Colada Shop

Haven't been to the Colada Shop in a couple of years ironically. My birthday discount inspired me to pop in. I came during breakfast hours and ordered the bacon egg and cheese and spinach and cheese empanada. I also got a coquito shot and a hot pineapple cider drink. It wasn't busy at all so the drinks and food came out pretty quickly. The place was festivally decorated for the holiday. As I sat, more people started to enter and the place became pretty lively. Not much has changed over the years except for the increase in pricing which is now common everywhere.

The food has gone way downhill as they’ve expanded and the value isn’t what is used to be. I ordered a crispy rice bowl and it was packed with spring lettuce mix with very little toppings (overly dry chicken, scoop of black beans, 2 cherry tomatoes sliced in half, scoop of chopped plantains, a 1/4 avocado sliced pretty and small pinch of cabbage. The whole bowl is stuffed with spring lettuce mix to make it look abundant, but it’s really very little food other than lettuce, and not nearly enough dressing to cover the lettuce so it tastes like something other than… lettuce. Very meh and not worth $22.

A very beautiful, chic, relaxing atmosphere in Arlington! For someone who has never tried Cuban food this menu was electrifyingly good and easy to like. We experienced great service here from the employees and our bartender was very attentive with great conversation. Also, the coffee here is amazing and without comparison, it tops Starbucks down the road any day and that is coming from an avid Starbucks goer. This is definitely a new spot I will be coming to more often, and I urge others to branch out to this fine establishment!

One of the best Happy Hour deals in the area, 4-8pm everyday for $8 cocktails (recommend the Espresso Martini), and very solid food in a vibe that’s reminiscent of Miami. Recommend the Cuban & the Croquetas!

A very nice little Cuban spot tucked away in Clarendon. Atmosphere is great and the food is cooked well & flavorful. The coffee is also excellent. My only complaint is that the portion sizes are too small - you will likely leave a bit hungry unless you are sub-100 lbs.

Spontaneously went here due to three of us getting tattoos at a shop next door & loved the vibe! It was comfortable, process for ordering was smooth, the food & drinks were delicious (hot chocolate, matcha, pastry, cookie, chorizo & egg wrap & empanadas (spinach & cheese, bacon, egg & cheese). The staff were friendly & helpful & the music added so much to my chill.

I have never had a bad experience at Colada Shop! I’ve also been to their locations in Crystal City and Mosaic, service and food have been impeccable at all three. The servers have all been kind and take your order with a smile. I LOVE the goat cheese croquetta salad- to die for - and my boyfriend always gets a cuban which is always great too! Their coffee is great and strong, which I like! I hate when a latte is essentially so diluted with milk you can barely taste the coffee, which has never been my experience at Colada Shop. Would eat the salad every day if I could, can’t recommend enough!

I love drinks here. Service has been improved significantly. I will still use either kiosk or mobile order because it still takes a while till the order gets ready. Their seasonal Mohito Coldbrew is awesome. My personal favorites are avocado toast and spinach/cheese empanada. Also, their new mushroom/boniato empanada and corn/mushroom croquettes were delicious. Guava & Cheese pastelito wasnt so good...I think guava cookie was better but not that impressive either. They have restaurant fee which shouldnt be charged to customers regardless of their excuse because their food is already pricey for the tiny portions they serve.

I look forward to being in the area to pick up my Ropa Vieja from Colada Shop. I was able to also try the new items on the menu that are amazing!

I've always said it and I'll say it again: Colada Shop is amazing! The atmosphere, the vibes, and the food is just stellar. I've gone a few times but this was my first time in the Arlington location and it is I think the best location. So much seating, beautiful murals, outdoor seating and a wide open window... there's even cute bar seating. We got the Havana Ooh La La which is a sampler platter of four croquettas, brownie bites, plantain chips and dips, and of course four empanadas. I've now tried almost all the empanadas and I can confirm the Picadillo is my favorite (though the bacon, egg, and cheese one comes close behind!). And the bean dip was crazy good too with just about everything--maybe not the brownies haha. But you could give that combo a try! Our service was good, though we just ordered at the counter. Everything came out fast. Colada shop is quickly becoming a DC staple and I'm looking forward to coming back for happy hour next time!

Wow!!! Never thought I could be so impressed with empanadas but theirs blew me away! I could eat 10 of their spinach ones by myself in one sitting. So yummy. The guava oat cookie is delicious too! The cafe is very cute. Latino vibes with a modern twist. The staff were really friendly as well.

