Tazza Cafe

Ordering food from here is hectic when you come in with a large group. You have to go to the register and order. I recommend coming in with a small group or alone. The staff is amazing, they organize the large group that showed up when I got there. The food was really good. It's a bit on the pricey end but it's still delicious.

Fast and friendly service! Delicious food and nice atmosphere. It just gets full in here so get here early or make reservations!

Great food, fantastic Gelato. Fast brick oven pizza. Other dinners included grilled fish, steak pasta. Breakfast is good, too. Live piano on occasion.

Every item from thier menu ive had from the soup and panninis to the pizza and coffee all have been top tier.

I checked this place out when going to the Kennedy Center for a play. I'm so happy I came in! It's literally steps away from the Kennedy center and with parking garages nearby. The food is fresh and delicious! I highly recommend getting the pizza and gelato. They have a great selection of beer and wine as well. This spot would be perfect for work lunches too since you order at the cashier and then sit down, so it's an efficient experience. Check this place out!!

After a show at the Kennedy Center I came to Tazza which was close and convinent. Had indoor and outdoor seating. Ordering is done at the counter and waitress/waiter will bring food to you. They offer sandwiches, burgers and Salads etc. Nice café!! If in the area try them out.

Great first time experience. Stopped by before a show at The Kennedy Center and I'm very glad I did! Tried the pizza, a salad, a smoothie, and gelato. It was 11am so ovens were just being turned on and breakfast menu was also available (and it has so many great options). There's also a small bakery (also looked amazing) and gelato ice cream. The pizza was absolutely delicious and with a great combination of ingredients. All food was very fresh, and the gelato so creamy and not overly sweet. Smoothie was a great healthy addition. Highly recommend and will definitely make it my go to before any show!

OMG this place is incredible!! The flavors & food are so fresh, I had the Baby Kale Salad, cauli tabbouleh, falafel, hummus and my boyfriend had a pizza which was the BEST PIZZA he has ever had..the dough was unlike any other dough it was so delicious. The vegan chocolate gelato was SO creamy and I was dreaming about it all night. This is a small, local owned business, the Owner and staff are very kind and welcoming. The service was quick and the outdoor location was beautiful overlooking the Kennedy Center and Potomac River. Please please don't miss the chance to visit here!!!

This is a go up and order, then they bring it to your table place. They have soft drinks, water and wine to drink. They have live music which is a nice touch to the very cool vibe of the place. I got the wood fired chicken BBQ pizza. The crust was not paper thin, but not thick either. Just the way I like it. It had a very generous amount of chicken, cheese and sauce. My wife go the Ham and cheese sandwich. It came with chips and a side salad. Everything at Tazza is fresh and cooked just right. They have indoor and outdoor seating.

Tazza Cafe offers a rare food option near the Kennedy Center. One thing that I know many people grapple with is finding something that is quick, good, and not overly priced for the theater crowd. Tazza is it! Located in the Watergate Conplex and across from the steps leading to the Kennedy Center, this cafe offers a variety of options. They have breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, woodfired Neapolitan Pizza, Mediterranean dishes, and gelato. Service is fast and friendly. You can conveniently grab and go and take in the scenes of the waterfront or sit outside on their patio (watch out for pigeons). They've got some indoor seating as well. Overall, a fast and reliable spot for a pre or post Kennedy Center treat or meal.

Solid spot for delicious coffee and a sample of creative pastries or brunchy bites. The pistachio latte is a hard pass for me - too sweet that overwhelms all semblance of pistachio. The regular latte is really good though. I found the croissants a bit stale, leading me to think that maybe they were from the day before or sitting around for a while. The hot breakfast sandos and summer faro bowl were both excellent, and I would totally do again. The place is crowded all weekend but it's open and airy, making it feel less crowded than it actually is. But it's noisy. On a nice day, the patio and nearby park are better alternatives.

