I love grabbing a lavender iced latte from Emissary during the day, but finally got a chance to check it out at night! Food: 4/5 the antipasto platter for 2-3 had fresh buffalo mozzarella, heirloom cherry tomatoes, prosciutto slices, olives, fresh herbs, olive oil and rustic toast for $20 Drinks: 4/5 the pomegranate cosmopolitan looked better than it tasted. The dirty martini was pretty good but only came with one pitted olive. Atmosphere: 5/5 the service and intimate ambiance here is awesome! read more

Emissary - Antipasto platter, pomegranate cosmopolitan and our fashioned - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I had an amazing girl's night at Emissary! First when you walk into Emissary in the evening the vibe is a little speakeasy and very trendy. I love the dim lighting and the furniture that is coffee cafe by day, and cocktail lounge by night. I enjoyed an Our Fashioned which was a definitely a stiff drink and well balanced with the orange and bitters. I also enjoyed the marinated olives and hummus bar snacks. I shared these food items with one person and there were still leftovers. The olive variety was great and I love the micro greens garnish for those pretty points. The hummus was so smooth and well seasoned. A little drippier than what I normally think hummus should be, but the taste was spot on. Our server also let us know that it's no upcharge to ask for extra toast, and with the extra toast there was plenty for sharing this platter between two people. Our server was so friendly and hospitable. I felt like I could stay at Emissary all night long because our server checked in on us the right amount, and I really enjoyed the food and drink menu. I will definitely come back for a girl's night or a date night. Also for 2 drinks and 2 appetizers at a trendy DC spot, the bill was $45 which I felt was really reasonable. read more

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Stopped by while waiting for a friend since it was a 4 minute walk from the Dupont Circle metro station. The seasonal drink was a honey lavender latte so I got two with oat milk, one for myself and one for my friend. I ended up also ordering the avocado egg burrito with Adan's Oaxacan salsa, though when I asked how long it would take they said it'd be about 15-20 minutes and it ended up taking about 25-30. The coffee was delicious--highly recommend! Perfect sweetness for me. The burrito was SO plain though, and the salsa was watery and flavorless at best...opt for a pastry instead, especially if you're on a time crunch. There are plenty of places nearby for food anyways. Would come back for the coffee! read more

Emissary - seasonal drink: iced honey lavender latte with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was in the area for an appointment and decided to stop here for a drink. I saw that they had really good reviews (on here and Google) so I said why not. I loved how there was plenty indoor and outdoor seating. It's a nice spot for someone to work remotely, relax or catch up with friends. The menu was pretty decent as well. I walked in and wasn't greeted even though the barista made eye contact with me. I'm big on customer service so I wasn't feeling that. It was interesting considering she was talkative to whomever was sitting at the bar. The lady who took my order was really nice though. I received my iced matcha latte and noticed it was loaded with ice although light ice was noted for my order. Yes I'm specific about how much ice I receive. The lady who took my order was apologetic. I appreciate the fact that she tried to help. Overall, the drink was ok but I don't think you should give subpar customer service AND not pay attention to a customer's order/notes. read more

I've been walking past Emissary on weekends for a while, so I decided to finally try them this past weekend. They've always been busy, so I assumed (hoped) that was a good sign. They have indoor and outdoor seating. Their indoor space is in a basement and I did love the exposed brick walls. The lady at the front told me I could either order to go with her at the register or sit down where I would like and someone would come get my order. I was there fairly early so there weren't a whole lot of people just yet. I saw a few ladies - who I assumed were the waitresses - chitchatting and catching up, while I was patiently waiting to put in my order. Finally, one of them came my way at which point I knew what I wanted: a cappuccino and desayuno cafetero. I've seen people praise their coffee drinks and I'm confused as to why. This cappuccino was bitter and just not good at all (I've had cappuccinos before). The desayuno cafetero was not bad, but also nothing special to warrant the price tag. The whole time I was there, the waitress not once checked on me even though she would talk to the people on my left and right. Definitely wouldn't consider going back. read more

