Three Whistles - Clarendon

Not sure how to rate my past experiences with Three Whistles but it shouldnt discourage you either. The first time around we were in search for some good coffee in the area. We tried their vanilla lattes with soy and oat milks, it was just average. We did however, enjoyed the big work space and free wifi! The second time we visited it was for some dessert. We tried their gelato and it tasted pretty fresh! So def try if youre in the area!

Just went here for the first time in over a year and it’s completely different for the better. The food- 10/10 we had the fried cauliflower and the sauce on it was incredible , the bacon wrapped dates, the Notorious PIG one of the best mac n cheeses I’ve ever had, and the croquetas which we inhaled. For drinks we had the Alice in Netherlands and their espresso martini and oh my gosh. The AIN was firstly, GORGEOUS and secondly delicious. Light and herbaceous but not weird and pretentious. Then the espresso martini, perfect. I’ve had countless espresso martini’s in the DMV and their either just okay or they are amazing and $50 which is insane. Theirs was definitely in the top 3 I’ve ever had and way cheaper than anything at Riggs or Easton. At 3 whistles everything was so fair priced and way better than we could’ve anticipated. Incredibly high quality food and drinks and services. We had Lauren as our bartender and she was so attentive and sweet it made the night so nice. There was a guitarist playing live music that set such a nice vibe, and the chef came out to thank us and check on the food. 10/10 will recommend to anyone. Perfect anniversary night out. 🩵⭐️

I have been coming to this cafe for 3+ years, and if I could give it more than 5 stars, I absolutely would!! This is the best place you will ever find. They have a new menu and the new food & drinks are phenomenal: creative, tasty, and well priced. They have gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options. The live music on the weekends is a great way to enjoy your evening. The staff is very friendly and the owner is attentive to customer needs. They are constantly making improvements to the cafe to ensure customers have a great experience. There are plenty of outlets. Every time you buy something, you can get a 3 hour WiFi code (which is very reasonable considering how expensive it is to maintain a cafe of this size in Clarendon). If you go during the week day working hours, you can purchase a day pass for their co-working area if you choose, but it’s optional. Recently, they’ve had to make changes to the seating arrangements/policies as they continue to improve the cafe. Rest assured, it remains both open to people working on laptops & those who want a great meal and drinks.

I’m new to the area and just started coming to Three Whistles, and I couldn’t be happier. The service and ambiance are great, and I always feel welcome the moment I step inside. Samir, the owner, is incredibly kind and welcoming, and the service is exceptional from start to finish. Five stars! This will definitely be my new spot! I recommend the buffalo chicken slider, Brussels sprouts, and caesar salad.

Had an outstanding experience at Three Whistles! From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming, energetic, and just the right mix of relaxed and elevated. The atmosphere makes it a perfect spot whether you’re going out with friends or having a nice dinner out. The food was phenomenal — every dish was flavorful, fresh, and clearly crafted with care. Huge compliments to Chef Sameer for putting together such a strong menu. You can taste the attention to detail. Service was equally impressive. Tyreke took great care of us — attentive, friendly, and genuinely engaging. Finding out that Chef Sameer and Tyreke are brothers made the experience even better. You can really feel the family pride and teamwork throughout the restaurant. Great vibes, great service, and great food. We’ll absolutely be back. Highly recommend!

We found Three Whistles while looking to have a Valentine's Day dinner at the last minute. We were happy with our choice. The food was delicious -- the prices were reasonable for the portion sizes and the good quality. We ended up ordering a second round of dishes to try. Service was attentive and detailed (they customized the mac n cheese for my son to his liking), they even gave everyone roses to take home. The live music was a lovely duo of a violinist, and a guitar + keyboards player (on a Saturday night starting about 8 PM). The seating was an interesting mix of bar seating and restaurant tables and booth like spaces. During the day, it can clearly be used for working -- there are high tops for planting your laptop when you enter, a deli area and a bar, and even enclosed call booths at the back. But somehow all these elements work together with the restaurant area and semi-open kitchen to create a casual but classy space. We enjoyed our evening!

I had such a great experience here! The food was absolutely delicious with a big variety of options on the menu—there is something for everyone. The drinks were just as tasty and paired perfectly with the meal. The cozy atmosphere made it such a comfortable place to relax, and the live music added the perfect touch of fun. Overall, it was an enjoyable night out, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone looking for good food, great vibes, and a lively yet welcoming setting.

