We stopped by Colada Shop during our trip to DC, and it ended up being one of our favorite meals near the Wharf! The restaurant is super cute, with a fun cafe vibe, and it's an easy walk from the waterfront. We ordered the Colada Trio, which came with empanadas, cauliflower sliders, and yuca fries. Everything was delicious, and it came with three different sauces that were honestly all so good. I could've eaten those sauces with everything. We also ordered the Platanachos (plantain nachos), which were flavorful and such a fun twist on traditional nachos. They accidentally forgot the cauliflower and mushroom topping, but as soon as I mentioned it, they brought it out right away along with extra sauce. Mistakes happen, but what matters is how a place handles them, and they were incredibly accommodating, which I really appreciated. It was pretty busy when we visited, and I noticed who I believe was the manager or owner helping clean tables and checking on guests. I always love seeing that kind of hands-on involvement. Great food, friendly service, and an awesome location if you're exploring the Wharf. I'd definitely recommend stopping by! read more

Colada Shop - Colada trio and plantanachos - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We visited Colada Shop for a weekday dinner and then went for a walk along the Wharf, and I'd definitely recommend! We sat outside in a covered area and ordered from the table using a QR code. Service was very fast! Here's what we ordered: Mojitos: 4/5, tasted great but nothing special necessarily Colada Shop Cuban: 5/5, absolutely delicious Shrimp Ceviche Tostones: 4/5, great flavor but pretty small to share Tamarind Pollo Frito Strips: 5/5, delicious chicken, cooked to perfection and I loved the tamarind glaze Empanadas: 4/5, we liked the spinach and cheese one better than the beef one Twice-friend Tostones: 2/5, good with the sauces but pretty dry and flavorless by themselves read more

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I always hit this spot when I'm seeing a show at the Anthem! Delicious (but a bit pricy) Cuban food, cocktails, and coffee. What keeps me coming back time and time again are their double-fried tostones. The texture and flavor is absolutely insane, and the sauce it comes with is to die for. I've also tried their Cuban sandwich, which is hot, melty, and scrumptious. The shop itself is bright and modern, and even has a small outdoor patio section. I will definitely be back when I have more shows at The Wharf in DC! read more

Colada Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I always love stopping by here for a quick drink or meal in the area! I really enjoyed the chilled corn soup and the beef empanada. The chicken empanada was also good, but a little drier. The bacon, egg, and cheese one can be skipped because it was too salty and dry. The dipping sauce that it came with is great! The workers are nice and the food can be a bit of a wait so order ahead of time. I like how there's lots of seating options. read more

Colada Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I like to stop in Colada shop for coffees, quick ordering and pickup and you can make the sweetness to your liking. Space is clean and easy to access. read more

Colada Shop - Interior - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Due to the Cherry Blossom Festival, the shop was extremely crowded, and I wasn't able to fully enjoy my experience. The staff seemed a bit overburdened trying to keep up with orders and get everything out in time. That said, the young man and woman who prepared my order were kind and very focused on doing their best. I definitely plan to return and give them another try under less hectic conditions. This location is an entire vibe. It's tucked down a painted alley that leads you to a side entrance, which I actually preferred over the front. Parking is what it is at the Wharf, but I recommend parking near the museum and walking over. Once inside, you're met with gorgeous decor and a thoughtfully designed space that feels like a Spanish-style bar set in nature. The tile, the color palette, and the food and drink options all come together beautifully. I ordered the Carrot Cake Con Leche, which came out to about $8 after tax. It was tasty and a great treat after my morning run. It did take about 15 to 20 minutes to receive my order, but given how busy it was, that felt understandable. I'm looking forward to returning and experiencing it at a calmer time. read more

Colada Shop - Carrot Cake Con Leche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I come here almost every time I come to the wharf because I like the empanadas a lot and more recently I've been doing their happy hour which is everyday from 4-8pm so finally a weekend happy hour! There is indoor and outdoor seating and also a bar area. Workers are always nice and the food is good. read more

