If there's one thing I'll always remember, it's when people or businesses go out of their way to help others during tough times. Acts of kindness like that stay with me forever. During the longest government shutdown in history, many were struggling -- yet a handful of local restaurants stepped up to support federal workers and families affected by the loss of SNAP benefits. Compass Coffee was one of them, and that meant the world to me and so many of my federal colleagues. From the very start of the shutdown, Compass offered discounts and even a free pastry with a coffee purchase for federal employees. That small gesture carried a big message: you're seen, and you're supported. When I stopped by, I was greeted by Christa with a huge, genuine smile -- something that truly lifted my spirits when I needed it most. It's in moments like these that real customer loyalty is born. The coffee was excellent, the food warm and comforting, and the space spotlessly clean. There's no indoor seating, but the outdoor setup is lovely -- the perfect spot to sit, sip, and watch the world go by. Today's coffee and pastry weren't just a treat -- they were a reminder that kindness and community still matter. Thank you, Compass Coffee, for brightening a difficult time. You've earned a customer for life. read more

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It gives no nonsense coffee shop. I had "Worlds Best Vanilla Latte" and, in my opinion it was no where near the best vanilla latte but it was fine. Their blueberry muffin was great, though. Perfectly fluffy and moist - and not overly sweet. Compass feels very grab-and-go -- and doesn't seem to cater to folks who want to stick around and do work (which is fine by me!) read more

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Staff is nice here; I was surprised how it wasn't busy on an early work day morning. I'm a big fan of Compass Coffee, and I like their seasonal drinks. The peppermint latte was good! read more

Compass Coffee - outside - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

sourced, roasted, good coffee blends with cherry blossom version currently, great floral note without being overpowering

Coffee was good, I loved how much options they had of different beans around the world. The pastries looked good too but we only got coffee.

Saw this everywhere in dc so decided to go on last day. Got a chai latte iced, delicious! Cool interior, nice people. Delicious drinks! The only thing that I wasn't a fan of is that they didn't have like a menu, and the chai wasnt on the board but I asked and the said they have it. Kind of confusing but not awful. Would come back! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This location has metered street parking. It is a small location with no seating. The service was excellent. The coffee is fantastic and is probably the smoothest I have had in a while. This led me to buy 2 tins of espresso beans. I tried the iced coconut latte with almond milk and add some chocolate sauce, it was so good. Yum! read more

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We stopped by here on a rainy day and were welcomed with yummy coffee cake and banana bread samples at the register. It was hard to pick a drink, especially because they don't have their latte flavors listed on their menu. Upon inquiring, I discovered that they do indeed have flavored lattes like almond butter and cherry blossom as mentioned in the reviews. I got the cherry blossom which had a lot of potential, but I think the barista went over on the syrup so I could barely taste the coffee. I would definitely try it again though if made correctly. read more

Compass Coffee - Cherry blossom latte with a little too much syrup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came in midday, wasn't super full when i came in and they had quick service. Good staff super friendly too. Lots of people working on laptops had a good vibe overall. read more

Good service, coffee was good, but my almond croissant was mediocre.

I was a little surprised by the lack of seating space, there was just a plank at the middle to place your cups and hang around. A few customers were also surprised by this, and a few people ordered and went outside instead of hanging around aimless in the store. However, the interior was clean, and service was fast and professional. The coffee was just okay. I think I may have been spoiled from recent visit to Miami and having exceptional coffee. I guess my hunt for great DC coffee continues! Should do the job for a quick break in between work or study. read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My friend and I dropped into Compass Coffee after skipping Starbucks a few doors down to support local! It's right next to Luke's Lobster and closer to 17th Street and very easy to miss because the entire storefront is glass and from the sidewalk there's no clear distinction between Compass Coffee and Luke's Lobster. The signage is on the inside instead of outside and in bright white lights. It wasn't immediately clear where to order, evidently all the way to the right. The prices on the menu on the back wall behind the cashier were very small and hard to read. Even the prices on the baked goods display were oddly misleading. The 2 looked like a 1--poor choice of font but maybe it was intentional! The differences between a small and a medium and between a medium and a large were about 30 cents each so I ordered the largest size of the maple iced coffee. I've never had a barista utter my name before when asking a question, and it was disarming yet satisfying, "Rumit, do you want an extra shot?" The drink was made quickly and it tasted fresh and delicious. Plenty of different sugars and sugar alternatives were available at the condiments station. They use SquareUp to pay via iPad, and you have that awkward "tip me in front of me" three seconds. I paid $6.20, which included an obligatory 15% tip. If I'm paying $5 for a drink, will it kill me to give the staff a little more? Definitely not. Large location, plenty of seating, long ordering counter, open layout, bright and airy, and quick service. Clean & inviting. I'll likely come back. read more

