Creative Grounds DC

Strongly recommend this place for kid's birthday parties! We had my 4 year's birthday party there last week and it was perfect and stress free. They did an amazing job decorating with the theme, managing the flow of the party, and making it as seamless as possible for us. The kids had a great time between the arts and crafts projects and the dancing. All we had to do was bring snacks and cupcakes. I hope I can convince my daughter to do it again next year! PS- the cafe is great too! Love their matcha lattes.

Nice music, light-filled, great book selection. Outlets available to plug in your laptop. Great coffee, and yummy snacks. Also have bags of coffee available for purchase.

I’ve rented this space for several events in the past three years. The owner, Asmara, is great! Her communication and flexibility is unmatched! I highly recommend Creative Grounds for their coffee selection as well as a rental venue for small gatherings!

This venue is pretty cool. Great lighting and outdoor seating. This venue also has art for sale as well as some books. The service during my visit here was good. My hot tea was good but the iced matcha needs work. I feel as though the quality of the matcha is the baking kind and not the ceremonial grade. The baked goods were really good though. The banana bread and the blueberry muffin were fantastic.

Hands down my favorite coffee shop in DC. Not only are the vibes amazing, but the coffee is divine. The seasonal drinks have never let me down and their monthly coffee subscription has been a game changer. Even though I moved from the neighborhood, I always find my way back to Creative Grounds first. Love, love, love.

I’m so excited to have finally tried to Creative Grounds. What put this place on my radar is how community oriented it is. They have events, sell books, and source from local vendors where possible. I enjoyed my latte, and was glad they had a vegan banana bread. There is ample seating indoors and out, with a very relaxing ambiance.

Just around the corner from Jam Doung Style Jamaican food spot is an art and coffee lover's dream that is Creative Grounds DC. This shop is nestled among the historical row houses that make this area of DC quaint and beautiful. Accessibility is accommodating with a ramp just beyond the spacious patio. Inside, plants stand and hang in the bay window where you can drink coffee and draw snuggled on a velvet green couch. New and used books stand in the other bay window while local artists' works hang on the gallery-like walls all around. Inspiration lay on the beautiful long and wide wooden table in the form of thick art books and viney plants enticing you to stay a while and absorb culture and color. While Bob Marley sang about three little birds, I happily pulled out my small sketchbook drawing and sipped on a special lavender and honey with lemon drink, at peace. Should you be a lover of art, DC's unique architecture, and coffee, this is one gorgeous place to visit!

I'm trying not to cry as I write this review- but it's Black owned, Woman owned!!! And then, when you walk in, the atmosphere holds a strong, refreshing feeling with the decor. The owner supports local artists with showcasing beautiful and unique art pieces on the wall. My absolute favorite part was seeing that there was a book/reading area, and there were books that you can actually read! I ordered a specialty latte( Snickerdoodle Latte & Blueberry muffin) sooooo delicious 😋. Snickerdoodle latte is worth ALL the calories, lol! You want to work, quality time w your partner, or just simply enjoy a cup of coffee - Creative Grounds lives up to its name. You can count on this coffee shop and art gallery to help you create whatever beautiful day you want for yourself. ✨️

I have walked past this spot so many times over the years since I don't drink coffee. However, this rainy and dreary day I needed a pick me up. I stop in to see if they had hot chocolate that wasn't from a pack. Lo and behold, they had Ghirardelli hot chocolate with whatever milk that I wanted. WINNER!!! WINNER!!! It was AMAZING. Perfect pick me up after lunch. The service was even . Picked up a blueberry muffin too. Crushed it. I'll be back time and time again. I'm hooked. Great local spot.

I popped in here the morning of Juneteenth to grab some treats for my team and the experience was lovely. As I entered, the space was quiet as a few customers sat inside. They also have a really cute patio with outdoor seating and a pick up window. I had quite a big order for baked goods and in less than 10 minutes, everything was ready!

An amazing little coffee shop. Super convenient that they have indoor and outdoor seats as well as a walk up window so if you're bringing a dog you can easily get coffee. Incredibly kind baristas and good coffee!

Inviting community based space. Great spot to do work or read. Kind staff and tons of seating with a good patio space for warmer weather. They have a good variety of fun latte flavors, too. I'd definitely return when I'm in the area.

Lovely coffee spot with exceptionally strong wifi and a comfortable seating area. I ordered the chemex with skimmed milk which is not very strong and the perfect drink for someone like me who likes her coffee on the milder side.

I was looking for a nice coffee shop where I could stop and get a little work done and I stumbled upon this neighborhood gem! Such a wonderful spot, I can't believe that I'm just finding out about it now. Staff was friendly, drinks were great, ample seating both in/outside and the space didn't feel tight. (I had the Brown Butter Latte and it was FIRE!). They also have a small bookstore area. This also doubles as an event space that you can rent! I definitely plan to come back soon!