A wonderful place to get dinner before seeing a show at the Kennedy Center. The Cafe is literally right next to the Kennedy Center and has very filling meals to keep you feeling full throughout the whole night. You order inside at the register and then pick a seat anywhere. They bring you your food once it's ready. It was a beautiful night so my friend and I chose to sit outside. We heard a loud bang that scared us nearly to death. For whatever reason there was a spontaneous firework show so we were treated to dinner and a show! I ordered the chicken and avocado Cobb salad. I don't eat dairy so I opted for a lemon vinaigrette instead of the ranch. The salad was a massive portion and everything tasted very fresh. The meals are a little pricey but it's in a great, quiet location and the portion sizes justify the price.

This was such a lovely little gem, from the outside it looks like a small quick bites type of place but there have a very extensive menu. I really enjoyed my soup and salad, and the staff was super friendly. It's the perfect stop to catch a bite to eat before or after a show at the Kennedy center

Soooo good! Fast and friendly service. Would recommend for anyone going to the kennedy center! Get there early because there are often reservations and it gets full fast

Tried this place during Cherry Blossom Festival! Oh mannn!! Food was pretty good and outdoor seating area was AMAZING!!! Loved that European vibe! It was in such a nice location to feel that breeze Really loved lamb skewer. It was tender and not too gamey!! The only downside is it takes pretty long to get food. It took about 20-30mins to get our food . But overall service was great

Nice, unassuming cafe with great pizza, good salads and impressive desserts. We came here before going to see a show across the street at the Kennedy Center, which seems like a pretty popular thing to do. We came a bit earlier than most because we planned to take it back to our room with a balcony at the Watergate hotel where the view was better. Even though we didn't stay, we appreciated the ambiance. Outside and along the walls there was stacked wood for their wood-fired oven to make pizzas. The place wasn't fancy, but was also nice enough that you could imagine having dinner all dressed up before a show and not feeling out of place. The tables outside had a very European bistro feel along a treed street. We got two pizzas, a chicken avocado Cobb salad and two desserts. We got both meat-heavy pizzas: the atomica and the meat head. The atomica was better (and also spicy), but both had fantastic Neapolitan crust, which was light and chewy coming right out their wood-fired brick oven. Even the next morning, the pizza and crust were delicious. The Cobb salad was also yummy with actual grilled chicken breast with charred bits instead of the generically cooked cubes you often get. The sun-dried tomatoes and bacon rounded it out. The only real complaint was that everything was _very_ salty to the point at which my wife and I were still drinking water like crazy until lunch the next day. We also got a slice of pistachio and a slice of chocolate cake. The pistachio cake was phenomenal and a nice surprise we had later in the night. In fact, it was so good, my wife is thinking about getting one for her birthday. The chocolate cake was also good, but a bit too sweet and just less differentiated.

Great place to grab a bite before a show at the Kennedy Center (literally across the street). Fresh, Mediterranean-inspired salads, soups, pizzas and gelato to die for. The baked goods look beautiful but I've found them to be pretty dry. You place your order at the counter, they give you a number and bring you food to you. It's a cozy spot with more seating outside than inside so make sure you make a reservation on show nights otherwise you may not get a seat!

Warning: portions here are super large! Totally shareable!! This was the perfect spot to come for a meal and a glass of wine before seeing a show at the Kennedy Center. Our booth was spacious and comfy. My friend took me out for a belated bday celebration . You order up at the counter. Cal was very charming, funny and helpful. My friend got the veggie soup and we shared the spicy pizza and chicken shawarma. All were incredibly flavorful and delicious. The shawarma dish gave me 3 meals!!! Tons of chicken, I added more rice to my leftovers. Also, ordered some wine! We also tried the gelato and coconut cake. They were great... and we were stufffed!!! But in a good way. Will definitely come back to try a bunch more on the menu!! Soo many choices-- I don't think you can't go wrong! Enjoy!

