Java Nation - Kensington

Instant hit. I…read morevisited per recommendation from friends and local business owners and they were right. The coffee here was too darn good. I was undecided if I wanted a hot or cold coffee so I chose both. It worked out because they were very tasty and unique. The baristas knew what they were doing . This is a place to work remotely or a casual coffee and conversation. There are food options as well that I'll review on my next visit. First impression 5 out of 5. Pro tip parking is at the real of the building and not paved fully. There are steps you'll have to decent to enter. Otherwise you'll have to walk in the main entrance around the street side of the building which is ADA accessible.

If you're looking for a good mimosa flight that's reasonably priced this is your place! Cute little…read morehidden gem and I can't wait to go back to try the food. My daughter wanted ice cream so we decided to try this place out and they did not disappoint. I'm obviously late to the party because the place was packed. Service was quick and everyone was friendly. I love a cute local restaurant with a menu that has something for everyone.

The inside seating.

Nutella Strawberry Croissant

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Cool tiles!

District Cafe

4.6(18 reviews)

0.2 mi

Delicious Vietnamese iced coffee; though I'm not sure they use robusta beans, it was very well…read morebalanced. A lot of the Vietnamese places around here don't balance theirs well so I've been disappointed more often than not with these. I would order it again regardless of whether it's authentic. I also had a delicious cherry cheese danish. I love that it's very bright and well lit, and there's a good amount of seating that is fairly comfortable. (I'm not a fan of the trend to discourage people from staying long by making them super uncomfortable. So I was glad their stools were soft.) There is a good size parking lot nearby because of the Marc station, and when I came on a Friday morning around 9 there were a decent number of available spots across all the sections (2 hrs, 4 hrs, all day). I look forward to coming back when I have a quiet enough day to sneak away for a couple hours to work in public. (I promise not to squat too long if they're packed! But they weren't packed at all.)

Small but cute coffee shop with both indoor and outdoor seating that is right next to a MARC…read morestation Solid selection of drinks & a few pastries Not a ton of seating I got a Vietnamese iced coffee & a chocolate scone. They were both solid

District Cafe's 2nd room has additional seating and artwork for sale

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Side outdoor seating

Ooh La La Bakery

4.5(127 reviews)

1.5 mi

This is another bakery n Wheaton Olaza I love in the Wheaton, Maryland arwa . Its Spanish owned…read morebut i think they hire outside cashiers. Tis is Ooh Lala Bakery nit far from Ledo Pizza and IHOP. Its outside the Wheaton Triangle . This is Called the Ooh Lala Bakery . This place has great staff there and behind their barita area lies their oe concept kitchen where they perform their magic to make your best pastries and deserts to cater to all occasions and holidays alike . This place has my lingente my people the Spanish . I maybe a Mixed Colombian Nationaln Born un the United States , But t diesnt mean I don't now who i am . I want ti work there ti build bridges between the Soanish and American worlds to better ourselves and make differences agajn in . Learn off each other . I do want the cashier position and food runner . I want ti help boost business agajn as it should and must be again . For too ling since the pandemic it was all of Us Americans faults for the bad unjustifiable, Inexcusable, Reprehensible, Unlawful and wrongful behaviors and i want to see to it , Its never tolerated agajn in Any place of business again . I want the ji. There without getting judged or used bad politics against without seeing what people like ke can doto be great assets to the team nd the store itself. This place has a dining area in it with refrigerator wirh assorted sodas and moee . This place has things fr. Cones cakes , values doughnuts to other great delicious pastries of yiyr choosing . They have an offering of take out orders too . But delivery service that is still bejnf researched. Yes the make catering pastry dishes fir amy occasions too . It a little of fun to be at this place here . If you come there please respect or Spanish traditions and culture there . It a place wgere you can come something much bigger than yourself , To be more than who you are . If you love this place as I do , This place is for you. We all look firwrd to see you all there very soon once again. Swing by and have some pastry fun .

Came here because all the reviews were great... but food was expensive for what it was and service…read morewas not good. I got an egg and cheese sandwich, meat was a $4 up charge. When it came out 45 minutes later, it was an unseasoned egg with unmelted cheese on a stale bread roll. I also ordered an iced dirty chai that was almost entirely milk and with a slight taste of burnt coffee and no chai flavor at all. The cinnamon danish was fine but still pretty stale. Overall, it took way longer than it should for the most mediocre and expensive food I've ever had.

