Cafe au lait was okay. The service was just okay too. But their latte... iced latte was amazing. I will definitely go back for more!

I enjoy this quaint coffee shop. Great coffee and lattes. Best coffee in this area. Pastries taste like they are freshly made. Hands down this is better than the chain and franchise coffee shops. read more

I absolutely love swings. I go there almost every single morning before work. The guys know me which is super impressive since i know I have to be one of about 50 regular morning visitors. I love that they start to pour my drink right when I walk in the door! the coffee is so good and not bitter at all. They also keep their iced coffee in a fridge already chilled so it doesnt melt the ice when the pour it (ew i HATE when people pour hot coffee over ice and call it "iced coffee"). In the winter i LOVE their lattes with a touch of Cinnamon- delicious! read more

Best coffee in D.C. Even though it's not hidden, I'm surprised that many if not all my coworkers didn't know about this place. My father used to go here for coffee when he worked in the city, I thought I would try it once I started and there's no going back! I've been coming for 2 years and love it. I used to go every morning to kick-start my day off at work with a jumbo Eurodark, and then after lunch for a capuccino, however, I've switched to a new job a few more blocks away which makes walking over more difficult on a regular basis. Staff is friendly, baristas know what they're doing, prices are right and the coffee is excellent. What more could you want? PS Raj is awesome! read more

I wish I didn't live in TN because I wish I were closer to this coffee shop. It was the best cup of espresso I have ever had.

I'll buy the SWING beans from the grocery store from time to time and they are always fine to good - the experience of walking over to the cafe is much better. It feels old and authentic and people don't mind waiting in lines. There's always interesting people watching to do and while it is cozy, squeezing in a window seat or standing at a table top if fine as you peer out the big window onto the street. Also, its a chatty place, people interacting with other humans, not pressed into their laptop screens (though plenty of smartphone action in that respect). I like how the lack of space keeps the place moving, as a cafe might aught to be. Lots of politicos, the staff doesn't seem to change (though I really think one of the guys is a B movie actor), and the the coffee is solid and reasonably priced for the area. Chocolate espresso beans are something one should think to carry and the carrot muffins are very good which is saying alot considering most cafes have weak stock pastries. Good coffee, good atmosphere, worth the walk wherever you are. read more

To anyone out there who thinks Starbucks is the Alpha & Omega of coffee; ME Swing will be a revelation. Not over roasted and bitter, for your overpriced high margin capamapafrapacinos, but good, nicely roasted coffee. And a nice version of espresso. read more

Known locally as "Swings", this spot has great coffee and delicious bagels with butter.

I'm new to working in this neighborhood, and I will now join in the chorus of admiring voices. ME Swing has consistently excellent, dark, rich coffee. Additionally, I've had a few fritters around town, and theirs are my favorite: deliriously sweet, with abundant cinnamon. read more

This is where you go for coffee while near the White House. Be sure to pronounce it AmeriCONo, if you say AmeriCANo, the spicy little barista will surely call you out. And if you need breakfast, head next door to G Street Food for some cheap & hearty protein. read more

The coffee is incredible. I usually buy a pound of one of the varietals they have on offer: my favorites Ethiopian. When I buy a coffee it is always the coffee of the day ("COD") that Swings has on offer. They rotate through their varietals and if you are lucky, you can get a cup of their Ethiopian! Some staff are very friendly, some are stand-offish, and some still rude. For the latte drinkers, the barristas usually pour a fine espresso drink and pour it into the foam to create espresso drink art. read more

One sip of a latte here brings a smile to my face with its smooth smokey goodness. Amazing espresso, excellent beans for purchase, good coffee (for DC), wonderful blended iced mochas, so-so ice coffee. The service is great and the people remember you. Prices are what you would expect from an independent coffee roaster - slightly lower than Starbucks. If you want a seriously good espresso and good service in DC, this is the place for you. If you want a place to sit with your laptop for hours, consume free wi-fi and weak coffee or re-steeped tea, this is not for you. read more

How can you not love a place that does latte art on a drink in a paper cup? Plus, that was by far the smoothest, richest, most delicious *skim* latte's I've ever had (and yes, I watched the barista use the right milk). And I added about half as much sugar as I do to a Starbucks - no burnt bitter flavors here! Ended up buying a variety of sample-sized coffee packs to take back to work, because I couldn't process all the options for bulk beans. The staffer who rang up my beans was very helpful in describing the (very general) flavor profiles of the available samplers and picked out a couple more when I told her what I was looking for. Lookign forward to trying them all. I may just have to start getting up earlier to detour past Swing's on my way to work in the morning - and I can't wait for my office to move closer next year! read more

Coffee is awesome BUT the staff is simply horrible! they should at least greet people... they only speak amongst themselves and they are, very often, rude. read more

I love you, Swings. I love your perfectly-balanced dirty chai. I love your unfailing afternoon espresso-over-ice. I love your efficient, yet oddly mellow, baristas. And yes--I love your puppy-shaped latte art. Also, you have bagels, donuts, and assorted other carbohydrate-rich breakfast foods at reasonable prices. Mmmm...bagels. Oh, and I love that although you really are a coffee-snob type of place you don't judge me for wavering between Serious Coffee Drinks and Somewhat Frivolous ones, mood depending. Except that one jerky barista. But I think he's gone now, and all my other interactions have been pleasant, so let's just pretend that didn't happen. I'd add a star if this place had cushy leather furniture, bookshelves, and were twice the size it is, but if that were the case I'd never get back to my office, so it's probably for the best that Swing's tends to discourage lingering. read more

