Emissary

I had a cappuccino, it wasn’t very strong, but the flavor was nice. I ordered a Caesar salad, which was fresh, though I felt it could have used a bit more shaved Parmesan. What I absolutely loved was the vibe; so lively and full of energy!

A classic for a reason! This Dupont Circle favorite features a wide selection of tasty caffeinated beverages and American-style fare, served in a super spacious and cozy cafe with friendly staff. I’ve been to Emissary more times than I can count for morning coffee, mid-day coffee, and evening coffee — there are very few places I can find in the city that serve coffee and/or allow people to hang out and work / read / chill so late. I generally just get their coffee, but it’s all been great, whether you’re looking for an iced coffee or something espresso-based. The matcha isn’t my favorite but it’s still pretty solid, and I’ve only ever tried their fries (which are more like patatas bravas or larger chunks of potatoes vs. American-style fries) but they were super tasty.

The MUSIC was bumpin''''' 🎶🕺🏾💃🏾!!! LOL!!! My Iced Vanilla Latte was smooth & delicious!!! High energy & delicious looking food was pumpin from the kitchen!!! Pastries looked great too!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!

My favorite coffee shop/Cafe in D.C. Variety of seating. Some people come to eat, some to grab a coffee or a drink, and some to work on laptops. All are welcome! Staff is incredibly kind and attentive. (It would be 5 stars for food if there were more vegan options or things that could be made vegan!) Overall, great experience.

A spacious interior with plenty of sitting, very reverberant (so maybe not great for talking). Lots of outside seating. Unfortunately probably the smallest and most undrinkable six and a half dollar cappuccino I've ever had. I paid extra for a snickerdoodle flavouring, not realising that apparently what that means is shaking and ungodly amount of cinnamon into fresh espresso. Based on the price, I expected 1. a larger drink (especially considering I the final few sips are so dense with clumped cinnamon as to be wasted) and 2. actual flavouring. Also, the only way to order is using a touchpad. This kind of ruins the vibe of a local coffee shop. Though I would imagine this is better during a busy lunch rush?

A neighborhood gem! Emissary is one of those rare spots that you can come by for brunch/lunch/dinner or for coffee/pastry/dessert. Everything I’ve tried on the menu is excellent and thoughtfully prepared. I love coming here to get work done, or to grab a quick bite after the gym, or drinks with a few friends at their speakeasy bar. The prices are very reasonable and the staff are always so accommodating even when very busy. Ooh!!! You gotta try their homemade bread. It’s AMAZING!

Emissary on P st a nice place to have lunch if you're in the area - nice patio and lovely brick walls. And the food is fresh. I have not tasted their coffee yet, but it looks like a really nice place to spend lunch.

A great place to chill, meet friends, or to work from. Offer both outdoor sitting and indoors, with indoors spread wide open and options ranging from bar sitting to couch or just tables. Usually frequented by youngsters who study/work out of the establishment. We spent a good amount of our afternoon there last Friday and enjoyed sitting my bar in the back side. Got us an avocado toast, breakfast burrito, cold brew and cappuccino - they were all really good. I like the concept of a piece of dark chocolate on the side of a cappuccino. The servers were sweet. I’ll recommend this anyone who is visiting DC or plans to work for sometime from DuPont circle area. Enjoy!

Came here with my friend to enjoy a coffee before a trip to NYC. I had heard great things about Emissary and was excited to try their Iced Coffee. The ambiance is spacious, but seats do fill up quick! My friend was met with a bit of hostility when we were asking about their availability - it is unclear and needs to have more direction. Our iced coffees were flavorful and bold. I would come back to try different menu items or have a WFH day here. Fingers crossed my next experience will be better.

