This is an artistic extension of the Smithsonian experience. After all, it's a coffee shop in the middle of the lobby of the Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden--one of most famous museums in the Smithsonian Institution and one of the most visited modern art museums in the US. It has an avant-garde vibe and curious furniture. The space itself, curated by Japanese artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, has an appropriate contemporary theme which echoes what's on display within. For example, right now there's a Basquiat & Banksy exhibit in the building. You get the drift. The biggest change is that the dark film that once covered the tall windows in the lobby is gone; all the sunlight that now comes in is quite lovely. This spot is a unique place to drink in some atmosphere as well as sip on fab coffee. The 2 huge, half-moon glass coffee tables with pedestals of gnarly wood serve as absorbing focal points. Dolcezza is a smart vendor to be featured here; they have top drawer java, skilled baristas as well as matching prices. Sometimes it's packed, other times not. Yeah, there's a bit of a safety check to get in but no more than what's required of any world class museum. read more

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Dolcezza is a subpar cafe with the only benefit of being conveniently located inside the Hirshhorn Museum. They were quite busy in the morning hours, but the line moved quickly. I was able to observe the baristas making the drinks and the quality seemed inconsistent among individuals. Milk was poured heavily. I ordered the coquito and it was practically milk instead of the expected Puerto Rican eggnog. The coffee was brewed weakly, so I was dissatisfied by the lack of fragrance and caffeine. It needed more warm spices and a nutty base to justify being one of the most expensive beverages on the menu. I would not visit Dolcezza again, even though it was convenient. I would rather walk nearby for a decent cup of joe. read more

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

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While the Raspberry Gelato is delicious the others were not good at all. We tried 3 other flavors: B&W was terrible birthday cake flavor, Pistachio was just like eating the nut (I've had delicious Pistachio in France), and the Dark Chocolate was just okay. I was looking for gelato in DC and didn't realize that this is inside the Hirshhorn Museum. Not inside, actually behind it. After walking all day it was a disappointment and tiring on a hot day to have to hunt around to find the little sign that says that Gelato is outside behind the entrance. A little odd since you see the Coffee bar upon entering the Hirshhorn. read more

Sorbet flavors are incredible. I love it when you're at a gelato stand and the sorbet flavors have equal care and attention as their dairy counterparts. The combination of Lemon Opal Basil and Blueberry Lemon Thyme were complex, refreshing, and sweet! read more

Dolcezza - Lemon Opal Basil, Blueberry Lemon Thyme Sobert - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The matcha flavor was very weak and the color was quite dull. For $11, I would hope for a lot more. read more

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

Their gelato is great. It seems like the Hirshorn has two dolcezzas, one inside and one outside. I got a chocolate and a hazelnut chocolate. Both were delicious. Inside seating is limited, but outside there is plenty. The prices are full, service is solid. I would go back for sure. read more

I came here for a warm drink and a pastry. It's got a modern feel inside of the museum. Service was fine. Got a chai latte with oat milk and a croissant. $16. Insane. Prices are pretty ridiculous, even for cafes in the DC area. Chai latte was fine tasting, but it came out lukewarm. Croissant was also fine tasting, but who wants to buy a $6-7 single croissant? I will not be coming back sadly. read more

Dolcezza - Chai latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Friendly staff, beautiful and spacious inside, and delicious drinks - a barista recommended a matcha chai and it was delicious!

Simply great coffee! I've been to another one outside of DC and saw they had a little spot here in the Hirschhorn Museum. It was a great pick me up after walking around. Outside, they had their gelatos and honestly, if you can, try it! The texture is so lovely and the flavors are something to try! read more

Nestled inside the Hirshhorn museum, this coffee is delicious! I feel myself a coffee snob, and it hit the spot in a downtown region of non existent coffee locations! What makes it different? The syrups are not artificially flavored The coffee tastes very fresh (I think cold brew gives the best flavor personally) Nice and warm environment inside with a wonderful view! read more

