I've always believed that Blue Bottle Coffee was one of the best coffee brands I had ever experienced. But today, at one of their stores in Washington, D.C., I finally saw how a great brand can slowly be ruined by poor service and outdated management. When ordering, I made it very clear: "Please make it not too hot." What I received was a drink so hot it could literally burn your mouth. Clearly, the staff taking the order failed to communicate even the most basic customer request to the barista. What was even worse was the attitude afterward -- no apology, no sense of responsibility, no attempt to fix the situation. Not even the most basic level of professionalism or care. At that point, this was no longer just a "mistake." It was complete indifference toward customer experience. Compared to this, Starbucks at least has mature service systems, staff training, and a basic respect for customers. The problem with Blue Bottle today is not the coffee itself. The problem is that management still seems trapped in the illusion of being a "cool boutique brand," while lacking the operational capability to support a truly professional business. Coffee can be artisanal. Management cannot be amateur. Today, I finally understood why a company with such strong products has struggled for years to become consistently successful as a business. Because what destroys a company is rarely the product itself. It is management's arrogance and numbness toward the meaning of service. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wonderful Blue Bottle location l. Great friendly service, the pace is bright and airy with lots of seating options. Great for meeting friends or catching up on emails. I bought a bag of beans, and got a free pour-over. Will be back when im in the area next! read more

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I normally sing the praises of Blue Bottle Coffee, but this location was only so-so. The coffee was meh at best and the service was about the same. The space is beautiful, as Blue Bottle's often are. It was very clean and minimalistic. I asked for a drip coffee and was given a choice of three different beans. The counter person mumbled so I could barely understand what she said. Turns out I wasn't getting a drip, but a pour over. I know many coffee enthusiasts love pour overs, but if drip wasn't an option I would have preferred an Americano. That options should have been presented instead of the girl just chosing what I wanted. I would visit the location again, but would be more clear and make sure my order was clear. read more

I really wanna like blue bottle coffee. The vibes are great, the service is usually friendly and fast, but the coffee itself is just not to my preference. I find it to be much more bitter, which is not my favorite. They do often play great music in the store though And have lots of seating. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Iced NOLA Cold Foam - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Not enough food options and not enough latte flavored options. The ham and turkey sandwich was delicious! read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This cafe is so aesthetic and nice to sit at to chat or just to do work. Plenty of seating and is well lit up. I got to NOLA cold foam drink and wow that was perfectly sweet and was just so beautiful. Not too sweet in the best way. WILL BE COMING BACK! I sat and read here and was undisturbed. Love. read more

Am I so addicted that I bought multiple reusable coffee cups just because I go to blue bottle so much? Yes, yes I did! So my regular go-to order is an iced or hot Nola with oat milk. I'm sad they don't have the croissant breakfast sandwiches anymore but the bay breakfast sandwich is just as good! I detour my morning commute just to stop at blue bottle! read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Iced NOLA - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Best espresso in the city. Amazing and so creamy can't recommend enough. Cute spot too read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Caffè Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Second time coming back within a week for the Black Cardamom latte which has aromatic spice, and orange blossom. I think most of the lattes here automatically come with oat milk which I love because I'm lactose intolerant. This new coffee shop has a sleek and clean look. The baristas clearly know the technique to making a perfectly steamed latte with just the right amount of aerated foam on top- not to mention the cute designs. If presentation is everything well then they got everything going on. The taste itself is delicious as well. I bought a $25 bag of their coffee beans from their retail section. The Supernatural Blend No. 1 is a light/medium roast that has notes of strawberry, date, and crème brûlée. I've been enjoying brewing it at home and sipping on a cup as I type. I'll definitely be back to Blue Bottle. read more

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My 16oz latte was $8 before tip. It took them over 20 minutes to make it, and they made drinks of people who ordered way after me before mine. Drink was solid but definitely overpriced. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I wish I had more time to sit and enjoy this coffee, but as travelers, we were on the go. Even with a long line, the wait was pleasant as the store overlooks the spacious inner courtyard and creates a welcoming atmosphere. The staff were friendly and efficient--they really know how to serve up great coffee! read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - View from the outside. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I got the Spiced Iced New Orleans-style Coffee which comes with oat milk...and it was amazing! So creamy, so flavorful...worth the $6.25. They have indoor seating and a few tables outside for 2 people. The outdoor seating is in the shade. Staff was super friendly. read more

This Seattle hailing girl was desperate to find a great cup of coffee while in DC and was excited to find Blue Bottle locally! Located at the base of a high rise, the space is bright with lots of seating. I ordered a cardamom latte that was delicious. I always appreciate that the baristas always seem to put so much care into their craft here. A read more

I got the New Orleans style coffee and it was great. It had a good spice to it Bluebottle has some of the best coffee I've had. Always high quality and always extremely delicious read more