My very favorite place in downtown DC to get expresso and cappucino. The beans are intense and flavorful and the baristas are pros. Plus it has indoor and outdoor tables and a self-serve water cooler. These folks absolutely know what they are doing..... read more

Can you give zero stars? I would if I could. Never been treated so poorly by anyone at any restaurant, coffee house, wherever. Male barista is the sole reason I will never return, and the reason I started a yelp account to tell you all to not waste your money just to be treated like dirt. read more

Terrible! Staff behavior was appalling. What kind of employer hires people who insult a customer for asking if there's a second level with more seating? Unbelievable. Had decent expectations going in considering the (erroneously) high Yelp ratings. Must have had the F-team working today. Never going back. read more

DC, I'm sorry don't really care for US history. I have been to so many museums that I am moderately impressed by the Smithsonians. However, I will definitely return for your coffee. The mocha java is wonderful! It is the perfect cup of coffee. Enough said. Believe the hype and go try this place!!! read more

This is definitely one of my favorite coffee places in town. I used to be a regular - hated their long lines in the morning, but it was well worth it. Their lattes would energize me for the entire day and their "fancy" twisted donuts would ensure I was getting my daily (over)doze of sweet happiness. Seriously, best donuts ever. Now that I moved, Swings is no longer on my way to work and I do miss the coffee, the friendly bartenders and those delicious twisted, enormous donuts. read more

Consistently good coffee right by the White House. The times I have been there, it has been pretyty crowded, but nevertheless they move you through relatively fast. It has a unique feel to it, as it has a lot of history and has been serving coffee for a long time. There isn't a lot of seating, but there is enough to sit and drink a quick cup of coffee and get on with your day. You could also come with a friend and sit in the outdoor area. It's not somewhere I would spend a lot of time hanging out, but it does what it needs to. I had a brownie, which was gigantic but pretty good. read more

Pretty gross coffee. Loud & uncomfortable seating. Unappetizing pastries. Only plus is the location.

I had written a very positive review before but unfortunately they have now changed their espresso and now it tastes like Starbucks...bitter and rancid. Very sad news as they use to be my favorite coffee shop. Please go back to that sweet chocolaty incredible espresso!!!! read more

one of the best Mocha's I have ever had! Nice location close to white house. Only problem is very limited seating. even in an off time we had to stand 10 minutes before a table opened up. read more

I've been looking for a REAL coffee shop with fresh roasted beans - and little did I know - this one was right under my nose. I love the history of this place... When I walked in I could only hope it would taste as good as the atmosphere - and it DID! I haven't had such a delicious cafe mocha in years! I only wish they were able to roast the beans on site - I do miss that smell of coffee beans roasting.... I think it will be worth getting off the bus a few blocks early to get a better cup of Joe on my way into the office... read more

I had a cappuccino on a recent visit. It was exactly right. The flavor was smooth and not burnt like the other place we all know and tolerate. If I worked close by, it would be my regular spot. read more

Best coffee in Alexandria, hands down. It has a great vibe, and the quality of the espresso drinks keeps getting better and better. They have hired talented baristas and invested in getting premium beans. If only they were open on Sundays... read more

I recommend the Embassy Row coffee. The lattes are delicious -- I think it may be because they don't use skim milk.

went 2 times the coffee is worse then starbucks. I am just rating the coffee . Not a good city for coffee.

Swing servies solid and reliable coffee, and the prices are pretty good. This means the line is almost always long and tables can be tough to come by, but I guess that's the mark of a quality joint. read more

I miss going to this place nearly everyday! The coffee and local coffee shop atmosphere make me miss the plethora of these places offered in Minneapolis, but in DC this place is certainly one of a kind. After switching jobs and not going here for over a year, the staff remembered me. They have the best chai latte I have ever had and their mocha is delicious. read more

Great coffee! If you are a coffee snob you will love this place. My only complaint is that there is very little seating. During the warmer months it's fine because there are tables set up outside and you are close enough to Lafayette Park that you could just go sit on a bench there, but it's not a great place to meet someone if it's winter and you plan on staying and chatting. read more

Best independent coffee shop in downtown dc. Only dc coffee place close to ME Swings in quality and service is Sidamo in NE.

Very overrated. The coffee is not very good and the service is lackluster. And good luck finding a (cramped) seat.

I just adore Swing's MESCO blend! Fabulous, smooth and full bodies! And a far, far cry from the junk sold at Starbuck's and the like.

Real strong but not bitter coffee that they roast themselves. Sometimes has some rare coffee of the day. Can't get a better cup than here.

A real find. Outstanding espresso, low prices, great vintage decor. The line is long at certain times (when office workers in the area converge for a coffee break) but it moves fast and the quality of the drinks doesn't seem to suffer. When you walk in the door, go to your left to get on line. read more

Absolutely delicious coffee - and I'm not the biggest coffee drinker! High remarks for the pastries too!

I've always loved their coffee and service is always friendly and reasonably prompt, especially given that I'm usually there during rush hour when it's a bit hectic. Their gingerbread and scones are absolutely the best I've ever had. read more

Good coffee, but I rather pay $3 extra at whole foods for their customer service. I was treated like it was my fault for walking thru their open door at 6 pm closing. I didn't get to buy anything which is fine, but I've been treated better at a Doctor's office. read more