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I was so excited to try this place I see all over DC. It reminds me of Portos in LA. Bottom line- the food was fantastic and the vibes are energizing, but it is on the pricier side. My brother and spouse felt the sandwich wasn't big enough for the $16+ it cost, though they both loved the guava BBQ fusion. They just wish there was more of it. I shared the empanadas with tostones with my kid. He had the chicken and I had the beef and hands down this was the best beef empanada I have ever had. And I have had them in Mexico, Miami Calle Ocho, and Barcelona. The beef filling felt like an explosion of rich and decadent flavors. The garlic dipping sauce on the tostones was jar worthy and should be sold. Now let's talk about that guava pastry. Ay ay ay!!! I don't even like guava like that but I want a jar of that, too. They heat it up for you and it all just melts like magic in your mouth. I practiced restraint from licking the bag in came in. The service is prompt and friendly though expect some wait during lunch rush. I'm definitely coming back in the morning to try coffee and breakfast! read more

Colada Shop - Gorgeous waterfront location - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I used to be a huge fan of Colada a few years ago but it somehow feels like quality has gone down, long wait for a capuchino, the tiramisu has been the worse I've ever had in my life, just totally unimpressed during my last visit unfortunately. Still cute space though. read more

Colada Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped by for some coffee after lunch. I got the carrot cake cafe con leche and my husband got the revival cafe con leche. I also ordered the guava pastry and chicken croquetas. We got our order to go. I tried the guava pastry and it was fresh and super sweet!! The cafe con leeche did balance it out because it wasn't as sweet as expected. I tried the croquetas later and they were good. I would've preferred a sauce to go with them. A cute spot for coffee and quick bite to eat. read more

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I don't know what and how to express and write how disappointed I was in a place that uses the word colada in their namesake and they came and make a true colada so very disappointed in the food and coffee. The atmosphere was nice and that's about all I have to say. read more

It's a spacious cafe but has an intimate setting. Staff is friendly. They serve Cubano inspired drinks and food. It's about 14 degrees outside but inside it's warm. I feel at home. And the staff speaks Spanish and English and loves to conversate. Great place to eat drink chat or just people watch read more

Colada Shop - I ordered the Cubano coffee with leche and comes with churro - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I'm visiting DC and decided to try Colada Shop and I'm happy I did! I ordered the Cuban sandwich and it came with plantain chips and a side of green sauce. All of it was great!! The sandwich was huge and I really enjoyed the green sauce for dipping my sandwich and plantains. It's a cute shop and the service was fast. I would like to go back and try some of the pastries. read more

Colada Shop - Cuban sandwich and plantain chips - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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One of my wharf favorites! Tried the Ropa Vieja this time - good flavor! Thought the proportions were off just a tad with the beef being a bit light compared to the onions and rice quantity. Really enjoyed the tostones as well. Always friendly staff and quick service! read more

Colada Shop - ROPA VIEJA - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The flaky, tender empanadas alone would keep me coming back~but add in the Colada Shop Cuban and the avocado tostada, and I'm officially hooked. Everything is flavorful, fresh, and consistently hits the mark. I'm convinced that after just one visit, you'll be planning your return to work your way through the rest of the menu~because it's that good. The aesthetics are a whole vibe, both indoors and out, and the staff is always warm and welcoming. That combination has definitely made me a frequent patron. I love a place that delivers on both taste and experience... and this one does it effortlessly ! read more

Quick and friendly service; the cashier will take your order and you can pick it up at the neighboring counter. Spacious and clean coffee shop with upbeat Carribean music. The colada shop offers a modern twist on Cuban staples-croquetas, and café con leche. read more

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I've come a couple times to the Colada Shop for a quick bite - it's on the Wharf and is one of the more accessible restaurants that don't need reservations. It is definitely "cuban-inspired" rather than cuban (it's missing that cuban kick); I've gotten their tres leches, plantain chips and dip, and seasonal pork dish. Each were pretty good, but not stellar in terms of flavor. Additionally, the place is usually pretty packed; the staff are bustling around cleaning up and typically in a hurry, which is understandable! At best, during a weekend, you'll wait for someone to leave to get a seat. read more

Colada Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Fantastic Crew that's friendly and very courteous. Excellent food and drink. Luna makes an AMAZING Spicy Cubanelle Margarit.

