DUPONT CIRCLE, DC – FILTER COFFEE
1726 20TH STREET NW, DUPONT CIRCLE, DC
Up a long escalator that seems to ascend into the heavens, through a circle, around a corner, down a few stairs, and you are at Filter. It sounds hard, but don’t fret — it’s easy. One must simply be careful not to miss this place, located under your feet, literally; it’s tucked away below the sidewalk, like a cool underground coffee lair.
With a local roaster in Annapolis, MD, their extensive menu includes special reserve coffees and selections from all over the world. French presses in the morning, hand-poured coffees during the day, and excellent espresso drinks make this a nice place to linger. The staff is extra friendly, which enhances the experience.
I like to sit outside with a few friends (weather permitting) and admire the narrow, 19th century row houses, lined with beautiful spring foliage of cherry blossoms and dogwoods; Dupont has been, historically, one of the great residential neighborhoods of DC, and a desirable place to live since the late 1800s. Its’ name is literally derived from a traffic circle in which the neighborhood expands from. In the 1970s, after a brief decline, the area took on a bohemian feel, becoming home to many of DC’s gay population. Today, the neighborhood still retains a bit of that bohemian charm, especially when one ventures off the beaten path. A few blocks over, Connecticut Avenue is bustling with restaurants and book stores, bars and ice cream shops, though I prefer the quiet residential streets — with their historic air, they can transport one to another time.
I drank a Panama single origin, my friends an El Salvador and a cappuccino. All were delicious. Filter will remain a DC favorite of mine: a great neighborhood, a lovely space, an unpretentious vibe, and fantastic coffee.
this place looks so wonderful!
although the dupont escalator gives me vertigo…i will definitely have to check out filter, i know exactly where it is. thanks for the review.
karin – the dupont escalator is worth the trip! hope you enjoy filter – let me know what you think!
[...] via Erin Pate and The Coffee Experiment [...]
[...] via Erin Pate and The Coffee Experiment [...]
[...] bike racks to accommodate the large number of customer bikes at Filter. via Erin Pate and The Coffee Experiment images via Washington Area Bicycle [...]