I LOVE KILLER ESP! This has been a go to place since I started working in Old Town Alexandria back 2017! I cant believe I'm just doing my first review. To begin, this place is super cute; everyone is beyond friendly; from drinks to food, I haven't had anything that I dont like there; a great place to come in to do some work and enjoy your crafted beverage. If you haven't ate, their beef paddy's are my goto! Before becoming pescatarian I used to get their beef patty with my nutella latte. (I need to try the veggie now) Today, I got an Iced Pistachio Matcha drink off their Spring Menu. It was amazing! If you are in the Old Town Alexandria area, make sure you stop by x grab a drink x grab a snack baked freshly everyday! read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - ICED PISTACHIO MATCHA LATTE - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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I came the Friday before Valentine's Day and stopped by for coffee. Loved the vibes here; I got a table with markers that people draw with. I got a Cupid's bow latte that was special for Valentine's - the drink was so good with white chocolate and raspberry! I enjoyed my drink while relaxing there for a bit. The staff were fast and nice with my drink too. I'd like to stop by this place more often. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Cupid's bow latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Found this coffee shop in old town Alexandria. I like how quaint and creative ESP Tea and Coffee feels. It's artisan and dynamic. If you are looking for a place to catch up or work, the ambiance is nice and not too loud even with a bunch of people inside. They have vinyls for sale and their staff is helpful and attentive! Drinks are worth purchasing and they have a bunch of different seasonal drinks. Ordered a matcha latte and it was worth the visit! Grab a book, pick up a drink, and hang out! read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Matcha Latte (Ceremonial) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Tried their mocha latte and beef saltenas. The barista was super sweet and helpful although I did not really enjoy what I bought. The saltenas was not warmed up enough and was not made fresh even though I was the first customer in. The mocha had a weird taste and I could not really pinpoint if the latte was mocha. I do want to come back for the beef patties though. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I'm a sucker for a fun special, this is a summer blue ocean or something - super pretty and the graham crackers are like the sand My fave coffee shop in Old Town with cool concert posters and local artwork for sale. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Blue Ocean (I think? Summer special!) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

The tea and coffee is great. And the posters and music take me back to my GenX roots. One bad experience though to keep an eye out for. Tried to order a regular house coffee and was told the power was out to the machine and I could get a drip instead. Turns out a drip is $6+. While I was waiting on it I overheard the staff talking about how the power was back and was due to a tripped fuse. Felt like an easy way to upsell to a more expensive cup. Didn't sit well. read more

I usually like this place and get great service but today was a miss. I arrived a little after 10 a.m. to an empty shop with three team members behind the counter. I ordered my chaga with oat milk, as previously recommended by staff, and a spinach-goat-cheese quiche. The chaga (mushroom-based drink with ginger and cinnamon) came out first in a beautiful, heavy mug. But unlike the last time, it wasn't anything close to hot. When I picked it up from the bar, I saw that my quiche was going into the microwave. When I sat down to eat it, it wouldn't cut easily with a knife. The top layer was congealed together. It also was not heated through. I turned the plate around to try my hand at the crust portion, but that was so rubbery that it also would not cut. I got a to-go box and decided I would try my luck with the toaster oven at home. I think I'll stick to coming here on weekdays. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Lukewarm Chaga with oatmilk and microwaved quiche - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

The shop makes excellent cappuccinos. A perfect blend of milk, froth, and espresso where my drink was balanced and full bodied with a nice creamy texture. I'm definitely a big fan of this drink and this coffee shop. read more