Three Whistles has always been cozy, but the latest renovation and the addition of food makes it a great place to socialize and study. Chef Sameer makes the best dips - recommend the whipped feta and eggplant dip.

Great place to study or meet a friend. Plenty of seating, nice tunes, and friendly baristas. I've been here 3 times since moving to the area, love it!

I would highly recommend the hot Honey Lavender Latte as a sweet specialty coffee option and the Jamaican beef empanada as a savory treat. I like coming here to work/study as there are so many different seating options. My biggest gripe is that the service has been on the slower side each time I've came here. This even resulted in my latte being forgotten and brought out nearly 35 minutes after ordering during my last visit. If the service improves, this is definitely an upper four-star establishment. **a note for people visiting for the first time (not a factor into my rating) is that you need to buy one item to for each device that you are looking to connect to the cafe's WiFi (ex. 2 items required for phone & laptop connection)

After a nearby dentist appointment for my seven-year-old daughter, I treated her to breakfast at Three Whistles. From the outside, it looks small, but it's not. After you order, walk to the attached room where there's plenty of tables and outlets. It's a co-working space too so there's a quiet section for paying members. The food menu is large with authentic empanadas, muffins, croissants, and more. We enjoyed the Chilean empanada with ground beef, the chocolate muffin, and the chocolate croissant. To drink, I got the pumpkin spice latte and my daughter got water from the free water station. Service is friendly.

It is the perfect spot to have ice cream, coffee, or work! The workspace is great, and the ambiance is wonderful. I think my dog is gonna miss the owner

We have been going to Three Whistles for over a year, mostly on Friday or Saturday mornings to grab pastries and lattes, and occasionally on a evening for their gelatos. Buddha (I think he's the head barista) is highly skilled with latte art and he has always been very welcoming! They have a stamp card system too so it's another perk for regulars.

I loved Three Whistles in the Clarendon area. It's a great cozy spot to get work done, grab a bite and drink some tasty coffee. The ambiance is great and they have plenty of sitting space for customers.

TLDR: open to the public. Has a designated quiet zone but the whole shop is very quiet. Excellent for solo or partnered quiet work, but would not come here again for a meeting/to socialize. I chose this shop for a meeting with someone who works nearby. There was good seating for pairs and the coffee/tea options were plentiful. We both had Arnold Palmers at the suggestion of our very friendly and knowledgeable barista. She assured us that we could have a conversation at normal levels as long as we were seated outside the "quiet zone." While technically true, I did not feel comfortable the whole time we were talking. We were basically the only conversation in the crowded shop and it felt like you could hear a pin drop. I would absolutely stop in for the Arnold Palmer again and this would be an excellent location to get work done, but I won't choose it for a work meeting again.

This coffee shop had me whistling a happy tune! They had a full menu of coffee, tea, pastries and food, making it the perfect one stop shop! The place was packed with people working on laptops, reading, and chatting but it wasn't hard to find a table. It had a great ambience with lamps and comfy chairs. I had a flat white and was stunned at the latte art. It was an intricate dragon looking design and it tasted just as fierce. They had a great selection of dairy free milks and the oat milk wasn't overly sweet. Overall, would definitely come back with a book to cozy up on the couch with a coffee!

Cute place to work or to meet up with friends on a cold weekend. Gelato is good but have not tried any of their other drink or food selections.

Right when we came in the barista had an attitude. Do you have a bad day and you really need to be an asshole to us? 1pm Monday Dec 9.

I am not really sure how I feel about this place. The inside is really cool and a lot of great seating. I ended up trying the dirty chai latte and it was just not good. I want to say it was mainly the chai part that was not good. If the other items they have are actually good then I would say the whole vibe is a nice place to stop and chat or do some work. I would go back to give something else a try.

Beautiful atmosphere, amazing customer service, and delicious coffee. Latte art is the best I've seen.

While staying in Arlington for work I met up with an old friend to catch up with over coffee. Three whistles is the perfect location to do just that. There is plenty of seating to accommodate multiple sized parties, and very large store front windows letting in plenty of light. I went on a Monday and there were also a good amount of people in there quietly working from their laptops, I assume there is WiFi if that is something you are looking for. we got a cozy corner booth and when you order the staff will deliver your food and coffee to your table. I ordered an iced hazelnut latte and a ham and cheese breakfast croissant. The coffee was pretty tastey, but nothing life changing. The hazelnut flavoring coming through was just the right amount not to over powering, and for my croissant was also equally delicious. They do theirs a little differently, the croissant itself is completely enclosed stuffed with ham and cheese. And there were plenty of other options if you are in the mood for something else.

