D Light Cafe & Bakery

Breakfast restaurant · Adams Morgan

D Light Cafe & Bakery

Breakfast restaurant · Adams Morgan

2

2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null
D Light Cafe & Bakery by null

Highlights

Bakery & cafe with Ukrainian brunch, pastries, and coffee  

Featured in Eater
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2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Get directions

dlightcafe.com
@d_light_cafe

$10–20 · Menu

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2475 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Get directions

+1 202 885 9991
dlightcafe.com
@d_light_cafe

$10–20 · Menu

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Aug 7, 2025

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@eater

Stuff-Your-Face-Silly Buena Vida Plots Bottomless Mexican Food and a Massive Rooftop in Clarendon - Eater DC

"D Light Bakery is reopening after a difficult debut marked by a suspicious fire that destroyed the front entryway. The bakery originally opened last fall." - Stephanie Carter

https://dc.eater.com/2022/2/15/22929047/washington-dc-clarendon-buena-vida-santa-rosa
View Postcard for D Light Cafe & Bakery
@eater

Big Board Raises $30K After Violating Mask and Vaccine Mandates - Eater DC

"Nearly a week ago, a suspicious fire damaged the front door area of the newly opened D Light Cafe and Bakery. Since then, the new cafe and bakery has remained closed." - Stephanie Carter

https://dc.eater.com/2022/2/3/22914279/washington-dc-big-board-mask-violation-closed-uncaged-chefs
View Postcard for D Light Cafe & Bakery

Vlada Klymova

Google
I have such mixed feelings about this place. I was asked to leave a review, and I’m always happy to do so. However, I always prioritize honesty over flowery praise, even when it’s hard to do. I’m a native Ukrainian, and my husband and I were celebrating our anniversary on July 17th. I mention the date so it’s clear who was working that day. We wanted to start our celebration with a traditional Ukrainian breakfast. To begin with, the staff was amazing! We had wonderful conversations with the chef and the young woman working at the counter. Throughout our visit, they were very considerate, communicative, and friendly. The chef even showed us what the dishes looked like to help us choose based on our preferences. The Ukrainian food was good: the syrnyky tasted right, and the crepes were made properly. As a Ukrainian, I’ll note that nothing was outstanding—though I admit, I’m hard to please. One disappointing part was that the crepes were supposed to come without actual berries, but the chef was very nice to us and added fresh berries at no extra cost. Without the berries, the pears lone would look very plain. My husband ordered the Middle Eastern shakshuka, and that was a bit of a letdown. It was mushy and far too watery. Honestly, it didn’t look like authentic shakshuka at all—it looked sad and empty. The taste was okay, but the tomato sauce completely overpowered the rest of the dish. It felt more like a diluted tomato soup. That said, the spices were great…so, mixed feelings about the food. The coffee was a big frustration. For the price, the quality was underwhelming. Our iced banana-caramel latte was good, but not nearly good enough to justify $6.25 plus a service fee. And my hot latte tasted like warm milk with a hint of coffee—I wasn’t expecting that at all. I even got up and asked for an extra shot of espresso because it was undrinkable. It was also cold from the start, and they don’t have a microwave, so it couldn’t be helped… The young lady was very polite and gave me the extra shot free of charge, which I appreciated. Once again, the staff was responsive and attentive to every request. But unfortunately, I had to make so many requests because there were so many small disappointments…so again, mixed feelings about the coffee too. Finally, the prices… not only do they tack on a random service fee, but even the base food prices—given the portion sizes—are absolutely ridiculous. $19 before tax for two tiny syrnyky? $16 before tax for three minuscule plain crepes with a teaspoon of jam? Come on… I want to leave a good tip for the great service, but with prices like these—when our three small dishes and two coffees totaled $86—I just can’t justify paying $100 for a breakfast that didn’t even fill me up. The aesthetic and atmosphere were pleasant, but I understand why some people mention a strange feeling of messiness or gloominess. The place looked a bit worn—almost dingy. Some things just looked messy, old, or poorly maintained. As a Ukrainian, I entered this place full of excitement and anticipation. I was genuinely happy to discover a Ukrainian food spot in Adams Morgan. And the staff completely lived up to my expectations. Everything else, though, left me so sad and hesitant to return. I’m very disenchanted with my recent experience…

Elaine Dela Peña

Google
Their matcha is not good, which was instantly recognizable by the lack of green. Paid $8 for sweet oat milk. The decor is a bit strange and sparse and the music is loud and almost techno???? The service workers were nice but seemed to make several mistakes. I didn’t have any of their food but it looked good and my friends coffee was fine.