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The barista was very friendly. He offered me a refill on my hot water after I had finished my first cup of tea. I enjoyed the tea. There was plenty of comfortable seating. I sat on the sofa and knit until closing time at 8. Appreciate it being open late. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - roasted almond Loose Leaf Teas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I was visiting my sister on a rainy Monday and wanted to find a nice coffee shop with gluten free options. I decided to try this place. The service is great and everyone who worked there was super warm and friendly. They recommended the gluten free Apple streusel, especially for a rainy day. I also ordered a Nutella latte with 2% milk. The decor is colorful and unique, and every mug is different. There's no pressure to leave and I stayed a read a book for about an hour, as did a few people who arrived at the same time as me. The coffee is good and the pastry was warm and buttery, and it was so nice to have the option to enjoy a pastry with my drink. Overall, this establishment was a great addition to my trip. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Gluten free apple streusel and a Nutella Latte (Hot) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Loved this place! Service was great, coffee was good, and the atmosphere and wall decor was fun. We really liked it. Only thing to be aware of is that they don't offer any sugar free flavors. Otherwise, they have what you need to start your morning right! read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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One Mango Matcha coming up! This drink was a little experience in itself. I love that the matcha was slightly sweet and I want depending on the mango to sweeten it up. The mango flavor has a nice balance. I will say this took a while for them to make. Not sure if this is normal for an artisan drink. I've had drinks more intricately crafted that were whipped up quicker. The cafe was quiet. I enjoyed the vibe of the decor. The staff were friendly and conversational. She spoke to my sister about where her dress was from. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Mango matcha - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

This cafe had cool vibes to it. Very different and a bit hippy. They also had unique drinks for their August specials. I decided to try the mango matcha, and that was a good choice. Matcha is not usually my go to, but the mango was a great addition. read more

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This place was fun. Cool hipster vibes inside. We sat outside and we called the furniture tetanus chairs. There were rusty nails sticking out and wobbly. As for the food and drink, I have very high coffee standards. The coffee was in my opinion, borderline terrible. I didn't finish my drink. I would end up giving this place a lower rating, but I tried the food and that was incredible. The Saltana, I almost ordered 3 more. Even the cookie didn't look like much, but was one of the best chewy cookies I've ever had. I would go back, but only for the unbelievable hand pies. read more

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Really wanted to love this place. But the matcha latte was powdery and service was very slow for there being no line and 4 people behind the counter. read more

Very kind staff! The iced sugar daddy latte is very good, and the seating and vibes are great :) read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Iced Sugar Daddy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

The coffee is good, I order the flat white. I know they get their coffee beans from Dream chaser and been curious to try both the place and their coffee out. It satisfied my caffeine need to wake up. The service was excellent. Ambiance, the decor is eclectic and bold with some cozy vibes. There is limited coffee seating due to the design of the building itself. I know people that have come here to work remotely and have not heard them complain about it. If I am in the area again and need caffeine I'll definitely will come back and stop. Also, they self Art prints so if you decor for your place you can get some. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Flat White - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Service was rushed and mediocre friendliness. "Intimate" or claustrophobic atmosphere depending on the amount of people. Rock music was playing in the morning. Prices for coffee were standard ($5 lattes). Iced latte was a little watery. Croffle prices were absurd. Plain croffle was $2.75 and the sour cream chive was $7.25, which was absurd considering it's just a croissant cooked like a waffle with a ranch-esque dressing. Considering the amount of coffee shops in a 3 block vicinity I would pick elsewhere. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Chive croffle - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

their matcha lattes are phenomenal especially with lavender syrup. their house made chai tea (lattes) are also sooo good! the vibe is super chill here and the baristas are very nice. the meat pies are also crazy good read more

I've been here too many times to count at this point. TBH it's for the iced Salted Caramel Latte with almond milk. I drink my coffee black but this is the exception. The drawback about this place are the items that aren't coffee. I've tried several cookies and whoopie pies and have been disappointed. Does that mean I won't try the pies, Jamaican beef patties, salteñas, etc.? No. I will try those and report back. Hopefully, those are better. The staff is so helpful and lovely and the quirky atmosphere alone is worth a stop. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Gluten free brownie cookie & salted caramel iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Very cool coffee shop! It is definitely one of my favorites in the area and has a completely different ambiance than really any other coffee shop I've been to. There is lots of art on the walls, cool seating areas and the coffee is great too! We really like their lattes and sitting towards the back of the shop. There are usually a lot of people working there so it must be pretty popular for teleworking. read more

