where to find it

last updated 7/22/24

Whenever I travel somewhere, I always google best coffee in <city name>. That and word of mouth are how I’ve found a lot of these places.

Here’s a list of Matty-approved coffee shops. I’ll keep this list pinned to the top of the blog and update it as I visit new places (or remember places I may have forgotten).

If I learn a shop closes I will remove it from the list. But please check ahead before you visit to ensure your destination still exists, given the vagaries of a low-margin business.


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a new one for me

I had some free time this morning when I stopped by Takoma Bev Co, so I stayed to enjoy my beverage. I’m always delighted when an espresso drink is served on a tray with a glass of soda water, but I don’t think I’ve ever had a coffee in this type of glass before.

The only differences I found to a usual coffee drink were getting a bit more of the aroma while drinking it due to the slightly narrower top portion of the glass, and the visual cue that I was having a stout or chocolate milk. Overall? A nice touch, and it helped prove they made the drink to the correct temperature because the glass wasn’t hot to the touch.

a few random statistics, for no particular reason whatsoever

Coffee (including coffee products) imports for fiscal year 2024
$9,001,262,447
source: US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service data

Rank of coffee (including coffee products) among agricultural products imported to the US for fiscal year 2024
4th
source: US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service data

Top countries supplying coffee to the US in 2023/24
Brazil (32 percent)
Colombia (20 percent)
Vietnam (8 percent)
Honduras (7 percent)
source: US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service data

Newly enacted US “reciprocal” tariffs
Brazil, 10 percent
Colombia, 10 percent
Vietnam, 46 percent
Honduras, 10 percent
source: Executive Order of US President, dated April 2, 2025

one DC coffee shop I won’t be visiting

This is absolutely nuts. Staying far far away, hopefully it will be gone soon.

UPDATE: they’ve been closed down by DC authorities, at least for now

coffee & booze, a beautiful friendship

I’m not much for Irish coffee and its derivatives (especially those buried in whipped cream), but I do love me a well-made espresso martini. Not too long ago I discovered an even better way to enjoy coffee in an adult beverage.

Behold, the frozen coffee drink:

This delight can be found at Snappy’s Small Bar, in DC’s Petworth neighborhood. Terrific owners and staff, friendly as all get out, timeless decor. It’s the go-to place if you’re a fan of Underberg, as they always have a ton of it available.

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