Ok, so I love me some black lion cafe! The staff is so kind! The space is honestly a vibe and it is literally setup for "hey come spend the day working here". I cannot recommend them more. So when it comes to coffee, I have been drinking it since I was 7 (thanks Grama) and this coffee is the bomb.com. I love Ethiopian coffee, bold, flavorful, and strong. The food is also good! I stick to cute lunch stuff, tuna on a croissant chicken salad, turkey bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant. All good options. I have heard the sweet treats are good as well. There is lots of metered street parking and a few Montgomery county garages walking distance. Check then out! read more

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I'll at least give one star because it's a very cute coffee shop but I'll probably never go here again. I ordered an iced coffee drink and a double espresso for me and my friend. When I saw that the cashier rung me up for an espresso con panna I asked her if that was just a double espresso or something else (knowing full well it was something else). She then asked me if I wanted one or two double espressos and I just said one, and she said that's what the espresso con panna is and still charged me for it. In my mind I'm thinking maybe they just ring it up as same thing. As soon as I paid, the cashier turned to the guy making drinks and asked what espresso con panna meant and he said it meant with the cream but they were out of cream. The woman just walked off and neither of them acknowledged that I had been charged more money for the wrong thing. So I basically got charged more money for the thing I was trying to order. I realize it wasn't a big difference in the cost but just put a bad taste in my mouth. read more

Came here for the first time with a friend around 10:30am on a Saturday. I ordered their medium chai latte (hot) with no sweetner, and a ham and cheese croissant sandwich with havarti cheese and avocado. Total came out to approximately $18. What's Hot - Quality. My egg and cheese croissant sandwich, which I ordered with havarti cheese and avocado was delicious. It was served warm. Everything was soft and tender. My sandwich was not overly salty, as well, which I appreciated. I was also surprised that my sandwich was served with fries. The fries were tasty, but too thin for my liking. My chai tea latte was also yummy, not too frothy, and not sweet, as I ordered no sweetener. - Menu. There appears to be something for everyone- coffee, non-caffeinated drinks, sweet baked good, savory baked goods, non-dairy options, and full meals. - Service. The time I waited for my order to be ready was fairly brief. Probably less than 10 minutes. My drink and food were ready separately and did not come together. They call out your name for your order, so make sure you are paying attention. - Price. For spending less than $20 on a meal, I would say it's pretty good value for money. My egg and cheese croissant sandwich was also substantive and not skimpy, which was good. - Layout. The inside has a pretty good space. There are counters with high stool seating, and a fair amount of tables and chair for regular seating, as well. - Location. Convenient, especially to other restaurants and shops. there is also parking in the area. However, be prepared to spend time and money on parking, depending on the day and time you come. What's Not - Service. It appears to be mostly self-service. After you enter their front entrance, there are two kiosks for self-service ordering. On the one hand, it's helpful if you know what you're ordering. On the other hand, if you have questions, their kiosks are not conducive for that. They have baked goods section, which appears to also be self-serve. However, I was uncertain how that actually worked, because I did not see an in-person cashier. - Layout. Depending on the size of your group, and day and time you come, seating can be difficult to come by. Most of their seating appears to be cramped, as well (i.e., many of their sit down tables and chairs are very close together). - Acoustics. They play music inside at a volume that is not very conducive for conversation. - Parking. There is parking in the area, but it can be difficult to find, depending on the day and time you come. On the day my friend and I were here, there was a lot of snow piled up, so finding street parking was very difficult. There are parking lots in the area, most of which are paid parking, so be mindful of the time you spend. There appears to be free parking in the area, but those are not easy to come by depending on the day and time. Final Answer Willing to come back, but probably not a first choice. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Egg and cheese croissant w/avocado - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

