22 Best Cafes in Arlington

“This place is perfect, right down to the soap in their bathrooms. They always have an amazing, affordable, diverse selection of wines. The food is also incredible. The staff is always friendly, never pretentious, and never fail to give a good suggestion. (Shout out to Gaile, they might be my favorite server of all time.) As a young person, this is an amazing place to get into wine. The owners, Jackie and Philippe, are fantastic and welcoming hosts. I am a bit of a regular and they are truly lovely people. It is a CRIME that its not the most popular spot in Arlington.“

“Chocolate pudding 🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤🤤“

“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.“

“Such a cute spot! It was pretty busy when I arrived, but the vibe was still great. I ordered a vanilla latte, which was smooth and delicious. I also tried the avocado toast on their homemade focaccia. Really tasty, though I think a touch of salt or more flavorful pickled onions could have taken it up a notch. I had my eye on the strawberry matcha, but they were out of matcha that day. Still, it was a lovely experience overall and I’d definitely come back!“

“👏👏👏 One of the Best Coffee spots in Arlington.“

“This place has The BEST eclairs, pastries, cakes and individual quiches I've found anywhere in Northern Virginia! It is my mission to try all their deserts eventually.

They also have mini teapots nestled on top of a cup if you are dining in. The staff are so friendly and remembered me from my first visit there when I came back the next week.

I highly recommend you check them out, you will want to return again and again I promise.

Parking: They have a patio with a few tables where you can sit outside when the weather is nice.“

“Tried for the first time and was blown away. So good.“

“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!!!“

“Great Sandwiches and Conversation!!!“

“My Mom and I came here two mornings in a row. The food is delicious whether you’re eating in or on the go. We had an unfortunate situation with another customer who was rather rude and made everyone uncomfortable. Another customer stepped in as did some staff and luckily the situation resolved itself rather quickly. A staff member treated my Mom and I to a donut for each of us and was super apologetic for the unwanted excitement. Besides having good choices for breakfast, they have a nice staff and show that there’s still kindness in the world.“

“If you live in Rosslyn, or anywhere remotely close by, I cannot overstate how much you need to put in an order at Cafe Sushi Garden as soon as you can! Gigantic portions, fresh cuts of fish, beautiful craftsmanship in every roll, generous prices across the menu -- search no further, this place is what you've been looking for (you know it's good when I had my first bite and immediately set a reminder for myself to write a review).

The platter for two was perfect for a movie night in. Don't sleep on their huge hand rolls either! Plus, the staff are incredibly kind and thoughtful, and there's plenty of seating inside if you want to kick your feet up with a hot bowl of miso soup. Do yourself a favor and check out Cafe Sushi Garden today!“

“Great customers service ever and the staff’s are very friendly. Love their pizza & sandwiches!!“

“Compass Coffee – Weekend Go-To Spot ☕

Compass Coffee at Ballston is my weekend ritual—either before or after church. No matter how many customers are inside, the service is always fast and friendly. These folks know how to move with a smile.

Now let me tell you—the Cherry Blossom Latte (hot, with oat milk)? Best latte in the area, hands down. Smooth, flavorful, and just the right amount of sweet. I’ve brought plenty of family and friends here, and it’s become the go-to spot for a latte fix. If you haven’t been yet, treat yourself.“

“My Mom and I came here two mornings in a row. The food is delicious whether you’re eating in or on the go. We had an unfortunate situation with another customer who was rather rude and made everyone uncomfortable. Another customer stepped in as did some staff and luckily the situation resolved itself rather quickly. A staff member treated my Mom and I to a donut for each of us and was super apologetic for the unwanted excitement. Besides having good choices for breakfast, they have a nice staff and show that there’s still kindness in the world.“

“^_^ BuleStory review for Woodstock Cafe ? I got pancakes and my hubby got a burritos and a cream cheese bagel. Surprisingly the pancakes was really good it’s soft and fluffy and it’s a little chewy so it’s nice when you cut it. The burritos was good too and the bagel was ok. But i like their pancakes so much ? we ate here during the breakfast and it was nice. The location of this restaurant is in Shirlington Gateaway building on the first floor.“

“Lydia and Helen are up early to make sure people can begin their day with great coffee and kind smiles! I so appreciate their hospitality and expertise. Lydia is an excellent barista.Very convenient for those staying at any of the several hotels in the area, this shop is located in the lobby of Renaissance. They have several sandwiches, pastries and snacks available as well as hot and cold beverages. They have indoor or outdoor seating, or you can take to go. Remember to ask for a mug if you are enjoying your order in their restaurant or in the beautiful lobby of the hotel…one less cup to the landfill.Update: I went by a bit earlier today and the commuter crowd was lined up. Helen was handling the barista counter and got everyone their orders quickly, with that wonderful smile and the quality perfect, as expected!“

“Held my Monday meet up for my campaign for State Senate here this morning Such a beautiful venue adorned with sunflowers hanging from the ceiling! Their Nitro Cold Brew is great! Even the pup tried to take a sip ☺️ Visit www.Sophia4VA.com for our next coffee gathering!“

“This place is quickly becoming my favorite lunch spot.I haven't tried anything on the menu I haven't liked (and boy do I hope they keep the special Cuban chicken panini and don't phase it out)There's no seating here, but there plenty in the building hallway, and outside if the weather complies.Ps. Their coffee is amazing“

“One of the best run restaurants of this type, with the best staff, I've experienced. I'm a frequent customer, and it is clean (including the bathrooms--and thank you for having paper towels we can use to open the door) with a very friendly staff, including. management. The outdoor seating is a nice plus. The wi-fi could be stronger, but that's a nitpick. Thank you for bringing a positive Panera experience to Ballston.“

“Delicious latte, delicious halva brownie. I love the Tatte aesthetic and vibe. When my friend and I arrived (at 10 am on a Sunday), there were tables to be had and the line wasn't long.

Dietary restrictions: I have a wheat allergy and eat gluten-free. There are plenty of suitable options for me at Tatte.“

“I loved my iced matcha!!!“

“If you’re a quiche lover, go here—seriously. I had the bacon and pimento quiche, and it was incredible. Perfectly balanced, flavorful, and definitely the highlight of the visit. The café itself is absolutely charming—quaint and beautiful both outside and in.

That said, the vibe was a little off. I sat at one of the tables, and because of the woven design, it was pretty dirty—which was surprising and disappointing since they had just opened for the day. It kind of broke the magic of the space.

They were playing “Tell Me Something Good,” and mid-song, it got switched to something way more drab. It felt symbolic of the whole experience: everything looks and sounds great at first, but a closer look reveals something less inviting. It didn’t feel like a place meant for people to linger or settle in.

Still, I’d go back for that quiche alone. Maybe the vibe will shift with time, but for now—it’s more of a grab-and-go kind of spot, not one I’d stay and soak in.“