Open City at the National Cathedral

Small but lovely coffee shop and restaurant across the parking lot from the National Cathedral. It is often busy, but the food they serve doesn't take long to make, so there's never too much of a line. There is no table service, you order at the register and they bring the food to you. There are games and puzzles available to borrow if you have small children, and you can move the tables around to accommodate a larger group. The food choices are millennial, interesting and a bit eclectic. It's by far the easiest place to stop in for a bite if you are visiting the National Cathedral, anywhere else is a few blocks of a walk. There is a public restroom here.
5 7 years ago (15-04-2018)

It a nice little cafe to grab brunch after the 11:15 Sunday service. They have lattes, soups, waffles, salads, and club sandwiches. There is a good amount of seating and people are friendly which is an added bonus. There is a garden close by to just incase you want to sit outside and reminisce as you eat.
5 7 years ago (13-05-2018)

Staff was friendly and coffee was pretty good. Cute little establishment. The staff is friendly and the sitting area was clean. There are couches along the edges that seem to be a good place to sit and chat if you can snag one. The pastries also looked delicious, but I didn't actually try any. Perhaps next time.
5 7 years ago (13-02-2018)

I was in town for News Years weekend and decided to drop in Open City. My husband and I had breakfast there on Sunday and it was so delicious we went back on Monday on our way out of town. It’s in a peaceful, charming location right by the cathedral but the big surprise was how fantastic the breakfast was there. Frittata sandwich, ham and cheese croissant, breakfast bar and chocolate croissant were all wonderful. The espresso was superb and had a nice presentation. Excellent food aside, the most pleasant part of our visit was the people who worked there- friendly and genuinely amiable. Not just one of them but everyone we encountered there. It reinforced the thought that a congenial atmosphere is contagious. Kudos to the food and staff at Open City.
5 8 years ago (01-01-2018)

This is a fun cafe in the old Herb Cottage in the Cathdral grounds. The coffee is very good, and the food is reliably good. The line can feel daunting, but they move you through pretty quickly. And the seating tends to work out somehow - a communal table helps, and outdoor seating in nice weather. It's a good, laid - back place that's a nice mix of neighborhood people, tourists, and students.
5 8 years ago (21-01-2018)