I think the space is aesthetically pleasing from the inside out. It definitely gave me a coffee shop vibe from a different country with this modern chic and earthy appeal. It is some great coffee by the way if I was doing a review on copy alone, it would be five stars. Great coffee! The meal however I have to take away and potentially revisit. I had the tuna melt, which was balanced salt wise, but flavor wise was lacking. They left much to be desired. The french fries were definitely the frozen seasoned kind and there was only an option for ketchup to dip them. I do like the plating however it could've been garnished a little bit more since those items were basic. I did not feel a warm greeting when I walked in it was just business as usual. The lady who came around and asked for our plate so we didn't have to put it up ourselves. Saved the experience. She was so nice and made me feel so welcome and comfortable. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Tuna Melt and Black Lion Macchiato iced - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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Great vibe, cute interior, spacious to get work done. Black lion macchiato: not as sweet as I thought it would be. I got this with oat milk and it wasn't that creamy oat milk I'm use to but overall it was good. I would come back to try other coffee items. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Black Lion Macchiato - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

This place was recommended so decided to try out this morning. The inside is really nice, I could see it being an ideal place to work remotely. The menu offers sandwiches and bakery items that look fresh. Now about this dirty chai- very flavorful, not watery at all. Perfect balance of chai and espresso. I added vanilla in mine. Good service. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Large Dirty Chai w/vanilla - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Great experience here. I visited early yesterday and never realized it was so cute and spacious. I've passed by before and said I would visit. I ordered a dirty chai latte to go. Service was great. My drink was ready quickly and was well made! I'll definitely be back to try some other menu items. It was pretty early on a Saturday morning and the place was already buzzing! It's perfect for sitting and relaxing, a date (yes I believe coffee can be a date), working or meeting with friends. They are a cashless establishment! read more

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I loved my coffee, treats, and the ambiance and decor of this nice cafe. Too bad it's far up the beltway in Silver Spring or they would see me a lot more often. I want another croissant chicken salad sandwich so bad! *cries* A star taken off because I literally had to visit the counter four times to ask for my sandwich... the last time my friend went and stood there to watch them make it and hand it to her directly. No chickens were caught, nor feathers plucked to make my sandwich. Despite that egregious mishap, which I'm sure has to be a one-off, I'll return for sure! read more

Black Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

I visited Black Lion cafe around noon a few days ago for lunch and a latte. The setup of this cute cafe makes for a great workspace area. The space is a bit limited but cozy. And the noise level is quiet enough to get some work completed if needed. I ordered a matcha Latte w/ almond milk and a grilled Cordon Bleu chicken sandwich. The latte was perfect. You can customize the sweetness to your liking. The sandwich was crispy, flavorful and the sriracha mayo added the right amount of kick to it. It was a good serving size so I ate half of it and took the rest to go. The sandwich was served with thin cut fries, seasoned with pepper and salt. I finished those off quick. lol. The food menu online was much more extensive than what was available in store at that time. I was expecting a few more options, so I was a little disappointed in that. but my overall experience was ok and the service was good. I would visit again. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Matcha oat milk latte - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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Bustling internet cafe. Carmel macchiato on point. The cookies, croissants, and cakes are beautiful and it took all my will power to say no to a Belgium double chocolate cookie. I think i might need to go back and get it. read more

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I came here on a whim and got the best caramel frappe of my life. It wasn't too sweet and had the perfect balance of coffee (to me). We also got a double shot of espresso and the coffee was fresh and just perfect. Service was perfect and they asked all the necessary questions such as dairy restrictions and if we wanted any add ons. The venue is beautiful they have music lightly playing in the background and a lot of people come here to work from home so perfect place to come to catch up with your friends , relax or work. read more

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Black lion has all the things I want in a cafe: properly roasted Ethiopian coffee beans, a variety of fresh pastry, and high and password protected WiFi. The atmosphere is airy and well lit with high ceilings and huge windows. A good place to chat with a friend, sit with a book or just grab a coffee to go. They feature a range of vegan baked treats. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Iced turmeric ginger tea - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

One of my go to coffee spots. I love my habesha brothers and sisters. Love Ethiopian coffee beans! Chill vibes perfect for studying ! read more

