The mushroom coffee was the standout -- not too sweet, not too earthy, just right. The avocado toast, though, fell flat. The avocado was spread so thin it wasn't even a smash, and it could have used some extra seasoning -- salt, pepper, maybe -- to bring it to life. Underwhelming for a menu centerpiece. The carrot cake fared better, moist and well-spiced. Two more things kept this from five stars. Gluten-free eaters get exactly one option -- the carrot cake -- while the zucchini bread and the rest of the dessert case all run on flour. A café this charming could do more there. And the table service ran cold. The food got dropped at the table with no check-in -- no "anything else I can get for you?" -- just gone. Still, the space, the theme, the coffee, and the carrot cake earn a return trip. Four stars. read more

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We made an impromptu decision to stop by this café and ended up staying to watch one of France's World Cup matches. From the outside, it's tucked away in an unassuming part of town, but once you step inside, it has a charming French-inspired aesthetic. The space is much larger than I expected, with plenty of seating and a huge TV that made it a great spot to catch the game. The barista was patient and friendly, taking the time to answer our questions and help us decide what to order. I tried one of their seasonal specials, the Berry White Chocolate Latte. It was very berry-forward, which I actually enjoyed, although the white chocolate flavor was a bit more subtle than I expected. We also ordered the Tiramisu Frappuccino, which unfortunately tasted more like a standard blended latte and didn't really capture the flavors of tiramisu. For food, we shared the zucchini loaf, which was decent, and the bacon and cheddar quiche, which ended up being my favorite item we ordered. It was savory, flavorful, and a nice balance to all the sweet drinks and pastries. While the food and drinks themselves didn't completely wow me, the atmosphere absolutely did. The welcoming staff, cozy French-inspired décor, and lively environment made it a place I'd happily return to. Next time, I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu. read more

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Met up with a friend to catch up and thought this would be a great setting. Excellent location to enjoy a caffeinated drink, croissant or French dip for lunch! Shared parking lot in strip mall setting. Plenty of inside seating and a few tables outside that see covered as well. Service is quick and very friendly. Bathrooms in house to use and free WiFi as well. Large screen TV to keep up with World Cup and some great tunes in the background. Casually quiet even with a large amount of customers in the shop. Would be a good hangout if I lived in this neck of the woods! read more

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The food is freshly made, with that rare and civilized charm of seeming to have arrived from a small French village, only one with polished floors and the comforts of modern life. The service was a wonderful: swift, gracious, and, most unusually, kind enough to bring the food directly to our table. The line to order moved quickly, which made the experience here all the more lovely. Their breakfast pastries and desserts are beautifully varied and tempting. I had the egg, cheese and chorizo croissant which was buttery soft fluffy and most importantly deliciously filling. The ambiance is cozy, modern French chic, yet still family-friendly. Grounded Coffee is an elegant little refuge among the hustle and bustle, where you can sit at the long tables, a couch, or a table and linger over coffee, do a bit of work, and nibble a pastry as though time had politely agreed to wait. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Egg, cheese and chorizo croissant which- buttery fluffy and filling - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Really great! I love the berry American and the peach almond pastry was excellent, that crust was amazing! read more

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Grounded Coffee shop is a pleasure and a treat! French inspired and American admired. I love to stop in here when I'm in the Alexandria area. This time I sat and had lunch. The Croque Monsier was delicious; the ultimate grilled cheese with smoked Gouda, Gruyère, ham, and topped off with a creamy mornay sauce. The sandwich just oozed with cheese. Next time I'll get it to go and have it with tomato soup. Then I had a plain cappuccino which was slightly bitter and smooth. They have so much to choose from; a bakery and a wine bar. Next on my list is the short rib panini, the raspberry cream bear claw along with a few other items. It's a lovely place to have lunch and get work done. The noise level was low and parking was plenty. Truly an amazing escape! read more

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Cute little spot but honestly the coffee was pretty mediocre. Lots of syrups, flavors and they had a few supper cute monthly specials. The pastries were okay. I got some type of apple tart. I did ask for it to be warmed which they said they could do. At best it was maybe slightly above room temperature. There is a parking lot. although smaller sized spaces if you drive a big SUV. There are a few outdoor tables if it is a nice day or you can sit inside with plenty of tables or a couch. Not sure that I would return unless I had a friend who wanted to go. read more

