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    ESP Tea and Coffee

    4.5 (167 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Closed 7:30 am - 6:00 pm

    Order ESP Tea and Coffee Takeout or Delivery

    ESP Tea and Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    ESP TEA AND COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating
    Good for working

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    Lukewarm Chaga with oatmilk and microwaved quiche
    Melissa H.

    I usually like this place and get great service but today was a miss. I arrived a little after 10 a.m. to an empty shop with three team members behind the counter. I ordered my chaga with oat milk, as previously recommended by staff, and a spinach-goat-cheese quiche. The chaga (mushroom-based drink with ginger and cinnamon) came out first in a beautiful, heavy mug. But unlike the last time, it wasn't anything close to hot. When I picked it up from the bar, I saw that my quiche was going into the microwave. When I sat down to eat it, it wouldn't cut easily with a knife. The top layer was congealed together. It also was not heated through. I turned the plate around to try my hand at the crust portion, but that was so rubbery that it also would not cut. I got a to-go box and decided I would try my luck with the toaster oven at home. I think I'll stick to coming here on weekdays.

    Inside view
    Paul E.

    The shop makes excellent cappuccinos. A perfect blend of milk, froth, and espresso where my drink was balanced and full bodied with a nice creamy texture. I'm definitely a big fan of this drink and this coffee shop.

    roasted almond Loose Leaf Teas
    Rose F.

    The barista was very friendly. He offered me a refill on my hot water after I had finished my first cup of tea. I enjoyed the tea. There was plenty of comfortable seating. I sat on the sofa and knit until closing time at 8. Appreciate it being open late.

    Gluten free apple streusel and a Nutella Latte (Hot)
    Becky S.

    I was visiting my sister on a rainy Monday and wanted to find a nice coffee shop with gluten free options. I decided to try this place. The service is great and everyone who worked there was super warm and friendly. They recommended the gluten free Apple streusel, especially for a rainy day. I also ordered a Nutella latte with 2% milk. The decor is colorful and unique, and every mug is different. There's no pressure to leave and I stayed a read a book for about an hour, as did a few people who arrived at the same time as me. The coffee is good and the pastry was warm and buttery, and it was so nice to have the option to enjoy a pastry with my drink. Overall, this establishment was a great addition to my trip.

    Katie H.

    Loved this place! Service was great, coffee was good, and the atmosphere and wall decor was fun. We really liked it. Only thing to be aware of is that they don't offer any sugar free flavors. Otherwise, they have what you need to start your morning right!

    Mango matcha
    Frankie L.

    One Mango Matcha coming up! This drink was a little experience in itself. I love that the matcha was slightly sweet and I want depending on the mango to sweeten it up. The mango flavor has a nice balance. I will say this took a while for them to make. Not sure if this is normal for an artisan drink. I've had drinks more intricately crafted that were whipped up quicker. The cafe was quiet. I enjoyed the vibe of the decor. The staff were friendly and conversational. She spoke to my sister about where her dress was from.

    Jessica A.

    This cafe had cool vibes to it. Very different and a bit hippy. They also had unique drinks for their August specials. I decided to try the mango matcha, and that was a good choice. Matcha is not usually my go to, but the mango was a great addition.

    Outside
    Becca S.

    This place was fun. Cool hipster vibes inside. We sat outside and we called the furniture tetanus chairs. There were rusty nails sticking out and wobbly. As for the food and drink, I have very high coffee standards. The coffee was in my opinion, borderline terrible. I didn't finish my drink. I would end up giving this place a lower rating, but I tried the food and that was incredible. The Saltana, I almost ordered 3 more. Even the cookie didn't look like much, but was one of the best chewy cookies I've ever had. I would go back, but only for the unbelievable hand pies.

    Iced Sugar Daddy

    Very kind staff! The iced sugar daddy latte is very good, and the seating and vibes are great :)

    Flat White
    Oenihss D.

    The coffee is good, I order the flat white. I know they get their coffee beans from Dream chaser and been curious to try both the place and their coffee out. It satisfied my caffeine need to wake up. The service was excellent. Ambiance, the decor is eclectic and bold with some cozy vibes. There is limited coffee seating due to the design of the building itself. I know people that have come here to work remotely and have not heard them complain about it. If I am in the area again and need caffeine I'll definitely will come back and stop. Also, they self Art prints so if you decor for your place you can get some.

    Chive croffle
    Olivia S.

    Service was rushed and mediocre friendliness. "Intimate" or claustrophobic atmosphere depending on the amount of people. Rock music was playing in the morning. Prices for coffee were standard ($5 lattes). Iced latte was a little watery. Croffle prices were absurd. Plain croffle was $2.75 and the sour cream chive was $7.25, which was absurd considering it's just a croissant cooked like a waffle with a ranch-esque dressing. Considering the amount of coffee shops in a 3 block vicinity I would pick elsewhere.

