Compass Coffee

Stopped here on Saturday morning before visiting the holiday market across the street from here. It’s right in front of Capital One Arena, and there were a lot of Capitals fans at the cafe. The line was long but we got our order in 15 mins. Gingerbread latte was exactly how I expected it. Creamy, savory, not too sweet. Drinking it in the cold weather finally gave me holiday vibe. Oatmeal Latte was blend and didn’t like it. The cafe has plenty of seats but only two restrooms that require passcode. Overall, great experience and option while visiting chinatown. Will come back here again.

Entered store around 1.55-2:00 PM. 12/20/25 First: Even though I wanted to pay cash, was told had no change. (Told I was first cash customer. So not prepared for that when opening store?) Second: Told employee that one bathroom did not have any TP he said they knew about and said some else I did not catch. Also, I am standing around waiting for my coffee. The barista is very soft spoken. I hear him tell someone that a coffee that has been sitting there (mind you I am standing there obviously waiting for an order he did not ask me what I was waiting for) and it is the latte I ordered. Then he tells me someone had pick up my cup but that they didn’t do anything to it. Great? So I reluctantly took it. Also a bit on the grungy in some areas. (See pics.) So yup I will be avoiding this location in the future.

Always like the coffee at Compass. Great consistent flavor and drinks made right. The staff has always been friendly, and they keep the store neat and tidy. This location is very conveniently positioned straight across from the entrance to the Capital One Arena. Let’s you get caffeinated right before a Caps game! It’s also a veteran owned (two former Marines) company originating in DC.

My son chose this place and it’s pretty good and friendly. I realized it’s a chain local to DC , Virginia and Maryland. My son got mandarin cardamon drink and it’s very flavorful yet not very sweet. I got plain old coffee. Good vibe. Not super busy.

This coffee shop is an excellent spot to relish the perfect cup of coffee. Their coffee is always delicious and robust, and I like that taste. Unlike other coffee chains, I like Compass Coffee for its no-tipping policy and for not charging extra for alternative milk options. It's ideally located in front of Capital One Arena, where you can grab a tasty coffee before the game.

Decent interior. The almond latte vanilla was good. Hot latte was decent. Restroom was dirty, needs attention.

We stopped in to get a latte and a cappuccino. Both drinks were good although the sizes seemed small to me. They followed directions on both drinks. My latte was a little sweet for my liking but the flavor of the espresso was really good. You need a code to use the bathroom. The bathroom was fairly clean. They have two unisex single bathrooms. The store was large enough where I was able to navigate it with my electric scooter.

The food is fine, but multiple times I've received food that WASN'T warmed when it needed to be. It's annoying. The custom flavors for lattes are REALLY hit or miss, stick to the standard coffee and you'll be fine. All that said, staff is always kind.

Compass Coffee is amazing. My wife and I went here to this location several years ago before we were officially together on the way to the National Portrait Gallery/Smithsonian Museum of American Art and we came back over the summer as well. This location is clea with great staff and rewards. It is a shame they are going bankrupt so hopefully they do not close.

*review for events* This is definitely an overdue review, but I saw they were advertising hosting events in their cafes and I just wanted to share my experience. Three years ago I reached out to the compass team to host coffee for out of town family the day after my wedding. After coming to an agreement with the team on a fixed deposit, a few tables held and paying for my guests coffee on one card we thought we were all set. The morning after our wedding, my husband and I made our way over to the cafe to get set up and the staff had no idea what was happening. They wouldn't let us put down our card for a tab either. On this I don't blame the staff obviously, more of a corporate/mgmt issue. Our guests all paying for coffee themselves and we tried to order and pay for as many pastries as we could. We essentially paid compass a few hundred dollars for a fee to "host" and the then brought a few dozen people in to their business. The event was completely chaotic and with only two baristas working, guests waited forever. We were so disappointed. I had emailed the team that morning to tell them what happened and then they followed up offering a tour (??) of their roastery. Lol. Just our deposit back would have been nice. My now husband and I still frequent Compass, but this experience will forever leave a bad taste in my mouth. Pun intended.

Long overdue updated review! This location was my introduction to Compass! Since then many other locations popped up! Woot! My co-workers and I love coming to this location although there are two others closer. We'll take the little extra walk just to come here. The service is excellent and the drinks are always on point. The seasonal, cherry blossom drink is amazing! Thank you Compass!

Stopped in for an early morning espresso and think I'll make this a frequent stop. Coffee was great, service attentive, and everyone in line seemed genuinely happy.

