Folks... We found it. An exceptional cup, hot chocolate for the Bambinos, in-house roasted beans to go.Check the other reviews: everybody's spot on. Nice story about a farm in Panama directly supplying their store up here in DC. The service was capable, charming, and affable.A Delicious brew.Kid-friendliness: Hot chocolates!Wheelchair accessibility: No wheel chair access
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
Greg G.
Most of us believe in single source coffee that sustainable. However, most even good companies depend on distributors. Vulcan coffee is nothing like that. First the coffee is incredible. It has subtle taste. It's got a incredible, good coffee taste and is very smooth. The woman who runs the store and owns it, owns a farm in the northern part of Panama. To sit in that little store and hear stories about her farm makes me think I'm in Panama.this is a one of a kind coffee shop where the coffee comes from the owners farm. Enjoy this place. It's pretty magical.
Maria M.
Smooth and great-tasting espresso. There's a cozy, quiet space upstairs to hang out and study. The staff is super nice.
Karen B.
Very high quality coffee and very personable staff who can educate you all about it. I'll definitely return when I'm in the area!
Bob Wait
I almost walked by this place but I hadn't had my jolt for the morning. I am amazed at how good this coffee is; no additions needed or desired. I don't live anywhere close but I'll have to make up excuses to visit the neighborhood.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christian Calkins
What a special experience! This is probably the only spot I’ve been to that handles every aspect of making coffee from farm to cup, and it definitely shows in the final product. I got the Panamanian Geisha pour over (definitely the star offering at this place), and it was simply lovely. I’ve had pour overs with these kinds of coffees at other shops in the states, and many of them come across as floral, acid bombs in cup, which can be desirable for folks with a really developed palette. However, at Via Volcan, the cup is much more approachable, juicy, focused, and surprisingly sweet. You can tell that they’ve really optimized everything from processing, to roasting and brewing to achieve that result in the cup.My wife had a cappuccino with their caturra coffee; a delightful, sweet, and balanced brew. Recommended for folks with more traditional preferences, but want to try something special.As a passionate home barista who’s been down the rabbit hole of the hobby for years now, I’m really impressed with this place. From the coffee, to the service, to the homey atmosphere, the whole experience here really feels like enjoying a cup of coffee in a friend’s home who made it for you with passion. If you’re looking to try something new and exciting with coffee, please give this place a chance!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
Enjolina C.
I don't know how to describe coffee, but I know that the coffee here is hot, smooth, and always tastes like the perfect cup. Service has always been incredibly friendly. Go here for a proper cup of coffee.
Shawn
A different kind of coffee shop. There’s no espresso machine, no indoor seating, no wi-fi, and no cookies and pastries. They serve just single-origin Panamanian coffee roasted in house, and it’s good.
Angela Miller
Honestly one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. Bought two bags as gifts and I'll probably go back to get some for myself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
Warren P.
I was riding my bicycle by Via Volcan today on my way to another coffee shop. And after reading their sign I had to try their coffee. I am certainly glad I did. I had the medium roast that the young lady behind the counter recommend and it was the Smoothest best tasting coffee that I have had in Alexandria. I am retired and spend a lot of time wandering around Old Town and in the process looking for the best cup of coffee I can find. I think I just found the best.
Coffee 4/5. Hours they are open 1/5. You'd think a coffee shop would be open when most people want to drink coffee... instead they open at 11am?
Scott Huber
A friend of mine bought me a bag of medium grind as a gift last year, and it was one of the best home black coffees I've ever had. I live on the east coast a few hours from VA, but this coffee was so good that now I have to order it online every time I run out. Highly recommend!
Deirdre G.
I was recently in old town Alexandria, leaving an appointment and was looking to try a new coffee shop when I stumbled upon Via Volcan. I immediately hopped on Yelp and saw that they had amazing reviews so I figured I would give them a try! Like many people have said, there isn't a lot of room in there to sit down or work, but I was optimistic of the coffee would be amazing as all the other reviewers had said. Immediately when I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly barista who talked through the menu with me and helped me decide what was the best option for me. I truly appreciated how kind she was and that she took the time to discuss the menu with me and tell me a little bit more about VV and what types of coffees that they brew. Although I wound up getting something similar to what I always do (a vanilla, oat milk, latte), she made me really excited to come back and try a drink that I believe has both coffee and either sparkling or tonic water in it? Overall, I had an incredible experience visiting VV on a weekday morning and I look forward to coming back and trying some more of their coffees. On top of having amazing coffee, they truly have excellent customer service and you won't be disappointed if you give them a shot!
Matthew
What a lovely little coffee shop. Delicious coffee-so good I purchased a bag of coffee beans to take home and use in my French press. Finally a coffee shop all about coffee and not snacks, sweets, and the like. Good coffee. Friendly owners. Nice spot.
