The Coffee Bar

When I saw the line out the door, I knew this place was gonna be good and it did not disappoint! The shop itself is pretty small inside and gets quite busy, but the quality of the coffee more than makes up for it. They could definitely use more outdoor seating, as finding a spot to sit was a bit of a challenge. The menu isn’t huge, but sometimes that’s a good thing. Both my girlfriend and I loved what we ordered, and you can tell they focus on doing a few things really well. If you’re ever in the area, this spot is definitely worth a visit!

Cozy neighborhood café that serves tasty cortado. Seems to be a popular spot for locals as well as visitors. Several Baristas were working the espresso bar this afternoon so drinks came out pretty quick even though they were busy. Lots of outdoor seatings available, as well as a walk up window. If you're outside with your furry friend, she/he will also get a treat. 😉

This place is crowded with local people which means it’s a good place to visit!!! The coffee beans are separated for black coffee and milk coffee. Muffins are really good.

One of my favorite spots to have a delicious latte and read a book. Perfectly cozy and a wonderful place to just spend a little time and slow down in a neighborhood coffee shop. The coffee is absolutely delicious and I really love coming back here.

One of my favorite cafes in DC, sporting delicious coffee, outstanding vibes, and super friendly staff! I've probably been to The Coffee Bar at least a dozen times already this year, and it continues to impress me each time with their attention to quality and crafting a relaxing, fun atmosphere for their guests. The coffee itself is just outstanding. The beans are rich, slightly nutty, and super smooth. The latte is phenomenal, but they also have one of the few coffees in DC that I'm willing to drink black (or in an americano). If you don't love coffee, they have other outstanding drinks -- in fact, the drink that made me first fall in love with The Coffee Bar was their matcha latte (which, admittedly, feels a bit odd to order at a place literally called The COFFEE Bar, but they're clearly able to deliver far more than just coffee). The staff is super friendly and the space is just gorgeous, all of which comes together to make The Coffee Bar a delightful and relaxing place to enjoy your cup of joe. They have a ton of outdoor seating, as well as a few tables and long counters / high tops inside, which are perfect for tapping away at your laptop or catching up over a warm beverage. If you're more in the mood for relaxing or just like to curl up with a book, they also have a few lovely cushioned chairs in the corners, including one of those lovely wicker egg-shaped chairs that makes you feel like you're sitting in a warm hug the entire time. Whether you're on the hunt for some phenomenal coffee or a nice vibey place to either be productive or just relax, The Coffee Bar has to be on your must-visit list!

Great place to go relax and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. Located within a nice quiet little neighborhood and offer gluten free snacks as well. The only “down” side was that for milk alternatives they only had oat opposed to almond, but my drink was still delicious! Great spot to read, relax, or get some laptop work done. I made some little bird friends who were enjoying the crumbs from my gluten free granola :)

This spot is a neighborhood gem and one of the few coffee shops in DC that don’t have a corporate vibe to them. I love to come here when I have some reading to do as the seating situation is more preferable to that than laptop work. Unfortunately, I probably will not be coming back as I was rudely scolded by an employee who (while I was obviously on a call) for eating a small side of fruit I had brought with me on my remote workday. Completely understand not allowing outside food, but 1) there is no signage anywhere that says that and another employee had in fact provided me with the fork for said fruit, 2) they offer VERY limited (were completely out of when I was there) food/pastry options (nothing diet friendly), and 3) the employee was extremely rude instead of just politely informing me of their policy.

Friendly counterperson. The Danish looked amazing but was just okay. I got their cardamom latte which was tasty. Not a large indoor space, Kind of cramped but there is a couch and a couple armchairs with a coffee table that are nice to relax in for a longer visit. The outdoor patio looks quite nice for warmer weather hangs And would be better for working if that's what you're looking for. It's across the street from an elementary school so there were lots of parents and kids walking by in the early morning. Probably pretty quiet during the summer.

TCB is that go-to neighborhood cafe where you have a regular order. A perfect spot for a high quality cup of coffee, where you see neighbors with their dogs hanging out outside, and a cozy environment indoors. This place is bustling on the weekend but service is still pretty fast as they have an assembly line going! There isn't a ton of space inside but you can most likely find a spot on a weekday They make a great Americano and ask you what your bean preference is. Also an outstanding dirty chai! One of my fave coffee places in DC!