Autumn Walker

Google
A mixed bag: They have some tasty food: cottage cheese pancakes, pastries, bacon, and food presentation was good. The front of the restaurant is always adorable. But: Aesthetic is strange and sparse- very bare, stark white with unusual art on walls. Hard to tell what ambiance they’re going for. Loud music playing with a hard, fast beat like techno doesn’t fit cafe vibe and is hard to talk over. They *did* turn it down after I asked, which I really appreciated. I did not care for the coffee but could be personal taste. It’s very expensive. The quality of the ingredients seems good, but quantity is small for the price (cottage cheese pancakes). I understand the cost of food has risen but it still doesn’t seem on par with other places in the area of similar quality, especially with the added tax they automatically charge. This place has a lot of potential but I really value an environment that feels cozier or more interesting and because of the prices, probably wouldn’t go back.

Noemy Esther

Google
TLDR: I never thought I'd be writing a bad review for this place and it really sucks that its changed for worse under new ownership. The ambience along with the cuisine wasn't the same or similar and although I really wanted to give them a try it's really just not worth it :( Can't believe I'm writing this but DON'T DO IT! This used to be one of my fave spots in DC to the point that I always make sure to stop whenever in town. Even my mom who works in food service was amazed with the friendliness and cleanliness of the previous owners. Since my last visit, it has changed ownership. This time was largely different and not in a good way. I wanted to give it a try, after I was informed of the ownership changed especially since they claimed that the chef was still the same - spoiler alert: NOT LIKELY, see pictures. I ordered 2 shakshukas and a cappuccino which came out to $50. The cappuccino came out quick but there was no brown sugar or visible sugar around for that matter. When I asked I was motioned to a random cabinet with a few spare Splenda packets and one last sugar left. Shakshukas finally came around and I felt my heart sink of the disappointed of what was placed in front of me. Below you'll see a shakshuka from the previous ownership to the current ownership. For starters, the plate was so hot that I had to wait several minutes and even dipping the bread into this mystery broth made it a soggy mess. Even worse, the broth was watery and you could see a layer of oil sitting on top. Tastewise it was watery, unseasoned, and lacking in the thick sauteed tomatoes characteristic of the dish. Also, the onions were undercooked and still crunchy as if it had been thrown in last minute. Then came the eggs, they were overcooked and no longer the runny golden eggs from shakshukas long before. I ended up taking this out the dish so I could salvage something since we stopped before heading to the airport - big mistake - and the eggs were still a watery mess. I could even overheard another party saying "its changed, let's go up the street instead". By the time we arrived at airport, my stomach was a grumbling mess. Note, this plate used to fill me up for a few hours. I would stuff my face, walk thru AdMo to Dupont, commute across the district to NoMa for work before finally getting hungry enough for dinner. Sad to see such a gem go :(

Steven Victoria

Google
Unfortunately, I have to agree with many of the recent reviews — this place has really gone downhill under the new management. I didn’t realize the management had changed and decided to stop in since I was in the neighborhood. I noticed something was off because there were no Ukrainian signs anymore, but the menu seemed similar to before, so I didn’t think much of it. I ordered the "Kiev to Paris" (pancakes with mushrooms and chicken). It came out quickly, but at the first bite, I realized it was completely cold. I can’t eat cold food — it just doesn’t taste good. I asked if they could warm it up. After 5–10 minutes, I got my plate back, but everything looked kind of mashed together (I forgot to take a picture). It was lukewarm in some spots and hot in others — very uneven. I gave up and decided to cut my losses. I ate it because I was hungry, but I’m definitely not coming back. I also didn’t see any signs about additional charges, so I left a tip on top of the bill. All in all, the meal cost me almost $20 and still left me hungry, so I went next door to Sharbat for dessert. I should have checked the reviews in advance — my bad! I don’t expect this place to last long with this level of food, service, and ambiance. It’s completely lost the original appeal.

Jordan Ago

Google
Visited for brunch and honestly didn’t expect to be this impressed. The vibe inside is cozy but lively. Just perfect for catching up with a friend or getting some solo work done. The staff was super friendly and patient while I looked through the menu. I recommend the chicken and mushroom crepe. It was so good. Creamy, savory, and just the right amount of filling.

Maria Demidova (avodimed)

Google
The food is really overpriced for this size and quality ($70 for this and two coffees). Croissant and bread taste like they’re not fresh, very dry and lack in taste. Two tiny pieces of salmon per plate… Coffee is just bad, it tastes so watery and sweet. Not worth its price. On other photo reviews there’s a big variety of backed goods, but today they have just few options. Local cheesecake (lviv cheesecake I guess) was nice but nothing special too Employees were listening to strange music. It sounded like someone’s cloud rap demo? Ruined the atmosphere I recommend you to trust all recent reviews

MariLegion

Google
Omg I found this place last Thursday and have been coming here every at least two days! The food is so great and the drinks are just as good! 10/10 DEFINITELY would Recommend!
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Sonya H.

