Gute Leute

Treated my parents to the omakase course and what a wonderful experience it was! Every drink was perfectly curated and delicious. I loved the fact that we could try both course options (Best of 2024 Course & Autumn/Seasonal Course) and still have different options within each course for different drinks. We each ordered something different so we could try one another’s drinks, and man were they awesome! I was so surprised to how much I enjoyed each drink as many combined flavors I wouldn’t have initially thought together—yet they were so good. Our barista, Lyla, was a delight as well with ensuring our experience was enjoyable and fun. I would definitely recommend to all coffee lovers, and even those who just enjoy a well made drink. Will definitely be back!

We came here for the Omakase experience and it was so much fun! We tried the best of 2024 one and it was 5 courses of coffee- and it came with decaf options so you don't get overwhelmed with caffeine! Our favorites were the Oh-a and the tea options. Great experience I would definitely recommend

We give it a 5/5. The coffee was rich, smooth, and precisely sweetened. Both the mango matcha latte and strawberry latte were surprisingly delicious. In our opinion, their croissant was the best we've had - exceptionally moist and flaky! My daughter even declared it the best breakfast ever 😅 This spot is a must-visit you're when in Arlington.

amazing omakase experience! drinks were so creative and unique. the small plate pairing with the drinks was fantastic. really loved the low ember, OH-A, and the earl grey glow!! i recommend coming with friends to enjoy the drinks together!!

Gute Leute is a great coffee shop in Arlington. The cozy environment makes it a perfect spot to relax, work, or catch up with friends. Service is impressively quick, and the staff is welcoming. We came for their regular menu and I tried the mango matcha latte—absolutely loved it. Coffee and tea options are clearly made with care, and the presentation is just as appealing as the taste. A wonderful spot I’ll happily return to again.

Loooooved the coffee here! I came w family and got to try 4 different specialty coffees (I loved them ALL). I personally ordered the Dubai Chocolate latte w oatmilk which was a 10 /10. I also loved the vibe inside the cafe. Definitely need to drive back up for the omikase!

This coffee shop was one of my favorite things about visiting DC! The service was beyond amazing, every single barista was so kind and friendly, especially TI who really stood out. Here are my ratings: • Iced sweet cinnamon latte 10000/10, I got this coffee every single day while I was there! • Granita 4/10 • Croissants 8/10 I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending this place to everyone I know. I seriously cannot wait to have that sweet cinnamon coffee again!

Stopped by around 1pm and loved the cozy yet open atmosphere. Staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly - you can order at the kiosk or counter, both work great. Their specialty drinks are absolutely perfect (had two and took one to go!). Already planning my return for the Omikase experience when I can dedicate the full 90 minutes it deserves. Highly recommend for quality drinks and welcoming vibes. Perfect late morning/early afternoon spot!

I ordered a coffee to go for the first time from here. I got a salted caramel iced coffee (i cannot remember the exact name), but boy was it delicious. It was ready before I got in. I was able to find parking right outside which was luckily since that street is busy. However, I want to come back soon and try different drinks and maybe work from there, as I saw a lot of people doing that!

I've tried this place twice after it having been on my list for about a year! First things first, parking either on the street or in the garage (paid- no validation). I wish the space was a bit larger but nice nevertheless- earthy modern? My first time: I got a green tea latte (hot) but I felt like I was getting sleepier- so I got the pink salted caramel latte as well. The pink salted caramel was iced but good- I feel like hot would be good but I think they only do it iced. My second time: I actually ordered a breakfast sandwich and a spinach and cheese bakery item...but after waiting about 10 minutes, I was called up and told they were out of it- they gave us a refund. My friend opted to get a croissant- but I went next door to get something substantial after our visit here. The maple oat latte & the honey lavendar latte were both delicious-and the gute leute was very indulgent. We also got a lychee iced signature item (forgot the name)- interesting flavor but refreshing. I would come back- hoping to try the breakfast sandwiches and savory pastries next time.