Prior to a show at the Kennedy Center, my friend and I came here for a quick bite. We were sadly underwhelmed with the experience. One positive: the ambiance! I love the live piano player. Thé restaurant is tiny and very cute. The rest? Not so great. The food was unappetizing. I really didn't care for the rather expensive spicy chicken salad. The dressing was unappealing, the chicken was partly tough, and the presentation was pretty revolting. The soup had good flavor but was accompanied by bread that was completely untouched on one side and burnt on the other. My friend seemed to enjoy his lamb, but it was nothing special. Ordering at a counter is fine--convenient even. But the servers bring out your food without silverware. It's an unpleasant experience overall. The Kennedy Center, despite being one of the preeminent theater institutions in America, is sadly quite limited in its food options. Instead of going to Tazza, I'd encourage you to make a reservation a bit farther away and leave early enough to arrive to your show on time. This restaurant is not worth it.

If you're looking for a place to eat before or after a show at the Kennedy Center, try this place out. They are quick and courteous, and the food is delicious! Ambiance - A little small, but it is a café. There was a live pianist when we went. Customer Service - They were fast and courteous. I had asked if I could switch one of the items on the dish I ordered, and they were very accommodating. Food - Great portions! Everything was fresh and delicious. Overall, make this your pit stop if going to the Kennedy Center. You won't be disappointed. IG: Kim the Traveling Foodie

I love Tazza! I relocated about 6 months ago, and my office is near Tazza. Over time, it has become a go-to lunch spot for me. I typically use public transportation for work, so I typically walk to Tazza. There is minimal street parking and garages nearby. Everything I've had here has been delicious. I love Mediterranean food, and Tazza does not disappoint. At times, it takes a while for you food, especially if it's busy. However, there is so much care taken to each plate that's presented. I particularly love the cilantro hummus and the grilled veggies panini (not pictured). They also have an assortment of desserts and gelato, which I have not yet tried, but it looks appealing in the case. Tazza is a great option if you're planning a visit to the Kennedy Center. It's also just a great place to meet and catch up with friends or coworkers. There are seating options inside and outside. Definitely one of my favorite spots!

Tazza is a cute cafe right across from the Kennedy Center. The restaurant is great for both dine in and take out and allows you to sit inside or outside doing either option. They have an extensive menu with a good variety of options. I really like the wine wall they had located in the back of the restaurant as well as the wine refrigerators so customers could also grab a cold bottle. The service was quick and good and drinks came in a timely manner. I ordered a pumpkin spice latte and I really enjoyed the drink. The latte was perfectly made and the coffee bar there is definitely a hidden gem of the shop.

We went to a play at the Kennedy Center (A Play That Goes Wrong - 5/5 stars, must-see) and stopped by this place after for an early dinner. I was not expecting much. I could see that it was Greek-ish but had pizza, which was good enough for me since there's not much else around the KC within a very short walk. I was thoroughly impressed. We got a BLT, a margherita pizza, a side of fries, and some gelato for our family of 4. It was all great, but the pizza was fantastic, and I'm a total pizza snob that enjoys places like Stracci and Comet Ping Pong. And the fries were also great. All in all, 5 well-deserved stars for this place!

Ruben sandwich next to Kennedy Center. Great location before a theater night. Inside and outside seating

The food and atmosphere at Tazza Cafe is top-notch. My friends and I chose to dine here a hour and a half hour before the show started. We were luck to get a large table around 5:30pm with no reservation. The crowd came after we had arrived. Ordered food from the counter and it was delivered to our table in 10 minutes. The salad I selected had a filet of salmon. This was enough to hold me until after the show. I recommend this location for a pre-show meal before going to the Kennedy Center! Next time, I'm going to try the desserts.