Yelp
What a gorgeous little bakery! I was wandering through the neighborhood and craving a lil sweet treat, and just couldn't resist when I saw the gorgeous marker art on D Light's windows! It was pretty crowded (to be expected for AdMo on a Saturday morning), but we were served within minutes and managed to snag one of the window seats. My friend and I decided to sample a smattering of pastries, including the orange rose eclair, asparagus danish, and matcha croissant. The asparagus danish was by far my favorite; there was a generous helping of asparagus, which was baked to perfection and paired perfectly with the garlicy, deeply savory cheese filling. The pastry itself was flaky and buttery, and generally a great contrast in texture vs. the gooey cheese and soft asparagus. The orange eclair and matcha croissant were both equally solid, although I found both to be a bit lacking in flavor -- they both certainly looked the part, with orange shavings on eclair and green streaks throughout the croissant, but I felt like the orange / matcha flavor itself kind of fell flat. Even so, all of the pastries were solid and a great way to satisfy my sweet tooth for the weekend. Will definitely be paying D Light another visit!
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Kristen K.

Yelp
I have loved D Light Cafe since the two lovely Ukrainian sisters opened their doors during the pandemic. As a Ukrainian American in DC, it was nice to feel at home with the food I grew up with and the ambience was always friendly and warm- the Ukrainian way! Unfortunately, since the sisters sold the business in late 2024, I've noticed a major decline in service and quality... not to mention, the Ukrainian food is virtually removed from the menu (though they still use "Kyiv" to describe dishes that aren't innately Ukrainian) and the pastry case is nearly always empty and the baked goods look stale and unappealing. I went a few weeks ago and the once robust coffee/tea offerings were essentially non-existent- they were out of decaf and none of the specialty drinks I used to love were available. Nevertheless, I ordered a side of potato pancakes and grabbed a table to wait for my order. 15 minutes went by, then 30... after 40 I finally had it and went up to the counter, only to find my order of potato pancakes sitting on the coffee bar. I asked if that was my order and was handed the pancakes- cold and burned. It seemed like every table around me was having the same experience- long waits, incorrect or inedible food, confusing service. I did ultimately receive a refund for my food, which I appreciated, and was told that this was a one off experience. Yesterday, I noticed the cafe posted a fundraiser for Ukraine on their Instagram page, which is fantastic to see... however they used a picture of the wrong flag (now fixed), which further indicated to me that there are no longer Ukrainians running the cafe. I absolutely commend the appreciation for my culture but if you're going to offer Ukrainian food and reference Ukrainian culture on the menu, please do your research! If not, it's understandable to change the theming of the cafe to something more in the wheelhouse of the new owners. I really hope D Light turns a corner because this is such a staple in the neighborhood.
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Rose F.

Yelp
Way too expensive for what you get. we ordered the Kyiv sunrise, harvest salad, and a vanilla almond tea. The Kyiv sunrise was over $20 and it was not a large portion nor was it exceptionally tasty. Perhaps this would be expected at a more upscale restaurant with a more impressive ambience but this was an average looking café, which you would usually expect to be affordable. Although we ordered the harvest salad, we we brought the other salad and informed then that they were out of squash. We were not given the opportunity to switch to another menu item and it was just assumed that we wanted the other salad. Additionally the salad prices were higher than I would find in a full service restaurant. Altogether, I was not impressed and will not be returning.
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Linda O.

Yelp
D Light continues to produce high quality baked goods. I always make a point to drop by and see what's in the display case when I'm in Adams Morgan. Recently, I enjoyed a very impressive ham and cheese croissant. This isn't an easy Viennoiserie pastry to pull off, so, kudos on that. The staff is humble and friendly--never any pretentious attitudes. This cheery spot has gained quite a following. Since opening in 2022, I've become an unabashed fan.
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Christie L.