Dolcezza - Cold brew with pumpkin spice ----- delicious! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great little coffee bar inside the Hirshhorn! Perfect for a quick pick me up before viewing the exhibits, or a wind down & rest after walking through the galleries. Either way, you'll get a beautiful view of some of the outdoor sculptures while sitting in a beautiful lobby. The baristas are friendly and quick when making the drinks. I got a matcha latte, which was yummy! Not the best matcha I've had in my life but a really solid one for sure. PS - There's also gelato outside from 12-5pm if you're trying to enjoy the last bit of summer! read more

Dolcezza was so good we tried it twice in our 3-day DC visit. The portions seem small, but the tiny spoons help you enjoy the delicious flavor of the gelato in every tiny bite. I got the coffee & cookie/mascarpone & berries, my wife got the pistachio/mascarpone & berries - both delicious the second time around. The gal at the register was a little unemotional, which can affect atmosphere - in CS you leave stuff at the door, and make guests feel welcome like you're happy to be there. Line out the door after we arrived just shows how great this place is! read more

Dolcezza - Cookies & coffee/Mascarpone & berries Gelato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I got the hazelnut latte it was $7 and change for a small but its good. There are a few seats at some cool tables here, but the lobby has an odd smell to it. You need your bag checked to get to the coffee and signs say no food or drink if you go to the museum. read more

Dolcezza - Iced Hazelnut latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Coffee is always good at this chain Our fav is the affogato with vanilla gelato The Dolce coffee taste better warm As for the macchiato, it was prepared perfectly Thanks to the staff here Ambiance inside could be better You can't take your coffee upstairs in the art gallery read more

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Great food and coffees. The pastries were ungodly good! But best of all, when you go upstairs or due stairs you're going to see one of the most subtly amazing modern art museums in the world. read more

Popped in to check out the Wheel of Life and decided I needed a snack (viewing good art is so exhausting!). Instead of doing my usual pretzel from a street vendor, I gave this place a try. The latte was so yummy without being sweet, and the croissant's lamination was perfect! A little more expensive than is typical, but worth every penny. read more

Dolcezza - Vanilla latte with oat milk and a butter croissant - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love this gem located inside the Hirschhorn art museum for coffee or ice cream when on the national mall! It's much higher quality than what you can get from a nearby truck for a lower/competitive price point. I like to get affogatos when the weather is nice! read more

Dolcezza - Affogato served to go - with a gorgeous view - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The location of this Dolcezza is very convenient if you are visiting the Hirshhorn or just on the National Mall. Your options for drinks and food on the mall are limited, and I would pick Dolcezza over a food truck. I had the blueberry lavender gelato which they were serving at a stand right outside the exit of the Hirshhorn. The gelato was very good and they gave me a generous scoop. It was pricey at about $9, but if you are craving some gelato it is delicious. They have plenty of tables to sit at or you can eat your gelato on the go. read more

Dolcezza - Blueberry lavender gelato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Looking for a quick place to grab tea my Yelp app walked me over to the Hirshhorn Museum and to my surprise, was my cafe option. There wasn't a wait to get into the museum, so it worked out just fine. The lobby is spacious enough for the small coffee bar and there are plenty of seating options with beautiful tables. The tea options were sufficient, although they were out of my first pick. Hot water, tea bag, friendly staff - that's all I need, and that's what I got. Plus we got to poke around the Museum even though we hadn't had it as a planned stop that day. We'll be back on our next museum day in DC! read more

Didn't want to pay $9 for bleh coffee from a food truck. Found this little gem tucked in the ground floor of the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art. If you like good coffee (not Charbucks) and need a place to rest, this is your spot. The barista was knowledgeable and recommended the Black Sesame drink (no caffeine) with a shot of espresso on the side. The shot was smooth and not over-roasted. The Black Sesame was spectacular! (Again, not coffee). My daughter ordered an iced mocha and my niece ordered an iced hazelnut mocha. Both were good; not too sweet and the coffee had good flavor. It was a little pricey; with tip almost $8 for my shot of coffee and drink. But I would rather pay a little extra for the location and the quality. If you are visiting the Smithsonian's, it is definitely a good place to stop. read more

