I’ve tried two coffees here recently and both were undrinkable. Something must be off with their espresso or oat milk? One drink, the pumpkin spice latte iced tasted rancid/acidic and the other latte I had yesterday tasted like pure salt. I had to dump it out. I know the company just went bankrupt (and got bought out) but they should not be selling undrinkable drinks in the meantime. I hope Cafe Nero takes over soon since the coffee tastes so bad they need a new system asap. It didn’t used to taste like this - I went a year or so ago and it was fine.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
b r i t t a n y m
$8 for a large peppermint mocha but only 16oz. Im a barista and it tasted nothing like a peppermint mocha, no whip cream is a disappointment. Lady was rushing to leave. Hours are bad~ stays open til 3pm.
Poki June
I visited this location this morning and ordered two lattes! both were scalding hot, almost boiling! It was so hot it nearly burned my tongue.
Lattes shouldn’t be served at that temperature because it ruins the flavor and texture of the coffee. You could even tell from the foam that something was off.
I mentioned to the barista that the drink was too hot, expecting it to be remade properly, but instead she just gave me another cup. I’m not sure what she served me, but it was definitely not a latte or a flat white.
Management, please take some time to train your baristas properly if you want to serve quality coffee. Customers deserve a consistent and well prepared drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jen Chupashko
Rude staff. They do not accept cash
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Eve Zuber
Lattes at Compass Coffee are ok. The espresso blend is fine, not a lot of flavor or richness. The syrups are pretty mediocre too, with an aftertaste. This is a chain, so I didn't expect much more. The lattes are passable, but I'd prefer a local coffee shop any day; haven't found one in Ballston I like. And the price is high. I'd probably do better with my Nespresso at home.
Friendly folks work there for the most part. The atmosphere is fine, very bright and open if you are into that. I prefer a cozy local vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Sophia Cooper
Staff is nice but you can find better drinks for far less the cost. The setting is quite noisy and parking is difficult. Not very accessible. Also, if you pay with phone, be aware you will receive marketing emails.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 5
BJ
I'm not sure why people are saying this place is so great. I love trying new coffee spots, but this coffee is absolutely horrible. My sandwich was so hard that I could not even eat it. I tried to give this place a chance multiple times by trying different items, but I always get the same result, disappointment. Even the free samples of chocolate chip cookies were trash. Sorry to have to write this because the atmosphere is nice (if you like loud noise and dogs) and so are most of the staff, but I will never waste my money here again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Negar Firoozi
I didn’t really enjoy the coffee; the pumpkin flavor wasn’t great, but I liked the café’s atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Tom O'Brien
Easily the best run compass in the DMV. Polite staff and efficiently run. Excellent people watching spot as well. 5/5
It’s a coffee shop, there is nothing to review about. But having two compass coffee on the same street within 2 blocks is quite confusing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dewayne Jordan
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.
Short and Sweet
Ordered a medium iced vanilla late and a cinnamon roll and let me say they did not disappoint ☕️🥐👌🏼💯 would highly recommend!
Gvantsa Narozauli
Amazing coffee 🙏 highly recommend 🙏
Mariah Caid-Loos
The customer service was amazing. I sat down to work and accidentally spilled my drink. The cleaned it up right away and made me another drink for free. It was also delicious. Highly recommend!
I’ve tried two coffees here recently and both were undrinkable. Something must be off with their espresso or oat milk? One drink, the pumpkin spice latte iced tasted rancid/acidic and the other latte I had yesterday tasted like pure salt. I had to dump it out. I know the company just went bankrupt (and got bought out) but they should not be selling undrinkable drinks in the meantime. I hope Cafe Nero takes over soon since the coffee tastes so bad they need a new system asap. It didn’t used to taste like this - I went a year or so ago and it was fine.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
$8 for a large peppermint mocha but only 16oz. Im a barista and it tasted nothing like a peppermint mocha, no whip cream is a disappointment. Lady was rushing to leave. Hours are bad~ stays open til 3pm.
I visited this location this morning and ordered two lattes! both were scalding hot, almost boiling! It was so hot it nearly burned my tongue.
Lattes shouldn’t be served at that temperature because it ruins the flavor and texture of the coffee. You could even tell from the foam that something was off.
I mentioned to the barista that the drink was too hot, expecting it to be remade properly, but instead she just gave me another cup. I’m not sure what she served me, but it was definitely not a latte or a flat white.
Management, please take some time to train your baristas properly if you want to serve quality coffee. Customers deserve a consistent and well prepared drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rude staff. They do not accept cash
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lattes at Compass Coffee are ok. The espresso blend is fine, not a lot of flavor or richness. The syrups are pretty mediocre too, with an aftertaste. This is a chain, so I didn't expect much more. The lattes are passable, but I'd prefer a local coffee shop any day; haven't found one in Ballston I like. And the price is high. I'd probably do better with my Nespresso at home.
Friendly folks work there for the most part. The atmosphere is fine, very bright and open if you are into that. I prefer a cozy local vibe.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Staff is nice but you can find better drinks for far less the cost. The setting is quite noisy and parking is difficult. Not very accessible. Also, if you pay with phone, be aware you will receive marketing emails.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 5
I'm not sure why people are saying this place is so great. I love trying new coffee spots, but this coffee is absolutely horrible. My sandwich was so hard that I could not even eat it. I tried to give this place a chance multiple times by trying different items, but I always get the same result, disappointment. Even the free samples of chocolate chip cookies were trash. Sorry to have to write this because the atmosphere is nice (if you like loud noise and dogs) and so are most of the staff, but I will never waste my money here again.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
I didn’t really enjoy the coffee; the pumpkin flavor wasn’t great, but I liked the café’s atmosphere.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Easily the best run compass in the DMV. Polite staff and efficiently run. Excellent people watching spot as well. 5/5
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stale croissants, even in the morning.
Food: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
It’s a coffee shop, there is nothing to review about. But having two compass coffee on the same street within 2 blocks is quite confusing.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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.
Ordered a medium iced vanilla late and a cinnamon roll and let me say they did not disappoint ☕️🥐👌🏼💯 would highly recommend!
Amazing coffee 🙏 highly recommend 🙏
The customer service was amazing. I sat down to work and accidentally spilled my drink. The cleaned it up right away and made me another drink for free. It was also delicious. Highly recommend!
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