One of my favorite coffee shops to stop into when visiting DC. Their almond butter latte is unreal - I really want to try recreating it at home but never comes out as good! Service is quick and friendly - also plenty of seating inside with outlets to make hanging out a breeze.

Located right across from the Capital One area. There's a decent amount of seating for a small group or if you want to come here and work. However, it does get busy around game days or if there's an event at the area. The staff was friendly and very helpful, especially Lo. Overall, I like Compass Coffee. This was my first time at this location and I would go back. Nothing off putting about this location.

I visited the chinatown location for their opening day aka free coffee day. What a smart way to get the people excited. To my welcome surprise, all the coffees were available, including a large cup of the nitro cold brew. Delicious stuff. Since I have been probably at least 100 times given that it is in the perfect location. The quality has never sagged. Their espresso is seriously delicious, pro level. The decor matches their other locations, meaning bright, spacious, high ceilings, light brown wood floors and paneling, very welcoming. There are tables spread throughout somewhat haphazardly, but they can fit a lot of people. Not many outlets in sight if that's what you need, but seems like a nice choice if you want to sit and relax a bit. They are lacking in fresh lunch options, but there are always a few tasty pastries available.

Compass Coffee has a feel and environment that is different in a good way. Got a free pastry with my cider donut latte. Ordered my drink extra hot and it was perfect. Friendly staff too!

Pretty good experience, nothing too special about the cherry vanilla latte, could be creamier. Overall, a tad too expensive for a latte from a chain company- if it's nearby and you need coffee right at that moment, it's a safe bet.

We expect Compass to make a coffee drink correctly. A cortado does not have a full cup of milk. My wife (who does not tolerate lactose well) keeps ordering cortados for a lower milk content. She gets so infuriated that they screw up her drink EVERY TIME, that she ends up not saying anything because she doesn't want to be mean. A cortado is a roughly 1 to 1 ratio between espresso and milk An espresso with a full cup of milk is not a cortado, that is a latte What is this starbucks

This review is for their iced vanilla latte (half decaf with oatmilk) Rich in flavor, great espresso-milk ratio and the vanilla flavor stands out beautifully. I'm usually not a big fan of vanilla, I lean towards mocha but I would get this again in the DC area. This is about a 15 min walk towards the National Mall and the museum of national history. Nearer to the Capitol, and further away from the Washington Monument/ Lincoln Memorial.o

This coffee shop is an excellent spot to relish the perfect cup of coffee. Their coffee is always delicious and robust, and I like that taste. Unlike other coffee chains, I like Compass Coffee for its no-tipping policy and for not charging extra for alternative milk options. It's ideally located in front of Capital One Arena, where you can grab a tasty coffee before the game.

tbh idk why i don't go here more often.. i got the iced cherry blossom latte and it was delicious. not too sweet not too bitter. the vibes are really cute to have a little work day too. service is pretty quick, you can also order ahead if you don't want to wait too long. would def go back to try more things here! also the ham and cheese croissant is mouth watering

This is a great location (across the street from the Capital One Arena south entrance - close to the Hotel Monaco). The interior is bright and modern. It's a local DC chain with delicious coffee. I particularly enjoyed the Cardinal Blend (medium roast) coffee! Two minor blemishes are the reason for 4 stars (instead of 5). On a Saturday afternoon, the service was less than stellar (but perhaps weekend staffing has been challenging in many parts of the country in early 2023 due to the Great Resignation). Also, prices here are about $1 or $2 higher than at Starbucks due to inflationary changes which took effect on January 1, 2023. That said, if you're looking for a higher quality roast than Starbucks but do not have the time to wait 20 minutes at an independent cafe, Compass Coffee is a "go-to" destination for an enjoyable caffeine break in the greater DC region. The fact that it's a local DC coffee chain is a plus as well!

Hands down the best coffee we've had in DC. While I'm a big fan of local DC coffee shops, we decided to stop here while walking to dinner, and we were very happy with this decision. We purchased a Pumpkin Spice Latte and two Maple Lattes on a cold Fall day. The coffee was nice and balanced. The added flavors did not overpower the refined coffee taste, and the milk was frothy and creamy. By far, this was one of, if not the best latte I've ever tasted.

This is a cool coffee shop directly across from the Capital One Arena. I popped in here last weekend for a cup of green tea. The service was pleasant and the vibe is ok here. What turned me off is that there was a rat outside that kept running toward the street and then right back to the entrance of this place. This was at like 9 AM. This freaked me out since it appeared the rat was trying to get inside and very could do so with all the patrons coming and going. When I left I looked to where it was running to and didn't see any holes which had me scratching my head where it was disappearing to. I'd return here, but I'd be mindful of the entrance because of that rat.

