50 Best Coffee Shops in Washington

“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 place. Wish they would open a 2nd place at Liberty Exchange in Sykesville - 2 units still open for a nice coffee place (that isn’t Starbucks!) one is right next to Basta Pasta!!“

“The food is wonderful. We always eat here when we come up from Richmond, VA. The staff is great as well.“

“Natives/Tourists/Passerby- Run, don't walk to the Lot 38 coffee shop! This must be your first pitstop in Navy Yard.

Do yourself a favor and skip those gross burnt bean chains with sketchy customer service where you feel like you're interrupting them as they forget your order. IYKYK.

Instead, head over to family-owned Lot 38, opened and operated by the sweetest folks who know the Navy Yard area well. Corner of L and 2nd SE on the same side of the street as the lobby of the Courtyard Marriott and across from the park.

The espresso brews fresh and the coffee drinks are consistently a 10/10. Lot 38 has breakfast and pastry options, both breakfast and lunch sandwiches too if you need a bit more filling bite with your brew to start the day's adventure. One of the friendliest places, this shop is always hopping and a fun community atmosphere. Even when it's packed, there's not a long wait for drinks or food. If you come by long enough they start to know your name and drink order. Good place to pop by, a nice (CLEAN!) place to meet up with your friends, or come by for a tea or coffee pick-me-up at the tables upstairs.

Start your day's adventure the best way at Lot 38 :)“

“Cute place right in the heart of DC! Tried the cheese and onion empanadas and they were so delicious. Pastries looked yummy, and my oat milk cappuccino was really good. Highly recommend for a quick coffee to-go or snack if you're in the area!“

“Great waiter- delicious food, unique and cooked perfect! Music and vibes were very very fun!!!“

“Delicious and super staff!“

“Favorite local coffee spot. Great staff! Great coffee!“

“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 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“

“Fresh delicious and healthy! Friendly staff clean and welcoming atmosphere.“

“Great place to get a coffee, great people working here and wide selection of deli/bakery items. Also right across the street from Lincoln Park, this place has been a staple for our house“

“Such a great atmosphere, bites and drinks! 🙌🏽🙌🏽“

“I often bring my pup along, and they're always ready with a treat for her! They serve delicious crepes, but I end up getting the Turkey Melt again and again. Very friendly staff make it a delight to stop by for something quick or to spend an afternoon on the patio out front, relaxing and people-watching with a coffee.“

“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.“

“I had an incredible experience here! I’ve never tasted such amazing, real single-origin Ethiopian coffee. The customer service was wonderful—warm smiles and great hospitality. The place is cozy with a beautiful cultural atmosphere, and I completely lost track of time because I felt so comfortable. I’ll definitely be getting my coffee here every chance I get. I highly recommend this spot to all coffee lovers!“

“Great coffee and pastries, conveniently located near the hotel we were staying at. Inside was beautiful, and service was very good. My only complaint was that my quiche Ella (cheddar cheese, leaks, caramelized onions), was almost too sweet. Not sure if that was just the onions, though. Delicious croissants.“

“Lovely coffee shop that has now turned to my go to when I need to get some work done with a delicious cup of coffee. The Wifi works well and there are plenty of outlets. The staff genuinely wants you to enjoy yourself feel comfortable in the space. I've been to a few evening events as well and highly enjoyed that. Good turn out and I'm excited to see what they put on next.“

“First time in DC had a blast 🙌
Solo night but it never felt like i was alone 🙂
Space was super cozy and inviting and everyone made sure I was comfortable

Special shout out to my amazing bartender Jay 💕❣️ he ensured i was well taken care of will definitely be back 😀“

“Picked up an assortment of pastries for a staff meeting and wow, they were delicious! We tried the cheese pastry, guava croissant, pain au chocolat, pistachio croissant, cinnamon pecan roll and the Kouign Amann. They were a huge hit! It is always a joy to walk down the street to Soleluna for a midday pick-me-up! The service is always top notch. Thank you!“

“The gelato I had was absolutely delicious! While it wasn't as creamy as Pitango's, I really enjoyed the variety of flavors they offered. I ordered a three-flavor cup and chose Black and White Cookie Batter, Dark Chocolate Fudge, and Dulce de Leche Chip. Each flavor was delightful! The restaurant was quite busy, which was a good sign considering its prime location near shopping stores and not far from Chinatown. There was plenty of seating available for customers to sit and savor their treats or coffee. Despite the crowd, the cashiers did an excellent job attending to everyone and even offered samples.“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“INSANE. I WISH THEY HAD MORE LOCATIONS. I get the roasted honey peanut latte. It's delicious. These staff are amazingly nice. If you are an LGBTQ+ individual, that's a plus. Don't pass this place up in DC. It's worth the stop. It's a neat set up to look like an oil field unit with coffee beans and uses physics to make coffee.“

“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.“

“I was very pleased by the quality and variety of the coffee and pastry selection, and the prices are really fair for this city. A couple things to note: (1) This cafe is located inside a hostel, so the sitting area is a bit more run down than some of the images depict. There are a lot of suitcases around, etc. (2) The wait for our order was relatively long. This isn’t the fault of the barista. She was very friendly and helpful. But there’s only so much she can do when she’s 5 orders deep and the only person working. I really felt so bad there wasn’t another employee to help her, especially considering the place seems to be pretty popular with locals and travelers alike.