Perfectly situated across the street from the Kennedy Center, the cafe has salads, small plates, sandwiches and Neapolitan pizza. Stopped in around 6:30PM while the lanterns were on display at the REACH. We ordered quickly, got our number and found a table outside. There are tables with umbrellas and heaters. I don't think any of the heaters were on, but it was in the 40s and not too cold. Food came quickly, with the salad arriving first and then the pizza shortly after. You do have to get your own water, silverware and napkins, which I prefer to having to wait for service but they did bring plates and a few napkins when they brought out the pizza. I got a baby kale salad and while I loved the ratio of chickpeas and feta to baby kale, there was so much red pepper flakes sprinkled throughout the salad that I couldn't finish it. I love a little spice, but my nose was running and my mouth was on fire. A sprinkle it one thing...but this felt a little overwhelming. The caprese pizza was delicious. Hot, fresh, cheesy. I was surprised that this cafe could produce such a great pizza. Next time I got to the Kennedy Center, I'll be sure to stop here first!

Its a small cafe right across from the Kennedy Center- perfect for a bite to eat before a performance, but if outdoor seating isn't available, its very small inside. You order at the counter, then get a number and try to find a table to eat at. This is where the staff gets five stars easily. With three kids with us getting hungry quickly, they directed us to a table, cleaned it off quickly, and even brought over an extra chair. Some of the friendliest and most helpful staff I've ever seen. The food was not quite as great though. The caprese salad was OK, with a very small portion of mozzarella. The burger was decent but on the small, thin side. The chipotle chicken sandwich was really lacking in flavor. The pizza was by far the best of the choices and what I would go for next time, but even that wasn't that memorable. There just aren't a lot of options near the Kennedy Center unless you are willing to walk over to the GWU area.

Great baked goods, coffee, lattes, pizza, soups, salads and more. Well run family business--they do a good job, clean bathrooms good service. Great sunny location next to Watergate and Kennedy Center with plenty of outdoor seating on nice weather days. I come here frequently, for a reason.

We were in DC for a week and fortunately we found this place early on. It was in walking distance from our hotel. It was so good we went there every morning for coffee and breakfast. It was very clean with bright, inviting interior. The staff was always friendly and the food and coffee were excellent! I highly recommend!

Love this place. They are all set up for the rush of the pre-performance Kennedy Center crowd - food is great and comes out fast. Waitstaff is cheerful and helpful. Pianist Randolph provides a creative, perfect background.

THE BEST place to go before a show at the Kennedy Center! I went to you before going to see dear Evan Hansen on Friday. It is so conveniently located that is hard to say anything bad about it. You order and pay at the cashier on the inside. You take a number and said that the table, even outside, and then they bring your food. And because you've already paid is very easy to leave quickly. I ordered the Chicken & Avocado Cobb Salad Mixed greens, seasoned roasted chicken, avocado, sundried tomatoes, crispy bacon, boiled egg, feta cheese with jalapeño yogurt dressing. It was the perfect size and price.

Tazza is not only the obvious choice for proximity to the Kennedy Center, the service is warm and attentive, and the food is delicious and reasonably priced. It always lives up to or exceeds expectations for a great meal. Live piano music is an added bonus on weekend evenings.

This is our go-to place before any Kennedy Center event. The food is good, with decent-sized portions and a wide selection of options. Best of all, it's right across the street for the KC. I usually have either one of their dinner-sized salads or a pizza. That plus beer and some gelato after provide all the nutrition I need for a play, musical, or concert. The only downside is that it doesn't have Internet. That's why I've been here a bunch of times, never checked in, and never had that looming check-in as a reminder to write a review.

Food was tasty. A great place to go before a show at the Kennedy Center, but give yourself plenty of time because it's mad before a performance.

Wow, if you are going to a show at the Kennedy Center, I highly suggest this place for dinner. You pay ahead of time and can leave when you want. The food was phenomenal and the wine pairings are perfect. I can't wait to go back.

There were plenty of options to pick from on their menu, something that sparked my eye was the moroccan lamb as it seemed delicious. The presentation looks great, but the flavors didn't go well together. I felt as if there was too much going on and should have been simpler. The couscous didn't go well with either the lamb or chickpea. The chickpea was my favorite part of this dish as it slightly spicy and lots of flavor. The lamb was sweet and tender but as I said didn't go well with couscous or chickpea.

