Food is good but way too overpriced - good atmosphere - service average - wide range of menu items. Quality good.

Overall 4.5 stars. I love a good local coffee shop & Java Nation never disappoints me in that department. What makes them unique from other coffee shops is a basically a full dining menu, a bar, and desserts. I've been going to the North Bethesda location for years but finally sauntered over to the one in the Kentlands. While the indoor dining area isn't as big as the other location, there's more opportunity to find parking and it's near lots of other shops. You'll have to parallel park on the side or you can park in the adjacent parking lots. We parked in the lot near PetSmart and Michael's. (On Thursday I parked right next to the shop with street/curb parking). I've been TWICE this week lol. Once on Thursday (3/30) as a "me day" and once on Saturday (4/1) with my daughters. I ordered the margarita flight and the truffles fries for the first time. I've had their beet salad at the North Bethesda location too many times to count, so I knew that was solid. Let me tell you... I will NEVER go here again without ordering those fries. They are SO DARN GOOD!!!! I ate nearly half the bowl before even considering opening a packet or ketchup. They were that good! For the marg flight, you can mix and match your four. I subbed out the classic Margarita for thei sangria. Otherwise, I got the mango passionfruit; spiced apple; and strawberry basil. I liked all of them but that mango passionfruit was my absolutely fav. I left with a happy belly and a nice lil buzz lol. I took the girls two days later cuz I was craving those fries again. I intended for this to be like a light fare/tapas and sweet treats kinda trip. It turns out it was happy. I did not know they have happy hour Monday through Saturday from 4-630p. Super winning! My eldest ordered the beef empanadas and the dulce de leche cheesecake. My youngest ordered a ham and cheese croissant and the chocolate raspberry mousse. I ordered the truffle fries, mango passionfruit margarita, and the goat & spinach croquettes. The 6 y/o scarfed down the croissant before I could get a pic. The mousse was also good and not overly sweet. The 11 y/o enjoyed the empanadas. At first, she frowned up at the mention of olives and potatoes as part of the filling. But the flavors meld so well together, especially with that chimichurri sauce. We also dipped our fries in it too! The dulce de leche cheesecake was really tasty and the fav dessert of the two. I took half a star off because of the croquettes. The texture of the filling resembled mashed potatoes. The flavors weren't bad but the texture really threw us for a loop. We won't order that again. But other than that, everything was perfect. When you come in during "dinner service," you get seated at a table. Our server was friendly and for the most part, attentive. She didn't crouch over us and gave us ample time to try things before asking how everything was or if we needed/wanted anything else. It didn't take long for our food to arrive and when they came out, they were piping hot. Just how we like it. Needless to say, we'll be coming back to this location very soon since it's not terribly far from home and umm those fries!!! read more

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I decided to try this place because I had heard that it was very good and I'm always in the mood for very good. The location itself is right on the corner which is very convenient and it looked very clean and well lit inside. The staff I interacted with picking up my drink order was very friendly and told me where to pick up my food as I placed a to-go order for 9:50 a.m which included two drinks. The drinks themselves were cold to the touch on arrival and we got there right at 9:50 a.m. so it begs the question, how long ago had these been made and been sitting to the side? If they were made fresh within the specified time they should have at least been warm. These were definitely cold for both my chai tea and my girlfriend's hot chocolate. I understand when you do to go orders you may get food that is either very hot if you show up on time or sometimes a little lukewarm if you took your time getting to the location. This was definitely not the case as everything I picked up was undeniably cold. This should not be the case, especially when I paid $35 for this food. It's hugely disappointing to say the least, it almost feels like you should just order as soon as you get there to ensure your food is fresh, otherwise you end up with food that is made too early to your specified time and you end up having to reheat and it takes away from the overall quality, original feel of the food. Portion sizes leave something to be desired as my French toast for two pieces was literally about a $1.70 a bite, that's a tough sell even for so-called Gourmet French toast. The oatmeal for a bowl was $8.50 and it was not that big of a bowl, again portion sizes definitely leave something to be desired and it had zero flavor I ended up having to doctor it up when I got home. Even the fruit with sprinkle of cinnamon could not justify this watery oatmeal. The chai tea was decent but nothing to write home about, all in all there are better options out there and this place charges the premium just to say it is a posh Cafe. It's clear they put more into the branding then the actual food and experience. This place was a swing and a miss for me and if I had the chance to do it all over again I would have just went somewhere else. This place is expensive and I feel overcharges for things that should be moderately priced due to the location and the willingness of its patrons to support. As someone who has sampled many great places that often exceed expectations this was as I said hugely disappointing not just for the price but the fact that the price did not justify for the quality that you receive. I could have just made my own coffee at home and let it sit out and get cold if I wanted cold coffee or tea. The whole purpose of the visit was I wanted exceptional breakfast and I heard that this place was top-notch, however it seems the bar wasn't set very high for that notch. Maybe with time things will improve, I don't know that I will return to give it another try for the amount they charge you. They also have no combos so everything is à la carte. You're looking at $4.50 for two pieces of bacon so by the time you're done making your own combo you're at anywhere between 30 and $50. Is definitely a tough sell in a market that is saturated with good quality food and best bang for your buck. Unfortunately a buck won't get you anything here so just know what you're getting yourself into and be prepared to pay a premium for a cool logo and mediocre food. There was also no butter included but it did come with whipped cream syrup and berry compote which I paid extra for. read more