Yesterday at Emissary was one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had. My friend and I went to get some work done and placed our drink orders with our waiter, Julio. After that, he completely disappeared until it was time for the checks, despite us being there for hours. When he brought the check, we asked for separate ones, but Julio kept insisting, "It's together, okay?" When we asked if he could split it, he flatly refused. When we requested to speak with someone else, Julio suddenly agreed to split the check. As my friend signed her receipt, he stared at her and asked, "Oh, so no tip?" I was shocked. When it was my turn to pay, I didn't tip either because of his poor service and rude behavior. Julio confronted me too, escalating the situation. I asked to speak with the manager, but he claimed he was the manager, which turned out to be false. Frustrated, I searched for the real manager. During this time, Julio continued to berate me, even threatening to call the police. When I finally found the actual manager, he apologized but offered no real solutions, despite Julio continuing to insult us right in front of him. A barista later told us he would report the issue to the *real* manager. The whole experience was incredibly frustrating. Confronting customers about tips and being deceptive about his role showed a complete lack of respect. It could have been handled so much better if they had taken feedback seriously and valued us as customers.

My fiance's review: "It was fine." I struggle because I have been here a few times just to hang out and get coffee or drinks with larger groups and in those cases it has been great. Good vibes, cool decor/ambiance, great location if you're in Dupont, ample seating, and something for everyone. I especially love some of the flourishes, like the vintage-y looking floral wallpapers, the botanical wall under the bar, and the exposed brick elements. But I recently came here for my first ever sit-down meal and was a little disappointed after my previous good experiences. And it's certainly no Cafe Japone (if you know you know). We came for a late-ish lunch on a Saturday after an appointment a few blocks away, and were bummed to find that, even though it was late in the day, we were still limited to a breakfast menu that wasn't particularly ample, nor was it the kind of weekend brunch menu we would expect in lieu of having lunch options. My fiance got a grilled cheese that was...you know, bread and cheese, hard to judge. And I got an arepa (part of the desayuno cafetero plate) that I was initially excited about but kind of disappointed by upon receiving it. The menu boasted, "two organic fried eggs, house-made Colombian arepa, queso fresco, organic greens." The flavor was nice, but the menu said "queso fresco" which made me think it would come with melty cheese on it and it was actually just like a small ketchup container of shreds that basically amounted to a garnish? See my pic. When I saw "organic greens" on the menu I expected like, a salad? Again, it was more like a garnish. So basically just an arepa and two eggs for $16, and I was still hungry. I can get like two cheese-stuffed arepas at a food truck for way less, or spend $16 for pancakes, hash browns and eggs at diners in Arlington and walk home completely stuffed, without the addition of one of their giant side salads. So it was pretty disappointing. Service was OK I guess? It was kind of hard to figure out if this was actual table service or counter service, and it was hard to get attention when we needed it, though our server was perfectly nice. Since we were still hungry we decided to supplement with pastry, which was not part of the original plan as we're both trying to watch our blood sugar. This also added expense to the meal, and they were out of the pastries we wanted but which were listed on the menu and we had to get other, even less healthy options. I get that it was late in the day but it wasn't THAT late and you're a coffee shop, and if it's listed on the menu, you should probably order enough for the day. All in all I wasn't like...offended to my core by anything but it's definitely not a place I'd go out of my way to visit. In retrospect I think we would have been happier at Pain Quotidien up the street even though it's a chain. I'll come here again to grab coffees or cocktails because it's a cool place to hang, but probably not for a meal.

Emissary is a newer coffee shop and light lunch restaurant off Dupont Circle. My friends' called this place a favorite and took me for a weekend morning coffee. They explained the building was empty for a long time, and the designed leaned into that aesthetic with exposed floors and brick walls. They also have a bunch of outdoor seating, which would be nice in the warm months. Inside there are many tables, but this place is always busy so it was hard to find one but eventually did. I was struck by how loud it was; regardless of people reading and working on laptops all around, the prime activity here was talking happily while enjoying a hot drink. They have a menu of breakfast/brunch fare like burritos, classics, and sandwiches. The line to order went quickly, the cashier was friendly and welcoming. I had an iced black coffee and an apple cinnamon scone; both were excellent and flavorful. Toward the back is a cozy cocktail bar, with darker lighting. I was told the whole place turns into a music, dance, drink venue in the evening, which I'm sure is an equally cozy vibe while imbibing. If you're a fan of local coffee shops, this is great one to try.

