50 Best Coffee Shops in Washington

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

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

“Stopped by after seeing high reviews. The atmosphere of the place is really nice. There’s quiet spaces to study. There’s cute little gifts you can purchase. However, the pistachio chocolate croissant I tried wasn’t good. I don’t like the taste of pistachio paste. Also it wasn’t fresh.“

“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!!“

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

“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!“

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

“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.“

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

“The best coffee in Washington, DC! The staff is professional, friendly, and provides excellent service. I always enjoy coming here—the atmosphere is welcoming, and the experience is consistently outstanding. I love this place and highly recommend it!“

“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“

“Had a fantastic experience at Maman in DC. Dakota, Paul, and Kevin provided exceptional service from start to finish, they took the time to walk me through the menu, offered thoughtful recommendations, and even crafted a special drink just for me that was outstanding. The baked goods were absolutely delicious as well. Truly great hospitality all around, and I really appreciated the extra care they put into making the experience memorable. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“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.“

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

“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 had the pleasure of having my first coffee of the day at this wonderful establishment. I was greeted with a warm smile by Besu and Kar and I asked them for some recommendations for top-notch Ethiopian coffee. I had a phenomenal cinnamon nutmeg cold brew and I enjoyed it while sitting out in the front patio. I highly recommend Warka Coffee shop. It was also not overpriced like other places which will remain unnamed :-) when you are on or near New Jersey Avenue in Washington DC make sure to stop off here and enjoy!“

“One of the best coffee shops in DC and definitely a favorite of mine. I find myself coming back all the time. The orange raspadura latte is a must, and they have the best carajillos in the Union Market area. The customer service is always great, too.

They also have a really reasonably priced happy hour, especially for DC. Great coffee, great drinks, and consistently a good experience. I haven’t tried any food yet but can vouch for the drinks. Highly recommend!“

“It was my first time visiting DC and I went for breakfast at Maman, the atmosphere was amazing and clean. My server Saron was so pleasant with a radiant smile she made recommendations on the menu which I was so happy, her customer service etiquette was very good and I enjoyed my meal. I look forward to visiting again. Thank you once again Saron wish you the best ❤“

“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!“

“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!“

“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 food and service nice spot“

“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.“

“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.“

“I went during the late afternoon. Parking was ok. I was able to find street parking. I walked in as a first time customer and was greeting with a warm welcome. The staff talked to me about the different areas of the restaurant and upcoming events. I was waited on almost immediately. My drink came first; which was really good and priced well. I ordered wings and salad. Everything came out hot and tasted really good. The vibes during this time I day was chill with good music. I was told they have DJs later on in the evening. Overall I had a great experience. I would definitely go again.“

“Great food! The only complaint I have is the laptop policy which prevents this from being a place to get work done especially over the weekend. However that’s subjective and I can understand some of the reasoning. The food is outstanding“

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

“🥰Great breakfast 😍🤩“

“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!“

“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!!!“

“We had a very nice meal at Du Jour (Waterfront) this time, as well as on previous visits. My only concern/complaint is that the restaurant provides no way to specify "Inside" or "Outside" for a reservation. Part of why I'd made a reservation was to secure a table indoors, because early September can be very warm on the patio, as it was last night. When we arrived we were told it would be nearly an hour wait for an indoor table. I knew this location has only a small number of tables inside, so didn't need to have that explained by the host. I just think it would be reasonable to be able to select Indoor or Outdoor for the reservation, or OpenTable should make clear that any reservation may be (will probably be) outside. And then users can make educated decisions. We ended up having a very nice meal; food was excellent, service was very good (when our probably-new server was unsure about a drink order, another server stepped in to clarify which was very nice), and we eventually cooled off.“

“Delicious and super staff!“

“✨ Black Girl Magic Approved! ✨

I visited CIVIC. on Eighth with my aunt for drinks before dinner to celebrate her birthday, and we had such a wonderful experience! 🥂💕

From the beautiful atmosphere to the positive energy, this place is truly a vibe. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Rhonda, who was so personable, welcoming, and absolutely amazing. Her energy was infectious, and she made us feel right at home. You can genuinely feel the love and intention behind the space, and she definitely encouraged us to make a return visit — which we absolutely will!

Our bartender, Amanda, was equally wonderful. She was attentive, friendly, and had such a great attitude throughout our visit.

I especially love seeing a space that celebrates culture, community, women, and Black excellence while creating an environment where everyone can come together, enjoy themselves, and feel welcomed.

CIVIC. is giving good energy, beautiful vibes, great people, and a space worth experiencing. 💫

If you're visiting DC, definitely put CIVIC. on your list — whether it's for drinks with the girls, a birthday celebration, a date, or just a little self-care moment.