They reopened today! Space is just as lovely and minimal as before. Today until close, they have a fun surprise for customers where the staff gives you a scratch off card and you see what you win. I won a free fudge brownie cookie from pluma, and other people in the store won one of those blue bottle coffee tumbler mugs. The iced latte was great as before and the cookie was a nice plus. Welcome back! read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Iced caffe latte and brownie cookie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A good cup of coffee, a bit high on the price, in a space that feels like it was engineered to make you uncomfortable. Really, the coffee is quite good, but it takes ~8min for a single cup. Also, while you wait, you can either cram into a small table by the full-length glass walls or sit at a singular round-table-esqu table and try to play king of the manspreaders. It's just crazy. I imagine this is the best they could come up with given the realities of the triangular space, but what works on paper just feels super uncomfortable and weird in person. Also, the line is not called out by any visible signage... so people just wander in front of the cashier the entire day asking folks milling around (8min for a cup of coffee, rmemeber) if they are in line. It sounds like I didn't like the place, but that's not true. It's good coffee. It just isn't the best experience to get it. TL;DR: Good coffee to go if you don't need to be anywhere too soon. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - The cup of coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great coffee and love their pastry options. The baristas are super friendly. Just wish the parking was easier.

Best coffee in the city, need some more of these around dc. Hard to find them when you need caffeine

My boyfriend and I both got the Samra latte (~$8 each). The price is a little high but standard for the area. The coffee itself was solidly good but nothing extraordinary. I'm giving 5 stars because the service was great on top of an already solid cup of coffee. The cashier was super friendly and helpful when it came to recommending a drink. Free water is on tap as well which is always appreciated. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Samra iced latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So, I am a fan of blue bottle in general and am traveling full time for a theater tour, so was delighted to find there was a shop close to our hotel. I have been going every day. Today I stood in line behind three male customers for about 10 minutes. They were all served. Then, without acknowledging me, both of the baristas turned to restocking and cleaning the machines and pastries. I waited another 10 minutes, was still not acknowledged, and then I left. I'm not in the habit of leaving snarky reviews but this is really not acceptable. If there's time to serve three groups of men in suits before cleaning the machines, there is time to serve me as well. I would like an apology from the venue and its manager and will be reaching out accordingly. read more

So slow. Took them 15 minutes to make a regular coffee. And it wasn't even that good.

We visited on a Saturday morning, it was quiet and had a more casual feel. It is in the midst of office buildings and a few restaurants so weekdays may be a bit busier. The coffee was made with care and was awesome. The food was also quite good. read more

On the ground floor of the new(ish) Fannie Mae building--we missed it at first, but when walking by again we spotted their sign (a blue bottle) sticking out from the wall. It's a pretty big space and seems like a great spot to get work done. Great service; they are nice and friendly, and also served our drinks pretty quickly. They take mobile pay so if you don't bring your wallet with you, it's no problem! I got an iced matcha latte which I really liked! It wasn't powdery like other matcha drinks I've had and I so appreciate that. My friends got a drip coffee and iced lattes. They also liked their drinks. Some comments from them: the latte wasn't special, just a typical latte. The drip was pretty strong in taste, so if you get it and you prefer sweeter drinks, then add more sweetener. Expensive but a great spot for a coffee break and a great overall experience. I'm excited to come back and try their other drinks! read more

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This location of Blue Bottle Coffee is the latest shop in their DC empire. It's located in downtown DC on the site of the old Washington Post building. It's in the back of the new Mid-City Center complex. It's one of the largest Blue Bottle Coffees in the city. There's plenty of seating from small tables to large round tables to window seating. The staff handcraft each coffee and sell tasty pastries and small munchie items. The coffee is good, but it's expensive. The staff are friendly at this location (unlike at the Union Market location). read more

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Very clean shop and great service. The longer you stay inside, the more you feel like stopping. And Ice matcha latte was delicious. read more

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Overall - 3 big points: 1) Really excellent well-done brewing! Blue Bottle Coffee is for the kind of person who likes the nuance of great tasting coffee (aeropress, pour-overs). Coffee so good that you don't want to use cream - not that there's anything wrong with using cream! James Hoffman has reviewed this and at least some of their brew methods are inspired by James Hoffman. Maybe two of the best pour-overs I have ever had. 2) Location & Space Rarely overly crowded. If you're going to work for a bit (just a bit!) on your laptop or if you're meeting someone where you need your computer - charge up before you go. Plenty of seating and table space, but no plugs. I'm perfectly fine with the no plugs. They aren't discouraging you from working there - they just don't want you to camp out for 8 hours. 3) Baristas know their stuff! The baristas are so friendly and knowledgable about the product - I'm looking at you Laura former PoliSci major who will soon be working in cyber security! Thanks for the great experience and the excellent over. More notables: Blue Bottle really concentrates in excellent coffee. It isn't really the place for Starbuck-type flavored drinks - however, they have a small offering of sweet lattes with flavor, teas, and shakeratos. If that's your vibe, you'll find something you like here too! read more

