Drink
Vigilante Coffee Company. Photo from vigilantecoffee.com.
5 Unique Coffee Shops in D.C.
July 10, 2023 @ 10:00am
There are countless places to get a cup of coffee in the DMV, sure, but why settle for just any cup of joe from any old spot, right? That’s why we put together this list of five of the most interesting, unique and all-around excellent coffee shops in town.
The Potter’s House in Adams Morgan
This nonprofit cafe and bookstore operates with the goal of upholding admirable progressive values like solidarity, justice, spirituality and environmentalism. They serve tens of thousands of free meals yearly to those in need, and also happen to be a fantastic cafe. It’s a great gathering, work and study spot as well, with plenty of nooks and gathering places throughout the space.
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; Saturday + Sunday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closest Metro: Columbia Heights
Map it: 1658 Columbia Rd. NW, DC
Learn more: pottershousedc.org // @pottershousedc
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Harrar Coffee & Roastery in Park View
Serving high-quality Ethiopian coffee roasted fresh in-house daily, this neighborhood spot is a definite hidden gem. The intimate, cozy space is decorated with handcrafted Ethiopian artwork, paying tribute to both the origin of the beans (one of the best places for coffee in the world) and the owner’s home country.
Hours: Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. + Sunday 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Closest Metro: Georgia Ave-Petworth
Map it: 2904 Georgia Ave. NW, DC
Learn more: harrarcoffeeroastery.com // @harrarcoffeeroastery
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Sweet Science Coffee in NoMa
A delightfully nerdy experience, Sweet Science is unapologetic coffee nerds that have refined the process of brewing the perfect cup down to the molecule. The NoMa spot specializes in perfect espresso extraction, thought by many to be the purest expression of the coffee drinking experience. Pop in for a caffeine fix and learn a thing or two while you’re at it.
Hours: Open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday + Sunday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closest Metro: NoMa-Gallaudet U
Map it: 35 N St. NE, DC
Learn more: sweetsciencecoffee.com // @sweetsciencecoffee
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The Wydown on H St. NE and U St. NW
At their two cozy, homey locations — one on H Street and one on 14th — the Midwest-born owners of The Wydown are obsessed with hospitality. The welcoming, friendly atmosphere and unrivaled customer service make this a go-to spot perfect for catching up with friends or a low-key date night. Remote workers take note: they (proudly) do not have Wi-Fi, so leave the laptops at home.
Hours: Open daily from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Closest Metros: U Street/Cardozo + NoMa-Gallaudet U
Map it: 1924 14th St. NW, DC + 600 H St. NE, DC
Learn more: thewydown.com // @thewydown
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Vigilante Roastery & Cafe in Hyattsville
You’ve probably had a cup of Vigilante Coffee before — it’s brewed in cafes all over town — so it’s no surprise this high-quality Hyattsville spot is well worth checking out. Founder Chris Vigilante’s remarkable brew and killer cafe are influenced by the love he developed for coffee when living in Hawaii, an underrated haven for specialty coffee. Their flagship location doubles as their roastery, so you can be sure you’re getting the freshest, highest quality beans.
Hours: Open daily from 7 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Closest Metro: West Hyattsville or Hyattsville Crossing
Map it: 4327 Gallatin St. Hyattsville, MD
Learn more: vigilantecoffee.com // @vigilantecoffee
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