Went for the coffee omakase experience and wow this was amazing! Was fully expecting the amount of coffee drinks to be too sweet or too heavy, and for me to be having palpitations from all the caffeine. Was pleasantly surprised that everything was very well balanced and although I did feel zooted (well caffeinated), my heart felt pretty good. Each drink was a curated experience. The coolest thing was a grapefruit scented bubble. Each one was just the right size; a good taste but you had enough room to try the next one, and each was absolutely delicious. I didn't have a single mediocre or bad drink. I think the price is well worth it. So happy I got to try it!

The only negative I can write about is that I was unable to get an omasake reservation Gute Leute actually has adequate seating! I liked that you can place an order at the counter and a kiosk, although the kiosk doesn't allow you to add food to your order. Drinks are delicious! Even though it was crowded inside, I was still able to hold a conversation and didn't feel like I had to yell.

The coffee "omakase" was unique for sure...although it seems like many places are calling things "omakase" for the trend. However the service was not great when I went. Maybe because they were busy but it was definitely rushed with quickly dropping off the drinks and then leaving. The coffee shop itself was modern with bright lights which felt very welcoming. I'd return again but just for a regular drink, not the omakase.

A very modern, spacious, and pretty cafe with a unique selection of coffee and drinks that can't be found anywhere else. Any time I come here the drinks are always great and so flavorful- there hasn't been one that I didn't enjoy! My favorite is their chestnut latte, and their mango bingsoo is beautiful and they pack it with a surprising amount of mango. The pastries aren't much to write home about though, only worth getting if you need a bite to eat. A great spot for a special experience and definitely recommend!

Popped in while in the area. My matcha was good. I got it with sugar free hazelnut syrup and oat milk. I also picked up a bacon egg cheese pastry, which was fantastic! Pricing was on par with the area. There is an ample amount of seating and the atmosphere was inviting. There are also tables outside, too. There is a kiosk for ordering or you can go to the counter instead. I wasnt awake of their coffee omakase but will definitely return to try that out in the future!

This is the first time in the DMV that I am seeing a corn latte being offered in Arlington. Although this isn't really a sweet corn latte that you would expect and is based more on the Korean corn snack it does have a sweet corn taste and makes for a very interesting latte drink. While most people would think that this drink is peculiar it is quite sweet and Creamy and I think more people should try it. I haven't been here in about a year and I can tell you that they have changed a lot and for the better. When I first came here, I had high expectations since I believe this is related to the Korean cafés, but I was disappointed at their previously small selection. Now that they are opening the menu to more Korean drinks This place is a lot better. It is also close to my workplace so I definitely see myself trying out more of their specialty drinks. This place also has good Wi-Fi and saved me when my office Wi-Fi was not connecting to my laptop. They are a great place to work and the staff is super nice.

I had to return for their seasonal corn latte and it is so good! The crunchy corn on top is the perfect note. I could stand to have a little more corn flavor in the drink, but it's very good and I was so satisfied. I'll keep an eye out for more of their seasonal drinks in the future! I love the care that goes into the drinks and how good it is for working (loads of seating and tables for solo people trying to read or get work done).

Tried the 2024 omakase (~$40) and it was a fun experience. This included everything from normal espresso to yuzu, peach sorbet, cacao, and lemon combos. The drinks are quite sugary and I'm not as keen on citrus and espresso pairings; that being said, the presentation is exciting and interactive. I appreciate the number of beverages they offer and the option to customize if you're dairy free. You don't feel rushed and you certainly don't leave thirsty. Definitely a bucket list experience that I'm glad to check off!

My friend and I did the coffee omakase and the experience was insane! It was nothing like what I expected. I genuinely loved every drink they made for us. All the flavor components were so unique and surprisingly worked well with the coffee. The omakase was a great experience, and if you're a coffee lover, it's definitely worth the try. Overall you end up drinking 6 or 7 cups of coffee, so be prepared for a caffeine overload!

Tried their affogato and it was more ice cream than I expected but soo good! It was a great afternoon treat. The space is nice and plenty of chairs to sit (I sat at the bar). Service was friendly and super quick. Definitely worth trying!

