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.“

“I love this place! It’s always very clean and the owners are so nice! I go on such a regular basis that they already know my drink and greet me daily with a smile. The food is also good. Now THAT’S really what makes this place better than Gregory’s or Compass…their customer service.“

“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!!!“

“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!“

“Spark Social House DC is the hottest new hangout spot in DC! Thank you for providing a safe environment for everyone! 🫶🏻“

“I came here with some friends for a fun Friday night and thoroughly enjoyed my time! The vibes are great, the music was great, and the food was great too! I tried the beef skewers and the jollof rice. The service could be improved upon. We were left waiting for our waiter for very long periods of time and when my food came, I wasn’t given any silverware or napkins. Overall, I will definitely be back!“

“We accidentally discovered Warka Coffee while staying across the street.

The service was fantastic—friendly, attentive, and genuinely warm. The staff made us feel right at home and were happy to guide us through the menu.

The Ethiopian coffee was truly excellent—rich, aromatic, and prepared perfectly. You can tell they take great pride in their coffee, and it really shows in the quality of each cup. The breakfast items were also delicious and made for a great start to the day.

Overall, a wonderful spot for great coffee, tasty breakfast, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere. We’re so glad we stumbled upon it and would definitely return.“

“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.“

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

“Delicious and super staff!“

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

“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.“

“Did the cocktail mixing class. Great food and awesome experience!“

“Was interested in this cafe since they grind to order for drip coffee. Came here on three separate occasions and tried three different types of bean but I would say it's some what watery. Flavor was just okay but nothing noting. Service was good however.“

“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“

“🥰Great breakfast 😍🤩“

“Tried this place out and loved the atmosphere and the vibe. Staff were kind and friendly. I wanted to try the cherry blossom matcha latte but they were out of it. So we tried the blueberry lavender and the mamans almond croissant latte both were nice but a little too pricey. Waffle was nice.“

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

“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. 💯💯💯“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“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!“

“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.“

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

“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.“

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

“I have heard a lot of great things about this place, so my boyfriend and I decided to try it today. We ordered two unsweetened matcha lattes, one with whole milk and one with oat milk, to really taste the quality of the matcha. While waiting, I noticed they store their matcha in clear containers, which isn’t ideal since light exposure can cause oxidation and affect the flavor and color. On the plus side, they whisk each drink fresh to order. I also noticed the straws weren’t individually wrapped, so we chose to sip through the lids instead. The oat milk version was really disappointing, the oat flavor completely overpowered the matcha, and it just tasted like green oat milk. They might want to consider an oat milk that pairs better. The whole milk version was better, it’s earthy and nutty with subtle umami notes, but not very creamy or sweet. It was slightly astringent and left a bit of dryness in my throat and mouth. Overall, we would rate their matcha 7/10. It’s not bad with whole milk, but there are definitely better matcha options out there.“

“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.“

“I love this coffee shop!! During my months time visiting DC Jacob’s was in my neighborhood, and I’m so so grateful it was!

This shop is so charming with consistently, well-brewed, delicious coffee. They also serve very tasty/satisfying and reasonably priced food. I always looked forward to my egg sandwich on an English muffin 🫶🏻 Above all, though, it is still the staff that are all so warm and helpful. It’s an extra special treat when you’re happy with your order and the service. The team made me feel valued as a customer and as a fellow human being. I miss you Jacob’s team 🤲🏻 this is one of the best coffee shops in DC, let alone NE.“

“This is my favorite neighborhood café - I have never been disappointed by a visit. The staff are very welcoming and their coffees/lattes are great. The kouign amann is my favorite item (I’ve been missing it recently), but all of their pastries are delicious and baked on site. I appreciate their efforts to expand their gluten-free options as well!

The café only has a few tables and gets crowded on the weekends, but is well worth a visit.“

“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.“

“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!“

“Nice spot with good service and a welcoming atmosphere. While the food was decent overall - I ordered the breakfast sandwich, latte, and danish (gave away so didn’t try it), my bagel was a bit more burnt than I would’ve preferred. Still, was a nice spot to check out, and I’d be open to giving it another try.“

“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😊💕“

“Caspian Crunch is a fantastic place for authentic Azerbaijani and Caucasus food in DC. The flavors are amazing and remind me of home. Everything tasted fresh and well prepared, especially the qutab. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and the atmosphere was cozy and comfortable. If you’re looking for real Azerbaijani-style food, this place is definitely worth visiting!“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“great food and service nice spot“

“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.“

“Amazing coffee shop!!! Daniel’s passion for coffee is evident and he is so friendly and happy to talk about his beans and coffee process. He owns a farm in Brazil and the coffee comes directly from there. If you’re looking for a calm, peaceful, quality coffee and wonderful atmosphere, you have to come here. Everything is done with intention.“

“Great community coffee shop!“

“Finally, a delicious and reasonably priced cafe has arrived in Shaw! The staff is INCREDIBLY kind (and dog friendly), the pastries and sandwiches are excellent, and if you’re in a rush but need a good coffee, you can get in and out within 5 mins. I highly recommend Cafe Joy!!!“

“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.“