I work about two blocks away and some coworkers had mentioned how good the coffee was. We have a Starbucks closer by, so I did not put too much attention until this morning when I tried it. OMG! Their coffee is legit. I can finally indulge in a real espresso without having to add a ton of syrups and milk to make the coffee bearable. I also had a muffin and it was divine. I later found out that they make them fresh and you can taste de difference compared to what you get at the mermaid place. This business will be seeing more of me.

Favorite coffee shop in the area because I am obsessed with the decor. Only downside is when it gets too busy and there's no seating :( the tables themselves are a good size to spread out when doing work. There are also rooms in the back that you can rent out like a we-work space.

My friend and I met up here for a coffee chat and wanted to order food as well. They only had the food in the pastry case available and the ice cream (or gelato? I can't recall). I guess the kitchen was closed? I'd stopped by once before for a coffee and empanada and I think the kitchen was closed then, too. Their Facebook page hasn't been updated since 2020 and their website has no indication that the kitchen is closed; the all-day menus are still on there. The coffee was fine, I also got an iced oat milk matcha latte with white chocolate syrup that was good. The spinach and cheese empanada was a little bland. Service is alright.

Delicious soft and creamy gelato. The honey fig was amazing. Coffee was good. They had live music which was so cool and vibey!

We waited over 20 minutes to get a seat and order down the street at another establishment and decided to walk around the area until we stumbled across this cafe. Even though I was charged for the wrong drink and the brought me something else, I would definitely come back here. It is very library-ish vibes. They have lots of seating and I even noticed they sell beers. It's interesting how they have gelato, empanadas, coffee and beer but it works for them.

Generally, this is one of the best all around coffee shops in the area. Ambiance: (5/5) Great place to work. It is not very loud. Price: (4/5) Average around the area. I would say the smallest gelato being $3 is way too expensive. It is about 3 table spoons of gelato. Food: (5/5) I don't typically like mochas but this one wasn't too sweet or chocolate-ly. The caramel latte was also very good, not overly sweet. The empanadas are amazing! I've tried cheese and spinach, beef, and Caribbean. Service: (5/5) Food and drinks come out quick even if there is only one person working.

Fantastic coffee shop with some nice food options too. I especially recommend the empanadas, which are delicious! There's lots of seating and it's a nice place to set up and do work as well as chat with a friend.

One of my favorite cafes to work at in the Clarendon/Arlington area. The staff are incredibly friendly, their lattes are delicious, they have tables where one can stand at, plenty of plugs, fast Wifi, and organized activities at night. During the workday, it also acts as a co-working cafe, which requires an additional subscription to sit in that area. But there are a few seating options in the front of the store. I would also highly recommend their gelato and empanadas if one wants a late night snack or a midday treat!

My favorite coffee shop in Arlington! This was the perfect place to romanticize essay writing on a Saturday morning! I love their iced honey lavender latte with oat milk, but they also have other coffees, teas, pastries, hot food, and gelato! The only con is that if you are not a member of their CoWork Cafe (fee associated), you are limited to seating at the front of the restaurant, so I'd recommend getting there earlier in the morning to secure a seat. I think the back space is open, however, after work hours so you can have access to more tables and couches in the evening.

The website is misleading. It seemed like the only way to gain seating is if you purchase their $20 day pass or have a monthly membership. Also the photos and explanation on the website looked more like a co-working space that happens to have food and coffee. Turns out this really is just a normal coffee shop with several tables for seating. You also do not need to purchase the day pass or have a monthly membership to use the space. If you decide to purchase the day pass, no food or drink is included. It felt like the pass was really only paying for the high speed Wi-Fi. They already have free Wi-Fi that can be used so it made no sense to purchase the pass in the first place. The website mentioned drinks would be discounted with the day pass but I still paid full price. Also I did not see any food items available other than some pastries. We ended up not staying as long and grabbed lunch nearby. Overall I was disappointed that we paid for a pass that wasn't needed. I could have walked in, ordered a coffee, sat at a table, done work and saved $20. That being said the coffee was good. I got an iced mint mocha latte which was made well and the barista was very friendly. I could see myself coming back but just to use the space as an actual coffee shop.