Avocado toast!

3.2.24

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Cappuccino and Strawberry Paris-Brest

Kefa Cafe

4.5(6 reviews)

1.9 mi

Great drip coffee and a friendly server. I stopped by just to get black coffee on my way north, and…read morewas pleasantly surprised by the quality of the ordinary coffee of the day, especially since it's also cheap! They also have pour over available. Bring cash if you're getting something under $5, if you can. The cafe is right inside the library itself and there's a free parking garage as well as a free lot nearby, and you can drink your coffee (carefully) inside or outside at a kid play park.

I love that this cafe is in the library! It's so nice and full of life in this intimate space. The…read morestaff is amazing & will take the time out to converse with you. The menu has so many wonderful items to choose from. My iced chai was spiced very well and the cheese danish was thick and tasted delicious. A must try where you can get a book, play at the gym and then stop by the cafe.

Cafe Menu

Pastry display

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Menu

Fruver

4.7(19 reviews)

1.5 mi

Came here quickly before work- and got the mango bowl and matcha and lived it! The girl in there is…read moreso sweet and I love that it opens at like 730a so right before I have to come to the office. The bowl and drink was great! Place is cute too

After some shopping I was looking for a healthy snack and stumbled upon this location. The lady who…read moreprepapres the drinks is bilingual (Spanish&English) so she gave some recommendations but couldn't really sell me on options so I decided on the coconut smoothie. The drink was okay. It definitely needed something to elevate it. The chunks of coconut was delicious but a majority of the time it tasted like the ice that was blended. My friends picked mango juice and a orange smoothie and also enjoyed their drinks. Coconut smoothie 5/10

Fruit stand

Coconut Smoothie Bowl

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Fresh fruits

Simona Cafe

4.5(21 reviews)

3.1 mi

Went back and this time in the late morning. So glad I did! Had cookie butter latte from their…read morewinter series and also NOVA from non breakfasts item. Both were soo good. Not overly crowded but good amount of ppl. Service was friendly, ambiance is giving the cool cafe vibes. Plenty outdoor seatings available up front and on the sides by entrance. I know I'll be coming back to enjoy outdoor with pup. Also, dog treats available by the counter.

A small shop tucked on a side street off Wilson Blvd. My friend and I were walking in the area (we…read morehad first stopped at Eclairons down the street and parked there) and made our way over to Simona. The cafe itself is pretty small with only a few indoor tables but more outdoor seating available. My friend said they make their own focaccia bread and we each decided to get a Fancy Grilled Cheese. The bread was indeed amazing and flavorful. What made the grilled cheese unique was that they added a tomato-based jam/salsa of some kind that really added a nice fresh acidity to balance out the cheese. I believe they used two kinds of cheese, including brie which is my fav. The cheese was creamy and melty. The food came out pretty quickly and the staff was friendly. Definitely a nice stop if you're walking around the area although there was no shortage of food options!

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Fall drink specials menu

Morning My Day

4.8(59 reviews)

3.2 mi

I recently picked up a small Lemon cake and a Strawberry cake from Morning My Day in Silver Spring…read more I was expecting a decent dessert; I wasn't expecting to be reminded that most other bakeries have been lying to us for years. The first bite was a bit of a shock to the system. It's one of those rare "Ratatouille moments" where a flavor profile manages to bridge the gap between Maryland and the legendary sponge cakes of Phoenix Bakery in LA. It's a bit of a trick, really--making something taste like a childhood memory without being cloying about it. The Breakdown: * The Sponge: It's exceptionally light. Biting into it is less like eating a dense dessert and more like biting into a sweetened, high-end pillow. It's airy, delicate, and possesses the kind of structural integrity that only a professional (or a wizard) could manage. * The Icing: A triumph of restraint. Instead of the usual sugary plaster one finds elsewhere, this is a light, white cream. It's sweet enough to let you know it's there, but it doesn't try to dominate the conversation. It's icing with a bit of dignity. * The Verdict: This is how cake ought to be. It's exquisite, technically brilliant, and far too easy to eat in a single sitting. If you appreciate a dessert that relies on craft rather than a massive dose of corn syrup, do yourself a favor and stop by. It's a legit bit of baking excellence right here in Silver Spring

