Used Yelp to find a nearby coffee shop after a race. Glad we found Commonwealth Joe! The decoration…read morefrom exterior to interior was so cute/chic! Love the cherry blossoms! Long line to order. Also bought some coffee beans. Employees tried to work as fast as they could. Breakfast taco came out before the coffee. Food was delicious and super filling! My cookie butter latte was AMAZING! Just the right sweetness! Also got to try some of the earl grey matcha and it was good. Highly recommend this coffee shop!

Went on a Monday afternoon to get some work done in a different type setting from home. It's a…read moresmall place with a few bar height chairs at a bar by the window, a few regular chairs and booth seating by the wall and a separate room (but open) with a bar height table and chairs. I sat on the booth side by the wall and was not near an outlet. It was quite chilly even though it wasn't sweltering outside, so I'm glad I brought a jean jacket. Music was playing but it wasn't too loud. Stayed for a couple of hours. There was plenty of foot traffic but not enough to be disruptive. There was one restroom, which was clean. The baristas were pleasant as they helped other customers. I was going to order seltzer water, but they had it on tap (along with plain water) so it was free. I also ordered an iced tea to support the establishment. It was refreshing and I didn't even add anything to make it sweet. I would return here to work if I needed to, especially because I like the area (even though parking is mostly paid street spots), but plan on continuing my quest for the perfect coffee shop/remote work vibe.

A quick afternoon stop in for a cappuccino and matcha latte. Both good and the space wasn't super…read morecrowded sat afternoon. They added taller tables which makes the space feel a little crowded though.

I visited this coffee shop twice on my stay in Arlington! The matcha latte with vanilla was…read moredelicious! The BLT had an amazing sauce on it, but the crusty bread did make it a little hard to eat. The iced tea was refreshing, but a little sweet and not very citrusy. I did enjoy the outside seating which was very shady. The baristas were very kind and speedy!

My family and I stumbled upon this place after grabbing a bite to eat in the city. We asked our…read moreserver if there was a place we can leave our luggage since we just came m the airport. To our surprise, right across the street was this spot and we spoke to a nice person named Taylor. She mentioned that for a small charge, we can leave our luggage here before checking into our place or stay later on. If you're in town and don't want your baggage to wear you down, come check this place out!

Would like to recommend - if only it wasn't a smoke shop. This idea kills it for us locals. Any…read morebusiness entrepreneurs out there - this is your calling. The neighborhood absolutely NEEDS a clean, comfortable, refreshing cafe/coffee shop!

For lunch this past Sunday, a few of us stopped by Paramount Cafe since they actually have 卤肉饭…read more(Taiwanese braised pork over rice) here. Who knew that there would be a cafe in Pentagon City with this option? The interior is a bit cramped with many cardboard boxes piling up. We were able to order the food at the counter and waited about 5-10 minutes before the food was ready. BRAISED PORK OVER RICE (卤肉饭) - 15.49 Lots of rice, more rice than I could finish with the amount of braised pork belly they give. The pork was very fatty, which made it tasty and juicy, but it wasn't very saucy. There were two halves of a bokchoy and half of an incredibly boiled egg, which was meh. Still, I finished all the toppings and maybe a little less than half of the rice. I was full, but $15.49 for the food was not worth it. Overall, 3.5/5 but bump it to a 4/5 since there's a scarcity of food like this in the area. They sell other comfort Asian dishes too, like coconut chicken cutlet rice and Japanese eel rice.

After working for years nearby this small bodega below a Crystal City apartment building, I finally…read morewent with my eight-year-old daughter. With an impressively high Yelp rating, I was disappointed to hear the new owners say the glowing reviews are from the previous owner (though I respect the honesty). Despite that, we really enjoyed our visit. The new owners live up to the legacy. First of all, the service is excellent. An older man makes the food and who I assume is his daughter takes the orders. Both are kind. At the end, she gave my daughter a granola bar for free. The menu is a mix of Korean food and the small market in the back sells Korean products and more. It's very fun to browse and pick up some snacks and treats. My daughter loved the juicy grape fruit snacks. To eat, we ordered the Japanese curry and milk tea. Both were full of flavor and made with love. "This is my new favorite meal of all time," said my daughter. She devoured the bowl herself! There's a small parking lot in front of the cafe. It's within walking distance from the Crystal City Metro.

If you're looking for good food, good drinks, and a reminder that joy is an act of resistance, make…read moreyour way to Colada Shop. In a time when some folks are busy declaring "Nuclear Family Month" and trying to decide whose rights count, Colada Shop is over here doing what really matters: serving delicious Cuban food, amazing cocktails, and creating a welcoming space for everyone. The croquetas were incredible, the drinks were refreshing, and the vibe was immaculate. The Pride decorations made me smile because despite all the noise, people are still showing up for community, inclusion, and joy. Turns out diversity isn't scary--unless you're a croqueta at my table. Those things disappeared fast. In a city that can feel especially heavy these days, this place felt like a breath of fresh air. Sometimes resistance looks like marching. Sometimes it looks like supporting businesses that make everyone feel welcome. Happy Pride Month to everyone celebrating. The haters may be loud, but the mojitos are louder.

