Today I had an espresso which was very sour and tasted like acid which could be the result of under extraction (there could be several reasons for this, low water temperature, coarse grind etc..). I guess if you drink your coffee with sugar and milk, you will not notice it much but as a coffee purist who lived in South Europe for more than a decade where a perfect espresso is to be found at every corner, this was disappointing. The location is charming though, brings a nice vibe to the neighborhood and the baristas are friendly. Given this, I am happy to try again their espresso again, and hopefully have a pleasant surprise!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! The breakfast we had was really good and very tasty. The espresso was even better, the best coffee in the area. I also love the decaf it was one of the best I’ve ever tasted. The barista is very good at making different toppings. The staff is very friendly. And also the strawberry topped cake is really delicious.
The barista was very knowledgeable about the coffee, he explained every detail. He even helped out when I bought packs of coffee to bring home. The staff members were all friendly and accommodating. The overall service I experienced was awesome. Highly recommended!
Found Qualia Coffee on our first morning in D.C. Small, attractive shop with open space up front (probably seating in the Before Times?), counter with small selection of baked goods, coffee roaster, patio out back. House coffee was excellent, as were the blueberry muffin and cheese/chives biscuit. Patio was cool and pleasant and quiet mid-morning. Nice selection of roasts; we got a bag of the Tanzania Kilimanjaro ground for us and it has been very tasty.
Great cold brew and black-pepper, cheddar scones. Check out the art on the walls as well, its all by local artists and purchasable.
This coffee shop serves the best chocolate, coffee, espresso, and raspberry concoctions that you will ever indulge in. The atmosphere is pleasant and sprightly. This coffee shop never fails to satisfy and amaze me. After a long day of sightseeing, this is the best place to kick back and talk about your day. We love their coffee so much!
One of the few places I can find decaf lattes that still have that espresso taste I crave!😊
Still my go-to for hyper-locally roasted beans. A Petworth gem.
They have really amazing, quality beans, roasted within the week. Everything is top quality except for the service. The service is super lacking, and Ive never had a good experience service-wise.
Loved the coffee I had here. Reminds me of home down-under. People should come to this kind of cafes more often, rather than go to Starbucks and stuff. Local cafes should thrive rather than let the big guns take over. That’s why Starbucks never really made it in Australia except where there are tourists. Just bring your own power banks when you travel!Why four stars? The staff are very “official”.
Drip coffee was small 8oz at $2.50 but VERY FLAVORFUL without bitterness. Absolutely worth it. I appreciate that the tax is taken into consideration in the price sheet so Im charged $2.50, not $2.50+ tax.
Best coffee for miles - pour overs and anything else. They have really good pandemic practices and an outdoor space in front to sit for a bit. In normal, non-pandemic times they have a lovely back courtyard and a no-fuss, very simple study space upstairs. Vegans take note - lots of cookies and beverages for you too.
Really cute place to grab coffee! Have gotten seasonal drinks, as well as regular coffee. Only reason for the 4 stars is that I wish they had more options to customize on their to-go ordering platform. Would love to be able to add vanilla/sugar/etc. to a latte sometimes!
Still the best coffee roaster in DC
These are my friends here. Good scones made from scratch.
I am very contented with this! Great coffee shop with a great atmosphere! It was highly recommended to everyone!
The food was amazing, per usual and our server was wonderful!
I love Qualia for ditching plastic! Awesome job going to plant-based lids on single-use disposable coffee cups. This shows leadership, vision, and care for the neighborhood and city. Some brands understand that sustainability is not optional these days for retaining customers. Also - great coffee here with tons of options. Qualia - please never leave!!!
Love the environment and theyre super welcoming. I definitely recommend supporting this local roaster. They care about the quality of their product and the happiness of their customers.
Do yourself a favor and try their shakerato! This place is delicious.
Love this location, the bagels are fantastic.
Coffee shop should make coffee fast. 15 minutes to process 2 black coffees. Never again.
Excellent coffee shop. Perfect for whiling away an afternoon with a good book, especially in any of their ample outdoor seating areas. Tasty treats complement coffee roasted on site as well as a modest selection of teas. I will definitely return to this establishment.
So I was in the area for work and decided to stop into this coffee shop as it was close to where I was working. I had a sip of the cold brew and it immediately tasted sour so I just got a regular iced coffee and when I took a sip I was absolutely disgusted. I love visiting coffee shops all across the country to stay away from dunkin or the bucks. It’s always a treat to taste small batch roast but this shop needs to do something different with their roasting process because their coffee is one star out of 5 and I’m giving this 2 stars because it is a super chill environment.
Best fresh roasted coffee beans in DC bar none.
Favorite coffee shop by far. I live 8 hours away in SoCal, but every time Im in town I go to Timeless every morning. I recommend for anyone, vegan or non-vegan.
Love the coffee and the cute atmosphere. I wish they had WiFi to make doing work easier. The quality of the small batches of coffee can be easily smelled and tasted. I will be back to try more.
Great coffee and other drinks. Good cookies also. I left my credit card in the reader and they found it before someone else saving it for me. Friendly people too. Was kinda hot inside as all doors were open and 90 degrees out.
