I have been here a few times when working at theatres in the area. As a freelancer, I need wifi. I called them beforehand to make sure they had internet, and a grumpy woman answered the phone and grunted that they did. I get over there, buy my iced coffee, and try to get online. I ask them the name of their network, and they not-so-cheerily tell me. I can't find the network. I ask the others around me if they are online, and everyone else is having issues. I ask the women behind the counter to restart their router, which must have been the biggest chore in the world, as they rolled their eyes at me. They go back into the office to do so, but none of us can still get online. At this point, I need to leave to find a place that actually has wifi, so I can meet my deadline. I ask for a to-go cup for my coffee, and again, it's like I have asked them to move the world for me. I am just not impressed with this place. Which is a shame. I love supporting local coffee shops. But, when your employees are rude, I not only don't want to support you, I want to chug Starbucks while punching a minority baby seal. read more

I've been sitting here patiently for 13 minutes, waiting for some sign of life from the "staff" that "works" here. See, yesterday I came here, ordered from the counter, and sat. Received the laser stare of death from the server for not ordering from her before sitting down. Sigh...15 minutes now. And I'm joined by two other tables on the uncleaned, wet patio (even though it's surprisingly warm for a January in Washington. This place sucks, but it's convenient. How's that for resting on your laurels? read more

I wish I lived closer to this coffee shop just because I'm a slave to freshness and this place roasts their whole coffee beans on the premises. I've been there when the coffee roast is in process and it's impossible not to leave with a pound. Imagine, your favorite coffee, roasted within the last 5 days. I don't care how crappy your drip coffee maker is, you're going to love the coffee you'll be making! The owner is extremely friendly and proud of the high quality coffee he sells. Once I told him I wanted to buy the freshest roasted whatever and he gladly accomodated my request. This place would earn an unequivocal 5 stars if the baked goods were fresher, but then I'm not there first thing in the morning so what to expect? I'll round them up to the 5 though because the patio is so great and they have table/menu service for sandwiches, soups, chili, and everything, making this a great place to grab lunch or a snack and linger or be on your way. Now that we're trekking down to the Dupont Farmers Market most weekends, we have an excuse to detour to Java House, which is something to appreciate this winter! read more

I *really* wanted to like this place: it seemed like the perfect place to spend part of a Sunday afternoon, and it's so close to my house! I've been here maybe 20-30 times, and I just can't give this place a positive review. Space: the outdoor seating area is wonderful, and really the best part about this place. Indoors, however, is very cramped and the tables are small---it may be difficult to study/work here if you have a lot of papers. Most of the times that I have been here, they have not played music, but one time they did have music on, and to Persian pop songs! If they could do that all the time, they would easily earn another star from me. I do like that I see parons of a variety of ages in here, adding to the neighborhod appeal. Coffee: their iced drinks are normally pretty good, but their cappuccino is horrible--a big glass of warm milk, even though I ask for it extra-dry---and their regular coffee is decent, but not that great. Food: meh. Not horrible, but not great. It's about 1/2 step up from Dunkin Donuts down the street, but twice the price. Service: this really is where they earn the bad rating. I don't get it---the staff is so friendly to the other patrons, but they are often cold to me. For example, I have waited for sit down service for over 30 minutes before, and finally just went to the counter to order. I would come in farily regularly (2-3x per week), always be polite, I would tip...and they continue to be cold to me. I realize that some patrons have been coming here for years and I am new to this area, but I'm certainly not going to become a long-term patron if you make me feel like I am not wanted. Bottom line: I don't think I will be going back to this place when there are so many other options around in Dupont. Even Starbucks has been improving their drinks and service lately. Come on Java House, step it up! read more

I have to say Java House is one of the biggest disappointments for me. I have been going there for about 10 years and the coffee has always been spectacular, especially the mocha. I would buy the coffee beans for home and even when i moved out of DC for 2 years, I still thought nothing compared Recently - the coffee is worse than starbucks. I have been mourning my steaming hot mocha since the day they decided to save a couple extra bucks and serve awful coffee.. Ambiance is great however, who doesn't like spending a couple hours people watching or eavesdropping ;) read more

