The ambiance is absolutely adorable here. Very chic & trendy which I absolutely love. I ordered the Mac & cheese with fried brussel spouts which was bomb and my barista helped me choose the perfect coffee for my quick afternoon pick me up as a waited for traffic to die down after my day trip. I love how close this place is to my apartment and I definitely wanna make a trip back to try their breakfast. Such elegance and quality. Staff was super quick with my order and hospitable. Really loved my overall experience except for the mosquitos were attacking me since it was dusk, obviously not the cafe's fault just something to keep in mind. Would LOVE to see some seasonal flavors here since the quality is so good read more

Big Bear Cafe - Mac & cheese with fried Brussel sprouts - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Such a cute place with amazing craft cocktails! Taylor made our drinks and she was FANTASTIC!

We visited here for a bite to eat early one Saturday morning. Walking up to the cafe, you are met by the cutest patio covered with grape vines that truly sets the atmosphere of this coffee shop apart. They offer both indoor and outdoor seating, and even have a station to order food and non-espresso drinks outside. This was a great advantage as the line for inside ordering was quite long, and this saved us time to continue our adventures for the remainder of the day. I ordered the Breakfast Bagel with ham, which was very good and an iced coffee. This cafe had a great selection of coffee and breakfast options, and even offered a bar for nightlife activities. The service was quick and the food was delicious. Definitely recommend stopping in here on your next visit to the area! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Breakfast Bagel (everything bagel with ham) + Iced Coffee - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

You knew I felt overwhelmed in the big city of DC so you'd plan the best "neighborhood visits" - all day events devoted to one section of the city. The first neighborhood visit had us in Big Bear Café, drinking coffee and listening to some live music before walking through Crispus Attucks park. Nando's Peri-Peri: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nandos-peri-peri-washington-8?hrid=wa8KYwEEZeW01w3XHxly9w&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) read more

If you like burnt coffee and being served food by individuals with exposed stomachs, this is the place for you! 2 stars because the decor is actually super cute. Lots of potential...unfortunately they don't live up to it. read more

This place had all the potential to be amazing. My wife and I planned to get lunch together and this place was closest to her school. My wife's coworkers also typically walk here to get their coffee. The inside is super cozy and a perfect place to do work or read inside. We ordered the fried chicken sandwich and the grilled cheese with bacon. It took 30 minutes to prepare with no warning from the employees that it would take that long. We had to go up to them twice to ask about our order. We only had 45 minutes for lunch. We didn't know it would take 30 minutes just to get a fried chicken sandwich and grilled cheese. It was slightly annoying. We had to walk and eat. When we started eating the grilled cheese, we realized that there was no bacon...like we ordered. The fried chicken was also pink to the point where we couldn't truly enjoy it. It was just so disappointing. We won't be going back. read more

See all

Had a private event here and the staff was so friendly! Great space and even better food!!

Meh. Expensive food. Poor service. The good: food was yummy and I got it quickly. The bad: I asked for the breakfast sandwich on a biscuit instead of a bagel and she said it would be a "little extra." Turns out on my email receipt the extra was actually me purchasing a whole pastry! So they take away the bagel and make me pay for a whole extra item?!? That is a rip off. In addition, I asked for iced coffee. She asked where I was sitting and I said outside. She said great and to display the number outside so they knew where I was. I waited and after I got my food and she took away the number, I finally went inside to ask where my iced coffee was. She said I went outside and they don't serve the drinks outside. Ummmmmmmm. I wasn't told to wait for my drink so I didn't know this. And were you then just not going to give me what I paid for?!?? Really? To top it off when I went back outside a bird had started eating my food. read more

