Illy

For those working in the southern DuPont or Foggy bottom areas, there are very few coffee options aside from Starbucks. Thank goodness the Renaissance hotel opened an Illy’s. The coffee is actually fresh and more on the European side – not like the watered down bitter drip coffee from other shops. Their specialty drinks such as the lattes and mochas are made to perfection. Sometimes you want to get away from Starbucks and have a richer and more flavorful European coffee experience.
Though Illy’s itself is small and sometimes feels overly packed, the hotel provides plenty of lounge space to enjoy your beverage, surf the Internet, or just people watch.
Highly recommend if you are in the area, but be patient, service is hit or miss.

Pretty cool spot. Came here Sunday morning and was able to order my cappuccino immediately. The little coffee shop opens to the hotel lounge. There are a bunch of couches and cute little sitting areas. It would be a good place to come do some studying/​work — it’s not too loud but not super quiet. It’s also not crowded which is a huge plus.
I’m not super knowledgable about coffee — but I did enjoy mine! I would come back.

I work nearby but I’ve never had enough time to buy a cup of illy coffee. I was delighted when I realized that the hotel I booked for the night had an illy shop attached. Inside is small but posh and immaculate. The hotel lobby is swanky and has plenty of sitting space.
For my first order, I decided to go with their version of a Caramel Machiatto. I was thoroughly impressed with the smooth velvety texture and I’m not one for rich, sweet drinks but this was a quality drink that I couldn’t help to indulge in. I wouldn’t get this on the daily but it was a special treat.
The next day I ordered my go-​to hazelnut latte, and I fell completely in love. The drink wasn’t as sweet and it didn’t have that chemical-​y, artifiical hazelnut flavor that starbucks has (sorry! I ain’t a starbucks hata really!) The hazelnut taste was subtle and the latte was just liquid heaven in a cup. My coffee also had a cute foamy heart which made me happy because Iatte art makes your coffee taste better (to me anyways)
If this place was on my way to work then I’d have to restrain myself from getting a cup everyday. So stop by, live a little, and indulge yourself with a delightfully sweet illy latte!

ILY ILLY. (I LOVE YOU ILLY).
Discovered this place right by the hotel I was staying at. This location is also BOMB because it’s connected to the hotel and the seating area is GORGEOUS. I would definitely come study here or do work if I lived in DC especially since it makes me feel so glam. The coffee is delicious and strong. I ordered a cappuccino and it was the perfect amount of foam.
YES to coming back to this place. Solid coffee and great décor for catching up with a friend or doing some work. Kind of weird it’s like connected to the hotel lobby– but it’s amazing so you have to check it out.

Illy prepares the best espresso based drinks in the city at a fairly reasonable price. Additionally, there is ample seating right outside the Illy since it is connected to the Renaissance Hotel lobby. It is a nice place to read. The only negative (which perhaps may be a positive due to fewer distractions) is the lack of free WiFi. I have never been unable to sit down here which I can’t say for most other DC coffee shops, such as Bourbon down the street. Bonus points for serving drinks in actual cups rather than to go containers when you specify that you are staying. And you get a small discount for staying vs togo.

Most excellent coffee beverages with very fast, friendly staff. Really enjoyed a latte in the very pleasant tiny modern café. Space was very clean, and opens to the gorgeous Renaissance lobby. Plenty of outdoor tables on the sidewalk with a nice view of the busy intersection. Also ingested a very fresh and tasty lemon poppyseed muffin from the bakery offerings.

Best coffee shop in the Washington DC area. Presentation is very sleek, very reminiscent of one of its Euro counterparts. It’s seating is either outside or inside the hotel immediately connected to it with only two stools inside the actual bar itself. There could easily be four, but aside from the limitations in seating, it’s just about perfect. Expensive coffee, but it’s really good.

ATTENTION COFFEE LOVERS (um addicts)
Hands down the BEST cup of coffee to be had. The baristas here are so nice and really know how to create and serve a great cup of coffee. Another perk… it seems like the employees here really enjoy their jobs, because they are always so upbeat.

We don’t have this chain where I live so I wanted to check it out. It’s a tight little location with some nice seating outside.
The service was decent, fast but nothing overly pleasant or rude or anything. More like efficient over all. In and out.
I had a Filtro Con Latte or something like that. It was light on the steamed milk and not all that great, it was decent.
Their credit card machines were down and it was an all cash operation. It looked to be a regular thing since the sign was printed. Somewhat inconvenient.
Don’t think I’d stop in again though, too many other coffee places to try.

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I’m addicted to illy coffee.
I found out about this coffee shop through Unilocal (once again, Unilocal is saving lives). It’s a small shop, connected to the Renaissance Hotel, in close proximity to my job.
There’s a lot to love about illy. Their coffee is flavorful and smooth. Their prices are decent. Their seating area is in the lobby of a fancy hotel. I mean really, what’s not to love?
PS: try their chocolate muffin! I bought it randomly one evening because I was hungry. It was really good!
PPS: if you decide to come during the morning rush, expect to wait in this small space, which is less than optimal. Instead, I’d encourage you to grab your coffee during off-​peak hours.

