Compass Coffee
This D.C.-borne favorite expanded its Arlington footprint in 2020, opening a new location in Ballston Quarter (it also has a storefront in Rosslyn). Compass’s floral Cherry Blossom blend will return to stores this spring, in both hot- and cold-brew form. Order drinks on site, or pick up beans for home brewing in tins or 5-lb bags. The company also recently added K-Cups and Nespresso pods to its online store. //1201 Wilson Blvd. (Rosslyn) and 4100 Wilson Blvd. (Ballston), Arlington
Rappahannock Coffee and Roasting
Fans were concerned that this modest coffee roaster on Columbia Pike would close before it reached its 20th birthday this spring. But the café has lived to see another day, thanks to a county-approved, three-year extension of the redevelopment permit that signaled its last days. For now, owner Gi Lee is focused on selling house-roasted beans and crafting specialty drinks like the honey-vanilla latte, flavored with fresh honey and vanilla bean extract. Call ahead to pick up your order to go, or grab a seat in the living-room inspired interior. Bring cash—there’s a $3 minimum on credit card orders. //2406 Columbia Pike, Arlington (Columbia Pike)
Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen
Origin opened in Pentagon Row (now known as Westpost) in January with on-site roasting and a food menu that includes breakfast all day. The retail operation offers 10 different kinds of single-origin coffee from Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya and Colombia, and six methods of brewing it, including Chemex, French press and V60 pour-overs. Order the sweet Spanish latte made with condensed and whole milk. The owners are planning to introduce online ordering and a subscription bean delivery service next. //1101 S. Joyce Street, Arlington (Westpost)
Trade Roots
Need an escape? Order a dark Turkish or sweet Vietnamese coffee—hot or iced—at Lisa Ostroff’s worldly gift shop and café in Westover. Trade Roots also sells fair trade and direct trade beans by the pound. Outdoor café tables provide space for more than a dozen guests to enjoy small plates, coffee and wine al fresco. //5852 Washington Blvd., Arlington (Westover)
Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
Warm up with a cinnamon roll latte (rich with brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla) or a red-hot latte (made with cinnamon and cayenne pepper). Those were just two of the featured beverages on the winter coffee menu at David Guas’s beloved New Orleans-style haunt. Order ahead on Bayou’s website and grab a seat on the patio for some Courthouse neighborhood people watching. Be sure to add an order of piping hot beignets. //1515 N. Courthouse Road, Arlington (Courthouse)