Open City At the National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC
Crema's Take
“Tucked beside the National Cathedral with views of the Bishop's Garden, this wooden-walled sanctuary feels more like a thoughtful retreat than a typical café, especially when you settle onto the summer terrace with a carefully pulled espresso. The atmosphere strikes that rare balance between tranquil and convivial—high ceilings and stained glass create an almost sacred calm, while the kitchen turns out genuinely excellent pastries and light fare like bacon egg and cheese croissants that keep locals and visitors equally happy. It's the kind of place where you can linger for hours with your laptop or a companion without feeling rushed, surrounded by the kind of unhurried beauty that makes you understand why people call it one of DC's best café stops.”
What to expect
Google Reviews
Open City at the National Cathedral is one of the best café stops in DC, especially in the summer the terrace is really lovely and a perfect place to sit with a coffee or a casual meal. The location right next to the Cathedral is ideal, and the whole area feels calm and beautiful. That said, I do think they could improve the cleanliness inside the café. The experience would be even better with a bit more attention to maintaining the dining area during busy hours. Overall, I’d still recommend it for the patio, the atmosphere, and the unbeatable location.
We went directly to Open City café without visiting the cathedral and it was still a wonderful experience. It’s right beside the Bishop’s Garden and the interior is tranquil and wooden, with a good number of seats. The chalk board menus feature a DC local artist and made ordering more fun. We ordered a hot matcha latte and maple chai. The maple chai is a must try, while the matcha was slightly powdery. If you order for here, they come in cute mugs that add to the atmosphere and photos. Keep in mind that a 10% service fee is charged. There is free wifi but it could be too loud during peak hours to do work. It’s a nice place to have a chat. Would love to come again!
In town seeing some stuff. I love history. Very cool place. Goo food. Clean, neat. I had the bacon egg and cheese croissant. FANTASTIC my girl got the Avo Toast. Definitely tasty.
An antique-looking cafe right next to the Washington National Cathedral is a great place to visit. You can choose to sit indoor or outdoor. It was gorgeous to look at the cathedral and the sky while I was enjoying the food and chai there. There are different types of coffee on the menu as well. Great place to go for a weekend brunch or just enjoy a sunny afternoon.
Beautiful high-ceilings and stained glass. A small cramped cafe with a lot of heart and bustle. Set right beside Bishop’s Garden at the National Cathedral, it’s truly tranquil. Their white chocolate raspberry seasonal drink is delicious.
Crema Reviews
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