that work here truly care about taste, quality, and service. Not to be missed!“

“This H st location is smaller than the Wharf so it can get slammed so recommend you get there early and have patience. The food is fresh and delicious and worth the hype. I technically had an issue when I ordered ahead takeout and I was super delayed and Jennifer and the team helped me out tremendously. So kind plus our food was goood.“

“I'm visiting. After seeing the poor review because of the service dog, I had to go here so I could write a review. The coffee was great, staff great, and atmosphere great.

ADA law states you can ask two questions for service animals: is the animal due to a disability (it's yes/no so disability doesn't have to be disclosed) and what work has the animal been trained to do. Doesn't matter if you put a life vest on the animal, paperwork, or a large blinking light, etc. If my unfortunate, uneducated patients at the hospital know this to get their dogs to stay with them, then people with real service animals will know this and have no issue with answering the two questions.“

“Nice atmosphere . Troy was a great host/server.“

“Delicious tea, scones, chai, and latkas“

“A chill, super affirming space and the food and drinks were great! I’ll definitely be back soon.“

“Suosittelemme Chef Mikko Catering ravintolaa ❤️😍“

“Great coffee, good ambience and nice people :)“

“I stopped by Pitango for dessert, and it definitely hit the spot! 😋 I tried two flavors: Stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate chips) and Fondente (dark chocolate). I don't usually eat gelato, so I was pleasantly surprised by the creaminess. The service was excellent; I wasn’t sure what to choose, but the cashier helped me by offering samples and sharing details about each flavor I tried. One of the chocolate flavors I sampled was incredibly rich and chocolatey—it's water-based and vegan-friendly, which was a first for me! The restaurant was nice, clean, and had indoor seating that could accommodate several people, but I decided to take my treat to go.“

“I absolutely love the sandwich smoked salmon toast with avocado & marinated tomatoes, the best. A lovely ambiance And the caffe’ - spresso is good 😊! Lo raccomando Grazie Marilisa“

“This place is GREAT! Recommend for a quick bite at lunchtime. I’d take a brief look at the menu before coming. How it works is you write down what you want on a paper menu when you walk in. Then just watch as your delicious meal is prepared in front of you. Enjoy!!!“

“Teaism Dupont Circle Washington, DC I am not a great cook and I get too tired of eating the same old thing day in and day out so I decided to try something new after leaving my acupuncture session today. Well, needless to say the creamy curry spinach with cheese cubes and brown rice made my day.“

“The prices are typical for DC ($12 for a cheeseburger, $5 fries), about what you would pay at a food truck. The drinks ($12 for a can of beer or wine, or $18 for the premium drink wall) are more than you would pay at the store, but aren't bad for a restaurant. And most importantly, the view cannot be beat.“

“So delish! One of Dupont’s many hidden gems.“

“Piccolina da Centrolina is a charming spot that feels like a slice of Europe tucked away in the city. The outdoor seating creates a cozy, relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for brunch or lunch.

We tried the salmon skewers and a panini, both of which were fresh and flavorful. The salad that came with the panini was crisp and colorful, adding to the meal’s appeal. A highlight here is the cannoli bar—where they freshly fill the shells upon ordering—making for the perfect sweet ending.

Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared, and the casual yet sophisticated vibe made it a lovely place to spend a slow afternoon. Definitely a spot I’d come back to!“

“Tout pour ne pas oublier.“

“Such a lovely, consistent coffee house and bakery experience. The environment and aesthetics are nice and relaxing, the food selection for pastries, sweets and meals are great. Love the new summer tea choices along with their tried and true coffee choices. Prices for drinks are similar to Starbucks, but with a more elevated and welcoming experience.“

“Yours Cafe is a beautiful Ethiopian style cafe. Friendly smiling service and very clean. Ample options for sweet treats, teas and awesome breakfast options. I had a chocolate almond croissant with an Earl Grey tea, served with lemon and honey, and the Ham and Goat cheese entree which came open faced and small side of greens. Everything tasted amazing and super fresh. Definitely going back!“

“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.“

“Everything I’ve gotten so far has been amazing! The Latin Bowl (I think it was called) was such a big portion size that I thought I’d never finish it all in one sitting but yet I ate every last bite—was so good!!

Wheelchair accessibility: Elevator available“

“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.“

“I ordered 3 items, only the French Opera Cake tasted good. The cake had a rich chocolate flavor, not too sweet, and a firm texture. I personally recommend it.
The Tuna Steak Tartare tasted horrible, I like raw tuna and salmon. But under a few pieces of tuna was a pile of tasteless avocado, they were tasteless and inedible. The only flavor was probably a little bit lemon juice, and I wouldn’t have known how to eat it without the bread.
That cup of Americano was the worst coffee I had in maybe half year. It was just like water and had no aroma.“