Super cute vibe inside the hot cappuccino was delicious and the banana chocolate chip muffin was really good too

There's an interesting vibe going on in here. It's unique. At one table you have a group of friends eating off the menu, and at another you have a couple ordering a mimosa and a spritzer. They're playing backgammon. The place is cozy on a cold winter's day. It attracts all kinds of people. I met a friend for a coffee catch up. She ordered a London Fog with their lavender flavored syrup. I had a latte. The coffee was robust and smooth. It was good. She enjoyed her tea. All in all, I enjoyed the environment, coffee, and catch up. It was a good time. I'd like to go back over the summer to see what a summer's day feels like at Emissary. It's a fun place!

Before I begin, must note I'm a coffee nerd, so very picky about how I have coffee. Been looking for a good cup in DC, found Emissary on a morning walk through Dupont. Service was excellent. Nice, friendly service in an environment that suits me wonderfully. Ordered a pour over and a chocolate croissant. The chocolate croissant was soft and flaky, chocolate was gooey. The pour over was done properly, served in a hot mug. Great coffee shop, only one note: the baristas should know what the origin of the coffee for the pour over is, thus only 4 stars. But I'll definitely be back.

My latte was great. Had an expresso one but it was a bit busy so the crema was gone. Service is generally good but can be a bit slow to recognize your presence unless you sat at the bar. Gnocchi - it is solid. Something to order again especially in a cafe for a casual bite with a glass of wine.

I ordered the bucatini with meatballs and a decaf latte with lavender - delishhhh.great portion size and very flavorful. This spot is well located with good service, dessert, and alcohol. I would recommend teleworking from here or grabbing a drink with friends.

Great ambiance; the perfect place to sit and read or enjoy a chat with a friend. Service can be a little slow, but I love that I don't feel rushed and can stay as long as I like - unusual for a restaurant imo! I've tried the bagel platter and it was fabulous. I've been wanting to try their pour over, but I've gone twice in Sunday afternoons and been told they're not serving it at the time. Maybe it's only available in the morning? Outdoor seating is nice if a little noisy, and the staff is friendly. The iced coffee was good, but the capp I had was a little bitter. Overall a nice little restaurant near DuPont and I will be back!

Emissary is the perfect place. Something for everyone. Drinks, coffee, food, and great outdoor and indoor space. Service is great. Their drinks and coffee is always great, first time having food and I was very impressed. Both the pesto pasta and the rigatoni alla vodka were incredible. Always a great spot for getting together with friends.

The last time I was in DC over a year ago, I stayed at the Residence Inn down the street. My husband and I looked forward to the fresh, delicious, flaky croissants and the delicious coffee every morning before work. There would be a line out the door. We were very disappointed this trip. The coffee was nothing special and the croissants were cold and not fresh. They were like days old croissants you might get from Costco. Disappointing. We ended up walking past Emissary going to Tatte and the really good French bakery right off the circle the rest of our trip. All of that said, the service was good and the ambiance is nice. Just need to go back to the original recipe.

Oh Emissary...how I love you! Emissary remains undefeated if you need a nice, chill, low key bar to catch up at happy hour. The bar was empty when I arrived around 4:30pm on a Wednesday. My bartender was new but he still did a great job. The popcorn was a perfect pairing with my spritzer. I only removed a star because the happy hour prices on the website differed that what was on the menu provided. That still won't stop me from returning. I will be back soon!

Came here for a weekday lunch. There is outdoor seating where you can seat yourself and a server will eventually come to take your order. Service was good. I got the chilaquiles for about $18 + tax. Personally it was kinda bland for me. I would've liked some refried beans, maybe an additional pulled chicken/beef too to make it more interesting. I was given some hot sauce which helped, but still. 3/5. The drinks looked good -- maybe I would come back to try one of those. Ambiance is probably generally nice, though today there was some loud street work going on. Not the restaurant's fault, though.

