49 Best Cafes near South Riding

“I recently visited the Panera Bread location in South Riding, Virginia, where I had the pleasure of meeting Rida, an exceptional employee who provided outstanding customer service with a smile. I would like to take a moment to recommend Rida as the best employee I have encountered at the South Riding, Virginia Panera Bread location. Thank you, Rida. #panerabread“

“Super nice owners. Delicious food.“

“I come to this hookah bar pretty often, and the service here is always top-notch. Nina is absolutely amazing. She remembers my order every time, checks in without being overbearing, and just makes the whole experience better. Zaid also helps when Nina is busy and is as friendly as possible. Siddiq, the hookah guy is on top of it always and makes sure my charcoal never burns out. It’s rare to find that kind of consistency and genuine care in service these days. The atmosphere’s great, the hookah’s solid, and the staff really make you feel like a regular. Easily a 5-star experience every visit.“

“Clifton Cafe is our new favorite evening spot on the weekends. We’ve been customers since the original owners opened it years ago, but until this past fall we did more to go orders than dine in since the service and time to prep food was often slow and unpredictable. Now we go almost every week. We’ve noticed big improvements since they expanded their kitchen and redesigned the bar area. Their new pull up bar is beautiful and spacious. The new owners and management are great too! We love the evening staff as well, especially Ian and Nicole. They are very personable, accommodating, and attentive. They have great happy hour specials from 3-6 and make the best margaritas and espresso martinis. Some of our favorite dinner items include the crab dip, Mediterranean salad, cuban sandwich, burgers, crab cakes, quiche specials, banana pudding, and too many crepes to name! We also appreciate that they have become more family friendly. We had a last minute party of 14 on a Friday evening (half of which were children ages 1-11) and they didn’t hesitate to pull some tables together in a private nook to accommodate our large group (again thanks to Ian and Nicole). We noticed they finally got a changing table in the large bathroom, which they are about to install. Our kids are past that stage, but there were several times when they were little that a changing table would have been helpful.“

“Thanks Mary & team for the lovely toasted sandwiches, cakes, drinks & service. We enjoyed the birthday lunch today. Such a cosy Cafe, beautifully decorated & friendly staff. We will return 🥪☕️🌯🍵🍰🥤🎂“

“This is THE BEST pastries I’ve ever had! So fresh, delicious, creative, flavorful, and appealing to the eye!!!!!“

“Came here twice. They have American style food and Korean style food. Their food were good both time. Coffee was good as well. The space is clean and spacious and bright. Best cafe I have been to so far.

Kid-friendliness: Got high chairs“

“Not my first time coming to HK Tea House but it was my first time ordering their bubble waffle with fruit. The waffle was fresh, crisp on the outside and perfectly chewy on the inside. They put fresh cut strawberries and bananas on top with chocolate and peanut butter drizzles and a light dusting of powdered sugar. Takes about 15 min for them to make it but I felt like that was very reasonable. Tasted great and wasn't too sweet even with all the toppings. Fantastic service as always and I would come back for this dessert!“

“This place offers some of the highest quality sandwiches and plenty of delicious desserts! The staff is very friendly! It is very big inside and plenty of seats to sit in, whether it is with family or friends, or even your significant other!
It is definitely a hidden gem!
Definitely recommend this place, so give it a try!

Go get brunch and try their delicious sandwiches and desserts!!!“

“Delicious tea , friendly staffs“

“Coffee is AMAZING, staff is KIND, and vibes are HIGH! In my opinion, this shop has the best tasting coffee in the area. RTC doesn't have a coffee place that tastes even close in terms of quality - The coffee shops there are a bit overhyped. It is across the street from RTC, but most definitely worth the few minutes walk for much better quality coffee. Right next to the metro as well. This is my new go to coffee spot, I will DEF be back!

Side note: different owner now, so even if you've tried it before, try again. The security guard working at the adjacent building also said their steak and cheese is to die for!“

“I just finished an absolutely fantastic meal with my family and felt compelled to share our experience. This restaurant is a true hidden gem, delivering phenomenal food that caters to diverse tastes.
We started with the falafel, and they were perfect—crispy on the outside, moist and flavorful inside, easily some of the best I've had. The beef shawarma was equally impressive; the meat was tender, perfectly spiced, and served with delicious accompaniments.
What really surprised us, in the best way possible, was the Philly cheesesteak. It was authentic, loaded with thinly sliced beef, melted cheese, and fresh ingredients. It might sound like an unusual item for the menu, but they absolutely nailed it!
The staff were welcoming, the service was prompt, and the atmosphere was great for a family dinner. Whether you're craving authentic Middle Eastern cuisine or a classic American sandwich done right, this place delivers on all fronts. We will definitely be back!“