    Gluten free brownie cookie & salted caramel iced coffee
    Marivic L.

    I've been here too many times to count at this point. TBH it's for the iced Salted Caramel Latte with almond milk. I drink my coffee black but this is the exception. The drawback about this place are the items that aren't coffee. I've tried several cookies and whoopie pies and have been disappointed. Does that mean I won't try the pies, Jamaican beef patties, salteñas, etc.? No. I will try those and report back. Hopefully, those are better. The staff is so helpful and lovely and the quirky atmosphere alone is worth a stop.

    Noelle N.

    I loved this place last summer, I went quite often with my friends. The last 2 times I've been i'm not sure whats been going on....but both times we got hot drinks that weren't hot. I have always found the employees to be super pleasant and kind and quick for service, the first time I visited last summer I got an amazing Cortado I was extremely pleased with! I've never been upset with the coffees tasting notes or flavors here, I think everything is really good! the pie shop pie is not to be missed, along with their other array of sweet & savory treats! Unfortunately most recently I've had a few experiences where I was super pleased with my service, but the drinks I got just weren't up to par unfortunately..... The matcha I got one time was semi-unpleasant due to the chunky and un-incorporated texture and it was maybe sitting around 100 degrees upon starting it....(fairly cold for a hot drink) and then once again, another latte I ordered on a separate occasion, also nowhere near "hot" aka 140-160 degrees "the standard drinkable temp" on our most recent visit the cups we got didn't fit the top, and we were soon wearing our americano on our shirts...but it was hot! and pretty tasty! I am a seasoned & working barista of 6 years myself and when I find a place I like I typically stick with it! (this would be considered one of them) so I will be giving this place another chance in the near future, I think they have a lovely ambiance, lovely community/employees, and previously really great drinks!

    Iced Matcha Latte (Cerermonial)

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    6 months ago

    My tea and coconut milk was excellent. I will be making this a regular stop when I am in town.

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    2 years ago

    Love this place. Coffee/Tea, Vibe, and staff. Nice chill place with great drinks. Thank you

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    Page 1 of 5

    ESP Tea and Coffee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - ESP Tea and Coffee

    Hey! Just curious to see if anyone's been to the open mic on Sundays before? Like how many ppl usually go? How long do u get to do ur routine? Is there beer? Haha thx! 😆😆😆

    Hey man, Its a good scene. The place is small, so very family, non judgmental vibe. Usually its 2-3 songs or 10-15 minutes. There is no beer. They do have Kava. See ya there. :)

    Great to see ESP "back"! Do you still sell Dangerously Delicious Pies?

    Hey there, Yes the pies are back and they are still fabulous.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Via Volcan Coffee - Cortado

    Via Volcan Coffee

    4.6(60 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town Alexandria

    Via Volcan has the best cup of black coffee in all DMV. I drive from Fairfax to Old Town and…read morealways stop for coffee. It should be served at the next Peace treaty.... The taste will make us all recognize we are all human...... and appreciate a great cup of coffee!! The barista is kind and friendly.

    We were looking forward to our visit to Via Volcán to get a caffeine fix after having lunch in the…read morearea, and we decided to stop by. Unfortunately, whoever the individual was on shift today was just a total piss poor person - she seemed to have an issue with our party, as she automatically assumed we just came there to 'squat' without ordering anything (if you have been to this place before, there isn't much seating and this isn't where you'd want to sit for a bit anyway); when I called her out and stated that I already knew our party's orders, she backtracked. She then continued to make a snide comment on the number of drinks we were ordering - what's with the passive aggressiveness? I didn't know that there was some rule that each person was required to order something. Like, are you okay? I just had a bad feeling about all of this, and we should have just walked out instead of giving our money to support this business - to add to it all, the coffees that we did receive (latte with soy milk, and the mocha) were just poorly made and not strong at all; they were both watered down and bitter at the same time... come on! UGH, the regret, but it was a choice. Shame on you, Via Volcán! You might want to heavily reconsider who you employ and train them better - this individual is really hurting your business! What a miserable person. Street parking can be found in the area. +NASTY employee +watered down/bitter coffee +street parking in the area

    Photos
    Via Volcan Coffee - Cortado

    Cortado

    Via Volcan Coffee - The 1st floor customer area. The stairs at the back corner lead to the 2nd floor seating areas and bathroom.

    The 1st floor customer area. The stairs at the back corner lead to the 2nd floor seating areas and bathroom.