Super close to the Airbnb I was staying at! It's my coworkers' favorite spot. Tons of outdoor seating too. Staff is super friendly and never seem stressed despite the long lines. It gets pretty busy around 8am on weekdays. People will already be on their laptops working. I came by a couple times. Tried the seasonal cardamom latte (only comes hot) and an iced vanilla latte. Delicious! Not strong on the espresso. My friends also enjoyed the chai, cappuccino, and lattes. Love it here!

Amazing vibes and amazing coffee. Absolutely love grabbing their coffee to sip on for my walks. Their vanilla latte is creamy, sweet and brewed perfectly. Also for DC 5 dollars for a latte is a crazy good price. This place is the epitome of cozy fall vibes

I genuinely appreciate their coffee, and it provides an excellent environment for both reading and engaging in conversations. The establishment offers both indoor and outdoor seating options. While their food selections may not be particularly inspiring, they are sufficient to meet basic needs. For that reason, I purchased a pastry from a nearby bakery and got a latte from the coffee bar. I settled in to enjoy my coffee and work while reading. However, halfway through my pastry and enjoying my latte, a staff member approached me to inform me that outside food is not permitted. She said she could pack my food for me, and then walked away and never came back. Which left me, to say the least, confused. While this policy is understandable, it would be beneficial to have it clearly posted somewhere prior to ordering so that patrons are aware. The targeted nature of this policy left me with a somewhat negative experience. Anyways Seylou has great pastries right down the road!

One of my favorite vanilla lattes in the city. I came on a friday afternoon, and there was no long line. They were pretty crowded with people working and people hanging out. I didn't have to wait long for my iced vanilla latte. It was so tasty. No complaints at all. I'm gonna keep coming back here.

Quick and efficient service with super friendly baristas. I always see people waiting outside for it to open at 8am and finally wanted to try it again. I only purchased a latte but it was super enjoyable. I appreciated that they offer a choice of espresso, but one is an up charge. Great seating area but limited space and no cover in hot sun or rain. A few seats and a high top inside. I'll be back to my neighborhood coffee bar!

had to visit the coffee bar two days in a row (and here is why) day 1: I got an iced vanilla latte with oat, it was good, but not great and I felt like I needed to give it another shot day 2: I got an iced dirty chai with oat, and this drink was IT - the right shade of beige, the right amount of ice and spice overall TCB is a cute neighborhood coffee shop that is well-worth a visit, however, it is pricey (but, where isn't at this point anymore?)

I love this place! Such a cute, cozy interior with incredible staff and great quality coffee drinks. The only drawback is the lack of seating. There is a decent amount of outdoor seating and some seats inside, but if you go on a nice day, good luck finding a place to sit. When I went, there was a line that filled up the place but despite that, it moved quickly and I got my drink after only 5 minutes or so of waiting! They know how to keep it moving. While there, I ordered a cappuccino and highly recommend it. It's strong, which I love! However, I tried to sit inside and do work (since all the outdoor seats were taken), but since it was so busy inside I had a hard time getting settled. So this is definitely a place to either stop in quickly to get coffee or come for fun and enjoy the outdoor space. I'll definitely try to come back in the Fall to enjoy the outdoor seating.

The most home-y place you'll find in dc. Best coffee and vibes. Wish they had food (not pastries) but it's a special spot.

I saw this on a list of best coffee shops so of course I had to check it out! The first thing I noticed walking inside was the lively atmosphere and customers ranging from students to young professionals. There was a fairly large, boisterous group that because of the small size of the place, made it a bit too loud to comfortably read, but other than that, it was great. I had a hazelnut latte while my boyfriend had a mocha. Both were great. They had your typical pastries but also a selection of biscotti that were really tasty! They have outdoor seating, bar seating, and some comfy chairs. Their service was quick and very friendly.

A favorite neighborhood spot for me and my dog, who loves the outdoor patio. Wonderful atmosphere, great baristas and all the coffee is top-notch.

Had the great honor of running into two old friends here! The Coffee Bar (TCB) is buzzing but not too busy on Saturday mornings. I had trouble deciding what I wanted because they had so many good options. This place is a (not so) hidden gem you MUST check out if you're in DC. You never know who you may run into! The ambience is fabulous and the staff is incredibly kind. They made the line move quickly. I can't recommend it enough. Overall, a 10/10 experience!

