50 Best Cafes in Washington

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

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

“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.“

“The food here was incredible and the ambiance is very nice! There is a nice variety of beverages, especially cold ones for the summer time. The staff were super friendly, especially Enrique, who came to chat with us. Although they weren’t doing seating service, the food arrived at our table very fast.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“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'm a retired chef from Louisiana but living in Nashville nowadays. I know about eating healthy and I would give this place 2 thumbs up.“

“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“

“From the moment I walked in, Layla and Frank made me feel genuinely welcomed. The service was fast, friendly, and you can tell they really care about the experience they’re creating.
The iced latte itself was fantastic, rich, smooth, and clearly made with attention to detail. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and I would definitely visit again!“

“refreshing and fulfilling smoothies Healthy and great taste“

“Excellent food and the best chai!“

“Delicious and super staff!“

“It is a cool and nice lounge!“

“Food was yummy (breakfast pita) and their chocolate cruffin was even better! My latte was more milk than espresso shots. The service was great and everyone was kind! They did forget one of our food items so I had to ask, but they solved it right away and the worker in charge of calling food helped us find a spot to sit. That being said, the atmosphere is kind of hectic, it was SUPER busy, which this place is popular so it makes sense. Seating is super limited and it seems like they have more people going for food than to sip on a coffee and work so there were a handful of people sitting with laptops at huge tables working while tons of people ordering food didn't have a place. Feels like they need to just kind of lean into what they want to be and have a order first system then get seating. Other than that, inside is a vibe and very aesthetic!“

“Okayyy, so we finally went to try Unidos Café at Union Market and honestly… we loved it.

The atmosphere was so good it has that perfect vibe where you can go get some work done, relax for a bit, and enjoy a really good coffee. But what we also loved is that it’s not just coffee. They have amazing food bites, cocktails, and everything we tried was SO good.

It’s literally the perfect mix of cozy café + fun spot to have a chill hang out. Definitely one of those places we know we’ll keep coming back to.“

“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🍵✨“

“Great food and friendly service! I came hoping for something like the food my grandparents used to make, and they truly delivered particularly with the cheese boreg and yalungee. Very thankful to have them cater a dinner for our visit to DC for a celebration of life. 💜“

“Decent sandwich and lunch place. Was pretty busy when we stopped in and there wasn’t a ton of help behind the counter. Felt bad for the folks that had been waiting some time while food delivery orders were prioritized.

That said, the food I got was pretty great. The salad was a little too oily but it was priced pretty fairly for the amount of salad I got.

Overall a decent place. Would stop by if I was looking for a safe lunch option.“

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

“Stopped in the have a quick bite ended up having the honor of meeting the young owner Mr Justin . Very knowledgeable hospitable entrepreneur. Service was exceptional, food was fulfilling and down right delicious. It’s been a long time since I had a down home meal in a restaurant setting. Eggs were made to my specifications and the bacon oh the bacon. Thick cut with just the right crunch and crispness. I will definitely return and spread the word“

“Grabbed a smoothie and some wellness shots out of there yesterday. The vibe was perfect and it felt very welcoming.“

“This has definitely become my new local coffee shop. It’s the kind of place you can go to every day before work starts—it has already become that for me.

The atmosphere is great; it’s a very easy place to get some work done or settle in with a book, and the outdoor seating is a huge plus. I love coming here in the morning for an iced mocha and their sausage, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel. The seasoning is excellent and the food is always fresh.

The staff is super nice and they are incredibly quick with orders. I’m already planning on heading back this Saturday with my new read.

Highly recommend!“

“Good shop, good pie. Placed an order for their lemon meringue pie, all went well and as planned. My only complaint was that it wasn’t real lemon meringue pie, it was key lime pie with meringue and lemon instead of lime. Different recipe. It was still tasty, but it wasn’t the real thing.“

“What a fantastic café with an incredible variety to suit every palate! Whether you're in the mood for a delicious hot shakshuka or something sweet to indulge in, this place truly delivers satisfaction.

I absolutely love the concept of ordering first and then choosing your seat—it's such a relaxed way to enjoy your meal. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Highly recommend!“

“very nice 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 🥐🍇🍕🧁🍫“

“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.“

“Great buffet and grill that feels like home. The owners are like family! Chef does a great job!“

“OMG! My favorite place for juice, smoothies, avocado toast and acai bowls now has SOUP! Just had their potato squash soup, and it was better than my homemade soup (which is also delicious). Will be visiting often this winter for soup, cappuccino and "stay away cold and flu" juices. Sooo happy to have healthy options close-by!“

“Wow, what an amazing place for solo travelers looking for a port in the storm. Gisell was phenomenal! Super knowledgeable about all the products and provided stellar customer service. Amna and David were friendly and helpful. I got the Dragonberry bowl and it was great! Excellent for those who seek gluten-free products. I will most definitely be back.“

“I was looking for a spot to chill, enjoy coffee, and get some work done on my laptop. Thankfully, I stumbled upon this place. The walnut, chocolate chip cookie was fire 🔥🍪, the orange blossom latte was on point, and the music selection fit the vibe perfectly. Dennis kindly welcomed me from behind the counter as a first time visitor/guest and made me feel welcomed & shared great recommendations.“

“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.“

“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.“

“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 .“

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

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

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

“the people are really nice and the food is great 👍“

“Great coffee, a super chill atmosphere, and exactly the kind of spot that makes easing into the day enjoyable. The bacon cheese danish was incredible, and the friendly conversation with my barista about Ted Lasso made the whole experience even better.“

“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.“

“My new favorite coffee shop! I ordered a latte and breakfast sandwich online, but forgot to order decaf, so I called the number on the Toast account, and it was the owner's personal cell (whoops!). He said he would relay the message to the cafe, and he did! The latte is great and the breakfast sandwich was also pretty good. The atmosphere is just ok, not sure I would choose to eat in. But overall happy. Special thanks to barista Diego!“

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

“the best under 20.00 you're gonna find.“

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

“I stumbled into this relatively new coffee shop in Shaw and it instantly made me smile. The owner is local and incredibly welcoming, and the coffee is absolutely delicious. There’s something really special about seeing a small business like this thrive exactly where it belongs.

I ended up lingering longer than I planned—just enjoying a quiet morning coffee and chatting with people as they came in. It’s one of those places that feels both friendly and thoughtfully designed, where you immediately feel at ease.

Couldn’t love it more—an easy five stars.“

“literally the BEST breakfast burrito i have ever had. the staff is so friendly and nice, and the prices are extremely reasonable. the owner said that if it doesn’t pick up soon they will need to close so PLEASE come and support this amazing small business!“

“I’ve loved coming in and seeing the staff make the fresh coffee on Sunday from the pot. Such a refreshing aroma. I like their espresso coffee with steam milk .“

“I enjoyed this place. A-. The food was good, although ordering was a little confusing. I had a Jerusalem bagel which I've never had before, but enjoyed it very much. It's a busy place so be prepared to have to figure out how to do the ordering and then getting a seat. If I lived locally I would eat at this place a lot.“

“Best coffee value in Downtown. Baristas are pros“

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