Dolcezza - Black Sesame drink and shot of espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place was delicious!! Although overpriced, I have zero complaints!! The barista was super nice and really efficient! And right inside of the Museum of Modern Art, it's funny going through security for a croissant! read more

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

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Great gelato!! Best chocolate croissant ever! Average coffee and service Busy but not overcrowded, good lighting read more

Dolcezza - Chai tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a great stop if you're inside the museum, however the wait can be a bit long on the weekend. When we went, they did not have any type of pastries as mentioned in other reviews, only pre-made bagged snacks. The seating is in the lobby of the museum and you are not allowed to bring your coffee into the galleries, so I recommend grabbing it on your way out! read more

Dolcezza - a hand holding a cup of iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This location does not have any gelato. They have a limited selection of coffees and pastries, and two flavors of soft serve. I wish they had gelato here. read more

It was a little difficult to find because it was inside a museum. I ordered the chocolate croissant (9/10) and an iced matcha (5/10). The chocolate croissant was perfectly flakey and the chocolate quality was great. I would have loved it warmed up. The matcha was bland and the it felt like it was mostly milk and nothing else. Also, the baristas said that they were unable to give us cups of water. Instead, they suggested to use the water fountain downstairs. All in all, it was an okay experience but we will be trying a different coffee shop next time. read more

This dolcezza has just a few pastries and a small selection of drinks. But what it has is good!

The Hirshhorn and Dolcezza is the perfect marriage. For years, Hirshhorn has risen above all other DC art galleries bringing in popular exhibits (for example, 2017's Infinite Kusama). With a steady flow of visitors and nooks to read/study (wifi included), it only makes sense to have a coffee shop and Dolcezza is the perfect fit. Dolcezza is a small, not well branded coffee stand in the lobby of the Hirshhorn open when the museum opens. They sell a variety of coffee drinks from lattes to cold brew as well as pastries. They incorporate dulce leche in a lot of their menu (the dulce leche latte is really good and sweet). Their pastries are unique (I recommend the quince pastry). If you need good coffee on the National Mall, this is your best bet! read more

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

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Would not sell ice water, but use water and ice to serve coffee. Lame excuses that management wouldn't allow. Water fountain down stairs. If you go To museum. Note: we ordered three iced coffees. Asked for a glass of water for a person in our party who is diabetic. Told no or to buy the seltzer. read more

Located inside the Hirshhorn Museum, they have a little café inside and a gelato trailer outside. Only tried their gelato but it was amazing! Ordered large and max 3 flavors were allowed. Coffee & cookies, mascapone & berries, and hazelnut crackle. All 3 were delicious, rich with a little crunch. Will definitely recommend! read more

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

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Ice cream and coffee is good! Not enough seating though. But overall a good experience. Would come again.

This location officially opened yesterday after a soft opening earlier in the week. The coffee bar is in a prime location on the first floor of the Hirshhorn museum. The menu features a selection of coffee and teas and a small selection of pastries that were mostly gone by the time I stopped by at 11:30 in the morning. Note: The coffee menu is on the bulletin board behind the counter, while a laminated paper tea menu is available by the register. This location doesn't serve gelato, which is a bummer. Hopefully the Dolcezza truck returns to the museum this summer with gelato on board. I ordered a Dulce de Leche latte with almond milk. It was strong, flavorful and not too sweet. The person who made my coffee did a rush job on the coffee art, which resulted in an incomprehensible masterpiece. I'll call it coffee on the edge. read more

It was coffee. It was in a museum. It was good. It was good. It wasn't amazing. Ice coffee was better than hot coffee. But service was great. read more

The location is inside the Hirshhorn Museum. Got in line behind a couple people at 4:50 on our way out the museum. A guy walked up to us to tell us they were closed. There posted hours show they're open until 5. I would highly recommend they change their hours to say 4:50 :) read more

