Compass Coffee

Nice coffee, good business. The type of people who cram into this store on weekends turns me off, so I just grabbed a latte to go.

I had gone to the 7^th street location and loved their coffee, so was super excited that they opened another location closer to me! Love their 7^th Street and Cardinal coffees that I use as my everyday coffee. Every time I have gone into the store, the baristas have been nice and helpful.

Great store and great coffee. I love the physical space – the second level is a really good place to get some work done.
I also love that they have both still and sparkling water on tap that customers can get for themselves. This is a really nice touch that makes a surprisingly big difference.
All in all a really good addition to the DC coffee scene.

I prefer this location because it’s quieter and way less busy. There’s very minimal seating upstairs, but same great service and beverages. This is a good location if you want to run in and grab and go, rather than park in there forever. I’m just sad the seasonal ginger lattes are gone. Bring them back, please!

The big new compass coffee in the posh part of shaw (RIP the flea market that used to be in this spot) is so cute and such a nice addition to the hood. Smaller than the original, this place is adorable, with loft seating and a nice big window to look out on 8^th street. I wonder if they will have outdoor seating come spring?
I’m not a big coffee drinker, but enjoyed my latte, and the service was top notch! Ill be sure to stop by when needing a caffeine or pastry fix in the hood.

Compass coffee has changed my life, no seriously, it has. From my first sip of their delicious caffeinated goodness, I’ve been hooked. Even though I live nowhere near either of their locations, I will make it a point to visit at least once a week. Their coffee actually tastes like coffee. You don’t need all the extra syrups and flavors a la Starbucks to mask the flavor. It tastes good all on its own. I’ve had pretty much everything they offer from the cold brew to their seasonal lattes and they are equally delicious. The space itself is bright, clean and inviting. My only qualm is that their serving sizes are TINY for what you’re paying. A 12 oz. medium will set you back about $ 5 but this is a DC based company so I’m ok with paying a little more to support the little guys. Thank you Compass for changing my world! :)

I’ve tried Compass Coffee about a dozen times in the past year. They do not measure up to Peregrine, Wydown, Le Colombe, The Coffee Bar, or any of the other small batch shops in the city.
Their nitro pour cold brew is the one exception, as it is unique to Compass.
I really want to like them, but am always disappointed. Their new location is even more of a disappointment. Unlike their 7^th St location, the small space with uncomfortable miniature stools makes it clear they don’t want people sticking around very long. Plus, the «small» size is insultingly small — it adds to the growing list of reasons why I go out less in DC than any other city in which I have lived.

You really can’t get better than compass coffee. I came for the opening of the second location and they were already running a great operation. In addition to great great coffee their pastries and sandwiches really stand out. Their whole beans are a great buy and so consistently fresh that the beans bloom with regularity if you use a French Press. Plus, if you like puppies follow their Instagram!

Beautiful, glistening little shop with super friendly staff. In fact, after ordering my coffee the other day I realized I’d forgotten my wallet in the rush to get out the door with my 1 year-​old for an early morning walk. As I was turning to go home and get money, one of the baristas insisted on paying for my latte.
Great coffee experience– a breath of fresh air from all those pretentious hipster coffee-​snob spots around…

As a HUGE DC fanatic, I am so proud of DC born Compass Coffee expanding. This location is the second location of it’s mothership just a few blocks away and located in The Shay in Shaw. It’s a beautiful space with a very different feel from the original. This new location has a trendy, urban feel to it with upstairs seating and exposed pipes. It’s very urban.
Like the original location, the coffee and food is amazing and the staff friendly. There’s free wifi. This location also offers grab and go food like salads (kale salad, etc). They also have still and sparkling water on tap for free.
Next time you’re in the area, stop by one of DC’s finest coffee shops! If you like a tad swete drink, try their nutella mocha. It’s amazing and perfectly chocolate-​y.