Cafe U

Staff was friendly and helpful — definitely the highlight. But the coffee was bitter and ill-tasting , the space felt cramped, and the pastry case was pretty empty during my visit. The overall food options are limited as well.

Had a fantastic breakfast at Café U! I ordered the Humpty Hump breakfast bagel sandwich and an Americano—both were excellent. The bagel was fresh, the fillings were delicious, and the coffee was just right. Service was incredibly fast, and the staff were super friendly. The best part? I got to bring my dog inside, which made the experience even better. A great spot with a welcoming atmosphere—I’ll definitely be back!

Delicious coffee! I’ve had many iced lattes in my life and the one I had here is definitely up there as one of my favorite cups. The service was also amazing — Greg is so kind and helpful. Definitely stop by if you’re in the area and looking for a good cup of coffee and a solid breakfast :)

First off, I almost never write reviews (less than once a year), so my experience either has to be stellar or extremely negative. I’m really sad to write this review because historically the food, coffee, and warmth of staff especially Greg have been such a joy, but the past two experiences have been truly atrocious. The new barista young woman has been really mean, terse, and abrasive. From getting frustrated when I ask basic questions about, rude faces upon interaction, and trying to clean up our space while we were still sitting, I genuinely felt unsafe as a customer. I think if management doesn’t help her to drastically improve her treatment of others, business will suffer. I hope that young lady gets help because clearly she has gone through some hard life circumstances.

This café became part of my morning routine during a week-long stay in Washington for an international conference. I was extremely impressed by the atmosphere, quality, and vibe after initially stumbling in for a quick coffee early in the morning on my way to the conference. I ended up returning every morning for several days and met different employees each time. The staff were attentive, interesting, and personable. It was a pleasure speaking with them while savoring their excellent coffee and bagel sandwiches. Furthermore, I loved the “chill” vibe of this place – especially during a time of division and tension across the country. I strongly recommend stopping by this café whether you’re a local or tourist.

Uber cozy cafe!! I love the social ethos of the owner (who is the nephew of the owner of the Saloon (another AMAZING establishment with a social ethos)). The coffee is great (handcrafted, not rushed) and the treats are tempting. I wish we had more establishments like these instead of the land and expand, quick buck, neoliberal ethos of the cafes in DC!! (I can dream can’t I?? C’est la vie).

I ordered a cappuccino—it was great! I loved the vibe, and the service was awesome. There’s an outdoor seating area, so I brought my dog and was able to sit outside with him and enjoy the nice day. The staff even brought him a special bowl of water. Highly recommend this place!

Stopped in quick on my way through DC and enjoyed this cafe. The iced coffee was delicious and the everything bagel was one of the best bagels I've ever had. Extremely flavorful and fresh! Would absolutely stop again when I am in the area.

The coffee cake is always amazing, but it was especially delicious this morning - buttery, not too sweet, and the perfect crumble! Snagged the seat in the window, the best spot in maybe the whole city to linger over a cup of coffee and a book.

Ordered pick up at this cute cafe conveniently located near U-Street metro. The sandwich was good but def on the smaller side. The coffee was also great. Service is 5 stars. Whoever was working today around 11 am- give him a raise because he was incredibly kind and amazing.

My first visit to this hidden coffee shop gem snuggled on U Street. Definitely a local hangout to slow down and simmer in the middle of the city. So grateful for a single welcoming staff member behind the bar making my 20oz mocha, which is a good standard, not too sweet, and not too hot. My preference is for a 115 to 120 degree latte. Quaint by most standards, great music selection for a cold afternoon, and, although packed in a small area, it still felt spacious. I could only imagine how it is like during weekday rushes. If I had more time during this visit, I would like to explore their espresso menu. This is a great weekend stop before or after having a meal at a great restaurant in the U Street area. Yup, I did wish there was a bit more space. Besides getting coffee to go, it would be nice to bring some people here for a good sit down for a good coffee and a good conversation! Despite that, it's a good place for one-on-one conversations/meetups/dates.