A bit tricky to find as it's in the alley on Pearl in the Wharf District but very spacious inside, full of color and vigor, and a great ambiance. They have kiosks for ordering, Wifi, comfortable seating, and an array of beverages, snacks, and food. I ordered a large cappuccino with oatmilk and it tasted excellent with a few sugar packets. The service was excellent: fast, friendly. competent, and efficient. Bring friends or come solo with a laptop and settle in with some good sips and bites! read more

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I always wanted to come by here and try out their Cuban food. I saw a different location in the Mosaic District in Virginia. I was walking by the Wharf enjoying the wonderful weekend and came across this location. I was able to go inside and place an order on the kiosk. If you sign up for alerts they give you a five-dollar discount which is great. You have a wide variety of options from sandwiches to empanadas. You can order a drink from the coffee bar or an alcohol beverage from the bar. I ordered a Cuban sandwich with an iced Americano. They call your name for pick up and then you can sit either indoors or outdoors and enjoy your meal. The sandwich was packed with the right amount of meat and toppings. It is hard to find a good Cuban sandwich outside of Miami but this place does it well. The iced Americano was delicious and gave me the energy I needed to continue the day. There was a large group of people hanging out for most of my stay. This looks like a fun place to go to meet people while enjoying a drink at the bar. It was a little too early for me to grab a mojito but I will have to try it again next time I am here. read more

Colada Shop - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Some great beverages from Colada! My partner and I needed something to cool us down and stopped here for some drinks. I got their Coco Piña spritzer and my partner got the Cocolada smoothie. Both were sweet and fruity. They were both quite good and definitely helped cool us down from the summer heat. Cute place I'd come back again. read more

Colada Shop - Cocolada and Coco Piña - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I always walk past this place and finally decided to give it a try. It's very cozy, had cute holiday decor and the service was nice and fast. I ordered a pastry called the beef pastelito and I enjoyed it. It was semi warmed, I wish it was a little warmer but overall it was flavorful and tasty. read more

Colada Shop - Beef pastry - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stop by this place for a quick snack during happy hour. It was really crowded and busy at the time. It seems people wanted to get the specials before the happy hour ended. The place emptied pretty quickly after happy hour ended. The restaurant is small inside but they have an outside patio in the front of the restaurant and additional sunroom with seating. I order the "espresso martini" can't remember the name of the drink It was described as the cousin of the espresso martini. It was okay. Probably wouldn't order it again. 3/5 Not pictured are my two empanadas (beef and chicken) They both sooo delicious. Unfortunately, I ate them too fast to take a picture Both empanadas had a soft, flaky and buttery crust. They were very flavorful and the dipping sauce was amazing. 5/5 for both. You MUST try them!! I HIGHLY recommend a visit. read more

Colada Shop - TWO EMPANADAS and espresso martini - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great Cuban inspired cafe by the wharf. There's plenty of seating in various nooks & crannies around the cafe. You can walk up to the counter & order or scan the QR code at your table and pay immediately. The food & drinks came out quickly. We had to wait for our last drink but then realized they may have forgotten about it. We went up to the counter and they were super quick to remedy the situation. We would definitely go back next time we are in DC!! read more

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I haven't been to Colada Shop in years due to a move, but was so pleased with my visit this weekend! My partner and I ordered ahead and pick up was easy. Between the two of us we got the mojo pork breakfast sandwich, a cuban, carrot cake coffee con leche, ham croquetas, and a chicken and beef empanada. Yes it was a lot of food- we couldn't decide what not to get - so got it all, and ate it all. Woops. The mojo pork is absolutely delicious- I'd probably try and get something with just that next time (though the egg was fluffy and delicious, that pork was perfection). My partner was blown away by the Cuban- he kept saying "this is SO good!" I loved the carrot cake coffee con leche, both the empanadas were perfect (and that dipping sauce? Omg). My partner also loved the ham croquetas but they were a little salty for me. We're both looking forward to another visit sooner rather than later! read more

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Stopped in for coffee and felt like I was immediately transported to Cuba! Service and ambience are outstanding. Also grabbed breakfast empanadas, but was disappointed to hear that they no longer have a deal for three. (2) for $7.98 now, but I understand! I got two orders, one with beef and chicken, the other with bacon, egg, and cheese. They come with a very flavorful crema. Delish as always. Colada shop will continue to be a favorite gem for me in the DC area . read more

Colada Shop - ICED CAF CON LECHE with Oat Milk! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Best Cafe con leche EVER!!!! Edgar & Sebastian were super friendly and made our 4 drinks in record time. You gotta stop by COLODA!