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Finally got a chance to check out Java Nation after being on my list for months! I went for brunch and started with the assortment of mini mimosas; the passion fruit was my favorite! I had the steak and eggs for my meal which were just ok. My friend has the French toast which she really enjoyed. There is no host so when you walk in you'll grab a menu and seat yourself. Once you're ready to order you'll have to order at the register and they'll bring it out to you. It is a mix between a restaurant and a cafe so they had everything you'd typically find at a coffee shop but with a full food and drink menu. Very unique concept which I love! read more

Java Nation - Mimosa flight - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I came with a friend for happy hour (Mon-Sat 4-6:30pm) on a weekday. It's a small location, with some tables, bar seating and a small outdoor patio. They decorated the interior for valentine's day. We ordered the margherita flatbread and truffle fries. Food was pretty decent, nothing special. Happy hour prices are pretty good for the area. Service could use some work though. When our waitress came for our order, we asked for a few more minutes. Then, she didn't come back for awhile. This happened later to a table next to us too. Other than that, they checked on us often. On the happy hour menu, food is $5-11, cocktails for $8, beers for around $5, wines for $7 and shots for $5 (+2 with soda; $3 with juice). There's street parking and surrounding parking lots. read more

Java Nation - Margherita Flatbread - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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They don't listen. Also you replace fries with cole slaw and they bring yoı literally a one spoonful of cole slaw. read more

Germantown/Gaithersburg was in need of a good coffeehouse/brunch place and this place fills the need! It's one of the rare places where the coffee and food are good! That doesn't coexist very often. We came here on a weekday morning for coffee and breakfast. For a Monday morning they had quite a few people in there. We had a ham and cheese omelet and French toast. The omelet was perfect looking and stuffed with Gruyère cheese and scallions. It came with home fries and this insanely good spring mix side salad with this citrusy light dressing. The home fries have dill in them! The French toast was also perfectly prepared. Simple with a dusting of cinnamon sugar. I had a seasonal hazelnut latte that was strong, sweet and the small size was just enough. The restaurant has cafe seating so it's not necessarily a comfy coffeehouse to lounge in and hang out with a laptop or book all day but definitely a spot to meet up with a few friends for a brunch. read more

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We stopped here for a quick bite between soccer games, and this place really impressed us. It had a great vibe, and the surrounding area was just as nice--I wish we had something like it near home! The food was delicious, and the service was on point. Despite the crowd and long line, everything moved smoothly and efficiently. My only minor critique: I lost most of my large cappuccino on the way to my table. It was filled to the brim, so each step sent a little more into the saucer. Not sure if that's on JavaNation or just my lack of balance! Either way, I'd 100% come back. Everyone in our group had only good things to say about the food quality. read more

Decent menu and food. Spotty service, either great or rude. Always busy, take a seat by the window. High ceilings can make it loud, but I like the energy. read more

Java Nation - Omelette and home Fries - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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I've been here twice before. The baked good is great and the coffee is ok. The service is also very good, they brought our foods to our table. The insider is spacious and is pretty cool to hangout. I got matcha cream puff this time with raspberry fillings. It's crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. read more

Java Nation - Matcha Cream Puff - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I finally made it here. Overall impression, cute little place. I am only giving it a 4-star because the lady who took my order was not that pleasant. Maybe she was having a bad day. Who knows. I finally decided on the mushroom spinach omelet with cheddar cheese. It came with home fries and salad. The omelet and home fries were delicious. I will be back to try other items. read more

Java Nation - Mushroom spinach omelet - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Food, ambiance, and service is great! Free parking all around kentlands which was very nice! I went there to study and grab a bite to eat~ takeaway: Food was great, however wifi was terrible for me :( Havent had a chance to go back and give it another try-- I am hesitant because during my first experience, I had to hotspot the whole time. Also, if youre someone who likes to study for a long time and needs an outlet, the placement of their outlets arent that conveniently placed... Only accessible on the narrow bar seats which have hair seats and short ledges :( Overall, great location and food:) but i would definitely consider the wifi and outlets if you are looking for a study spot read more

Love this place for brunch of lunch. Always great food and fun atmosphere to catch up with friends. Highly recommend.