Nice people but no more pour over, which we came specially for. Just regular coffee and pastries. The muffins are really good according to my friend. Tight space.

This is definitely my favorite Coffee place in DC. I go there every weekend. It is usually crowded with nice people. The coffee is great, however, I didn't like the Coke + espresso shot. I didn't try the food, but the vibe is great inside and on the patio. Definitely recommended.

If you're looking for a spot with good coffee and friendly baristas, this is a great place to start. The coffee is good, the indoor space has a lovely artsy vibe with high ceilings and cool knick knacks on the walls. The coffee prices are not cheap but not unusually high for the area. Much more of the seating is outdoors than indoors, so might not be the best spot for a rainy day.

A lovely coffee shop in a quiet and beautiful neighborhood. I love taking a walk nearby and stopping in to grab a drink. Really great coffee options - especially the seasonal cardamom latte. It's very fragrant, mildly sweet, and feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. And yes, cardamom over pumpkin spice all the time. They have both indoor and outdoor seating. The indoor space is very cute with sofas, swing chairs, as well as high tables. Note that they DON'T have wifi so be mindful if you want to do some work.

Super cute place, clearly a neighborhood favorite. Love the cardamom latte and the baked goods look nice, just wish they didn't sell out so quick. Only reason I don't want to give five is because NO WIFI lol it's a small place and usually pretty busy so I could see them not wanting people to hang out long but please!!!!

Love this place! Such a cute coffee shop, I love that it's a bit secluded so not directly on 14th, but still east to get to as it's a quick walk from the shaw metro. This is a great place to hangout for a bit or grab something quick. I typically get the chai latte, but their iced teas look very refreshing. Maybe next time!

Came here for the first time with a friend last weekend and was so happy to have discovered this little gem! I don't drink coffee (I know, I know), so I judge coffee shops by their chai, and the one at the Coffee Bar was very good! Not overly spiced or overwhelmingly sweet. It was a bit on the foamier side, so there was less actual beverage than I would have wanted ideally, but it was very good, and they made it very quickly. The whole place is not very large, and so on a rainy Saturday it was understandably packed, but the atmosphere was still lovely. Nice seating options (including outside, when it isn't gross outside) and cool decor. Lots of people hanging out with a book, which I love to see.

Cute coffee shop with great baked goods! I love the vanilla oatmilk iced lattes from TCB! Be prepared to wait a bit during peak weekend hours and get there early for prime pastry picks! Outdoor table seating & some indoor seating as well.

This place is really cute and the coffee is good but their policies are a little strange. They have a featured cardamom latte that they refuse to make iced. The special ingredient is just a simple syrup which they can easily put into an iced latte. Just a little off-putting. I used to really enjoy this place but doubtful that I will be back.

I stopped here for coffee and left with a great experience. The cashier recommended the vanilla latte which was very good and not too sweet but just enough. I also got a cranberry muffin. Delish!! The space was easy to move around in and very cute. It felt like being in my aunts home waiting on great convo and good coffee!!

DC has some good coffee, but this is one of the best. Love the beautiful neighborhood and ambiance. The barista program is excellent and the snacks are great.

Writing an update as I realize my older review is dated and the reason you shouldn't review places after one visit. TCB is an awesome neighborhood coffee spot, has a great patio to hang at, accepts online ordering (now), so you can order and walk up to the window with your pups no issue. Note that if you order online, you have to check in at the window or they won't get your drink started, learned that the hard way once when they were slammed. They get very busy during peak times (aka weekend mornings), so I typically go somewhere else unless you're willing to wait. The iced latte with oat milk is one of my favorites in dc - simple but delicious. The food is fine, what you'd expect from a coffee shop offering a few small bites.

I live about a block away and this is one of the only surviving local coffee spots in the area. Cardamom latte is to die for. Weekend pasteries are always a plus. Friendly, reliable service and great ambience. There is limited space so be prepared to hunt for a seat.

Such a cute cafe! Latte was delicious, service was pretty quick, and lots of seating inside and outside. I didn't stay but will definitely be back to hang out.

