50 Best Cafes near Kensington

“We came in around 11 am on a Saturday, and the lunch rush came pouring in right after us. Clearly a popular spot with other Latino people too, so you know it's authentic. We ordered 4 bean and cheese pupusas and 2 chicken tacos and it all came in under $20. These are hands down the best pupusas in the area! The filling to masa ratio was perfect- I was stuffed after eating just one. The chicken in the tacos was really tasty and the portion sizes are big. They had a great menu with a mix of Salvadoran classics and American breakfast foods, so I'll be sure to order more next time. Definitely stop in while out antique shopping in this area!“

“Came for dinner and I had such a lovely time… my server was Stella. She was so great… so attentive and had great recommendations. I had the ginger chicken soup dumpling and the crystal shrimp dumplings: delish! For main, I had the Maketto chicken. It was such a good balance of sweet and spicy.Had such a good experience thank you Stella!“

“I loved this spot! We went around 4 PM on a Tuesday and it was lovely, quiet, and delicious. The staff clearly love being there and provided top notch service, with several recommendations. The not-pizza’s are pretty big, so one was enough to split when we ordered hummus, the carrots, and the olives too. We are so lucky to have this incredible Palestinian spot for delicious food, pastries, drinks, and even 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.“

“Amazing food from start to finish, amazing portions, great tea, and Coffee. We read the reviews as we where looking for a place to eat breakfast. The owner is amazing, the food is phenomenal, my family and I all agreed. My kids never agree on food, we were all in a food coma.“

“This is a family run business with all organic foods. The daughter makes wonderful desserts. Everyone is friendly and very attentive. You can have breakfast or dinner at anytime of day! They offer weekend specials that are always delicious! They run a small place with a big heart.“

“The food was good, but definitely not worth $57 a person on a Thursday night….We ordered four dishes (fermented cabbage toast, arancini, thai fried chicken, and scallop crudo) and had a drink each. Portions were small, even the “entrees.” Will not go back anytime soon for dinner. Our waiter was very nice though.*Came back over a year later for dinner because of an InKind Coupon. The $50 off $50 made the meal more worth it. But still expensive for what youre getting.“

“We walked by this place not really looking to eat but the exterior stopped us in our tracks. We looked in and saw all the pastries and decided to make a quick pit stop. We got a Pistachio Meringue Roulette to share. Mistake. Should have gotten one for myself. The flavors work perfectly together. I also got the Strawberry Matcha to wash it all down and I’m still thinking about it. Wish they would bottle that stuff!“

“What a lovely spot! I tried the strawberry rose drink, butterfly pea lemonade, banana and egg roti, crab and cheese roti, and I stole a bite of my table-mate's chicken croissant. What worked: -- I really enjoyed both the strawberry rose drink and the butterfly pea lemonade (lemonade was my favorite, though) -- the crab and cheese roti feels like it shouldn't work and yet, it does. It was a little sweet, very savory, and came with a side of salad which helped brighten the plate -- the banana and egg roti also feels like it shouldn't work but it was great! It was like a sweet crepe without all the extra sugar -- great service! They were very kind -- it's a really cute spot. It has the cozy cafe feel while also serving meal-sized portions of food What didn't work: -- it would be nice if they expanded their savory options, especially if they included more veggie based things. Other than that, no complaints! I'd love to come again!“

“This place defines the word community. I don’t come to places twice when in DC. This has become an exception to the rule now. The owners made me feel like old friends. The staff are courtesy and professional. I had an amazing coffee. Great beer the night before and watched the WNBA playoffs. I also watched the owner serve her community when someone most bars would throw out came in then one of the owners got up and got this lady some soda. Little things like this are impressive - yes this is a bar, but it is true community demonstrated live and In person.“

