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 near me in the District, whether you are wandering around the National Mall, or you are a coffee connoisseur hoofing it in Downtown DC to your next meeting. Most of the best places for coffee in DC are one-off locations, with a few local chains thrown into the mix.
Yes, we have Starbucks, Phil’s Coffee (California visitors rejoice!) and Blue Bottle Coffee in D.C., but the little, locally-owned cafes and 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.
What are you looking for in a DC Coffee Shop?
While everyone has their own tastes when it comes to coffee, whether you are looking for a draft latte, single-origin beans, regular coffee, or the perfect dry cappuccino (my go-to order), the best spot for coffee lovers is pretty easy to find when you do a simple search and look at reviews.
After a LOT of caffeinated research of my own, and cross referencing online reviews, here is what you can expect from local favorites and chain coffee shops in Washington, D.C. You may not agree with the findings, but it just means you have to find the perfect place for YOU as a coffee lover, not the masses.
Keep in mind that I’ve tried to limit the selection in each category to make it easier for you to narrow down where to go for coffee and a chocolate croissant, but there are a lot of places that could be listed in each section.
- Where are the best coffee shops in DC?
- DUA DC Coffee
- The Coffee Bar
- The Wydown
- What are the most popular coffee shops in DC?
- La Colombe Coffee Roasters (Philadelphia chain)
- The Coffee Bar
- The Wydown Coffee Bar
- What are some unique or hidden gem coffee shops in DC?
- The Potter’s House in Adams Morgan.
- Harrar Coffee & Roastery in Park View.
- Sweet Science Coffee in NoMa.
- What are the Instagrammable Coffee Shops in DC
- Big Bear Cafe
- La Colombe (Blagden Alley)
- DUA Coffee
- What coffee shops in DC have free wifi?
- Maketto
- Little Pearl DC
- Potter’s House
- What coffee shops in DC have outdoor seating?
- La Coop
- Little Pearl DC
- Peregrine at Union Market
- What coffee shops in DC are good for studying?
- Doubles
- Ebenezers Coffeehouse
- Courtyard Cafe at the National Portrait Gallery
- What coffee shops in DC have good food?
- Un Je Ne Sais Quoi
- Emissary DC
- A Baked Joint
- What coffee shops in DC are dog-friendly?
- Sidamo Coffee and Tea
- The Coffee Bar
- Doubles
- Big Bear Cafe
- Creative Grounds DC
- The Potter’s House
- Piccolina
- What coffee shops in DC have vegan options?
- A Baked Joint
- Sidamo Coffee and Tea
- Bluestone Lane
- Gregorys Coffee
- Busboys and Poets
- Baked and Wired
- Bourbon Coffee
Best Washington DC Coffee Shops
DUA DC Coffee
Address: 923 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
Get ready for something different on the DC coffee scene. DUA is a women-owned, Indonesian coffee shop featuring single-origin beans from the different islands of Indonesia. Their latte art is on point, and this is a great coffee shop to try something a little different, or a few favorites.
My husband has approved their mocha, so I pick that up for him every time I am close by (they also have a mint mocha!), while I’m always on the hunt for the perfect cappuccino or flat white, which they definitely deliver.
DUA DC Coffee has a small food menu, including avocado toast, sunflower banana toast, and empanadas (beef, or cheese and onion), which are perfect for anyone on the go in the morning as they rush to their office in the capital city of the United States of America.
Baker’s Daughter 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 laptops or having a morning meeting, and friends gathering to savor a mushroom hot chocolate, speciality tea, an espresso and other coffee drinks.
Healthy treats and pastries are available if you need a bite. Baker’s Daughter, formerly 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 with good coffee and delicious food.
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 outdoor 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 specialty coffee in a to-go cup.
Emissary DC
- Address: 2032 P St NW, Washington, DC 20036
We love this delicious coffee shop and 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 electrical outlets and seating for individuals with laptops. Bigger tables are reserved for larger groups and the laptop users must move to the counters by happy hour.
And yes, the food and coffee are delicious and perfect for entertaining friends or clients, while the friendly staff is always happy to help you pick out a chai latte, specialty hot chocolate, or one of their many food options.
Ellē 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 at Ellē.
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! Take a peek at their evening menus so y ou know if you want to go back to this haven for coffee lovers at night.
Songbyrd 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 (our favorite flavor is blueberry), pastries and all-day breakfast sandwiches are on the menu. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.
Doubles
- 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 Doubles (originally opened under the Name Colony Club, but quickly changed due to the negative connotations associated with colonialism.) 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 tasty items on the menu. Just ask if you aren’t sure what you should eat; this family is more than happy to help.
Find the best Gluten-Free Bakeries in Washington DC
The Wydown 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, and no list of the best coffee shops would be complete without them. 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 that 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 of draft lattes, 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!
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 at a local coffee shop, have a meeting or just need to get some work done.
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. The first time I went I almost got lost thanks to all of the options.
Moms love the outdoor seating area, which has loads of grass for their kids to play on 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 turns into a wine bar and Michelin-starred restaurant.
