As they say, all good things must come to an end, right? While this will be the final piece of our blog series, the list of Washington, DC coffee shops is ongoing and here to stay! You never know what new shop will pop up in the city, so stay on the lookout. In the meantime, goDCgo recommends reviewing these local cafés below and grabbing your next cup of joe by foot, bike, bus, streetcar, or Metro. And in case you missed it, you can still check out Part I and Part II of this series for even more coffee stops.
Slipstream
This stylish, DC original serves pour-over coffee by day and cocktails by night, accompanied by a full food menu. Stop by one of their three locations around the city for a regular or seasonal drink along with a sandwich, salad, or pastry. Slipstream also hosts events like private tasting sessions, so you can explore the nuances of coffee and find your perfect cup.
Capitol Riverfront Address: 82 I Street SE
- Capital Bikeshare:
- New Jersey Ave & H St SE
- 1st & I St SE
- DC Circulator: Eastern Market-L'Enfant Plaza route to M St & New Jersey Ave SE
- Metrobus: DCN22, P6, or V4 to M St & New Jersey Ave SE
- Metrorail: Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station
Downtown Address: 1201 New York Avenue NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 13th St & New York Ave NW
- 14th St & New York Ave NW
- Metro Center / 12th & G St NW
- DC Circulator: Georgetown-Union Station route to 13th & K St NW
- Metrobus:
- 32, 33, 36, or DC3 to 15th St & New York Ave NW
- 63, 64, P6, or S2 to 11th & G St NW
- 63, 64, or G8 to 11th St & New York Ave NW
- X9 to 12th St & New York Ave NW
- Metrorail:
- Red or Blue/Orange/Silver Line to Metro Center station
- Blue/Orange/Silver Line to McPherson Square Metro station
Logan Circle Address: 1333 14th Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 14th St & Rhode Island Ave NW
- Thomas Circle
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to 14th & P St NW
- Metrobus:
- 52 or 54 to 15th & N St NW
- 52, 54, 59, or DC98 to 14th St & Rhode Island Ave NW
- G2 to 14th & P St NW
Sweet Science Coffee
Starting off as a one-woman pop-up shop, Sweet Science Coffee has now had its standalone location in the NoMa neighborhood since January 2020. Their focus continues to bring out the best in the bean while respecting the entire coffee production process — from harvesting the plant to crafting the perfect cup. As coffee nerds, chemists, enthusiasts, and lovers, their team is passionate about educating and sharing their love for the craft using seven different brewing devices and hands-on classes. Along with fun, out-of-the-box seasonal drinks, Sweet Science baristas offer made-from-scratch pastries.
Address: 35 N Street NE
- Capital Bikeshare: 1st & M St NE
- Metrobus:
- 80 or P6 to North Capitol & N St NE
- 90 or 92 to 2nd St & Florida Ave NE
- Metrorail: Red Line to NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station
Swing's Coffee
The M.E. Swing Co. (or "Mesco") was established by Michael Edward Swing and his son, Edward Swing, in 1916 and has been an established part of DC coffee culture for over 100 years. In fact, the Mesco Blend was given a patent in 1918 and is still one of the city's best-selling coffees. Today, the legendary Swing’s Coffeehouse on G Street is still filled with the original fixtures, coffee bins and grinders, and counter-weight scales that were used in the original Mesco Building years ago. And their team continues to honor the past, roasting ethically-sourced coffees with artisan efforts developed over generations.
Metro Center Address: 640 14th Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 14th & G St NW
- 14th St & New York Ave NW
- 15th St & New York Ave NW
- Metrobus:
- 32, 33, 36, or DC3 to 15th St & New York Ave NW
- 3F or D6 to 13th & G St NW
- 16E, 52, or 54 to 14th St & New York Ave NW
- Metrorail: Red or Blue/Orange/Silver Line to Metro Center station
Farragut Address: 1702 G Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 17th & G St NW
- 18th St & Pennsylvania Ave NW
- Metrobus:
- 3Y, 16Y, 42, 43, or DC3 to 18th & G St NW
- 32, 33, 36, or DC3 to 17th & H St NW
- Metrorail: Blue/Orange/Silver Line to Farragut West Metro station
The Coffee Bar
Known as the "Cheers" of coffee shops, The Coffee Bar, or "TCB," opened for business in December 2012. Even if you don't consider yourself a regular, the baristas are sure to treat you like one and learn your name and your order. TCB strives to make specialty coffee accessible to everyone in a social, warm, and inviting atmosphere. As one of the few multi-roaster shops in the city, TCB serves coffee from a variety of different roasters around the country.