Great stop before flying back home. This is a small location & searing can get tight especially…read morewhen having to trail in carrying-on luggage but well worth a last yummy taste of Cuban goodness. This location has the same quality of food as their Wharf location. I was so happy to be able to get a couple of empanadas, a Cuban sandwich, sweet plantains and a couple of drinks before jetting off. The staff is super friendly but getting our drinks was a little slow. Having said that, it was during busy times so we totally get it. Didn't take pictures of the empanadas before they got in my belly. We got a chicken & beef-so good just a little on the small side so if you're sharing, keep that in mind. Cheers!!

Came here for breakfast! We ordered two breakfast burritos, 2 specialty donuts (salted caramel…read moresmore & lemavender), and 2 lattes. The donuts are $4 a piece which I think is pretty high and has been my complaint at other locations, the flavor was delicious though! The burritos were 11.50 for bacon and 12.50 for chorizo. They were both delicious but the chorizo was more beans than chorizo. The coffee was delicious. Overall, pretty good but $47 for breakfast is a little high. The service was a bit slow, they were very busy though. The locations lot of indoor seating which is nice! We took ours to go to eat outside elsewhere.

An amazing spot for eats and treats! We had a small work gathering here and it was a great hit…read moreamongst all, especially with sweet accessible. Right upon entry, we were warmly greeted with a smile and helpfulness. There are plenty of seating options from outdoor tables to indoor booths and tables. There's even an upstairs where you can combine tables for larger groups. The treats were tasty and delicious. An amazing experience overall. Enjoy!

MUST TRY their black sesame latte! Came by several times during my stay and the staff was always…read moresuper kind and helpful. Lots of fresh and healthy choices. Some other things we tried included the egg in a hole and the salmon lox sandwich on brioche, which were both delicious! Seating is plentiful, providing a nice peaceful start to the day or a nice quiet break in the day.

The food and beverage options are excellent - wide variety and all made-to-order with fresh…read moreingredients! Staff are awesome - whether it's the team ringing up or bringing out your order, they're focused on top-notch experience to go along with the great culinary options. It's a bustling place, so get takeout if you need it quiet.

I'm glad for the existence of Nordstrom's Espresso Bar. For years, if I wanted coffee at Fashion…read moreCentre, I always hit up the Starbuck's booth down on the Food Court level. But on my most recent visit to the mall, the Starbuck booth had been dismantled. And why? It was always busy. Be that as it may, I recalled there was a Nordstrom Espresso Bar at the opposite and quiet end of the mall. And yes indeed, there the Ebar still stood! It's not that busy right now, but I expect their business to step up when people discover this is the only place you can get coffee in Fashion Centre. Oh the coffee (I ordered a 4 shot espresso) - it has a great flavor and is reasonably priced.

Some people still do not know about Nordstrom Café, and honestly, I feel two ways about it. On one…read morehand, it keeps the lines short for the rest of us. On the other hand, it is heartbreaking that so many people have missed out on some of the best soups, sandwiches, salads, dishes, and desserts hiding inside a department store. This café is the definition of an underrated gem. Recently, I went on a Daddy-Daughter date, and as always, we started with our favorite Tomato Basil Soup. It is rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. It tastes like comfort in a bowl and feels like a warm hug from the inside out. For my meal, I ordered the Santa Fe Panini, and let me tell you, it never misses. It has the perfect balance of spice, crunch, and cheesy goodness. Every bite feels like it was made with love and a little bit of culinary magic. When you visit, I need you to do one very important thing: get me a lemon cookie. It is soft, sweet, zesty, and completely addictive. If you walk out of Nordstrom Café without one, you have played yourself. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to Nordstrom Café. It is lowkey legendary. Don't say I did not warn you.

Still the number one coffee spot in DC for me. I have so many check in's here for a reason it's the…read morecoffee and of course the friendly staff. It's also a cool spot to work remote or taking a meeting. I hope the owner open more establishments in the future. Right now there are 2 locations (including Union Market) - I've had great experiences at both. A lot of the new or small coffee shops should follow their lead when it comes to coffee and providing excellent customer service. I love this place.

Stopped by Pluma while exploring the Wharf and really enjoyed the experience…read more The café itself is beautiful, minimalist, earthy, and thoughtfully designed. Even though we got our drinks and food to go, I couldn't help but admire the cute ceramics and overall aesthetic of the space. I ordered the lavender latte, which was good but didn't completely wow me. My husband and I also shared the bread pudding, and that was definitely the highlight. He gave it a 9/10, and I'd have to agree, it was delicious and the perfect treat to enjoy while walking around the pier. One thing to note is that prices are definitely on the higher side. I noticed the avocado toast was around $18, and while it looked nice, it didn't seem particularly special for the price. Overall, a very cute café with a great atmosphere and an excellent bread pudding. A lovely stop while visiting the Wharf.

Open late. Friendly service. Refreshing Mango Black Tea juice; didn't like the boba as much…read more Lovely interior! They also have a few baked goods

I've been wanting to try their boba for a while, so my son and I stopped in for drinks. Ordering…read morethrough the kiosk was quick, easy, and hassle-free. Our drinks came out pretty fast, and the employee who made them was very friendly. The shop was clean, inviting, and had plenty of seating both inside and outside if you want to relax and enjoy your drink. As for the drinks, we weren't huge fans of the amount of fruit included, but the lychee in my drink was absolutely delicious. I ordered the regular sugar level and realized afterward that I should have gone a little sweeter--it would have made the drink even better. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'll definitely be back to try more flavors.