Patiently waited a year for a new omakase menu. Their signature drinks were too citrusy for my taste so I was excited for their 1st anniversary omakase menu. Parking was a breeze at 10am on a weekday, they even gave a $4 discount on the check to cover parking fees. Nieve - such pretty presentation, the coconut milk was yummy and I could've drank the whole thing by itself. After mixing the chocolate sauce and coffee in, it kind of reminded me of hot cocoa on a snowy day. The chocolate sauce was a little thick and grainy. Consuming this was a bit awkward because of the powdered sugar flying around and having to slurp up the berries on top of the drink. Midnight soleil - I was excited for this one the most, I was surprised it was warm! The mango bits were tart and not quite ripe, not sure if that was intended. But the drink was smooth and not acidic. It was less sweet than expected, I enjoyed the flavor pairing. Arctic noir - I admit I was quite full by this drink, which was more like a dessert. They did a great job with the ice cream, it was creamy and had flecks of vanilla bean. The non-alcoholic whiskey syrup smelled exactly like whiskey and was super sweet. I enjoyed the texture of the coffee caviar, similar to lychee jelly. I'm surprised they didn't serve this last since it was the sweetest. I would switch the order of the arctic noir and mojito vin chaud. Mojito vin Chaud - I love mojitos but this tasted more like warm berry juice with a splash of coffee. Supposed to be reminiscent of mulled wine, but the smoked cinnamon stick flavor was not coming out. The combination of mint, watery grape juice, and coffee was neither offensive nor particularly pleasant. I did not finish this drink. By this point I was tweaking very hard on caffeine. Honey grapefruit black tea - love that it came to go. Very pretty color and presentation, but the black tea flavor was weaker than the grapefruit. The sugar/honey tasted a little like aspartame/zero calorie sweetener which I didn't like. Overall, 10/10 for creativity but minus a star for some of the execution and service. Confused why they didn't take away any of my finished drinks, I ended up having an ugly pile of used cups on the side.

The coffee omakase at Gute Leute was truly one of the most memorable culinary experiences I've had in the DMV and I can't recommend it enough for coffee lovers looking for something off the beaten path. Gute Leute currently offers two omakase options- the First Anniversary ($42 per person) and the Best of 2024 ($39). The two menus do not have any overlap, so you can have a totally different experience with each. We opted for the First Anniversary menu, which included four prepared drinks, a welcome espresso shot, and a final parting drink you took with you to go. The to-go drink is the only one you have to choose; everything else is pre-set. When you arrive for the experience, there's a bar-like setup just to the right of the counter where you order; our reserved seats were right there. These were unlike any coffee drinks I've ever had before- they reminded me more of cocktails in how they were crafted artistically and the different ingredients used. There are so many different techniques, tastes, and textures employed, and the drinks themselves varied so widely, from a latte-like concoction that came in a martini glass (our favorite, the Midnight Soleil) to a course that included vanilla ice cream with coffee "caviar" and nonalcoholic whiskey-flavored syrup poured over it. We had a dedicated barista who guided us through the whole experience and explained each beverage and its preparation to us as they were made in front of us- it was so cool to see her working and see how the drinks came together. I've honestly never had espresso like this and it was amazing to see how different the profile of each drink was. I thought it was nice that they also offered a last drink to go so you can keep the experience going even after you leave. We ordered one of each, and while both options were great (the Honey Grapefruit Black Tea and the Earl Grey Glow), we loved the Honey Grapefruit Black Tea the most. This was truly such a fun and unique experience that was well worth the price. I also came back a few weeks after the omakase for the honey grapefruit tea- their to-go menu is just as expansive and offers more interesting options.