Black Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Tried this place because of the Maryland cafe passport. It was not wrong in the recommendation on this place. I normally get irrationally mad at no skim milk, so I got almond milk which I don't like. However, this place might have converted me. This is the first time I've finished my almond milk flat white. I wanted to go back and get another. This was so smooth and silky. I can't give this enough praise. The raspberry croissant was good, but a little on the stale side by 1pm when I was there. It would have been excellent if it was fresh in the morning. I'll definitely be adding this place to my regular list. read more

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The cafe was bigger than I expected. It had a lot of seating and looked very modern inside. It had a huge pastry section, some vegan desserts, and cakes. I didn't eat there but Eve try thing looked pretty good. I ordered the espresso macchiato. The espresso had very rich and earthy flavor. The milk was perfectly frosted. It was an amazing macchiato. Their espresso/coffee bean is from Ethiopia and if you like your beans from that region of the world, you will absolutely love this cafe. There are a few different options for espresso drinks and the guy working behind the counter helped me decide between a black lion macchiato and espresso macchiato. read more

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What a beautiful coffee shop. It is absolutely breathtaking. Enriched with exquisite artwork. Stunningly gorgeous setup and design. You feel like you are walking into an exotic Ethiopian rainforest. Bamboo and gorgeous greenery. Plenty of space and seating to enjoy a delicious cup of rich coffee. Caramel and whipped cream were so rich, creamy and refreshing. Art, books and soothing melodies, everything you need for a relaxing café experience. Rather you're working, reading, enjoying some alone time or meeting with friends, this coffee shop is the place to be. It's a vibe. read more

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I'll go out of my way for their chai tea latte with oat milk--it's that good. Was just here a couple weeks ago and had to come back. Chill vibe, great drinks, and always hits the spot. Definitely one of my favorite little gems. read more

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This is my favorite place in Silver Spring! The coffee is great! Everyone is friendly and helpful. It has a relaxed vibe. Great pastries!!

I finally had time and was in the area to check out Black Lion. The space itself is quite inviting and there are ample places to sit. The low music also set up a great environment that had me thinking I would like to work from here from time to time. The space smells great. At the front they have a self serve type of operation when it comes to their pastries and you tell them what you grabbed at the POS systems where you can also tell them what else you would like. The iced latte was very good and I had a cinnamon swirl pastry. I do wish they had some icing on them though, but that's merely a personal preference. I will be back. read more

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Seeking an early morning bite on Thanksgiving in Silver Spring is not as easy as it once was, so I'm super grateful to this place for being open, having such pleasant staff, and yummy food! It's a cafe so you stand on line, order your stuff, they call you up to claim it. No frills, but a great bite. I'm not sure when my travels will bring me back this way, but thank you Black Lion Cafe for contributing so positively to my Thanksgiving! read more

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Some of the best coffee in the Silver/Takoma park area! I usually get it iced and black and it's always strong but not too bitter! Really like their spinach pastry as well. Pretty spacious inside and a great place to get some work done. One star off because there's a small lack of outlets when it's busy (it's usually busy!) Service is always quick and easy! read more

Loved the vibes and my chai latte. Great spot to come work as well. There's plenty of seating and sunshine to feel the zen while sipping on a beverage. They have breakfast and pastries as well. I'm excited to try a breakfast sandwich next time. read more

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Great coffee shop for a treat and working breakfast. Be aware they don't take cash here so bring your card. The lattes are lovely and they service is great too. They have a large selection of breakfast pastries to chose from and you can serve yourself. The place is beautifully decorated with plants and wood and leather seating. read more

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Black Lion Cafe might be one of my favorite cafes. I love the greenery that is prevalent throughout the entire cafe. It's bright and is located in the heart of Silver Spring. The iced macchiato was amazing as it was made with Ethiopian coffee beans. The service was not the best. Wasn't created and the person wasn't really warm, but I understand this doesn't happen everyday. There is a lot of space to bring your laptop and work with a great view. Parking can be a bit difficult, but if you go early, you can snag some street parking. Overall I'd give it an 8/10 and will be back again. It's also black owned read more