I've seen this coffee place across from Hanks many times, I finally walked in this time to get a much needed caffeine kick. I ordered a latte - the coffees were reasonably priced compared to starbucks. I was surprised by the strong coffee (good coffee) with the right amount of milk. It was very tasty and they had raw sugar just like starbucks! I loved it! I will definitely go there again. Forget about sitting outside because it was way too hot out. read more

How does this place seriously have the rating $$$$? Has no one here been to Starbucks? The white chocolate vanilla latte I had this morning was delicious, the perfect fall drink. I did not find it to be any more expensive than Starbucks, and the women behind the counter were a lot friendlier than any Starbucks barista I've ever encountered. The wall of coffee beans beckoned me, so I will definitely be back to grind some. read more

Way back in the early 1990s, back when cafes and good coffee were still a rarity in DC, the Java House opened. It has been a neighborhood institution ever since, owned by the same owner who is almost always present, with staff who stay on for years and remember you if you've been there more than a couple of times. The owner roasts the coffee beans on premises, and a wide variety of coffees are available, and you can also buy the beans ground or whole to take home. The food is good too, particularly the breakfast. In recent years they've gotten a liquor license but I haven't tried drinking there. Yelp reviews often require reading between the lines, and the complaints by some reviewers about spotty wi-fi actually reveal a huge positive: unlike other cafes where legions of glassy eyed users manically refreshing their Facebook and Twitter feeds dominate, here you may see a laptop or two, but there is plenty of actual human interaction as well. In fact, just about the only downside of the place is in the mornings, a big, loud group of regulars hogs most of the tables for hours at a time, making it hard to get a seat. read more

The BEST chai I've ever had! Friendly and attentive staff and quality food. However, I will be back for the chai :) read more

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

The bagel was partly stale. When a customer buys a bagel to go, he might not realize it's partly stale until he's some distance away, where it's hard to get a replacement. Not good-tasting hummus. read more

Upon walking to meet my friends at Java House, I ran into another friend. When I told him I was about to get coffee on the next block, he said, "I hope you're not going to Java House, that place is yucky." He might not have used the word "yucky," but that was the definite impression. So, I entered this establishment with very low expectations. As such, I was pleasantly surprised when I had a lovely time with my friends drinking iced coffee. I realized I was starving so I ordered a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel. It tasted just like a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel, so that was great. The service itself was meh but the waitress we had was so nice and funny that her forgetfulness and casualness was forgiven. The outdoor patio was perfect for a lazy weekend morning. Three stars because it's not like I would take my parents there (and I wouldn't make a huge effort to return either). But if I'm on this block and realize I'm starving, this place is not that yucky. read more

Friendly people, free wi-fi, and good "hang out" factor. But how can you expect good ratings if you can't make an espresso drink? I ordered an espresso macchiato. I couldn't/wouldn't drink mine -- which was actually (a double?) small wet cappuccino. A friend drank his only with considerable Equal added. Its a friendly kind of place. Maybe it was a bad day. I don't think I heard the grinder running during the 20+ minutes we were there. read more

Java House - The abysmal beverage in question - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I don't drink coffee, so the only time I come to Java House is to pick up a bagel sandwich. There aren't a lot of quick bagel options in Dupont, so if I need to get a fix, I hit up Java. It gets pretty crowded and the staff are fairly disorganized. Often times they will forget that you ordered or get the order wrong. The everything bagel is delicious and the sandwich as a whole is pretty good. read more

I actually like the food here a lot. I have enjoyed both sandwiches and breakfast food. On a weekend they do run out of bagel choices a little before I would want. The coffee is decent too. The inside isn't so inviting, but the patio is great to hang out at with the free Wi-Fi. read more

I live right around the corner from Java House. As far as convenience, it can't be beat for a quick cup of coffee and a bagel sandwich. However, I think I my opinion has changed as of today. While paying for my coffee today a roach ran right across the counter in front of me. When I pointed it out to the service person she quickly grabbed a paper towel and pushed the roach into the trash. This is the second the time I've seen roaches in Java House. The previous time the roach was crawling up the bagel warmer but I dismissed it as a chance occurrence. Today that changed. Service here is spotty as well. I like to think that the woman that takes my money is DC's version of the soup nazi. You never know if she is in a good mood or not. And her mood seems to matter because I never know how much I will actually be charged for my cup of coffee. The menu gives you fair warning that there is an up charge for using your debit card however that up charge never seems consistent. Some days the coffee is $2.07, other days $2.35, and then other days $2.13. I guess sometimes you have to pay for convenience. If only we could import a coffeehouse from Seattle like Espresso Vivace or Vitrola Coffee Roasters. read more