Cute little cafe on U street. The best banana bread, chai tea and lox. A must try if in the area

Greg was very nice! Super helpful and funny Simple sandwich shop. Definitely mostly known for their coffee. Cute ambiance. Would recommend as a nice place to grab a quick bite and go sightsee into the city. My cousin enjoyed his Drip coffee and raved about it after.

Good food, and service with a smile. The fresh juices are great. Music playing is always a bop, the outdoor seating is cool when the patrons of the dispensary next door aren't blowing smoke everywhere.

it's a very cute local spot on u st! the inside is small but very cute; there's a very nice little window seat spot but they have more seats outside. the barista was lovely and made a good iced chai latte! the latte was $5 i believe, the banana bread i got was i believe either $3/4 and not bad either, and their breakfast sandwich is $8! so they have great prices and really lovely service, a cute spot overall!

Neighborhood coffee shops still exist! The proprietors exude a friendly vibe, the coffee is good, the bagels are good, what more do you need.

I am embarrassed to say that I've lived around the corner from Cafe U for over a year and just tried it for the first time this weekend and what a hidden gem. I wish I had gone sooner! I ordered the Lox Bagel on an everything bagel and a chai latte. And I was talked into a fresh pastry -- I went with lemon cake -- by the staff, and I'm glad that I went for it because yum! It's such a cute spot and would be the perfect place to catch up with a friend over a cup of coffee and pastry. I will be back very soon!

after placing an order for a sandwich and a Cortado, I found myself interrupted by the sole person handling orders. They inquired if I wanted anything else, and despite being content with my coffee and meal, I was informed that extended stays without additional orders weren't welcomed. The abruptness of this encounter caught me off guard, and it left me feeling rather unwelcome. It's a service standard I've not encountered even in the most modest coffee shops across the globe. While the atmosphere was inviting, this aspect of my visit left a bitter aftertaste.

Absolutely love this place. Greg is the BEST. The coffee and food are yummy and the vibes are immaculate. We're almost regulars at this point and we absolutely love it! Service is 10/10 every time.

Cafe U is a small, yet welcoming, cafe on U Street NW surrounded by murals and local favorite businesses like Oohhs and Aahhs. When you walk inside, you'll see painting by a local muralist, plants and a window table for two. There's a narrow table lining one wall with stools. There's a patio outside. They brew a full coffee menu using La Colombe coffee. My iced latte with simple syrup was on point and refreshing. Pastries come from Bullfrog Bagels and Sweets by Sam DC. Service is friendly and efficient. If you need a spot of coffee and you're nearby, drop into Cafe U.

Every detail has been thought of, from the attentive service, to the tasty menu all under the backdrop of a perfect vibe. I didn't know it was possible to find a bagel this good outside of NYC. It's my go to spot anytime I want to catch up with a friend or grab a quick bite.

Local coffee shop that makes the best drinks and bagel and lox's in the city !!! The mocha and chai latte is exceptional, all bakery goods are fresh and man the bagel sandwiches rock! The ambiance has a very cool neighborhood feel to it... This place is a gem !!!

A local coffee shop with amazing bagels sandwiches, cute window seats, great coffee, and friendly staff! Everything I want in one coffee location! Right on U street, between Vermont and 11th St NW. I ordered the Lox Bagel and a Chai Latte. Lox Bagel - Hands down hit the spot with every flavor one craves for in a lox bagel sandwich. The texture of the bagel, the slight crunch, the warmth, the dill, red onions, capers, and of course the smoked salmon. Definitely worth getting here! Chai Latte was good, but I like mines with more spice. This one was a bit under-spiced for my liking, but not terrible. Because it was still early, my friend and I were able to get a seat at the window, very cute spot with great lighting (IYKYK).

My iced americano was smooth. The interior is small, but there are a couple places to sit. The music is loud, so it's probably not a great place to do work. I would return to grab and go.