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Flat white was tasty, but I was disappointed that I asked for it "for here" and still got it in a disposable cup, even though I saw people drinking from glass and ceramic who had ordered right before me. It makes a difference to the taste! Other considerations: Plenty of seating options, some with outlet access. WiFi was usable. Pastry and dessert options looked tasty enough (didn't try any). Would be a great place to meet a friend or for a networking meeting. read more

This is one of my favorite places in silver spring. If you love a great cafe!! This is the go to!! Everything tastes top tier!! read more

Black Lion Cafe - Aesthetics of the front counter. - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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Love this spot ! Ambiance is great & the store is gorgeously decorated ! Their drinks are great & the pastries are fresh ! Service is efficient read more

Black Lion Cafe opened in January and is doing well in this location as far as I can tell. I stopped by to enjoy a working lunch and I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful space, gorgeous recess lighting, and copious seating. A good number of people were already in the café when I arrived at 11am on a Thursday. The backroom looked like a coworking space with patrons enjoying their food and beverages while typing away on their laptops.   I was able to find a comfy seat by the window in front of the pastry display case that was across from the register. The display is eye-catching; however, I didn't like the idea of customers reaching in grab their pastries.   The sweet sounds of classical music created a relaxing backdrop that enabled me to focus on my work.   My blueberry hibiscus tea with strawberry syrup was refreshing and my beef sliders were yummy, although very tiny!   I'll come back here to enjoy another quick bite and relaxing afternoon soon. This cafe is a great addition to the area. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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Many desserts options. Drinks tend to be on the sweet side. Service was fast on a Sunday afternoon though the place is full. Love the book shelf stocked with books but didn't get a chance to check them out. Most people were quietly reading so it's not too loud (except us...) read more

Black Lion Cafe - so many sweet options! - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Just moved to Silver Spring and have been on the hunt for a staple coffee shop to get work done at. The ambience at Black lion Café was everything I was looking for. I even brought my husband to get work done here and we both enjoyed the community really just overall vibes. read more

My friend and I met here for coffee. I love the design, and the people were very friendly. They also offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal on pastries after 4 PM! However, it does get very crowded. read more

Super cool coffeeshop, cafe and coffee roastery all rolled into one!.....serving traditional Ethiopian coffee, great coffee blends and some amazing French pastries!! Another added plus, is that Black Lion Cafe is one of the few coffee spots in the Silver Spring area to stay open after 3pm; including beating out the store hours of one of my favorites coffee shops that close at 3pm daily which I will not name here. The vibe of the place is very modern, trendy with lots of wood decor and the appeal of something out of a tropical rain forest. The coffee here is top notch, most of which is single-sourced origin and Ethiopian coffee. It's strong, bold and you recognize it as soon as you walk in from the aroma. They roast the beans on the premises so you know its the real deal by your smell senses alone. I keep a supply of their fresh roasted beans at home. They sell them to-go, along with signature coffee mugs and other merchandise. If you take coffee seriously and appreciate the difference of a good quality blend or brew, then this is your spot. My favorite here is the signature blend coffee, which has a milder, more well-rounded body and taste. You can drink it "Black Coffee, no sugar no cream!"....which is my go-to. But it pairs well for those that like to sweeten things up with sugar, milk, etc. There is a single source brewed coffee which is like a dark roast, but it is strong and has a bit too much acidity (hardness/bitterness) for me....someone who likes to drink their coffee plain (black). And, of course this place runs the full gamut of coffee drinks....like expressos, lattes, pour-overs, and teas. For me, I am good on a regular cup of Joe. Besides the coffee, there is a full menu of breakfast/lunch items, sandwiches and a baked goods station that is filled with artisan baked goods and pastries!! There are so many varieties of baked good to try that you can't help yourself but to grab one while there. The Pistachio Raspberry Croissant is bomb! And, by far, my favorite...I highly recommend!! The Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter Cookes are great as well. The last time I was there I tried a Bread Pudding muffin, but unfortunately was not on point or a fit to my liking. It was a bit on the dry side and needed to be spiced up with more flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice....like my Granny used to do it! In all though, no complaints about Black Lion on my end. This is a "must try" coffee shop if you are in the area. The place is very relaxing, cosy and not too noisy at all. Great place to settle in, study and/or knock out some work as well. Or, simply the perfect coffee shop to go to for a relaxing moment in between your day. read more

