Since Washington DC is a big city in US and is the capital of politics and business, people here are highly busy in their work and in the course of this busy schedule, they need a break where they can relax their mind. This is why, there are many amazing cafes in Washington DC that cater to the needs of tourists and locals alike.
The beverages served in each cafe relaxe the mind and are re-energize the drinker effectively. Whether you want to have an early morning coffee or are craving something savory in the midnight, Cafes in Washington DC are open for you.
15 Cafes In Washington DC
It is easy to spot cafes in every lane but still to make your planning easier, we have curated a list of the best cafes in Washington DC that you must try out in your next visit!
1. Sospeso
Translated from Neapolitan practice which means Suspended Coffees, Sospeso is located on H Street and is the coolest looking cafe in Washington DC. The cafe comprises of bright and airy interior with light birch tables and casement windows overlooking the busy streets.
Although, the menu here is quite standard, but there are some good surprises waiting for you. Do try out their Shakerto, a shaken blend of espresso, syrup, and ice. Then for brunch lovers, the cafe offers some really good options to choose. Don’t miss the Turkish breakfast- often, soft-boiled egg, labneh, hummus, and other items included. This cafe is surely to try out if you are nearby. Not so high on budget, but great delicacies to try out.
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2. Grace Street Coffee
Located in Georgetown, Washington DC, Grace Street is known for high-quality sourced beans roasted on-site, making up the base of drinks like pour-overs and siphon cold brews. They serve the best Barista Coffee who are known for their craft and offer the best beverage. Moreover, their pastries are quite amazing to try out.
Whether you are going for a hangout or just to sip a coffee in the evening, Grace Street Coffee is worth to visit. They have an entire blackboard filled with sandwiches of different city names including Madrid made up of chorizo and chimichurri. Similarly, Beirut having steak, hummus, and brined vegetables really taste well.
3. Compass Coffee
There is a great background behind Compass Coffee. Two former Marines who bonded over not-third-wave coffee during the deployment in Afghanistan, really loved the coffee they had. As they returned home, the both decided to channel appreciation of having a great coffee of the shop. Compass had opened its second outlet in The Shay years back and is planning to open for spacious new cafe in Ivy City.
Compass Coffee team travels globally to choose the best beans from small farms to create great coffee. They have a great collection of bean coffee including the nine carefully crafted blends and with drink menu including Nutella Latte and mint cold brew.
The best part of the entire menu is the Kolaches that is widely ordered. If you are true coffee lover, then Compass Coffee is the one to go for.
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4. Baked & Wired
If you are looking for an amazing cupcake along with coffee, then Baked & Wired is for you. This artistic shop is famous for homemade baked goods and is known for serving the famous cupcakes made by them. They got some really good selection of espresso and coffee drinks prepared well from beans from Stumptown, PT’s, Elixir, and places that has good coffee bean business.
If you are in a mood for some cupcakes and want to join with your friends then Baked & Wired is your destination.
5. Dolcezza
Located in Logan Circle, Dolcezza is known for offering the best espresso with gelato flavors. The cafe sources its beans from Stumptown Coffee Roasters and offer full roaster of espresso drinks along with single-origin drip or pour-over coffee. Do check the nitro cold brew which is a creamy, nitrogen-infused drink.
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6. Chinatown Coffee Co
This is a causal and cheerful coffee shop located in Chinatown. However, if you are really looking for options like delicate pastries and sandwiches, then this is not the place to go for. But the cafe serves the best siphon-brewed Kyoto cold brew with good quantity.
If you visit this cafe in the night, then you will find it turning into mini cocktail bar.
7. Emissary
This Dupont Circle coffee shop is proud of itself and has Swedish vibe. The entire cafe carries brick and cozy couch ambience along with seating nooks giving the best experience to spend time during afternoon lunch and evening snack with friends and colleagues.
They have a special coffee made from Counter Culture beans and espresso drink. Each coffee served here is amazing in all sense. Just sit back and enjoy the best time with your friend and have some amazing delicacies.
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8. Big Bear Cafe
Located in Bloomingdale, Big Bear Cafe has an amazing ambience with cobblestone patio and trellised grape vines. For office goers who want to sit and do some work while sipping a coffee, then Big Bear Cafe is the place to go for. Here, beans for coffee are sourced from Maryland’s Ceremony Coffee Roasters.
So the best coffee served in one of the best cafe in Washington DC. Also do try out their sandwiches and other items along with coffee.
9. The Cup we all Race 4
This is the widely visited coffee shop in DC and is known for Baltimore Chef Spike Gjerde. Here, you can expect some amazing coffee including- Counter Culture coffee, herbal teas and collection of pastries and sandwiches.
Located in Adams Morgan, this is the trendies’ hotel in the town. Don’t miss their Maple Latte which is largely ordered by guests.
10. Little Pearl
Located in Capitol Hill, Little Pearl is similar to Rose’s Luxury, the coffee shop lives up to the expectations. This small, bright, airy, and filled with golden accents, the cafe attracts chic tourists. Here you will find all types of coffee house classics that can really give you the reason to stay here for long.
Some of the options available are- banana or coconut-nutmeg lattes. There are some non-diary milk options too including- hazelnut and rice milk. Do try their potato donut while sip their amazing coffee.
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11. Qualia Coffee
Designed with the neighbor’s comfy living room design, Qualia Coffee is an upscale coffee shop in Petworth. One thing that makes them different from other Washington DC cafes, as there is a no WiFi policy followed on weekends so that guests visiting can enjoy special time together and enjoy with their friends, rather gauging on internet.
Beans for coffee here are roasted on-site and offer at least five different single-origin options each day. On weekends, the cafe witnesses good visitors to taste their menu and coffee options.
12. Maketto
Located in H Street, Maketto is yet another must visit cafe in Washington DC. Owned by Erik Bruner- Yang’s, the café carries minimalist decor giving relaxing experience. This Japanese inspired cafe offers fresh pastries baked in-house by Frenchie’s Bakery.
Their Siphon Bar offers some really cool collection of coffee along with Taiwanese breakfast or lunch.
13. Peregrine Espresso
Located in Eastern Market, Peregrine Espresso by Ryan Jensen offers classy collection of coffee. The cafe has won plenty of awards in Barista competitions. The cafe sources its coffee beans for espresso from different resources.
They have Java Geeks and private coffee classes limited for only four students.
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14. Pineapple and Pearls
Run by Aaron Silverman, Pineapple and Pearls is the luxury new cafe located in Capitol Hill and known for offering a wide range of coffee. Open only during the day time from Tuesday to Saturday, the cafe stocks its beans from Parlor Coffee.
The cafe also serves breakfast pastries and savory options for lunchtime. Also, try out their Pistachio and hazelnut milk in espresso drink.
15. Royal
Located in LeDroit Park, the cafe starts at 7am on weekdays and 8am on weekends. You can carry your laptop and sit on the second floor of the cafe to peacefully work. Royal serves all types of breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the day.
Don’t miss their fresh Arepa, a wood-grilled avocado and house-made sausage.
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Each of these above-mentioned cafes in Washington DC offer a wide range of coffees and delicacies for breakfast, lunch, and supper. Visit any of these cafes and enjoy some really great time during your trip to Washington DC.
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Gaurav is an entrepreneur by profession and an avid Yoga enthusiast. He loves to explore and know about Varied traditions, arts and colourful cultures of people at different places around the world. He loves to spend time in nature and to read books.