After eight years in DC, Qualia is the only establishment I always make it a point to visit when Im back in town. Of all the beans Ive encountered living in DC, SF and NYC, these are still my favorite. (Ive tried to find replacements, to no avail.) If youre fortunate enough to be able to go, do it.
Dont expect flavor shots or gimmicky drinks from this great local roaster. If quality and freshness are priorities for you then youll love the wide selection of beans from around the world roasted daily in small batches. While they always have something for everyone, you wont find the same beans year-round as they constantly rotate their stock and adjust their roasts to bring out the best flavors in the beans. The store is small, though, and you may have to fight through the crowd on a weekend morning to get that perfect cuppa.
This is my neighborhood spot and they pour great coffee to a high standard. From lattes to pour over to iced tea, its all delicious. The place is small but they have extra seating upstairs. Its an open air design and can get very hot in summer inside the shop, but I enjoy the heat, and will still hang out to enjoy a great drink.
Fantastic little cafe tucked into neighborhood with barristas who care deeply about providing you the best cup of coffee they can.
Best hot chocolate Ive ever had! Mad at myself afterward that I only got an 8oz instead of the 12oz. Highly recommend!
Qualia coffee is a really excellent place to get a cup of coffee. It has nice staff, home roasted beans, and overall excellent offerings from a local coffee shop. Being a self ordained coffee snob, I really like their stuff. Dog friendly too!!
I always feel slightly intimidated when I go into an independent coffee shop. I certainly enjoy the coffee, but its not quite like Starbucks or elsewhere... Everything seems fancy.The staff is friendly and the shop generally has a welcoming vibe. There are a few places to sit so that you can work, read, or simply enjoy your drink. I plan to visit again.
Great coffee and service, and a gem of a back patio! lots of space! Love it. Only downsides: No AC or WiFi. Come prepared with your hotspot.
Qualia is a gem. The hot coconut milk latte is my go-to, and I also love the pumpernickel bagels.
I was there on Sunday and I purchased Yirgacheffe Coffee beans and a cup of coffee. Sam was really nice well all of the staff was and very educated on coffee and everything that has to do with the coffee at Qualia I learned a lot. This is a really nice place, warm and friendly Atmosphere. I have been patronizing There for over 4 years and it’s always the same nice vibes.
Qualia is the real deal, not an act or a product designed by boardroom executives. The quality, freshness, and selection of roasts has been consistent, the prices very affordable, and the staff friendly. Their upstairs seating is great for getting a good day of work done, and the back patio is delightful in the right seasons as well.
House-roasted brews & locally baked goods are the draws at this homey hangout with outdoor seating.
Freshly roasted coffee (you can see (and smell) it roasting) and a great neighborhood shop
Great neighborhood coffee shop that roasts their own beans. Coffee is top notch. Well worth a stop in.
Amazing service.
Freshly roasted coffee and nice stuff!
Pleasant coffee shop with a nice atmosphere and nice variety in available roasts. The everything bagel with cream cheese I had was somehow amazingly delicious and I still dont know exactly why.Not quite a perfect 5 because it quickly goes from feeling relaxed and cozy to cramped and uncomfortable if its even slightly busy as there is very limited indoor seating or space. I was also very disappointed the one time I went later in the afternoon and they were out of bagels :(
Great coffee at a pretty good price. You can get bags of freshly roasted beans for $13/lb. They only do pour over, so look somewhere else if youre craving a french press coffee. The space is also pretty small, and sometimes crowded, so not the best place to work for a long time. But definitely worth the trip.
Good coffee. Not a good working coffee shop, dont set up with a computer. But a great neighborhood place to hang out and drink some in house brewed coffee. I like sitting on the back patio with my dog.
Fantastic, eclectic atmosphere with a beautiful patio front and back. The bagels are also a great snack if you are on the go. Espresso is well pulled and contains darker, rich flavors.
I really enjoy this coffee shop. Its laid back, the staff is always friendly and they roast their coffee in house. I cant wait until its warm enough to enjoy their patio.
Its a quaint place with limited seating in the front of house, an impressive roaster in the middle, and a concrete box of seats in the back. Great biscuits, even better single-pours.Im still not convinced that theyre so hard pressed to turn tables that they need to skimp on the Wifi during the weekends, but thats their business decision.
Great single-source coffees. I have not been to the shop as I tend to purchase coffee and beans at the many farmers markets Qualia frequents. Joel (owner) is very passionate and highly knowledgeable of coffee, and he has been great with assisting in finding the right bag for us.
Fantastic coffee - both beans for sale and pour over/espresso drinks. Try their tea and pastries, too! Its a touch small, however, and not a great place to hang out, although the rear patio is lovely in nice weather.
Cozy neighborhood coffee shop nestled in the heart of Petworth. They have beans and roasts sourced from all over the globe to choose from along with the basic breakfast goodies and baked goods. All in a no-frills space that is great for reading, or taking in the DC morning. The back patio is a great bonus, offering prime dog watching territory.
