I landed in the capital city on a bright, sunny night in July, at around 8: 30 pm. It was Pennsylvania Avenue where I was put up. Though immensely jet lagged, excitement took me around the blocks and I marveled at the rows of lofty galleries and museums. All the coffee shops, shopping outlets, and galleries had closed by that time. I slept with the happy thought that the next day is Sunday and I could get an early start, at around 10 am perhaps. But the city got ahead of me, because D.C coffee shops open as early as 6.00 am!

Next day, I sought the accompaniment of breezy linen and warm colors that mirrored the weather and my mood, and made my stride around the city as the curious traveler that I am. I decided to walk to that one particular coffee shop I had found through much research. I knew that by walking I am allowing myself to be taken into a maze of unbelievable detours that only Google Maps has the power to conjure.

But sauntering through the city is a great way to understand it – the design, history, people, food, culture, and much more. D.C. is an intersection where history meets contemporary, blending a cosmopolitan DNA at its core. Modern architecture and shapeshifting designs awe you, yet they house ancient art and priceless literature. Modern buildings carry echoes of their initial purpose, keeping it still intact. For instance, the old Post Office building is famous for its open and high ceiling that benevolently allowed massive sunlight for the workers inside. Today, it is the iconic Astoria Hotel, which maintains the grand lobby as it is and preserves the clock tower that provides an excellent vantage point to the entire city in all four directions, and a free entry! One of the most modern building that captures your gaze is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The sloping alleys that wind you into the multiple floors of the museum and modern techniques of preservation tells you a story spanning centuries.

My destination in Google Maps was Dua D.C. Coffee, a coffee shop known for its Indonesian specialty coffee and locally woman-owned. As I followed the directions, I was encouraged to see the crowd thickening ahead. Turning a corner, I passed a souvenir shop that caught my attention. I slowed down to look around to see why there was a souvenir shop. Voilà, there I saw – The Nation’s Most Important Address – The White House. It was ironically during my quest for a specific coffee shop that I unexpectedly stumbled upon the White House. Coffee indeed opens up a world of possibilities, I can proudly argue as a coffee aficionado.

I paused my pursuit to look at the massive building and became one of the tourists lapping up the Sunday joys.

Further ahead, I finally found Dua D.C. and entered the extremely busy coffee shop. I waited in line to place my order for a single origin pour-over coffee. As my turn came, I placed my order quite ruthlessly. The barista looked at me with concern.

I am still not sure how the baristas across the world are skilled at distinguishing between a local and a foreigner. Later, after many days of caffeinated contemplation, I realized how D.C. coffee shops lean towards a great culture of making small conversations or even saying something as small as, “hello, how are you and how was your day?”. This is customary, a rite of passage for every single person who enters the coffee arena. Well, I denied my barista that! But I am glad I did not deny the support he extended to me for customizing my coffee! I also humbly welcomed the one from the lovely person behind me in the queue who supported me to complete my payment using credit card.

I felt like my support came straight from a crowdfunding campaign—everyone pitched in, and now I have enough encouragement to walk into a coffee shop in the Moon!

As days passed by, my dear friends, knowing my love for perfect brews, introduced me to some delightful coffee shops. Among these treasures, Maman quickly became a beloved favorite of mine. With numerous branches across D.C., Maman proudly caters to a variety of palate preferences and offers an exciting selection of coffee, Matcha Lattes, baked goods, and savory treats.

Coffee shops are an intricate part of a city. They are a microcosm of a vast city in itself. The engaging conversations they encourage, footfall, options of coffee and more are all indicators of how lively the city is. I explored D.C. one coffee shop at a time and as coffee shops got ticked off from my list I became a pro – engaging in vibrant conversations, exploring a kaleidoscope of orders, and immersing myself in caffeine wonder.

D.C. is a city that every coffee lover will walk around in joy. The coffee options delight you and most of the coffee shops provide an environment that can cheer you up. But mind you, if you need the vibe, you need to catch it before 3 pm as most coffee shops close early.

Hit me up if you have any new suggestions!