Yelp
I am visiting DC and had the great pleasure of finding this great cafe. I saw some reviews and thought, this looks perfect for my Birthday lunch! I was about to give up having lunch due to issues with finding a parking spot. But lo and behold, a spot opened up just around the block! Coming to the front, it was very pretty with white and flowers over the threshold. I walked in and noticed the wonderful couches and interior, which was inviting. Isiah was at the front and was inviting. I had no idea what I wanted, but he was able to get me a menu, drink menu, and showed me where the pastries and other items were located. I took a minute and found the wonderful french toast with a berry compote and said that says BIRTHDAY LUNCH! I ordered that and a chai tea. The chai was out, so I was moved to a wonderful latte. I asked to sit outside and the owner Carrie (sorry if misspelled) came out to clean the table and even asked if I wanted her to bring out another able since this area was in the sun! So NICE. I was like, yeah no, I really want to sit in the sun and soak it up! I sat outside in the sun and enjoyed the hustle and bustle outside and enjoyed the warmth of the sun. While waiting, Isiah brought out an eclair that had pears on top and a wonderful creme filling. He said that the owner said, Happy Birthday. I had mentioned it while she was cleaning the table, that I was treating myself to lunch. PROS: Food was amazing, the french toast was delightful with the compote Eclair, wowzer! I was told it was earl grey or lavender, I am so sorry, it was great Very inviting atmosphere Welcoming Outside seating Decor and plenty of seats inside CONS: Parking, good luck JUST GIVE THEM A TRY! Loved everything.
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Alexis M.

Yelp
Such a cute cafe in Adams Morgan. It's the first Ukrainian cafe in DC and introduced me to Savory oatmeal! I stopped in on a Saturday morning to treat myself to breakfast while getting some work done. You order up at the counter and I decided to try the oatmeal with smoked salmon, forest mushrooms, and topped with a poached egg. It was delicious and just worked as a filling, flavorful, savory breakfast item. I just wished the mushrooms where a bit less crunchy and instead matched the creamy and smooth texture of the oatmeal it was mixed in with (I am guessing they use dehydrated mushrooms). They have a nice selection of great pastries and cakes as well. The coffee/tea drinks also look worth trying. Great atmosphere and staff. This place can get busy on the weekend but the staff keep things moving. This cafe has interesting menu items and I want to come back to try the cottage cheese pancakes next time!
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Kent T.

Yelp
The cashier didn't know an omelet was on his own menu. It took about 3 minutes to order four things, the latte was awful, and finally the $20 omelets were tiny, bland, and had very minimal fillings. One omelet we got bacon and they put a full piece of bacon just laying in it, not even chopped up. Oh, and they gave us plastic silverware for dining in. We paid $50 for this, I wouldn't have paid $10. Pass on this place
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Neha P.

Yelp
Got a snickerdoodle coffee and peach lemon tea. Both were quite good! There's also a good amount of seating you could work or read from here as well, However the wait time was quite long even though there weren't too many people in front of us. When we did get to the front, we were told it was cash only. I had cash, but then was told I can't get change back.

Morgan M.

Yelp
Ordered a coffee and the harvest salad and paid $35, $9 of that for four tiny pieces of salmon :( drink was fine but was sad I paid so much. also it was pretty dirty inside and fruit flies by every table. Wouldn't come back unfortunately but I think it has potential
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Eileen K.

Yelp
D Light Cafe & Bakery is a lovely, quaint cafe in Adams Morgan. You can't miss this spot on 18th covered by a plethora of flowers. There are so many yummy menu items to enjoy, but my favorite is the Eggs Benedict with gravlox. The gravlox melts like butter in your mouth. The staff here are super sweet and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this adorable cafe.
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Aiden S.

Yelp
This Ukrainian cafe is a MUST visit for anyone living in DC. I would eat their cottage cheesecakes with salmon and mushroom sauce every day if I could. It's amazing. The salmon is cured with beets and smoked in-house. The mushroom cream sauce is rich yet not too heavy and very mushroom-ey. It's fantastic - one of my all time favorite lunch dishes. They have a lot of great pastries and cakes as well. The coffee drinks are really well made - get a latte! Great atmosphere and staff. Really great people. If you are a local, and you haven't been here, you're missing out!
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Jamie J.

Yelp
The food is good - i'll start with that. We had one savory item and one sweet and were happy with the items. The service was not the best. They seemed to have one person taking orders, making coffee, and serving items from the kitchen. It's a lot to put on one person during a busy time so we really felt for him. It took about 25 minutes to finally order our food at the counter and an additional 20 min to get our food. They forgot our coffee so it was additional time on top. Would not return based on the experience.
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Wendy Eli R.