DO NOT EAT HERE!!! I spent almost $50 on a Ropa Viaja meal, a kids meal and a Cuban sandwich. This place is not only a complete ripoff, the food is a sad excuse for even claiming they make authentic Cuban food. Not sure if they just think they can fool the DMV people into thinking otherwise, but with absurdly small portions and food that literally has no flavor, they should be ashamed of themselves in representing a category of cuisine that is typically anything but delicious and filling. And to show I'm not simply a disgruntled customer, look at the pics of the Cuban sandwich with a tiny sliver of ham in between 2 giant bread halves. I literally felt like I was just eating bread. And how do you cook a pork butt for multiple hours and still have it taste like nothing??!! The beef (where I could find it), in the Ropa Vieja was also flavorless, as was the rice. And can you tell me what jasmine rice is doing on a Cuban restaurant's menu? You can also see how small the beef portion is in the photo. I'd love to know how this restaurant has the financing to open multiple locations in the most expensive neighborhoods with terrible food like this. I was honestly excited that I finally found a Cuban restaurant in the area, but never again!! Please do not think this is what Cuban food is supposed to be like and save your money!

FOOD I came in for dinner on a Friday night and ordered the guava BBQ pollo sandwich. It came a little soggier than expected, but the filling was rich and flavorful. DRINKS I had their Calypso mango tea. It came unsweetened but the fruity notes of the mango was refreshing in the heat of the day. AMBIANCE The interior is decorated neat, modern, and offers a lot of natural light into the establishment. SERVICE You can order on the kiosk at the front or via QR code when you grab a table inside. It's via Toasttab so make sure you close the tab before leaving! The staff are kind and friendly. BATHROOM Two clean, gender-neutral bathrooms are available at the back of the store.

This menu is extensive! They have breakfast food options with tons of great coffee/matcha/teas. For lunch or dinner they have salads, sandwiches and entrees. They also have pastelitos, empanadas and dessert. The drink menu is extensive from smoothies to cocktails and fruit sodas. Happy hour is every day M-F from 4pm - 7pm and all day on Sunday. This includes $ off certain drinks and 4 for $10 empanada (typically 3 for 10). We came for happy hour and I got a passion fruit soda, guava soda and empanadas. The guava soda was by far my favorite, as well as the cheese empanada (we tried cheese, spinach, beef and chicken). There is indoor and outdoor seating availabl.

My new favorite Arlington cafe! Colada Shop brings a wide selection of coffee, pastries, food, and even cocktails to the Clarendon/Courthouse area. We first stopped in for the café con leche and guava and cheese pastelitos, and came back not only for those but also the cocktails! The piña colada, tamarind daiquiri, and the carajillo (similar to a rum espresso martini, with a light banana flavor) are all a must. They have happy hour weekdays, and I believe most of the day on Sunday, where many cocktails are only $8-- an amazing deal for the quality! The shop is very aesthetic, and they have tons of outdoor seating too! You can order on your phone, at the counter, or at kiosks. If you download their app you can get rewards over time too. Highly recommend for your morning coffee run or your evening drinks!

Ambiance is cute and tropical. The drink selection for non alcoholic is not big but I enjoyed it very much. The empanadas were alright. 5/10 But the vibe here is very chill. Service was good, not the best but alright.

What a wonderful addition to the Clarendon neighborhood! I've visited another location in DC and was sooo excited to have one close by. I looove the interior and vibe of this place. Sitting at the bar was a super enjoyable experience and big shout out to Horacio for his knowledge of the drinks and patience in explaining / recommending them to me. I had the 3 for $10 empeñadas: - Chicken - pretty standard, what you would expect.. nothing special but still yummy!! - Spinach and cheese - this was alright, lots of spinach though and it felt stringy - Bacon, egg and cheese - surprisingly delicious!! I wish I had just gotten three of these! Who would have thought! Super creamy and melt in your mouth feeling Overall the texture and crispiness of the empanadas was perfect! Drinks: Café con leche - I got this with a quarter sweetness and it was perfect. I don't usually take my coffee with sugar but I wanted to see what the whipped sugar flavor was like and it did not disappoint!! This will be my go to order from now on. It's basically a latte but better!! Blue matcha - (fair warning I go this at a different location) I was not a fan of this drink. It's basically like drinking melted ice cream lol. It was suuuper sweet and really took away from the butterfly pea flavor (if it was even that?) it's honestly my fault for ordering this at a Cuban inspired coffee shop lol but I was looking for a non caffeinated option at the time. Desserts - the tres leches was disappointing. Very dry and simply not what you would expect from a tres leches My last note is around the cutlery and presentation - I understand Colada Shop is a chain and has to tread a balance between being a take-out cafe vs. Sit down. I just wanted expecting to receive my coffee in a to-go cup while ordering at the bar (for dine in). Similarly, the tres leches was served in a single use plastic container. The food, however, was served on dishware. I think it would really enhance the vibe to be able to eat the dessert off a plate or drink my coffee out of a mug when dining in. Not sure if this is feasible, though - just my thought.

