Cafe Twelve

One of the best vegetarian sandwiches I’ve had. The veggies are very fresh, and they taste delicious on the toasted bread. (I ask them to hold the sprout and avocado, just my preference lol)

We got a couple of sandwiches as we were visiting the Holocaust Museum about 5 – 10 minutes away. They were fine but it was not worth the walk. Also keep in mind that this place can only seat about 12 people so you will likely have to take your order to go. The California Chicken sandwich does not include Avocado, so not sure what is «California» about it. Also quite low on taste scale. The tuna sandwich was better. If you work there, it’s fine but otherwise I wouldn’t bother.

I’ve been working next door to this place and I regret not trying it all these months! So far I’ve only come for the Bfast, which is a great alternative (money, quality, and espicially time wise) to the Starbucks nearby. My go to is their egg/​cheese/​sausage sandwich on a bagel, which comes to 4.33 with tax, that’s a steal in my opinion. The people that work there are incredibly nice too! Coffee is ok, it does it job and pairs well with their sandwiches.

Walked in 20 min to close and they had already put everything away. No one welcomed us, just kept cleaning. When I asked if they were still open, they informed me we could only get a tuna sandwich or a chicken salad. We walked right out. Terrible customer service for a restaurant. If you’re open til 330, stay open til 330!

Neat ambience tucked in a quiet street. If you are lactose intolerant you won’t find any soy or non dairy creamer. Prices are good. Eggs were super bland.

Ok, not bad, a little disappointed that at 1 pm their pre-​made salads were sold out so we were forced to take a sandwich. Tuna a little try but the corned beef and turkey are cooked on the premise and were really good. No frills, and limited seating so we wound up eating in our vehicle. Probably will not return too many other options.

Great and fast lunch option! Turkey is sliced as you wait. Breads are fresh and delicious! Limited seating.

Are you kidding me? This place is unbelievable. The sandwiches are as fresh as it gets, with high quality meats and cheeses, and excellent bread. The veggies are cut and sliced per order, and your filling, vibrant sandwich will fill you up to help you get back on the move, whether you be sightseeing or stopping by from work. If I lived near hear this would be my go-​to sandwich shop.
I got the corned beef, and highly recommend it on the multigrain bread. Yum yum yum.
We missed out on breakfast, but I can only imagine it is wonderful, as well.

Just here visiting from Florida, great food, super clean, and fabulously priced! Staff was awesome.

We were waiting for our turn at the Bureau of Engraving to see money being made the old fashioned way (Printing it), and looked for a place nearby to eat. In a part of town where restaurants are few and far between and tourists in search of a little lunch need someplace, I’d go back in the dead of winter. The food quality is excellent. Finding it? It’s hidden in an office building on the corner and good luck on your first pass locating it. Seating? Not much. This is a take it back to your cubicle kind of place. One star down for making me forage for my sandwich and for the SRO seating. Second star off because the gals running it seem to think they’re doing you a favor to take your order. It might be one thing if they got the order right, too (They didn’t). Great sandwich? $ 8. Chips ($ 2). Fast food with bad attitude? Not priceless. There are food trucks across the street. In the warm weather I’d be so there. If it’s a day where George Washington could have crossed the Potomac on foot, then this less-​than-​tourist-​friendly sandwich slinger is your place.

Food is delicious, prices reasonable. My wife has the gyro which was amazing, my turkey sandwich was pretty good as well. There is almost no seating, and the staff were completely unhelpful.

