Quartermaine Coffee Roasters

     

They import their beans through the Port of Baltimore & roast it themselves at their plant in Rockville.  Quartermaine effectively puts its focus on its coffee.

The shop in Bethesda on Bethesda Row is a viable local alternative to the nearby Cosi's or Starbucks.  The blassé staff, cold marble counters, and high wooden chairs create a café setting that is not the most welcoming, but comfortable enough to enjoy a good cup of coffee.

The free Wifi is not the most reliable.

Address: 4817 Bethesda Ave.
Tel: 301 718 2853
Website: http://www.quartermaine.com/
Hours: M - Th 6AM - 7PM; F & Sat 6AM - 8PM

Map

Putting all my recommended cafés in DC on a Google map for reference:
View D.C. Cafés in a larger map

Avalon Theater Café

A gem of a community café attached to the Avalon non-profit film center in Chevy Chase.  They have ¢99 coffee, free Wifi, and a regular crowd of locals who come in every morning to read the newspaper & catch up.  They open every morning at 8PM and close after the start of the last show of the day at the Avalon Theatre.

Address: 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC

Website: http://www.theavalon.org/about/cafe/

Tel: 202 966 6000

Baked & Wired

When I ordered the Razmanian Devil cupake the other day, the girl at the counter smiled & told me it would "change my life."

They also have yummy eggy quiche & decent coffee. I always order their almond anise biscotti.

The typical crowd ranges from new parents with their babies, to college students with their textbooks & laptops, and runners stopping by after a workout.  Some people sit around all day with their textbooks & computers, though they don't have Wifi.

The shop is close to the Georgetown waterfront.

Address: 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW
Hours: M - Th 7:00 - 20:00; F 7:00 - 21:00; Sat 8:00 - 21:00; Sun 9:00 - 20:00
Tel: 202 333 2500
Website: http://bakedandwired.com/

Soho Tea & Coffee

A real community café.  The owner is chatty & likes to crack jokes.  Regulars hang out here all day every day.

They have a really wide tea selection & pretty good coffee.  Their baked goods aren't bad either, though they don't make it themselves.

Fast Wifi!

Address: 2150 P St NW
Hours: Sun - W 7:00 - 0:00; Th - Sat 7:00AM - 1:00AM
Tel: 202 463 7646
Website: http://sohoteaandcoffee.com/

Bean Counter

Bean Counter has good coffee & an even better backyard patio.  A little sliver of a covered walkway leads to a quiet & secluded open space, away from the hustle & bustle of Wisconsin Ave.

I enjoy their Egg & Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches ($3.50).  

Their portions are small.  No Wifi.

Address: 1665 Wisconsin Ave. NW (right by le Patisserie Poupon)

Hours: M-Sat 8:00 - 18:00; Sun 9:00 - 16:00

Tel: 202 625 1665

Website: http://thebeancountergeorgetown.com/

Le Patisserie Poupon

Let's start with one of my favorites.  I've been getting sweets from the Patisserie Poupon ever since I was a little kid.

The pain au chocolate always sells out.  Not too sweet.

I enjoy their pâté & pickle sandwiches as well.  The tang of the pickles brings out the flavor of their rich pâté.

Their Normandy butter cakes also always hit the spot.  The large cakes are so heavy you could use them as dumbbells.

Seating is a little cramped & it's almost always packed, but try to get a seat in the shop window at the front of the store.  You have to climb around the counter, but there's no better place in Georgetown to people watch.

No Wifi.

Address: 1645 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Hours: T-F 8:30 - 18:00; Sat 8:00 - 17:30; Sun 8:00 - 16:00; Closed Mondays
Tel: 202 342 3248
Website: http://www.patisseriepoupon.net/