Two friends and I came here randomly because it was right around the corner from the Kennedy center and were pleasantly surprised! We got three pizzas to share and they were all pretty tasty plus bigger than we were expecting. Also the pizza options are all pretty unique, definitely recommend coming here :)

Stopped here on a whim since it was right across from the Kennedy Center. Simple and nice ambience and the person who took my order was friendly. I tried the Moroccan Lamb entree. It was okay. Nothing special. Tasted flavorless to me and didn't taste authentic and was on the bland side and could use some actual seasoning. So would I try this place again? I wouldn't go out of my way to, but try for your self. You may have better look with another entree.

Beautiful ambiance and the food was amazing! Service was quick and accommodating, I will definitely be back.

this place is not good. before i got served my food the waitress came up to me and wiped her nose then proceeded to give me my food. i also got served some really burnt pizza where if i had a restaurant i would never serve something as hideous as this. its marketed as italian but this is nowhere near italian food. no pasta btw! terrible service and this place is only getting one star strictly because of the latte that was served.

If you are catching a show at the Kennedy Center, this is your spot. You can reserve tables, if you do it's like Europe - your table will have a reserved sign with your name on it. Otherwise, suggest one person order and the other snag a table. Seating is ample, but we decidedly were a second in front of the rush. Pizzas are a good size, and can be split between two. We did the hummus platter, a pesto chicken pizza and a bottle of wine (with gelato to go). Food will come up super fast so you will make your show!

Pizza and Mediterranean cuisine in a casual setting at reasonable prices. This is our go to spot when eating before a show at the KC. Food is pretty good. On a recent visit, tried an eggplant slathered in tomato with a fresh cucumber salad and dark rice. Perfectly delicious. The ambience is cozy, the walls are filled with fresh wood and there is a warm feeling to the place. You have to go to the cashier and order and then they give you a number. The server will bring you your food. Pre-Covid, this place was always full before a show. Now it seems to have slowed down a bit but I'm sure that will change in due course....

I'm in the Washington Chorus that performs at the Kennedy Center. I desperately needed food before a dress rehearsal and was a bit nervous it wouldn't be good since it's the only place around (literally across the street!). I stand corrected! I've gone twice in the last few weeks. You order at the register, take your number and both times I was served quickly. Ordered the kale salad - very good, fair amount of dressing in case you want to ask for it on the side - and the chicken gyro which was huge. Thumbs up!

Got some brunch here and it was solid. Went with the grass-fed corned beef hash (which was cooked perfectly), sautéed onions, topped with two cage-free eggs, served with baby potatoes and house-made sourdough toast. The food was fine, nothing special. I was fed well and left. I would like to try their pizza in the future.

Go to the register, order, pay, get a number and take a seat. That's the way they like to serve it up here. It's a buzzing place, live piano to set a mood though the business ness inside makes it an assault on the ears. Being across from the Kennedy Center it's perfect for early meal before a show. Weather permitting, the patio is pleasant enough to enjoy a meal and conversation with a friend. I enjoyed the Tandori Chicken Salad

Pass for me because of the customer experience. You let me order the only burger on your menu, then later tell me you don't have it after you served my family their meals. It's 4pm on a Tuesday and I'm watching two people at one of three occupied tables eat it. Bet you'll find some for the reserved parties you have scheduled for tonight. Drink options with no sugar or caffeine - is bottled water. You tell me there are free refills on lemonade, but you don't honor it. You give three members of my party a half pickle, and I get a quarter. Paying extra for fries and a drink means you don't give me the chips that originally came with it. Food is fine, but after spending $100 on pretty simple stuff, there is a lot of room for improvement.

great food!! nice ambience and close to the kennedy center. we got the pizza, lamb gyro, and cilantro hummus. all spot on...esp. the pizza! would def come back when we're at the kennedy center again.

Tazza Cafe is the best stop if you're going to the Kennedy Center, or just looking for good food. Great outdoor seating if you don't want to sit inside. Very clean and friendly service . Food is delicious .

