Visited 8/31: Coffee underwhelming. Customer service left more to be desired. Upon entering the coffee shop, there were only 1-2 people that were in the process of receiving their order before me. I had never been to this location before so it took me & my friend a second to decide on which coffee to order. The lady at the counter was not helpful in providing recommendations for coffee. We ended up ordering an iced maple latte with almond milk and my friend ordered a hot maple latte & we provided a name for the order. We waited about 15 minutes and expected that when the coffee was finished, someone would say the name on the order out loud. That did not happen. Only after I got up to go toward the counter did they tell me that my order was done & had been sitting on the counter. Upon receiving my order, I noted that I wanted light ice in the iced latte and the barista scooped out the ice with a spoon and gave me the drink back. Neither coffee that we ordered had a lid so, it was difficult to walk them back to the table. The maple latte itself did not have bold or flavorful espresso and it honestly felt like I was drinking sweet milk with some maple syrup in it. The lattes were ~$7 each and were way overpriced for the quality of the drinks provided. After finishing my drink, I went to the bathroom while my friend stayed at the table to wait for me. During this time, the lady at the counter went to my friend at the table and said "You need to leave. We are closing." It was a bit before 6 pm, and there were many other customers still sat & drinking their coffee. In summary, our visit to Compass Coffee left a bad taste in my mouth figuratively and literally and I will not be gracing this location again in the future. read more

Compass Coffee is a chain but it's better than Starbucks. It's slightly over price. The Ballston location is spacious & a good spot for a meeting or to chat with a friend. I had the almond butter latte with oat milk and it was delicious. Highly recommend. I also had a ginormous almond croissant that was delicious & covered in powdered sugar. It was a quick order process although there weren't many folks in there. Street parking is abundant but don't forget to pay the meter! read more

Love this place and the coffee. The atmosphere is amazing and there is always people there! I'm the summer months the garage doors and outdoor seating makes this place look like the place to be. Milk and sugar are in the middle of the store if needed and the employees are always pleasant. I might frequent this place a bit too much! read more

Interior & service: Lots of space and table to study, work, catch up with friends. Not super loud when I came here on a Saturday afternoon. It's clean, too! Also friendly baristas. They were giving out "gingerbread cold brew" samples while I was there. Great service! Coffee: If you're a snob looking for good coffee, this is probably not the place to go. I didn't want to order any espresso drinks since I haven't heard anything amazing from other snobs. So I got the "Cardinal" drip coffee instead, which is a medium roast with "balanced, milk chocolate, and toasted nuts" tasting notes. It was only $2.85, so the price was pretty reasonable! There's not a strong after taste or super delightful flavor - typical average medium roast. Nothing extraordinary but not bad either. The "gingerbread cold brew" samples they gave out was creamy but much too sweet. There wasn't much coffee taste; you know the coffee is there but it's not very strong - perfect for people who aren't into black coffee and need a bit of a sweet kick to their coffee. I'd recommend it for those who like a nice and sweet gingerbread syrup. Overall, the coffee taste is not bad. I'd come back but more so for the vibes, not the taste of the coffee. read more

The store is located at a busy intersection with nice decor and huge space. Coming to coffee we tried Cortado (4.5/5) and Hot Chocolate (5/5) both of them were really good. We also got the brownie (4.5/5) and lemon pound cake (5/5). Both of them were really good. The brownie is more on the chewier side and it's very heavy. The lemon pound cake is on the lighter end. read more

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20min wait and they get your order wrong. At this price point you would expect good service and correct drinks. Won't be back to spend $20 on coffee again. read more

Compass is consistently amazing! Grateful to live in walking distance so I frequently visit the Ballston location. The staff has been friendly and the coffee is always amazing. A new summer favorite is the blended coconut cream frappe. I really also like the almond butter latte. The new points system has gotten me some free stuff so that's cool too. read more

Compass Coffee - Blended coconut cream - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Delicious coffee!! Our friends took us here while we were visiting and I loved their coffee! I got the iced vanilla latte and it was perfect. Service was super quick and the place seems great for working in peace or just grabbing a quick cup of coffee. Their pastries are also yummy too. Highly recommend if you're looking for a good cup of coffee and a quick bite to eat. read more

I went to Compass Coffee while I was visiting family in Arlington. I saw this cute little cafe and decided I wanted to give it a try. When I walked in it was empty, I asked the barista if the almond butter latte was any good. He assured me it was probably one of their most popular drinks so I got an iced almond milk almond butter latte! They don't charge for alternative milk which is rare and super awesome (it should be like that everywhere!!). It was so so good, the coffee is delicious and the almond butter flavor is definitely there and the uniqueness makes it even better. If I lived around the area, I would definitely go back and try their other speciality drinks but for now I'll go back when I visit again! read more

Compass Coffee - Almond butter latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Wow this place is awesome. Customer service was stellar. I love that there are so many options of non dairy milks for your coffee. They also have a pretty good bakery section too. Definitely a nice change from your average coffee shops. Give this place a go! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Nice place for coffee and pastries. The coffee was nice in mug and the seating area is comfortable.

