Filter Coffeehouse & Espresso Bar

Coffee is great, but lately the atmosphere created by the unfriendly and indifferent baristas has changed my opinion of Filter. There is extremely limited seating and nothing is done to improve it! There is room for more tables and outdoor seating.

Awesome latte. not bitter, no sugar. that never happens in the u.s. i don’t even drink coffee normally bc it’s so bitter. unfortunately, the place is crazy crowded in the mornings. no seats. I waited about 15 min outside before returning and saw that someone had just left so I took that table.
I’ve witnessed strangers doubling up on tables a few times and was thankful it had not been busy enough when I got my table for it to happen to me. However, it did occur to me that it would be a good place to meet people if you were so inclined. I got really hungry part way into the morning and had a lemon poppy muffin. It looked like a very ordinary muffin, but there was creamy lemon filling on the inside! A pleasant surprise and no I did not exercise any self control. The entire thing was gone within 5 minutes so alas no pictures.
I would patronize this establishment everyday if it were remotely close to work. Instead, I’ll have to settle for the occasional desperate, craving-​fulfillment visit.

Starbucks does not have good coffee. Filter Coffeehouse has good coffee. Really that could be the end of this review, but I will elaborate. In the Dupont Circle where you are surrounded by Starbucks it can be difficult to find «good» coffee. Filter Coffeehouse is especially difficult to find located on a side street next to Connecticut st. The entrance is at the base of one of the houses and you have to go down some stairs to get to it. There are about five to six tables inside, which are usually full with people studying and enjoying the coffee.
The service is quick and friendly. I always get the latte and appreciate the latte heart or leaf pattern that always adorns my coffee. The coffee is smooth and satisfying. They serve it in a 12 or 16 oz cup. My friend got the Americano and enjoyed it. A larger venue would be nice, but its D.C. and I appreciate that they are providing me with an alternative to Starbucks.

One of my favorite coffee shops in D.C., when I lived here. I stopped by to get a pour over coffee on a visit, the pour over here is still excellent.
The décor is simple and minimal. The music here is usually not loud, and staff are amicable. The shop has really nice outdoor sitting. The shop is located in DuPont Circle, but tucked away on a street that makes it feel quieter and relaxed.

Great coffee at the perfect temperature.
Chill spot away from the tourist grind that can be Dupont circle.
Enjoy sitting outside on the stoop with all your fury friends.
Pastries are great too.
Looking forward to the next time when I can enjoy the sun on a bench and watch the clouds go by while sipping a mocha!
Ahhhh

This place is great. Every time I’ve stopped by, the baristas make great lattes, espresso, cappucinos. I wish they had this close to where I lived b/​c I would come here everyday.

First you have to find this place but I appreciate a place that is hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Dupont Circle. Coffee is decent, they do a good job with the flat white. Prices are equivalent to other coffee shops in the area. It’s a small place so table space is at a premium but they have free WiFi and a small outdoor seating area to enjoy your beverage.

There is no wifi here. I repeat. There is no wifi here. Don’t be fooled by the description.

Beats over paying for coffee at Starbucks!
Filter is a low key establishment serving and servicing pure gourmet coffee, pastries & hospitality.
I’m visiting from Miami where these kind of hole in the walls are pretty hard to find but when you do find you keep it a secret. Kudos to the staff @ Filters!

I have two letters for you: EW
I wouldn’t call myself a coffee snob per se, but, I’m pretty discerning about the stuff, and as I get older, I am more and more willing to snub the bad stuff, even if it means a coffee headache later in the day. So what I’m getting at is, I’d take a coffee headache over a cup of Filter coffee.
Don’t be fooled by the hipster cool ambiance. Just because it’s not Starbucks or DD or some other chain, does not mean it’s good. And don’t be taken by the seemingly delicious variety of imported and infused coffee. Just because it’s not a medium roast, does not mean its rich and layered with flavor. And don’t excuse their less-​than-​stellar customer service for being edgy, because it’s not.
When I came in, they had a list at the register of specialty blends. They had one on tap, and about 5 others to order on press. The one they had brewed was an oatmeal spice kind of blend, which was listed as the least bitter on the lineup, so I ordered a cup.
EW.
It was so acidic. The flavor was extremely weak. AND it was quite bitter? I didn’t get any hints of spice or oatmeal or what was promised, just a gross cup of watery coffee that would have lost a blind taste test to instant Folgers. They filled the cup up to the rim too. Which I can appreciate because I typically like to get the most bang for my buck, but also… cream? Where can I put that? Worst part is, coffee here is NOT cheap. When coffeeshops are a dime a dozen, you have to be competitive with your pricing, OR offer something that knocks that competition out of the park and justifies the price gauge. But nope.
I shallant return.