Cute coffee spot with lots of options. I tried their seasonal iced choco pecan latte which was good. The space inside is nice and their menu had other food options as well I didn't get to try. Parking is available in a small lot outside the shop, but it seems to fill up fast since there are other stores within the strip. While my drink was good, I didn't feel it was amazing or anything worth coming back for. The employees were really friendly and my drink was made quick which was nice. Overall it does the job for my caffeine fix if I'm ever in the area. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - choco pecan latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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The ham and cheese and BALT were so delicious! We also got the lemon blueberry cheesecake, the cinnamon bun latte, and a passion fruit High Noon from the cooler. There was lots of indoor seating but we ate it on one of the outdoor tables. Amazing place! read more

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Ate my French dip sandwich too fast to take a photo but it was a 10/10 - very cute French style cafe with a great menu selection and good lookin baked goods and a fun interior to top read more

I had an appointment early Sunday in the area so wanted to grab some breakfast and coffee, enter GCS thanks to my Yelp search. Pulled into the packed parking lot...busy strip mall. Entered the coffee house and this is definitely a local hangout. Inside was packed as well. Tables, comfy chairs and I think I saw a couch or two, don't quote me. The place was buzzing with tons of conversationalist. Ordering is confusing because people were just standing around and I wasn't sure if they were waiting to order or had already ordered. I stepped up to the counter and placed my order, ham and Swiss on a croissant and a small cappuccino. The sandwich comes with lettuce and tomato. Paid for my order then moved to the side. I thought far enough away that I could hear when my items were called out but not in an area where people might think I was waiting to order. It didn't work. Three people asked me if i was in-line. I suppose this is normal here. I picked up my items, tasted the cappuccino and it was not good, chucked it. I'm not sure of the beans they use but I'm use to a more robust, chocolaty cap (Cafe V) and the ham and Swiss was nothing special. Honestly I could get a better one from The Honey Baked Ham store down the road. For $18.30 I'll pass on a revisit. read more

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This place has the best croissants in the area. It has a great family friendly environment. They sell out of their breakfast sandwiches on the weekend so I'd recommend going earlier than later. read more

Parking depending on the time and date can be a hit or miss. Seating is the same. Guessing by the that I went it was a busy time because it was packed. The place has French vibes, there is a wall with foreign languages written all over that is so beautifully done that caught my attention. The drink that I ordered was my usual flat white. Strong and good for a Saturday morning coffee to the errands. The cup was cute I wish I had taken a picture of it. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - A little friend greeting you as you wait in line to order your coffee. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I ventured over here on the yellow line followed by a bus! It's a nice locally owned shop in this corner close to Kingstowne. It's a decently sized shop with plenty of seating options, including couches and a large table. I got a vanilla latte, which was well made. The espresso here seemed like a medium light roast to me. Was disappointed to not see latte art, but that's not a deal breaker--the milk was still foamed nicely! There were lots of in-house made baked goods! I was on the way to a potluck and didn't want to gorg myself on anything here, however There were lots of tempting tarts and bars. There was also this extremely oversized biscotti that I considered taking to go lol The only thing not made there are the gluten free cupcakes. Service was prompt and kind, which is perfect. Thanks Grounded! I would return in the future if I'm in the area. read more

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Really like this place, it's a beautiful cozy coffee shop. It's great. I could be wrong, (I hope I am). It seems like they are cutting corners on the kitchen now. I was told the apple tart was made in house except the crust . It tasted canned or something, which is sad. Apples are so yummy, but not packaged store bought filling. The avocado from the kitchen I suspect is store bought now. Please consider quality over quantity read more

My cousin & I went there today (first time for me) and I was very impressed. The seasonal shaken espresso was amazing! I'm an avid specialty espresso drinker so this one was top notch! Excellent flavor and the blue raspberry cold foam was surprisingly yummy! Wish it wasn't just seasonal! read more

I held my cafe hopping meetup here one Saturday morning. We got seating in the back, comfy couch, armchairs, and pulled up a couple others. Good matcha, and a nice place to connect with new and old friends. read more

The ambiance is incredible. I go once a week for the delicious apple turnover and incredible coffee. The staff is extremely friendly!