Small and cosy coffee shop that serves bagels as well. Quick service. Place can be crowded on weekends
Rude staff. I ordered a cappuccino and when I asked where it was, the woman working there pointed to a latte that had been sitting there for a while. I had confused the orders and it was also a high traffic time. After starting my replacement order the woman I talked to proceeded to complain about me to another worker right in front of me.That was very rude, and if they don’t take names for orders and therefore have a decent chance of making mistakes I don’t see why I should be complained about.
Great coffee at awesome prices. I like how fast they are when it comes to serving. One of my favorite coffee spots in town. Best place ever.
Love this place. Good selection. Friendly servers. Like how there is multiple spaces and no wifi on the weekends (which is great) and they dont play loud annoying music. Its also great to be there when they are roasting! Smells amazing!!! Have been charged various prices for a cup- so specify what type you want or they will assume the most expensive one.
Great neighborhood coffee shop. Nice outdoor patio in the front and back, small seating area on main floor with couches and bar seating, and a living room style area on the second floor as well. No wifi, but usually the restaurant next door has public wifi without a password. Coffee was good, but not as good as Id expect for being roasted there. Still a great coffee shop though
Great coffee! They have some of the best for drip coffee. Dont try and get anything fancy though they dont have a lot of options in terms of Lattes, etc...Also you might have to hover for someone to get up for a seat as space is limited.
This is my go-to for beans. They roast on site so the coffeehouse smells amazing. If you have time, definitely enjoy a pour over, and their happy hour is fun.
Cold brew is 🔥 and atmosphere is like a family room. perfect spot.
Fantastic local business with great coffee roasted out back.
Awesome local coffee spot. Definitely a Petworth must-go! Bagels were fresh and coffee, while expensive, was really quite good. Definitely a great vibe as well.
My preferred coffee spot! I love the variety of coffee beans and the quality of the food. Sausage fennel biscuit is the best! Second best is a bagel with cream cheese with salt, pepper, and tomato.
Great coffee at awesome prices. I like how fast they are when it comes to serving. One of my favorite coffee spots in town. Best place ever.
Very solid iced pour over. Nice space in the back to chat.
Favorite coffee spot in DC! Great fresh roast options, and plenty of pretentious coffee options for bean snobs. Worth a visit for a great cup in your favorite style
I had high hopes after the reviews..... Scone and biscuit were delicious but venue wasnt what I expected. Its an older home with the brew house on the main floor and limitied seating.. . there is seating upstairs but feels like your in a hostile. It is very minimalistic if thats what you into and the coffee is good....
Great coffee, atmosphere. Hot chocolate wasnt too sweet, and my Cortado was excellent
The multigrain bagel is good with cream cheese . The coffee is alright i wish the had more decafs but the other ones are just about alright.
Craft coffee--only one decaf version, but 15 or so others to choose from; neighborhood feel
Great coffee freshly roasted on site in a very local neighborhood coffee shop. Unfortunately a little too cozy with limited indoor seating.
My favorite coffee in DC! I usually purchase from Qualia at the Columbia Heights farmers market but I also have the occasional pleasure of going to the shop in Georgia Avenue/Petworth. The staff there are really nice, the area is quiet, and they provide pleasant seating arrangements outside both in the back and front.A perfect weekend morning is made by stopping in and relaxing with a coffee and a bagel with their Hummus.
I love this place! A quaint little coffee shop in Petworth with a super knowledgeable staff. They also do a coffee tasting 2 times a month which I really enjoy.
A bit small, but a very nice atmosphere. Food is ok, although nothing special. Coffee is excellent. They have a separate room for working, no music and no chatting. Ask at the bar for it.
Fantastic coffees! Some unusual varieties too. An inviting little space, particularly the outside spots on a nice day.
Great coffee but small space so a great place to grab coffee on the run.
I primarily get whole bean coffee at Qualia. The freshness of the beans is probably the best in the city. The quality is consistent and at around $12-14 the price is reasonable.
A little pricey, but the service was great. Free wifi a big plus. Well frequented by the locals. Coffee ground and poured over for each cup for freshness. Fantastic experience.
As a micro roaster, I think they compete with other third wave boutique coffee shops in Nyc and San Francisco. Really well roasted beans with a diverse single origin selection.
The best roasts in the District.
A great place for a mid day coffee treat. I love the coffee milkshake w almond milk.
The coffee here is ahhhhhmazing. I will come back again. I love how it is tucked away so quiet and quaint.
Great locally owned small business. I always get an americano with the espresso of the day.
Great food, iced tea, and horchata, nice spot for a quick stop
The food here is amazing and the customer service is great.
The coffee is great. But there is no air conditioning on a hot humid day.
High quality and tasty coffee. Good pastries and bagels as well. Not a lot of space to sit inside during busy times, but the outdoor seating is plentiful (front and back) when the weather is nice.Know before you go: No internet/wifi connection. Dont plan to work from this coffee shop if you need internet.
Really cute place. They have both savory and sweet food. And couches. Very urban!
Best coffee visit .....from the barista that made my latte to the gentleman who was was roasting the beans ! Get there early because the line grows quick ☕
My first time here. Love it. Great ambiance and friendly staff
Nice staff who clearly care about their craft. Plus, Whisked quiches are here! Four stars bc it could be a little cleaner.