Stopped by on a whim, as we saw a menu for what we thought was just a coffee shop. We ended up ordering some appetizers and they did not disappoint. The atmosphere is very family friendly, indoor and heated outdoor seating with live music. We tried the crab dip and goat and spinach croquettes. The jalapeño sauce with the croquettes is not spicy, so don't be alarmed. Crab dip was pretty good but needed more bread to dip. I would definitely come back to try brunch and flights, and coffee as well! read more

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Went on Saturday for brunch after a hike. Place was packed but we were able to get a table outside. Ordering process was quick and easy and food delivered right to the table. I had the steak and eggs and was perfect, meat cooked exactly how I ordered it and my wife order the crab Benedict which she said was great. Unliked food and will be back. read more

My husband, friends, and I visited Java Nation one evening, none of us having visited before. The place was cute with ample seating. While I haven't eaten anything here (yet), my husband and I shared the margarita flight and I thoroughly enjoyed all flavors! My friends, who are often opinionated, enjoyed their food and drinks. One got the shrimp pasta and another the mild wings. My husband would not stop talking about their BLT. I think I'll have to go back this weekend and actually try their food, pastries, and indulge in another margarita flight. Yum, yum, yum. read more

Such a cute cafe for lunch and casual meetings! The space is a bit small so it may be hard to find seating, so I would recommend looking for a spot to sit first and then going up to the counter to order. I ordered the avocado toast with salmon and it was delicious. The arugula/micro greens weren't overpowering and portioned well compared to other bakeries. I also like that the salmon is a single long piece that covers the entire piece of bread so you get all the flavors in one bite. I also ordered a hot chocolate that came in a cute red cup! It was great -- one thing though is that it comes with sprinkles/toppings that I wasn't aware of/weren't listed on the menu. Will definitely be back! read more

Java Nation - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I enjoy coming to this coffee shop a lot. Good food, good atmosphere, and great staff. They always answer all my questions, despite how silly they may be. This time I wanted to try a variety of savory items, since I always come for coffee and bakery items. The quiche is always my go-to item, it has a creamy consistency, good flavor, and a nice crust. The balsamic salad on the side does a nice job of cutting the heaviness of the quiche. The lattes are always done well with a cute little design on it. It goes very well with dessert items. In this case the chocolate marshmallow cookie was soft and warmed up, however the only marshmallow I could taste/see were the decorative ones on top. I also had an order of the beef empanadas, which the filling was lacking in flavor but the shell was done perfectly. I would personally avoid this next time, but it may be good for some people. But, I did throw on some crab dip and it made it much better. The crab dip came with some garlic bread and I feel as though it is one of the better ones I've had in a long time. read more

Java Nation - Leek Gruyre Quiche and Empanadas Fritas Beef - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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7.21.22 My friend and I came for lunch today to celebrate a belated birthday for her. You order at the register and they bring out your order to you. I ordered the Mango Salmon Salad and my friend ordered the Mediterranean Panzanella Salad with crispy fried tofu added. We also ordered the Mocha Cream Cake Bar to share. This was my second salad dining out this week. It is possible to eat healthy and enjoy it! I think this was the most expensive item on the menu, but worth it to me. The mango was sweet and the salmon was cooked medium which is how I asked for it to be cooked. I also liked that the skin was crispy. The Cake Bar was heavenly too. It was just the right level of sweetness and super moist. I highly recommend it. I initially wanted to order their special, Profiteroles, as I've never had it, but it wasn't available. I was pretty bummed. Service was fast and staff were all very friendly. Some useful info: -Outdoor patio and indoor counter seating is available -water dispenser is self-serve -Happy Hour menu items are available Mon-Sat from 4-6:30pm -They offer alcoholic beverages including cocktail, wine, and beer read more

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After months of waiting, Java Nation is finally open! I can say it was worth the wait. There was a long line to order but it moved fast. There's plenty of seating inside and outside. The menu has something for everyone - standard breakfast, empanadas, tacos, baked goods, wine, coffee, you name it. I got the chicken tacos and my fiance got the chicken schwarma. The tacos were packed with flavor and honestly some of the best I've ever had. My golden milk latte was good but nothing special. They were out of cold brew when we went so my fiance got an iced Americano. The only thing I wish they'd do is put a trash can somewhere. The staff were on top of cleaning off tables but I'd like the option to clean up after myself. read more

