Rue Café

loved everything! the staff was so nice i shouldn’t have waited so long to try this cafe i tried the almond cream cake(?) (tiramisu-ish but almond flavored!) and pink cloud iced matcha latte (seasonal! pink cloud = strawberry cold foam). enjoyed both at the lovely outdoor seating 😊 inside seating had several people with laptops / working. must come back to try the actual food, more pastries, coffee, etc.

Came here twice so far, and plan to keep returning. Their coffee is delicious! Not burnt or bitter like a lot of other places, including at well-known chains. Their syrups are tasty and they don’t make the drinks overly sweet. The baristas are always kind and welcoming. It’s a great place to stop after visiting Rock Creek Park, or to study/work on your laptop. Even on weekends, there are always seats. They have outdoor seating too.

Beautiful cafe! Feels like a cute little oasis with a lovely courtyard. Their baked goods and coffee are delicious and the hospitality / service is fantastic. Mar, Sylvia, and Manuel are so friendly and easy to talk to — feels like I’ve known them for years. This place feels like home ❤️

Fantastic cafe to work from. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, coffee is predictable, food and pastries are solid. I wish there were more outlets but I've never had an issue charging up for work. In the warmer months they have additional outdoor seating as well. Support this small business :)

Cute cafe overall, coffee and bagel were decent. Most of the folks there on week days are there remotely working so if that’s what you’re looking for it’s a great spot. Good wifi but the seats fill up pretty quickly so you may or may not find a spot. Their pastries are delicious! Highly recommend the Basque cheesecake and their citrus olive oil cake

Been here a couple times now. It’s very quaint but the staff is incredibly friendly and the coffee/food is excellent. A tight fit. Lots of people studying/ working on laptops. A nice patio. Music is nice and quiet in the background so if you don’t enjoy a particular tune, it’s easy to ignore but largely the music is excellent. A fair amount of Afro-jazz with some chill alternative mixed in. The same girl has greeted me twice at the counter and she’s delightful. I came here to read a book and chill. A great place for it. 😌

coffee is like coffee. And I would like more politeness and attention from the staff.

It's cute but small, particularly if you're in a wheelchair or use a mobility device. It is wheelchair accessible, though. I'm not sure if the bathroom is accessible, but the rest is accessible. It's expensive, I got a small hot chai latte with pumpkin and it was $7, but it's DC, so not too surprising I guess. It was a good chai latte. Also, you do need the code to use the bathroom.

I originally came for their Yelp Elite event & I fell in love with their seasonal muffin & latte (both Pumpkin Spice). I decided to return & I was not disappointed! Last time, I ordered the Chicken Salad Sandwich. This time, I decided to order either their Turkey & Swiss or the Avo Turkey & added bacon. it was really good! The staff was friendly about giving me condiments so I greatly appreciate that. The cream cheese icing on the Pumpkin Spice muffin is so delightful & a nice touch to it in combination to the latte. For my latte, I added more Pumpkin Spice flavor & sweetness to it. I will say I think they should update their online menu to reflect their in-store menu. Additionally, seating can be tough because it is a small cozy shop. Whenever I am in the area, I make it a point to visit to get my fix.

Sitting in Rue cafe is like being transported to Brooklyn ,NY. The coffee is excellent . The chairs are comfy. The tea selection is superb. There is no music. People bring their laptops and spend the morning quietly and respectfully. Their baked goods are mediocre. The croissants are better. We ave been back 6 times in the last two weeks . We will be back ....again and again .

Rue Cafe is a super cute coffee shop on 14th Street and has really nice vibes--a perfect place to get work done and enjoy a drink, pastry, or sandwich. They have free wifi too which is awesome (especially as a college student who can't work anywhere BUT coffee shops). The Italian sandwich was insane. It is very unassuming, but when I say that I could eat ten of these, I mean it. I was sad when I finished eating it and had none left. I would go back for this hands down. The latte was fine. I didn't get any of the biscoff flavor which was kinda sad--it was quite bitter. I added Splenda and it was better, but I wish I could taste more biscoff. They do have alternative milks too which is great considering I prefer oat milk! The staff are all very sweet and everything came out quickly! Definitely would say you should come try their food and if you need somewhere to study, this is a good spot to go to.