Stopped in for a late night bite. Service was ok. You basically do everything yourself. You scan a QR code to view the menu as well as to place your order. The main issue to note is that they are out of all things non dairy milk. However, the system allows you to place an order with the substitute of non dairy milk. I opted for the chicken empanadas. My sister and niece also ordered hot drinks and the Havana blend tiramisu. The empanada was truly one of the best I have ever had. The breading was perfect as was the flavor. I actually ended up ordering another since it was so good. The tiramisu is a MUST try-- I ate half of my sisters-- so good! Overall- solid place for good food! read more

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We came back to Colada for a midafternoon snack. We ordered empanadas (summer corn and spinach and cheese), and they were crispy, flaky and light and tasted wonderful with the flavorful dipping sauce. My colada drink was fruity and filled with pineapple. My friend enjoyed a Mariposa latte. read more

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The hours are great. Similar to a Starbucks but better food imo. Drinks are expectedly more on the expensive side and an odd .26 credit card? Charge . Conveniently located near Pearl Street Warehouse and Union Stage. read more

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Absolutely love this place, outside of The Cuban Coffee Queen in Key West, this is my favorite place for Cuban Coffee and Cuban Snacks. If you need a real pick me up, try the Colada Coffee, Miami Sweet. read more

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The blue matcha does not taste like matcha fyi. Cute place good service ‍ little on the pricy side read more

Colada Shop - Cafe ICED CAF CON LECHE ICED MARIPOSA BLUE MATCHA SHAKEN MINT LIMEADE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Colada was our favorite place to grab breakfast during our stay in DC, as it was within an easy walking distance from our hotel down on the wharf. They serve wonderful Cuban coffee and food. The shop was very whimsically decorated with bright teal colors and had various seating options. We decided to sit at the bar as most of the tables were taken that morning. The staff was very friendly and they gave us some food/coffee recommendations. We got the guava-cheese pastry, the pulled pork hash, and a churro cafe con leche. We loved everything. The guava filling tasted fresh and the pulled pork and yuca hash combo was so delicious with fresh salsa and a sunny side up egg on top. The churro was light and airy, it was easy to eat along with my cafe con leche. Overall, we loved Colada and we visited imultiple times during our DC visit. If you are in the area and enjoy Cuban style coffee, you should give it a try. read more

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I've heard a lot of great things about Colada Shop and was excited to check this location out while visiting the Wharf. The cafe is beautiful with lots of vibrant colors and plenty of seating. When we popped in on a Tuesday afternoon the staff was very kind that helped us out. We tried their cortadito, cafe con leche and guava & cheese pastry. I'm not a coffee connoisseur but when I compare the coffee to what I've had in Miami... Colada Shop fell short. I thought my cortadito was too sweet (they do ask you your sweetness preference, I recommend going the lowest sweetness tier). And then my sisters coffee had the weirdest taste because she got oat milk. Not sure what kind of oat milk that they use but we were not a fan. The pastry was just ok in my opinion . I will still come back to try some of their other food options and some of their other drinks. read more

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Whether you're looking for a coffee, quick lunch, or happy hour, Colada Shop has you covered! This adorable Cuban shop offers a fun selection of delicious drinks and pastries to start your morning, as well as a beautiful spread of sandwiches, salads, and rice bowls for lunch or dinner. I first found Colada Shop as a coffee shop / bakery, with their beautiful empanadas and pastiletos -- the guava and cheese pastelito is absolutely to die for. These sweet and savory concoctions also all pair wonderfully with their expansive coffee menu, which includes your espresso classics (cortados, lattes, americanos, etc.) and a smattering of fun, unique combos (who doesn't love a good blue matcha??). Even without all the fun flavor pairings, their coffee is rich, flavorful, and not overly acidic, so you can't go wrong with either one of their specialty drinks or a classic. However, Colada Shop's wonders don't end at just their pastries and coffee! They also have an expansive lunch and dinner menu, featuring a classic Cuban sandwich (and their famous veggie Cuban sammie), salads and Santiago bowls, and even a huge platter of ropa vieja. As a vegetarian option, I love their Santiago bowl with quinoa and seasonal greens, topped with their beautifully roasted romesco cauliflower and mushrooms. These, alongside the flavorful stewed black beans and the sharp bite from the pickled red onions, slaw, and salsa verde, come together into the most wonderful quick lunch / dinner bowl. As if that wasn't enough, Colada Shop also offers a wide selection of fun cocktails and mocktails, including one of my favorites, the "Good for You Mojito," a cocktail-inspired smoothie featuring mint, spinach, lime juice, and coconut water. Their normal mojito is equally delicious, as well as their guava leaf negroni. All in all, Colada Shop is hard to beat -- they have you covered for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks in between. The service is super friendly, and the vibes are so cozy and fun you'll want to hang out here the entire day! Truly can't recommend any of Colada Shop's smattering of DC locations enough. read more