Great location. Hit or miss service. Horrible pizza. I have been to this pizza place before and absolutely loved it! However, due to the pandemic, this pizza place went out of business and sold its location. The person who bought the building decided to change the cuisine to a Mediterranean place that still serves pizza because of the oven on site. They used to sell Gelato as the old place did as well however, I guessed they dropped the idea because it was too much work. Everyone at the table ordered pizza (4 different kinds). The couple we dined with have tried the Meditteranean food before and thought it was not very good. Little did we know that the pizza would be worse. This was some of the worst pizza I have ever had. Imagine overpriced pizza with store-bought sauce, cheap cheese drenched in olive oil. When you leave after trying to eat enough of your food to tie you over, you will be queasy and unable to eat anything else for the rest of the night. That is what you are signing up for when visiting this restaurant. The only reason this place gets business is because it is located right in front of the Kennedy Center. Save yourself the trouble and just buy a bottle of olive oil to drink. It will be cheaper that way and at least you'll have a better experience than spending time at this place.

Small Cafe across from the Kennedy center. Food was awesome, ambiance is great. When you walk in, you order to the far left and then go have a seat and they bring it to you. There were only two other couples when we got in at 11ish so our service was wonderful. Had the Angus burger and the Avocado Chicken salad sandwich with an app of Tzatziki. They have an outdoor patio that wasn't open because of the cold that looks like a great place and adds about 20 tables... and had their Gelato ... oh man that was good stuff!!

We were staying at the Watergate next door and were looking for a place serving breakfast after 11am. This place was a short walk from the hotel so we decided to pop in. The food was okay/underwhelming. My omelette was under flavored (no salt/pepper). The service was horrendous. The cashier taking our order sounded exasperated during the day entirety of our interaction. She didn't greet us, had no recommendations and wouldn't even point out the coffee menu when asked. Moreover, my husband's order was served considerably before mine so he was almost done by the time my omelette was served.

The service is top notch! Food service was great. Food was hot and presented well. Soups are GF! A real plus, lot of salad options!

Food was delicious. My daughter said it was the best pizza she has ever had. We will definitely be back next time we are in the area

Reviewing for their Shakshuka. Sweet café near the national mall. A bit on pricey side but glad we stopped by. We went around 11 am and there was plenty of space for us to enjoy our time here. Shakshuka was perfect with poached eggs, tomato and bell pepper sauce, that comes with side of toast. We also ordered croissant because we love dipping bread to the tomato sauce. It came out to be around $18 with tips which I felt was slightly on the pricier side than I had hoped for. Shakshuka was about $13, and croissant was about $3.

This is the best place to come for coffee and sandwiches. It's all because of Mounir. He makes the best coffee in town ( I think I can say in the world!!) Thanks Mounir always! You are the best!!

I so wish I would have taken a picture of the amazing chicken gyro I had here. It was so great! The chicken pieces were the perfect size, seasoned well and piled high! The tomatoes and onions were sliced thin and well distributed. The tzatziki sauce and pita bread were also great. It was so good that I assumed there were multiple pics of it already on yelp that I didn't want to add test another one, but now that I look at yelp there are none! It was so fantastic!! I went back later that night (was staying at the watergate for a conference) and got the hummus and it was good as well. I generally like my hummus with a more garlicky flavor, but this was good and smooth and I appreciate the addition of the olives on top. I did take a pic of the gelato selection to send to my son back home (not too many gelato options in our town). I didn't try any, but it looked really tasty for sure!!

First visit to Tazza as the pizza recommendation was right no. However, when two pizzas come out in 15 min, and you're Avgolemono Soup which is the soup of the day still takes another 20 min to come out after asking twice for it. NO GOOD SOUP REVIEW FOR YOU! Not to mention when I finally get it, one of two things happened; The skimmed whatever was off the top of the soup pot and threw it in my bowl with little to no orzo or chicken or I got the last of it and they had to pour in more stock. In any case it sucked!