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    Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar

    3.8 (214 reviews)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar Photos

    Business Info

    GATHERING GROUNDS COFFEE BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Quiet
    Good for kids

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    Coffee & scone
    Terri D.

    cozy, moody cafe with great coffee. I'm sucker for scones - more creative flavors than Starbucks, but sadly more dry. Nice quiet spot to hang out on dreary rainy day.

    Smoked salmon croissant bagel itself

    I've come here before and have had good coffee, but this time I tried a matcha and this new croissant bagel smoked salmon sandwich. Matcha: Ive been making my own matcha at home for several years and have used low grade to ceremonial grade matcha. The matcha they use isn't very pleasant and has a very dark color. This resulted in a burnt after taste I haven't tasted before with matcha. Croissant bagel: the bagel itself is so good, but it lacked a lot of substance as you can see. A few pieces of salmon with a thin overcooked egg. I think the whole sandwich was heated up together, because the salmon looks to be cooked through, as opposed to most bagel shops who heat the bagel and then add the ingredients to keep the smoked salmon from cooking. It's a new item so I don't want to knock it too much, but the dry salmon was a let down If I'm spending almost $40 for two people, I'd expect a little more value. I understand that this is a coffee spot at heart, but lacking out on the quality is going to bring me to go to other breakfast/coffee places first

    Iced Specialty Latte and Bacon, Egg & Cheese on Croissant
    Katie S.

    This place is cute for a gathering with friends or a coffee date. Ambiance is casual and cute. The staff is kind and friendly. I got an iced caramel latte and the coffee was phenomenal. I also got a bacon egg and cheese croissant and it was so flaky and buttery. I would recommend coming by here for coffee it's pretty affordable in comparison to chains and much better!

    Decor - flower ceiling
    Esha Z.

    I went to the cat cafe near here and decided to try this cafe With my mom and sister right after. Since it was a weekday and around 230pm, it wasn't super busy. We were helped quickly and there's lots of seating. I loved the current decor (I've read the reviews that it changed seasonally) and the service was quick. My sister got a blueberry muffin, she and I got seasonal lattes (she got a Mountain Mint (had peppermint and some other stuff) and I got a Trail Mix latte (white chocolate, almond and raspberry) - iced versions), we tried the beignet trio (so filled fluffy donuts), my mom got the almond poppy seed muffin and a strawberry mango smoothie (they can blend two fruits for you). The smoothie was by far the best item and so delicious. They heated the muffins up for us and the staff was so nice; they smiled and had great energy! Would love to return here with friends ! Besides the pastries and coffees and smoothies, they have breakfast items, savory items such as sandwiches, and drinks such as boba.

    Inside pov~
    Joy S.

    Parking: there's a lot of parking because it is located in a shopping center. But it can get a little tight because there's a lot of cars. There are two entrances to the cafe! It is also located right across from George Mason University, so it can get hectic with college students. Seating: there's a good number of tables and seats inside. They also have a few seats outside the cafe. I like the cozy vibe. Food: their coffee is pretty good. They have some fun and creative flavors! They also have some good pastries and sandwiches. Bathroom: they have one individual bathroom. It's kind of in the middle of the cafe. Price: it's average like other cafes. But it is a little pricey, especially considering it's in front of a college. Service: our cashier and server was very kind and attentive. She made our drinks in a timely manner :)

    Front desk where you can place your order.
    Gilbert G.

    Gathering Grounds is still my favorite place for dark roast coffee in the GMU Fairfax campus area. The service is friendly and generally pleasant. It can be a little confusing if you're here for the first time. After taking your order at the cash register, guests are supposed to wait along the side wall. There's another entrance on the back side of the cafe, which is convenient if you need to walk to the Giant supermarket. Also, I found the restroom in the back of the cafe and was impressed by how clean it was (at 11:50am). The owners of this local cafe really care deeply about keeping the interior as clean as possible for customers. Hygiene is a positive signal of quality. I'm nearly approaching my first reward (at 50 points) through the Gathering Grounds rewards program. Can't wait to try a cappuccino or fancy espresso drink later in December!

