Big Bear Cafe in Bloomingdale is one of those places that stops you in your tracks before you even walk through the door. The ivy wrapping the entire exterior of the building is stunning -- it feels like the cafe grew right out of the earth itself. The garden is lush, intentional, and beautiful, and the grapevine patio pulls you in like you've stumbled onto a secret courtyard in the middle of the city. I rode the metro over an hour from Alexandria for this and the exterior alone told me the commute was worth it. The iced coffee delivered. The vibe inside is warm, neighborhood-cozy, and full of character. This place has a soul that most coffee shops spend years trying to manufacture. Four stars instead of five -- and here's my honest feedback with love. The outdoor seating is gorgeous but the trees overhead drop baby spiders constantly. I watched them land on my table, my drink, and my arm more times than I could count. The birds hopping onto tables scavenging for crumbs added to the chaos. For a patio this beautiful, the experience deserves better. The fix is already in the DNA of this place. Weaving lavender, peppermint, chrysanthemums, citronella grass, marigolds, and rosemary throughout the patio would naturally deter spiders and mosquitoes while making the garden even more breathtaking. The fragrance would become part of the experience. Big Bear Cafe is already special. The ivy, the garden, the coffee, the community energy -- it all works. A few intentional additions to the patio and this place is untouchable. I will absolutely be back. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

Big Bear Cafe - Exterior vibe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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GREAT ambiance.....cute inside spots and outside spots. Delicious tea and coffee options. There was a long line, but service was really fast. I didn't see any food options on the menu that that caught my eye. The list looks like what I'd imagine a BK spot would have 10 years ago. I'll definitely be back.....it feels like the perfect spot to meet and enjoy drinks before or after a long walk. read more

Big Bear Cafe was absolutely great! My nephew had his wedding there, and it turned out to be a fabulous venue with lots of character. It was a bit rainy, so they moved the dinner upstairs, instead of the outdoor patio. The ceremony was also held upstairs---it was beautiful, and the seating for dinner also worked out very well. After the ceremony, there were appetizers and drinks downstairs and guests were able to mingle on the patio. Then we all went upstairs for dinner. The food was absolutely delicious! Menu included Kale & Sweet Potato Salad, Skillet Mac & Cheese, Beef Short Ribs, Mashed Potatoes and Eggplant Napoleon. Everything was great, and we enjoyed it so much! The short ribs were so flavorful and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. After dinner, there was dessert downstairs and dancing in the restaurant interior. All around fabulous, and we all had a wonderful time! We also stayed in the guesthouse/townhouse next door to the cafe, owned by the owners of the cafe. Accommodations were great, and I would highly recommend it. We also enjoyed having breakfast on several occasions at Big Bear since we were conveniently located next door. This is an extremely popular neighborhood cafe, with plenty of seating indoors and on the outdoor patio. Still, there was a line during breakfast, but the wait wasn't too long. We enjoyed the pastries, bagel with cream cheese, and the breakfast burrito with free coffee refills. The ambiance of the cafe is great and service was also friendly and very good. There is also a farmers market right in front of the cafe on Sunday mornings. Highly recommended! read more

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First I am obsessed with the inside outside and all the decor. I think it is the cutest corner cafe. The coffee is consistently delicious, the pastries have always been good, and I was surprised with how good the happy hour pizza was. Give it a try - you may just find your new go to! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great coffee, great service and the ambient is genuinely so nice on this spring kind of weather I want to come back again already .

I was pleasantly surprised to find their menu was far more extensive than a typical cafe. Their calamari was fantastic! I loved the addition of the pickles, fried veggies, and dipping sauce. It's quite spacious with 2 floors of indoor seating and a patio area. I'd love to return once all the foliage is back as I can tell by the vines around the building that it must be absolutely covered in plants. Such a great spot for a lot of things like WFH, studying, etc. I can see why this place is such a neighborhood staple! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Calamari - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