My 3-star review of Java House has pretty much nothing to do with the food or the coffee, and everything to do with the fact that they have a lovely, semi-covered patio with ample outlets and free wifi. There isn't much better than sitting outside to work and having to worry about charging my computer battery enough to do that. The coffee here is decent, the food is mediocre, and the bathrooms need to be power-washed and sterilized. But as I said, the patio is amazing so that is why I come! read more

I love this place. The 5 stars are for the awesome patio and the great people who run the place. Always with great smiles, always happy to serve you. The coffee is good and you can also buy coffee beans from all the world. The food is average, don't expect French patisserie, but you can always have a coffee and a muffin in a great place and do some work or just see people passing. I always come back. read more

Great neighborhood coffee shop. Nothing fancy, but great service and great coffee. It is a place that makes you feel like you're home and part of a community, which is sometimes hard to find in a city like DC. read more

Three and a Half Stars. Java House is a nicet East Dupont neighborhood coffee joint that makes damn fine espresso beverages with its own beans (roasted in-house daily!) The interior is not really condusive to lingering (although they have free wi-fi), but the fantastic outdoor area is the best; great people watching on sunny days. Service can be a bit spotty/impersonal, but the extension-of-your-home feel to it makes up for it. As an added bonus, they sell ther beans to go and they're open later (10:30pm) than just about any other coffee place in town. read more

Ah, Java House (or Java Hut, as I like to call it). This is where I retreat on the weekends to enjoy the Sunday paper in my sweatpants (read: PJs) and wait for my laundry to finish. For me, it's a lot less about the quality of the coffee and food, than it is about the atmosphere - this is a true neighborhood joint, with a regular cast and crew of super-friendly, laid-back waitstaff, and local junkies who are either glued to their laptops b/c of the free wireless or engaged in the latest political hot gossip. Be warned, barky puppies and wailing babies are also frequently in attendance, so if you're looking for somewhere super quiet to enjoy your latte, this probably ain't your place. But if you're looking for a moderately lively place to while away a few hours, the outdoor patio of Java House is a pretty good choice. I find the inside a little dark and claustrophobic, but the tall tables near the window aren't too bad. I'm a fan of the coffee and bagels, but can't say I've tried much else. Frankly, if I want brunch, this is not going to be my first choice. It's where I go when I want to sit with my paper and the coffee, undisturbed and unrushed, and enjoy my neighborhood. read more

Eh, it's a non-Starbucks coffee shop with more food options but just as expensive. I'm not sure what people like about it so much. I find Starbucks more welcoming and more comfortable, but I guess if you actually want some food the sandwiches here are pretty good. read more

I'd stay away from the food altogether. I had the most pathetic excuse ever for a croissant at Java House, topped with mealy tomato, mushy, overripe avocado, and super-dry, crumbly feta. It was HORRIBLE, completely inedible. I took two bites and dumped it. Pisses me off thinking about the money I wasted on that... However, their drinks are not bad. They serve up a very nice chai and they've got this frozen-banana-chocolate-mocha-smoothie-thing: Oh. My Lord. It's as amazing as their baked goods are despicable. Very nice outdoor patio. Kind of dirty inside. read more

Coffee shops in DC struggle. Too expensive, they make you sit and be served and then are slow to serve, and seem to be either pretending to be posher than they are, or lack the flavor and style to have a natural, gritty coffee house vibe. The sitting to be served is one of the stranger to wrap my mind around but it might just be my NW-based preprogramming. This place is the same. Coffee is okay... it is definitely overpriced... and is just as the stars indicate, sort of meh. Meh. On the plus side the outside seating is nice and lot's of people come here and chill, read, & work. This somehow makes me feel better about my patronage. Like I have less of a choice, or more support, like maybe how a lemming feels as he takes that first step into the formidable blackness below. Only a lot less dramatic. read more