“Mita Cafe is super cute! This small cafe offers both Ethiopian and Japanese eats, in addition to breakfast, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, smoothies, and juices. While in the area, we decided to try them out, and ordered: +a Strawberry with Mango smoothie - prepared with mangoes, strawberries, and bananas, made with either your choice of apple or guava juice; we opted for the latter +an order of Spicy Lentil Samboosas - they also have spicy chicken as a filling, too; these are larger than the usual sized sambusas; super crispy, but I thought the filling was way too spicy! +a Tokyo Sushi set - this came with 4 pieces of salmon nigiri, a tuna nigiri, a red snapper nigiri, a roll of salmon maki, and a roll of tuna avocado maki; I really enjoyed the salmon nigiri, and most likely will opt for requesting these only; wasn't really a fan of the maki rolls, as one that contained 'baked salmon' tasked like it was from a tin I'd love to try their paninis next time and get more of their salmon nigiri. I'd also like to try their drinks. Service was very friendly and kind! There are only about 4 tables inside, so most seem to get their orders to go, or there's a queue to get one of the tables. The place is definitely tight and cozy! Street parking is available in the area. +salmon nigiri +tasty smoothies +friendly service! +street parking available in the area“

“Everything was perfect. I’ve been here several times now. Great spot in the neighborhood. Good for dinner or just drinks and apps. Menu changes often, seems to be seasonal. Great wine selection at reasonable prices. Hosts are very welcoming.“

“We had breakfast here on Sunday and were so glad we did! The foul was amazing! Made me feel like we were back in Addis. The owner was a gracious host and even made coffee ceremony for us. Will DEFINITELY come back next time we are in town!“

“OMG, where do I start? This place is an absolute GEM. Service is incredible and the space/ambiance is top notch. Loved the music and vibe they created. Literally everything we ordered was incredible: - Goat/cheese/herb biscuit sammie: this was one of the best egg biscuit sandwiches I've ever had in my life, no joke - Turmeric labneh toast: delicious, light and unique flavors - the juice + lattes were amazing - Baked cookies: we got 3-4 varieties and they were so so so good. my favorite was the espresso chocolate cookie I can't wait to come back to DC and eat at this place again!“

“Carmen's Best shaved Ice I ever Had In my life I say this because It was just so soft and smooth. The service was Really good The co workers were very patience with me I was so Indecisive Cause they have so much flavors. I love how they let me pick 2 flavors with no charge too I wish it was closer to Frederick. I think Carmen's Italian ice is way better then Rita's to be honest.“

“Amazing croissants. So flakey and full of wonderful filling. A great value! The mango pannacotta was amazing! The value for the price was fantastic as well! I briefly met the owner. The sweetest person you will ever meet! If I lived in town, I would be here ALL THE TIME!“

“I love everything about this place. You can select from a variety of good food, order a smoothie, catch a good vibe and grab a drink at the bar, do work (they offer free Wi-Fi) and attend a rug tufting class upstairs in the loft area. It’s a one stop shop for a chilled outing. Oh! And their fresh baked cookies are sooo good.“

“I visited the West End location with my husband while visiting DC and had a phenomenal experience. Aside from the food being absolutely to die for, the customer service is really what impressed me. At the register, we were greeted by an older black woman who was so kind to share suggestions and explain the menu to me despite being very busy. It truly made the ordering experience a breeze. My latte was delivered by a younger light skinned black male and I am not sure where he received his customer service training by but by far he’s got it down pat. After delivering my order he told me, “have a nice day, okay?” but it wasn’t just a pleasantry, it truly seemed like a genuine request. I am beyond impressed with the food, ambiance, and customer service provided!“

“Stumbled upon Crumbs & Whiskers by pure chance as my husband and I were exploring Georgetown. We were intrigued and stopped as soon as we saw all the kitties running and playing around. We're out on vacation, so I'm missing our very own kitty waiting for us at home. I absolutely fell in love with this place! I love the fact that you get to interact with all the cats, get to know their personalities, and they get to go a good home You even get a Polaroid with one of the cats! Would definitely stop by again!“