I waffled between giving this place 3 and 4 stars so maybe I can give it an honorary 3.5. Let's start with the good. The food was terrific - I got the Bullfrog Everything Bagel Platter with Ivy City Lox. The bagel came toasted and buttered, with a generous portion of lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, capers, onions, cucumbers, and greens on the side. It was absolutely delicious. I had no idea I wanted a toasted bagel with butter on it before spreading cream cheese and adding lox, tomatoes, etc. but it made the meal all the more savory. Now on to the not-so-great. The vanilla iced latte was not good; it was very watered down and tasted more like water with hints of coffee in it. The service was okay - the great part of the service was when I was about to leave, and the server let me know it was raining and that I might want to wait it out a bit. I really appreciated that - between this and the food is why I was torn about giving Emissary 4 stars. The less than stellar experience re: the service was when my friend arrived about 10 minutes earlier than me and mentioned she felt a bit rushed to place an order - and when she did order, she got something other than what she asked for. I got the sense from the more vocal interactions between other staff and customers that the service could be improved.

A bit peckish, I stopped by Emissary for a snack and a rest on my day of sightseeing in DC. The shop was in a garden level space that had multiple bars and rooms to rest in. Very welcoming with fantastic service, it was just what I was hoping for. The expanded coffee/brunch menu was attention grabbing and I chose the avocado toast - Rich smashed and seasoned avocados with heirloom tomatoes and a pickled onion made this an exceptional small (large) bite. The coffee was delicious as well. The place was on the full side but it is so large, getting a table was not a problem. There were lots of people engaged in conversation and other you could tell had made this their home office (I would). Give this place a try, you won't be disappointed!

The coffee was super bitter and gross. I threw it away. The barista seemed to hate his life or job so he wasn't very welcoming or friendly. The breakfast is extremely expensive and the quality isn't good. Not worth it at all! There are a lot of good bakeries and coffee shops in DC and this isn't one of them. Tatte js a few blocks away - go there instead.

Emissary is an ok lunch/cafe option. It's located in a sort of dark basement-like space. They have an outdoor area but it's pretty hard to find space if it's a nice day. Emissary is a busy spot in general because it's one of the few lunch/dinner/places to bring your laptop spots in this area. I've come here for multiple meals and I have to point out that the service is just not good. I thought it was a one time deal but every time I go I order something basic like a salad and it takes an hour for any food, beverages, the check etc to come out. Are they understaffed? What's going on? Other than that the food is actually good! Avo toast for brunch and gnocchi and salad for din is pretty tasty! It's just the service issue that's baffling.

I love the outdoor seating at most DC establishments. Emissary is a café off Dupont Circle with plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the spring weather. There is no need to go inside to order; a waitress is outside to serve customers. I ordered the El Smoothie Verde, which has mango, pineapple, avocado, spinach, banana, honey, and coconut milk. It was delicious, filling, and healthy. The waitress was friendly too. This is a nice place to take a break and enjoy a smoothie, coffee, or alcoholic beverage. Emissary also serves all-day breakfast, salads, and sandwiches.

emissary is a little pricey, but it is clear you pay for upscale ambiance and good food. I really enjoyed my cafe au lait and the avo hummus sandwich was delicious! why order avocado toast when you can get a whole sandwich...with hummus!? I would gladly order again :-) I also appreciated the friendly service. It's busy on weekends, but it seems to move quickly such that if you wait a few minutes, a table will open up!

Got asked to leave when attempting to consume food and drink that I purchased there. Great customer service.

Food was amazing! I'm only staying for a few more days but will be coming back! The service was great we didn't feel rushed. The ambiance was nice there was great music but it didn't over power which often happens at restaurants. Julio our waiter was attentive and gave great recommendations.