Filter is one of DC’s best coffee shops for the quality of coffee they brew and the ambiance of their shops. The have good pastries and strong wifi. The only complaint is that there is not enough seating making it more of a grab and go type of coffee shop. If you want to come and work/​study, make sure you get here right when they open even on a weekday. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.

I recommend changing the name of this establishment to the ‘Tool Box’ immediately!
I realize that my review is extremely poor compared to the rest, but this place was all around awful. We were visiting from New York for the weekend and decided to pop into what looked like a really neat, cozy, inviting coffee shop. My picker must have been off. When we went inside it was extremely small, that doesn’t bother me. What bothered me was the gentleman behind the registered who blankly stared at us when we walked in. He had an expression on his face that reminded me of when I was younger and my mother would say «I hope your face doesn’t freeze like that». Anyway, there were a lot of people in there, some standing waiting for drinks, some standing and drinking there coffees. Since it was out first time visiting, we had no idea where to order. There was no greeting from the oh so friendly gentleman behind the counter, he barely made eye contact at this point until I said «Is this where we order?» to which I received the reply «yeah». Not a «yes, what can I get you» just a «yeah». We ordered a double espresso to go, which translated to this gentleman as a single shot of espresso, but by this point there was no arguing we just waited for the order to be finished. I was expecting from this group of what seemed to be pretentious coffee snobs a great cup of espresso. It was mediocre at best. It wasn’t hot, luke warm and the flavor was pungent. I am not the type of reviewer that throws stones, I can overlook bad service and give props to a quality product. I also am not from the sticks, I know a good cup of coffee when I see one.
Advice to the owner: Enroll the gentleman in large glasses that serves as the greeting face to your customers in a people skills course. He was one of the most rude people I have ever encountered and he barely said two words.
Advice to customers: Avoid. If I’m going to drink a $ 3.50 espresso it better taste good or atleast be served up with some friendly customer service.

Hip as all get out. Bottom level of a hipster chic brownstone withe bay window façade. Decked out machines with full bodied coffees. Supremely attractive baristas. Tiny tables and a three seater bench. I love it and hate it all at once. It’s pretty pricy. Definitely get more chai for my buck at bourbon with better spicier flavor but DAYUM that single espresso did it for me.
Bottom line: Overpriced compared to the competition (for lattes) but worth it for the coffee connoisseurs amongst you.

Saturday, 10:30 AM.
Quickie:
+ Drinks
* Menu variety
+ Friendly staff
+ Turnaround
And then???
On the next visit, I’ll test the wi-​fi.
**********
Stuffed my face in:
1. Iced latte
+ Milk does not detract roast flavor like some other places
Constructive comments:
*Option for compost

I was directed here by a good friend who use to live in DC as a great place for a cup of coffee. Nice location to just sit and chill inside or out. Nothing fancy, just good coffee and simple décor. The people at the counter were helpful and friendly and their musical taste is relaxing and enjoyable.
I’m not a fancy coffee guy. I tend to drink my coffee black or I’ll get an Americano. The weather was a bit muggy so I got my Americano iced. Their four shots of espresso over ice was basically the best coffee I’ve had all trip.
Short walk from the DuPont Circle exit and the street outside the shop is quiet with little traffic. Don’t think I’ll have the time to make it out here again before I leave but would suggest it as a great spot to drop by on my next visit and a definite recommendation for coffee lovers.