Great little neighborhood coffee shop with amazing pastries, treats, and owners. The owners really care about the community and the people that visit their coffee shop. The pastries are to dieeee for. I literally hate that I'm not a local and cannot stop here on the regular. We had breakfast croissants that were soooo soooo good but heard they also sell out very early. They also catered pastries for a wedding we attended which included the mini lemon tart, mini pecan pie, and biscotti croissant. Lastly, they carry European candies in the cafe that were delish. I would rate this place a 100/10. So good! read more

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Not my type of place. Cons- they only have plain and everything bagels. I paid, and asked for an everything bagel with cream cheese. Other customers received their entire, more complicated order before me, even though they ordered after me. I also received a plain bagel , toasted ( she never asked me but asked others) , with cold cream cheese on the side in containers. So I received a delayed inincorrect order that I had to piece together myself . Pros - if you like ore made pastries then you will love it here. The cold brew was good . I prefer to patronage other establishments as this was just not a good experience for me read more

I randomly discovered Grounded Coffee Shop because it was the closest coffee shop to the playground I was at with my 3 and 5 year old on a Sunday AM. Parking was easy (the cafe is located in a little strip mall) and i was pleasantly surprised by the adorable decor inside - hot air balloons hanging from the ceiling, etc. There was plenty of available seating on a late Sunday AM (variety of large tables for working, high tables, normal tables, couches). The pastries looked mouth watering and my kids each chose a hazlenut croissant (I would've too but there were only 2 left). I ordered a cappuccino and the girls split a small hot chocolate (they even put it into separate smaller cups for them). We got the croissants warmed up and the Nutella was oozing out. The croissants were huge too and so good that despite begging I could only convince my oldest to spare a tiny nibble for mom. We've already made plans to return for our special mother/daughter Mother's Day outing in 2 weeks. While waiting for the bathroom we noticed a huge case of games and decided we'll check it out next time. There are plenty of options for kids (Trouble, Connect 4) and adults. Also - they have red/white/blue straws that were the highlight of my kids day! read more

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A third wave coffee shop with minimalist design? No, but don't overlook Grounded Coffee Shop. From the artwork hanging on the walls to the games on a shelf in the back, it's clear Grounded Coffee Shop is a beloved community cafe. That sentiment stood out in the customer service. The moment I walked up to the register, I was warmly greeted and guided through the large coffee menu. With a variety of flavors to choose from, I went with the marshmallow latte. The latte and coffee quality was great, but I ordered wrong. I didn't love the marshmallow flavor, but that's on me. My wife ordered an iced decaf latte and enjoyed it. They sell a variety of pastries and food too! For breakfast, I went with the tomato quiche. After warming it up, I enjoyed how creamy it was. It also had the perfect ratio of crust to filling. Looking around, many tables were filled with people meeting up with each other v. people working. That maps back to the community feel to the cafe. They do have wifi and plenty of seats, but I appreciate it came across as more of a gathering place. read more

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Grounded is our family's favorite local coffee shop. They have great service and a surprisingly large menu full of hidden gems. The cafe boasts a Parisian aesthetic, including tightly packed tables and chairs that offer lots of indoor seating. read more

Great atmosphere, many inside tables(all sizes) , with couch area and seating outside makes it a great place to relax, drink and eat. Came in on a Sunday early afternoon 1pm, all pastries in shelf area were empty. So we decided upon carrot cake-slice 3.25 and apple turnover-5.25, with large vanilla iced coffee-4.10 and regular coffee=w/tip $19.99. It's a place I can frequent, friendly staff and delicious pastry. We also had a freshly made butter croissant, not pictured. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Vanilla iced coffee, apple turnover, gluten carrot slice and coffee. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I wanted to love this shop but the coffee was very mediocre, the layout is strange, (overcrowded with tables and no straight entrance to the "coffee bar" upon entry). It felt very bland. Additionally, it lacks the coziness and warmth of a coffee shop. It's merely a cafe that serves coffee. Won't be coming back! read more

Saw it on my way to an appointment and had to check it out on the way back. Easy parking. As soon as I opened the door I was hit by the heavenly smell of fresh baked bread. I have no idea what was giving off the amazing smell but it drew me right to the baked goods display. There were all kinds of delicious choices. I ended up getting a couple of cute carrot cake cupcakes for my coworkers and a blondie for myself. I initially stopped in for coffee so ordered a soy cappuccino. We all enjoyed the baked goods and the cappuccino was amazing. I'm definitely stopping here every time I'm in the area! read more

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We've been to the coffee shop a number of times and really like their food and drinks. I'm a sucker for seasonal offerings and they always have one or two unique items. I lean towards something sweet, and chocolate/mocha is good, but I'll divert for a hazelnut or amaretto concoction. They have a good selection of croissants and I'm up for trying new ones. The last I had was the bratwurst. Flavors were good, though I think a heavy sausage baked in a croissant is kind of a challenge in keeping flaky layers throughout. You can see the moisture/weight of the sausage prevented even cooking and lift. At home, few minutes in foil in the oven helped a little. I'd love to see if they can make it work perfectly since the flavor was great. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - February 2023 special drinks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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The staff is always so nice and never disappoints. I love that this place is right in our neighborhood!