Compass has some of the best coffee in my opinion. I was super excited when I saw there was one near my new office. I was going to Starbucks but now I can get better quality. On top of good coffee the staff is always pleasant. I have gone to this location 4 times already in the past week and the customer service is amazing. read more

I enjoyed a delightful cappuccino on a Sunday afternoon (2:30pm) in mid-November. The high-quality of coffee here is definitely a step up from Starbucks. Also, the spacious interior is pleasant and sleek. The staff was professional and courteous. Compass Coffee, founded in 2014, is a local chain based in downtown DC. This Arlington branch is part of the Ballston Market plaza (which has a public parking garage that only charges $1 for 3 hours). Also, the plaza is a short walk to the south from the Ballston metro station (Orange line). The cafe entrance is at the intersection of N. Randolph St. and Wilson Blvd. Although it's not accessible from inside the Ballston Market plaza, you can take the escalators down to the street level and will see the cafe after a very short walk (it's right next to Union Market). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, facial coverings are mandatory. Would highly recommend a stop here for caffeine if you're walking near this area or visiting the Capitals Iceplex. read more

Really cute coffee shop and great service. Unfortunately I received the worst pumpkin spiced latte I've ever had (all spice, no pumpkin) I think I'd go back for just a regular coffee though read more

Got the matcha latte. Great flavor and quick service Straws are too weak for their lids but its okay, the third straw survived. Will be back Service 5/5 Drink 5/5 Aesthetics 5/5 read more

God awful, and by the way it's $5 for a 12oz burnt, nasty over roasted brewed coffee. That's latte prices at Starbucks whose quality is on par with this place (not a good thing). All they had going for them was them handling high volume well as the line was long but moved quickly. read more

Love this coffee shop so much!!!! Ordered a cherry blossom espresso with oat milk and I will say it was worth driving all the way here for this!!! So amazing read more

Compass Coffee - Iced Cherry blossom espresso with oat milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I want to like this place but I really don't. It is so overpriced and not at all worth it. $6 for a small mediocre drink. No change given if paying cash. read more

I have two Compass shops that I go to regularly. What I love most at compass is the iced coffees. I'm not a fan of iced coffee at most places because I like to drink my coffee slowly. With an iced drink, if you're drinking it slowly the melts down and the coffee loses its flavor. But Compass has some special secret in their iced foam. Even as the ice melts down, the foam keeps that drink nice and creamy. It's fantastic. Compass Coffee is the only coffee shop that I will get an iced coffee from. read more

Ordered a Latte. Baristas we're kind. They always over-steam and burn the milk. Scolding hot, the milk proteins change and ruin the taste. I asked them why they burn the milk? They said because nearby office interns do "coffee runs" and drinks were cold at arrival. They got complaints, and now burn the milk hoping drinks will be warm for office employees. Hmmm. read more

Nice, modern coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. They make a good cappuccino! A bit pricey, but good overall. read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

My go to coffee shop to work from, people watch, and just grab a cup of good espresso! I love the location in the heart of Ballston, which means I can just set up at my window seat and watch the neighborhood walk by. The espresso tastes great, wifi fast, and great service. They even remembered my name my 2nd week going! Andrew is great! read more

Extremely underrated place, I'm not sure if it's because they're new or what. Anyway, great cup of coffee, very spacious, social distancing and hand sanitizer for COVID precautions, and in a great place. I got the maple nitro cold brew and it was very good! I definitely would recommend this to anyone in the area who wants a good cup of coffee. read more

Compass coffee serves the best espresso based drinks in the ballston area. I like the cafe decor (plants in growlers, coffee tins, pour overs), the baristas are friendly and make wonderful coffee. There are decent number of seating options inside and outside the cafe. read more

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What a great find!!! I had a gingerbread latte and it was probably the best gingerbread latte I have ever had. The staff was super nice and respectful. If you are in the area I highly recommended coming here. It is pricey but absolutely worth it. read more

Cappucino was outstanding and love the airy, high-ceilinged space. But minus one for having air conditioning on this morning when it was 50 degrees out. Whose call was that? read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I went here yesterday for the first time. The worker was so friendly when he greeted me. I really appreciate that their menu is simple- so it isn't overwhelming deciding what to order. I had the iced caramel latte & I think it was the best I have ever had. It was so buttery without being overly sweet. It was a little bit of a steep price - around $6/7, but definitely worth it. There is limited street parking, but a garage behind it. I really liked how brightly lit it was & they had a lot of seating available. I will definitely return and check out other locations. read more

