For many Washingtonians, the day begins with a cup of joe from the coffee shop around the corner. Monday through Friday, these joints are packed like cans of sardines with congressmen, lawyers, students, entrepreneurs — the full gamut of city folk. But only in recent years has D.C. experienced a burgeoning scene of boutique coffee shops sprouting up in places ranging from alleyways to row houses.
Lest we forget that coffee shops are natural gathering places where people “work from home,” go on Bumble dates, meet with language tutors, and study for exams. While we can’t promise you an impeccable wi-fi connection, an aced exam, or love at first sip, we can promise a few options that promise good coffee, trendy atmospheres, and a whole lot of buzz around the District.
Philz Coffee
Neighborhoods: Navy Yard, Adams Morgan
With two locations and counting, the San Francisco-based shop opened the doors to its first D.C. location in Adams Morgan earlier this year, and quickly followed suit with second one in Navy Yard.
Philz Coffee manager Aaron Pitsenberger told FamousDC that Washingtonians can expect handcrafted pour-over blends that are specialized one cup at a time, as well as a few secret blends imagined by founder Phil Jaber himself.
“I would say the special drink that is a seasonal favorite is the Gingersnap Iced Coffee. It’s basically Christmas in a cup, featuring fresh spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove — all served with sugar and cream,” said Pitsenberger. He added that the best Philz drink to Instagram is the “Mint Mojito, which is served with a fresh garnish of mint every time.”
Filter Coffeehouse and Espresso Bar
Neighborhoods: Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom
At Filter, you’ll find single-origin pour-over coffee blends and espresso sourced from Ceremony Coffee, an Annapolis-based roastery. The Dupont Circle location is tucked away on the ground level of a charming brick row house on quiet 20th Street, NW. No matter the hour, this go-to hotspot is brimming with locals, and has a meticulously prepared drink option to satisfy any caffeine lover.
La Colombe
Neighborhoods: Chinatown, Shaw
Attention coffee snobs and hipsters! La Columbe’s Blagden Alley location in Shaw is arguably one of the trendiest coffee shops in all of the District. There you’ll find artisanal handcrafted roasts and a generous display of baked-goods, all with the appeal of an attractive price point. Find out what the buzz is about with a visit to this Philadelphia-based coffeehouse, and don’t forget to share a picture of your latte on Insta.
TCB (The Coffee Bar)
Neighborhoods: U Street Corridor/Shaw, Downtown
You’ll find your new barista best friend at TCB, a coffee shop sporting oversized leather armchairs and chalkboard menus. This joint prides itself on making specialty coffee accessible to everyone, from the average Joe to the connoisseur in your life. TCB specializes in single-origin, pour-over blends which are sourced from a seasonal selection of award-winning roasters like Ceremony, Verve, Bespoken, Onyx Coffee Lab, and NOVO.
Ebenezers Coffeehouse
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill
Located a block from Union Station, “Eb’s” is an adorable coffee shop with stellar fair trade coffee varietals. There, you’ll find the usual work-from-home types and also locals stopping by for some great live music. The menu doesn’t disappoint either. Sugar lovers, order a Soy Toasted Marshmallow Latte — it’s as delicious and non-health conscious as it sounds.
