I stumbled across Gathering Grounds in the University Mall retail complex one Sunday morning. I needed caffeine and so this fit the bill! I ordered their largest size of cold brew (24 oz. I believe) with a splash of Half n' Half. The drink was strong and tasty and got the ole neurons firing in short order! Service was good. Paid with Apple Pay... #GatheringGrounds read more

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Why say 7:00am when you're not open at 7:00am? *sad emoji* Also on Apple Maps it says y'all open at 6:30am Also please ignore my chicken legs in the reflection of the door. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Best coffee ever! I appreciate the great customer service. The breakfast sandwich hit the spot. I can't wait to return and enjoy the ambience. Parking was easy! read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Register view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

cozy, moody cafe with great coffee. I'm sucker for scones - more creative flavors than Starbucks, but sadly more dry. Nice quiet spot to hang out on dreary rainy day. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & scone - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I've come here before and have had good coffee, but this time I tried a matcha and this new croissant bagel smoked salmon sandwich. Matcha: Ive been making my own matcha at home for several years and have used low grade to ceremonial grade matcha. The matcha they use isn't very pleasant and has a very dark color. This resulted in a burnt after taste I haven't tasted before with matcha. Croissant bagel: the bagel itself is so good, but it lacked a lot of substance as you can see. A few pieces of salmon with a thin overcooked egg. I think the whole sandwich was heated up together, because the salmon looks to be cooked through, as opposed to most bagel shops who heat the bagel and then add the ingredients to keep the smoked salmon from cooking. It's a new item so I don't want to knock it too much, but the dry salmon was a let down If I'm spending almost $40 for two people, I'd expect a little more value. I understand that this is a coffee spot at heart, but lacking out on the quality is going to bring me to go to other breakfast/coffee places first read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Smoked salmon croissant bagel itself - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

SHOP LOCAL - the donuts, and baked goods in here are x10 better than Dunkin's next door. Service was good; my Cortado was perfectly made and served with a smile, the place was empty late in the afternoon/evening, which meant I could get my work done with no distractions. A great spot for students wishing to get work done off campus. read more

Super good service, quality coffee and a good place to hangout. Forgot pictures but just got standard lattes and they were great

This place is cute for a gathering with friends or a coffee date. Ambiance is casual and cute. The staff is kind and friendly. I got an iced caramel latte and the coffee was phenomenal. I also got a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it was so flaky and buttery. I would recommend coming by here for coffee it's pretty affordable in comparison to chains and much better! read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Iced Specialty Latte and Bacon, Egg & Cheese on Croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I went to the cat cafe near here and decided to try this cafe With my mom and sister right after. Since it was a weekday and around 230pm, it wasn't super busy. We were helped quickly and there's lots of seating. I loved the current decor (I've read the reviews that it changed seasonally) and the service was quick. My sister got a blueberry muffin, she and I got seasonal lattes (she got a Mountain Mint (had peppermint and some other stuff) and I got a Trail Mix latte (white chocolate, almond and raspberry) - iced versions), we tried the beignet trio (so filled fluffy donuts), my mom got the almond poppy seed muffin and a strawberry mango smoothie (they can blend two fruits for you). The smoothie was by far the best item and so delicious. They heated the muffins up for us and the staff was so nice; they smiled and had great energy! Would love to return here with friends ! Besides the pastries and coffees and smoothies, they have breakfast items, savory items such as sandwiches, and drinks such as boba. read more

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I was impressed by the mostly positive reviews so I came to check it out on a random Tuesday morning. I should have taken the completely empty store as a red flag. I was craving a good hot coffee & a snack. The fact that there are no price or size details on their menu board should have been another red flag, I hate a lack of transparency. I ordered a large drip coffee w/ some cream and there was nothing but dessert-y looking pastries in the case so I skipped a snack. I was a little taken aback by the $5 price for a drip coffee, but if it was really good I'd be ok with it. Too bad it was one of the worst, most bitter (dare I say sour?) tasting coffees I've ever had (and I love coffee). That's too bad, I was hoping I'd found my new go-to, independent coffee shop but I see no reason to return. read more

