Juan Valdez Cafe

Busy, probably because of the good tasting coffee. $ 2 cups fit the bill too.

Meh the coffee does justice don’t buy anything outside of that (flavored or otherwise). My usual was a campesino but time after time it disappoints. I don’t mind patronizing because its close to my office but i still with saving my money for something else and keep it very very verrryyyy simple.

So far everything I have tried as been delicious and would get again. They have an extensive menu and some unique to their store items as well such as the iced cardamom coffee. I am a huge fan of their chai latte it’s not too sweet and tastes really fresh spicey and just gives me a warm hug feeling every time I drink it! The staff is helpful, fast and consistent every morning I have visited so far. I also got the chicken empanada and it was heated to a crisp and had great flavor. I can’t wait to try their baked cheese bread next time! So walk right by all those other shops because this one is worth the walk for me to resist the others along my way. Love love love their coffee and other beverages!

Wifi wasn’t working, hot chocolate was bad, and brownie was decent. Indifferent service. No surprise it was so empty!

Must try Mango Fruppea with milk, its like a mango thick shake. People are very friendly here and space is always clean. Sit here and take a break from busy work day.

5 stars for the coffee, 3 stars for this location. Upon walking in I was happy to see this place as I’ve been in the ones in Colombia and NYC. I was excited to get my beloved cookie (galleta) nevado, been craving it for the longest since I left NYC. Anyways the cashier was snobby and rolled his eyes when my friend kinda took awhile to decide what she wanted. We both just again chose to ignore this. The place was kinda messy to be honest so it was a surprise to me.
The lady who made my drink though was super sweet and smiled. Thankfully she made the drink good so it made up for the rude cashier. The hours are kinda strange though? They don’t open on weekends? There weren’t many seats and they were all taken by people so we just left and walked around DC with our drinks. C’mon Juan Valdez you are better than this!

I have a rule of thumb about coffee shops — any place that charges extra for a larger cup full of the same amount of coffee isn’t worth my business. Sad to say, they failed this simple test. When your customer service compares negatively to the multi-​national chains, you need to rethink your policies.

This review is purely just on my café experience and the Cardamom coffee.
Back in my hometown of San Diego, my boyfriend and I tried making this chai inspired coffee using cardamom and it was the best thing ever. Since then, I’ve kind of been obsessed with drinks using cardamom and was craving it badly when I stumbled upon Juan Valdez Café! I currently live just a few blocks away from this place and was meaning to try it out. I found out they had Cardamom coffee on the menu and from other Unilocal reviews, it sounded legit.
I ordered an iced Cardamom coffee from this great spanish-​speaking woman who kept calling me baby, and I kind of liked it. It felt very cozy and familial there despite the modern décor, which made me feel comfortable and at home. There were a ton of business people camped out on their laptops and ipads sitting at the tables and couches tapped into their free wifi.
As for the Cardamom coffee, it really was legit. Totally satisfied the cardamom fix that I needed and kept me cool on my short walk home. I really want to come back and try their pastries next!

The pan de guava is absolutely delicious. I thought the coffee with cardamom was pretty good; I’m not a regular coffee-​drinker so my review should be taken with a grain of salt, but the cardamom definitely added an unusual and interesting twist. Prices were reasonable, and service was great!

I grew up next to a Colombian bakery that sold incredibly flavorful coffee and pastries. When I moved to DC, I was a little sad that I couldn’t find a place to go for pan de bono (a type of bread made of corn flower and cheese), or the wonderful Guava and cheese bread that when served warm is bound to rock your socks off! That is, until I discovered (through Unilocal of course) that the District had its very own Juan Valdez café.
Absolutely love their coffee, shakes and bread. Their customer service is great and pretty quick. Not a huge fan of the empanadas– if you’re familiar with them, they tend to be more savory and more meaty than the potato based ones the sell at JVC but their coffee and pastries are to die for! I wish I lived closer to this spot but when I’m the area I make sure to visit.

So happy to know there is a café in the U.S. They have amazing pastries!!! Totally recommend!!!

Great place to get your caffeine fix, just two (longish) blocks from the White House compound. The staff is friendly, not sure if they’re Colombian as well but they greeted me in Spanish which was an added treat. The coffee (basic ‘espresso Americano’) was medium roast and not to bitter. just like I like it.

Plain and simple – this place is amazing. I recently went to Colombia and came back with a ton of Juan Valdez coffee and I was happy to realize this coffee shop is right near where I work! The prices are so much more expensive than in Colombia, obviously, but the coffee is delicious! I have yet to try any of the food but it all looks delicious (and full of calories!). I would try it if you are in the area. The staff is also very friendly and I love that they greet you in Spanish!