I came on a Saturday around 3:00. Easy metered parking (not free on Saturdays) directly across the…read morestreet. There were still ample baked goods at this time. There are only two tables inside. Both were taken, but fortunately for me the two guys at the one table were leaving as I was placing my order. The two young ladies at the other table were very loud and animated when they were speaking to each other, so that was a bit annoying. Then six or seven people came in to order and he got pretty crowded in that small space. I loved my purple yam pasty. It was soft and fresh. I just wonder why my taro milk tea wasn't purple like the other one posted here. It was just OK; the tapioca bubbles were all clunked together. I had to get a straw to separate them. I will definitely return for takeout or maybe stay if nobody else is there and it's quiet

Taro Bubble Milk

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Flowers Bakery Cafe

4.2(248 reviews)

4.6 mi

The best cake in all the DMV area they have about 4 location 3 in Maryland and 1 in Alexandria VA…read more everything was amazing Wedding taste was great

Great local bakery in the area. The food they have here is a little different than your typical…read moreDunkin. The service is friendly and quick, even if you don't speak English. The place is small but super nice and tucked away! Would recommend!

Mango mousse cake by flowers bakery. sorry we cut into it before taking the pic :)

Behind a gas station...odd location but good traffic

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White and milk chocolate mousse cake

Nagadi Coffee Roastery

4.8(70 reviews)

2.0 mi

Yes, it's very good coffee. The five out of five score is for the quality of the pour over. It was…read moreserved in a proper ceramic mug. Perhaps a wooden tray with a palate cleanser would elevate it. However, It is not a great place to go and sit and savor because of the incredibly limited indoor seating and absence of outdoor seating. Part of the appeal is that it feels like a secret club with a non-descriptive entrance, which can be easily driven past without notice. The ridiculously limited hours also add to the mystique.

Friendly, unpretentious atmosphere. Great beans. Really good coffee. Nice place to start my…read moreSaturday morning.

Outside entrance

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French Press

4.4(66 reviews)

3.0 mi

Another day, another coffee shop :)…read more I stopped by French Press and really enjoyed it. It's close to Walter Reed which makes it a convenient little spot. The customer service was good and the place itself is cute with great seating for a coffee shop. I ordered the iced strawberry matcha latte and it was really good. No complaints at all. I'd definitely come back and try it again.

Cannot speak more highly about this place. When I came in, I introduced myself to the owners and…read morethey treated me like I was an honored guest. I saw them give the same treatment to other patrons. They were very helpful in getting me to choose from the menu. When they heard I came from out of town, they advised me to try the cro'gel (croissant bagel) that you only get in Maryland and recognizing my interest in different foods, recommended me the kouin amann. They also guides me through my matcha choice and advised on the best temperature for it. If I lived in the area, I would surely be a regular here!

Croissant Smoked Salmon Sandwich

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Strawberry danish and ice caramel macchiato

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7 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Spike F.

0

18

7

3 years ago

Never ordering from here again. I try to be understanding. For the 10th time they have messed my order up and forgot something. They always try and brush it off like it's nothing and tell me to take it up with Uber or on my next order they will make sure to get it right. But again they get it wrong again and give me excuses on why they can't refund me. No one wants to pay 14 dollars for a French toast and not get a syrup they clearly asked for on the sides. This is very important it means that if someone notes that they have an allergy they don't honor that. I will be making sure to send some health inspectors there because it seems like it's a different cook everyday. Support your local business don't waste your time with a company that can't simply get their job right. Worst part is the employee Dianna really did not make me feel great and even made it seem like it was my fault my order came wrong. read more

Didierest P.

0

2

0

3 years ago

i witness something very weird happen at this establishment this morning , there was a young African American student sitting in the cafe when a group of hispanic men came in and attempted to make him feel uncomfortable. I was very thrown off on how they came into the resturant and sat right next to him so agressively. I then decided to film the situation. When the young man got up they proceeded to follow him push him and then threaten him saying he is no longer welcomed because of his skin color? they then called him racial slurs in Spanish. I will never eat here again and I will be posting the video on social media read more

Sean T.