Parking: there's a lot of parking because it is located in a shopping center. But it can get a little tight because there's a lot of cars. There are two entrances to the cafe! It is also located right across from George Mason University, so it can get hectic with college students. Seating: there's a good number of tables and seats inside. They also have a few seats outside the cafe. I like the cozy vibe. Food: their coffee is pretty good. They have some fun and creative flavors! They also have some good pastries and sandwiches. Bathroom: they have one individual bathroom. It's kind of in the middle of the cafe. Price: it's average like other cafes. But it is a little pricey, especially considering it's in front of a college. Service: our cashier and server was very kind and attentive. She made our drinks in a timely manner :) read more

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I enjoyed my experience at Gathering Grounds, very good coffee but better service. Johnny was very professional and helpful!!

I'm the old dog in here, but still 100% man. Am content and don't mind, kicking back in a coffee shop with mostly college aged folks. Have met some nice people here, although more of a standoffish guy. It's not personal, just lived a bit. This is trendy and I'm glad it's doing well. Occasionally I'll grab a coffee and croissant here. Compared to the corporate stores, you know who they are, much better pricing here. Their coffees are pretty good. Are they great though? Taste is subjective. To me it's good, but lacks the one signature blend I've looked for. Very nice staff as all are very friendly. It can be busy but solid areas to sit down at. Sometimes I bring my e reader and enjoy a novel here too. For me it's an occasional treat, but will re rate when I've tried more of their foods. read more

Gathering Grounds is still my favorite place for dark roast coffee in the GMU Fairfax campus area. The service is friendly and generally pleasant. It can be a little confusing if you're here for the first time. After taking your order at the cash register, guests are supposed to wait along the side wall. There's another entrance on the back side of the cafe, which is convenient if you need to walk to the Giant supermarket. Also, I found the restroom in the back of the cafe and was impressed by how clean it was (at 11:50am). The owners of this local cafe really care deeply about keeping the interior as clean as possible for customers. Hygiene is a positive signal of quality. I'm nearly approaching my first reward (at 50 points) through the Gathering Grounds rewards program. Can't wait to try a cappuccino or fancy espresso drink later in December! read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Front desk where you can place your order. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Cute coffee shop in Fairfax. The lattes! Ask for the specialty latte menu, as it's not on the board. The have so many fun flavors like trail mix, Lavendar cloud and Killer Bee. So fun! I did an iced latte with raspberry, Lavendar and vanilla and it was tasty. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant was also yummy. Adding this to my favorites list for coffee shops in the area. read more

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Promptly greeted me when I arrived. Friendly staff and owner, encouraging about the local events they have planned. When asked what to try offered a recommendation for the apple danish that was worth the try. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Came here for an evening coffee. The atmosphere is great for studying, catching up, or anything in between. It's not too loud, soft music playing in the background. There is plenty of seating in the back if you're studying, or comfy seats in the front for relaxing. The staff were great, super kind. Coffee was affordable and reasonably priced. I ordered a caramel macchiato which was delicious. I will be back to this location and suggest you try it out as well. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I had tried Breakfast Burrito & Nitro. Coffee was mid. Burrito was cold in the center and not good at all. It was too busy for refire. Turns my stomach thinking about it. I have been numerous times, the coffee is good. Everything else is a roll of the dice. read more

My friend and I stopped by Gathering Grounds after a heavy meal yesterday evening. I got the jasmine tea here to help with digestion. I was a little surprised that they charge almost 4.00 (after tax) for a tea bag and hot water. Sadly, my tea was really weak and I felt like I was drinking hot water for most of it and could not tell it was jasmine. The barista was really nice, though! read more

Great little place, I stop by every time I drive my daughter to GMU, delicious coffee, fresh baked goods (very good quality, they always have something new!). Great breakfast options. A little gem! I love the atmosphere too. My favorite spot around. read more

A meritorious café, located conveniently for Mason students in University Mall with the perfect atmosphere for doing work and/or studying! I have been going to this coffee shop for the past few years, and I have had a very pleasant experience each time! I thoroughly enjoy the space and ambience as it is relaxing, comfortable, and clean. Also, their seasonal items constantly feature fun and festive drinks to try! I recently had their Halloween special, the Witches Brew--which paired nicely with a strawberry duet pastry. Gathering Grounds is your classically dependable, local coffee shop that offers an expansive variety of foods and beverages to try with a cozy space to get your hustle + grind on! P.S. Make sure to check-in upon entering the café for a sweet 10% off discount on your order! read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - | WITCHES BREW + STRAWBERRY DUET PASTRY | - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Great atmosphere; excellent service; delicious coffee and scones! This is my "go to" location.

