The roasters writing the coffee scene in Washington DC: who they are, where they source from and where to drink it.
The roasters writing the coffee scene in Washington DC. who they are, where they source from, and where to drink the result.
Compass Coffee Roastery in Washington DC is the Shaw 7th Street flagship of the local roaster founded 2014 by Marines Michael Haft and Harrison Suarez.
Tip: Free public roastery tours run Saturdays at 11:00 from the 7th Street site; sign up on the website.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Guatemala, Burundi
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Vigilante Coffee Roastery is the local roaster's flagship cafe outside Washington DC on Gallatin Street, a small-batch direct-trade roaster supplying.
Tip: Saturday cuppings at 11:00 run free; reserve via the website. The taproom roastery is 15 minutes from DC on the Green Line.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Honduras, Costa Rica, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail, Subscription
La Coop Coffee in Washington DC is the Petworth Kennedy Street cafe and roastery since November 2024, a direct-trade Guatemalan single-origin specialist.
Tip: Roasting runs through the week and beans go on the retail shelf within days; ask the counter for the freshest single-origin in the case.
Sources from: Guatemala
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Swing's Coffee Roasters in Washington DC is the 1916 Alexandria roaster's downtown G Street cafe, the oldest continuously-operating coffee roaster.
Tip: Order the house Premium Dark blend in the cup; the roaster has carried it since 1916.
Sources from: Colombia, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Costa Rica
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Whole bean retail
Lost Sock Roasters in Washington DC is the Takoma cafe and roastery from Joel Shuler since 2016, a single-origin pour-over bar with rotating Burundi.
Tip: The Burundi Long Miles Coffee Project beans are the roaster's longest-running relationship; order them by name.
Sources from: Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Mexico
How they serve: Pour over, Filter, Whole bean retail
Ceremony Coffee Roasters in Washington DC is the Union Market cafe of the Annapolis roaster, a Maryland third-wave specialist with single-origin filter.
Tip: The reserve filter menu rotates monthly; ask the barista for the current lot and brewing notes.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Kenya
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail
Harrar Coffee and Roastery in Washington DC is the Park View Georgia Avenue Ethiopian micro-roastery, with all-Ethiopian single-origin beans roasted on site.
Tip: Time a Saturday or Sunday visit for the live Ethiopian coffee ceremony; the green-bean retail shelf rotates by harvest and lots sell out by midweek.
Sources from: Ethiopia
How they serve: Espresso, Filter, Pour over, Whole bean retail, Ethiopian coffee ceremony
RAKE Coffee Roasters in Washington DC is the 14th Street Mid-City cafe and roastery from chef Ed Witt, a small-batch operation with rotating single-origin.
Tip: The Ethiopian natural process beans are the roaster's signature.
Sources from: Ethiopia, Colombia, Tanzania
How they serve: Espresso, Pour over, Whole bean retail