This Dolcezza is located on the ground level of the Hirshorn Museum. It's definitely not one that you'd probably post up at with a laptop for a long day of work. The only available seating is a giant ( and by giant, I mean giant) tree room table that is actually a piece of art that is pretty low set with sort of loungy artistic mid century modern inspired chairs. It's not really comfortable to eat at TBH. But lets be honest, nothing about modern art or modern furniture is focused on comfort. That was the 80's, and that is long and out for now. A few cool things about this Dolcezza cafe. It is VERY minimalist. It is mean't not to be an intrusive loud cafe that has steam flying everywhere, and baristas shouting out "Upside down 180 degree no foam oat milk lattè!" This is mean't to be a cafe of whispers. It is the Lord Varys of cafes. One of the whole reasons I went into the Hirshorn was actually to go to this cafe. I knew that all Dolcezzas were carrying Call Your Mother Bagels now and I REALLY wanted to try them. Man did they not dissapoint. First of all, not sure if this is Dolcezza or Call Your Mother; but the amount of cream cheese they gave you was A+. I had those mini little shots of cream cheese that you have to ration out on your bagel like you're living in The Great Depression. They gave you like 4 oz of cream cheese. I could barely use it all. Good on them! Also the bagel was perfection. It was chewy, had a great yeasty flavor, good size, and very soft. Man... it was good. I'm like dreaming about eating one right now. One thing that was pretty unique at this Dolcezza which I haven't seen before was there espresso machines. The look like beer taps! They plug in the espresso arm thing, turn on the tap, and then the hot water flows through to make espresso. They have the espresso receptacle on top of a scale, so they weigh out the amount of espresso it puts out. It was pretty neat. I've seen a lot of ways to brew coffee, but not that one. Overall a great little spot if you're on the mall and need a quick pick me up/ bagel. read more

Licence to print $$ ? Lobby of the Hirshhorn museum of modern art @ 7th & Independence is a high foot traffic location, and this coffee stand is COINING it. Decent brew. Not as poor as the global chain from Seattle with the green logo. Dolcezzo is okay for what it is. Not budget friendly @ 7 bucks. Decent blueberry muffin on the small side. Coffee beans ground fresh brewed whilst we wait single shot espresso Americano w/ almond milk = Quality 6 outta 10. read more

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Absolutely horrible! First of all, they used spoiled milk to make our drinks. We saw the staff pouring out some of the milk from the gallon, which we found odd. Then, we when got our drinks, the milk noticeably smelled and tasted bad. For some reason they were okay with serving that??? Also - their pastry container is trying way too hard to be trendy instead of practical. The container has no door, and the doors to the building are usually open, so the pastry case is full of flies. Also, they have both nut and non-nut pastries next to and TOUCHING each other. They also use the same tongs to retrieve both kinds!! The very LEAST they could do is have a divider and one side dedicated to no nuts, with separate tongs. They are not at all kind to those with allergies. Will not be going back. read more

We had the blueberry lavendar and black + white cookie batter ice cream. The blueberry lavendar was mildly sweet and had a light floral taste. The flavor had a good balance of the two tastes. The cookie batter was pretty decent, nothing particularly special. read more

Great gelato flavors! The gelato was a bit overpriced though. I'd recommend it to have a decent quality dessert!

Took a little break from all the walking to sit and enjoy a mid afternoon caffeine boost. The bar is aesthetically pleasing with low counter tops and deep finishes. Seating is plentiful consisting of benches and asymmetric round chairs places around driftwood and glass tables. The people behind the counter adequately executed serving, but there was no joy in it. The drink came out quickly and was just the right temperature for sipping right away. We tried to sit inside, but the acoustics of the space made it uncomfortably loud and we instead opted to brave the cold and sit outside in the sculpture garden. All in all, fine. Not ideal. Wouldn't go back, but fine. read more

Dolcezza - Small matcha tea latte with almond milk - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Yummy iced chai tea latte at the Hirshhorn Museum, but definitely a touch pricey. It was made just right, I just wish there wasn't so much cinnamon on top. I bet the gelato is good too on really hot days. read more