This is a wonderful place to relax and have great food. Julio was a great host and I enjoyed the dinner. I'm glad I strolled in!

Stopped by one weekday morning to catch up with an old friend and this was the perfect place to do it. Loved the space and how relaxed the environment was. Here are some of my thoughts: Environment I really loved the space - it was very chill and relaxed. Plenty of space inside to sit and relax whether it be hanging out with friends, catching up on work or reading a good book - there are plenty of places to tuck a way and make it your own experience. The vibe is chill, warm and welcoming. It's somewhat tucked underground but still has great natural light that adds to it's charm. I loved that there was also options for outside seating - which is great on a nice day and where me and my friend decided to sit. It was fairly empty at the time that I went so not sure what its like on busy days but i can imagine that it can fill up quickly. Service The service was great and fairly quick. You order at the counter and then they will make your order and call you when it's ready like many coffee shops. Friendly barista and staff that were very accommodating. Food and Drinks I only had a mocha that was pretty good and would definitely go back to try other things off the menu. Overall Perfect place to relax and grab a coffee or a snack with a friend or for a break at work or just to catch up on news or read a good book. Ambiance was relaxed and chill with good warm welcoming energy. I would add this to the list of places I would go to for a good coffee and talk.

Delicious matcha latte. Fantastic playlists that arent played too loudly. Quick service except for when it's busy with lines. Emissary is one of my favorite places to work when I'm in the Dupont area.

Sadly my recent visit was a big disappointment. To start, they were in violation of the law requiring clients be permitted a cash option for payment. The cashier said they wouldn't accept it. Granted, the law just took effect, but they need to get in compliance. Beyond that, my drink order was forgotten, so while I had food I had nothing to drink with it for about half an hour. I went in to directly ask they make the tea (though the green tea was bitter by the time it arrived). Otherwise, the almond toast was not bad, and the croissant was decent (if plain and a bit pricey $5). Noted that the prices charged didn't reflect what was shown on the menu (about 20% higher in the case of the toast). I just hope for their sake they improve their policies, or someone from DOES or whatever DC enforcement agency monitors restaurants may pay a visit.

This is a cool coffee shop to stop by to do a little bit of work or to catch up with a friend! I got some work done here recently but not sure If I'll be back due to a few personal factors. The place is quite noisy and the tables are pretty small so you're right next to someone else eating or trying to do work. In addition to this, the food is good but it's expensive for the portions being given. I ordered the almond butter toast and was considering getting a smoothie but decided against it. When I saw the price for both (23$!) I decided against it. The plate came out and was beautifully plated and was very yummy overall. I have no complaints about the quality or taste of the food, but personally I would rather not spent $14 on one piece of almond butter toast with a few slices of banana, some blueberries, and half of a strawberry. I left still feeling hungry since this felt more like a light snack than a small plate.

Cold brew here is so nasty. And it's $7. When I said it was burnt and asked if they could give me anything else, they handed me an iced coffee which was even worse. When I asked if they had handed me iced tea on accident the barista took it from me, poured herself a sip from my drink (?) and handed it back to me

I was in the area for an appointment and decided to stop here for a drink. I saw that they had really good reviews (on here and Google) so I said why not. I loved how there was plenty indoor and outdoor seating. It's a nice spot for someone to work remotely, relax or catch up with friends. The menu was pretty decent as well. I walked in and wasn't greeted even though the barista made eye contact with me. I'm big on customer service so I wasn't feeling that. It was interesting considering she was talkative to whomever was sitting at the bar. The lady who took my order was really nice though. I received my iced matcha latte and noticed it was loaded with ice although light ice was noted for my order. Yes I'm specific about how much ice I receive. The lady who took my order was apologetic. I appreciate the fact that she tried to help. Overall, the drink was ok but I don't think you should give subpar customer service AND not pay attention to a customer's order/notes.