    Via Volcan Coffee - The view from the front door

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    The view from the front door

    HomeGrown - Alexandria - BLT-A-E

    HomeGrown - Alexandria

    4.5(146 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$

    Friend and I went here for brunch and really enjoyed it…read more Between the two of us, we ordered: - a pumpkin pie latte - a veggie lover omelet - eggs florentine - coffee cake Everything we got was quite good, and the service/atmosphere was wonderful too. Not to mention, it felt so fairly-priced compared to most places in Old Town! We spent about $50 between the two of us, which included a 20% tip on our bill. Hard to beat in this area honestly, especially given the quality of the food and service. I look forward to coming back and am so glad to finally have an answer to "where do you recommend going for brunch in Old Town?" -- a question that I've historically struggled with when people asked!

    We stopped into HomeGrown on King Street for breakfast while visiting Alexandria. First impressions…read morewere very positive--the restaurant is clean, modern, and has a welcoming atmosphere. The staff was friendly, and the menu had several items that sounded interesting. Unfortunately, the experience didn't quite live up to the setting. I ordered the biscuits and gravy, which came with eggs and breakfast potatoes. The meal itself was good, and I liked that the eggs were included since that's not always the case with biscuits and gravy. I also ordered a Bloody Mary that was advertised on the menu as being garnished with bacon, celery and a pickle spear. When it arrived, there was no bacon, celery or pickle spear, and I was told they were out. Not a huge deal, but it would have been nice to know before ordering. The biggest issue was service timing. There were four of us dining together, and three meals arrived while the fourth entrée didn't show up for about ten more minutes. Since nobody wanted to eat while one person sat without food, our meals cooled off while we waited. Ironically, the delayed meal was a BLT--which did have bacon on it and even a pickle spear.... I finished my first Bloody Mary and ordered a second. After waiting 15-20 minutes with no drink arriving, our check was brought to the table and I ended up canceling it. My wife's meal was the biggest disappointment. It was served with corn chips that were extremely stale, which really hurt the overall dish. HomeGrown has a lot of potential. The atmosphere is great, the staff was pleasant, and parts of the meal were enjoyable. However, between the service delays, missing menu items, stale chips, and drink issues, there is definitely room for improvement.

    Photos
    HomeGrown - Alexandria - Seating 2

    Seating 2

    HomeGrown - Alexandria - Cranberry French Toast $14.75 Homemade apple pound cake battered, griddled, & paired with cranberry compote, two eggs, & a choice of meat.

    Cranberry French Toast $14.75 Homemade apple pound cake battered, griddled, & paired with cranberry compote, two eggs, & a choice of meat.

    HomeGrown - Alexandria - Bloody Mary

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    Bloody Mary

    Hypergoat  Coffee Roasters

    Hypergoat Coffee Roasters

    4.5(53 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Town Alexandria

    Delicious coffee, very friendly service, and cool industrial-chic vibes! We came here at 10 am on a…read moreSunday morning, and there was plenty of empty tables and chairs... By 10:30 am though, there were many more customers and all tables were taken. So come here by 10 am if you want to nab a table. The drinks I had here so far are: - Bluebell espresso soda - brisk, fruity, and refreshing. It has an intriguing complex blend of flavors (jasmine, blamango, coconut). Really unique! - Rose cardy latte (iced with little ice, oat milk) - delightfully sweet and refreshing. It was not too sweet and has light floral tones. Service was very friendly and quick. All the workers looked fairly young and hipster-cool and always had a smile for me!

    I absolutely love this coffee shop for its unique lattes. As someone who embarks on coffee…read moreadventures weekly, this café stands out with its creative options, charming interior, and amazing baristas. However, I'm considering making this a less frequent stop because they no longer allow customization of their seasonal selections. I used to enjoy tailoring my drinks to explore new flavors and enhance my experience. While I understand their logic--similar to not altering a prix fixe menu--the ability to customize is something I value in a coffee shop, especially since I savor one select cup each day. The ambience is delightful, with a rustic modern vibe that makes it a decent spot to work if you can snag a table, though the wobbly chairs can be a bit distracting. They also offer a coworking space, which is nice if you need a rentable area, but it does feel somewhat corporate, reminiscent of a WeWork environment. Despite these positives, I can't give the shop a full five-star rating due to their policy against customizing specialty drinks. While I appreciate their desire to maintain the integrity of their unique creations, this decision takes away from the personal coffee experience I cherish. The joy of customizing a drink to my exact taste is something I miss dearly. In summary, while the coffee and atmosphere are top-notch, the lack of personalization and the slightly corporate/snobby feel of the coworking space are drawbacks. It's still a great place to visit for the flavors and the vibe, but I hope they reconsider allowing customization to enhance the overall experience.

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    Hypergoat  Coffee Roasters - The goats!