Three Whistles was a wonderful surprise for a couple of reasons; their talented barista and their large open seating area. I watched the barista cup my cortado but I had no idea what was happening until he handed me my cup. The gentleman created this cute little bunny by hand. As a coffee lover, this moment may have been the highlight of my whole day! Then I watched the barista cup my friend's cortado. I expected to see another bunny, but instead he created different complicated milk art. We ended up with a ram and a bunny. So awesome! Not only was the cortado beautiful and tasted delicious; the seating area was spacious and inviting. There were tables, bar stools, and comfy arm chairs to enjoy your coffee. The decor was modern and full of various textures. The color scheme was calming. It would be a great space to sit and relax, chat with friends or work. Three Whistles definitely is on my favorite lists for coffee shops in the DMV.

This is my go to coffee spot because they have free parking, staff is friendly, plenty of seating and outlets, and one of the only coffee shop that is open up late. Sometimes they even have live music playing or events going on. This place is a great for those remote working as they have a coworking space with printers and multiple telephone booth to take work calls or videos. I got the honey lavender latte and it's my go to drink.

Adorable little spot in Clarendon! Great coffee reasonably priced for the size. There is so much seating and very spacious. Not too loud and lots of natural light. Love it!

This place has changed name multiple times but I think whoever is the new owner, knows how to decorate this place. The atmosphere of this coffeeshop is very nice and the lighting is very on point I must say. There is a balanced combo of wood work, art pieces and plants in this places which makes it very welcoming. I like how the place is sectioned into different parts and there are different types of seating available, coaches, chairs and high chairs. So far I have only tried their cappuccino but it is decent and I have to try it more to see how consistent it is. The server was very nice and they also provide free water. The music is a very chill music and more toward low beat and ambient. All in all a great place to hang out. I am glad I came here again and will be visiting more often!

Good coffees, interesting gelato, and a comfortable atmosphere. They also have live music.

Rude and disrespectful cashier (middle eastern guy). To me and other guests he would make remarks such as "I can't read lips" and had a combative way of communicating. This person has no business serving customers, garbage employee.

I'm visiting a friend from out of town and we decided to stop here after dinner for some dessert. She said they had great gelato and also described the environment as them "not being able to decide what they are" regarding them being a gelato shop, cafe, coworking space, music venue, etc. i immediately understood when walking in that she was spot on, it looks like a big cafe but they have gelato and some simple sandwiches and baked goods, but they also have a large coworking space in the back and had a musician in there playing (it was a Friday night). They had lots of options for gelato including vegan sorbets but I decided to go for the macarons since that's one thing I can't get in my current town. They were really well priced i though, 5 for $6, so I just got one of each flavor and they were all quite good! Obviously my experience here is limited but I'd definitely go back to try other things if I get the chance.

One of the big perks here is that they have a really nice interior (homey cafe vibes) to work in and they open pretty late (10 or 11 PM depending on the day) unlike most cafes in the area. This is a convenient place in Clarendon to grab coffee, pastries, gelato, etc. at any point of the day. HONEY FIG GELATO (KID SCOOP) - 3 I got this at around 8 PM and it was a great treat during my evening walk. I thought it was a bit too sweet, but the fig flavor is super prominent and reminded me of one of my favorite sandwiches that uses a delicious fig jam from a cafe in my hometown. I would definitely giving this gelato flavor a try if they have it! It's definitely very unique. Even though I went on a Monday evening, the cafe was pretty packed with people with lots of espresso/cafe drinks being ordered.

Really cool coworking space with tons of seating. It definitely feels cozy. Not necessarily a place to dit & chat feels like. My favorite thing to get here is the gelato!

Nice environment and big space for food / work, music is good... Try dark chocolate with honey fig la

A great spot to work or read! They have so many seats and tables, and the matcha latte had the cutest bunny design. The place did get really full by 4:30 on a Sunday, to the point where a customer somewhat aggressively asked to take my table when I picked up my bag so. Come on the earlier side on the weekends to prevent yourself from having to become that person.