    Bacon, Egg & Cheese on Croissant
    Monica T.

    Cute coffee shop in Fairfax. The lattes! Ask for the specialty latte menu, as it's not on the board. The have so many fun flavors like trail mix, Lavendar cloud and Killer Bee. So fun! I did an iced latte with raspberry, Lavendar and vanilla and it was tasty. The bacon, egg and cheese croissant was also yummy. Adding this to my favorites list for coffee shops in the area.

    Amanda S.

    Promptly greeted me when I arrived. Friendly staff and owner, encouraging about the local events they have planned. When asked what to try offered a recommendation for the apple danish that was worth the try.

    Alex P.

    Came here for an evening coffee. The atmosphere is great for studying, catching up, or anything in between. It's not too loud, soft music playing in the background. There is plenty of seating in the back if you're studying, or comfy seats in the front for relaxing. The staff were great, super kind. Coffee was affordable and reasonably priced. I ordered a caramel macchiato which was delicious. I will be back to this location and suggest you try it out as well.

    | WITCHES BREW + STRAWBERRY DUET PASTRY |
    Ashley K.

    A meritorious café, located conveniently for Mason students in University Mall with the perfect atmosphere for doing work and/or studying! I have been going to this coffee shop for the past few years, and I have had a very pleasant experience each time! I thoroughly enjoy the space and ambience as it is relaxing, comfortable, and clean. Also, their seasonal items constantly feature fun and festive drinks to try! I recently had their Halloween special, the Witches Brew--which paired nicely with a strawberry duet pastry. Gathering Grounds is your classically dependable, local coffee shop that offers an expansive variety of foods and beverages to try with a cozy space to get your hustle + grind on! P.S. Make sure to check-in upon entering the café for a sweet 10% off discount on your order!

    Pastries

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Sora Y.

    Sora Y.

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    11 months ago

    Super good service, quality coffee and a good place to hangout. Forgot pictures but just got standard lattes and they were great

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    2 years ago

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    Sora Y.

    I will gladly see you again; stop by to say HI!

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    7 months ago

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    4 years ago

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    7 months ago

    I enjoyed my experience at Gathering Grounds, very good coffee but better service. Johnny was very professional and helpful!!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    Great atmosphere; excellent service; delicious coffee and scones! This is my "go to" location.

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    3 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Service was friendly. Food was so greasy other than that it tasted okay. It was pricey

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    Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar

    What non-dairy milks are available?

    They have the same as most Coffee shops, while I am not the fan of pretend milk, they do have soy as well as plant base, like oat milk.

    What kind of coffee do they serve? Stumptown, counter culture?

    We serve Cafe Kreyol, organic coffee, direct trade, and locally roasted.

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    De Clieu - Fairfax

    4.5(1.2k reviews)
    1.5 miOld Town Fairfax
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    I stopped in today after driving by this place. It had an inviting vibe, and I'm always looking…read morefor a mom and pop type coffee shop. I was very impressed with their extensive menu and offerings. I had the Italian cold cut sandwich, blackberry lemonade, and salted caramel brownie. The sandwich was a 10. There's an art to how to make a sandwich, how it's layered and put together, the staff here know what they are doing. It was the perfect size, and tasted amazing. The blackberry lemonade was perfect. Not many places offer a blackberry option, so that get extra points. The salted Carmel brownie was inhaled...so yea it was awesome as well . The staff was friendly and helpful, and gave me enough time to select my lunch. Thanks for the excellent experience today.

    Absolutely obsessed with De Clue Coffee -- this place is a total gem in Fairfax! From the moment…read moreyou walk in, the warm, welcoming vibe just wraps around you like your favorite cozy sweater. The staff are genuinely some of the friendliest people I've ever encountered at a coffee shop -- they remember your name, your order, and somehow always make you feel like the most important person in the room. The coffee? Next level. Whether you're a straight-black-espresso purist or someone who loves a beautifully crafted latte with stunning latte art, De Clue delivers every single time. The beans are clearly sourced with care, and you can taste the quality in every sip. My go-to has become their seasonal special, and I look forward to it every single visit. The space itself is absolutely charming -- perfect for catching up with a friend, grinding through some work, or just enjoying a quiet moment to yourself. It has this rare quality of feeling both lively and relaxed at the same time. De Clue Coffee isn't just a coffee shop -- it's a community. It's the kind of place that makes living in Fairfax feel extra special. Don't walk, RUN to De Clue. You will not regret it!