I've been walking past Emissary on weekends for a while, so I decided to finally try them this past weekend. They've always been busy, so I assumed (hoped) that was a good sign. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Their indoor space is in a basement and I did love the exposed brick walls. The lady at the front told me I could either order to go with her at the register or sit down where I would like and someone would come get my order. I was there fairly early so there weren't a whole lot of people just yet. I saw a few ladies - who I assumed were the waitresses - chitchatting and catching up, while I was patiently waiting to put in my order. Finally, one of them came my way at which point I knew what I wanted: a cappuccino and desayuno cafetero. I've seen people praise their coffee drinks and I'm confused as to why. This cappuccino was bitter and just not good at all (I've had cappuccinos before). The desayuno cafetero was not bad, but also nothing special to warrant the price tag. The whole time I was there, the waitress not once checked on me even though she would talk to the people on my left and right. Definitely wouldn't consider going back.

CALLING ALL YOU FOLKS THAT ARE STILL GOOFING OFF ON WORKDAYS LIKE WE'RE STILL IN THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC: Such a sweet spot to remote work and chill out with a friend. It's a hip retro coffee/wine shop with a speak easy feel. I could totally see Don Draper here with a cup of coffee in a Mad Men World, which I will be re-watching over the winter months. Okay back to the review, I had the avocado egg burrito with Adan's Oaxacan salsa. I enjoyed not one, but two flat whites, because they were so delicious. The crowd is very chill and the staff is so nice. It's well ran and I love that they bring your food and drinks to you instead of you having to stand around upfront like other coffee shops. Mon thru Sat ALL BEERS $7, HOUSE WINE GLASS $8, & BOTTLES ARE 24 MONDAY TO SATURDAY 4PM TO 7PM. That's just another reason for me to come back soon!

Good ambiance and service, but I cannot recommend their iced chai at all. They have a pretty decent cafe au lait though

Perfect atmosphere with friendly staff. The coffee is always amazing and the food is pretty decent. Good place to catch up on work or with friends. One of my favorite spots in the district.

Emissary is a great local coffee shop in the Dupont circle area. I came here for lunch on a weekday to do some work. However, the only outlets I could find were at the bar, so I had to leave once my laptop died. The atmosphere was excellent, but I probably wouldn't suggest this location if you were looking to sit for a few hours and get some work done. I got the Royal Fog, which is an english breakfast tea latte. I really enjoyed the presentation of it, and it was great to be able to let my tea seep in a kettle and pour it whenever I wanted. There was also a lot of tea in the kettle, which was very much appreciated and made the price very much worth it (around $6 with an oat milk substitute). For food, I got the Chilaquiles. The food was good, but rather pricey. It was super flavorful and a large portion. However, since it was essentially tortilla chips in broth, it got soggy very quickly and wasn't worth it to try to take the leftovers home. Regardless, it was extremely delicious and filling, and I loved the flavors. I would definitely come back here during a weekend to sit and chat with friends over some yummy drinks and food.

Food was fantastic, drinks were great and service was awesome! Super nice ambiance. Will definitely be back soon.

Thank you, Julio, for making our girl's night so wonderful. The food at Emissary is absolutely exquisite. Honestly, I can't say enough good things. The service was fantastic, too. Highly recommend if you aren't in the Supont Circle Area of D.C.

I love grabbing a lavender iced latte from Emissary during the day, but finally got a chance to check it out at night! Food: 4/5 the antipasto platter for 2-3 had fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom cherry tomatoes, prosciutto slices, olives, fresh herbs, olive oil and rustic toast for $20 Drinks: 4/5 the pomegranate cosmopolitan looked better than it tasted. The dirty martini was pretty good but only came with one pitted olive. Atmosphere: 5/5 the service and intimate ambiance here is awesome!

Emissary as a cafe: 5/5. Terrific coffee, many different seating options, fast and friendly service. Emissary as a restaurant: 3/5. Food was unremarkable but priced like a top quality breakfast. Not to say the food is bad but in my opinion overpriced. Service is still great. I'd come back for the coffee and skip food.