Rhonda and Amanda, thank you for helping make my aunt's birthday celebration extra special! ❤🥂 We’ll definitely be back!“

“It’s definitely an immersive music experience with great coffee, juice and bagel sandwiches. Yes on the turkey bacon question. Not much seating- window booth for 2, 2 tables for 3, and a bar on the wall of 4 chairs. The host gentleman was not very friendly, but business like, brisk and polite. They also have some bakery cake specialties but nothing in the pastry category. Enjoy!“

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

“Charming smaller restaurant with friendly service, a very good wine list and delicious food. Once you find street parking, you can choose from several small tables on the street or comfortable seating inside this very attractive restaurant. There were three of us having dinner which consisted of Gnocchi, Chicken Milanese and an outstanding pork chop with caramel sauce. This restaurant really is a neighborhood gem. The noise level is high, but that is the only negative thing that I can think of to say.“

“This place does a great dirty chai. A lot of places have too sweet of a chai concentrate so it just tastes like a sugar bomb. Roasting Plant‘s chai isn’t too sweet so I get more of the ginger and pepper notes in a true chai plus the shot of espresso adds another layer of flavor. It is so delicious!! A little on the pricier side for coffee drinks but definitely worth the taste.“

“Lovely experience early in the morning. I only ordered an espresso and enjoyed it outside.
Very quiet area in the mornings and great views on the streets to enjoy an espresso. The lady was very knowledgeable on the espressos as well. I appreciate that.“

“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.“

“We had a group of 9 for brunch and it was a complete feast! The shareable plates just kept coming and everything was delicious. Such a great variety of pastries, vegetarian dishes, dips, egg dishes, and more. Would highly recommend it for a casual friendly sharable brunch with friends or family who are eaters of all kinds. The offering has something for everyone- and it is a great way to introduce those who may be unfamiliar with Turkish fare.“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“Great coffee and staff! Highly recommended!“

“This is my favorite place to grab coffee in DC. Their cortado is insane, and if it's too hot, their iced latte is insane too. It's just so good. And as a huge bonus, their pastries are also some of the best I've had in DC. Seating is limited so be aware of that but if the weather is nice there are plenty of spots in Adams Morgan to sit outside and drink your coffee. If you're looking for fantastic coffee in the area, look no further.“

“Delicious coffee, every single time we go there! Great customer service too.“

““Exceptional coffee that is worth a special journey.” The absolute best Italian-style coffee shop (+pour overs) in the city. The espresso-based drinks are on par with, if not better, than any I’ve had in Italy itself. My only personal tasting note is that the espresso roast they use is a little light for solo shots of espresso, at least for my palate, as it feels a little tart. I like a solo shot to be more of a rich, toasted kind of thing. But when mixed with hot water in the americano or a little touch of milk in the macchiato or the cortado, the result is sublime. The flavor profile of the espresso-based drinks is so dynamic. You have to try the macchiato or the cortado here. Also, the pour overs are fantastic and I find the descriptions of the pour over options, of which there are usually at least 5–ranging from lighter to darker—are spot on. If there were Michelin stars for coffee shops, I’d give this place 3: “Exceptional coffee that is worth a special journey.”“

“sooo freaking good!!! nestled into a supermarket but has space for coworking if you're lucky to snag a bar seat. (saw people
taking lunch and working remotely here and getting sushi or sandwiches from the market!) real sweet community vibe

talked to the owner and they dial in the coffee every morning (aka make sure it's not bitter as all hell!) which takes 20-30 minutes every day?! i'm not a coffee drinker but when i saw all the syrups were housemade and heard him talk and recommend things to people in front of me i knew i had to see what makes their coffee so special and it IS special. the nuttiness and depth of the coffee here is sort of insane. it has the complexity of a dark chocolate where the fruitiness of the coffee begins to shine!

they even have a little shelf of trinkets with things people have brought them like my heart!!!

they let me customize a soda with tamarind and yuzu and that shit rockedddd. also heard they'll be doing seasonal specials soon (fig leaf syrup for fall?!?!). also mocha made w oat milk is so rare to find!

genuinely wished i lived in dc so i could come work here and vibe. u can also make music requests and the music taste is excellent.

big fan of the outdoor picnic seating too w umbrellas for shade.

ty little hat ilyyy“

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

“fun smaller shop off the main street. loved the quiet ambiance of it and the in and outs of the hostel guest staying in the building. The cafe has wifi with enough seats inside and out for enjoying a coffee. My flat white was well made and my family enjoying their hot chocolates. best part.... it's very very affordable, a good $1-2 cheaper than most places.“

“I had a delicious Chicken Salad Sandwich that was definitely not your bog standard, run of the mill chicken and mayonnaise salad. It was slightly spicy with small bits of fresh red onion, to name the most flavorful differences. 10/10 recommend!

The Iced Mocha Latte was wonderful.“