Guide to Coffee Shops

By Sarah Cough

Locally-owned coffee shops may not be as proliferate as Starbucks but when you need your caffeine fix these eclectic gems offer anything but a boring cup of Joe. From the freshest roast to the scientifically perfect brew these shops offer quality and innovation that the national chains cannot. Whether you love your soy mocha non-fat latte or just a cup of black coffee there is a locally-owned coffee shop that can satisfy your craving while giving you more than you ever expected from environmentally friendly coffee to a music venue to local baked goods. With so many choices out there it can be hard to know which coffee shop is the best fit. This guide to local shops makes your choice easy by providing everything you need to know about coffee shops in Northern Virginia and most importantly what makes them stand out in a world of cookie cutter chains.

City of Alexandria

St Elmo’s Coffee Pub
2300 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria; 703-739-9268
Mon-Fri 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sun 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Cozy community shop that lets you linger
Bonus: Wi-Fi, canine seating, book swapping
St Elmo’s offers more than just coffee. They create a community gathering place that offers free Wi-Fi, a “take a book, leave a book” policy and a comfy alternative to chain coffee shops. They even offer local music on Wednesday through Saturday nights.

Misha’s Coffeehouse and Coffee Roaster
102 South Patrick Street, Alexandria; 703-548-4089
Sun-Sat 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Fresh Roasted Coffee
Bonus: A place for smokers
From the magnetic alphabet menu to the brightly colored walls and the upbeat jazz playing on speakers overhead Misha’s is eclectic. They offer three varieties of coffee daily which are roasted fresh on the premises and also a selection of coffee for sale also roasted at Misha’s. The even offer a rare find, smoking room for those who still enjoy their coffee and cigarettes. The clientele here is generally a bit younger and more hip, but older locals enjoy Misha’s fresh coffee and vibrant atmosphere as well.

Grounded Coffee Shop
6919 Telegraph Road, Alexandria; 703-341-6612
Tue-Fri 6 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Coffee with a French flair
Bonus: Fresh gourmet pastries
Grounded is a small shop with French flair. Their specialty is their pastries made fresh daily by the two pastry chef owners. Grounded is kid-friendly and offers a great place for families to hang out drinking coffee, playing board games and reading books. The coffee and espresso drinks are always fair trade and organic.

Courtesy of Grape + Bean

Grape and Bean
118 South Royal St., Alexandria; 703-664-0214
Wine Bar: Wed-Thu 4-9 pm, Fri-Sat 4- 10 pm, Retail Shop: Tue noon-6 pm, Wed-Thu noon-9 pm, Sat 9 am-10 pm, Sun noon-5 pm
Coffeehouse Specialty: Perfectly brewed specialty coffees
Bonus: Also a wine bar
Wine and coffee come together in this unique coffee shop in Old Town. What seems like a strange paring is brought together by the similar approach. Grape and Bean looks at coffee like they look at wine, there is perfect way to brew so that the nuances of the flavor that can be enjoyed. Though they do not offer espresso drinks the many kinds of coffee they offer are all brewed to scientific perfection with their machine that calculates the exact brew time and temperature for each cup of coffee. Grape and Bean also offers a variety of loose leaf teas.

Arlington County

Rappahannock Coffee
2406 Columbia Pike, Arlington;703-271-0007
Mon- Thurs 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Fri- Sun 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Fresh roasted coffee
Bonus: Free Wi-Fi
Fresh roasted coffee at Rappahannock Coffee makes it stand out in the crowd. It is also a café that serves a variety of light fare, but here the coffee, roasted and brewed fresh all day in-house, is really the star. They also serve baked goods and offer free Wi-Fi. It is great place to study or work quietly as the calm atmosphere and small tables are not great for groups.

The Java Shack
2507 N. Franklin Road, Arlington; 703-527-9556
Mon- Sat: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sun: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Espresso
Bonus: Coffee with a conscience
The Java Shack is fair trade certified green business that encourages customers to enjoy their coffee without hurting the environment. This coffee shop stands out for its commitment to going green as well as for its friendly atmosphere where the staff knows your name. They try to create an environment where everyone feels welcome. Though they serve many drinks their espresso is the most popular.

Busboys and Poets
4251 South Campbell Ave, Shirlington; 703-379-9757
Mon –Thurs 9 a.m. – Midnight, Fri – Sat 9 a.m. – 1 a.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Fair trade coffee
Bonus: Progressive, artistic and literary community
This popular offshoot of the district flagship location offers the same local-centered literary feel of the flagship in a smaller NoVA location. Busboys and Poets offers free Wi-Fi, coffee, books and a gathering place for social activists and literary minds to hangout and talk about what matters to them. They also host local events like poetry readings and open mic nights. There is a full menu and bar.

Cassatt’s Cafe
4536 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-527-3330
Mon –Fri 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sun 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Flat white
Bonus: New Zealand-inspired café, Family friendly
Cassatt’s café specializes in the flat white, a New Zealand specialty similar to a latte that is created by pouring steamed milk from the bottom of the pitcher over an espresso shot creating a smoother drink. This café offers both coffee and light daytime meals with a larger dinner menu. The walls also play host to a rotating gallery showcasing local artists.

Falls Church

Stacy’s Coffee Parlor
709 West Broad Street, Falls Church; 703-538-6266
Sun-Thu 7 am-9 pm, Fri-Sat 7 am-10 pm
Coffeehouse Specialty: Award winning estate coffee made specifically for Stacy’s
Bonus: Free Wi-Fi, Light breakfast and lunch, Ice cream
Description: This family friendly coffee shop offers kid’s shows and open mic nights. With free Wi-Fi and a laidback atmosphere this is the kind of shop where you can sit and do work or chat with friends for hours. They offer fresh coffee and espresso drinks as well as light meals and gourmet ice cream.