I live right above this place so started going here out of convenience... but I really like their coffee! I just bought a canister to make at home and it's really good. Sidekick used to be my go-to coffee spot but thats probably changing now. The only complaint I have is the blueberry muffin isn't very good and the pastry options are lacking in general. Can we more variety please? The coffee is the most important thing, but sometimes I like a little treat with it! :) Oh, and the staff is very friendly! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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The almond butter latte is smooth and came out at the perfect temperature. The latte flavor was just sweet enough and the nuttiness made it a bit more complex. It reminded me of a nice, warm peanut butter cookie. Service was fast and friendly. Welcome to the neighborhood! read more

The famous chef Thomas loves this place. The best Latte in the business. Look out Starbucks! Grand Opening today with free drinks. Nice friendly environment, clean decor and tables to sit at, read more

Compass Coffee - Inside the Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Good place for working. The lattes and other espresso drinks are good as are their pastries. Their syrup based drinks though are very hit or miss. The Sakura cherry blossom latte was probably one of the worst drinks I've ever tasted. All in all, I would just be wary of anything outside of your typical coffee fare. read more

Best coffee spot in Ballston. I usually stop by and grab a Latte if I'm out and on the go. But also grab one of their cans of coffee for home. If you bring the can back they can reuse it for your next order and you get a small discount. Staff is always really nice, warm, and welcoming. Unfortunately you're not able to tip them (company policy). My one feed back would be to get better straws. On a few occasions I have walked out and taken a sip only to discover the straw is cracked and doesn't work for half the drink. Super minor and will not stop me from coming back. read more

The Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew tastes like cold medicine and nothing like pumpkin. The Ham and Cheese croissant is tasty, the other coffees are ok. read more

Updating my review, because this place deserves it! All of their lattes are perfect, you can't go wrong with any of them. Since the COVID-19 pandemic start, we were so glad that they remained open from 8-2pm for to-go orders. Many if not all of the clients and folks that go here respect the 6 foot "social distancing", which is perfect as two workers are independently manning this ship from taking orders to preparing the delicious lattes, to clean-up (and they do it beautifully). While respecting the social distancing and trying to go at a low time hour to get ourselves a pick-me-up, we have discovered our strong affinity for the decaf caramel latte! The different "flavors" are a major game changer to turn things up if you want some change for once :) . I also love how they have alternative milk (oat/almond) for those with food allergy/sensitivity - though we are perfectly content with our whole milk! Steph and Richard are champions - truly our "highs" of our week are going for a quick visit to pick-up our staple lattes and running out to enjoy them at home. We look forward for when things get better globally so that they can re-hire all of the workers and be operating in full-steam again. But in the meantime, I am so thankful for our 8-2pm coffee pick-ups and seeing Steph & Richard's smiles! read more

This place has both its ups and downs. When I go out to eat I will look at the menu and find something that is signature to a place. Something I wont find anywhere else. For Compass Coffee that's the Almond Butter Latte and the Nutella Mocha. One is fabulous, the other not so much. I will start with the not so great Nutella Mocha. When I first saw it on the menu I thought "Nutella. That must be very rich, thick and creamy." To my disappointment it tasted like a standard hot chocolate. I couldn't really taste the coffee and there wasn't even whipped cream. Not worth $5. The Almond Butter latte on the other hand is to drool over. It's indulgent and you can definitely taste the nuttiness of the almond. Like most other coffee shops, Compass Coffee is pricy, so I cant afford to go there every morning. I've looked up recipes for an almond butter latte online to see if I can recreate something like it at home just to save the money, but no success - Whenever I go to Compass Coffee I always get that Almond Butter Latte because there is nothing like it. I go nuts for it. - yes pun intended. The staff there are fabulous. While I am not a daily customer, I only go about every 2 weeks, they still recognise me when I walk in. read more

I absolutely loved visiting this little coffee shop for a nice, relaxing time with my friend. The atmosphere was great and the staff was super friendly! Even when my friend and I were there past closing time and didn't realize it, haha. Still, super friendly and customer service driven staff! Loved their setup as well and they made it clear they were LGBTQ friendly. Appreciated the experience as a whole and looking forward to being back! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Bottom line: Compass Coffee is overpriced and their coffee is not great. Other people commenting have said that the coffee tastes burnt, and I agree. The one saving grace is that the Arlington location is close to a number of government agencies and has a nice cozy interior. read more

Great coffee and great service! Blows Starbucks out of the water. Anyone who loves coffee should give them a try.

Staff was so friendly and accommodating. I got a basic latte with oat milk. That real taste of good coffee instantly overcame my soul. I haven't been to a compass coffee since I've stopped working in Center city. I missed you guys! read more

Love this coffee shop. My favorite go to for work. They are so nice and friendly and so are people who hang out there :)