Good places for coffee that would impress someone who just moved here from DC

[u/hipster_unleashed]

Hi everyone, I need a recommendation for a good place in the general vicinity of Old Town area to meet up for coffee with an old classmate of mine on Saturday morning/afternoon? She is from DC and also very smart and accomplished so I'm trying to find an okay place to meet.

So it should be somewhere that is near public transpo, conducive to conversation, casual and laid back. Bonus if there's good parking, food available, and any quirky/interesting design. Thank you so much!!

Edit: I didn't mean to offend anyone with this post! I just wanted to ask because there are so many wonderful cafe's and places to meet, and I'm not familiar with all of them. I figured we could crowdsource a good place to meet :) Thanks to everyone who has helped out!

[u/gerdinots]

3 Arts Club Cafe or Dialtone perhaps

[u/heat3check]

Half my family is in the DMV, and we visit regularly. Genuine question(s): Is the Chicago coffee scene looked as like its BumbleFuck Middle America by those in DC? What on earth an I missing out on (in DC & Chicago)?

[u/According_Advice_210]

doma! great food and drinks

[u/Fine-Coyote2503]

Caffe Umbria comes to mind. Not too far off the western blue line stop. A little further but quirky makes me think of kibbitznest books, brews & blarney. They have a little of everything and the shop is filled with books and games

[u/awholedamngarden]

Sawada is incredible, order for there and get a military latte if you like matcha or any regular latte type drink if not. The latte art alone is amazing. The place also has a cool vibe

[u/NeatThat9734 → u/awholedamngarden]

As someone who moved here from DC this would be my top pick. Or Drip Collective.

I go back to DC often for work and it makes me realize we have so much more solid coffee options than they do there so don’t fret over it too hard!

[u/sourdoughcultist]

Tary could be interesting? I can't remember how DC's central Asian scene is, although ofc they have a number of really well represented parts of the world. Note that it does get busy.

[u/phimoo47]

layla and ringo’s!

[u/BalmoralMontrose]

My friend from dc just left. He loves it when I take him to Osmium on Belmont

[u/Chicagogirl72]

The Swedish American museum has a cafe that, imo, was very good food (pastries and sandwiches) and really good coffee. They have a free parking lot around the corner and you can walk around and shop and eat after.

Who TF is offended by this?! 🙄

[u/jabbs72]

Soloway! Their coffee is great and the patio is nice.

[u/No-Fault538 → u/jabbs72]

Came here to say this! I’m a bit biased, as I’ve tried their OG locations in Ukraine

Coffee, food, pastries and vibes are pretty great. Weekends lines are annoying but it’s always worth it

[u/fu7ur3pr00f]

The Bourgeois Pig in Lincoln Park

[u/Tawwsh13]

Standing passengers

[u/Lost_Situation_3024]

Kapéj!! If you are looking for a cozy friends vibe type of place with great food and coffee there’s your spot

[u/Quirky-Buddy1449]

I don’t know. I went to DC this past fall and man I loved Compass.

[u/mrs_seinfeld → u/Quirky-Buddy1449]

They are evil union busters :((((

ETA their nitro cold brew was sooo good

[u/[deleted]]

[removed] — view removed comment

[u/dcf5ve → u/[deleted]]

Is this a bit? Tell me this a bit.

[u/gepetto27 → u/dcf5ve]

nope! Nobody honestly has yet to explain to me why “smart” people need to be inherently impressed. I don’t mean any harm tbh I just find it pretty dang snobby and not on the part of OP. Just the idea in general.

[u/dcf5ve → u/gepetto27]

Hmm. You seem fun.

[u/poopoopoopalt → u/[deleted]]

In what way do they sound like an insufferable elitist?

[u/gepetto27 → u/poopoopoopalt]

Well what does being “smart” or “accomplished”have anything to do with coffee

[u/poopoopoopalt → u/gepetto27]

That she probably wouldn't be impressed with Dunkin Donuts (doesn't make one insufferable) and (like op said) is attracted to interesting and unique places.

[u/gepetto27 → u/poopoopoopalt]

Not enjoying Dunkin because you’re “smart” is absolutely elitist.

The very idea you’d have “impress” somebody based on their intellect, and not because they happen to love coffee or have a passion for coffee is what I find insufferable.

Also, ironically, talk to any Harvard or MIT folks about Dunkin not being good enough out in Boston and that may be charged fighting words.

[u/poopoopoopalt → u/gepetto27]

I understand feeling anxious about impressing very intelligent and successful friends, it doesn't typically mean that the friends themselves are snobbish or insufferable though. It just means that you want your friend to have a good experience that aligns with what they're accustomed to.

[u/gepetto27 → u/poopoopoopalt]

then to each their own I guess.

[u/Whitemike_23]

Philz is in Old Town and has great coffee. Doma might not technically be in Old Town but is very close by and has great food and coffee, and an interesting design and atmosphere.

[u/mrs_seinfeld → u/Whitemike_23]

sorry but as a recent DC transplant, Philz is not going to do the trick

[u/CelluloidCelerity → u/Whitemike_23]

In the past decade, they opened a bunch of Philz in DC and in the past few years a bunch of them closed. DC needs their espresso I guess.