Compass Coffee - Maple Iced Latte on a 70-degree February day! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Compass Coffee on I Street in DC is a great place to go for quality coffee and much more. The staff here is very attentive and accommodating to make sure that you have everything that you need. Good experience every time I have been here. read more

Compass Coffee - Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Their drip coffee is good, but not markedly better than Starbucks. Where they excel is espresso and espresso based drinks. The food is also very good. The ham + cheese croissant is exceptional, with smoky ham, plenty of cheese and a flaky and buttery croissant. Service has always been excellent at this location and there is plenty of room to plug in and do business on your laptop. Great base camp location if you are doing business at the WH or EEOB. read more

Clean. Great staff. Friendly!! The "Red Eye" kept me walking 10 miles last Saturday!!

The vanilla cold brew was delicious. Also got the moroccan mint tea which was so warming on this 35 degree day. Nice place with no seating inside. More of a grab and go place read more

Compass Coffee - Vanilla cold brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Adorable little shop. Everyone is super nice and welcoming. I had never been before and received a gift card so I decided to stop in one morning. The cashier helped me by asking what I was looking for and what I like. I opted for nitro cold brew with French vanilla I do believe. The cup is adorable and I love the sleek modern look. I'll definitely be back! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Compass Coffee is a delicious local Washington D.C. coffee chain that serves high-quality caffeinated beverages and other drinks! This location is great if you work in the area since it's close to many office buildings and a Metro stop (Farragut West). Don't miss out on their delicious cold brew on tap! If you see a Compass Coffee somewhere, don't hesitate to drop in and grab a nice pick-me-up! read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Compass claims to make coffee that tastes "really good." Nothing crazy fancy, but accessible, good coffee. Maybe that's why they have climbed up the DC coffee ladder so quickly opening multiple stores across the city each year. This location is a new concept for Compass and shows they get their target audience. Being downtown, it's the only Compass Coffee without seating. There's one longer standing table in the middle of the small store, but not a table that encourages staying to work. It's a grab and go coffee shop. It still offers really good coffee (their draft latte is excellent) and an array of any pastry you can imagine including a pecan cream cheese kolache! Next time you're in the area, stop by! read more

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Great Coffee place with a very friendly staff. I ordered a flavored Latte and was offered a extra shot of expresso at no charge. This I great small town customer service in a big city. When my order was ready, They called my name like we were old friends. The artwork on the coffee when I received it was great. I'm traveling with a coffee snob and even he was impressed. I Defiantly recommend and will be returning. read more

I got a peppermint mocha with oat milk at this location and it was pretty subpar - it's a sweet drink, but this was so sweet that it was undrinkable (there was a layer of sugar at the bottom) and it just tasted kind of chemical. Their drip coffee might be good, but this specialty drink (which admittedly is more of a dessert) just tasted off. read more

