I'm in Chevy Chase DC. It's hopeless. Well, our go-to place is Bread and Chocolate, which we really do enjoy.

Heh. I just posted about Eggspectation out in Chantilly for the person looking for something near Dulles. They should really expand. It's a resto/cafe/bar.

Anonymous wrote:Little Red Fox in CC

Not great seating. Find for a quick chat or cup of coffee, but not a linger sort of place. For coffee and small bites, I'd rather choose the coffeeshop in the basement of Politics and Prose. Or try Terasol across the street.

Little Red Fox in CC

Busyboys and poets

OP, sounds like you're new in town, so you may not realize the typo--this is Busboys and Poets. I'm not the PP, but great suggestion (and now multiple locations).

Yes, Chevy Chase DC is a cafe desert. BTW stay the hell out of American City Diner.

Not to derail over to the forgotten-clubs-of-the-80s thread, but this thread makes me miss Mr. Henry's.

Commissary. Not a cafe, more like a cross between a bar and a coffeehouse, but you can definitely do the hangout thing you're talking about. Comfort food, good drinks, vegan-friendly, breakfast available all day.
Next to it, Stoney's Pub, which has an old-time dive feel, which is funny, since it moved to that location in the last few years. The dive vibe isn't original to that location, they brought it with them. The bar up front feels "pub," the tables in the back feel "cafe." More a beer than wine place.

Kramerbooks
Le Pain Quotidien

thanks all who have posted, and keep them coming! I'm noticing that part of the reason I feel like there are no cafés is that they're all in a different part of town! (I'm in Chevy Chase DC)

Enfant, at 18th & U
Cafe St. Ex
For a more casual old-time dinerish feeling (but they do have wine), Trio's.

Tryst

Ambar in barracks row, cork in Logan, vinoteca?

Busyboys and poets

Bistrot du Coin can have that feeling.

I'd love to find a great café to meet up with friends. Not a bar, and not a restaurant per se. A café, where some people can order coffee, some can order wine, you can order something to eat if you want (and it's not spinach artichoke dip) but not necessary. And you can actually sit and hang out without feeling like you need to rush out when you're done with your glass of wine, so another party can sit down. Any recommendations? (I'm 40ish and married, so not a place to meet new people, just to hang out with friends).