The 10 Best Coffee Shops in Washington, D.C.
We'll say it up front: Washington, D.C. isn’t Portland or Seattle when it comes to Third Wave coffee culture—and that’s okay. While Starbucks was the only game in town for a long time (there remain more than 15 outposts in downtown D.C. alone), a host of creative new shops and roasters have cropped up in the past few years, changing the coffee and cafe scene (not unlike what's been happening with the city's food and drinks offerings). Next time you’re in the District, plan for a few mid-morning or mid-afternoon breaks for a cup of joe: whether it's at a casual sibling of a blockbuster restaurant led by an award-winning chef, or a veteran-owned counter service spot serving the city's favorite nitro brew, you've got options for grabbing good coffee in D.C. Read on for our picks.
Jonathan TimmesrestaurantSospeso
Sospeso$$Named for a Neapolitan practice that loosely translates to "suspended coffees" (it refers to paying it forward by buying another patron's cup), this shop on H Street is a cute cafe by day, and a serious Mediterranean restaurant by night. The interior is bright and airy, with light birch tables and big casement windows that overlook the street and, while the menu mostly lists the standards, there are nice surprises built in, too. To wit: Try the shakerato, a shaken (duh!) blend of espresso, simple syrup, and ice. The place also offers a solid brunch menu, with the full Turkish breakfast—kofte, soft-boiled egg, labneh, hummus, and a hit of fresh veggies—ready to make your morning.
Sam AnglinbarGrace Street Coffee
Grace Street Coffee$Grace Street, in Georgetown, is pretty straightforward: Responsibly sourced beans are roasted on-site, making up the base of drinks like pour-overs and siphon cold brews. Baristas are knowledgable and serious about their craft, so don't be afraid to tap them for a bit of beverage guidance. The pastries are pretty legit, too, and there's a whole blackboard filled with sandwiches of different city names—the Madrid is made of chorizo and chimichurri, while the Beirut has steak, hummus, and brined vegetables. It's not a meal, exactly, but it's definitely enough to hold you over.
barChinatown Coffee Co.
Chinatown Coffee Co.$This casual, cheerful shop is located in Chinatown, which makes it a convenient point of departure for visiting many of the city's museums, sporting arenas, and other attractions. You won't find much in the way of delicate pastries, or artisanal sandwiches—if you need real food, look elsewhere—but they have siphon-brewed Kyoto cold brew for under $5, and that's plenty good enough for us. By the way, a good cup of joe isn't all this place does right: At night, it becomes a chic cocktail bar.
Courtesy EmissaryrestaurantEmissary
Emissary$This Dupont Circle coffee shop prides itself on channeling a bit of the Swedish fika vibe: Think exposed brick, cozy couches, and little seating nooks that invite you to linger for a while for that much-needed late-afternoon break. The coffee, made from Counter Culture beans, translates to a solid pour-over or espresso drink, making Emissary ideal for a caffeine bump. Sit back and hang out for a bit, or roll in on a weekend to catch stylish folk snapping pics of the delicious—and supremely photogenic—avocado toast, piled high with arugula and tomatoes.
Courtesy Big Bear CaferestaurantBig Bear Cafe
Big Bear Cafe$The fairytale cobblestone patio and trellised grape vines make Big Bear Cafe, in Bloomingdale, a respite within the city; and while it's more of a sit-down situation at night, it's a great workspace during the day, equipped with good coffee and a solid menu of sandwiches and light bites. Beans are sourced from Maryland's Ceremony Coffee Roasters, and if you're using the space to work away, you're in luck: There are plenty of huge, simply prepared sandwiches ready to sustain you.
Courtesy Compass CoffeebarCompass Coffee
Compass Coffee$Compass's 7th Street outpost in Shaw—the first location of this District coffee mini-chain (and favorite)—is also home to their roaster, so the space is a touch larger than your average coffee shop. It's comfortable and inviting, with sprawling tables set up for coworking, and you'll see plenty of people doing that. Fortunately, the ample space keeps it from feeling claustrophobic, or overrun with backlit screens. In addition to single-origin beans, Compass roasts nine different blends using coffee from around the world, so you won't want for variety. Hit up the pastry case, too, for a Bethlehem bar—a mean combination of cookie, brownie, and blondie.
Anna Meyer/Courtesy The Cup We All Race 4barThe Cup We All Race 4
The Cup We All Race 4$The wildly anticipated coffee shop in D.C.'s uber-hip hotel, The Line DC—one of the city's first culinary outposts for noted Baltimore chef Spike Gjerde, of Woodberry Kitchen—is as cool as you'd hope for. Expect Counter Culture coffee, herbal teas, and a top selection of pastries and sandwiches (they make a mean benne seed bagel, topped with smoked rockfish, for breakfast) and ample people watching. This is DC's newest and trendiest hotel, in Adams Morgan, after all. For something a little different, you can't beat the maple latte.
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The Wydown Coffee Bar
The Wydown Coffee Bar$This too-cool-for-school coffee shop in Cardozo has a bright, airy feel, with lots of natural wood and chic herringbone floors. It's a WiFi-free zone—a perk for some and a detriment to others. Given said lack of free internet access, those who imbibe at the Wydown are typically popping in for a quick re-caffeination, or looking to linger and savor the moment with a paper in one hand (okay, a Kindle) and a latte in the other. Cold brews are especially potent, so grab one of those if you need to perk up—and the sugar-crusted scones, in cheery flavors like raspberry-rose, are delightful when you need a snack.
Anna MeyerrestaurantLittle Pearl
Little Pearl$As the little sister of perennial D.C. favorite Rose's Luxury, Little Pearl lives up to expectations. This minimal, cool coffee and wine bar set in an old carriage house in Capitol Hill is bright and airy, with smart gold accents, and draws chic tourists who've just made the rounds through Eastern Market. You can expect all the coffee house classics, but there are some funky options, too, like banana or coconut-nutmeg lattes. Non-dairy milk options, like hazelnut and rice milk, are house-made, and will give your drink a little bit of a tang. The food is a little off-kilter, too: Try a potato donut, or come long after the sun has set for a bustling (and absurdly colorful) small plates scene.
Courtesy QualiabarQualia Coffee
Qualia Coffee$Qualia feels more like your neighbor's comfy living room than an upscale coffee shop in Petworth—and that's totally fine with us. Their unabashed "no WiFi on weekends" policy makes them a destination for java-loving capital residents who don't feel like sitting amid a sea of laptops, fostering a strong contingent of regulars. And it's not just the lack of pecking and glazed-over eyes that keeps them coming: Beans are roasted on-site, and there's typically at least five different single-origin options each day. Oh, and there are free tastings held every Sunday. You're welcome.
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