Great tasting bagels, tasty coffee, nice service! The barista was pleasant and the experience was great overall! Will definitely come back and sample more of the baked goods

Absolutely wonderful! The employees are incredibly gracious and the food is fantastic. I really love the decor, too. There are lots of plants and it just feels so peaceful inside. Highly recommend a visit to Cafe U

give it a try. the chai is amazing. we loved the apple butter and Dulce de leche cakes. Both are sooooo good. My daughter enjoyed the Humpty Hump sandwich.

Really cute cafe with a cozy seat by the window framed by plants and sunlight - really relaxing start to the morning. Lots of sweet treats here if you're into that.

So cute! I love this place so much. And the coffee is so good! Staff is very friendly and the place is clean and warm, very inviting. The owner is usually there and will make any juice you want as long as he has the ingredients. There's fresh plants everywhere and a cute seating area.

The music is on point. The service is on point. So glad I found this spot. They want you to feel like you found a home.

Hallelujah!! Finally there's a great quality bagel in the Shaw area with all the bells and whistles. Good cream cheese, fresh red onions, great quality capers and low and behold great lox too. Oh and their coffee comes with things like lavender and other flowery sorts of flavors rather than just boring old flavors like hazelnut and vanilla. I'm so happy I googled best coffee near me and found Cafe U. Flawless friendly service too. I will definitely be back again and again.

Outstanding homemade coffee cake. My husband and I also tried the Golden Milk with honey, maple, turmeric and almond milk. The owner is also a mural artist. Very cool and fun place to go! We will be back.

Me and my roomie decided to stop here for breakfast while out running errands and happened upon this cute little cafe. We both got the Humpty Hump sandwich (bacon, egg, and cheese) I got it on a croissant and my roomie got it on a salt bagel--10/10 recommend! We both got iced chai lattes, also very yummy! The best part about this place is the amazing service. The guys in here are so attentive to their customers and very friendly when asked questions. I plan to frequent Cafe U often!

Feel a little bad about this because the vibe of this place is very serene and the guy behind the counter was super nice, but I had a very disappointing experience. They were out of the first several things I tried to order (lox, chai), and it took 20 minutes to get a latte and very plain breakfast sandwich. Realized after I left that they forgot to put in the turkey bacon I paid for too. Only highlight was the lemon blueberry cake, which was very good.

This place is goated. This is the spot on U st. Look no further. The dude behind the counter is amazing (I think he owns the place too) and is always down for some good convo. Such good vibes.

Cafe U is a great place with great people. Their bagel sandwiches are delicious and the vibe is great. There is minimal seating, but if you could snag a spot then I would recommend hanging out there for a bit. Greg was working while I was there and he was a very genuinely nice person who cares about everyone who walks through the door. I will be back often!

Just had the loveliest experience here. We ordered breakfast sandwiches (super delicious) and were sitting outside. Gave away half of one of the sandwiches to a homeless person who looked to be having a tough time with the rain. The guy working there (might be the owner) came out about five minutes later with another whole sandwich for us and a pastry, plus some more food for the homeless person. It would be worth it to come here for the food and the coffee, both of which are excellent. But you should really come because of the great atmosphere and kindness and empathy of the folks working here. Would give ten stars if I could.

YUM! I work out across the street at F45 and walked over after class for coffee & breakfast. Their cold brew is SMOOTH AF, delicious. I also got the Andre 3000 which is a bagel with cream cheese, capers, cucumber & tomato. It has been a while since I had a bagel but this bagel was amazing. I'm going back tomorrow after my workout! *No photo because I ate too fast :)

Love this spot! The ambiance is lovely and the coffee/pastries/bagels are delicious. Lots of detail and love is put into what they offer...will definitely make this a frequent stop. Highly recommended

Small indoor space (one tiny booth) but outdoor seating as well. Super friendly staff and very chill vibe. Perfect spot to recharge after walking around summer heat in DC.

Great coffee, bagels, staff, and view. Delicious. Recommend! Asiago humpty hump bagel was great. They don't serve pork which is great for those with Halal/Kosher food restrictions. Staff was super nice!