Emissary - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Sadly my recent visit was a big disappointment. To start, they were in violation of the law requiring clients be permitted a cash option for payment. The cashier said they wouldn't accept it. Granted, the law just took effect, but they need to get in compliance. Beyond that, my drink order was forgotten, so while I had food I had nothing to drink with it for about half an hour. I went in to directly ask they make the tea (though the green tea was bitter by the time it arrived). Otherwise, the almond toast was not bad, and the croissant was decent (if plain and a bit pricey $5). Noted that the prices charged didn't reflect what was shown on the menu (about 20% higher in the case of the toast). I just hope for their sake they improve their policies, or someone from DOES or whatever DC enforcement agency monitors restaurants may pay a visit. read more

Oh Emissary...how I love you! Emissary remains undefeated if you need a nice, chill, low key bar to catch up at happy hour. The bar was empty when I arrived around 4:30pm on a Wednesday. My bartender was new but he still did a great job. The popcorn was a perfect pairing with my spritzer. I only removed a star because the happy hour prices on the website differed that what was on the menu provided. That still won't stop me from returning. I will be back soon! read more

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emissary is a little pricey, but it is clear you pay for upscale ambiance and good food. I really enjoyed my cafe au lait and the avo hummus sandwich was delicious! why order avocado toast when you can get a whole sandwich...with hummus!? I would gladly order again :-) I also appreciated the friendly service. It's busy on weekends, but it seems to move quickly such that if you wait a few minutes, a table will open up! read more

Emissary - Avocado Hummus Sandwich - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a cute cafe! My husband and I came here multiple times during our short trip to DC because of its convenient location and delicious lattes. The honey lavender latte was my favorite, but it might be a seasonal special (summer/fall 2022) so definitely get it if you can! The croissant was very buttery, crispy, and flaky - just the perfect croissant in my opinion. read more

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Emissary is an ok lunch/cafe option. It's located in a sort of dark basement-like space. They have an outdoor area but it's pretty hard to find space if it's a nice day. Emissary is a busy spot in general because it's one of the few lunch/dinner/places to bring your laptop spots in this area. I've come here for multiple meals and I have to point out that the service is just not good. I thought it was a one time deal but every time I go I order something basic like a salad and it takes an hour for any food, beverages, the check etc to come out. Are they understaffed? What's going on? Other than that the food is actually good! Avo toast for brunch and gnocchi and salad for din is pretty tasty! It's just the service issue that's baffling. read more

Emissary - Smashed Avocado Toast and Caprese Toasts - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for a weekday lunch. There is outdoor seating where you can seat yourself and a server will eventually come to take your order. Service was good. I got the chilaquiles for about $18 + tax. Personally it was kinda bland for me. I would've liked some refried beans, maybe an additional pulled chicken/beef too to make it more interesting. I was given some hot sauce which helped, but still. 3/5. The drinks looked good -- maybe I would come back to try one of those. Ambiance is probably generally nice, though today there was some loud street work going on. Not the restaurant's fault, though. read more

Emissary - chilaquiles - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I waffled between giving this place 3 and 4 stars so maybe I can give it an honorary 3.5. Let's start with the good. The food was terrific - I got the Bullfrog Everything Bagel Platter with Ivy City Lox. The bagel came toasted and buttered, with a generous portion of lox, cream cheese, tomatoes, capers, onions, cucumbers, and greens on the side. It was absolutely delicious. I had no idea I wanted a toasted bagel with butter on it before spreading cream cheese and adding lox, tomatoes, etc. but it made the meal all the more savory. Now on to the not-so-great. The vanilla iced latte was not good; it was very watered down and tasted more like water with hints of coffee in it. The service was okay - the great part of the service was when I was about to leave, and the server let me know it was raining and that I might want to wait it out a bit. I really appreciated that - between this and the food is why I was torn about giving Emissary 4 stars. The less than stellar experience re: the service was when my friend arrived about 10 minutes earlier than me and mentioned she felt a bit rushed to place an order - and when she did order, she got something other than what she asked for. I got the sense from the more vocal interactions between other staff and customers that the service could be improved. read more

