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.“

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

“Maman is hands down the best coffee shop in the entire DMV area! Their special coffee flavors are absolutely amazing, offering a unique experience with every sip. The pastries and cookies are equally incredible, fresh, and delicious every single time. The environment is cozy and welcoming, with beautifully decorated interiors that make you feel right at home. Whether you're there to work, relax, or catch up with friends, Maman's ambiance creates the perfect setting. I highly recommend stopping by—you won’t be disappointed!“

“great food and service nice spot“

“Must have the Mochi fantastic“

“Delicious and super staff!“

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

“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.“

“Excellent food and the best chai!“

“The café is very aesthetic, looks really beautiful and is cozy and tidy. The staff is friendly and they have a variety of food options. I had their oatmeal & quinoa bowl, which I personally didn’t like, but that’s my preference. Their matcha on the other hand was good. I will definitely go there again and try other breakfast options🍵✨“

“It is a cool and nice lounge!“

“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. 🇵🇸🫶🏻“

“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“

“Hawk the security guard was so very kind. he made my expectations for the night very high from his kindness and they were met. the pie was delicious and i just had an overall amazing time. thank you again to hawk for being a sweet person. he made my night 10/10“

“very nice 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 🥐🍇🍕🧁🍫“

“This place was amazing! Thank you to Aster (the owner family) and the chef for this amazing recommendation and preparation. Right amount of taste, protein, and calories!
Tibs kinche (beef with cracked wheat)

Also gave me great recommendations for opportunities and connections!

Can’t wait to come back when I visit again!“

“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!!!“

“The service here was EXCELLENT!! Me and my boyfriend’s order was taken by Thomas I believe and he took FANTASTIC care of us! I have traveled up from Georgia and he was very considerate and asking about us and making us feel so welcome! I would honestly return just to see him BUT their food and drink was also exquisite and so beautiful to look at (and eat hehe). I highly recommend stopping by and if so give Thomas a hello!“

“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 caramel macchiato was delicious 😋“

“Cute spot, good oatmilk cappacino, and fast food made on order. They have a lot of bread options and turkey bacon or sausage as we as the regular ones. Limited seating in winter but enough and looks like a fun patio for warmer weather. It's in a a neighborhood and good for people watching and just being a part of daily routine of DC.“

“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.“

“I love the West Wing Cafe near the spy museum it is always so clean and refreshing when you step inside, the host is always upbeat and the food is delicious. I especially love the breakfast omelet and the Turkey lunch sandwich options. It’s even nice to sit awhile to get a break from the work day.“

“Quick, pleasant, and otherwise attentive, staff members at Colada Shop on The Wharf are consummate professionals. Even when I haven’t yet ordered, and am in line, staff prepares my order [they know my preferences] and swiftly checks me out. Coffee and food are delicious. Wonderful.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“A small but absolutely mighty coffee shop in the heart of dc U street. The service is insane , especially for a normally two man run joint. They pay so much attention to detail and craft every menu item with so much love, care and intention. By far my favorite cafe in the city. My Fiance go here every Sunday before church and we look forward to every time. Andre 300 is our go to and their saffron cardamom latte may be one of my favorite combo lattes ever.“

“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!“

“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 .“

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

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

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

“I love this coffee esp the instant believe it or not. It’s so bold and rich flavorful“

“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“

“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.“

“Lowkey breakfast spot with several locations. This one has a wide menu with ample seating and an obviously strong following. It was near our hotel and recommended. We were not disappointed. Good food, well and timely prepared, great prices.“

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

“I'm on a juice fast and was looking for a spot close to work and liked what I saw on the menu and liked that it was owned by a woman (That's why i voted for Kamala :)
So I got the Energy and Green Detox drinks and boy!!!! They are off the chain with deliciousness. Now I have to go back and try some others and food when I come off my fast A+ Rating!“

“It’s a wonderful experience! The food, drink, and dessert are all prefect. Moreover, there is a great thing I must need to share: Although I fall down suddenly in the store, which is basically my own fault, the manager comes to kindly check if I’m okay super quickly. Additionally, he professionally asked if I need any help and offer some towel and some bread to comfort me. That’s the kindest and most professional manager I’ve ever met in America!“

“Best coffee value in Downtown. Baristas are pros“

“Cute little spot to go and get some work done. I was confused though about why there are certain tables that are marked as laptop free? What difference does it make lol. Also, the iced chai was really good, but the grilled cheese was the star of the show. I really enjoyed the tomato salsa that it was served with.“

“Delicious lunch today. Friendly, attentive staff and lovely atmosphere. Dogs very welcome! Look forward to our next visit.“

“My girlfriend and I love the atmosphere here. All the baristas, especially Diego, always have such a good attitude and make you feel like you're in your own home when you walk in.

A big thank you to Diego for always welcoming us and giving us (and our dog) great service whenever we go!“

“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.“

“A lovely space all hours of the day. I’ve been before for dinner and made it there this morning to do some work and breakfast.

The upstairs feels like a cozy chateau, the fireplace blazing and plentiful seating options. People are sharing tables, putting coats on the rack, chatting, and typing away.

I sat near an outlet and wifi was quick and easy to log on to. Latte and bagel were fabulous and they brought both to my table.

I can’t wait for it to get warmer so I can use their outdoor space once again!“

“I got the vanilla café latte and it was seriously the best latte I have had in a long time. It reminds me of a latte you would have on vacation outside of the U.S. And the customer service was also top-tier. The cashier was warm, friendly, and welcoming. The cafe environment itself was clean, spacious, and comfortable.“