I had an amazing girl's night at Emissary! First when you walk into Emissary in the evening the vibe is a little speakeasy and very trendy. I love the dim lighting and the furniture that is coffee cafe by day, and cocktail lounge by night. I enjoyed an Our Fashioned which was a definitely a stiff drink and well balanced with the orange and bitters. I also enjoyed the marinated olives and hummus bar snacks. I shared these food items with one person and there were still leftovers. The olive variety was great and I love the micro greens garnish for those pretty points. The hummus was so smooth and well seasoned. A little drippier than what I normally think hummus should be, but the taste was spot on. Our server also let us know that it's no upcharge to ask for extra toast, and with the extra toast there was plenty for sharing this platter between two people. Our server was so friendly and hospitable. I felt like I could stay at Emissary all night long because our server checked in on us the right amount, and I really enjoyed the food and drink menu. I will definitely come back for a girl's night or a date night. Also for 2 drinks and 2 appetizers at a trendy DC spot, the bill was $45 which I felt was really reasonable.

When we arrived, we were told there was table service. After waiting ten minutes, I checked with a different employee and was told that there were no table service that day. During that ten minute wait, the line had gotten much longer. WiFi is spotty and goes in and out, which is really not okay for a cofee shop/brunch place in 2023. Weirdly, they also said to come back to get coffee after I ordered it, but then brought it to the tabel after I went to get it. Place just isn't ready for prime time yet. No alcohol served before eleven. Adding one star because it was easy to find a table inside and the table had an outlet near it and adding another star because both the capuccino and the food was good, if overpriced (normal for Dupont Circle area).

Stopped by while waiting for a friend since it was a 4 minute walk from the Dupont Circle metro station. The seasonal drink was a honey lavender latte so I got two with oat milk, one for myself and one for my friend. I ended up also ordering the avocado egg burrito with Adan's Oaxacan salsa, though when I asked how long it would take they said it'd be about 15-20 minutes and it ended up taking about 25-30. The coffee was delicious--highly recommend! Perfect sweetness for me. The burrito was SO plain though, and the salsa was watery and flavorless at best...opt for a pastry instead, especially if you're on a time crunch. There are plenty of places nearby for food anyways. Would come back for the coffee!

I was walking around DuPont and decided to stop here for a quick bite. It's a seat yourself situation and I chose a table near the coffee bar, but it took a long time for the servers to notice me. I had to call a server down. The Iced Chai was okay, it was house made but it tasted a bit watered down. I've had better chai latte's at other coffee shops around D.C. The emissary is very cozy and a cute place to work and I need to come back to try their food. It's a bit small so I think it can get full fast but still a very nice place to work! I'll be back but I don't think I'll be ordering the Iced Chai again.

What a cute cafe! My husband and I came here multiple times during our short trip to DC because of its convenient location and delicious lattes. The honey lavender latte was my favorite, but it might be a seasonal special (summer/fall 2022) so definitely get it if you can! The croissant was very buttery, crispy, and flaky - just the perfect croissant in my opinion.

What an amazing cozy spot! I and my friend came here last night around 10pm for the first time ever. They accommodated our late order request right close to their closing time. Staff was extremely helpful, polite and friendly, since it was our first time so we had few questions. Coffee was superbly made, as you can see in the picture with very comfy couches. It's probably the one of the best spot to enjoy your lovely coffee on weekend. Surprised initially that there's a cafe open until 11pm on Saturday night around DuPont, when everyone is heading up for bars and this cafe was 90% full! I will try to hangout again by myself, hope I don't get bored. What an amazing cozy spot! I and my friend came here last night around 10pm for the first time ever. They accommodated our late order request right close to their closing time. Staff was extremely helpful, polite and friendly, since it was our first time so we had few questions. Coffee was superbly made as you can see in the picture with very comfy couches. It's probably the one of the best spot to enjoy your lovely coffee on weekend. Surprised initially that there's a cafe open until 11pm on Saturday night around DuPont, when everyone is heading up for bars and this cafe was 90% full! I will try to hangout again by myself, hope I don't get bored. -- I went there yesterday again, had great experience. Wednesday evening was buzzing. I had hummus and popcorns from their bar snacks with mocktail and they were good!