Last time I was in DC I made to go to this place twice within a 3-day timeframe because I loved it that much. So when I planned my trip back to DC, you can bet this place was bookmarked again. The coffee and selection is just great. The quality of the coffee is amazing, full, robust but smooth. And they have seasonal + yummy goodies like gingerbread and pumpkin. My personal fav treat - almond butter latte with almond milk (almond butter is seriously my love language). My moms go-to - the Nutella Mocha. But honestly even the simple stuff is great - cold brew, black coffee, etc. the ambiance is great, location is great, service is good. I reaaaally love this place. I'll go out of my way to get there (again, I went 3 times in a three-day period on this trip). read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Stopped by Compass Coffee on a Saturday afternoon, and it was the perfect caffeinated pick-me-up I needed after a grueling morning workout. I'm assuming this place gets crazy during the work week, but Will C. and I walked right up to the counter and placed our order. We had the vanilla creme cold brew, which was on point. The vanilla creme was subtly sweet and didn't overpower the coffee whatsoever. There is some seating, but I would say it's on the limited side considering the fact that most patrons are probably making their orders to-go. I'll definitely have to make a return visit in the future to try out more of their offerings, but for now I'm relieved that I work nowhere near Compass Coffee...otherwise I'd be in there every day. Goodbye, $$! read more

Compass Coffee - Vanilla Creme - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Compass has been a favorite of mine since 2014, and I'm happy they've expanded so I can get my fix in various neighborhoods. Everyone at this location is super friendly. It's a smaller, grab-and-go type spot, which is perfect for me, and it's super close to work. They have flavorful lattes and I love their nitro draft coffee. I wish they'd brink back the sweet potato bacon biscuit, but I do enjoy the saag paneer kolache if I'm hungry. Also, I super appreciate the lid sticks so that when I got on Metro I could at least appear as if I was following the rules. read more

I wish they had more locations! I like the simplicity and grass-roots feel of the Compass Coffee shops. They also have my fav latte drink which is a Nutella Mocha!! I know one should not be so excited about a coffee drink but Starbucks doesn't have that. So there you have it and in my eyes Compass Coffee is winning!! I also picked up the classic Lemon Iced Pound Cake which was divine! Lemony and tart with the taste of homemade goodness and they give you large portions. I wanted to try the Grapefruit Pound Cake but they did not have it at this location or its considered a seasonal item. I love that you can see the Baristas make your drink through the glass setup. No high counters to hide behind. The prices are are little high but you have to understand its a new and upcoming coffee shop brand. So if you are like me and you like extra espresso shots and Almond Milk your coffee experience will be a little higher than most commercial coffee shops. I definitely think its worth it plus who doesn't like a little Latte Art in the mornings to put a smile on your face. You are definitely NOT getting that at Starbucks. Will be back again and again! So to all my Coffee Lovers out there .... May your coffee beans be strong and May you never drink Decaffeinated! Enjoy ! read more

Delicious vegan blueberry muffin! Good coffee... almond milk at the creamer bar Clean Lively Good company Baristas with a sense of humor read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here with a friend after work to chat one day, and I would definitely come back. This Compass Coffee is a great place to meet someone and chat because it is standing only! There is a standing counter, which stops people from camping out with laptops for hours. It's also in a convenient location to meet someone. In addition to being in a convenient spot, I enjoyed my iced peppermint mocha. This is a dessert drink, and I liked all of the flavors. I think it was $4.99 for a medium, which seems pretty average. Overall, I'd stop here before going to a different chain coffee shop. read more

Cute place, pastries are tasty and coffee is just perfect. The staff is super friendly. The only truly sad thing is that they don't have any sitting available. I went in on a super rainy day for a coffee and something to eat, and I would have definitely appreciated having somewhere to sit while the rain calmed down. read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I generally not have drinks like latte or something with milk, but OMG, their lavender latte aka London fog is just amazing!! I love the herbal aroma that came with smooth foamed milk. It's just perfect! I am sure the coffee will be great but probably for next visit. read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love Compass Coffee. It's one of the nicest coffee shops I've been to. Not just in their shops aesthetic, but the staff is so nice and easy to talk to. I love their chai latte. When they make it, the shop smells like winter. Also, try their sandwiches. Their pastries and sandwiches are gonna be served cold, but still taste great. If I remember correctly there's no oven to warm the sweets and savories. Even though there is no seating at this location I like to eat and drink at the counter by the window. It's a great location to people watch. I love that you can also pick up free "made in DC" stickers. read more