Emissary - Bullfrog everything bagel platter with Bagel & Lox (platter) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What an amazing cozy spot! I and my friend came here last night around 10pm for the first time ever. They accommodated our late order request right close to their closing time. Staff was extremely helpful, polite and friendly, since it was our first time so we had few questions. Coffee was superbly made, as you can see in the picture with very comfy couches. It's probably the one of the best spot to enjoy your lovely coffee on weekend. Surprised initially that there's a cafe open until 11pm on Saturday night around DuPont, when everyone is heading up for bars and this cafe was 90% full! I will try to hangout again by myself, hope I don't get bored. What an amazing cozy spot! I and my friend came here last night around 10pm for the first time ever. They accommodated our late order request right close to their closing time. Staff was extremely helpful, polite and friendly, since it was our first time so we had few questions. Coffee was superbly made as you can see in the picture with very comfy couches. It's probably the one of the best spot to enjoy your lovely coffee on weekend. Surprised initially that there's a cafe open until 11pm on Saturday night around DuPont, when everyone is heading up for bars and this cafe was 90% full! I will try to hangout again by myself, hope I don't get bored. -- I went there yesterday again, had great experience. Wednesday evening was buzzing. I had hummus and popcorns from their bar snacks with mocktail and they were good! read more

Emissary - Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a cute spot with coffee, tea, cocktails and more! The location is perfect for meeting a friend, a date or even catching up on work. We were there as it started to get dark and they added cute lights to the tables that enhanced the ambiance. My matcha tea latte was excellent! read more

Emissary - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I ordered the bucatini with meatballs and a decaf latte with lavender - delishhhh.great portion size and very flavorful. This spot is well located with good service, dessert, and alcohol. I would recommend teleworking from here or grabbing a drink with friends. read more

Emissary - Bucatini & Meatballs - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I really enjoyed getting a light breakfast at Emissary. On Saturday morning I went to the yoga studio above Emissary and then after we went to enjoy some breakfast and drinks. It was a pleasant surprise that they had an egg and avocado burrito on a gluten free wrap. It was simple and light, which is perfect. I definitely think I could've made something like this at home, but I appreciate having such options when I go out. In addition I order the chai with soy milk (it was very spiced). The server we had was great! Very attentive and would give us updates on our food. The kitchen was backed up so it took around 1.5 hours in total. Definitely recommend this spot if you have nowhere to be and want to get work done or have a lazy start to your weekend morning. read more

Emissary - Egg and avocado burrito on a gluten free wrap - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Emissary as a cafe: 5/5. Terrific coffee, many different seating options, fast and friendly service. Emissary as a restaurant: 3/5. Food was unremarkable but priced like a top quality breakfast. Not to say the food is bad but in my opinion overpriced. Service is still great. I'd come back for the coffee and skip food. read more

Got asked to leave when attempting to consume food and drink that I purchased there. Great customer service.

Delicious matcha latte. Fantastic playlists that arent played too loudly. Quick service except for when it's busy with lines. Emissary is one of my favorite places to work when I'm in the Dupont area. read more

Really enjoyed the ambiance and sitting and chatting with friends over a drink. Matcha latte was super disappointing. Just tasted like milk. I got hot. My friend got iced. Both taste like milk. They did not let us just order drink at the counter and sit. Made us order through a waiter which was kinda weird read more

Emissary - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great ambiance; the perfect place to sit and read or enjoy a chat with a friend. Service can be a little slow, but I love that I don't feel rushed and can stay as long as I like - unusual for a restaurant imo! I've tried the bagel platter and it was fabulous. I've been wanting to try their pour over, but I've gone twice in Sunday afternoons and been told they're not serving it at the time. Maybe it's only available in the morning? Outdoor seating is nice if a little noisy, and the staff is friendly. The iced coffee was good, but the capp I had was a little bitter. Overall a nice little restaurant near DuPont and I will be back! read more

Emissary - Remains of my delicious meal on the outdoor patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Vibes and coffee are good. Don't expect fast or super friendly service. Food is overpriced and not worth it IMO

