The art of coffee is alive and thriving in Washington, D.C. You don’t have to look far to find the best D.C. coffee shops around. Most are one-off locations, with a few local chains thrown into the mix.
We have Starbucks, Phil’s Coffee (California visitors rejoice!) and Blue Bottle Coffee, but the little, locally owned coffee shops are by far our favorite. So, pull up a chair, get some work done on your laptop or enjoy catching up with friends at a few of our favorite coffee shops in Washington, D.C.
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Kitsugi at the Eaton Hotel
- Address: 1201 K St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
Who doesn’t love a hotel with a killer coffee shop? Take the elevator downstairs and grab a cuppa in the morning before you start your day. You’ll find locals working hard via their laptops or having a morning meeting, and friends gathering to savor a mushroom hot chocolate, speciality tea, or espresso drink.
Healthy treats and pastries are available if you need a bite. Kitsugi (whose name refers to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold) is a community meeting spot, ready to help tired tourists unwind and locals plan their next project. It’s open, airy, bright and a fun place to hang out when you need to shake off the winter blues.
ThreeFifty Bakery and Coffee Bar
- Address: 1926 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
One of our favorite little spots in Adams Morgan has got to be ThreeFifty Bakery and Coffee Bar. The staff is always smiling, and the lattes are hot. There isn’t an extensive menu, but what they do, they do well.
The pastry case is small, but packs a mighty punch. I personally love the banana bread, but the mini quiche and cookies are great when you need something more substantial or a little sweet treat. Bring your laptop to get some quiet work done during the week, or hang out on the patio with friends from spring through fall. This shop is tiny, so if you can’t find a seat, don’t stress. You can always share with someone or wander the neighborhood with your to-go cup.
Emissary DC
- Address: 2032 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
We love this coffee shop/restaurant just off of Dupont Circle when we need to get a little work done or meet up with friends in the city. There are plenty of outlets and seating for individuals with laptops. Bigger tables are reserved for larger groups and the laptop users move to the counters by happy hour. And yes, the food and coffee are delicious and perfect for entertaining friends or clients.
Elle DC
- Address: 3221 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
Locals rejoiced when this breakfast and daytime coffee spot added dinner to their menu, but we still love the morning scene.
Full breakfast and lunch are served until 3pm, but you can also grab coffee at the counter to take with you as you wander around Mt. Pleasant. If you do pop in, make sure you grab a guava turnover. You won’t be sorry!
Songbyrd Record Cafe and Music House
- Address: 2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Part music shop, part record store and music venue, Songbyrd can’t be beat when you want to relax over some vinyl with a few friends. The Songwriters Series brings in local talent you’ll want to tell your friends about.
Keep an eye on their website, as tickets are limited. Most shows are for all ages, so feel free to bring the teens with you.
A full range of espresso drinks, including nitro brew, iced coffee and French Press, as well as tea, Maine Root sodas, pastries and all-day breakfast sandwiches are on the menu. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
Colony Club
- Address: 3118 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
Looking for a coffee bar that is also a cocktail bar and ping-pong club at night? You are going to want to Uber or Metro over to the Park View neighborhood.
Individually crafted espresso drinks are served by day. At night the cocktails, beer, natural wine and drip coffee come out to play. If you feel peckish, you can pick up sandwiches and pastries. Just don’t forget the all-day-all-night ping-pong.
Büna Coffeehouse (Petworth)
- Address: 4400 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011
Opened in early 2019, Büna Coffeehouse is a welcome addition to the Pentworth neighborhood. Drip coffee and espresso drinks grace the coffee menu, but make sure you try co-owner Senaite’s Ethiopian Coffee service.
It goes perfectly with some of this family-owned and operated coffee house’s other menu items, including Chechebsa, Habesha Eggs or the brunch platter.
Your American standard breakfast in the form of bagels, waffles, eggs and avocado toast is also available if you need carbs and protein in the morning.
Vegans and those with gluten issues can also find a tasty items on the menu. Just ask if you aren’t sure what you should eat; this family is more than happy to help.
The Wyndown Coffee Bar
- Address: multiple locations
- 1924 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- The Wyndown at the Apollo, 600B H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Formerly a pop-up coffee shop, Wyndown Coffee Bar now calls two locations home. This family-owned local chain serves Passenger Coffee Roasters and Sump Coffee Roasters, so order away.