They have an awesome work from home set up (essentially the entire seating area). I got the hot pumpkin latte and definitely will try their Turkish coffee next

Was walking around Clarendon looking for a cafe on a cold, cold Saturday afternoon so curl up with a latte and do some weekend learning. We were about to go to Tatte, but the crowd was unbelievable. Outdoor and indoor seating packed. Not the spot today... We happened to bump into Three Whistles. It had such a cute earthy vibe and affordable macaron prices (lol) so I couldn't pass up the opportunity. I'm so happy we stayed here for an hour. You get an hour of free wifi with an order of food and drink, and there's a ton of seating with electric outlets. Last but not least, I highly recommend their coffees. I ordered a honey lavender latte which is the first item on their coffee menu, and I HAD to try it -- sounded too interesting to pass up. WOW! The floral notes and the sweetness of honey paired with the warmth of the whole milk... probably one of the best drinks I've gotten at a cafe ever. It's like a hug in a mug, and I honestly could order 10 if my stomach would allow it. I will definitely be back. The service is also super great here - friendly baristas and they bring the drink to your table if you decide to stay. They also have a food and alcohol menu which looks amazing! I'm also eyeing on their affogato ($7) which is two shots of espresso and a scoop of gelato (yes they DO have gelato here WOO!) Can't wait to come back, Three Whistles. See you soon!

Showed up on a Sunday morning when it should have been open according to hours, and it was a ghost town. Nobody inside, no note on the door.

Lovely place for reading a book and listening to chill music, sip some tea on a rainy day

The Place is super cute inside and has business rooms and large area for social distancing or working remotely. We tried the gelato, a scone and the claredon fog. We sat outside as we had a pup with us. The scone was undercooked and would have been better warm. The gealto was good. The tea was hints of rose or light fruit. Def not what I was thinking as normal fogs are darker twas like earl grey or black tea. It just wasn't for me. The place is super cute and has a lot of foot traffic. They have a case of empanada and small eats and have a full on coffee shop vibe.

Came to this place on a whim once and i love it. Super cozy, and i love to just come and read. The staff are always friendly and i love the atmosphere here. The coffee is pretty good too, havent tried the food yet but this wont be my last time coming!

The staff super helpful!! The Coffee goood - I didn't like the flavor of the pumpkin but my husband coffee was amazing. Such a great low key place to get some work done and focus on what you need to do. I love the coworking space set up and think it's so smart I'm wishing them all the best!

I went here to kill some time one day last week and I had a good experience. My iced coffee was great and their wife is fast. They had plenty of seating with multiple outlets as well. The service was great and I'd definitely go back.

I absolutely love coming here. The ambiance is cozy and quaint. The food and drinks are excellent. If I needed a place to work remotely, I would definitely come here. I usually meet friends here and they always leave saying they are glad I brought them. I also love supporting a coffee shop that is a small business.

This is a very relaxing place to have a coffee, a gelato (did not try their gelato yet), and much more. The decor is very nice as well, and the seats are very comfortable.

Great place, lots of space and love to at it's a coffee shop that's open late. The iced chai I had was delicious but the empanada and scone I tried weren't good. The empanada just wasn't for me I think and the scone was dry but I would definitely go back for their drinks and to do work in the space.

Literally my favorite place ever to study /work. Fun dance nights are super entertaining too :) amazing service

Wonderful atmosphere! Okay coffee, will try more drinks/ food items next time and add to review...

I've been coming here for many years and have seen the gradual transformation into one of the best coffee shops in the area. Any chance I get, I take friends, classmates, business partners, pretty much anyone I can to this place. Not only is their coffee and gelato amazing, the ambiance is perfect for a range of things including remote work, reading, or just hangin around. Music isn't too loud during the day, and wifi works just fine. If I still lived in the area, I would probably have a coworking subscription as well. Their staff/service is also great. It's one of the few coffee shops that will take your order and bring it to you while you hang out at your seat. No need to wait around to get called. I've always been a fan. I think you would be, too.

Three Whistles is an incredible space to cowork on the weekend. The combination of earthy decor, great music selection, spacing that allows for work and catching up without disturbing others, and excellent food and drinks makes for the perfect brunch and learn for my friend and I. Having been on both Saturday and Sunday, both days don't typically begin to get packed until 1pm but the feeling of warmth and productivity is able to maintained as most people around as also working, reading, relaxing, and or eating/drinking. The manager is always incredible and remembers my friend and I which is amazing considering the amount of guests they must see weekly and we come pretty sporadic. Compliments to the baristas and chef as well. Everything that I've had has been fantastic!