[More like 3.5 ] Big Bear is regarded by many as a beloved staple in the Bloomingdale neighborhood and I see why - locally owned, variety of seating options, and breakfast/lunch/dinner options. While you can expect a long line on weekend mornings, the service is generally good in my experience. I tried the iced honey latte and I enjoyed it, the size was pretty large. For food options, I heard a lot of great things about the breakfast burrito but I will say it fell a bit short. There was almost too much egg and not enough seasoning (at all) and the salsa didn't taste like much. The tortilla was good though. I tried the grilled cheese as well which was pretty good, it has apples which add a bit of sweetness and the bread tasted really fresh and fluffy. The filling to bread ratio was a bit off (a lot of bread for little cheese) but taste wise, it's great. Overall, I like what this cafe offers in terms of seating, service, and coffee but the food misses the mark in my opinion, especially for the price you pay (~$45 for 2 people and you buss your own dishes). read more

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I came to Big Bear Café for a wedding, and it's definitely a charming venue, super cute atmosphere and great for events. The food at the wedding didn't totally win me over, but the drinks were solid and well-made. I get the feeling this spot really shines with its everyday menu, so I'm planning to come back to try their coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. I have a hunch that's where they really stand out! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The feeling of discovering an amazing latte in D.C. is quickly becoming one of my favorite feelings on this planet. I felt completely rejuvenated after that first sip. It wasn't bitter at all and tasted so smooth. It reminded me of the espresso from my old cafe job in Tallahassee. I can definitely see this becoming my new comfort latte. The food had great texture, especially the breakfast burrito, but both were missing a bit of flavor. They just needed that extra something. I wanted the bear claw to be more of a doughy pasty rather than flakey. The ambiance of the cafe felt incredibly homey. When I moved up north, I was searching for places that gave off the kind of northern culture I had imagined. Maybe it's the cabin-style vibe they've created here, but whatever it is, it works. I'm really glad a spot like this exists in my neighborhood. read more

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My favorite neighborhood cafe. So cozy, clean, and witchy. I enjoy coming here to do tarot readings (@earthmamass). There are so many relics, and the staff is so nice (and fashionable). Free refills on their coffee + tea and delicious cinnamon buns. Ooh! And their fried chicken sandwich. Only con -- there are private events upstairs often, but there is space to sit downstairs and outside (not as comfy but still cozy). read more

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Big bear is great. I'm often there for coffee and breakfast. Sometimes lunch or dinner. I love the ferro bowl, with grains, seasonal veggies, a delightful dressing and a lot of flavor and feel good taste. The setting is beautiful. Upstairs is a lovely quiet area. Outside is covered with vines and plants and feels special. Some people telework. They have music, trivia, bands movies, popups etc. read more

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The lines here for coffee get LONG. Waited about 30 minutes in line- coffee was good but not sure I would do the wait again. But it does seem like they have a great wine and cocktail program, would come back for pizza and wine another time (hopefully when it's less crowded) read more

I had the breakfast burrito (added bacon, removed arugula). It was very good! I didn't really feel the salsa added anything but the burrito was great so it's all good. They also made me a cafe mocha even though it's not on their menu. My partner had the pastrami brisket bagel and he really enjoyed that - along with an americano. Really enjoyed sitting outside too. read more

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This is one of the most atmospheric places in the DC area! Great coffee, chill music and very nice people. I enjoyed visiting this place very much. The line is long, especially on the weekends mornings, but it is worth it! There's a farmer's market on Sundays in front of the restaurant. A number of sits inside, on the patio and the 2nd floor (and this is the gem!). Also, they have a lot of events, like concerts and comedy. Definitely recommend and looking forward to visiting this place again! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cortado - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

ole reliable. there's not much new i can say about this place but i wanted to add some updated pics. this was the first time I've tried their food, had the farro veggie bowl, which was pretty standard stuff, filling but nothing to write home about. seems to be there only vegan option, but with mods, other dishes could be made vegan as well. Big Bear is a Bloomingdale staple so expect the line to be out the backdoor during peak hours (i.e. weekends). read more

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Homey, gritty, and welcoming. Loved the vibes of this place - the kind I can station up and work on life amin/work with a nice (free refills) cup of coffee and delicious (yet simple) breakfast sandwich all day and feel productive, yet a part of the community. A great meeting space with a roomy downstairs and upstairs that is stunningly rustic - and a spacious outdoor patio space that I'm sure is wonderful in nicer weather. Lesser known than most other DC spots, but should be more popular than it is. One of my favorites in DC. read more