Service is pretty friendly. Have to ask for wifi if you're planning on sitting down with your laptop. Pretty decent amount of accessible outlets throughout. For drink, I ordered a Maple Nitro Cold Brew ($7), which I saw on their monitors as a seasonal special. It was a nice treat, but probably wouldn't spend that much money on a drink again.

I truly wish Compass Coffee existing on the west coast. I opted today for a Gingerbread latte and instantly I wanted another once sipping at the bottom. WOW. The atmosphere was chill, but warm, staff friendly, and no codes or cards in order to just grab some coffee. Great option, can't wait to enjoy more!

First coffee of the day was so good I found a second location later on and had to get a second cup. I've never had Compass before but they are literally everywhere in DC and I am a big fan. All the good: the coffee was hot and strong the vibe of the shop - nice and airy and bright lots of seats, high tops and tables I love that they use their cans as little pots for their spider plants! Makes it feel like a lot less of a chain But again and most importantly, the coffee was great. When I find myself back in DC, I know to turn to Compass for good coffee.

Cute little coffee spot where you can also post up and do some work or just chill for a bit. I had the iced pumpkin spiced latte and it was decent. I think it had the color of pumpkin but not so much of the taste. It didn't taste bad, but it just didn't taste like a lot like pumpkin spice. But I'd still revisit and try other drinks for sure...

We needed a quick stop in the morning so Compass Coffee it was. It was a muffin with a latte for my husband and a ham and cheese croissant with a chai for me. Both selections were good and this spot was convenient to where we were headed next.

I have to preface this review by saying I don't like coffee - so I can't speak to how their coffee tastes, but I had the dragonfruit breeze drink and it was so good. I would 100% come back here just for that!

Good spot for a pick me up. Cold brew was refreshing. Service was fast and courteous.

I saw this place on tiktok and needed a mid-day pick up. So I stopped by and got an iced lavender latte. The espresso was awesome, super smooth and not bitter at all. However, the latte itself was very sweet. A bit sweeter than I prefer but that's my bad, I could have asked for less syrup. So if you don't like sweet lattes...ask for less syrup! Pro tip there. My dad got the drip coffee and thought it was very good (and he is a certified coffee snob). We also ordered a cinnamon roll which was also delicious. There isn't a ton of seating inside, but we managed to snag a table and enjoy our drinks/food and rest our feet for a bit.

Some friends and I stopped here while we were visiting DC and we will definitely be coming back. There was a woman named Ashley working the counter and she was such a breath of fresh air. She seemed to be incredible helpful to everyone there, not just our party. There's a seating space tucked away in the corners for some privacy and Ashley was constantly working to make sure the shop stayed clean and organized.

Came to DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival in March ... this was their special during the month. We literally came here everyday for our pink coffee! I wish we had a Compass Coffee back in my hometown. So sweet & delicious...and PINK!

I enjoyed my rose blossom latte! Fun fact, this location is right off the lobby of the former Yelp offices in DC!

Ordered a nutella mocha, Which turned to be too sweet! Talked to them and they were very nice, offered me another drink free of charge!

Amazing atmosphere , good place to chat and eat food/drink coffee. I also like that it's a local DC chain! Nice staff at this location, very considerate of allergies and lactose intolerance and other food preferences! Good location right in the penn quarter and outside of the capitals arena

I was charged 6.50 for a "large" ice vanilla latte that was only 16 ounces. on top of that the cup was not even close to being filled all the way to the top so I probably only got 14 ounces of liquid and I had to shake it myself to mix it. if you value your money, don't go to this place. There is a McDonald's half a mile away that will give you double the size for five dollars less.

The coffeeshops is light filled, clean and has a lot of seating but the service left a lot to be desired. When I first walked in there were no visible employees so I stood by the first cash register. Waited a couple minutes and eventually looked down at my phone. When I look back up the barista is standing at the other register quietly rather than alerting me that she's there. Then after I order my drink I sit down facing away from the prep area. She never let me know the drink was ready. She just left it on the counter and I noticed when I turned around.

My favorite coffeeshop, alway great coffee, fresh food options, the shop is always clean and organized and the whole crew that work there at sweethearts and super friendly. No matter what i say this won't compass justice

Great coffee and customer service. Tarrin proactively adjusted my drink when I made a mistake ordering.