Love this place! Glad they have it here, the one we been to is in pallazo hotel in Vegas. This is no ordinary cofee shop, their drinks are really good, this shop is small though connected to a hotel. There is patio sitting outside with a nice view if the city

This is a no frills, straight up coffee place.
It’s small, so don’t except to come and chill for hours on end. It’s attached to the Renaissance Hotel lounge, but it’s not quite the same as going to coffee shop where you’re meant to spread out. I don’t they sell food either (though I wasn’t really looking out for it).
BUT, none of that matters cause the coffee is GOOD.
I haven’t tried all the coffee places in DC yet, but this is one I will be coming back to (even if it’s out of my way). Two thumbs up for the Cappuccino :)

This review by no means is a reflection of the coffee, because illy is consistently top-​notch, but instead of the establishment.
Please keep in mind that this location is a small annex of the hotel lobby. It is tiny, ideal for order to go or to order and go sit in the hotel lobby, as there are only 3 or 4 stools in there. They offer pastries, croissants, etc. but are unable to toast them, which can be disappointing for those looking for the perfect bread product to pair with their morning coffee. They did have a toaster, but it was only for bagel slices.
My colleague and I were in town for a conference and picked illy for breakfast since it is our favorite coffee. So, we were saddened to find that it was compact, limited food, and very to-​go style. In essence, it isn’t a great place for breakfast. Next time, I shall come prepared and grab my coffee to go or be sure to come with my own toaster.

I love Illy coffee and this place maintains the quality standard for the brand. Very smooth.
Try to get here after the morning rush; the place is small and each drink is made as it’s ordered, so there may be wait.
I like to take my drink into the hotel lounge that opens from the coffee shop.
Great place for a lunch time walk in the spring.
Haven’t tried the baked goods, just the outstanding coffee.

Location, location, location.
This is your typical illy café, sleek, white, and modern. What’s special is the seating area is the lounge of the Renaissance Hotel, making it an incredible nice place to get coffee. It’s a very classy setting — dark, large soft lounge chairs, and an ambient noise level, making it a really ideal location to spend an afternoon.
Once you’ve had a cup of Illy, your typical fast-​food coffee (I’m looking at you Starbucks) sucks. Of course, you could head to any of DC’s Starbucks — there are 1.181 Starbucks per 10,000 people in DC — but you won’t be getting delicious espresso there. Don’t worry, the price isn’t significantly more than Starbucks and you’ll enjoy seating area lot more. There’s no WiFi so be prepared to socialize, read a book, or enjoy a warm Viennese Latte.
I’ve had illy brewed elsewhere (including with the same beans at home), and there’s this distinct taste that you can never achieve with other beans. Flavorful and rich, the way you would imagine the best coffee to be.

This is a coffee café connected to the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel. I went here everyday — sometimes multiple times a day — to drink coffee.
First, this is Illys Coffee, which is amazing and there is no comparison with Starbucks. Second, the service here is great. The staff recognized me after a while and knew how I ordered after a week. Third, the place is small, but with the lobby open to patrons, it is a go to place to really enjoy yourself and discuss plans/​business with others. There is also a bar in the lobby if you would like to spike your drink.
The bathrooms are well maintained and the seating is comfortable. The only issue I have with the place is not on the service or the coffee, but on the wifi and cell service. For some reason, I could not get on the internet. If I had access, I would have no reason to go back to the office. Besides that, I love coming here.
I tried practically all of their choices and I must say that the Coffee Black is my favorite. I really taste the quality in the regular coffee rather than dowsing the cup with milk or sugar.

There are few gems of coffee in D.C. There’s Chinatown coffee in Penn/​Chinatown and Peregrine is Eastern Market. Now, this may sound controversial, but I would say that illy’s coffee is able to bat with both of these big boys.
No, you’re not going to get your hipster baristas who do amazing latte art. There is no girl with a bandanna on and tattoo sleeves running down her arms. But, the lady at illy makes a killer latte and cappuccino.
As far as the atmosphere goes, it doesn’t really have the coffee shop atmosphere. This is definitely a grab and go type place attached to a hotel. But, that being said, if you wanted to go on a date here — they have some pretty nice sofas and cushions in the hotel lounge that you can go sit down in to go feel bougie.

Love, love, love Illy coffee. The aroma is something I’ve not found in any other bean. They make some beautiful espresso drinks here. Have it for here if at all possible. Since it’s located in the bottom of the Renaissance Hotel, you can sit in their lounge to savor.
One of the only Illy cafés in DC, but, was also one of the first finds in this city that made us so happy to be in DC!

Better than Starbucks… Just not as cozy. Still they are attached to the Renaissance Hotel’s lounge which is absolutely lovely so that makes it up for it. Plus they give you real cups if you ask instead of disposable ones.
I had a macchiato and my boyfriend opted for a latte. Both were perfect, foamy and rich. The barista was friendly and particularly helpful when it came to selecting a drink for my boyfriends mother, who happens to have certain dietary restrictions. I really liked the quality of illy coffee and wish they had an actual store in Dallas as well.

Good Coffee. Good Coffee shop. Attached to a hotel of some sorts with a comfy area to sit and drink. If you have to choose between starbucks or this… choose Illy!

Nous logeons au One Washington Circle où le breakfast n’est pas inclus. Ça nous a donné l’occasion de découvrir cet endroit sans prétention où le personnel est prévenant et le café excellent. Il y a une terrasse, et on peut aussi s’asseoir dans le lobby de l’hôtel voisin.