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Went in to enjoy a coffee/work from home vibe. Such a cute little shop in a great location! Friendly staff. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I generally like this shop. It's a nice neighborhood coffee shop cafe. I love that they are locally owned and operated, so nothing is "corporate here'. And it's a cute hangout spot. Came for a coffee and snack on a rainy Sunday. My cappuccino was tasty, but I ordered their biscuit to go with it. (Thought about a scone, but they are very large and basically a meal to themselves, though I've had them before and enjoyed them. If only they were half the size I'd have had one today.) The biscuit was quite a disappointment. Perhaps it's just my personal taste. But I found it dense, bready and bland, so I didn't eat it. Maybe next time I'll try to bring a friend and split a cookie or scone instead. read more

I love coming to Big Bear Cafe when the weather is nice - their patio is lovely with plenty of seating. Their gluten-free options are fairly limited, although their gluten-free blondies are incredible. I had the spring salad and a side order of fries and I did appreciate that the side order of fries was bigger than my salad - as it should be. Service is friendly and fairly quick, despite how busy it was. I'd love to come back for one of their events! It's a real neighborhood gem. read more

Really good coffee and fresh bagels, also got the breakfast burrito which was good but the bagel was definitely better. The service was all very quick and friendly read more

Big Bear Cafe - Lox bagel - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a great neighborhood spot! I dropped in with a friend on a Friday afternoon and it was so nice! The service was fast and efficient and the food was perfect! read more

Pretty good coffee. However for the price I feel like the coffee should have been much larger. Servers were friendly and service was quick.

Small cafe with a variety of breakfast choices - lunch/dinner too but the kitchen closes 3 to 4 pm. Variety of coffee drinks plus scones, muffins, wraps etc. You can get a good breakfast here - we were there 4 days straight! The line is long in the morning! Outside seating and plenty inside. They add a 12% service charge to every order - I had added 20% 3 days straight until I read the sign on the back wall (easily missed). Friendly staff. read more

Favorite coffee shop to work at! They also have great food, coffee, drinks, and a variety of different teas. Their breakfast options are great. I especially love the breakfast burrito. read more

Im literally obsessed with the outdoor space that this cafe has got to offer! I took a nice stroll through the lovely neighborhood of Bloomingdale to arrive at this cafe which has always been on my list and I've been meaning to come. The iced latte is slightly pricey ~$6 but that's dc I guess. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a cozy coffee shop. I walked here while in town & grabbed a coffee and Sandwhich. I saw upstairs in a windows that overlooked the street. Perfect way to start the morning while taking a meeting! Coffee & service were great. read more

Food was sooo delicious and service was incredible! Got to chat with Julia on counter while my coffee was being made and everyone was so awesome! Love the espresso there, definitely can tell that they care about their coffee. The food was yummy and came out so quick. Overall, such a cute space. Def recommend for a quick brunch moment. read more

One of my favorite DC cafes! The breakfast sandwich and burrito are delicious, the coffee is great (+ they have free refills), and the staff is so friendly and welcoming. I've come here after morning workouts with big groups and they are very accommodating. They have great indoor and outdoor space and it's the perfect place to hang out or get some work done. Highly recommend!! read more

Came by after a long day walking. Their burger was great! When the server brought out the food to us she happily helped us with water refills which was great since this is a self service type of place. read more

This place is SOOOO CUTE! I love the vibe and the outdoor space! I just wish the food was better! The grilled cheese would be so much better with a jam or something on it and the chicken on the chicken sandwich is very dry. The salad was pretty good. Essentially, overpriced for the quality of food but a super cute spot to grab lunch or get some work done. I'd go back and try it again, maybe for a drink. Service was good - no complaints! read more

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This has become one of my favorite coffee shops near the Noma area! I love the coffee it's very consistent and the employees are very friendly you have many seating options you can go outside or inside/upstairs. The food is very good I enjoy the breakfast burrito and the bagel if I'm in a rush! They do not have free WiFi on the weekends so I normally just come and read my book! Definitely a place I would recommend! read more