A terrible experience this morning. I came in to Big Bear cafe excited to get a breakfast sandwich and my usual doppio espresso. The strange thing is that when I asked for an espresso at the register, I was told by the cashier that they do not have to go cups for an espresso. Then I simply pointed to the cups behind her and asked, "Are those to-go cups?" So the doppio could simply be served in one of those. After a brief use of the restroom, I came outside. Perhaps the manager, a woman stood there explaining to me that they can serve it to me this time, but "next time I cannot request it to go." This was a very strange stipulation, it seemed. I had been to hundreds of other cafes and no place tells its customers that an espresso must be consumed in the establishment exclusively. Not even Starbucks has such a policy! I explained this to her. She got combative and said that it is written up on the menu. Perhaps it is but when I see that a coffee shop has an espresso machine, I will know that they serve espresso, and I won't need to scroll though the menu to know that. I asked If I could have it to go If I just bring my own cup, still she said no. Not once did she even say "sorry", she said all of this is a condescending negative tone. This is especially upsetting since this is not my first visit, I had been here a few times already and I really liked this place. However this treatment is very very bad, just unacceptable. read more

Awesome staff, coffee, and food! It is a little chaotic ordering in person at times, recommend ordering online read more

What is a café? Certainly, it is a place to acquire good food and drink, a place where one may sit with friends to discuss a myriad of topics. It may also be a place where one simply sits alone, unadorned and uncompromised, to people watch, to stare away blankly, or smile pensively at what may be either lofty or mundane. At Big Bear Café, along with all of the other patrons who are either sitting with a friend or alone tapping away at their laptops, I sit too (incidentally eating and drinking). However, there is no need to sit with any agenda, to come with a problem to solve, or a path to set, for the thoughts, as the minutes and moments pass, will come of their own accord and scratch whatever mental itch that should suddenly arise. As I listen to the surrounding music (with its brittle and metallic notes), I hear my heart. As I take a bite of my food (which I cannot taste), I hear a voice. As I take a delicate sip of my coffee (which I enjoy), I laugh at a joke. As I take a lingering stare out of the window, (which is embraced by a passing cloud), I find a moment of peace. I acknowledge my strengths and weaknesses. I answer a question with a question. And, then, I leave. read more

See all

This is about the Haenyo popup dinner at Big Bear. Rarely has a meal made me so angry. As a Korean and a former chef, I was disappointed by every aspect of the meal. The tempura wasn't cooked at the proper temperature, so the batter got very greasy. The bossam was dry and falling apart. It was clearly overlooked. The saewoojut was.... just bad and uninspired. Adding insult to injury, the portion size was tiny compared to the price. If it had been executed at a higher level, I could see justifying $15 for 4 slices of what wasn't even pork belly, but it wasn't. While I do appreciate the intent and the attempt to make Korean food more mainstream by referring to it in its original language, the food was just plain bad. I sent the plate back and immediately drove to Annandale to cleanse my palate with some real Bossam. read more

I heard rave reviews about Big Bear. The first time I went, the service was poor. I chalked it up to bad luck and everyone having an off-day. Tried it again today. For $9.50 they serve eggs and toast, with french fries -- for breakfast. Their explanation? They've switched "for the season." I'm not sure what "season" makes one way to prepare potatoes invalid and requires another, oilier way, but whatever. Then the meal comes out and it's cold. The toast isn't really toasted, it's more just bread. The fries were room temperature to the touch. I asked for something else and was first told that it wasn't that person's job. Eventually someone promised to remake the fries and I suggested they just give me a buttermilk biscuit instead, figuring it would be faster even if they take a moment to warm it up. A good five minutes passed, no biscuit. New explanation: "we only have one cook." It's a Sunday, there's a farmer's market outside your shop every Sunday until 1 p.m., there are always MASSIVE amounts of people when I look in (part of the reason I hadn't tried it again until now -- the line was shorter today because I got there closer to 1 p.m.), maybe you should have more than one cook? Other issues: you order at the counter and the register suggests a tip before you've experienced the service. Sort of negates the purpose of a tip to reward and incentivize good service -- which maybe is part of the problem here. So, when the server brought the food out, they didn't bring anything or ask if I wanted anything, just threw it down, took the table number, and fled. No butter or jam for the toast. No ketchup for the fries. So then you have to go find someone at the counter, leaving your food to get colder. I won't be returning. read more

