M E Swing Coffee Roasters

I was lucky enough to get an indie coffee passport for christmas. If you don’t have one you should definitely get one especially if you love trying cool new coffee shops. M E Swing was one of the coffee shops on the passport so I decided to give it a try. I ordered a cappuccino and it was fantastic. Really good flavor and perfect ratio of espresso to foam. Plus, I am a sucker for latte art.
The baristas were very friendly. Sometimes when I walk into these types of coffee shops I can feel a little intimidated and like I need to buy a few more pairs or Warby parker glasses so I can fit in. I didn’t get that vibe here. Plus, the atmosphere is amazing and I could definitely see myself coming to this shop and doing some reading. It had sort of a retro feel but it was also a little industrial as well. I went on a weekday around 11am and it was pretty crowded so it seems like they have a loyal following.

Nothing more welcoming on a windy cold day than the tastiest latte ever– simple, no fuss, and unadulterated with silly syrups. There’s always a crowd in here even at 3 in the afternoon, which is understandable despite the wait and staff that are indifferent to your glassy-​eyed gratitude. «Bow down, peasants, for we make the best lattes in town.»

Excellent americanos!

Good place to get another spin on coffee
Hand ground beans and drinks made with precision
Café is a bit small so you’re bumping shoulders with others during busy times especially through the 5 – 10 minute wait for your drink
It’s good though. Staff is cheerful and it’s a great place to get a drink when you need to get out of the office and away from the work coffee machines

I’m a frequent visitor to the M.E. Swings in Alexandria but every now and then when I’m in DC, I will make a pit stop at this location too. This is literally the closest coffee shop to the White House, and if you sit by the windows you can see the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. And yet it’s so clandestinely present, no frills and thrills on the exterior to suggest the awesome sauce that is M.E. Swings inside. To any tourist passersby, they would much rather go to the Peet’s a block away on Pennsylvania than to this historic coffee shop that’s been here since at least the 1920s.
What they don’t know is that as soon as you step inside, you’re greeted by friendly baristas and a vintage coffee bar filled with coffee contraptions and paraphernalia like Chemex, pour over vessels, and coffee beans.
Great selection of coffees. Whether you like it black, lattes, espressos, or anything in between, M.E. Swings can do it and do it well. Even their hot chocolate is something to be reckoned with.
I always recommend this coffee shop to those who are in the area and need a pick-​me-​up. Great coffee, convenient location, and friendly and quick service.

F$%k me spinning, the hazelnut latte is good. That’s a friend’s quote after I took them here. That drink is blend of smooth and bold flavor that avoids bitter. I love the staff and find I go a bit out of my way for their elixir.
I drink decaf at home and find their water decaffinated colombian exceptional in my cheapo french press.
For coffee you will not just remember but miss, go here.

Solid coffee
Great atmosphere
AMAZING staff
I absolutely love it when the staff KNOWS their coffee.
The origin, the flavor profiles, the different ways of brewing, the thought that goes into every single cup that comes out of the shop.
I wish I remembered the name of the lovely staff who helped me out (I am terrible with remembering names but her family owns a coffee roaster in Ohio!!)
Anyways, she suggested that I try the Columbian pour over. As we were having a full on conversation about coffee, boys, and life, she was making my coffee.
I really appreciated that she let me smell the aroma of the freshly ground beans that she was going to brew, told me the steps she used to making a pour over, and explained to me why it was her personal favorite. OMG. New girl crush?!
I knew the coffee itself was going to be good as I saw how the grounds were blooming. It took about 5 minutes to make the coffee and as I said, I love how much time and thought went into brewing a single cup of coffee.
She was right. The Columbian tasted like a Neapolitan. Nutty chocolaty flavors, tart strawberries, warm vanilla… MMmmm
Okay, I’m super sad now. I’ll be leaving D.C. to go back to California soon and I JUST found out about Swing’s? Sad day, indeed…

I enjoy this quaint coffee shop. Great coffee and lattes. Best coffee in this area. Pastries taste like they are freshly made. Hands down this is better than the chain and franchise coffee shops.

This coffee is exquisite. At first I was a little weary due to their short selection. But after I tasted the 16oz latte no more proof was needed. It is the simplicity of an excellent-​executed latte in a cup. No frills or syrups. Expresso with a tasty milk crema and strong to the senses.

