I went to Sweet Lemon Café for the first time last week and have already been back, which says a lot. This place feels like such a hidden gem and I can't believe I hadn't stumbled across it sooner. I really love their avocado toast menu. There are so many options and they are all priced really well. I tried the margarita avocado toast and it was a standout for me. So flavorful and fresh. And I added an egg! Chefs touch. The tea selection is another highlight. They have a great variety of hot and cold teas, and I especially appreciate that the cold teas actually come in a good sized cup instead of those tiny ones you sometimes get. The vibe is super homey and welcoming, and the staff are genuinely kind, which makes the experience even better. Today I tried the croissant egg sandwich and added sausage, and it was really good. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. Must stop by! read more

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This charming little sandwich shop made for the perfect snack stop. The sandwiches were delicious, and the lemonade was just as refreshing. The service was warm and accommodating, which made the experience even better. It's a small local business that's well worth supporting. There is some seating available, though it's a bit limited. read more

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So special, great prices and well made food. I had the banana bread and it was moist and full of chocolate chips and less than 5 dollars. Huge win. The staff is the best, seriously. I had the croissant sandwich the other day and I can't wait to try all the other ones. Thank you guys so much! I can't wait to sit outside when it gets nicer out. The dog wall is a sweet touch too. read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Croissant Sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Little restaurant that took over the previous one. Similar coffee choices as before. Great breakfast sandwiches for a grab and go. Has some seating outside to relax. read more

Delightful cafe on Capitol Hill with an extensive coffee and smoothie drink menu as well as a nice breakfast and lunch menu. Charming owners. And if you love dogs, this place is for you! There is a wall of photos of canine visitors to the cafe. Also has outdoor seating for warm weather days. read more

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I was so impressed by how much they had on their menu! I'll have to go back because they have quite a few sweets. The best thing would be if they opened up online ordering and had their menu online! read more

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My first time here I ordered a simple hot chocolate and an oatmeal cookie ,Great experience. Coming again for a second time , I ordered a vanilla chai with a blueberry muffin. I ain't mad at it. Also if you come enough they have a loyalty card and can earn a free drink . read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Vanilla Chai and blueberry muffin - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really good smoothie, filled to the brim. What a nice mid-day pick-me-up! It was very quick. read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Blueberry smoothie - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really liked this cozy little café! They have a ton of food options -- I got the salmon avocado toast and it was super good and filling. The chai latte hit the spot, especially with how windy it was that day. The vibe's nice, pet-friendly (they've got cute pics of customers' pets everywhere), and the staff were really sweet. Service was quick too! read more

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Best cookies and very good drinks with very reasonable price. I'll visit this cafe again whenever I visit washington DC. this shop is behind the supreme court. read more

Quaint spot by the Capitol Building. Very convenient if you want a quick bite for lunch. Not a lot of space inside but the patio is spacious and inviting. The owner Aksana server me my first bowl of borscht, which has always been on my bucket list! It was flavorful and the chicken was tender. The sandwiches were excellent! The turkey and brie croissant was my favorite. read more

One part is a coffee shop and the other is the actual restaurant. The coffee shop is adorbs and the restaurant isn't as cute but the food is very good. Very low cost for home made food! read more

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I really liked their borsch, and the portion was generous! Also great honey cake (medovyk) read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Excellent Borsch Soup! Generous portion. - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wonderful friendly spot right on Capitol Hill. Family run with delicious homemade breakfasts, lunches, and desserts. Prices are fair (it is Capitol Hill) and nice sitting area out front if DC weather allows. Bring your dog, they'll take a picture and put it on the wall. Strongly recommend-- these are the kind of businesses we want on Capitol Hill, not big chains! read more

A few blocks away from Union Station is a 2022 cafe started by two women from Belarus. When I stopped in for a pastry and coffee, one of the owners was behind the counter. She seemed invested in the cafe and very friendly. The space itself is small with a few seats along the wall inside and a few tables on the outside patio. In terms of food and drink, I feel like I made rookie mistakes. Their pastries were scattered in different places on the counter so I ordered what I first saw- a chocolate cookie. It was small, dry, and hard. To drink, I ordered a large Snickers latte. It tasted more unique than a regular latte, but it wasn't amazing. I really want to like this place and will return to order the food Yelpers recommend. Until then... read more

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Nice place owned by Belorussian family. Minutes walk from the Union Station or the US Capitol. The coffee is good, the pastry looks good as well. read more

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I love this spot which gives a great neighbor-y coffee/breakfast/lunch vibe on Capitol Hill! A quick walk from Union Station with outdoor seating that is so inviting upon arriving. The service with a smile is always warm and delightful and the food... great options across the board whether it's the fabulous borsch or potato dumplings (veggie options) or (I like to keep it simple) the egg and cheese sandwich (with delish dijon sauce) for breakfast and a coffee drink- it is all yummy! I love that it is a quick, convenient spot for a whenever coffee and pastry as well. I'm a fan! (also dog loving, so it gives good energy). read more

