The West End’s Hottest New Restaurant Sits in a Squash Club - Eater DC
"Latin chefs Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora open Eme Cafe and Bar inside Squash on Fire, offering a range of dishes from mini empanadas to barbecue ribs. The venue serves happy hour, dinner, and weekend brunch, appealing to both sports players and professionals. The cafe, located in a mixed-use building in West End, was originally a Mediterranean cafe and has been revamped by Guerra and Mora." - Tierney Plumb
Had a wonderful dinner and drinks with a friend here tonight! I’d seen them before on google maps, but hadn’t made it out quite yet and I am already planning on coming back for brunch or drinks again.
Luna was great, our bartender, and it was overall 10/10 experience, food, and drinks. I would highly recommend their happy hour menu as well, for anyone just getting off work. Their terrace outside is also very pretty, and the space is extremely well designed inside.
Angelica Gomez
Google
The place is really cool. We had some drinks at the terrace and the weather was great. We went there for brunch. They offer a nice variety of food, vegetarian options and vegan options included. I will recommend to get the choripán and the French toast, they were delicious!
Food: 10/10
Vibe:9/10
Drinks: 10/10
Dana Cekosh
Google
Y’all! This place is inside the squash gym! We did not know that. Lol. BUT the food was so amazing and the drinks were so delicious. We got the truffle fries, croquettes, burrata, tartar, and pork belly sandwich and it was all 10/10. So worth it but we we’re slightly taken aback when we walked into a gym cafe 😅 we should have taken pix of the food ugh so delicious.
Melisa W
Google
Food is exquisite, well done, and beautifully presented. There’s variety on what they offer. Vegetarian and vegan friendly (sooo good!) They have brunch during the weekends 10/10. There’s a bar too if you want to go and watch a game or relax.
Marcela Dwork
Google
The type of place that will surprise you with exquisite and unique dishes. The cocktails are well-balanced (not sweet) and the atmosphere is perfect for a family, friends or date outing. Highly recommended!
Melissa Marquardt
Google
Everything I’ve gotten so far has been amazing! The Latin Bowl (I think it was called) was such a big portion size that I thought I’d never finish it all in one sitting but yet I ate every last bite—was so good!!
Luna Boyardo
Google
Nice hidden gem inside a Squash Facility. Great food and quality cocktails.
Anthony Lanier
Google
Loved sitting outside on the elevated terrace observing the city from above. Great non alcoholic cocktails
Austin G.
Yelp
D.C. is full of bars with great cocktails, food and atmosphere, but EME Cafe & Bar offers an experience like no other. It's surrounded by squash courts. Drop in for a game or just a drink and watch people duke it out on the courts. It's a unique experience!
My friend and I dropped in around 8 p.m. on a Tuesday evening. Here's our experience.
1) Drinks: I went into EME thinking the drinks would be okay, but left impressed. The menu has six cocktails ranging from alcohol-forward to more sweet cocktails like the Pain Smasher made with white rum, pineapple orange creamsicle and lemon. (I ordered two Pain Smashers.) They also sell six beers and wine.
2) Food: The menu is from a former chef of Michelin-star El Cielo and includes small and medium plates. My friend was pleased with the ceviche and I the three mini chicken empanadas. The medium dishes are burgers, sandwiches and BBQ ribs.
3) Space: Take the elevator to the third floor and you're in Squash On Fire with a large seating area near the bar and a glowing bar in a well-designed space. Despite being surrounded by squash courts, the bar is inviting and quiet.
4) Neighborhood: It's in West End near many hotels with other restaurants and bars to visit. We found parking easily.
(Note: We were invited to EME Cafe & Bar and although we tipped, our food and drinks were comped.)
Jacky C.
Yelp
Rebranded, but still the same great little bar/cafe to get some great food. I come here often to play squash at the facility and always swing by for a beer and/or dinner. Service is phenomenal. Super friendly.
I always opt for the truffle fries as an add-on side. Totally worth it. EME Burger is my absolute favorite, although it can get messy with the egg. BLT Burger is another one of my go to if I want a cleaner meal.
They do trivia nights on Wednesdays which sounds fun, although I never participate.
The hours I am not too sure of as sometimes they close the kitchen at 8PM, and sometimes at 8:30PM. I guess it really all depends on the amount to customers they get? So I'd call in to be sure if you plan on strolling in in the late hours.
Jordan N.
Yelp
Amazing burgers.
Venezuelan-style, Colombian-sized empanadas.
Donisima's donuts.
Great coffee, fresh-squeezed orange juice, and great alcohol.
Reasonably-priced, high quality food.
This is an airy sports-bar with tables inside the second floor squash facility. There's also balcony seating fronting the seat.
I can see myself returning here frequently.
Jazlyn G.
Yelp
EME cafe & bar is located on the 3rd floor of Squash On Fire, which has a really cool indoor sports/games concept. You can purchase a day pass for $25. There is no entry fee to reach the bar however! I had really wonderful service from the bartenders at EME Cafe & Bar. I got a classic margarita adorned with this cute little orange wedge. I sat at the bar but would love to come back to take a seat on their balcony patio and enjoy some people watching in foggy bottom.
Kevin N.
Yelp
I didn't expect a cafe in a squash club to be this good, but here I am ordering all the food I can and devouring it! You can come here whether you're playing squash or not. They even have a great bar if you're just looking for drinks and appetizers.
Truffle Fries - You can never go wrong with truffle fries, especially with a delicious aoili
Corn & Jamon Serrano Croquettes - Perfect amount of filling. The corn was a delicious touch and the Jamon added a great crunch to it.
Spicy Tuna Tartare - The tuna and avocado combo was delicious and the wonton chips added a great crunch to it all.
Burrata - The squash, watercress and cheese combo was insanely delicious! I don't know what they did to this dish, but I loved everything about it.
Choripan - The chorizo was delicious and I loved this bite with the chimichurri sauce.
Maybe next time I'll come play some squash and burn off these delicious calories.
David M.
Yelp
Tthis a very unique and cool space on the second floor of a squash club. A very chic interior with an upscale sports vibe that has a very large TV at the bar area to watch sports games. With it being on the second floor it also has balcony seating with a great view. I got their spicy margarita typically I'm not a fan of spicy drinks but I actually really enjoyed this one. It wasn't too spicy and all the ingredients just complimented each other. I got to try a sample of their menu. I go to try their burger, sandwich, truffle fries, and burrata salad. Everything was super delicious and made with high quality ingredients. The standouts for me was their burger and salad. They also have a brunch menu that I want to go back and try. I love the vibe of this place it could be a laidback lunch spot or also a bar where you can go and catch the game. Service was great our bartender was slinging drinks right and left during the yelp elite event. Definitely a spot I will be going back to again.
Luna B.
Yelp
Some amazing food and drinks located inside a Squash Facility. Their Pork Belly Sandwich and Spicy Tuna Tartare are a must try.
Justin L.
Yelp
Very different! bartender was very nice and helpful . Food and drinks were great. Overall experience was great
Anthony L.
Yelp
unusual place in a highly designed squash club. great food, terrace and atmosphere. kids and pet friendly, great bar w casual vibe.