I had a toffee crunch latte and it was really good. I also thought the price was reasonable. The service was fast and friendly. The cafe is really spacious, I went in the afternoon, so it was not crowded, there were plenty of places to sit. The baked goods looked good, I will try them next time. read more

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I use to live near this coffee shop and it's one of my favorite coffee shops in Virginia. I highly recommend I believe what's called the bear ice latte. It's basically a Mocha latte with amaretto. Also their breakfast sandwiches are amazing, you have to get them early because they sell out. I prefer the sausage over the bacon one. I've gotten the lunch sandwiches and they're not my favorite because I like my bread softer but they're still really tasty. Highly recommend, they care about the quality and are always really friendly people. read more

Interior is nice with plenty of seating options. Unfortunately, I will not return. I ordered a cappuccino. It was too hot and therefore, ruined the creaminess, texture, and taste of a cappuccino. This tells me that the baristas are not knowledgeable or well trained. read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Cozy coffee shop with a solid selection of drinks + pastries There are lots of chairs/tables to sit at, and they also have a small area with couches as well. The couch area also has a few board games next to it Also have more savory breakfast pastries that can be heated up, such as a pre-made croissant with bacon, egg, & cheese in it I got a vanilla latte and a piece of key lime pie, both of which were solid It seems like a great spot to hang out, and it were a little closer to where I live I would definitely do work here read more

This place is my new favorite coffee spot. From the delicious lattes to the turkey sausage and cheese croissants (MUST TRY) this place has it all. The staff was friendly and warm and they made me feel right at home. The ambiance is inviting and warm perfect pit stop. I took a lemon tart to go and it was 10/10! read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Turkey sausage cheese croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Perfect coffee shop. The ambience was just what I wanted. Was glad they have a small lunch menu so I could eat, have a coffee, and get some work done. Sat outside with my dog and it was perfect in the shade. Will be back! read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Croque Monsieur and Pistachio latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

It's a cool venue. Nice ambiance. Something is off with the coffee. Been there a handful of times. Tried the drip, cold brew, lattes, and chai. I don't know if it's quality or what, but something is off. read more

Bacon quiche was undercooked. No cheese-free savory pastries. Enough seating, very busy for a Saturday. Free parking

A bit crowded, and they charge too much for a coffee and tart ($12!!) more with tip (even for take out...I'm getting fed up of businesses still using the automatic screen pop up). The coffee and tart was average. read more

This is such a cute little coffee shop. It has early closing hours so you want to get there earlier. They offer specialty drinks, often updated on the left wall, baked goods, soups, sandwiches. You can purchase little kickknacks or bagged coffee. I once bought holiday themed crayons for my daughter when they showcased local products. The environment is incredibly welcoming; you can sit at tables or couches to enjoy and socialize. My family has on more than one occasion taken over the couch to enjoy coffee and a snack. The place sells me on its location and cozy environment, but sadly in my opinion it isn't the best food or drink compared to other cafe options. It's not awful and I think the ability to enjoy the place with my family still keeps me coming back. read more

Very peaceful environment, barista was very attentive. The banana bread was okay definitely expected better but the coffee was okay! read more

Grounded Coffee Shop - Barista area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

You know what I especially love about this place? They offer a number of types of sweeteners. So, let's say your Mom has made you afraid it Splenda and your doctor has made you afraid of sugar, you still have Truvia available! Thanks, Grounded! I also love all the seating: outdoor seating (so your dog can come too), high top tables, two person tables, couches, a community table - all the seating options! It makes coming with children, mobility challenged friends, or by yourself easy. A lady named Adele was making espresso drinks the other day, and she was charming everyone who came through the line. Primo friendliness that seemed legitimately authentic. I don't know if she's going to be working here all the time, but it honest-to-goodness improved my day to come across such a nice person. All that being said, even if they didn't have great sweetener selection, great seating, cute decor, and friendly employees, the croissants would be enough to keep me coming back. My biggest wish: expanded hours! Maybe just on Tuesdays and Fridays/Saturdays. It'd be awesome to have the live music back every so often and a convenient later in the day community gathering spot. read more