Cafe Georgetown
- Address: 3141 N St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Baklava heaven for those who love a honey-licious confection. Oh, and the coffee beverages are perfectly balances, and the coffee art is incredible (just check out their social media posts to see why they are #1 for coffee art in DC).
Keep in mind that this is a laptop-free zone, so while it is a quiet place for a conversation, it is not the perfect spot to work.
Catch up with friends or have a meeting, but computers are off-limits. Of course, you can always read a book or newspaper.
Baked and Wired
- Address: 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Personally, I visit Baked and Wired for their strawberry cupcake (one of our top cupcakes in DC), but you can also find a great cup of coffee in this Georgetown coffee shop. While the left side of the shop is all baked good and food, the right side is a coffee shop, where you can walk up to the counter for a regular cup of Joe and a variety of options when it comes to espresso-based hot and cold coffee drinks.
A Baked Joint
- Address: 430 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
A Baked Joint features a whole lot of baked goods, like breads, chocolate croissants, sandwiches, toasts (yes, there are avocado toasts), Crème Brûlée French Toast, and open-faced Smoked Salmon baguettes on their breakfast menu. And what do you need with breakfast, brunch and baked goods? Excellent coffee of course!
Their lunch menu is just as decadent, again, featuring bread-based dishes, but they do have some lovely, homemade soups and salads for those who need to eat gluten-free.
A full menu of coffee beverages and teas is available, along with desserts from sister shop, Baked & Wired.
Zeke’s Coffee
- Address: multiple locations
- 2300 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20018
- 731 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
- 4602 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20011
While you can’t really sit down in Zeke’s Coffee, as it is a small batch coffee roastery, specializing in organic, fair trade and specialty grade Arabica beans, you can order a hot beverage to go along with a few pastries (Uptown and 14th St locations) and breakfast sandwiches (Uptown location only) made by Bluebird Bakery, Ellē, Whisked, and Wellfound Foods.
While Zeke’s has the usual drip coffee and espresso drinks on their menu, this is a great spot to check out their seasonal nitro brew, like cinnamon maple (nitro cold brew, real maple syrup, oat milk and cinnamon). It sure beats pumpkin spice in autumn that’s for sure!
Big Bear Cafe
- Address: 1700 First St NW, Washington, DC 20001
As you enter the Big Bear Cafe, you may think you stepped into vineyard bliss in Sonoma, California instead of a coffee shop in D.C. The grapevine-covered patio and outdoor herb gardens are an airy space filled with natural light that makes you want to sit outside to enjoy time with friends and family, as you sip on a cappuccino made from Ceremony Coffee Roasters beans or andelectable iced steamer.
Dig into their full breakfast menu featuring bear paws, a breakfast burrito, farro bowls, a pastrami bagel, and for those who like a little lunch with their breakfast you can order a friend chicken sandwich, Big Bear burger, and even a falafel wrap.
With drinks and menu items catering to vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, it’s easy to plan a gathering for breakfast or brunch (or you can check out their dinner menu for evening dining at Big Bear).
Yellow
- Address:two locations
- The Yards Collection, 1346 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20003
- Georgetown,1524 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
The original Yellow was opened in Navy Yard, a thriving “newer” neighborhood of Washington DC and home of the Washington Nationals baseball team, Light Yards at Christmas, and one of our favorite Middle Eastern Restaurants in DC, Albi (which also owns Yellow).
Today, with a second location in Georgetown, Yellow is where you go for unique croissant flavors (orange blossom, za’atar + labne, soujeck + cheese, and Harissa egg), wood-fired shakshuka, breakfast sandwiches, a quiet outdoor patio, and speciality coffee drinks like their Halva Honey latte, Tumeric + Honey latte, coconut cardamon iced coffee, and baklava mocha, and the Golden Date cappuccino (medjool dates and date molasses).
Yellow also serves a selection of hot and iced teas (try the tamarind iced tea with lady lavender tea and brown sugar), milk tea, chai apple cider, and even a baklava hot chocolate.
Find the best Washington DC hot chocolate near me this winter.
DC Coffee Shops that have closed
Grace Street Coffee Roasters (Permanently Closed)
- 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.
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 Union 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 Coffee Roasters
- 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 Coffee Roasters 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.
Levain Bakery
- Address: 3131 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007
Every single time I pop down to Georgetown I grab a blueberry muffin from Levain Bakery on M Street NW. Their coffee is so, so, but sometimes you need something hot to wash down a pastry. Although, the blueberry muffins, especially when they are straight out of the oven, are so moist and delicious, I never need anything else to wash away that scrumptious taste. However, I do need a pick me up if I’m going to shop my way down M Street NW.
Coffee drinks are available in non-dairy milks, but check out their Valrhona Hot Chocolate, which made our top hot chocolates in DC list!
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This post was published by Keryn Means, a Washington DC travel expert, and the editor and publisher of DC Travel Magazine. Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links we will receive a small commission.