I'm working in downtown D.C. for the next couple months and this has been my morning go-to coffee joint. The staff is nice and the coffee drinks are delicious. It's currently cherry blossom season and I highly recommend grabbing any cherry blossom drink they got (drip coffee or latte). Compass Coffee is, after all, a good coffee shop chain that was founded in Washington, D.C., so it's fitting to have a line of cherry blossom menu items. They get a delivery of fresh baked goodies every morning, including kolaches. I've tried the half smoke (more D.C. flavor) and the Saag Paneer--both yummy, but would be way better if they could warm them up. Anyway, great little joint for a morning cup, just right outside of the Capital One Arena south entrance.

We were in DC for a work conference in Sept 2023 and stopped in after getting off the Acela. I don't drink coffee like AT ALL, so I got a nitro cold brew with maple flavor because they didn't have iced tea. It was very good and STRONG. I'm not used to that much caffeine at once, but it had my heart racing for awhile!

I'd heard they have kolache, which is rare anywhere. Plus I needed csffeine. They had saag paneer, half smoke, and  cream cheese kolache  I got a half smoke and the cream cheese. They were just fine, but not as good as I've had in Texas or at the late great Kolache Republic in Columbus. I also tried a latte on one visit and mocha the next. Neither one was great, just okay. The place is cool, the service is friendly and fast, but the products are just good, not great.  I would not go out of my way for this. Also, it was kind of expensive

The service was excellent! One of the employees went through the menu as concisely and as helpfully as possible to help me figure out which drink I wanted! And the drink itself was amazing!!

Very clean and spacious coffee spot. We go the peppermint mocha, you can still taste the coffee with the perfect amount of peppermint and mocha.

Nothing more fun than pink coffee in the spring & a coffee spot that pays their service staff a livable wage. No tipping needed!

Fine drip coffee at almost reasonable prices. Pretty good pastries. Great loyalty program. All they need now is an Android app. Get with it, guys!

Great vibe, great coffee and excellent service, Compass Coffee understands the cafe culture very well...

Cute experience I work not too far from Compass Coffee and needed a cup to make it home The ladies were really friendly and willing to offer which pastries tasted Awesome The decor is really inviting... clean bright and inviting I decided to sit in and gaze out the window as I sipped my freshly made coffee No wait... social distancing is observed by the staff and other patrons Not too pricey also Try them out

Get the Nitrogen Cold Brew with Mocha, its smooth, creamy, and divine! The regular mocha is alright, but the cold brew really does the trick! The lines are quick and coffee is always ready in a few minutes served with a warm smile. Outside the coffee shop in the lobby, there are small tables to sit back and enjoy a cup of joe. Definitely prefer Compass over Starbucks!

I've only been here once. I didn't see mocha as an option on their menu so I ordered a Tumeric Matcha Latte (first time). I thought the amount of caffeine was a bit low and it had too much tumeric in it. It was very overpowering. A few more spices, and you could turn it into a curry. -_-. Otherwise, it seems like a pleasant place to take a coffee break.

Perfect spot to start the day. Coffee was the best I had while in D.C., the baked goods were delicious, and the staff makes you feel welcome. This is a nice space to catch up on emails, with a friend, or enjoy an infusion of caffeine before an event at Capital One across the street.

When's the last time you really savored a cup of coffee? Mondays thru Fridays are generally spent gulping hot swill to keep me awake, get me going, and establish some sense of normalcy after a short night of sleep. Today, I wanted to savor something. Compass is a veteran-owned local roaster with delicious, savory coffee. The location is full of light, non-pretentious, and welcoming. I had a cortado, and service was fast. Compass is one of my favorite DC businesses, and one I will always support!

Good espresso, not too bitter and you can tell that they don't burn their beans like some other chain coffee shops I know I had an americano and although it wasn't my all time favorite it was definitely enjoyable.

Coffee: on par with Starbucks. Prices are competitive. Food: way better than most of the coffee chains around. The ham croissant is excellent. Atmosphere: good place to sit down and crank some things out on a laptop.

Pretty expensive drinks like around $6+ and all for one size cost us the same amount of money for an Uber from the airport. Almond and oat milk are free though thankfully. We got the almond butter latte and the coco vanilla frappe. They don't taste that distinctive to any other coffee but sufficed. Cute decor some seating to do laptop work the staff was alright. Our cashier was nice but the barista must've been having a bad day. Someone took our drink and he didn't seem to want to make another. When I asked to make sure it was almond milk like I ordered he just kept telling me to refer to what was written which was ABL almond butter latte but that doesn't necessarily mean it was made with almond milk usually when it's a dairy alternative it's marked on the cup or else it'll just be dairy. Hopefully my stomach will be okay if it is dairy. Choose this place because it seemed to be closest to the museums with the highest rating.