The Potter's House Café & Bookstore - Washington, District of Columbia

Sonya Hu

Delightful cafe with solid coffee, tasty food, and even better vibes and service. The Potter's House is a cool, vibey coffee shop in the heart of Columbia Heights and has been a mainstay of the neighborhood for years now. They serve local (ish) beans from the Afterglow Cooperative, which is based in Richmond, VA, and centers on sustainably grown coffee. The coffee tends to be quite strong, so you can fully appreciate the beans, even in a latte or milk-dominated beverage. The coffee is rich and smooth, with an almost velvety texture that completely coats your mouth. It's phenomenal on its own but goes even better with some of their treats. They have a pretty extensive food menu, including all the classic sandwiches, bowls, and salads, as well as a variety of sweet treats. I honestly love their plain buttermilk biscuit, which is rich and buttery, with a slight hint of tanginess from the buttermilk. It's crumbly and goes wonderfully with their strawberry jam.

What truly makes The Potter's House one of my favorite spots in DC, though, is the vibes. The staff is remarkably friendly and will chat with each and every guest, often remembering you and welcoming you by name if you visit more than once. The shop also does more than just sell coffee and food -- they're also a bookstore featuring tons of items from local authors and artists, as well as a nonprofit. You can pay for your meal in one of three ways -- either at the full price, at a discounted rate of $5, or for two meals so that you can subsidize someone else's discounted meal. I appreciate how community-centric they are, both in how they've crafted this shop to be a third space and community hub, and in the ways they give back to ensure people in DC are cared for.

Bret Strogen

Food is better since they revamped the menu. Veggie options are healthy and tasty, as are traditional egg-centric breakfast sandwiches. Coffee is always good. Service is good and very friendly. My run club ends up here every Saturday morning.

Nathaniel Ellis

I really like this spot. It is a great place to sit, read and sip coffee.

Their book selection is highly curated. I wish they stocked a greater diversity of books and filled their shelves out a little more. I'd be tempted to spend more.

That said, the person who usually works Sundays bookselling is kind, and happily explained why I had so much trouble finding the book I was looking for.

Puntie P

Randomly came across this place. We were headed to Bold Forks Books that was randomly closed on a Saturday. But this place was a great find. It’s more than a cafe, it’s more than a bookshop, it’s a community. Books are highly curated, coffee, I’d say was excellently sourced - really good! Banana muffin was delicious. Reasonably priced. And then the people, the community focus, the inclusivity, the pay it forward. Love the concept. Love to see more of it. Well done!

Gabriel Witter

When I went, they were quite understaffed, which translated into a 15-20 min wait for a single latte. This is at no fault to the workers who were there; they just needed more help. Coffee was decent, and the ambiance was nice.

Amy Eastman

Always my choice for Adams Morgan and Mount Pleasant cafes, a place to study/work, or buy books. Great biscuit breakfast sandwiches, lunches, and drinks. Thoughtful and always changing book curation and stationary selections. Peaceful space inside, patio seating out front, and unlimited WiFi use. Always space to sit for a while! It has an incredible mission, long history, and is beautifully committed to helping the local community. It is truly a place for everyone!

Tatiana Russell

Quirky bookstore with a full menu cafe. Was busy with no tables available on a Sunday afternoon, which is a good sign!
Somewhat limited book selection, but this isn’t your Barnes and Noble. Good coffee and lovely atmosphere

Megan Judd

I was recommended this place by a friend as a place to take a work call or two out of the house, but when I went they were playing loud rap music, so not the best setting for calls. also I had to hotspot as the WiFi kept cutting out. Could be nice for another circumstance