Very popular coffee shop with specialty drinks and a coffee omakase! Their lattes are super rich and creamy without being too sweet. I personally like the Heavy Lavender Latte but they also have unique specialties like the Crunch Corn Cream Latte and Chestnut Cream Latte. I was a little hungry when I last visited so I also tried the bacon and cheese pastry and was pleasantly surprised - I wasn't expecting much but it was nice and flaky and was the perfect breakfast treat. We also got the mille crepe cake which was pretty standard. Great place to work on the weekdays as there's ample seating and it's very bright and open. However, it definitely gets very busy on weekends so it can be hard to nab a table.

I was lucky enough to get a reservation to celebrate the Gute Leute one year anniversary Coffee Omakase experience. And this was truly an exceptional experience which I have never had before, and I cannot wait to experience again. Each and every course with the Coffee Omakase has been carefully and skilfully curated to present coffee or espresso in the most unique of ways; not just with its presentation but also with the flavour profiles. There were five courses offered during this experience, and Sarah (the Barista that led the omakase experience) did an exceptional job at not only preparing each coffee course - but also talking us through the thought process behind the concept behind each unique drink. It's extremely difficult for me to decide on which of the five courses was my favourite, because they were literally ALL amazing. But the ones that stood out the most to me were the Nieve (inspired by the calm and beauty of a snowy morning) & the Arctic Noir (which have amazing vanilla ice cream with coffee caviar and cinnamon scented clouds ).

A really unique coffee experience! Although it's a bit expensive I think it's well worth the unique coffee. There is Wi-Fi and you could do work here but it gets pretty noise so I would use this place as a social or date place

Enjoy coming here, friendly staff and fun drinks! I have a gluten allergy and would be careful with their toppings, seems that they use cookies to top drinks with. They have the option to order at the counter or a kiosk, I use the counter to ask questions and ensure there aren't any surprises.

Cute spot in Ballston for coffee. There aren't a ton of good coffee shops in the area so this was a great find. I had an iced latte with oat milk and it was very good. I enjoyed the tiny ice cubes they use. Decor was super cute and aesthetically pleasing. Service was prompt and friendly. I did not dine in, but I saw they had some tasty looking pastries and Korean treats. Parking is terrible in the area, I suggest walking if nearby.

DRINKS We had their chai and pink salted caramel lattes. Both were light yet creamy and not too sweet-- absolutely delicious! I'm excited to check out their other drink options on our next visit. SERVICE We ordered by kiosk but guests can also order at the front. AMBIANCE 10-15 tables are available in the store but fill up very quickly. The Wi-fi password is available at the front. BATHROOMS Two single bathrooms are available. Both are clean and tidy. PARKING Limited street parking is available, but we visited by metro.

Gute Leute is hands down the best coffee shop I've ever visited. The location is bustling with both car and foot traffic, adding to the vibrant, energetic atmosphere. This was my second time here, and I was finally able to sit down and truly enjoy my drink while exploring some of their unique in-store-only options. While their creativity shines through in the drink menu, I have to admit that some of the combinations just didn't work for me. The Gute Leute (their take on an espresso with biscotti) was odd and a bit off-putting--kind of a strange mix that didn't sit well with my palate. Similarly, the Oh-A--which is supposed to make you say "ohhhh" on the first sip and "ahhhh" on the last--fell flat for me, especially with the addition of peach syrup, which I felt didn't belong. That said, I did enjoy the oat milk sorbet in the Oh-A and the chamomile lychee punch and chestnut latte I got to go. These were definitely my favorites and showcased their ability to balance flavors beautifully. On my first visit, the heavy lavender latte was the standout drink for me, and it remains the star of the show. Gute Leute offers a truly unique coffee shop experience, and I'll definitely be back--just sticking to the drinks I know and love next time!

Gute Leute Coffee Bar is one of the most popular coffee bars in Korea, known for its own unique signature creations. I enjoyed the black sugar latte, bold flavor and sweet. I also ordered the Oh-A which is dine-in only, made with sorbet and espresso. Both were delicious, I can't wait to try the mango matcha latte next. The presentation of the drinks are amazing and the desserts look delicious. Can't wait to come back. Prices are decent. There is a garage parking available. And the staff are really nice and helpful. They have plenty of seating available if you want to get some work done.