Compass Coffee - Chai latte and yummy sandwich. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very small compass coffee , I've gone to a few other locations. There's no seating here , even though a few barstools could fit ... Cashier was friendly but the person who made my drink was not and she didn't make the drink very well. My drink was watery and bitter. read more

Compass Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for an iced coffee and the flavors are really good. Full bodied and smooth there was no real acidity. The bitterness also paired well with the cream. I would definitely come here again. They also have a red eye that has coffee and espresso! read more

Honestly just under-impressed overall. I've only heard great things about Compass and was excited to try. Their store is pretty close to my work so it was easy to get over there and try a cold brew. A few of the immediate turn offs included the lack of seating, a pretty unorganized line system, and the underwhelming treat/food options. The pastries did not look great and I tried a bite of a friend's and it was dry and not really appealing. The cooler options were basic and expensive. The lack of seating isn't the end of the world, but just adds a feeling of an expectation to immediately leave as soon as you have your coffee. This stressful feeling is also compounded by the weird layout of the store - where basically you're always in the way no matter where you go. Waiting for your drink - you're in the way; getting to the register - you're in the way; wanting to look at the menu - you're in the way. The cold brew was fine - I should have asked what entailed the vanilla cold brew and how it was flavored - because a super sweet vanilla syrup made the already sweet cold brew just wayyyy too sweet for me. I ended up only drinking half of it. Also the prices are higher than other small coffee shops in the area. I probably won't be coming back unless coworkers make a trip of it, I think there are better coffee options in the area. read more

Compass Coffee - Vanilla Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Compass is the best coffee I've had DC. The Cardinal Blend (Medium Roast) or Americano are awesome. The staff at the 17th & I location provide friendly, helpful and consistent customer service. Interesting menu outside of the standard coffee/espresso drinks as well as baked goods. read more

I've been here a few times and I have to say that the beverages and service are on point. The first time I came in, the barista let me sample some of the coffees (I really like their dark roast). Their cold-brew is great--unlike Starbucks. Also, I've gotten their chai tea--delicious and spicy. All of the baristas look like they enjoy their jobs. I'm glad I stumbled upon this local chain--I'll be sure to try more of their drinks. read more

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I just went here today 6/23. This location was not closed as Yelp says. While I enjoyed my latte I found it to be very expensive! $6.21 for a medium latte with an extra shot. read more

Efficient coffeeshop downtown with a variety of drinks and baked goods. I got a chai latte, which had a nice spice component even if it was slightly too sweet for me. They offer a variety of baked goods - I had a half smoke kolache and it definitely hit the spot when I wanted a midday snack. They have a few grab and go options but this isn't really a lunch spot. It's a true coffee shop. But it does the things that it does pretty well! read more

Their coffee gets 5 stars for tastiness that is consistent. Service 4 stars, some staff act a little stanky. Baked Goods 1-2 stars. Every time I get some damn lemon cake it is stale! C'mon Compass, up your baked goods game! read more

Compass Coffee locations have been popping up all around the DC area and I was able to get experience it the first time at this location on a Saturday afternoon. Upon entering the coffee shop it immediately reminded of California vibes. It was brightly lit from the large windows bringing in natural light along with a lot of wood textures throughout the shop. There is a good amount of seating if you are here to get work done or hang out. Alexis K and I ended up sharing a Vanilla creme cold brew which was well-made and delicious. It was not too sweet and just the right amount of bitterness from the coffee. The pricing is also very fair for coffee. It seems like their cold brews here are the popular item as I saw many others ordering that. Overall I had a good experience here and I would recommend it to others to get their coffee fix. read more

This is only reviewing the Chai Latte as I have not tried anything else. The chai latte tasted like milk with extremely sweet syrup which was extremely unpleasant to drink. This is my go to drink anywhere I go, so I was really disappointed that theirs was so bland and sugary. Maybe next time I'll tried a latte to give it a real chance read more