Stage setting: I came for just a coffee and pastry, so I can't speak for the rest of the menu. Location is easily accessible from the Dupont Metro. It's very spacious and has a true café vibe: our waiter let us order our coffees and then let us talk, uninterrupted, for 90 minutes. The chocolate croissant, while on the smaller side, was warmed and melty. My cappuccino was one of the smallest I've ever seen; it had to be less than 8oz. I might come back to see if any of the other food is worthwhile, but otherwise wasn't somewhere I'm dying to go back. read more

I went here to get a vanilla matcha latte and it was actually awful. Really clearly not good quality matcha yet it was 8 dollars

When we arrived, we were told there was table service. After waiting ten minutes, I checked with a different employee and was told that there were no table service that day. During that ten minute wait, the line had gotten much longer. WiFi is spotty and goes in and out, which is really not okay for a cofee shop/brunch place in 2023. Weirdly, they also said to come back to get coffee after I ordered it, but then brought it to the tabel after I went to get it. Place just isn't ready for prime time yet. No alcohol served before eleven. Adding one star because it was easy to find a table inside and the table had an outlet near it and adding another star because both the capuccino and the food was good, if overpriced (normal for Dupont Circle area). read more

Good neighborhood option. I had the avocado, egg, and cheese "burrito." It came with a leafy side salad. You could tell the ingredients were fresh. All around great flavors. They are quite friendly and willing to make it how you want it. I wished it had some tomatoes and another veggie or two. It was more like a wrap for me than a burrito. They have new outdoor seating built into the street. So, lots of outdoor seating now. For your neighborhood this is a fine choice. I'd probably not drive across town for it. read more

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Stopped on a Sunday evening in an April Spring day where the air was cool and the dipping sun was warm. Stopped in at 5:40 pm forgetting it was a Sunday to order hummus and drinks. Alas, they closed at 6. But the server was so great. Couldn't get food so late, but did get some refreshing drinks and a chai latte and soaked in the sun. Just nice to have the server make that happen for a few vacationers pressing up against the end of a Sunday shift. read more

I love this local chain of coffee shops/eateries. The one on P and 21st has a great ambience for talking, reading, or working. The coffee is all great. I just had a drip coffee with steamed half-and-half, and it tasted amazing. I also had the eggs over medium with leafy salad, fresh cheese, and a tasty Arepa, and it was also fantastic. read more

Came here with friends over the holidays, and had a 10/10 meal and experience. All our food came out fresh and very generous portion sizes. Came back here alone and was completely dismayed at the portion size. I'm not a giant eater, but I couldn't believe how much smaller the avocado toast was that second time. It was less than half the size before. And the bread was super crusty. Before it was on one nice loaf, not three tiny, burnt slices. I really wanted to like this place but that second time was a 1/10. Tip, make consistent portion sizes and don't serve anything burnt. read more

Emissary - .... $20 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Perfect atmosphere with friendly staff. The coffee is always amazing and the food is pretty decent. Good place to catch up on work or with friends. One of my favorite spots in the district. read more

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SERVICE: I used to frequent this place. I'd come in sit, use WiFi, then always order a coffee or snack. Then one day I sat and was rudely pressured to order something or leave. I hadn't even taken my computer out. I explained I was going to get settled in then order. Next thing I know a manager was in my face reiterating I must order immediately or I could go. I've never come here and not ordered so this time was odd. The waitress was Black and talked to me with an aggressive tone she wouldn't dare use on white customers. SAD. It will be your own people sometimes. Disgusting "table service" enforcement. I'm never coming back. FOOD: The food has never been good to people who like seasoning. But I use to enjoy the work environment so much I'd still come. With that gone, there's nothing left. OVERALL: Emissary's 4+ star rating is built on previous years of what they used to be. Not who they are today. Try Bluestone Cafe, Kramers, or Tatte nearby. read more