This place is great! Steak and Cheese is made to perfection. Sub roll is okay, I prefer the sub rolls from Costco though I don’t know the difference in style. Turkey used for Turkey wrap or sandwich is hand carved from roasted turkey. Customer service is friendly and courteous. Can get a little price with chips and drink but its competive to other shops in this area. The rents are probably high. Anyways if you are on the Mall or at the nearby Smithsonian, or Le’fant then stop by. A little before 12 or after 1pm will be less crowded but it never gets too bad during lunch time. Not sure why the 2 low reviews below. One review stating staff a little stiff. Look, I come in for a good sandwich not to become friends with the staff; not that I wouldn’t, just saying focus on friendly service and good quality food. This is a deli not a 6 star restaurant. Other review about them serving breakfast after a certain time. Good they didn’t serve you they have to stick to their process that works. Get there earlier.

quick service, reasonable prices. $ 20 for two sandwiches, chips and one bottle of water. Food was fresh and moist. Limited seating

We loved it. The turkey sandwiches were so fresh. It reminded my daughter of how Mom makes sandwiches for her. And don’t forget the chocolate chip cookies. Very friendly and conveniently close to the National Mall.

I’ve been here a few times and their sandwiches are good enough. I will caution anyone not to get anything with bacon on it. I ordered a BLT with extra bacon and the bacon was pretty dry and cardboardy. It pretty much crumbled and fell out of the sandwich. Maybe they microwave it… idk. if you’re a bacon lover… this is not the place for you.

I rarely will rate a place five stars on the first visit but this seriously is such a well done deli-​style food joint that I just had to do it. Located in the museum area of the city (I was visiting from out of town) this is one of few places that seemed anywhere near legit for an 11am meal. However, even if there was a slew of competition I have no doubt this place would still take the crown.
I’m a HUGE fan of sandwiches and to me a good sandwich all comes down to fresh ingredients, great quality, fresh bread and sandwich construction (the thing can’t be falling apart every bite etc.). There is literally not one thing that the sandwiches at this place missed. I was dumbfounded when I ordered a turkey sandwich and a real roasted turkey breast was pulled out of a roaster, fresh-​sliced and weighed (for ultimate consistency). Boars Head is one thing but fresh roasted and hand-​sliced turkey is in a whole other league. The rest of the ingredients were super-​fresh and blew any sandwich I’ve had in the last three years (at least) completely out of the water. To top it off, the bread, which is typically hard to pull off, was incredibly fresh and there were several options to choose from.
After enjoying what was possibly the best fresh turkey sandwich ever, I had to ask about the pastrami and roast beef. It turns out both are made in-​house as well.
In all, this place is top-​notch. Owners of restaurants should take note. This place is pure quality and passion for simplistic and common foods. But it is the simple foods knocked out of the park that make for a great culinary experience. This was not just a turkey sandwich, it was an experience all of its own!

I found this place by using this app and I was attracted to it because of it’s four star rating. When I entered the restaurant I was, first, wondering how this place got four stars because it looks like just a normal café, and, second, I was surprised to see it mainly just sells sandwiches. But, one thing is for sure, this tiny café is a prime example of the saying, «you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover».
The menu has many different sandwiches to chose from, along with 30 or so chip varieties to chose from. Also, many of the chips are organic or kettle cooked (that is always a plus for me). I ordered a tuna sandwich, and wasn’t expecting much, but it was amazing! One of the best tuna sandwiches that I have ever had! Also, the ingredients were fresh and it was very noticeable.
Although the diner was small, it was very clean and even though I dined in for a short period of time, I saw workers every ten minutes or so stocking chips, cups, etc. and cleaning tables and chairs. Also, the customer service was very friendly.
Definitely a 5 star rating from me! I would eat lunch at Café Twelve everyday if I lived in the DC area.

The best sandwiches I’ve ever had. Mr and Mrs. Kim are the best!!! I strongly suggest the steak and cheese sandwich. I can literally eat here everyday! :)

I ate a late lunch here today with a friend. We ordered and shared the grilled vege pita and the CA chicken sandwich ($ 7 each). Both orders were easy to customize and had a flavorful yet clean, non-​greasy taste. We sat down at stools facing the window, looking out at the city. The café is small and cozy but has very limited seating that made the atmosphere cramped at times. We also went back to the front to order a giant chocolate chunk cookie ($ 2). The staff was very friendly and accommodating and we left feeling satisfied.

Pro: Sandwiches are really good (steak and cheese, gyro).
Con: seating for about 10 ppl.