La Colombe Coffee

The best iced coffee I have ever had!!! My friend made the suggestion to go here after we saw the line at Starbucks and didn’t have time for it. The interior was very clean and contemporary. Staff were very helpful and friendly. I ordered the pure black iced coffee on tap and I have to say it was the smoothest and richest tasting iced coffee I have ever experienced. I only subtract one star because they only offer one size (about 16 ounces) and maybe thats enough for most, but personally suffering from a caffeine addiction it was not enough.

This could be in the running for top 3 favorite coffee shops of all time if it weren’t for its one glaring flaw– no wifi. Seriously. What coffee shop in 2016 doesn’t have wifi?
Don’t come here if you’re looking to catch up on some work with a good cup of joe and a cool environment. For that, you’re better off elsewhere. This is a great place to take someone though.

Super friendly staff, bomb-​ass coffee, free sparkling water on tap, good music. Love La Colombe! Their cold brew is really really good.

la colombe, unfortunately, was a bit of a disappointment. don’t get me wrong, the coffee was delicious. i just felt unwelcome and unwanted and as if i had to get out as quickly as possible. the brick walls are cute but somehow the spacing of the tables is such that the place does not feel cozy. the other little downside is that getting here is a bit of a challenge. i do think i chose the hardest possible way to get here, but the construction on massachusetts avenue made it so that i was walking on the street right alongside traffic, and then walking through puddles the rest of the way (because in dc the streets get watered in the morning, it’s a thing).
all of that said, the coffee itself is really great so if that is all you care about then la colombe is the place for you!

Friendly service and great natural light. The draft latte is delicious. It tastes like a dessert drink. There’s plenty of tables for seating but the music is really loud so not ideal for conversation or working unless you have noise cancelling headphones. I don’t see any electrical outlets so I’m not sure if there’s any place to charge devices.
I got the fig and cheese pastry. The taste is great but I think it’s old because the outside is really hard and it’s pretty dry. I bet when these things are fresh they’re amazing.

I love condense milk, and I love almond milk lattes. Naturally, I ate up all the hype about condense milk almond milk latte from La Colombe. When I finally ordered my own to try, it’s was just okay and was not amazing. Don’t get me wrong, it was good. But the reason for this 3 star review is because my fiancé ordered their pour over coffee, and it lacked body. There’s a sense of clear flavor and boldness you expect from a pour over, but neither one of us tasted that. It was quite acidic and almost tasted water down. Also, the price is a little over $ 7 for it, so we both had higher expectation. I would say pour over from A Baked Joint or Four Barrel Coffee is better.

I would study here everyday… but I don’t have enough data on my phone for that. There is no wifi here! And that’s the only complaint I have.
I got the regular drip coffee from La Colombe and LOVED it. I’m not a huge coffee snob, but after having their coffee I don’t think I can drink instant Folgers coffee anymore. Uh oh.
The shop has a nice open concept and is brightly lit with natural lighting. The ceilings are high and the shop is constantly busy, but it doesn’t echo. I can study here even without earplugs.
There is free water and sparkling water on the cashier counter for you to drink. The mugs are very hipster and very snapchat worthy.

Since the summer of 2014, I’ve been obsessed with La Colombe. I went to the Tribeca location in NY, got an iced coffee that blew my mind and I’ve been talking this place up ever since!
I hadn’t been to this location yet and since I was nearby, two friends and I decided to go. I absolutely love the atmosphere of this location (as I do all of their locations) So airy and open. The little upstairs nook is a dream come true, even though we didn’t get to sit there, it looked very cool. I got a latte that was just perfection. My friend ordered a draft latte (whoa, so creamy and delicious) and a black and tan (equally excellent).
What I love so much about this and every location I’ve been to are the people and the quality of the coffee and usually you have to sacrifice one for the other. They serve exceptional coffee and the people? Extremely nice and chill. You can tell that they take a lot of time considering who to be the face of their company and they are excelling at it. How could you ever be in a bad mood in the environment they create?
Stellar. Stellar. Stellar. You guys are the best!

My drink of choice at this coffee shop: Draft latte with light ice and an extra shot. Makes it perfectly drinkable for me. The latte is so creamy and delicious. I now go to this place way too often for what is suppose to be a once in awhile treat.
I had no idea it was a chain outside of DC. But apparently they are mass producing these draft lattes so that is exciting.
The atmosphere is pretty chill and the people that come here seem to be very diverse.