Yelp
OVERALL: bakery has an incompetent and incredibly rude cashier who tried to steal money from me. Slow service and mediocre food that is overpriced. Avoid at all costs. SERVICE: when we got to the cashier to order, someone came up to the cashier and begged her to clean their table. They said they had been waiting for 15 minutes for it to be cleaned. That should have been our cue to leave. I ordered pancakes and bottled orange juice. 15 minutes into waiting for it I was told they ran out of OJ and she offered me apple juice. I said no because I didn't like that juice and then she offered lemonade. I asked if it was the same price and the cashier said "ugh idk maybe" so I requested a refund. 10 minutes later she begins processing my refund and asks me to go up to tap my card. It didn't work because she didn't know how to process the refund so she went to the back and gave me cash and said nothing. I requested a receipt so I could see that costs (their original receipt didn't include line itemization). She tried to rip me off of by not giving me the full amount listed on the receipt. When I pointed it out and asked for the full refund, she got upset and said they didn't have enough change for my refund. What the hell? How is that my problem? I requested the full amount firmly and she obliged. Then it took her about a half hour to get my boyfriend's food. Terrible service! Unprofessional and outright theft is the norm here. The venue was also dirty. The tables weren't cleaned after use and the seats had crumbs. Save yourself the trouble. Dont go here!
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Audrey R.

Yelp
I am a simple lady, fun colored food tastes better - blue oatmeal (no idea why it's blue) with candied plum and this crumbled sugar cookie. hello winter breakfast vibes, this was stunning and not overly sweet!! the menu was set up in a confusing way with like categories and sub categories but I can promise this didn't say why it's blue - the pink dreams latte, usually I'm a boring, borderline psychotic, coffee orderer....but I wanted the full experience of this place considering adams morgan is frustratingly not convenient to get to - the latte was strawberry, it has a strawberry puree and a syrup, I wish I had just gotten the puree because it tasted like real strawberry jam while the syrup just made it a bit too sweet for me and overpowered the espresso taste entirely - my friend got a cappuccino and the halloumi croissant, great presentation - it is counter service for ordering but the servers did come up to us how long we'd be staying at our table, so they could give our seats away, they were totally nice about it but it's clear they want to keep tables moving.
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Lauren F.

Yelp
This is a very cute cafe in Adams Morgan. I've been here twice for brunch, and they have delicious Ukrainian breakfast options to enjoy. So far, I've tried the chicken and mushroom crepes, the salmon and mushroom syrniki (cheese pancakes), and the cheese mlyntsi. They've all been delicious - flavorful, fresh, and interesting, although the chicken and mushroom is my favorite so far for the wonderful, rich sauce it was served in. The portion sizes are fairly small for the price ($15-18 per dish), so don't come hungry, but it tastes great and it's a type of food that you won't often find. The pastries look incredible, but they sell out quickly. This place is very busy on the weekends, so expect a line, but they keep things moving. Definitely recommend for a light breakfast or an afternoon snack!
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Leyang Z.

Yelp
A small Ukraine cafe near Smithsonian Zoo. Beautifully decorated and clean inside. I got a blue oatmeal (without sugar), a salad, two poached eggs and iced green tea. Everything was delicious. The blue oatmeal looked quite fancy, tasted great and was quite filling. Because it was blended with some cookie crumbles and pear purée, it was a bit sweet (but not crazily sweet, of course). Also it was topped with several pieces of pear. The green tea was unsweetened. Service was not super quick mainly because the cafe was operated by only two girls. So have some patience and possibly take some time enjoy the decorations and cute collections in this cafe before having the nice food!
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Anzhela H.

Yelp
It's cute spot, comfortable inside, good menu with authentic Ukrainian dishes. We had only coffee, for my taste, was very plain.
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Zack G.

Yelp
Cozy, counter service, Ukranian cafe with a solid and unique selection of drinks, pastries, and food I tried their strawberry latte + a crossant with bacon and eggs. It was all really delicious My only complaint is that the place is fairly small, especially given how popular it is
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Naria W.

Yelp
Stopped in for a pastry on Saturday morning. Really really cute spot, small space and limited seating but there were a few empty tables around 2pm on a Saturday. Grabbed a miso caramel apple turnover to go which was delicious!! Staff were friendly and pastries weren't too expensive. They also have teas and coffee and some light bites too. Looks like a nice place for a casual brunch since they have a couple more hearty options on the menu. Also a really adorable storefront covered in flowers. Will definitely come back!
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Bailey B.

Yelp
Visiting DC for work and stumbled upon this cafe looking for lunch. The service was not great. I asked what was in the Harvest Salad, and the server didn't know lol. I ordered it because it had apples and squash in it, added chicken. He messed up and brought me a togo order instead of "for here", which is fine. As he sets the food down (mind you I waited 20 min for a salad), he tells me "we didn't have squash, hope that's ok." I think he needs to learn customer service skills. Would not come back or recommend.
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Ken D.

Yelp
Something has changed here. Poor service, long waits, not welcoming, and abysmal food. A very expensive lunch for 2 resulting in food poisoning was not what was expected. A local favorite now serves a couple pieces of lettuce between some sad slices of bread for a premium. Not recommended until they can get back on their feet.
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Davida W.