The food here was pretty tasty. The beef empanadas in particular was good. The others we ordered were the summer corn and chicken filled empanadas. These didn't stand out in any way but they were still decent. There was a 3 for 10 empanada deal offered on the menu but careful, all the ordering was supposed to be done via QR code and the offer was not present on toast. I asked a staff member specifically to take my order through her tablet. A little inconvenient, but the staff was super friendly and accommodating of the situation! The place itself has a cool vibe. Was a little loud during the weekend lunch rush but was still easy to find a seat and order (establishment is a seat yourself place)

There are some restaurants that try to be jacks of all trades and masters of none. That sums up Colada Shop. A Cuban inspired shop centered on serving coffee and sandwiches primarily, which unfortunately has spiraled into serving mediocre platters and antojitos Cubano tailored to an American palate. Their sandwiches are great- nicely seasoned and flavorful. Their platters and antojitos are incredibly disappointing. As a Dominican, I know what true roast pork, rice and beans, and empanadas should taste like. They should be heating you mouth with sofrito, garlic, and culantro. You'll find none of that here. You might be better off walking up to chipotle up the street, which is sad to say. If you're looking for a nice cup of Cuban coffee and medianoche, then visit Colada. But that's pretty much it.

5 Stars - The coconut pina colada and fried yucca Pina colada was amazing, and is a must try. Fried Yucca traveled well (walked it home) and came with cilantro aioli which was the perfect condiment for it. 4 Stars - Cuban Sandwich Cuban sandwiches are too hard to find in Northern Virginia. I can think of exactly two places that sell real ones, Colada Shop being one. It was tasty, only issue was bread to meat ratio was a bit off 3 Stars - Matcha and Croquettes (ham) The iced matcha was nice if you like sweet milk, I wouldn't try it again but it wasn't bad by any means. I love Spanish croquettes but perhaps not Cuban ones. I'd be willing to try the other two flavors but the ham was just not great.

Great food! Great service! Vibrant atmosphere! Can't wait to bring the hubby and out of town visitors!

This place is really nice. We wanted to try somewhere new in Arlington and ended up here for the brunch. The ordering is easy since you just scan the QR code on the table and order the food. The quality of their food is also good. We ordered their egg and spinach sandwich and I think what made it special was the bread. It was very fresh and soft bread and the egg and cheese on there was also really good. The person working there was very friendly. I also like the colors which are happy. Will upload some photos soon and definitely try again.

Colada Shop remains a favorite of mine. I love that there is one so close to me. My two experiences at this location were consistently good. The empanadas were crispy and flavorful. My iced cafes con leche were delightful. I enjoyed the arroz con gandules croquetas, which proved to be a nice little taste of one of my favorite dishes. The staff is friendly. I swear Colada Shop hires the nicest, friendliest staff across all locations. And of course, the colorful decor and upbeat music make for the perfect ambiance. I'll probably be here more often than necessary, but I like forward to it.

Very nice addition to this area! Our experience with this particular Colada shop was our first one ever and it did not disappoint. The staff were all very friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. In my opinion, for a newer location/business, that's rare! So A++ for that! Food was yummy too! We all got several of the empanadas. Their blue matcha drink was so yummy. Tasted like the bottom of the ice cream bowl lol!

Great place and ambience with vibrant colors and nice aromas. The inside is spacious and with lots of coffee selection for any taste. Looking forward to coming back for the empanadas that looked delicious. Friendly and attentive staff.

After failing to try Colada Shop Mosaic before I moved back to Arlington, I was excited to see the Clarendon location open up, situated behind Seamore's and next to Tatte and LaserAway on Edgewood & Clarendon Blvd. I get the hype now and it's a go-to for me for the selection for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or afternoon snack. The Cuban island vibe is an instant mood lift and I'm looking forward to trying their cocktails sometime soon. Great coffees, juices, smoothie selection. Have had the jamón croquettes twice already and the spinach egg breakfast sandwich is satisfying but not heavy. Order at the counter or from your spot with QR code. Will be back many times this summer.

I've been wanting to try this spot even though I've tried it at the Wharf. It was quite busy on a Saturday morning but we sat at the bar area. It was confusing in terms of if we use the QR codes or had a bartender but someone served us directly. Service was fairly quick. We got the Cubano coffee and one passion fruit mimosa. The coffee was small- we were warned but it was quite overpriced (3.50) for a literal shot of coffee. We've had them before down in the keys and they are lot more reasonably priced elsewhere. The passion fruit mimosa was absolutely fantastic- a nice mix of sour and sweet. Food wise we tried the breakfast empanada and the chicken empanada. The breakfast one was fantastic and bought had a good shell but the chicken one didn't have too much flavor- the dip they served made up for it but would love more flavorful chicken. The guava pastillo had good flavor but the pastry part itself was a bit lack luster and crumbly. Good service and look forward to try more items.

