"Compass's 7th Street outpost in Shaw—the first location of this District coffee mini-chain (and favorite)—is also home to their roaster, so the space is a touch larger than your average coffee shop. It's comfortable and inviting, with sprawling tables set up for coworking, and you'll see plenty of people doing that. Fortunately, the ample space keeps it from feeling claustrophobic, or overrun with backlit screens. In addition to single-origin beans, Compass roasts nine different blends using coffee from around the world, so you won't want for variety. Hit up the pastry case, too, for a Bethlehem bar—a mean combination of cookie, brownie, and blondie." - Laura Ratliff