Private Investigations
Case 2015−02_sb
«The C-​Spot»
End transcript 12:58:40 pm₁₀_​28₁₅
12:45 pm: Coffee in cups is now clearly gone. Both «B» and «S» appear animated, but with a clear difference in demeanor. They prepare to leave. The coffee, it seems, did indeed hit the spot.
12:36 pm: The coffee in the French Press is nearly halfway finished. Two white porcelain cups are on the table. «B» is talking, as usual. «S» checks his phone periodically, talks to unspecified female on the phone, seems to making arrangements for a dinner date that afternoon. Coffeehouse is filled to 60% capacity, on a Friday, talking, texting, some take-​outs but mainly in-​store customers. A pleasant place, it would seem.
12:05 pm: Animated conversation ensues between «B» and barista #1. About the Ethiopian coffee French Press option, about whether he can get «two cups» to share. After some back and forth, barista #1 agrees. Visibly pleased, «B» offers to pay for the coffee. «S» doesn’t object. Money is used. Real. Paper. Currency. Perhaps subject was born in the twentieth century? Very Gen X in appearance.
12:04 pm: Subjects enter the coffeehouse, two males, possibly related. Brothers, it seems. They have an easy-​going manner, but they seem unfamiliar here. Perhaps the taller, slightly leaner subject («B») hasn’t visited before. His smaller but squarer companion («S») is less curious looking, more casual. He seems to know the place. «B» commences to stare at the menu, the pour-​over options, the French Press prices. He is lost in thought, slightly agitated in outward appearance. Will he find the coffee calm he seeks? Will the coffee, in other words, «hit the spot’?
Start transcript: 12:03:58 pm₁₀_​28₁₅

Filter is a coffee shop just north of Dupont Circle. Everything is pretty small here, from the tables to the outside patio… but the flavor is huge!
They have a good cold brew coffee and their hot chocolate is mixed with frothy milk to make a delicious beverage. I have dreams about that hot chocolate. **Edit** I tried their tea… the almond one is so delicious.
The noise level is low, and many solo study-​ers come to Filter, and when I have been there, all the little tables were filled with people busy on their laptops.
Come check it out: it might become your go-​to coffee joint!

Hipster coffee away from the hustle and bustle of Dupont Circle.
As others have noted the staff is not the friendliest (in fact they seemed positively annoyed that I was there) but they do sure make a mean iced chai. It’s not too sweet and all of that spicy flavor really shines through.
Free WiFi, about six or seven tables mostly occupied by people with laptops and ourdoor seating when the weather is nice.

For friends and readers who love coffee and live/​work in the Dupont area, Filter can be a lovely change of pace for you.
Love:
+ Chai tea ($ 4.25)
+ Brick walls
+ «Hidden» feel — it’s a house turned café and blends in with the neighborhood.
Not so love:
— Few options that are not coffee
— Pricier than other coffee spots
— Small pastry selection
— Limited seating
I’m not sure how busy it is in the mornings, but it was very full on Sunday early afternoon. My advice is to get your drink to-​go in case you don’t feel like waiting it out for seating!

**SOLID COFFEEHOUSE IN DUPONT CIRCLE**
Still on a coffee hunt in D.C.
Look no further if you’re in Dupont Circle.
AMBIANCE
=========
Nice neighborhood coffee shop with old school charm.
Lots of wood and 1970’s feel.
Ideal place for a cup of coffee and a pastry.
PASTRIES
========
Variety of croissants, muffins, scones, and things baked and delivered daily.
From the Hawthorne (Fine Breakfast Pastry).
STICKY BUNS
This is by far the best sticky bun I’ve had.
You can tell it was made from scratch and with love.
Hand-​crafted, traditional-​method, all-​natural breakfast pastry.
RATING: ⁵⁄₅
COFFEE
=======
CAPPUCINO
Not strong enough for me.
A bit soft-​flavored and the foam was OK.
RATING: ³⁄₅
OVERALL
========
Liked this place, especially the pastries.
Friendly baristas and good atmosphere.
Apparently free Wi-​Fi and lots of outlets.
RECOMMEND if you’re in the Dupont Circle area.