Thursday, 1:45 PM.
Quickie:
+ strong, flavorful coffee
— cleaning frequency
— customer service
And then???
Most of the staff was chill; one in particular soured the mood with poor attitude towards a customer because of a confusion in the order. My drink was decent though, so I’ll give MESCR another shot.
**********
Get your drank on:
1. Iced latte
Constructive comment:
*Option for compost

Skipped over this place a few times despite its reviews because it looked like an anachronistic diner-​style coffee joint kept alive by nostalgic federal workers.
Nope, it is legit. Beans are quality and the baristas are skilled. An oasis in an otherwise desolate wasteland of chain coffee.

Swings coffee has it’s coffee nailed down. Located in and around the foggy bottom/​white house area, this local coffee shop is the perfect stop for a good cup of coffee. A nice small coffee shop, with a big seating area outside, this coffee shop should not be missed.
Verdict: Do not miss! Must Visit!

Best coffee in Washington, DC.
It is a treat coming here.
Really, really good. Look at the location /​where it is.
Of course the coffee is going to be good.

The coffee is delicious. I like that they roast the beans in-​house (Alexandria) and that the roasts are very good. I got a pour over coffee, first time, and Tudor was excellent in explaining the process and reasoning behind the brew and how it differs from other methods. I highly recommend giving it a try, it completely changes the flavor (less acidic).

M E Swing is a cute little coffee shop located in a somewhat industrial area near Del Rey and accessible to other parts of Alexandria. I don’t even like coffee and I could tell this place is the real deal. There’s plenty of street parking and they’re open at 7am. I stopped by to surprise my fiancé with coffee and a pastry before he woke up. I got him an iced coffee and both of us blueberry muffins. Not the freshest muffin I’ve had, but it served as a decent breakfast. My fiancé loved his coffee and appreciated that it was a dark roast, which he prefers. This place has absolutely no frills and is a great little coffee shop for locals. Service was friendly and quick and I was in and out of there in less than 5 minutes. They also have some seating for those who want to sit and enjoy their coffee there. The only downside is that they aren’t open on Sundays!

Very close to the White House in Foggy Bottom area. My only complaint is that there isn’t much seating– more of a place if you want to pick up a coffee and go. I really wish DC had more café/​coffee areas for people to sit and study/​do work. Their seats are also primarily high chairs, and against the window seating.
The coffee is good, atmosphere is cool, and they have a nice staff.

Stopped here to get a quick cup of coffee in the late afternoon. It wasn’t too crowded, but the service was very fast, the workers extremely friendly, and the coffee pretty good. The coffee is reasonably priced and they have a few different options. They don’t do pour-​over only drip but regardless, still a pretty solid cup.

I came in a little after 9:00 and it wasn’t crowded at all. Seating is mostly bar stools, which can be a little uncomfortable sitting for a long time.
I just ordered a regular latte; the price is good for the quality and it was very yummy! I like that they print you out an order number to save confusion. I got my drink quickly and the baristas were friendly.
The atmosphere of the place is very nice; the chalkboard menus and high ceiling are a nice touch. This is close to where I work so I’ll definitely be back!

My go to is normally Starbucks, mostly because I know what I’m going to get every single time. But this place is too good to deny. They know how to today, be, and drip their coffee!
I also love the industrial vibe /​décor. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop in and grab a delicious cup!

I adore this coffee shop for its location, ambiance and of course, great coffee. I stumbled upon this spot when I first moved to DC and was on my token tourist White House stroll. Funny thing is, is that I still have this same routine — White House & M E Swing or vice versa.
If you love coffee you are probably with me in that the smell alone creates good feelings. M E Swing is the perfect place for this. Not only does it smell amazing (yes, because it is a coffee roaster) but I believe the history that comes with it also gives it this comforting, homey extra touch. So comforting that I actually don’t get my coffee to go and I love just taking a break here. If you do decided to stay and enjoy a large latte here, you will be greeted by a cup that is literally the size of half your head (seriously I held it up to my face). I haven’t indulged and any of their pastries but they all look mighty tasty.
M E Swing has definitely become one of my coffee stables here in DC and I look forward to many a more trips there.