I needed to order a cake near Capitol Hill and Aksana and Sweet Lemon were helful and accomodating- even when I keep missing their hours by phone. The cake was delicious, unique and made from scratch. She even lent me some birthday candles since i had forgotten them. I also got lunch while I was there and had delicious borscht and dumplings. The food was a wonderful change and delicious. The owner and everyone working was warm and friendly. The space is small with just a few seats, but tables outside. Many locals were stopping in for a sweet treat (which also looked amazing) and coffee drinks, and all were greeted warmly. It's the kind of place I wish I had near my house and would go out of my way to go there again! read more

Ordered a chocolate croissant in the morning, it was a day or two old one, cost almost $8... very sad

Best lunch of my life, borscht, potato dumplings and tiramisu. I loved it. It was the special and it was incredible.

After mass at Saint Joseph's, my wife and I stopped in for lunch. I had the borscht soup combo with ham and cheese crêpe. My wife had a salad with tuna. The price was reasonable, and the borscht was the best I have ever had. Friendly staff, Quick and easy to sit and eat. Will definitely go back. read more

Great lattes and breakfast food! Very nice customer service. Cute outdoor seating. Come here and support a women owned business :)

Hidden gem! I got the Milky Way Iced Latte and a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich on a croissant and they were both delightful. Pricing wasn't bad for the area. The owner is so, so sweet and attentive; you can tell she really cares. The interior is small, but cozy! Def check it out! read more

Fantastic hidden gem. I stopped here since it was one of the few food places around the Supreme Court, but this is worth its own trip. It's sort of half cafe (think coffee, bagels, lox) and half Ukrainian restaurant (think borscht and dumplings). Service is really good too. Both sides of food are so yummy. The classic bagel with eggs/sausage/ham/lox/bacon etc hit the spot and the borscht feels like a hug from the inside. Definitely recommend. read more

Sweet Lemon has a wide variety of food and drink options--perfect for an early morning breakfast or light lunch! Owners are very friendly and I love the passion they have for their cute café! Their smoothies and crepes are also delicious. Highly recommend stopping by Sweet Lemon when you're around Capitol Hill. read more

Bright spot on Capitol Hill! Wonderful home made Goulash, borsch snd dumplings cheerfully served in a quaint, setting. Highly recommend this spot if you are looking for authentic european comfort food. Another plus was the excellent quality of coffee served in this establishment . read more

Sweet staff, good coffee and breakfast sandwiches. Loves that it was so dog friendly.

Everything about my experience was perfect! The woman who served us was incredibly nice and outgoing. I've been here twice and both times the drinks were delicious (really enjoyed the matcha). I also enjoyed the tiramisu. Cafe is always clean. I also love all the dog photos on the wall :) read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I go here at least weekly. Everything is good, and my retired chef mother loved it. Fresh ingredients, excellent food, and casual atmosphere. read more

I had such wonderful service at sweet lemon cafe. The staff was so kind and attentive. I really enjoyed my salmon avocado toast. The balsamic vinaigrette was a really yummy addition. This is a good place to stop in and catch up on a few emails or grab a healthy snack in the middle of a work day. read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Salmon avocado toast - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious quiche. If I could give 4.5 stars I would, because if warmed, it is simply microwaved. It made the crust chewy and not crunchy. I had that and a can of Coke Zero and it made for a delicious lunch. At 1230, there were people here eating, but not slammed. Recommend! read more

Sweet Lemon Cafe - Spinach and Feta Quiche - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice little shop..great coffee and lots of bakery items! Staff are friendly and the shop is convenient to Union Station!

Great spot for a nice casual breakfast--they have some heartier fare as well as pastries and other baked goods. Indoor seating is limited but very cozy. read more

We enjoyed the bagel with sausage and egg. If you're non dairy be mindful this has cheese though is not listed on the counter top menu. Latte's good with the ice latte superior to the hot. Great service! They small interior and patio in front were very inviting. read more

had to ask for forks, water, napkins plastic forks are too weak to use to eat a salad salad was ok, crepes the same all requests were met with a smile read more

The homemade pastries, smoothies and yogurt bowls were top rate. The service is exceptional and the ambiance is everything you want in a small, homey cafe. It's a little tricky to find on Google maps but don't give up. It's well worth finding. read more

Food would have been good except they put honey mustard on everything even my breakfast sandwich. Ruined the sandwich completely and it was not indicated on the menu. read more

My new favorite place for lunch near Union Station -- had the wonderful borscht and mushroom soup, looking forward to trying other Belarusian specialties, the avocado toast with salmon, homemade yogurt, crepes and extensive menu of coffee drinks. Very cozy place! read more

Very tasty and fresh made food, very nice service, nice and relaxed atmosphere. Located in the Capitol Hill quarter close to the Capitol. Took each day of my staying my brunch here. A German tourist read more

Don't miss this gem when you are looking for a quick delicious bite to eat and the best coffee in the city.