The ambiance in this place is amazing, from the art on the walls which is for sale, and the great book selection in the front. It is very airy and open. The service was stellar. The woman at the cashier was nice and helpful. The iced latte I got tasted like good quality coffee and the cheese danish was great! Their selection of pastries could have been stronger, only having 4 options and no croissants. Also, it is tucked into a nook and you need to go down a couple of stairs to get there. With the help of google maps I found it, but larger signage may be be helpful.

Great food and coffee. Amazing service. Quiet peaceful ambiance. Easy to get to.

Tucked away in the hip Bloomingdale's neighborhood is this little wonder of the world. A great place to sit for a while and get some work done. They have ample seating and wifi. The coffee is great too and the staff plays a great set list. Will be returning!

My new favorite dc coffeeshop! Right on North Capitol, Creative Grounds is a lovely indie coffeeshop with incredible communal seating, delicious drinks, helpful staff, and a perfect, diverse bookstore. Currently the house of Bol, a bookshop cooperative (the only of its kind in dc), this coffeeshop has my favorite thing- books! I first discovered the shop because of a palestinian read-in the bookstore did there and the owners/people who race it were so thoughtful and I love that the space was held here. When you walk in you'll notice the gigantic communal table, plus other comfy seating around the space. I've had their in-house made chai a couple times and it was delicious! The baristas are great and knowledgeable and give create recs! If you're trying to visit as many coffeeshops in dc as I am, definitely put this high on your list!

This is a local coffee spot in the neighborhood I'm staying at in DC. Stopped in here for an iced coffee after my bike ride. This is a nice cozy relaxed spot. It is a half coffee shop and a bookstore. Saw people from working, relaxing, or having conversations with friends. I got an iced vanilla latte and it was great. It came out fast and I got great customer service. I definitely plan on coming back here to get my caffeine fix.

Came in for a latte in the early afternoon on a Saturday. Great space! There's a lot of room if you wanted to work here during the day and it also looks like there's some seating outside. They feature photography of shots around DC (I'm assuming local artists) that are really cool and add a kick to the space. They also have quite a few books for sale. I had an iced lavender latte that was BANGIN. I think the iced drinks come in a larger one size cup and came to around $6 which is fair/normal (honestly even kinda cheap nowadays) for a latte. Service was fast and friendly! Nice neighborhood spot I would recommend for coffee. Didn't try any pastries this time around but will be back!

I live so close to this cafe and every time I enter I'm greeted by lovely smiles. The coffee is simple yet effective and the ambiance of this establishment is superb. I attended a night where they hosted the national orchestra (not sure) and wow the community they host is so genuine. Give Creative Grounds a try if you're looking to support local and pick up some educating books! I'm looking forward to their creativity for fall drinks (if any) :)

Creative Grounds recently hosted my daughter's 5th birthday "art party" and it was absolutely perfect. Given the heat, it was nice to have an option for an indoor party that wasn't at a crazy indoor play space. The owner Asmara was such a pleasure to work with. She was very responsive, flexible, and so wonderful with the kids. She handled the party decor, set up, and led the kids in art activities and games while the parents got to relax and enjoy delicious coffee and pastries. Overall 10/10 experience or as my daughter said "the best birthday party EVER!"

This was a coffee shop that I frequented while in DC. They open up early and its quiet. Good Coffee, decent prices, and quiet spot to work or read.

I'm so excited to have finally tried to Creative Grounds. What put this place on my radar is how community oriented it is. They have events, sell books, and source from local vendors where possible. I enjoyed my latte, and was glad they had a vegan banana bread. There is ample seating indoors and out, with a very relaxing ambiance.

Really cute local spot! I got a dirty chai and it was great; they put cinnamon on the top which I always love. The price wasn't bad either, I think it was around $5 ($6 after tip) for a dirty chai. They had a few pastry selections, not too many so not a huge coffee shop to eat at. It looked like they had some vegan and allergy friendly options though! Id recommend the place to go to get some work done. They had nice couches and a bunch of spots to set up with a computer, a book, any work really. Also, they feature a lot of (local, I believe) artwork on their walls! When I went in most recently they had some great wooden pieces. I recommend stopping by or setting up WFH there!

This is a spacious, airy café with many windows, sofas, large plants, high ceiling, art all over the walls, and kool music à la Sade, Simply Red and Tracy Chapman (lots of Tracy Chapman!). In fact, they bill themselves as a welcoming place to pursue artistic endeavours and let one's creativity flow. I was there to let my work flow (for better or worse--I wish it was the arts instead). The staff are discrete and non-intervenionist, and the crowd is a mix of those engaged quietly with their book or work, and those holding conversation. Beautifully designed bathroom. The only two things they could improve: Their menu doesn't include prices (at a time when prices, unfortunately, matter), and the air smelled strongly of a perfumed cleaning product, which doesn't vibe well with coffee and pastry.