I'm such a fan of Big Bear! Mostly, I can't get enough of the space. It's sunny, it's casual, it's got a patio where a real-life songbird might land beside your notebook hoping for a scrap of food. If you sit outside, the landscaping blocks the road from view, making it feel a bit like a (small) garden oasis. Plus the staff is funky and the food and coffee are satisfying. It can be hard to find a seat at prime coffee-shop o'clock. Finally: friends of mine had their wedding reception at Big Bear recently, and that was great too, if a bit cramped. The food was absolutely stellar; one of the few weddings where the food was memorable! read more

Since arriving in DC from San Francisco over a week ago, I have not found a place that makes me feel like home. That is, until Big Bear. While yes, the place has an aura of self-righteousness there is some truth to that once you taste the french press coffee. Cool atmosphere, large community table, and nice outside patio. Bring your one-speed, vintage clothes, and beards to Black Bear and get a taste of San Francisco! *It is true, the wifi is less than fast... read more

The food was hella good! The quiche was hella exquisite! It was light enough to start off the day, and but substantial enough to hold you up for a long day of sight seeing. The lime San Pellegrino was bomb, and my girlfriends chai latte phenomenally crafted! We didn't have anything from the bar, but it looked locked and loaded, ready to go! The inside had a cozy and warm atmosphere, and the patio was perfect for a chilly day with a sunny sky. Perfect for them IG/FB check ins and for all the bumping hashtags! read more

Big Bear Cafe - Breakfast Quiche with side of avocado and bacon. - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

As a tourist to DC, I relied on my friend to show me around, and while there, I made him aware of my fascination with coffee. He said to me, "before you leave here, I'll take you to a great coffee shop." Big Bear Cafe is that shop, and I have to agree with him on that. Every bit of the experience prior to ordering reminded me of other truly organic independent cafes across the country. The place feels warm and old fashioned. The casual, intellectual vibe existed both inside and outside, where we ended up enjoying our cups of direct trade brew. They know how to prepare a good cup of coffee, and they do it with a smile. The coffee was great - strong, well balanced, a perfect pick-me-up after a morning at the farmer's market. They get their beans from Counter Culture Coffee, a well-known distributor in the area that prides itself on all things coffee. I take that as a promising sign, and the staff at Big Bear agree. I felt like a regular sitting outside, drinking and chatting with my friend the day before I took off to continue my cross-country trip. I took a button from them that had they're adorable "Big Bear" logo on it, a memory distilled, even after several future experiences of coffee consumption. Next time I visit DC, I plan to revisit this place. read more

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

Cute, casual atmosphere great for breakfast, brunch, lunch or drinks on the beautiful patio covered in grape vines. I was there for brunch. The employees are personable and the neighborhood is a great place to stay when visiting the DC area! read more

See all

This place could take a lesson in operational efficiency. So much standing around people doing the roles they're assigned rather than pitching in and getting the line down. They also have a terrible setup for fulfilling orders. I want this place to be successful since it's so close to me but they do themselves no favors. read more

I remember Big Bear being so much better 4 years ago. I moved back to DC recently and ordered a burger. For $14 it was just bread, butter and patty. I thought hmm, maybe it will be delicious. It was dry, bread stale. The side salad portion was measly and they gave no mayo and no vinegar in the salad. I would have returned it, but the cafe closed and I was hungry. The sad part--the cafe guy even checked the to go box before giving it to me. I ordered in desperation. Last time I came here and got tea, and the service people could not afford a smile. I am sorry Big Bear--you can just throw community events and be part of a "community" while serving horrible stuff. Dont be a cafe then-be a community center. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Dry burger, teeny salad portion, no aoli= $14 - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Very quaint little yuppy place. Not much seating unless you can sit outside. Has an extremely nice outdoor seating area with grape vines. Did coffee, but very crowded for a workday morning breakfast. read more

There is a certain category of foods for which the two important categories are not "good" and "bad" but "real" and "not real." I.e., foods for which the real version is inherently good, and the not-real version is inherently disappointing. These include barbeque, brownies, cakes, and cappuccino. So the important thing to know is that the Big Bear Cafe's cappuccino is the real thing. Excellent espresso mixed with foam, not hot milk with a few meager bubbles. So balanced that my wife didn't even want to add sugar to it. Is it better than the cappuccino at the Mid-City Caffe? I don't really know, but I don't really care. read more