I had a 4:30pm coffee date with a friend who suggested Chinatown Coffee, but I texted her to change the location last minute because: 1) Chinatown Coffee is too loud and serves up their coffee with too much ‘tude; 2) I had wanted to try the La Colombe in DC ever since I heard it was coming here, as I fondly remember the potent iced coffee that I enjoyed in their SoHo location two years ago.
True to La Colombe form, the space feels airily loft-​like: lots of wood with brick walls and exposed pipe. I felt beautiful just by being there. Like, I kind of want to get married at La Colombe (Big Bear Café is another contender as well).
Because it was late afternoon, I opted for a decaf tea. The cashier informed me that there were merely two decaf options: chamomile or peppermint. I totally misheard the second option and replied, shocked, «Pepper tea?!» He laughed nicely and repeated the options. I know it’s a coffee shop, so I wouldn’t expect them to offer a diverse variety of tea, but I do think they should up their tea game for those of us who sometimes need a break from coffee, or to be more inclusive of non-​coffee drinkers. It also bugs me that they charge an extra 25 cents or so for coffee if it’s decaf, as it punishes those of us who are susceptible to being over-​caffeinated. Also, the peppermint tea was fine — not sure how exciting that flavor can REALLY be — but I loved the intricately painted mug and saucer it came on and wanted to steal them.
The *best* part was that we found seats in a small elevated nook in the corner, separated from the rest of the café by a flight of stairs. It felt so cozy and special to have our own private VIP area looking onto the 6^th and I Synagogue.
Go for the ambiance and coffee. Not the tea.

Beyond the place being beautiful with a mix of urban, brick goodness … The natural light was fantastic. There is this cool table on a stepped up high-​rise that would be my idea of introvert heaven.
The barista was incredibly knowledgable about coffee and talked to me about notes, flavors, etc. he let me try coffees and was just cool.
Highly recommend if in DC (and especially close to the convention center).

One of the best coffee shops in the neighborhood. I have been to many of their locations in other cities as well and this one is just as good as the rest of them. Definitely try their draft coffees and the cortado is always spot on here!

When looking for coffee shops to try whilst I’m on vacation — my plus 1 always makes fun of me, because I have but one requirement… IT MUST BE CUTE. Anyone else out there fall in the same category? Sure, there are places that are cute and the coffee is crap, but I had a good feeling about this one. Not only because of the intriguing menu choices, but because they’re SO good, that this is just one of their several locations. They must be doing something right.
I overheard some trendy boho floral dress wearing blogger-​type in the shop telling her bestie over flat-​lay Instagram shots that this was super new and super now — and I couldn’t agree more. It seemed to be built into a narrow old building, with another building twice the size off the first level, creating a multi-​level La Columbe universe. The cups and dishes were all hand-​painted, and the service was so fast, and sincerely friendly. They even offered to help us pick out a bag to take home when we must have looked like dumb-​struck tourists. Awesome customer service.
I ordered the Black & Tan (pure black cold press, and their nitro latte… both on TAP WHAAAAAT), and it was smooth and creamy, with bitterness nowhere in sight. It was served with a tiny plate and a spoon to stir, and paired with their soft and chewy apple pastry-​pie (and let’s be honest I got the berry kouign-​amann too) I was on a legal high for the next few hours. Peter E. got the Red Eye, which was tasty AF. The furnishings were all simplistic and wooden with metal accents, like a page right out of your Pinterest feed. There was the perfect amount of natural lighting, and the bathrooms were clean and classy. I woulda stayed there for the remainder of my trip if I coulda. As much as this tourist’s opinion counts for anything, if we had La Columbe in Mpls, I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

I upgraded my review from 3 to 4 stars due to my positive experience today. It was getting semi-​busy and it felt like I was waiting an eternity until the third worker jumped in and took my order. The barista wasn’t snooty or pretentious this time around. I will go here again if I”m in the area.

Draft latte. hearts. Nitro brew. stars.
Perfect flavor. Not too strong or bitter for the average palette.
Black and tan, best of both worlds. fireworks.
Small variety of select pastries. Menu of regular coffee house espresso drinks. Great coffee stop, but don’t look for more like small bites or a lite lunch.
Draft latte, though? Aaahhhh amazing.