The coffee is fresh and full-flavored and the employees are nice. Great outdoor patio. If they had better pastries it would be a knockout. They're always kinda stale and overly sweet.

Great coffee and vibe!! Nice place to read, people watch, and hang out. Busy but there is a good amount of seating including couch and comfy chairs which I like.

Apparently it's beneath them to make a London Smog even though they have a London Fog on the menu and "add a shot of spro for .80" at the bottom of the menu. Can get one on the side but god forbid they put it in the cup for you. Disappointing experience from what was one of my favorites.

I found this establishment on Yelp. I was looking for a cafe type place to do a little work as opposed to a restaurant. There were already 5 people situated at the bar, on the couch, two free standing chairs so it felt crowded. I did think about plopping on the other side of the couch, but opted for a wall attached table with a bar stool. The barista was friendly and interested in my make shift hot vanilla chai. It was very tasty. Most cafes throw a little cinnamon on top for pizazz but they may have been too much to ask for. I sipped my vanilla chai and prepared by work space. Asked about the wifi password and they answered that they didn't have one. I found this odd and off putting so I took off.

This is a very cute and super instagram friendly coffee place on S Street. The interior is small and intimate--it can be difficult to find seating throughout the day. The baristas are super nice and the drinks are great. We really enjoyed our chai and hot chocolate. The pastries seem a bit lackluster--I didn't love the slightly stale banana bread. But it's a cute place and definitely great for a quick pick me up or a date!

Great space to catch up and people watch! Walked here and enjoyed the neighborhood views and the light rain during a summertime visit to DC. Relatively okay prices for a local coffee shop, love the outdoor patio area. Seating isn't abundant inside, so keep that in mind. I went with an iced turmeric latte and loved it.

I love a multi roasters coffee shop! I am a barista myself and I love to try out different coffee from different roasters. The coffee bar is such a sweet spot for it. I had a flat white and sat outside for a bit while waiting for my ride to arrive. I wish I brought my book with me cause that was a really nice, relaxing place to enjoy some coffee with a book. With good amount of outdoor seatings and good size menu, I am sure coming back to try more of their coffee and their food! They got good vibes and good interior which is awesome.

NO WI-FI!!!! No Wi-Fi, no Wi-Fi. Reconsider if you need Wi-Fi to get a little work done at this cute spot. Friendly baristas, smooth service, but their latte tasted bland, all the milk but not enough espresso or the roast wasn't suitable. Cute outdoor area, but for the price paid for the mediocre coffee and no Wi-Fi, sorry, not the top choice.

iced latte was sooo delicious and strong- highly recommend!! Lovely vibes outside as well

The Coffee Bar had a beautiful interior with great energy. I had a macchiato I think and it was decent. Not the best coffee I've had, but I'm also very picky. They didn't have wifi which I was upset about, but there was free wifi that I could still access around the spot. The employees were extremely nice and caring. They allowed my friend to charge her computer behind the bar, and they checked up on us to make sure that we were sufficient. This is a good place to study and catch a quick coffee with someone

Just ok. I did my research to try to find a place for a quick bite to eat near where we are staying and thought this place would be better than it was . Coffee was great but they were almost cleaned out of what little baked goods they had by the time we got there late morning and my son ended up having to go to Dunkin Donuts to find something to eat . Coffee was pretty good , but if you have kids I'd skip it. Ambience was cool , eclectic and clean .

Very nice place! Stopped here while cafe hopping. The crossaint and cardamom latte were super good. Espresso, however, burnt. Would visit again for sure though

Went here on a gloomy Sunday morning and it was amazing! The staff were nice and the options were plentiful! It's right across a school and blends into the home/apartment complexes but you can identify it by the amount of people there and the blue chairs! We got the Cardamom latte, a oat milk latte, the raspberry peach muffin, and their Kouign Amann! The cardamom latte is a must, they do it really well! The raspberry peach muffin is also a must have bc you can taste the flavors in it. Most coffee shops offer muffins but usually I'm not satisfied with the taste that the muffins have but this was excellent! Loved the aesthetic of this place, a must go!