Shaw Address: 1201 S Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 11th & S St NW
- 14th & R St NW
- 10th & U St NW
- 12th & U St NW
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to 14th & U St NW
- Metrobus:
- 52 or 54 to 14th & T St NW
- 63 or 64 to 11th St & Vermont Ave NW
- 90, 92, or 96 to 11th & U St NW
- Metrorail: Green/Yellow Line to Shaw-Howard U or U Street/African-Amer Civil War/Cardozo Metro station
Dupont Circle Address: 1200 17th Street NW, Suite 150
- Capital Bikeshare:
- Rhode Island & Connecticut Ave NW
- 18th & M St NW
- DC Circulator:
- Dupont Circle-Georgetown-Rosslyn route to 19th & N St NW
- Georgetown-Union Station route to 17th & K St NW
- Metrobus:
- 42, 43, L2, N2, N4, or N6 to Connecticut Ave & M St NW
- S2 or S9 to 16th & M St NW
- Metrorail: Red Line to Farragut North Metro station
The Potter's House
Since opening its doors in 1960, this nonprofit café, bookstore, and community space in Adams Morgan has been a key place for deeper conversation, creative expression, and community transformation. The Potter's House has a long, rich history and is constantly striving to uphold its values of solidarity, justice, spirituality, and care for the earth. All are welcome to build relationships across differences, envision just alternatives, and grow the movements that will make them possible.
Address: 1658 Columbia Road NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 16th & Harvard St NW
- Columbia & Ontario Rd NW
- Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to Columbia & Ontario Rd NW
- Metrobus:
- 42 or 43 to Columbia Rd & Mozart Pl NW
- 90, 96, DC98, or L2 to Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
- Metrorail: Green/Yellow Line to Columbia Heights Metro station
The Roasted Boon
This artsy, industrial-chic coffee shop offers a revolving assortment of distinctive single-origin beans, as well as exclusive Roasted Boon crafted blends using daily, modest production methods. Along with their in-house roastery, Roasted Boon doubles as a wine bar with signature "winetails," sangria, and gourmet fruit and cheese platters. Feel free to bring your furry friend, too -- they have treats for humans and pups alike!
Address: 1018 Rhode Island Avenue NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 11th & O St NW
- 11th & S St NW
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to 14th & P St NW
- Metrobus: 63, 64, G2, or G8 to 11th & P St NW
- Metrorail: Green/Yellow Line to Shaw-Howard U Metro station
The Village DC
Established in 2018 by three DC natives, this black owned and operated space is much more than a community café. The Village DC is also home to a communal center called Lab 1270 -- a space for communities, entrepreneurs, and emerging creatives to connect and form a lively retail experience and workspace. At the daytime café, you can find locally sourced food and drinks from aspiring and budding entrepreneurs. In addition to the café and Lab 1270, their weekly Village Market provides space for small, local, and independent brands and makers, prioritizing African American & POC entrepreneurs in the DMV area and beyond.
Address: 1272 5th Street NE
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 4th St & Florida Ave NE
- 5th & Morse St NE
- Union Market
- Metrobus: 90 or 92 to 5th St & Florida Ave NE
- Metrorail: Red Line to NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station
The Wydown
Designed to feel like a home away from home, this café, bar, and gathering place treats guests as if they are family. Run by two brothers with roots in the Midwest, The Wydown is fueled by a style of hospitality and service that never loses sight of its customers. Using state-of-the-art equipment and a passion for developing ideal flavor profiles and combinations, all of their products go through a rigorous taste test, including the coffee, pastries, and cocktails.
H Street Address: 600-B H Street NE
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 3rd & H St NE
- 6th & H St NE
- 6th & K St NE
- 8th & H St NE
- DC Streetcar: Provides free, daily trips along the H Street NE Corridor and Benning Road. Check the hours of operation.
- Metrobus:
- D8 or X2 to 6th & H St NE
- D4 or D8 to 6th & K St NE
- 90 or 92 to 8th & H St NE
U Street Address: 1924 14th Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 13th & U St NW
- 14th & V St NW
- 15th & W St NW
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to 14th & U St NW
- Metrobus: 52, 54, 59, 90, 92, 96, or DC98 to 14th & U St NW
- Metrorail: Green/Yellow Line to U Street/African-Amer Civil War/Cardozo Metro station
Tryst
Proudly serving Adams Morgan residents and visitors since 1998, this "community living room" takes pride in reflecting the eclecticism of the District and redefining American café culture. Adorned with huge lounging sofas and eccentric art, and no corporate coffee or matching silverware, this spot stands out in its own way and is known for always serving two animal crackers with each drink. Tryst is just one of several sister restaurants that you may be familiar with, including The Diner, Open City, and The Coupe.
Address: 2459 18th Street NW
- Capital Bikeshare:
- Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
- Columbia Rd & Belmont St NW
- DC Circulator: Woodley Park-Adams Morgan-McPherson Square route to Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
- Metrobus:
- 42 or 43 to Columbia Rd & 18th St NW
- 90, 96, DC98, or L2 to Adams Mill & Columbia Rd NW
YELLOW the Café
This Eastern Mediterranean café specializes in Levantine cuisine from award-winning Chef Michael Rafidi, offering a menu of sweet and savory pastries, mezze, wood-fired pita sandwiches, specialty coffee, and creative cold beverages. Opened in May 2020 as a pop-up in the private dining room of Albi, YELLOW will soon be expanding its boutique breakfast and lunch experience with a second standalone location in Georgetown. Be on the lookout!
Address: 1346 4th Street SE
- Capital Bikeshare:
- 3rd & Tingey St SE
- 3rd & M St SE
- 4th & M St SE
- DC Circulator: Eastern Market-L'Enfant Plaza route to 4th & M St SE
- Metrobus: P6, V4, or DCN22 to 4th & M St SE
- Metrorail: Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station