-Quick Summary: Good place to go to kill an hour, but the back of the shop needs better furniture and better vibes compared to the front, finally store hours need to be much longer as it closes much too early. - Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly: Kind of, there are not too many options for food but they have plant-based milk - Interior: front half is nice, not the back half - Drink Presentation: Good - Portion Size: Good - Drink Taste: I got a lemonade and was pretty good but was a little too sweet for my liking - Price: Good especially since its right next to GMU - Service: Good -Would I go Back: Yes but only if I am meeting someone near GMU or my friend lives near there, wouldn't go out of my way by any means ------------------------------------- - Overall Thoughts: The front looks pretty nice and because it's located at University mall I really expected everything to be good. I think it's a cute shop and has a lot of potentials. However, I just feel like it misses the mark for a good coffee shop. If I was on campus I would choose to go to the Starbucks over this place any day but I will say the prices are good and the drink I got wasn't bad. But overall the place is ok. If I do go back which I expect to as I have friends who live near there it's because I have to not cause I want to. read more

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Burnt the s out of my mouth and my elder parent also with the breakfast sandwich. The body language of the person that took our order seemed "over it" by putting their body over the counter head down because we took too long to order. Our fault. We were new in town. Visiting a college game. DD was next door and we wanted a better taste. Ultimately we tasted nothing due to our burns. read more

Great menu options and fantastic looking lattes. Plenty of breakfast and lunch sandwhich options and they have the option of their unique crogels read more

The staff was a little standoffish when I first came in when I ordered my drink I was about to pay when I asked what size my drink was because I wasn't told the potions they seemed annoyed. Even though I asked before they started. The matcha latte I ordered was watered down tasted more like milk than matcha and not extra sweet like I asked. Matcha partials were in the drink so it wasn't blended enough read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I LOVE the ambience of this place, the staff is always friendly and accommodating, and i always enjoy what the barista(s) recommend-- their espresso is always spot on, whether it's an iced latte or a plain redeye. Very convenient location, and I will always be coming here after my classes! read more

I stopped in Gathering Grounds for the first time earlier today. It's next to a DD and a Starbucks so I figured I'd go local. I had a large 20 ounce bold roast and a #6 breakfast sandwich (egg white,cheddar,Turkey sausage,whole wheat English muffin). The sandwich was very filling and flavorful. The coffee was delicious as well. Everything came to $8ish. I appreciate they have water readily available as well as indoor and outdoor seating. The hours on Yelp seem off though-their door says they open at 7 AM not 6:30 AM. I'd definitely stop here again for an AM coffee and breakfast. read more

Waited 10 minutes for a coffee & croissant. 3 people behind the counter. Not sure what the holdup was. I finally just asked where is my coffee & croissant. They gave me the "we've got lots of orders... ". Only a few people in the shop. Won't be back. Actually still waiting for my croissant as I type this. I don't usually come to this area but don't plan to return. I'm giving a 3 b/c food was good. Coffee was excellent. Mgmt needs to hire people firing on all cylinders read more

Great food, setting and service. I'm convinced that negative reviews are more of a reflection on the reviewer than the shop. These guys are great! read more