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    Caprese

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    Banh Mi Ong Beo - Fairfax - veggie...one of the best Banh Mi places in the area

    Banh Mi Ong Beo - Fairfax

    3.8(17 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    This spot is exactly what I hadn't realized the Burke/Fairfax area has been missing!…read more Staff was really nice and food was great! Got the combo with the meatball sandwich and a Thai tea. Bread was super fresh, crisp on the outside but super soft and chewy interior. Also grabbed a bag of day old bread for $1.50 to bring home. So excited to know I can get a good banh mi without having to drive out to Falls Church or further. Would love it if they added springrolls and shrimp chips. I was too cold to try any of the desserts, but will def try next time!

    Decent banh mi- there are better places (banh mi DC), but in a pinch this will do…read more It's a small shop tucked inside of University mall adjacent to the Thai restaurant. Decent amount of seating both indoor and outdoor. Staff is friendly. I tried the dac biet (combo) with extra pickled vegetables. Pickled veg was super sweet/ needs a little more vinegar or something. Their combo says it comes with jambon, Vietnamese ham, and pork roll- I don't know which of these ingredients is head cheese but it definitely had head cheese. I don't like the gelatinous texture of head cheese so I asked for them to not put that on. It also comes with the usual Vietnamese mayo/pate, as well as a drizzle of some sort of chili sauce. The sauce didn't deter from taste. The bread was super hard and not in a good way. It softened after a quick nuke in the microwave. Overall, decent, I'd come back again, but not the best banh mi.

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    Banh Mi Ong Beo - Fairfax
    Banh Mi Ong Beo - Fairfax - Sandwich #4: Xíu Mai/Meatballs

    Sandwich #4: Xíu Mai/Meatballs

    Banh Mi Ong Beo - Fairfax - Banh Mi entrance. Seating to the left. Orders are placed to the right.

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    Banh Mi entrance. Seating to the left. Orders are placed to the right.

    Noosh Grill - Smash burgers and fries

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    4.9(81 reviews)
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    Grabbed dinner here with my brother recently and will definitely coming by again. It isn't a huge…read morespace but when the weather is nice there are a bunch of outdoor seats as well. It did get really busy as we were there and our food took a bit. I think a few people also ordered online for pickup so the order stuff was getting made was unclear. I ordered a smashburger and it was great. Nothing too crazy but very delicious. My brother got the chopped cheese and enjoyed it. The best part was something that we ordered to share, the Chapli Chopped Cheese Loaded fries. It wasn't on their menu boards yet but I had seen it on their instagram and had to try it. It was delicious! I would definitely come back and get those again. It had a great flavor, the sauce was delicious, and the fries were still relatively crispy despite the amount of sauce and toppings. Overall, a great spot that I would recommend to others and will definitely coming back soon!

    Yum. I highly…read morerecommend Noosh Grill. We've been here twice. The service seems a bit slow because the food is fresh and they're always busy, but the wait is worth it. Also, the gentlemen at the register are always so nice and welcoming! The Burgers (tried all 3): 10/10. The Patriot Burger with double meat tastes like a love child between a hot and fresh In-N-Out burger and a Big Mac. I just finished one and I'm still salivating. The Chopped Cheese: 7/10. They messed up a previous order of this by adding jalapeños to both sandwiches instead of just one and it was too spicy for me. The fries: 8/10. They get cold quickly, but they taste similar to fries from Burger King. They're good and they came with organic ketchup, which I appreciated.

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    Inside

    Noosh Grill - A bite from noosh bowl

    A bite from noosh bowl

    Noosh Grill

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    Gathering Grounds Coffee Bar - coffee - Updated May 2026

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