“great Cuban sandwich and absolutely awesome ambiance“

“Oh my gosh! I love this place! We were visiting from Texas and this was our everyday morning stop (and it may or may not have been an evening snack or two also ). All the different pastries were awesome (my son had a mango cream bun every time). You HAVE to try the Tiramisu latte. Oh! Oh! And the Black Forest Cake was the friggin bomb! More than how great the food was, the ownership and staff were spectacular! We felt like we were popping in and seeing old friends. If I am ever anywhere near here, I will definitely come by for more delicious treats!! If you live nearby, support this locally owned shop. They deserve all the success possible.“

“Brew Birds is an amazing local cafe with fresh and delicious food, great coffee and a rotating selection of beers/ ciders. The staff are very friendly. I don't eat out during the week (only home cooked), so a Brew Birds breakfast burrito is usually the go to treat. I can personally recommend the Roast Beast, the Turkey BLT, the breakfast burrito, and the basic B. This place is my favorite part of the neighborhood!“

“This was a new find for me craving a quick freshly prepared breakfast (bacon, egg and cheese croissant and hashbrown).. and well with the stop. Decently priced, abundance of choices and friendly atmosphere.... couldn't ask for more. Definately recommended...“

“Hands down, the best cheesesteak I've ever had — a solid 10/10.
If you're local, this spot is an absolute must-try. The meat was perfectly seasoned and tender, the cheese melted just right, and the roll was fresh and held everything together without getting soggy. Plus, you need to add jalapeno, it's a kick!!! Every bite was packed with flavor. You can tell they put care into every detail. Whether you're a cheesesteak connoisseur or just looking for a great meal, you won’t be disappointed. I’ll definitely be coming back!“

“Best Matcha ice cream and other soft serve…. Yummy 🤤“

“Love the service and friendly stuff“

“This place is great!! I’ve ordered pickup and delivery multiple times and the food is always great no matter what I order. The food is always fresh and always hot if need be. Not to mention the staff is kind and are super efficient. Every time I walk in for pickup my order is already done and I walk out within two minutes. I seriously recommend this place to anyone. Some of the best food you can get if you live in Dulles Station.“

“Staying at a hotel (Courtyard) down the street. I’ve been taking the metro into DC for a trade show. This restaurant is right there when leaving the metro.
I had the turkey club and fries. The picture says it all - sandwich was as good as it looks! Fries were hot and fresh.“

“Family owned cafe that is tucked away in the back of the building. The staff is kind and quick to get your order ready. I got a cheese panini and I wish the cheese had been melted a bit more, but it was still delicious. The food bar always has a great selection too. Definitely worth trying out.“

“First of all I have tried all locations and I can say this one is the best. From the calm atmosphere to the eye soothing decorations. It’s a good place if you want to study and work. But the most important thing to me is their coffee. I really love it and please try the iced pistachio latte it’s my go to all the time,even the pastries are good. So I would absolutely recommend it to any one want a great coffee with nice atmosphere.“

“Almost every time I need to go out for lunch I go to gallery cafe. The people are really nice and make the food with love. The food is really good and very reasonably priced. I especially like the pastrami sandwich and paninis. 10/10 highly recommend!“

“Great Cafe! I have a few favorites here. Try the Lee's favorite, Italian Cold Cut, or the California Club. They have daily specials that include combos with fries and a drink. The ladies that work here do a great job and everything is delicious.“

“Best food!!!! Good coffee and very nice people.😘😘😘😘“

“Everything Combustible ⛽️ Save a lot of money and any purchases“

“This is a great place for lunch! Salads, sandwiches, and subs are freshly made. Somewhat of a hidden gem in the business district and I hope more people find it. The outside dining area is awesome ? ?

Parking: Parking is free and right in front of the cafe ☺️

Dietary restrictions: Good place for dietary restrictions. Most items on the menu can be custom made to your dietary preferences ?“

“authentic Japanese, fuffly pancakes are amazing“

“This place is absolutely phenomenal. It’s a great place to go and meet people let alone buy some fine pastries and sit down and have a conversation with somebody that you don’t even know. I come here quite often. Just sit down and relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or a Boba tea. I need a fine pastry. I end up leaving with 50+ dollars or more in pastries either for my family or friends and family at work each and every time I come in this place it’s absolutely amazing. The service is beyond the people that come to this place are awesome. I’ve never ever in the last few years that I’ve been going to this place had a bad experience every each, and every time that I come into this place is amazing.“

“9/4/25 @ 7:58AM
Ticket # 6051715974556821

I would like to express how great my experience was this morning. There were 3 people working on food when I arrived to enter my order in. There was a girl at the front near the pick up area doing the prep. I had a couple of questions and requests for my iced coffee with vanilla. She was so kind, courteous, respectful and sweet. Her customer service was amazing! I'm so impressed and grateful.

There are a lot of people who are very rude these days in many areas of life, especially in customer service and in stores I go to, but she was not.

She was so kind and helpful. Please can you give her recognition for her outstanding work and customer service? She deserves a raise for her demeanor, professionalism and multitasking abilities.