Really cool place to hang out & grab a cup of coffee & pull out the laptop and get a little work done. And there is street parking right in front! Downside: I'm not sure how often they clean the tables on the patio, but make sure yours is clean before you put your things down on it!!! read more

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

This is the cozy coffee oasis in this barren neighborhood. I just needed to waste a few hours in the area before dinnertime and this was somehow the only coffeehouse open. Good thing this place was cute, with an empty hightop in the middle just for me. I was a little disappointed by my $2+ french pressed coffee though.. since it was just coffee poured in a mug, not in a french press.. and if they did use a french press to make it, it surely was not fresh. Their food looks pretty good though, and the atmosphere seems like a fun time. $5 minimum for credit. read more

Can't stop coming to this place. It's the music, the environment, and their falafel salad that keeps me coming. You never know what this place is going to play when you walk in, and that's why I like it. One day they were playing Gucci Mane, the next, they were playing The XX. I like the fact that you can sit inside or outside. The only thing about sitting outside is that there isn't any outlets to charge your computer, so I just make sure it's charged prior to going. I did read some reviews about the customer service. The first time I went, there was a lady that had a pretty bad attitude, but I decided to give big bear another chance, and I actually haven't seen her that much. Since then, I really haven't had any issues in regards to customer service. I gave the review 4 stars because I'm not that crazy about their coffee, but overall, the place is great. The food is good, and I always enjoy the sweets they have. They have this bacon scone thing that's amazing!! read more

I love supporting local independent cafes over Starbucks, but I also feel conflicted about how pretentious they can be in a very hipster way lol. Fortunately for big bear, the offerings live up to the hype. I came in wanting a bagel and lox and didn't know at 4 pm they switch from the "day menu" to the "dinner menu." Fortunately that also includes some excellent cocktails so I ended up with a Last Word and Mac and cheese. Both were good enough to make me return. There's one daily special cocktail versus having a happy hour, but I like the simplicity in that if you're trying to find a decently priced craft cocktail and not some discounted rail drink. Plus it encourages me to try something I might not have picked otherwise. They have entrees but I didn't want anything too substantive. The Mac and cheese was delicious. The pasta was the perfect consistency with a strongly cheddar cheese sauce base. I usually prefer having strings of cheese hanging between my pasta and the dish but this was so good I couldn't object. Ample seating on a weekday. I've seen this place packed for weekend brunch though, especially when the weather is nice and it's not huge. I didn't test the wifi but it's offered on weekdays. Overall, this is a place that makes me wish I lived in Bloomingdale/Eckington rather than just working in Shaw. read more

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

We stayed in a flat close to this cafe while we were in town for the first time. It was right around the corner so we ate here for breakfast and coffee numerous times. The place was busy but we were able to order and get a table in short time. The menu has good offerings and the coffee was great. The quiche was very good. The crust was perfect and the flavors were very savory. The eggs and toast plate was just what you would expect but the potatoes are served as French fries. You can get greens in place of the fries which is good too. read more

Love this neighborhood cafe! This was one of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. The staff are very friendly. read more

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

Delicious bagel, fried egg, cheese, arugula, grilled onion sandwiches. Nice big pot of hot tea. Would be nice to have skim milk available. Cute ambiance! read more

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

Great ambiance and location, but terrible service. I mostly have gone here for a drip coffee and/or coffee beans. I inexplicably wait an extremely long time for probably the simplest items you can purchase. The staff come across as rude, slow, and inept. Also the food here is not worth your time or money. Oddly, they had their act together a lot more during the pandemic but there's definitely been significant slippage in their service. Perhaps this place could become great under new management. read more

Nice place to sit outside. Their coffee isn't very good. Selective rules to paying customers on the weekend, Even when there is a substantial is lack of business. read more

What are you in the mood for? A latte? A glass of wine? Appetizers? Desserts? Good conversation and ambiance? Big Bear Cafe has got you covered. This cozy cafe is housed in the beautiful neighborhood of Bloomingdale DC. A secret garden of sorts. The service was good, and our waiter was especially pleasant (read: he laughed at all my jokes). :-) This is the perfect place to meet a friend or a date in the fall. I highly recommend this spot! I will be returning soon. read more