Ah, my dear neighbor Java House. By now y'all know I'm in it more for the food than for atmosphere every time. That said, JH's coffee offerings are impressive in breadth, but the varied flavors aren't enough to tease these taste buds. Their sandwiches are hefty and filling - I'll grab a tomato/hummus/avocado on a bagel for breakfast, or maybe a tuna salad on whole wheat for lunch. I love that these are healthy and reliable options; standard, no-frills, your basic sammie. What I will say on the ambiance, is that JH has a fabulous patio for the warmer months. From my own experiences and observing others around me, this is the place to go to read the Sunday Times/cram for the LSAT/meet old friends for coffee/plug into the outdoor wifi outlets and gab away on Gchat. Puppies and pooches are permitted and plentiful along the patio perimeter (alliteration intended). JH is a lively, unpretentious, community-oriented spot along 17th Street. Definitely a go-to. read more

Three times for breakfast.. three excellent breakfasts and coffee experiences. In my book, that means it's a winner. I have to give an extra thumbs up for their tomato/hummus/agotado Bagel and lox and bagel platter. The latter brings back memories of growing up temporarily Jewish in the burbs of Philly. The place is a laid back neighborhood joint, perfect for a no-frills weekend morning meal. Dog friendly on outside so a plus. The service could be better but more of an understaffing issue imo. Note that this rating is only for breakfast. I'm not as tempted to return for lunch or in evening for their half-priced wine happy hour.. read more

Pros: - Situated in a prime location... what a waste! Cons: - If you're looking for a quaint neighborhood coffee shop, DON'T COME HERE. You will be underwhelmed with an average or below average experience, at best. - Staff is passive aggressive and rude... or socially inept? Either way, not pleasant people to deal with. - Charges the price of a high quality coffee house, delivers low-grade food and drinks. Think: tiny sliver of carrot cake (that you can buy at a Safeway) for about $7. Quality does not justify the price for anything in the store. I live in the neighborhood and I've been there a few times because I truly wanted to give it a chance. Every experience there has been either negative or underwhelming. I literally made a Yelp account just to post this, because I can't take it anymore. For the high price they charge and the negative experience they provide, these people don't deserve to be a "coffee house" in such a beautiful neighborhood! read more

came here right before closing to grab a soy cap and coffee after my husband had been out to dinner. the inside seating leaves a bit to be desired but i'm sure the patio would be nice during the day. my soy cap was decent and it was priced ok. they also sell whole coffee beans i think. read more

They make a mean latte here. I usually don't want to pony up the cash when I can make coffee myself but it's worth it for this place because they get the temperature correct (and even roast beans themselves!) They do Trader Joe teas which are fine but could easily get upgraded a bit. Their "tea cakes" (the puffy ones) are pretty good, if a bit dry and certainly don't qualify as tea cakes in England. They have wireless but charge up your battery before you go. There is a total of three, maybe four outlets in this place. And three are in one location -- at the high table closest to the door. So better nab one of the closest tables there to even have a shot at an outlet. Counter space is actually a good changeup, if you're just dropping in. Other commenters are right -- if you're sitting, sit first then order when someone comes to take your order. If you're take-out, then go to the counter. Mean looks ensue if you don't follow directions. read more

The staff fluctuate between aggressive and passive aggressive. All I could think is- I should have gone to Starbucks. read more

Java House - I thought I would support my neighborhood coffee shop and that was probably a mistake. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

With a great location and roasting their own coffee beans one might hope to get an unforgettable cup of coffee. At Java House that's not the case. Wanting to take advantage of their free WIFI before an early meeting, I ordered a cappuccino and though I wanted to get a pastry, non of them looked appealing or fresh. The lady behind the counter was rather bitter so I decided to just get the cappuccino and leave. Seriously, for a 4 dollar cappuccino, it should have been at least above average, but this one with a slight flavor of burnt coffee and a huge amount of milk, was definitely a below avarage "capuccino". Therefore, if you are looking for a real cappuccino this is not the place to find one. read more

Java House is nice, a bit cramped inside, but the patio is great. The service is good, atmosphere is relaxing, and they have free Wi-Fi. The only problem is that their mochas taste like dishwater :/ read more