I love their hot flavored teas, the ambiance is nice here usually pretty calm and quiet space. The service is quick and polite, there is ample seating for people coming alone or with a friend. My younger brother has tried some of their pastries they offer, he enjoyed it quite a lot.

Since I can't have much caffeine, my go-to is usually a decaf chai. However, I noticed they had more options without caffeine, so I decided to try the strawberry latte. I'm happy to inform that it's now my favorite drink! I asked for it less sweet, and it turned out so refreshing. I've already gone back twice. Definitely worth trying!

What a fun experience! Get reservations if you can. There's only 8 seats at the bar where you can order the special and/or signature course. Service and ambiance were great! I hated the stools at the bar, very wobbly and I felt smooshed next to other customers. Every coffee drink was a work of art & science. Our server walked us through each drink and it was so fun to try everything. I recommend get both menus between two people and share if that's comfortable for you.

Cute spot in Arlington with tons of carefully curated options for coffee If you like espresso or even coffee in general, highly recommend trying the "omakase"! Each drink was fully explained, and the service was great.

I walked into this inconspicuous coffee shop after booking an omakase reservation on OpenTable. I was surprised to find it packed with people on a Saturday early afternoon. It's a good place to come with friends or to study, as I saw people do both. We got the Signature Omakase experience, and they started it off with a complimentary espresso shot to taste the coffee beans. I enjoyed the Pine Cone, but the name is deceiving. I couldn't taste the Pine Cone much, but loved the cream and cacao around the rim of the coffee. OH-A feels like a refreshing summer drink. It's an icy sorbet where they pour espresso onto it. Once the peach is mixed it, it really complements the espresso well. The Gute Leute signature drink was only really good for the whipped cream and cookie crumble on top. In my opinion, it wasn't as special as the other two. I was happy to end off the experience with the fruity Chamomile drink. It was a nice cleanser from the caffeine overload. I enjoyed the OH-A or the Pine Cone the most. Unfortunately, because they only have a few tables for reservations, it felt like they were trying to rush us out. We stayed for 2 hours.

I have visited this cafe twice. I have been pleased with my beverages both times. The first visit, I ordered a butterscotch latte. It is only served cold. I love that the ice is very small, the latte was delicious, it was very smooth, I wouldn't say that it tasted like butterscotch, but it was good and not overly sweet like some latte's can be. On my second visit, I ordered a sweet cinnamon latte. It was really delicious. This latte was more on the sweet side, it did have a strong cinnamon flavor, very warming. I would order that again. As far as service goes, staff is nice, you can order via kiosk if you so choose. It is a spacious shop, it can be crowded at times.

I love this cafe! It was packed when we came in on a Sunday though. They can get quite busy, but the service is always really good. The staff are patient and polite. They get your order out as soon as possible, but the food and the drinks are still tasty. It was clean even when there's a packed house and patrons coming in and out. I took the last chocolate croissant and the Peachiscus drink. I loved both. The chocolate croissant was especially delicious when it was warmed up. I got the Peachiscus drink as an iced drink; it would've tasted great even if it was a hot drink. I just prefer iced drinks in general. My friend had the mango matcha latte, but I forgot what pastry she got. She really enjoyed her matcha latte, though. We ended up staying in the cafe and eating our pastries and enjoying our drinks on a bench because all the tables were taken. It was still fairly comfortable. They have several tables and chairs outside where you can choose to sit when the weather is much, much warmer! I would definitely come back to enjoy their menu and maybe do some work if they had any available tables!

We wanted to try something new and I suggested Gute Leute that has been on my must-try list for a while. - Green Tea Latte - Rooibos Mango Punch - Cake Roll Both of the drinks were refreshing and had a perfect consistency. It also paired well with the cake roll that was light and soft! The interior looks modern and cozy, but fills up very quick on the weekends. The service was great and the staff were friendly offering recommendations.