I know how good the coffee is since I am Colombian, but it’s such a bummer that I can’t enjoy it because you don’t open on weekends. I don’t live in dc but I am 40 minutes away, by the time I am off work it’s already closed. You should open on weekends and think about your neighbours and compatriotas who would die for a coffee and pan de yucas :)

The pandebono are as good as my moms! Delicious!

El manager o persona a cargo (John) fue muy descortés, cuando llegue a la registradora le hice esta pregunta:
Que es el café nevado? Es como una bebida frappé? Y evidentemente se disgustó, pude ver la expresión en su cara cuando me contesto esto no es nada parecido a Starbucks, es muy diferente, le pregunte como es diferente? Y no me supo contestar, solo respondió MUY DIFERENTE.
Yo en ningún momento pregunte «este café es parecido a Starbucks frapuccino?» El cual se muy bien que se trata de un trademark, de cualquier forma siendo colombianos es muy triste recibir este tipo de atención de un compatriota, los colombianos somos alegres y muuuuy cordiales, solo espero que nadie mas vaya a cometer el gran error de preguntarle a JOHN, que es un café nevado.
Nos encontramos de visita en Washington DC con mi esposo para nuestro aniversario, me emocione mucho al saber que en nuestro viaje íbamos a poder visitar Juan Valdez, esta fue una visita programada en nuestro viaje, no fue accidente el venir aquí el día de hoy

Colombian Coffee!
While staying in DC (Foggy Bottom), I wanted to visit local coffee spots. So lo and behold I found Juan Valdez. There weren’t many Unilocal reviews but based on what I read, I knew I had to try the Cardamom coffee. I decided to have it iced with a shot of soy milk. I have to say you truly taste the cardamom; it also wasn’t too sweet (⁴⁄₅ stars). There were even pieces of cardamom, I believe, in my drink, which I didn’t mind.
As far as location, this place is right next to GW University and right by several businesses and the White House. So Juan Valdez’s clientele was definitely suit and business attire professionals. As far as the place itself, it’s not the coziest of coffee shops I’ve been to, more cafeteria style. Service is ok; nothing terrible but nothing amazing.
Other than that, I would come here again for the coffee, but not so much to hang. I would definitely like to try their Colombian empanadas next time.

Met a friend for coffee midday midweek. I am not sure how this place has escaped my knowledge but I am glad I found it. As soon as i walked in, the smell hit me and I remembered why I love coffee, need coffee, want coffee now.
I got a cold coffee drink that had dulce de leche and cinnamon. I ordered it with an extra shot of espresso too. Wow. A new love.
It seemed like we would not get seating but we did. People rotate out here — they don’t camp for hours with their computer. Customers included a lot of well dressed professionals. Noise level ok for talking and not being overheard. Lighting bright. Was bummed there were no empanadas but tried some brownie and it was good. I will definitely return here when in the area.

What he or she said: Delicious coffee served in a sterile environment.
All the suits going in and out and lounging about have much to be excited about. Juan Valdez makes some seriously good coffee. I’m no coffee connoisseur, in fact, I’m not even a coffee person, but Juan Valdez makes me want to be one.
Per all the recommendations, I tried the campesino, a coffee dressed with a touch of cane sugar and cinnamon and found it just as described, rich and flavorful. The campesino is also one of the best deals on the menu; the medium size is under three bucks. Note: You will be charged for alternate milk (soy milk).
Though Juan Valdez doesn’t offer much atmosphere, reminds one more of a corporate cafeteria than a coffee shop, it is a nice spacious and clean place for grabbing a morning or mid afternoon pickmeupper.
Besides coffee, they also offer assorted teas, including hot and cold chai lattes, yay!
I’ll probably end up alternating between this spot and M. E. Swings.
I also heard that they sell Central American snacks like pan de guava. I didn’t see that today, but I’ll keep my eye out for it as anything with guava in it is awesome.

I can’t believe this place is here! The almojabana and pan de bono taste just like the ones I make at home. They also have pan de guava. Can’t go wrong with their coffee. It’s just perfect. Friendly staff. I wish Juan Valdez opened up in LA. I’d definitely be there.

My go to coffee spot in Foggy Bottom hands down. It’s not as fancy as the choices over at Filter but this place definitely gets my business consistently because of the latin flourishes to the coffee. I am a big fan of the cardamomo which I truly wish they would serve other places. The cardamom adds a nice complexity to the coffee. I also love the fact that Juan Valdez is owned by the cooperative of coffee growers in Colombia.
Also a part of me misses the juan valdez commercials with his donkey.