Thank you so much, to this female who helped me! I don't know your name, but you made my morning experience so great. I appreciate you!! I hope your management recognized you for this great service!“

“We were driving by and just happen to see it. Decided to turn around and give them a shot. Place was clean, staff was professional and to this coffee addict, the coffee was a 10!! Will definitely be back!“

“That great and the shop decorated good“

“I am so happy to discover GreenFare Organic Cafe in Herndon, VA! Their food is delicious and healthy. I highly recommend the mushroom enchilada and pumpkin soup! If you are looking to treat your body well without compromising taste, I highly recommend you check it out!“

“Worst location. I have never been in Panera Bread this dirty before. I visit this chain few times a week all over norther VA, this place was bad…every table was dirty and greasy, filthy bathroom..it was horrible. I felt like getting up and leaving right away. I told one of the employees that tables need to be wiped and he acknowledged the issue. Ten minutes later I saw one of employees running around spraying tables barely wiping them dry. I had to get up and finish the job myself. Panera Bread, this is not up to your standards! Very disappointing. Will avoid this location at all cost.

UPDATE: Gave this location another try and was pleasantly surprised with an improved service and cleanliness of the place so I am updating my review rating. Please keep it up for your customers.“

“The best chai latte! Great morning to sit out and enjoy!“

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First Watch was a delight! The food was fresh, with vibrant flavors—loved the avocado toast and their signature coffee. Service was friendly and quick, and the cozy atmosphere made it a perfect brunch spot. Especially, the one and only, Marvin was great!!! Highly recommend!“

“Great food. What else can be said?? Had the gravy and biscuits which was phenomenal and had their Kale juice which is done fresh. Coming from a person that doesn't do veggies this drink was Amazing. Easily a place that is going to be added to my rotation and continue trying their yummy food“

“Ooooo my goodness❣️ The Fairlakes location was the freshest most delicious and delightful food, especially staff - exceptional and a great experience! Not only the staff were friendly the customers were just as chill and friendly🤎❣️ Pleaaaaase don’t change your quality of food and service. You are one of my peaceful spaces. Hugs, Saundra R. Reston VA“

“Stopped in this evening to pick up meals. LOTS of choices! My family and I each tried a different meal and all three were very good! We will definitely be back for more!“

“Staff were very friendly. I had the sausage, egg, cheese croissant and it was tasty. Fairlybpriced considering its in the airport. I would definitely visit this place again during my travels through the Dulles airport.“

“All day today, we been packing for our next move and decided to stop over Panera. It was a wonderful experience with the manager Brent that made time to talk with us and Gigi the cashier gave us outstanding customer service. We’re from California and it’s not everyday you see people enjoy where they are working at and helping others. Thank you Brent and Gigi, we will try to visit before we move and thank you for everything.“

“My family and I were in town from Leesburg. Wish this food was over there!! We got the teriyaki specials-chicken was super tender and fresh. Dishes had decent amount if veggis which unfortunately is hard to find and the sauce and flavors were just perfect. Price seems average but quality is wonderful. Super fast service too and we saw them greeting the regulars who must work in the building. Friendly vibes for eating in or take out. Def will have to try their breakfast as reviews recommend french toast.“

“Today was my second time visiting Checkers Deli & Cafe and I think I found my place for breakfast and lunch. Their portions are generous and the entire team is very efficient. You can mark my words when I say your food will come out in less than 2 minutes. I was feeling bold today and I ordered the kimchi and bulgogi wrap and let me tell you, IT WAS THE BEST BULGOGI BURRITO I HAD!!! I'm excited to try rest of their menu as I keep coming but I would highly recommend this deli if you are looking for a quality, quick, and delicious breakfast and lunch!“

“After a long, lackluster day of a birthday—I went to Lulu cafe. And it was the best way possible to conclude my birthday last night. The vibe was really chill and energetic at the same time. The staff as well as the customers just made it a wonderful place to celebrate with my friends. The karaoke rooms had great sound quality and everything about it was designed for a good time. I will definitely be back. Everyone was dancing and getting hyped, even if they were just sitting down and drinking. It was like being on an episode of Adventure Time. High energy, humorous and just solid times.“

“Jennifer is fabulous! She's so sweet and accommodating to all of her customers.
All of the food looked so good, it was hard to choose just 1 item.
I'm from out of town, I was so confused when I pulled up to the golf course, glad I saw the sign.“

“Love this little cafe! Service is wonderful, food is wonderful, food is fast!“

“I recently had both breakfast and lunch at this brand new deli-catering restaurant at 205 Van Buren Street in the Atrium building. They did a fantastic catering event for the Dulles Regional Chamber last week.“

“This place just makes your insides feel warm and cozy. Often I see people on their laptops, writing in a journal or enjoying the company of one other. The little treats are so thoughtful and cute. The drinks are carefully cultivated and delicious. Plenty of clean bathrooms too ?“