This (pronounced guteh-loit-teh) has been a must-try on my list. I'm glad I finally found the time as the experience did not disappoint even though I read and heard mixed reviews from my friends. My husband and I chose the signature course, and it was probably the equivalent of four shots or two lattes in total. One thing that was surprised me was that most of the drinks were intentionally served at room temperature. Some of them were definitely a good surprise of new tastes and delectable cookie crumbles. Not my everyday drink but so much fun to try. My favorite was the Oh-A. The course ends with a dessert of your choice; churro was okay, but the yogurt based ice cream was delicious. Service and ambiance were terrific. The only suggestion I have is that the barista ask whether we would have liked a decaf or caffeinated drink before making. Also I asked where the beans were from but she wasn't able to answer confidently. Still, I'd like to come back with my girlfriends to try the seasonal menu.

We did the coffee omakase at Gute Leute and loved it. It was such a fun experience. Reservations are required. We went in the fall, so had fall/winter flavors, like pinecone and roasted nuts. The presentation was beautiful and our barista was friendly and explanatory. We both really enjoyed all of our drinks, with the Ember Pine and Blonde Claire being favorites. It is a lot of coffee at once, so I sipped slowly and stayed hydrated. The only miss was the churro at the end, which was cold and flavorless. Still, I'd really love to return and either try options from their regular menu or participated in the omakase again.

Amazing coffees here! I've recently gotten more into coffee and this place is worth coming to if you love creative coffee drinks. Great vibe and plenty of seating.

Didn't get to try everything but went with the barista's suggestion. It was a nice treat and experience but not sure if I would go back again. Parking available on the street and nearby garages. They do not validate any parking. There's plenty of seating inside, perfect for all groups. Definitely try but not my cup of tea

Amazing, spacious cafe around Ballston. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They had a variety of lattes, pastries, and cheesecakes. Would highly recommend!

Finally got to try this place. There is space inside to sit down, but I decided to order a coffee to go. I decided to go with their popular butterscotch cream latte. It looked and tasted great, loved the coffee!. A cool place and I would go back.

Coffee Shop No. 426 Gute Luete Coffee Bar Arlington, VA October 2, 2024 After six months I FINALLY was able to coincide my schedule and an opening at the Gute Luete Coffee Bar in Arlington. Gute Luete offers a specialty coffee experience called Omakase; which is a Japanese meaning, "I trust you Chef". Gute Luete's Omakase offers a five course service of expertly crafted coffee drinks. A limited number of Omakases are provided at a time so booking an appointment can sometimes be difficult. You have an option of the Signature Course and the Seasonal Course (this one changes periodically). The barista fully engages with the customer walking them through each drink. Talking and coffee...two of my favorite things. My barista's name was Dimas. He was friendly, personable and patiently answered all my questions. He definitely provided top notch customer service. I chose the Signature Course. The first drink of the course is a glass of water paired with Gute Luete's signature espresso. The water cleans the palate and the espresso prepares you for the rest of the drinks. The courses that followed included the following drinks: the Pine Cone, the OH-A, the Gute Leute , and the Peachiscus. Enjoying life one cortado at a time!

Amazing cafe conveniently located in Ballston. They offer a unique selection of coffee and desserts, including a mango bingsoo that is as aesthetic as it is delicious. The coffee was smooth and not overly acidic. Seating inside was a bit crowded and noisy, however, there were plenty of outdoor seating that I found more relaxing. Some pastries were available. The croissant was flaky, buttery, and warm. Overall, a nice cafe where you can grab your favorite espresso drink or try a more whimsical variety.

I've been here a couple of times and absolutely loved it each time. Last time, I ordered the manga matcha drink which was delicious. The interior of the cafe is adorable with plenty of seating. The first time I came, I did the coffee omakase which was great. I personally am not a strong coffee drinker (I prefer lighter, sweeter coffee), but everything was still delicious and the affogato at the end was the cherry on top. The baristas are very helpful and recommend great drinks!

Wow, the drive was worth the treat. Cappuccino was delicious as was the pastry! Customer service was wonderful too, very friendly vibe. Love the options on seating, counter, cozy corner and small tables. Love this place!