Yelp
D Light offers both brunch and dessert, but its forte is clearly the baked goods. I relished my croissant filled with berries and cream, and $5.50 seemed a reasonable price for the thoughtfully composed treat. Not so for the Ukrainian crepes with chicken and mushrooms. They tasted good, but $18 (including tip) seemed way too steep, especially since it was not really filling enough to be called lunch.
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Orest S.

Yelp
Great borscht and pastry. Also the coffee is good. Ukrainian speaking personnel. Sometimes crowded on the weekends. Definitely one of my favorite places at Adams Morgan!
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Bree C.

Yelp
Excellent coffee and pastries. Mocha was great. We had the avocado toast which was Meh. The Ukrainian pancakes were delish. We got the Berry/cheese & Almond croissants to go. We both wish we'd gotten more for later.
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Janet L.

Yelp
Got a decaf iced nutty raf. Looked up what a raf is after, apparently it's cream based rather than milk based like a latte. It didn't taste particularly nutty to me, just generically sweet but not overly so. Not a strong coffee flavor--maybe because I got decaf, but I've had more bitter and coffee-like decafs elsewhere. It's a pleasant environment with lots of seating, but I would try another drink next time. The cream base is a bit heavy.
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Daniel R.

Yelp
My favorite breakfast place in dc!! I have always had an incredible experience here. Give it a try!
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John B.

Yelp
There were lines out the door in this cafe's early days, but it's settled down to the point where they're busy but you can get a table. The cafe is run entirely by women, with notes that their profits are sent back to Ukraine, which is presumably where the men are. I'm not a geopolitics expert, but I'm always happy to support businesses from people in tough circumstances. Unlike other Ukrainian restaurants I've been to, this place was really going for a more general, and European menu; it wasn't the varenyky I had in Chicago, but more croissants, waffles, and salads. My avocado toast was on the smaller side and comes with guacamole rather than sliced avocado, but the grilled halloumi and sun-dried tomatoes were as tasty as one might think. I saw the option for an orange matcha, which sounds ridiculous but I've found that matcha goes well with all sorts of disparate flavors. Unfortunately, orange juice turns out not to be one of them; the orange drowns out the matcha flavor. I would try a different beverage if I were back in the neighborhood. It's a very pleasant cafe inside with beautiful presentations on the food as well. I'm happy to have them in Adams Morgan.
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Joanne L.

Yelp
This place is such a gem! First of all, it's highly Instagrammable from the inside out, with flowers, a high ceiling, blue chairs and sofas. The food is equally delicious. They have a lot of great brunch dishes and gluten-free options available. Do not sleep on their pastries and desserts, perhaps my favorite things to get here. The croissants are amazing - one of my favorites in DC! They are super buttery and flakey, filled with delicious cream and fruits but retain their structure well. Also highly recommend trying the Ukrainian cheesecake - it's unlike any cheesecakes I've had before. Dense, not too sweet, slightly grainy from the cottage cheese, and goes well with the chocolate coating on top and raisins mixed in. Last but not least, the service is always top-notch. It's run by Ukrainian women who are so hardworking and helpful. They do such a good job of explaining the menu to guests and accommodating dietary restrictions. I love coming here during weekdays to work. Weekends are usually packed and quite busy so I'd grab some pastries or drinks to go. Anyway I'll keep coming back :)
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Rajit S.

Yelp
D Light apparently has new owners, but the head chef is the same. The food is still pretty good, but the service is hit or miss
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Zanthippie M.

Yelp
This place was DELICIOUS. I'd definitely recommend coming on a weekday as opposed to weekends but it was good nontheless. The croissant was so fresh and crunchy, and the drink menu was awesome. Plus a family owned business!

Lexi Z.

Yelp
We went around 1:30 in the afternoon for lunch. The place wasn't busy but 3-4 empty tables had dirty plates and stains on them. It didn't seem to be well maintained. We had to ask the staff to come clean our table after we sat down. The table we sat on was also wobbly. The food came relatively quickly, but we waited much longer for the coffee and desserts. The French toast and the pancake were great, but the coffee tasted a bit watery. The potato pancakes were also cold when they were served to us. Overall the service was disappointing given that they charge for 18% service fee for ordering food at the counter. The food was 6.5/10.

Maria A.

Yelp
It was a really pretty place with lots of Tiffany style decor, they had a lot of fun drink options, although they were out of a few things I wanted to try. The tea I got was good, it was house made so it actually had a nice flavor versus just a tea bag, the pain au chocolate was pretty good too, and it wasn't crazy expensive either. Free WiFi, big tables and a few outlets around make it a very nice place to work and all the seating is soft. The staff was very nice as well!
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Sonia K.