50

6

3

9 years ago

My family comes here regularly for Sunday breakfast. Best coffee you can get in Kensington. The espresso here is one of a kind. Food is very good and with a lot to choose from. I found the staff here to be very friendly, yet professional and efficient. Java nation is my cup of coffee. read more

Arthur H.

6

3

0

6 years ago

They really have a wide variety of drinks, sandwiches, and pastries. I'd highly recommend this place to those who are looking for amazing snacks. Definitely would visit again! read more

Sally D.

0

10

16

11 years ago

Love the atmosphere. Good coffee. Very good breakfast sandwich. Service was pleasant.

Lucky S.

0

4

0

4 years ago

They have a very friendly staff, delicious food, great drink, and a great atmosphere.

Bruce W.

16

1

7 years ago

A busy but relaxing coffee bar with good sandwiches Also good music read more

Java Nation - Kensington - coffee - Updated September 2026

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La Gelatteria

4.5

(266 reviews)

Instant hit. I…read morevisited per recommendation from friends and local business owners and they were right. The coffee here was too darn good. I was undecided if I wanted a hot or cold coffee so I chose both. It worked out because they were very tasty and unique. The baristas knew what they were doing . This is a place to work remotely or a casual coffee and conversation. There are food options as well that I'll review on my next visit. First impression 5 out of 5. Pro tip parking is at the real of the building and not paved fully. There are steps you'll have to decent to enter. Otherwise you'll have to walk in the main entrance around the street side of the building which is ADA accessible.

If you're looking for a good mimosa flight that's reasonably priced this is your place! Cute little…read morehidden gem and I can't wait to go back to try the food. My daughter wanted ice cream so we decided to try this place out and they did not disappoint. I'm obviously late to the party because the place was packed. Service was quick and everyone was friendly. I love a cute local restaurant with a menu that has something for everyone.

French Press

4.4

(66 reviews)

Another day, another coffee shop :)…read more I stopped by French Press and really enjoyed it. It's close to Walter Reed which makes it a convenient little spot. The customer service was good and the place itself is cute with great seating for a coffee shop. I ordered the iced strawberry matcha latte and it was really good. No complaints at all. I'd definitely come back and try it again.

Cannot speak more highly about this place. When I came in, I introduced myself to the owners and…read morethey treated me like I was an honored guest. I saw them give the same treatment to other patrons. They were very helpful in getting me to choose from the menu. When they heard I came from out of town, they advised me to try the cro'gel (croissant bagel) that you only get in Maryland and recognizing my interest in different foods, recommended me the kouin amann. They also guides me through my matcha choice and advised on the best temperature for it. If I lived in the area, I would surely be a regular here!

Norby's Cafe

3.8

(76 reviews)

A neighborhood coffee shop with delicious breakfast sandwiches. Our go to's are egg Benedict on a…read morecroissant, Belgium waffles with strawberries, and lox bagel sandwich. The green smoothie is my favorite when I want a healthy breakfast. A nice outdoor area to meet with a friend or get your work done. Staff is friendly and the self serve kiosk was a great addition.

I honestly don't get it. I wanted to be fair and try again after my last visit, where I did not…read morefeel particularly welcome but the coffee was good. I arrived at 7:45 am. The place opens at 7:30 am. I walk over to the counter with a plan to order an everything bagel and coffee. The counter person (a guy in his 20's or 30's - not a teenager) walks toward the counter holding a remote control, turns and starts fiddling with the electronic menu boards (to turn them on). No hello, no I'll be with you soon, no nothing. But he did see me. A minute passes. He's having trouble with the board. No acknowledgement. No nothing. Another minute passes. Nothing. The other worker by the stovetop also - no acknowledgement. After about three minutes of just standing there waiting - I walk out. Good lord - I tried. I'm done with this place.