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If you haven't seen their new seasonal menu, put on those shoes and hustle over! Our absolutely lovely server recommended the Chicken Milanese, and I agreed to give it a shot. Holy Carp - crispy and juicy chicken, just the right amount of Parmesan, and the greens with dressing complemented everything so well. I want this to be a regular menu item so so badly. We ate it too fast to get a picture, and I don't know how Yelp feels about "clean plate club" photos. XD Also recommended to us was the apple cheesecake. Holy heckie, what. A great complement to the meal. Want a caramel apple pie to make sweet love to a cheese cake? This is what you get. Each bite heavenly as it melts in your mouth. Stefania was an incredible server with amazing understanding of the menu - best experience we've had so far. And a lot of if attributed to her. :) read more

Java Nation - Apple cheese cake - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Food is amazing, coffee is amazing. Music is great and so is staff. This is a great place.

Food and ambiance were great! A little cold as they kept opening the door to outside and pleaving it open

Another visit to Java Nation, this time for dessert. We got the chocolate chip brownie with a tiny espresso and the Mil Hojas ("thousand sheet" puff pastry). Yummmy! A sweet, fun break in a bright atmosphere. I recommend Java Nation for a meal, and now it gets five stars for dessert, too. Drop by and you'll see what I mean. read more

I always rave about their lavender honey iced latte and it has never disappointed me! This location is smaller than the other Java Nation but there's a lot of seating (inside and outside) and a few plugs. A great place to study and I would go again to study. I love blasting air conditioning but if you get cold easily, I would pack a jacket. read more

The name threw me off but they have great food as well as great coffee. Salmon mango salad is simply put a fillet of salmon with the skin over a bed of mango. My wife had the burger with truffle fries and said it was delicious . Other meals that we had in our group was the Reuben sandwich , tunafish sandwich , and eggs Benedict. All the food was delicious. Nice service as well. Make your order and get your number for the table. They will bring it to you. read more

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I came to Java Nation for breakfast with a friend on Thursday at about 9:30 am! She got the avocado toast with a chai latte while I ordered the mushroom omelette with a normal latte. The avocado toast consists of a sourdough bread with smashes avocado and arugula and grape tomatoes. I appreciated that my omelet included potatoes and a small salad on the side. I was previously never aware of Java Nation in the Kentlands, but I would come back! read more

Java Nation - Avocado Toast, Mushroom Spinach Omelet - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Came here with my boyfriend for Sunday brunch on MLK weekend. - Happy early MLK y'all! It was pretty packed. Seems like people come here for a quick bite and leave (probably not meant for dining and lounging for long). It's a self-serve kind of restaurant. They do not seat you, seats are based on first come first serve and you have to find the table yourself. Make sure you keep an eye on who's leaving next! We sat at the bar top table until there was a open table but luckily it wasn't a long wait. We ordered a total of 3 items (2 entrees, and 1 latte). His: Ham & Spinach Benedict ($15) Hers: Salmon Cake Benedict ($16) Shared: Toffee Gingerbread Latte ($5.25) Everything was pretty good and tasty. Both benes came with a side salad. The side salad is tossed in a lemon vinaigrette! The salad was so appetizing, my boyfriend went to ask them what dressing they used! Overall this place is a good local brunch spot if you're in the area and want to dine in. Also, budget friendly! **Would we come back and recommend? Yes! read more

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Finally stopped by Java Nation and what a cute spot! I was overwhelmed by the selections l, but decodes to go wirh a vanilla latter with oatmilk and huevos rancheros with the pulled pork. I walked in around 8:30am on a Wednesday, and there were still plenty of tables and seats available. Around 9:15, it really started to pick up. Luckily, they have both tables and bar seating. I love the vibe and decor. When you walk in, seat yourself and explore the menu. You can then order up front and they give you a number to take to your table and will bring your order over. My latte was delicious and pretty. The huevos rancheros came out quick and I was amazed at the portion size. It was delicious and the salsa was full of flavor. What a cute local Cafe that this area needed. Service was great and food and coffee was YUMMY! I may have to come in the afternoon or evening, since they also offer a full bar! read more

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Can't believe I've never been here before! It's so cute and has an extensive menu with lots of Latin dishes and breakfast options as well. I got the spinach and cheese croissant and my son got the Nutella French toast with a hot chocolate. They served the hot chocolate at a kid friendly temperature. We will definitely be back to try more things! read more

Java Nation - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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This place is so good!! Full disclosure: I haven't actually eaten inside this restaurant, but I have ordered numerous items from off the menu on numerous occasions (via uber eats), and each time Java Nation knocked it out the park!! Their empanadas are an absolute must try!! they have the perfect amount of crispiness with savory fillings and are served with the most perfectly matched dipping sauces. The margarita flatbread pizza, the chicken tacos, the crab dip, the truffles fries, and teriyaki chicken wings are all solid choices!! My order deliveries are always accurate and served with excellent portion sizes. Some other food items are a little overpriced....but I feel like that is the only con I've noticed. But otherwise, I highly recommend!! read more

I have been many times and am never disappointed. The chai tea is good and the dishes are yum.