As a new hojica latte convert, I was so excited to be able to get my fix at The Wharf! This location is a bit smaller than Georgetown but you can still get the same delicious product and experience. Currently all Blue Bottle locations across the US are closed due to COVID-19 but I have been able to get my fix thanks to Blue Bottle's online shop! I purchased a Chemex, Cold Brew set, Japanese Gooseneck Kettle and a bag of their Three Africas blend and am now living like a caffeinated king! Ordering through their website was very easy and I was able to get all my packages in a week (so much faster than an Amazon non-essential delivery right now). The materials we received are so beautifully crafted, I feel like I'm on a mini vacation every morning we put our drinks together. And for that secret sixth star, Blue Bottle is paying all of their employees and coveraging healthcare benefits while they are closed. Major snaps all around! read more

The staff completely ignored me when I came in. Young woman told me to "wait a moment" and that she'd be with me in a second. A second turned into 3 more minutes which when being ignored feels like a lifetime. I like the New Orleans style coffee but will not be back to patronize this business. They mismanage customers. read more

This store location has listened to feedback and is improving everyday. Still enjoy all the fresh ingredients and vegan options!

Excellent coffee. No nonsense. Impeccable interior. The space is beautiful and located in the Midtown Center, facing the courtyard. Excellent work by the Lawrence Group interior design team, so you can gaze upon the cool building by ShOP Architects and WDG Architects. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Evening from the courtyard @t.urman - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Sometimes I just want a very good coffee. That's my reason for Blue Bottle as they have a variety of beans for those of us that want to experience black coffee. I'm not a fan of their ambiance as I find it cold. Hey if it's just coffee you want, Blue Bottle works! read more

Strong but not bitter coffee and an amazing museum like vibe. Love this place! A 4.5! They roast their own beans and they are on the dark side. But that darkness is smooth, nutty flavors wIth a perfect but not sharp fruity note. My favorite drink was the New Orleans coffee which is just ever so slightly sweet and iced; the chicory makes it interesting. My latte wasn't perfect. The milk tasted a bit off and didn't have that creamy quality and I didn't finish it. I am a perfectionist when it comes to coffee. The setting is cool and modern with huge ceilings, white marble, rough wood and lots of glass. Pop music tilting to Indie. Not a lot of seating ... maybe 20 seats. Better for a great conversation than sitting down to work in my opinion. Warning: the shop is tucked in to a commercial area... no door fronting the street. read more

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Such a cute little coffee shop right under some offices! The mocha is super good - sweet but still have the bitterness of coffee! Will come again before work! read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love the atmosphere and very nice selection of beautiful brews. Great place to people watch read more

My building had a fire alarm, so I moseyed down to Blue Bottle to try their chocolate croissant. The croissant was fine, but I was thrilled to see that Blue Bottle offers a matcha latte. I am even more thrilled to share that the balance of sugar and matcha in said latte is perfect. They add just enough sugar to take the edge off of the matcha, but not enough to make you taste the sugar. Lovely. read more

TLDR: Rate on drinks - 5. Rate on employees - 5. We ordered the following: - Pour over - Hojicha Latte - New Orleans Style - milk, cane sugar, and roasted chicory - Shakerato - espresso, milk and muscovado shaken over ice What I'd get again - their pour over (since it's a classic) and Shakerato (simple, smooth and mildly sweet). I wouldn't get: - New Orleans Style - wasn't that "unique" in terms of its flavor profile. Having Vietnamese coffee, to the French coffee from NOLA, it didn't remind me of that, per say. - Hojicha Latte - only due to personal preference. Was a good drink - just not for me. read more

This is my favorite blue bottle location. I love it because not many people know of it. It sits under a building and the set up is spacious and open. I come here after work occasionally for an evening read and latte :). It's vibey, I love the staff too. I can't wait until the spring/summer there is a quad with sitting areas between two buildings. This location is just a hidden gem. read more

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This place is my haven. The baristas are the kindest, the coffee is the most delicious, and the avocado toast is amazing. It's such a wonderful experience going there during workdays that I want to write to Blue Bottle corporate and tell them to give everyone raises (esp Brandy who is like sunshine and seems to remember every guest's name). I'm so grateful! read more

I walked in and said I needed a taste from home and Terrance replies "California, welcome to our DC location!" Loved it already! Uganda drip is delicious and the staff, amazing! read more

Perfectly seasoned avocado toast arrived quickly like a butled letter of import. My arrival was dressed with extra virgin olive oil and freckled with red chili flake. A tall thin glass of iced espresso went perfectly with the luxurious smoothness of my nibbles. read more

Blue Bottle Coffee - Midtown Center - Blue Bottled morning action. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia