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    Java Nation - Kensington

    3.9 (301 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    Java Nation - Kensington Photos

    JAVA NATION - KENSINGTON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for kids

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    Seating Area
    Kevin D.

    Tasty Salmon/Busy Coffee Bar! Today I/friend returned to Java Nation for lunch. It being Easter Sunday early afternoon we scored a table. After ordering we waited for our meals. Tricolor Quinoa Salad w/Salmon. (On menu listed "bowl".) My friend ordered a Grilled Cheese Sandwich. I also ordered a large iced latte. While all the tables were not filled; but the coffee bar was buzzing w/to go orders. So busy they forgot my Iced Latte-I asked for when meals arrived. My Quinoa Salad w/Salmon fresh, flavorful & tasty. My iced latte tasted a bit watery & my friend felt her grilled cheese-cheese wasn't melted well. Generous portions & courteous service. See Photos.

    Rice Egg Avocado Bowl - that looks delicious!
    Deb G.

    I really like this Java Nation - it's so pretty on the inside, with lots of light and artwork. The coffee is good too - I recommend the cardamom latte. However, I had some seriously bad service there today. I ordered my latte and spelled out my name to them for the order. I sat down, met my friend, she ordered, several other orders came out, finally her order came out, mine never did. I asked the barista, and mine was the drink that had been sitting on the bar for 10 minutes. Why hadn't I picked it up, you ask? Well, even though I SPELLED MY NAME, it came out as a totally different (traditionally male!) name. Also, the whole time she was shouting out said name, the barista also kept saying "caramel latte for..." Seems hard to figure out it was my drink with the wrong name and what sounded like the wrong drink. She did not offer to remake my drink even though it had been sitting there for like 10 min. For $8.50 for one latte (an extra $1 for oat milk plus a tip...oof!), I'm not sure I'll frequent them that much unless their service improves.

    Coffee, steel cut oatmeal and a guava cream cheese croissant.
    Herb T.

    Cute little nook. A flexible enough menu for most. I recommend. I've had their pancakes and they were delicious. I just had the oatmeal for the first time and was impressed in presentation and flavor. Great pastry selection. Don't count calories here. Indulge!

    Kwame S.

    Overall, I thought Java Nation was a great spot to pick up a quick and easy breakfast. During my visit, I went with a ham and (gruyere) cheese omelette, which came with two sides (a selection of potatoes, small salad, very small bowl of fruit) for about $14. Besides coffee (obviously), Java Nation has a nice selection of breakfast and pastry items. I thought my food was quite delicious, and I was a bit surprised (in a good way) with how much ham the omelette contained. The restaurant has plenty of indoors and outdoors seating. The layout and the decor of the restaurant are nice, and I thought this location was very clean. I thought the service was quite wonderful - especially the recently hired cashier that took my order. This might be a bit controversial (but it did not affect my review). Since I was dining in, I provided a tip after ordering at the counter because I assumed the food would be brought to my table. However, I was kind of surprised that I had to pick up my food from the service counter AND bust my own table after eating. Perhaps, during my next visit, I might not tip the full 20%.

    Lavender Latte
    Rshaun R.

    The food was excellent . No complaints there. I do feel that I didn't get the value for the money I paid, $13 for 2 French toasts. That's all. Just the French toast. Anything else was extra. They were delicious, but I felt shortchanged. That along with other things. Worth visiting if you're ok with not getting your money's worth, but getting tasty food. I would certainly not come back though. I need to feel it was worth what I spent. Didn't get that here.

    Java Nation Medium size coffee.

    What a rip-off; this picture is a medium coffee, for which they charge $4.51. Save your money, and go to Starbucks (bet you never expected to hear that about Starbucks!)

    Amaya B.

    Great tasting quiche! However this quiche is not for hungry eaters. What do you say when the taste is great and the portions are not? My $20.00 ( 5 oz) piece of quiche with potatoes is the example Im referring to. See photos below. For catering purposes an entire leak quiche is $60.

    Iced Matcha
    Parisa A.

    I've been eyeing this spot for awhile. I was able to visit with a friend and decided to get a matcha. I was disappointed with my drink as it was more on the bitter side. I wish they had added a pump of vanilla to make it slightly sweeter. However, I noticed they had some sweets that I'd be interested in trying in the future.

    Mocha
    Zaneta F.