    The goats!

    Hypergoat  Coffee Roasters
    Hypergoat  Coffee Roasters - Lavender honey latte

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    Lavender honey latte

    Turkish Coffee Lady - Turkish coffee

    Turkish Coffee Lady

    4.6(239 reviews)
    0.0 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$

    Walking into Turkish Coffee Lady feels like stepping into another world entirely. Gizem White…read morepoured her love into every single detail of the Golden Horn High Tea -- gold-plated cups, homemade pistachio baklava, rose Turkish delight, and a hand-painted copper kettle that anchors the whole experience. This isn't just high tea. It's a cultural journey that unfolds in courses -- tea first, then Turkish delights, then sandwiches, and finally Turkish coffee to close it all out. The sweets are made with intention, the presentation is stunning, and the warmth Gizem brings to everything she does makes you feel like you're sitting at a friend's table rather than a coffee shop. Old Town Alexandria is lucky to have her. If you haven't been to Turkish Coffee Lady yet, that needs to change -- and the Golden Horn High Tea is exactly where you start.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ 10/10

    Stopped by for an afternoon coffee…read more The store is small inside, but decorated well and has smaller tables for seating. Warm, bright, welcoming. Server was friendly. We each ordered a traditional Turkish coffee and an assortment of baklava to share. Grabbed a table near the windows and our coffee was brought to us quickly. I ordered the Mandin and was a bit nervous to see how small the coffee cup was. I expected a strong bitter taste, but was surprised at how smooth and flavorful the coffee was. The coffee is presented on a beautiful platter and with complimentary Turkish delights. They were soft, chewy, and a bit perfume-y. Felt like a tea party but in Turkey! The baklava was flavorful and sweet, perfectly paired with the coffee. We took some cute photos inside. Was a great time! Would definitely come again to try out the rest of their menu. Great place to bring coffee-lovers and people visiting from out of town.

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    Turkish Coffee Lady - Chocolate cake

    Chocolate cake

    Turkish Coffee Lady - A Turkish delight, a glass of water, and an Ottoman cup.

    A Turkish delight, a glass of water, and an Ottoman cup.

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    Uptowner Cafe - Toasted bacon egg and cheese bagel Uptowner

    Uptowner Cafe

    3.5(169 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town Alexandria
    $

    Rating only as a coffee shop, I was quite pleased with my cup of Joe, where it was full-bodied,…read moresmooth and with no harsh notes. Service was quick where I enjoyed my cup outside on one of their tables adjoining the business. Besides coffee, they would appear to serve the full assortment of drinks you would expect to see in a barista type operation as well as sandwiches where they serve breakfast and lunch during the course of the day. Nice! Overall, if you're looking for a quick cup of coffee that is not a chain coffee then this is an excellent option for you especially if you are in the area. The other key thing to note is this shop opens at 6 AM Monday through Friday so if you're an early riser like I am, keep that in mind.

    AMBIANCE: I came here to meet up with a new friend for a…read morequick morning bite. It was the perfect spot to do just that. you walk in and can feel the spot is a neighborhood gem. that being said, i felt like a slight outsider being new there--not a them thing, just a me thing :). They deff have regulars. It's smal and cozy; the furniture is mismatched and i LOVE that. Now, if you have customer-anxiety, i like to call it, i would deff look at the menu beforehand so you know what to order. I walked in and there was a couple sitting closest to the cash register and i was like "oup!! can't take too long. everyone knows i'm here and i need to make a quick decision" so i just ordered quickly without really the taking time to look at the menu (whenever i go to new coffee spots i like i choose a fun, unique drink if they have it and i just derped). SERVICE: The owners were running the cash register on a saturday morning. I love me some business owners! So it made me happy to support this business. they were quick, kind, and efficient. The drink was made QUICKLY! I was in and out in under 8 mins. So saturday morning around 10:30am/11am -- i got quick service. FOOD: The iced coffee was so yum. I got a small iced vanilla latte. It was honestly perfectly. I like my iced coffees sweet but not too sweet. I didn't have to add anything but i could still taste the coffee profile. it was a joy to drink. for a bite to eat, i had the corn muffin (pretending to make myself feel better about eating something "healthy"). It was AMAZING. Totaled around 11 bucks. Definitely crumbled easy while eating it, as I was breaking pieces off with my hands while I chatted. All in all, i'd come again for sure.

    Photos
    Uptowner Cafe - Inside -- main door is to the left (out of the frame)

    Inside -- main door is to the left (out of the frame)

    Uptowner Cafe - Tuna sandwich

    Tuna sandwich

    Uptowner Cafe - Interior

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    Interior

    ESP Tea and Coffee - coffee - Updated June 2026

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