Blown away with this place. Hubs and I are here for a quick night away. We needed something quick in between our hotel check in and our evening event. Went with a mimosa and honey, lavender latte. Both were fantastic. I ordered the egg burrito and he got a prosciutto sandwich. The salads that accompanied the food far exceeded expectations. That dressing is just....wow. Lastly, service was amazing. The outdoor seating areas was very enjoyable on a nice fall day. Our server was great with recommendations and never steered me wrong. The food was so good I have nothing but after pictures. read more

Emissary - Such a nice outdoor seating area. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Good vibes v European service And by that I mean they come to you when they feel like it when they play Disney channel music, a+ My friend saw a ghost but that's a separate issue read more

Matcha was good and had options to sweeten it to different degrees. The space seems cozy but there were mosquitos and I got bit quite a bit which wasn't pleasant. In some areas there isn't a lot of natural light as the windows are small and the place is slightly underground. read more

Emissary - Matcha latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a wonderful place to relax and have great food. Julio was a great host and I enjoyed the dinner. I'm glad I strolled in!

The vibe is perfect for a solo diner. I first found the space because a friend of mine took me here. Immediately, I realized it would be a place that I would come back to. Since that first time, Emissary is my go-to cafe for the vibes. I enjoy being able to sit and drink good coffee for an extended period of time. Vibe: A+ - a small cafe with a lot of table seating and some couches and a bar in the back. If you go when it's busy, it can be loud, so bring headphones just in case. Great seating for a couple of friends, and a lot of outdoor seating if that's more your speed! Food: B+ - I have mainly had the brunch food, but the avocado egg burrito was a stand-out and I would be interested in trying more of the menu. I will say that the coffee and other drinks are the main thing that excite me. Service: B+ - Since the vibe is coffee shop/cafeish, the speed of service really depends on what you're there for. A lot of people hang around and study, so just know you may have to be more active in calling over your waiter when you're done. That's not a bad thing, just a byproduct of the environment. The people I've interacted with there are great though!! Overall: B++. I will continue to come back whenever I need a place to sit and enjoy. The food and drink and drink are added bonuses to what is an otherwise quality experience :) read more

Emissary - Golden milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great place to work and chill with friends Both the avocado toast and salmon toast were excellent -- only complaint might be that they're slightly unwieldy, but that's fine. Beautiful texture and combo of flavors, and I especially enjoyed the pickled onions. It's a little loud on the music side, so wouldn't recommend taking meetings as much here read more

Emissary - Salmon toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Oil in the Mocha..???? I would not recommend the mocha. It was good for the first few sips but once the foam was gone, a thick layer of oil appeared. The coffee itself tastes fruity and acidic which is not my fave but I know other people like that. I came in at 9am and there were a few tables available for me to sit down and get some work done. The WiFi worked well and the vibes are chill, not too loud. I don't think I will be a returning customer due to the taste of their coffee. read more

Emissary - Mocha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was born and raised in DC and never once heard about this place until meeting a friend for coffee here. The spot is located very close to dupont circle and has both outdoor and indoor seating. It's hard to explain exactly how they feel is but my best description is merge rustic with fashionable and modern age. Besides serving great coffee, the place has a lot of great food dishes. I ordered the toasted strawberry peanut butter, and honey drizzled dish full of protein that kept my stomach full long after I left. The interior is nicely decorated with plenty of tables in dimly lit room as well as spacious bar store area that allows for one to study easily without distraction. Prices are reasonable and the staff were quite friendly. read more

Emissary - Banana, strawberries, peanut butter drizzled in honey - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Emissary has two locations, one off of P St and one off of 20th. Their menu offers various coffee house drinks, cocktails, beer, wine, an all day menu, as well as bar snacks and sharing plates. We came here after having a meal in the area, and I tried their Golden Milk Latte and a Mocha. Their latte art was on point, but I felt as if the beverages could be a bit stronger. The place kind of reminds me of a dark cellar with limited lighting; many people were doing work and/or catching up with friends - a great laid-back atmosphere where you can definitely get some work done! I liked that they had plenty of tables and seating available. I'd like to try out their other lattes as well as some of the items off their menu the next time. Some street parking available in the area. +bar snacks and sharing plates available after 2 PM +plenty of seating +some street parking available read more