I loved this place last summer, I went quite often with my friends. The last 2 times I've been i'm not sure whats been going on....but both times we got hot drinks that weren't hot. I have always found the employees to be super pleasant and kind and quick for service, the first time I visited last summer I got an amazing Cortado I was extremely pleased with! I've never been upset with the coffees tasting notes or flavors here, I think everything is really good! the pie shop pie is not to be missed, along with their other array of sweet & savory treats! Unfortunately most recently I've had a few experiences where I was super pleased with my service, but the drinks I got just weren't up to par unfortunately..... The matcha I got one time was semi-unpleasant due to the chunky and un-incorporated texture and it was maybe sitting around 100 degrees upon starting it....(fairly cold for a hot drink) and then once again, another latte I ordered on a separate occasion, also nowhere near "hot" aka 140-160 degrees "the standard drinkable temp" on our most recent visit the cups we got didn't fit the top, and we were soon wearing our americano on our shirts...but it was hot! and pretty tasty! I am a seasoned & working barista of 6 years myself and when I find a place I like I typically stick with it! (this would be considered one of them) so I will be giving this place another chance in the near future, I think they have a lovely ambiance, lovely community/employees, and previously really great drinks! read more

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Was in the mood for a matcha and this was the closest within me walking around king st. Upon arrival, it was a cute, hipster vibe. It is a bit small but the menu was clearly displayed and the barista answered all my matcha questions between the ceremonial and pre sweetened. I got my matcha with almond milk and I have no complaints. Wasn't too sweet which is my preference for matchas. I would definitely go back to try their coffee. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Iced Matcha Latte (Cerermonial) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Best 5 stars matcha latte with lavender in town. Large is $8.44 with alternate milk and syrup. They have the ceremonial matcha so the sweetness is controlled. Coffee is very very good too. read more

The staff was very nice and the drip coffee was good! So happy to see they had drip coffee because many cafes have now stopped offering it. Be warned that a slice of pie is $10 and whipped cream is an additional 25 cents. The slice of sweet pie for $10 is not worth it at all imo. The meat pie looked stuffed so that made more sense to be $10 but still, I'd stay away from the pies. They get their pies frozen from bread and water bakery. $10.25 for a slice of thawed out pie and a meager little dollop of whipped cream is ridiculous. Imo do not fall for the pie list located right next to the register. Come here for the coffee and tea, those were good. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Drip Coffee Regular Brewed Coffee Key Lime (Bread and Water) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

It was pretty windy and a bit chilly when I arrived. So, it was the perfect spot for a matcha latte while I waited for my appt next door. This place gives mountain vibes and reminds me of ski towns and the Rocky Mountains! The music is chill and takes you back to a different era, and the stickers on the door and the money wall get extra points. The artwork, old albums, and decor all fit in their perfect spot. They make me miss Colorado, the mountains, and sitting by the fire in a cabin. It's relaxing, and if their goal was to transport you to a spot where you can enjoy tea and not be interrupted by the city hustle and bustle, then this is your spot. It's close to many other shops in old Alexandria, and traffic is right outside, but you don't hear the street traffic when sitting by the window sipping your favorite hot or cold drink. At least, that's how it was for me. The service was good, and the matcha latte had just the right amount of sweetness. There was no crowd, but again, it was a Monday afternoon. Go check them out! They have specials, and the ladies there have good vibes, which will excite you about trying the specials on the menu! read more

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I don't see the hype about this place. It's cool and funky and visually everything you'd expect from a cafe in old town, however, that's it. Very limited seating inside with small uncomfortable chairs/tables. $18+ for a coffee and small slice of quiche. $10 for the slice and it was terrible. Microwaved with soggy crust, not even a thick slice, no meat. I make better coffee at home. I don't like giving pour reviews for small businesses but this place earns it. Sorry. Not sorry. read more

The beef saltena and jamaican patties were good, however, i ordered an ube latte and it did not look or taste like ube at all. Although the barista insisted it was. Will be back for the saltena's but not for coffee. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Ube Iced Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

My Alexandria friends always recommend ESP Tea & Coffee as a go-to coffee shop in Old Town. Walking in, you'll notice quirky art on the walls from colorful murals to money from around the world. It's a fun spot that makes you feel at home. Wifi, food, and a full coffee and tea menu, it's a place to meet a friend or work from. My latte was strong and nice. read more

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Overall vibe of the place was really cool. I might have just caught the barista's on a bad day but they were pretty dismissive of me. The biggest red flag was the use of AI for their fall flavors promotion, which included a very purple Loaded Ube Latte. When the drink came out I didn't even realize it was mine because it looked like there was absolutely no ube in there, but when I asked if the drink was mine the barista said it was. It might have had some ube syrup but I felt very misled! read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - "Loaded Ube" Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