“On thursday, I was having tea at a nearby coffee place with a friend who wanted to go to that place specifically. I realized I needed something more substantive so I googled a place nearby. That's how I came across Between the Bread.The greeting was very warm, welcoming, and friendly. They told me about their place. I had the 3 layered seafood on sourdough and some potato salad. They have a lovely array of desserts. I wish that I had went ahead and gotten a slice of the carrot cake.Be sure to visit them and see what they have to offer that you might like.“

“Lovely little spot in Georgetown for authentic French baked goods. They use mostly French ingredients to get as close to the “real thing” as I’ve had in DC. Staff is friendly, efficient, and there is a nice patio in the back to enjoy your coffee.“

“Büna has quickly become one of my favorite cafes of all time. The people who work there are so kind and remember your name and order and work to make your experience enjoyable and catered to you specifically. The food (both Ethiopian and American) is absolutely fantastic. Everything I’ve had has been a slam dunk. I am not someone who orders takeout almost ever and I’ve made an exception for this cafe. I keep coming back for the Ethiopian vegan rolls, fir fir side dish and brunch platter! Wish I could take this place everywhere I go!“

“They cashier is nice the ambiance is great with incense that levitates the room. The barista actually knows how to steam the milk and pull wonderful shots. Support small businesses like this. There is wifi and music playing in the background. Try the Fatira with everything (vegetarian friendly)“

“This is a really sweet cafe with delicious pastries and a full menu of Armenian food. The space itself is really inviting and comfortable and the staff are friendly. I highly recommend the Mountain Tea which is made with thyme and is really unique. I always stop in for one when I'm walking by!“

“Literally my favorite restaurant in the world. I have been going there since they were in their previous location in College Park, and the food has been consistently amazing for these last 20ish years. Their menu offers extensive options for omnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians, and vegans alike, with the flexibility of omitting fish sauce from their Burmese dressing. If you like bitter, complex flavors, you HAVE to try their green tea leaf salad.“

“Decided to check Cafe Sushi Garden out today because I really wanted sushi but I didn’t want to go far, so I walked over and I was very happy and satisfied I went! It’s a small and cozy space with a good variety of different sushi at a very reasonably price. The owner and sushi chef was very kind and friendly. Highly recommend and will be back.“

“A Great place for coffee, beverage with some nice food options. They have a good breakfast menu including a few pastries to choose from. The happy hour menu is very reasonable. I loved to avocado & black bean toast either mesclun salad, cojito cheese and two poached eggs. The service is always good.“

“This place has many comforting food options. The food is reasonably priced and deliciously portioned. Bakery items are endless, and there are even GF options. The staff provides friendly service, and the ambiance is comfortable and relaxing, similar to an old house.“

“It’s a cute, little bakery run by some lovely, wonderful people.I’m a pretty big guy who used to be overweight. My love for sugar is still very much present lol. That said, whenever I eat anything from here, I don’t feel that “guilt” or “shame” you feel when you prick up a candy bar.Everything that I’ve tried here is the perfect amount of sweet. Not too much, not too little. It will satisfy your sweet tooth without making your doctor cry at the amount of sugar you just ingested.It’s also very filling. I can easily eat 2-3 donuts from a donut shop. Meanwhile, I’ll be 3/4 of the way thru a pastry from this bakery and I’ll struggle to eat the rest. I want to eat the rest because they’re VERY delicious but it’s more than meets the eye.Also extremely well priced. The average for a single pastry or slice of cake seems to be right below $4 I think. Might be slightly off but the point is I didn’t feel like I was spending a lot. Again, for something that will fill a grown man up without being half your daily amount of calories in a single serving like some of these other sweets, this place is near impossible to beat.I love this place“

“10/10.Very cozy place. You have to queue because it is always full. But I'm not surprised, since the food they make is incredible.The sandwiches left me speechless, to say they were good is a huge understatement.The hot chocolate they serve was also delicious. Ideal to warm up on cold days.I would definitely return to Washington just to have breakfast here.Great!!“