Prime Coffee & Bakery

3.8

(29 reviews)

Finally checked out this place after seeing the sign about to open a year or so ago... and then…read moreforgot all about it until I saw IG post. Beautiful ample dining inside and plenty of spaces outdoor as well. I did order mine to go, got pistachio latte and mango mousse, but ended up sitting outside to enjoy a little bit of relax moment. Delicious latte and dessert. The mango mousse dessert isn't like what I'm used to, not as soft but more dense and put together but still equally delicious! Would definitely revisit and dine in next time. Parking available on the street if you're lucky, but it's located right by the garage using park mobile!

I enjoyed their coffees and matchas, especially their mango matcha and their tiramisu latte. Their…read moreCinnamon Toast Crunch latte didn't even have a hint of cinnamon. It just tasted like regular coffee. The service was ok and the place felt cold and was stuffy. The stuff from their bakery is decent but their breakfast menu was disappointing.

Cafe K

4.2

(22 reviews)

I had the French Toast and coffee which was served by a very friendly staff. This is exactly what…read moredowntown Silver Spring needed following the closing of Tastee Diner.

A good brunch place that happens to be kosher. I recently went with a party of four and we were…read moreable to get seats immediately despite Cafe K having several families there already. The service was great and the owners were very engaged and attentive. Cafe K's prices are in-line with DC-area brunch spots. I got a coffee and the avocado and cheese-stuffed croissant. The coffee was flavorful and the croissant sandwich was rich and buttery, but could have used a bit more flavor. I would recommend Cafe K for your next brunch!

Java Junction

3.5

(33 reviews)

Was driving by this cool location in Gaithersburg and had to stop. This place looks unchanged…read moresince it opened 100+ years ago, and still is a working MARC train stop. A great little coffee/lunch spot with loads of options for sandwiches, coffees, specialty drinks, and pastries. I got the Beef & Swiss (Locomotive) which was yummy, family tried the bulgogi sandwich and "the limited" which was honey ham and cheese. The prickly pear refresher was especially good on a hot day, as was the fresh fruit cup. Overall this was a great eating and entertainment spot that I would highly recommend.

If I'm going to be honest, this is the best coffee in Gaithersburg in my opinion. They have…read moresmoothies, sandwhiches, lattes, and even more options to chose from. Their variety is amazing!! They make the sandwiches in store, and all employees are super kind. The best part about the coffee is their ice cubes. They're made of coffee!! That way, if you're cubes melt, you still have more, not watery-coffee! The establishment itself is right on the tracks, connected to a small seating area that used to be an old train station. While the building is small, I recommend. You HAVE to try JAVA JUNCTION!!!!!

Joe & The Juice

3.4

(90 reviews)

Got the spicy tunacado and honestly felt underwhelmed. It's by no means inexpensive and it mostly…read morejust tasted like hot sauce to me. I love Joe & the Juice for their juices but the matcha drink I selected tasted too much like grass in my opinion. Probably just ordered the wrong things but was definitely disappointed. The order did come out on time, which is good.

First time at Joe & The Juice and I am absolutely hooked! I walked in craving something with…read moreginger and the Herb Tonic did NOT disappoint. The whole staff was incredibly welcoming and helpful. Special shoutout to the gentleman at the register with the black glasses. You were so sweet and made my whole visit! I see you, SIR! This place has a new regular!

District Cafe

4.6

(18 reviews)

Delicious Vietnamese iced coffee; though I'm not sure they use robusta beans, it was very well…read morebalanced. A lot of the Vietnamese places around here don't balance theirs well so I've been disappointed more often than not with these. I would order it again regardless of whether it's authentic. I also had a delicious cherry cheese danish. I love that it's very bright and well lit, and there's a good amount of seating that is fairly comfortable. (I'm not a fan of the trend to discourage people from staying long by making them super uncomfortable. So I was glad their stools were soft.) There is a good size parking lot nearby because of the Marc station, and when I came on a Friday morning around 9 there were a decent number of available spots across all the sections (2 hrs, 4 hrs, all day). I look forward to coming back when I have a quiet enough day to sneak away for a couple hours to work in public. (I promise not to squat too long if they're packed! But they weren't packed at all.)

Small but cute coffee shop with both indoor and outdoor seating that is right next to a MARC…read morestation Solid selection of drinks & a few pastries Not a ton of seating I got a Vietnamese iced coffee & a chocolate scone. They were both solid

Black Lion Cafe

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