Came here on a Sunday afternoon and this place was packed--luckily we walked in right before the crowd came and was able to order our drinks pretty quickly. The staff member was so friendly and patience with us as we asked her for recommendations (it being our first time there) and questions regarding the bakery goods. She recommended the Black Sugar Latte and Maple Oat Latte. My boyfriend and I both of course went with her favorite which was the Black Sugar Latte. I got mine cold and my boyfriend ordered hot. I also ordered a green tea roll cake which is absolutely amazing, so soft and light. The Black Sugar Iced Latte was amazing--I loved the sweet foam on top and the coffee was so smooth. They had coffee tasting here also, which I believe was $28 and $38 for the speciality coffee. Would love to come back for that.

First U.S. location for this Korea-based coffee chain and it did not disappoint at all! It is spacious with lots of seatings and also a bar area for omakase experience that you have to make reservation ahead. I tried two of their Signature menu - Gute Leute and OH-A. Their espresso is strong and so smooth - it hits all the notes. Gute Leute is more on the sweeter and creamier side while Oh-A has fruity and fresh notes. Their chamomile lychee punch was very fragrant and tasted amazing. A really cute and cozy cafe with interesting and GOOD coffee. This is gonna be my first stop next time I'm in the city. -8.5/10

Was more of a dessert than a quick coffee to go spot, but by all objective standards it did indeed slap. The baked goods and the coffee

love gute leute as a regular coffee shop but this review is about the first year anniversary omakase! everything was fantastic, it is a bit much $$ to spend on drinks but we had so much fun. i dont really drink coffees & my boyfriend has an americano every day but we both loved it, especially since you can customize how much/strong the espresso is in each drink.

I was very close to giving this place a 5 stars, however, I am very off put by how expensive it is! I think you are paying for the experience, uniqueness, and the ambiance - but if you're just looking for a regular old cup of coffee, this place is definitely overpriced. With that being said, the drinks my husband and I got were delicious and beautiful! The ambiance is stellar. We did not try any of the food but it visually looked scrumptious. Service was good - our order was correct and we got our drinks in a reasonable time! The people were friendly. Not too much to say here - just what you'd expect and want! I'm not exactly sure if I'll return too frequently, but if/when I want a specialty drink or want to have the "experience" of this place - that's when I'll be back! And if money is 0 issue for you, come here as often as you want, lol!

Great variation and quality in the espresso omakase, deep and rich in flavors. The espresso had me buzzing at the end!

This place gets quite busy. Cost is a little expensive, but overall coffee taste great. You can order at the front or from their kiosk. It does get a bit loud if you plan to study here.

We did the coffee omakase experience: doing both the signature and special course. We were unimpressed. It's the same espresso for all the drinks. You start with an espresso shot, but it was cold when we got it. We preferred the signature course over the special course. The special course has more unique flavors and has better presentation, but some of the flavors did not work. The chamomile lychee peach wasn't available so we got the peachiscus and pineapple delight. The tea was light and refreshing. Overall, I wouldn't do the omakase experience again. I would be open to trying their regular cafe offerings: they sell coffees, baked goods, cakes and bingsu. It was the weekend so it was quite busy even in the afternoon. We stood by the bar where the omakase is done, and couldn't get anyone's attention so we went to the cashier to check in. There's one reserved plate for the 8 bar seats, so regular patrons weren't aware and were sitting there. The male barista who served us was busy, so the experience wasn't great as he didn't explain any of the drinks. The female baritsa for the group beside us took the time to explain their drinks and gave instructions on how to drink it. The next group came but our omakase had 2 courses left so they had to sit at regular tables.

Gute Leute is a really cute little spot in Ballston near Glebe Road. I'm a big fan of their iced teas and drinks, which are super refreshing and have just the perfect amount of sweetness. Their baked goods are also delicious--I especially enjoy the red bean bun. I regret that I'm usually only getting drinks to go, because the interior is very cozy and chill. The service has always been friendly. Definitely stop by if you're looking for a unique coffeehouse drink in the area!