I highly recommend the cro’gel (croissant + bagel) which seems to be their signature dish.“

“So glad that we now have a Cafe in Downtown Anacostia to meet up with community members in a open awesome space. Staff is super friendly, supportive and helpful. While there get you a large Matcha Tea latte to boost your thoughts and energy level!“

“Quaint little family owned coffee shop with an attentive staff. Great coffee!“

“Swing’s serves some of the best coffee in the city. Roasted dark, nutty, and just shy of too acidic, the kind of cup that wakes up your soul and your skepticism. The beans, flown in from Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, clearly traveled better than you did as mandated by GSA travel per diems.

The baristas, meanwhile, maintain the quiet confidence of people who know they’re serving excellence and would prefer you not to ruin the vibe by existing. They glide around with the aloof grace of caffeinated monks, and somehow, that indifference makes the experience feel almost holy.

It’s coffee worth the attitude. Bring humility — and cash.“

“Rue Café is a neighborhood fixture with the sweetest, most accommodating staff (who know how to put together damn good playlists--I swear i'm on Shazam basically every time I visit).
The food is good, and unique in its offerings relative to much of the cafe hangouts/restaurants nearby. It also helps that the staff (and patrons) are overwhelmingly cute & seemingly queer ;)

10/10 would smile and let my gaze linger a couple seconds more than usual with the person handing me my order again <3“

“When I moved to Capitol Hill, I was blessed to find I live within a block of Jacobs. This coffee shop is cute, cozy with the nicest owner (Jas) and staff. Its quaint inside and has a larger patio with lots of seating outside. The patio is perfect during the fall and spring. It's also a dog and dog owner's dream! They had a little tin of treats for the dogs near the door, my dog knows and drags me to Jacob's anytime we passby.

I always get their iced caramel macchiato and my favorite food is the bacon egg and cheese on an english muffin. It's perfect everytime!

I love the consistency of this place and always bring my out of town friends here. Do yourself a favor and pop by the next time you're on the Hill.“

“I'm from Texas and have been dying to find a breakfast taco spot. I might as well have been in my mom's kitchen, eating tacos on a Sunday morning. that's how amazing La Tejana tacos are!“

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

“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.“

“I enjoyed the most decorative meals full of nutrients and I would love to visit them ones again when I get less busy one day😊💕“

“I have enjoyed drinking Harrar Coffee for more than six years. I discovered the Roastery one day while walking on Georgia Avenue and was really impressed by the coffee. I have moved to South Carolina and order it by mail for the last three years. The absolute best coffee.“

“This is absolutely one of my favorite places to go! The Roost was my go to during the pandemic with tons of outdoor seating. Since it was in my neighborhood we frequented a lot. The staff watched my little one practically grow up there! It became our meeting place and neighborhood watering hole. Quick and efficient and some of the best food and customer service! We’ve moved from the area but always stop by when in town because it feels like home!“

“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.“

“Had a delightful lunch today at the 41st St location. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The dressing on the greens that comes with the sandwiches was to die for! Atmosphere was quaint and inviting. Staff was exceptionally attentive and polite even though it was busy! We can’t wait to go back!“

“The staff are super friendly and they serve food right on time. Food is fresh and sumptuous. Price is reasonable and place has a great simple and clean ambience. Definitely a must go. 💯💯💯“

“Go. Now. If it’s closed, just wait outside til it opens and thank me later. I CANNOT recommend them higher. The food was absolutely phenomenal. Portion sizes that can feed 2-3 people. Ridiculously delicious food. Great prices… and most outstanding THE SERVICE! The lady running the place was quite simply one of the kindest sweetest souls you’ll ever meet, took care of us like we were part of the family and honestly was just incredible.“

“Great community coffee shop!“

“Very good coffee and spice blends. I love how strongly the spices show in their specialty drinks! Additionally, the staff here is very friendly and fast! As for the atmosphere it is cozy and gives a slightly darker vibe than a lot of the other popular coffee shops on Wisconsin Ave which is a nice variety.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“My favorite place to get coffee in DC and a great neighborhood gem! They use counter culture coffee. I especially love their seasonal drink menu, and always crave their black and yellow coffee drink (lemonade and espresso). I’m not normally a sweet coffee person, but this place is an exception because of how well crafted their drinks are (think similar to a nice cocktail bar). I love that when you dine in, they include special toppings with their seasonal drinks. The place is cozy, well decorated, and the perfect place to catch up with a friend. Food and cocktails are great too - especially for a quick meal / breakfast / snack. My favorites are the sausage egg & cheese breakfast sandwich and ajiaco soup.“

“Phenomenal quiche -- delish coffee. Sadly the food delivery truck was coming in and out the doors and I literally froze to death! It was a horrific experience and hopefully maman can schedule deliveries before they open the shop or after. Truly freezing and it made my eating experience horrific. 😭
Food was delish but the blasts of cold air from the door being open by delivery man was horrid.“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“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!“

“I was in a training near the 15th Street location of Zeke’s. Found it the first morning and went back every day. Shared my experience with others and we all loved it. A local was amazed at her coffee and will be a regular now. The employees were so kind and remembered my order every single day. Best dirty chai I’ve ever had! Quality coffee. Friendly employees. Great prices.“

“The best coffee i have ever tried in US. Rich, bold flavor, the morning kick you wanna without the accidity... Amazing barista and staff and the brownie is to die for.
The pastries are too dry for my taste, no crunch, no rich flavor, just a cry for some butter.“