“It's been awhile since I used to run U Street and I came looking for the old Starbucks but it was nowhere to be found. I did find Cafe U and I just love this little spot. It's so cute, the Lox is my favorite thing, and the service is great. RIP Starbucks but I'm loving Cafe U.“

“Decided to try a new cafe, this one stood out to me once I saw the horchata latte. Upon arriving to Centrado Cafe, I noticed it was a very calm atmosphere and everywhere in the cafe had adequate space to have their conversations, chill, and get their work done. I ordered 2 iced horchata lattes and an order of churros with ice cream. The lattes came out pretty quickly but I waited close to 30 minutes for the churros. When I finally got up to ask a out them, someone was on the way to my table with them- but they forgot the ice cream. When I told the cashier the sever forgot the ice cream she quickly got me a cup of ice cream and some spoons. Overall everything was tasty, the churros were fried perfectly and there was a filling inside of them. I look forward to coming back and trying actual food but I’ll arrive earlier next time so I dont get too hungry while waiting.Parking: Small parking lot, there is some space on the side to park but there is no street parking.“

“Mumu Cafe is right off of Langston Blvd in the same building space as MOM's Organic Market. I stopped by this past Saturday morning to grab a quick drink after a run. I got a 16 OZ MUMU COLD BREW (4.25) which was light and refreshing. I thought it could have been stronger in coffee flavor though, as it was more watered down than I would like. Overall, the interior was well decorated and it's definitely a hidden gem in the area. The next time I'm back, I'll try some of their food items and espresso based drinks.“

“The food was really good - couldn’t be faulted! Service was excellent too.My only gripe was the amount of single use plastic items in the cafe. Everything from the plate to the cup to the cutlery was disposable. We need to do better by our planet.“

“Finding Lulu’s was one of the best parts of our great vacation. Sakiynah and the nice gentleman at the door were incredibly hospitable, kind, and accommodating. The beverages, retail, and patio are A1. Everything is very clean. Definitely a little corner of heaven in DC. We can’t wait to visit Lulu’s the next time we’re in DC! Thank you Lulus!“

“This charming boutique LGBT bar in Washington DC truly stands out. The servers greeted us warmly, and the atmosphere buzzed with delight. The seating area was exquisite, complemented by a lovely bar. During the Valentine's season, the decor was tastefully adorned, enhancing the experience. The cocktails were expertly crafted, boasting a unique and potent flavor profile that set them apart. I wholeheartedly suggest giving them a try; the drinks are truly exceptional. Alongside a selection of chips, nuts, and a delightful cheeseboard, they offer a range of food options that align perfectly with the bar's boutique theme. The prices were fair, reflecting the high quality and generous quantities of the drinks. We visited this gem twice during our brief stay in DC, and it was a delightful experience each time.“

“Such a cozy little coffee shop with simple interior decor with a modern twist. Seating is pretty limited as it's a small café, but they also have outdoor seating with cute little tables! Love how they had fresh flowers in small vases all throughout the café for nice pops of vibrant hues. I ordered the iced vanilla latte, and it was more on the milkier side. I didn't really taste the espresso until a few sips in, it was pretty faint, but overall a pretty good latte. The iced chai was overly milky, with barely any hints of the usual spice notes. The orange blossom latte was surprisingly very good! The orange blossom flavor didn't overpower the espresso notes, and it was very smooth, nicely balanced, and perfectly bold.“

“I like this environment very much, it allows me to work quietly. A cafe that pays attention to the environment and the quality of the coffee is good, I believe they will get better and better in the future. Reviews from Arlington residents.“

“Be careful when using these atms , I used one of the atms and it acted like it was going to dispense the money and it did not. Gave me an error code and said reversal. Well it shows on my account as the money was dispensed, now I have to call my bank and ask for a refund. Be careful with these so called meta bank atms. I wouldn’t use them anymore. Because up n smoke is going to tell you it’s not their issue to deal with. Lady behind me had the same thing happen to her.“