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This place is super cute. They have a lot of nice outdoor seating. I enjoyed coming here for coffee and breakfast and sitting outside on a sunny morning. I was happy with the Lavender Oat Milk Iced Latte, and the Iced Coffee is also good and comes with unlimited refills. The Chocolate Bear Paw was fresh-made and tasty, and the Breakfast Sandwich with Bacon was great. I'd definitely come back if I'm looking for a breakfast spot in Bloomingdale. read more

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Food was good but rats and roaches all over the patio!! They were crawling under and on top of the tables.

The vibe of this place is great. Coffee is good and there is a good amount of seating upstairs and outside. Staff are friendly! Definitely gets busy read more

I really enjoyed this nice coffee and lunch spot in the shaw area. With plenty of outdoor seating with a cozy patio. They serve both breakfast and lunch items. From breakfast sandwiches, bagels, muffins, and sandwiches for lunch. It also turns into a bar for dinner and they host nightly events about every night. From trivia, comedy, and other parties. The food was fantastic I got the breakfast sandwich and blueberry muffin. My latte was delicious and came out nice and hot. I will definitely be going back to check this place out again. Also their prices are very reasonable and affordable. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Breakfast sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Such a hidden gem, or maybe it was just hidden to me? Regardless, the vibes are great and so is the coffee. Much better than going to a chain. Love sitting there with the windows open and the warm summer breeze coming in. Great for a slow morning or an afternoon drink. read more

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Let's start with the great thing about this place- staff is friendly and the food is great! Had the chicken burrito and the cheese was flavorful and tasty. Chicken and vegetables were slightly sautéed were amazing and I will be replicated. Parking is a little tight but it is in a busy area of town. Great service! The only thing is I did like the forced 12% service gratuity but refused to take cash. If we had a car I would have probably left but we were carrying luggage and need a place for a moment read more

Big Bear Cafe - Chicken burrito - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The ambiance and vibe of the place is what really makes it! It's the perfect place to go during the spring/summer, or any nice day really. The outside patio is huge and beautiful. Great place for breakfast, to go with friends, or to bring a laptop to work! They have a bunch of fun events too, like trivia and live music. The coffee is excellent and a good price. The breakfast sandwich is also great; they make their own english muffins and they're wonderful. the service is also super friendly! Highly recommend checking this place out! it's a fav spot of mine in Bloomingdale. read more

Big Bear Cafe - iced vanilla latte, iced oat milk latte - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wife and I stopped in for breakfast on a Saturday morning. The two guys working behind the counter were inviting and friendly. Your standard café fare - some fresh baked goods and a good number of made-to-order items. We tried the breakfast sandwich, granola & yogurt, blueberry muffin, and bacon, chive, and scallion scone. The breakfast sandwich was the best, the added caramelized onions a nice touch. The granola was good, but we prefer vanilla to plain yogurt. The baked goods were both very good - the muffin sweet and chewy and the scone flavorful with a healthy helping of ingredients in the dough. The drinks were of a high quality I expected from this type of place. A strong espresso. My wife was happy with her hot chocolate. They have indoor seating on the second floor. We're glad we overheard a regular asking about it. As it was our first time, we didn't know there was a second floor dining room. It's not exactly obvious as you have to go outside and enter another door. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A bit pretentious but a very cool vibe. I met my partner here after a morning of rock climbing and it was so cool. Their space is huge and open with beautiful plants and fairy lights all around. I got a coffee and it was very classic and reasonably priced for DC. They have a lot of seating and are highly invested in minimizing waste. They have bins for different kinds of waste and encourage visitors to use their ceramic mugs and bowls. You order at the counter from their vast food and drink menu and can either pick it up at the counter or the staff will bring it to your table. My biggest critique is they have wifi during the day, but normally turn it off in the afternoon to keep people from working in their space to have higher turn over of the tables. This isn't very accessible and sort of defeats the purpose of a "local coffee shop" to me. The staff is helpful and friendly enough, although some of them do give a bit of a cold shoulder, coming off a bit pretentious. read more

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