I love this sweet little cafe- I came here twice while I was staying in the area and had great coffee and pastries both times. The vibe is lovely, the staff are friendly as can be, and it just feels like a great place to hang out. I am so glad I brought my laptop with me on the 2nd day, as it was a great space to work in also. A neighborhood gem!

Absolutely loved this coffee shop! The aesthetic is absolutely there and so beautiful! The art and scenery-- such a great combination! And it's Black owned so that's always a win!

This is a good place to take yourself on a solo date and read, journal, or do work. The barista was very nice and welcoming. I really liked the warmth of the chocolate croissant. Very cozy.

Overall, pretty standard. Nothing significantly outstanding- coffee was fine but the space/ambiance needs improvement, it's a bit sterile. The ample lighting, has wifi, great book selection, and pretty quiet, local space makes it somewhere I would work remotely but not go for leisure. Fantastic service.

This is my favorite place to grab my morning hot chocolate and quiche. It's a nice place in the Bloomingdale neighborhood to grab coffee/tea/hot chocolate and catch up on work. They have a nice indoor work space with free wifi and on a nice day, you can enjoy their outdoor patio. My dog gets very excited as I walk her towards this place because they have nice dog treats. Highly recommend this place. We are so glad we have this amazing space in our neighborhood.

Great neighborhood coffee shop! The team was super nice and helpful, and the coffee was great. Recommend: coffee cake! They have indoor and outdoor seating. One recommendation would be to add an "open" sign. I had to walk around for a second to make sure they were open. Keep making great coffee Creative Grounds!

Excellent coffee and a lovely neighborhood spot. Hope it stays in business. I'll be a regular!

Creative Grounds DC is more than a coffee shop; it's a community center and art space. This recently opened neighborhood spot is a must-visit because: 1) Space: It's two floors in a corner rowhouse on North Capitol Street NW in between Bloomingdale and Eckington. There's a small outdoor patio with tables and a large open room inside where the cafe sits, couches, a long community table, and a few other tables. There's plenty of outlets to tap into if you're working here (there's free wifi). There's a basement where art classes and community events are held. 2) Ethos: It's more than a coffee shop, it's an art space and community center. Local art hangs from the walls and soon they will host creative classes for the neighborhood. 3) Menu: The coffee is good! My latte was creamy and balanced. They also sell pastries and a few food items. It wasn't expensive. The owners live a few houses down making this a space for the neighborhood. I cannot wait to take my toddler back here for the art classes for kids.

This was an extremely nice and clean, small and locally owned coffee shop. The staff were friendly and personable. I had a lavender honey latte and a croissant, both which I enjoyed. I worked at the main table for about 2 hours on my laptop but I really enjoyed the fact that they promoted books/reading. Being local to this neighborhood, I'll definitely stop back for a quick grab & go coffee using their outdoor service window which is a unique add for both To Go orders and orders for outdoor dining.

The owner Asata... (hope I spelled that right!) is a beautiful soul. This space is amazing! When you walk in it's like you're home... so cozy and welcoming. The art work, the books, the company.... All before I even ordered coffee. If I lived here this would be my work from home office. We got the lovers latte, soy chai, and everything is delicious!!

If you're ever in the Bloomington DC area and want a cup of coffee stop by creative grounds very nice spot atmosphere is great. Coffee is good. People are friendly hospitable.

Stopped by Creative Grounds again and the cold brew and cherry pastry were delicious. The barista was friendly as well. Love this little hidden gem of a coffee shop! Great place to get some work done or go on a coffee date!

Bad coffee. Good pastries, but they probably buy them from somewhere like most cafes.

I have been coming to this coffee shop consistently for about a week. It's super clean, something about the atmosphere helps me focus with work on my computer. Also it has all day wifi which is amazing. The baristas are also super nice and kind always:)

Nice space! They have a takeout window which is convenient and a patio as well. But - the coffee just missed the mark here. Iced latte was pretty bland/weak, and my partner said his drip coffee was a watered down cup of 711 coffee. Still a cool shop in an area without a ton of options, but we have better closer options to us so I doubt we'll be back often.

My best friend recently had her engagement party and surprise wedding here. It was such a great spot and totally the fit the aesthetic she was going for. The staff was helpful and the owner was hands down amazing. Everyone was willing to pitch in to ensure everything went out without a hitch. As someone who dabbles in event planning, these are the types of places you want to look for. If you're a local, definitely consider having your next event here...you won't regret it. Oh, and how I could I forget it's BLACK OWNED! Support them, please !