Yelp
I was pleasantly surprised by the number of tables that were available Saturday morning. We were able to seat ourselves inside of this beautiful cafe. There were also seats available outside. The food was amazing and there were so many great options. We got the shakshuka, chicken shawarma wrap with tomato soup, and cottage cheesecake with mushroom and gravlax salmon. The cottage cheesecake was soft and light. It went perfectly with the mushroom. I thought the portion was small but was perfectly full after eating it all. The wrap was also flavorful and highlight of the meal. The tomato soup was also very light and different from other tomato soups that I've had. The cafe also has so many delicious looking desserts on display! I will definitely be trying them next time.

Intel L.

Yelp
Went on a Saturday. Waited 20 minutes for our avocado toast. It featured stale, hard bread with razor thin slices of avocado equaling less than a quarter of a whole avocado. Oh and it was unripe. Returned both. Terrible experience.
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Anushka M.

Yelp
Best specialty coffee drinks ever!!! I loved my pink dream latte so much I ordered another one to go, it was that good! It's strawberry purée, milk and espresso and so so delicious. D Light Cafe has been on my list to check out for a while. It's a cute cafe that serves breakfast and lunch. Order at the front and sit at any available table that you'd like. Of course I had the pink dreams latte, the tomato shakshuka, hash browns and a chocolate croissant. I thought the food was ok. My shakshuka and hash browns had a strange aftertaste and the shakshuka eggs were cooked all the way. I thought the eggs were usually a little runny. The chocolate croissant was good but other than that I wasn't a fan of the food. For drinks though it was a huge hit. The employees were really friendly and really good at remembering where you're sitting and what you ordered.
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Austin G.

Yelp
Before the city gathered around this Ukrainian sister-owned cafe, it was known in Adams Morgan as the bakery with the entrance decorated with an elaborate flower display. Despite once being burned down, the flowers remain. Located in the heart of Adams Morgan, this bakery is one of several on 18th Street N.W. (Azerbijani bakery Sharbat is next door.) Open for breakfast and lunch, the space inside is simple with white walls and colorful art. There are a few tables out front. The menu is large and diverse from pastries to croissant sandwiches to salads. My wife ordered the avocado toast, which came with more of an avocado puree. I got the pastrami eggs Benedict, which were tasty. Our five-year-old daughter loved her turkey croissant sandwich. Service is efficient and very friendly! The sisters who run it are very kind!
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Josephine V.

Yelp
This little cafe caught my attention while on a walk on 18th St. Everything I ordered is delicious. I need to come back and try everything on the menu. Service is good.
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TheRose O.

Yelp
My absolute favorite place to eat! Its beautiful, its delicious, flavors I have never had before in this combo, entrees I have never heard of before, pleasant crowd; my favorites are the honey pear tea warm and cool, the cottage cheesecake with forest mushroom sauce, the crepes, the hashbrowns, the avocado toast, the French toast with plums (cherries) and cream mousse, and the tomato garlic confit pastry!!!!!
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Alex A.

Yelp
Embarrassed to say that it took me so long to visit this incredible cafe and bakery! I had the privilege of eating here five days straight and enjoying my meal every single time. I always ordered the honey pumpkin latte, potato pancakes with bacon and egg, and their pain au chocolat. The sweetness of the honey pumpkin latte contrasted well with the savory potato pancakes and leaves you pleasantly full. It's worth noting that I am a creature of habit and there are plenty of other items on the cafe menu for everyone to try (such as cabbage rolls, gluten free pancakes or waffles, and more!). The flaky, fluffy, buttery, and chocolatey pain au chocolat was the perfect way to finish breakfast. I threw a strawberry tarragon danish into the mix as well which was also so high quality. As someone who has had the good fortune of eating baked goods throughout Europe, I can happily say these pastries are some of the best that I have had in the United States. To top all of this off, D Light is ran by a group of kind, professional, and hardworking Ukrainian women. It has been an absolute joy being able to receive a warm welcome every morning and watch them navigate through large volumes of customers with poise and grace daily. If you are in Washington DC and looking for incredible food, drink, and people, make sure to pay a visit to D Light Cafe and Bakery!

Nick S.

Yelp
Disaster of a service. Waited over an hour, and when I went up to ask how much longer it would Take they said they were out of what I ordered. I got a refund along with pretty much the entire restaurant that waited just as long for no food. Disaster of an experience and employees didn't have a clue about professional service.
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Jasmine N.