    Cosy spot, went for brunch on Saturday morning around 10am, got seating for two quickly, they have both to go/for there options for their drinks. Pay at counter and they'll call order/buzzer ring. I had the carne asada arepa and the portion size was sufficient for me although I tend to eat smaller portions. Food was delicious, enjoyed my time there, would go again!

    Melvin B.

    Having some work done on my truck so stopped in for a light breakfast. It is a small shop with limited seating inside and outside. I ordered the lox bagel and coffee. It was a little pricey. The coffee came in a mug which was a great change of pace and it was piping hot. The bagel was great also. Service was quick and efficient. If you are in Kensington, MD stop in. It is worth it.

    T. C.

    2nd visit.Enjoy and appreciate the small, intimate ambiance. Barista's and staff are very friendly and patient. Customers are always friendly! Today, I had the Lavender Honey Cold Brew and it was excellent!! Light, essence of lavender and the honey was apparent...would be delicious hot too! The mushroom, feta omelette w potatoes and salad was perfect. Feta was super fresh and the salad colorful and tasty. Note: it was very chilly in there today (bring a light sweater or covering) and I sat right under a speaker so it was a little louder above me. Music was great thought. Bathroom was tidy. there are coffee beans to buy, fresh granola, pastries and treats to add to whatever you buy. Gift cards and a rewards club available.

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    8 months ago

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    11 months ago

    Love the lavender latte! This place has a nice vibe. Like a coffee shop in the 90's. Excellent food as well.

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    3 years ago

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    Simona C.

    Hi Melvin, we hope to see you again soon!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

    We tried their crepes and enjoyed it. Drinks were nice. So packed with people. Nice workers!

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    2 years ago

    Great place to grab a quick, casual breakfast. Their coffee is wonderful and their breakfast options feel fresh and healthy.

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    Wow! This place is so much bigger than I thought it would be, having only seen it from the outside…read more-- and they have so many things, too! Lots of seating, cool-looking lighting, a great selection of drinks, yummy gelato (I tried the Cherry Blossom -- amazing!), soups, salads, sandwiches, pastries, oh my goodness! The staff are all very nice and welcoming, too .... When I went it was quiet but I hear it can get very crowded and at certain times, the only two upstairs tables are reserved for a runners' group. There are (rather steep, if only a few) stairs and also a ramp to get to the downstairs area, but the ramp is rather long and involves having to make a 180 degree turn. I think it's doable for those who can walk it but if one is using a wheelchair, I'm not so sure because there is a table in the space where some part of a chair-on-wheels might go -- so in other words, if the chair is very narrow, okay! If not, I think maybe not .... I didn't actually measure it, but it just seemed a little narrow to me. The bathrooms have really cool tiles in them, and there is a lot of stony texture on the exterior wall. There are some pretty, inspiring black-and-white paintings and at least one quote painted on the walls outside the bathrooms -- I like these kinds of touches a lot. I found the tomato soup to be much more filling and satisfying than expected, having forgotten one could become quite full on such a dish. I took much of it home and enjoyed it at room temperature on the porch a bit later in the day, so I can attest to the fact that this soup is delicious both hot and cooled down. I was surprised by the taste of the toasted cheese and was informed by my more-astute-than-I dining partner that all their bread is gluten-free. I hadn't noticed. I'm not sure exactly how it normally comes because seeing that they had basil, I requested a leaf and got a very nice-looking sprig! So very fresh, wow! This (early-ish spring) is probably a rather perfect time to enjoy the available outdoor seating area -- maybe I will next time .... I'm especially glad to know that my old fave Filipino grocery store that used to be on this corner has been converted into such a worthwhile, pretty, welcoming, and community-building hub! :-D Overall, highly recommended! Major Yay! :-D

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    I ordered three Leche birthday cake It was exactly as it was…read moredescribed not too sweet like Mexican cakes with respect It to us enough sweet, but not like those pastry that taste on sugar had flavor and every single person in the party like that thanks for the lady who took my order and described the cake as it was exactly

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    I've stopped by this tiny bakery twice now! The first time I got a mochi and red bean bun, which…read morewas pretty good - soft bread with a comforting filling. The cheese and pork sung bun I had this last time didn't really have any flavor - normally pork sung is really flavorful, so I was surprised. It was also a bit dry. However, I like the space and the range of offerings. I don't know that I would get a bun again, but I'm very curious about the milk tea! Staff is very nice and the prices are reasonable. There isn't much seating, so plan to take your order to go.

    Java Nation - Kensington - coffee - Updated May 2026

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