While walking along the wharf, we found Colada and it was a perfect addition to our day. They have great happy hour deals and lots of options for food and drinks! Everything is ordered online and paid through website and the everything came so quickly. There also are great vegetarian options and tasty drinks! We will be back and definitely recommend it. read more

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Washington, DC - The Wharf. Time to treat my colleague to a birthday breakfast! Needed a spot nearby that wouldn't break the bank and Colada Shop came to the rescue. The cozy sunlight drenched atmosphere felt like a beachy getaway from our boring old office. We both ordered the empanadas. The breakfast empanada was perfect. Light flaky crust with egg and ham inside. We also sampled the spinach empanadas. Spinach was nicely seasoned and not overly salty. The hot chocolate was a perfect accompaniment. Cinnamon and maybe magic are part of the cocoa recipe - it was delicious. As we left we noticed there's an outside patio too. Would definitely return. Service was quick and easy. Only thing was empanadas came out before our drinks so we had to wait to eat. And that was difficult because they looked and smelled delicious. read more

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Came here for coffee w a friend on a Thursday late afternoon. It was a super hot day, so unfortunately could not sit outside. But had the Mariposa Matcha and Cortado. The service was fast but my only grip is that the booths were kind of dirty with crumbs on the seats and wasn't cleaned very well. read more

To ME second chances are EVERYTHING!! Trust if I wasn't given them in life, I would NOT be here!! So I decided to return to this spot that I had a challenging customer service experience at. Great food, Great Service, Different Location!! . Where I am: @coladashop . Location Reviewed: 10 Pearl St., S.W. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: *See Website* https://www.coladashop.com/dupont . Items Reviewed: Their Passionfruit & Guava Lime Spritzer's ($5.95 each). STAMP!! Undeniable!! GET THESE!! Their Havana Ooh La La (with 4 empanadas, 4 croquettes, plantain chips, a brownie, mojo, & black bean sauce $28). The Ham Croqueta (with bechamel, & ham 2 for $4). STAMP!! My favorite from them!! The Chicken Croqueta (with bechamel, & chicken 2 for $4). LIKE THAT!! Not dry, & well seasoned!! Their Plantain Chips (made in house).STAMP!! Dip these into that mojo or black bean sauce!! The Breakfast Empanada (with bacon, egg, & cheese). STAMP!! Cheesy, I need more bacon, but STAMP!! The Chicken Empanada (with a sofrito marinated chicken). STAMP!! Well marinated, & flavorful like a Tinga!! The Picadillo Empanada (a Cuban style turnover with seasoned beef). STAMP!! Well seasoned, & savory!! Their Ropa Vieja Sliders (with Cuban braised beef, cotija cheese, cilantro aioli, onions, & plantains 3 for $14.95). STAMP!! Tender, well seasoned, tasty!! Their Guava BBQ Pollo Sandwich (with guava bbq chicken, onions, & cilantro on Cuban bread $14.95). LIKE THAT!! Well marinated protein, with a sweet hearty sauce!! Their Guava & Beef Pastelito (a guava jam filled pastry, & a seasoned beef pastry $4.85 each). STAMP!! Both perfectly flaky, one meaty/savory, & the other sweet, & creamy!! Their Key Lime Pie ($7.50). STAMP!! Sweet, tart, tasty!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Customer Service: On Point . Parking: Rough on the street, Decent in the garage. Prepare to pay!! . Music: YouTube-Backyard Band Pocket . Recommendations: Get everything STAMPED!! . Accessibility: It's wheelchair friendly, & it's differently abled persons friendly. 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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The churros were the best decision and cannot be skipped out on. Freshly made with a strong cinnamon flavor and two choices of dips. I highly recommend sticking to the desserts and coffee as the Cuban sandwiches were cold and the bread wasn't fresh. The homemade fruit drinks were a bit lack luster with little flavor and no kick. There wasn't much attention to customers even though I was waiting to be helped. It's overall a cute cafe to stop by if you're by the water and need a pick me up of caffeine and churros. read more