All you want in a coffee shop that takes coffee seriously. Good roasts, simple selection, friend and knowledgeable staff.
Location is lovely, perfect for sipping coffee (I recommend the Cortado) and working on a cold, rainy day.

We are pretty much equidistant between DC’s two La Colombe locations (I know, so spoiled!), but the Chinatown location is now our go-​to. It has more space, FRIENDLIER STAFF (perhaps the biggest perk), and just has a brighter, more open feel to it (mostly because of the shape of this location not resembling a galley kitchen). Same great coffee, same great sweets (from my fav, Rare Sweets). And I don’t know if they finally have a menu posted in the Blagden Alley location, but there IS a menu here. Praise the Lord, the pretentiousness got knocked down a peg.
Best coffee in DC, hands down.

Nailed it. I loved this shop before I even went inside. Everything from the exterior, to the inside layout, to the staff, and of course the coffee is tip top excellentness.
A friend and I went on a Sunday afternoon to escape the madness that Chinatown shopping can be. La Colombe is an oasis in the neighborhood. I wasn’t sure what I wanted so the barista asked me a few questions leading to «have you ever had a nitro brew latte draft» which I had never heard of. She gave me a sample and BAM! I was sold. It’s sweet, smooth, refreshing, and unique. I highly recommend.
As someone who works remotely, this location looks prime for getting some work done. There are tons of individual tables in a room framed with windows and mirrors to make you feel less packed in. There is also a lovely table in a lofted area that looks the most dreamy. They’ve got snacks and beverages galore as well as a helpful and sweet spirited staff. I’m all about this new location, Very excited to make many return trips.

Another awesome coffee shop from la columbe.
They seem to have more options than the Blagden alley, but I haven’t been to that one in a while. But they also have… draft latte
It’s like a nitro brew but with daily. I’m not sure it it’s milk or cream or something they conjured up in the 9^th dimension, but it’s good.
Oh yeah, they seem to have upped the caffeine content on their coffee. So, be warned. Or think of it as BETTER VALUE!

Viola — the best!

I’m a pretty huge coffee snob from San Francisco, where I consider a coffee renaissance underway, with players like Blue Bottle, Sightglass, Four Barrel, Philz, Ritual, Bicycle, etc. rising over the past decade… so take this with a grain of salt.
The ambience of this place is solid, but a regular black cup of coffee reminded me a whole lot of the acrid flavor one gets from a cup of Starbucks. I took two sips and poured it out.
Comparatively speaking, it doesn’t hold a candle to Chinatown Coffee, which is about a block away and brews with a technique and beans that remind me a lot more of the West Coast powerhouses I cherish.

THE COFFEE IS STRONG. Like, someone just slapped you in the face strong.
My friend got a cortado and hubby got a latte and both were so strong that I could only take a sip. The caffeine hit is instantaneous!
They also sample — they let us try their nitro latte — really yummy.
Love the space — it’s super clean and super naturally lit. It’s got gorgeous wood and brick walls and the setup is super minimalistic.
Be sure to check out their table on the «second floor» — it’s a single table w/​high top chairs but has the best views (ps — also has outlets :)). No wifi tho.
I think they serve draft coffee here too — but didn’t try it.

This shop is lovely and staff are very friendly. However there is no wifi, and to my understanding the owner doesn’t want to pay and offer it to customers because he thinks he will lose money. Not a fan of this. Went their to have coffee and work on a report. Got one of the two done. The latte was delicious. $ 4 with tip, served in a gorgeous cup, but kinda small. Walked there through the storm. It was still a fun journey:) won’t return though I’m here all week. Unfortunately when I have the time to sit and have a latte or other, I’m also multi tasking and trying to finish reports etc.

Yay! Another good coffee place opened in Chinatown, DC. I can’t tell if I like this place better or Chinatown Coffee Co, but I’m glad someone else also knows their stuff! The vibe here is awesome and I love the one seat tucked upstairs. Staff is knowledgeable and the light roast latte with almond milk (yes, they have almond milk!) is smooth, not bitter, and velvety. Also, they have great pastries and the monkey bread filled with cinnamon goodness is one of them!

If you are in the Chinatown area and are huge coffee lover then this little coffee shop at the corner of 6^th and I street is your place to go. Warning though this place gets packed at peak hours and it will be very difficult to find a seat. You might have to awkwardly stand for a few minutes with your coffee cup at hand until you find a seat. If you dont mind sitting at the commuter table then you might be able to find a seat there.
Although I am not a huge coffee lover/​drinker I still like to venture out and try out different coffee shops. However, on this particular day I was craving a hot vanilla chai latte. Unfortunately, this place had very limited options in non-​coffee drinks. If you want something that is not coffee or hot chocolate then this might not be the place to go. After hearing that they didn’t make any chai lattes, I was trying to ask the barista what he recommended for a person who wanted a lighter coffee drink. He didn’t really let me finish my sentence and he said he could make me a sweet almond latte. I guess he knew what I was going to ask already? Cool… I guess? After trying the latte I was a dissapointed that 1) it was not sweet at all and 2) it had a strong and bitter coffee taste. I don’t recommend this drink if you are trying to ease your way into the coffee world. Next time I’ll just stick to their hot chocolate.

I have been to the other location in DC before but the line was so agressively long on the Saturday morning that I was there that I ended up never trying their coffee. Luckily, this location had no line on the weekday morning when I made it in to try. It is much more spacious than the Shaw location. There is a fair-​ish amount of seating. It might get crowded on a weekend. It is really pretty inside with the exposed brick. My latte was very good but I still love Dolcezza best for lattes in town (though the size of the latte for the price is larger here). I really enjoyed my fig danish too. I don’t ever work in coffeeshops but apparently there is no wifi if that matters to you. Service was not super friendly but it was ok. I will probably go back when I’m in the area.

I’m so glad La Colombe decided to add another DC spot. Beautiful light and space here… and lots of tables and seating here.
Cool, friendly staff.
Hands down the best Cortado in DC.

Cool décor and vibe in this coffee shop. Note: No wifi, few accessible outlets, and decently loud music… Perhaps not a good place to come to do work/​be productive.
I appreciate the suggestions to get the draft latte ($ 3.75). SO GOOD. I’ve never seen a latte on draft and I’ve never had a cold drink with so much foam (I don’t understand how they do it!). This drink gets a 5 star rating.
We also got the black iced coffee ($ 2.75) and it was pretty meh. It actually tasted watery, which was a letdown after having such a positive experience with the latte. If I’m a connoisseur of anything in life, it’s iced coffee, and the cup we got just wasn’t very good. I’d give it 2 – 3 stars.
Overall, I liked the look of this place and loved the draft latte! Would not get the iced coffee again, but would return for another latte (and to try their cortado).

Wonderful coffee, amazing café. For me, American espresso is usually burned-​tasting and simply mediocre at best. This place has one of the best coffees I have ever tasted, not only in the US. Highly recommending this place for studying or just to chill on a rainy day :-)

i first went to the la colombe in shaw after my friend recommended it to me after visiting their flagship in philly. i wasn’t super impressed as i had not so great service and they didn’t have a menu.
i decided to give it another try (at this new location on the border of chinatown) because i was in the area and needed a little pick me up. i have since been back twice this week because i am obsessed with their draft latte! add a little simple syrup and drink it with the lid off. the foam is so airy and it just tastes better that way!
if the foam is too much you can get a black and tan which has a little less foam and more cold brew. also really delicious.
the space is really cool. the pastries are ok. the people who work there are super friendly. and of course… the draft latte is a dream. wish i had one right now!

Ever since I first stepped into La Colombe in Philly, I’ve been happily patronizing (yes, that is the definition of frequenting a store as a customer) this chain. There’s another location in Mount Vernon Square, but I’ve loving this new location. The space is much larger and there’s more seating. Minimalist and modern décor, brick walls, exposed pipes, dangling lights, wooden tables and chairs, seating typically for 1 – 2 people but also a large community table, stairs up to a cozy nook with a table large enough for four surrounded by large windows, and a general sense of openness.
They have a menu as soon as you walk in. Whether you want drip coffee, your daily cortado, or a draft latte (BEST DRINK EVER), this La Colombe can hook you up AND for both dark and light roasts (hence the classic versus workshop options). Come in and take your coffee here to get their signature Deruta Raffaellesco ceramic cups and saucers, which I can’t get enough of. They also have whole beans for sale and they can grind the beans for you.
No Wi-​Fi so you won’t get the usual space hoarders and their electronics. It still gets crowded here, but we were lucky enough to snag two spots at the large community table. Great spot to enjoy a cup of Joe and soak in that third-​wave, independent coffee movement.