Marc Dalby
Great place for a very good cup of coffee. Great service. Will definitely be back next time in town.
Folks... We found it. An exceptional cup, hot chocolate for the Bambinos, in-house roasted beans to go.Check the other reviews: everybody's spot on. Nice story about a farm in Panama directly supplying their store up here in DC. The service was capable, charming, and affable.A Delicious brew.Kid-friendliness: Hot chocolates!Wheelchair accessibility: No wheel chair access
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
Most of us believe in single source coffee that sustainable. However, most even good companies depend on distributors. Vulcan coffee is nothing like that. First the coffee is incredible. It has subtle taste. It's got a incredible, good coffee taste and is very smooth. The woman who runs the store and owns it, owns a farm in the northern part of Panama. To sit in that little store and hear stories about her farm makes me think I'm in Panama.this is a one of a kind coffee shop where the coffee comes from the owners farm. Enjoy this place. It's pretty magical.
Smooth and great-tasting espresso. There's a cozy, quiet space upstairs to hang out and study. The staff is super nice.
Very high quality coffee and very personable staff who can educate you all about it. I'll definitely return when I'm in the area!
I almost walked by this place but I hadn't had my jolt for the morning. I am amazed at how good this coffee is; no additions needed or desired. I don't live anywhere close but I'll have to make up excuses to visit the neighborhood.
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a special experience! This is probably the only spot I’ve been to that handles every aspect of making coffee from farm to cup, and it definitely shows in the final product. I got the Panamanian Geisha pour over (definitely the star offering at this place), and it was simply lovely. I’ve had pour overs with these kinds of coffees at other shops in the states, and many of them come across as floral, acid bombs in cup, which can be desirable for folks with a really developed palette. However, at Via Volcan, the cup is much more approachable, juicy, focused, and surprisingly sweet. You can tell that they’ve really optimized everything from processing, to roasting and brewing to achieve that result in the cup.My wife had a cappuccino with their caturra coffee; a delightful, sweet, and balanced brew. Recommended for folks with more traditional preferences, but want to try something special.As a passionate home barista who’s been down the rabbit hole of the hobby for years now, I’m really impressed with this place. From the coffee, to the service, to the homey atmosphere, the whole experience here really feels like enjoying a cup of coffee in a friend’s home who made it for you with passion. If you’re looking to try something new and exciting with coffee, please give this place a chance!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
I don't know how to describe coffee, but I know that the coffee here is hot, smooth, and always tastes like the perfect cup. Service has always been incredibly friendly. Go here for a proper cup of coffee.
A different kind of coffee shop. There’s no espresso machine, no indoor seating, no wi-fi, and no cookies and pastries. They serve just single-origin Panamanian coffee roasted in house, and it’s good.
Honestly one of the best cups of coffee I've ever had. Bought two bags as gifts and I'll probably go back to get some for myself!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Freshly Brewed
I was riding my bicycle by Via Volcan today on my way to another coffee shop. And after reading their sign I had to try their coffee. I am certainly glad I did. I had the medium roast that the young lady behind the counter recommend and it was the Smoothest best tasting coffee that I have had in Alexandria. I am retired and spend a lot of time wandering around Old Town and in the process looking for the best cup of coffee I can find. I think I just found the best.
Restaurantji Recommends
Coffee 4/5. Hours they are open 1/5. You'd think a coffee shop would be open when most people want to drink coffee... instead they open at 11am?
A friend of mine bought me a bag of medium grind as a gift last year, and it was one of the best home black coffees I've ever had. I live on the east coast a few hours from VA, but this coffee was so good that now I have to order it online every time I run out. Highly recommend!
I was recently in old town Alexandria, leaving an appointment and was looking to try a new coffee shop when I stumbled upon Via Volcan. I immediately hopped on Yelp and saw that they had amazing reviews so I figured I would give them a try! Like many people have said, there isn't a lot of room in there to sit down or work, but I was optimistic of the coffee would be amazing as all the other reviewers had said. Immediately when I walked in, I was greeted by a friendly barista who talked through the menu with me and helped me decide what was the best option for me. I truly appreciated how kind she was and that she took the time to discuss the menu with me and tell me a little bit more about VV and what types of coffees that they brew. Although I wound up getting something similar to what I always do (a vanilla, oat milk, latte), she made me really excited to come back and try a drink that I believe has both coffee and either sparkling or tonic water in it? Overall, I had an incredible experience visiting VV on a weekday morning and I look forward to coming back and trying some more of their coffees. On top of having amazing coffee, they truly have excellent customer service and you won't be disappointed if you give them a shot!
What a lovely little coffee shop. Delicious coffee-so good I purchased a bag of coffee beans to take home and use in my French press. Finally a coffee shop all about coffee and not snacks, sweets, and the like. Good coffee. Friendly owners. Nice spot.
Great place for a very good cup of coffee. Great service. Will definitely be back next time in town.