Amazing space, great coffee and just a comfortable place to vibe! I went to work and relax it was perfect

I went back to Creative Grounds today (9/6/21) for the first time since May. When I visited in May, I was told the lack of indoor seating is temporary but the indoors was closed again today. Most importantly, I asked about gluten free menu pastries - because they say they carry them - and was given a "breakfast cookie" that is clearly marked as NOT gluten free (see picture). Creative Grounds - you are going to get someone very sick. Please read labels, train staff, and either carry a properly gluten free item or remove any claims of such on your menu. There are many vendors who will sell you pre-wrapped certified GF items. There's also several local gluten free bakeries you could partner with.

Tried this place while we stayed in DC for a few days. It was a great local neighborhood place. Definitely recommend if you're in that part of DC.

So glad we found this place! Iced matcha and honey lavender latte are both fantastic! Love the walk up window too, super convienent!

In sum: Black owned local cafe with great customer service & good eats. They have a whole host of interesting seasonal drinks + the ones you'd typically expect to find at a cafe. Pair your drinks with a croissant or another pastry, bagel, quiche & salad, or sandwich. I tried the lavender honey latter, red pepper & goat cheese quiche, along with the broccoli & cheese quiche. The latte tasted a bit like the description and I'd order it again. The former quiche was a tad sweeter than the latter. The latter was a bit more savory than former, due to the cheddar. Both quiches also had potatoes (shredded like hashbrowns) as a filler. Also, FYI the quiche is either technically a crust-less quiche or actually a frittata (with a bit of milk or cream added to the custard base). I didn't really miss the crust so much since the food was seasoned and prepared well. Also FYI, the salad I was served was arugula only. What saved the salad greens was the serving of lemony vinaigrette it came with.

Enjoyed an iced coffee with oat milk, plus a delicious espresso blondie from Happy Valley Baking. Only service is via walk-up window, with socially distanced outdoor seating provided; they're not allowing inside dining at this time.

Ordered an almond milk latte and vegan banana loaf for pickup via GrubHub while walking my pup Yoshi Bean. We went to pick it up and by the time we got there it was ready. The inside is closed to customers, but they have a little window where you can walk up to order or pickup. The barista informed me they were out of the vegan banana loaf so I chose a strawberry jam muffin instead. So glad I did because it was soft, gooey and delicious. There is no picture evidence because Yoshi Bean and I inhaled it on the ride home lol. The almond milk latte was hot and satisfying especially with the temps being in the 20s today. Will definitely make another trip in the future.

The food is good and the atmosphere is quiet and very pleasant to work at. The drinks are well made but lack strong flavors (I like flavored lattes) in both hot and cold drinks. Everytime I go I'm blown away by the food but am underwhelmed by the drinks. I love about a 10min walk so I often will go and add some flavored syrup to my drinks. The hot drinks also don't stay hot for very long so make sure you drink them on the quicker side. Beyond the lack of flavor in their flavored drinks, it's a good place!

First off: this is a beautiful space. The large windows are wonderful, the seating is great, and the outdoor patio is very pleasant. This is also the neighborhood's only coffee shop with wifi! Here's the thing though: the coffee is bland and weak, and they will close early without warning. I've been several times and ordered the gamut of espresso drinks. They're underpowered, and the roasts are bland. On top of that, every time I've gone to sit down and do work, I've been kicked out an hour and a half before their publicly posted closing time. Customers should be able to trust posted hours, and these experiences make me want to not return. In short: this is a beautiful cafe with the opportunity to be great. A lot of work, particularly in the customer service department, is needed before it will get there though.

Cute, Black-Owned cafe with very cute and contemporary minimalistic style, friendly service and a very tasty menu. They are vegan friendly, but i would definitely like to see more vegan friendly foods and more often (the menu seems to change daily). Overall, such a great vibe :)

This spot is such a welcome addition to the neighborhood around Bloomingdale/Eckington/North Cap! Great spot to get coffee, as well as work or study. Lots of art events seem to be planned as well - it's obvious that the owners care about creating lasting relationships in the community. Great coffee and even vegan treats (yes, plural! There are OPTIONS, my veggie friends!). The vegan banana loaf was on point. For those that are looking to get some work done - there's good Wifi and great seating. I personally love the giant communal table - it makes great use of the space, plus, its easy to plug a charger into the wall without bothering anyone/moving chairs. Looks like a really nice patio area is in the works as well - can't wait to work outside when it warms up a bit!

What a great place with a strong sense of community and commitment to supporting local artists. Needed a quick pick me up and their espresso hit the spot.

Little disappointed- tea was way too sweet. The outdoor area was super hot with not enough shading. Also in the middle of nowhere.

This is hands down what this neighborhood needed. A friendly place to get some very very hot espresso, a yummy vegan pastry and enjoy art installation by local artists. The artist talks are so bomb!!! I've learned so much at each one. I've also got my eye on some of the latest works exhibited. I'm in love with the green couch in the window. So is everyone else. So get there early!

I liked that he was welcoming and that a simple light roast coffee was made to perfection. I will be back again!