“This is a hidden gem located in an office building on Research Blvd in Rockville. Breakfast dishes, (all day) pancakes,French toast, eggs) were great. Want to return to try sandwiches and Latin dishes. Reasonable prices and nice to support pleasant appreciative people.“

“I love this place is very friendly and. Clean the customers service is amazing the dessert is the best test and the flavor I lover everything this place I recommend everyone can came trying the delicious Sweet Lemon Cafe ❤️❤️❤️❤️“

“This restaurant has CLOSED. I tried calling and the phone does not work. I emailed to make a reservation and they emailed me back telling me that the place was closed down in November 2023. Sorry to have missed the opportunity to try this place.“

“The staff was very friendly. I felt welcome from the moment I walked in. They have an assortment of baked goods and other food. I had the overnight oats, which were pretty good. I also had a coffee, but I didn't love the flavour. I think it might be a matter of taste. I think this place is worth a try!“

“Teaism is a well-known teahouse brand with four shops in Washington, DC. I prefer the one in Dupont Circle because it has a cozy and homely feel, especially the upstairs dining area with windows overlooking the street. The place has an Asian-inspired decor and offers quality teas, all-day breakfast, bento boxes, light Japanese and Thai-style meals, and some snacks such as cookies and Asian-inspired desserts like matcha gelato, jasmine creme brulee, and mochi.We ordered salmon and Korean Beef Brisket bento sets, which tasted amazing. The salads that came with them added crunchiness to the food. The mochi had the expected texture and taste. It's a self-service establishment, so there is little to discuss about the service.“

“One of the few restaurants that has stood the test of time. Tasty gluten free food in an unpretentious atmosphere. If you get the lunch special it's pretty good value. With it being a beer and wine store as well, the drink prices and options are above average.If you are gluten free this is a gem. If you aren't, it's definitely worth a try. The gelato is good too.“

“Amazing food, always made fresh to order at a family owned and family ran eatery. Home style cooking, great for picking up a quick lunch. Love the quality of the beef and chicken. I order the beef bibimbap rice bowl and the chicken curry with rice dish. Both excellent! Highly recommend!!!“

“It’s been 5 years since I last ate here, and it feels like old times today. The breakfast platter taste just like I remembered, the staff is very he beat as always. And they remember me and the melts my heart. #bestbreakfastDC #toptenstaff #“

“(Review for takeout) WOW! I don't expect much from takeout but the food was so good! I got Cambodian style pho with pork shoulder and it was delicious. The meat wasn't over cooked, the broth was warm and cozy, and all the other accompaniments paired with it so well! I can't wait to actually dine in and order other dishes! I didn't know Somebody Feed Phil was here and now I'm not surprised. Thank you for the food! I felt like I was at someone's house visiting for lunch!“

“Pretty crowded on Saturday afternoons, but that's to be expected. There were several tables to sit at and fortunately, it didn't take me too long to find something. They get their beans from Small Planes (one of my favorite DC coffee roasters) and their Honduras pour over (for 5.00) was smooth and enjoyable. I also got a chocolate croissant (for 6.00) to pair with it which was quite tasty. Overall, solid coffee and pastries here and the atmosphere was lively. Also, Capitol Hill is a great neighborhood to visit and enjoy a snack/coffee break!“

“My partner and I work occasionally at Imagination Stage. This place is perfectly situated just off the main part of busy downtown Bethesda. Very accessible, quick, clean service. I've been to plenty of places in the DMV which claim this "New York" aesthetic and this is the best I've been to so far. The staff is incredibly friendly and always attentive. My partner has made friends with the girl who works the register. I'm sure she does so much for the establishment and it makes the place a comfort to spend some time in. Their selection of drinks and food and other confectionery is really good considering their smaller size. I hope this place keeps going strong because they are always a happy part of my time in Bethesda.“