ESP Tea & Coffee, this place is a MUST stop if you're in the area! It's colorful, filled with local artist's artwork and stickers, stickers are everywhere. It's so relaxing and calming to be here. The artwork is so unique, quirky and a bit trippy. It's like the feeling you get when you walk inside of ESP Tea & Coffee. We got their famous Nutella Latte. This was perfection, it's frothy and creamy, with a nice Nutella richness. There were some colorful benches for outdoor seating. The art is for sale! It looks small on the inside, but you'll see more seating the further you walk in, and more art and more stickers! This place has its type of vibe and it knows how to stand out of the crowd! They make deliciously tasty coffee, and so much original artwork, that will want you coming back again and again! read more

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The food...delicious! Love the vibe inside the establishment, too! They have so many items from local artists to buy, and it's location is perfect on king street. The service is awesome and I have no complaints! You will see a furry friend pop in every once in a while too! read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - 2% vanilla latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I love this place so much I got married here! Believe it or not, this place held so many memories for my now husband and I, having our first chats over chai in handmade mugs, that they let us take our vows next to the psychedelic artwork back in September 2023. The atmosphere is like no other, full of eclectic art and music scenery. And the food and drinks never fail. I regularly work from ESP because many of the tables and chairs have a plug which makes it great for working for hours at a time. This is and has always been such a gem on King street and I'm glad we have it! read more

First time visiting this cafe and I was not disappointed! Latte with oat milk was yummy, with GF apple turnover that was delicious. The staff were friendly and helpful. Ample seating, I was able to get some work done while I enjoyed my latte and pastry. I would definitely return. read more

Cozy atmosphere in an eclectic shop with an impressive array and depth of teas. Service was friendly and transparent on their opinion of different teas. read more

ESP Tea and Coffee - Premium Loose Leaf Teas : enchanted forest green tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

Extremely cool cafe with an incredible selection of quality loose leaf teas. Strongly recommend to any tea lovers. Staff is also very friendly and willing to let you smell the various teas before choosing. They were very patient with my indecision, but I was very pleased with the teas after ordering. Really good. read more

Love this place. Coffee/Tea, Vibe, and staff. Nice chill place with great drinks. Thank you

My tea and coconut milk was excellent. I will be making this a regular stop when I am in town.

Funky coffee shop that is adorned in an eclectic mix of art, the majority of which is for sale I came here with my GF on a Sunday morning, and there was a long wait because there was only one barista working. Luckily they have ample indoor and outdoor seating comprised of both tables, sofa chairs, and a couch. Have a solid selection of teas, coffees, and a few pastries as well I got a Nutella latte and some sort of apple pie pastry. The latte was great, but the pastry was a little stale. My GF also got a vanilla latte, which was fine read more

This update reviews 2 of their teas. They have 58 types of tea on their menu. If you're looking for something different in tea, then give this place a visit! I have upgraded my rating because the last visit showed me that the amount of tea leaves has been increased or the tea leaves are served in a press. Both methods have increased the flavor in each cup. BRAVO!! My wife and I enjoyed our teas! Here's what we tried: Nightlife white tea It had notes of smokiness and light molasses with a hint of white grape. The aroma was faint and similar to olong tea mixed with a hint of smoky hay. It was full-bodied with a mild dry mouthfeel. This is one of ESP's premium teas, so it costs more than the regular teas. The flavor was interesting, and it's worth a try. Citrus strawberry green tea It had a grassy greens flavor with notes of lemon rind and a hint of strawberry and sweetness. The aroma was a mix of green tea with a citrusy strawberry. It was medium-bodied with a slightly dry finish. This was smooth and easy to drink! The service was helpful and friendly. Tea was served in under 10 minutes. The dining areas and restrooms were clean. They sell teas (2 page list), coffees, hot chocolate, quiches, pies, croffles, and saltenas. There is an extra charge for soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk. The artwork on display is for sale. They have indoor and outdoor seating. There is a parking lot behind the building which costs money. The atmosphere has been relaxed and comfortable for us. The products have improved, so I can now recommend this shop! I'm going to give their nutella latte another try. :) Till next time! read more

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