Whether you just want a single brew, pour over or an espresso drink, the staff has you covered with a variety of coffee specialties. Each location also has a bakery on-site tthat makes tasty scones, muffins, breakfast sandwiches, cupcakes, cake pie, bars, and a whole list of cookies.
The Coffee Bar (TCB)
- Address: multiple locations
- 1201 S St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- 1200 17th Street NW, Suite 150, Washington, DC 20036
Stroll into one of these neighborhood coffee shops and you will feel like family. Pop in for an espresso or choose from the AM “on tap” menu or the delightful afternoon pour over from the single origin menu.
Make sure you check out the speciality drink menu too. We love the London Fog tea and can’t wait to try the Cardamom latte, but you have to hurry. These drinks switch out and don’t always come back!
Grace Street Coffee Roasters
- Address: 3210 Grace St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Grace Street roasts all of their own beans on site, so you are sure to get a decent cup. They only serve ethically sourced coffees, and partner with Pluma by Bluebird Bakery to make sure you get a sweet treat.
Visit their sister shop at 2622 Cafe (2622 P Street NW) for pastries, food and coffee in a speakeasy-style cafe.
Little Pearl
- Address: 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
Little Pearl is an unexpected spot in Capitol Hill if you want to meet up with friends, have a meeting or just need to get some work done. I almost got lost the first time I went. There are several different rooms you can settle into, including an interior room perfect for quiet work, a glassed-in room and the covered patio.
Moms love the outdoor seating area which has loads of grass for their kids to play in while they unwind with friends. The property is fenced, so no need to worry about little ones running into the street. And surprise, surprise: this coffee shop is also a wine bar and Michelin-starred restaurant.
Cafe Georgetown
- Address: 3141 N St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Baklava heaven for those who love a honeylicious confection. Oh, and the coffee art is incredible. Keep in mind that this is a laptop-free zone.
Meet up with friends or have a meeting, but computers are off-limits. Of course, you can always read a book or newspaper.
Best Chain Coffee Shops in Washington, D.C.
Peregrine Espresso
- Address: multiple locations
- 660 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003
- 1718 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
- Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Opened in 2008 in Eastern Market, Peregrine Espresso’s focus on quality, sustainability and education continues to shine through every cup of coffee. Peregrine regularly offers classes to the public, including Better Brewing at Home and Espresso Fundamentals.
Owners Ryan and Jill Jenson have also brought eco-friendly practices into their shops, using composting & recycling, wind power and reusable glass milk bottles to build a sustainable business that has flourished across the District.
La Colombe
- Address: multiple locations
- MANHATTAN LAUNDRY, 1346 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
- 1710 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
- 201 M St NE, Washington, DC 20002
- 924 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
- 900 6th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Originally out of Philadelphia, La Colombe has grown its presence across the D.C. area and we couldn’t be more excited. Co-owners Todd Carmichael and JP Iberti are passionate about elevating the U.S. coffee experience and using responsibly-sourced coffee beans.
La Colombe was the first to offer lattes on draft and continues to push the limits in the coffee industry. Can’t get to the shop? Grab a cold brew from your local grocery store.
Compass Coffee
- Address: multiple locations
- The Roastery, 1535 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Chinatown, 650 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
- The Shay, 1921 8th St NW #100, Washington, DC 20001
- 1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
- 1401 I St NW, Washington, DC 20005
- 1023 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- 1351 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
- 4850 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
- 1301 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Former marines turned coffee connoisseurs, the owners of Compass Coffee perfected the art of brewing while stationed in Afghanistan. They wanted to show Washington, D.C. residents that coffee doesn’t have to be bitter and covered up by piles of sugar and cream; it can be well-balanced and delicious all on its own.
They opened a roaster in the Shaw to start, and expended from there. Now they offer single-origin roasts, along with nine different blends for you to sample in the shop or take home to brew on your own. You can even order their beans online after you get home from your D.C. trip.
Pop into one of their locations to get a little work done, enjoy a bite or just rest your feet while wandering the city. We are pretty sure you will find at least one location to love during your journey.
Looking for a Washington DC Hotel?
- Hotel Hive – Affordable, trendy, pet-friendly hotel
- Eaton Hotel – Stay in the heart of DC
- Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC – DC luxury at it’s best
- Kimpton Hotel George – Great for families and pets
- Willard InterContinental Washington – Historic hotel right near the White House
Need a car? Get the best rental car rates HERE.
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