This hole In the wall is amazing. I stayed in DC for a couple of days and my friends were raving about this place. The worker Greg was incredible and amazing to talk to. Would highly recommend this place.

Just went to Cafe U this morning with my family as were checking out real estate in the neighborhood. We are a family that loves the bagel and the bagel sandwich, so we hit up the shop when we saw it was open and served bagels and we were really impressed with the food. The very simple menu that included an egg and cheese bagel sandwich with sriracha (I forgot what they called it). Now I'm not a hot sauce guy so I passed on that, but my son went all in and added some bacon as well. They have all kinds of bagel types, but we just kept it simple with the plain while my wife went multigrain with cream cheese. And my daughter went with her go to, banana bread with chocolate trip. As for the sandwiches, our minds were blown with how good the sandwiches were. Legit bagels (not that bready, soft stuff), melted cheese, just the right amount of egg so its not all messy and crazy and it was just good. I honestly didn't know what to say other than damn, this is good and my son said the same. My daughter, who seems to have had a thousand slices of banana bread with chocolate chip in her eight years of life does not suffer fools when it comes to trying it out. She not only knocked it out, but was scraping the plate with her fork at the end because she couldn't get enough. I had to stop her because it was killing my ear drums. And my wife, who kept it real real simple with the bagel and cream cheese was pleasantly satisfied. At the end, I did something I have never done before, which was to shake the man's hand who made the food. Both guys that worked there this morning were extremely welcoming and kind and I just hope that this relatively new endeavor for them is successful because you can tell that it is a labor of love. Try it out, you won't be disappointed.

Cafe U is a hidden gem on U Street! Excellent espresso drinks, perfect fresh bagel sandwiches, and treats. If you can, snag the sweet window seat for two!

cute little coffee shop! super small but a lot of offerings - bagels, baked goods, sandwiches, and a variety of coffee drinks. all i got was a cold brew but it was one of my favorites i've had in the area - i'll definitely be back!

Amazing local coffee shop with incredibly friendly baristas. They have some of the best bagels I've had in DC and their cappuccinos are made just right. It's become my go to local cafe and I try to stop in at least once a week for some great coffee, good eats, and engaging conversation.

A New York style hole in the wall coffee shop! I was so excited to stumble upon it. Ordered a vanilla latte and I haven't had coffee this good in a long time. The atmosphere and staff are absolutely lovely. I will have to come back to try the food!

I stopped in on a Monday morning expecting it to either be packed or super expensive. Neither of which were the case! The inside is super cute I ended up getting a chai latte and Lox and was not disappointed. Great prices, great staff and great options. They also have slices of various cakes and breads too. I am definitely going back next time I'm home!

Found this place randomly as I was running an errand on U near my place. Since it's small, I'd never seen it although it's been open for about a year. The place is cozy and filled with cute plants. The food and coffee were delicious and the person running the shop was so lovely! Definitely a nice little quiet spot in a busy area. I recommend and will be going again! Also seems like a good spot for a cute coffee date if the seats by the window are free (once Covid is done).

Great coffee and local pastries/bagels. Staff is awesome and always up for a conversation.

Cafe U is simply absolutely fantastic. I only had very high expectations only because I've heard so much about Cafe U. Really delicious and also nutritious. The service was also fabulous and every one was friendly. I can't say enough, but I think I have.

Yooooooooooooooooooo. This gotta be the best coffee spot on U st. And heres a bunch more text so i can fit the word count. Gang gang

The breakfast sandwiches here are delicious! It's the perfect place to have a cup of coffee.

Cutest little coffee shop--and just what this neighborhood needed. They opened slightly before the pandemic and I am so glad they shop has made it thru. Be sure to take a good look at the offerings before deciding; with so many yummy options its easy to pick more than one!

Food, coffee, and staff are amazing! Owner is kind and courteous. It is a bright and beautiful spot, filled with greenery and thoughtful touches. A real gem in our city. Cafe U is the best!