The Coffee Bar is one of my favorite coffee shops in the city. Here's why: 1) Coffee: It's just good. The straight-up black coffee is smooth and they craft a really good latte. If you don't like coffee, they have several tea options including a draft hibiscus tea latte. 2) Space: It's beautiful. They have plenty of seats inside from tables to cushioned chairs in corners. They also have outdoor patio seating. 3) Location: It's just off 14th Street with a neighborhood feel. It's where locals hang out. 4) Food: They have a wide selection of pastries to choose from. It's the perfect place to camp out at all day.

Great music friendly !!! Staff. Cool vibe. Amazing cortado. Free water. Cool books.

Today a group of four young, Black women visited the Coffee Bar for the first time. The initial man serving the group was friendly and helpful. When he proceeded to make the first order, a White woman with colored hair (pink/purple) took our order and was extremely rude to all of us. She was patronizing and dismissive. We wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt and assume she was having a bad day BUT she was courteous and warm to the other White patrons. So we have no choice but to believe she and other employees were exhibiting micro aggressions and blatant racism. We were also told to move from where we were hanging out and directed towards the chairs. However, another customer blocked us by placing their bags on the empty chairs. The cafe employees did nothing to stop him. This experience was disheartening because we love coffee and we were excited to try out the cafe as students but left feeling incredibly unwelcomed and as if this were the 1950's. It's a shame because the coffee was good but we cannot return to an establishment that does not serve the majority of this community. Please please please learn to treat Black people with integrity and respect as you would treat any other human. Thank you.

A nice little coffee spot in DC. Great service and delicious blend for their house blend. Definitely a great spot to go to.

Cute coffee shop with limited but varied indoor seating. There is a sofa and a couple armchairs to sit at, as well as the bar or a high bench table. It is a relatively small space with few outlets and no wifi, so not great for any intense work requiring fast internet. The music and shop weren't too loud, although it was almost full when I went in the afternoon on a weekday. There's a ton of outdoor seating for when it's warm enough though. There is one bathroom inside, which was quirky and clean. The baristas were lovely and my iced soy latte was delicious. Soy and oat milk cost extra though. In 2023...

It's good coffee, but the wait is simply long. I went with a friend who frequents this coffee shop, and she warned me of a long wait. I ordered the honey badger, which is delicious. It has 4 shots of espresso and is sweet, but fair warning - it's very small. It took over 10 minutes to receive, so if you have all the free time, then sure why not try! However, if you're needing to get in and out, this is definitely not the place for you (unless you're ordering something they have readily available aka no fun drinks or lattes). They have outdoor seating currently available, and when I went, it was pretty busy. There are people working, people chatting, people chilling with their dog. It's a nice outdoor ambience!

Great coffee? Check. Friendly atmosphere? Check. Outlets to work? Check. I walked into TCB hoping for a place to work with outlets and wifi and it has been a great experience! The baristas are friendly, with reasonably priced strong coffee. The venue seems really inviting, for people who want to study or even read a book, it is a great place. There are outlets behind the bar! Disclaimer that they do not have wifi over the weekend though! I will definitely come to this place again if I need to study in D.C. There is also an outdoor patio for people to relax on a nice day! Nice community vibe coffee shop.

My friend and I were driving on S St looking for The Coffee Bar and while passing it (not knowing that was it), my friend asks me "What's TCB?" to which I answer very nonchalant "I don't know". Well folks, TCB is The Coffee Bar ("Duh", my friend said). Located on the corner of 12th and S streets, TCB offers quite a large interior with high ceilings (love) and outside seating. TCB is what my brother would call a coffee shop for hipsters and you'll see what I'm talking about when you visit. Individuals working on their laptops, some people catching up with old friends or simply having a casual date - while sitting on pink and yellow couches and/ or minty metal chairs. The baristas were friendly and polite. I ordered a Dirty Chai and it was pretty good, not sure though if it was worth the $5 price. I can see myself coming back whenever I'm in the area.

Coffee was very good, very cute place with a lot of character... However: service not friendly (employees seem annoyed that you're there), there's no wifi, and dogs are not welcome. If all I need is a great coffee in a cute place, I'll go back. However, if I'm walking my dog, need a change of venue to get some digital work done, or feel like being treated with empathy... I won't go back. Now to think of it... I won't go back.

This place is a small great shop. I ordered inside and they had me go back outside and wait until they call from the window. I got a dirty chai and it was very good. I would definitely come back to get that drink again!