Oil in the Mocha..???? I would not recommend the mocha. It was good for the first few sips but once the foam was gone, a thick layer of oil appeared. The coffee itself tastes fruity and acidic which is not my fave but I know other people like that. I came in at 9am and there were a few tables available for me to sit down and get some work done. The WiFi worked well and the vibes are chill, not too loud. I don't think I will be a returning customer due to the taste of their coffee.

Such a cute spot with coffee, tea, cocktails and more! The location is perfect for meeting a friend, a date or even catching up on work. We were there as it started to get dark and they added cute lights to the tables that enhanced the ambiance. My matcha tea latte was excellent!

SERVICE: I used to frequent this place. I'd come in sit, use WiFi, then always order a coffee or snack. Then one day I sat and was rudely pressured to order something or leave. I hadn't even taken my computer out. I explained I was going to get settled in then order. Next thing I know a manager was in my face reiterating I must order immediately or I could go. I've never come here and not ordered so this time was odd. The waitress was Black and talked to me with an aggressive tone she wouldn't dare use on white customers. SAD. It will be your own people sometimes. Disgusting "table service" enforcement. I'm never coming back. FOOD: The food has never been good to people who like seasoning. But I use to enjoy the work environment so much I'd still come. With that gone, there's nothing left. OVERALL: Emissary's 4+ star rating is built on previous years of what they used to be. Not who they are today. Try Bluestone Cafe, Kramers, or Tatte nearby.

First, this was my first time visiting this place and I must say that it is a bit small, no seating inside (folks hogged the table) BUT, there is a great little section of seating outdoor. So if the weather permits, enjoy your meal outside. Menu: There isn't much to rave about. It was a very simple menu and from what I can see, folks seem to enjoy it. I decided to order the chocolate croissant (not listed on menu but mentioned when asked) and I originally wanted the drip coffee but they had to brew a fresh pot so it would take longer. As an option I decided to go with the americano coffee. Food: I was really disappointed with my chocolate croissant (see image) it was not lacking in taste, the dough was flaky and beyond delicious...But, where was the chocolate? Also, I really wished that the offered it a little warmer, it was cold and made me regret sitting to eat it (I should have taken it home) Coffee: As a strong coffee drinker, I have developed an acquired taste for quality coffee...this place provided good quality coffee and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Price: The price was not bad at all, I spent less than $15 for my items. Service: Service was pretty good, nothing to complain about, the staff took their time to greet and service everyone! Ambiance: Again, it is very small in there and from the look of it, a place where dog lovers go. If you love dogs like I do, you're sure to see a few walk in. Overall, I would probably return for the coffee and outdoor seating, not the pastries!

This place has a very nice look and atmosphere. The brick walls and the dim lighting, and the fact that it is underground, makes it a very cozy place. Whether you want to work or get into a political discussion with friends over who will win the game, this place presents that environment. For my experience I would say it was a mixed experience. We entered the place and it was crowded. We got lucky because people at a table just left. The waitress came and told us that she is gonna clean the table. She picked up the stuff and left. Later she brought water and our glasses. She didn't clean the table beforehand and placed our glasses head down on the table. I asked her if she can clean the table. She was nice but she didn't do a thorough job with cleaning. The table was still not super clean. At this point I let it go. We got chamomile tea, latte, and a cupcake. All were good and we liked the cups, especially for the latte. Later we also ordered a cheese and charcuterie. The charcuterie included some roasted nuts, prosciutto, some fruit jam, and some pieces of cucumber with toasted bread. All in all the quality of the products were decent and what you would expect from a coffee shop. For now, I give 3 stars to this place but I probably gonna come back. Hopefully they care more about cleaning the tables after people leave.