Natalia’s Elegant Creations
230 West Broad Street, Falls Church; 703-241-8040
Mon Closed, Tues-Thurs, Sun 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fri-Sat 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Fresh coffee and baked goods
Bonus: Vegan and gluten-free friendly
Natalia’s offers fresh coffee and sweets six days a week to the community of Falls Church. She accommodates those with dietary restrictions every day by offering vegan and gluten-free pastries, even without a special order. Natalia’s offers coffee and espresso drinks as well as baked goods with a Ukrainian influence in a small cozy shop with European décor.

Fairfax County

Lake Anne Coffee House
1612 Washington Plaza, West Reston; 703-481-9766
Sun- Sat 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: French press coffee
Bonus: Beautiful views, free parking
Lake Anne’s specialty is French press coffee and they offer a large variety of flavored and regular roasts ranging from American breakfast to Swiss almond chocolate. The coffee shop offers breakfast and lunch in a family friendly environment with a view of Lake Anne and outdoor seating in warmer months. There is also free Wi-Fi available via lakeanne.net which provides internet access to the restaurants at Lake Anna Plaza.

Jammin Java
227 Maple Ave E, Vienna; 703-255-1566
Mon 9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Tues-Thurs 9 a.m. – 12 a.m., Fri-Sat 9 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Cappuccinos and lattes
Bonus: Music venue by night, Free Wi-Fi
This is anything but your ordinary coffee shop. Jammin’ Java, in Vienna, is a café by day and music venue by night. Jammin’ Java showcases local talent as well as a well rounded group of national performers with entertainment for all ages all the time including kid’s shows during the day. In the afternoons it becomes a teenage hangout for drinking coffee and doing homework.

Beanetics
7028 Columbia Pike, Annandale; 703-941-4506
Mon-Thurs 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., Fri-Sat 7 a.m. – 9 a.m., Sun 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Fresh micro-roasted coffee
Bonus: Free Wi-Fi
Limited seating keeps this coffee shop more of a to-go location, but if a fresh cup of coffee is what you want this is the place. Annandale’s only coffee roasting machine is proudly displayed in a glass case in the shop where free Wi-Fi is offered and freshly roasted coffee is served. Located along Columbia Pike, Beanetics is a convenient stop for commuters.

Fauquier County

Gusto di Vita
Warrenton Village Center (off Route 17); 540-270-6543
Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Creative flavored drinks
Bonus: Drive-through convenience
Gusto di Vita is a family-owned drive-through coffee kiosk with three locations in Virginia. They offer a variety of coffee and espresso drinks including some year-round and seasonal specialties like Mocha Divine and Pumpkin-pie Spice.

Courtesy of Red Truck Bakery

Red Truck Bakery
22 Waterloo Street, Warrenton; 540-347-2224
Mon-Sat 6:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Brewing direct trade coffee
Bonus: Bakery items including fresh bread and sweet treats
Red Truck Bakery located in a renovated old gas station in Warrenton serves fresh baked goods and fresh brewed coffee with a local and sustainable focus. They get the ingredients for their baked goods from local farms to keep their food as fresh as possible. The coffee they brew is obtained through direct trade, which means the producer is paid a fair price with no middle man.

Loudoun County

Kolache House Bakery
10008 Southpoint Parkway, Fredericksburg; 540-322-1727
Tues-Wed 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thurs- Fri 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat- Sun 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Inexpensive coffee drinks with fresh ground beans
Bonus: Czech pastries
Kolache House Bakery and Koffee Kafe is a community minded bakery that offers low-effort fundraising to local groups. They bake authentic Czech pastries including sweet and savory kolache, a slightly sweet yeast pastry and offer freshly ground coffee and espresso drinks for less than $2.50.

Mello Out
2 East Federal St, Middleburg; 540-687-8635
Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Specialty: Strong coffee and sweet treats mix in the Mello Mocha, a blend of Italian hot chocolate, espresso and steamed milk.
Bonus: Handmade marshmallows, Wi-Fi
Mello Out specializes in handmade marshmallows, but they also offer coffee and espresso drinks as well as light lunch and breakfast fare. Along with traditional coffee options they have many non-espresso alternatives, like Italian hot chocolate and warm apple cider. This cozy café is great place to grab some sweets and a little something hot to warm up in winter.

Cupcake Heaven and Café
14950 Washington St., Haymarket; 703-754-6300
Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Coffeehouse Specialty: Flavored and iced lattes
Bonus: Free Wi-Fi, cupcakes
Cupcake Heaven is a bakery and coffee shop in Haymarket that offers a rotating array of gourmet cupcakes. They even cater to those with dietary restrictions by offering gluten-free cupcakes. They offer a full coffee and espresso bar with specialty flavored drinks to compliment the sweet treats.

Shoes, Cup and Cork Club
17 North King Street, Leesburg; 571-291-9535
Mon- Sun 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Specialty: Organic fair trade coffee and espresso
Bonus: Free Wi-Fi, light breakfast and lunch
Shoes, Cup and Cork Club is located in historic downtown Leesburg in a building that was formerly a shoe repair shop. The coffee shop incorporates elements of the shoe repair shop into the décor as a tribute to the Leesburg community. They serve sandwiches and bagels as well as coffee and espresso drinks. They also offer free Wi-Fi and place to hang out playing board games or eating a long lunch.

(December 2009)