Great addition to the Clarendon neighborhood! Kind of tucked away between Tatte and Seamore's so it won't exactly stand out if you're coming down Wilson Blvd. However, when you walk in you'll realize how much space it has. Available seating indoor, outdoor, and at the bar for individuals or groups of 2-4. Service is friendly and efficient. You can order at the front, online from your table (QR code), or at the kiosks on the side of the restaurant. The food itself is great of course. I ordered a breakfast sandwich and it was light, fluffy and full of flavor especially from the pork. It's likely not the cheapest option for cuban food in the area but pairs well with the location and the ambiance inside calls for a great dining experience!

One location of a local Cuban-inspired cafe chain that has a few locations across the DMV The space is bright, airy, and modern Offer coffee, pastries, and hot food Can order at the counter, off of table QR codes, or at a kiosk right when you walk in My GF and I each got a coffee (a cafe con leche for me & an iced vanilla latte for her), but neither of us was very impressed and her coffee was cloyingly sweet I also tried a breakfast sandwich, which was more solid.

Such a fun place to grab a snack and drink with friends. Spritzers and croquettas are delicious. Enpanadas are also good

below average cuban food. expensive for the quality and service. the mint limeade was so sour i couldn't drink it. food needed salt & sauce so badly. won't be back

What A great service !! Thank you Colada in Clarendon for offering great people! as a customer rather than expect a great food , the service Is what makes the difference and makes you enjoy it the most ! Best Sunday !

Great little hidden gem! Great ambience and delicious coffee. Haven't tried the food yet but will be back.

It's a cute place. I don't really have anything positive to say otherwise. The service is bad. The bartender who waited on us took forever to get our orders, and then he got the food order wrong. He also left without turning us over to one of the many staff behind the bar/counter. We had to flag somebody else down to get our check. It wasn't worth telling anybody that our food was wrong; nobody asked how our food and drinks were anyways. The staff were so disinterested in customers, it made the service fee that was charged to our bill all the more insulting. YEP, this restaurant charges a service fee. I didn't see that until I looked at the receipt sent to my phone. I advise that patrons look at the bill before paying, and make the decision whether a tip should be added on top of the service fee. Personally, I don't think the restaurant deserved either from our party.

Hugo is very cool! Knows definitely what he's doing! Really love his mojitos! He said hello when I came in!

Absolutely garbage, it's a combo of bad service, bad food and bad atmosphere. Please do not come here and find something else. The person waiting on us had no idea what he was doing.

The food was good, but minimal service: order from an app, get your own water, etc. the app suggests a tip starting at 18%. A 10% tip would be generous.

Loved visiting the Colada Shop in Clarendon - it's right across the street from Clarendon Common. The drinks and small bites were delicious! Don't miss the Mariposa matcha latte.

Colada shop is exactly what Clarendon needs. Vibrant, inviting, delicious food, and outstanding service. Run, don't walk to experience this amazing new addition to the neighborhood!

So glad to try this place out. The empanadas were great. They were served very hot and the sauce was tasty too. Their coffee selections were plentiful and the signature drink is not to be missed. It is always nice when places offer so many different milk options. Highly recommend trying their Guava BBQ chicken sandwich, but their Cuban sandwich is the best in the area. Highly authentic and great flavors. Looking forward to coming back again for their cocktails!

The food was excellent, and as a picky eater, I was pleasantly surprised. Our waiter, was very welcoming and kind. The corn croquetas were delicious, and the blue matcha was a unique treat. Highly recommended! The ambiance of the place was also impressive!

Our waiter, Josh, was incredible. He served us with great kindness and a big smile. The mushroom and corn croquettes were delicious, and the Cuban-style eggs were spectacular.

The service was great and they're really nice... their drinks are just not that good and incredibly small for the $10+ range... maybe half the size of a regular drink/cocktail anywhere else! Loved the vibe of the place and the location is great.

Horacio is well knowledgeable about the drinks, food and overall concept of the restaurant and what they want to provide. Outstanding service and vibe. Horacio is the bartender you want, great service.

Horacio in Clarendon was great! Amazing drinks and service. The mojito light was delicious. Also the pine hop pineapple ipa. Make sure to stop by!

So happy to welcome a Cuban experience into the neighborhood. Was met with some of the best customer service in Clarendon. Josh was a gem! Looking forward to seeing you again.