I really enjoy my time every time that I visit Rue Cafe. Parking is very easy since there's 2 hour parking in the neighborhood right across the street. Their dirty chai is delicious and reasonably priced. I'm glad that when you dine in with them they provide you with a mug opposed to a disposable cup. I also ordered an egg croissant which was filling and seasoned well. The barista was very helpful with getting me set up on the wifi. I was there for a couple of hours and throughout the time there was a nice steady flow of customers with a seating option always available. There was also a plug right next to the seat that I was working at so that was a plus. Highly recommend this coffee shop if you're in the Columbia heights area.

The BEST cortado I've had in DC! I got mine with a hint of their pistachio flavoring, and it was perfect--not too sweet. The atmosphere is super cozy, making it perfect for catching up with friends or getting some remote work done. The staff was so friendly and made my drink with such efficiency and care. Can't wait to come back soon!

Iced coffee always-even when it's 40 degrees outside. Rue cafe is a gem. Everything about it is so cozy. It is perfect to study or read a book or meet up with a friend. The coffee was great. Super sweet and creamy. The hazlenut latte is my new favorite. Also had a veggie bagel that was delicious. And not outrageously priced. Baristas are friendly and the whole vibe is really nice. I'll be back soon for sure.

New find for my husband and me! We came and had the best breakfast and coffee there this morning. That staff was friendly and there was plenty of space and good WiFi to hangout! I had the breakfast panini, which had a nice kick to it, and my husband had the breakfast bagel, which had a ton of bacon on it. Lovely experience and will def be back!

It's always a good time when I visit. Lots of seating for those WFH days. Food options and drink options a plenty. Service is always great.

My first time trying Ethiopian coffee and it did not disappoint! On top of that trying Rue Cafes fall drinks was even more intriguing. First thoughts are clean, cozy and friendly vibes. Most tables inside were taken by people working on their laptops and the outside patio area was nicely shaded and more laid back. I went with their iced pumpkin spice latte. The one thing that stood out to me is this truly tasted like a mix of pumpkin and fall spices. The balance was perfect! I usually prefer sweeter drinks and asked the baristas which was the sweetest one. They mentioned all their fall drinks are on the sweeter side and any drink can be made sweeter by request. Mine was perfectly sweet without any alterations, but the employees were nice enough to let me try it first and they'd adjust it accordingly. I grabbed a table inside because I also ordered a lemon bar which is one of my favorite bakery items. It was delicious! I love all the little pumpkins and fall decor at each table too. It's a bit of a walk from the metro but not terrible. Overall this was a super cute cafe!

Love this coffee shop service is super nice and friendly and has great stuff. Great place to sit and do work has a chill vibe. Got some lemon bars, tres laches, and a macha. Macha was super flavorful and well balanced. Not too sweet and has a nice matcha flavor and some sweetness from the strawberry. Food was excellent had

I don't know what they did to that coffee I had today, but it was damn good. And they have a very pleasant patio out front. Recommend!

Okay this spot is stellar. The interior has gorgeous hanging pants and lots of natural light, and the menu is quite large - serving both coffee/tea, smoothies, pastries and some lunch food! When I visited, I ordered an iced green tea at first, then started at the pastry box and just HAD to order the tres leches, too. It just looked so good (and it was). Prices are slightly cheaper than the dc average. I'll definitely be coming back :)

Very nice coffee, great space inside and outside to enjoy your beverage. Friendly and quick service

I recently stumbled upon Rue Cafe when the wifi in my apartment stopped working and I needed to find a coffee shop near me. I was pleasantly surprised! Rue Cafe is a quaint coffee shop in NW DC near Columbia Heights and Petworth. I've been a few times since my initial visit, each time I'm met with warm and friendly customer service. I have tried a few of the fall drinks including hot maple brown sugar latte and cookie butter latte, as well as the iced version of the cookie butter latte. My favorite so far is the iced cookie butter latte. I also tried the egg and cheese croissant which was delicious and larger than I expected! They have an awesome assortment of pastries that I plan to try next. The space itself is small and filled with folks working so it is hard to grab one of the 5-6 indoor tables, but there is a nice outdoor patio as well.

Wished that I lived closer to this cosy cafe. The barista was super nice and helpful. I opted to try the chai cream cold brew and a breakfast panini. The beverage was delicious and refreshing. The chai cream was not overly sweet and I would definitely have it again. The breakfast panini had a little kick with the mitmita (Ethiopian spice blend containing chili pepper, black cardamom, white pepper, rosemary, and other spices) that I loved, however it was a little pricy for bacon, egg, mitmita spread on sourdough bread.