I stopped in late afternoon for the first time to try this place out. Very cute inside and the barista was very friendly and patient as I browsed the options. I went with a butterscotch latte. Unfortunately, I just didn't love the taste. It was also more pricey than I expected for a coffee house right off of a college campus. I believe it was about $7 for a small latte. Might be worth paying that if it was delicious but alas, it was not. I may try their regular drip coffee for a better idea of their roast, but truthfully, there's so many other coffee shopped in the area that I already like, I'm not sure I'll make another trip specifically for this one. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Cute ceiling decor - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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The place smells like a dirty bathroom. There is no music playing and there is a loud rumbling sound coming from the vents in the ceiling. The short bearded man with glasses at the register didn't have basic customer service skills - he was loudly tapping his pen on the counter out of impatience as we decided on what coffee to order, and dragged his pen down the cup sizes instead of asking which size we'd like. Didn't even say hello or goodbye. Lattes tastes like black coffee. Couldn't even taste the three different syrups they added in their seasonal "Witches Brew" latte. Such a waste of money and our time, because the place is actually done up so well and this is the only coffee shop so close to George Mason. read more

I ordered a croissant sandwich with turkey sausage and cheese and also a tea. My drink got out quick. I asked about my sandwich and if it was ready. They said they forgot about the order. After 20 minutes I asked again and they still hadn't made it so I just asked for a refund and they refused to give me a refund and made me the sandwich however it had egg and sausage on it. I am allergic to sausage so I couldn't eat it regardless and I don't get my money back for paying for a 8$ sandwich :/ read more

Solid food, normally good coffee. I have been here 100's of times and have yet to have bad service. Today was not the case. Asked for my normal Zombie dessert medium roast and they gave me a bag of beans. Food took 30+ mins to get out and they couldn't figure out why I needed it to be tax exempt. Very poor this morning. read more

Popped by this café for an hour - it'd been on my radar to check out for a while. Overall, I'd definitely come back if I was nearby and needed (A) great coffee or (B) a place with lots of seating for a casual meeting. The ambiance is so close to being great, but falls short. I'm not sure why I feel this way though. My first impression is just that it feels impersonal and cold. Not sure if it's the flooring or the high ceilings? Anyway. It's not bad, it's just not good enough to break into my top favorite coffee shops in the area. The one thing they are doing right is seating. Lots of seats - a smart idea given their proximity to a university. Love that. The lamp shade lighting is great too. The coffee (I had a latte) was very good. I didn't try food, but it looked like it'd be tasty. I'll be back. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Very cute - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Use to be a great little coffee shop. Not anymore. Lack of caring, lack of service and using the cheapest way possible to get things done has ruined it. Made my order, stood for over 10 minute with Noone even beginning to start coffee orders. Already there were 3 orders ahead of mine and Noone on the machine. The staff was too busy making sure the cash register rang to actually care about service. After being a loyal customer for several years, no more. We left, a wasted18 dollars. read more

This place is great for getting a chance to support something more local. You get Mason students as both guests and baristas. The food is usually made ahead for their convince and so far I've not had the best of luck there, just not quite what I want for breakfast out. The drinks, coffee only as far as I care to buy, are really great or really blech. It all seems to come down to the barista and general attention to recipe or lack thereof. I really hope that they can stabilize the quality and then this place will stay a solid, if more expensive choice to the chains. The coffee overall is probably a little worse than the other major competitor in FFX city but still not bad and some of the beans they offer have really pleased my more coffee savvy friends as gifts. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Delightful! Sandwiched between a Dunkin' and a McDonald's, this joint competes at a whole 'nother level. Excellent operation; the ladies running the show are super cool and pleasant, the almond milk no-foam latte and sandwich are impeccably made and delicious. Truly noteworthy. Great job, Gathering Grounds! Cute name. read more

Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - Front counter, menu boards - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

This is for new owners and management. I would not say I am a frequent customer but I would say that when I'm unable to get to my other local spot, this is a place I stop at which I prefer compared to dunkin next door. Today I was unhappy by the transformation. It is not appealing and I was frustrated with no obvious menu nor list of syrups or options. This is a coffee bar. I don't really care that alcohol is available when I need a delicious cup of coffee at 8 am. I was told by the sweet baristas to look at the plastic menu that so many others handled before me. Not sure what goal is in mind here but for a coffee bar next to a large college campus and other professional building. Way off. Please put a menu back up. Would rather go to Dunkin at this point. And the worst part of all of it..... is the bad coffee I got. No thank you read more

Service was friendly. Food was so greasy other than that it tasted okay. It was pricey