Came here today on my short visit to DC, great atmosphere, good food, and quick service! Had the Californian with no turkey and it was so tasty and just what I needed to wake me up! The coffee was also great! read more

Cute neighborhood cafe. I've only ordered carry out on my way to another destination. They have indoor seating and a great patio. Great place to neighborhood watch and work quietly. read more

This place is kind of weird and expensive and the outside has waiter service, which is weird for a coffee shop, if you ask me. The iced chai is super good (albeit pricey) and the wifi is free. All in all a 2.5-3 stars. read more

It's pretty good, but it could easily be better. I love that it has soymilk for coffee and vegan cookies. I love that it's fast and that it has relatively-inexpensive bagels. I love the gumball machines and the free post cards. Hummus and guacamole for bagels is cool. BUT I wish it had vegan cream cheese! And I also wish it had vegan muffins. If it had vegan cream cheese, I would stop here every day and eat way more bagels than I should. :-) Currently, won must walk a few blocks to Whole Foods in order to get vegan cream cheese and vegan muffins. read more

Great mom 'n' pop shop with delicious coffee and snacks. Service is super fast when there is a long line. Awesome place to sit down and relax with a book or your computer. read more

I really like this place--they aren't as fancy as other coffee shops but everyone has always been pleasant, the coffee good, and the wifi strong. The cookies (not made on-site) are also quite delicious. I think people who hate on this place want to be treated like royalty for purchasing coffee. I personally want very little interaction with my coffee makers, so it suits me. Always busy, and on nice days the patio people watching is superb! read more

Ugh it makes me sad that this place has so many low star reviews. Sure sometimes you might have to wait a little bit longer than you do at a Starbucks but man, is the coffee worth it. The coffee is always delicious and freshly roasted. I also love the iced skim latte-- my only gripe is that I wish they made it in a larger size! It's that good! When I'm sick and at the CVS down the street, I stop at Java House for a treat aka the Espresso Shake. It's like heaven in a cup. It's just espresso and ice cream but my god it's so so so so good. I die. Now let's talk about the food, shall we? I consider myself something of a breakfast sandwich connoisseur. If a restaurant has one, I've probably ordered it. Let it be known that Java House makes my favorite in all of DC. It's legit. I am getting hungry just thinking about the eggs and cheese and bacon piled on an everything bagel. Seriously do yourself a favor and try it. THEN see if you will rate this place a one star! I've also tried the salads, the California sandwich and a variety of other foods. They all are freshly made and delicious. The only thing I wouldn't recommend is the fruit and cheese plate- it was just diced apples with mediocre cheese. Kinda weird. The patio is an awesome place for people-watching. The inside leaves little to be desired but when the rest of the place is so good, who cares? Grab your food and drink to go! read more

There is something very uninviting about this place. Maybe it's the set-up and decor, the uncomfortable chairs, or it could be the unfriendly staff. It's probably a combination of all three. The coffee is okay, not amazing. They do roast their own beans, which is a huge plus. They also offer a menu with sandwiches, salads, soup and desserts. They make the pies and cakes in-house, and definitely have that homemade look, which is a nice change from the generic pastries you get at a lot of other places (like Soho). This place is slightly more pricey than other coffee shops in the area, their smoothies are very overpriced. Also, if you stay there to enjoy your coffee, there's table service so you need to factor in the tip to the price. They also don't give you a deal on refilling a regular coffee in-house. That left a bad taste in my mouth, a burnt Starbuck's coffee taste. read more

I used to live above this coffee house and I miss it more than anything else there. I noticed most reviewers didn't mention they roast their own beans here (I got the aroma from the vent on the roof deck -- not as pleasant as you'd expect), so I bought all my coffee in bulk here. I was spoiled. It's tough to get east African beans as good for such a reasonable price even farther north. Very friendly staff who are kind even when the place is packed on weekend mornings. Delicious breakfast sandwiches that I enjoyed over coffee on many a hungover morning. Lots of outdoor seating for a sunny brunch with the Post (although sitting indoors can be quite cramped). Can't vouch for lunch; don't think I ever had. But the coffee speaks for itself. Plus I think they have some sort of business arrangement with my favorite bike shop down the street. I miss you Java House! read more