Cute & cozy cafe! Feels very much like your neighborhood spot. I love all the pumpkins on the tables - right on theme with the current season. The staff is kind and greets you with a smile. I tried the cookie butter latte. Not overly sweet & just the right amount of cinnamon.

Went with my partner and it was SO CUTE! I got the berry banana smoothie and it was cool and creamy and delicious. My partner got an iced green tea and a tres leche slice and they were also both amazing and delicious. The staff was incredibly kind and gave very good recommendations. They have to go cups/containers, as well as ceramic plate ware for those staying and more environmental. The aesthetic and vibe is very nice. I went at noon on a Saturday so it was fairly busy, but not full. Everyone was quiet and respectful. There were a couple people there quietly talking over coffee and a few individuals there reading. They have outside seating that is covered and shaded, but it's 95 degrees in DC today, so everyone opted for it to-go or to sit inside. There a little expensive, but pretty classic for the cost of coffee in the area. Their shop is covered in plants and has a really pretty mural. They also have a cute sign that says "coffee is like a hug in a mug" that I noticed because it's so cute. They have a community board too and it seems like a lot of people in the area recognize them for being a community space because it was quite full. They also have free WIFI with the login public, making them accessible. Highly recommend and I'm glad I discovered them. I plan to visit them frequently now.

I enjoy popping in for a quick coffee, sitting on the couch to chat with a friend, or working remotely during the week! During my typical work hours the shop is very quiet. The baristas are helpful and friendly and the service is typically very quick. Cute and cozy, but not a lot of seating if you go during peak hours. 10am during the work week is a great option for quiet time.

Maple Brown Sugar Latte (with oat milk) was pretty good. Texture was very smooth. Cute small well-lit interior.

Fast and great service in a nice neighborhood cafe! They had a bunch of pastries and the spinach and feta croissant had come right out of the oven fresh! Will definitely be back

What a great spot to pull off the Rock Creek Parkway and take a breather from biking through all the fall foliage to warm up or cool down with a coffee. For us, it was more of a cooldown from the unseasonably hot day, even though I still went with the hot maple brown sugar latte. It packed so much toasted flavor and had the perfect amount of sweetness. My wife opted for an iced chai latte which was not quite as sweet but very creamy. This Ethiopian coffee gave us a nice second wind to explore more of this beautiful area.

Opened the last Saturday of February 2022, Rue Cafe is an Ethiopian-owned coffee shop and cafe along 14th Street NW in Petworth. It's open every day from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except for Sundays when it opens at 8 a.m.). Here's my experience: 1) Coffee: They have a full coffee menu and brochures and information painted on the wall about the beans they source from the highlands of Ethiopian. I opted for a latte and it was creamy, smooth and well-brewed. 2) Food: They sell a variety of pastries, sandwiches, bowls and even avocado toast. 3) Space: It's small, but very warm. There's window seating and small tables with plenty of outlets. They have strong wifi, making it a great place to work from.

Great location, service, and iced chai. The owners are people that you can feel really good about supporting and the baristas are all friendly and patient. Love this place!

I got a hot hazelnut latte and an iced chai latte, and those were some of the best of the kinds I had ever tasted. So good! Super friendly staff. I would definitely visit again.

I love this cafe - their food, coffee, and tea are all solid and fairly priced. The service is quick and friendly as well. My fav thing is their breakfast panini which they sprinkle mitmita spice on which my toddler loves to share with me. There was a period we'd come weekly and the cashier recognized her as the kid who only liked the grapes in the fruit cup so he made her a grape-only cup. Their iced teas, especially lychee oolong, are not sweet at all (a plus in my book) and refreshing. It's a nice chill place to get food, meet up with friends or even telework as there's always 1-2 people out with laptops on zoom calls.

Such a good little coffee shop! Had great smoothies, coffees, & the lox bagel was to die for Menu wasn't up to date online when I checked before going. So heads up, they have more options when you get there!:)

The place is nice for this city area. Coffee is great, also there are Basque cheesecake. Not bad at all.

