Compass Coffee in Washington, D.C. proves ‘great coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, fancy or hard to pronounce’.
Washington, D.C., is a city buzzing with politicians, tourists, and locals, all with one thing in common – a love for caffeine! Compass Coffee is a classic Washington D.C. coffee shop with outposts throughout the district and a few spots in Maryland and Virginia. Founded in 2014 by two Marines, Compass Coffee is fueled by the philosophy that great coffee doesn’t have to be complicated, fancy or hard to pronounce. They believe that the best cup of coffee is the one that points you in the right direction at the start of your day, every day: just like a Compass. I could not agree more and I love how Compass Coffee delivers on this mission!
True to its Washington, D.C. roots, Compass Coffee stocks a variety of locally influenced coffee drinks and beans such as the seasonal cherry blossom cream cold brew and the Embassy coffee blend. It makes it fun for visitors and locals alike to take in a sip of the city. During my visit it was peak cherry blossom season, so the cherry blossom blend was readily available in tins, pods, and on draft! The iced cherry blossom cream cold brew is a showstopper. This coffee drink is a bright pink color that will catch your eye as someone walks past you on the street with it. The color of it is so fun that you can’t help but want one of your own!
My personal favorite Compass Coffee creation is the iced almond butter latte. This amazing coffee beverage is unlike anything I’ve had at any other coffee shop. It has the more savory notes of almond butter with the smoothness of almond milk with a dash of classic latte sweetness. It’s truly a coffee pick me up that I dream about when I am away from the Washington DC area.
Compass Coffee serves up a variety of breakfast pastries such as muffins, coffee cakes, and sweet loafs. They recently started selling some breakfast sandwiches as well which I think is an excellent addition to their shops! I loved the coffee cake that I got with my almond butter latte recently. It was flaky yet moist with a delightful cinnamon flavor. It really complimented my coffee drink!
Each Compass Coffee has ample space to hang out and enjoy your drink after you order. The modern shops are filled with light and feature wooden accents that welcome you into the rooms. You want to sit down and stay awhile rather than taking your coffee to go. It’s a great third space to work from for a few hours or to meet up with a friend to catch up with. There’s usually bar seating, low tables, and high tables, and sometimes even lounge furniture if you are looking to cozy into the coffee shop atmosphere for a longer stay. The staff at Compass Coffee is also always exceptionally kind, friendly, and knowledgeable about their menu. I love to ask my barista for their seasonal recommendations.
Whether you’ve lived in Washington, D.C. your whole life or you’re looking for a cool local coffee shop to try during your summer vacation to the city, Compass Coffee is a must try to get your daily caffeine fix. Their cup of joe may just help you find your way!