Yelp
I came here two weekends ago for a quick bite to eat. First, the place is beautiful. The inside has lovely decor like a little an upscale European cafe. I was immediately greeted and asked the woman at the counter what she recommended. She recommended the pink dream latte. So I got one and an almond croissant. The pink dream latte was so good. I think she said it's made with crushed strawberry syrup. It tasted such like a delight. The almond croissant was also delicious. I find finding almond croissants that properly have the custard filling is hard, but their croissant are real almond croissants with the filling. It was the perfect snack for a little me time afternoon.

Scott B.

Yelp
Waited an hour for my food and was then told they forgot about it. Worst restaurant experience on a long time.
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Pup P.

Yelp
Wonderful Ukrainian cafe! I had the grilled halloumi and sun-dried tomato avocado toast which was yummy. While that selection was not necessarily something I could *only* get in a cafe (vs making it myself), it was beautifully presented and that made me feel fancy. The space is small but it has a nice family feel. The staff are simply lovely. I want to go back in the near future and try some of the true Ukrainian selections on the menu! I also have not had their coffee, so I think that and something sweet is also in my future.
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Pranusha P.

Yelp
I went to D light cafe and bakery after several months of walking by and being impressed with the cute decor and ambiance of the interior. I must say - it lived up to expectations! I went on a Saturday afternoon for brunch and it was a bit crowded but my friend and I were able to get served within just a few minutes and we were able to find a table after a few minute wait. This would be a good pick up option as well. The drink options featured really cute lattes such as honey pumpkin. I loved the eggs Benedict with salmon.. it was a good size portion and the salmon tasted so fresh and the egg was perfectly poached. It was a bit pricey at $15 but given the premium quality ingredients I thought it was reasonable. Overall, definitely loved the food and would come back and try some of their pastries!

Mariya B.

Yelp
I'm so disappointed and upset by my visit this afternoon. My family and I were huge supporters of this cafe when it first opened and have eaten here maybe half-a-dozen times and talked it up to all of our friends and family. We loved it partially because it was a cute cafe with good food, but the DMV has no shortage of pleasant places to eat. The main reason we supported D Light was because we supported its pro-Ukrainian message and wanted to do our part to ensure the business thrived. This afternoon, however, I stopped by to pick up dessert for our family. I was paying at the register when I saw a stack of flyers on the counter urging voters to write in "Gaza" instead for "Biden" on the Democratic primary ballot and tying a vote for President Biden with "genocide." I was shocked. I thought maybe someone left the flyers by the register without the business's awareness or consent. So I asked the salesperson whether the cafe supported the message in the flyers. The young lady helping me said they did. I expressed my dismay and told her that it was hypocritical for a business that urges U.S. support for one county trying to fight off an aggressor to simultaneously agitate against U.S. support for another country fighting off an aggressor (and in the process to brand the U.S. President with the "genocide" accusation because of his support to a close U.S. ally defending itself against an existential threat). The lady just shrugged her shoulders in response. I realize that the anti-Israeli messaging gives D Light the street cred needed in uber-Liberal Adams Morgan, but the owners should be aware that by casting their lot with the crowd that's trying to corner the current Administration into breaking our long-standing ties with Israel, they are alienating a sizable number of their customers. The cake I bought today from D Light will be the last one I get there. It's truly unfortunate that a bakery chose to wade into the Middle East conflict and the domestic political fray. The ingratitude and two-facedness of the business owners who are happy to receive support for their homeland while denying it to other nations under attack is particularly infuriating. I hope that perhaps they can change their stance so I can return there as a customer.
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Sherry J.

Yelp
- Cute place owned by two sisters - Great place with natural lighting to get some light work done - The lattes were good - They're fundraising for Ukrainian relief. If you donate, they provide you with a little cookie that has the Ukrainian flag. Go visit!!

Maria B.

Yelp
This place is so wonderful! The staff was so friendly and the food was absolutely delicious! I got the Hibiscus iced tea and avocado toast, and it was satisfying and tasty! I went and read while I ate and the atmosphere was perfect for single dining or a group. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a chill brunch with wonderful food!
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Ariel O.

Yelp
So thrilled we stopped by! Had an absolutely delicious make-your-own breakfast croissant and turkey-egg sandwich over fruit-nut bread. Soothing jazz in the background is contrasted with Ukrainien emblems in all corners reminding patrons of the tragic political occurrences as well of the fact that this place is Ukrainian owned. Highly recommend you stop by!
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Sophie R.

Yelp
I love this place!! One of the highlights of moving to DC for me has been the amount of Eastern European and Eurasian food available! D light has wonderful staff, beautiful pastries, unique coffees and teas, delicious Ukrainian dishes, and a lovely ambiance for reading, working, and catching up with friends.