I love this place, but apparently it's not for everyone. It's more a coffee shop which happens to have food rather than a restaurant. A great place to get coffee and a bite if you want laid back ambiance and local atmosphere. Good for working and one-on-one chatting, probably a bit tight for a group. The food is farm fresh and most of their herbs are grown on the property. It's a cultural hub of the neighborhood, if you're from out of town and want a cup o' joe in a non-touristy joint while brushing elbows with the artsy locals it's worth checking out. read more

Maybe it was because the weather was beautiful but the staff and the other customers were quite pleasant when I stopped in today. I will definitely be wandering over here on a more frequent basis. It is a lovely spot and a gem in the neighborhood. Sure, there are plenty of hipsters here, but hey, such is life. Nice patio area, average prices, cool building, and a farmer's market is right out front on Sundays. What's not to like? read more

This place is a gem and a much needed hub in the neighborhood. While I can't speak for the food, the coffee and cappuccino are sufficient. The standards for decent, independently-owned coffee shops are abysmally low in this city, that the minimum one can ask for are serviceable coffee, serviceable atmosphere, serviceable food menu, and serviceable staff. This place has all these components, more or less, as well as the entertainment, such as jazz and improv, on the side--what used to be a novelty but is now a near-given for these places to stay competitive. What I like most about this place is the young, hip (sometimes self-consciously so) clientele that make for excellent people-watching. The outdoor seating is nice. Working here can be less than desirable with its limited number of outlets, loud music, dim lighting, and miserably slow wi-fi Internet. The one aspect in its favor for those who like to work here is the late hours. As I write this review, I realize that I crave so much for this place to be more than it really is, crave for DC to offer more superior coffee shops. Sadly, one must do with what DC has - a real dearth of quality coffee shops with character and good vibes - and settle for third best. read more

Such a cute little cafe (well not so little... it has plenty of outside and inside seating!). Service was great! They were efficient but also very friendly. They helped us decide what to get. We had a macchiato, which is not like the average Starbucks drink but a small 8oz cup of strong espresso and cream! Very authentic. We also had their honey lavender latte with the breakfast Sandwich on an everything bagel, was tasty! Really enjoyed our time here and the interior and exterior provided a peaceful ambiance, perfect for studying or just chilling with loved ones. There's hanging lights at night and they serve espressos in mugs! My favorite cafe that gives that home-y touch. read more

See all

We ordered a pizza and rice bowl. The pizza came out after 35 minutes and the rice bowl "ticket had gotten lost." Not sure how one item of a ticket gets made but the ticket had gotten lost. So, after 45 minutes, the rice bowl came out without the additional charged avocado and a simple "sorry about that." We should have gotten a refund on the bowl. I do not recommend this place, and I won't going back. read more

Little confused with the food situation. I ordered a burger and french fries which totaled 16 dollars because I added cheese to the burger. I realize that the meat is free-range and grass fed, all good in my head (worth paying a little extra to get good ingredients). What I didn't do is look at the contents of my to-go order before I headed out the door. What I received when I got back to work was pretty underwhelming. A burger with no condiments, just bread and breakfast potatoes instead of french fries. Seemed very strange... I usually love everything about Big Bear! I guess I'll stick to coffee next time. read more

Big Bear Cafe - Don't order this (burger and french fries) - Cafes Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love Big Bear Cafe. They're in a spot that I drive by frequently, so it's convenient but I'll happily go out of my way, pass one or more Starbucks locations and pay a little extra for so much more. I only wish I was't working when I visit. The place is so cozy and nice, but I never have time to sit back and relax there. I usually get tea to go. The grilled cheese is MONEY. Free Wifi is a nice bonus. read more

See all

Really breezy and rustic spot in a quaint neighborhood. The coffee and food are great and the service is pretty friendly. There's tons of seating indoors and out, but it was tough finding a spot on a nice Saturday afternoon. I eventually got my own table with a plug in for the laptop. It's a perfect coffee place to bring out of town guests if you want to impress with ambiance. read more