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Went here with my boyfriend to catch a quick bite to eat, and I was very impressed! I know this restaurant just opened up a few months ago, so it's new to the Downtown Silver Spring area. The decor is beautiful inside this cafe! From the accents of black mixed with greenery, this really caught my eye. My bf and I both ordered the egg sandwich option with coffee and was delicious. I live right up the street from this cafe, so it's a very convenient spot when looking for a coffee shop. I typically would go to Khaldi's for coffee, but the Black Lion Cafe blows them out of the water when it comes down to their food quality in my opinion. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Decor inside - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Phenomenal coffee & baked goods! In-house roasted beans for purchase, & l recommend the flat white--better than those l had in Australia! Delicious baked goods, l highly recommend. I had the spinach & feta baked good, & it was excellent. Beautiful story behind the naming of the shop. Relaxing, comfy, & easy vibe inside, & very clean. Can't wait to come back. read more

I love their iced caramel macchiato! It does get busy in the afternoon, but it's the best place to have breakfast, enjoy coffee, and study. The morning study section is especially great. With good coffee, reliable Wi-Fi, and a welcoming atmosphere, it's a perfect spot for students. read more

Black Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

This is a new coffee shop that just recently opened in downtown Silver Spring a few weeks ago. I've now been twice and will likely go again this week! The coffee shop has a cute, fresh vibe, with great décor and an appealing visual appearance. There are plenty of places to sit and eat, and work. However during high peak times, you can bet that a lot of people will be looking for a table to sit at. The coffee is strong and tasty! I've ordered a latte with no flavor and a vanilla latte - both with oat milk. The pastries are incredible! I'm still dreaming of my almond croissant and how delicious it was. I've also gotten the croissant breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg and avocado (instead of cheese). The sandwich was toasted slightly and was pretty tasty. Besides having a full coffee menu, the cafe also has an array of breakfast and lunch sandwiches, an array of pastries, and even some desserts like baklava. The employees are very kind and hardworking. They truly care about doing a great job. I definitely recommend! read more

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Good vibe....great people, pastries and good times with fun people. Definitely a place to visit while traveling read more

Black Lion Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Great food, great coffee, wonderful atmosphere, and nice outdoor seating. A treat asset to the neighborhood.

Stopped here on my way to DC and I liked how big the space was. I ordered a latte and egg sandwich and the coffee was just ok, it tasted watered down. My Egg sandwich was just plain and boring nothing to brag about. They did have a lot of pastry options but none really looked appealing. There were also a lot of bums asking for money but may have been just the location. The staff can definitely use a lesson in customer service. read more

I have passed through Silver Spring so much without realizing this little hidden gem is here. An Ethiopian friend introduced me to this place one Saturday afternoon. And I will be keeping it on my list to drop in every once in a while. Now, keep in mind I'm NOT a coffee drinker. So I cannot speak to the quality of their brews personally. (All I know is that there's a big map on the wall with information about the source of all the blends -- and you can choose the coffee you want based on the region it's grown in. But again, I can't tell you how any of that actually tastes.) But as far as aesthetics go, this place has a great vibe. It's spacious, clean, and comfortable -- and it feels way more upscale and upbeat than SBUX does. It seems like a place where a lot in the Ethiopian community go to socialize rather than simply sit with a laptop and headphones (though you can certainly do that here, too, if you wish). They have a tantalizing menu and a full kitchen on site. But I was unable to try any of their salads or sandwiches because the kitchen had already closed (at like 4 pm on a Saturday?!?!), even though that's not posted anywhere. So I ended up choosing a pastry (almond croissant) from their bakery case and--let me just tell you--it was DIVINE! So, so, so, so, SOOOOO good! Quite possibly the best one I've ever had in the city. I'll definitely be back to get another one and, hopefully this time, try out some of the actual food. read more