This is a nice coffee shop. It has that modern rustic look. This is the place Starbucks use to be and it is a major upgrade from before. It has seating along the window, outdoor seating, and tables in the middle. Good place to study or to have a coffee date. Not a bad spot at all. It is quiet here as well. Speaking of a date, they do serve wine, beer, and cocktails. Just saying. Those are good options to ease the nerves when meeting people. But as always, drink responsibly and don't get drunk if you're on a date. Never a good look. The people here are nice and it is running like a well oiled machine. It's also right next door to Kenaki if you decide to get some sushi. Good location. Night time is nice with the bulb lighting and lots of parking around the area. Coffee isn't bad, but it can be pricey. Or it's just me not buying coffee in a couple of years. read more

I had some extra time and decided to look for a place to grab a quick breakfast and this place popped up on Yelp! I ordered Huevos Rancheros (corn tortillas, black beans, sunny-side eggs, salsa ranchera, cheese, cilantro) with a Açaí banana smoothie and they were both SO good! I liked the fact the smoothie wasn't too sweet and that you could decide how you wanted your egg to be cooked on the Huevos rancheros. It was the perfect simple breakfast I was looking for! Java also offers other items I can't wait to try like the Pumpkin caramel frappe and Lavender rosemary latte! If you like Latin food, it's served here as well along with wine and beer! It's a cute, casual restaurant where you're able to dine in or outside on the patio. Definitely worth checking out. The service was great as well! Everyone was super nice and helpful. read more

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The food is very good and tasty and the people are very nice and it's not too far from my home and the prices are reasonable

Have been coming here for awhile, and am never disappointed with any of their food/drink options. Java nation is the perfect brunch spot, with a well decorated interior and the best lattes. Usually pretty crowded on weekends, but the wait is not too bad. Recommend the lox bagel and egg white frittata. read more

Java Nation - Avocado Toast, matcha latte - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Alright. So it was an interesting experience. Their menu seems phenomenal and super fun right now. They got a good list of over 3 seasonal lattes. And with an interesting combination of flavors which is a huge bonus in my book because it's not basic. They even had different kinds of pastries too. Also a huge point. It's not a normal cafe either they have actual meals instead of a crummy cookie. They have pastas and flat breads it seems. Now to the.. kinda off service? I ordered a guava and cheese croissant. I would've preferred to have enjoyed it with my latte but, it never really came? I kept asking different waitresses, three times as to where it could've been, but I received no real answer? I think the first girl forgot about it as a whole, and the second one forgot about it in whatever oven they used to warm it up and it got burnt by the time I finished my latte. So I wanted a return because I just wanted to head out. It's been about 30 minutes now, but the girl insisted on giving me a new one? Also they were all super quiet don't get me wrong they're nice but, I couldn't hear them at all and maybe there was a miscommunication due to that? I came in at 4:15pm on 11/29. So out of the pressure I just took it. And that's my reasoning for the 3/5 stars. read more

Java Nation - The to-go guava and cheese croissant - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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As. a frequent guest in the Kentlands area of Gaithersburg, breakfast places are always a must for me. The location on Market street is perfect: good parking, wonderful atmosphere with inside and outside seating. Great coffee especially the Americano! Java pancakes, great omelettes, my fav ham and cheese! read more

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Very cozy spot in a cute area. Lots of restaurants and tea and coffee spots around. Inside, it's pretty with all the decorations. They've got the standard coffee shop fare and a pretty extensive food menu (sandwiches, salads, etc). It gets completely packed during lunch. read more

Java Nation - Holiday decor - Cafes Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Love Java Nation for a casual brunch! They don't take reservations which can be both favorable and unfavorable depending on how you look at it. The upside is that you can pop by last minute and just wait for a table, the downside is that you might not get a table exactly when you'd like. Their seating system also makes your dining experience more affordable since you're not paying for a full service. As for the food, they have a really interesting diverse mix of cuisines! And all the food I've tried so far has been good I'm especially obsessed with their golden milk (yes, haldi doodh lol) it's so soothing & delicious! read more