3.5, Beautiful space, decent pastries, and good coffee!
I stopped in during the 1^st week of opening, I’m almost positive that everything that I found flawed will fix themselves by the time I visit again. I decided to wait about two months. The entire transaction lacked fluidity, it seemed like the cashiers were extremely confused on who was doing what. They were kind of both taking the orders, trying to get the pastries, and putting my coffee order in. My latte wasn’t as hot as I would have liked it to be, but the flavor was great. I’m not sure if it was forgotten, but my croissant was served cold. Maybe they don’t have a way to heat the pastries, not sure. Either way, I ended up taking them to go and heating it up at home. They were both yummy! I will definitely be back in a few months!

This review may be better read from the perspective of finding a café to get some work done.
Visited the other day and had a great coffee, its a cool location, and looks cool but wasn’t conducive to getting work done or having a conversation. The music was loud making it difficult to focus or really have a conversation. Staff also seemed agitated which was a bit off putting.
Maybe I caught them on an off day. Will check them out again and see if it was a one time experience.

In theory, La Colombe is the perfect Stumptown Stand In for a DC café scene SERIOUSLY lacking in decent coffee.
In practice, La Colombe falls a little short. I ordered a latte, however it tasted slightly burnt. I am by no means a coffee expert but I know when the beans are over-​roasted.
However, it is a bitchin place to sit and work. The décor is great, the hardwood benches are beautiful. A lot of DC coffee shops lack ambiance. (I’m looking at you every Starbucks and Corner Bakery ever.) This place is not one of those. No, there is no wifi; stop whining and start working.
This review’s 4^th star is for the atmosphere and friendly baristas. Special shout out to the man that helped me clean up the water bottle I spilled all over the floor.

The coffee here is delicious. You won’t find anything better in the city. Also, and just as importantly, the baristas are so warm and offer awesome service. One night I came in 2 minutes past closing time, Barista Drew took pity on me since I’d walked over in the cold and offered me a coffee — no charge (they’d shut down their machines already). That type of thoughtfulness is why this is my new coffee spot.
Thanks for a great experience La Colombe! I’n sure there will be many more
P. S. Elaph (I think she is the manager — also, not sure about spelling) is great and makes an effort to remember your name. Love that

Coffee here is great. Baristas? Not so much. Came in and asked for a soy latte. They didn’t have soy milk. When I asked if they were out or just don’t carry it, the barista pretentiously responded and said they will «never carry soy milk» and the only alternative was almond. So rude.
I will probably occasionally still come back since the coffee is good and it’s close to my apt, but the baristas need to lose the bad attitude. Really makes me wish Compass Coffee were in this space instead.
Oh yeah, no wifi. It’s 2015. You’re a coffee shop. Get with it. Be more like Compass. Thanks.

UPDATE: The coffee scene is now in Washington, DC and La Colombe may take the cake (or scone) for best coffee shop in DC. This is Todd Carmichael’s second DC location and it’s on point. Here’s why:
1) Location– It’s on 6^th & I Street NW in between two hot neighborhoods (Mt. Vernon Square and Chinatown). It’s Metro accessible and literally next to the synagogue making a coffee run before that concert easy (If you get here before 7PM).
2) Atmosphere– They perfected the stage DC is in with how they designed the place. It’s a modern take on the old with its brick walls and exposed pipes along the ceiling.
3) Seating– Compared to La Colombe’s original Blagden Alley location, there’s more seating here with small tables to both your right and left including a long table to one side and another long table in a raised nook.
4) Coffee + Food– The coffee is always on point and this place gave me my first experience of NOT putting additional sugar in my iced latte. They gave me a draft latte and it’s perfectly foamy and doesn’t need sugar. It’s not sweet but it’s so quality and smooth it doesn’t need anything else. The food offerings include quality pastries of all kind and a section of grab and go offerings.
5) The staff– Confident, knowledgeable about the art of coffee without being snobs, and friendly. Drew the manager is the best!
Please go here ASAP. It will be the hottest coffee shop in town soon enough.
FYI: If you’re looking for wifi, go to Chinatown Coffee, Starbucks or Busboys and Poets nearby. Like all La Colombes, there’s no wifi. I see it as them encouraging us to forgo the distraction of technology and to enjoy the best coffee with a great book.
Disclaimer: This hasn’t opened yet, but knowing La Colombe, this place will be awesome! I’ll do a real review once it opens. Stay tuned.