I love Rue Cafe!! I've been here a couple of times now and they always have a yummy pastry to catch my eye. So far I've cried their caramel tres leches, bagel and one other pastry that escapes me but they were all fantastic. I've had their rose latte for Valentine's Day but wasn't the biggest fan, BUT! You can never go wrong with the chai! The staff is always friendly and for a small shop, there is a decent amount of seating and I love the style they have as an homage to their roots. Definitely a great place to study, wfh, or enjoy catching up with a friend. They also have a small outdoor patio where you can sit.

The ambiance is perfect for working remotely, the environment is cozy and quiet. Two items that are not to be missed are the tiramisu and the chicken salad sandwich!

Was looking for a good coffee shop and saw good reviews for this Ethiopian owned business. I was not disappointed at all, the coffee was amazing.

Such a wonderful addition to the neighborhood!! Great space to sit and do some work or read or just hang out. They've got a great variety of food and drinks. I will say their chai is a little sweet for my taste--more gingerbread-y than chai in my opinion--but that's just my preference!

Great spot on 14th! The service was excellent, and I liked the coffee. They need smaller tables. When six people sit there at the 4-tops, it fills up. With 2-tops, they could seat twice as many. I felt guilty taking a table to work.

Great place to sip coffee, chill, and work. Their Breakfast Panini is delish. Chocolate Croissant also yummy.

Awesome little cafe run by the owners of the minimart next door. Tasty food and drinks, and incredibly warm and inviting service. A fabulous addition to the neighborhood. Give it a try!

Great coffee, lots of seating, super friendly baristas. Vanilla custard shell is delicious

Beautiful coffee shop. I go there on Saturdays around 8:30 am. However, today I went around 11 am and I couldn't find any tables because people go with their laptops and sit there hours. I recognize 2 customers from early in the mornings. Only they bought one cup of coffee. Customers want to go there to sit, drink their coffee, and eat something. Owners should ban on weekends with those customers. So other people can sit there. Employees are nice and friendly, and food is good.

This is an Ethiopian-run cofee shop :-) However, nothing on the menu is Ethiopian per se, but the music is, sometimes, of the jazzy Ethiopian sort. Although they have powdered hot chocolate, sadly it didn't mean that it was good hot chocolate (normally powder is better than syrup). Their croissant was so-so. But staff was friendly and laid back. This spot in Petworth is good for working and has reasonably comfortable seats.

Love Rue! Such a wonderful addition to the neighborhood with friendly staff and tasty drinks. Their shaded outdoor patio is incredible on a nice day. We really needed a spot here and happy to support this business!

Coffee quality is outstanding! I hadn't heard of the Ethiopian brand they sell, but it's up with with some of my DC area favorites like Counter Culture and Small Planes. Also enjoyed their pastries and sandwiches (breakfast panini and strawberry shortcake were lovely). Great space for work (outlets available, nice ambiance, and tables inside and outside). Strong WiFi. Also very sweet and helpful staff every time I've been here. Highly recommend stopping by.

Excellent latte and chocolate croissant. Really nice place to do work - they have wifi!

This is the cutest cafe. Perfect for teleworking or just stopping in for a bite to eat. I had the turkey and Swiss sandwich which was great. Love the location and the interior decor. Definitely recommend.

Love this place. Lattes always perfect. Great selection of pastries, cakes, sandwiches. Bristas (especially Matthew) always friendly, willing to recommend something new.

Delicious coffee & pastries! Parking is sometimes a struggle out front but worth the hassle. Can't wait to come back

Glad to have a coffee shop in the neighborhood. Turkey sandwich was pretty good too! Only preference would be to have a healthier option than chips to go with the sandwich. Look forward to visiting more often and reevaluating.

Lovely cafe! Great drinks, good place to meet, study, read or hangout. The atmosphere is so nice. You can't beat Ethiopian coffee:)

So happy this cafe has opened! I've tried their coffee, a chai latte, and a chicken salad sandwich and all were delicious. Coffee is particularly great. The interior is warm and has plenty of nice seating. Plus there's wifi. Neighbors have been looking for just such a place so years!

This cafe has a beautiful interior design and a comforting atmosphere. It is perfect for studying, dates, or just grabbing a snack. They have fast wifi and clean bathrooms. I recommend the chai tea hot or iced! The avocado toast is delicious. The baristas are super nice and attentive, especially Hime! It is very easy to find if taking the bus because the bus stop is directly outside. I am so glad that I found this place.

I had an excellent coffee this morning friendly staff and a good addition to the neighborhood